Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 98, April 16, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Robin is the winner of the tip contest with 75 entries. The total entries submitted from April 1 - 15th is 441. Robin sends in many wonderful recipes and tips. The winner is chosen at random from the pool of entries.
In our next contest ending 4-30 we will give away two $25.00 gift cards so that we can have two winners. That should help us reward more people each month.
Thank you to everyone that submitted tips in the last contest! Your contributions are appreciated by all of us here at ThriftyFun and everyone that reads the site and these newsletters.
On a sad note, we lost one of our favorite community members within the last year. Her name was Cathy Berger and she was an active member of ThriftyFun and the Happy Garden Discussion list for a long time. My condolences go out to Cathy's friends and family. Thank you Cathy, you will be missed.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Enter The Photo Contest:
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Dakotah (Rottweiler) Posing for the Camera
- Abigail the Tom
Today's Tips:
- Cutting Pills For Prescription Savings
- Diagnosing Plants That Need More Iron
- Prepare Your Hands For Painting
- Repairing Rips in Screens
- Drying Paintbrush Tip
- Organizing With Land O'Lakes Egg Containers
- When Baking, Invest In The Right Tools For The Job
- Being Prepared for Tornados
- Reusing Mandarin Orange Boxes
- Giving the Kids All the Family Names and Numbers
- Storing Important Papers
- Interruptions While Painting
- 25% of Food Purchases Get Thrown Out
- Turn Off Ventilation Fans
- Keep Fireplace Dampers Closed
- Clean Out the Dryer's Lint Trap
- Trimming Fat off Meat
- Traveling In a Car With Kids
- Carry Address Labels for Entry Forms
- Keeping Track of When You Changed the Air Filter
- Keeping a Dust Cloth Handy
- Recipe to Clean Mildew and Dirt Off Aluminum Siding
- Keeping Clutter Off The Dining Room Table
- Chux Magic Erasers
- Oven Chicken Salad
- Special Chicken
- Grandma's Rhubarb Pie
- Mud Pie Bars
- Dish Pan Cookies
New Requests:
- Repairing a Leaky Water Hose
- Inexpenisve Edging Ideas
- Strawberry Refrigerator Jam
- Fixing Squeaky Floors
- Washing Clothes With Concrete Dust On Them
- Crocheted Bodice For Toddler's Dress
- Buying a Portable Washer and Dryer
- 50th Birthday Ideas
- Fuel Injector Problems With A 2000 Buick Regal
- New Ideas For Church Fundraising
- Making Color Sand For Sand Art
More Reading:
- Decorating Kids Rooms
- SAME HERE!
- Selecting a Good Hiking Trail
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make
11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures
of the crafts visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/columnists/harlean.html
Today's Photo Contest Entries
Dakotah (Rottweiler) Posing for the Camera
Dakotah is my 'Grand-dog', meaning he belongs to my daughter. He is 6 yrs. old and is her baby (think's he human). She can say go to Grandmom and he will come to me or tell Papaw goodbye and he will go to him. So smart, just like a grandchild.
By Beverly
View Article: Click Here
Abigail the Tom
This is a picture of my wild turkey!
View Article: Click Here
Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a Digital Camera! You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Today's Tips
Cutting Pills For Prescription Savings
Consider having your doctor prescribe pills in a strength you can cut in half (not all meds are suitable for this). If you do this, buy a pill cutter for a few dollars at the drug store.
By Linda
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Diagnosing Plants That Need More Iron
Plant leaves that are all turning yellow need iron, available in garden centers as Ironite, not more water.
By Linda
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Prepare Your Hands For Painting
Before painting, rub a light coat of baby oil all over your hands. It makes cleaning up your hands SO much easier at the end of the day.
By truerblue
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Repairing Rips in Screens
Sew tears in a screen with clear nylon thread or dental floss.
By truerblue
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Drying Paintbrush Tip
After cleaning a used paintbrush, put a rubber band around the bristles of the brush to help it keep its shape while drying.
By Tori
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Organizing With Land O'Lakes Egg Containers
I use Land O'Lakes egg containers (they're clear plastic) to store jewelry, office supplies, bathroom items such as barrettes and bobby pins, buttons, etc. I can see what I've stored and they can either stack or trifold close.
By Maura
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When Baking, Invest In The Right Tools For The Job
The right tools make all the difference when baking and cooking. I saved for years to acquire the very best kitchen tools I could find, especially for the "luxury" tools that I now consider essentials, such as different scoops for cookies, meatballs, etc. Also the very best baking sheets and pans and parchment paper.
