Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 45, February 16, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
The winner of our tip contest is Imaqt1962. The winner is chosen at random from all of the entries sent in. There were 10 entries from imaqt1962 out of 296 total entries for the period from February 1st through February 15th. Congratulations to imaqt1962 and thank you to everyone that submitted tips.
Enter The Tip Contest:
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Enter The Photo Contest:
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Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Taking Great Photos
- Serena T. Dog (Black Labrador Retriever)
Today's Tips:
- Front Closet Shoe Organizer
- Saving Money for Christmas
- Pre-Pay For Veterinarian Service For Your Pets
- Drying Bath Towels
- Removing Permanent (Sharpie) Marker With GOO-GONE
- Keeping the Bathroom Clean
- Sticking Windows
- Tips for keeping your car clean
- Measuring Honey
- Removing Crayon From Walls
- Plastic Wrap Bags for Kids Party
- Red Tissue Paper Roses
- Seasoned Bread Crumbs
- Kool Aid Play Dough
- Homemade Silly Putty
- Easy Chicken & Noodles
- Luncheon Chicken Casserole
- Nacho Chicken
- Free Copper Wire
New Requests:
- Compact Carpet Scrubber Reviews
- Customizing a Sweatshirt Collar
- Removing Pee Smell From Fleece Fabric
- 2 Quart Crock Pot Recipes
- Covering Pen Mark On Jeans
- Recipe for Clove Oil
- Looking For Cool Salads For a Packed Lunch
- Container Gardening Tomatoes
- Cleaning Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets
- Inexpensive Resources For Birth Control
- Odors Coming From Downstairs Apartment
- Crochet Purse Made With Strips Of Fabric
- Saving Herbs and Spices
- Potty Training a Pitbull Puppy
- Dying Leather Sneakers Pink
More Reading:
- Saving Money in the Kitchen (Crystal's Chili Bean Soup & Cornbread)
- Preparing your Home for Disasters
- How To Make Your Workspace More Ergonomic
- How To Start A Home Based Gift Basket Business
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Today's Sponsor
MyBudgetPlanner
Manage your money simply and quickly. Inexpensive budget planning
software.
http://www.mybudgetplanner.com/partner/thf/mbpmain.htm
Today's Photo Contest Entries
Taking Great Photos
Ingredients:
- One Willing Subject
- One Camera
- One Special Moment
Directions:
Hold camera steady, click and you've captured that great photo!
(The young lady is my granddaughter who was one year old January 14th of this year. I just love my job i.e. grandma saving those special moments for years to come!) - PCameron
View Photos and Post Feedback: Click Here
Serena T. Dog (Black Labrador Retriever)
This is Serena T. Dog (T. is for "The"). She's a one year old black lab that we rescued from the pound about six months ago. Serena likes to chase her ball and dig for moles. She came equipped with mange! If your dog has mange, don't go in for those special baths or dips that go for $40, they're smelly, messy and you have to repeat them 7 days later! We were able to get a special "flea" collar from the local vet that was treated for mange for about $17. No mess, no fussing, no bath! She just wore the collar for a couple months and bye-bye mange!
By Tammy
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a prize. You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Today's Tips
Front Closet Shoe Organizer
I built and installed a cheap cube style shoe shelf unit (3 ft. X 2 1/2 ft.) I placed it into my (SMALL) front closet on the floor and designated everyone in the house a grid/row for their own shoes. Keeps the floors clear of clutter and a you can quickly grab your shoes in those those hectic mornings.
By Shannon
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Saving Money for Christmas
One way to prevent Christmas from being a financial burden is to plan ahead. Here are some tips to help you save money on Christmas by planning ahead. Post your ideas.
I started saving for Christmas with my first paycheck of the year by purchasing a gift card at Walmart. Every two weeks I have been adding $20 to the card. I am already up to $60. This will work out great because I can do my shopping before December 24th and I will have a debt free Christmas!
By Tim Huitt
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Pre-Pay For Veterinarian Service For Your Pets
I have always struggled to come up with the money for my dogs' annual visit to the vet. I decided that I would pre-pay every month and create a credit balance with the vet. This seems to be working out. I have now paid off last years services and have a credit balance towards this years visit.
By Tim Huitt
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Drying Bath Towels
My bath towels never completely dry out after use and soon develop that "dirty smell" after just one use. Problem solved! Hang them from a skirt hanger and place on the shower curtain rod to dry! Works every time. No more wet towels hanging on top of wet towels!
