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Vol. 8, Num. 191, September 30, 2009 (Read It Online) Here are the contest winners for the contest that ran from September 12, 2009 to September 19, 2009. Pet Contest Winner Artemis the Cat Photo Contest Winner Wildlife: Fawn Recipe Contest Winner Parmesan Crescents Tip Contest Winners Warning: Don't Use Bleach To Clean Up Mold Canning Jars for Blending You can view all the results from this contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml?contest=15213
Thank you to everyone that took time to share something!
Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and recipes and that you
like. Your ratings are used to pick the winners.
Thanks for reading,
The ThriftyFun Team
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:
Scenery: Loch Ussie (Scotland) Loch Ussie in the Highlands of Scotland. I took this photo from the top of Knockfarrel, near the cottage we had rented for our holiday. Legend has it that Kenneth Mackenzie (Coinneach Odhar), the Brahan Seer, threw his oracle stone into Loch Ussie before being taken to Fortrose on the Black Isle to be tried for witchcraft. He said that, one day, it would be found in the belly of a fish. So far as is known it has not yet turned up. If you are interested in his prophecies check out this link: By skinnyjinny from Scotland Contest Contender!
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Use Recycled Drink Tubes For Organizer Recently, I had the opportunity to organize a friend's pantry. To minimize space, I emptied all her drink mixes into a basket, leaving me with these wonderful tubes. I recently submitted a hint about clipping cans together for on-the-spot tools, silverware, craft supplies, etc. Someone else creative submitted one about using one of these. So, I decided to take them both and make a desk top organizer for my craft room. I bunched them together with tape to keep it secure long enough to wrap some ripped fabric around it. You can also use colored duct tape, (or gray if it's out in the shop), clear tape then contact paper, old head bands, scarves you no longer use, or just about anything. You can also slip some tape over the tops of all the tall ones, and just spot glue to bind the smaller one in the front. You don't need to cut these, as they do come in shorter versions. You can use them for just about anything that needs to be vertical. Bathroom:Brushes, combs, and more. Kitchen: Silverware, utensils, dish scrubbers. Craft Room: See what I used it for and keep going. Shop: Screwdrivers, separated by phillips or flathead, tools, paint brushes, and the like. Desk: Pens, pencils, scissors, and much more. Note: If you use them for the desk, the smaller ones are best. Pens and such tend to get lost in the larger ones. You can even go one step further and put some cork on the bottom for non skid, or that wonderful weave you can get at the Dollar Tree. By Poor But Proud from Yorktown, VA Contest Contender!
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Sparky (American Shetland Pony) Our pony's name is Sparky. The granddaughter wanted to name him Sparkle but it was a boy, so she named him Sparky. He is probably 12 years old and is an American Shetland pony. His color is Strawberry roan. We bought him from a friend about 9 years ago. Sparky loves to neigh when he sees grandpa come over because he always brings him carrots. The picture is of him begging for one over the fence. He knows the car and when he pulls in the driveway he comes out of the barn and starts begging. By little suzy Contest Contender!
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Jess is about 2 1/2 years old. She is a Jack Russell/Beagle mix. Someone bought her at a pet store, and she was left there alone a lot. She chewed up all of his computer wires and pulled TP all over his house. She just wasn't trained yet to go outside. She couldn't go outside, she was stuck in that house! So, he didn't want her anymore, and I did want her, so that is how I got her. I got her when she was about 9 months old. Jess just loves everyone. She loves "sticks" and "moles" even if they are planted in my garden. I haven't lost any of the plants yet though. She loves squeaky toys, and she will only chew on her rawhide "bone" if it is round like a donut, she won't touch any of the others. ;) She loves to sleep under the covers, and when I'm sitting, she wants to be right on my lap. By kas2 from Grand Rapids, MI Contest Contender!
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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!
