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Vol. 8, Num. 165, August 24, 2009 (Read It Online) We hope everyone had a nice weekend. Do you have any frugal entertainment tips to share with the ThriftyFun community? Share them here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.
If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information:
Harley (Border Collie/Mini Bull Terrier) Harley is 3 months old in this picture. She is 1/2 Border Collie, 1/2 Mini Bull Terrier. We got him at a rescue shelter on May 2, 2009. She loves to chase my cats (much to their dismay); play fetch; sit, speak, and lay down; and she LOVES belly rubs! By Jessica from Indianapolis, IN Contest Contender!
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Berry Basket for Holding Sliced Cheese I have always hated after opening the cellophane package of cheese slices that they spread out in the fridge. I found the ideal holder for these slices just today! Having bought a flat of strawberries at a farm, I kept the plastic baskets that they were in. I have them in various places around my kitchen. I remembered having the baskets when I was cleaning out the fridge and popped the slices into one of the baskets. Viola! It fits neatly in the cold cut drawer in the fridge and I am one happy cook! FYI - These baskets also make great organizers for Kool-Aid and hot chocolate envelopes. I also have a couple in my "catchall" kitchen drawer which are holding my tiny bag clips and another one to corral the "corn on the cob" tips. Surely beats looking through the entire drawer for these things. Source: Me - finding something to keep the slides from sliding around in the fridge. By Southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA Contest Contender!
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WANTED FOR QUESTIONING! Believed to be the leader of the a roving fruit thief gang operating in the Belroi section of Gloucester County. Highly intelligent and disarmingly cute, this gang is destructive and greedy. Be alert - they will strip an orchard in one night - even during a violent storm! By chickweed from Middle Peninsula, VA Contest Contender!
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Wedding: Hand Tied Bridal Bouquet This is a hand tied bridal bouquet I made. Being a certified wedding planner, I keep my business "all inclusive"! I sometimes am the "florist" too! By DesignedByJulie from Mt. Pleasant, NC Contest Contender!
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Solo and Romeo are a little over three years old and are a Lab Mix. A few years ago, I adopted them from a co-worker moving out of state. 5 only meant to adopt Romeo, but when we arrived, Solo was waiting, too, and they were inseparable. So glad we did because they're great company for each other. They love to be petted, brushed, walked, love to fetch (especially snow balls), wrestle and play with each other, and spend time eating their huge chew bones. They have white feet and white chest markings. Our neighbor told us they look like they have on tuxedos and spats! They're very, very smart and obedient and do all commands in unison. They're my 'beautiful boys' and I couldn't imagine life without them now. By Tracey from Canton, OH Contest Contender!
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Buy Groceries At Dollar Stores With tough times we are all looking for ways to save money. My local everything cost one dollar store has many food items. I find you can buy flat flour burrito shells, and shredded cheese and pepperoni all for $1. I take the shell and brown it on both sides in the oven. Pull it out and add shredded cheese and pepperoni and even other items I may have in my fridge. Back in the oven to broil a minute or two, and you have easy, quick, and cheap individual pizzas. The kids love being able to pick their own items. By Kimberly from Lakeland, FL Contest Contender!
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Use Styrofoam Egg Cartons for Packing I use Styrofoam egg cartons for mailing in place of packing peanuts. I never throw an egg carton away. They are far less messy than the peanuts and cost nothing. By irisbird from Lillington, NC Contest Contender!
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I can't remember where I heard this but I've done it and it works. Just place the amount of liquid dish soap you desire in to a ziplock bag, remove as much air as possible and freeze! It comes out nice and pliable and reusable as an icepack or, if you decide you don't need or want it as an icepack anymore, you have soap to wash your dishes ;-) By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender!
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Magnetic Grocery List On Refrigerator I have one of those clear see- through magnetic frames; the kind that pulls apart half of the way as you insert whatever picture you might like. Well instead of a picture, I put a blank piece of lined notebook paper in it. Now I can write my grocery list straight because there are lines. I use a washable crayola marker to write on it with, it is easier to remove. No more loose notes all over the refrigerator I was thinking of getting some sort of paint and writing "Grocery List" at the top of it and giving them as little gifts. By Robyn Fed from Hampton TN Contest Contender!
