Daily Thrifty Tips - August 28, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 168, August 28, 2008 (Read It Online) Do you have any tips or strategies for saving money on school lunches? Feel free to post them on the contest page. 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: Easy Curtains Using Swivel Hooks for Organizing Closets Sammy Jo (Mixed Breed) Craft: Mini Lava Lamp With Glitter Craft: Halloween Rhinestone Shirt Today's Tips: Disposable Cameras for Weddings Tips For Parents Sending Kids To College Make Sure The Lid Is Tight On Paint Stock up at Back To School Time Tips for Bathing a Cat The Cost Of Leaving Things Plugged In Link: Diplodocs.com For Manuals Homemade Deck Cleaner Meal Planning Notebook and Filing System Kitchen Tools For Deviled Eggs Joke of the Day New Requests: Tiny Holes In Clothing What Are These Flowers? White Substance On Grapevines Decorating Rubber Kitchen Gloves Grasshoppers as Pets Neighbor's Cat with Day Old Flea Ridden Kittens Puppy Is Jealous Of Other Puppy Outdoor Furniture Leaves White Marks On Clothing Angel Food Ministries In California Canning Homemade Apple Juice Growing Tomatoes Inside Bagging Your Own Groceries Growing Ivy From Cuttings Recipes For Ravioli Filling Supporting A Scarecrow Dog Had Dislocated Jaw Removing Nail Polish From Hardwood Floor Prepping Formica To Paint Is Dog's Shedding Caused By Lack Of Vitamins? Sewing Items To Make Extra Money Removing Black Scuff Marks On Floor Instructional DVD For Making A Rag Rug Transplanting Maple Tree Seedlings Washing Machine Smell Saving Money on Bedding 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: Easy Curtains Easy yet elegant curtains Approximate Time: 3 hours Supplies: Fabric of your choice Tread to match fabric Sewing machine Trim to compliment fabric Instructions: Measure your window/windows. Purchase fabric to fit the window width and length. Use contrasting colors to make your window covering interesting. Use the same color of fabric on sides to tie the top of the curtain. This will provide contrast and make them stand out. Then use trim that matches the top part of the curtain. The curtains I made used a 3 inch rod. I hemmed the material to allow for 3 1/2 inches. I allowed enough fabric to make a slight ruffle at the top. Too much ruffle will cause the curtains to bunch up and they will not hang properly. Make them a length that you will feel comfortable with. For the sides, I used a contrasting color. I used fabric that would fit the length of the window after hemming. I hemmed all side of this fabric then used safety pins to hang them from the top corners of the top curtain and used the same trim that I attached to the tie at the top to gather the top ends. These are very easy to make and my parents "whom I made them for" love them! By Jean from Forest Lake MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63151908.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using Swivel Hooks for Organizing Closets I find that room in my closet is essential to lessening my stress. If you are the same, I have a cool idea I came up with that you might like. I take a very strong hanger that has a swivel hook. Then, I put those really strong clips on and hang the others crosswise for pants, blouses, etc. You can use as many as will fit, but for the photo, I used 5. You can leave them perpendicular or slant them to fit better in the closet. This also works for things like scarves, ties, belts, etc. By Sandra from Salem OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48613272.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sammy Jo (Mixed Breed) Sammy Jo is 6 months-1 year old, I adopted her on 8-11-08 She likes to run around outside. I would like to know what her breed is? By Abby from Zeigler, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70565364.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft: Mini Lava Lamp With Glitter I get these wonderful glitter containers at Walmart for 97 cents. They have a neat screw on top and a handy handle. I keep mini sewing kits, first aid kits, camping matches, make up and more in them. One thing that takes a bit of creativity is really cool, too. Take some pretty things like beads, metal stars, glitter, buttons, or anything shiny and fill with either baby oil, corn syrup, or something thick so the things inside will "float" from top to bottom. Then, super glue or E6000 glue the lid on and slip it on your key chain. It's like a miniature lava lamp! By Sandra from Salem OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83203612.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft: Halloween Rhinestone Shirt Buy a cheap black t-shirt. (I paid $2.50 for mine at Michael's) and then get a rhinestone Halloween themed iron on and iron it on your shirt. So simple, and NO sewing involved. As the month gets colder you can layer it with a white or orange turtleneck. Great for kids too! Inexpensive and takes about 5 minutes or less to do! Another tip: Some shirts can even be purchased at the Dollar tree, saving even more money! Source: Saw the rhinestone iron ons at Michael's crafts and thought it would make a cute shirt! By Karen from Union, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96954135.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: Disposable Cameras for Weddings Put a disposable camera on each reception table, these often capture very special candid moments! Do not buy the overpriced ones you see in wedding catalogs though! You can buy them in packages of 6 at walmart for $10.99 and there are many free templates for camera covers on the internet. By Dominique from Kalamazoo, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf463843.