Daily Thrifty Tips - February 27, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 41, February 27, 2008 (Read It Online) We have gotten some great feedback on the request we published yesterday about Dealing With Credit Card Debt. You can track the responses here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64076462.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: Baby Girl Shower Cake Dazed Hawk Cody (Beagle/Springer Spaniel) Today's Tips: Removing Soap Build Up from Laundry Use Cheap Coffee For Hand Scrubber Padding for Walker Hand Grips Place Dog Hair In Your Yard For Nesting Material Cleaning Shower Heads Use Italian Dressing To "Fix" Overcooked Food Vinegar to Remove Smelly Cooking Odors Add Aluminum Foil to Your Bread Bowl Avoid Domed Burgers By Indenting Middle Joke of the Day New Requests: White Mold Growing on Plant Soil Website for Label Templates Please Help Me Choose a Paint Color! Milky White Spots on Laminate Flooring Can a Crock Pot Liner Be Used in the Oven? Making Homemade Granola Bars Removing Rust Stains on Driveway and Walls Is Walmart Paint Quality Paint? Primer Vs. Kiltz Storing Used Coffee Grounds Until Spring Choosing a Paintbrush Best Way to Pay for Things Overseas Reusing Foil Cereal Bags Making a Photo Quilt Star Wars 'Stikarounds' Pre-cut Plastic Canvas Letters Renting Items for a Wedding Reception Tomato Relish Wild's Ezy-sauce Choosing a Prom Theme Looking for a Straight or Mermaid Style Prom Dress Trimming a Bird's Nails Removing Paint from 100% Polyurethane Jacket Cheap White Tower Vases Frugal Sightseeing in San Francisco White Fuzz on Black Clothing 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: Baby Girl Shower Cake This baby shower cake was a hit! IT'S A GIRL! By Linda from Alpharetta, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42587855.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dazed Hawk A hawk crashed into our sliding glass door and was dazed. After getting up, it just stood there and looked at me. After half an hour, happily, it flew away with no apparent injury. By Coachsmum from Salem, CT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49762657.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cody (Beagle/Springer Spaniel) Cody is 10 months old. His Dad is a Beagle and Mom is a Springer Spaniel. We got Cody from a classmate of our daughter's. Cody loves to chew up any and all stuffed animals he can find. He is a big chewer. I have been watching a friend's 6 month old and he has decided he is going to care for this baby himself. If he can get in the same room with the sleeping baby, he lays as close to him as he can. When I feed the baby, Cody stands on a chair to watch to be sure I am doing it right. By Brenda from Williamsburg, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59867749.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: Removing Soap Build Up from Laundry I have a front load washer that saves energy with the water and electricity. I have found that my clothes are in need of softening up. There seemed to be a soap build up in them. I have a "rinse only" button on my machine. I rinse the clothes first with white vinegar to remove any soap build up. Then I wash with 1/2 the soap and fabric softener, plus put the load on a light wash cycle. I have found my clothes are softer and the cost to do a load is less. Source: My own idea. By Sheila from Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14839832.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Cheap Coffee For Hand Scrubber I keep a crock of cheap coffee by the sink and use it to dip some out to scrub my hands after cutting onions and garlic. It really works to eliminate the odors! By Pattie from Bridgton Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41068094.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Padding for Walker Hand Grips I am temporarily having to use a walker and wanted to cushion the hand grips. I took a couple strips of foam tubing used to wrap pipes and covered them with socks that have the rubber/vinyl grips on the bottom. I wrapped the hand rest of my walker with them and tightened plastic pull ties on each end for security. They work great as cushions. When the socks get dirty, I cut the plastic strips and put on a clean pair of socks! (I tried using the foam tubing without the socks but it rubbed off on my hands turning them black). Source: The source is my own idea because my hands were getting sore from the weight I am having to put on the walker. By Linda from Arlington, Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14890297.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Place Dog Hair In Your Yard For Nesting Material Don't throw away all that hair that you brush off your dog. I place mine in the yard and the squirrels, chipmunks and birds go crazy using it for nesting materials. Since I have two German SHEDDERS *G* we have a lot of fur to share. Note: I have no idea how the birds would react to cat hair! *g*. By Christine from Sterling, Virginia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40515169.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning Shower Heads The cleaning gals used real lemon juice they squeezed on the show. Put the juice in a baggie, put the shower head in the baggie, zipped it up and left it at least 15-20 minutes (show time) then took it out, rinsed it off, polished it and reinstalled it. Looked good to me. Of course, they said, could take longer or shorter time depending on how blocked the shower head was. Just keep soaking it until it is clean. Source: Don't remember who told me. By Randa from San Marcos Tx Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19075101.