For years, I suffer through greasing cookie sheets and quite honestly, I hated that. I thought parchment paper was an unnecessary expense, but once I tried it, I was sold.
Now, instead of greasing cookie sheets and dealing with the baked on gunk left behind, I use parchment paper on the cookie sheets and never ever has one cookie stuck to the sheet. They come off beautifully easy!
And the dough scoops I have make the task of portioning the dough as easy as it gets!
It took me almost 5 years to "afford" the kitchen tools I dreamed of but now, I consider them essentials and wouldn't dream of being without them!
If you don't want to wait years and years to buy them for yourself, ASK for them for birthdays, Christmas, or any other gifting occasion.
By Ronsan
View Article: Click Here
Being Prepared for Tornados
We're under storm warnings (again) today. It's part of our Spring weather where I live, smack in the middle of "Tornado Alley".
I have learned from experience that it is prudent to gather belongings and papers you want "saved" in case of storm damage, and it is better to do it earlier than later.
In one large rectangular folding carton, I put the following:
- Ziploc bags of all medication for each family member;
- Purses and wallets;
- Notebook I keep financial records and bills in plus the notebook with receipts needed for taxes, etc.;
- 2 picture albums that I can't live without (or don't think I could);
- Notebook with vital information such as living wills, lockbox keys, etc.
- Notebooks and computer disks dealing with my business;
- Box containing new, unused checks.
In a small plastic bin goes the following:
- Flashlights
- Portable radio and batteries
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- First-aid kit
The latter I keep maintained and ready to go - just a matter of taking it off the shelf where it is stored.
This process only takes 5 minutes because I have done it so many times before, but it sure makes getting to the shelter a whole lot quicker.
The one last rule that is never deviated from is that I am the last one out of the house. We exit by one door so that I know everyone is out. No one is allowed to go back no matter what until the storm has well passed.
A little preparation in the beginning of the "alert" can not only save lives, but incalculable headaches later on should you have a calamity.
By Ronsan
View Article: Click Here
Reusing Mandarin Orange Boxes
You know those sturdy wooden crates that you buy mandarin oranges in? I paint them, decoupage nice pictures on the sides and use them for storing items in the bathroom. I put it on the counter or on the tank of the toilet. Everyone loves them. Other uses could be: baby items in the nursery, stationary items in offices or bedrooms.
By Tori
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Giving the Kids All the Family Names and Numbers
I was getting vexed at the number of times my adult children, now living in their own homes, would call me for family information such as telephone numbers, cell numbers, work numbers, fax numbers, birthdates, wedding anniversaries and even correct spellings of our grandchildren's names.
I put together all this vital information by family unit for each family unit (3 grown children, all married, all with children) via the computer, saved the information, and then ran off copies on the front and back of one page for each of them.
I then inserted this page inside a plastic sleeve, and gave it to them. One family now never calls me for the information, one calls only for updated information, and the other one always calls me for any of the information because they have lost/misplaced/can't find/ "the-dog-chewed-it-up" excuse du jour. At least I now know where to find all the information when this one calls! LOL
By Sandie
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Storing Important Papers
Tips for storing important papers. Post your ideas.
Need a place to store important papers? Take a binder and put in page protectors. Just slide your papers into the page protectors. You can get dividers and have separate sections for certain items.
ie: bills, pay stubs etc.
By Tori
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Interruptions While Painting
I have been painting my living room and find that, very often, I am called away from my work by a telephone call or a child needing help. I keep a large plastic garbage sack nearby and, when I am called away, I place my paint pan, with roller and brush and all, inside the bag and twist it a few times to seal. When I return, the roller and paint are ready for me to continue.
By Suzzy
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25% of Food Purchases Get Thrown Out
Don't shop on impulse. Skip impulse food buys. Stop & consider the size of your family. Will this product go to waste by not getting eaten? I read recently where 25% of food purchases get thrown out.
By Terri H.
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Turn Off Ventilation Fans
When finished with the ventilating fans in your bath and kitchen. Turn them off as they can blow out a house full of heated air if left on.
By Terri H.
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Keep Fireplace Dampers Closed
Keep your fireplace damper closed unless you're burning a fire to prevent up to 8% of your furnace heated air from going up your chimney.
By Terri H.
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Clean Out the Dryer's Lint Trap
Be sure to clean out your dryer's lint trap, after each use. Forgetting to do so, might cause a fire. It's better to be safe than sorry.
By Terri H.
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Trimming Fat off Meat
Never trim fat from meat before cooking. Fat helps give meat it's flavor. One can trim their meat before serving or eating.
By Terri H.
