Daily Thrifty Tips - Aug. 4, 2009

It is cooling down here in the Pacific NW to our relief! Today, we have some good advice for saving money in the bathroom today and a beautiful rose photo, among others.

We have quite a few requests so take a moment and see if you can offer any advice.

Thanks for reading,

The ThriftyFun Team

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Store Plastic Photo Organizers In File Drawer

I was cleaning out some file cabinets to sell today and happened to find a shoe box full of photos. I picked it up, the phone rang, and I sat it down. When I came back, it turns out I had set it on the rungs and holy cow if it didn't fit!

Depending on the style you get, you can slide it back and forth, then you can fit two in a standard drawer, with a gap in the front or between them for your hands. It's a nice way to keep thing horizontal if you need them to be and still keep flat things underneath!

Keep the lids on for dust protection or off for easy access. Great for all the things that clutter up the desk!

N-JOY!

Source: Just figured this out today when I sat the box inside the drawer "wrong".

By Poor But Proud from Salem OR

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Garden: Washington Roses

This is not only a beautiful rose, but caught in a moment of dew-misted elegance. It is so very fresh and eye catching. I have to admit this photos was sent to me by my sister, whom I love dearly and she knows how things like this send me into a poetic, although tongue-tied mental state. LOL!

Source: As already stated, my sister on Camano Island, WA

By ljf from Theodore, AL

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Podna (Pomeranian)

Podna is a 10 year old Pomeranian. I got Podna from a friend who is a breeder. He was sold and brought back because the Vet said he had a bad heart murmur and didn't have long to live. When I was visiting her, she told me what happened to the little cute puppy, I was loving him up then she told me she wish she could find someone to care of him until he passed away. Well, I feel in love with him in a matter of minutes and without thinking I said, "I will take him".

To make a long story short, it's 10 years later and he has been my best friend and companion. He has given me unconditional love and continues to do so. He is a Godsend! He loves to run around my den, he is just too funny when he starts that!

By the way, the name Podna is Cajun French, meaning a male good friend. My nickname Podnette means a female good friend. I thought you might enjoy that bit of info!

By Podnette from Houma, Louisiana

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Johnny Ramone (German Shepard/Lab/Pit Bull Mix)

Johnny Ramone is 3 years old. He is a German shepherd/lab/pit bull mix. I got him at 7 weeks old.

He likes to play, take walks, go under the sprinkler and cool off, retrieve the ball and snuggle and lay under the covers.

He is so strong and beautiful, but gentle and sweet at the same time. He is my best friend.

By Donna from Lindenhurst, NY

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Place Bills Right On Your Calendar

This is my tip for paying bills on time. As soon as I receive a bill in the mail, or an email saying my bill is due soon, I write the due date and the amount on the calendar. Then every week when I write out my weekly spending plan and pay bills, I know when it needs paid and for how much. I'm never late making a payment.

Source: Been doing this for several years now.

By wendiesioux from Indiana

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My Rather Frugal Bathroom

Here are some of my favorite money-savers for the bath:

• I keep a spray bottle of homemade cleaner in the tub; I use vinegar, a little dish soap, and, perhaps some "this and that". Immediately after showering, I spray the walls, shower curtain liner, tub, showerhead, and fixtures with this. When I'm ready to launder my linens, I use a "dirty" towel (they never get too dirty, since they are used on "clean" skin) to rub down the tub and tiles (and floor). Then it goes directly into the washer. On the other days, I leave the cleaner on without a rubdown.

• Have a spray bottle with 50/50 water-vinegar for spraying on my freshly shampooed hair, before final rinse.

• Another spray bottle has diluted "leave in" conditioner. I spray this on after towel-drying my hair.

• A small spray bottle holds Listerine. Since I wear a night-time dental guard, I spray it with this antiseptic mouthwash before wearing it, and, in the morning, when I rinse and store it for the day.

• Personally, I appreciate the cinnamon-flavored mouthwash, like Lavoris. I put some in another small spray bottle. I added a couple drops of cinnamon and clove oils, and, this makes a potent mouth spray, rather than a gargle.

