Volume Five, Number 143, July 31, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
A reporter from the Hartford Courant is looking for someone to talk to who is an avid coupon user in the Connecticut area. If you love using coupons and think you might have some insights to offer, let us know and we will forward her your email address. Contact us at the link below if interested.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contact.ldml
Last week we mentioned our new search page. Since then, all of the feedback about the new search has been extremely positive. I don't like to toot our own horn but this is definitely worth bookmarking. It's a great asset for solving common problems around the house. For example, if you need info about tomatoes, just type "Freezing Tomatoes" into the search form and multiple relevant tips and articles will show up. If you don't find an answer you are looking for on our search page, be sure to submit a request. With over 27,000 tips, recipes, articles and requests in our database, it's amazing how much information is in our archive.
Check out the search page here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/search.ldml
In other news, we added a new request category for Travel Tips. We kept getting blank travel guides submitted and couldn't figure out why. It turns out, those were people who were looking for travel tips, not submitting a travel guide. So if you are planning a vacation and want to get some tips from ThriftyFun users ahead of time, feel free to submit a request at the link below.
Submit a request:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_request.ldml
Here are the results to last week's poll:
What country are you from?
Australia (9) 3%
Canada (15) 6%
UK (7) 3%
US (223) 84%
Other (10) 4%
Here's the new poll:
How many different grocery stores do you shop at?
Post your answer:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66060958.tip.html
Last but not least, here the contest winners for tips submitted the week before last. THANK YOU to everyone that submitted tips.
Tip Contest Winner
Cooking Roast on the Grill
By Karen from Pensacola, FL
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81435418.tip.html
Treasure Box for Children
By Vicki from Copenhagen, Denmark
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55340214.tip.html
Photo Contest Winner
Using Garden Fence to Organize My Craft Desk
By wyoKrista from Laramie, WY
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41855450.tip.html
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
Today's Photos
| Rufus (Ruby-throated Hummingbird)
Rufus is a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. He comes and goes... He likes to fly and drink sweets. He loves the lens and the flash of my camera!
By Kate from Newark, Vermont
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| Decoupaged Old Aluminum Trays
Here is a good idea for those "old Aluminum Trays", you might have lying around. I spray painted them, rubbed on "Treasure Gold" metalic finish. Then I decoupaged a Black and White copy of our Grandkids in the center. I then sprayed it with a glossy finish.
By Mary from Leroy, Il.
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| What I Want for Christmas
All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth.
By Lavida from Medford, OR
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| Kiki (Labrador Retriever)
Kiki is my 18 month old Labrador Retriever.I got her from friends when she was a puppy. She loves her Tennis Ball and swimming. She is my sweetheart.
By Hearsh from Delhi, india
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| Contests!
The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
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Today's Tips
| Folger's Simply Smooth Review
I have found a great tasting coffee Folger's Simply Smooth. It has no bitter taste and smells great when brewing.
By Sandy from Baltimore, MD
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| Easy Strawberry Lemonade
Use good old dry powder mix for your lemonade - I prefer Country Time, but any will do. Then, go over to the alcoholic mixers, but you won't be going to get drunk. You're just going to get the strawberry stuff. I like the kind that has the puree in it, not just the juice or flavoring. Mix up the lemonade like you would for your family to drink in either 1 to 2 gallons. Then add the strawberry puree. It takes about 1/3 to 1/2 a big bottle to make it taste and look just right. Of course, you may have to sample it along the way to be sure it comes out all right. Serve it over ice and you've got yourself a very refreshing drink. It's yummy without all the work!
By Kelly from Mission, TX
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| Make Your Own Air-wick
I made a colorful deodorizing air-wick from A Mitchum Deodorant stick case.
Step One: Take top off and clean out casing.
I use a rag and a pair of jar gripper scissors, rocked the top back an forth until it loosened.
Step Two: Clean out and screwed down the elevator.
I used a rag and got out most of the residue that was left.
Step Three: Loading the casing with what ever scent you want.