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Traveling In a Car With Kids
"Mom are we there yet?" ... "I know you are, but what am I?" ... "Mom! Sandy hit me!"
Traveling with kids can be quite a challenge. Here are some tips to help keep them occupied and prevent you from going nuts. Post your ideas.
Keep Drinks In The Car
Carry a cooler with water, drinks and snacks to keep you and kids hydrated on trips.
By Linda
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Carry Address Labels for Entry Forms
I love to attend street fairs, and I take along return address labels to use whenever I fill out any entry forms or the like. People always comment on how smart I am!
By Linda
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Keeping Track of When You Changed the Air Filter
Whenever I change my car's air filter, I write that day's date right on the rim of the filter with a Sharpie marker. That way, I can see at a glance when the filter was last changed.
By Tori
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Keeping a Dust Cloth Handy
Keep a Swiffer cloth or other dusting cloth in a ziplock bag in your car. Whenever you're stuck at a long light or waiting for someone in a parking lot, you can dust the dash or other dusty surfaces quickly.
By Tori
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Recipe to Clean Mildew and Dirt Off Aluminum Siding
1/3 cup powdered detergent (like Tide)
2/3 cup T.S.P.
1 quart Clorox (sodium hypochlorite 5% solution)
3 quarts water
Scrub on and rinse off.
By Tori
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Keeping Clutter Off The Dining Room Table
I finally found a simple solution to a problem that has bugged me for years! My dining room table seemed to take on the life of a dump-it-all spot for everyone in the family, and I only made it worse by removing the good linen tablecloth - by leaving only the underpad that is washable with a damp cloth, it was an open invitation to dump stuff. I suddenly realized that no one in this family would put anything on it if I had it "set for company."
Out came the Irish linen tablecloth that is so beautiful but such a pain to iron, the good dishes, the stemware, the Irish linen napkins the napkin rings and the centerpiece. It was gorgeous and looked totally ready for company!
Not one person has even thought about setting something else down on that table or even any other surface. When asked if we were expecting company, I said only "Maybe, so don't leave anything in the dining room.!" End of discussion, end of problem. Added bonus is that the table setting is so beautiful that I find I am keeping the dining room really clean and dust free, ready for "company at a moment's notice."
By Ronsan
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Chux Magic Erasers
I'm from Australia and recently I saw mention of a product called Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. I don't know if it's the same product as we get in Australia but I thought I'd submit this tip anyway. Our product is called Chux Magic Erasers.
They are chemical free and come in little cubes (6 in a packet). They're hard to describe... but all I can say is that they are white and soft to touch and crumble if held too hard.
We use them to get marks off flat surfaces (brilliant for felt tip pen marks and even permanent marker). A lot of people renting houses use them.
If there are any of you out there who have stubborn marks, the $2.98 Australian they cost is well worth the money. One cube lasted me quite some time. A friend of mine had her twins draw on the walls of the house she was renting and she had a rent inspection (i)that(/i) afternoon.
Also, when we moved in to the house we bought we found a smiley face that we tried to get off with normal methods. Then a friend came online on my FlyLady group and told me about this new product she had tried. We went out and got a packet and tried it and haven't looked back. That mark is nowhere to be seen and it was there for 2 years and goodness knows how much time before that. When we had success with that mark, the girls went to work in their bedrooms where the previous tenant's children had run riot with pens and pencils. I still had to repaint their walls as the paint was peeling, but at least the marks were gone and I didn't need to use an undercoat.
So, if any of you Aussies out there want to know how to beat those rent inspections or to spruce up tired looking walls and flat surfaces, why not try them. It just might save you some elbow grease and stress.
Cheers
Bev
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Oven Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
- 2 cups thinly sliced celery
- 1 cup toasted bread cubes
- 1/2 cup chopped, toasted almonds
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. grated onion
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 cup grated cheese
Directions:
Combine chicken, celery, almonds, salt, onion, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Spread evenly in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle grated cheese and bread cubes over top of mixture.
Bake until bubbly at 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Serves 6.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Special Chicken
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 1/2 can cream of chicken soup
- Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix
Directions:
Place chicken breasts in cooking pan. Place slices of cheese over chicken. Mix together the soup and milk to thin the soup and pour over the chicken. Cover with stuffing mix and drizzle melted butter on top. Bake 45-50 minutes. It's quick and easy!
By Robin
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Grandma's Rhubarb Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 Tbsp. flour
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups rhubarb (cubed)
Directions:
Mix sugar, flour, nutmeg, and eggs with a fork. Pour over rhubarb and stir until well coated. Place in unbaked pie shell. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake at 40 minutes more. Must be firm in center.
