Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 154 June 24, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We didn't send out an issue yesterday so today's and tomorrow's issue will be a little longer than normal.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Tip Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
a href="http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
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
Budget Stretcher Premium
Have you surfed all over the internet looking for a simple way to
manage your finances? Now you don't need to. Budget Stretcher
premium offers everything you need to learn how to get the most
out of your money in one place with no ads or popups to deal
with. Learn more by clicking on the below link:
http://www.budgetstretcherpremium.com
Today's Photos
Jake (Leonberger)
Our Leonberger Jake on his second birthday. Jake was born with severe hip dysplasia and had two major operations a year ago to reseat his hip joints. Without them he would have been dead by now - unable to get up. As you can see he is a happy happy fellow, full of fun.
Our Jake relaxing on a hot afternoon on the cool tiles in our kitchen.
Both photos taken by my husband John Ewing using a Nikon Coolpix 5900
By Gill
Post Feedback: Click Here
Making a Memory Box
Memory Boxes are a wonderful way of preserving small bits and pieces of your most treasured memories. They are easily made using thin wood or particle board and stained or painted. My boxes are 11"x14" with one main T-shaped shelf with 3 "cubbies" in the top right hand corner, plus 3 medium "cubbies" below the top shelf with 2 small cubbies on each side. They can be stained or painted, covered in glass to prevent dust or left open.
In the picture the one on the left contains mementos of my Parents. It contains photos of them with their grandchildren, 50th anniversary photos and mementos, a poem of tribute to them and dried roses from their funerals. The other box contains mementos of my children with photos, baby booties, graduation tassels, wedding mementos and sports pins. I cherish these so because I can look at these and in one glance see reminders of little things that meant so much to me throughout my life.
By Sharon,Ky
Post Feedback: Click Here
Transpanting Plants
This photo was taken with the Fine Pix camera which I am PROUD TO SAY was won from Thriftyfun. It is proof that a growing plant can be transplanted from one spot to another if carefully and properly done. The tall Lilies were growing in the middle of my son's flower bed, which looked out of place. I carefully dug it up making sure not to cut the bulb in the process. When replanting I made sure to dig wide enough so as not to mash the roots or bulb, then covered with fresh soil and ground soil on top. After many days of worry about ruining my son's PRIZED LILIES it took root and this photo is of the successful transplant at the corner of his house.
By Sharon,Ky
Post Feedback: Click Here
Making Raised Beds with Styrofoam
If your ground is solid rock, the best way to raise veggies is in a raised bed. My husband built a raised bed garden this year. The "blocks that hold the garden together are, believe it or not, Styrofoam. This was salvaged from boat docks a few years ago when they banned its use in the local lakes. Its insulating capacity, helps to keep the earth cool. The first picture was taken before the topsoil was added. The second picture, taken a few days ago, shows the results of our Mother's Day planting date.
We are about to start picking squash and tomatoes....at least for fried green tomatoes. :)
By Harlean from Arkansas
Post Feedback: Click Here
Modge Podge Designer Shelves
By Shauna Smith Duty An old shelving unit can be renewed to look like a designer accent piece with just a little ingenuity. Whether you want to give your tired shelves color and life for a child's room or make them look sophisticated for a library, this project will allow you to create a perfect one-of-a-kind look for your specific décor.
View Project: Click Here
Today's Tips
Creationg Candy With Molds
The candy molds are great for decorating cakes. Use candy melt chocolate (chocolate made specifically for making candy in molds). After holidays, the colored candy melts go on sale for real cheap.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Choosing Cabbage
Here's another tip from my MIL. If you are looking for looser leaves in a head of cabbage, like for stuffed cabbage, pay attention to its core. The larger the core (the bottom where they slice off) the looser the leaves.
By Angellface
Post Feedback: Click Here
Power Outage Emergency Kit
Items to put in a power outage emergency kit for your home. Post your ideas.
Glowsticks
Be sure in your power outage emergency kit you keep some "glowsticks" (the kind you "break" and they glow for 12 hours), especially if you have kids. They provide a distraction from the dark, keep the kids from running down the flashlight batteries by playing with the flashlights, and they are a kind of "tracking" system because you know where the kids are by seeing their glowstick.
Some come with a string to be worn about the neck. Also, having them taped to items easily lost in the dark (such as turned off flashlights or lighters) makes items easier to find. They give off a small amount of light, come in various colors, and are much much safer than candles or matches or lighters. I buy mine at the local 99 cent store in a 4 pack of assorted sizes.
