Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 57, February 28, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We fixed a couple of things that appear to have increased deliverability of this newsletter. Hopefully everyone is receiving this newsletter today. If you have missed any recent newsletters you can read them online here:
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Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Recipe Organization
- Pileated Woodpecker and Bird Feeder Pole
Today's Tips:
- Vinegar Hair Rinse
- Keep Carpets Looking New
- Storing Plastic Grocery Bags
- Helping Stop Popsicle Mess
- Accidently Frozen Apples
- Saving Money on Long Distance Phone Fees
- Making a Bed For Night Time Accidents
- Thank You Notes
- Thinking About Large Purchaces
- Office Store Store Sidewalk Sales
- Cleaning the Stove Hood
- Saving Money on Baking Parchment Paper
- Dyed Hair Too Bright? Tone It Down Easy at Home
- Creating Your Own Index In Cookbooks
- Consolidating Recipes from Books
- Uses for Dog Food Bags
- Killing Weeds on Driveways or Walkways
- Old Dresser Drawers For Under Bed Storage
- Large Roasting Chicken - Chicken Spaghetti
- Mom's Oatmeal Cookies
- Oreo and Ice Cream Dessert
- Chocolate Sauce For Ice cream
- Country Vanilla Ice Cream
New Requests:
- How to Answer a Guy Who Has Asked You To Prom
- Non-chocolate Brown Frosting
- Black Ice Tea For IBS
- Storing Green Onions
- Mrs. Renfo's Jalepeno Peppers
- Preserving Homemade Masks and Creams
- Hair Nightmare!
- Permanent Marker On Cabinets
- Cough Remedy Using Brandy
- Homemade Clove Oil
- Selling Beanie Babies
More Reading:
- 7 Reasons to Switch to FireFox
- Why The Rush To Use College Financial Aide?
- Social Security - Retire in Poverty, Die Penniless
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Today's Sponsor
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Find out how to get control of your personal budget
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Recipe Organization
This is a followup for this discussion:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf443945.tip.html
I used to be an avid collector of recipes and was introduced to the neatest little program called Treepad a long time ago. It's like a flowchart program but it's super user friendly. As you can see by the screenshot, I sort my recipes by methods of cooking and under that by types of meat. You can sort them however is easiest for you.
The program and file are great because I can fit the entire program and my recipes file (which is just a text file) onto a floppy disk and share it among my friends, coworkers and family. This way they don't have to buy anything and they get my entire recipe collection for free. The program is free for download off the internet http://www.treepad.com
You can use the program for anything else as well. I don't work for Treepad nor am I associated with them in any way. Just a program I've used for a long time.
By pookie
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Pileated Woodpecker and Bird Feeder Pole
We built our own bird feeder pole from a piece of treated wood and iron planter hangers. As you can see from the picture, our feeders attract interesting birds. This Pileated Woodpecker has visited us twice. The smaller woodpecker is a Red Bellied Woodpecker. We feed the birds all year long.
By dkhorse
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a prize. You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Today's Tips
Vinegar Hair Rinse
For shiny hair, rinse with vinegar. I don't know why, but it really works. Rinse well and you won't smell like vinegar!
By Billie
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Keep Carpets Looking New
To keep your carpet looking new for years with out making every one take off their shoes (I live with 3 males that are always into something, and the house is just a pit stop) get some plastic shower caps and have people slip them over their shoes
By Billie
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Storing Plastic Grocery Bags
SI like to save plastic grocery bags for the small trash cans in our house, and I had no place to hold them. I just could not see myself paying for something to hold these, that would be so ironic. instead, I use a box that holds a 12 pack of can sodas, taped it up where I had to open it, and reinforced the opening where you pick it up by putting tape around it, and I ball up the bags and stuff them in. you will be surprised at how many it will hold!
