Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 225, December 29, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
This weekend's ThriftyFun News will be about food fixes. Is your soup too sweet, too salty or too thick? We will publish tips about how to fix recipes that aren't quite right. If you have any food fixes that you would like to share, please send them in.
If you are looking for charitable ways to contribute to the disaster relief in Asia we have a list if links here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf652643.tip.html
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- Ginger Candy Tea
- Buy Vegetables Individually For Best Quality
- Cleaning An Electric Percolator
- Tips For Expecting Moms
- Inspect Your Roof Without A Ladder
- Shut Off The Main Water Valve When You Go On Vacation
- Plan Errands Around Doctor Appointments
- Teach Your Children How To Count Back Change
- Make Planters With Old Record Albums
- Lickable Stamps Equal Unwanted Calories
- Pairing Up Stray Pieces At Garage Sales
- Delightful Broccoli Salad
- Removing Hairspray Build Up
- Chicken Salad
- Macaroni & Seafood Salad
- Crab Salad
- All Day Macaroni And Cheese
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Bread Machine Banana Bread
- Watch the Clearance Aisle
New Requests:
- Removing Shine From Men's Suits
- Help With Wiring A New Light
- Keeping Snaps on Pajamas Fastened
- Removing Mold Smell From Mobile Home and Clothing
- Removing Diesel Fuel Smell from Clothing
More Reading:
- Involving the Kids in the New Year Celebration
- Should I Declare Bankruptcy?
- Winter Care of Garden Fountains & Accessories
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
MyBudgetPlanner
Manage your money simply and quickly. Inexpensive budget planning
software.
http://www.mybudgetplanner.com/partner/thf/mbpmain.htm
Today's Tips
Ginger Candy Tea
Ginger is one of the most healthiest spices. It is great to settle an upset tummy and also is very soothing in a drink. Have you ever bought a bag of those hard ginger candies? Well, use them well. Boil a cup of water and add one of the candies. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the candy dissolves.
Walla, ginger tea. Yummy.
By joesgirl
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Buy Vegetables Individually For Best Quality
Try to buy your vegetables from a market where you can pick them individually. If you buy vegetables like potatoes, onions or tomatoes ready-packed bags you run a good risk of finding some of them partially spoiled, of a size you don't want or not ripe enough.
By joesgirl
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Cleaning An Electric Percolator
Call me old fashioned, if you like, but after many tries I still go back to my electric percolator as I feel it not only makes great coffee but keeps it hot compared to many of the mister coffee type appliances.
Here is how to take care of it:
Your percolator will have a sweet clean interior if you fill it occasionally with hot soapy water & 2 Tablespoons of baking soda, then perk it for 10 minutes. Drain, refill it with hot water & perk 5 minutes more. Rinse well.
By joesgirl
View Article: Click Here
Tips For Expecting Moms
Don't waste good money on diaper genie's and special diaper disposal systems. Start saving the plastic bags that newspapers come in and when you have a stinky diaper, put it in the newspaper bag, tie a knot and put it right in the regular trash. Make sure to carry some in the diaper bag also for when you are out.
Baby wipes are your best friend. Put them in plastic bags and stash them everywhere. Put some in the car, in your purse and in the diaper bag. As a new mom I have used baby wipes to clean not only bottoms but faces, fingers, carpets (great for cleaning spots left by dripping bottles and urps), bathrooms (I'm not sure if that is very thrifty but on a new mom's limited time schedule, if I didn't grab a baby wipe and clean the bathroom, it might not have gotten done.)
Also, if you have a two story house make sure you have some of everything on both floors so you don't have to run up and down. We were lucky enough to be given two cribs by friends and had a second crib in our living room until the baby was about a year old. Not only can you keep an eye on them but they get used to noise.
By TC in MO
If you have any more tips for expecting moms, please post them below.
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Inspect Your Roof Without A Ladder
Having a roofing problem? Inspect your roof from the ground. Use a pair of binoculars to zoom in on a trouble spot rather than bringing out a ladder and climbing on the roof.
Works for looking at the bricks on the chimney too!
By Syd
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Shut Off The Main Water Valve When You Go On Vacation
Going on vacation? Be sure to turn off the main water shut off valve where it comes into the house. Also turn off the hot water heater.
It's best to anticipate a "what if" than return to a flooded house.
We were home once when a toilet tank cracked and the water kept running and filled the ceiling below! Fortunately, we were home.
