Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 25, January 25, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We are looking for a topic for this week's TF News. If you have a topic you would like to see addressed, feel free to send it in.
We've received complaints that Virus programs don't like the game
site we mentioned yesterday. We are all Macintosh here and when
we tried it didn't have any problems but we were playing online,
not downloading anything. Just a warning. We certainly don't
want anyone to get a virus.
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Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Simple Toys Are the Best!
- We All Need More Office Help
Today's Tips:
- Homeowners Insurance Discounts
- Interlibrary Loans
- Auto Insurance Discounts
- Save Coupons for Free Items
- How To Get Rid Of Doggy Poo
- Organizing Thread
- Saving Money Going To The Movies
- Big Toilet Paper Holder
- Birds As A Bad Weather Predictor
- Months Supply of Lunches
- Frozen Lunch Items
- Selling at Garage Sales
- Homemade Furniture Polish
- Paying Bills On Time
- Uses for Perfume Advertisements
- Hands Smell After Chopping Onions?
- Keeping Your Home Prepared
New Requests:
- Refrigerator Stopped Working - Removing Odors From Spoiled Food
- Party Games For 5 Year Olds
- Funny Kitten Feeding Habit
- My kitten won't stop sucking my hair!
- Laundry Disaster!
- Sleepover Themes and Crafts
- International Food Festival Decoration Ideas
- Splitting a Peace Lily
- Light Force Therapy
- Cleaning Old Bathroom Tiles
- Graduation Party Ideas
More Reading:
- Saving Energy in the Kitchen
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Switch to NetZero Internet with TRUE BLUE SWITCH for only $9.95 per month!
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Simple Toys Are the Best!
"Hey man, I think you've had enough 'nip' already. The ball is over here stupid!" One old soda box, plus one jingle ball, plus two cats equals . . . PARTY!
Jack is the kitty in the chair. He's the one that is the "problem child". Here he's captured in one of the rare....and I do mean rare moments when he isn't in some kind of trouble. Belle is the kitty with her head stuck in the box. She's my "matronly" cat. The only reason she can't get into trouble with Jack is because she's so bottom heavy, she can't jump onto things. However, we keep our liquors for our coffee's on the bottom shelf in one of our cabinets. She opens the cabinet by herself, goes in, and licks the liquor of the necks of the bottles. Do they have AA for cats?
Editor's Note: Jack is also featured in the picture - Angel and Jack from an earlier contest entry.
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
We All Need More Office Help
I'm sure many of us with cats have help like this. I know I do. I can't figure out why cats think you can see the computer screen when they are sitting in front of it. Rita has a lot more pictures of her beautiful Persian cats at: http://www.angelfire.com/la/ritascozycorner/cats.html
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
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
Homeowners Insurance Discounts
Make sure you are getting all of the discounts you are entitled to, on your homeowners insurance. Most companies give discounts for deadbolt locks, smoke alarms, non-smokers (you are less likely to burn down the house!), and of course a central alarm system. Some companies will even give a discount for motion-detector outside lights.
Call and ask -- there may be features that you already have that entitle you to a discount, or it may be worth the investment to install something, knowing that you will get an immediate return on the investment through a discount!
By Becki in Indiana
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Interlibrary Loans
When my library doesn't have a book I'm interested in reading, I ask the librarian if it can be ordered through interlibrary loan. My library finds the book in another library, which loans it to my library, which loans it to me. This also works well to preview a book I might be interested in buying.
By Lynn
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Auto Insurance Discounts
Make sure you are getting all of the discounts you are entitled to, on your auto insurance. Most companies give discounts for anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, airbags, etc. Some discounts you may not be aware of -- annual mileage of less than a certain number (often 8,000 per year), even teenage drivers who maintain honor roll grades!
Of course, if you install an alarm system on your car, that will get you a discount. Call and ask -- some insurance companies seem to have an unspoken policy of not mentioning these discounts unless you specifically ask about them.
By Becki in Indiana
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Save Coupons for Free Items
Here is a really good tip. When you get any kind of coupons for free items, save them for times when you really need them. Times like these would be when you are low on money and/or when there is no triple coupon sales going on at that time, for those who have stores near them that participate.
