Daily Thrifty Tips - April 14, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 73, April 14, 2008 (Read It Online) I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. This week's Saving Money On.. newsletter is about Saving Money on Vegetables. Do you have any tips to share? Please submit them here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86001583.tip.html Thanks for reading, Susan 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: Craft Project: Chill Chaser Shrug Scenery: Kentucky Fall Sky Craft Project: Popsicle Kids Moose (Golden Retriever/Lab) Ginger (Miniature Rat Terrier) Cokeyo (Poodle) Today's Tips: Teaching Toddlers To Read Frugal Air Freshener You Can Make At Home Tips For Getting Water To Sick Puppies Save Clothing Elastic For Craft Projects Use Milk of Magnesia as a Facial Mask Link: Human Foods, Products That Can Kill Pets Making Basket Stuffing Clean Your Iron with a Dryer Sheet Four Different Ideas for Roast Beef When Making Cookies, Cook Half and Freeze Half Joke of the Day New Requests: Blinds/Shade For A Skylight Making Your Own Hanging Tomato Baskets Irises Aren't Blooming Baby Vomit Smell In Pram Pests Eating Leaves Of Hybiscus Will Toothpaste Scratch Marble Sink? How Do You Use Bluing Product? Birthday Party Theme: "1974 In Las Vegas" Can You Play Harmonica With Dentures? Advice On Rimadyl Dosages Is an egg still alive if the yolk broke? Can you get fleas in your house without pets? Ideas To Get Help Paying Vet Bills Animal Themed Celebration For 11 Year Olds More Reading: Rabbits Eating Flowers and Plants Keeping a Dog Out of a Vegetable Garden 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: Craft Project: Chill Chaser Shrug This is my own version of a shrug. A shrug is a short sweater to chase a chill away. This would be a perfect Bed Jacket for a friend in the hospital. Or just to throw on when the nights are a little cool. Approximate Time A couple evenings in front of the TV Supplies: about 10 oz. 4 ply yarn Aluminum Crochet Hook size K Yarn Needle Instructions: This is not a conventional pattern, since I am not a professional pattern writer, but it is a simple pattern and should be easy enough for a beginner. It is a one-piece pattern. The only sewing needed is to form the sleeves. The pattern begins at one cuff and ends at the other cuff. If you have any problems, email me for assistance. The measurement examples are my personal measurements Begin by taking measurements in inches. A to B is edge of your palm at wrist to underarm: 17 inches B to D is from shoulder to shoulder across back: 17 inches (you may need help with B to D) C marks the middle of the back. You will be increasing on the first half to this point , adding a couple rows without increases, and then decreasing for the second half. The instructions are also in a PDF file for which you may need Acrobat Reader to view. Download Acrobat Reader Click Here to download the Crochet Style Shrug Instructions in PDF format. By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60326156.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Scenery: Kentucky Fall Sky A beautiful sky last fall. By Julia from Kentucky Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15063364.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft Project: Popsicle Kids Heat up the glue gun, grab those fabric scraps and make some "kids". Approximate Time: 30 Minutes Supplies: 2-3 inch wooden hearts 4- 1 inch wood circles 1 popsicle sticks small amount of twine fabric scraps small letters Instructions: Girl: Glue rectangle of fabric over a popsicle stick. Glue to heart for arms. Gather fabric for skirt, glue under flap of arm material. Decorate wood button face. Glue string, twine or ribbon to both edges of arm and glue letters to the string. Turn over and glue twine, string or ribbon to back for hanging. Boy: Glue rectangle of fabric over a popsicle stick. Glue to heart for arms. Glue material to two popsicle sticks for "jeans". Cut a small portion out of the top for the neck. Glue to heart. Continue the same instructions as for the girl. This is a very versatile craft and can showcase hobbies with fishing poles etc. Enjoy! By Tedebear from San Jose CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54357862.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Moose (Golden Retriever/Lab) Moose is 1 year and 2 months old and is a Golden Retriever/Lab mix. We got him St. Patrick's Day weekend on a Sunday. He likes to swim, swim, swim! Also loves to run after balls and Frisbees and play with his brother, an Aussie mix, and everyone else in the family. We couldn't ask for better! This picture was taken when he was asleep in his crate, where his food dish seemed to be worn as a hat By Jamie from North Carolina Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29946273.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Ginger (Miniature Rat Terrier) Ginger is 4 years old and is a Miniature Rat Terrier. She was the Pet-of-the-Week and we saw her on the local news. We called the animal shelter and told them that we would be perfect parents for her! She likes to chew bones and sit on the back of the couch so she can look out the window. She loudly notifies us whenever anyone approaches the house. I made her a little pink night-gown out of the leg of an old pair of flannel pajamas. Actually, I made two of them for her...Well, I had two pajama legs! It seemed like a great way to recycle old jammies. By Mallory from Mountain View, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52459848.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cokeyo (Poodle) Cokeyo (Coco) is 3 years old. He is a Chocolate Toy Poodle. I received Cokeyo as a gift when he was two months old. One of the best gifts I ever received. He just plays, plays, and plays. Cokeyo talks now and then. By Chris from Washington, DC Follow this link to see Cokeyo's previous post: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf537803.tip.html Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59458781.