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Use Baby Wipes For Spot Freshening I liked the convenience of "Feminine" wipes, but even though I was getting my packets from the dollar store, they were still sort of pricey. When the dollar store supply ran out, I thought I would try baby wipes in a pinch - and they were better and less expensive, because they come in greater quantity for the same money. Now I buy baby wipe refillsand put them in the leftover wipe containers - and stock up on them at the dollar store so I don't run out. Good for all sorts of bodily spot cleaning. By pamphyila from L.A., CA Contest Contender!
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Product Review: Individual Carrot Cake Product: Carrot Cake (for one or two) Manufacturer: Nemo Cost: .99 My daughter and I are both watching our weight. I love to bake, but, unless we have guests, we find we can't resist second helpings. Yet we crave some baked treats. I have tried the cake slices available at the grocery store. They are usually either high priced or pieces of an ordinary sheet cake someone ordered and didn't pick up. The Smart Ones desserts are good, but a little expensive. Well, I found the solution at a Walgreens store. I was in their food section and spotted these little plastic wrapped cakes, carrot cake and chocolate cake. They were just enough for one serving and only .99 cents. I haven't tried the chocolate cake yet, but the carrot cake is moist and delicious with a light creamy frosting. It is better than most homemade. Also, the best thing is, I don't have the whole cake so I can't keep going back for more. I just pick up one little cake when I need a treat. Or two when my daughter is home from college. By SusannL Contest Contender!
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Use Less Shampoo By Avoiding "Repeat" This is a fact I learned at least 30 years ago, maybe more. Re: the amount of shampoo you use when washing your hair. Everyone seems to follow the instructions of washing, rinsing, then repeat. Do you know why it says that? Years ago a shampoo company wanted a way to increase sales. They held a contest with suggestions from the employees. The winner was the person who suggested adding one word - repeat. Prior to that time it was not on the labels. By adding the word repeat, manufacturers doubled their sales because you were using twice as much shampoo. So, to save money go back to the old instructions 'wash, rinse'. Of course if you were mud wrestling or something that would get your hair that dirty, then I would 'repeat' too. Source: Too long ago to remember where I heard it. By knitter926 from Bloomington,IL Contest Contender!
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I noticed that when I read the Sunday paper (and the store sale flyers) or catalogs, that suddenly I would "need" something because it was on sale. I also noticed that when I got catalogs in the mail, I would also find that I "need something" and I had some un-necessary magazine subscriptions (free of course) that provided tons of articles about which celebrity was wearing, what the best hair and makeup products and new fashions, home decorating). The list of temptation was pretty much endless. I stopped subscribing to the Sunday paper (or throw out the circulars right away, you can always look online for the store sales if necessary). I throw away catalogs without so much as opening a page. i cancelled as many "junk mail" items (brochures, catalogs) as possible. I let the magazine subscriptions run out or pass them off to friends (local hair salon is good too) without opening them. I never turn on channels like home shopping or infomercials or anyone promoting a book etc. I know it sounds super-easy and probably all of you already do those things, but to tell you the truth, I didn't realize how much those sales pitches were influencing the money I spent, until I ended up with two of the same bedding set that I didn't need. My bank account and my peace of mind thank me for this, and I no longer envy or crave the products that I really do not need. Thanks for listening to me. It was an epiphany for me. Now I'm enjoying ThriftyFun much more than those other sales pitches and glossy colorful advertisements (like buy more save more, hahaha). By Bella Swan from Forks, WA Contest Contender!
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If you are using reusable bags for groceries (good for you) machine wash them frequently. Simply put them in with your regular laundry. Meat and vegetable juices, left to breed bacteria, in the hot trunks of our cars can make us SICK. We have learned to be extremely careful when using raw meats etc. in our kitchens, this carries over to our grocery bags. By quiltmum from Ontario, Canada Contest Contender!