By MaggieP
Post Feedback: Click Here
Keep Squirrels out of Your Bird Feeder
Don't put a bird feeder that they can climb or hop to or you will never get rid of the critters. They will strip all the fruit from your trees!
Also, adding red cayenne pepper (the fresher the better) to the birdseed will help to deter the squirrels, but not bother the birds.
By syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Watering Plants
Tips for watering plants. Post your ideas.
I have a lot of houseplants, so when I water, I start in the same place and go right around the house, always in the same order, checking and watering as needed. This way, no one gets forgotten.
By Linda
Post Feedback: Click Here
Emergency Information on Car Seats
Recently at a kids day event they were handing out orange emergency stickers you could put on your child's car seat/booster in the car. There was a place to put all your child's emergency/medical information in case you were in an accident. Well I had more than one child in car seats so I decided to make something emergency personnel could use.
I got an empty 35mm film canister and painted it white and put a red cross on it. I poked a small hole through the bottom of the canister and put kite string through the hole long enough to tie to the car seat towards the back side so your child wont grab it. Inside the canister I put a rolled up a piece of paper with all our information on it. I have made some for all the little ones in my family who ride in car seats.
By Firefly1985
Post Feedback: Click Here
SundaySavers.com - Shopping Ads
For those of you who don't get a Sunday paper, but like to use the flyers for shopping, this site has the sale flyers.
http://www.sundaysaver.com/
By Meari
Post Feedback: Click Here
Organizing Medical Records at Home
I found that putting all my medical information on the computer and continually updating it, is very helpful when visiting a new doctor. It makes it easier for you to see the last time you had a visit or procedure!
List your appointments and what was done - list of medicines - all tests you have had taken - Surgeries - doctor's names, etc.
While you will have to give some of the same info, I print a sheet on yellow paper so it will stand out in my file for quick reference.
I had a doctor for 43 years and this was much more efficient and cheaper than having copies of medical records sent to new doctor which costs money.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Scrambled Eggs - Tips and Recipes
Tips and recipes for making good scrambled eggs. Post your ideas.
Fluffier Eggs
For fluffier omelets or scrambled eggs, add a pinch of cornstarch, before beating.
By Brenda
Post Feedback: Click Here
Assembly Line for Making Dolls
I make and sell Raggedy Ann and Andy, quilts and various fabric crafts at our local Farmers Market here in Moses Lake, Washington. If you think that's something you'd like to do with your own talents, let me give you a time saving tip.
For the dolls, Sunday or Monday is cut out day. I cut all doll parts and clothing needed for a few months at a time. Then as I get short on dolls, I spend a few days sewing some up; in assembly line order. The quilts get done in the winter time, and sometimes while I'm sitting at the Farmers Market on Saturdays.
I have the small plastic drawers that I can keep everything organized so I never have to look for body parts or boys or girls clothing. It's so much faster and fun to be organized.
By Ardis Barnes
Post Feedback: Click Here
Don't Add Salt While Cooking
My 85 yr. old MIL grew up in Vermont where they raised most of their own food. She has told me to never salt vegetables while cooking, including potatoes. The salt will leech out some of the vitamins.
By Angellface
Post Feedback: Click Here
Cooking Potatoes
To improve the flavor and keep potatoes white, when boiling add 1/4 cup of milk.
By Brenda
Post Feedback: Click Here
Earwig Pest Control
Tips for controlling earwigs and keeping them out of your home. Post your ideas.
Spiders and Earwigs
I recently bought some bug traps that are about two inches by four inches wide with stickum on the surface. I had them inside, and they caught a few. I finally turned one upside down and found out that it's an excellent way to catch earwigs. They love to crawl under and into tight areas; "ha!" fooled them. I hate earwigs and spiders the most. I took two of them and set right outside my doorways; SUCCESS. I might as well get them before they get into the house. I think the thing that works the best for keeping spiders down is hosing off the house under eaves and all the nooks and crannies on the outside of the house every two weeks.
By Ardis Barnes
Post Feedback: Click Here
Picnic Tips
Tips for having a great picnic. Post your ideas.
Paper Towels for a Picnic
I always take a roll of paper towels in the picnic basket. They can be used as napkins, place mats, spill clean-ups, and food covers. Multiple uses from 1 product.
By Linda
Post Feedback: Click Here
Multi-Tasking at Home
Most homemakers are very adept at multi-tasking, but the art form of getting it all done can always be refined.
