Daily Thrifty Tips - August 15, 2007

Volume Six, Number 157, August 15, 2007 (Read It Online) Here are links to the recalls I mentioned yesterday. Mattel Announces Massive Recall Of Toys With Magnetic Pieces http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29343974.tip.html Mattel Recalls "Sarge" Die Cast Toy Cars Due To Violation of Lead Safety Standard http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29343974.tip.html Thanks for reading, Susan Send to a Friend! Share a Tip (You could win $25!) Share a Photo (You could win $25!) Have a Question? Submit a request... Link to ThriftyFun.com View Active Topics! 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: "The Punisher" Birthday Cake Flower Bed Glider Walden Acorn Bracelet and Bark Wall Hang Living Room in Gananoque Cloe (Catahoula) Today's Tips: Ask About Discounts And Specials Counter and Bathtub Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide Tip For Saving Prepackaged Salad Mix Use Fabric Dye For Staining Wood Look For Nail Polish And Other Toiletries At Rummage Sales Keeping Squirrels Out of the Garden Freecycle - A way to recycle goods in your local area New Requests: Restoring Vintage Formica Table Aggressive Young Labradoodle Mexican Cookie Recipe Crab Casserole Recipe From Chinese Buffet Where To Find Whippoorwill Pea Seed November 2007 Deferred Billing Code For Newport News Catalog Making Inexpensive Wall Hooks Searching For Surname "Tolley" Help With HP Printer & Windows Vista Help Breeding Zebra Finches Taper Candle Molds Advice For a Wallpapering Camper Preventing Sludge Buildup In Sewer Pipe Reusing Wornout Capri Pants Pumpkins Turning Orange Early Removing Paint From Gazebo Curtains & Canopy Homemade Shower Cleaner Removing Bed From Sofa Cloths For Swiffer Mops What Is New In Flooring? Yellowed Linoleum Tiles Getting Rid of Crickets Cooking Chicken Legs on a Gas Grill 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: "The Punisher" Birthday Cake Finding the right cake for a 16th birthday party for my son was impossible. So I browsed websites my son likes, found "The Punisher" picture to look at while forming, decorating his cake. I bought all cake mixes and frosting on sale. I had the black candles. After frosting the cake, I used Reese's Pieces for accent. The total cost was about $7.00 and 3 hours of my time. It was a hit. By Rachel from Richmond, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77216718.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Flower Bed Glider Want something different for your flower garden or front yard? Use an old iron chair or glider, as I have used, to create a flower bed. I lined the bottom with coconut shell liners, filled with potting soil and planted away! I planted ivy to cover the back and sides and then every year I plant what ever annuals that catches my eye. They are fun and decorative! By Tammie from Moody, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67953965.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Walden Acorn Bracelet and Bark Wall Hang After a long drive (sadly enough it wasn't within reasonable biking distance) to Walden Pond and back, I created a hemp strung bracelet using acorns along with a piece of bark accented with blue jay feathers and the carving of "BE". BEing at Walden was a phenomenal experience; to stand in the same woods where Thoreau once lived, laughed, saw, ate, and of course, wrote. I hope you enjoy the crafts. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86828654.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Living Room in Gananoque This is my friends house in Gananoque, their living room. By Mila from Kingston, ON Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98417718.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cloe (Catahoula) Cloe is a 1 year old Catahoula. I rescued her when she was 5 months old. She likes to play, chew and shake her toys. She is a clown, very loving and smart. By Terry from LI, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72871918.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! Today's Tips: Ask About Discounts And Specials Here's a little trick that could save you big bucks: When dealing with a service or business, ask if they have anything on special. For example: I needed new glasses. I asked the lady if they had anything on special and I got two discounts! This saved me over a hundred dollars. Many services and businesses will give you a discount but only if you ask. By Joan from Chesapeake, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99591716.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Counter and Bathtub Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide works good to clean stains on counters and also stains in bathtubs. By Evelyn from GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32582603.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tip For Saving Prepackaged Salad Mix When I buy a pre-mixed salad bag. I cut the top of the bag with a scissors about 1 inch from the top of the bag all the way across and I use that strip I just cut out to tie and reseal the bag. WORKS GREAT! By Joe from Inver Grove Heights, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97958198.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Fabric Dye For Staining Wood I used a off white throw rug and dyed it 3 different colors. I did strips in blue, brown and green. While doing this, I used a piece of wood that was natural to make my lines. I found out that the brown dye worked well for staining the wood. It turned out better than using a stain plus there where no fumes with it. I think this is a real cool find. The dye works wonderful and looks real nice. By Beth from Cambridge, New York Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35309532.