Daily Thrifty Tips - March 7, 2007

Volume Six, Number 46, March 7, 2007 (Read It Online) Hello, We have another great article by Debra about Fibromyalgia in the More Reading section. Here is today's featured request... Front Loading Washer Reviews What is best front loading washer? Anne from Towanda Post Feedback Here 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: Lucy (Innocent until Proven Guilty) - Bearded Collie/Terrier Mix My First Amaryllis Skater Doll Today's Tips: Use Half The Recommended Laundry Detergent Circus Savings For Groups Green Beans Tips and Recipes A Toy Wagon for Garden Tools Prepare For Garage/Yard Sales Early Vinegar To Remove Paint Odors Use A Straw To Core Strawberries New Requests: Unclogging a Bathroom Sink Drain Paint on Polyester Make Up Stain on Suede Painting Kitchen Cabinets Pink Spreading Plant Making a Pull String Piñata Cleaning Clay Flower Pots Kitchen Paint Color Advice Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets Making Fabric Flowers Stained Taffeta Dress Pitbull Puppy Won't Eat Front Loading Washer Reviews Growing Vines From Potatoes Dooney Bourke Barrel Bag Has Lost Its Shape Cleaning Water Bottles Drilling Glass Vent Only Blows Hot Air Storing Rubber Stamps Potato Recipes Getting Rid of Skunks More Reading: Uses for Old Crayons More Fibromyalgia Coping Strategies Today's Photos: Lucy (Innocent until Proven Guilty) - Bearded Collie/Terrier Mix Lucy was 1 1/2 years old when this picture was taken. She is a Bearded Collie/Terrier Mix. Lucy was a Rescued Dog. She became a part of our family Jan. 2004. Lucy likes to bark, eat anything arms-length on the counters, but after 3 years with us, she has turned out to be an awesome loving smart pet. Lucy had a very harsh start in life, after she turned 1.5 we were ready to give her a very loving home with lots of good treats. (Her ears just perked up hearing that special word "Treats") By Terry Lynn Hawkes from Fall River, Nova Scotia, CANADA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54413259.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print My First Amaryllis The first Amaryllis I have ever grown. I thought it was beautiful! By LINDA from Arkansas City, Ks Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82531032.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Skater Doll This skater has mittens with fur on the skates and mittens. She is a simple doll pattern with clothes made by me. By Brenda from Ontario Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96281173.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: Use Half The Recommended Laundry Detergent Here's what I have discovered. When using brand name liquid laundry soap, I can make it last longer by using less than the amount the manufacturer suggests. I still use the provided cup to measure the amount of soap I'm using but I use half the amount suggested. When done measuring, I also throw in the cup to contribute every last bit of laundry soap used. There's no waste. I get my clothes clean and I stretch my dollars further! Give it a try. By Lisa from Halifax, Nova Scotia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11081141.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Circus Savings For Groups My 5 year old loves the Circus. As you all know, it is insanely expensive to go with the cost of the tickets, drinks, snacks, toys. It really can get out of control. This year, to solve this dilemma, my daughter's class all bought tickets together which allowed us to get the group rate on the tickets (50% off!). I also packed a "Circus Bag" for all of the kids. I went to the Dollar Store and got: balloons, lollipops, fruit snacks, juice boxes, masks, glow in the dark bracelets and noise makers. I also added in a toilet seat cover and antibacterial wipes. So, for about the cost of one regular ticket, we got our tickets and snacks, toys and FUN! By Stacy from VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13359884.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Green Beans Tips and Recipes Here are some ideas on how to spruce up the flavor of green beans. Italian Green Beans You may already know this recipe. Grandmom showed me how to do this and I got addicted! An old Italian way to serve green beans starts with fresh beans. (I don't know of anyone in my family who has ever tried it with canned, so you're on your own there.) Anyway, clean the beans (top and tail them), and cook to a crisp/tender stage. Toss them in olive oil, garlic powder (or chopped fresh garlic), salt, pepper and oregano, all to taste. Chill for several hours or overnight. Serve cold, or at room temperature, as a side dish or salad. The longer this sits, the better it gets. By Judi in Orlando Two Green Beans Ideas I like to prepare green beans by draining off the water, adding some chopped onions, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add to that a can of cream of mushroom soup. Simmer a bit until onions are crisp tender and serve. Another way, if you are allowed bacon or bacon grease, is to put the beans in a pan, add 1-2 tablespoons bacon grease or bacon cut up small. Add new red potatoes. Put in some pearl onions and cook until beans and potatoes are tender. Delicious! By gizmo81795 Fry To Remove Canned Flavor Here is something I do with canned green beans. I drain all the liquid from the cans, and put the beans in a frying pan. I