August 12, 2004

Daily Thrifty Tips August 12, 2004


Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 104, August 12, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com

Hello!

Welcome to all the new subscribers. It's been a very busy week on the website. There are a lot of people coming to this site who are new to frugal and simple living. If anyone has any general tips and advice for these folks please submit it on our contest form.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Tips:

  • What to do with Styrofoam
  • Getting More Life Out of Your Computer and Phone Batteries
  • Removing Chewing Gum From Hair
  • 5 Uses for an Eraser
  • Hydrogen Peroxide Stain Remover
  • Use for Laundry Soap Scoops
  • Featured Feedback: RE: Looking for Ruby Tuesday's Potato Salad Recipe
  • Featured Feedback: RE: Uses for Wood Cigar Boxes
  • Featured Feedback: RE: Centerpiece Ideas Using Candles
  • Other Active Topics
  • Today's Recipe: Quick and Lean Kung Pao Chicken

New Requests:

  • Fleas on Indoor Cats
  • Vinegar for Fleas?
  • Cleaning My Room!
  • Chunky Pepper Jelly
  • College Graduation Gift Idea
  • Ink Off Suede Jacket
  • Throwing a Baby Shower
  • Youth Banquet Centerpiece

More Reading:

  • Treating Headlice
  • Online Video
  • Integrated Flea Control: Information About Different Treatments and Products
  • Grains
  • Payoff and close accounts?

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Today's Tips


Uses for Styrofoam

I use 'polystyrene' to make mirror frames. I cut it with a craft knife into the shape I want, then cut out a hole in the middle. I use old broken mirror that I cut into shape with a glass cutter (use gloves and goggles) and tape to the back with wide masking tape. Use an old paper-clip for a hanging hook, just bend to shape and push in. Then I use paper mache to cover the entire thing. Leave to dry then paint and add your own decoration as desired.

I make these to my own designs and I've sold two which the lady took to the Middle-East for presents for relatives. Especially good as they are sturdy (due to the paper mache) yet light (the polystyrene.)

By chickybiker

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Getting More Life Out of Your Computer and Phone Batteries

A common battery in cordless phones and computers is nickel-cadmium. Ever wonder why your nickel-cadmium (NiCad's) don't last as long as they should? You may be overcharging them. Most people's tendancy is to put the phone back on the charger between uses, or to use their laptop plugged-in instead of running down the battery, never letting the battery run down too far. Overtime this will reduce the amount of charge your battery can hold.

To help condition your batteries, let your phone or computer batteries run down once a month to the point that the battery is nearly out of life. Then charge it fully. This will prolong the life of the battery and maintain the length of charge you expect for longer.

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Removing Chewing Gum From Hair

Rub the chewing gum with peanut butter, mayonnaise or oil.

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Uses for Erasers

5 Uses for an Eraser

1. Gently clean gold jewelry with an eraser.

2. Remove marks from your piano keys with an eraser.

3. Use an eraser to clean cotton upholstery, rub lightly.

4. Clean scuff marks on kitchen and bathroom floors with an eraser.

5. Prevent framed pictures from tilting on your wall by gluing small pieces of eraser to the bottom corners of the frame. Make sure you glue them to the back where the frame makes contact with the wall.

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Hydrogen Peroxide Stain Remover

Keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide by your washer and spray it on stains before washing. It works great on baby formula stains and underarm stains. Some sprayers will fit on in place of the peroxide cap so you do not even need to change bottles. **NEVER use peroxide on wool, silk or dry-clean only clothing. If you are worried about color fastness, test on a little spot inside the hem of the garment where it won't show.

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Use for Laundry Soap Scoops

I save the plastic scoops from powdered laundry soap to use as measuring cups for my plant foods. I measure the amount needed for the type of food I am using i.e.: rose food. Then I mark the scoop at the right level and leave it with the bag or box of food.

Then each time I am feeding my plants I don't have to pre measure or dirty a regular measuring cup. And when it gets grungy I always have another ready to go. Its also great when you are using a variety of plant foods. This way I have a personally measured one for each food. It saves a lot of time and guess work and it's recycling. Happy Gardening!

