Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 163 July 6, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Our contests end on the 15th of the this month. We haven't
received many entries in the following categories for the photo
contest:
- Best Party Tip, Craft Recipe or Craft Tip with Photo
- Best Gardening Tip with Photo
- Best Home Improvement or Decorating Tip with Photo
- Best Organization Tip with Photo
- Best Wedding Tip with Photo
If you have something around your home that you are proud of (a
craft, garden decor, home improvement project, etc.) be sure to
submit before the 15th of July. You might win a 25 dollar prize
(we are giving out 16 in all.)
Thanks for reading and thank you for all the great entries we
have received so far. It has been a lot of fun posting them on
the site.
You can find more information about the contest and how to enter
at theses links:
Tip Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
a href="http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
http://www.thriftyfun.com/add.ldml
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
D. Blick Art Materials
The Best Art Supplies ... at the best discounts! Since 1911,
artists have turned to D. Blick Art Materials for dependable
savings, a huge selection, and fine customer service on art
supplies.
Click the link below to visit D. Blick!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/dblick.lasso
Today's Photos
Soda Bottle Sailing Boat
By Teri Clark Kids love to play in the water. And kids especially love to float toys in the water. With this great craft, they can play with a toy of their own making. A soda bottle can be turned into a sailing vessel to be used in a pool, in a pond, in the ocean, on a creek, or merely in the bathtub!
View Project: Click Here
Gus
My cat Gus 2005. I remember about 2 years ago a red headed boy rode up on a bike asking if anyone wanted a kitten. Then he pulled a small white powder puff from his pocket. I took it home. Now he is so big ... it's hard to imagine him ever fitting into someones pocket.
He has been fixed and he never leaves his yard.
By Ambi Moss
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Kobe (Welsh Corgi)
Kobe is a 7 year old Corgi we rescued 4 years ago. His favorite activity is NOT playing fetch. :-)
"You don't really think I'm bringing this back, do you?"
Heather Truckenmiller
Watsontown, Pa
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Starting Seeds Indoors
Start your seeds indoors, and after they sprout put one plant per small pot in a cold frame outdoors. You can space you plants correctly for maximum production and get early crops. Here I am with Lettuce and beets ready for harvest in May.
By Rich Tortora
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Today's Tips
Adding Nutrition to Meals
Tips for adding extra nutrition to meals. Post your ideas.
Use vegetables in soups and in breads for added nutrition. Also try fruits.
I also put fruits in a blender to use in breads, cupcakes and smoothies. Add a little juice or water if needed. Enjoy
By Sandi G
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Spinach - Tips and Recipes
Tips and recipes for using spinach. Post your ideas.
Add a little Spinach
When grocery shopping, purchase a bag of spinach leaves from the salad ready isle. Add to scramble eggs, sandwiches and more for a healthy delicious treat!
By Jennifer Russell
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Avoiding Bee Stings
Tips for avoiding bee stings. Post your ideas.
When you are outside, never drink a soda from a can. Bees can fly in your drink and then when you drink, they can sting you. Always use a glass so you can see through and look before taking that drink. Bee stings can kill.
By SHIRLEY DANIELS
Editor's Note: Besides hurting, bee stings can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Always keep some Benedryl handy in the summer and if the person who is stung, starts swelling, or having trouble breathing, give them some benedryl and seek immediate medical attention.
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Emergency Cash
I live on a fixed income, so putting away money in my savings account is usually out of the question. HOWEVER, if you don't have a few bucks stashed away, you're set up for a money crisis and I found a solution that works for me. No more cutsie piggy banks. My house was broken into by some kids and that's the first thing they took.
My piggy banks are wrapped and stashed away for now, and I have replaced them with an oatmeal box kept in my canned food section. Another spot I chose is behind a picture frame for ones and fives. But my favorite one is an old funky canister in my cupboard that used to hold tea bags.
The secret is to have three or more stash spots. At the end of the month when I need gas or a few extra bucks for stamps, I have my change stashed and a few ones and fives. I don't put in too much, or I have to get into it too often.
I save my change mostly by tossing it in the bottom of my purse after a purchase. That's what will pay for my license tabs this month, whew! I often forget about those little surprises you have to pay for occasionally.
By Ardis Barnes
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Salted vs. Unsalted Butter
Use salted sweet cream butter for toast only. Everything else gets unsalted butter. The reason is so you can control the sodium (salt) in the foods you are cooking. You can always add more but you can't take it out once it's in there. Besides, most of us don't need the additional salt/sodium content, anyway.
By Sandie
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Ant Repellents - Tips and Recipes
Tips and recipes for repelling ants. Post your ideas.
Ant Deterrent
For minor ant problems in your home, find where they are coming in and put a dryer sheet in the space. Ants don't like dryer sheets!
By Leann
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Controlling Earwigs
Tips for controlling earwigs and keeping them out of your home. Post your ideas.
