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Vol. 7, Num. 10, January 15, 2008 (Read It Online) Here are the contest winners for last week! Tip Contest WinnersOrganizing Craft Supplies With Recycled ContainersBy Amy from Northern Virginia Make Rules for Next Christmas Now
Photo Contest WinnerBottle Cap SunBy Laura from Long Beach, CA Thanks for reading, Susan
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:
Kids are fascinated with barnyard animals. Now they can make their own set of cute little critters with just a few simple materials. Approximate Time: 30 Minutes Supplies:
Instructions:Toilet Paper Roll InstructionsCut your white, pink, and light brown pieces of construction paper into a 4-1/2" x 7" piece. Discard the rest of the construction paper. Wrap the pink piece of construction paper around one of the toilet paper rolls. Glue it down at the end seam and let dry. Do the same with the white and light brown pieces of construction paper.Pig InstructionsCut two ears for your pig out of pink foam. They should be slightly pointed ears. See the picture for exact details. Glue the ears to the top of one end of the pink paper roll. Let the ears come up off the paper roll just a bit. Let dry. Glue wiggly eyes just below the ears on your pig's face. Cut a snout for your pig out of pink foam. Hole punch two pieces of black foam to be the pig's nostrils. Glue the nostrils to the snout. Now glue the entire snout onto the paper roll just below the eyes. Again, refer to the picture for exact details. Draw a mouth on your pig using a black marker. Use the template provided to trace a pair of feet for your pig. Use pink foam for the feet. Cut out the feet, and glue the paper roll to the center of the feet. Let dry.Cow InstructionsCut two ears for your cow out of white foam. They should be rounded ears. See the picture for exact details. Glue the ears to the top of one end of the white paper roll. Let the ears come up off the paper roll just a bit. Add a tiny pink triangle in the center of each ear cut from pink foam. Let dry. Glue wiggly eyes just below the ears on your cow's face. Cut a snout for your cow out of pink foam. Hole punch two pieces of black foam to be the cow's nostrils. Glue the nostrils to the snout. Now glue the entire snout onto the paper roll just below the eyes. Again, refer to the picture for exact details. Draw a mouth on your cow using a black marker. Cut out small cloud shaped pieces from black construction paper to be your cow's spots. You will need about six or seven shapes. Glue the shapes to random places on your cow, spreading them out evenly. Refer to the picture for an example. Use the template provided to trace a pair of feet for your cow. Use black foam for the feet. Cut out the feet, and glue the paper roll to the center of the feet. Let dry.Dog InstructionsCut two ears for your dog out of dark brown construction paper. They should be 2-1/2" ovals for the ears. Fold one end of each oval so the ears will stick out a bit. See the picture for exact details. Glue the ears to the top of one side of the light brown paper roll. The ears should come right to the top of the paper roll, but not extend beyond that. Let dry. Glue wiggly eyes just below the ears on your dog's face. Add eyebrows with a black marker. Cut out a small nose for your dog out of black foam. and glue this in place. Now draw your dog's mouth with a black marker, using the picture as your guide. Add tiny dots for whisker markings. Make a panting tongue with red marker. Cut a 1" oval from dark brown construction paper and glue this below the dog's mouth. This is the dog's belly marking. Use the template provided to trace a pair of feet for your dog. Use black foam for the feet. Cut out the feet, and glue the paper roll to the center of the feet. Let dry.By Denise from Mechanicsville, VA
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Rate It: Here's another denim craft to make. I love to recycle. Fun to recreate lovely things. I made this out of old jeans and feed bags. The one side the seams do not show, the other side they do and are cut with a scissors and washed in order to make it fringe more. The one solid pink square on the side that has all printed blocks and denim was a mistake. After I made the whole thing and laid it out, I noticed the mistake. I took it all apart in that row and put a pink print square there to make it correct. Call me a perfectionist. I don't care. It had to be fixed. LOL!
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Rate It: This is my daughter. I think she will be the perfect model. Her blue eyes and fine hair will make everything look so pretty. I believe she's got what it takes.
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Rate It: PeeWee is a green iguana and is around 2 years, 9 months old. PeeWee was a rescue in really bad health when I adopted him on Christmas Eve 2005.
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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!
