Daily Thrifty Tips - February 19, 2007

Volume Six, Number 34, February 19, 2007 (Read It Online) We have another great article by Debra Fink called "Mom I Need A Job!": How Kids And Teens Can Earn Some Cash. You can find it in the More Reading section. Here are the contest winners for the week before last. Tip Contest Winners Growing Cucumbers on a Fence By pthere from Hamilton, New Zealand Emergency Hemming With Staples By pam from Los Angeles Photo Contest Winner Decorated Coffee Can Containers for Gifts By Freedom059 from Ohio Thank you to everyone that took time to submit something. 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: Vada (Pit Bull), Jade and Suki (Blue Point Siamese) "Applique" Your Furniture Shannon (Golden Retriever) Trouble Does Sleep! Tessa (Yorkshire Terrier) Today's Tips: Homemade Glitter Soap Ends for Shaving Styrofoam For Storing Earrings My Five Cent Pants! Cardboard Windshield Cover For Bad Weather Thrifty Night Out Homemade Jigsaw Puzzle Medical Information Fact Sheet Vinegar For Flaky Pie Crusts New Requests: Budgeting With Envelopes Color Advice for Kitchen Counter Tops Weak Finger Nails From Wearing Rings Stucco Type Finish Removing Tub & Tile Wax Build-up on Cherry Wood I Can't Find My Pictures on My PC Removing Cigarette Smell From Fur Silicone Stain on Clothing Chicken with Garlic Cloves Low-Fat Cheese Cake Dishwasher Not Releasing Soap Saving Money on Flea Prevention Burnt Stainless Steel Pan Apple or Plum Coffee Cake Masquerade Party Cake My Mood Cat Crochet House Slippers Steam Mop for Pergo Blood on a Mattress Topper More Reading: "Mom I Need A Job!": How Kids And Teens Can Earn Some Cash How Often Do I Use This? Today's Photos: Vada (Pit Bull), Jade and Suki (Blue Point Siamese) Vada is a two year old American Pit Bull and the kittens are 8 week old Blue Point Siamese. Vada is just a guest and the kittens are ours. Vada needed a temporary home until my daughter could take her back. Vada, Jade and Suki are the original couch potatoes. The kittens think Vada is their mother. By Debra Frick from Colorado Springs, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13346965.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print "Applique" Your Furniture I used hot glue to place the heavy cording and the pretty fabric on my couch and recliner. I also used some fabric paint. By Lily from South Bend, Indiana Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46376354.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Shannon (Golden Retriever) Shannon is our 9 year old Golden Retriever. We got Shannon a year ago, the owners split up and had to find a home for her. She loves to roll on her back and show off, also loves to race around in the snow. She will not do without her scarf on, if I don't put a clean one on immediately she drags her dirty one out of the laundry pile and tries to put it on herself. She is very vain. By Judy from Lanark, Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72022807.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Trouble Does Sleep! Be patient. "Trouble" does sleep! By Blessings from Austin, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78454937.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tessa (Yorkshire Terrier) Tessa is a 9 year old Yorkie. I got Tessa from my other Yorkie's litter. She likes to play and go for walks keep me company. Tessa got a new hair cut for Valentine's Day. So smart she is and very loveable. By Sheila from Wisconsin Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79192227.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: Homemade Glitter 1/2 cup salt 3 drops food coloring Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, place salt. Add drops of any color food coloring. Mix lightly until salt if thoroughly colored. Spread salt mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove baking sheet, being careful not to spill the glitter. Let the glitter cool completely on baking sheet before transferring to a storage container. By Jan from Suring, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10864116.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Soap Ends for Shaving I remembered my father saving and placing the ends of soaps into a soap travel container. He had one of those barber shop shaving brushes and he would wet it and run it over the soap to use as shaving soap. By LRP from Lowell, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23310910.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Styrofoam For Storing Earrings Ever get tired of trying to find a matching pair of earrings in those drawers in jewelry boxes? Do this: Cut thin styrofoam to fit inside the drawers. Packing material from a box is perfect or floral foam from a craft store. Push post or wire from earring into foam. The pair will always stay together. Replace foam when it gets too many holes in it. By Laura from Elberta, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29728238.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print My Five Cent Pants! I would have to say this is one of my greatest finds as a bargin shopper. I like to cruise thru the clothing isles at the Toys'r' us store. If you watch they tend to have some good clerance prices on clothing. Read More: http://www.myfrugallife.com/blog_designersheets.html By DesignerSheets from MS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32809373.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cardboard Windshield Cover For Bad Weather With winter bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain, if you have to park outside in the weather, here is a tip that will save lots of time and frustration. When you are ready to park your car for the night, take a few minutes to take a couple pieces of cardboard and slip them under your windshield wipers so that they are held securely and cover your windshield. You will be so happy in the morning to just slide them off the windshield and have clear vision with no scraping and defrosting. You may even have time for a second cup of coffee before you head out the door for work. By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53170960.