Daily Thrifty Tips - September 22, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 185, September 22, 2009 (Read It Online) We recently started using a load balancer to help improve performance of our web servers. Since doing this, we have received reports of people having a hard time posting images on the site. We have made some changes that we hope will resolve the problem. If you have trouble submitting images to the photo contest feel free to contact us here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/contact.ldml Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and recipes and that you like. Your ratings are used to pick the winners. Do you have a question for the ThriftyFun community? Submit it here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_request.ldml?email_source=newsletter 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: In Memory of Millie Organizing Photos Using a Shoe Organizer Biggie Smalls (Hairless Chinese Crested) Today's Tips: Frugal "Oprah's Favorite Things" Gift Packages Reuse Discarded Silk Flowers Use Caution After a Natural Disaster Fighting The Flu Use Plastic Wrap to Remove Sticky Labels Reuse Dryer Sheets with Fragrance Drops in Drawers Photograph Your Contact Info for Lost Digital Camera Oven Cleaner for Fabric Stains Keeping Ants Out Your Pet's Bowl Joke of the Day New Requests: Stomach Cramp Remedies Using a Web Cam Refinishing the Outside of a Steamer Trunk Removing Sticky Label Residue on Clothes Removing Gum from Clothing Smoke Smell on a Piano Removing Dye from Carpet Tiny Sugar Ants Dog Peeing on Couch Clorox Ready Mop Repairing a Canvas Tent Inexpensive Security Locks Quartz Vs. Granite Countertops Venetian Bronze Paint Jeans Bled onto Coach Purse Fabric is Discolored Along Folded Edge Tips for a Weekend Trip to New York Urine Stain on a Microfiber Couch Diet Ideas for Someone Who is Hypoglycemic With High Blood Pressure Coupons for Military Families Repairing a VHS Rewinder Cat is Peeing in the Sink 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: In Memory of Millie This is Millie, she is now deceased. She was a mixed breed cat that I got at the Pet Store. She loved to type! She was a very curious cat all the time! I used to keep an antique typewriter displayed and one day I caught her actually playing with it just like this! For real, this is not a touched up photo! It was made with a standard film camera around 1996. By Crafteeone from Arlington, Texas Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73107930.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Organizing Photos Using a Shoe Organizer Over the years, I have taken many pictures. On a rainy afternoon, I started to sort through them so I could start putting them into albums. I was surrounded by stacks of photographs and boxes of more photographs. As I sat among the stacks of photographs I came up with the idea to take all my shoes out of my hanging shoe bag and use it to sort and store the pictures. It has worked super well and I could easily organize all my pictures and work on them when I wanted to with no stress. By CaroleeRose from Madison, Alabama Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82050448.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Biggie Smalls (Hairless Chinese Crested) Biggie Smalls is a 6 month Hairless Chinese Crested. I bred him. He likes to run as fast as he can in circles, play "keep away"(from me), and eat dandelions. Biggie is a mere 8 pounds but has the attitude and spunk of a big dog. He's a bit spoiled, very loved and I'm looking forward to having a fun life with him as well as showing him. By Mary from Indianapolis, IN Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37095512.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: Frugal "Oprah's Favorite Things" Gift Packages Make your own frugal "Oprah's Favorites" Package for friends for the holidays! One year I surprised colleagues with a bag of goodies that I claimed were my favorites of that year. Unfortunately, you can't always do like Oprah and give people thousands of dollars worth of products but there are definitely frugal ways around this. I picked a few products that would be available as samples. I emailed the companies explaining that I was doing my own version of "Oprah's Favorite Things" and picked their product and wanted to know if they had "X" number of samples to send to put in the gift bag for friends. I do explain that I would purchase the products but am on a tight budget. Obviously you can't pick things such as ipods or expensive items. Food and beauty items are best and easiest to get samples. Pick things like creams, shampoos or even food items. In one particular case, I had to purchase these organic coffee samples for $2 but that was OKbecause it was a local independent company. If you want it all free, pick big companies, not the local person who is trying to make a living in this poor economy. I even got 10 free yoga passes from a local studio once! Emailing the company directly is the best way. If you go to make up or beauty counters and ask for samples, they might give you one or two but getting more will be tough. Also write a blurb about their product, why you like it and how often you use it. I try to pick at least one item from one local company to support local business, even if it's just to get a $5 off certificate for a meal to a local restaurant, this is still a great gift and good promotion for the business. First I make a list of about 20 products, email or call the companies then wait. I start this early because samples can take 6-8 weeks to arrive, so make sure to start in early fall. Once I've collected 10 items, then I make up the bag for friends with a list of the items and why I have chosen them for the gift bag. If you're lucky, this present won't cost you anything but time. It has been so well received by people that I do it every couple of years! It's original and no one will expect it. :) Good luck! By Lisa from Halifax, NS Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63585619.