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Italian Dressing To "Fix" Overcooked Food I have to tell everyone out there about a little tip I've came up with from pure necessity. I was in a hospital in Los Angeles for a week and, after the first meal, I knew I had to do something to the food to be able to eat it because I am not a vegetarian. My chicken was baked DRY and I almost threw it out, until I looked at the little packages of Italian dressing they supplied, and I thought "heck why not, I can't make it taste any worse." To make a long story short, I used 2 packages on the chicken and gosh it was delicious. I used the dressing on the dry green beans, tomatoes and on a piece of baked fish. I liked all of it. By Louise from Cibola, AZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61978806.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Vinegar to Remove Smelly Cooking Odors After cooking fish, broccoli or anything with an odor, simply set a bowl of vinegar in the room overnight and the odor will be gone. By Debra from Hampton, Tennessee Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54035821.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Add Aluminum Foil to Your Bread Bowl To keep rolls or other bread items warm longer, crumple aluminum foil at the bottom of your bread bowl. Then put your bread napkin in as usual. This is especially great for parties or potlucks when the bread will have to sit out for a long period of time. By Stella from Manchester, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96265617.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Avoid Domed Burgers By Indenting Middle Avoid the dome effect when cooking hamburgers (your burger plumped in the middle). Before cooking, make a large enough indent in the middle on both sides. Works for me. Source: myself By Keeper from NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38544320.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dear Webby's Joke of the Day As a school principal in rural NC, I have heard nearly every excuse for a student's being late for school, but Arnold's topped them all. He came into my office looking somewhat tired and bedraggled, but anxious to explain his nearly one hour tardiness. 'Our chickens have been disappearing.' He said. 'And Pa made up his mind to put a stop to it. But nothing happened for several nights. Then last night about 3 o'clock, Pa got me and Ol' Blue and his shot gun, all cocked and loaded, to go out with him to the chicken house to see what was going on.' He went on. 'Well, Pa sleeps in his birthday suit, and as he bent over to go into the chicken house Ol' Blue cold-nosed Pa where he didn't expect it. Both barrels went off. Ever since then we've been up a-cleanin' and a-pickin' more than 50 chickens. I missed the bus and had to walk 3 miles to school. As I handed him his 'Excused' slip, he muttered, 'I sure hope we don't have no chicken for lunch this week.' Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: White Mold Growing on Plant Soil Several of my houseplants have developed a white mold on the soil. What would cause this, and what can I do? I water my plants once a week, and they have good south sun. I also took someone's advice and have dumped coffee grounds on some of the pots. This has happened on the geraniums and other plants as well. Thanks in advance! Kim from Crawford, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30502980.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Website for Label Templates Some time back I stumbled upon a website with a zazillion templates and, of course, I didn't bookmark it or write it down. Now I really would like to have it. It had templates for all sizes of candy bar wrappers, life savers, lollipops, gift cards, seed packets, tea bags, recipe cards, wine labels, water bottle labels, paint cans, etc. There was so much stuff I can't remember them all. I did a Google search but could not find the right site. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. Margaret from Denton, Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57885975.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Please Help Me Choose a Paint Color! My master bedroom we just painted deep red (i love it). My hall wall is chocolate brown I still need to paint the two extra rooms! I need help deciding what color to paint them. Do you have any ideas? Sarah from Hamburg, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf786455.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Milky White Spots on Laminate Flooring Has anyone ever had trouble with milky white spots on laminate flooring? I have these all over my laminate flooring for no rhyme or reason. I have always used mild cleaners ie. Pergo Floor Cleaner or H2O with just a dab of Windex or Vinegar. I feel like I am going crazy trying to figure this out and I have had no help from the company that installed it. Thanks a mill Mary from Green Bay, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19631901.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Can a Crock Pot Liner Be Used in the Oven? Can a crock pot (slow cooker) ceramic liner be used in a regular oven? Holly from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55114937.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making Homemade Granola Bars I'm looking for a recipe for homemade granola bars. Preferably one without too much sugar. Any ideas? teddygirl Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55481402.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Rust Stains on Driveway and Walls I use well water for my lawn. How do I remove the rust stains from my driveway and walls? Brick Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87403135.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Is Walmart Paint Quality Paint? Do you think Walmart paint is just as good as the other or should I buy from Home Depot or Sherwin Williams? Priscilla from Zwolle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73529969.