My Frugal Life: How I Save Money By Keeping a Clean House I save money a number of different ways by keeping a clean house. This may seem like "too much work" to some people or you may say it "takes too long", however I have not found that to be the case. Entryway or DoorwayI keep our entrances clean and free of clutter. First off, I don't want a guest (or anyone else) tripping over clutter and getting hurt or suing me. I keep a rug by each door for dirty or wet shoes to go onto. By encouraging people to take their shoes off at the door, it saves the life of the carpet and my carpet cleaner. I also make sure that once the shoes are cleaned and dried, that they then go into their proper closet.Living room, Family room, Hallways and BedroomsI vacuum or sweep daily. I also vacuum the heat registers and cold exchange ducts weekly. This keeps dust out of the air and makes it easier for those with allergies so that they do not have to take their allergy medicine as often, making it last longer. It also helps the furnace not to work as hard so the motor will last longer.Weekly (or more often if we use the fireplace), I wipe down the light bulbs with a damp rag, while the light bulbs are cold. Dusty lights do not put out as much light, which makes a person unnecessarily use a higher watt bulb, or turn on more lights than necessary. I also clean the globes on the ceiling light fixtures every month or more often. It only takes a couple of minutes for nice bright results. I hit the windows once a week on the inside with a vinegar and water solution. The outside I get about once a month. I do have newer windows and I can get the outside from the inside. This allows more light into the house, keeping the lights off. I wipe down the TV screen and electronics every few days. This keeps dirt and dust from collecting on them and making them last longer. Once a day, I take a rag damp with vinegar water or bleach water (diluted) and wipe surfaces down to help prevent the passing on of germs. These surfaces include the remote controls, telephones, door and cabinet knobs. It only takes me about 5 minutes to do the entire house. I don't like clutter in the house. I have been in houses where it is cold, and I see that they have boxes and stuff stacked up over the heat registers. I make sure ours are uncovered while the A/C or heat are on. I also make sure that clutter or shoes do not block doorways. This ensures that doors can be completely shut. I keep our closet doors closed so that we are not paying to heat or cool the inside of the closet. Twice a year, I rotate and flip the mattresses and then vacuum them. This extends the life of the mattress. If you have a larger/heavier person in your home, you would probably want to flip and rotate them more often. I wash the curtains every few months and rehang them in the opposite window. This allows them to sun fade more evenly and be replaced less often. I just throw them in with the regular laundry and line dry. Kitchen and dining roomI keep my kitchen cabinets and pantry clean and organized. Why pay to go buy a spice or can of something you already have just because you can't find it? I run through the cabinets and pantry weekly, and rotate foods according to the dates on them. I do the same with the refrigerator. This prevents food waste and spoilage. Why spend money buying food to rot away? That's gross. When I do dishes, either in the dishwasher or the sink, I add several tablespoons of bleach or vinegar. This helps to kill germs and prevent colds from being passed on. I regularly clean the coils of the refrigerator and freezer, so that the motor doesn't have to work so hard and overheat. My trash is emptied daily, and my wastebasket is washed out at least once a week with soapy water to prevent it from smelling bad. This also helps to not attract bugs and other creatures into the house. (Anything that is a food item, I try to feed to the chickens or dog to cut down on feed costs.)BathroomThe bathrooms get wiped down daily with vinegar water or bleach water. I keep lots of cheap toothbrushes on hand and change them frequently. This helps to cut down on colds and sore throats. The bathroom trash is emptied daily. I make sure wet towels are hung up to dry and not sitting aro und to mildew. This increases the life of the towels. Often you will find our bathroom windows open about 1/2 inch at both the top and bottom for air circulation.In the BasementWe keep a clean filter on our furnace and A/C unit. This prevents dust and dirt from being blown through out the house and also helps with allergies and to prevent sicknesses.LaundryI stay on top of our laundry. I try to do a load daily. This way, we aren't buying more socks or underwear because it's all dirty . I can also have time to line dry it by doing a load a day. We use cloth napkins in our house at mealtime, and this also ensures they are always clean, so no one is using disposable ones. (The cloth napkins just go into the next load of laundry, regardless of the color).OfficeYou must stay organized in the office. If you don't, you misplace bills and get charged late fees. I keep all the office supplies in one area. I have found since I organized the office two years ago, that we have not had to buy any pens or pencils since. Any free ones we get from businesses or vendor shows go into the pen and pencil bin. I also keep our coupons organized in a bin in the office. We have a special file for warranty information. That keeps us from paying for repair calls that we may not need to.Yard, Garage, BarnKeep these areas clutter free! Put items, tools and toys back away when you are finished using them. This prevents garden hoses and toys from being lost, run over with the mower (causing you to buy new and pay for mower repairs). Why does my brother have 4 snow shovels? Because he keeps forgetting where he left them. Ours are hung on nails in the garage and barn. Our hoses are kept rolled up to prevent them from being run over, mowed over, frozen or chewed up by a dog. When we buy motor oil, or wiper fluid, it ALWAYS goes on the same shelf in the garage. If it isn't there, we know we are out. We are not buying more when there is a case of it laying all spread out in the barn, basement and garage. Tools need to be put back where they belong so they are not lost and needlessly replaced, or allowed to get rusty and broken. Make sure everything has its own home, and gets returned to it. Keeping tools picked up also prevents someone from having an accident, such a stepping on a pitchfork. Above all, stay organized. Always keep items in the same spot. That way you are not buying what you don't need.Declutter! Turn unwanted items into cash. Sell them; get them out of the way. If it's trash, then put it out with the trash. Otherwise, you are basically storing garbage, paying yourself to heat and cool it, and to clean around it. Also, you can donate items and get a receipt for your taxes. By Mom-from-Missouri Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51244592.tip.html
