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Vol. 8, Num. 64, April 1, 2009 (Read It Online) Once again, sorry for the delayed newsletters this week. Contest winners will be announced on Friday. Thanks for your patience. 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:
Ozzy is a 3 month old Chipin. I got in January 2009. Ozzy likes to run and chew and looks like a bunny By jklovdogs from Lafayette, LA
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Rate It: This is a wild Monk Parrot I happened to see while visiting family in Texas. He stayed near the house for several days. He almost looks fake sitting atop the satellite dish.
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Rate It: Gardening: First Spring Crocus First Spring Flowers; "Crocus" glimmering in the afternoon light.
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Rate It: Craft Project: Easter Basket Garter Create beautiful holiday theme basket fabric garters to embellish baskets with strips of fabric and elastic. Add them on as embellishments to basket handles or rims. Here I have embellished this little baskets outer edge with a very pretty Easter print fabric in 3-inch wide strips. You can make them any width you desire, either narrow and wide, depending on your basket choice and style
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Rate It: My Frugal Life: Starting Seeds Cheaply I am going to start this by saying, "My husband is the best." He helps me with everything and he is always encouraging me to find new things that I love and enjoy. Now granted he has not liked listening to my gardening plans repeatedly day after day, but he has been patient. So when I showed him that some of my seed choices would have to be started indoors, he was eager to help with the lighting situation (our kitchen is sunny but never sunny enough) So his mother had some scrap 2x5's (I think) and we had a fluorescent light (cheaper but works just as good) and he made me the best seed germinator EVER. I used simple seed starting trays. And it ended up costing nothing since we already had everything. Plus he painted it green so it looks better in the kitchen :) In the seed catalogs, something like this can get really expensive. jesikarena from Trinity, NC Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
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Rate It: Craft Project: Easter Egg Duck Kids will enjoy making these cute and easy ducks from purchased plastic Easter eggs.
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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!
Craft: Coffee Can Toilet Paper Holder I take 3 metal empty coffee cans and cut the tops and bottoms out of two of them. I stack one on top of the one with the bottom still in it and solder it the bottom of the fist tube to the top of the can with the bottom. Then I take the third can (with both top and bottom cut out) and solder it to the top of the two that are already soldered. Decorate or paint as desired. I put one of the plastic lids on the bottom and one on the top to keep the paper clean. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93057989.tip.html
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Rate It: Restuff Sofa Cushions With Batting I was studying my daughters' expensive sofa that seemed saggy and beat down on the upper cushions that go behind your back. I unzipped them and saw that they were stuffed with pieces of batting. I got some bed pillows she was throwing away that had the same type batting and used them to add to the stuffing. It came out great! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30565915.tip.html
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Rate It: Look for Free-Bates At Drugstores Here's a money saving tip, even better than a Dutch Treat. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66377536.tip.html
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Rate It: Give a "30 Box" for a 30th Birthday This is great for a birthday gift. My son recently turned 30. So, I gifted him with a "30 box." In it were 30 gifts of thirty items each. I gave him 30 paper clips, 30 envelopes, 30 KitKat bars (his favorite), 30 stamps, 30 pennies, 30 quarters, 30 ping pong balls, a 30 dollar gift certificate to a favorite store, etc. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79938053.tip.html
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Rate It: Baking Soda and Salt for Cleaning Porcelain To clean kitchen and bathroom sinks, I mix half a wide mouthed mason jar of baking soda with a 1/4 cup of pickling salt (large grained). It works great, is very cheap and simply dissolves as you use it. No chemicals needed. I usually buy the baking soda in bulk or purchase several boxes when it's on sale. An old cotton tea towel dipped in the mixture makes it very easy to use. By Quiltmum from Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91035951.tip.html
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Rate It: Eating Out Can Be Cheaper Than Eating In Because of the cutback in people's dining out with all the economic turmoil we're in, restaurants are making some very good offers to lure diners into their establishments. Our children are grown and have families of their own, so now I find that sometimes it is less expensive for us to eat out than to prepare some meals at home. Our appetites (as well as our income) have shrunk since we've become senior citizens, so we often share an entree. We usually order water to drink, better for you and you save quite a bit when drinks are usually at least a dollar or more. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14219632.tip.html
