Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 95, April 13, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
This Friday's TF News will be about cooking vegetables. If you have any tips or recipes for cooking great vegetables, please post them.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Dusty Dawg - Rescued!
- Tammy & Tyson (American Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffy-Mastiff)
Today's Tips:
- Get Athletic Shoes Super White
- Cheap Jewelry Cleaner
- Cleaning Window Tips
- Freezing Tomato Paste
- Sending Out the Old Magazines
- Cleaning Game For Kids
- Boxes for Storage and Donations
- Homemade Carpet Fresheners
- Cloth Baby Diapers as Rags
- Make Friends with the Maintenance Folks
- Borax and Pets
- Frugal Edging For Your Garden
- Washing Dry Clean Only Clothes
- Using an Established Mechanic
- Avoid Late Payment Fees
- Spray Bottle For Outside Grilling
- Wedding Name Badges
- Buying in Bulk
- Flaky Pie Crust
- Lids of Sticky Jars
- Macaroons
- Crispy Molasses Cookies
- Ham Balls
- Spaghetti Dinner
- Poor Man's Steak
- London Broil
New Requests:
- Paint Wash Recipe
- Stain On Carpet From Scatter Rug
- Dried Paint On Jeans
- Homemade Soap for Handwashing Dishes?
- Daughter's 2nd Birthday Party On A Budget
- Bleaching Colored Clothing White
- I Don't Understand ThriftyFun's Coupon Swap
- New Gel Glitter Pen Not Working
- Manx Mail Cat Poops on The Floor
- Wallpapering an Old Refrigerator
More Reading:
- A Simple Method for Choosing the Perfect Name for Your New Baby
- Linguine with Clams ("Linguini con Vongole")
- Farmer's Cookies
- Budgeting Tips to Save Real Money
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Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make
11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures
of the crafts visit:
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Dusty Dawg - Rescued!
This is our "Dusty Dawg". We rescued him two years ago the afternoon before
he was to be "put down". He was a sad and skinny dog. The day after we got
him I took him to the vet for a normal check-up and discovered he had heart
worms and the previous owner had never taken him to have any of his shots
and he'd never been to a vet's before. After a week of very intensive and
expensive treatment, Dusty is now a healthy, happy (and 30 pounds heavier -
LOL) part of our family. During the day, his favorite spot to sleep is on
my son's bed but at night, he sleeps with mommy and daddy.
The shelter that we found Dusty at is the Porter County (Indiana) animal
shelter: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/portercoanimalshelter.html
By Sue Archer
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Tammy & Tyson (American Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffy-Mastiff)
To give dogs their worming or other medicinal tablet, wrap the tablet in a fresh large piece of ham or devon. Your best friend will take the tablet with no hesitation - guaranteed! They won't even know they had it!
My happy dogs are Tammy (the tan one), pure American Staffy and she's a
year and 2 months old. Tyson is the black 7 month old American Staffy X
mastiff, and is a huge sook! Tammy is the smart one, Tyson follows her
round everywhere.
By Sonia, Australia
View Photos and Post Feedback: Click Here
Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a Digital Camera! You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Today's Tips
Get Athletic Shoes Super White
Clean white athletic shoes with Westley's Bleche-Wite whitewall/blackwall tire cleaner. Use a scrub brush and rinse with water. I have used this cleaner on genuine leather and manmade materials, including dark colored mesh on running shoes, without harming the material. This cleaner gets the midsole of the shoe just as clean as when they were new, unlike using shoe products for this purpose or cleaning them in the washing machine. Never tried this cleaner on canvas, so proceed with caution. Also, you may want to wear gloves; this stuff is strong!
By Tori
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Cheap Jewelry Cleaner
After noticing my store bought jewelry cleaner smelled mostly like ammonia, I refilled the empty jar with half sudsy ammonia and half water and used that to clean my jewelry instead. Works as well as (if not better than) the store bought stuff.
By Tori
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Cleaning Window Tips
Tips for cleaning windows. Post your ideas.
Overcast Day
The best way to clean windows is on an overcast day (not sunny) and use old newspapers with a little Windex. They work GREAT!
By wiseinhimmer
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Freezing Tomato Paste
Before you use tomato paste in a recipe, open BOTH ends of the can, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze. After frozen, push the paste out of one open end. Re-wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Slice off as needed - no waste.