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tips For Parents Sending Kids To College A few tips as your student goes away to college. Send an umbrella. They may never have used one in high school, but they will to walk all the way across campus in a downpour. Be sure to have 2 pairs of eyeglasses. If one pair breaks or is lost, it is not so easy to get a replacement pair in another city/state. Take something that can be used to lock up valuables. We used a locking file cabinet that doubled as a nightstand. By Plopmom from olmsted falls, ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86421286.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Make Sure The Lid Is Tight On Paint To avoid a "I cant believe how stupid..." moment. When you buy paint, MAKE SURE the lid is on tight! I just assumed they would pound it on, well they didn't and I spent all night cleaning latex paint out of my carpet. Yeah... By Evol from Las Vegas, NV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57877247.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Stock up at Back To School Time I used to work in a daycare, and at back to school sale time, I stocked up on items I would need for the daycare for the year (scissors, colored pencils, markers, etc.). For example, I would buy a case of Crayola 24 pack crayons and ten boxes of the 64 pack - that way, when our crayon tubs ran low, I would throw in a couple of 24 packs to keep up the most used colors and occasionally put in the 64 pack to replace the rest. It was a real budget help. Now some people would wonder why I didn't buy cheaper crayons. We did try the cheaper ones, but these tiny, waxy particles would fall off the paper when the kids were done coloring. The "crayon shrapnel"; stuck everywhere, and we had to do much more cleaning. The extra crayon expense saved us in cleaner! I am a college student (a mom who went back to school when her kids were older), so I am always needing to pinch pennies. When the stores have their back to school sales (and especially their clearance sales after school starts), I still stock up on thing I know I'll need. Staples has an AWESOME clearance table all year long - we have found some really good snags there! By Marie from Idaho Falls, Idaho Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92221062.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tips for Bathing a Cat My cat, Teddy, is impossible to bathe. Although normally cats do not require a bath, he sometimes seems to get dirty using his litter box and then smells, albeit rarely this happens. This is going to sound harsh, but he really does not cooperate usually, so I put him in the tub and then placed a tall plastic laundry basket over him and held it down, or you could have a helper do that part. Our shower has a hand-held hose, so then I just sprayed him wet through the holes in the laundry basket. He was unable to escape or scratch me. I avoided his ears and face. When he was soaked, I used my old Joy dish soap container with watered down shampoo to suds him, because by this point he had stopped meowing in protest and relegated himself to the whole procedure. I held his back down so he was squat to the tub bottom while sudsing. All the while I chat with him in a soothing tone, then place the laundry basket over him again and spray rinse. Have a towel at the ready, lift off the laundry basket, wrap the kitty and dry. Ta da, done! By Carrie from N Liberty, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13132758.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print The Cost Of Leaving Things Plugged In Keeping our electric bill down is continually a challenge. We have had over 30 days over 100 this year. I keep a folder to store any tips I find in magazines. While cleaning the folder out last week, I came across a great article I would like to share about high tech's hidden cost. This is average annual energy cost for each item. (TV smaller than 40 inches) Plasma TV, $48.25 TV accessories, Digital video recorder/TIVO $39.71 Digital cable, $26.15. Computers, Desktop, $27.90 Computer accessories, CRT computer monitor, $8.97 Modem, $5.47 These are just a select few of the items listed and the amount it costs to keep them plugged into your home outlet for a year. They noted electronic devices account for 10 to 15 percent of all electricity used in American homes. You can lower your energy consumption by plugging most of your electronics into a power strip and turning off when they're not in use. I found this article very helpful. I now turn my computer off when it is not in use. I also do not keep my cell phone charger plugged into the bathroom outlet when not charging my cell phone. I unplug my TV when we are not watching it. All of my appliances which do not have a clock, I unplug when not in use. All the little things can add up to wasted energy and higher utility bills. Source: This article I clipped was in Real Simple Magazine the April 2008 issue. By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74521090.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Link: Diplodocs.com For Manuals I just found a wonderful site for obtaining manuals for those great garage sale finds that you haven't a clue on how to use or even know if they are complete. It is free and I didn't even have to register to download the manual I needed. http://Diplodocs.com/ By GraNita from Montclair, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41944160.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Homemade Deck Cleaner Here is a homemade recipe for cleaning your deck. This works as well as the store-bought cleaners and is far more thrifty. Mix one part chlorine bleach with four parts water. To each gallon, add one tablespoon of TSP (trisodium phosphate) which is sold at paint stores or the big box home improvement stores or enough TSP to make it sudsy. Do not use any cleaner with it that contains ammonia (this can emit a dangerous gas). Apply with brush, let set 10 and then rinse. Source: My local newspaper By Elaine from Iowa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23191230.