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Rate It: Hang Shelves in Front of Your Windows If you need more space and have no place to hang shelves you can hang open-backed shelves in front of your windows. In the kitchen, this is a great place to store colored glass ware (like depression or cobalt glass) because the sun looks great shining through the glass. And in a craft room you can put clear plastic shoe boxes with your crafts inside. Just remember to never store fabric or things that can absorb moisture on a window shelf, but window shelves are a great place to store your pottery, dishes and glasses! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18069467.tip.html
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Rate It: We are hearing a lot about colon health and colon cleanses. A natural, inexpensive and gentle way is to eat several organic apples per day with a glass of water. You will see the difference. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80682574.tip.html
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Rate It: Store Dried Peas and Beans in Glass Jars I try to store my open bags of peas and beans in a glass tea jar (I use a funnel to get them in). This keeps me from having the beans spill all over my pantry when the rubber band doesn't go on properly. I have found that if I open up the plastic bag at one end, I can slide the bag with the label and directions over the end of the jar, so that I don't forget what's inside OR how to cook it. It's easy to pour the beans out into a measuring cup since the mouth of the jar is narrow. AND, my pantry stays a lot neater with the jars upright instead of having different shaped rice and bean bags everywhere. Also, I can save some money by not buying containers since I just reuse a jar! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57436962.tip.html
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Rate It: Since her older sister auditioned for American Idol this summer, our younger daughter embraced the American Idol idea for her 11th birthday party. The Invitation:The invitation was a photograph of the birthday girl dressed up like a rocker, sporting a microphone. It listed all the party basics-date, time, etc but also encouraged each girl to prepare a talent for the Alayna Idol contest that would take place at the party.Upon their arrival each girl was "arm banded" American Idol style with a bracelet which allowed them FULL Party access and the opportunity to compete later in the evening. Treat Bags:Each IDOL required her own set of accessories to assist her in being the most beautiful contestant. We gave each girl a treat bag and herded them outside for a scavenger hunt to find the contents to fill their bags. The first clue was put in the mailbox and directed them in rhyme to the first stash of prizes. At each location another clue directed them to the next station. Prizes were lip gloss, nail polish, bath sponges, home-made soap, tattoos, etc. This took about 15 minutes to complete and gave them a chance to burn off some energy.The Food:We didn't have anything special: just frozen pizzas, drinks, chips and dip. These were easy to prepare, inexpensive and a hit with all party attendees.The Makeover:Alayna's older sister and her friend served as makeup artists. I provided some face paint, makeup samples and individual applicators. There was a curling iron station, a straightening station and a dress up station where old prom dresses, jewelry, boas and hats were made available to each "contestant."The Contest:Each girl was allotted 5 minutes to muster up enough nerve and actually complete her "audition". Score cards were made on the computer and the judges were the teenagers doing the makeovers. Every girl was a WINNER! The categories were: Most Athletic, Original, Funniest, Spirited, Magical, Incredible, Remarkable, Melodious, Dramatic, Intelligent; which were written on ribbon which we crafted to resemble M.s America style sash.Each Winner was awarded a tiara and the corresponding sash. We made a BIG deal about the awards ceremony The Cake:At the conclusion of the contest we settled down to eat cake and ice cream and open gifts. Alayna is FROG crazy so we decorated Cupcakes with a FROG theme. Cute! This was followed by the movie Mean Girls and popcorn. A good time was had by all and everyone ended up a winner.The Cost:Treat bags for 9 girls was $12 (all purchased at the dollar store), I had soap making supplies on hand. Food ran about $25 (9 party girls, 2 teenagers and 2 adults). The biggest expense was for the sash (blanket binding) and ran about $10. Movies were "rented" free of charge from our local library.Source: Our own imagination and a desperate desire to have a unique birthday! By Diana from Prospect, KY
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I can't sit, stand or drive my car without severe lower back pain which includes sciatic nerve pain that radiates all the way down my thigh, calf & foot. This has been going on for several months. My doctor says it's some kind of disc problem. I am looking for any tips that may have worked for you to decrease your lower back pain or sciatica as well as any exercises (physical therapy) that have helped you. I've recently started swimming and going in a hot tub with a temporary gym membership and this seems to have helped a little. I also use alternating cold & hot packs. I have no medical insurance and can no longer work because of the pain. Any tips would be very much appreciated and if you know of any exercise or physical therapy that I can do at home I would greatly appreciate the time it takes you to post a reply. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12383737.tip.html
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Rate It: Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread Recipe I have been searching for 100% whole wheat sourdough bread recipes but haven't found any. Does any one have one - preferably for a bread machine? By plm5087 from California Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74283926.tip.html