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Look For Nail Polish And Other Toiletries At Rummage Sales Rummage sales are great to buy slightly used but still good nail polish dirt cheap! I have bought slightly used bottles for as low as $.05! Fantastic! Other items are the same way, especially shampoo and conditioner! By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77579856.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Keeping Squirrels Out of the Garden To keep squirrels away from or eating your plants, mix a gallon of water with 6 capfuls of Murphy's Oil Soap and 2 Tbsp. of cayenne pepper, spray onto plants. This does not harm the plants and WILL keep the squirrels away. By Kelly from Largo, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15001484.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Freecycle - A way to recycle goods in your local area For the past year I have discovered the greatest thing! It's called Freecycle. To sign up you go to yahoo groups and type in Freecycle + your city. It will sign you up with an email group where you can get free stuff. This keeps stuff from piling up in the landfill, and recycles, so it's great for the environment. Plus it goes along with the theory that one man's junk is another man's treasure. I have received all kinds of useful things including crib sheets, knife sets, pans, etc. and given things from my garden, kiddie pools, etc. You can also sign up on freecycle.com. Enjoy! By thriftymomof2 from MD http://www.freecycle.org Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf664821.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Friends of ThriftyFun Dear Webby's Humor Letter Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/ More Information: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Restoring Vintage Formica Table I am trying to find out what the "Armstrong/Formica Approved Method" of laminate restoration is for vintage "cracked ice" tables. Jan Folsom from Chelan, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44078022.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Aggressive Young Labradoodle I have a 16 week old male Labradoodle. His biting problems have gotten out of control, and I don't know what to do. He bites arms, fingers, toes...my arms are so scratched up and he draws blood often. Every time I try to discipline him, he thinks I'm playing with him. I've tried: -grabbing his snout, shaking it saying no -just saying "no" or "stop" sternly -grabbing him and turning him over on his back, or picking him up like a baby -using a spray bottle...he ends up pawing at the water or drinking it! -caging him -using a toy as a distraction Either my techniques make the biting worse, or they are just a very short distraction. I can't get anything to work for a long period of time...and I cannot take any more abuse to my arms and fingers. Help! Melissa from Alexandria, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39248243.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Mexican Cookie Recipe Anyone have a good Mexican cookie recipe? I'm going to a party Saturday with a Mexican theme. I was asked to bring dessert. Thanks! Karen from Easthampton, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69414938.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Crab Casserole Recipe From Chinese Buffet I have gone to several Chinese Buffets that have all served a cheesy lump crab casserole (with some type of white sauce ) and also a delicious spinach with cheese casserole. I am almost positive that they both contain mayonnaise. Would anyone have a recipe for these recipes. My mouth is watering in anticipation! Thanks. Nolasandy from Kenner, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86762457.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Where To Find Whippoorwill Pea Seed Does anyone know where I can find the old fashioned whippoorwill pea seed? Hardiness Zone: 8b Egribble from Killeen, Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59083304.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print November 2007 Deferred Billing Code For Newport News Catalog Does anyone have the deferred billing code for Newport News catalog for November 2007? Rhonda from, Chicago Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68108666.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making Inexpensive Wall Hooks I am looking for a way to make fairly inexpensive and unique wall hooks rather than using the typical store-bought ones. An example of this would be the hand models used for displaying jewelry (expensive, even on eBay!) Any ideas? Martha from Pittsfield, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47916942.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Searching For Surname "Tolley" I am looking for people whose surname is TOLLEY. Same as me. Sharon from Australia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44686414.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Help With HP Printer & Windows Vista My computer is a Windows Vista. My copier is an HP Deskjet D1341. Sometimes when I try to copy something it says "offline" and won't print. Then suddenly it starts copying and won't stop. It just made 10 copies of "Busy Day Chocolate Cake". This thing is wasting inkjets and paper. Why does it do this and how do I get it to stop? By the way, it didn't come with an instruction manual, just a diagram showing how to hook it up and a big, fat booklet of other expensive products I can buy from the company. Thanks for any help. Joan from Chesapeaake, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65119795.