Daily Thrifty Tips - January 23, 2006

Coupons for Brand Name Items

Print brand name coupons and use them at your favorite store! Sign up to take advantage of over 81 money-saving offers inside.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/print_coupons.lasso

My dog name is Pugie Fay she is 4 years old. We adopted her when she was 6 months old she had just had puppies. We got her from the animal shelter. It was her last day there they would of put her down. She love to go visiting down the road. She goes riding the four wheeler with my grandfather. She also likes to ride with me on the riding lawn more. I wish more people would adopt then buy animals there is a lot of good animals at the shelter people don't take the time to look.

By ASHLEY from LOUISIANA, LAF

Post Feedback: Click Here

For my Mother's birthday I took a picture of each of my four children by the clock on my mantle. The hands on the clock were put on the date my children were born.

Robbie is on 7-18
Tim is 10-10
Amanda is 2-03
Mackenzie is 11-22

I put it in a frame that holds four pictures and gave it to my Mom. Needless to say Grandma loves it. : )

By Tracey from Michigan

Post Feedback: Click Here

I made this butterfly out of an empty Dannon Frusion smoothie drinkable yogurt container for a craft at my daughter's Valentine's Day party at school.

Materials:

• 1 drinkable yogurt container
(cut off the top with a box cutter) (save the lid cause you never know when you could use it for another craft) lol
• Tissue Paper with specks of glitter for the wings cut in the shape of 2 hearts
• Pipe Cleaner for the antennae
• Ribbon - Bow for the head and a small piece for the mouth
• 2 Sequins for the eyes
• Stickers to decorate the wings

Hot glue or tacky glue on the wings, antennae, sequins, ribbon for the mouth, and bow (girls can put the bow on the head and the boys can make it a bow tie for the neck). Decorate the wings with some heart stickers and you have a nice decoration for Valentine's Day that also doubles as a pencil holder you can sit on your desk.

By luv2craft from Normalville, Pennsylvania

Post Feedback: Click Here

My students wanted to create a holiday greeting for our soldiers overseas. I had a box of unusual shaped tiles that looked to resemble a holiday ornament. I spray painted them. When dried, the students wrote holiday greetings on one side of both tiles. We finished them up by gluing the two pieces together, adding a hanging ribbon and a bow on top. The soldiers who came to pick them up from Fort Dix loved them and told the kids they were sure they'd be a hit overseas!

By Sharon from Edison, NJ

Post Feedback: Click Here

With Valentine's Day and Easter just around the corner I would suggest buying some of the foil wrapped choclates at the sales that occur on the day after the holidays. They make great wedding favors when you wrap a few pieces up in a piece of tulle and tie them with a ribbon. I work as a banquet server so I throw away or get to keep unsuccessful wedding favors at the end of the night.

Foil wrapped choclates are very popular with the guests. Don't waste your money on pastel mints I throw alot of those away.

By Nancy M from Kansas City Area

Post Feedback: Click Here

Trying to disprove the saying "You can't take it with you," a stingy old lawyer, diagnosed with a terminal illness, finally figured out how to take at least some of his fortune with him when he died.

He instructed his wife to go to the bank and withdraw enough money to fill two pillowcases. He then told her to take the bags of money to the attic and leave them directly above his bed. When he passed away, he planned to reach out and grab the bags on his way to heaven.

Several weeks after the funeral, his wife, up in the attic cleaning, came upon the two forgotten pillow cases stuffed with cash.

"Oh, that old fool!" she exclaimed. "I knew I should have put the money in the basement."

Post Feedback: Click Here

You can go to the fruit markets in your area and get cases of discounted fruits and vegetables for next to nothing. I got a huge orange box that holds 72 oranges, but it was full of onions and had to weigh at least 50 lbs. I thought at the price being $1.00 a lb. right now and the weather being cold I can't afford not to get them. I got the whole case for $1.50, beleive it or not!

You can hang them in the basement, garage, or coldest room in the house & they will keep longer. I tie the onions in old pantyhose and seperate them with a twisty tie so they are aired well and I can reuse the hose for next time or to filter oil or something. I hang them with metal hangers by nails, poles, or wherever I can (they look like a funny old horror film but hey, they wasted nothing in the old days either).

I also use the onion peels (all onions, purple is the best) to dye my eggs at Easter and save on using dyes or food coloring. I store the peels in a 10 lb. old onion bag that is made of a mesh material so they can breath and dry out better just incase I get a little onion in there. I boil the eggs in the water with the peels in there and I also use a coffee can to do so.

The rest of the onion trash goes to the neighbors mulch for the garden.

As expensive as things are getting lately, we need to save everywhere we can. If I can feed a family of seven on a $200.00 a month shopping budget (if you could call it a budget), there are ways you can cut back I'm sure. I thank God I was raised down south or I don't think I would be able to stretch so much out of nothing. I hope this helps someone. P.S. A half bad onion is only half bad and you can get rid of that and keep the rest.

