Daily Thrifty Tips - August 5, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 151, August 5, 2008 (Read It Online) Here are last week's contest winners... Here are the contest winners for last week. Thank you to everyone that took time to submit something. Photo Contest Winner Baby Owl By Penny S. from Ipava, IL Penny offers this great story and photo about saving a baby owl. What a beautiful creature! Tip Contest Winners Place A Rubber Band Around the Shampoo By Carol from Landisville, PA People who need glasses to read will appreciate this tip, especially since most people use the same brand of shampoo and conditioner. Using Truffles By Connie from Cotter, AR Connie offered both tips for using truffles and a recipe that looks wonderful. You can find the recipe here: Chicken Breasts in Butter with Truffle By Connie from Cotter, AR Recipe Contest Winner Peruvian Mussels By Julianna from Princeton, NJ Julianna shares a picture of this delicious looking recipe. More Prizes We have been receiving so many wonderful entries that starting next week we are going to start giving out more prizes. We will be adding a prize for the Best Pet Entry and an additional Best Recipe Prize. If you have a tip, photo or recipe to share with the ThriftyFun community, feel free to post it on one of the contest pages! Thanks for reading, Susan Send to a Friend! Share a Tip (You could win $25!) Share a Photo (You could win $25!) Have a Question? Submit a request... Link to ThriftyFun.com View Active Topics! Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Today's Photos: Craft Project: Jar Candle Holder Taking Photos From A Moving Vehicle Garden: Squirrels Eating Sunflowers Growing Tomatoes on the Balcony Rocky-Balboa (Staffordshire Terrier) Today's Tips: Vinegar and Windshield Washer Set Up The Kiddie Pool In The Kitchen Set Up A Pet Care Savings Account Spray Painting For Kids Stock Up on Easter Grass for Gift Baskets Saving Electricity When Using Your Dishwasher Save Excess Water for Houseplants Use Pepper To Stop Bleeding Use Yogurt Instead Of Milk For Breakfast Cereal Agave Nectar For Sugar Substitute Joke of the Day New Requests: Mother's Day Program Ideas What is this plant? Dog Eats Leaves Using Evaporated Milk Skillet Alternative Removing a Snake from a Home Painting Laminate Countertops Getting Rid of a Dog's Bad Breath How Much Garlic Should I Use To Prevent Fleas? Reviews Of Gutter Trap Getting Rid Of Lizards Raspberry Coating For Zingers Will The Snake Come Back? Cleaning Coated Eyeglass Lenses Stopping Squirrels from Chewing on a House Bulldog Has Become Afraid Of Men Cost of Ribeye Steak Cooking and Freezing Turnips Saving Money on Canning Supplies Dog Gets Car Sick More Reading: Free Stuff Online Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! 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: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Today's Photos: Craft Project: Jar Candle Holder Taking just about any canning jar, you can decorate the outside or inside, and put a candle safely in the top. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32954539.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Taking Photos From A Moving Vehicle I took this picture as we were driving down the street in Tinley Park, IL. My tip when taking pictures in a moving vehicle; steady your arms against your body to illuminate movement. Movement causes blurry pictures. I actually had my fiance' roll down his window so I could take this through his window. :-) By Karen from Tinley Park, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70636041.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Garden: Squirrels Eating Sunflowers Looking for an really good treat for your squirrel friends? Plant Sunflowers, they LOVE them! My plant was sooo pretty before this little guy discovered it, now it is just green with empty stems! By Mary Lou from Maryland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67248126.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Growing Tomatoes on the Balcony The thing we missed most when we moved from the country to a city apartment was our home-grown tomatoes. So we planted some on our balcony! Remember they don't have natural drainage, so allow for that and for fertilizer. We put gravel in the pots before adding soil and nutrients (Miracle-gro has a great garden soil that works well for us.) When plants grow taller than your stakes, just tie them to your balcony railing! Enjoy all summer! By Sandy from Hagerstown, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20069864.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Rocky-Balboa (Staffordshire Terrier) Rocky-Balboa is three years old and a Staffordshire Terrier. I got him 2 years and 8 months ago. He likes to chase flies or dressing up. When he sleeps, he snores! By Inga from London Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50046588.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! Today's Tips: Vinegar and Windshield Washer House guests made a mess of my bathroom mirrors a few days ago. I just noticed this morning, so got out my cleaner, which is 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 car windshield washer that I mixed in a spray bottle. The trick to getting them really clean and sparkling is using newspaper to wipe them. Wipe across with a crumpled sheet, then up and down with a fresh one. By Ruth from Harlingen, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73950960.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Set Up The Kiddie Pool In The Kitchen To help keep the babies cool, I fill up a plastic baby tub and place it in the center of my kitchen. My three and one year old play, get clean and tucker themselves out in twenty to thirty minutes. The indoor fun keeps their delicate skin "sun free" and the excess water on the floor helps to break up the ground in dirt in the tile grout. After water play, I just take my mop and go over the floors and we're ready for the rest of the day =) When it's really hot we do this twice a day, once before nap time and then just before bedtime and the kids love it. (Helps to save on water for mopping floors.) By Anita from Temecula, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17846782.