Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 50, February 21, 2005
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Hello,
We hope to open our topic site about Cars, Trucks and Transportation by the end of the week. If you have any tips about Cars, Trucks or Transporation to share, please send them in.
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Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Princess, Romeo and Juliet (Yorkshire Terriers)
Today's Tips:
- Check Twist Ties For Freshness
- Homemade Leather Cleaners
- Give Flowering Shrubs Instead of Flowers
- Family Picture Calendars
- Composting Dog Waste
- Using Leaves for the Garden
- Prevent Scratching of Hardwood Floors
- Removing Black Heel Marks
- Drying Slip Covers
- Drying Curtains
- Removing Wallpaper
- Storage for Brooms and Mops
- Hairdressing for Bridesmaids
- Yummy Garlic Biscuit Poppers
- Thrifty Curtain Rods - Electrical Conduit
- Tips for Smelly Shoes
- Frugal Flea Shampoo
- Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
- Caramel Suckers
- Salted Nut Roll
- Apple Dumplings
- Zucchini Dressing
New Requests:
- Prom Theme For School That Is Closing
- Repairing An Old Leather Couch
- Are Pink Cupido Roses Toxic?
- Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal
- Woven Tote Bag Made From Plastic Bags
- Clicking on Links in Emails
- Cat Pee on Suede
- 11 Year Old's Birthday Party
- No Sew Pillow and Cushion Covers
- Cooking Cake for Two
- Cleaning Steam Iron of Calcium Deposits
More Reading:
- How Natural Light Affects Home Decor
- Pet Peeve: Dogs Doing Business Where Not Wanted
- Take Control of Your Gas Prices
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Today's Sponsor
Mvelopes Personal Budgeting Software
Find out how to get control of your personal budget
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Princess, Romeo and Juliet (Yorkshire Terriers)
There are my 3 Yorkies, from right to left, Princess 13 yrs old, Romeo 5 yrs old and Juliet also 5 yrs old. Every evening they wait patiently at the door in that order for my husband to come home from work. I had Princess first then bought Romeo and Juliet later they are cousins. They are like our children to both my husband and I and we love them dearly. They make us smile even on the worst day.
By MrsA1126
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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
Check Twist Ties For Freshness
When buying bread, look at the twist tie and it will tell you how old it is ... Each day has a different color, as follows: Monday = Blue, Tuesday = Green, Thursday = Red, Friday = White, Saturday = Yellow
By Brenda Cole
Editor's Note: I had never heard of this tip before. I wonder if this system is specific to one grocery store or chain or universally used.
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Homemade Leather Cleaners
Recipes for leather cleaners. Post your ideas.
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Give Flowering Shrubs Instead of Flowers
I would prefer to get a nice flowering shrub or bush to cut flowers any day. I put them in my little greenhouse until the proper planting time. Then I have beautiful flowers that last for more than a couple days and get thrown away.
By Dee C.
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Family Picture Calendars
For Christmas gifts for grandparents and aunts and other family I take pictures with my digital camera. I then upload onto my computer and put them on a calendar for the following year. What family member would prefer a nice personalized calendar to a tie or purse ?
By Dee C.
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Composting Dog Waste
When you clean up that nasty doggie poo out of the yard, don't throw away in garbage can, bury it in the garden. It will make free fertilizer for plants.
By Dee C.
Editor's Note: You can also compost it in a separate compost pile adding grass clippings or saw dust to use on ornamental plants for fertilizer. Using dog and cat manure is not recommended for a vegetable or garden anytime you are growing food.
For more information on composting dog waste, this site seems to have helpful information and precautions.
http://www.compostinfo.com/tutorial/DogWaste.htm
View Article: Click Here
Using Leaves for the Garden
When you rake your yard in fall, don't throw the leaves away in trash bags. Spread them over the garden spot and wet it down. When you till the yard in spring, till the leaves in. It makes free mulch nutrients for the plants as leaves will decompose.
By Dee C.
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Prevent Scratching of Hardwood Floors
In order to prevent scratching your hardwood floors, just glue some soft felt to the bottom of your furniture legs.