use a little olive oil, and fry them on medium heat, turning them every few minutes. You can use onion, and some ham or bacon to flavor them. Gets rid of the "canned" taste. By Mary Microwave Green Beans Add 2-3 Tablespoons of bacon bits (canned or fresh not bacos) to canned green beans (liquid included) and microwave. Easy & Yummy. By Melissa Green Beans And Almonds Cook the green beans if fresh or frozen. Heat beans if using canned. Place a couple of Tbsp. of slivered almonds in a spray coated skillet. Brown until crunchy over med-low heat, stirring often. Add to the green beans. If your diet allows, a bit of sugar added to the almonds makes them even crunchier. Hope this helps. By Marian Spruce Up With Bacon Or Onions We eat great beans often. One way I spruce them up is with real bacon bits. I also sometimes use dried onions or both. By Carey Brown Sugar Green Beans I drain off all liquid and add 1/8 cup brown sugar (not packed), 2 Tablespoons garlic granules (or garlic powder) and black pepper. Bring to a boil without lid. Boil until beans darken in color. By Debbie in MO Green Bean Salad I use the canned french style beans for a salad by draining off liquid and adding some thinly sliced onion. Toss together and add low-cal Italian dressing (the longer it sits, the better it is). By Betty Read More Ideas and Post Your Own: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf354044.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print A Toy Wagon for Garden Tools Keep an eye out for an old toy wagon at garage sales. They can be useful for pulling around your garden tools and keeping them together. Even a rusty wagon will do the trick. Sand down the rust, repaint and it will look great in your yard. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf376511.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Prepare For Garage/Yard Sales Early Get boxes NOW and start the year off right, by decluttering your home, closets and garage. You can also price items at the same time. You will be ready in the spring for a great Garage/Yard Sale. You can do a little at a time. By Syd Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf554680.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Vinegar To Remove Paint Odors If you are painting and wand to get rid of the paint smell, put some distilled vinegar in the room and that will rid you of the paint odors. By Leonora from Morrow, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75790369.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use A Straw To Core Strawberries To core fresh strawberries, use a sturdy straw, start at the bottom of the berry and push up. It does a great job every time. By Joe Todora from Inver Grove Heights, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78128890.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: Unclogging a Bathroom Sink Drain How to unclog bathroom sink drain, would bleach help? Water just takes too long to drain. I just hope it wont need to be taken apart. if so, maybe a little help there too. Thanks, Dave from Galloway, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10117949.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Paint on Polyester How to remove paint from a polyester ski jacket? The paint is dry. Ginger from Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17448744.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Make Up Stain on Suede How do I get make up (eye shadow, mascara, lip gloss) off of a cream-colored corduroy suede couch? I have tried shampooing it with hot water, laundry soap and I've tried Windex. April from Nowhere, Illinois Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18083394.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Painting Kitchen Cabinets Any suggestions on painting kitchen cabinets? Cathy from Thurmont, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf224964.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pink Spreading Plant I have a spreading planting that I don't know the name, but it turns into a pretty pink carpet. It spreads faster than utility bills! How can I keep controlled besides pulling every single day (almost)? Hardiness Zone: 6b MaryAnn Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23913837.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making a Pull String Piñata I have raised 3 children and have made several different things shaped from paper mache - including pinatas over the years. I've made Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Mario, a partial model of the Grand Canyon, etc. Now I have granchildren. My grandson really likes the movie Cars. He will be 4, and the party will be inside, so I was trying to come up with a 'pull string' method for cracking it open, instead of the bat breaking method. I need some fairly simple ideas for Lightening McQueen. It can't be too big, because I'll have to mail it out of state. I'm planning on using a 'flat rate box' to save on shipping. His birthday is on 03/18/07. Has anyone heard of a pull-string pinata? Any ideas? Mary from Homer, AK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24361140.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning Clay Flower Pots How do I clean my clay flower pots? they are stained white on the outside, looks like lime. Charles from danbury, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29097157.