Daily Thrifty Tips - March 22, 2007

Volume Six, Number 57, March 22, 2007 (Read It Online) Here's today's featured request... Clipping a Dogs Nails I have seen the nail clippers for dogs at the Dollar Store and I have been wanting to clip my own dogs nails to save some money on grooming. Is it difficult? I know you are not supposed to clip too far back as you can cut the blood vessel (that scares me!) but are there any tips someone can give me to do this? I have two Poms and a Yorkie. TIA! Jonnie from Owensboro, KY Post Feedback Here 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: Panoramic Sugar Egg Wedding Couple Collage Newborn Kittens Today's Tips: Removing Baby Formula Stains Repairing a Broken Stems Uses For Nonskid Shelf Liner Chili Bean And Pretzel Appetizer Buy and Freeze Sale Hams Finding And Organizing Recipes From Websites Cold Tea For Itchy Eyes Have Wedding Ceremony At Home White Shoe Polish For Brightening Trim Herbal Tea Facial Steamer Keeping Linens Together New Requests: Tips for Growing Sunflowers Black Marks from Plastic on a Bathroom Sink Homemade Wasp and Bee Trap Game Ideas for a Seafood Fry Where can I buy spatini? Seashell Mirror Smoothing Out Drywall After Removing Panelling Uses for Cereal Boxes Dog Drool on Microfiber (and Microsuede) 1997 Ford Ranger Heating System Problems 11th Birthday Party Ideas Hot Dog Casserole Tater Tot Casserole Will Tea Tree Oil Harm Plants Survey Site That Pay Easter Food Ideas Clipping a Dogs Nails Printing Individual Tips Zinc Oxide Stain Cleaning a Trench Coat More Reading: Beware Of Tax Scams Make Your Own Quilt Batting Home Office Deduction Today's Photos: Panoramic Sugar Egg By Harlean Greathouse Here are some lovely instructions for making Panoramic Sugar Eggs sent in by long time reader Harlean. (originally published 3-21-2005) View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf334674.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Wedding Couple Collage For my daughter's Engagement/Wedding Shower, I had his parents send me photos from infant to now of their son and I gathered pictures of the same of my daughter. With the help of a photo copying machine, I was able to take a picture of him and one of her, both around the same age and put them together in one photo. I did the same with all the pictures, matching them up by age and grades in school. I then made a very large collage board which was a huge hit at the party! Afterwards, I was able to frame it. It is now a great conversation piece in their family room. I will be doing the same exact thing for my son and his fiancee, at their Wedding Shower in June! By Jackie from Norton, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90804608.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Newborn Kittens These are my new baby kittens. They are regular neighborhood Tom Cat short hairs. These cute little characters were born yesterday when one of my two look alike sister black cats gave birth. The other sister is having trouble giving birth and I hope I won't have to bring her to the vet. I can't afford the Vet! My Cats go up on the house roof and under a full Moon, scope the territory for male Tom Cats. I also go up on the roof but without much luck! As baby sisters, my black look-alike cats were great friends. They often played twin sister type tricks on me. One year later, however, jealousy and a baby making race has disturbed their friendship. By Joseph from Laval West, Laval, Quebec, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96317217.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: Removing Baby Formula Stains If you have baby clothes with formula, food or puke stains (even old ones), this works: Soak the clothes in a bucket of water with a powder oxygen cleaner (like Sun or Arm and Hammer). Put lemon juice on it, if it's white. Lay them out in the bright sun on a really cold day for several hours (they will be stiff like a sheet of ice), then wash them like normal. Repeat until the stain comes out, but I've only had to do this twice at most. The most important part is it must be sunny and cold. I even tried this with a comforter with Sharpie marker on it and it came off before I even washed it! By Mandi from Cleveland Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf170835.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Repairing a Broken Stems Heal broken stems with a drinking straw. Split the straw lengthwise and cut to the desired length. Carefully put it around the broken stem and tape it shut. Make sure to water the plant well. Then hope for the best. This quite often will give the stem the support it needs to heal. By Penny Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18024325.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Uses For Nonskid Shelf Liner Nonskid shelf liner, that you can pick up at the dollar store or at yard sales, has all sorts of uses. I have placed it under my cutting board in the kitchen and under my mouse pad and keyboard on my very slippery desk to keep things in place while I work. It's also great to place under cakes and casseroles when you place them into a box to transport to a school or holiday function. The next time you see some at a bargain price, be sure to pick some up. By Marie from West Dundee, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24706543.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Chili Bean And Pretzel Appetizer Take some pretzel sticks and stick them into the heated chili beans. Stand them upright onto a plate and serve The pretzel stick acts like an edible toothpick. Kids love it and it's a good way to get them to eat their beans. By Vickie from Canton Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34970284.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Buy and Freeze Sale Hams Last month, the grocery store had a special on spiral sliced hams that were left from the holidays. They were still in date but not for long. They had been $1.79 lb and they were marked down. So I got a huge ham (12lbs) for $7.00. It was a great deal but there are only two of us and I didn't know what to do with all of it. I have frozen portions of cooked ham before, but they usually spoiled (turned brown) too quickly. This time, I cut large hunks off the ham before I baked it. I got 4 portions and double wrapped them and put them in the freezer. I was left with a huge bone that still had a lot of meat left. I baked this part and It was plenty for three dinners and dog scraps too. Last night, I thawed out one of the frozen portions and served with frozen mashed potatoes and green beans. It tasted like it was fresh bought! By Joyann from Visalia CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52979223.