Volume Five, Number 53, March 17, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Here are the results to yesterday's poll:
Have you started to do any spring cleaning yet?
Yes (67) 51%
No, don't need to (6) 5%
No, don't have time (10) 8%
No, don't want to (23) 17%
No, it's not spring yet (26) 20%
And we have a new poll today:
Have you ever made your own beauty recipes?
Post your answer:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22820989.tip.html
We also are happy to announce the winners of last week's contests...
Tip Contest Winners
Mom's Best Housekeeping Tip
By BarwickJ from Ottumwa, IA
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17028095.tip.html
Making Your Own Evaporated Milk
By ronsan from southwest Missouri
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81704160.tip.html
Photo Contest Winner
Fluffy and Fancy Pants
By Renee from Slatedale, PA
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65197965.tip.html
Thank you to every that submitted tips! We are almost done choosing the winners from February.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Tip Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_request.ldml
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Photos
| Belly Button Lint Remover
Here's another "gag gift" craft idea. Belly Button Lint Remover - (I know, it sounds disgusting!) Take a long bead and stick a piece of pipe-cleaner through it, make a tiny loop at one end so it won't come out of the bead.
At the other end, make the pipe cleaner into a circle and attach the end into the top of the bead. (So it looks like a tiny toilet brush). Stick it into a small zip bag.
Print the words, "Genuine Belly Button Lint Remover" on white cardstock, print it out and fold it, then staple it to the top of the zip bag. Guaranteed conversation starter!
By Stacey from Orem, UT
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Tippy and Chewy
Tippy's age is unknown. He's the cat. Chewy is 1 1/2 years. We bought Chewy as a baby with his two sisters. He is the bird.
By Kim from Watertown, WI
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Gepetto Under the Covers
Gepetto is 3 1/2 years old and is an American domestic short-hair cat.
We found him in a tree on our golf course when he was about 8 weeks old (stray). He immediately started purring when we took him down from the tree, and the rest is history!
He loves to chase and retrieve his "Flutter Ball" toys, play hide and seek, and hide under covers or in boxes!
Although he is not a "lap cat", he loves to be near us at all times, and nuzzles us for attention. He is fun to play with and has an "impish" personality!
By Karen from Lakeland, FL
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
Today's Tips
| Quick Reupholstery
I "reupholstered" an old office chair I FOUND on the street by putting on tapestry panels I got at the dollar store - I pinned on the bottom seat section with push pins and I laced the top back section on using matching yarn.
Really changes the look of this sturdy chair I got for FREE. The original was a utilitarian but muddy brown. And the tapestry panels are sturdy. You could also apply with spray glue.
By Pam from L.A., CA
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Recipes for Life
Recipe for Life
Ingredients:
- 1 cup good thoughts
- 1 cup consideration for others
- 1 cup kind deeds
- 3 cups forgiveness
- 2 cups well beaten faults
- Tears of joy, sorrow and sympathy
- 4 cup prayer and faith
Directions:
Mix good thoughts, consideration, kind deeds, forgiveness and well beaten faults. Add tears of joy, sorrow and sympathy for others. Fold in prayer and faith to lighten other ingredients and raise the texture to great heights of Christian living. Pour all into your family life. Bake well with the heat of human kindness. Serve with a smile.
By Terri H.
Life Recipe
- 1 cup greetings
- 1/4 cup smiles
- 2 large handshakes
- 1/2 cup love
- 1 tsp. sympathy
- 2 cup hospitality
Directions:
Cream greetings and smiles thoroughly. Add handshakes, beaten slightly. Add love slowly. Sift in sympathy and hospitality and serve with humility.
By Robin from Washington, IA
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Protecting Knees While Gardening
To protect your knees when gardening, sew patch pockets on the knee area of your pants. Slip sponges or soft foam into the pocket. When you bend or kneel, these knee savers wont move or fall off. They're always ready and available when you want to use them. Have a safe, productive gardening season!
By Carol from Wyoming, PA
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Nylon Flowers
Materials:
Different colored nylons, gold or silver wire, green floral tape.
Directions:
Cut nylon and fit around wire, then twist. Continue until you have a complete flower. Make sure this is attached to a wire stem that is covered with floral tape. Make a lovely bouquet!
By Bev Sobkowich from Chilliwack, BC
Editor's Note: We'd love to see a picture of these Bev.
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Olive Oil and Sugar Scrub
Face Scrub from the Kitchen
I have discovered the most amazing face & body scrub straight from my own kitchen! Take a 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 Tbsp. of olive oil and 1 Tbsp. of any extract (I've tried vanilla and mint - but not together!). Mix all ingredients, jump in the shower, wet your skin, massage the scrub into your skin and rinse. The sugar removes all the dead skin and all that remains is soft skin from the olive oil. I've even used it on my face and lips (don't rub too hard) and my face looks and feels amazing.
Don't be concerned about olive oil on your face - it's one of the most natural oils and won't clog your pores. I love using the vanilla for Saturday nights and peppermint for mornings. You can use any scent you want! Experiment and enjoy!
By Ricki from Westfield, MA
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Saving Money on a Wedding Dress
Don't feel you have to spend a lot on a wedding dress. The First one for me was a version of my grandmother's wedding dress.
And the second was a long off green linen dress for a garden wedding I got in a thrift shop for $4. And no one could tell the difference!
By Pam from L.A., CA
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Keeping Litter From Sticking to the Cat Box
I have noticed that when a litter box becomes old and scratched up, the urine clumps (multi-cat clumping litter), especially the ones in the corners, tend to stick to the side of the box. I had broken a few scoops, and resorted to a trowel to dig them out. My cat is a diabetic. Some of those clumps were the size of Texas!
