Daily Thrifty Tips - August 11, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 156, August 11, 2009 (Read It Online) Here are the contest winners for the contest that ran from July 25, 2009 to July 31, 2009: Pet Contest Winner Radar (Pomeranian/Dachshund) http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86964601.tip.html Photo Contest Winner Craft: Book Stack Lamps http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98470190.tip.html Recipe Contest Winner Miniature Pies Baked in Canning Jars http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10048455.tip.html Tip Contest Winners Use Receipts to Make a Priority Grocery List http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21561275.tip.html Chore Incentives for Kids and Adults http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51645914.tip.html Congratulations to the winners! Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like. Your ratings are used to pick contest winners. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team 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: "Vintage" Cupboard Garden: Tiger Lilies Buddy (Terrier?) Baby Woody (Yorkshire Terrier) Today's Tips: Save Grocery Money in a "Five Dollar Cup" Honey for Minor Burns Please Leave ThriftyFun Feedback Moody Children Need Breakfast Permanently Mark OTC Dosage on Bottle Peppermint to Deter Flies Cemetery Waste Basket Dipping Joke of the Day New Requests: What is the Name of this TV Show? Starting a Camping Group Foul Smell from Sewer Drain Manhole Dog Smells Like Urine GE Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working Pet Safe Mosquito Repellent Removing a Jammed Glass Decanter Stopper Cleaning Red Stain on Linoleum Floor Selecting Wood for a Staircase Cleaning Laminate Wood Floors Skin Bleaching Countertop Refinishing Product That Replicates Granite DVD Clubs That Don't Require Credit Card Removing Mould form Microsuede Couch Painting the Inside of a Lampshade Caring for Parakeets Raising Gerbils Buying Lestoil in Canada Refinishing Veneer Cabinet Doors Water Frozen in Icemaker Bugs in the Pancake Mix Finding Zymox Otic Musty Smelling Canvas Tent Removing Cup Ring Stain on Leather Couch Reusing Plastic Tool Storage Boxes Covering Up Skin Blemishes Under Arms Shopping for Reasonably Priced Junior Clothing Need Help Purchasing 'Pink Solution' Suggestions for Camping With a Dog Removing Bathmat Adhesive from Tub More Reading: My Frugal Life - Thrifty Disabled Senior 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: "Vintage" Cupboard I purchased an unfinished cupboard and primed it. Next I painted it gold and then a coat of red. I made it look old by sanding areas where it might have been worn. I added 3 pictures from and old calendar with decoupage glue and varnished over to protect it. By Carol from Waterloo,Ontario Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15277275.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Garden: Tiger Lilies This photo was taken last summer in Canada. It is a closeup of a beautiful flower in one of the gardens of an old-fashioned resort called the Opinicon Hotel. By Lorraine from New Jersey Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47656907.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Buddy (Terrier?) This is Buddy. I'm not sure of his breed, maybe terrier. He was a stray that showed up and decided he liked it so he stayed. He loves to ride on a float in the pool, ride on the 4 wheeler, tease the cow. This is the sweetest little doggy, I can't believe someone just dumped him out in the country. By Micksgirl from Paducah, KY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17721450.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Baby Woody (Yorkshire Terrier) Baby Woody is 3 year old Yorkshire Terrier. He was a dog sold to the pet company store and came down with a collapsed trachea. They couldn't sell him since he was sick and nobody wanted him since he had issues. So we took him in and made him part of our family when he was 1 year old. He loves to play with his Brother and sister (a German Shepard/Lab/Pit Bull Mix and a Toxirn). He loves to snuggle and loves to be brushed and catered to. He could be a bully at times, but he is so cute, it makes up for it. By Donna from Lindenhurst, NY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97041984.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | 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: Save Grocery Money in a "Five Dollar Cup" For several years I have been keeping what I call a "Five Dollar Cup". It seemed that the best grocery buys always occurred when I was low on funds or I had a lot to buy that week. I started faithfully putting five dollars in a cup each week, even if it meant I had to knock an item off of the grocery list. When I had a week that I didn't need to buy as much I would throw the extra money in the cup as well. I didn't bother too much about items that were 10 or 20 cents cheaper, but rather focused on higher priced products that were two for one or half price. I use a lot of mushroom soup in cooking so when it is on for 49 cents, I will buy 20 cans. When coffee is $2.99 instead of $5.49, I will buy 8 or 10 jars. I always get items such as toilet tissue, coffee, laundry products, sugar, meats, soft drinks, condiments, tinfoil, saran wraps, dog food, etc. at a much better