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Primer Vs. Kiltz What is the difference between Primer and Kiltz? I am painting over paneling and also sheet rock, those will be painted with latex paint and the molding will be painted with oil based. Which should I use, primer or Kiltz? Priscilla from Zwolle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36515051.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Storing Used Coffee Grounds Until Spring I have been saving used coffee grounds for the garden. However, we live in the Midwest, so I need to store them until Spring. How do I store them so they don't get moldy? Hardiness Zone: 5a Michelle from Milwaukee, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47941394.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Choosing a Paintbrush Are there certain types of paintbrushes I should use when painting with Latex paint and also Oil based paint? Priscilla from Zwolle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51117163.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Best Way to Pay for Things Overseas I'm going to Holland/Belgium in April. I intend to by Euros at my local bank for minimum spending and charge what I can on my Master Card. Is this a good idea or should I buy a prepaid MasterCard? Would I avoid fees this way? Some have suggested I draw from ATMs when Euros are needed. Any advice from more savvy folks out there? Monica from Northeast, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93406562.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Reusing Foil Cereal Bags Is there a use for the aluminum foil bags that some cereal comes in? Carole from Salem, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20552066.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making a Photo Quilt Has anyone ever made a photo quilt? I am thinking about making one for my daughter's graduation. Any suggestions and/or ideas? Sheila from Chittenango, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26549692.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Star Wars 'Stikarounds' I am looking for Star Wars bedroom 'Stikarounds' for my son's bedroom. Karen from UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53302672.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pre-cut Plastic Canvas Letters Does anyone know where you can purchase pre-cut plastic canvas letters? Janet from Waterloo, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57511166.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Renting Items for a Wedding Reception Does anyone have any leads on how to rent chair covers, chargers and mirrors for a reception? I need chocolate brown and camel colors. Mary from Belleville, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27054351.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tomato Relish Wild's Ezy-sauce I would like the recipe for tomato relish using Wild's Ezy-sauce. Teena from Highclere, Tasmania Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12344690.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Choosing a Prom Theme Prom theme ideas that would go along with a picture background including a fire place. Breanne from Everett, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42013349.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking for a Straight or Mermaid Style Prom Dress I graduated high school last year, but since the boyfriend is a year younger, I have one more prom to attend. I'm looking for an inexpensive prom dress, preferably not poofy. I'd rather have a straighter dress or even a mermaid style. I'm a size 4. Taylor from Illinois Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26768155.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Trimming a Bird's Nails My parakeet, Charlie, has grown some super long nails. I don't know what the bird is supposed to do to keep them trim, and there's no one in my family that will trim them. Does anyone know a step by step way to trim a bird's nails and what I can use? Jay Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28901141.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Paint from 100% Polyurethane Jacket I just received a beautiful black hip length jacket made of Polyurethane. I tried it on and it looks KILLER on me if I do say so myself! That's when I noticed on the left shoulder a thin vertical line of silver metallic paint about 1/4" to 1/2" in width and about 1 1/2" long. Also there's another 2" long, 1/4" wide streak directly down from the shoulder! Do any of you have any ideas on how I might be able to clean this and remove the metallic paint? The outer shell of the jacket is made of 100% polyurethane and the INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLEANING on the inside tag read: CLEAN WITH DAMP SPONGE, WIPE DRY, DO NOT DRY CLEAN, DO NOT IRON. This has got me severely stumped! Any suggestions? I'd be forever grateful. Thank you so very much. richmondred from Richmond, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53606654.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cheap White Tower Vases I'm looking for cheap white tower vases, 24 inches. Please Help. I need about 25 of them. Maria from Matawan, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24358921.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Frugal Sightseeing in San Francisco We are traveling to San Francisco and are looking for frugal sightseeing and restaurant tips. Thanks. Tina from Ashland, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67586804.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print White Fuzz on Black Clothing I always have white fuzz like marks on my black clothes after they dry. I have to take a wet cloth and rub off the marks. Is there something I can do so this does not happen. Thanks Moe11 from NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42883360.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.