By Tori
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Sending Out the Old Magazines
I have an old antique crock that I store magazines in. To keep it from getting out of hand and too full, as soon as I receive the newest version, I replace it and give the older one to my daughter or a friend! I not only get to enjoy them but so do they and it keeps my house clutter free! :)
By wiseinhimmer
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Cleaning Game For Kids
When the kids were young, we used to make a game of cleaning the house. They would take turns picking the "ROOM" that was their cleaning project and the one who did the best job (not the fastest :) but the cleanest and neatest) would win extra time playing video games or extra time to stay up or what ever you want to do! It helped them work and enjoy it and it helped me A LOT!
By wiseinhimmer
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Boxes for Storage and Donations
Instead of retrieving free boxes from the grocery store, retrieve the boxes from local merchants who do not sell food or beverage items. These merchants will most likely be very happy to not have to pay for their box removal. Cockroaches lay their eggs in the corrugations of 'food' boxes and that's not something you should pass on to the Goodwill or your church or a neighbor. You can also use your saved grocery bags or trash bags for transportation.
By Deeli
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Homemade Carpet Fresheners
Recipes for carpet fresheners. Post your ideas.
Baking soda works well for homemade carpet fresh. Just add
a sprinkle of cinnamon or any spice for a fresh smell.
By Allie
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Cloth Baby Diapers as Rags
Recycle old cloth baby diapers for cleaning and dust rags.
By Allie
Editor's Note: I still have some in my rag bag from when my kids were babies and they are my favorite rags.
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Make Friends with the Maintenance Folks
This sounds weird, but make friends with your work maintenance people. I have gotten two side tables (parts of desks), a four-drawer filing cabinet, a set of shelves and many, many office supplies all because they were throwing them out and the maintenance men knew I like a good deal.
By Kathleen K.
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Borax and Pets
Borax has a skull and crossbones on it for a reason. It is very dangerous to animals. Please remember that our pets are so much closer to the ground than we are and that they have to lick themselves to get clean.
Please do not use this product for your pets. Find and use natural remedies like the orange peel and/or vinegar. Flea combs work great too!
Rita from Texas
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Frugal Edging For Your Garden
A really frugal edging for gardens is broken concrete. When we had our bathroom floor re-done (our house is on a slab) a pile of light concrete sat outside our house for about 2 months before I got tired of waiting for them to haul it away.
I _carefully_ picked through the pile and put them in a "rock wall" configuration around the edge of one of my gardens. It looks great; not like concrete at all. The only thing to be aware of is that there were rusty nails sticking out of some of the concrete and you have to make SURE you put those nail down in the ground.
My problem is that now I need more concrete to finish the job! :-)
By Kathleen K.
Do you have any more ideas for frugal edging? Please post them.
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Washing Dry Clean Only Clothes
A lot of clothes that _say_ dry clean are actually able to be washed in water. Most fabrics that we conventionally think of being dry clean only actually wash fine in water, except for two things:
1. Did the manufacturer pre-wash the fabric? Often, they don't. When you pre-wash fabric, it gets smaller, so if your clothes have not been pre-washed, your garment _may_ get smaller. Fabrics that are really bad for this are rayon and wool. Linen, silk, and _woven_ cotton (not knitted!) tend to be better.
2. Is the garment made out of a lot of fabrics that don't wash the same way. For example, polyester and linen shrink in completely different ways. If your garment is all of one fabric, you have a better chance of getting a garment through a wash unscathed. Also, sometimes the innards, interfaces, shoulder pads, etc. may get twisted in a wash. A less structured garment is more likely to survive water.
So, if you are willing to risk your clothes, you can often get away with "never" dry cleaning. I wear silks, rayons and wools all the time and I only go to the dry cleaners for my husband's suits (which I'm NOT willing to risk).
Obviously, if you wish to try this, HAND-WASH the garment first and let air dry.
By Kathleen K.
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Using an Established Mechanic
Consumers can lose lots of money yearly, by taking their vehicles to unestablished garages and mechanics, on unneeded and poorly done repairs. Before you need repairs, look for a mechanic who is: certified & well established, who has done car repairs for someone you know, and who communicates well about repairs, options and cost.
By Terri H.
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Avoid Late Payment Fees
To avoid late payment fees and possible interest rate increases on your credit cards, make sure to send in your payment 7-10 days before the payment due date. Late payments on one credit card can increase fees and interest rates on your other credit cards.
By Terri H.