cost. The Christmas and Thanksgiving turkey are always bought for a much cheaper price. My husband and I take a daily children's aspirin and right now I have a year's supply put away that was purchased at half price. Eventually it worked out so that I didn't have to include a lot of items in my weekly shopping list as I had enough stocked up so that I could wait until the next time they were on at a "too good to resist" price, and then I could stock up with the money in the "five dollar cup". I started keeping track of how often the different items went on sale and now I can predict fairly closely how often the "good buys" would occur so that I would have an idea of how many to purchase to last until the next sale. Not having to buy these things weekly meant that I frequently had money left to put in the cup and thus keep the wheel turning for savings. Even though the price of groceries has gone up in the last couple of years I'm not paying any more. By Mother of 5 from Nova Scotia Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50604971.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Honey for Minor Burns If you burn yourself while cooking, as soon as possible, put honey on the burn. Just rub enough to cover the area that was burned (cover like a salve). It will immediately remove the hot sensation. I learned that valuable lesson after burning myself on my pressure canner. By Latkinson562 from Minen, NV Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83514825.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Please Leave ThriftyFun Feedback I would like to submit a tip in a form of a request for all the people out there clicking into ThriftyFun.com. I think it's wonderful how many people get on here and send in these wonderful crafts, recipes, photos and tips. Please let's encourage everyone to leave feedback to these entries. Some are such feats of talent and effort. Remember the first you sent one in? How fun it was to sit and read what the viewers wrote about your entry. That's half the fun of doing it. By Little Suzy from Ohio Editor's Note: To leave feedback, you will need to be a member of ThriftyFun. Membership is quick and easy and you will receive no unsolicited emails. Here is the link to register: http://www.thriftyfun.com/register.ldml Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94818322.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Moody Children Need Breakfast If your child wakes up and is moody, and you just cannot put your finger on what the problem is, get him or her something to eat; like eggs and toast, with a glass of milk, or a good bowl of oatmeal. You will notice a change right away. Parents wait too long to feed their children in the morning. I have found that feeding them about 15 minutes after they get up, makes their day brighter. By halaluyah77 from MO Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46648539.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Permanently Mark OTC Dosage on Bottle Instead of trying to read the small print on some OTC (Over-The-Counter) adult medications, I will write clearly with a red fine tip permanent marker, the dosage and how often to take, directly on the bottle. For example, on a bottle of cold medicine, if it says to take one capsule every 6 hours. I write "1" and circle it. Next to this I write "6 HRS". This makes it easier for us. There are times when you are not feeling well and reading some of the small print seems like a chore. Be sure you double check to ensure the information you write is correct. I wouldn't advise this for a young child's medication since the dosage may change according to the child's age/weight. By mkymlp from NE PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38190432.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Peppermint to Deter Flies Be fly free at your next BBQ! All you need is some mint. If you have mint growing in your yard you can sprinkle some on the tables where people will be eating. If you don't have mint growing in your yard you can purchase peppermint extract in the baking aisle of the grocery store. A little dab on each plate will keep the pesky flies away also. Source: Better Homes and Gardens By princess_kiki_84 from Texas Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81801135.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Cemetery Waste Basket Dipping This tip might sound a little horrible to some but I like to go driving through the cemetery and looking into the waste baskets. A deflated helium balloon makes a great wrapping paper and there is always a ribbon attached to it. Or you could get some lovely plastic flowers. After certain holidays you can find some holiday decorations there too. The loved one's who are visiting will often throw them out when changing to new flowers or decorations or the cemetery workers come along and throw things out, like a deflated balloon. I would NEVER take ANYTHING off a grave. But if it's in the waste basket, it's better that someone else gets enjoyment, and use out of it than it sitting in a dump. By scottish skinflint from KCMO Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36180691.