Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 139, September 30, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
This weekend's TF News is going to be about thrifty furniture. If you have tips or ideas that you would like to add to that topic feel free to submit them.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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If you are looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem,
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- Saving Money on Utilites
- Ghost Cupcakes
- Fisherman Kit
- Make a Writing Time Capsule
- Freezing Leftover Pizza Sauce
- Using Perfume and Hairspray
- Keeping Those Buttons On
- Homemade Fabric Freshener
- Foam Trays from Meat For Draft Stoppers Behind Outlets
- Draft Stoppers With Stray Socks
- Free Cubbie Storage for Yarn
- Sunscreen Moisturizer Lotion
- Prepare Your Swamp Cooler for Winter
- Prepare Your Dog House for Winter
- Finding and Storing Firewood
- Feedback: Creative Uses for Buttons
- Feedback: Recipes for Bariatric Patients
- Feedback: Cooking Uses for Beer
- Feedback: Obedience Training for Puppies
- Feedback: 10 Common Uses for Baking Soda
- Today's Recipe: Five Favorite Fall Popcorn Recipes!
New Requests:
- Converting Garage into a Teenager's Room
- Simple Rag Rug Instructions
- Fun High School Actvities Ideas
- Custom Embroidery Help
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Today's Tips
Saving Money on Utilites
This past summer was so mild where we live that my husband and I only turned our A/C on a few days during the whole season. Since we are on budget billing for all of our utilites, I was curious to see if we had saved money by not using the A/C and using our ceiling fans at home. I also have cut way back on my usage of the clothes dryer so this helped too.
Our monthly budget billing on electrity was $70 a month and I just got our "settle up statement" form the electric company and we have a $167.00 credit coming! Woo Hoo! It really pays to be frugal!
I have cut back on soooo much and it really has not been painful. In fact it has been a relief! I love this site as it gives me so many great ideas on saving money and TIME which is just as important in this day and age!
Cookiepom
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Ghost Cupcakes
Make the recipe for your favorite cupcakes. Get one can of whipped topping, it has to be in the can. Put a glob of whipped cream on top and curl the end. Then place two red hots for eyes and you have cute ghostly cup cakes. Remember to keep chilled until serving time or the whipped cream will melt.
By Debra in Colorado
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Fisherman Kit
Take advantage of clearance sales right now by buying your fishing supplies now. Tackle boxes, fishing lures and fishing gear are all on sale so they can make room for the winter sports stuff. If you don't know what to buy ask the sales person in sporting goods. They will most likely be able to tell you what you need to fill it with.
By Debra in Colorado
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Make a Writing Time Capsule
Here's a great project for children just learning to write. Make a Time Capsule. Have the child write their name or ABCs on a piece of paper and date it. Roll the paper and place in a paper towel tube. You can decorate the tube with paints, markers or fabric. Tape the ends closed and use a pen to mark a date to be opened. The start of the school year is a good time to do this project and have the kids open it on the last day of school. They'll be able to see how much their handwriting has improved and will have a real sense of pride and accomplishment at their progress.
By Cheryl from Missouri
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Freezing Leftover Pizza Sauce
When making pizza, there always seems to be more sauce than we need, so I freeze leftovers in ice cube trays and take out one or two when needed, great for a quick tortilla pizza night. Use tortilla shells instead of pizza dough. Use your relish/veggie trays to put toppings in. Everyone makes their own pizzas (good for taco night too), really good to use up those leftovers.
By Dee
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Using Perfume and Hairspray
When getting ready for the day, or any special occasion, spray your perfume on BEFORE you get dressed. The alcohol in the perfume can damage some fabrics. So can hairspray!
By Dee
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Keeping Those Buttons On
When my twin boys were in grade school, one of them always came home from school missing a button. It was very frustrating, but they were very good at keeping the button and bring it home. Then it hit me! They couldn't resist pulling that little lead thread to see the button come off real quick! But I fixed them good, I dropped a VERY small dab of nail glue on the reverse side of the button, where it is sewn through the fabric. It worked perfectly! Be very careful not to drip on other areas of the garment, I protected it with paper towels. Even those little boys thought that was a great idea, and I'm am still tempted to do it now, even though they are 22 years old! ;)
By NinaL
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Homemade Fabric Freshener
Make your own fabric freshener by pouring 4 fluid ounces of concentrated fabric softener into a spray bottle and dilute it with warm water. Wait for the solution to cool and then spray curtain, cloths, sofas and many other things to make them smell nice and fresh.
By Miranda C.
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Foam Trays from Meat For Draft Stoppers Behind Outlets
Use those foam trays from meat packaging to make draft stoppers for behind your outlets. It is quite simple to do. Remove one outlet cover and trace around the outlet cover. Using a sharp blade cut out the pattern. You should be able to get two or three from each tray. Don't forget your outside outlets too. Put this behind the outlet plate and reattach to the outlet. Be sure to dry fit before you install as you want it to fit snugly but not so snug you can not put outlet cover back on. I know that the premade ones are very inexpensive but you already paid for that tray when you bought your meat why waste that money?