To try it out first I soaked a small piece of cloth in pine oil. It lasted several weeks in the bathroom gradually the smell was for smaller and smaller areas.
Right now I ground up some real smelly soap dropped it into the case. Use whatever you like.
Step Four: Put the the applicator lid back on the casing.
Keep the cap in case you want to give or sell these air-wicks. (you never Know)
Step Five: Decorating the whole air-wick.
I as usual favor magazine pictures glued to cover the whole air-wick. I cut out a sunset from an old Country magazine complete with little poem which fits on the one side. The poem is called Country Sunset.
I actually left a cone of this sunset picture above the applicator because the whole thing resembles an expensive candle.
I took small pieces of old Christmas wrap out of the closet, dark blue and red foil and experimented to see if I could make a realistic flame. The red was too red! I used the dark blue and colored a piece off aluminum foil with orange
stapled it below what flame was exposed.
I am quite proud of the whole thing. I might even start making these things for gifts. I have to experiment with other scents to see what is most pleasing and lasts the longest.
And that is Mr. Thrifty's Tip for today.
The only immediate cost was a little bit of solid stick paper glue. Maybe a nickel's worth. Everything else probably would have been just thrown away trash in most homes.
BE FRUGAL! SAVE MONEY! REUSE!
By Mr. Thrifty from Shermansdale, PA
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| Mashed Potato "Mistake"
This happened to me a couple of months ago. I was making my family's favorite "smashed" potatoes, when I realized I didn't have any milk in the house. Bad news. Everything else was ready! I quickly looked in the fridge and found a bottle of blue cheese salad dressing and I thought, "why not?"
Well, I'm very pleased to say that my family, including in-laws!, LOVED it and "begged" for the recipe. All I did was substitute the salad dressing for the milk!
I've since tried ranch in my garlic smashed potatoes, turns out to be another "family favorite".
"Accidents" aren't always bad!
By LindaM from Kingston NY
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| Keeping Mayonnaise Fresh
To keep mayonnaise fresher longer, remove the cardboard liner in the lid.
By Janette from Parkersburg, WV
Editor's Note: I have never heard this. Does Janette or anyone have any ideas why this would work?
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| Chocolate Love Muffins
Take about a half bag of chocolate chips and cut them finely into small pieces. mix it with a cake mix (preferably chocolate). Cook as how the cake directions say.
NOTE: It will cook faster due to the chocolate chips. Let the cake cool and top with White Cream Cheese Icing.
If the recipe was a hit for your family, please post with your stories.
By Rachel from Tampa, FL
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| Homemade Swamp Coolers for Hot Days
Remember in a heat wave - water evaporating has a cooling effect. Like the old days, I put small bowls of water/ice cubes in front of my fans to get some cooling. Put some water in my bathtub or take a tepid bath and then go around with wet hair until it dries itself. I have a little "swamp cooler" for my neck that works on an evaporative principle - but you can get the same effect with a wet kerchief around your neck (They make special ones with water-retaining crystals, my brother has one.) When the mercury soars every little bit helps!
By Pam from Los Angeles
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| Broiling Instead of Toasting Sandwiches
Here is my tip! When making a sandwich, try putting the bread in the broiler instead of the toaster. When preparing your sandwich, put the toasted side inside. When you bite into it, it won't leave many crumbs and it's easier to bite. You still get to feel that crunchiness in your mouth.
By Roby from Newark, California
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| Homemade Thank You Cards
I came up with this idea. I let my two year old loose with a bucket of acrylic paints (you can use any paints you want) and a pad of Newsprint paper. Construction paper works as well, just so long as it's strong enough to hold up to the paint.
Once the art was dry, I tore it into small rectangles. I then attach these to the front of blank cards that I picked up at a local craft store with glue or acid free tape.
On the top of this, I attach a smaller piece of cardstock or leave it the way it is. This way I have a card ready for Thank You notes, gifts, birthdays and any other card occasions. The recipient gets a piece of my child's artwork and I no longer buy expensive cards from stores. Plus, they are always on hand!
