Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 239 October 6 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We created new pages for adding requests and contest entries. The photo contest and request page have an image upload ability which allows you to attach a photo directory to your submission. When you get a chance, try out the new forms and let us know if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.
New Tip Contest Page
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml
New Photo Contest Page
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
New Request Page
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_request.ldml
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
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Today's Sponsors
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Today's Photos
Happy to See the Bride
After the wedding Dave, the brides nephew, got so excited to see her he ran up and jumped into her arms. Everyone laughed and thought how cute he was. Her other nephew laid the white carpet, Dave's brother Adam. There Mom was one of the brides maids.
By Sharon Harkness
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Taking Pictures In Flowers
Why spend alot of $ at the photo studio when you can take pictures like this with your own camera! This is my 13 month old daughter Maggie Mildred. She loved sitting amongst all the wonderful flowers in this park. She really is the happiest baby I know!
By Julie Chalich
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Kady (German Shepherd/Shiba Inu)
Here is a pic of my dog, Kady, shown guarding her bone! She is 4 years old and a German Shepherd/Shiba Inu mix. I adopted her over a year ago from Chicago Animal Control. She has proven to me that animal shelters, animal control facilities and breed rescue groups are the BEST place to find your best friend. Find your next best friend (cat or dog) at http://www.petfinder.org Kady loves to go on long walks and she jumps up and down when I pull her leash out cuz she knows it's her "exploring/play" time. She loves to be around people and she truly exemplifies "man's best friend." I'm lucky to have her in my life.
By Petfinder
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Today's Tips
Organizing a Wedding in a Month
20 years ago I organized a wedding in a month. I got a book, sat and planned in a day the number of guests, where could I have the wedding, hall, park, church kitchen, my home? What to do about food, pot luck, etc.? I searched thrift shops for a white dress.
By gail
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Using Pumpkins as Decorations All Month
I buy my Halloween pumpkins at the beginning of October to sit out on our porch. Instead of carving them right away, knowing they won't last until the end of the month, I take a black sharpie marker and draw the eyes, nose, and mouth and color them in, then sit it outside. Then a few days before Halloween I go outside and crave our the eyes, nose, and mouth the way it was drawn on. That way, you get to use the pumpkin as decoration the entire month without it going bad.
By Anna
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Cooler in My Van
I keep a large ($10 at Dollar General) cooler in the back of my van for cold grocery items such as milk and meats. It lets me continue my shopping and not worry about something spoiling. I find that it works great except in summer with ice cream. Unfortunately, in summer, ice cream seems to melt quickly regardless of being put in the cooler with other cold stuff. I have shopped and ate dinner and still have cold products when I get home.
This also saves on gas, because I would not have to drive home just to put the cold items in the fridge/freezer. It allows me to my consolidate trips.
By Sandy Webber
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Generic Allegra
A generic just became available for the brand name Allegra. The generic name is Fexofenadine and it comes in the 30mg, 60mg and 180mg. I believe it is manufactured by Teva. So if you are taking Allegra you might speak to your pharmacist about having it filled with the generic equivalent! Great news for the pocketbook.
By Sandra
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Keeping Emergency Money On Hand
A way to save money is to hide a certain amount. If you need it, take 1/2 of the money out and always put back what you borrowed. If you have change left over put it in the same spot. You will always have money when you need it.
By Kristy Hull
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Getting Rid of Ants
Tips for getting rid of ants. Post your ideas.
Pour salt as a border where you do not want ants to go. Ants will not walk through salt.
By Rena Henley
We had great success using Orange Glow wood polish and cleaner. We haven't seen an ant in months after clearing all cupboards and spraying them with Orange Glow. Leave the cupboards open over night because the scent is very strong.
By Kay Alina
I had an ant problem indoors and found that the 20 mule team Borax is a great way to get rid of them without poisoning your family.
Also, ants hate cinnamon. If you want to get rid of ants just sprinkle cinnamon around and you get rid of ants and you get a nice scent too.
By Noelia Gutierrez
Plant mint alongside your house, where you think they might be coming in...ants don't like mint!
We had them really bad, in our bathroom...we put out Raid Ant Bait stations, and planted mint, too!
As a bonus...mint leaves are wonderful in summer iced tea!
Upshot of all this...No ants!
