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Daily Thrifty Tips - April 23, 2009

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Date: 04/24/2009 Topic: Newsletter Archives > Daily Thrifty Tips  
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Vol. 8, Num. 80, April 23, 2009 (Read It Online)

We have a new sharing feature on ThriftyFun. It allows you to add any post quickly and easily to your Twitter, Myspace, Facebook and other sites so you can share it with others. It also allows you to use popular bookmarking sites or email the post to a friend. To use this feature click the Share button in the upper right of any post on ThriftyFun. It's a great way to help share ThriftyFun with others.

To see the new feature, visit http://www.thriftyfun.com and click on any of the recent posts.

Here are the contest winners for last week.

Photo Contest Winner

Garden: Photos from Elaine's Garden
By Elaine from York, PA

Elaine shares some wonderful pictures from her garden.

Pet Contest Winner

Simon (Ragdoll Mix)
By Janis from McKinney, TX

Thanks for sharing Simon. What a beautiful white kitty.

Tip Contest Winner

Starting a Garden Journal
By Traceyi from Jacksonville, FL

This is a great idea, and we especially like the tip about logging how much produce you get from your garden so you can track your grocery savings.

Save Those Nursery Monitors
By Sandy from Elon, NC

Sandy shares a wonderful way to repurpose a baby monitor.

Recipe Contest Winner

Crock Pot Meat Loaf
By Amuck from Fairview Heights, IL

Amuck shares her recipe for slow cooker meatloaf.

Thank you to everyone that shared something!

Thanks for reading,

The ThriftyFun Team

Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.

Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Photos:

Today's Tips:

Joke of the Day

New Requests:

More Reading:

Today's Sponsor:

Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Today's Photos:

Craft: Quilted Table Runner

Here is a lovely quilted table runner that is easy to make. You use charm squares and arrange all the different colors as you like them.

Source: "Little Charmers l" by Anka's Treasures - pattern

By lindancs from Manitowaning, ON

Craft: Quilted Table Runner

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Painting Appliances

I'm renovating my kitchen on a tight budget. I'm tired of the ugly old looking fridge that came with the house. I was going to go and buy all new appliances for my kitchen. Of course, I changed my mind. I'm glad I did.

I opted to spray paint my fridge. It looks amazing! People can't tell the difference. Which I love! FYI If you're able to spray paint outside please do. I had black paint all over my house. It took me 2.5 hrs to clean it all up. So, I got a new fridge for under $15. By the way, I used 2 cans of spray.

By fashionista_dc from Washington, DC

Painting Appliances

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Casper (Shorthair) and Scruffle (Jack Russel Mix)

My cats name is Casper and my dogs name is Scruffie. Casper is 6 year old shorthair mix and Scruffie is 3 year old Jack Russel mix. We got Casper to catch mice in our house from a friend. We got Scruffie from a couple of friends who were divorcing.

They like to lay around together, but they chase each other through the house. Casper likes to sneak up on Scruffie when he is asleep and attack him. Then they will lay together and go to sleep! When Scruffie is barking at something in the yard, Casper will go and hit Scruffie as if to say hush up now! ha. ha. ha. ha.

By Cajunproud from Columbus, Ohio

Casper (Shorthair) and Scruffle (Jack Russel Mix)

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Scenery: Smokey Mountain Waterfall Photo

Grand kids playing in a waterfall in the Great Smokey Mountains.

By Barbara from Maggie Valley

Scenery: Smokey Mountain Waterfall Photo

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Craft Project: Earth Day Tote

Remember Earth Day is April 22. Let kids decorate a canvas tote to use when shopping to help keep the bags out of our landfill. We need to teach our kids to Reuse, Recycle and Reduce!

Craft Project: Earth Day Tote

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Contests:

These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

Today's Tips:

Use White Paper to Help Thread Needles

If you love to sew, but your eyesight makes threading a needle, put a piece of white paper behind the needle. The contrast will make it much easier to thread the needle. On a sewing machine, slide the paper between the needle and the presserfoot

Source: An article on how to live with diminished vision (common problem among the mature).

By MargaretGadd from El Paso, TX

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Milk Jug for Organizing Plastic Bags

Just a little tip for all the plastic bags everyone gets these days and I store mine in gallon milk jugs. In the center of the milk jug is usually a design like a circle, I cut the circle out then cut the handle in half just by slitting it in half. The reason I do that is then I can hang up the jug and when I get bags, just shove then in the hole in the milk jug. You will never believe how many bags a gallon jug will hold. It's great.

