Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 53, February 24, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Tomorrow's TF News will be about Cars, Trucks and Transpotation. If you have any tips to add, please submit them.
Enter The Photo Contest:
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Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Shadow, Daddy's Little Girl
- Brown Paper Bag Wall Treatment
Today's Tips:
- Cook Once, Eat Twice
- Using Newspaper Logs
- Color Coordinated Children
- Helium Balloons
- Shop Your Closets and Save Money
- Price Adjustment? Too Late? Not Necessarily
- Construction Site Scraps
- Quick Tea "STAIN" for Your Wood
- Erase Permanent Marker from Anything!
- Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets
- Ink Stains On Jeans
- Saving on Your Long Distance Bill
- Litter Box Odor
- Cleaning Bathroom Faucets
- Carpet Cleaning Tips
- Flea and Tick Repellant For Your Dog
- WD-40 For Frozen Locks
- Fancy Brussels Sprouts
- Apple Muffins
- Blueberry Muffins
- Cinnamon Muffins
- Oatmeal and Raisin Cake Mix Muffins
New Requests:
- Help for Bed Wetting
- Anyone have uses for pillow shams?
- Residual Cookiing Smells After Frying Fish
- Family Room With Navy Sectional
- Quick and Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Cleaning Glass Shower Doors
- Looking For Wholesale Spam Supplier
- First Communion Party Ideas
- Frugal Diamond Dust Facial
- Decorating a Mothers of Multiples Banquet
- Bleach Stain On Shirt
- Need Helping Growing Dill
- Saving Money On Our Honeymoon
More Reading:
- Low-Maintenance Gardening
- Beyond Paint: Decorating Walls With Stencils
- Essential Tips for the Kitchen
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Today's Sponsor
Mvelopes Personal Budgeting Software
Find out how to get control of your personal budget
Click here for more information.
Today's Photo Contest Entries
Caught! Cookie and Scottie
This is our Jack Russell Terrier; Cookie and cat Scottie. They attack each other all day and fight to sit in daddy's lap and I was worried about this. Untill I went to get a drink of water late at night and "caught" them snuggling. Scottie runs away and it was not easy taking this picture for proof to my hubby that they love each other. They were both rescues and full of love and no matter what I feed them, clean them and after them and they jump first to daddy's lap!!!
By Annie Hill
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Bleach Bottle Bunny Surprise
Instructions:
Using full size patterns Download PDF File , and a magic marker, draw and cut 3 body pieces and 2 earpieces from the bleach bottle. Punch holes around the edge of each one as indicated. Make 2 sc in each hole around the sides with 4 sc in each end hole. Repeat for each piece.
The body piece is 5 inches from point to point and the ear piece is 4 3/4 inches from end to end. The size can vary some if you need it larger or smaller.
To assemble:
Lay two body pieces together and stitch together along one curved edge from one point to the other. Lay the third piece against one of the first two pieces and, again, sew along curved side from one end to the other.
Now take the two sides that are still free, and sew up about an inch and a half from each end, leaving an opening in the middle. You should have a pouch that, when you place your thumb on one end and your fingers on the other and squeeze slightly, the pouch opens.
With the Magic Marker, blacken the top of the paper fasteners. These will be the eyes as well as holding the ears in place. Using the photo as a guide, fasten the ears in place and glue on the pompom nose and tail with your hot glue gun. Now you have a cute little Bunny to insert treasures inside to the delight of your favorite child. Add a ribbon to make a purse!
By Harlean from Arkansas
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
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
Get a Lower Rate on Credit Card Debt
When trying to tackle your credit card debt, be sure to call your credit card company and ask for a lower rate. Tell them that you are shopping for a better interest rate and wanted to see what they had to offer first. They will often try to work with you to retain you as a customer.
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Less Meat, More Beans, Grains and Rice
A good way to cut down on your grocery bill is to eat more recipes containing beans, grains and rice instead of meat. Beans, grains and rice are much less expensive per pound than most kinds of meat.
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Bathroom Shopping List
Keep a shopping list in the bathroom to keep track of what toiletries and supplies have run out. Put it on the inside of a cabinet door and keep a pen handy. This makes it really easy to check the bathroom list when you are making a grocery list.
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Don't Buy Candy From Vending Machines
Stop buying candy out of the vending machines. Stock up on your favorite candy bars at the store when they go on sale for 3 for $1 or 4 for $1 - much cheaper than $.75 a piece in the vending machine.
By Mere
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Extend the Life Of Sponges
Extend the life of your kitchen sponge by putting it in the dishwasher along with your dishes.
By Sandra Gilbert
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Keeping Extra in the Checking Account
When writing checks for things, always round off to the next dollar in your checkbook register. All of those cents add up!
By kmurray
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Waxing the Tub
If you want to avoid that "black ring" in your Bathtub just use some car-wax (follow directions on the bottle) :)
By Claudia
Editor's Note: Don't wax the bottom of the tub or it will get too slippery.
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Using It All - Dishwashing Liquid
I never throw out my dishwashing liquid bottles, all of which always have a little liquid at the bottom. I save them until I am running low (on both cash and soap!) and pour them all into one bottle, sometimes making another entire bottle! And it's always a unique color!
