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Hello and Happy Valentine's Day,
Having taken a couple days off leaves us with a ton of new requests to publish. We also have some interesting articles in the More Reading section as well as a link to our latest TF News which contains a lot of Sewing Tips. And as always, we have numerous useful tips to share.
Thank you to everyone that has been submitting tips, we really appreciate it. We are about 10 days behind on publishing tips, so if you haven't seen your tips yet, they will be published shortly. The only exception would be if we have published a similar or identical tip recently, we are trying to limit duplication.
Tomorrow is the last day to enter our latest tip contest. You can enter it here:
Enter The Tip Contest:
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Our photo contest runs for the entire month, you can entire the photo contest here:
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Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
Today's Tips:
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Donner (American White Shepherd)
This is a picture of me and our newest "furbaby" Donner. We are standing in the campground in Copper Harbor Mi on a cold but very beautiful day. Donner is a five year old American white shepard who was an orphan at the humane society. We fell in love and he's no longer an orphan! He's a real sweetie! :-) Karin from Mi
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This is my dog Muppet, shes's a Heinz 57 and loves Yorkshire Puddings! She loves them for Sunday dinner just like everyone else in the family does!
She like to eat them outside and the birds like to pinch them so she has to watch over them like a hawk!
By Cath
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Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a prize. You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Today's Tips
Instead of using the standard shoe box for your kids Valentine's mailbox, decorate an empty cereal box instead. It fits better in their backpacks.
By Loretta
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1. Start the day with something different wish Happy Valentines with a sweet message at 12 midnight.
2. Plan your day well in advance where to go and so that not even a single second be wasted.
3. Valentine's Day is special therefore don't forget to give a special gift to that special partner.
4. To make it different from other days get ready in a purely different outlook so that it attracts your partner.
5. Don't forget to share the every movement by sometimes giving a kiss and other times may be a hard hug. Every time saying I LOVE YOU.
6. The fragrance you will use that day put a bit of that on your partners palm or near his heart while leaving him so that he can not sleep whole night thinking of you only.
By karuna
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Low Calorie Treats for Valentine's Day
Having trouble finding a low calorie treat for your slightly overweight significant other? Make a cake out of no-fat chocolate whipped cream topped with a heart of luscious red strawberries!
Happy Valentine's Day!
By Kenneth Hoffman
Editor's Note: Feel free to post your favorite low-cal Valentine's Day treats.
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To make a permanent, strong stencil, save the hard clear plastic that comes out of bacon. Wash it, and draw your design on it and use an exacto knife to cut it out. It is very durable and holds up well.
By Mary Jane
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Memorial in the Garden - Heart and Tear Shaped Flower Beds
If you have a special person or pet you want to honor or remember, here is a design that I did in my garden. I made a heart design and a tear design by digging up the grass and making a flower garden and a shrub garden to honor someone special. It is in the shape of a heart and has a hemlock tree planted in it for the special person. Also I planted roses and flowers in the tear shape garden when I was sad. This also helps to deal with your sadness. You also have somewhere you can go and meditate.
By Mary Jane
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I made a great recipe book out of an old photo album. This way when I accidently spill something, all I have to do it wipe it off and it's as good as new. I often include a picture of the item, too.
By imaqt1962
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Reusing Dairy Containers For Tomato Based Leftovers
Reuse your cottage cheese, butter, sour cream containers, etc. for leftovers, especially for those containing tomato based foods that will stain. I send these home with my daughters with leftovers in them and if they bring them back they get refilled, if not no big loss.
By imaqt1962
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Flat Rate Boxes For Shipping To Troops Overseas
For those that are sending priority mailed items, the post office now offers a flat rate box up to 70 pounds to anywhere in the United States for $7.70 this also includes packages being mailed to service people overseas. Post Feedback: Click Here
The spatula collection that is sold thru Pampered Chef parties are the BEST kind anywhere. The heads are made of heavy duty silicone and can be used on the stovetop for cooking in a hot skillet, pan, or wok.