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day A small boy was asked by his teacher, "What is the size of the Government?" "About 5 feet 2 inches," he replied promptly. "No, no, no," said the teacher. "I mean, how many members does the Government have? How did you get 5 feet 2 inches anyway?" "Well," replied the boy, "my father is 6 feet tall and every night he puts his hand to his chin and says, "I have had it up to HERE with the Government!" Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: What is the Name of this TV Show? Does anyone remember a TV show from the seventies that starred Sam Broome as a doctor and Len Berman as a policeman? Thanks. By Collinsmom from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54055989.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Starting a Camping Group I love camping, but my husband does not! Is anyone interested in helping me start an East Coast (Md.) Women's Camping Group? By msfrench from MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78370849.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Foul Smell from Sewer Drain Manhole How can I get rid of a foul smell coming from an outside sewage drain manhole? By brandubi from Chorley, Lancashire Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15622350.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Dog Smells Like Urine My Japanese Chin toy dog smells of urine even after a good bath and grooming session. How do I get rid of the stink? By supa_han from Leeds, UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15629165.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | GE Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working My GE ice maker has stopped making ice. There is water in it, its just not freezing. By Joseph Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34603515.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Pet Safe Mosquito Repellent I need something to keep the mosquitoes off my German Shepherd. We cannot go outside without getting swarmed and eaten alive. I've just seen several suggestions on the web, but the main thing keeping me from trying them is that I also have 4 cats who will groom the dog. So the remedy needs to be safe if ingested by a cat. Any ideas? Thanks. By aqrose from NE GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83943393.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing a Jammed Glass Decanter Stopper My heirloom spherical crystal decanter, with some whiskey in it, has the crystal stopper so firmly jammed that it has been unopened for 20 years. I have tried heat, cold, liquid wrench, etc., to no avail. Even glassware experts decline to try. Can someone advise me of how to remove it safely? By p.graham from Kamloops, BC, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16963794.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Red Stain on Linoleum Floor I have a linoleum floor that has a pink stain on it. It looks like something drained out of the dishwasher onto the floor, Kool aid? Not sure. I think it's been there for a long time. I've tried MR. Clean eraser, bleach, and ammonia, all separately, nothing works. By Lynnvalverde from Surprise, Arizona Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70259899.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Selecting Wood for a Staircase I'm trying to pick out the right wood for a staircase. I have already stained the floor, southern yellow pine, to a dark coffee color. The problem I'm having is identifying the species of wood that would be the best match for the hand rail and newel posts. I can only pick from maple, oak, and popular. By Ron from Geneseo, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40811716.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Laminate Wood Floors We have just moved into our new home. The previous owners installed laminate hardwood flooring throughout the house. It is beautiful, but I am having difficulty with a white film and streaking. I use BONA, but I don't think this is working. Any ideas on what is best to clean these floors. Mind you, I have a huge house and most are hardwood floors. By Johnna from Knoxville, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62326704.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Skin Bleaching What is the best bleaching product for your skin? By mcg18 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62002159.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Countertop Refinishing Product That Replicates Granite I read somewhere that there is a product that looks like granite and is durable. By Cat P from Boca Raton, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96337994.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | DVD Clubs That Don't Require Credit Card I am looking for DVD clubs that don't require a credit card. Columbia House doesn't have the option online anymore to click "bill me", they always want credit card info. By cedrishia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40095514.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Mould form Microsuede Couch How do I clean mould from microsuede couch? By maureenbristow from Brisbane, AU Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30463047.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Painting the Inside of a Lampshade Is it safe, possible to paint the inside of a lampshade? I have a pair that I love, but the inside is very glossy and the glare they give off when lit is blinding. By lampshady lady Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53037474.