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Other Active Topics:


Today's Recipe: Quench Your Thirst - Tasty Beverage Recipes for Hot Days

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup regular-strength chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons each soy sauce and dry sherry
  • 1 teaspoon each cornstarch and Oriental sesame oil
  • 3/4 pound chicken meat, cut into 1/4 X 2 inch pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped or slivered
  • 1/4 - 3/4 teaspoon crushed dried hot red chilies
  • About 1 tablespoon salad oil
  • 10 green onions (scallions), ends trimmed (6 cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces, 4 reserved for garnish)
  • 1/3 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
  • About 4 cups hot cooked rice

Directions:

Mix broth, soy, sherry, cornstarch, and sesame oil to blend; set aside. Mix chicken with garlic and chilies.

In a wok or 12-inch frying pan over high heat, heat 2 teaspoons oil until hot. Add half the chicken mixture; stir-fry until chicken has golden brown tinge and is no longer pink in thickest part (cut to test), about 3 minutes; remove to a dish. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding oil as needed.

Return cooked chicken to wok; stir in reserved sauce, onion pieces, and nuts. Cook, stirring, until sauce bubbles and thickens, about 1 minute. Serve with rice; add onion garnish. Serves 4.

Per serving:

  • 510 calories
  • 28g protein
  • 14g fat
  • 65g carb
  • 599 mg sodium
  • 60 mg chol

Get more recipes! Sign up for the FREE Homemaker's Journal newsletter and get delicious recipes and informative home and garden articles sent 3 times per week! To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Tip Contest


Submit a thrifty tip or recipe and you could win a prize. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries we receive and you can submit more tips to increase your chances of winning.

Our current prize is: Home Coffee Roasting Kit

This kit includes everything you need to get started roasting coffee at home on your stove, in your oven, or in a hot air popcorn popper. Includes the book Coffee Roasting at Home by Susan Sanders and Fletcher Sandbeck, 1 lb of green, unroasted coffee beans, and coffee bags to store your roast.

Enter the contest!


New Requests:


Fleas on Indoor Cats

i have 2 kittens, we bought a town house 4 months ago. We had no problems with fleas, all of sudden their are fleas everywhere and our kittens are indoor cats so I don't know how this many could be in here?? We tried bombing the house with 2 cans one on each floor. it killed like 90% of them but there are still fleas in the house i just want them out!! Any suggestions? - Alan

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Vinegar for Fleas?

My chihuahua has fleas so bad that she is pulling her hair off and she is even turning a darker color around he butt end she is white so it is easy to see her skin. I am wondering if it is alright to spray vinegar right on her. Wouldn't that sting? -Rachel

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Cleaning My Room!

Can you help me help clean my room I can't do it. -Dinmond

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Chunky Pepper Jelly

I make lots of pepper jellies but would like a chunkier version like Harry and David's pepper onion relish to serve over cream cheese and crackers. Anyone have a recipe? Nettie from Canada

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College Graduation Gift Idea

My brother-in-law's girlfriend is graduating from university and I need to get her a gift. However, she will be going straight to graduate school so a business type gift does not seem quite appropriate. Help! Thanks! Jacqui Cosper

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Ink Off Suede Jacket

I have an unlined "dry clean only" suede jacket with ball point ink lines on it (drawn by a toddler). Professional cleaners in my area don't believe they could get it out. Please help. Thanks! Donna

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Throwing a Baby Shower

I need any ideas that anyone has about throwing a baby shower, anything you can think of. I've never given one. Much help is needed, but I'd really like to do it. Thanks, Ksievers

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Youth Banquet Centerpiece

I have a youth banquet in 2 days and need one big centerpiece - something to do with starting the new school year. Any ideas? T mikles

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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here


More Reading


Treating Headlice - Online Video

Here is an online video (also avaiable for sale on the site) from the University of Nebraska with step by step instructions for treating headlice and combing them out.

View Article: Click Here


Integrated Flea Control: Information About Different Treatments and Products

With everyone having flea problems, here's a great link in understanding fleas and some of the remedies for them. It explains all of the types of flea remedies, the good points and drawbacks of each.

View Article: Click Here


Grains
By Jennifer A. Wickes

The proper term, in reference to grains, is cereal grains. The word "cereal" comes from Ceres, a pre-Roman goddess of agriculture. Cereal includes any plant from the grass family that produces an edible seed.

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Payoff and close accounts?
By Scott Bilker

Scott, I heard you this morning on the radio and didn't get a chance to call in. I had a quick question. Once I pay off my credit cards, does it help my credit to leave that account open, or should I close this account? Thanks. - Nathan

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Thanks

Susan
http://www.thriftyfun.com

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