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Rate It: Free Knit And Crochet Patterns Look towards the bottom of the page. By Cyinda from near Seattle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59289688.tip.html
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Rate It: Add Body Oil To Unscented Lotion I am so excited to share this tip! Every year I request a certain body lotion from Bath and Body Works. I love it, but it certainly isn't cheap. But this year I received the set for Christmas that included the body oil (which I don't really use as much). Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89011388.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Soft Side Briefcases To Organize Travel Supplies We have a very small fifth wheel trailer so storage is always a challenge. Our interests; archeology and biology, take us far and wide and we are often far away from stores for days or weeks so we try to stay organized and prepared. We use soft side briefcases, bought at garage sales and thrift stores for $1-5, to organize and store many necessities in the truck and trailer. They are durable and very easy to stash. We have the basics: first aid, picnic, tools, etc., bags in the truck and trailer. We also store reference books, maps, camera gear, biology and archeology materials, grandkid toys, etc., in the bags, as well. Each bag is tagged with it's contents. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83801889.tip.html
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Rate It: Ingredients
DirectionsMix it together and rub it on your face. Lay on the floor (with a towel under you) for ten minutes. Rinse off.Hailey from New Jersey Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78854429.tip.html
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Rate It: I have gone through the following website for like 3 years now and gotten my federal and state taxes all done, e-file, for free. I believe it's for people who make less than $25,000 per year, and there are other people who qualify too. Check it out. It's free and I have the money either deposited right into our checking account, or mailed to us. I like putting it automatically in the checking account the best. TurboTax Freedom Edition Qualifying Criteria Intuit offers TurboTax Freedom Edition via the Free File Alliance for taxpayers who either:
Note: The qualifying criteria is subject to change. Source: Part of this is from the turbointuit.com website By Ann from Munfordville, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69275036.tip.html
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Rate It: Making a Toy Bag out of Receiving Blankets When my son was a baby, he had lots of receiving blankets. As he grew older, of course, they weren't needed. I gave away several, then one day I needed a toy bag to take to Grandma's house. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39268376.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Cardboard Tubes as a Window Brace My old windows are not in the budget for replacement as of yet, so sometimes when I want to open them, they slide down and will not stay up. To solve this problem, I brace the window up with a cardboard tube from wrapping paper, which I can cut to any size to fit in between the bottom of the window and the space behind the sill. These hold the windows open very nicely and can be replaced when they wear out for "free". If you place them at the side of the window, the tube will be out of sight. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29081401.tip.html
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Rate It: Free Digital Television Converter Coupons Digital television free coupons for TV converter boxes - a program for the whole USA. Source: Dallas Morning News By Holly from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67184761.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Microfiber Squares Instead of Cotton Balls Microfiber cloths can be cut into small squares and used to remove makeup, apply toner, etc. Rinsed and reused, then washed and replaced! Eliminate the use of cotton balls! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84689403.tip.html
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Using a Crayon Drawing as an Iron On Transfer Is there any way to use a picture colored with crayons as an iron on transfer for say an apron or t-shirt Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76048325.tip.html
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Rate It: Girl's 10th Birthday Party Ideas I need ideas for my 10 year old daughter's birthday. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84652290.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone else have copper-bottomed pans that have warped? My parents have the Cook brand from JC Penny's and they are used on a ceramic cook-top. I noticed yesterday that all the pans seem to have a concave bottom (not good for this type of cook-top). When they bought the pans they looked specifically for flat-bottoms so I don't think they were warped before, but not sure. Does anyone else have this brand and are they concave? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89073584.tip.html
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Rate It: Recycling Birthday and Greeting Cards Any suggestions for recycling old birthday and greeting cards? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74084962.tip.html
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Rate It: What is the best way to clean out jets in a jacuzzi tub? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf612642.tip.html
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Rate It: I'd like suggestions on how to set up and start a price book. I don't want to pay for one. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18052182.tip.html