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Finding And Organizing Recipes From Websites I love to collect recipes. It has become a great hobby of mine. I have recipes sent to me from friends, groups, clubs etc. One extra way I get some super recipes is going right into the Manufacturer's website. Example: Go into campbellssoup.com and just click on recipes, there are lots to choose from. More good sites are pillsbury.com/, kraftfoods.com and successrice.com. This is a great way to expand your recipe collection and get manufacturer's coupons also. And it costs nothing at all to sign up. Your own Internet service usually has a recipe site also. I then print out what recipes I really think I will use. Use a three hole punch to put holes in the paper and put them all in a three ring binder. Use a large one because these recipes will start filling your book. Then buy page separators in any stationary department and mark what type of recipes: Chicken, Beef, Pasta, Dessert, etc. Then you will have your own homemade cookbook filled with all the recipes that you love! By Jackie from Southern Massachussetts Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53889151.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cold Tea For Itchy Eyes My eyes get very itchy during allergy season, despite eye drops. I find cold tea helps when all else fails. I usually put on cold tea compresses or use cotton balls but, during the day, it seems to help to use cold tea applied with an eye dropper. It really eases those inflamed tender tissues around the eyes. Note: you have to make a fresh batch daily, this will not keep. By Pamphyila from Los Angeles Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55594707.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Have Wedding Ceremony At Home Think about getting married at home, in your backyard, or the backyard of a relative. It's an old-fashioned custom that is charming and much more economical than renting out a facility! By pamphyila from Los Angeles Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66804283.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print White Shoe Polish For Brightening Trim Do you ever notice how the trim next to the floor in your house collects so much dust and never seems to come clean? Try wiping all the dust, dirt, and food off the best you can. Then use white liquid shoe polish with the sponge tip and run it flat against the wood trim and it will whiten it up fast. Use a paper towel to wipe up the excess from the floor. Make sure you do it fast because it can stain if left for more than a minute. By Crystel from Redondo Beach, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85969475.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Herbal Tea Facial Steamer Try this facial steamer to help wash dirt that builds up in your pores. Boil 1/2 quart of water. Then put two chamomile tea bags (or a handful of dried chamomile flowers) in a bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Put one towel under the bowl and another over your head. Lean over the bowl and breath in the chamomile. If it gets too hot, let steam escape by lifting up the towel. Steam your face for 5 to 10 minutes. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93836144.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Keeping Linens Together After washing and drying your sheets, fold them and the pillowcases neatly and put them in one of the pillowcases and store them in the linen closet. When you are ready to get a fresh pair of sheets, they are all together and organized and you don't have to look for matching pieces. You can also add a fabric softener sheet so that they smell nice and fresh! By Erica from Tennessee Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf997976.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Friends of ThriftyFun Dear Webby's Humor Letter Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/ More Information: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Tips for Growing Sunflowers I want to grow sunflowers but I can never get them to grow into the big beautiful flowers with thick stalks. Whats the secret? Thanks, MARIE from VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18866289.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Black Marks from Plastic on a Bathroom Sink I have a marble type bathroom sink that has been marked up by my sons hot wheels plastic toothbrush. I can't get the black plastic marks to come off the sink surface. Any suggestions? Elizabeth from Romeoville Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22896740.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Homemade Wasp and Bee Trap Does anyone know how to make a bee and wasp catcher homemade? I'm looking for one to work like those in the catalogs which have a hole the bees go in and some sugar water and they can't get back out. Hardiness Zone: 6a Lily from South Bend, Indiana Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26547478.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Game Ideas for a Seafood Fry I really need help. I'm giving my step children a seafood fry and I need a couple of games to play. Please give me some ideas. I'm already playing a game where you put candy red fish in a dish wearing a blind fold. The winner is the one who gets the most fish in the dish in ten seconds. Tashface from Newark Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29002097.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Where can I buy spatini? Where can I by spatini in or around Emmaus, PA. Or can I buy it from the manufactuer? The Cook from Emmaus, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31988696.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Seashell Mirror I'm looking for instructions on how to make a seashell mirror. Thank you, Linda from Anna Maria, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36926197.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Smoothing Out Drywall After Removing Panelling Does anyone know what the best way to Repair Dry Wall After removing paneling in a kitchen. It goes half way up the wall and is wallpaper on top. I wanted to remove all of that and smooth the walls to paint. Maggie from MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38282669.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Uses for Cereal Boxes I find myself throwing out cardboard cereal boxes and things like pot pie boxes, etc, and I hate doing it, but I don't know how to recycle them as fast as we use that stuff. I don't have kids at home anymore, so I don't really need them for craft projects. Any ideas would be appreciated no matter how "far-fetched" they are. Oh, and I should point out that there is no household recycling pickup in my area. Jacquelyn from Walker, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf456819.