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Thrifty Night Out Just had another thrifty night out! Went to a local restaurant with a coupon a friend had and then we went off to the university for a free concert. (We did pay for parking.) It was a lovely evening and within our non-existent entertainment budget. And there will be more free concerts in the series, so I will look it up on the website. I said to myself, "We have to get out more often", and it can be done even when you are broke! By pamphyila from Los Angeles Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72510390.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Homemade Jigsaw Puzzle Make a personalized homemade jigsaw puzzle by gluing a photograph to a piece of 1/4 inch plywood. If you have a color ink jet printer you can print the photo yourself. Then use a jigsaw to cut your puzzle pieces. Glue a copy of the same picture to the lid of a cigar box and wrap the box for a great gift. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82344917.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Medical Information Fact Sheet I came up with this idea when I was taking care of my mother as she got older and was making more and more trips by ambulance to the hospital. I was getting fed up with the constant questions the ambulance crew were always throwing at my mother and she didn't always know the answers. I typed up a fact sheet on the computer with all her pertinent information, full name, age, date of birth, complete medication list, doctors info (even his phone numbers) diseases and illness, past surgeries, etc. Anything and everything that I thought the ambulance crew and the hospital needed to know about her at a moment's notice was included on this fact sheet. When the ambulance crew was finished with it, they could, in turn, pass it along to the hospital staff. It even had the dates of her last hospital visit and any changes in meds. The ambulance staff, the hospital staff and her doctor all thought this was a very good idea. If someone lives alone, a family member can type this up and leave it in a prominent place should the need ever arise for it. I updated it every time there was any changes made concerning her and always had it available when needed. By Melody from White City, Oregon Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91555399.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Vinegar For Flaky Pie Crusts For flaky pie crust, either homemade or ready made, I use vinegar brushed on before adding filling and on top crust. It makes it extra flaky. By Aunt Peg from Cortland, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92102775.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: Budgeting With Envelopes I would like to know if anyone is using the old fashion method of budgeting using envelopes. I don't know how to set them up and what items to put on them. I thought this would help me control my spending and start paying on my debt and stop living from check to check. I have not even enough money to buy a cup of coffee. I never have money. I get paid on thursday and by friday I am broke. Help me please. Malmal from Boston Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14179572.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Color Advice for Kitchen Counter Tops In my kitchen, I have natural oak floors, natural maple cabinets and white appliances. Would a black counter top look good? Suset from Chicago, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf190522.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Weak Finger Nails From Wearing Rings Why are the fingernails on my ring fingers weaker than the others? Mary from Stockton, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25387662.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Stucco Type Finish I have a hallway with stucco type finish, painted glossy. How do I paint this using Latex paint? Mary Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27523294.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Tub & Tile I have redone my bathtubs with tub & tile and it is now cracking and peeling. I would like to know if there is a product to remove tub & tile? Jo Anne Robnett Brown Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28813566.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Wax Build-up on Cherry Wood How do I remove wax build-up from cherry wood? Tiffany from Ft. Myers, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29238812.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print I Can't Find My Pictures on My PC I have a big problem. I uninstalled People PC and installed my DSL, and when I did this, I lost all of my pictures. I was going to send them to my sister so she could download onto a floppy disc for me after my DSL was hooked up. I know they have to be in my computer somewhere, is there a free or inexpensive way to recover these pictures? All my pictures for the past year are there, including DD's end of year school picnic, and first day of kindergarten, among other precious memories. Any advice or help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thank You in advance! jmz2005 from Illinois Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30114819.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Cigarette Smell From Fur I need help removing cigarette smell from a fur stole. Alison from South San Francisco Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf328368.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Silicone Stain on Clothing I have transparent silicone of my shirt. How do I get it off? Nimmi from Orlando, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46569238.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Chicken with Garlic Cloves Does anyone have the Richard Simmon's Deal A Meal Cookbook from the 90's? I am looking for a recipe that was in that cookbook. It was Chicken with Garlic cloves. My daughter made it for us when we were visiting. She no longer has the cookbook and we are both searching for the recipe. If I remember correctly it was Chicken Thighs. What I do remember is that it called for 40 cloves of garlic. I know, that sounds awful, but it is roasted and the garlic turns out to be sweet and delicious. Here's hoping somebody can help with this request. Harlean from Arkansas (and daughter Robin from Utah) Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49342240.