By Mary A. Melnyk from Roseville, Michigan

Post Feedback: Click Here

Don't throw anything out, I save old and outgrown clothes. I save old dresses and skirts that I liked the pattern on and use them for quilts or baby clothes.

I keep the mismatched and holey socks for dusting and cleaning (turn them inside out and you have a terry type of material. I keep all buttons and some zippers.

I donate and give away the ones that are in good shape and the rest go to my hubbys garage.

By Mary A. Melnyk from Roseville, Michigan

Post Feedback: Click Here

I chop an onion and keep it in the freezer inside a ziplock bag that is inside a freezer bag. I always have chopped onion handy for a recipe and don't have to take the extra time to chop one each time. Double bagging it ensures that the odor does not leak!

By Becky Owens from Watertown, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Make sure the wicks are the minimum length needed to light the candle (longer wick=bigger flame=more melted wax on your cake). Shorter wicks also make it easier to blow the candles out--and who wants to sabotage a loved one's birthday wish? Shorter wicks also extend the life of your candles; yes, they are reusable!

After a use, wash them in warm dishwater to remove the frosting and cake bits. While still warm and pliable, roll them on the counter top to get them super straight again, then rinse in cold water and air dry. I then trim the singed part off and I'm ready for the next chorus of "Happy Birthday"!

By Debbie from Dundee, MI

Post Feedback: Click Here

I don't always get these thrifty tips and don't know if this has been addressed.

I went to a fire demo where flour was thrown on a fire. It burst into flame before ever contacting the fire. He said all powders do this except baking soda. So be careful when putting out a fire.

He read the statistics on how reliable these fire alarms are: 55% of the time they never go off.

This is frightening. I have been relying on this alarm to warn me of a fire and 55% of the time it will not. The smoke particles are too large to set it off.

His fire alarms were just outrageous in price. But then if they save the life of a loved one, perhaps they are not.

By Jill from Salt Lake City, Utah

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have been trying to come up with a spare $100 to renew my membership to the San Diego Zoological Society but never seem to have the spare cash. The last renewal solicitation I received spurred me to take action. I pinned the envelope on my bulletin board (beside the desk) and any money coming in from refunds, part of the extra money I earn babysitting , and other little bits will go into the envelope. I don't think it will take too long this way.

By Linda from Vista, CA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Langer's Juice now makes orange Juice concentrate in a plastic container with a screw on cap. I am refilling the empty ones with water or juice and freezing them for my baby's bottle bag, or lunch bags. They fit easily (almost 12 oz) and you are able to drink out of them while the juice/water melts. Also I am thinking of using them for small craft items and office supplies.

By Kelly from Willamina, OR

Post Feedback: Click Here

As a teacher and a mom, I am always trying to keep my costs to a minimum. A few years ago, I stumbled onto a great idea. Whiteboards are quite popular, but rather expensive to purchase for a class of 25. I went to Home Depot and puchased a sheet of tileboard, which costs under $10. I had the employee cut the sheet into 32 boards and the results were wonderful. Now each child gets to keep their own board at the end of the year at a rate of approximately .33 cents each. What a bargain! I also bought a full sheet and mounted it on the wall of my daughter's bedroom. Now she can write reminders and important info on her wall and have fun with it as well! By Sharon from Edison, NJ

Post Feedback: Click Here

We bought some wine Glasses from Pier1 Imports as they were on big Sale. The store Clerk wrapped each glass in a nice paper. Normally I would put the paper in the recycle bin, but this time by mom's advice saved the paper. I had to fry lot of food the following week for a party. Used the this paper to absorb the excess oil instead of using the Paper Towels.

By Chaitanya Kichannagari from Chelmsford, MA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Submit Your Tips and Photos!

Tip Contest!

To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml

Photo Contest!

To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml

Contest ends January 31, 2005

Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!

Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor

Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html

I have long hair and a part on top of my my head that seperates the hair, it won't go away. I want to be able to put my hair into a perfect ponytail, but my part line never goes away. How can I make it go away?

Jitterbug from Oneonta, AL

Post Feedback: Click Here

I'm looking for a recipe for diabetic pound cake. A delightful lady in my town owns a tiny bakery and asked me if I had such a recipe but search as I might I was unable to find one. The problem is that sugar is required to produce a nice brown crust and I can find no way around this. If anyone has a workaround I'd love to know about it.

Thanks,
Alph from Greenwood, SC

Post Feedback: Click Here

There are so many mouthwatering recipes on this site that use "hamburger". Is this just ground beef or is it a special mixture? We only know hamburger as a ready made frozen or fresh meat patty. Can anyone help?