By Syd
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Plan Errands Around Doctor Appointments
When the doctor tells you he wants to see you in a specified time, don't have the receptionist automatically make the appointment then. You can ask if it is imperative that it has to be the exact date.
Check your schedule and coordinate other things you can do on the day you make your appointment, be organized and save on gasoline and your time.
By Syd
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Teach Your Children How To Count Back Change
If your kids were to get jobs where they'll be running cash registers. Help them. Gather up some cash and change, sit down with them. Give them an amount of your pretend purchase, you pretend to "pay" for something and let them count out what change they'd give you back. This is a great way for them to learn to count change. Some kids now days, if they don't know how to ring it on the cash registers to see how much change to give a person back, they can't count change worth a darn! This will help them, not only with jobs, but to know how much money to expect back from their own purchases, as well.
By Terri H.
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Make Planters With Old Record Albums
A pal had a bunch of plant clippings she was wanting to get rid of at a yard sale. With not having any excess planters, she made her own planters with record albums she no longer wanted or needed. She melted the albums into shapes of planters, with the center hole being the bottom drain hole. Clever idea! One idea I'd never thought of before!
By Terri H.
Editor's Note: Does anyone have instructions on the best way to heat the record?
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Lickable Stamps Equal Unwanted Calories
Watching your weight? If so, the next time you go to purchase postage stamps, you might want to opt for the ready to stick stamps rather than the stamps you have to lick. Lickable stamps count as unwanted calories that you might not have thought about previously.
By Terri H.
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Pairing Up Stray Pieces At Garage Sales
A girlfriend of mine is forever having yard sales. One of the things she does is going thru her glassware for "stray" pieces, (ex. a lid to a glass candy jar), which she put on top of a "stray" wine glass, made the most cutest, daintiest candy dish and was one of the first pieces she sold.
She also buys "stray" pieces of glassware, etc. at other people's yard sales or thrift stores, knowing at home she has something to pair them up with. You just never know what you might come up with. Pairing two or more unlikely pieces together may create something that you or someone else might like!
By Terri H.
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Delightful Broccoli Salad
Ingredients:
- 5 cups chopped fresh broccoli
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped red onions
- 12 Tbsp. sugar
- 3 Tbsp. vinegar
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 10 bacon slices (cooked crisp & crumbled)
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine broccoli, raisins and onion. In a small bowl, combine sugar, vinegar and mayonnaise. Pour over broccoli; toss to coat. Just before serving, sprinkle with bacon and sunflower seeds. Toss.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Removing Hairspray Build Up
The best way I've found to remove hairspray build-up is to mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with enough vinegar to make a foamy paste, put it onto dry hair with fingertips and leave on for at least 5 minutes. Then wash and condition as usual.
By Diana McAlister
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Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 small chicken
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup onion
- 1/4 cup diced pickles (sweet gerkins)
Directions:
Cook chicken in water, orange juice and nutmeg in a large pan. Simmer until chicken is very tender. Cool and refrigerate. Later remove bones. Cut meat into bite-size pieces. Add mayonnaise, celery and onions. Serve on lettuce leaf and sprinkle with paprika.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Macaroni & Seafood Salad
Ingredients:
- 3 cups uncooked corkscrew macaroni
- Lettuce leaves
- 1 can tuna (oil reserved)
- 1/2 pkg. frozen mixed vegetables (thawed and drained)
- 1 can rolled anchovies
- 16 pitted ripe olives
- Pimento (diced)
Dressing:
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Oil drained from tuna
- Garlic salt
- Freshly ground pepper
Directions:
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse well in cold water until cool. Set in colander to drain completely. Line a shallow bowl with lettuce leaves. Add macaroni, drained tuna and defrosted vegetables. Garnish with anchovies, olives and pimento. Mix dressing and pour over salad. Toss before serving.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Crab Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cup crabmeat
- 1/2 cup minced green onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup minced green pepper
- 1 tsp. dry mustard
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. celery seed
- Shredded lettuce
- 4 hard cooked eggs (sliced)
- 4 tomatoes (cut in wedges)
Sauce:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup chili sauce
- 2 t. lemon juice
Directions:
Combine first 8 ingredients. Combine sauce ingredients, pour over salad and toss. Spoon onto lettuce on individual plates or a large serving platter. Garnish with egg slices and tomatoes. Refrigerate until serving time.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
All Day Macaroni And Cheese
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
- 4 cups(16 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
Place the cooked macaroni in crockpot that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Add the remaining ingredients, all except 1 cup of the cheese, mix well. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese and then cover and cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours or until the mixture is firm and golden around the edges. Do not remove the cover or stir until it has finished cooking.
