Volume Five, Number 4, January 9, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We have a lot of requests today, over 20. Please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer. We also have a new format for the online version of this newsletter. You can check it out here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52216651.tip.html
We have a new poll that asks whether or not you have a cellphone. You can answer it here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53466376.tip.html
If you have any tips for saving money on cellphone plans, please post them here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28468479.tip.html
We are getting low on photo contest entries. If you have any craft, pet or home improvement photos to share, please post them here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Tip Contest!
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Photo Contest!
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Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
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Today's Photos
| AAHHHHH!
Little one in front of the tree.
By Keith from Fremont, CA
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| Dutch (Rottweiler)
Dutch is our 3.5 month old Rottwieler
My longtime faithful companion and guard dog of 16 years passed away at Thanksgiving. A friend who knew how much I missed Doc arrived shortly thereafter with arms full of a wiggling grinning pup. My lab mix Dolly immediately accepted the new youngster and now Dutch has a forever home and I have new guard in the making!
At this point for fun - he chews! He also runs with the our 3 year old lab mix and in general tears about the place.
This shows Dutch chewing the cornstalks. We give him corn cobs to chew and he ferrets them out of field on his own now.
By Gretchen from Coulterville, IL
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| A Friendly Raccoon
We were lighting fireworks off on New Years eve and she (the raccoon) came running over to us and was so friendly and loving. She must had been someone's pet for her to be so friendly.
She loves to get into all the kitchen cabinets and into the fridge.
By Pam from Clinton, TN
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Today's Tips
| Too Many Bananas?
Do you hate letting bananas go bad, but get tired of baking banana bread? I do! If our bananas are on the verge of too ripe, I peel them, and wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and freeze them. We then use them for healthy smoothies, using about 2 cups of your choice of juice in the blender, 1 or 2 bananas, frozen strawberries (if you have them) and some protein powder. Voila! A healthy, quick breakfast.
By Sandra from Floral City, FL
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| Jewelry Cleaner (Gold with Gem Stones)
3 cups ammonia
1 cup water
3 drops any dish soap
Soak jewelry for a few minutes then rinse well with water.
Warning: Do Not Use with Pearls or costume jewelry.
By imaqt1962 from illinois
Editor's Note: This will make lots of jewelry cleaner. I'd cut the recipe down to 1/3, 1 cup ammonia, 1/3 cup water, 1 drop dish soap.
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| Multi Holiday Decorating Tip
This Valentine hint, which will also work for Easter, is something I figured out when Christmas decorating. When we went to hang our collection of seven Santa ornaments, I didn't want to put all those holes in my new walls.
So, my husband made one simple hanger that will hold all ornaments. That means only two holes in the wall. We have a rustic cabin, so a spruce board with natural bark on it and galvanized nails work in our decor. But you could use a nicely varnished or painted board and decorator nails or pretty hooks.
Just mount the board on the wall and pound or screw in your individual hangers. Then hang the ornaments with cord or ribbon that matches your decorating style. This also serves to frame the ornaments, making them into an attractive grouping, rather than these small things getting lost on a big wall.
Change the ornaments or decorations to match the current holiday. Between holidays, hang other small items. Some possibilities are sea shells, small glass bottles, antique kitchen utensils, or dried flowers.
By Coleen from Alaska
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Jelly Jar Deodorizers
- 2 cups liquid potpourri
- 4 packets knox gelatin (plain unflavored)
- Jelly jars, lids and rings
- Plastic wrap
- Decorations (i.e. lace, ribbons, fabric, etc.)
Bring 1 cup liquid potpourri to boil in a non-reactive saucepan. Do not use your good pans!
Add packets of knox gelatin and stir to dissolve.
Add 1 cup of liquid potpourri that is at room temperature and stir.
Pour into jelly jars, cover with plastic wrap and put into refrigerator to firm.
After they have congealed, add lids, rings and any decorations.
These will last several months when uncapped. Just set in a room and let them do their magic
By imaqt1962 from illinois
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| Puzzle Decorating in Your Child's Room
A fun and easy and cheap way to decorate your child's room (and get them involved) is to allow them to pick out a puzzle that they like from the store. Have them put the puzzle together, and when it is finished, purchase some puzzle glue, coat the entire puzzle with the glue, and let dry completely. This will create a puzzle picture that can now be framed. You can find inexpensive, plastic frames at Walmart, or check out yard sales throughout the year. They have a masterpiece in their own room that you know they will like, and they will feel a sense of pride in helping to decorate their own room!
By Sandra from Floral City, FL
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| Removing Labels from Mailing Boxes
We have a daughter and her family who live 3000 miles away so I am always mailing packages. I also order many Christmas gifts, etc. and save the boxes to re-use. Removing the mailing labels has always been so annoying, but I happened to think of using my blow dryer to heat up the labels and usually they peel right off! I was elated!!
By Ann from Dublin, GA
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| Removing Gasoline (Petrol) Smell from Clothing
To remove gas (petrol) smelling from clothing, soak overnight in baby oil (use as if you would like downy), then wash in baking soda, then wash with normal detergent. It rid an entire basket of clothes of the "gas smell". Try it it works.
By M'LYKA from SHELBY, NC
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View Active Topics!
New Requests
| Airplane Themed Birthday Party
I am planning my husband's 30th birthday party and I want to have an airport/airplane theme. The party will take place at our home (indoors and out). If you have any ideas, please pass them along. What are things you automatically connect with an airport or airplane?