One week I was really low on money and I had all these coupons for free items. I was able to get a package of cheese and yogurt drinks for my children, as well as a package of pull-ups for my toddler. I also had coupons a hot dog from 7-11 and a jr. frosty from Wendy's for each of my children. I saved all atleast twelve dollars all together. That was great.
By Leah R Decicco
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How To Get Rid Of Doggy Poo
When we first got our puppy we found an unpleasant surprise. it was horrible. I thought I would never get it up. So I poured baking soda all over it first. Then I poured a bunch of vinegar all over it. I let it soak for about 10 minutes. And the poo and stain came right up. You can hardly tell there was a stain there. It's like magic and it's a lot cheaper than buying all those carpet cleaning supplies.
By Annie
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Organizing Thread
To keep your cross stitching, embroidery, or other craft thread from tangling up when not in use simply cut up a plastic milk jug into small squares, put notches on the sides, and wrap your thread around. It keeps your thread together and you reuse your milk jug.
If you cut the squares small enough, you can store them in old, unused slide boxes.
By Heidi
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Saving Money Going To The Movies
Money saving tips for going to the movies. Post your ideas.
Since movie tickets are up to $10 each, excluding snacks and parking, here are 2 ways to save:
1. Check for dollar theatres in the "independent theatre" part of the paper - yes, they are really $1 and play current films; and
2. Check your local 99cent Store or Dollartree - found a Gary Cooper AMC DVD with 4 movies on it for $1 - this beats paying $16 for 4 DVD rentals and no late fees!
By labellavita
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Big Toilet Paper Holder
I take a towel rack instead of a toilet roll holder just leave one end loose enough to slide the rod off to put more on it I can get 4 rolls on a wooden towel rack.
By Debbie
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Birds As A Bad Weather Predictor
We feed the wild birds. We can tell when it clouds up a bit outside if bad weather is headed our way or not, by the way the wild birds are eating. If it appears that every bird in the county is there eating or waiting their turn to eat from your feeders or below them, chances are that bad weather will soon be there.
Also, when your bad weather starts, if the wild birds continue to eat out in the weather during precipitation (rain, snow, etc.), it means the bad weather is going to continue for some time. If the wild birds go in shelter from the precipitation, it usually means the bad weather will pass sometime soon. The animals know these types of things.
By Terri H.
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Months Supply of Lunches
My hubby works construction. He used to make these sandwiches before we met. We make a month's supply of cold cut sandwiches up at a time (minus pickle, tomato, lettuce & onion). Place each in a zipper sandwich bag and place them in a box in the freezer.
When it's time to make his breakfast and lunch for work, so very early in the a.m., I can just open the freezer, take out a sandwich when I reach for his ice packs. This is better than having to try to gather my thoughts on having to make a sandwich at that hour when I might forget something (I've even sent him on his way with just bread, nothing in between but ketchup! LOL! not on purpose). Personally, I don't like the sandwiches, but as long as he doesn't mind...
By Terri H.
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Frozen Lunch Items
I buy canned fruit & spoon into small bowls with lids (allow room for the food expanding when freezing) for my husband's lunches. Frozen cups of canned fruits and frozen sandwiches will be thawed in time for my husband's lunches. He works construction.
By Terri H.
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Selling at Garage Sales
Tips from our readers for throwing a garage sale. Post your ideas!
Selling Magnets
When having magnets to sell at your next yard sale. Use your cookie baking pans into your magnet holders. Stick your magnets on your cookie pans. A person might come near buying them, after seeing them stuck to something first.
I've been told that people making crafts to stick to a person's refrigerator, use the flat style magnets. They cut the magnets in pieces and glue them to the back of the craft. So if you're going to be giving some away or at your next yard sale, you might try some "suggestive saling" to a person asking for "craft supplies".
By Terri H.
View Article: Click Here
Homemade Furniture Polish
The smell of furniture polish bothers my allergies so I have used the following homemade polish for years with good results:
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 tsp. olive oil
Mix well in a bowl, then saturate a small cloth with the mixture and wring out. Use to polish furniture, buff with a dry, soft cloth.
By June S.
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Paying Bills On Time
Tips and ideas to help you pay your bills on time. Post your ideas.
When I receive bills or any correspondence that has to be mailed
at a certain time, I save time and aggravation by writing the
date due to be mailed where the stamp goes. Only takes a second
to let me know it is time to mail something.