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Rate It: Repairing Scratches on Laminate Countertops How do you repair a scratch on a laminate counter top? By pckev Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95653783.tip.html
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Rate It: What is "press and seal"? By pblackstock from Temple, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83227618.tip.html
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Rate It: Building a Raised Vegetable Garden I am trying to build a raised vegetable garden and I am looking for the materials that I need. Any suggestions? By Jedev from Savannah, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67765879.tip.html
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Rate It: I was given a raincoat which is a plastic material on the outside and a silky fabric on the inside. The previous owner was a cigarette smoker, and the coat stinks like cigarette smoke. The coat cannot be placed in the washer. I have hung it outside to air for over a week, placed it in the bathtub with Dawn dish soap and cleaned it with a rag, and I have sprayed it with Febreeze. All to no avail. Does anyone have a secret to getting this horrible smell out of the coat so that it can be saved? By Joce141 from Pittsburgh, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72738793.tip.html
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Rate It: My hair is too curly, it's like a sheep hair. Any suggestions? By Prshntcherry from India Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63454484.tip.html
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Rate It: Getting Cymbidium Orchids to Bloom How do I get my cymbidium orchids to re-bloom? By Joey A from Philadelphia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98269219.tip.html
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Rate It: Lemon Tree Not Blooming or Producing Lemons My sister has grown a lemon tree from a seed. It is 7 years old. It has never produced any flowers or fruit. It grew small plants and she transplanted them into pots. Do lemon and lime trees have thorns and what can she do to produce flowers and fruit on them? Hardiness Zone: 5a By Kateyes from illinois Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf457596.tip.html
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Rate It: Preventing Lizards from Getting in House How do you keep lizards from getting into the house? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf395175.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a new kitchen floor. I believe when I put the washer out to clean it left a grease stain on the floor. I can't remove it and I've tried everything. By Waitress from Brick, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48923295.tip.html
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Rate It: My sister was supposed to watch my puppy but she put it in a pen and left. It started storming and when I got home he was real cold. I brought him inside, put him in a blanket and used a blow dryer but he wouldn't get warm. Then he started shaking. Also his gums are white. What do I do? By Robert Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37992339.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for cheap meals please. With the economy the way it is, and my husband and I both on a Pension I'm having a bit of struggle to be inventive and frugal as well. Help! By Leah Jones from Bauple, Australia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000892.tip.html
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Rate It: I am about to be a first time grandma or I guess I should say step-grandma which makes this all the more important. I want to crochet a baby afghan for my coming grandson. They are doing a jungle theme room. I would like to make something not lacey but kind of like a net I guess to fit the theme. I am a simple crocheter but need something that turns out looking spectacular. That is just what my daughter-in-law expects. Please give me ideas for what kind of yarn and hook to use. Please help me out here. No one on this site has ever let me down! Thanks! By Karen from Port Clinton, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62181834.tip.html
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Rate It: Spinach Frittata with Cream Cheese I am looking for a spinach frittata, a crustless quiche. It has cream cheese in it. Does anyone know how? Thanks. By CLC from Kansas City, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68289756.tip.html
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Rate It: I have about half a bag of noodles and I need some recipe ideas. I would like recipes with no meat. Thanks! By Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65496478.tip.html
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Rate It: I would like to learn how to crochet. Any tips that might I learn from? Thanks. By Debbie1995 from Julian, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81965643.tip.html
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Rate It: Killing Dust Mites in the Microwave Can you put pillows in the microwave to kill Dust Mites? Down? How long would I leave it in and at what heat? By Shirleytownsend from Columbia, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93967626.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a pair of men's 501 Levi's that have a hole in the crotch. How do I fix them so that they can be worn? By bevmcg from Arkansas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34848654.tip.html