For so much of my life I didn't bother pursuing friendships with neighbors because I thought I probably would have nothing in common with them. Well, maybe I just got lucky this time and over the past two years I've become good buddy's with a few of the neighbors in our apartment complex and wow what a Blessing for all of us! We keep an eye on one another and if anyone is going out of town or has an emergency there is always someone available basically right next door to help with whatever might need to be done! We borrow items from each other like tools, DVDs, cooking utensils, etc.. We also do a food exchange and all of these things saves us all bunches of money! One neighbor and I cut each others hair and that saves oodles of money. Since I am a retired hairstylist, when I am up to it (I am now disabled) I'll cut a couple of the neighbors' hair for free and then they do something in exchange that I need help with. There have been times when we 'make a date' and four of us do our marketing together which saves on gasoline and is also hysterical because we have so much goofy fun doing that! It feels like being a kid again instead of a chore. There are so many other perks when getting to know your neighbors but the best perk is friends. :)
By Deeli from Richland, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22370440.tip.html
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Rate It: I too have had to deal with stinky vacuums and smells in carpeting from cats and dogs. The best thing that I have found was the enzyme odor cleaner at the local Oreck store. The quart is slightly expensive, but you only need 8 oz to each gallon of water and it really makes the smell go away. Disassemble your vacuum and wash the outer bag by hand then spray it while wet with the enzyme odor cleaner. Then let it air dry. Remove the brush roller and wash and spray it too. Then wipe all parts that you can get to with an all purpose cleaner mixed with the odor cleaner. It works like a charm. The Oreck store will also do it for a price if you do not want to, and they do a really good job. The odor cleaner also works well on carpets but you have to keep the spot wet for at least 30 minutes to make it work, but if you are cleaning stinky carpets anyway with a steam cleaner put about half the bottle in the clean water part of the carpet cleaner and it works while it slowly dries. Pet odors are gone! Source: Myself with the help of the local Oreck employee. By cathy cleans from Wilkes Barre, PA Contest Contender!
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Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras Did you know there is an AA size battery, and sometimes a AAA battery, inside disposable cameras that is used to power the camera flash? When you take these cameras in to be developed just let the clerk know that you would like to have the battery inside back. Almost every one of us have some sort of electronics that we could use the rest of the life of that battery for and be saving some money by doing it. And, whether or not you use disposable cameras, it certainly wouldn't hurt to ask the person doing the film developing if they have any batteries from other people's cameras or if they would mind starting to take them out and save them for you. Hey, it doesn't even have to be your favorite film developing store. Just visit a few and ask if they are willing to keep them for you and just be sure to pick them up every week or two. It never hurts, nor does it cost anything to ask. :) By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender!
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Store Corn Cob Holders on Dry Sponge I read about a neat way to keep up with corn on the cob holders that I thought I'd pass along the tip. After they are washed, stick them into a clean dry sponge until the next use. Source: A woman's magazine that I was scanning through. By notwrong Contest Contender!
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When I purchase bars of hand soap, I remove the bars from the packages immediately, and place them on a shelf in my bathroom. The bars harden in the air, and it is amazing how much longer a bar will last! By Vicki from Monroe, MI Contest Contender!
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Memory Book As A Milestone Birthday Gift We just gave my mother-in-law a Memory Book for her 70th Birthday. We sent emails and letters to everyone in her email, address list and phone book. We asked them to write letters remembering funny or touching stories about her and how they met her. Most of the people we contacted included photos; some even hand wrote the letters on beautiful stationary. Then we sorted them by category: childhood friends, family, business acquaintances, cultural group members, neighbors, young parents together, etc. For each group, we selected a border for the letter based on that group. For example, the childhood friends had a border of children holding hands. Then we printed each letter on card stock with the borders, placed each in a page protector, and added to a three ring binder. We received over 200 letters in all and it was well worth the time, and not much money spent. Needless to say, she loved it! Source: A family project that was given as a gift. By elle from Columbia, MO Contest Contender!
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Dryer Sheets for Insect Repellent My kids always had skin issues with bug repellent. A sportsman family member told me that he found the ideal repellent: he uses the store brand dryer sheets. He keeps one in an upper pocket and one in his back pocket. He also lightly rubs them on his arms and ankles. He does not get bug bites and hasn't for many years, and neither did my kids. I do recommend that you read the ingredients in the sheets just to be safe for your own sake. By NannyQuacker from Pineville, LA Contest Contender!
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I play a lot of Bingo and this was really fun to dress up in and go play bingo. I saved all my cards that I used for the last few weeks. I put them in between plastic. I then taped them all over me and I went to Bingo as a Bingo card. It really was fun and everyone had a great laugh at the same time. It is so nice to make people smile. By hercybaby from Hamilton, Ontario Contest Contender!
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Skunk Odor Recipe Works for Pet Stains A recipe for cutting through skunk odor is great for cutting through pet stains as well. Its a mixture of peroxide, baking soda, and dish detergent. I mix a small bottle of peroxide, half a cup of baking soda, and a couple squirts of Dawn. I saw a guy on PBS show how it chemically breaks down the skunk odor by breaking apart the molecules, so I decided to try it on cat and dog stains and it worked! I use it whenever our pets have decided to forget everything they have been taught. :) Source: PBS By dorinmoz from Sugar Land, TX Contest Contender!
