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Vol. 8, Num. 101, May 22, 2009 (Read It Online) I hope our US readers have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We are taking Monday off so the next issue will be on tuesday. Contest winners are picked by you so be sure to give a "thumbs up" to entries that you like. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.
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:
Shine Cookware Handles With Oil This idea/tip is to make the handles of your cookware look new again. I KNOW that most cookware makers stress NOT to put your cookware in the dishwasher. BUT, when women are working outside the home, every minute counts when getting the dishes/pots done in the kitchen. Thankfully, I am no longer working outside the home. I can focus on looking for new ideas and ways to keep our home bright and shiny with the least amount of effort. When straightening out the cabinet that holds my cookware several months ago, I saw some really UGLY handles. I decided to try Baby Oil since it is just mineral oil and gentle to babies. I got the unscented kind. Yep, for a dollar at the Dollar Tree. I have used both Q-tips and cotton balls (if I have more that one or two to do). THIS IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX! But it will keep them looking shiny through several washes if you wash them by hand. It surely beats them looking so UGLY! I just keep the Baby Oil under my kitchen sink and grab a Q-tip from the bathroom when I see one that needs to be re-shined. It only takes very little and I polish off the excess with a piece of paper towel or napkin. I make sure that no Baby Oil gets on any other surface BUT the handles. I felt that this would be the least harmful thing I could use. See the before and after photo. Yes, that was one of my UGLY handles from several months ago. Doesn't it look better? I almost forgot to tell you that shining them has kept them from NOT returning to their previous UGLY state. I make sure that they look nice and shiny. LOL By Southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA Contest Contender!
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Planting Flowers in an Old Wheelbarrow This was an old wheelbarrow I got for $1.00 at a garage sale. It is filled with rosemary, chives, oregano and mint. I have more than I can use! By Mina from Middle Georgia Contest Contender!
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Parents beware! Teens and tweens love fireworks, but their brains don't comprehend the consequences of their actions. Always have an adult to supervise any fireworks. Kids can think up some crazy things! By vguy from Earle, AR Contest Contender!
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Plant Bulbs In The Fall For Spring Flowers Just wanting to share some spring flowers with you all! I guess my tip would be, "If you want this in spring, get your knees dirty in the fall and plant those bulbs!" What a joy it is in spring when they unfold from a long winters nap! By Deb H. from East Brunswick, NJ Contest Contender!
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Biscuit (German/Golden/Chow Mix) Biscuit Baltimore Louis is a 7 year old German Shepard/Golden Retriever/Chow Chow mix. I bought Biscuit from the puppy place in town, in 2001. He likes to chase birds, fire hydrants, grass, and parks. He's an amazing best friend. By Rozent from Tuscson, AZ Contest Contender!
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Use Old Socks as Cleaning Rags When my families' white socks get holes in them or end up being strays, I use them to dust. I slip a sock over my hand and it is very easy to dust rungs of chairs, legs of tables and knick-knacks. Your socked hand fits over any shape and gets in all the little crevices, anywhere it is hard to reach. The socks get washed with the regular sock laundry and put back in the cleaning bin. Source: I got this idea because I dislike cleaning and love anything that makes it easier and quicker, besides I can't throw anything out until it is completely used up. By eiw from Lancaster, PA Contest Contender!
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Make Smoothies With Fruit Waste I make a lot of edible fruit bouquets which produces a lot of fruit waste. To minimize this, I began saving the "scraps" and tossing them in the freezer. To my surprise, the frozen fruit makes great smoothies and I even use them to flavor my water. Not only am I saving bundles by creating the masterpieces myself, I get the best smoothies for pennies! By Licia from Palmdale Contest Contender!
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At one of our animal shelters, they drill a hole in a plastic coke lid, and put a string through it, and then knot it at the bottom. The cats and kittens seem to never tire of batting these around when they are in the mood to play. It has to be hung from somewhere, but make sure the cat doesn't have enough string to hang himself. By Robyn Fed from Hampton, TN Contest Contender!