By Las Vegas Angel
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An Alternate to Shoveling Snow
If you get just a light, fluffy snow, before you bring, out the Post Feedback: Click Here
Refreshing Used Swiffer Cloths
Refresh your used swiffer cloths by first hand washing to remove the inside dirt. To remove the particles stuck to the outside, it needs to be in a container to allow it to float. I do this in the bath tub. Post Feedback: Click Here
Frugal Mouth Guard for Teeth Grinding
Because of nightly teeth grinding I was told by my dentist that I needed to wear a plastic mouth guard to save my teeth. He would fit it. The cost, $500, I'm not kidding. That was way out of my price range. Wal-Mart carries the Doctors Mouth Guard for only $20. I fit it myself, and it worked great. But wait, this cheap little piece of plastic didn't seem worth $20. I strolled over to the sporting goods department, and found a clear plastic mouth guard for 97 cents. Again, it moulded to my teeth to perfection. I just love when I save $499.03. Post Feedback: Click Here
Sew an extra pouch on the inside or outside of Kool Aid bags to make a pocket. Post Feedback: Click Here
I use microwave safe covered containers to store leftovers in the fridge. I put a piece of masking tape on the lid and write what it is and when I put it in the fridge with a sharpie marker. It helps my husband to see if there is anything in the leftover dishes that he can have for lunch. And I can determine when it is time to remove anything that has not been used in a timely manner.
By Harlean from Arkansas
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I always hated to toss the empty plastic containers for softeners, laundry soap and other similar products. I decided that the lid could be used for different craft projects. View Article: Click Here
Removing Hair Dye from the Bathroom Wall
After dying my hair last weekend, I discovered dye spots on the bathroom wall - something I was especially unhappy about as a renter ;) Post Feedback: Click Here
To prevent my ears/neck/hairline from getting covered in tell-tale dye spots when I dye my hair, I smear vaseline on them. Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Whip softened cream cheese. Mix in lemonade and condensed milk. Add 3/4 whipped topping. Fold in 3/4 of the blueberries. Pour into two graham cracker crusts. Garnish with remaining ingredients.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Combine in large bowl: margarine, brown sugar, and syrup. Microwave for 6 minutes on high. Stir. Microwave 2 minutes more. Remove and add soda and vanilla. Mix well. In large paper sack pour in Crispix mix and dry roasted peanuts. Pour mix over cereal and nuts. Stir. Heat in microwave 1 1/2 minutes. Stir. Heat 1 1/2 minutes. Stir. Heat 1 minute more. Remove from bag and spread on wax paper. Cool. Break apart and store in airtight container. Add 1 cup M&M's when cool.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix gelatin, hot water, pie filling, and pineapple. Let chill until almost set. Warm yogurt and cheese to room temperature. Work together in a bowl. Mix into partially set first mixture. May mix in nuts or sprinkle over top.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
In double boiler melt chips, sugar, salt, water. Heat to boiling (stir). Add egg yolks. Cook. Cool. Add whites and cream, vanilla. Layer in 9x13 inch pan; cake, then mix, cake, mix.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix together. Layer with apples, cinnamon, and sugar. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice to bring out flavor of apples. Fills two 9x13 inch pans. Bake until bubbly, topping browns, at 325-350 degrees F.
By Robin
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New Requests:
I would like to know some simple quick recipes for food for valentine's day for a dinner meal. Post Feedback: Click Here
Safe Way To Get Rid Of Gophers
My yard is full of gopher mountians and I don't know what to do about it. Does anyone know of a safe frugal way to elminate them from my yard? Post Feedback: Click Here
I am looking for a Goulash Recipe. my grandmother made it all of the time but always kicked me out of the kitchen? does anyone have this recipe? Post Feedback: Click Here
Retirement Party For A Sheriff
I need some ideas for my husbands retirement from the sheriffs dept of 36 years. I am open to any ideas...thanks for any help you might have. I also need some ideas for a retirement gift from me to him. Post Feedback: Click Here
I'm about to buy a house that has a kitchen with green marble-ish counter tops. They are a hunter/dark green. The floor is split brick. The walls are currently an orange-ish tan and the cabinets are an off-white. All the appliances are black. I need ideas for paint colors that will compliment the counters and not make them look so out of place. Also, the kitchen kind of blends into the den which i wanted to paint a lighter green/olive color. I'm not sure I can make that work. Any comments would be VERY helpful! Thanks! Post Feedback: Click Here
Does anyone know where you can buy Koolaid purses, capri purses, ceral boxes purses wholesale. I would like to start selling them at trade shows and do not have time to make them, but would like to sell them. Please let me know if anyone is interested in wholesaling or knows someone who does. Thanks for the help Post Feedback: Click Here