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Help Breeding Zebra Finches I have a pair of zebra finches and the male has been building the nest for a few weeks now with everything he finds(nesting material from the store, string I've given them,some price tab he found from the cage, and even ivy leaves from next to cage). Hes' making a great home for his family, but they haven't laid any eggs yet. Yes, I've seen them mate, when he makes his "noises" and flaps up on top of her and does his thing and all, and then she does it to him which is weird but they do what they need to do, yet no eggs? Help?! Am I doing something wrong or are they infertile or whats up? Selah W from Spokane,Wa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34189875.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Taper Candle Molds I am looking for 1/2 inch taper candle molds. They must be 1/2 inch on the bottom, and can be any length. Thank you. octoberbabye from Bradenton, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70500375.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Advice For a Wallpapering Camper I'm wanting to paper a small camper. At the moment, it has a vinyl wall covering. I'm planning on removing the wall covering which is similar to contact paper with a hairdryer as suggested on this site. My question...if I leave the adhesive that is still on the walls, will wallpaper pasted with vinyl adhesive adhere to the existing residue, or should I plan on removing it also? Also, is there anyone who might have a better idea to covering camper walls than wallpapering? I'm not wanting to get too carried away, but I know there are always creative minds out there! Thanks, Zazu from KS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42557567.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Preventing Sludge Buildup In Sewer Pipe We just had to have our sewage line cleaned out (city sewer) and they said that there is still a lot of sludge in the pipe. Is there a way to keep sludge from building up? Is there a product to use to "clean" the sewage pipe? Misty from Wooster, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81730063.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Reusing Wornout Capri Pants I have a pair of black linen capri pants that tore across the rear yesterday. This is the second tear in these pants, and the linen just seems very worn, so I don't think they're worth patching again. I'm ever so slowly becoming more thrifty-minded, so even though my first instinct would have been to just throw them out, I'm wondering if anyone out there has any suggestions on how to reuse them. I know I can use the fabric for rags, but any other fun suggestions are welcome too! Thanks. Courtney from NH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55274361.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pumpkins Turning Orange Early My pumpkins have already turned orange. Will they last if I leave them on the vine until Halloween, or will they rot before then? I don't want to pick them yet, as the whole reason I planted them was for Halloween. Thanks! Hardiness Zone: 7a thriftymomof2 from Maryland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95480797.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Paint From Gazebo Curtains & Canopy My partner was painting the fence with green fence paint and the paint accidentally splattered onto my neighbors gazebo curtains and canopy which are cream. How can I get it out? I feel really awful. Paula Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95255935.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Homemade Shower Cleaner How do you keep shower doors clean without using commercial product. editegyed from Philadelphia, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38617186.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Bed From Sofa My couch/sofa bed is old but still looks great and would be easy to slip cover but no one likes the pull out bed. Can I remove the sofa bed inside and still have a usable couch? Thanks, Jois Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12952680.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cloths For Swiffer Mops Where can I get cloths to fit my Swiffer mop? It is 161/2 by 41/2 in size. Dot Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45943032.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print What Is New In Flooring? What's new in flooring when replacing carpet? Judy from Collierville Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34422117.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Yellowed Linoleum Tiles I've a 4 year old white linoleum floor in the kitchen. It's starting to show odd yellowing stains in various places. I'm hoping someone knows the trick to remove these. It's cleaned nearly everyday. Can't understand why these yellow marks are appearing. Sandra B from Montvale, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86415997.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Getting Rid of Crickets My house is being overtaken by crickets! Can anyone give me any tips or advice on getting rid of these things? They are mostly on the outside but there are like millions of them. Now they are starting to come inside, they give me the willys! Any advice greatly appreciated! Thanks, Judy from Eakly, Ok Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55270310.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cooking Chicken Legs on a Gas Grill I make chicken drumsticks on the outdoor gas grill. First I boil it in water until its done, and then I spray the racks well on my outdoor gas grill with PAM and heat the grill. The problem I am having is, when I put the chicken on the grill and turn the drumsticks to brown the other side, the chicken sticks to the grill rack and I wind up losing lots of the pieces of the chicken because it sticks to the racks. How can I prevent this from happening? Thanks for any advice. P.J. from Delaware Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75066246.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print 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 Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.