By Anonymous
Cayenne Pepper works better than pesticides. Bonus is that it is non poisonous and if kids or pets get a hold of it it burns but won't make them sick!
By Kim
I've heard if you sprinkle corn meal where they walk they'll eat it. The cornmeal swells up and kills them. Could be an old wives tale just not sure.
By Carol
Don't Feed Them
How do you get rid of ants? Don't feed them of course. Keep cupboards and floors clean. Keep the crumbs off the counter tops and the carpets.
By ardis barnes
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Uses for Ice Cube Trays
Ideas for using ice cube trays for something other than making ice. Post your ideas.
Starting Seeds
If you are a home gardener, recycle ice cube trays to make great seed starters.
sdflmom
Bath Bomb Molds
When I was making bath bombs, I used my fruit-shaped ice cube trays as moulds
^_^ TeraDaisySpawn
I had one of those plastic pill containers with sections for different days of the week. I gave it away since I wasn't using it. Now I need one but don't have one. I've found I can use an ice cube tray the same way. Just use the first seven cubes. It's working fine.
By Karen Newton
Freezing Fruit
I use mine to freeze my own fruit for smoothies, like pineapple, or sliced strawberries. It takes up a lot less room in the freezer than a cookie sheet, they are stackable, and the fruit doesn't get all stuck together.
Dog Treats
Make summer dog treats - I put beef or chicken broth in the tray and add a secret treat in the middle- a cube of dried liver or some other small treat. My two dogs love them- cool and tasty!
For Earrings and Crafts
I have one in my top dresser drawer. It is a great little catcher for earrings, necklaces that I wear too often to put in the jewelry box.
I also have an old one that I use to hold craft paints when I am working on a projet. When I am done just rinse well and let dry.
By CJ
Baby Food
I made my own babyfood when my kids were little. I put the food in an ice cube tray and froze it. Once frozen, pop them out and put them in a zip lock freezer back. When it's time for little one to eat, grab a cube of whatever you want to serve them. This makes great individual servings.
By CRMom
Freeze Something Other Than Water
I purchased some extra ice cube trays for freezing things OTHER than water. Freeze kool-aid, juices, leftover sauces. Just place in a labeled freezer bag after frozen, and they can be used one at a time.
I like frozen koolaid cubes in my lemonade. It gives it a great flavor.
By Dee
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http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 17 $25 prizes in a variety of categories.
Tip Contest!
To enter, visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
To enter, visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Contest ends October 31, 2005
Syndication Spotlight:
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Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
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New Requests
Urine and Mildew on Mattress
Does anyone have any ideas how to clean the musty mildew smell out of a much urinated on mattress? The bed is a king size double pillow top.
Tammy
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Bugs Biting Me In My Sleep
I have a problem with some type of bugs biting me in bed; I can't see them but feel them bite. I've washed the sheets and PJ'S in clorox yet they still bite.
Melodie from Lynchburg, SC
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Bridesmaid Dress Fabric Too Shiny
I've just received my bridesmaids dresses and don't like them at all. They're made of a brown polyester and an ivory acetate lining underneath. I love the colors, but the two fabrics together create this horrible shiny, slinky, dizzy look. Is there any spray or a way to take away the shine without taking the fabric out or buying a new dress?
Christina from Bethesda, MD
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Spiralling Fruit Centerpiece
I saw a fruit centerpiece on the internet that was made of chunks of fruit and spiralled upward. Does anyone know what is used for the base and to attach the fruit to?
Vicky from Louisiana
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Having a Murder Mystery Party
My husband's 40th is next year. I am trying to get an early start. I don't want to do the over-the-hill theme as this man is actually happy about aging. I am thinking of doing a murder mystery party theme. Any suggestions from those with past experience? Can you offer any specific titles or games to order? Can it be adaptable for more than 8 guests? Any other ideas come to mind?
Shalee
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Homemade Cream of Corn
How do you make cream of corn? I have a bunch of corn and would like to make it into cream of corn. Sounds easy, I just have never done it before.
Thanks,
Dora
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Planting Fruit Trees in The Fall
I want to plant lilacs and also some fruit trees. Do you do that in the fall?
Hardiness zone: 6b
Linka from Garrett Indiana
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Gasoline Smell on Luggage
How can we get a strong gasoline smell off of luggage? It must have come from the trunk of a taxi.