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Reuse Discarded Silk Flowers When my kids were little, money was sparse, and we lived way out in the backwoods. There was little, if any, activities we could afford. We did discover one, however, that may sound a little morbid at first, but is actually wonderful. We visited cemeteries. We never removed floral arrangements from a gravesite, and if we could pick up and restore one to its proper place, we did. But at the back or in the woods around the perimeter of most cemeteries, there are usually piles of discarded silk flowers. Many are still beautiful when brought home, washed in the bathtub with some regular washing powder and bleach, and dried. If one is especially pleasing in shape, but faded, there are sprays sold at craft shops to "paint" them colorful again. We disassembled the arrangements first, washed them, and reused cleaned containers, or yard sale vases; perhaps using a jelly jar with a cute grosgrain ribbon, to re-arrange them into beauty again. Maybe a card, pair of socks, pocket comb, a box of bath powder or similar dollar-store item was added. Then we would make a trip to our local nursing homes, assisted living houses, battered women's shelter, or the like, and my children learned to give from the heart, and received such gratitude in return. It was like an Easter-egg hunt in the bushes, a recycling project and art class at home. We also has a Sunday school lesson in the faces who smiled back at us as we shared all we had, and let a "forgotten" person know they were special. And I now have some really special, loving, giving adult children. By Dollyslaffn Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46045982.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Use Caution After a Natural Disaster Who would have known that the tornado going over a house might cause the water to be pushed out of the toilet and onto the floor of the bathroom (our safe room) where we went to hide from the dangerous winds and pressure. If the electric had not been knocked out, by the winds downing our pole, then the act of switching on the light around 7 years ago, in Saginaw TX, while unknowingly standing in an inch of water, might have been my last act on this earth. God did not call me home that day, but do others know of this danger? 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/tf88361298.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Fighting The Flu It's flu season, and here are some tips for fighting the flu. The best defense against the flu really is to get your flu shot. Children over 6 months of age, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses and people over 65 are all considered high-risk. Any adult should also consider getting the flu shot. If you still get the flu after being immunized it ill likely be less severe and you'll reduce your risk for complications like pneumonia. The best immune boosters are exercise (30 minutes at least 4 times a week), sleep (8 hours each night), food (6-9 servings of fruit and veggies daily) and taking a multivitamin. You might also consider taking extra Vitamin C (500 mg) with a full glass of water 4 times a day during flu season. See your dentist because things like chronic gum disease make you more susceptible to the flu! Take a dose of vitamin D (it's an immunity enhancer). Adults should take 5,000 IU daily. Try green tea. Wash your hands frequently. Cough into your sleeve (the Frankenstein cough). If you are sick, stay home, keep sick children home and call the doctor when running a fever (just to be on the safe side). Source: BHG October 2008 By Skibum1910 from Prospect, KY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44651621.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Use Plastic Wrap to Remove Sticky Labels To remove stickers or other "sticky" types of labels from hard surfaces, wet the sticker or label with water, then cover it with a piece of plastic wrap. Smooth down the plastic wrap the best you can, to remove air bubbles, and then let it sit for a while. Take off the plastic wrap, and you should be able to remove the sticker or label easily. A coworker said that her daughter told her about this trick, and I really doubted that it would work. But honestly, it works like a charm! This is great for those of us who sometimes find "treasures" in thrift stores or at garage sales. :) No more need for rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, etc. to remove sticky labels! By Evan's"mama" from WI Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53854164.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Reuse Dryer Sheets with Fragrance Drops in Drawers Used dryer/softener sheets can be recycled to freshen drawers and closets by adding a few drops of your favorite fragrance or oil on them. Then place them in a corner of the drawer or closet. By Deb from Woodland, CA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54983896.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Photograph Your Contact Info for Lost Digital Camera In case my digital camera was lost, I capture a photo of my e-mail address on the camera itself. In a word processing program, using a large font, I type 'If found, please e-mail '____'. Thank you. I then take a picture of the monitor with the displayed information. I use a "disposable" e-mail address, just in case. You can also offer a reward if you wish. Yes, I still believe there are honest people in this world. By Mkymlp from NE PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86529973.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Oven Cleaner for Fabric Stains To remove stains on clothing as well as car seats and other color fast items try heavy duty oven cleaner. Spray and wash. Works wonders. By Simplicity49 from Raleigh, NC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf790334.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Keeping Ants Out Your Pet's Bowl We get ants when we leave our cat food on the floor. Since the food is in the laundry room, I put a non-skid rug on the dryer and put the cat food on the dryer. Since my cat is older and does not jump too well, I placed the dome covered cat litter box next to the dryer, so the cat can make two steps up to get to her food. I showed her this method 2 times, and now she does it all the time. No ants and a happy well fed cat. Source: Necessity is the mother of invention! I really dislike ants. By Eiw from Lancaster, PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf409599.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day There is a story about a monastery in Europe perched high on a cliff several hundred feet in the air. The only way to reach the monastery was to be suspended in a basket which was pulled to the top by several monks who pulled and tugged with all their strength. Obviously the ride up the steep cliff in that basket was terrifying. One tourist got exceedingly nervous about half-way up as he noticed that the rope by which he was suspended was old and frayed. With a trembling voice he asked the monk who was riding with him in the basket how often they changed the rope. The monk thought for a moment and answered brusquely, "Whenever it breaks." Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Stomach Cramp Remedies I am looking for remedies for tummy cramps. By Khush H. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81687729.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Using a Web Cam Are web cams hard to use and hard to learn how to use? By Sarasota from FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79480778.