While doing one chore with some "down time", I will do another.
Examples:
While the coffee is brewing, I empty the dishwasher and set the table for breakfast.
While the bacon is cooking, I set the table and then sweep the kitchen floor. This way, I can watch the bacon, too.
While the toast is browning, I get the clothes hamper into the laundry room.
While waiting anywhere for an appointment or picking up the grandkids from a function, I update my written to-do list or work on birthday, anniversary or get well cards, or even work on the grocery list.
While getting dressed in the morning, the last thing I take out of the bathroom is the contents of the wastebasket.
I can always get more done if I am doing something additional to the task at hand.
By Ronsan
Post Feedback: Click Here
Keeping Track of Appointments
Tips for keeping track of appointments and things you need to do. Post your ideas.
I keep an extra sheet of paper in the front of my purse calendar to note down future appointments, even when they are with myself. I write down when the next batch of cleaning will be ready to pick up at the dry cleaners or anything else that requires me to remember something for the days in the future. Life is too hectic to try to remember it all without some notes!
By ronsan
Post Feedback: Click Here
Cheap Summer Drinks for Kids
Ideas for inexpensive beverages you can give your kids. Post your ideas.
Ideas for inexpensive beverages you can give your kids. Post your ideas.
A cheap summer drink for kids is kool-aid or similar drink mixes. Especially when stores put it on sale at 10/$1. With limited flavors, my kids soon become bored with it and want soda. I have found a way to prevent that. Mix two different flavor packets together in the pitcher but only add 1 cup of sugar.
My favorite mixture is a packet of watermelon (Wyler brand) and a packet of strawberry.
Kids can invent their own flavor combinations or maybe try mixing cherry and lemon-lime (like the soda companies).
You could create a Mystery flavor and have the kids taste and guess the flavors.
The combinations are endless but it all adds up to summer fun!
By Cheryl from Missouri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Veggie Peels and Coffee Grounds for Vibrant Flowers
I save all used coffee grounds and fruit & veggie waste ( peels, etc) and lightly dig them in in my flower beds and around shrubs and trees. My plants have huge blooms year-round (I live in Florida) and vibrant coloring. Visitors and neighbors are always asking what kind of fertilizer I use and are amazed when I say "none". Try it, you will be delighted!
By Carole
Post Feedback: Click Here
Cleaning Under Stove Knobs
Tips for cleaning under stove knobs. Post your ideas.
Use a pipe cleaner or chenille stem to clean under the knobs on your stove (mine don't come off). Just slip the stem under the knob and move it back and forth. You will be grossed out at how yucky it is!
By Linda
Post Feedback: Click Here
Caring for Nice Shoes
Tips for taking care of nice shoes. Post your ideas.
Saving Wear on Good Shoes
To save dollars and wear on shoes, never drive in your "good" shoes. It makes the backs wear out too soon. Drive in old shoes and change when you reach your destination.
By Bonnie
Post Feedback: Click Here
Encouraging Kids to Eat Fruits and Veggies
Will your kids eat stew but pick out the vegetables they don't like? To sneak more healthy vegetables into your picky eaters try blending the vegetables to a pulp with a cup or two of water and then pour this into your soup or stew stock.
Of course, you have to season this stock well so they won't taste the vegetables. Add coloring or Kitchen Bouquet Browning and Seasoning Sauce if necessary to make it look like a brown stock.
By Seagrape
Post Feedback: Click Here
Protecting Plants When Spraying for Weeds
I'm ready to spray for weeds again, but this time, to be safe I will put a cardboard box over my rose bushes and lilies while I spray around them. I also use rubber gloves. One year I got sick spraying my 17 rose bushes that I had at my old house. When spraying, make sure there is no chance of hitting the roots of your flowers.
By Ardis Barnes
Post Feedback: Click Here
Saving Money on Blush
Tips for saving money on blush. Post your ideas.
Eye Shadow for Blush
I have a pal who doesn't buy blush makeup for her cheeks. She says she buys cheap powdered eye shadow when on sale. She specifically buys one in a shade for her cheeks, to use just for blush. She says she saves aa lot of money by doing this.
By Terri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Uses for Coffee Filters
Ideas and tips for coffee filters. Post your ideas below!
A coffee filter is just the right size for little hands to use to hold a sandwich. Easier than a napkin!
