Daily Thrifty Tips - June 30, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 127, June 30, 2009 (Read It Online) Do you give your children an allowance? Post your tips and ideas about this topic here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml Be sure to give tips and photos you like a "thumbs up". We use your ratings to pick the winners. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team Send to a Friend! Share a Tip (You could win $25!) Share a Photo (You could win $25!) Have a Question? Submit a request... Link to ThriftyFun.com View Active Topics! Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Today's Photos: Garden: Peony Photos Frugal Window Treatment Bella (Shepherd/Husky) Today's Tips: Cleaning Home A/C Vents Reuse Curio Cabinet as a Jewelry Box Buy a Counterfeit Detection Pen for Garage Sales Preventing Fish Oil Capsule Burps Turn Mail Order Catalogs into Memory Books Cleaning Crayon or Ink from a Dryer Drum Joke of the Day New Requests: Painting Bathroom Faucets Cleaning a Fiberglass Tub Paint Color Advise With Brick Wall Kenmore Refrigerator Ice Maker Isn't Making Ice Refinishing the Inside of an Old Trunk Using "Pour On" Epoxy on Painted Countertop Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Today's Photos: Garden: Peony Photos These are some pictures of my Mom's Peonies. I think they are just beautiful and so very fragrant By Debbie from Berwick, ME Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61637014.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Frugal Window Treatment I've always had an unconventional way of decorating and this is just one of many examples. This kitchen window treatment is actually a bed sheet topped with a valance. Table-cloths, shower curtains, and bed-sheets can all be used to create unique window treatments and doorway draping. There's no sewing involved. Just a staple gun and an imagination! By April from Albany, Ga Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf533916.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Bella (Shepherd/Husky) Bella is a 3 month old Shepherd/Husky mix. Friends of ours foster for the local humane society, and we adopted her at 8 weeks old. She likes to run, chase the cats and kids, go for walks. She is very smart. She can sit and walk on a leash and loves to be brushed and bathed. By Jana from Regina, SK, Canada Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79364436.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! Today's Tips: Cleaning Home A/C Vents Broom: Begin your cleaning task by sweeping off the vent covers. It may sound simple, but this step will help to remove most of the dust and allergens that get blown around the easiest. When sweeping, start at the top of the vents and work your way down so that you do not spread any of the dirt and dust to a location that you have already cleaned. Remove covers: Next, remove your covers from the vents and set them aside. Most vents are held in place by four screws, typically Philips head. Place the screws with the vent covers so you do not lose them. Vacuum: Pull out your vacuum and place the hose into the vent so you can remove any major dust bunnies. You may want to tape the attachments to one another so that they do not fall off and get lost in the vents. For smaller vents, you can simply create a temporary cover for the vent out of paper. Cut a hole into the middle of this cover, and place the hose into the middle of the hole and tape the vacuum hose to the cover. Allow the vacuum to run long enough for most of the ambient dust and allergens in the vents to be cleared out. Replace filters: While technically not a part of the vents, the filters play a major role in the maintenance of those vents. Once every couple of months, you need to take the time to replace the filters in your HVAC system. Clogged filters prevent fresh air from coming into the home, while spreading dust and allergens throughout the home which makes cleaning your vents a more time-consuming operation. Replace covers: Once you are finished cleaning your vents it's time to put everything away. Replace your vent covers by holding them in place and screwing all the screws back into their proper holes. Keep in mind that periodic self cleaning will not remove all of the contaminants and dust that can accumulate throughout your vent system over the years. For deeper cleaning, it is necessary to hire professionals. They will have the proper tools to reach every nook and cranny of the air vent system. For most homes, having the air vents cleaned every year or two is all that you need to do. By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10826577.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Reuse Curio Cabinet as a Jewelry Box I reused an old curio cabinet as a jewelry box! I simply add hooks at the top of each shelf section for necklaces and bracelets. Then I found some cute wooden boxes at various yard sales, for less than a dollar, to hold my watches, rings, etc. I love it, I even had room for a shelf of perfume and sunglasses. It's nice and roomy also if you have a mirror in back of the curio it makes a nice dressing mirror! By Michele G. from Buchanan, GA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73449808.