Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 128, September 15, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Today is the last day to enter the current contest for a chance to win Frozen Assets. We will start a new contest tomorrow. The site has been really busy, we had 9 new requests since yesterday's newsletter!
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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If you are looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem,
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- Find Worms for Fishing
- Keep a Cooler in Your Trunk for Errands
- Window Shade for Coloring
- Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Whistling for the Kids
- Freeze Chicken Leftovers in Broth
- Cutting Back on Caffeine: Half and Half Coffee
- Stretching Hair Conditioner
- Croquettes with Mackerel Instead of Salmon
- Dry Chapped Hand Remedy
- Saving Broth for Dog Food
- Feedback: Keeping Pet Cats Out of the House
- Feedback: Opening Those Hard to Open Jars
- Feedback: Opening Those Hard to Open Jars
- Feedback: Saving Money on Gas
- Feedback: Thrifty Christmas Ornaments?
- Today's Recipe: Pumpkin Chip Cake
New Requests:
- Frugal Solution Needed For Extremely Dry Feet and Callous Removal
- Hepa Filter for Vacuum
- Cleaning a Food Processor Bowl
- Inexpensive Decorating
- Uses for Contac Paper
- Help with SuperBowl Party Decorations and Centerpieces
- Looking for Answers for Dealing with Dog's Fleas
- Water Spots on Shower Doors
- Ideas for Diaper Gifts?
More Reading:
- Energy conservation in the home - Quick Facts
- How to Plan a Cheap Wedding
- Best Tips for Enjoying the BackCountry in the Rain
- Giving Homemade Mixes in a Jar
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Today's Tips
Find Worms for Fishing
Taking the kids fishing? Need some worms? Well you don't need to digging up half the yard or drive all over town looking for someone who sells them either. Here's what you do - Take a large container (bucket, bathroom waste basket,etc) and fill it with water. Then add about 3 giant squeezes or 6 Tablespoons of liquid dishsoap. Stir it up and take it outside. No, you're not washing the car so don't worry.
Find a good spot in the lawn and dump it on the grass in a 1 foot area. Give it about 5 minutes and the worms will start to come out. Just make sure you have a container to put them in. Now jump in the car (don't forget the kids) and go fishing. Remember your sunblock ;)
By Suzanne S.
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Keep a Cooler in Your Trunk for Errands
Here's a great idea for when you have many errands to run on a hot, summer day. Keep a cooler in the trunk of your car and when you buy meats and milk at the grocery store. Simply slip them inside the cooler to keep them at an acceptable temperature for your journey home.
By Harm0ny
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Window Shade for Coloring
When I have to replace a window shade I save the old one for my grandkids visits. Offer them crayons, colored pencils, paints and let them "go to town" with an artist flair. Happy Picasso.
By joesgirl
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Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
This is a really tasty treat. First bake some cookies, I like chocolate chip cookies. I ususally make them a little on the large side so I have big ice cream sandwiches but smaller cookies work also.
Once the cookies are done and have cooled, take a scoop of your favorite ice cream and sandwich it between two homemade cookies. If you are using large cookies, a full scoop is usually just about right. For smaller cookies you won't need quite that much. A little trial and error and you will have the portions down.
These are fantastic! You can try so many different cookie and ice cream combinations. You can make some up ahead of time and store them in plastic bags in the freezer.
Tip: Run the ice cream scoop under hot water before scooping the ice cream. This makes the ice cream a little softer and helps make the sandwich without breaking the cookie.
Enjoy!
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Whistling for the Kids
I taught my children to come when called...er...whistled for. I have a different tune that I whistle loudly for each child and they come running as soon as I whistle for them. It might sound strange, but it sure is better then hollering "JOOOOHNNYYYYY!" in a crowded place or across the neighborhood. :o)
By Joy C.
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Freeze Chicken Leftovers in Broth
When you cook a chicken and have leftovers to put in the freezer, store the chunks of chicken in broth to keep it from drying out. Your chicken will be nice and moist when you need it for casseroles, etc.