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Spray Bottle For Outside Grilling
When grilling outside, keep a spray bottle of water to control the flames of the grill. Don't pour water onto the charcoal as it cools the temperature which will have to reheat before cooking continues.
By Terri H.
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Wedding Name Badges
We're getting married on Saturday (!) and instead of name places for each person I have made badges, with the name of each guest and an interesting fact about them.
Things like:
"Jo - Brides best friend and fabulous tap dancer!"
I hope it will get people talking and is a way of paying them a compliment! It was inexpensive to buy the badges, and they are easy to decorate in your colour scheme!
Thanks again everyone for your tips and ideas!
Julie UK
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Buying in Bulk
If every two weeks, you buy two bulk items for the household, you will never be behind in groceries and staples. Great idea and more money left over at the end of the year!
By Bev Sobkowich
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Flaky Pie Crust
If you would like nicer, flakier pie crusts just try substituting 1 tsp. cold lemon juice instead of the 1 tsp. cold water.
By Robin
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Lids of Sticky Jars
Before replacing the lids on your newly opened jars of honey, Karo syrup, or molasses, line the opening of the jar with some plastic wrap and you will never had trouble opening them again!
By Robin
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Macaroons
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 1 cup sugar
- Dash of salt
- 2 cup coconut
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Ingredients:
Cook first 3 ingredients in a double boiler for 5-7 minutes. Beat while cooking. When mixture is of fairly stiff consistency, remove from heat and beat in vanilla. With a large mixing spoon, fold in the coconut. Drop by spoonfuls on well buttered baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees until golden brown, approximately 8 minutes. This recipe will yield 30-36 macaroons. If reusing a baking sheet for a second bake, wash sheet and rebutter. Cool on foil for easy pick up.
By Robin
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Crispy Molasses Cookies
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 2 1/4. cup flour
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ginger
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 tsp. soda
- 1 tsp. salt
Ingredients:
Cream butter. Then add egg and molasses. Stir in combined dry ingredients. Form into balls; roll in granulated sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten with sugared glass. Bake 10 minutes in 350 degree.
By Robin
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Ham Balls
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground ham
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 2 eggs
- 2 graham crackers
- 1 1/2 cups milk
Directions:
Mix all together well. Form into balls, either large or small, as desired. These freeze well. Sauce for ham balls is as follows:
Sauce:
- 1 can tomato soup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. dry mustard
Directions:
Mix well. Pour over balls and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.
By Robin
Ham Balls II
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs. ground ham
- 1 lb. ground pork sausage
- 1 cup cracker crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
Ingredients:
Mix the first 5 ingredients well and form into balls. Brown the ham balls in a skillet. Arrange the balls in a baking pan. Put the other ingredients in a shaker jar and shake well. Baste each ham ball with the mixture. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Baste each 1/2 hour. These can also be made quite small and served as an appetizer.
By Robin
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Spaghetti Dinner
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb. butter
- 2 onions
- 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 lb. ground pork
- 1 can peas
- 1 can tomatoes
- 1/3 cup rice
- 1/3 cup spaghetti
Ingredients:
Melt butter. Fry onions and meat. Cook rice and spaghetti. Put all together. Season with salt and pepper and put in baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees.
By Robin
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Poor Man's Steak
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tsp. salt
- Pepper to taste
- 1 small onion
- 1 can sliced mushrooms
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
Ingredients:
Mix beef, milk, bread crumbs, salt and pepper together. Pat into a 9x13 inch pan. Chill. Cut into 6 squares. Coat each piece with flour and brown in shortening. Place browned squares in Dutch oven. Put mushrooms over meat, slice onion in thin slices and spread over meat. Mix can of mushroom soup with 1/2 can water. Pour over meat. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees, covered.
By Robin
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London Broil
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 lbs. beef flank steak
- 1/3 cup cooking oil
- 1 tsp. vinegar
- 1 small clove garlic (minced)
- Dash salt
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
Ingredients:
Score steak on both sides. Place meat in plastic bag or bowl. Combine oil, vinegar, and garlic and pour over meat. Let stand at room temperature for 2-3 hours, turning several times. Remove and place on unheated rack in broiler. Broil 4-5 minutes, turn and broil for an additional 4-5 minutes. Cut diagonally across the grain. Serves 4. Excellent for barbecues as well.
By Robin
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Syndication Spotlight:
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Dear Webby's Humor Letter
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New Requests:
Paint Wash Recipe
I would like a "recipe" for a paint wash I can use over wood paneling on walls.