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I can't believe how well this worked; you all know about those Magic Erasers that you can pick up really cheap at the Dollar Store; they work super-duper on black marks on the wall. If you carry a small container of warm water with you and use those Magic Erasers on ceramic tile, and especially to clean grout between your tiles, without much elbow work at all, the grout comes clean. It IS like magic. One eraser cleaner lasted long enough, after dipping it in water to clean it out, to clean about 15-20 ceramic tiles and the grout in between. I picked up three Magic Erasers in a bundle for less than $2.00. This is a hands-and-knees job but I have not been able to find ANYTHING that cleans grout as easily as this. By kghornsten from Davis, CA Contest Contender!
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Removing Hot Pepper Juice From Skin I would like advice on how to get rid of burning from hot peppers on the hands. I have tried lemon, alcohol, tomatoes, and ice. Nothing works, my hands hurt with the burning. By JoaniSmi from Hershey, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78612752.tip.html
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Rate It: Condiments on the Table or Counter What items should you leave on your kitchen table? For example, should I put the sugar, salt, and pepper on the table leave them on the counter? By waitress from Brick, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72084108.tip.html
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Rate It: Placement of Kitchen Canisters I have kitchen canisters fro flour and sugar. Where do you put them on the kitchen counters? By waitress from Brick, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66252793.tip.html
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Rate It: Finding a Discontinued Fuller Brush Product Does anyone know where I can get the Fuller Brush denture brush #384? I tried the online catalog, but it states they no longer carry this item. I'm not sure if I can trust independents merchants that advertise Fuller brush products online. By GrandmaCindy from Klickitat, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34304695.tip.html
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Rate It: Touching Up Worn Spots on Leather Sofa Our leather couch has lost some of it's very dark brown color in a few spots. Would hair dye work to touch it up? By kmcb59 from WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61196211.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Water Based Concrete Stain Does anybody know how to make a homemade water based concrete stain? I have a project that I am doing; I need a small amount of brown color and a moderate amount of green. I hate to have to purchase a whole gallon of each color for just small areas. By tshallow74 from WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33839738.tip.html
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Rate It: Controlling Fleas in the House How can I get rid of fleas in my house? By jdunn1507 from Savannah, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48337813.tip.html
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Rate It: How can I get rid of fleas on my dogs? By jdunn1507 from Savannah, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf719004.tip.html
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Rate It: We have a two story split foyer Colonial house. Would it look odd from the street if I have plantation shutters in two windows on the front of my house in the living room, and curtains on two windows in another room that's also located on the front of the house? The upstairs front windows would have curtains as well. By carla from Greensboro, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf191014.tip.html
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Rate It: How can I get oil stains out of clothing that has been washed and dried already? (100% cotton) By susieq223 from Mico, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78662995.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Baking Soda to Remove Hairspray from Your Hair How many times do you need to wash your hair with baking soda before all the hairspray residue is gone? I've washed it 3 times now and there is still some there, (my hair has been suffering with hairspray residue for over 12 months). I've had to buy some Aussie Miracle Treatment conditioner, because the baking soda dried my hair out terribly. If you add some baking soda to hot water and soak your brushes, you can watch all the hairspray bubble. Yuk. By Nutttytart from Doncaster Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf443587.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Kerosene Smells From Clothing How do I remove kerosene odor from cotton clothing? By margob from Elkins, WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28938316.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I remove yellow build up from my vinyl floor? By Lizzieboo from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47294266.tip.html
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Rate It: How long before you can let your dogs outside, after a pravo outbreak? I have bleached my yard twice, and my other 2 dogs were all updated on shots prior to the outbreak. The puppy who had pravo was taken to another house for treatment, plus I have bleached my house twice. By tara102 from OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf106205.tip.html
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Rate It: Dishwasher Dulls Wilton Cake Pan I don't know if it's possible, but perhaps some of you can come to my assistance. I recently ran my dishwasher with a Wilton cake pan in the load of dishes. When I went to retrieve it the pan had lost all of its shine. Does anyone know how I can go about restoring it, or have I totally messed up a $18 cake pan? By xstchr92 from FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63648557.tip.html