By Lori Williams
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Organizing Coupons
Buy a coupon organizer and keep coupons organized by product and date. Go through it weekly when you add new coupons so that you can use the ones that will expire soon.
By jennifer
View Article: Click Here
Saving Money on Wrapping Paper
Tips for saving money on wrapping paper. Post your ideas.
Saving Gift Bags, Bows And Tissue
I do use gift bags but never buy them. I have a stash of all sizes because I carefully save the bags, bows and even the tissue paper received from gifts. The bags are saved in a see-thru plastic over-the-closet-rod container I bought on sale at a discount house just for that purpose. The tissue paper is smoothed and folded, then housed in a large shirt gift box, and the bows are stored in another box on a shelf. If tissue paper is too wrinkled, iron it on top of a bath towel before reusing. Sometimes I use several different colored tissue papers in a gift bag for more visual impact.
By Ronsan
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Removing Glass from Floor
Use a dry broom to sweep up as much as you can. Discard the trash. Attach damp paper towels to the dry broom by way of rubber bands. Go over the floor one more time using the damp paper towels and broom. This will not only pick up the glass "dust" from the floor, but also clean it from the end of your broom.
By Karen M. Cervera-Battey
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Car Joke
Q: What songs can you sing in your automobile?
A: Cartoons.
By Terri H.
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Easy Chicken Broth
When de-boning and skinning chicken breasts, put an extra pot on the stove with the scraps (including bones, skin, fat scraps, etc.), adding water to cover, some onion, a carrot and celery tops plus a whole peppercorn or two. Bring to a boil, cover, simmer for one hour, strain, clarify if you want, and freeze in 14-oz. portions. You have homemade chicken stock in less time than it took you to prepare and cook the evening meal, and a head start on another meal.
By Ronsan
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Ultimate Coupon Shopper
I am also a coupon queen, there was a store in my area that would double any size coupons! Oh mercy! I had finally found coupon heaven, as not many stores in our area have double coupons of any kind. Sooooooooo I took every thing I had, and that was a lot, as I had just came back form a coupon convention in Louisville KY. To make a long story short I had 971.00 dollars in merchandise and THEY paid me $51.00. This is true and I have the newpaper clipping to prove it.
Shelby Maxwell
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Eggplant Spread
Ingredients:
- 3-4 whole eggplants
- 1 whole clove smashed garlic
- Olive oil, lemon juice to taste
- Chopped parsley and/or chopped tomato
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Bake whole the 3-4 eggplants until well done. Take out of oven, place in cold water and peel quickly. Cut in half, place in colander and squish (juice is to be thrown away). Add one whole clove smashed garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice with salt and pepper to taste. Chopped parsley and/or chopped tomato (not a lot of juice) is then added. Spread on bread as an appetizer.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Microwave Pastry Shell
Prepare your pie dough recipe and roll out enough for a 9 inch pie plate or whatever size you want to use, to a 1/8 inch thickness. Place pie plate upside down on dough. Cut a circle of dough 2 inches larger than top of pie plate. Gently fit pastry in pie plate. Fold under edge and flute. Prick all over bottom and side of pastry with a fork.
Microwave at 70% (medium-high) 7 to 9 minutes or until done; give dish a half turn after 4 minutes if you do not have a turntable in the oven. If dough puffs up during cooking, gently prick with a fork. Cool on a wire rack before filling. Makes 1 (9 or 10 inch) shell.
I found this in my wonderful Creative Cuisine Microwave Basics book. This method can also be used for making pot pies. You cut smaller circles, microwave and place on top of pot pie filling in ramkins, etc. when shells are cooled.
Maryanne
View Article: Click Here
Kentucky Bluegrass Pie
Ingredients:
- 1/2 stick of Margarine
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Tbsp. All Purpose Flour
- 3 Eggs
- 1/2 cup Corn Syrup
- Pinch of Salt
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1 cup chopped English walnuts
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips
- 1 (9") unbaked Deep Dish Pie Crust
Directions:
Heat oven to 375F. Cream the margarine & sugars till fluffy. Add flour & mix till all is absorbed. Add eggs, 1 at a time, & mix well after each addition. Mix corn syrup, salt, vanilla & bourbon into the batter. Fold in walnuts & chocolate chips. Immediately, pour into pie crust & bake for 40 minutes. Pie should be set, but not runny. Remove from oven & let cool about 30 minutes before serving.
By Terri H.
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Pumpkin Angel Food Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 box Angel Food cake mix
- 1-15 oz. can Pumpkin
- 1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 cup Water
Directions:
Mix the dry angel food cake mix with the remaining ingredients. Pour into a greased 9" x13" pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. This cake is delicious and it is a treat for anyone watching their weight. It is very low in fat.
(When I made this, I used a round bundt pan & it took longer than 25 minutes. to bake. It's not a dry cake, like your average angel food. It's dense from the pumpkin, but a very good cake. Refrigerate any leftovers as it will mold fast.)
By Terri H.