• If I want to use the rinse-out conditioner, I have some in a pump bottle. I pump a small amount of (at least) 50/50 diluted conditioner (about a half teaspoon for my medium length hair), into my hands, rub them together, and apply directly to my hair. No need to rinse out, since I use so little.

• All body wash and shampoo is diluted by at least 50-50.

• My favorite bath oil? Olive oil with a favorite essential oil added, if desired. Any vegetable oil will do, of course. I have a small squeeze bottle (hair-coloring bottles are great for any "squeezy" things!), for after-bath, after-shower, while my skin is still wet. A little goes a long way on wet skin without feeling too oily, after.

• I have a shower rod and curtain in one bathroom. I hang an additional spring type shower rod inside the tub; here is where I hang my towels to dry, after a shower, as well as my bath mat. In one bath, where there was a ledge above the tile, I had three curtain rods, since I would also air-dry wet laundry there. I would hang the laundry on hangers, then, arrange them on the rods. Of course this didn't work well when the bath was steamy, so, I would do this in "dry" times.

• About once a week, I toss my rubber bath mat into the washer with a load of laundry for a good scrubbing.

• For my favorite hair-drying towels, I tear an old bath towel in half, lengthwise. This makes a great "turban" for wet hair, and, it is not nearly as bulky as a full bath towel, nor as skimpy as a hand towel. These can be hemmed if you don't want to deal with inevitable unraveling threads.

• Working on breaking my shampoo-every-day habit, and, I'm handling every-other-day rather well. On my don't-shampoo days, I still like to thoroughly wet my hair (I'm a shower person, so it's easy), so, it has a freshly shampooed feeling.

• Since I appreciate fresh washcloths, I buy lightweight inexpensive ones by the dozen. Each evening, I was my face with a clean one, and, I use it the next morning for my shower; then, it goes in the dirty laundry.

• Personally, I prefer less heavy-bulky bath linens. They are also less costly and cheaper to launder and dry. I air-dry nearly everything, and, in FL, lightweight is better! At the end of summer, I'll buy a couple of clearance beach towels, since they make great bath sheets, and they are also lightweight and can be inexpensive, too.

• Only in my guest bath do I have matching linens; personally, that is not important to me, though it feels more attractive in a bath that visitors use.

By vbart from Orlando, FL

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Ammonia For Bites And Stings

When you get a mosquito bite or a bee/wasp sting, use household ammonia to get rid of the itch or sting. I bought one of the sting "sticks" that they sell and refill it with household ammonia. I keep it with me during the warm months. One of these "sticks" has ammonia in it as an ingredient. Or just keep some ammonia in a small bottle and apply with a cotton ball. You may have to reapply now and again.

I had six wasp stings at one time and applied this immediately and it killed the pain instantly. It would be a good idea to test the ammonia on your wrist to make sure there isn't an allergic reaction to the ammonia.

Source: A neighbor who is a chemist. During one of cookouts, one of the kids was stung by a bee and the ammonia immediately took the pain away. Our neighbor who is from Thailand said this is what the farmers use but they use their own personal ammonia, if you know what I mean.

By mkymlp from PA

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Rescan TV Setup To Get Digital Channels

Before we had the switch to digital TV on June 12, I was able to receive both analog and digital on the same TV with no problem. After the switch, all of a sudden, I could no longer receive digital ABC nor CBS TV. I tried inputting the numbers manually and even used the channel up and down selector. Nothing functioned. I called the help line that was being advertised locally, and was told to re-scan all the channels back into the TV, as we did when we first purchased the TV.

I am happy to say it worked. So, if you find yourself wondering why some TV channels are missing and thinking you have to run out and buy another antenna or an antenna booster, try this method first!

By cookwie from Richardson, TX

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Product Review: Kitchen Gourmet Air Popper

I just tried the Kitchen Gourmet Air Popper from Walgreens for $10.00. I have to say if you like popcorn flying all over the place and lots of seeds not popped, then this is the popper for you. I guess you can tell I don't like it.

I will probably take it back for another pair of those wonderful sunglasses they sell for $9.00. They are in the "As Seen On TV" aisle. They fit over your glasses and are great, they make everything brighter.