By Brandy from Little Rock, AR
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| Dealing with Paper Crafting Mess
I am a crafting and paper-craft nut but when I sit down to create, I end up with paper everywhere. Short of having the garbage can underfoot constantly, I came up with a better idea. I cut a large circle out of a coffee can (leaving the rim of the plastic top intact) then put a doggie poop bag inside the can and put the top back on the can. Now I can have a smaller garbage can close at all times and when the can gets full, I just remove the bag, tie it up and toss it in the garbage can. I then replace with another doggie bag and I am ready for more creating!
By Sue from Chesterton IN
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| Games You Can Play With Bookshelves
Take a decently backed bookshelf that is not in use and put it in the front or back porch, facing the wall. Then a child can enter into all sorts of imaginary fantasies using it ranging from:
Post Office
Using pencil can, glassless used spectacles, saved unwanted junkmail and/or return envelopes, and stamps/pads to "cancel" and a shoebox for child's mail, complete with child sized "mailman visor/hat and unwanted plain shoulder-strap handbag).
Concession Stand
Create a concession with a cash box for play money/coins, with two of all sorts of "snacks" available to "sell" to "monied playmates", complete with plastic or can and string "order phone", order tablet/pencil, small cloth-covered table/two chairs, and "OPEN/CLOSED" sign, and small broom,trash can, sponge for cleanups.
Children's Library
Create a children's library with 10-12 of the child's favorite books, beanbags, small floor rug/carpet, stuffed animals if only child.Clock, dry erase or small chalk board to copy alphabet/pictures/times, with plastic pitcher and cups of juice or water to keep children comfortable outside but close.
Patio Cafe Or Deli
Create a patio deli. Get an apron for the child and serve crackers, sandwiches, pickles/olives, sliced veggies on several trays.
All shelves can be utilized: Lined with newspaper for Library, Paper towels for CAFE, Shelf Paper for CONCESSION STAND, etc.
The bookshelf saves room space and allows for fresh air, damper space from giggles, loud voices and multi-child play, making clean-up easier.
By Lynda from Richardson, TX
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| Wet Wipes for a Cookout Cool Down
At a cookout, picnic, or other hot weather gathering, toss a package of wet wipes in the cooler with the ice and drinks (I bought a plastic pop-up dispenser for a dollar). When the temps are in the 90's, it feels WONDERFUL to wipe your face, hands, and neck with a chilled cloth!
By Becki from Logansport, IN
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| Make Your Own Disinfectant Wipes
I love the disinfectant wipes you can buy (Clorox Wipes, Lysol Wipes), but they are expensive and not environmentally friendly! So, when I am making my own baby wipes and house cleaners, I take the time to make my own disinfectant wipes. Now, they do not use bleach or anything chemical, I simply use a mixture of vinegar, water and essential oils, including tea tree oil which is said to have disinfecting properties. I figure I am paying 1/16 or less of the price of one of those tubes of Clorox wipes. They are great for quick wipes, just as you would use the store-bought wipes.
Here's what to do...
You will need:
- An empty wipes holder (the tube kind with the flip top), washed out well with soapy water
- A roll of Bounty paper towels
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- Tea tree essential oil
- Lemon essential oil
Cut paper towel roll in 1/2 (width-wise) with a sharp, non-serrated knife. Carefully remove the cardboard from the middle using your fingers to break it away from the paper towels. Remove the outer 1/2 of the roll by using your fingers to break apart one of the paper towels at a perforation and carefully sliding the two parts apart. Now you have two rolls. Save the outer one and you can use it as napkins or on your paper towel holder.
Pour water and vinegar in the holder and add 10 drops of tea tree oil and 6 drops of lemon oil. Mix well.
Put the inner portion of paper towels in the holder. You may have to work it in. Make sure you can get ahold of the inner-most paper towel, the one you broke the cardboard away from. This will be the piece that you can thread through the top.
Let the paper towel soak up the mixture and then carefully feed the inner sheet through the top. They will continually feed through this way and will break off at the perforations.