Sandra from Ireland

Post Feedback: Click Here

I would like to make a couple of purses for my 12 year old grandaughter. Does anyone know of free online patterns for purses for young teens? Thank you for any help you can give me with this!

Susan from Bremen, Georgia

Post Feedback: Click Here

Years ago my washer, a Kenmore, had a "suds saver" feature, which would pump the wash or rinse water back into the washer to be reused. There was a "sud saver tub" that the water drained into and then the sud saver feature would siphon the water from the tub back into the washer out for reuse. Does anyone remember this feature?

Now I have a tub (laundry sink) the water goes into before it goes to the drain because my plumbing is old and the force of the water is too much for the drain to handle. This morning I was thinking of ways to save on water. I am wondering if a small pond pump put in the laundry tub would work to siphon the water back into the washer for reuse.

Another thought was to use a garden hose from the laundry sink to send the RINSE water outside to my flower beds.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

PrairieLady from SD

Post Feedback: Click Here

I am looking for a recipe for pinto bean pie. It might be called "Soup bean Pie". I had this pie several years ago and the person that had made it has pased away. I hope you can help me. I would like to try to make it for my family.

Leila Reinersman from Lexington, KY

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have elevated ceilings that have soot marks and are dirty. I cannot stand on a ladder. Does anyone know what type of tool I can get to clean them without leaving bits and pieces say from a sponge mop?

Joanzer from Cudahy, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

I am interested in purchasing an automated (electric) floor cleaner for linoleum and hard wood floors. I need advice on the best model. I am interested in cost, ease of use, ease of cleaning and effectiveness. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have.

Diana from Louisville, KY

Post Feedback: Click Here

I recently bought a leather coat that has a chemical odor. Is there any way to get rid of this smell?

Suy from Digby, Nova Scotia

Post Feedback: Click Here

Does anyone have a recipe for muffins using cooked oatmeal? I had a really good one that I believe was from "Taste of Home" or "Country Cooking" Magazine, but I lost it.

Thanks!

Sandra from Floral City, FL

Post Feedback: Click Here

Can anyone give me a solution for getting wax from a automatic car wash off a car windsheid? Mine seems to have a buildup and streaks so bad I almost can't see when I use the wipers.

KathyM from Ft. Wayne, Indiana

Post Feedback: Click Here

I need help finding a recipe for chocolate chips cookies that uses instant pudding. I had it and lost the recipe. It was so, so good. Can anyone help me?

Candy from Boston, MA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Does anyone have a deferred billing code for Speigel and Newport News? Also, any coupons for either store?

Thanks!

Sue from Commerce, MI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Our dog is an Australian Heeler and licks us all the time. How do you stop this?

Pat from Sagle, ID

Post Feedback: Click Here

Does anyone else have Chihuahuas? Maggie and Jack use the blue piddle pads in a box, but it does get expensive. Does anyone know how to stretch the use of them? I live in SD and going outside in the winter is not an option. Litter is so messy. Anyone else got any ideas?

PrairieLady from SD

Post Feedback: Click Here

Is it possible to water the garden with the water from your washer? Maybe just the rinse water? Mine goes into a holding tub before it goes to the drain, as my plumbing is old and the drains will not take the force of water from the washer. I could use a garden hose to drain the tub into the flower beds. Would this work or would the soap kill the plants? I would not use the water with the bleach! Got any ideas?

Hardiness Zone: 4b

Thanks!
PrairieLady from SD

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have two inside cats and one black lab dog that goes in and out and I just noticed a flea on one of the cats. I need a natural remedy for all three. My daughter has asthma and we want to get away from chemical treatments. We live in an old farm house and we have used peppermint oil to ward off mice. I have plenty of oils that we use for all most anything but I am worried about using them on the animals. I also wonder about ear mites for the cats?

Thank you,
Helen from Stanton, MI

Post Feedback: Click Here

I wore a new suede jacket last night to dinner and got a spot of balsamic vinegar sauce on my lime green suede jacket. Is there any way of getting this out?

Janikens from Easthampton, MA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Now that computers no longer use floppy discs is there any use for all the unused ones I have? I hate to throw anything away that can be used for something else. Coasters are the only thing coming to mind.

Audrey from Enfield, CT

Post Feedback: Click Here

I remember seeing a recipe for a leave in conditioner for your hair in a magazine many years ago, however I don't recall what it was. Does anyone know of a recipe for leave in conditioner? I think it had fabric softener in it, but I'm not 100% positive.

AC from Minnesota

Post Feedback: Click Here

Coupons for Brand Name Items

Print brand name coupons and use them at your favorite store! Sign up to take advantage of over 81 money-saving offers inside.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/print_coupons.lasso

Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:

Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users:

Tip Contest!
Submit a tip and enter our contest.

Submit a Request
Frugal solutions to everyday problems.

Search ThriftyFun!
Use Google technology to search ThriftyFun.