View Article: Click Here
EZ Apple Crisp
Ingredients:
- 5 Granny Smith Apples (sliced thinly & unpeeled)
- 1/2 box Jiffy yellow cake mix
- 2 T. Splenda
- 1 Tbsp. Cinnamon
- 1/4 Cup margarine or butter (softened)
Directions:
Preheat over to 350FF. Place apples in lightly greased 8x8" or 9x9" square pan. Combine rest of ingredients an sprinkle over the apples. Bake 35-40 minutes.
Can serve warm, cool or at room temperature. Great taste!
By Terri H.
View Article: Click Here
Crispix Savory Barbecue Mix
Ingredients:
- 8 cups Crispix cereal
- 1 cup mini pretzel twists
- 1 cup honey peanuts
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp. onion salt
- 1/4 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke
Directions:
In a 2 gallon zipper type storage bag combine cereal, pretzels, and peanuts and set aside. Mix together sugar and spices and set aside. Combine oil, Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke and mix well. Pour oil mixture over cereal mixture and close bag and gently toss cereal mixture. Add spice mixture and close bag and gently toss cereal mixture. Add spice mixture and close bag gently. Toss cereal mixture until well coated and store in a tight container.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Oyster Cracker Munchies
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. dill weed
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 pkgs. oyster crackers
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing mix
Directions:
Mix dill weed, garlic powder, salad dressing mix and vegetable oil. Mix well. Put oyster crackers in large bowl with cover. Pour mixture over crackers and shake every hour or so for a day. The munch away.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Other Active Topics
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http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
New Contest! $30.00 Gift Card
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.
Enter the contest!
Syndication Spotlight:
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
New Requests:
Ideas for Toast for Birthday
Need Ideas for a toast for mother-in-law's 80th Birthday - Nisha
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Ideas For a Large Birthday Party
I needed ideas for my 2 year old sons birthday party which is on the 20th of March. Since I live in London, the weather is not something I can depend on. I am fortunate to have a reasonable sized drawing room. I want to call about 20 children ranging from the age group of 1 year to 8 years. The reason for this is since all the kids are our friend's kids, the age group varies tremendously. Please can you suggest some ideas for a party at home. I will also be inviting the parents.
Gaytri from London
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Run Out of Bisquick
Does anyone have a recipe for biscuits from scratch. That comes close to what Bisquick makes.
Doreen from Indiana
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Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits
About a month ago, I saw a recipe on Animal Planet for Peanut Butter doggie biscuits. The recipe was from Three Dog Bakery and there was only about 4 ingredients to it. I didn't make it to the TF in time to copy it down. Did anyone happen to see that recipe? Oh pleeeease, tell me someone did! I've tried to find it on the web in I don't know how many places. All the recipes I find have way more than the few ingredients from the recipe I had seen on TF. Help!
Jenny in KY
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Coffee Stains in Corell Cups
Does anyone know how to remove coffee stains from the inside of white corell coffee cups?
Jenny in KY
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Permanent Market On a Kitchen Cabinet
How do you remove permanent marker from a kitchen cabinet?
Erica
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Intentionally Shrinking Jeans
Hi everybody! I bought a pair of adorable dark denim capris on Ebay and got and tried them on today. Only one problem. The tag says 3 but they are 3 inches to big around the waist for me. Is there any way I can shrink them? I do it unintentionally all the time, but hell if I know how when I want to. Thanks for you help. Love you all, no kidding.
Suzanne S.
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The Benefits Of Print Advertising
What benefits are there from using print advertising?
Kat
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Cleaning Wood Floors With Dog Prints
I clean for a couple that has wooden floors and 2 very large dogs that track in and out all day long. I only clean there once a week and the dirt from the dogs paws is bad. Everything I have tried makes the floor look as if I just smeared the dirt around. I do vacuum before mopping. What can I use to make this floor shine and make this couple happy?
Thanks,
DeeAnn
in Illinois
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Stain From Red Garment
How do I remove red color from another garment on my expensive white lingerie.
m_786_in
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
Mvelopes Personal Budgeting Software
Find out how to get control of your personal budget
Click here for more information.
More Reading:
The Money Jar Trap
By Jeffrey Strain
Hundreds of thousands of people place their extra change into a jar or bank every night when they return home thinking that they are saving money. In reality, the dynamics of saving coins has changed over the last 10 years so that by placing your extra coins in a jar, you may actually be losing money. This is the new money jar trap.
View Article: Click Here
How To Get Your Digital Photos From Your Camera Into Your Computer
By Lynnette
There are 3 ways to get digital photos from your camera to your computer:
1. Attach the cable that comes with the camera to your computer's USB port (free!)
2. Use a stand-alone card reader that accepts one or more different types of media card ($10-$30)
3. Use an integrated card reader that is built into your printer or hard drive ($100 and higher)
View Article: Click Here
Got Bugs? Get Rid Of Garden Pests Naturally!
Everyone loves beautiful plants, but most of us really don't care for the pests that sometimes go along with them. If you love plants, but hate bugs, you can get rid of the naturally. Below are some great natural remedies for those unwanted creepy -crawlies.
View Article: Click Here
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