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dog Drool on Microfiber (and Microsuede) I have a microsuede couch that looks horrible, I have three dogs who drool A LOT! Please help tell me how to clean the stains. Brittany from San Antonio, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49130777.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print 1997 Ford Ranger Heating System Problems I have a 1997 Ford Ranger. Problem: I have heat all the time, I have check the temperature control it seems okay. As I can read a resistance change when moving the control. I think my trouble is in the door within the heater section under the dash. How do I split the under the dash plastic to see the door that work? Thanks, Dennis from Grinnell, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53472003.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print 11th Birthday Party Ideas I am having my 11th birthday on the 29th March and I am not allowed a sleep-over. My mum wants something cheap and easy. Anyone with any ideas? Molly from Wiltshire Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf617742.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Hot Dog Casserole One thing I used to make a lot was a casserole that had cut up hot dogs, egg noodles and some sort of cheesy sauce. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Thanks in advance for any help! Janine from Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63269424.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tater Tot Casserole When my DD was small I used to make a tater tot casserole. All I remember for sure is that it had browned ground beef and Worcestershire Sauce. She recently asked for it but I can't for the life of me remember the recipe. Janine from Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf636233.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Will Tea Tree Oil Harm Plants I am attempting to try my hand at growing a potted plant again, it's an airplane/spider plant. I have just recently put a start in a hanging pot. My problem is the fact that I have a large number of indoor cats! I took 4 Q-tips and lightly moistened the tips with tea tree oil and laid them along the inside edge of the pot, to deter them from bothering the plant as they dislike the smell. My concern, will the smell bother the plant? I hope not, because, so far, this is working like a charm, and will be the perfect way to protect my plant! Many thanks for any advice given, Linda from Southeast Iowa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68098668.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Survey Site That Pay Does anyone know any survey sites that really pay for filling out surveys? Pam from Georgia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70022172.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Easter Food Ideas I need something a food item for Easter. We have lunch at our church once a month. I need something cutesy with an Easter theme. For Halloween , I made the orange slice pumpkins and for Christmas I made the marshmallow snowmen. They were both great hits. I need another idea now, please help me. Thanks! Audrey from Robeline, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75939525.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Clipping a Dogs Nails I have seen the nail clippers for dogs at the Dollar Store and I have been wanting to clip my own dogs nails to save some money on grooming. Is it difficult? I know you are not supposed to clip too far back as you can cut the blood vessel (that scares me!) but are there any tips someone can give me to do this? I have two Poms and a Yorkie. TIA! Jonnie from Owensboro, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80726639.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Printing Individual Tips I would like to print out individual segments of your newsletter. Can anyone tell me how I can do that without printing all those pages? Judy from Birmingham, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83543512.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Zinc Oxide Stain I need to get out a Zinc Oxide (white salve) stain from my couch cushion. I am so upset because its a brand new couch. Any and all help is appreciated. amw from PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86853837.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning a Trench Coat What is the best (temporary) way to remove general grime and worked-in stains (especially food and road-salt stains) from a dry-clean only water-resistant trench coat? The color of the coat is black, the fabric is sort of a cross between polyester, cotton, and nylon. I want to clean it up a bit but since I'm at college there's no dry cleaners near me. I've been using orange-citrus all-purpose wipes on it; I figured that they were OK to use since there's no bleach in them, but should I be using them on a Dry Cleanable coat? Will it harm the fabric or finish? Thanks! PMZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93169247.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print More Reading: Beware Of Tax Scams Don't fall victim to tax scams. These schemes take several shapes, ranging from promises of large tax refunds to illegal ways of "untaxing" yourself. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25306670.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Make Your Own Quilt Batting Here some ways to make your own quilt batting out of recycled These tips are from our ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas below. src="http://www.thriftyfun.com//images/articles21/batting300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" border="0" hspace="10" vspace="10" alt="Make Your Own Quilt Batting"> Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf466852.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Home Office Deduction If you use a portion of your home for business purposes, you may be able to take a home office deduction whether you are self-employed or an employee. Expenses that you may be able to deduct for business use of the home may include the business portion of real estate taxes, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, insurance, depreciation, painting and repairs. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72021987.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.