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Low-Fat Cheese Cake I am looking for a recipe for nonfat or low-fat no-bake cheese cake. Pretty Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50958265.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dishwasher Not Releasing Soap I have a VERY old dishwasher and apparently the cup isn't automatically springing out to release the dishwashing liquid anymore. Is there a product out there I can use instead of using the released cup of detergent built-in? Are those the Electrosol tabs I see in the store? Many Thanks! Katie from Chicago Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56608042.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Saving Money on Flea Prevention I'm tired of spending tons of money on those flea killers that come in droppers and you use one a month. They don't work and they are very expensive. Does anyone have any idea how to get rid of fleas without spending tons of money? Thanks! Soly from Miami, Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59902864.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Burnt Stainless Steel Pan I did a dumb thing. I boiled water to heat a baby's bottle. Totally forgot about it after the bottle was ready, etc. I went to bed, it boiled completely dry and sat and cooked bare stainless steel for about 2 hours! 1. Is it safe to use again? 2. How do I clean massive discoloration on the bottom of the pot? Nancy from Rochester, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63252164.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Apple or Plum Coffee Cake Anyone have a quick & easy recipe for a yeast made coffee cake topped with sliced apples or sliced plums? Barbara from Chicago, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65162186.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Masquerade Party Cake I am looking for ideas for a masquerade party cake. Kim from Havre De Grace, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65701682.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print My Mood Cat My Siamese is a moody teenager. Her sister Patch is a love-crazy purr machine. But Casey is not. The best word to describe her is "emo". She rarely ever socializes. The one room she stays in is a room we do not use. She hides under the chair, in the fireplace, in my ELECTRIC ORGAN (NOT SAFE I REALIZE), and other places which we have not discovered yet. Sometimes she is a very charming cat. She'll come out into the living room begging for attention. She'll let you pet her. But the moment you make eye contact or say her name, she flees! And then she will hide from you and won't come out unless you try to drag her out (Which is dumb and I have stopped doing that) or if it's feeding time. I have had her since she was 6 weeks old. She used to sleep on my shoulder and would let anyone pet her. She now hates to be picked up and hisses at everyone except for the immediate family. She hates the dog and runs away whenever she comes near. We have a rather large dog but she's a whimp too. Is there any way to make Casey less broody? I have tried many different things. I talk to her softly. I am very gentle and I coax her with food. But it rarely does much good. She won't eat any treats I offer her anyway. HELP! Choco from Orange Country, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66257230.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Crochet House Slippers I am looking for pattern for crochet house slippers that look like baby booties. JULIA from Ligonier, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67881491.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Steam Mop for Pergo Can you use a steam mop on pergo flooring? Sandy from Annapolis, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94165344.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Blood on a Mattress Topper How do I remove a blood stain from my down filled mattress topper. I do not want to have to wash the entire thing because last time I did it I had to take it to the laundry mat to dry and it took over 3 hours to dry. Andrea from Columbia, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94870307.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print More Reading: "Mom I Need A Job!": How Kids And Teens Can Earn Some Cash By Debra Frick Here is a list of things that you can do to earn some cash for that something special you always wanted. There are many things you can do that are better than setting up a lemonade stand in your front yard. One of the first things you need to do is get some recommendations from your school teachers, parents, and friends. These are like a job reference that you would get if you were getting a job. Ask them to write a letter for you to say how trustworthy and reliable you are. You can show these to prospective customers. If you mowed Grandpa's lawn all last summer, ask him to write you a recommendation letter. If you watched your sister's kids for an evening, get her to write a letter also. Ask them nicely to include their contact information so that your customers can call them and ask questions about you. This shows prospective customers that you have had responsibility in the past and you know how to handle it. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25178129.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How Often Do I Use This? By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh It's always a good idea to inventory and evaluate. There are items which are priceless, earning their keep over and over again. Then, there are those which only weigh us down with debt. How many items do you have which are earning their keep, and how many do you own which are weighing you down? It's time to cut the cord and let those weights anchor someone else's debt for awhile. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36867978.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.