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Kitchen Paint Color Advice We're putting in natural oak cabinets with a black counter top and oak pergo flooring, I'm wanting to know what colors would go good o my walls to match. Sage? Beige? Thanks, Gloria from IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf342905.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets My kitchen cabinets need some help. The doors/drawers are wood (oak), but the cabinet frames are wood on the front but sides are veneer. I've looked in magazines and haven't seen anything like this yet, however, I thought I could remember seeing the cabinets re-done by painting the framed part of the cabinets and just refinishing the oak wood for the doors/drawers. Is that done or is that just tacky? Opinions please. Thanks, Kathy from Canton, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39795558.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making Fabric Flowers I am looking for step by step instructions on how to make fabric flowers. This is a project for an Aged Care Facility so it needs to be fairly simple and with illustrations. Meg from Vic Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf400725.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Stained Taffeta Dress I have a brand new taffeta dress. I spilled water on it and it is stained. How do I get this out? Hullie from Petaluma, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41554006.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pitbull Puppy Won't Eat My 4 or 5 week old pitbull will not eat. I have to force feed babby milk and it won't touch dog food. What should I do? Sharon from Beaumont, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43404572.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Front Loading Washer Reviews What is best front loading washer? Anne from Towanda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57301759.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Growing Vines From Potatoes Can you grow a vine from a white or yukon potato? Hardiness Zone: 7b Nancy from Raleigh, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60713921.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dooney Bourke Barrel Bag Has Lost Its Shape I have a Dooney Bourke barrel Bag that has lost its shape. What can I do to solve this problem? Carla from Spartanburg, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73065991.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning Water Bottles How do you keep the 5 gal. refillable water bottles clean? If you suggest using vinegar, what is the recipe? Ron from Lubbock, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78782936.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Drilling Glass When making the lighted glass blocks, are the diamond bits round like a hole saw? Can a 3/4 size work? We have made some but have used a bit shaped like an arrow head. Is the round one the correct one to use? Lady of the Lake Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84773496.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Vent Only Blows Hot Air I have a 1997 Ford Ranger and I can not change the temperature of the air coming out of the vents, it's always hot. The ONLY time it changes is when I put it on MAX AC, then I get cold air out. Is there and easy way to tell if I have a vacuum hose off somewhere that is keeping the vent doors from opening and closing, or could it be an electrical problem? Thank you Kevin from Cincinnati, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85817958.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Storing Rubber Stamps Tips for storing rubber stamps used in craft projects. What is the best way to store rubber stamps? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf919594.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Potato Recipes Does anyone have any potato recipes? I buy potatos by the bag and sometimes they go bad before I get to them all. Robin from Marietta, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92817345.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Getting Rid of Skunks There seems to be a skunk or more under our house. Last night we came home to this horrible smell. How do we get them or it from under the house and remove the smell? Kimberly from Kingston, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97615469.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print More Reading: Uses for Old Crayons Here are a bunch of ways to recycle crayons. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf666289.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print More Fibromyalgia Coping Strategies By Debra Frick After writing "Coping with Fibromyalgia, One Woman's Story", I got a lot of feedback from friends and family saying that I had not written all I could about coping strategies. They felt I had left out some important points that needed to be made, so it lead me to write this article. Most of these are commonplace things with some alternative therapies thrown in. All are things that you can try. As I said before, nothing can substitute for your doctor's advice but here are some more strategies for coping. You have a life to live and you need to live it with hope, not fear. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94829608.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.