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At the age of 49, I know I am getting on in years and want to spend more time with my grandson. When cleaning out my jewelry box, I noticed just what items I have held on to that will never be used again, or are broken or have missing sets too. I realized that those things can be put to good use besides just gathering dust, when exchanged for cash and use that money for other needed things. So I took them into my local jewelry store where they welcome buying your scrap gold and got paid back $89.00. I plan on using that money to take my grandson to see the aquarium. At my age, the memories that we can make from that trip will be more valuable for both of us than those items laying there even longer than the 32 years they have been there just collecting dust thus far. By theseamstress from Tenn Contest Contender!
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Spring and summer are upon us, and my husband bought us a weather alert radio. These last years, I was tired of staying up half the night watching the weather. My husband bought us a midland radio, and I think I finally have it figured out. I put our single S.A.M.E. code in, available at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/indexnw.htm. But I never put the weather radio on our specific channel. Last night, we had a severe thunderstorm watch box, and then a severe thunderstorm warning, and my weather alert radio never went off. If you believe in guardian angels, mine woke me up, and made me look at the Weather Channel, and our weather radio never gave us an alert. This morning, I reread the instructions on our new weather radio. I was receiving a weather signal from maybe 100 miles away, but not our local NOAA/NWS. So, I changed the channel on our NOAA/NWS weather radio to our county. It comes in loud and strong. We are still set on the single S.A.M.E. code for our county, and Friday afternoon we may get to find out if I finally programmed it correctly, as we may have severe thunderstorms or a possible tornado in our area later in the afternoon or evening. The manual isn't very user friendly. It tells how to set the clock, the wakeup alarm, whether you want message, audio, or voice, and backlighting, but it doesn't really explain how the weather radio and S.A.M.E. codes work together. Maybe, if I had been in "multiple same codes" the alarm would have gone off last night. I don't know yet. If you have gotten one of these radios, don't give up. I know someone who has a weather radio, and it drives them nuts because it won't shut up. I am currently trying to help them set it so it won't drive them up a wall with warnings they don't need. I think if we work together, we can remedy this problem with weather radios. By Carol L. Contest Contender!
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Did you know that honey could be used as an antiseptic? If nothing else is around, get it off the kitchen shelf and apply it just like the old Egyptians used to do. By pamphyila from L.A., CA Contest Contender!
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Cleaning Orange Glo Residue From Floors If you want to get "Orange Glo hardwood floor cleaner" off, use bug and tar remover. It's made to get bugs and tar off your car, but it dissolves the milky film. Just spray it on, rub it around with a damp sponge, wait a few minutes, then wipe away with a towel. By Joe from Baltimore, MD Contest Contender!
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Use Solar Lights to Help Older Dogs Find Their Way Over the years, we have been blessed with many dogs that have achieved old age. As they did, their vision was often compromised because of cataracts or muscular degeneration. When outside during daylight hours, we often observed them following the fence to guide themselves around the perimeter of the yard. However at night, the same task seemed more difficult for them and they often became confused. We decided to place solar garden lights as markers to help guide them out to their potty area and back in again. Single solar lights followed the outline of the fence to the area they frequented to do their business. We then placed double lights (side-by-side in sets of two) to mark the path that would return them back to the house to come in. They quickly found their way at night by following the lighted paths! The solar garden lights helped relieve their anxiety about navigating the fenced yard at night! The lights are found at most stores that sell garden equipment and push easily into the ground on a stake. They sure made a difference for our older sight impaired dogs! By Sheltie Mom from Eastern Shore of Maryland Contest Contender!
