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

Fourth of July Wind Chime

Here"s a fun little wind chime your kids will love to make and hang for their Fourth of July Celebration.

Fourth of July Wind Chime

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17284457.tip.html

Lizard in Arches National Park

This is a picture I took while visiting Arches National Park on our trip out west last year. He just turned and made the perfect pose while I took the picture then ran off. I use this picture as my background picture on my computer.

http://www.nps.gov/arch/

By Mona from Lumberton, Ms

Lizard in Arches

Lizard in Arches National Park

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My Patriotic Table

I began with a base of a white lace tablecloth, the overlay was a red-checked tablecloth; in the center are two USA flag rug mats placed end to end; on top is a blue round platter with a lace placemat placed in the center. A lighthouse teapot is in the center of the platter with the teapot top ajar with artificial cherries coming from one side of the teapot.

In front of the teapot are two vintage Snoopy glasses with the slogan, "Vote for the American Beagle"; inside the glasses are candle folded blue/white napkins with a patriotic and watermelon candle in the glasses. There are two taper candleholders which are light ivory trimmed in gold with red candles. An oval blue shallow bowl holds the salt and pepper shaker, toothpick holder, 3 small strawberry candles emulate the fruit displayed in the bowl. Patriotic place mats complete the table.

By WandaJo from Tennessee

My Patriotic Table

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Molly Mew (Tortoise Shell Calico)

Molly will turned 2 on June 19th. I believe she is a tortoise shell calico. I got Molly from a neighbor. Before I knew them, I used to see Molly's mother in the windows and I nicknamed her "pretty kitty".

Molly loves to play with twist ties, mouse toys and balls with bells. She is an extremely vocal cat! She "talks" all the time. When she was a baby she used to say "Mew" all the time. She cries for breakfast every morning at 5:00 a.m. No need for an alarm clock here! Spoiled Kitty!

By Mary Cerreta from Shelton, CT

Molly Mew (Tortoise Shell Calico)

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Patriotic Garden Ball

I love to recycle, especially when I am taking something that was used for one purpose and making it into something that can be used for a totally different purpose. Here I would like to share an idea that really uses something that most people have or can easily come by and that makes a beautiful decoration for your garden.

Patriotic Garden Ball

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60031932.tip.html

Personalized Stepping Stones

I am making stepping stones with each family members hand (or paw) prints and name! We are including all friends and family who visit and will be making one of my bf's mother who is 70! These are really fun and easy. I use Sakrete which is a kind of brick mortar. You shore up a small pizza box with duct tape and line it with a garbage bag. The Sakrete is less than 5 dollars for 80 pounds and I'm using 10 pounds per stone.

By Lily from South Bend, Indiana

Personalized Stepping Stones

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Tip Contest
Submit a Tip or Recipe!
Photo Contest
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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!

My Frugal Life
Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Free Coupons From Barilla

I signed up for the Barilla Pasta newsletter months ago and just got a bunch of free coupons in the mail. Yay!

http://www.barillaus.com

Their Pasta Plus is my fav because it's healthier and doesn't have a weird texture nor odd taste. I've been buying it exclusively since it first came out.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Use A Cool Mist Humidifier To Boost AC

To be able to draw more cool air from your heating and air conditioning registers, use an old cool mist humidifiers fan and put the unit directly on top of the air register, plug the unit in and turn it on. The unit will act as a air booster and help cool the room tremendously. I found 2 of these humidifiers at a goodwill type of store with the bottoms missing, so i bought them and put each of them on separate registers and was so pleasantly surprised to feel just how much cooler those two rooms are compared to how they were before the "booster". These boosters are actually sold online on several different places for anywhere from $44.99 up to $109.00, I only paid $6.00 for the both of these. I have done three positive things here, recycled, saved money, and am pleasantly more comfortable in a cooler room.

By Donna from Sweetwater, TN

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Store Wipes Upside Down

If you buy baby, facial or clean up wipes, always store upside down as this stops the top ones from drying out.