By Robin
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Mud Pie Bars
Ingredients:
- 20 Oreo cookies (crumbled and mixed with 1/2 stick margarine)
Directions:
Pat into 9x13 inch pan. Freeze until firm. Soften 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream. Spread onto the frozen crust above. Freeze again until firm. Put on 8 oz. Cool Whip. Freeze again. When firm spread on Hershey Fudge topping. Keep in freezer and serve when needed.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Dish Pan Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 cups oil
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 4 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 2 tsp. soda
- 4 cups corn flakes
- 1 tsp. salt
Directions:
Combine both sugars, oil, eggs, vanilla. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients. Stir all together. Drop on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Other Active Topics
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
New Contest Prize! Now a 2 $25.00 Gift Cards
In our contest we are giving away two $25.00 Gift Cards (we will
select to winners at random) at one of the following stores: Home
Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you
get to choose which gift card! This contest ends on April 30th,
2005.
Enter the contest!
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html
New Requests:
Repairing a Leaky Water Hose
How can I repair a leaky water hose. There is a hole in the water hose that sprays water all over me when the water is on. I spent alot of money on this water hose and it is otherwise in good shape. It's not at either end it is on the rubber hose part.
Hose
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Inexpenisve Edging Ideas
Any suggestions on how I can edge my flower beds with little or no expense? I want something that will be easy to mow around instead of having to weed eat around all flower beds. Thanks!
Erica
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Strawberry Refrigerator Jam
I am looking for a recipe for strawberry refrigerator jam. A friend gave me some and I love it! It is not too sweet and keeps for a long time in the refrigerator.
Tuey
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Fixing Squeaky Floors
Does anyone have a solution for squeaky floors?
Thanks!
Linda
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Washing Clothes With Concrete Dust On Them
My son-in-law works construction, he works with concrete. My daughter can't seem to find a way to get his clothes clean. She says his work clothes hold the concrete dust even after they are washed. She has tried shaking them outside before washing and using an extra rinse in the wash with no luck. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks.
"Mike"
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Crocheted Bodice For Toddler's Dress
I'm looking for a pattern where you crochet a bodice for a toddlers dress and then attatch you own fabric for the bottom. Any one know what I mean or where I can find directions. Thanks a bunch.
Pam
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Buying a Portable Washer and Dryer
I am researching portable washers and dryers that can be hooked up to my kitchen sink. I live on the 2nd floor of a duplex and my apartment does not have a laundry hookup.
The reviews vary from brand to brand and so far there is no clear ones to avoid or buy. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. The prices are more than buying a regular washer and dryer so I want to make sure I get the most bang for the buck.
Anyone have a portable unit and what brands I should look for or forget?
Thanks,
Melissa
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50th Birthday Ideas
I would like ideas for a 50 birthday party for my mom, its going to be next month and would like ideas like for centerpieces, food and drinks.
Thank you,
Lily
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Fuel Injector Problems With A 2000 Buick Regal
I have a 2000 BUICK REGAL that is having fuel injector problems. Can I safely add fuel injector cleaning fluid to the gas tank?
Joe
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New Ideas For Church Fundraising
Anybody have any new ideas for fundraising? I need some fresh ideas for a small Catholic shcool in need of funds.
Madison
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Making Color Sand For Sand Art
Does anybody know how to make colored sand used in sand art, the kind you fill bottles with?
Madison
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make
11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures
of the crafts visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/columnists/harlean.html
More Reading:
Decorating Kids Rooms
By Joey Lewitin
There are two things two consider when designing the interior of a child's room. You have to consider the style, the overall effect you want the décor to have on your child's mind. The other is the mess, children are naturally sloppy and there rooms will reflect this. The best way to accommodate both of these necessary considerations is to combine them. You can start with organization, and then let the child help decorate the containers and shelves. A child's room is often filled with toys and games. These toys and games are going to end up everywhere. Trying to maintain an organizational structure in a child's room can be almost impossible.
View Article: Click Here
SAME HERE!
By Steve Goodier
One man was annoyed at his sentimental wife's constant sniffling as she watched a touching movie on the television. "For goodness' sake," he scolded, "why is it you cry about the imaginary woes of people you've never met?"
"For the same reason you yell and scream when a man you don't know scores a goal," she said.
View Article: Click Here
Selecting a Good Hiking Trail
By Kathy Burns-Millyard
The type and location of the trail you select can play a significant role in determining the enjoyment you get from a hiking experience. Before heading out on your next hike, evaluate the trail based on the following criteria.
View Article: Click Here
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