Also if you want, you can slit the handle as for the bag tip then cut a larger hole in the center of the jug and then hang it on your clothes line and store all your clothes pins in it. I usually poke holes all over the milk carton so if it rains, it will leak out and the clothes pins won't start rotting. And this tip didn't cost you a dime.

Source: My imagination.

By Barb from Birchwood, WI

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Round Up Debit Card Into Savings

Our bank offers a "Keep the Change" program. A painless way to save $. Every time you use your debit card, the bank rounds it up to the next higher dollar. Works great, and it goes directly into your savings account.

By Eileen-E from Northern CA

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Removing Sunless Tanning Stains

To avoid orange palms after fake tanning, rub a little toothpaste into you hands then rinse it off.

Source: Friend

By Lorimay from Perth, Western Australia

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Cleaning Scuffs From White Patent Leather Sandals

I have a tip for white patent scuffed sandals. Firstly I cleaned the scuffed area with nail polish remover, then toothpaste and finished this off, with fast drying liquid paper.

By dunbarj from Queensland

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Make a Holder for Restaurant Brochures

I had a bunch of restaurant brochures in the junk cupboard taking up a lot of space. I went to a cheap store, and picked up the pot holders that are square, and have a pocket for your hand. I got a big magnet and attached it to the fridge. It fits all the restaurant brochures in the pocket. It is handy there,and I can have a drawer back.

By Linda H. from Hamilton, Ontario

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Store Salad Greens With a Paper Towel

I always buy the big containers of organic greens. Every time I went to use them, the moisture from the greens would make under the lid wet. I got so aggravated, because the greens would be soggy and go to waste, and they are not cheap.

My tip is this: when you open the greens wipe the lid off. Then lay a piece of dry paper towel on top of the greens, and replace the lid. The paper towel absorb the moisture. I do this every time now and it works just lovely.

By Tammy from Canada

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Rotisserie Chicken for Several Meals

Check your local grocery stores to find when their rotisserie chickens are on sale (our local Harris Teeter discounts them every Sunday). My husband and I get three filling meals from one chicken. Sometimes his mom joins us and there's enough to share.

First Meal: We split the breast, add a baked potato and a can of green beans and have a filling, nutritious meal.

Second Meal: I put the remaining chicken (the whole carcass) in a large pot and cover it with water - adding a sprig of rosemary (optional). Cook it until the meat practically falls off the bone. Save the broth. Cut up the remaining pieces and use them to make a simple, yet delicious chicken pie.

Chicken Pie Recipe: Put the cut-up chicken in a 9x13 inch casserole dish. (Reserve a half to one cup of the smallest bits of chicken to use for the third meal.) Drain a can of mixed vegetables and pour it over the chicken. In a saucepan, mix 2 cups of the chicken broth and 1 can undiluted cream of celery soup and bring to a boil. Pour this mixture over the vegetables and chicken. Mix 1 stick of melted margarine or butter, 1 cup buttermilk or sweet milk, 1 cup of self-rising flour, and one-half teaspoon of salt in a separate bowl. Spoon the dough mixture over top of casserole. Bake at 425 degrees F. for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is done.

Third Meal: Put the remainder of the broth and the small chicken bits left from Meal Two into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add cut up carrots, celery, onions, peas or whatever vegetables you have on hand. I put the carrots in first since they take a little longer to get tender. Add uncooked white rice, season with whatever spices you like (a little salt, pepper, thyme, etc.) and cook for about 20-25 minutes.

The amount of rice you add depends on how thick you want the "soup" to be. My family likes it to be thicker than a true soup, so I use a cup of raw rice to 2 cups of the broth mixture. You now have three deliciously different meals with little effort or expense. Both the chicken pie and the chicken and rice can be cooked and frozen to be brought out later.

By Sandy B. from Elon, NC

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Keeping Yogurt Cold in a Packed Lunch

My husband puts my 6 or 8 oz. yogurt cup in a coolie cup which is normally used for cans or bottles. It fits right into the cup, and makes a handy way to keep it chilled until lunch.

By springmaid5 from Fairfield, OH

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Knit Shawls in the Spring

It's Spring and scarf season is over - so if you are a knitter - switch over to rectangular shawls. It's the same only a bit longer and wider! And you can use up leftover yarn by using a different yarn per each row or so.