I found a great solution, short of buying a new box. Empty and clean the box REALLY well. Soak it with 1/2 cup Clorox in a box full of hot water. Scrub off anything that remains, and rinse well. Let it dry completely. Make sure the pets can't get to it, the laundry sink works well for me.
Get an old sock or something and apply a thin coat of TURTLE WAX to the box. Let it dry, and buff lightly. Apply a second coat, let dry and buff pretty well. I checked with the manufacturer and my vet, and they say it is inert when dry.
NOTHING sticks to the sides or bottom anymore. I went wild and waxed the scoops, they are a lot easier to keep sanitary.
It's been 2 months and its still working. It will probably wear off sometime but when things start to stick again I will repeat the procedure.
One other thing, if kitty is a litter thrower, those big black plastic tubs they sell in home improvement stores to mix concrete in make a great place to set the box inside. It's nice too, for the large kitty who "goes over the side" because he has no idea where his butt is. :)
From the Slave of a Bug-Butted Kitty.
By Mistressdevine50 from Youngstown, OH
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Placement of Plants and Trees
When planting flower beds in your front yard, plant on a diagonal from your house. The yard will have more depth. Never plant trees in the center of the front yard as it shortens it but again plant them on a diagonal from your house. Drive down some streets and look at the difference. It is unbelievable!
By Bev Sobkowich from Chilliwack BC
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Longer Lasting Paperback Books
If you want to have paperback books last - cover them with clear contact paper, leaving a margin of 2 plus inches on the inside edge. For some reason, this seems to help the binding, as well as keeping the cover from getting frayed.
You can also use scraps of paper with a slight pattern, which you can sometimes find at the dollar store.
I have books I covered in the 60's which are still readable due to covering in contact paper!
By Pam from L.A., CA
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
| Supporting Tomato Plants
When planting tomato plants in a garden - place hog panel 3 feet tall down the length of the row(s). Plant tomato plants in front of each side of the panel - as they begin grow start to tie them to the panel with cut up nylon hose. It holds the plant up and doesn't damage the plant if you tie it securely enough - but not too tight. Continue to tie it up as it grows.
Keep the row(s) weeded - whatever your preference is. You can walk through and pick off tomatoes, without having to pick up plants - for the tomato beneath, and you can see the worms easier!
By Chaingang from N Manchester, Indiana
Post Feedback: Click Here
|
View Active Topics!
New Requests
| 3 Tier Flower Planter
I have purchased a 3 tier, 37" flower planter. What would be the most attractive flowers to put in each tier? It will be in the sun at all times.
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Thank You for your help.
toehead from Loranger, LA
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Growing a Mango Tree
I would like to grow a mango tree in my yard. If an apple tree can survive the cold, why not my mango tree? How hard would it be? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Susie from Celina, Ohio
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Cats Getting My New Guinea Impatiens
I live in Canada but the weather would be close to Seattle's. I have a north facing brick planter on the front of the house that doesn't get much direct sun. I planted New Guinea Impatiens last year and some of it survived but some just disappeared and I think it was local cat that loves to dig in the garden year round. Is there anything that I can plant that the cat wouldn't go for or how do I keep it - the cat - out of the garden?
I replanted twice last year before I realized what was going on.
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Thanks,
Jane from Richmond B.C. Canada
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Buying Creeping Zinnia Seeds
I saw the beautiful picture of the creeping zinnia and I would love them for my garden. The problem is I can't seem to find plants or seeds anywhere on the web. Does anyone know where I can get them?
Hardiness Zone: 5b
JILLSAVES from Shavertown, PA
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Free Address Labels
I would like a list of websites which offer return address labels.
Jackmuk from WI
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Stains from Tissue Paper on a Wedding Dress
My wedding dress was packed in blue tissue paper and now there is blue dye on the dress. How can this be removed?
Sally Turner from Columbus, GA
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Saint Petersburg, Florida Travel Advice
My family and I are going to Saint Petersburg, Florida on April 7th. I have 4 children ages 5 to 18. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay or what to do while we are there. We are arriving at the St. Petersburg airport. I don't like to rent a car and we are on a somewhat tight budget.
Thanks,
JILLSAVES from Shavertown, PA
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Kitchen Cabinet Magnetic Latch
My kitchen cabinets and the magnetic latches are a bit "aged". So aged that the magnets really hold well together. Is there any tip that you can offer that will make these magnets easier to open once again?
Thank you,
Tobie from USA
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Stale Popcorn
I purchased a few packets of pre-popped popcorn. Unfortunately, the bags are plastic and this has allowed the popcorn to go stale. Is there anyway to make it taste fresh and crisp again? I suppose the same answers could apply for stale biscuits too.
Cathy from Townsville, Australia
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Smoke Smell (from a fire) on Vinyl Windowe
We had a bad fire with a lot of smoke and can't get the smell out of our vinyl windows. Does anyone have any advice?
Tom from Michigan
Post Feedback: Click Here |
| After Hurricane Katrina, My Whole Lawn is Weeds
I need help with my lawn! What Hurricane Katrina didn't kill with salt water flooding, the heat and drought afterward did it in. All of my azaleas are dead so I'll have to replant those but my entire lawn is pretty much weeds now. I don't know what to do to get my grass back other than an expensive complete redo, or a sod job, neither of which I can afford.
Do I kill all the weeds and then overseed? Do I use a weed and feed product and hope the little bit of grass left takes over? Can my yard be salvaged?
Hardiness Zone: 8a
mef1957 from Ocean Springs, MS
Post Feedback: Click Here |
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Let others know that you like this Ezine:
Vote For the Daily Thrifty Tips
|