By spendysuzi
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Removing Permanent (Sharpie) Marker With GOO-GONE
Use "GOO-GONE" to remove stubborn permanent marker from fabrics! I was amazed how well this product worked. Just dab on, let sit for a minute or two and dab off! The stains were COMPLETELY GONE! I wrote to them thanking them for saving my rocker set and they sent me a complimentary gift! Works GREAT on all sticky surfaces and floors, too (scuffs, etc.)
By Shannon
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Keeping the Bathroom Clean
Tips to help keep the bathroom clean. Post your ideas.
Quick Clean Showers
Being the ONLY girl in the house of 4, the only time the bathroom gets cleaned is when I do it. So, I keep a cheap bottle of dish detergent and a plastic scrub sponge in the shower. When I am done showering - before I get out - I aim the detergent at the walls, squirt and scrub. After I get out I do the same to the tub. You will be amazed how sparkling and how quickly it gets done! (Finish up with a shower protectant spritz spray.)
By Shannon
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Sticking Windows
If your windows stick, all you have to do is to take a small paint brush and paint the window tracks with a thin coating of petroleum jelly, like Vaseline. The jelly doesn't freeze and your sticky windows will be cured.
By Robin
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Tips for keeping your car clean
Little Bags for the Van
I like to save the paper bags with handles that you get from Bath and Body Works, and Victoria's Secret. Well, I have too many now, so I am using them in my van for trash cans (I use the small ones). I have 2 year old twins, so we have sucker sticks, wrappers etc. Then when that bag is filled I can just throw it away, now my van isn't as trashy! YEAH!
By Darcy from Indiana
View Article: Click Here
Measuring Honey
Before you measure a cup of honey, wipe the measuring cup with oil and rinse it out with boiling water. The honey won't stick!
By Robin
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Removing Crayon From Walls
A damp cloth with baking soda will take crayon off your walls. Don't rub hard! Just rub gently and firmly until the stain comes off.
By Robin
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Plastic Wrap Bags for Kids Party
When you can't seem to find little bags to fix for a kids party, buy some colored saran wrap and put your candies in it and tie with a pretty ribbon. Works really well.
By Sue
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Red Tissue Paper Roses
This is great for kids. Get some red tissue paper, make flower roses out of it. You can attach them with sticks from craft store and then add a little love note for Valentine's Day. It is easy also.
By suecamp51
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Seasoned Bread Crumbs
Don't throw away stale bread! I freeze mine in resealable freezer bags until I have enough to make a batch of "SEASONED BREAD CRUMBS".
Put 6 slices of torn, stale bread (white, wheat or sourdough are great) in the food processor, or blender, with:
- 2 tbsp., fresh, flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tsp. fresh thyme
- 2 tsp. fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp. fresh lemon zest
- 2 cloves of peeled garlic
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 2 tsp. olive oil.
Pulse until coarse crumbs form, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
Pour crumbs onto a baking sheet sprayed with olive-oil flavored cooking spray (or butter-flavored), spreading into a thin layer. Bake at 200 degrees F. for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent over-browning, until dry and golden.
Cool and store in an airtight container in the freezer.
These can be used to top a casserole, mix into a meat loaf, or use to bread chicken or fish for frying or baking. It also makes a wonderful stuffing mix by adding chopped onions and celery, chicken stock and melted butter to moisten.
You can substitute your favorite fresh herbs for the thyme and rosemary. I often use dill and tarragon. The parsley is a constant, but others are optional as long as the quantities remain the same. Dried herbs can be substituted for fresh, by cutting the amounts to one third that of fresh.
Store-bought crumbs contain preservatives, so you can't be sure what's in the product. Make your own, and control the ingredients AND the flavors! These will keep at least 1 year in the freezer, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Be creative and ENJOY!
By Chris Cook
View Article: Click Here
Homemade Koolaid Playdough
Kool Aid Play Dough
- 1 cup flour
- 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 package unsweetned Koolaid
- 1/4 cup salt
- 2 Tbsp. cream of tartar
- 1 cup water
Directions:
Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and Koolaid in a medium pan. Add water and oil. Stir over medium heat 3-5 minutes. When mixture forms a ball in pan, remove. Knead until smooth.
Let cool and place in airtight containers or baggies
By imaqt1962
Koolaid Playdough II
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 pack koolaid (any color you like)
- 3 Tbsp oil
- 1 cup boiling water
Directions:
Mix first three ingredients in a large bowl. Add the last 2. Stir until well blended. Remove from bowl and knead into soft dough. Store in air-tight containers.