Diazanon for Earwigs
I have been invaded by earwigs. I think I have the ants down to a dull roar.
It seems at night the earwigs invade my porch just about dusk. That's when I like to keep my door open to cool down and air out the house. I thought I had picked the right pest control product so that I wouldn't have that problem. So, back to wal-mart I go. There happened to be a very helpful lady shopping there who must have been some sort of master gardner. I also asked the clerk what product I should use.
The other shopper and the clerk were right: DIAZANON. Now of course you have to read and FOLLOW the directions. That's the real catch, but what a success. I may have to do it again in a few weeks, but wow, NO EARWIGS, and not a lot of other bugs too. All these products are good, but you have to buy the right ones and you have to read the directions and do exactly what it tells you to do.
I also learned from the other shopper, that if you have weeds in your white rock where there are no plants, pour vinegar on them. IT WORKED, and that was months ago, and it's still working. It changes the ground and inhibits growth till next year. A gallon of white vinegar is still very inexpensive.
By Ardis Barnes
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Policeman Joke
A salesman decided to become a policeman. Several months later, a friend asked him how he liked his new job.
"Well," he replied, "the pay isn't great and the hours are long, but the one thing I really like, is that the customer is always wrong."
By Terri
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Clothing Ironing Tips
Tips for ironing clothing. Post your ideas.
Ironing Spray
I love mixing 1 part fabric softener to 5 parts water and spraying my laundry with it before ironing. It not only makes my clothes smell wonderful, but it makes pressing a snap and the items stay wrinkle free. I also use it to freshen my curtains and bedding and closets.
By AMY-TROY, OHIO
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Free Downloads Can Freeze Up Your Computer
I get so tired of "ctrl-alt-delete" when my computer freezes up on me, like five times a day. My buddy, the computer nerd, reminded me that downloading too many cutsie things and free stuff can have that effect. I have a bad habit of thinking that downloading free spam blockers and debuggers is good. Not a good idea sometimes. That free stuff and my computer don't always get along. So think about that if you're freezing up too many times.
By Ardis Barnes
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Reserver Water Heater Tank
When my old hot water heater broke, the unit went but the tank was still good. I didn't throw it out but I used it for a reserve tank.
That way when it called for hot water the new water coming into my tank wasn't ice cold, therefore it didn't need as much gas or electricity to heat it up.
This saved money, especially in the winter months.
By Charlie
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Organize Your Day
Tips to help you organize your day. Post your ideas.
Staying organized is hard for all of us sometimes.
I have a tip that will never fail you. When I get up in the morning and get my first of two diet colas for the day, it's automatic "plan your day" time. The first thing I need to do is think about what I have to do today to keep my life in order. I make a list on paper, then I don't have to run around unorganized all day and avoid making special trips I could have saved myself by looking at the list. It takes five minutes.
Today I need to pick up my pills, go to a meeting at 6:00, fix dinner, remember to send the mail I organized last night. After my meeting I have sewing to do for the Farmers Market this weekend. This will keep me on schedule. I'm not going to pack my day too tight just in case my grandchildren stop by for a visit, or I decide to make some phone calls to check up on friends.
By Ardis Barnes
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Cheap Bathtub Toys
I have found that bathtub toys for my young children are expensive and don't last very long. So, what I've been doing is saving the plastic coffee containers (new ones from Folgers) in the small and large sizes. My girls love to pour with them, add a little soap to 'make an experiment', put the lid on and shake!
I haven't done this yet, but poking ice pick size holes in the lids would make a fun way to pour the water out. I also save plastic yogurt containers for the same thing. They also make great scoops for water to rinse their heads! This is a 'free' way to make bathtub toys that last a long time, a great way to recycle and you certainly get your money's worth out of coffee!
By Lisa
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New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 16 $25 prizes in a variety of categories.
Tip Contest!
To enter, visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
To enter, visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Contest ends July 15, 2005
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:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html
New Requests
Repairing Leather Seats
I am about to trade my car in and have an imprint on one of my leather seats from some item that melted ink on it. I believe it was a plastic item that the ink printing imprinted black numbers on my front seat from being in the sun. Does anyone know how to get the stain off?
Also, I have small tears or scratch marks on my leather seats from my dog. Does anyone know if those leather repair kits from walmart actually work? Or will it cause more damage to my seats if I use it?
Thanks,
Jen
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Jamie Lynn Anderson Wedding Statue (Cake Topper)
I'm looking for either the figurines, or a cake topper of the Jamie Lynn Anderson theme of "Today I Marry My Best Friend" I was told that those items are discontinued. I have got ahold of the guest book, pin and pin holder. I wouldn't mind a large 8x10 photo album with that theme as well. It is the picture of the boy with the rose behind his back and the girl with blonde hair and the white frilly dress. All help is appreciated.