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I need ways to clean fabric covered lampshades that are discolored due to smoking (without quitting, which I'm trying to do). I do dust them every week. By Elyag from Rochester, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf197959.tip.html
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Rate It: I have two new leather coats that were hung on hangers for over a year and now they have "bumps" in the shoulders from the hanger. Is there anyway that I can remove these stretched out bumps? By Chevy Gal from Ottawa, ON Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61057352.tip.html
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Rate It: My daughter accidentally spilled gasoline onto her leather handbag and now it has a strong odor. Any ideas on how to clean/remove it? By Di2103 from Melbourne, AU Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf178841.tip.html
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Rate It: Painting Counter Tops To Look Like Granite I would like the instructions on how to get granite looking countertops. By kenocyndy from Sarasota, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81627785.tip.html
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Rate It: Shirt Collars Will Not Iron Flat I have a number of expensive, all cotton shirts. Unfortunately, the collars have become badly 'dented' and creased to the point where they will not iron flat. Does anybody have advice on how I can remove these dents and deep creases? It's almost as if the collars have some material inside that has permanently deformed, and no, I am not talking about the collar stiffeners. Any help much appreciated. By Jeffers from Oxford, UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69606680.tip.html
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Rate It: We installed floor tile in the house. We used white grout, big mistake. I have tried my Hoover Floormate with the tile brush and cannot get it white again. Any suggestions? By mfgershman from Anaheim, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93568415.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a platform bed, it's actually an old water bed frame without the sides. We use a headboard that was passed down from my husband's parents with the water bed platform pushed up to it. The mattress sits on top of the drawers. This was great for a while and gave us some extra drawer space, but now I wish we had a 'regular' bed. I have the original frame for the original headboard still, but do not have a box spring nor can we afford one. It's extremely rare to find one at a sale around here. Also, I'm not sure I want someone's old bedding. Any ideas as to how I can use the frame and mattress without a box spring and still get the comfort and height of a normal bed? I've thought about just putting wood pieces across the frame to support the mattress, but then it would be too low. Maybe doing that and putting something strong under the feet of the frame for height, but what? Wood block? I can always hide whatever I use with a dust ruffle. By SusLuvsVintage from IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74342506.tip.html
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Rate It: Any ideas on how to touch-up walls with the paint color that was originally used, but due to smoking the walls are not the original color of the paint. By elyag from Rochester, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70002301.tip.html
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Rate It: Remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome Does anyone have a home remedy for Restless Legs Syndrome? I have a prescription, but tend to build up a resistance to them and need to take a break from them. Unfortunately, there's no sleeping without them. I need help! By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62127607.tip.html
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Rate It: Does Microfiber Absorb Pet Odors? I am thinking about buying a couch made with microfiber. My only concern is my dogs. They are couch sitters. I currently have leather and can wipe the dander off. Will microfiber absorb pet smells? Teresa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59316014.tip.html
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Rate It: Inexpensive Homemade Graduation Gift Ideas I have four graduates on my list this year. Can anyone help me with homemade gift ideas? I'm on a tight budget but would like to reward them with something useful and nice. By suzieq71 from Horton, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56111010.tip.html
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Rate It: Inexpensive Homemade Graduation Gift Ideas I have four graduates on my list this year. Can anyone help me with homemade gift ideas? I'm on a tight budget but would like to reward them with something useful and nice. By suzieq71 from Horton, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55752766.tip.html
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Rate It: Inexpensive Do-it-Yourself Pool Patios We installed an in-ground pool a few years ago and have not yet put a patio area around the pool. We are on a hill and are afraid of cracking with concrete or pressed concrete, plus it is very expensive. Does anyone have any ideas on pool patios which are do-it-yourself and relatively inexpensive? Thanks By pcheflm Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48256892.tip.html
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Rate It: Waterproofing Wicker Furniture Is there a way to waterproof wicker furniture? By luv2sew52 from MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82451643.tip.html
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Rate It: Graduation Gift Ideas for Boyfriend My boyfriend is graduating from high school. He's pushed through all year long to be able to graduate. We've been dating for a year and I feel I need to give him an outstanding present. We both don't have jobs and my parents are hurting for money. What are good gifts to give him? By cmckie91 from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82254600.tip.html
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Rate It: Where can buy used table cloths? By celia from Worcester, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79345845.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for a copy of "It Takes a Thief" Anyone know where I can obtain a copy of the old TV show "It Takes A Thief" starring Robert Wagner ? Thank you. MEWS By Collinsmom from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38977516.tip.html