By Katz
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Cutting Back on Caffeine: Half and Half Coffee
I have been trying to cut back on my caffeine intake so instead of buying a blend of coffee that is 1/2 decaf and 1/2 regular coffee, I buy a can of each kind and blend my own as I make it. That way I can control how much regular coffee I put in.
By Katz
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Stretching Hair Conditioner
To make hair conditioners last longer, I put a small amount into a "foam maker" bottle from foam hand soap. Fill it the rest of the way up with water, and you have foaming conditioner! A company now has it advertised on tv and I have been doing it all along! I also do this for my hand soap and shampoo, too! You'll be surprised at how long your bottles of soap, shampoo, and conditioner will last.
By Joy C.
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Croquettes with Mackerel Instead of Salmon
A tip that my Aunt gave me, as a newlywed, I gladly accepted. Being that my new husband and I both liked salmon croquettes, but couldn't afford salmon at the time. She suggested that I substitute mackerel (much cheaper to use) for the salmon, but make as the same, but to put a few teaspoonfuls of prepared yellow mustard into the mixture (as it would take away the real fishy taste). She was right, it did take away the fishy taste and you really couldn't taste the mustard all that much either. That was several years ago and we still make mackerel croquettes, and now, as well as salmon croquettes, on occasion.
By Terri H.
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Dry Chapped Hand Remedy
When my hands start getting dryed & chapped from either the weather or from having my hands in water a lot, here is what I do:
Before you go to bed at night, cream both hands with a strip of raw bacon & then put on a pair of thin cotton gloves. Your hands will be so soft in the morning that you'll wonder why you never thought of this. Happy soft hands to you.
By joesgirl
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Saving Broth for Dog Food
I have 2 nice healthy middle-aged best friends who usually are fed dry dog food, with a little something extra. Whenever I cook, I save bones from meat, extra broth, etc. and simmer it on the stove for a nice flavorful broth to pour over the dogs' dry dog food. Sometimes I make stock for use in our own foods and then boil the bones yet again to get more flavor out for the dogs. I strain it so no little bones get into their dishes. If you refrigerate the bones between uses, you can sometimes get even a third-time broth out of them. Another thing they love over their food is water you've cooked pasta in. I try not to feed them fatty and oily things, only the good juices from cooking. This saves spending money on canned dog food (except for a treat, LOL) because it makes dry dog food a little extra special. Also I don't buy the most expensive brands because I feel like I'm giving them good nourishment with the broths.
By Jayne
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Feedback: Keeping Pet Cats Out of the House
I agree with the possibility that the mother cat has worms and fleas and may be eating voraciously due to inability to absorb nutrients for herself and trying to feed her babies at the same time. She is probably anemic or ill. Make sure to feed them quality cat food for lactating mothers and kittens as directed by your vet.
They should ALL go to see a vet or to a free clinic and have bloodwork and vaccinations. Many vets will give discounts for strays or multiple cats. Mama should also be spayed.
I took in a mother cat who had 6 kittens in my garage. I kept them all. They have lived in the house for 8 years after one kitten was killed by a car. Leaving them outside is a sure death sentence. Cats are trainable. I trained mine to use the toilet.
If you are willing to take on the responsibility and take care of them (and not dump them later), take them in and have patience. You can gently tell them NO when they try to climb or do things they are not supposed to do. There are lots of articles on the web about caring for cats. Mine love to play with wine bottle corks and large sea shells. You can make something neat and safe for them to climb on with a little creativity (we did with leftover wood and carpet from friends for about $4).
If the babies are truly wild, confine the family (mother included) to a small area inside that can be theirs until they get used to you. I have found larger bathrooms are great as they can be cleaned easily if there is an accident. The mother will litter train her babies, given a litter box. You will need to remove all harmful substances, toilet paper (unless you want to see it torn up all over the floor - cats think that's a cool game), cloth shower curtain and keep the toilet seat closed until they are older so they don't drown. A nice soft towel or two will be good for a bed. Child-proof latches on cabinets are also helpful (to keep them from stealing garlic and potato chips and eating soap), though I have used concrete blocks and trash cans to keep them from opening cabinets, too.