By Linda
Post Feedback: Click Here
Adopting Older Cats
There are many older cats (over 6) at shelters looking for a good home. They are older and wiser, but often free. if you can give a cat a good home don't just look at the kittens!
By Nadine
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ran Out of Onion Powder?
I ran out of onion powder, it was at night and we only have one grocery store and it was closed. I searched my mind, and this was my solution. I had a coffee grinder and I had a lot of dried chopped onion so I ground my own onion powder. Worked great.
By charleeta
Post Feedback: Click Here
Clutter Baskets
I hate to see clutter when I come home or when I get up in the morning. When my three boys were still young and at home I found a solution that really worked. I kept a box or basket for each of them. Instead of me picking up and putting their things away, it went into their basket. No real rules or conversations or demands. "If you can't find it, I may have put it in your basket". The first day of the month, if there were any items in their baskets, I threw it out. Ouch, that even hurt me. We only had the baskets for two months. We didn't need them after that.
By Ardis Barnes
Post Feedback: Click Here
Replacement Tops for Chapstick
I have found that the tops of chapstick type lipsticks get lost a lot around kids. I use the tops smaller markers as a replacement. Some of them fit perfectly. I keep a collection of these caps for just such a purpose. The markers quickly dry out when left uncovered so I just recycle them.
By RacingtoElrod
Post Feedback: Click Here
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
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
Liquid Nail Glue and Fiberglass Sink
We put in a fiberglass sink and now I have liquid nail glue on the Formica counter. How would I go about removing it safely without damaging the counter or the sink?
Sandy
Post Feedback: Click Here
Removing Sharpie Marker From Paper
Does anyone know how to remove sharpie marker from a yearbook page? It's on glossy color pages.
Jessie
Post Feedback: Click Here
New Car with Bad Smell
I just got new car, which had mice in it. The mice are out, but they used mothballs to get the mousey smell out. I had it professionally cleaned. The cleaner seemed to get the mothball scent out at first, but now that I've driven it, I can smell mothballs and the cleaner. I've tried Febreeze, and air fresheners, and I don't know what else to do!
Beth (16) from Sask.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Fluid in Cats Ears
My cat seams happy and content, she sleeps above my pillow everynight. My husband always rubbs her head when he gets into bed. Lately he noticed she shakes her head when he does it and there is a lot of fluid in her ears, some actually comes out. Does anyone have any feedback on this?
Thanks,
Destiny
Post Feedback: Click Here
Wedding Theme Compromise
I'm Paulette. We live in the city of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia, PA). My fiancé wants a wedding in his parent's backyard with a Hawaiian theme (Pig roast!). I want a church wedding and /or reception held at the local arboretum or park mansion. How can we compromise so that we both can get some of what we each want?
Paulette
Post Feedback: Click Here
Santa Rosa Plum Tree Not Blooming
I live in San Diego and planted a dwarf Santa Rosa plum tree in January of this year. I dug the hole quite deep and planted the tree in steer manure, peat moss and gardening soil and also use a drip system.
The tree is alive, but I don't have any leaves or blossoms on it. I also planted tangerine, apricot, lemon, fig, cherry, lime, pear (the puppies brought this one up to us 2 weeks later, so I had to fence each one in) and an orange tree. They are planted in my canyon offset and I regularly baby them.
I bought the plum at Lowe's and it looks the same as the day I bought it! I've gardened for years, but never planted fruit trees. I would really appreciate any help on what's wrong!
Thanks!
Georgette
Post Feedback: Click Here
Clean Patent Leather Shoes
How do I clean black patent leather children's shoes?
jg
Post Feedback: Click Here
2 Course Meal for Under $4
I am looking for a 2 course meal for under $4.
Bob from Ohio
Post Feedback: Click Here
Harvesting the Leaves of a Stevia Herb Plant
I am interested in knowing how I can harvest and use the leaves off of a Stevia herbal plant. This plant is used for artificial sugar for people like myself who are diabetic. I have a huge plant but no idea what to do with it. I tried seeping some leaves in hot tea, but nothing happened. Please help!
Thanks,
Carol
Post Feedback: Click Here
How Do You Make New T-shirts Look Vintage?
I read somewhere once that if you had a brand new t-shirt that was a polyester, cotton blend that you could soak it in some kind of salt solution to eat away some of the cotton and make it look more vintage and worn. Does anyone know what that solution is made up of or if anything else works?