By Suzanne S.
View Article: Click Here
Homemade Silly Putty
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp. liquid cornstarch
- 2-3 drops food coloring
- 2 Tbsp. white glue (use the original, adult type Elmer's glue)
- Plastic Easter egg container or baggie
Directions:
Mix the white glue and food coloring together in a small bowl. Pour liquid cornstarch into a small second bowl. Slowly pour the glue mixture on top of the liquid cornstarch. Allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes or until the glue absorbs the liquid cornstarch. Remove the putty from the bowl and knead until desired consistency. Place in containers and enjoy.
You may also use 1 box cornstarch and add water until desired consistency adding food coloring at the end.
By imaqt1962
View Article: Click Here
Easy Chicken & Noodles
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (3+ pounds)
- 3 pkts. Campbell's double noodle soup mix
Directions:
Cook chicken in pot covered with water. When done, drain. Reserve liquid.
Remove meat from chicken, discard skin, cut into small pieces.
Follow directions on soup packet except reduce liquid by 1/3 and use liquid from cooked chicken for the remaining 1/3.
Add chicken pieces to noodles. Easy to reheat. Easy to freeze in zip-lock bag. Handy for quick meal. Easy for Fathers to prepare.
By Robin
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Luncheon Chicken Casserole
Ingredients:
- 3 whole chicken breasts
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 can milk
- 1/2 cup Miracle Whip
- 2 jars sliced mushrooms
- 1 small onion
- 1 1/2 cups cheese (shredded; Havarti or cheddar)
- 1 (8 oz.) pkg. herb seasoning stuffing
- Broccoli pieces (optional)
- 1 stalk celery
- 1 clove garlic
Directions:
Simmer chicken with onion, celery, and garlic until tender. Cut meat from bones and cube. Combine soup, milk, Miracle Whip, for a sauce and mix in bowl with other ingredients. When ingredients are moist, put in a 9x13 inch sprayed pan and bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Nacho Chicken
Ingredients:
- 6-8 pieces skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1 pkg. taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 stick margarine or butter
- 1 pkg. nacho chips
Directions:
Combine flour and taco seasoning. Dip chicken breasts into flour mixture. Dip chicken breasts into melted butter or margarine until covered. Crush nacho chips and bread chicken with them. Pour any remaining butter over. Cook in 9x11 glass baking dish at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.
By Robin
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Free Copper Wire
I just found a way to get FREE copper wire. I went to a construction dumpster. The contractor has to pay by the pound to have it hauled awayl I asked if I could have the scrap wire (plastic coated) used in the electrical aspects of the building. I got feet and feet of copper wire... all thicknesses. I stripped the first inch of the wire so I can tell how thick it is. Then stored it with the rest covered with the plastic so it won't tarnish. Recycle and save money.
Stanlie
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Other Active Topics
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http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
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 February 28th.
Enter the contest!
Syndication Spotlight:
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Dear Webby's Humor Letter
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New Requests:
Compact Carpet Scrubber Reviews
Just curious if anyone has used any of those small compact carpet spot scrubbers. Our 10 week old puppy is a mess and he has made everyone else in the house forget where their bathroom is (outside). I know housebreaking is a process but I don't have the energy or the time to drag the big carpet scleaner out every day. If anyone has had any experience with one of these please share any positive, negative and brand info.
Thanks!!
Rachlls in TX
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Customizing a Sweatshirt Collar
My mom is wanting to make a sweatshirt similar to some she has seen at craft shows. It's done with a regular sweatshirt, crew neck collar, but the collar is cut and sewn to make a two or three button placket opening. NOTE: Not the cut thru the front total cardigan effect, just a two or three button opening at the top. Any tips or how-tos?
Thanks!
Lauri from IL.
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Removing Pee Smell From Fleece Fabric
Does anyone know how to get urine smells out of fleece? My son isn't night-time potty trained yet, and sometimes his diaper leaks. His fleece sleepwear and fleece blanket are both stinky even after having been washed twice. I've tried (one at a time, not all at once!) Oxyclean, baking soda, regular bleach (just a tiny bit since I don't want to ruin the colors of the fleece), and vinegar along with the usual laundry detergent. We're allergic to the perfumes in the anti-static rinses like Bounce, so that's a no go; besides, I want to REMOVE the pee smell, not mask it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Lynne
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2 Quart Crock Pot Recipes
Does anyone have any main dish recipes for a 2 quart crock pot. I have choir practice Wednesday nights and would love to leave him with a hot meal.
danig1000
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Covering Pen Mark On Jeans
I have a pen mark on my jeans which simply refuses to go away and I don't want to dispose off my jeans. Please give me few ideas to cover the mark. It's located just above the knee. Maybe a design or something with beads?