Our Moma guinea pig escaped into the vegetable garden some weeks ago. This is an area of about an eigth of an acre with large shrubs and bushes, a hothouse with a jungle of foliage plants, many clumps of herbs and other plants all providing unlimited hiding places. Moma has since had babies - we see them shooting under places we have no hope of catching them from when we go into the garden. Meanwhile we have no vegetables; everything is eaten off by marauding gp's as fast as it grows. Post Feedback: Click Here
New Dresser Smell Getting On Clothing
I just purchased a dresser for my baby's room and it has that new wood smell. All of my baby's clothes are picking up the smell. Does anyone know how to eliminate the odor? Post Feedback: Click Here
Does anyone have a recipe for non-yeast crescent rolls? (like the kind from a can.) I used to have it and I know that you cut the butter and lard in with a pastry blender. But I cannot seem to find it anywhere. I have tried looking online but the only ones I can find are for the yeast-rolls. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could share this recepie with me. Post Feedback: Click Here
My brother-in-law just got a work van that smells of cigarette smoke really bad. How can he get rid of the smell? There is no carpeting in it. Post Feedback: Click Here
Being Frugal and Single on Low Income
I would like to see information about being frugal and single at the same time. I have a part-time job and live alone. I have to grocery shop at a food bank. I need easy and frugal recipes for 1. How to make ends meet better and how to stretch the dollar. All the frugal sites address people living on 2 full time salaries.
Post Feedback: Click Here
My POOR GOLDEN LAB knocked a candle warmer off onto his coat, and now is covered in candle wax! I tried to explain to him it was not his fault, but now he looks kind of weird, AND feels embarrassed. :( any suggestions? I don't think ironing him will work, and I don't want to cut his fur yet. Darn. Hate it when that happens. Post Feedback: Click Here
My sister brought her cat up when she stayed with me the cat was covered in fleas, now the cat is gone but fleas are everywhere. I tried flea sprays for carpets but they won't die. Any ideas please. Post Feedback: Click Here
How to clean a coach leather handbag?
Can anyone tell me how to clean a coach leather handbag/purse? Is there a homemade recipe for cleaning leather purses? Thanks and please reply asap. Post Feedback: Click Here
I would like some unique idea's for a man's 50th Birthday. I don't want to have the usual over the hill black balloons etc. Something a little more cheery is what I'm looking for. Any idea's? Post Feedback: Click Here
Gadgets - Which Ones Are Worth It?
Hi Susan, Post Feedback: Click Here
What is the best way to clean inside the bottom of a toaster oven? All that dried on gunk. Help! Post Feedback: Click Here
Taking Nail Polish from Black 100% Polyester Coat
My coat is a Black 100% polyester feather down coat (outside and lining) I had a nail polish stain that I tried to take out with Nail polish remover but it didn't come out and it made the spot white. Is there anything I can do to take it out without damaging the fabric. Help, Erica from Jersey.
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Business Name Ideas - Home Decorating Business
I am thinking about starting a Home Decorating Business, but only doing kids rooms. I need some business name ideas. Some I've thought of are: "Home Suite Home", "Suite Relief", and, "Room Service". Would love to hear some other ideas. Also, I'm trying to think of a logo too. I don't know, maybe the name needs to be representative of Kids Rooms only. Help me brainstorm; I'm low on brain function lately!! Thx-a-bunch Marnita
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A guest spilled a glass of red wine on my ivory sofa. The fabric is labeled "S" for using only solvent based cleaners. I have tried GoofOff but it didn't help that much. Any suggestions? Thanks from Cynthia.
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Help with Sewing Stretchy Fabric?
How do i sew stretchy fabrics. When i try to sew them (using a basic "stretch" zig-zag stitch, and a ballpoint needle), the stitched area comes out all warped and stretched out. The problem, I think, is that the sewing machine foot (the part that presses and holds the fabric in place) squishes the stretchy fabric as is it being sewn, and the thread holds it that way. Post Feedback: Click Here
Need Microwave Rice Pudding Recipe
I had a recipe for microwave rice pudding and lost it. It was easy and quick. Post Feedback: Click Here
Instructions For Making a Round Loom and Knitting Board
is there any one that could share instruction to make a round loom. Also a knitting board. I would be very grateful for any help. Post Feedback: Click Here
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More Reading:
Photo Art Using your Scanner
Photo or Scanner Art is a simple way to capture still life images that can be turned into creative pieces of art to decorate your home.