Essential oils can seem expensive, but you are only using them several drops at a time, and the little bottle lasts forever. You are still saving money, and not using harsh chemicals in your home or adding to a landfill.
Every little bit we can do to save money and the environment means something!
By Carrie from Okemos, MI
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| Leatherwork Casing Tips
When casing (casing is wetting the leather in preparation for carving) your leather you would dampen the leather with a sponge first on the back (sueded - rough side) and then on the top (smooth-flesh) side.
You do the top of the leather last because if you wet the smooth side you and then lay it on your marble and the working surface has any dust etc on it, you will immediately have that dirt and dust on your clean leather surface.
After having wet the leather, let it sit until it turns a lighter tan (almost as if the leather is blushing) and feels cool to the touch.
On thinner leathers you can just wet the top because it does not take too much for the leather to absorb the water into the internal layers of the leather.
For backgrounding, the leather should be a little dryer than for normal stamping and tooling leather moisture content.
If you are having difficulty getting your background smooth and even without tool marks when using a leather backgrounder such as the A104. your leather is probably too wet.
By Standing Bear's Trading Post from Reseda, CA.
http://www.sbearstradingpost.com
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View Active Topics!
New Requests
| Organizing Books
I am 13 and I am saving books for my own personal library for when I am older. My problem is that I don't know how to organize my books. I have alot of them and lots of shelves. Am I supposed to do them by author or subject or something?
Thanks for your advice!
Bookluver! from NV
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| Scuffed Finish on a Wood Floor
I removed some sticky glue from my prefinished wooden floor with a brillo pad (like an idiot) and now there is a light mark where the surface of the floor has been rubbed by the brillo pad. You can see it in the light. Is there anything I can do to restore the original shine?
Thanks
Rick from Naples, FL
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| Pyrex Bakeware in Different Shapes
Does anyone know whether or not you can buy Pyrex or other glass bakewear in shapes like hearts? My favorite recipe is best baked in glassware rather than metal, but I need a shape other than square or rectangle. Most round ones have sides like you would expect for pies - but do they make one with straight sides? Thanks in advance for any help!
Brenda from Greenville, AL
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| Breakfast Cookies
I am looking for a recipe that my mother used to make when I was a child, about 20 or so years ago. It was a savory healthful breakfast cookie-type thing. The recipe was originally distributed in a recipe booklet by Quaker and it called for oats, eggs, bacon, and cheese among other things that we have forgotten. Does anyone have this recipe?
Thanks!
Amanda from Claremore, OK
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| Planning a Bachelorette Party
I am planning a bachelorette party and a wedding shower for my sister-in-law. Of course, it is a spur of the moment decision to do this. Both parties are in the next 3 weeks. I need all the ideas I can get! I have already sent out the invitations and I am in hurry to get things done! If any of ya'll have anything that could help me I would love to hear it!
Ginger from Nashville, TN
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| Caring for a Pear Tree
How can I bring an old pear tree back to good health. It produces a good crop, slightly discolored. Should I be spraying and fertilizing it?
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Janey from Brookhaven, MS
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| Digital Camera Reviews
Every so often you have a column on cameras written by Michael. Might I please have the link to it so that I can evaluate the best digital camera to buy to sell items on ebay. Thank you.
Joesgirl from Beverly, MA
Editor's Note: We weren't able to find the column that Joesgirl is looking for but I am sure readers have some good digital camera recommendations. If you have a digital camera that has worked well for you please post feedback about it.
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| Recipes Using Frozen Fruit
I have a big bag of mixed frozen fruit that's been in the freezer for a couple of months. It's still good, not freezer burned or anything. I haven't used it because I don't know what to use it for!
I thought about making smoothies, or topping them with pancakes, but I want to use them in a unique way.
Anyone have any unique and tasty ideas or recipes?
Thanks,
Jennifer
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| Playdough Stain on a Wall
Does anyone know how to remove playdough from a textured wall? My 2 year rubbed it in pretty hard and the more I try to remove it, the more the paint comes off. Help!