By Robin
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Removing Black Heel Marks
To remove black heel marks, etc. from your linoleum or hardwood floors, just use an ordinary eraser.
By Robin
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Drying Slip Covers
If you have slipcovers that are washable don't dry them completely. Put them back on your furniture slightly damp. It will save you having to iron them and they will conform to the shape of the furniture or pillow as they dry.
By Robin
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Drying Curtains
I never dry my curtains. I wash them in my washing machine on gentle cycle and then rehang them wet. They dry there well and they don't have to be ironed.
By Robin
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Removing Wallpaper
Wallpaper removal tips and instructions. Post your ideas!
Loosening Wallpaper for Removal
To loosen wallpaper to remove it just use a mixture of hot water and white vinegar applied to the paper to take it off. For speed, dip a roller in the hot water and vinegar and roll it on. Paper comes right off!
By Robin
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Storage for Brooms and Mops
Brooms and mops left standing on their bristles or heads wear out sooner. It is worth the investment to buy a plastic hanging storage piece for them.
By Robin
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Hairdressing for Bridesmaids
Instead of taking your bridesmaids to a pricey salon, find a hairstyling school in your area. They usually charge 1/3 (or less!) the price then a regular salon.
By Ashley Arvidson
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Yummy Garlic Biscuit Poppers
In an oven-proof small saute-pan (I use my Pampered Chef one), take 1-2 Tbsp margarine/butter, and saute 2-3 cloves finely diced garlic. After butter has melted and the garlic has infused the butter, take a small tube of refrigerated biscuits (the cheapo variety works well for this). Cut them into 1/4's, and lay in butter. Move them to the edge as the pan starts to fill up.
Then place pan in 350 degree oven for time set on the biscuit tube. Usually, 10-15 minutes, depending on variety you use. Then pull from oven, and flip onto a pie plate. Have fun pulling off a biscuit and popping them into your mouth. YUM!
By Wendy
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Thrifty Curtain Rods - Electrical Conduit
Using electrical conduit to hang your curtains is super inexpensive and it has that industrial look. It can be purchased at your home improvement store in 10 foot lengths for a little more than a dollar for the entire piece. You can easily cut to fit with a simple pipe cutter or hacksaw. Remember to file down ends. Then use larger screw eyes or hooks mounted into the wall or window frame to slide the conduit through. Lastly, I purchase inexpensive rubber furniture feet for outdoor patio furniture; these I put on the ends of conduit to prevent it from sliding out of the wall hooks. :)
By Pam Irie
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Tips for Smelly Shoes
Tips for help deal with and prevent smelly shoes. Post your ideas!
Smelly Athletic Shoes
When my son was in high school athletics, his basketball and track shoes could really smell bad at the end of the day. I used an old pair of pantyhose, cut off both legs and put fresh kitty litter inside the legs. Tie a knot and stick inside the shoe. Much Better! Refresh as needed. :)
By Pam Irie
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Frugal Pet Shampoo
Instead of using expensive flea shampoo's try using dawn dish liquid. It works much better and you should always have it on hand.
By Tina
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Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 4 Tbsp. cocoa
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat with a mixer for approximately 2 minutes. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Stays moist. Can frost if desired.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Caramel Suckers
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup cream
- 1/2 cup white syrup
- 1/4 lb. butter
Directions:
Mix ingredients together, stirring constantly. Boil until temperature is 265 degrees. Put on skewers on aluminum foil.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Salted Nut Roll
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 2/3 cup oleo
- 1 egg
Mix together and press onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees F for 16 minutes. Sprinkle with 2 cups miniature marshmallows and bake for 1 minute. Spread marshmallows evenly over the cake mixture.
Melt together:
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 cup oleo
- 12 oz. pkg. peanut butter chips
Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups Rice Krispies. Spread over the marshmallows. Top with one large bag salted nuts. Rich and good!!!
By Robin
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Apple Dumplings
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 3/4 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup milk
Directions:
Cook above 5 minutes. Set aside. Mix the other ingredients like pie crust.. Put layer crust on bottom of long cake pan. Put in sliced apples. Cover with rest of crust. Then pour the liquid over the raw crust and bake at 400 degrees until done.