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Set Up A Pet Care Savings Account I see a lot of requests for advice about sick pets from people unwilling or unable to go to the vet due to the expense. Here is what has worked for me. I have added pet care into my weekly budget. I started a savings account and each payday the amount I have determined I can afford goes directly into that account. I do not use it for anything except vet costs. It adds up quickly and I always have enough for at least a checkup in that account. Pets who receive regular checkups have less emergencies in the long run, as trouble can be detected before it is too late. We owe them nothing less. By Kelly from Portland, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34985633.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Spray Painting For Kids This is a fun outside activity for kids to do in the summer. I take spray bottles (either from household products that are empty or inexpensive ones from the dollar store or similar) and fill them with a small amount of paint and mostly water. Don't use too much paint or it will clog the sprayer. Shake it up really good and you have spray paint. I get the ends of the rolls that our local newspaper can't use, which they sell for like $1-$2 and it really has a lot on it. Tear off a long piece, attach to a clothesline, fence, etc., and let the kids create a masterpiece with their spray paint. This can later be used for gift wrap. Another option is to use old bed sheets. Kids can create their own unique sheets for their bed! It is a lot of fun! Note: I also use the end of the newspaper rolls for other things such as packaging items for moving or mailing, and covering the table before craft time. Check it out to see if you local newspaper offers this service. Source: This idea originally came from FamilyFun. By Jayme from Harrisonburg, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28331686.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Stock Up on Easter Grass for Gift Baskets I like to make gift baskets for various events and learned to seek out Easter clearance for basket fill. I don't use the green plastic grass, I use the colored shredded paper and find that many of the colors can be used for any occasion. By T Thomas from Alabama Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39207442.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Saving Electricity When Using Your Dishwasher When washing your dishes in the dishwasher, set the control panels to use less water and less drying time. Using the most eco friendly settings your dishwasher may have. I use vinegar (instead of other spot free chemicals) in the rinse cycle so there is no spotting and a cleaner load. When it gets to the dry cycle, I stop the dishwasher so I am not using the electricity for drying my dishes. It also cuts out the heat that is emitted into your house which, of course, makes your air conditioning work harder and use more energy. HAVE A HAPPY DAY By Kim from Rogers, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21542036.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Save Excess Water for Houseplants I keep a dishpan in my kitchen sink that I use to catch excess water. (Waiting for water to heat up, washing hands, etc.) I then use this water to water my houseplants. I also water my plants with water I used to boil pasta. By Susan from Giddings, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47858629.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Pepper To Stop Bleeding This tip is for stopping bleeding on a small cut. Pour black pepper into the sore and spread. It will not burn and stop the bleeding By Anne from Fernley, NV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68583696.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Yogurt Instead Of Milk For Breakfast Cereal Try mixing breakfast cereal with yogurt instead of milk for a nice change. I like to even match up flavors, the caramel pecan cereals mixed with caramel or vanilla yogurt is one of my favorites. It's even good with the plain yogurt, plus you also get the benefit of the good bacteria from it. By Patricia from Imperial, NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16329433.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Agave Nectar For Sugar Substitute I have been researching sugar substitutes and have found an awesome substitute that is not chemically altered like Splenda and the others on the market. Some of you may already use it, if not I highly recommend you try agave nectar. My family loves it. I can use it in hot or cold liquids and use it in the place of sugar in recipes. In my research I found the substitution ratio to sugar is 1/3 cup agave syrup to 1 cup sugar. You also need to reduce the oven temp by 25 degrees (F). The best place I found to buy it is on Amazon.com. You can buy two large bottles for a great price. This product has a shelf life of 3 years. I put agave syrup on my husband's waffles this morning and he did not even notice the difference. I used google search and found a great recipe for Cinnamon Swirl Muffins using agave nectar, they are yummy! There is a baking book available, but it is more then I want to pay right now. To see if my family liked the agave nectar I purchased a bottle at my local Tom Thumb for $3.78 this is for a 11.75 oz. bottle. You do not have to use but a tiny bit in your hot or cold beverages because it is very sweet. Agave nectar does not cause your blood sugar to spike like regular sugar and honey does. This will be a staple in my pantry from now on. By Bobbie G from Rockwall Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56881475.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dear Webby's Joke of the Day "Get this." said a guy to his friends, "Last night, while I was down at the bar with you guys, a burglar broke into my house. "Did he get anything?" his friends asked. The guy said, "Yeah, a broken jaw, six teeth knocked out, and a pair of broken ribs." One of his friends ask, "Whoa! But...how???" The guy answered, "Well, it was really late at night and my wife thought it was me coming home drunk!" Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Mother's Day Program Ideas I am looking for mother's day program ideas. Thanks, Dee Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97831219.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print What is this plant? I bought a plant at a local nursery and noticed that this plant was growing with it so I separated them. Unfortunately I do not know what this is. The white flowers turn to green clusters then the berry like balls turn a black color. I would like to know what it is and if it will harm my cats. Hardiness Zone: 9b Alma from Corpus Christi, Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94182305.