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Refinishing the Outside of a Steamer Trunk I am repairing an old steamer truck. I removed the rust, so now I want to know what to use to prime and seal it. It has a shiny, gloss finish. I tried paint, but it's not what I want. By karen2kevin2003 from Santa Monica, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57441782.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Sticky Label Residue on Clothes How do I remove that sticky residue from a new shirt? By johnnyd from Poplar, MT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84849239.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Gum from Clothing How do you get bubble gum out of clothes? By bluebird319 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf197004.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Smoke Smell on a Piano I have just acquired a piano and dining room table that are a good 50 years old. The house they were in had a cat and they smoked non-stop. How do I start to get the smell out and clean it? By jcc4712 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81163316.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Dye from Carpet My cheap throw rug bled brown dye onto my gray carpet. I tried Oxiclean, but it now looks pink. How do I get this out without discoloring the gray carpet? By jamesdjw from DE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74531832.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tiny Sugar Ants I have what I was told are sugar ants. I have put all foodstuff in jars etc. Now I found out they are in my carpeting in the living room. I am not familiar with sugar ants so don't have any idea what to do. I sprayed bug spray on my baseboards also. Please help. By bdon1 from Praireville, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf274573.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Dog Peeing on Couch How do I stop my dogs from urinating on the couch? By zoomomma11 from Midlothian, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf928418.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Clorox Ready Mop Where can I buy a Clorox Ready Mop? By reenie2540 from Canton, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001287.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Repairing a Canvas Tent I have a 16' by 32' canvas army tent. Half way down one side it is torn all the way to the top. I would like to put Velcro in, but don't know how or what to use. Any ideas? Thanks. By Lethaj from Forest Grove, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83401226.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Inexpensive Security Locks Where can I buy high security locks for cheap? By noamyogev from LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62529978.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Quartz Vs. Granite Countertops We are considering replacing our kitchen countertops with either quartz or granite. Would any of you please tell me pros and cons of the two? By Carla from Greensboro, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39305551.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Venetian Bronze Paint How do you make the combination paint of Venetian bronze or the Tuscan bronze? I see these fixtures done in stores, but can't find the paint. I would like to paint some fixtures with this look. Please help! Thanks. By Judy Carol from Collierville Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47063006.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Jeans Bled onto Coach Purse I had dye fade from my jeans onto my signature Coach purse. How can I clean that off? It's not leather and my husband never registered it when he purchased it. It's my first one and I don't want to get rid of it. Please help. By Purseowner from Bossier City, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79308424.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Fabric is Discolored Along Folded Edge I purchased several yards of baby cord fabric from resale. The fabric is sort of ivory in color. It has been folded a long time and along the fold it is discolored. What is the best way to clean it? I have the same problem with the lavender piece, it has a yellowy dirty area along the folded crease. Thanks. By nelwyn from Bunkie, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76021484.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tips for a Weekend Trip to New York My stepson is visiting from Melbourne AUS and we would like to take him on a weekend trip to New York. We would like to take the train into the city from a closer state and then see the sites. Where do we start? What about discount passes and walking tours? Where do we stay? I don't know where to start. Please help! By Hello Lesa from Strasburg, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66331582.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Urine Stain on a Microfiber Couch I am trying to find a product to remove a urine stain from my microfiber couch. The cover is not removable. By rkueny1 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68962265.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Diet Ideas for Someone Who is Hypoglycemic With High Blood Pressure I am hypoglycemic and have high blood pressure. Choosing a diet for me is proving difficult, as will finding drugs I can use. Thyroid pills raise blood pressure, blood pressure pills lower thyroid expression. I'm caught between the two with no apparent direction to go in. I would like to know what others have done to resolve a situation like this. By Cornelia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93214296.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Coupons for Military Families I am trying to find military families that would be interested in receiving expired coupons. I know that these families can use the coupons 6 months outside of the expiration date but I do not know of any families that can use them. I would rather send them to individuals than to a military group so I can send what each family needs. Please Email me if you can help. :) By ScGamecockCrew from Gaston, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf983421.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Repairing a VHS Rewinder How can I take apart and fix a VHS rewinder? By mamafive5 from Stanton, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12338975.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cat is Peeing in the Sink Why is my female cat peeing on the drains, the kitchen sinks, and on rugs? By claire 26 from NSW Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66386682.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.