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Rate It: Raising Money for a School Trip I am going to New York this summer with a few other students at school. Our last payment is in 10 days and its going to be over a thousand dollars. My family can't help out and I don't know what to do to raise the money. Any suggestions? I just turned sixteen and don't have my license yet. By deeann130 from Shelton, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67181596.tip.html
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Rate It: Our puppy has ticks. My sister in-law used to use Frontline for several years on her dogs and they still got ticks regularly. She then changed to homeopathic remedies and they now don't get any ticks, fleas, mites, etc. Does anyone know what this homeopathic remedy is? By Angelrex from UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37517214.tip.html
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Rate It: Junk Mail from Globe Life Insurance I made the mistake of writing to Globe Life and Accident insurance Co. to find quotes on their product. I decided against using their product and canceled mailings. But I am getting mail from them about every two weeks. I have been sending all their mail 'back to sender' but I keep getting more. How do I stop this? Thanks in advance for any advice. By CS from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91803095.tip.html
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Rate It: I have this rash on my face (cheeks) and I think it's Rosacea. I'm wondering if anyone knows how to treat it? I've had this on and off but this time it's been the longest I've had it and it's the worse. I've tried creams, different face washes, scrubs, different ointments to see if anything will work but nothing has. It is very pink and a bit swollen. At times it seems like I also have small blisters within the pink skin. It's itchy and sensitive. I would appreciate if anyone can help me with this. I can't afford a dermatologist right now. Thanks. By Wondering from Las Vegas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78814225.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a graphic problem - you have been warned - about cleaning my toilet seat. My husband takes a medication called Byetta to help him lose weight because of diabetes. Unfortunately, it gives him horrible diarrhea - I suppose you get the picture by now. My problem is that I can't remove the stains from the toilet seat. I've used The Works, bleach, Barkeepers Friend, Comet, brillo pads, disinfectant wipes, no luck. I think it's the medication itself that is causing the stain and I don't want to replace my toilet seat literally every day. Can someone help me with this embarrassing problem please? Thanks so much. By Metroplex from Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35348976.tip.html
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Rate It: Name Ideas for an Ice Cream Business My husband and I are going to start a soft ice cream vending business (with a truck and also a stationery location). We need a clever name. Please help! Thanks. By Nancy from NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92428154.tip.html
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Rate It: I am planning to grow our own firewood by planting poplars and elms in an unused section next to our house. We will have plenty of elm seedlings as soon as they come up in our garden, they are there every year. I can take cuttings from our poplars, but do I need rooting hormone to help them get started? Hardiness Zone: 5a By Coreen from Rupert, ID Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43802590.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know the recipe for the Waffle House waffle? They are my favorite, and I don't know their special ingredient. By tcmoyer from Westerville, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92421373.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a problem with the underarms of my shirts. I buy reasonably expensive shirts for work but they are ruined after a period of time by the build-up under the arm pits. I am not particularly sweaty and there is no smell but there is an awful stain left after a few months. Its usually hard and dried in. I've tried washing with Vanish and soap to remove it or stop it from building up but nothing seems to work. I have to throw the shirts away before they wear out. I have used various deodorants, aerosol and roll-ons, but it makes no difference. Please help! By ianp44 from Worthing, West Sussex Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89877687.tip.html
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Rate It: I just ordered some tomato trees. Has anyone had these? Do they really produce tomatoes? I will have to plant them in pots as we cannot have a garden where we live, we rent. We love tomatoes and I hate paying for the overpriced "waxy" tomatoes in stores. Thanks for any advice. By jmz2005 from IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27067965.tip.html
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Rate It: Has anyone crackle painted kitchen countertops? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61628039.tip.html
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Rate It: I'm moving into a new town home. My friends and I are very stylish girly girls. We're trying to find some really cute framed wall art. We're only 20 so we're into bright colors, Hello Kitty, zebra print, things of that nature. But it's been really hard to find art work for girls our age, and that's not too expensive. Any suggestions of where to look? By uscqt2k11 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47215763.tip.html
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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:
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