By Robin
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Zucchini Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 1 box chicken Stove Top Stuffing mix
- 1 small carton sour cream
- 6 cups zucchini (unpeeled)
- 2 sticks butter
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
Directions:
Mix carrots, zucchini & onions together. Cook for 6 minutes. Drain. Melt butter, adding stuffing mix & mixing well. Add this to zucchini mixture. Mix soup & sour cream. Layer, starting with zucchini mixture & ending with chicken mixture. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
By Terri H.
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Other Active Topics
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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 February 28th.
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Syndication Spotlight:
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Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
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New Requests:
Prom Theme For School That Is Closing
Our high school is deactivating and we want to decorate our post prom with a nostalgic theme. Do you have any suggestions?
Siisy
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Repairing An Old Leather Couch
What do you do with a 10 year old, leather couch that is starting to look wrinkly and cracking? Is there any product we should be using on our couch? Leather conditioner?
Thanks,
dudedwards
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Are Pink Cupido Roses Toxic?
My cat likes to chew on this Pink Cupido-its a sort of rose bush- and everywhere I look to see if this sort of plant is toxic, it doesn't say a thing! Not a thing about rose bushes... so I was curious if anyone knew if a Pink Cupido is toxic to cats or not. I'd appreciate the help. Thanks. Kacie
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Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal
how can I keep those little pesty worms out of my flour, oatmeal and other dry products. I remember a good tip a long time ago but cannot remember what it was.
Thank you,
Peaches
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Woven Tote Bag Made From Plastic Bags
I need directions for a WOVEN tote bag made with plastic bags. It's like the bag rug, only a tote bag. This is for use with grade school kids. I have seen it somewhere, but can't find it now. I thinks it's done on a home made cardboard loom, like the bag rug. Any help out there? Thanks a bunch! Trashcrafter from WA
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Clicking on Links in Emails
I can not "click" on links in any emails Can anyone offer any solutions to the problem? Dan in NY
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Cat Pee on Suede
My cat peed on my new suede boots and I have no idea how to remove the stain/odor. Help! mandy moo
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11 Year Old's Birthday Party
I have no idea on what to do for my eleventh birthday party-do you have any ideas for me? - Mandy
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No Sew Pillow and Cushion Covers
I'm hoping someone might be able to help me. A year or so ago, I saw either a show or article on how to cover pillows and cushions using scarves, cloth napkins etc. , but without having to sew them.It involved a lot of knotting in places.If anyone knows of this article, or show, or has any good ideas, I would really appreciate it.
-Debbie from Ontario
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Cooking Cake for Two
I'm have a quandry about baking a cake for two. My thoughts are to down size the 8 in pan as to cut the cake in half. Is there anywhere i can find a 4 in pan for round cakes? giggle--I keep thinking of my old easy bake oven and wish i had those pans now! My children are all grown up and I only want a round cake miniaturized for two! If anyone knows a place where I can purchase mini cooking pans, i would surely appreciate it. Kate
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Cleaning Steam Iron of Calcium Deposits
My Steam iron produces steam poorly. How can I clean the calcium deposits that have formed on the inside? R. Moore
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More Reading:
How Natural Light Affects Home Decor
By Pamela Cole Harris
One of your best friends in design (or worst enemies!) is the natural light that filters through your home's windows. It can make that lavender color you chose in the store look dreamy and serene or like Barney's nightmare depending on direction your room is facing. Here are some tips on how natural light will affect your décor.
View Article: Click Here
Pet Peeve: Dogs Doing Business Where Not Wanted
By Alyice Edrich
We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really is much like a resort. We don't have to maintain the lawn, handle any maintenance problems, or deal with unruly neighbors. We can use the pool without having to clean and maintain it, we can work out in a gym without the added monthly expense, we can play pool without going to a bar, and we can enjoy many sports such as racquetball, tennis, volleyball, and basketball.
View Article: Click Here
Take Control of Your Gas Prices
By GranMamma
Car pool. Join your neighbors for shopping and picking up the kids.
View Article: Click Here
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