After a bit of confinement for observation and a clean bill of health from my vet (which usually takes a week or so), I gradually let them start to roam around in the house. They will play with each other and little "toys". You basically have to treat them like children who will get into anything, but they make wonderful companions and will be your best friends if you take care of them. If you don't want to take care of them for the long haul, I would vote for a no-kill shelter, too. It's hard for me to imagine not wanting to keep them. My ex hated cats. The cats still live here... :-)
By Cat Lover
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Feedback: Opening Those Hard to Open Jars
That's the same method my mom always used when I was growing up. Another simple way to open jars is to use your dishwashing glove. The rubber glove keeps your hand from slipping & works like a charm.
By NHdoubleK
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Feedback: Opening Those Hard to Open Jars
These ideas usually work well. Another old trick is to run hot water over the jar lid for a few seconds. As the lid heats it expands and that makes it much easier to remove. One trick I've used with extreme cases is taking them off with an oil filter wrench. These come in various sizes and one size generally doesn't fit all so you'll need one that's a close fit. Also on smaller jar or screw-on bottle lids a large pair of Channl-lock pliers are great.
By Alphtoo
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Feedback: Saving Money on Gas
Try to eliminate unnecessary trips. Keep a list of your town errands. Try to coordinate trips with your significant other or neighbor. Ask yourself, when does this need to be done? Can it wait? Find out where the other person's errands are and if you might tag along and do a couple of your own. Even if you have to wait for someone to come back and pick you up, you can catch up on reading, etc.
By Jayne
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Feedback: Thrifty Christmas Ornaments?
I made great ornaments from CD's They are shiny and a good size.I put family photos in the center with evergreen and small oraments around the circle.
I even made a clock. Went to the dollar and got a clock so I could use the mechanism . Attach to back of cd Looks great.
Glue Paper gold doilies around a paper drinking cup that has a point at the end fill with silk flowers or baby breath. Attach a ribbon. Victorian
Decorate an Altoid box punch holes top and bottom put ribbon into holes and hang on tree.
Hope these ideas will help Lenore
By Lenore
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Other Active Topics
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http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Today's Recipe: Pumpkin Chip Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups sifted All Purpose Flour
- 2 t. Baking Powder
- 1 t. Baking Soda
- 1/2 t. Salt
- 1 1/2 t. Cinnamon
- 1/2 t. ground Cloves
- 1/4 t. Allspice
- 1/4 t. ground Ginger
- 2 Cups Sugar or Sweetener
- 4 Eggs
- 1 lb. can or 2 Cups cooked Pumpkin
- 1 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 1/2 C. 40% Bran Flakes Cereal
- 1 (6 oz.) pkg. Chocolate Chips
- 1 Cup chopped Nuts
Directions:
Sift together 1st 9 ingredients, set aside. Beat eggs till foamy, add pumpkin, oil & bran cereal. Mix well. Mix in sifted dry ingredients; add choc. chips & nuts. Pour into a prepared Bundt or Angel Food cake pan. Bake at 350F for 70 minutes.
Can be served glazed or plain. If you like pumpkin, this is great and no one knows or can tell there's bran in it. Great for those wanting to "sneak in" some fiber.
By Terri H.
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Tip Contest
New Contest! Submit a tip and you could win:
Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a Month
By Deborah Taylor-Hough
Frozen Assets is small in stature, but jam-packed with meal-planning advice. It contains recipe ideas, plus detailed instructions on how to get the maximum value from your food dollar, while also slashing meal preparation times.
Enter the contest!