Ellie from Colombo
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Recipe for Clove Oil
Does anyone have a recipe for clove oil?
Laww
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Looking For Cool Salads For a Packed Lunch
I am looking for receipes for cold salads, such as pasta, egg salad, and such.
My husband travels for his work and he takes a cooler and I am running out of ideas for cold salads for him to take along.
Any resources would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Melissa
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Container Gardening Tomatoes
By Melissa
This summer I was thinking of trying to grow tomatoes in containers rather than planting a full garden.
Has anyone had any success with container gardening with tomatoes?
Any information or resources would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Cleaning Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets
My name is Adele from NYC and I have a request. I have a small kitchen and from cooking the top of my kitchen cabinets are full of grease and goo which make them very sticky. How do I get that grease and goo and make them unsticky again like when I moved in 10 years ago? What cleaning solution would take care of this problem because I'm planning to sell my house and would like to have my cabinets looking like new. Thank you!
Adele
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Inexpensive Resources For Birth Control
My friend is a young married lady on a tight budget. She uses birth control pills for family planning, and she has run out. She cannot afford the cost of an exam and pill from a private clinic or Planned Parenthood. Does anyone know of any resource for her?
Thanks!
Susanna
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Odors Coming From Downstairs Apartment
I share the 2nd floor of a duplex and the neighbor downstairs is extremely dirty. *Think the worst episode of Lifetime's 'How clean is your house?'*
Her dirty smell is constantly wafting up into my apartment. I have tried everything: neutra air spray, glade plugins, febreeze...
You name it, I've tried it. Is there some miracle solution that is cat friendly? She will never clean and I can't afford to rent elsewhere.
Help!
Melissa
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Crochet Purse Made With Strips Of Fabric
Does anyone know how to knit or crochet a purse with strips of fabric?
Linda
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Saving Herbs and Spices
Does anyone know how to save fresh herbs so you can use them again? I am always throwing away wilted basil or rosemary, and know there must be a way I can preserve it! Thanks for any advice!
Julie. (nr London)
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Potty Training a Pitbull Puppy
I need help in potty training my 5 week old Pitbull puppy. I have a box laying on its side near his bed, and I have newspaper in it. He goes peepee on the paper most of the time. He only poops there when he is in the room where his bed is. If he is in another room, he will pee or poop in whatever room he is in. When he does that, I put his face close to the poop or pee, and I smack his bottom with a rolled up newspaper and tell him "no", and he goes straight to his bed.
What is the best advice anyone can give me to help me train his to go either outside, or on the newspaper? I still think he is young yet, and he can't hold his bladder well yet. Any tips? Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
Stephanie in New Jersey
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Dying Leather Sneakers Pink
My daughter wants to dye her white leahter sneakers pink. Has anyone done this and had success? I'd appreciate any tips.
Katie in NY
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name savings, free samples and much more.
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More Reading:
Saving Money in the Kitchen (Crystal's Chili Bean Soup & Cornbread)
By Crystal Miller
Over the past few months I have watched the prices in the grocery store climb higher. This has made me have to stop and reevaluate our current eating and spending habits and see where I can trim the budget. I thought I would share a few of the tips that I have been incorporating into our budget.
View Article: Click Here
Preparing your Home for Disasters
This is for all my Caribbean friends or anyone who is everyone living on this earth to at least prepare your home family in case stuff happens or an event of a hurricane or disaster.
View Article: Click Here
How To Make Your Workspace More Ergonomic
By Lynnette
If you spend a good deal of time at the computer, then you will want to make your workspace more ergonomic in order to avoid the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
View Article: Click Here
How To Start A Home Based Gift Basket Business
By La Tunya Sifford
Many of us dream of working from home, spending more quality time with our families. I decided to do just that. Yes I was afraid of failing, not being able to handle the pressures of running a business, and looking after my family at the same time. So I began my search for the right business to start, GIFT BASKETS! I use to give them for gifts to family members, so I thought why not make money while doing something I loved.
View Article: Click Here
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