Carol Ann
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Raising a Puppy
I have a 5 week old pit and need some advice on how to look after him. At the moment he is getting up several times in the night and needs to be attended too. He likes to go to sleep on me and likes cuddling up, but most of the time when he wakes up he wants to play!
He is currently eating goats milk, rusks and weatabix but how long can I allow him to stay on these as when ever i am eating my dinner (especially chicken) he wont leave me alone until i put it down. I would like some advise on what foods he can eat as a puppy, he makes me feel bad when I am eating as I dont know if I can share it with him?
Also i read an article about a puppy and his owner who is currently at 5 weeks rubbing their pups face in the wee and poo, does this help with training him to go toilet in the right place, if so how do i go about re-assuring i do this correct? I dont want to harm him.
Danielle
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Cordless Phone Reviews
I am looking for advice on cordless phones. We have had 3 different ones in the past couple of years and each of them had different problems from batteries dying too easily to hearing other peoples conversations to being very staticy. Does anyone have a cordless phone that they love? Before I go buy another one, I would like to know what works so I don't waste my money again.
Kelly Gratz
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Birthday Party for a Volleyball Coach
My volleyball coach, who is an awesome person, is single, and is turning 30. A friend of mine is really serious about hosting some type of party for our coach because she's just that special. We have NO idea what to do... she loves volleyball, country music, laughing and all sorts of things. We would like for it to be fun not too sentimental, that's the job for the gifts. We want her to have fun and make it a memorable birthday. I would LOVE it if anybody had any suggestions that fit her personality or any at all. Thanks!
Andrea
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Looking for Cross Stitch Barber Shop Pattern
Looking for a Leisure Arts magazine late 90's i think that has a collection called Main Street U.S.A. It had E.B.'s General Merchandise in one issue. In the September issue it had U.S.A. Barbershop, and in the November issue was Juell's Antiques. I need a copy of the barbershop pattern as my grandfather was a barber and I would like to do this one for him. Hope someone has old issues lying around that can help me. I have the number to contact Leisure Art. About it.
Thanks
Donna K
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Removing Coffee Smell From Thermos Carafe
The hints I received were so good on how to remove coffee stains from the lid of my thermos carafe, I now need to know how to remove the coffee smell from the thermos carafe itself. You guys are all great.
Laurie
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Westchester Prints, CX 20101
I am looking for a wallpaper made by Westchester Prints, CX 20101. Please help! I need 1 double roll.
Cindy
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Painting Over Varnish
I want to paint my bathroom vanity and door. It is varnished and I want to paint over it. Since it is in the bathroom will the paint peel off because of the moisture in the bathroom?
Pat from Ohio
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Plans for a Fainting Couch
I am looking for plans to build a fainting couch. One with a simple wooden frame that I can complete kind of quickly and upholster.
Sue from NY
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Football Themed Decorations
Fall is approaching and I am part of a group of parents who volunteer to decorate the Varsity Football team locker room weekly before games. We try to mix it up with decorations favoring the current week's opponents, but I'm interested in any general ideas for football themed decorations for the locker room. We like to use balloons and crepe paper streamers (which the players enjoy 'destroying'). I'm looking for any other unique (and relatively simple) ideas to add to this season's agenda.
I'm a new member and appreciate your input!
THANKS!
Karen
Riverside, OH
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What's Going on in Chimney Rock, NC?
What's going on in Chimney Rock, NC? Track hoes and bulldoziers are tearing up the foot of the mountain and due to all the rain. It's literally washing down stream! How can this be stopped? I don't know who to contact, the EPA? How can they develop a national landmark? What about historical society? HELP!
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Pounding Flowers
Does anyone have info on how to pound flowers?
Thank You
Angie
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Dog Urine Fishy Smell
How do I get rid of the fishy smell from my carpet after my mastiff bitch peed on it? - ian
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
D. Blick Art Materials
The Best Art Supplies ... at the best discounts! Since 1911,
artists have turned to D. Blick Art Materials for dependable
savings, a huge selection, and fine customer service on art
supplies.
Click the link below to visit D. Blick!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/dblick.lasso
More Reading:
Baby Bottle Formula Shortcut
This is a shortcut method I created for filling bottles.
Read More: Click Here
Intensive Gardening Techniques - Small Spaces, Big Yields
By Ellen Brown No matter how small your garden plot is, intensive gardening will maximize the productivity of your available space. Intensive gardening does this by utilizing season-extending tools and specific planting techniques. Sometimes called "square foot" gardening, or "French intensive gardening" (the French developed it), here are some intensive gardening techniques to give you the biggest garden possible for your small space.
Read More: Click Here
Ten Ways to Enjoy Summer
By Monica Resinger For a lot of us, warm sunny weather is only here 3-4 months out of the year.. Because of this, we should put in the extra effort to enjoy it to the fullest while it's here. Here are 10 ways to do so.
Read More: Click Here
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