New Requests:
Frugal Solution Needed For Extremely Dry Feet and Callous Removal
I would like to know if there is an alternative to expensive pedicures (even at the beauty school here they are $20, the salon/esthetician is $30-$60). My feet are very dry and calloused, moisturizing, even using petroleum jelly at night with cotton socks isn't enough. I would love some frugal ideas/solutions to help me solve this beauty issue. Thank You
Cindy from Alberta, Canada
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Hepa Filter for Vacuum
We were given a sweeper as a gift, it requires those hepa filters to be replaced. I have been putting it off because it is $20 or more for one filter. It is very dusty. Does anyone have a cheaper solution? Thank You in advance
Jill
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Cleaning a Food Processor Bowl
I just ground whole cloves in my mini food processor and the bowl is cloudy and I can't get the smell of cloves out of it. Does anyone know how I can restore it to its original condition? Thanks!
Andrea
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Inexpensive Decorating
We are moving to a new home soon. It is somewhat formal and traditional home (big change). Do you have any inexpensive decorating tips? There is a huge garden tub with plenty of space around for some pretty things as well as a lot of cabinet space in kitchen, etc. I lean toward antique...
Beth
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Uses for Contac Paper
Recently (this morning) I did my first project using contac paper. I covered an oatmeal container. I found a roll of "white marble" looking paper and couldn't resist it. And now I'm hooked on the stuff. I'm going to cover the little computer diskette box I keep my pens in, but can anyone tell me MORE uses for this pretty paper?
Jayne
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Help with SuperBowl Party Decorations and Centerpieces
I am planning the decorations for our organization's event in January. The event is for approximately 650 people and it has a SuperBowl theme (since we are in Jacksonville). I am having a hard time coming up with the centerpieces for the tables. We are going to involve local high schools to help with the decorations so any suggestions that you can make on decorations and centerpieces that they can put together would be appreciated.
Lillian
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Looking for Answers for Dealing with Dog's Fleas
Would somebody please tell me how to get rid of my dogs fleas, we may have to take her to the pound if we dont find the antidote!
Doglover77
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Water Spots on Shower Doors
I have tried just about everything to get the water spots off of my glass shower doors. Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do for this problem? Thanks!
JLeo from MA
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Ideas for Diaper Gifts?
Besides the cute Diaper Cake, is there anything other baby gift I can make with disposable diapers? I have a shower coming up but another friend does diaper cakes so I wanted to do something different with them. Thanks!
Jacqui
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Any Tips for Radio Contests?
Does anyone have any good tips for getting through on radio contests. I set my phone up for speed dial, I use my Cell phone at the same time, I hang up quickly and redial. All to no avail. The lines are constantly jammed... HELP
- Terri
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request heClick Here
More Reading
Energy conservation in the home - Quick Facts
- The average house uses 38 percent of its total annual energy use on heating.
- When a house is occupied, the thermostat should be set at 65 to 68 degrees F for maximum energy efficiency.
Read More: Click Here
How to Plan a Cheap Wedding
By Claire Bowes
There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding today is $20,000 to $25,000, and weddings are estimated to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don't worry if your budget cannot stretch for the most expensive custom-made gown, elegant invitation cards, or the top photographer, it doesn't mean that your wedding will be any less unique or special than anyone else's.
View Article: Click Here
Best Tips for Enjoying the BackCountry in the Rain
By Chuck Fitzgerald
If you spend any amount of time in the backcountry at all, it
will rain on you. Remember this - rain is a good thing; without
it there wouldn't be much backcountry to enjoy. How you prepare
for rain and how you handle yourself and gear in the rain, makes
the difference between a great experience and a horrible one.
Here are some great ideas for ensuring your backcountry enjoyment
when mother nature rains down on you.
View Article: Click Here
Giving Homemade Mixes in a Jar
By Monica Resinger
Mixes in a jar are thoughtful and inexpensive gifts to give to anyone for any occasion. The idea is to layer dry ingredients of a cookie, cake, biscuit,
muffin, beverage or other recipe decoratively in a jar and add directions of how to complete the recipe. The jar can be a mason jar or a recycled, clean
mayonnaise or other large jar that has a lid and can then be decorated with
fabric, ribbons, paint, etc.
View Article: Click Here
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Thanks
Susan
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