Sharon from Mississippi
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Stain On Carpet From Scatter Rug
I purchased a cloth scatter rug and the dye from the rug faded on to my carpet. Does anyone know how I can remove the stain?
Shirley Martin
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Dried Paint On Jeans
How can I get dried paint from my jeans once they have been washed.
billie1208
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Homemade Soap for Handwashing Dishes?
Hi, I ran out of handwashing soap for dishes and have to wait till I can get to store far, far, away so is there anything I can use in it's place until I get some.
Thank You,
Sheila Ewton
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Cleaning Window Tips
Tips for cleaning windows. Post your ideas.
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Daughter's 2nd Birthday Party On A Budget
My daughter is about to turn 2 on 4-13-05. I am a single mother who wants to give her the best party ever. I work but with all my expenses I still am short on funds at this time. I was wondering if you had any coupons for kids birthday parties, or had any ideas for me to throw her the most fun, enjoyable, inexpensive 2 year birthday party she has ever had.
Thank You
Tiana Masias
C/S Colorado
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Bleaching Colored Clothing White
This is probably a stupid question but I have a pink shirt that I would like to make white. How could I safely bleach it so the color would be even and white without making the fabric fall apart or become yellowish? The last time I tried to make colored clothes white the fabric fell apart. How can I safely bleach this shirt to make it white?
Anonymous
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I Don't Understand ThriftyFun's Coupon Swap
I'd like to know how Coupon swap works. I have lots of coupons I'd love to trade to help get coupons for my new granddaughters Huggies Diapers and wipes and Good Start supreme soy. But I have no luck ever even getting to submit a trade and it always seems to be the same ones and never changes. If you can tell me anything about it or have these type of coupons you'd like to trade, please respond.
MamawKC
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New Gel Glitter Pen Not Working
I just purchased a gel glitter pen and can't seem to get it to work. Running it over paper back and forth just doesn't help. Any idea's to get it to work.
I live 40 miles from where I purchased this pen so I really need some help.
Sandy
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Manx Mail Cat Poops on The Floor
I have a 3 year old manx male cat. He is an inside house cat. He has never been outside very much. (He will not go out unless I pick him up and put him out.) The problem is he poops on the floor all the time sometimes as much as 3-4 times daily.
I have done everything. He has had different litter boxes, I even bought an electric Littermaid, changed litter, changed litter box locations. NOTHING HELPS. I have tried punishing him, by speaking to him in a deeper tone of voice (he is a very smart cat and understands when you talk to him.)
I have tried rewards when he has not pooped on the floor. Like treats, brushing etc. He is worse when company comes over, especially my grandchildren (he is very jealous.) I am at my wits end with him. I love my cat, but not his pooping.
Can anyone help with an idea or solution.
Alecia from Georgia
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Wallpapering an Old Refrigerator
I want to know if anyone knows about using wallpaper to spruce up an old refrigerator. I need all the info I can find! I have re-done my kitchen, but can't afford a new fridge just yet. Thanks!
Janet
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make
11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures
of the crafts visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/columnists/harlean.html
More Reading:
A Simple Method for Choosing the Perfect Name for Your New Baby
By Criss White
A person's name is something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Selecting a baby's name is an important, but often difficult decision for many parents. Follow our guide for a simple process in selecting your baby's name.
View Article: Click Here
Linguine with Clams ("Linguini con Vongole")
By Charlie Burke
I've had linguini with clam sauce in several restaurants throughout Italy, and no two have been the same. The best versions are simple preparations relying on the distinctive flavors of few ingredients. In this dish the parsley is not used as a garnish - it adds an important freshness to the pasta. Italians consider the pasta to be at least as important as the sauce, and their preparations carefully balance the two. In fact, the sauce is sometimes called "il condimento", meaning the sauce is secondary to the pasta, which helps explain their obsession with using specific pasta shapes and sizes in particular dishes.
View Article: Click Here
Farmer's Cookies
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Budgeting Tips to Save Real Money
By Don Blackhurst
Sticking to a budget can be difficult, but with so many demands on your finances you have to be extra cautious. TV ads are constantly bombarding the airwaves with messages that you need to buy this or you must have that. Usually, if you just wait a week or two, the urge to buy that new gadget will pass. But, what should you do if you have already spent more than you have? The following are several real world ideas that can help you save real dollars.
View Article: Click Here
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