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Homemade Dish Detergent Recipe I am looking for homemade dish detergent recipes. By zinniaguy from MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92095209.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anybody have any good crafts for Fall? Thanks. By Eeshieking Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16457726.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for 80th birthday ideas. By Mona B Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf929259.tip.html
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Rate It: I have an electric desk fan that has broken well beyond repair. I was wondering if I could line the wire covers with newspapers or cloth or something(for drainage) fill them with compost, and use them for sowing mint (which is very invasive). Does anyone have a better idea of what I could do with them before I decide to toss them out and regret it afterward when some great idea dawns on me but its too late! Thanks for any suggestions. By Cett from Malta, Europe Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14193239.tip.html
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Rate It: Organizing a Church Dinner Party I need ideas for organizing a church international dinner party. Food is not an issue, everybody is bringing food of their nationality. What would be fun ideas to decorate? There are about 200-250 people. Our hall is not too big, so I would also like ideas on sitting arrangements, etc. Previous years we would just set the food on a long table along the wall, and everybody would come up and serve themselves, but that creates a huge line in the beginning of dinner that takes about an hour for everybody to get food. What would be ideas to avoid that? By Gulyana from FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21897029.tip.html
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Rate It: Planning a Family Birthday Party I am trying to plan a small family birthday party for hubs, probably for 20 or less. I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing. His dad used to do them, and he misses having them since his dad passed away. I would like to have crab legs, shrimp, scallops, some type of sausage, maybe some crawfish. I would also like to have potatoes and corn on the cob. I welcome any suggestions. Thanks. By jrenee from AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70469710.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Mold from Ceramic Tile How do I remove mold from ceramic tile without bleach? By cb6741 from Philadelphia, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65738781.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I remove vinyl tile from concrete floor? By lawbrend from Princeton, WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73925837.tip.html
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Rate It: How to Remove Underarm Sweat Stains from Light Clothing? Is it possible to remove sweat stains from whites that are old? By kateh09 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf307383.tip.html
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Rate It: We've recently decided to put our house on the market and have had a few comments about people being able to smell the cats when they walk into our home. Any ideas on how to curtail that odor while our house is on the market and our cats are here? The cats have not peed anywhere, but you can just smell that pet odor in the house. By mommy123 from MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62387044.tip.html
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Rate It: I'm 15 years old and weigh around 64 kgs. I really want to lose around 10-15 kgs. I want to be thinner and more toned for my camp which is in 2 months. Any idea's on how I can lose weight and tone up fast? Please help. Thanks. By gemmab from NZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55640834.tip.html
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Rate It: Finding Free Coupon Clipping Services Where are some good places to choose coupons and they are snail mailed or postal mailed to you "free of charge"? I have seen some of the coupon clipping services and do not want to pay for this service. By melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78828153.tip.html
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Rate It: I have beige couches and green countertops. What color should I paint my walls? These are the couches that I just bought. Please share your ideas. By mandi1234 from Phoenix, AZ
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Rate It: Replacement Sofa Bed Mattress Support I am looking for replacement mattress support for a sofa bed. Does anyone know where I can get one? By vlad06606 from Bridgeport, CT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56093970.tip.html
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Rate It: My 16 year old large, wall to wall mirror has large black spots at the bottom. Where can I get a mirror frame that I can install myself? I would like to dress it up with something that could be washed. So I don't want to use paper or stickers, I have tried that. I have heard of MirrEdge but Lowe's doesn't carry it anymore and I don't know where else to find some. Thank you. By miroir from Silicon Valley, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48773515.tip.html
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Rate It: My husband washed his red shirt with my clothes and my clothes now have red stains all over them. His shirt had been washed many times but this time he washed the load in the warm cycle instead of cold. He used detergent with color safe bleach and the clothes were also dried. We were staying in a condo that has a washer and dryer together so there was no need to remove the clothes. Is there any way to remove these stains? Thanks. By Annie from The Villages, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57536314.tip.html
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Rate It: Where can I buy Sani-Flush? My mom is looking for it and can't find it anywhere. By JSKA980405 from Goshen, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11248609.tip.html
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Rate It: Organizing Debit Card Receipts How do you keep track of all your debit card receipts? When its time to balance my acct I can't find have of my debit card receipts (they are suppose to be in my purse). Do you have any suggestions? By Onesummer Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49136188.tip.html
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Rate It: What could be causing a rotten egg/sulfur smell in my house every once in a while? I'm not sure of the cause and not real sure where it's coming from either. Is there any danger in this? Any advice you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. By Teresa from Richlands Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69497546.tip.html
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Rate It: Free Printable Grocery Coupons Where are the best websites for free printable grocery coupons? I can find sites that say sign up with us, pay this and get unlimited coupons. But I want the free sites. Any help would be appreciated. By dingybat from Vermilion, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76872286.tip.html
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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:
This is an idea I've been slowly implementing. If you have 30 tops (many women have 150 or more including tees, tanks, sweaters, sweatshirts, long sleeved, short sleeved, dress blouses, cotton blouses, etc.), you could wear each top ONLY ONCE A MONTH for an entire year! By frugal millionairess from Wisconsin
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