Mel from Piano, TX
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Corner Dining Booth With Storage
We live in a railroad layout apartment in NYC and we want to build our own corner dining booth, i.e. a table with a rounded or two-sided banquette with storage space. We have scanned the net and books and we cannot find exactly what we need. Does anyone have any suggestions? We cannot afford to hire anyone and we want to make this space-saving and storage-providing dining booth on a very small and tight budget. Thanks!
Newbie in NYC
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Getting Rid of Flies on Dogs
I recently washed my girls (Cobe and Ivy) and found these small black flies on them. They seemed to have went away and were dead in the water when I was done bathing them. They were not fleas, I know what fleas are and look like. I just don't have any idea what they are. They were small like fleas but didn't seem to bother them much (no iching). Are these fruit flies? I never heard of fruit flies on a dog but they are bad around here this year? Any Idea?
Mindy in Ontario
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Aldi's near Mitchellville, Maryland
I am looking for nearest location of a Aldi's store in. I am in Mitchellville, Maryland.
Priscilla
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Auction Selling Tips
By Monica Resinger Selling items at auctions is a fun way to bring in extra income and reduce clutter in your home. If you're like me and peruse yard sales and thrift stores, you can add even more to your income. Most of the time, you'll get more for an item up for auction than you would selling it at a yard sale. Sometimes it is very surprising and exciting to see how much you get for an item!
I recently began selling at eBay and have learned quite a bit about auction selling through trial and error. This article will teach you the most important things I have learned so far.
1. Shipping and Handling: You'll need a good scale - mine is a modern food-weighing one (not the old ones that you can barely balance anything on). This type can be found at your local Target, Big K or Wal-Mart. When you weigh an item be sure to also weigh the box/package it will be shipped in or estimate for it so you get a correct weighing and charge enough. I use U.S.P.S. and they have a website where you can figure shipping here:
http://www.usps.com/
When figuring what to charge for shipping, we also add in other shipping expenses like the cost of boxes, envelopes, shipping tape, etc. Some eBay sellers like to add these expenses into the price of the item.
2. Packaging items: This can be a personal preference, but we use newspaper because we have lots of it. Just be sure the item is packed tightly in the box with whatever packing material you are using. You can also use shredded paper, packing peanuts, or bubble-wrap.
We purchased shipping boxes that are movie (VHS) size because we sell a lot of movies and another common size box. These are great because you don't have to wrap them with shipping paper - just tape the seals with shipping tape. Here's where we get our boxes:
http://www.papermart.com/
This site has a huge variety of different sized boxes for good prices. If you plan to sell for a long time, I recommend you get a common size box for the type of items you are selling because it will save you a lot of time and hassle.
We also use other type boxes such as cereal boxes depending on what we are shipping. These type boxes aren't as strong so they're better for things like clothing or things that can handle a 'push'.
You can ask your neighbors, friends and family to save boxes for you and be sure to keep your eyes open at local businesses for sturdier boxes - a lot of times you'll see them sitting outside by the dumpster free for the taking.
If you use Priority Shipping through the U.S.P.S., they will give you free shipping supplies.
3. Postal Insurance: We have made it an option for customers to get this and we have noted on each auction that we are not responsible for broken or lost items. If something gets broken or lost then they can use their insurance if they bought it. It costs $1.30 for anything up to $500. If they buy it, you just buy it at the post office when you are shipping and they give you a receipt. If someone's item gets damaged you can then send them the receipt so they can take it up with the post office.
4. Pictures. You will need pictures of the items you are selling so will need to either invest in a digital camera or get pictures developed on disk.. People will not buy from you without pictures - I know from experience.
5. Payment Options. As far as online payment services, my personal preference is Paypal especially now that they offer a debit card. When Paypal is used, you get instant payment and are able to instantly use that money with the debit card. There is a fee involved with each transaction but it is very nominal considering the gas, time and hassle saved from cashing or depositing checks and money orders.
Paypal's website: http://www.paypal.com
It is best to accept as many payment options as possible. This will help you get more bids on your items. Don't be afraid to accept checks. All the checks I have received from our customers have been good with no problems at all.
I know it can be intimidating - I was feeling the same way when we were first thinking about auction selling. But once you know the basics, the best way to learn is to just do it!
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