By pamphyila from LA, CA

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

A drunken man gets on the bus late one night, staggers up the aisle, and sits next to an elderly woman.

She looks the man up and down and says, "I've got news for you. You're going straight to hell!"

The man jumps up out of his seat and shouts,

"Heyyy!Stop! I'm on the wrong bus!"

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

New Requests:

Repairing a Stiff Roll Top Desk

How do you make a stiff roll top desk roll up and down easier?

By karen17 from marion il.

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Iron Mark on Clothing

How do you remove an iron burn mark from an arsenal shirt?

By Malik from London

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Keeping Mold from Growing on House Siding

Every year we have to power wash the siding on the north side of our home. We get a green/black mold that comes back every year. Is there anything that will stop this? The problem isn't getting it off the house, the problem is that it comes back every year.

By Kath4 from CT

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Growing Plants in Gravelly Soil

I hardly have any topsoil on my property. It is mostly gravel underneath. What can I grow?

By Vguy from Earle, AR

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Inexpensive Baby Shower Ideas

Does anyone have any ideas for a boy baby shower? It has to be cheap, I live on fixed income.

By Vguy from Earle, AR

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What is a Rainbow Tea Party?

Could someone give me the history of a Rainbow Tea ? I see many posts about the colors, etc. What is the purpose of the tea?

By Notetotel from Ontario, Canada

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Easy Chicken Breast Stew Recipe

Does anyone have an easy recipe for chicken stew made from chicken breasts? Thanks!

By DottieRN from Tonawanda, NY

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Uses for Popsicle Sticks

Does anybody have ideas for things to make with Popsicle sticks?

By Ksallen from Clarksville, AR

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Planning a Memorial Service

I recently lost my elderly parents and we're having a memorial service. I've never planned a memorial service before. Does anyone have any suggestions for what worked or didn't work well for your family? We've many family members coming in out of town and I can feel myself getting overwhelmed. Ideas for making a program for the service; an inexpensive keepsake; ways to make family feel involved; etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

By Maggie_va from VA

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Dogs Eating Grub Worms

Every time we walk our dogs they have their noses to the ground and I think they are eating grub worms! Besides being gross can there be any harm in this? Is that what they are eating? It is worse at night. I have two beautiful female beagles.

By Robinfox from Knoxville, TN

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Locating Someone for Free

I am trying to find someone and all the info I have is her birth name, birth date, birth mother and birth father's name, and her place of birth. I have no idea what her name is now. How do I find out what her name is and where she might be now? I cannot afford to pay an investigator and have tried many so-called "free" websites. Any ideas on how to find her? Please help!

By Bsalcorn from Nashville, TN

Locating Someone for Free

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Being a Cosigner While on Disability

I cosigned for a car and am now on disability. What should I do?

By NancyJane from NJ

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No Dial Tone With Magicjack

I don't have a dial tone with this Magicjack. What is wrong?

By Lacheryl24 from Canton, MS

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Recommendations for Dog Grooming Clippers

I am looking to buy a dog grooming clipper. I would like suggestions but nothing over $60. I am not a groomer but I would like to try to keep up with the fur. I am having my 25 pound mutt groomed this week and I priced around and they are pretty much all $50. That is why I want to get a clipper. Any advice? I have been online at Petsmart, Petco, Foster and Smith, and Walmart.

By Sandy63 from Baltimore, MD

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Sunken Spots in Pillow-Top Mattress

I have a pillow-top mattress that is 3 yrs. old. It has sunken spots where we lay, but it cannot be turned over. Is there a remedy for this, or do I have to buy another mattress?

By Vguy from Earle, AR

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Finches Are Having Feathers Pulled Out

I have 4 finches (2 pair) in a cage together. Two of them are getting their feathers pulled out. Does anyone know what causes this?

By Vguy from Earle, AR

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Getting Rid of Brambles

How can I get rid of brambles? I have tried shop bought sprays but they don't seem to do much. Any ideas?

By Bejay1066 from UK

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Storing Meat in a Deep Freezer

How long can you store meat in a deep freezer? Thanks.

By Lewis from Port Orchard, WA

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Marinating Meat in a Metal Pan

What happens when you marinate meat in a metal pan?

By SHACKLELACK from PALMETTO, FL

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Taking Food Items into France

Has anyone taken vacuum packed bacon into France? I am flying into Nice from the UK.