By Anna
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Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. (about 6 medium) potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Evaporated Milk
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 11 x 7-inch baking dish.
Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water; bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes; drain. Set aside.
Heat butter in same saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Gradually stir in evaporated milk and water. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Arrange potatoes in prepared baking dish; pour milk mixture over potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender and cheese is light golden brown.
By Anna
View Article: Click Here
Bread Machine Banana Bread
Ingredients:
- Small Loaf (1 lb)
- 1 cup sliced ripe banana
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 tbsp oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 1/3 cups White Flour
- 2/3 cup Whole Wheat Flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast
Directions:
SELECT loaf size. ADD ingredients to machine according to manufacturers directions. SELECT white cycle and light crust setting.
By Anna
View Article: Click Here
Watch the Clearance Aisle
For several weeks and months I watch the clearance aisle at our Wal-Mart store. Mostly I am only able to find things suitable for stocking stuffers, but I am almost always able to find several. This year I found scarves for .40 cents a piece and socks for .75 cents a pair! It pays to look!
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Other Active Topics
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
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New Contest! $30.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on December 31st.
Enter the contest!
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
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New Requests:
Removing Shine From Men's Suits
Does anyone know a way to get rid of the shine on the fabric of men's suits that comes with age and wear? I know that one answer is to not send suits to the cleaner too often. Ideas? Thanks.
Fred
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Help With Wiring A New Light
I've just fitted a new pendant light fitting using the existing electrical source. However, when I turn the main power on, the lights are on even though the light switch is off. When I put the light switch on, it blows the fuse!
The light is wired correctly as per the diagrams and original fitted light but I've no idea what to do next without a large call out charge.
Any ideas?
Paula
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Keeping Snaps on Pajamas Fastened
How can you make snaps on a baby's one-piece pajamas stay snapped? Some of the snaps on new pajamas just won't stay fastened, others on the same pair work fine. Is there a simple remedy for the non-wroking ones?
Jeanie from MO.
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Removing Mold Smell From Mobile Home and Clothing
I have purchased an old mobile home for a summer vacation home. It has a moldy odor to it. Also, when I closed it up for the winter, I noticed that the clothes I took home from the closet and drawers have a moldy smell. Any items that I have just sitting around in there have the smell as well. I have tried washing the clothes over and over again, but the smell still remains. Please Help! Any advice would be appreciated. Thank You,
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Removing Diesel Fuel Smell from Clothing
I am requesting any information regarding the elimination of diesel fuel smell from clothing. I have tried washing (twice actually) with regular detergent but the smell remains. Subsequently, I now have the smell inside the washing machine and am afraid to wash a load of laundry in case the smell comes off on other clothing. Patti
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
MyBudgetPlanner
Manage your money simply and quickly. Inexpensive budget planning
software.
http://www.mybudgetplanner.com/partner/thf/mbpmain.htm
More Reading:
Involving the Kids in the New Year Celebration
By Angela Billings
Help the kids ring in the New Year with these fun activities.
View Article: Click Here
Should I Declare Bankruptcy?
By Gary Foreman
My husband and I got married quite young, made some unwise financial decisions and ended up in debt (some credit card, some personal loans) with a grand total of $24,000. My husband has worked very hard over the years, sometimes 3 jobs at a time trying to make ends meet. We have gone through credit counseling, and a consumer proposal. We are the parents of 3 young children and have had to choose between paying our bills so we wouldn't go bankrupt or buying groceries. After many years of trying we feel that we have no other choice but to file for bankruptcy. We honestly would like to do anything else but we feel that this is our only alternative.
View Article: Click Here
Winter Care of Garden Fountains & Accessories
One of the most common questions we hear is what to do with a garden fountain or accessory in areas where freezes are common. Proper winter care is required for all cast stone, fiberglass, ceramic, and terra cotta products to protect them from the freeze-thaw cycles which occur during the winter. Any garden fountain or statuary that can hold water, snow, or ice, such as a planter or birdbath can be damaged by the winter freeze-thaw cycle. Below are some suggestions for minimizing the possibility of damage to your garden fountains and accessories.
View Article: Click Here
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