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | 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: Teaching Toddlers To Read I was amazed when I saw my midwife's daughter reading "The Lord of the Rings" at 5 years of age, so I asked her how she learned to read at such a young age. She said the trick is: You start teaching them to read by playing a GAME with them at about 16 - 18 months (or older). She said "Kids CAN'T read SMALL BLACK letters but CAN read LARGE RED letters". So what you do is make a bunch of cards that have BIG RED words on them like "grandma, mom, dad, out, banana, cat, chair, flower", etc. The lettering should be about 2 inches high. Then you put all the cards in a pile on the floor and ask the little one to "bring me the word 'banana' (or whatever word)". Of course you start with only 2 or 3 cards at a time and when they have mastered these, you add one more word every so often. Be sure to give them LOTS of praise whenever they get one of the words right. Toddlers and little ones just LOVE this game! It's fun for them, teaches them to read, and gets them interested in reading at an early age. My midwife's 5 year old daughter carried a book with her everywhere she went. She absolutely loved to read! Several of her friends were also reading books by themselves at 3 or 4 years of age. Of course you can add to this by also reading them a book each night before they go to bed. My daughter says "It's bed time, go pick out the book you want me to read to you." This way my granddaughter actually LIKES bedtime, and you sure can't beat THAT! By Cyinda from Seattle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33063405.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Frugal Air Freshener You Can Make At Home Ingredients 2 packages Knox Gelatin 1 cup of water 1 cup scented liquid potpourri pinch of salt Directions Heat 1 cup of water with 1/2 cup of liquid potpourri add 2 packages of gelatin. Heat until boil stirring constantly. Take away from heat and add the other 1/2 cup of potpourri. Pour into two 8 oz. jelly jars, put into fridge for a few hours until they set up. Source: A friend from Iowa gave me this years old By Char from Springfield IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51680438.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tips For Getting Water To Sick Puppies If you can't get your puppy to drink water, try ice cubes. I found that I can get my puppy to even lick Pedialite in ice cube form. Hope this helps! By Rachel from TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91027423.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Save Clothing Elastic For Craft Projects You know the clear stretchy elastic that is used sometimes for securing blouses on your hangers? Well, I cut them off cause they bug me, and I re-use them in my sewing! This type of elastic is sometimes hard to find and can be expensive. There are a lot of instances where you only need a small amount of the clear elastic (for example: on a neckline) and this is just enough! Voila! . Source: my own idea! By Frances from Bland, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93142369.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Milk of Magnesia as a Facial Mask For adults or teens with an oily T-zone on their face; there are lots of cosmetic items that help with oil control, but a very inexpensive item that does the job very well is Milk of Magnesia. A generic brand will suffice and is even less expensive. Just put a cotton ball's worth of the milk of magnesia on the oily areas. Let it dry for a few minutes, and then wipe off. It really absorbs the oil for hours and hours and is very cheap to use! By Tracey from Westerville, Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73904629.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Link: Human Foods, Products That Can Kill Pets Link to Excellent Site for Pet Owners http://www.kitv.com/family/15665425/detail.html Human Foods, Products Can Kill Pets: Medicines, Fruits, Veggies Dangerous For Animals By Laura from Long Beach, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24833536.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making Basket Stuffing I use pinking sheers to cut up all old magazines, candy wrappers, colored paper of any kind and keep it to use as basket stuffing when giving a gift or making baskets for friends. By Denise from McRae, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70100150.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Clean Your Iron with a Dryer Sheet When your iron gets sticky or dirty or when you accidentally get iron-on interfacing stuck to it, simply take a fabric softener Dryer Sheet and set the Dryer Sheet on top of a paper towel (to protect your ironing board), then lay another paper towel next to it. Turn your iron on high and iron the dryer sheet, then iron the paper towel (to clean the iron off). Go from ironing the dryer sheet for about 30 seconds, to the paper towel and back and forth again until your iron is totally clean. I like this handy trick because it cost nothing and your iron will glide smoothly, just like it's brand new! Source: I heard this handy trick on a PBS quilting show. By Cyinda from Seattle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11216179.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Four Different Ideas for Roast Beef To save money, buy a large roast beef. The first night have roast beef, the next night, make hot roast beef sandwiches and chop up the remaining roast beef. Mix with sauteed onions and peppers and 1 cup catsup, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 2 Tbsp brown sugar and 1 tbsp mustard to make barbecue sandwiches or decide to make a pot of vegetable soup and add all remaining leftover beef. It is a time saver and cost effective when you cook like this. One nice size roast can make at least 3 or 4 meals. Happy cooking! Source: its a variety of recipes of my own making. By Maureen from Williamsport, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35142426.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print When Making Cookies, Cook Half and Freeze Half When you are baking cookies, try to bake only 1/2 a batch and freeze the rest for later. I flash freeze drop cookies and can bake as many or as few as I want at a time. This way you can have fresh cookies anytime you want them or when company shows up! By Tracey from Hibbing, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89202570.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dear Webby's Joke of the Day Did you know that dolphins are so intelligent that within only a few days of captivity, they can train humans to stand at the edge of the pool and throw them fish? Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Blinds/Shade For A Skylight We will be moving my daughter into a room with a recessed skylight. Any thrifty ideas for an inexpensive shade or blind? The blinds on line are nearly $200. In my own bedroom, we have the same light, and I hooked up a curtain on two rods, but we can't actually open it or it falls off. I want something in her room that we can close and open. Thanks! Natasha from Exeter, NH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76225360.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making Your Own Hanging Tomato Baskets Has anyone out there seen the wonderful advertisement on TV for growing tomatoes hanging upside down? I looked at the price of each and decided I couldn't afford to buy 6 or 7. I would love to know if someone has an idea for making your own hanging tomato growers. Thank you! Hardiness Zone: 5a Pattie from Bridgton, ME Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19036845.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Irises Aren't Blooming Does mowing your Irises after they've bloomed cause them to not bloom again the next year? I'm not much of a gardener, which is probably obvious. We've had them planted for several years, and they bloomed pretty well for the first 2-3 years. My husband then mowed over them the last couple of years (after their blooming season), and now very few have bloomed back. Is there anything we can do now to help? Hardiness Zone: 7a Leah from Shelbyville, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36669626.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Baby Vomit Smell In Pram How do you get the smell of milky baby vomit from your baby's pram? Lesley from Glasgow, Scotland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61711855.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pests Eating Leaves Of Hybiscus What can we do to prevent leaves of my Hybiscus from being eaten by unknown pests? I am first time user and amazed by the information I can send to resolve my problem. Right now I don't have a picture but will take one after I submit this question. Hardiness Zone: 9b Pauus from Palm Harbor, Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82528592.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Will Toothpaste Scratch Marble Sink? If I brush my teeth over my marble sink will the toothpaste scratch it? Janet from Benton, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52260721.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How Do You Use Bluing Product? I need to know how do you use that bluing stuff to make your whites white. My husband wears white dress shirts. They get dingy after a while. Any suggestions on keeping them white? I bought that blue stuff but don't want to mess up anything help! Kathy from Triadelphia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51887975.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Birthday Party Theme: "1974 In Las Vegas" I need ideas on how to make a birthday party fit the theme "1974 In Las Vegas". Quinflo from Hong Kong Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31859090.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Can You Play Harmonica With Dentures? I'm an avid harmonica player but I may be required to get dentures. I'm worried that having dentures may impede my harmonica playing. Do any of you have any experience playing harmonica with dentures? If so, do the dentures diminish your skills in any way? JLS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65899701.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Advice On Rimadyl Dosages My black lab is approximately 8 years old. I have recently started him on Rimadyl, as he was getting somewhat stiff and arthritic. He is doing wonderfully. He is on 2 75 mg tabs a day. Has anyone had experience with cutting the usual dosage in half, or alternating days, to save money? I am getting the Rimadyl from Entirelypets(dot)com, and it is way less $$ than from my vet, but still expensive. I assume my dog will be on Rimadyl the rest of his life, but would like to dose him as minimally as possible while he is still fairly young. Any experience you can share with Rimadyl dosage? Tracey from Westerville Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28093097.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Is an egg still alive if the yolk broke? I am incubating a duck egg and the yolk broke inside of the egg. Is it still alive? Tina from Temple, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72578722.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Can you get fleas in your house without pets? If you do not have a pet and you have a dirty house, can you still get fleas? Crystal from Da Veg Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76991232.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Ideas To Get Help Paying Vet Bills My 5 month old puppy was recently diagnosed with Parvo. She has been in the vet for 3 days now and she has started to show signs of improvement. Is there any way to help with the bills, they are now at $1200.00 and she will still have to stay for another 3 days. Is there anybody that knows any way to help with these bills. My family and I just can't let her go. Please send responses. God Bless! Cathy from Louisville, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46509756.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Animal Themed Celebration For 11 Year Olds Do you have any party ideas involving animals for 11 year old kids. Not a party but a special celebration? Thanks. Ashna from Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39148201.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print 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 More Reading: Rabbits Eating Flowers and Plants How can I keep rabbits from eating my plants? They eat everything: vegetables, flowers, shrubs, ornamental grasses. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf585624.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Keeping a Dog Out of a Vegetable Garden Question: How do you keep a dog out of a vegetable garden? It's a very small garden, and not worth the cost of fencing it in. If I fenced it, I'd have no room for the plants. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38376293.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.