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Rate It: Food Keeps Sticking to My Frying Pan A few years ago I purchased a Kitchen Aid refrigerator and received a small rebate plus a frying pan. This question is about the pan (just letting you know why I have it). The pan feels solid, hefty, made of stainless steel. Every time I use it, food sticks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96281489.tip.html
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Rate It: Will a Small Sponge Plug Up My Toilet? I flushed a small sponge down the toilet. It seems to be working fine but I am concerned will it plug up? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35803328.tip.html
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Rate It: Does Pre-tanning Prevent Sun Burns? We are going to the Dominican Republic for a holiday in February and have heard that getting a pre-tan helps with not burning. Has anyone done it and does it help? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26817077.tip.html
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Rate It: I'm getting married August 9, 2008. I'm looking to use silk calla lilies for the center pieces. I would like them to be tall so everyone can see and talk to each other. Can some help me with ideas. How to make, and where to go. We are paying for the wedding ourselves. I'm really stressed out. If you have any other ideas please let me know. Favors, flowers for the girls, etc. I want to have an inexpensive wedding and not look cheap. We are young and would like to buy a home. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf130948.tip.html
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Rate It: My Dog Smells But I Can't Give Him a Bath My vet said not to give the dog a bath until his next checkup, but he smells. Suggestions? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89695524.tip.html
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Rate It: New England Scalloped Potatoes I need some help locating a recipe called, New England Scalloped Potatoes. I have found many recipes on the net that have the same name, but haven't found the correct one. I have only had ONE bite of this dish. It tasted as though it was a baked potato, scooped out, and mashed with only sour cream. The person that made it didn't offer the recipe. Thanks! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23582529.tip.html
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Rate It: Attaching a Corsage to Wristlet Can someone please tell me how to put the corsage on the wristlet? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58517071.tip.html
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Rate It: Any suggestions for recycling old birthday and greeting cards? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39900769.tip.html
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Rate It: Ideas for Country Boy's 5th Birthday Party I need ideas for my sons 5th birthday party. We live on 19 acres. I thought of doing a hayride, and having a weenie and marshmallow roast over a fire, but I need some more ideas! Thanks in advance. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47965799.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I clean hardwood floors? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000724.tip.html
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Rate It: Replacing the Seal in Kitchen Aid Dishwasher I have an old Kitchen Aid dishwasher that needs a new seal. I purchased a new one but don't know how to replace it. Do I need to remove the door? If so, how? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38565202.tip.html
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Rate It: I love to make crocheted rugs with fabric strips. I am looking for something that I can cut fabric strips with. Cutting with scissors is hurting my hand. I have to use a big industrial size Gemsey, but it lays in my closet. It is more for cutting big stuff. I just do a little personal rug making. Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22276507.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Underside of Fingernails White How do you get fingernails to look white on the underside? Mine seem to be rough on the underside and soon after working on them they look grubby again. Looking forward to any tips. Thanks! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78317108.tip.html
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Rate It: I love making large needlepoint pieces such as wall hangings etc. and I would like to be making things I can leave to my children as heirlooms. I know the American market will differ from the English to some extent but can anyone give me any advice as to the type of needlepoint that is most likely to be of any value in the future. Is it considered a disadvantage for the piece to be made from a commercial pattern or should I be concentrating more on my own designs? Thank you so much for any advice you can give. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79370248.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for some examples of artificial fertilizers. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78965131.tip.html
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Rate It: I just dyed my hair. And *yikes* it looks sick. I didn't come out the way I was hoping it would be, not even close. I tried to dye it from dirty blonde to brunette and guess what? It came out light orange. I don't know what you would call that but I call it Freaky. It was totally unexpected and not wanted! So what should I do now? I look like a walking Orange peel. Should I try to dye it again? If I do, will it damage my hair. Is there some kind of hair dye removal? All I know is i look like a freak show and I want that to change. Help me Please! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54496840.tip.html
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Rate It: Making a Cross from Plastic Canvas I picked up this plastic canvas cross at a yard sale or thrift store and I can't find a pattern anywhere on how to make it. Does anyone have a pattern for this or know where I can get one?
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Rate It: How Can I Tell if My Dog is a Pit Bull? I recently got a dog that I thought was a lab mix. Now she (Mocha) looks more like a pit every day. How can I tell if she is a pit?
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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:
|