View Article: Click Here
10 Free Gift Ideas for a Birthday
All of us know that the greatest gifts in life don't cost money. They do take time to think and create. Whether you are looking for ideas for a 21st birthday, 16th, 3rd, or 65th, these ideas will help you create some memorable moments and affect lives. Substitute the X for the birthday number. You can even be creative and use these same ideas for expectant mothers.
View Article: Click Here
5 Easy Ways to Add Spring to your Decor
If you are getting Spring Fever below are some frugal ways to add some early Spring color to your home decor.
View Article: Click Here
4 Simple & Painless Ways to Save Money
Week after week would slip by and I would have the good intention of putting a set amount aside (usually 10% as so many finance and money books advocate) of my income for savings. But week after week, I just never seemed to have anything left over. I know, I know you're thinking that I should be paying myself first and a minimum of 10% at that. Well, when the bills arrive and your paycheck just barley covers those expenses, then what? This is when I decided to create simple and painless ways of saving money by saving in ways that don't make me feel like I am missing something or going without. By saving in small consistent amounts everyday I have been able to amass a sizable savings that have come in handy when life has thrown financial curve balls at me from medical expenses to new tires to vacation expenses. Specifically I started using the following simple and painless techniques to save money.
View Article: Click Here
Frugal Decorating for a Banquet Hall
I love to use "frugal" decorating... I think people appreciate it more too. Here are a few ideas...
View Article: Click Here
View Article: Click Here
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Search ThriftyFun!
This is really great for me as I have a son in Afghanistan and it was costing me a small fortune to ship packages. Just go to
Click on Shipping Supplies. Once you have done that, click on Priority Mail,
By imaqt1962
shovel, try using a leaf blower. -- It works really well and you may save yourself some work!
By jkv
Simply allow it to suspend on top of the water while taking a scrub brush ( older is better) and gently brush across the top, in a sweeping motion, catching the particles in the brush. Flip and do the other side, then squeeze and hang dry. They will be fluffier than new and can be done dozens of times.
By Ceil
By Tightwad
By Cathy
Here's a few; put some rocks in the bottom of the lid for weight, cover with batting, cover with material to form a large ball that is about 2 inches above the lip. You can now glue material or other items such as buttons on the outside and you have a cute pin cushion.
The smaller lids can be used as hats for your crafts, like for a snowman.
The containers can be put over plants in your garden when there is a chance of frost. I wouldn't recommend the ones that hold bleach.
My husband uses them to hold the old oil and transmission fluid when he changes them.
I would like to know any other ideas someone might have for them.
By RoseMary
I went after the spots with Ajax and a whole host of other cleaners before I finally resorted to using some Sno-Bowl (toilet bowl cleaner) and a sponge; the spots came right out! I was impressed.
Make sure you leave the bathroom window open if you use this method, however, as the smell of the cleaner tends to hang out for quite a while.
Happy dye-ing :)
By Ashley
Even if I do get dye on these areas, the vaseline acts as a barrier from keeping the dye off of my skin and wipes off easily when I'm done.
By Ashley
New Contest! $30.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on February 15th.
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html
Ann
Thanks for your help,
Rhonda
Theresa from Georgia
Jodi
Lindsey from Alabama.
Sherrie
We've tried setting a trap-door cage with bread and with apple, but of course the little varmits have plenty to eat without going into the trap.
I don't hold out much hope for a solution, but just maybe someone out there knows of something even the best-fed guinea pig couldn't resist as bait, or have some other idea of how we could catch them.
Lori from Australia
Jennifer
Bella from Arizona
Donna J.
Buddy and Diana
SW Idaho
Elaine from England
Candice
Thanks
Scooter from Tx
I can't tell you how much I enjoy your newsletter. Over the months, I have learned so many things. Now, I keep a journal of the hints I receive!
Today someone mentioned a worthless gadget. Maybe readers could write in about gadgets that are actually worth the money on the info commercials. You always see them and wonder if there is value in them.
Have a super weekend.
Sandy
Patty
I tried sewing with the foot off, and the sewn fabric comes out less stretched, but it's difficult to sew without the guiding foot, and ultimately I think I'm still not doing this right.
help! thanks. - nora
Thanks in advance if anyone has one.
Liz from Arizona
Charleen
By J Black
By Catherine Franz
By Angela Billings
By Jona Kessans
By Karen Armacost
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