By Robyn Fed from Hampton TN

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Make Photo Luggage Tags

Here's a great tip to help stop luggage theft: Before you fly on an airline make a photo luggage tag. Simply print a picture of yourself, then on the other side print out your home address, cell phone and the address where you're flying to. Cover this tag with clear packing tape. Make one for each piece of luggage then attach it to the handle. Include a matching printout for the inside of your luggage in case the outside tag comes off.

By Cyinda from near Seattle

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Only Use HE Detergent In HE Washers

For those of you with HE washers and problems with smelly laundry, I tried everything. Finally I talked to someone who said it is a MUST to use only the HE detergents, not your regular ones. I first ran my washer with no clothes in it, on the hottest setting possible along with a cup of bleach, let it run the complete cycle.

My washer smells clean again! I then ran my wash using the HE detergent and my clothes smell great. HE detergents work differently then regular detergents.

By Terry from Vero Beach, FL

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How to Set the Price for a Benefit Meal?

I am putting together a benefit for my neighbor and his family, who is currently battling Stage 4 cancer. We are stuck at the food price. We are planning on serving Sloppy Joes, hot dogs, potato salad, beans, and some desserts. The meal also includes unlimited pop. Do you think $10 is too high?

If you think it is too high, what would be a good price? Another thought I had was to break it out and make each thing for sale separately or like Sloppy Joe and chips or hot dog and chips. Thoughts?

By smlefrooth from IGH, MN

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Heartfelt Thank You Gift Ideas Needed

I need, from the heart, thank you gifts doubletime. I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last November and my friends are throwing a huge benefit for my family on Saturday. I would like to acknowledge the 5 fantastic friends and hard workers who put this thing together and just can't come up with an appropriate thank you gift. Help.

By lovewine

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Burning Coal in Wood Stove

Is anyone burning Anthracite coal in a wood burning stove? It seems there should be a way to accomplish this using some sort of cast iron grate. Does anyone know anything about this? Where can I buy a cast iron grate for coal burning? Thanks for any help you can lend.

By Chris D from Lyndhurst, OH

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Removing Ink from Old Paper

I have some old Record sleeves that has a signature written on it. I want to remove the signature. Do you know of a product that can remove ink from paper? I would appreciate an answer as soon as possible.

I don't know if I should buy an old 45 RPM with the paper sleeve that has a signature written on it in ink or not. It all depends on if I can get the ink off of the paper sleeve. Please let me know if there is a product out there that does this and I will surely buy it. Sincerely.

Irene Irene

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Cleaning a Velveteen Horse Blanket

I have a velveteen horse blanket. It is from the winner circle and I have to clean it to get the horse odor off of it and the old carnation stains. I am putting it in a shadow box. I will be replacing the carnations with silk ones. How can I safely clean it?

By bstroud from Frierson, LA

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Keeping Dough Ball on the Hook

I just recently started fishing, and I need suggestions on how to keep a doughball on the hook. I like to experiment with lots of different things: chicken livers, shrimp, cat food, tuna, etc. I use flour, bread crumbs, and I even tried mixing an egg in. No matter what I seem to try, my doughball never wants to stay on the hook. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

Angie

By Samsam2009 from Pittsburgh, PA

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Old English Scratch Cover Stains on Clothes

I was using Old English scratch cover on my coffee table, the dark stain, and accidentally got spots of this stain on my cream colored top. How do I remove this stain. Thanks for any advice out there.

bettydeboop

By bettydeboop from Middleton, NH

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Removing Cola Stains from Carpet

My partner and I are house sitting and spilled L.A. Cola on a white carpet. It was quite large the spill, and unfortunately it has stained. We are stuck as to what to do to get the stain out before they come home on Sunday. Please help.

By kat222 from N.S.W

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Will Facial Contour Change After Tooth Extraction?

If I have a jaw tooth pulled and don't get a partial, bridge, or implant to replace the tooth. Will my teeth shift or my face contour change at my age? I'm 68 yrs old. I have no other missing teeth. You can't see this tooth in question, when I smile.

By txbetty from Lubbock, TX

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Problems Opening Thriftyfun Website

I have been having problems for a while now on this website. My computer keeps freezing up. When I type www.thriftyfun in my address bar the only thing comes up is the title or top portion of the home page. The "refresh" key helps sometimes. Do you have any suggestions? I am only having this problem on Thriftyfun website.