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Meal Planning Notebook and Filing System As a working mom, I enjoy cooking but was getting a bit bored with what felt like limited menu choices. Our busy schedule had caused us to fall into a rut, eating the same items over and over again. A busy family needs a plan that allowed us to eat tasty, nutritious meals together. I created my Menu notebook and filing system and it has made this task much more enjoyable. Using a spiral notebook and an expanding file... List all foods you normally prepare in broad categories (One category per page) such as PASTAS, chicken, grilling out, Crock-pot meals, FAST and EASY in your notebook. It's OK to list the same item on multiple pages. I also include the recipe's cookbook and page number for easy retrieval. I list unusual ingredients as well. I sorted through my stack of recipes I wanted to try but had not yet gotten around to and placed these in a file folder in the back of the notebook. On a blank page vertically record the days of the month and week. Have your calendar handy so you know what practices, school performances and meetings you have to attend. This will assist you in preparing a meal that can be prepared with that time limitation in mind. Perhaps a night when 3 kids need to be in 3 different zip codes calls for a CROCKPOT Meal! this also assures you wont have the same meal 3 weeks in a row. Determine the menu for the week and record it in the notebook. Make a list of any grocery items you'll need to purchase. I have my 10 year old daughter assist with menu planning. This can easily be done on the way home from practice because all the ideas are already in the notebook. I also use my recipe file to introduce new menu items, reserving these for days when I have more time. I found trying to decide what to have for dinner was the hardest part of my day. Now the decision is made for us ahead of time and meal preparation is a lot smoother. This has also saved us from running out of a specialty item that may have been required. We are trying new dishes, have more variety and a lot less stress! An added benefit has been the organization of my recipes which were torn from magazines or copied from this website. I store those in an expanding file by broad categories (see #1). Happy Eating. Source: My own compulsive organizing. By Diana from Prospect, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48785018.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Kitchen Tools For Deviled Eggs When making deviled eggs, I use 2 tools that help simplify the task and help in making the eggs look more uniform: After peeling the eggs and cutting them in half, I put the yolks through a hand grater (the type that has a small compartment for the food and has a turn handle). This makes the yolks easier to mix with your dressings and seasonings. I use a small scoop (like a miniature ice cream scoop) that has a release button to scoop uniform amounts of the mix into the egg white halves. I top my eggs with a dash of Old Bay. They look neater this way. (I got my small scoop from Pampered Chef.) By Debra from Bel Air, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92338468.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dear Webby's Joke of the Day An off-duty police officer, familiar with radar guns, drove through a school zone within the legal speed limit when the flash of a camera went off, taking a picture of his license plate. The officer, thinking the radar was in error, drove by again; even more slowly. Another flash. He did it again for a third time, at an even slower speed. Same result. "This guy must have screwed up the settings," the off-duty officer thought. A few weeks later, when he received the violations in the mail, he discovered three traffic tickets: each for not wearing a seat belt! Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Tiny Holes In Clothing All of the postings that I have read so far haven't answered my question relating to finding the source and having a solution as to what to do about tiny holes in cotton t-shirts. If there is someone out there who can help, I would be most appreciative. I have found tiny holes in the front of thin cotton t-shirts or other fine cotton wear, like thin cotton summer wraps. The holes that appear are always on the front of the garment, either one or in a cluster of three or four tiny holes occurring about waist high. Now, the conundrum is most, if not all, of the shirts are new. Some never having been worn, or only worn once or twice, and haven't been laundered. So, then, if I rule out laundry and cleaning agents, snags and imperfections in the fabric. What would cause these holes to suddenly appear from one day to the next, after simply hanging the shirts in my closet? Assuming that it is some kind of moth, worm, insect or mite eating through the cloth, does anyone have an idea of how to eradicate them? Is there some kind of moth ball or repellent that doesn't smell like a moth ball? What furthers my theory, is that prior to about three or four years ago, I never had, nor even heard, of this problem. In the past, I've had wool sweaters eaten through by a moth, leaving a telltale casing, but this has never happened with cotton. Help! I don't want to keep buying expensive shirts only to discover holes in them even before I wear them! Alix from Tarzana, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38944249.