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Rate It: I am going to buy some new furniture. What would you recommend if you have 2 cats? By ilovemacca Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25380549.tip.html
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Rate It: Polishing Solid Surface Counter Tops When polishing Avalon counter tops (like Corian, only 1/8 inch thinner) must you use an orbital buffer or will a standard car buffer work? By Al from Des Peres, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48365490.tip.html
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Rate It: Improving Second Language Pronunciation How can we improve our pronunciation in English language? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35726508.tip.html
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Rate It: My 8 year old daughter has never had long hair. It's a short type cut, just about middle of the ear, and is cute. I would like to see her grow long hair just once. She has never seen herself with long hair so she believes the norm is a short haircut, that's all she's ever had. The reason she's never had long hair because my wife says it's easier to manage. My daughter hates having her hair brushed, and won't use barrettes or anything else to help keep the hair out of her eyes. Now here is the question, (and you should know that my wife thinks I'm way off base here). Is it odd for girl to never have long hair in the first 8 years of life? By dbothe from Pittsburgh Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22193958.tip.html
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Rate It: I live in a manufactured home (trailer). The shower stall floor in the master bath needs replacing (it's cracked). It is 2 pieces, so I've got the new base, but I don't know where to go from here. How do I get the drain out? I can see the screws to remove the walls, but don't know how to do the next step (or what the next step is). Please advise. Thank you. By StillLazy from Yuma, AZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12923143.tip.html
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Rate It: How can you get permanent marker off plastic folders? By bebeerg54 from FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf462313.tip.html
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Rate It: My 1yr old chihuahua is a very picky eater. Sometimes she will go for days without eating. I cannot find the right food to feed her; especially the hard food. She seems to like the Alpo beef w/gravy; and the chicken treats. But I keep reading the soft food is not good for her. Please forward any suggestions on what to feed her. Another thing, I don't brush her teeth. Is there anything that may keep her teeth strong and clean that she can chew on? By byates77 from Princeton, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21842429.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Clothing Stains From Wet Leather I have a pair of coral colored slacks, they got black leather dye stains all over the leg from a black leather watch band. How can I get these stains out? By suejoy from Rockford, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95652538.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking For Recipes Using Tofu Does anyone have a simple, great tasting recipe for a dish using tofu for a person (me) who desires to eat healthier? The benefits of soy are many, not to mention high protein and low fat, but I've never eaten tofu in my life. Thanks so much. By jrmahon from Shreveport, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96953501.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a 1 year old shih tzu I'm trying to train. She has been in her crate all day, and been taken outside every 45 minutes. She has not been to the potty since this morning. I'm very concerned that she has not gone yet help. By sanailei from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84095761.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I remove fingernail polish from carpet? By sandra4397 from Omaha, NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf205186.tip.html
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Rate It: We have cell phones we want to donate, but can't figure out how to get our phone number out of them. We have removed all text messages and contacts. But we need to know how to reset the phone to the factory setting so our number (still current) doesn't show up in the information tab. We have a variety of phones. Thanks. By pghgirl40 from Pittsburgh, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf718119.tip.html
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Rate It: I have several rescued kitties and there are loads of fleas here in the hot Florida summer. I need a homemade recipe for a flea deterrent, the medicine is way too expensive. By JoycieK from Gulfport, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82924160.tip.html
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Rate It: Getting Rid of Small Black Ants I need advice for getting rid of small black ants. By troberts004 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf152220.tip.html
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Rate It: What is the best way to hang a blow dryer or store it? By margotr from Claremont, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55806738.tip.html
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Rate It:
If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information:
The Non-Vacation Vacation
If the economy has brought your vacation plans to a screeching halt, there are some fun alternatives in your future. The alternative vacation plans might be even more enjoyable than a real trip, especially knowing that they're not costing you a fortune.
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