By Billie
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Helping Stop Popsicle Mess
My boys, ages 2 and 4, love popsicles year round. They also have to rush to potty or to catch a good tune they hear on the tv and put the popsicle down. A paper towel does not cut it, so I give them cups to hold the popsicle until they get back. It really cuts down on the mess, and they can stay busy as they need to be.
By Billie
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Accidently Frozen Apples
Don't throw away apples accidentally frozen with their skins on. I just recently had a bag of apples freeze when the fridge decided it needed a change. lol. I was determined not to waste them. I let them warm up just a little. By that, I mean, just about twenty minutes. I cored them and was amazed to discover I could peel them! Easily! Not pare them, peel them. It was so neat.
So I thought, hummm, what now? Well, I found the color of the pulp was just a shade darker and the flavor had increased a lot. The first ones I accidentally froze were Red Delicious, and in my opinion, they are not bakers or cookers, just eaters. I ended up with the best tasting apple pie ever, apple cobbler, dumplings and applesauce.
I didn't have to use as much brown sugar either! In fact, I created a recipe I intend to enter into a contest. Even if you have apples you think have seen their day, freeze them. Just because they are old you can freeze them and do something with them. Now, I don't mean soft, icky, throw away ones.
By Jacqueline Laura Young
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Saving Money on Long Distance Phone Fees
Tips for saving money on calling long distance. Post your ideas!
Cancel Long Distance
Cancel the long-distance fee from your phone company. Use your cell phone for long distance calls or keep a low-cost pre-paid phone card by the phone.
By Cynthia
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Making a Bed For Night Time Accidents
During night time potty training, I came up with an idea to avoid middle of the night sheet changing by "doubling up". I made up the mattress like this: plastic fitted sheet, regular cotton sheet, plastic fitted sheet, cotton sheet. When my child had an accident at night, I only had to remove the top layer (cotton and plastic sheet) and the bed was ready to sleep in. It was much quicker then making up a dry bed and helped us all get back to sleep quicker!
By Karen G.
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Thank You Notes
To help encourage timely Thank-you cards after a party, Baptism, etc., I began addressing the thank you envelopes while I was addressing the invitations, when the energy level was still high. After the party, it is much more fun to just focus on the thoughtfulness of the gift and then just stuff it into the right envelope!
By Karen G.
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Thinking About Large Purchaces
Wait a day before making a large purchase.
By Denise
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Office Store Store Sidewalk Sales
Always make time to peruse a sidewalk sale at an office supply business. You can pick up some terrific sale items at rock bottom prices. Example: an entire ledger sheet notebook, 3-hole punched, for $.50; a large bag of large rubberbands for $.25; and so on. Most people won't stop at an office supply sidewalk sale but there are real bargains to be had.
By Ronsan
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Cleaning the Stove Hood
Greasy, glunky mess on your stove hood that you can't remove? Spray with WD-40 and wipe with a clean soft cloth. Don't understand why this works, but it sure does. I have removed 5 years of built up mess that I couldn't clean with anything else I had tried. I was ready to pitch this one and buy one that was easier to keep clean, but I sure don't have to now.
By Ronsan
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Saving Money on Baking Parchment Paper
Baking parchment paper can be used more than once! I have found I can get two bakings from one sheet of parchment, even though those baking sessions may be more than a week apart.
By Ronsan
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Dyed Hair Too Bright? Tone It Down Easy at Home
If you guys are here a lot you already know what "the stylist" did to my hair. So that being said, I started experimenting with ways to bring the color down a few watts. Turns out if you wash your hair with dish soap (told you I tried everything ;) it removes a lot of the color. My hair has gone from Clown shoes red to Geez what an unusual color to dye your hair. At least that's what my son's teacher said this morning. The dish soap really took it down about 7 shades, so if your dyed a normal color and hate it - it might take it right out. And it didn't dry my hair out either. And I smelled like lemons all day! Suzanne S.