By Jan from Grantham, UK

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Thaw Veggies Before Stir Frying

When adding frozen veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, etc. to a stir fry, thaw the veggies first. I know the directions say not to thaw, but whenever I followed those directions, my veggies would be overcooked. My way seems to work much better.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Memory Mirror For Found Items

I'm taking old damaged items and placing them on old damaged-front, framed, beveled mirrors and hot glueing them around on the frame: old toys, gum wrappers, theater tickets, concert passes, powder compacts, decorated lipstick cases, sunglasses, hair barrettes and combs, folding fans, colored marbles, unusual antique jewelry and beach-combed tiny pearl shells. This makes a "Memory Mirror" for any girl or woman to admire. (If I can find several of my saved boxes of things, I will try to make one for my children and begin saving things for my grandson's when he is older as well. I don't want to rush the project so that I can watch for things that I loved the most, then that I know my children loved as well, when they were about ages 5-10. These are the most sentimental days for them.)

I still have things that aren't particularly attractive, but are very interesting to men and children which I'm going to mount on an old wider wooden framed piece. I will have a "Sentimental Mirror", (which are bigger items to view and will go well in a guest room with antiques found curbside), filled in with broken old printed tiles/ceramic pieces, old shaving brushes, pocket knives, pipes, cuff links, watch parts/watchbands, political photo campaign buttons, tie-tacks, shoe horns, eye glasses, and spice and medicine tins, tiny bottles, a piece of barbed wire, a tiny snake skin, horse shoe, rabbits foot keychain, beltbuckles, fountain pen tips, and old leather gloves; Signing and dating them for posterity to enjoy.

By Lynda from TX

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Liquid Paper To Cover Shoe Spot

Got a dark spot the front of a light beige pair of summer shoes and that sort of shoe polish is out there, but so hard to find! So I experimented with a small dab of white liquid paper, which I rubbed in with my finger and it worked! Sometimes when you have spots, you just have to cover them up.

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Nail Polish Remover For Cleaning Clay Polymer Earrings

I create custom handmade jewelry using polymer. I found that my earrings (dangles) would frequently get make-up on them. Just water wouldn't do the trick, so I tried nail polish remover and they look like new! It seems a little harsh, but the clay is very durable.

By Kellye from Hammond, LA
http://www.kellyeskreations.com

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Mylar Balloon Art

Save mylar balloons from any special occasion, round ones work best. Frame in embroidery hoop, just like you would cloth, dress hoop edge with ribbon, lace or any trim - just apply with hot glue gun or leave edge plain. This is a great way to enjoy balloons longer and an economical way to decorate a nursery or child's room.

By Dana from Charlotte, NC

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Camp Cooking Tips

By using lids whenever possible, you will greatly reduce the cooking time required for many foods.

Prepare soups, stews or chili etc. ahead of time. Freeze and keep in cooler. Reheat for a quick meal.

Bring energy boosting snacks such as trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, beef jerky etc. for in-between meals.

To save room when packing your camp kitchen, use your pots as mixing bowls.

Use a leather/suede work glove as an oven mitt.

To tenderize tough cuts of meat, as for stew, add a little vinegar to the water in which the meat is being boiled.

A little dab of butter in oatmeal while it's cooking will make the pot easier to clean.

To cut down on grease in camp food, fry meats in a fine dusting of salt in the fry pan instead of fat or shortening.

Sprinkle a few drops of water on sliced bacon to keep it from shriveling in the pan.

To remove onion or fishy odor from your hands or pots, rub a little vinegar on them and rinse with cold water.

Put a pan of hot water on the fire while you eat so that it'll be ready for cleanup when you are done.

By Babbie from LemonGrove, CA

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Use Care with Fireworks

Not a tip, but an observation: I am totally blind, but that is from birth. Many of us blind people know others who are blind because of misuse or erratic behavior of fireworks. One of our friends lost fingers on both hands and his eyesight. We cannot warn strongly enough about the use of fireworks in private hands. Sure, it may be legal: but it may be the last legal thing one sees.