By Debra in Colorado
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Draft Stoppers With Stray Socks
We all have socks with mates that have disappeared in the big black hole where all socks go. Most people know that these unmatched socks make great dusters and cleaning rags but how about filling one tube sock with clean kitty litter and using it as a Draft stopper at the bottom of your door? One bag of cheap kitty litter costs about 3.00 bucks and can make many of these. These also can be used to block drafts on window sills in older homes as well.
By Debra in Colorado
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Free Cubbie Storage for Yarn
For people who knit, crochet or just need a lot of smaller
storage spaces, go to a store that sells liquor and ask if you
can have their empty liquor boxes. Depending on the available
space, these boxes can be stacked on each other (on their
sides) to give perfect little "cubbies" for your yarn. The
colors can be readily seen and there's no tangling.
By Lisa T.
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Sunscreen Moisturizer Lotion
Take 1/2 sunscreen (cheapo brand) and 1/2 moisturizer and mix together in the moisturizer bottle. Affordable moisturizer with sunscreen!
By Lisa T.
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Prepare Your Swamp Cooler for Winter
Foam "egg crates" (mattress pad) can be used to weatherize your swamp cooler. Remove the cover plate and stuff the egg crate into the empty hole. Be sure your swamp cooler is shut down (Water off, power off). Now replace the cover. Go out side and cover the outside of your swamp cooler with plastic and duck tape. You can even use those big black lawn and leaf bags, depending on the size of your swamp cooler, one may fit it perfectly. No more wintery blast from your cooler this winter.
By Debra in Colorado
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Prepare Your Dog House for Winter
Old "egg crates" (mattress pad) can be cut to help winterize your dog house. Cut the foam to fit the sides and roof of your dog house and staple in place. This will help keep your best friend warm when he has to be outside. Don't forget the floor as this will help keep him warm by keeping him off the ground. A piece can also be stapled to the front to serve as a flap to keep out drafts.
By Debra in Colorado
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Finding and Storing Firewood
For all of us living in areas that get lots of snow we are stocking up now on firewood. Whether you cut it up yourself or have some one else cut and deliver it to you, here are some tips you need to know.
Do not stack firewood against a fence or building the moisture build up can with time rot your structure or fence.
Firewood stacks are great places for mice and other rodents to build nests another great reason not to stack against your house or fence.
Always cover your firewood with a tarp bright colored so if you get snowed in you will be able to find your wood pile. Added bonus, it will keep your wood reasonable dry.
Contact your local forest service office and the office of land management for firewood cutting permits. Here in Colorado they are about 20.00 a cord. The trees are already down all you have to do is cut and load them. Share with a friend the work and the wood if you can't burn a full cord. Also share with a friend if you don't have a chain saw or rent one for the day.
Now that you have your wood consider saving all the bark that falls off your logs. You can break it up and use it as landscaping mulch. It is not a great idea to burn it as it can cause creosote build up in your stove or fireplace.
Don't forget your yule log. Tie a piece of rope around it so when you send your kid out for wood you don't burn it before the big day. Now you're done. Treat yourself to a hot cup of Cocoa or Coffee and relax, you will be warm this winter.
By Debra in Colorado
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Feedback: Creative Uses for Buttons
You could buy cheap, clear plastic frames at the store (the small ones that cost about $1 and stand up) and put kids pictures in them. Then glue the buttons on the outside and "frame" the picture. I did this one year and made Christmas presents for the grandparents.
By MB in WY
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Feedback: Recipes for Bariatric Patients
If you have not already, you might want to visit http://www.obesityhelp.com I found that website to be both informative and inspirational !!
Welcome to the losing side!
By goodkelly
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Feedback: Cooking Uses for Beer
Use beer for the liquid in bread making. Gives the yeast a boost and makes nice moist bread. You can even use flat beer for this. I can't imagine it, but if you have part of a can left in the refrig. it would work just as well as opening a new can.
By Jayne
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Feedback: Obedience Training for Puppies
One very important issue to remember with training anything, is not to set up a failure. If the dog or puppy is half an acre away, do not call him if he is busy smelling a flower. You are setting up a failure.
If the dog looks like he will obey, then call him, and praise profusely when he comes to you!
Remember only ask for things that you know the dog or puppy is likely to do immediately, this enforces training, and rewards, and the dog is set up to succeed!
Remember training should have praise as the number one achievement. If he can't do something and gets stuck, then ignore him for a second, then go to a command he can do and praise him profusely. Praise, praise, praise!
By Racing against thimerosol
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Feedback: 10 Common Uses for Baking Soda
You can also use it as a cleaning mask for your face, make a paste of soda and water, spread evenly on your face, rub in little circles. Takes away blemishes, and makes your face very soft in the meantime.
By Stephanie
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Feedback: Home remedy for my dog's yeast infection in her ears.
I took my dog to the vet for a routine checkup. They asked if they had permission to check his ears. 10 minutes later the tech comes out and says Trevor has a bacterial infection and charges me $82 for an ear cleaning and medication. When I tell her that I don't agree to pay the money, nor do I agree with the course of treatment, they say that I cannot have my dog until I pay. Is this crazy to anyone else? My dog had no discharge, no smell, no colored debris?