Rachael from St. Louis, MO
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| Russian Blue Tea
I am searching for a Russian Blue Tea. If anyone knows where I can find it, please advise. Thank you,
Barbara from Venice, FL
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| The Best Cleaner for Soap Scum
Does anyone have a GREAT cleaner they swear by for really bad soap scum and hard water stains on bathtubs? I've used Comet, Kaboom (the new one), bleach and some others, I even tried my Scunchi steamer but nothing can cut through this gunk. Help? Thanks!
Peggy from San Antonio, TX
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| Uses for Plastic Oval Shaped Mayonnaise Jars
I love the new oval shaped plastic mayonnaise jars. They have a flip top lid and I don't want to throw mine away. Any ideas on reusing it? (Besides holding craft items.)
Tara from RI
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| Hard Water Stains on Windows
At my model home, the irrigation system sprays the windows and the storm door on the front door. They are all covered with hard water stains. I know Whink will work but I can't find it in my little neck of the woods. What else can I use that won't harm the brass tone trim or the vinyl sash? I have oxy cleaners and The Works. Will either of those work? I have several spec homes with windows that need to be cleaned so I am looking for the quickest and easiest cleaning solution.
Thanks,
Tracy from Twin Cities, MN
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| Organizing My Bedroom
I rent a small bedroom and I go nuts trying to find anything like hair stuff, a measuring tape, trinkets, etc. It seems like my stuff is everywhere since I put things away on impluse then forget where it put things. I need help grouping miscellaneous stuff and how or where to store it. I want my room to look nice.
Loni from Albuquerque, NM
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| Making a Fabric Wastebasket Cover
I am looking to make a wastebasket cover for a cylinder shaped container and keep getting the dimensions wrong. Easy, I know, but I am dyslexic and having problems cutting the fabric to size. The base is 22cm, height 27cms and top diameter 27cms approximately. Any tips appreciated.
Margaret from Swansea
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| Hydrangea Bush with Flowers Turning Brown
I have a hydrangea bush and the flowers on it are beginning to turn a brownish color. I know you aren't supposed to cut the branches because the plant won't bloom the following year. I am wondering though, should i cut off the dead looking "flowers" or just leave them alone? I am not sure if I live in zone 7a or 7b. I live in Delaware. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Hardiness Zone: 7a
P.J. from Delaware
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| Febreze Scentstories Reviews
Model: Febreze Scentstories
Manufacturer: Procter and Gamble
Is Febreze Scentstories worth the money? How long does it last?
Kim from Mineral, VA
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| Brown Spot On My Lawn
I have a spot on the lawn. We are in a new home and the front lawn was sodded last summer. There is a patch of brown grass in the very middle of the front yard that goes brown, then greens up a little after a heavy watering or rain. We regularly water the whole yard so we can't figure out what is causing this. It's not grubs. Could there have been an excess of rocks or pea gravel left under this sod when planted that would cause the grass in this one area to brown. It's about 3 feet in diameter an is almost circular in shape. What can we do to keep this area green?
Thanks for any and all suggestions!
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Marianne from Trenton, OH
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| Cat Throwing Up Worms
I need info on my kitten throwing up long, skinny, white worms.
Thank you,
Ashley from marion, IL
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
More Reading
Freezing Herbs
Selecting High-Quality Herbs: The leaves of most herbs will appear limp and discolored after being frozen, and are not suitable for use as garnishes. However, they are still excellent when used in soups, sauces, salad dressings and cooked dishes. Seeds and flowers are best preserved by drying. Harvest leaves at the peak of growth, just before the plants starts to flower. Parsley, chervil and savory should be harvested while leaves are still young and tender.
Read More: Click Here | | Tender Juicy Barbecued Pork Ribs
Tender Juicy Barbecued Pork Ribs (Crockpot)
I have found a recipe for the most delicious ribs 'n sauce, and you don't have to stand at the grill all day! They are tender, juicy, simple and yummy!
Read More: Click Here | | Deviled Eggs Tips and Recipes
Read More: Click Here |
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