By Onesummer

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Getting Rid of Fleas

Can chinchillas get fleas? If so how can I get rid of them? I also have a dog, 2 rabbits, and a hedge hog. I have the spray for the dog, but they keep coming back. Please help us get the fleas out if our life. Thank you.

By dawno from Chicago

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Getting Rid Of Spiders Outside House

We are looking for a "pet safe" product or way to get rid of black widow spiders and wolf spiders. They are all around the outside of our home and pool area. Their webs are everywhere.

By clck622 from St. Petersburg, FL

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Fleas in Carpet

I need help with fleas. I just got new kitten. Have been bathing her with special, natural flea shampoo, however there are still fleas in the house. Does anyone know the life cycle of a flea? Do fleas die if they do not have anyone to feed on. I am away from my house 4 days a week, kitten staying with family. How do I get rid of fleas in my carpet? Is bombing the only way to get rid of them in carpeting.

By RealtorRose from Malvern, PA

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Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors

After five years, when we clean our ceramic tile floor using a little vinegar it seems okay. If we use plain water the rooms give off a horrible odor which lasts for hours. Why?

By samual0729 from Boca Raton, FL

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Removing Ink From Paper

My 1 year old has taken a pen and written on my new textbook. She basically wrote on the top, it was in my back pack. Is there any way to remove pen from my textbook?

By AZGateway from Chandler, AZ

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Machine to Extract Juice from Aloe Vera

What type of machine can be used to get aloe vera juice from aloe vera plant? Where can I purchase one?

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Removing Wallpaper

When using fabric softener for stripping wallpaper, what are the portions?

By Sdunn1947 from Cincinnati, OH

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Unclogging a Bathtub

I need to know how to remove hair from the bath tub drain? The water cannot go down well, because the drain is clogged up with hair. Please also advise how to avoid the same problem in future? Thanks a lot.

Best regards,
Stella

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Washing Machine Not Draining

The timer switch on my washer makes a clicking sound and it does not drain. Please help.

By dar0762 from Kingwood, TX

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Blue Cross Vs. Medicare

What are the differences between Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare?

By aprilmoe from Pensacola, FL

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Dog With Rough Paws

My dog has rough paw pads. Is there anything I can do to make them softer so they don't scratch me?

By Bonnie1944 from Leesburg, FL

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Painting Over Wallpaper

How do I paint over vinyl wallpaper?

By mandgtie from Madelia, MN

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Sterilizing a Foot Soaking Spa

What can I use to sterilize a foot soaker I purchased used?

By claudettegrows from Kent, WA

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Thick Hair Unmanageable

I have thick hair that I sometimes like to wear down which doesn't usually work because of it's thickness. I'd really appreciate if anyone has any ideas to thin it so it's more manageable.

By estypesty from Balt

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What Breed is My Dog?

Can someone try to guess the breed of dog that we just got?

By tosassy30

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Brown Papering a Vinyl Floor Before Faux Painting

I think I have a good idea for "painting" vinyl floors and need to know if anyone else has tried it? First, super clean the floor and prime it. I thought that I"d get a really large roll of light brown or light gray medium weight paper and cut it into 2 or 3 foot squares, crumple it tightly and leave it crumpled for a few days.

Then mix 1/2 water and 1/2 polyurethane, uncrumple paper, dip in water and poly mix and lay it out on the floor with 1/8-1/4 in space between, smoothing as much as you'd like to get whatever texture you prefer. When it's dry, faux finish to look like rock, granite, etc. and paint the lines in between. In fact, if you know the colors you're going to faux finish in, you could have your primer tinted to match your need. When all is dry, go over all of it with the kind of finish they use on ball courts, or 2 to 3 coats of poly. What do you think? Any ideas for bettering the project? Thank you.

By Elthea from Jasper, AR

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Dollar Store Freezer Bags vs the Name Brand

I am thinking about trying to save time in the kitchen by cooking 2 or 3 meals at a time and freezing them for later in the week. What is the best thing to freeze spaghetti in? Should I invest in the expensive freezer bags or can I use the freezer bags at the Dollar store?

By Onesummer

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Restoring a Shortcut on Desktop

How do I get the Internet Explorer icon back on my screen?

Grace

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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.

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