By ginger
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Other Active Topics
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Today's Recipe: Five Favorite Fall Popcorn Recipes!
By Leslie Sausage
October is National Popcorn Month--Pop up a batch or two!!
October is national popcorn month because popcorn is harvested
each fall in the Midwest USA. This all-time favorite snack is
cheap, easy to make, and most people like it--the perfect treat!
Try some of our favorite popcorn recipes:
1. Pink Elephant Popcorn -- Very pretty pink! Strawberry is our
favorite flavor!
3 tablespoons butter, 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows, 4
tablespoons dry strawberry flavored gelatin, 2 quarts popped
popcorn
Melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows until they are
soft, but not melted. Add flavored gelatin mix. Stir until
everything is a nice pink color throughout. The gelatin may not
dissolve completely, but that's ok. Pour evenly over popcorn and
stir until popcorn is evenly coated. Cool. Enjoy!
2. Kettle Korn - A true classic!
1/4 cup oil, 1/2 cup popcorn, 1/4 cup sugar
Heat oil in popper (or large soup pot). Add popcorn and sugar.
Pop as usual. Remove immediately to avoid burning. If you use
white sugar, it will taste like popcorn balls. If you use brown
sugar, it will taste like caramel corn. To add color: add a few
drops of food coloring on the unmelted sugar when ingredients are
put in popper. Dot drops around in 6 or 8 places. Don't squirt
in one spot or it will lump!
3. Crispy Popcorn Snack - Savory and delicious!
3 quarts popped corn, 1/4 cup butter - melted, 1/2 small can
French fried onions, 1/4 cup bacon bits, salt to taste
Toss popped corn with melted butter. Stir in French fried onions
and bacon bits. Sprinkle with salt. Place on jelly roll pan or
baking sheet. Heat oven to 250°F. Bake for 5 minutes; serve hot.
4. Pizza Popcorn
3 quarts popped corn, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons dry
spaghetti sauce mix, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Place popcorn in a large bowl. Warm olive oil in microwave.
Drizzle over popcorn; sprinkle with dry spaghetti sauce powder
and Parmesan cheese; toss to coat popcorn.
5. Sugar and Spice Popcorn -- Addicting!
1 tablespoon butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg,
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 quarts popped corn
Melt butter over low heat. Add sugar and spices. Stir until sugar
is dissolved. Drizzle over popcorn and toss to mix well. Other
spices can be substituted: allspice, anise, cloves, ginger, mint
or even pumpkin pie spice.
Copyright 2004 by Leslie Sausage
Leslie Sausage is a web designer, freelance writer and mom. She
is the author of several e-books. **The newest e-book "Favorite
Popcorn Recipes for National Popcorn Month" is a collection of
over 165 recipes for popcorn.** For more creative, practical and
fun ideas for your home visit Frugal Homemaker at
http://www.frugalhomemaker.com
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Tip Contest
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Foodsaver Vac 300
This is the entry level Foodsaver. It offers commercial-quality vacuum packaging and is great for storing meat and cheese. It has a retail price of $79.99.
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New Requests:
Converting Garage into a Teenager's Room
Does anyone have ideas for converting a garage into a room for a teenager? I know absolutely nothing about these things. The floor is cement, of course, and I'd also have to put up a wall or sealant of some sort around/in front of, the garage door.
Thanks in advance for any ideas!
-Donna
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Simple Rag Rug Instructions
I would like a simple example of how to lace a rag rug.
Thanks,
Darla
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Fun High School Actvities Ideas
Hi, I am having trouble figuring out what to do for a fun high school events as class president (can't be corny or boring.) Our date is February 2 and we live in Boston so we can't do anything outdoors. The class advisors are not letting us get buses and go somewhere so we are limited to our school. We've done dances in the past, they go average. And we have done a hypnotist night which went very well, but we've done it already. Any other ideas? We've thought up of a movie night, a talent show-anything that you can think of would help.
Thanks.
Nit from Newton
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Custom Embroidery Help
While at a department store recently, I spotted the most beautiful pair of pants I had ever seen. It was plain black (like slacks, no cuffs) with vibrant colors of green, red, purple, yellow etc embroidery stitching on just one leg.
The embroidery extended in the shape of swirls (or maybe it was a flower) on one pant leg from the bottom up to the knee on the side (facing out). Without the embroidery, it would have just been your ordinary run-of-the-mill black pants that I'm sure almost all of us have.
Unfortunately, I didn't buy the pants due to the obscene of a price tag but decided I would try to do something myself. I have the black pants. However, I do not have a sewing machine nor any idea how to sew much less do embroidery. Short of investing hundreds of dollars in a sewing machine or countless hours in learning embroidery, is there anybody that can tell me where or who I can go to that may do custom embroidery for me?
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanx,
pookie
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Termite Joke
A termite walks into a bar and sits down and says, "Say, is this bar tender?" (bartender)
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