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Rate It: Is there any way to get rid of flies in a garage? There is nothing there to attract them. They just seem to fly in. I have tried fly paper and spray. This has just started. By Mary C. from Newark, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11735368.tip.html
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Rate It: Preventing Clothes from Shrinking I have been doing laundry for a couple years but always shrink my clothes. Why does this keep happening? By airtas from NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83824934.tip.html
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Rate It: Becoming a Qualified Cheerleading Coach Does anyone know the laws or qualifications in the state of Georgia for being a varsity cheerleading coach? How can you find out if your coaches are qualified for their position? By Ladydragonfly13 from Statenville, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73370455.tip.html
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Rate It: My sofa bed is stuck in the sofa position. The horizontal bar that I formerly could pull out from under the sofa back cushions to release it into a bed is now stuck in the front of the sofa cushions that you lean back on. It won't budge. It is queen sized and has no other problems. By Barnie15614 from Columbus, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34420127.tip.html
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Rate It: What is A and D Ointment? It seems to be useful for the whole body. Would this ointment or one with similar qualities be available in Australia? By furlegs from Adelaide, Australia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53206006.tip.html
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Rate It: I have white wicker furniture on my sun porch. I recovered all of my cushions on this furniture and it has been bleached by the sun. I would like to dye the cushion covers (I have washed them several times). If someone sits on them with damp/wet clothes, will the dye come off onto their clothes? I have heard that if you rinse dyed articles in vinegar or salt water, it will "set" the color. Can you give me any advice? I won't dye these covers in my new washer, I'll dye them in a large tub or bucket. Thanks for the help. Brenda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86057385.tip.html
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Rate It: Finding a Job That Will Pay for School I am looking for a job that will pay for my college. I am interested in finishing my accounting degree, but I am at a point in my life where I need a job as well. Where do I look? By LJHiggins from Madison, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29695972.tip.html
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Rate It: I recently moved into a 1 bedroom apartment. I have very limited space in my kitchen for storage, no counter space. I have two bakers racks for my microwave, small appliances and other kitchen items. It feels so cluttered to me. I have two small cupboards and no drawers. Any ideas how I can organize? By mem53 from Gloversville, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99529287.tip.html
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Rate It: I have been getting a lot of calls from out of state numbers that I don't recognize. I tried looking them up in the "reverse directory", but they want me to pay for the information. Does anyone know of any free look-ups? By ew954 from Tallahassee FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37843114.tip.html
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Rate It: What kind and color of flooring should I use in my kitchen? I have salmon (pinkish) colored counter tops, white appliances, light maple (blond) cabinets, and a beige wall. By yogajoni from Green Bay, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51117674.tip.html
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Rate It: Which Breeds Make Good Service Dogs? I really want to get a dog as a pet, but also as an assistance dog for my daughter. She is disabled (wheelchair/non-verbal/epilepsy), and I think it would be so great to have a wonderful dog for us. I wonder what is the best breed for this type of thing? They, of course, have to easily trainable, smart, not too big, but big enough to do some service work, like picking up an item and giving it to my daughter in her wheelchair. I'd also prefer a short hair, but I can bend on that one. Any breed/type suggestions? By audreyaries from Oak Park, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84578620.tip.html
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Rate It: Repairing Heat Damage to Vinyl Fence We have a privacy fence that sections off our patio. It's white and I believe made of some sort of plastic. Our grill was up near the the divider and evidently, too close to it. There is a tan circle area where the heat began to melt the plastic and burn the fence. Any ideas how I can get the area white again without having to replace the divider? By staytonl from ND Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57064972.tip.html
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Rate It: Envirotex Countertops and Food Safety I have a question about Envirotex and food safety: I've been lurking on this site for several weeks now, interested in going the Envirotex way for my kitchen counters. Yesterday I finally did it. I ran into a few glitches, fixable ones I hope, but my question isn't about that. It's something I didn't think of until after-the-fact. How safe is the Envirotex surface? Is it as hygienic as laminate? Will it absorb contaminants? My husband and kids are bad about laying their food directly on the counter tops. Should I be concerned about chemicals leaching into their food? Also, now that I've taken the plunge, what do I clean it with? Thanks. By Mrs. V from Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89505983.tip.html
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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:
My Frugal Life: Use Your Interests To Make Money As time goes by, I learn that there are many ways to stretch our money and reuse various left over products. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39532259.tip.html
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Rate It: Save Money on Prescription Drugs Even with a prescription plan, prescription medicines can be expensive. Here are some tips from the ThriftyFun community about saving money on prescriptions. Feel free to post your own advice below.
Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32534543.tip.html
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