By Linda
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Uses for Perfume Advertisements
Tips for using the perfume ads that come with many magazines. Post your ideas.
When I find perfume ads with samples on the page, I put these in dresser drawers to make them smell sweet. The paper does not hurt the clothing at all.
By Linda
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Getting Onion Smell off Hands
Cut a small piece off of your celery and rub it on your hands, knife, or other surfaces. The chemicals in the celery counteract the smelly chemicals in the onion.
By Heidi
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Keeping Your Home Prepared
What do your do to keep you home prepared for a natural disaster? Please let us know which types of risks there are where you live, i.e. blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes. Post your ideas below.
Saving Water
I save water for emergencies such as power outages, etc. The best bottles to save water in are gallon bleach containers. I wash these very well and pour the contents down a sink or commode to freshen it, then fill the gallon almost full with fresh water. In case my freezer is not very full with food, I add these bottles to help cut down on electricity used to keep the food cold. The water is fine and tasty when I unthaw the bottles. For safety, a drop or two of bleach should be added to all containers in which you save water. I take care of that by using the bleach bottles.
By Linda
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Other Active Topics
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
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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 January 15th.
Enter the contest!
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.
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New Requests:
Refrigerator Stopped Working - Removing Odors From Spoiled Food
Recently my husband and I returned home after a few weeks away. The thermostat in our refrigerator had blown some time while we were away. The freezer had defrosted all over the kitchen floor and the food had subsequently gone rotten. It was a lovely welcome home surprise in the middle of summer (we live in Australia)!
Despite many days of scrubbing and disinfecting and wiping it with vanilla, much of the smell remains in the freezer. I cleaned all the seals and trays etc. Any ideas on how to remove the smell from the freezer?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
Lisa
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Party Games For 5 Year Olds
Hi, I need some ideas for games for a 5 year olds birthday party.
Donna J.
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Funny Kitten Feeding Habit
My two kittens have recently started to scratch the tiled floor next to their dishes while they are eating. It looks like they are digging in their litter box, but it has never led to them using the floor as their toilet. Does anyone know what this is about?
DebC
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My kitten won't stop sucking my hair!
Please can someone let me know why my kitten insists on sitting on my hair when I am sleeping and sucking and "kneading" it? I try to get her to stop, I am using a spray bottle, but I was hoping to understand WHY she does it to see if I can discourage it.
DebC
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Laundry Disaster!
I accidentally washed and DRYED my laundry with a tube of carmex inside. Now there are spots all over everything. Any suggestions on how I can get this out?
Desarae
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Sleepover Themes and Crafts
My birthday is coming up and I am going to have a sleepover. Last year I did a Harry Potter/ Girly theme. We made green goop and autographed t-shirts. This year I'm not sure which theme or craft to do. Any ideas?
Thanks
- Zeley NYC
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International Food Festival Decoration Ideas
We are having a very large International Food Festival at school and I need some table decorating ideas - any help?
Kimmers in Wien
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Splitting a Peace Lily
I have a very large Peace Lily. I would like to split it into 2 different pots. Is there an easy way to do this without killing my plant?
ljgravert
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Light Force Therapy
I am looking for anyone that may know anything about, or has used, light force therapy for relief of muscle and joint pain.
Tuey
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Cleaning Old Bathroom Tiles
Hi there. I live in an old brownstone and have those small white hexagonal tiles in my bathroom (like most other old brownstones in Boston). They are quite old and are now pretty dingy. I have tried cleaning them with bleach, to no avail.
Does anyone have any ideas for getting the tiles white again?
Melane from Boston
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Graduation Party Ideas
Looking for fun original ideas for a party to honor a High School graduate. We will have about 60 friends present. Any unique ideas?
Kay Kitchen
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
NetZero
Switch to NetZero Internet with TRUE BLUE SWITCH for only $9.95 per month!
Click Here for more information!
More Reading:
Saving Energy in the Kitchen
By Lillian & Dave Brummet
The kitchen, with all its appliances, gadgets and heat, is a real hotspot for potential energy saving. As the oven uses the most energy and creates a vast amount of heat while cooking foods, it is a good place to start.
View Article: Click Here
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