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dog Eats Leaves My dog won't stop eating leaves and weeds. He eats bamboo leaves and all kinds of weeds every time he goes outside. I correct him when he does it but he goes right back after a few minutes. I consulted my vet but that wasn't much help b/c it's not like he's eating grass to soothe a stomach ache. Anybody else have this problem too or know how to stop it. Angela from Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70304444.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using Evaporated Milk I see that my local grocery store has a sale on evaporated milk. How do I use that? Do I have to dilute it or can I use it straight out of the can? I don't plan on using it for drinking, just for cooking. Do the same rules apply for condensed milk? Thanks for all of your help. Melissa from Arizona Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44540459.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Skillet Alternative I have a recipe that calls for baking a cake in a skillet. I don't have a skillet that I can put in the oven. Can I use a regular cake pan? Judy from Clinton, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97123297.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing a Snake from a Home I have found a snake in my home. It was brown with lighter colored brown stripes. How can I be sure I will not be getting any unwanted guest anymore. I want to call someone, but don't know who to call. Tracie from Central, Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63388931.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Painting Laminate Countertops How do I paint laminate countertops? Mimi from Chattanooga, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf999197.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Getting Rid of a Dog's Bad Breath My Pomeranian has very bad breath. I have her teeth cleaned but it doesn't last more than a few days. We have also had her on antibiotics one week a month and used stuff in the drinking water. Nothing works any suggestions? Also she is not a chewer so the fresh breath bones won't be used. Mo from Dayton, Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38787779.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How Much Garlic Should I Use To Prevent Fleas? How much garlic is safe? I divided three gloves between my five Boston Terriers last night, they loved it. I want to use it to help keep fleas off of them. I don't know how much, or how often to give it to them. Susan from Waycross, Ga Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72113581.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Reviews Of Gutter Trap Has anybody tried a gadget called the Gutter Trap? Does it work? It's in one of the catalogs I get. I want to get something that works without having to get estimates for something like gutter guards, I know what they start at! Ann from MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75749725.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Getting Rid Of Lizards I live in Texas and I have those brown/white striped lizards with ridges along their neck and back, I am terrified of them. They're on my porch and windows and multiplying. I'll do anything to get rid of them. Can anyone please help? Betty Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27786794.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Raspberry Coating For Zingers I am looking for a recipe for the raspberry coating used on Zingers by Hostess Bakery. It is put on the cakes before rolling in finely shredded coconut. Thanks to all. Joyce from Sumter, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98880665.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Will The Snake Come Back? I am very frightened by snakes and saw one creeping out of my garage into my flower bed, and don't know where it is now. Has it disappeared or could it be back in my garage with the possibility of others? Jamie from Monroe, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61619768.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning Coated Eyeglass Lenses How do you clean anti-reflective eyeglass lenses and multi-coated lenses? upulgamage from Sri Lanka Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83865269.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Stopping Squirrels from Chewing on a House How do you get squirrels to stop eating pressed wood lumber on outside of house? Ken from Hickory, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39640318.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Bulldog Has Become Afraid Of Men My 10 month old American Bulldog is beginning to act afraid of people, not all people just certain men. Some men he's fine with, but he randomly freaks out when certain men try to pet him. I'm not sure what to do about this. At first I thought he was a good judge of character, but lately he's been acting afraid of almost every man that tries to pet him. He even will growl or bark if the person is persistent. Any advice? Liz from San Diego Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50987377.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cost of Ribeye Steak How much does 1.5 lbs. of ribeye steak cost? Jason from San Pedro, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30330433.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cooking and Freezing Turnips Can you cook turnips in a crockpot and then freeze them? Ruth from Downingtown, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47651489.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Saving Money on Canning Supplies Tips for saving money on canning supplies. Post your ideas! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf617368.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dog Gets Car Sick What can I do to avoid car sickness for my small dog? Orab from Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24335794.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! 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: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml More Reading: Free Stuff Online By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh Internet bills have become an almost essential cost today, and great service plans can be found. While your plan might be at the lowest price available, you can still get more for your money. Try to make the most out of internet service by finding all the free stuff offered online. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15425999.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.