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Caring for Parakeets My Parakeet keeps picking its foot, could it have mites? It is also plucking feathers. Could it be stressed? By ccbb Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57349485.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Raising Gerbils Do all gerbils have to live in pairs or can I have just one gerbil? Please somebody answer ASAP. By 3Oh!3 from Milwaukie, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52223220.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Buying Lestoil in Canada Where can I buy the cleaning liquid "Lestoil" in Canada? By charlesboys from Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83413608.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Refinishing Veneer Cabinet Doors How do I refinish cabinet doors that have veneer glued to them? It is peeling off. By 17toots from Desert Edge, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75954503.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Water Frozen in Icemaker My Whirlpool ice maker in the fridge filled with hot water and froze. Now it will not make ice. By Elaine1 from Lorton, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34491965.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Bugs in the Pancake Mix What are the small bugs I see in the box of dry pancake mix? Are they harmful? How can I avoid having this occur again? By Raeb22 from Denver,CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84854947.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Finding Zymox Otic Where do you get zymox otic? By rachaelanna from Marshfield, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33619672.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Musty Smelling Canvas Tent How do you get the musty, moldy smell out of canvas tents? By 112664 from Hustisford,WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83304191.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Cup Ring Stain on Leather Couch How do I remove a cup ring mark from a leather couch? By agpoon from Wichita, KS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82071572.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Reusing Plastic Tool Storage Boxes What else can you do with the plastic tool boxes your tools come in? I use my tools frequently, so putting them back in evening isn't practical. So, there are about 7-10 various plastic boxes taking up space in my basement. What other things can these be used for? Repurposed? Recycle them? Thank you. By extremefrugalist from Baltimore, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37026984.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Covering Up Skin Blemishes Under Arms My underarms have extremely dark skin, skin tags, and cysts under each of them. I've spoken to my doctor about this, but he wasn't much help. I graduate next year, and I was wondering if there's any way I can cover this up for like one day. It's really embarrassing, and I don't want people to see it. Plus I'm really self conscious about it. If there's no way I could cover it. Do you think wearing a cute cardigan over my grad/prom dress would be okay? Or would wearing a cardigan or light jacket, be too casual for graduation and prom? By epiclykyla from Boston, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88321017.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Shopping for Reasonably Priced Junior Clothing What are some good clothing stores for juniors that offer clothing at a reasonable price? I am not looking for Hollister, Abercombie, American Eagle, or Areopostale. Sorry I don't like wearing them. I like some skater stuff and some preppy stuff. By sweetpeadtg Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66343551.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Need Help Purchasing 'Pink Solution' Do they still sell Pink Solution cleaner at Costco? Do they sell it anywhere else? Is it worth the cost? What are your reviews of it? By sarajane from Southeast MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94219504.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Suggestions for Camping With a Dog I have a German short haired pointer and lab mix. He's about 7 years old, but still acts like a pup. We're trying to go camping with him next summer, but we are to afraid that he will either run after some animal, tip our cannon over (and he does not really like water), or get hurt. Any advice on things to bring or something? By sweetpeadtg Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68289643.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Bathmat Adhesive from Tub How to get the adhesive left in the bath tub, when you remove a bath mat, off? By maacah from Cranbrook, BC Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27230016.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | 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: My Frugal Life - Thrifty Disabled Senior I am a disabled senior trying to live as frugally as I can, considering Social Security isn't anything to brag about. I get around in a motorized wheel chair. Our state has a law that seniors and disabled do not need to pay bus fair on our city buses. I can ride any bus, they all are wheel chair accessible, free. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94668964.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.