We know a man who reads braille with his feet or toes because of fireworks. It is our desire that our friends, acquaintances, and fellow readers not become statistics such as I have cited.

Kindest regards,
Penny from Golden, Nebraska

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Friends of ThriftyFun

Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

Getting Rid Of Goat Heads

How do I get rid of goat heads in my yard?

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Nancy from Golden Valley, AZ

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Removing Cloudy Stain From Purell On Wood

I used Purell hand santitizer to remove permanent marker stains from an oak table (I have used Purell before without problems). The marker stains are gone but it left a cloudy white stain on the table. I have tried baking soda, toothpaste and paper towels with a iron. Please help!

Susan from Iowa

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Reupholstering Sofa Cushions

I have sewn for many years but now I need help. Does anyone have any instructions for the reupholstering of sofa cushions. Any instructions, suggestions and help will be greatly appreciated. Have a nice day, take care and stay safe.

Willi from Calgary, AB

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Water Filters in Refrigerators

Water filters in refrigerators: Is there anything you like or dislike about the location of the water filter and filter replacements?

Mine has one that requires the fridge to be pulled out from the wall all the way, wrenches and big muscles. It's on a 10 year old fridge and I suspect they don't make this design any more because the filters are so difficult to access, that many people don't bother and the companies lose out on a bit of extra profit selling replacement filters.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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French Door Refrigerators

French door refrigerator owners: Is there any thing you would change about your fridge?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Dog Drool on a Suede Couch

How would I clean up dog drool on a suede couch?

Kathy from IL

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How well does Microfiber hold up to wear?

To those of you who have microfiber sofas... How do you like the wear and tear on the fabric? Is it holding up? Would you buy it again? How long have you had it and with what kind of frequency is it being sat upon? Or are little kids jumping on it?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Removing a Sliding Door

How do I lift out the door from a sliding door? I need to replace the weather stripping.

Irma from Port Isabel, TX

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Is Gluten in Rice?

Is gluten present in rice?

Marisa from Malta

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Keeping Pet Chickens and Ducks from Eating Vegetables

I have a client I work for who has chickens, hens, roosters and ducks. She has also planted a garden and the animals are eating/ruining her tomato plants. Is there a way for her to keep them away from her garden, short of keeping them cooped up? She likes to let them out to roam during the day. Thanks for any help on this.

jmz2005 from Illinois

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Long Distance Providers in Las Vegas

What are the best long distance providers in my area?

Carlos from Las Vegas, NV

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Getting Rid of Tobacco Worms

How do get I get rid of tobacco worms?

Harry Mckee from TN

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Can I Change A Circuit Breaker Myself?

The power keeps going off in one room of the house. I changed the outlet, didn't help. If it's the circuit breaker, can I change it myself?

Anthony from Mahopac, NY

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Helping Two Cats Get Along

Any advice on helping two cats get along would be appreciated. We got married and both came with cats. I moved into his house. His cat is part Siamese female; my cat is a curly-tailed cream tabby with La Perm on her tummy. His cat is sleek and puma like, and laid back, she's 16. My cat is frisky, 7-years-old, high spirited. His cat is pretty much terrorizing my cat, and keeping her outside quite a lot. His cat is basically ruling the roost.

Cubangirl from Seattle, WA

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Pattern For Block Knit Vest

I had a pattern for a vest along time ago. You knit it in a block form starting with a rib then used thick needles and a yarn over stitch or dropped stitch pattern. To finish it you only sew the sides and the top to form a pull over vest.

Can anybody help me with this pattern or have a similar pattern for a pull over for ladies?

Thank you

Grace from Elsburg, Gauteng, RSA

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Can You Still Buy Console Televisions?

I want to know if any company still makes console televisions. I mean the kind that look like furniture with wood around the screen, and sits on the floor. My old TV just quit on me, and it is really part of my living room furniture. I do not care for the black and silver kind. Thank you so much.

Margeth Marjorie from Michigan

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Cream Cheese Dip Without Salsa Or Peppers

I'm looking for a dip or spread recipe using cream cheese that does NOT have salsa or peppers in it. Thanks!