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print What Are These Flowers? I see these flowers on my way to work and have never seen them anywhere else, other than at this spot. Maybe someone dropped some seeds or the seeds found their way there by blowing in the wind? A friend tried to dig some up and put them in her garden but they didn't come back. Does anyone know what they are and any suggestions on how to bring them to another location in hopes that they will spread in my yard as well as they do on the roadside? The picture is blurry but they look like some type of sunflower without the seedy middle. Thank you. Hardiness Zone: 5a Andrea from Turner, Maine Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70734794.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print White Substance On Grapevines Can anyone tell me what this white substance is on our grape vine? It's a thick liquid that's running down and collecting on the stems of the grapes. Betty from NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18985737.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Decorating Rubber Kitchen Gloves Can anyone offer suggestions on decorating some rubber kitchen sink gloves? I would like to decorate with Malibu feathers and other things (similar to the gloves the BBC channel program English Cleaning women use). They would be gag gifts. Any ideas on materials and how to attach them? I would love to add a "diamond" to the ring finger. Thanks for any help. Janet from Brant Rock, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35965717.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Grasshoppers as Pets What should I give a grasshopper to eat and drink? Allison Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf564854.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Neighbor's Cat with Day Old Flea Ridden Kittens This morning a neighbor's cat had kittens in my tree (a hollowed out hole in the trunk, not out on a limb.) It has rained a couple of days and the tree is wet. The two kittens lay at the bottom of a hollowed hole. Not only do i fear it is too cold and wet, I know the mother has terrible fleas as well. The neighbor has no concern for the cat at all, their only contribution being the old bag cat food they had before she ran off. I am faced with several problems. Do I move the kittens out of the wet tree? How do I care for the fleas? They are only a day old. It is not my cat, do I call a vet; take her to an animal shelter (I think we all know what will happen there!) I love animals but I don't have the money to invest into spaying, shots, flea meds etc. to a cat that isn't even mine. OH, let's not forget the three kittens she brought with her from her previous litter. They were a few weeks old but we were able to give them a flea bath, flea collars, and worm pills since we noticed that mother has worms as well. PLEASE HELP IMMEDIATELY! Katelite Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51560746.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Puppy Is Jealous Of Other Puppy I recently obtained two pit bulls from a horrible situation. I got them when they were only about 3-4 weeks old due to their mother not wanting to feed them anymore. We had to feed them puppy formula by hand for around 4 weeks. I named one Thade (from the planet of the apes) and the other Hancock from the new movie. My husband and I love the little guys, but Mr. Thade is very jealous of any attention directed to Hancock. From what I was told about the dog, he was very mistreated by his mother. Hancock, on the other hand is very mellow and sometimes doesn't want to be bothered with Thade. We love the two of them very much. I wanted to know how I can stop Thade from being so jealous of Hancock. They both get the same amount of attention. I don't understand it. Also, how can I stop them from chewing everything and stop that puppy bitting. Thade is the complete blue nose and Hancock had a blue muzzle. They are brothers. Please Help. Tamaramc Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88226600.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Outdoor Furniture Leaves White Marks On Clothing What causes my white outdoor furniture to leave white chalky marks on my clothing when I sit on it? How do I get it to stop? Janis from Corpus Christi, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17055288.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Angel Food Ministries In California I would like to know where in California there is a Angel Food Ministries for people to get food. I have children in Ukiah and Willits California. Rosemarie Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82935704.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Canning Homemade Apple Juice I want to can apple juice. I have juiced fresh apples from the farm. How long do you heat or boil before putting in jars? Marilyn Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78804099.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Growing Tomatoes Inside I have some tomatoes which I started a bit late in the season. They are doing well in outdoor pots but I'm worried now that the weather is changing. Does anyone have any tips on bringing them inside so I can keep them? Thank you. Linda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91515566.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Bagging Your Own Groceries I have purchased several totes that are offered in various stores to use when I grocery shop in keeping up with being echo-friendly. The problem I seem to have is that the stores are not willing to help with bagging the items for you. Most larger grocery stores now have the carousels with their bags in place (plastic bags) so there is no room to put your totes. I have to leave them in the cart, put my items in it one by one. I hope the cashier isn't over charging me on the items being scanned because I can't watch them while bagging my own groceries. I am open for ideas. Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? LeeAnn from Little Rock, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84553950.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Growing Ivy From Cuttings I love Ivy and would like to start up an outdoor pot of mixed Ivy. Does anyone have any advice on taking a cutting? My neighbors have a lovely mixture of Ivy plants. Thank you. Linda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65061528.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Recipes For Ravioli Filling I bought some Durum Semolina on sale and don't know what to use it for! I am willing to try to make homemade ravioli but want interesting recipes for ingredients inside them! Thanks! Donna from Sterling, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56017599.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Supporting A Scarecrow How do I support a scarecrow? I know many of you have made up scarecrows for Fall seasons. What are some of the ways you have supported them? I'd like to make it so I can re-position him every few days. I would love photos and/or ideas. Thanks so much. Susan from Scottsville, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35753427.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dog Had Dislocated Jaw My dog woke up unable to close his mouth or eat on Sunday. The first vet said he had a throat infection. The 2nd vet said his jaw was dislocated and put it back in place. I can now close his mouth but he still does not close it or eat very well. Am I expecting too much after a day? Jo from Perth, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83756546.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Nail Polish From Hardwood Floor How can I remove dried pink nail polish from a hard wood floor? I don't want to damage my floor, but need to remove a dried fingernail polish patch about the size of an adult hand. Ruth from Salt Lake City, Utah Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20790758.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Prepping Formica To Paint If I can paint the back splash of my Formica counter tops with a semi gloss, will I have to prepare them by sanding? The space all total might be 6'x6'. I just want a change, without getting new ones. Thanks for all the help. Jo from Girard, Pa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87667896.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Is Dog's Shedding Caused By Lack Of Vitamins? Do you think there are any vitamins or oils my Lab may be lacking? She is shedding so bad. Any advice? Debbie from Jeff City, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81494677.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sewing Items To Make Extra Money I would like to start sewing again and would like any ideas on items to sew to sell on E-Bay or at flea markets, etc. to make some extra money. Any tips would be appreciated. Linda from Alabama Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65827598.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Black Scuff Marks On Floor Can someone please tell me how to remove black scuff marks on the floor? roadgypsygranny from Atmore, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59749333.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Instructional DVD For Making A Rag Rug I want to make a braided Rag Rug and have no one to show me the basics. Are there any good books or DVD's? I like the tee shirt idea but do not exactly know how to connect them. Thanks Elizabeth from Brandenburg Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43431454.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Transplanting Maple Tree Seedlings I have a nice bunch of "volunteer" maples in my flower gardens. I would like to know when its best to transplant them? Do I separate each individual or are they better in 2's? Do I need fertilizer to transplant them? I hope to make a nice straight border with them. Thank you so much for your help. Hardiness Zone: 3a Natalie from Central SK, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11420160.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Washing Machine Smell With my first front load washer, I continually had problems with the spin cycle not spinning the clothes properly. Clothing would be sopping wet and I would have to spin 3-4 times to get them in a non-dripping condition. My boyfriend and I moved in a house together and now we are using his front loading washer. I don't have the same problem, but now his machine smells like mildew (it did not before in his apartment). Clothes come out clean and clothing does not smell. But the inside of the machine smells. How can I get the smell out of the washer? I've checked inside and around the rubber seal thing where coins sometimes get caught, but there is no stray sock or anything else stuck in there. I've tried running the machine with nothing inside and on a hot wash, but the smell stays. Any ideas? My aunt suggests running a hot wash with a full bottle of white vinegar or bleach since both products are good for cleaning. I want to use a front load washer since it is supposed to be more energy efficient and saves on water, but I haven't had good luck and am ready to go back to a top load washer. Thanks for any help or ideas. Fran from Dallas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf452244.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Saving Money on Bedding Tips for Saving Money on Bedding. Feel free to share you ideas below. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39222083.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 Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.