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Buy a Counterfeit Detection Pen for Garage Sales I had to learn this tip the hard way. It cost me $20.00 but I'll share it with you for free. If you are: planning a yard sale, selling items in the paper, selling vegetables or fruit, from home, planning a trip to theme park or fair, or buying at a weekend flea market/antique shop hunter, buy a $3.00 counterfeit money marker. I lost $20 or more at my yard sale last weekend. I'm sure they bought a $1 item and I gave back $19 in change. A loss of at least $38. total. It never crossed my mind while preparing for my sale. Funny money is on the rise, and these are prime target spots to pass them. Source: My story printed in local news paper to raise community awareness. By igaragesale from Cabot, AR Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16108125.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Preventing Fish Oil Capsule Burps Just read this, and it is wonderful. If you take fish oil capsules, but can't take the after effects of burping the fish taste, there is something you can do. Put the fish oil capsules in the freezer, and take them frozen. It takes longer to dissolve in your system, and prevents the bad after taste. Also they are very good for you. Source: Arthritis Today By Hope from Charleston, SC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24413669.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Turn Mail Order Catalogs into Memory Books I like to keep very well bound mail order catalogs. At the end of the year, I will take the best art work of my children for each month of the year, and attach them to the pages of the catalog. On the front I put a title, the year of the work, with the child's name and photo. Then I have a recycled memory book of their whole years work. I also use recycled paper for mulch, weed killing bird cage use, and the rabbit cage (bottom drawer) use. Sometimes I fill a pillowcase with shredded newspaper, magazine and catalog paper (shredded by hand), and give it to the animals to lay on. So much to do, so little time. :) By Robyn Fed from Hampton, TN Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43413989.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Cleaning Crayon or Ink from a Dryer Drum Tip for taking dried crayon or ink out of a washing machine or drier. I have experienced both and rubbing compound worked both times. The ink was quite a bit of work, but it came completely out. I used 3M rubbing compound for light oxidation. It will remove the crayon or ink without harming the appliance finish at all. Just apply as described on the bottle. It can be found in car care area of WalMart. By Silverado6902 from Stedman, NC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf267307.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day If you jog in a jogging suit, lounge in lounging pajamas, and smoke in a smoking jacket, why would anyone want to wear a windbreaker? Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Painting Bathroom Faucets Is it possible to paint a bathroom faucet? I wouldn't expect it to last forever, maybe just 3-4 years until I can come up with the funds to replace them all. There are two 8 inch center faucets, one shower ensemble, and one widespread roman tub faucet. It will cost big bucks to replace them all. By lba2000 from Mundelein, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39549960.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning a Fiberglass Tub I am trying to get my house together and my bathtub is a mess with so many stains. What can I use on a fiberglass tub? The enclosure part still seems fine. By sb1234 from PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf982959.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Paint Color Advise With Brick Wall I have a family room that has 3 walls that are used brick on the bottom and all windows on the top. The remaining wall is what I'm looking to paint, but would like some suggestions as to the color, I do like bold colors, also. By dubriz from West Covina, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69289109.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Kenmore Refrigerator Ice Maker Isn't Making Ice Kenmore ice maker will not fill. Filter screen is clean with water to solenoid valve. Solenoid is good and water line to ice maker is clear. Can not make solenoid operate to fill ice maker. Any ideas? By rhill24 from Sumter, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17672921.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Refinishing the Inside of an Old Trunk I have removed the smelly paper from the inside of an old trunk. What is the best way to finish the inside of the trunk now? Paint, wall paper, fabric? By EJones from Ten Mile, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89716837.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Using "Pour On" Epoxy on Painted Countertop I am painting a countertop. How long before I can put a coat of "Pour On" sealant on? By DarlinDaisy from WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80084480.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.