Thanks for any help you can offer :)
Christine
Post Feedback: Click Here
Stains on a Yellow Raincoat
How do I clean stains from a child's yellow raincoat?
jg
Post Feedback: Click Here
Painting Over Smoke Stains
I had a problem with our gas fireplace and didn't realize it until a few weeks went by. Apparently the flue was never opened all the way, so now I have some dark stains on my ceiling.
Silly me, I went out and bought ceiling paint and started painting. Then I read that you need primer or sealer on first! RRR! I'm not a DIY-type of person, so this has been frustrating.
Anyway, the stains are not black anywhere, but it looks 'shaded' in some areas.
Will it be OK for me to just continue putting coats of regular paint on? If not, do I have to strip the paint, put on primer, and then paint again?
Any help would be much appreciated!
Kev
Post Feedback: Click Here
Rosedale Wallpaper - Beige Rutherglenn item #WP3545
I am looking for a specific wallpaper pattern that I fell in love with in an in store wallpaper book only to be disappointed when I was told it was discontinued. Are you able to HELP? It is a Rosedale Wallpaper (pg.108 of the Rose & Toile book. It is called Beige Rutherglenn item #WP3545. Thank you so much for your time!
Jasmin Desmarais
Post Feedback: Click Here
Scuff Marks on White Leather Shoes
How do I remove scuff marks on children's white leather shoes and the rubber sole?
jg
Post Feedback: Click Here
Removing Peeling Acrylic Paint
I have a bathroom that was wallpapered. We removed the wallpaper, and painted it with two coats of vinyl acrylic enamel paint. Now, the paint is cracking and peeling everywhere. Obviously, we didn't get all of the wallpaper paste off or something. Please, can anyone tell me how to remove all of the paint without ruining the sheetrock (drywall) so we can repaint the room correctly with a primer first?
Gail C
Post Feedback: Click Here
Cleaning an Iron Skillet
I have a lovely old cast iron skillet. I know soap isn't supposed to be used to clean it but how in the world do I scrub off the baked and cooked on mess and know that the pan is clean? What material can I use to 'scrub' my iron skillet besides a sponge or washcloth? I need some thing abrasive.
Also, has anyone had any success in fying eggs in their skillet? My mother swears by it but mine just scorch and well ... now I need help cleaning it off!
Thanks in advance!
Melissa W.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Posting Bathroom Rules When You Have a Septic System
Does anyone have a cute saying about the "rules" pertaining to using the toilet in a household that has a septic system? I would like to post it in the bathroom. I really don't want to explain to everyone that visits us what not to deposit in the toilet.
Recently we had a problem with our septic system due to someone flushing a feminine product down the toilet. I don't think many people are aware of the fact that when you have a septic system in your home that the only thing that can be flushed is toilet paper besides what Mother Nature requires us to do.
Tissues, condoms, and feminine products may cause pipes to clog which can be expensive to repair. I think even if you have public sewers, only toilet paper should be flushed. Thanks for any ideas.
"Mike"
Post Feedback: Click Here
Cleaning Up Kerosine Spill on Non-leather Couch
We had an old kerosine lamp fall off of a mantle in the living room and onto the couch. Some of the kerosine spilled onto the corner of the couch. Does anyone know what I can use to absorb the oil? What is good to use for the stain and smell? Thanks!
Todd Layne
Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
Budget Stretcher Premium
Have you surfed all over the internet looking for a simple way to
manage your finances? Now you don't need to. Budget Stretcher
premium offers everything you need to learn how to get the most
out of your money in one place with no ads or popups to deal
with. Learn more by clicking on the below link:
http://www.budgetstretcherpremium.com
Advertising information available at:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/advertising.html
More Reading:
Give Your Plants Companions
By Ellen Brown Plants make great neighbors, especially to each other. They repel harmful insects, create shade and windbreaks for each other, help each other pollinate and even support each others climbing habits. By finding them the right companions, you can enhance the growth and success of every tree, shrub, vegetable and flower in your garden.
Read More: Click Here
A Sensually Scented Home
By Cassandra Stinchcombe There are many ways to scent your home using perfumes and herbs. In today's world, you will find many gadgets on the market that are designed to make your home smell like scented flower fields or warm ocean winds.
Read More: Click Here
Let others know that you like this Ezine:
Vote For the Daily Thrifty Tips
More Stuff
Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Tip Contest!
Submit a tip and enter our contest.
Submit a Request
Frugal solutions to everyday problems.
Search ThriftyFun!
Use Google technology to search ThriftyFun.
| 