By Ennerdale l from Lancashire, UK

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Dachshund is Peeing in the House

I've had my miniature dachshund for 6 years, he is neutered and now 10 years old. Currently I walk him, or let him out in the yard at or around 6am, 9am and 12 noon. Then once when I get home from work during lunch, around 4pm and two more times at night, right when I come home and before we go to bed. He has always had accidents in the house, this is nothing new but I am not sure I can really call them accidents.

This week alone he has peed in the closet on the carpet, on my bed and twice in the living room. We have the same routine all the time, nothing changes. Today I took him for a walk at 10am and when I got home at 3:30pm he had already peed in the living room. I am so mad! Why is he doing this? Could it really be that he is that codependent? But he doesn't always pee. Not daily, not even weekly. Or he'll use the puppy pad in the bathroom. Should I kennel him? It just doesn't seem fair. He loves to lay in the sunshine on my bed and look out of the window while I am gone.

By Himo74 from Pensacola, FL

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Making Lavender Oil

Can I use year old dried lavender for making lavender oil?

By Cmilnes from Oklahoma City, OK

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Vodka Stain on Vinyl Floor

A friend of mine spilled vodka on my vinyl floor that has that wood look and it bleached it. Does anyone know what to do about that?

By SNOMAN64 from St. Louis

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Freezing Yellow Squash

Can you freeze fresh yellow squash and zucchini?

By 39470 from poplarville,ms

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Cabinet Colors to Brighten Up a Kitchen

I have dark brown cabinets in my kitchen and I need a color to brighten it up. I also need suggestions for a floor color. I'm going with a wood laminate.

By Missvicky from Northwoods, WI

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Keeping Dogs from Peeing in My Yard

I live in town, work in my yard a lot and get many compliments. But there are lots of people who walk their dogs and let them use my plants for their potty place. Of course, male dog urine is a plant killer. The yard next to the sidewalk has large bare spots from them using it. People are really very inconsiderate and really ugly, if I try to explain it to them in a very humble nice way.

Some come after dark to let them do both jobs, just for spite. I do not blame the dogs, but their owners. I love dogs and have dogs of my own, but when they do their job, they do it at home. I am always friendly to people who walk by with or without a dog. I have read about several dog repellents, but this seems to be for keeping them from digging. I need something to keep them from hiking their leg on my yard. Any answers are very much appreciated. I have lost many dollars of plants.

By Toebeanie from Warrensburg

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Making Wooden Toys to Sell

We are old age pensioners and we do the flea market every Sunday. My husband makes doll houses, table and chairs, blanket boxes and more. We were wondering if anyone had any instructions to make wooden toys. We seem to have run out of ideas. Thanks.

By Zionation from Australia

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Can a Dog Get Parvo from a Shot?

My new Rottie puppy is almost 12 weeks old. She was sick at 8 weeks and the vet said she had a bacterial infection. She had a bladder infection last week as well as another bacterial infection. They tested a fecal sample. I just took her for her booster shot yesterday and she threw up last night , and again this morning. She has no appetite and is lethargic. I took her to the vet this morning and they wanted me to give her Benadryl. It didn't work so I took her back this afternoon and now they say she has Parvo. She is on IVs again. Do you think this is a reaction to the shot she just got?

By Jayce from Lakewood, CO

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Contributing to Your Child's Wedding

My step son and his new wife are expecting. They had a courthouse type wedding and plan to have a "real" wedding as she puts it. She will not take his last name nor wear her wedding ring until they do the big church wedding. My husband and I are very low income due to his health.

What are we expected to pay for at this wedding? We are so excited about our coming grandson and are picking up little things for him and I am trying to come up with the money to crochet an afghan. I want something from me even though I am a step-grandma. They are both 25 and doing well. What am I to do?

By Hairyjoe from Port Clinton, OH

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Substituting Parchment Paper for Wax Paper

Can I substitute parchment paper for wax paper in a baking recipe?

By ljhogheaven

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Reviews of Calorad Weight Loss Supplement

Has anyone used Calorad? What did you think? Were their claims accurate?

By Jumpius from Glen Ellen, CA

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Today's Sponsor:

Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

More Reading:

My Frugal Life: Tell Your Money Where To Go

It was about four and a half years ago, when DH and I found out that we were expecting our second child. It was quite a surprise, given that our first one was only 6 months old!

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