Maryeileen from Brooklyn OH

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Antique Theme Curtains

I am restoring an old house (1940) and want to keep the antique theme inside. I am trying to be frugal at this point. I hung some curtains that I had, tan tab style in the breakfast room, they look "blah". Anyone have any idea how I can give them that needed "touch"? I was thinking of trying to make a garland but I am not sure what to use. I do have several old old kitchen utensils. Any ideas would greatly appreciated.

Ramona from Pinckard, Alabama

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Sealing Silver and Brass After Polishing

What can I seal silver or brass ornaments with to stop them tarnishing after polishing?

Susan C from Durban

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GE Washer Problems

I recently bought a brand new GE washing machine, my last one i had for 16 years. Well with my new one, if I don't get the wash out within 5 minutes of being done i have to rewash it. It smells all musty. What is that all about? I only use tide with fabric softener.

Cindi from Spring Hill

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Dog Odor In My Yard

What can I use to get rid of dog odor in the back yard?

Lou from Memphis, TN

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Information about Havre de Grace, MD

We are interested in the Havre de Grace, MD area and would like to hear from people who live there or in the area.

Sandra from Oneonta, NY

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Cleaning Stick Deodorant Off Of Leather

Hi, I was driving around the other day with a stick of deodorant in my parents car. It was really hot out that day, and when I returned from a stint at my friends house, I had found the deodorant stick had melted and leaked onto the seats.

The seats are blue leather from a BMW M3. The stain has left a dark streak on the seats, and because of the color it is extremely noticeable. Needless to say, my parents were quite unhappy, and I'm looking for a way to correct the situation. Does anyone know of any way I can clean the deodorant out of the leather?

Spencer from Ontario, Canada

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Ideas To Revitalize Garden Club

I have belonged to a garden club for 2 years now. It's kinda a dying group and I have been elected to become president in September. I would love any and all ideas on things to do to make this club more fun, like crafts, trips, speakers. anything! Help!

Tracy from MI

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Keep Groundhogs From Eating Sunflowers

How do I keep groundhogs from eating my sunflowers?

Sandy from Bluff City, TN

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Need Help Growing Basil

My basil is very short lived. By the time the plants are big enough to harvest a goodly quantity of leaves, the flavor is bitter and the tips are going to flower. When planting, I always cut off the growing tips to encourage bushing out.

I was trying to avoid paying too much for fresh basil in the produce section of the grocery by growing my own, but this isn't working out. This is the third year this is happening.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Recipes Based On a List of Ingredients

Does anyone know the name of the website where you can enter what ingredients you have in your fridge (or on hand) and it will give you recipes based on those ingredients? Thanks!

Kathy from SD

Editor's Note: ThriftyFun's recipe search essentially works that way. Just enter the ingredients you have in the search for and it generally returns the right recipes. Our recipe search is located here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/recipes.ldml

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Ant Repellents

Does anyone know of a natural house ant repellent. Tiny black ants. They're getting into everything.

Thanks,
Jomi from Cole City, GA

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Cleaning Hardwood Floors

What is the best thing to use to clean hardwood floors?

Ramona from Pinckard, Alabama

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How To Get Your Hair To Grow Faster?

What can make your hair grow long, just before September? Can you lay down some tips like: when to wash it everyday, what shampoo really works and, if my hair is at my shoulders then if I really take care of my hair, what would be my new length (your estimate).

Tiffany from Bronx, New York

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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

Fourth Of July Safety For Pets

Water your yard to prevent fire works from setting fire to the grass and perhaps the car or the house. Keep the pets inside. It's the worst day of the year for pets. Dogs run off more often on the Fourth of July than any other day.

Barkley and Scruffy - Patriots

Saving Money on Fruit

Tips for saving money on fruit from the ThriftyFun community.

Saving Money on Fruit

Unusual Objects in the Garden

Here are some unusual object that people have in their garden.

Unusual Objects in the Garden

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Daily Thrifty Tips - July 2, 2007

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