DD from florida
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| Dog Footprints in House
I just got laminate floors in quite a large area of my home. We have 2 dogs, both labs and one of them is leaving footprints wherever he walks. Any suggestions? Why wouldn't they both be leaving them? The prints go away with rubbing your sock over them but my floors never look clean! I love the new look, but am not very happy with how often they need to be cleaned. I have also found that they streak, unless I get down on my hands and knees.
Donna from Maple Grove, MN
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| Kool-Aid Candy
I'm looking for a recipe from back in the 1970's. It was a no-cook candy made with presweetened Kool-Aid. Can anyone help me?
Joie from Lakeland, Florida
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| Clear Glass Bells Ornaments
I am looking for clear glass bells ornaments, with no clappers, open at bottom, and approximately 6 or 7" high and 4" in diameter at the bottom of the bell. I have seen the bells as ornaments with the bottoms closed with a cardboard circle, usually with a small figure inside, and some decoration at the top of the bell hanger. Anyone know where I can find these?
Mary from Kansas City, MO
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| Food Crochet Patterns
I am looking for any and all crochet patterns for food. Like hamburgers, hot dogs, cake, etc. Annie's Attic had some nice ones but they are out of print now. Does anyone have these?
Rose Ann from Loveland, Colorado
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| Saving Money on a Cellphone
Tips for saving money on a cellphone. Post your ideas.
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| Banana Stain on Carpet
How do I get banana stain off of carpet? My son had dropped a banana out of sight and I did not find until the afternoon, the stain is black!
Cheryl from winston Salem, NC
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| Looking for a Freebie Site
Before my computer broke I had my favorites organized and really didn't know web addresses. I use to go to a freebie website and thought it was called yes-its-free.com. For the life of me I can't find the thing. They had everything sectioned off so if you only wanted to look at food samples and freebies then you could. I have gone to several other sites and can't really find anything that is free that I want. Does anybody know the site I am looking for?
Thank you,
Sandy from Baltimore, MD
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| Fabric Paint on Chair
I need help to remove fabric paint from a white Linen Dining room Chair. I've tried steam cleaning it and tried using Spray and Wash. The stains are still there.
Thank you,
MeadowLark from Goose Creek, SC
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| Mud on Timberland Boots
I've just got a new pair of baby blue Timberland boot. Any ideas what will work to get mud and stains out of them?
Sean from Mansfield
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| Unable To Travel
DH and I have not been able to take a vacation for several years because of financial restraints and doing our share of caring for elderly relatives. I feel that this is having an effect on me. I don't think creatively and I make mistakes. Does anyone have any ideas of how to refresh the brain cells at home? When I think of traveling (which I used to love) I want to cry.
Julia from UK
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| Reviving Linoleum
I have very old linoleum kitchen flooring. I have had a rug under my kitchen table and the floor beneath it is much lighter than the rest of my floor. I have tried scrubbing my floors with no luck. What can I do to revive this floor? We are in the house for another few years! Is there such a thing as linoleum paint?
Cheryl from Winston Salem, NC
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| Body Odor Smell on a Mattress
I am renting and my landlord gave us a kingsize bed. My problem is that the mattress smells from body odor and where ever it was stored. How can I get that odor out? I have tried Freebreze and Lysol. It is driving us crazy.
Thanks,
Cwazywabbit from Ripley, TN
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| Looking for Caps for Chair Legs
I have 8 dining room chairs they are in beautiful condition except for the bottom of the legs. I would like to replace a square clear cap that it supposed to level the chairs and protect the floor from scratches. I have been unable to located a store to purchase these caps. Please help.
Marilyn from Bronx, NY
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| Urine Smell on Linens
How can you remove the urine smell from sheets? My grandson wet the bed and even though we washed the sheets and blankets they still smell like urine.
Kids Grandma from Coshocton, OH
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| Teaching a Toddler to Behave in the Bath
I'm a grandmother of a 18 month old boy. I just taught him how to lay down in the bath tub, on his back, and "swim". :) Big mistake! Now he won't sit up in the tub to be washed and he splashes all over the place. Even Mom has to change her clothes after bath time. I would apprerciate any suggestion anyone might have and yes, I've learned my lesson!
Thank you,
Donita from Loveland, CO
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| For How Long is Rubbing Alcohol Flammable When Used for Cleaning
I have used rubbing alcohol to clean ink in my dryer. When will the dryer be able to be used as this stuff is flammable?
Denise from Vancouver, B.C.
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| Starting a Cleaning Business
How much do you house cleaners charge and hour for dusting, changing linens, making a bed, mopping, bathroom cleaning, dishes and vaccuming, and other light housekeeping duties? I want to start doing this for extra cash but I am not sure what is going rate. I live in central part of KY.
Thanks,
GranMAAWW from Richmond, KY
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| Preparing for a Move
You are all so creative and great on this website. I am wanting to know if anyone has suggestions on how to prepare for a home move. We will be moving in a few months and I am just overwhelmed with the idea of packing all this stuff. I have already thrown out all the stuff we don't need. I am not a pack rat at all but am still overwhelmed with the amount of stuff to pack (especially the garage area!). Any ideas would be appreciated!
Marianne from Trenton, Ohio
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| Moisturizer Stain on Leather Purse
I spilled clear oil on a pink leather purse. The oil is made by the Baar Co. It has peanut oil, olive oil, rose water, and lanolin. Outside of throwing the purse away, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can remove the oil?
Thank you all and take care.
Lori from Waterford, MI
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More Reading
Resolutions for a Green New Year
By Ellen BrownAnother year has come and gone and once again we are given the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and have a chance to adopt healthy new habits and new ways of being. While considering what it is you would like to accomplish for yourself in the coming new year, try to incorporate at least one resolution that helps protect the planet - it's guaranteed to be easier than shedding that last 10 lbs.
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