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Creating Your Own Index In Cookbooks
I have a series of annually produced hardcover cookbooks (based upon a published periodical) but I was having difficulty in finding the recipes I wanted once I had more than 3 of the books. I perused each cookbook thoroughly, jotting down on a piece of paper, which recipes I thought we would enjoy trying along with the page number. I then taped this paper to the inside cover of the book.
It is so much easier to find what I am looking for now. When I do try a new recipe and want to keep track of it, I simply put an asterisk next to the name of the recipe. I may not remember what the name of the cornbread recipe was exactly or which yearly cookbook it was in, but with this index, I can find it almost immediately.
By Ronsan
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Consolidating Recipes from Books
In an effort to cut down the incredible number of cookbooks I had amassed, I purposely went through each cookbook and typed out the few recipes from each that we really used and liked. I then compiled them in a 3-ring notebook with dividers (soups, entrees, desserts, etc.) and sold off at garage sales the cookbooks.
Now I only have one extra "book" where an entire cupboard was overrun with cookbooks before. I was surprised to find that, on average, each cookbook had only a couple of recipes I really wanted.
By Ronsan
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Uses for Dog Food Bags
What are good uses for the bags that dog food comes in? Post your ideas.
Dog Food Bags for Trash
Use empty dog food bags as trash bags to save on trash bags.
By A. Whisnant
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Killing Weeds on Driveways or Walkways
Vinegar can kill weeds and grass when poured full strength in cement driveways or brick walkways.
By imaqt1962
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Old Dresser Drawers For Under Bed Storage
Old dresser drawers under the bed make great storage, you can even put casters on the bottom if you like
By imaqt1962
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Large Roasting Chicken - Chicken Spaghetti
I buy one large roasting chicken and can make 5 meals out of it. Here is one of my favorite recipes.
Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of cooked chicken meat
- 1 lb of spaghetti
- I 16 oz container of sour cream
- 1 can of cream of mushroom chicken soup
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 onion diced
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 3 chicken bullion cubes
- 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese
Directions:
Add bullion to water and boil pasta to within 2 minutes of doneness. Meanwhile sauté mushrooms and onion in butter. In a bowl mix sour cream, soup, parmesan cheese and chicken, add mushrooms and onions when done. In a 13x9 baking dish add half of the spaghetti, then add half of the sour cream mixture, repeat, and finish with a dusting of parmesan cheese. Bake in a 350 oven for 45 minutes. Enjoy
By Jessica Lagana
View Article: Click Here
Mom's Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 cup coconut
- 1 cup shortening
- 2 cups raisins
- 3 cups oatmeal
- 1/2 cup salted peanuts
- 1 tsp. soda
Directions:
NOTE: This recipe does not use eggs. Add raisins to boiling water. When water and raisins have cooled down, add 1 tsp. soda to the water and raisins. Mix together shortening and sugar, add raisins and water. Add flour, oatmeal, peanuts, and coconut. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees.
By Robin
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Oreo and Ice Cream Dessert
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup margarine or butter (melted)
- 1 lb. Oreos (crushed)
- 5 large Butterfinger bars (crushed)
- 1/2 gal. vanilla ice cream
Directions:
Mix the crushed Oreos and Butterfinger bars and the melted butter. Press 1/2 of the mixture into a 9x13 pan. Spread the ice cream on and top with the other half of the crumbs. Place in the freezer.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Chocolate Sauce For Ice cream
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding
- 2/3 cup white Karo syrup
- 1 Tbsp. (heaping) peanut butter
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
Mix until smooth chocolate pudding and karo syrup. Add peanut butter. Stir in half and half and vanilla until smooth. May need to thin with a little more half and half after it sits a while.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Country Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients:
- 4 eggs
- 2 1/2 cup sugar
- 5 cups milk
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 4 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Directions:
Add sugar gradually to beaten eggs. Continue to beat until mixture is very stiff. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. POur into gallon freezer. Freeze as directed.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Other Active Topics
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
New Contest! $30.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on February 28th.
Enter the contest!
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
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New Requests:
How to Answer a Guy Who Has Asked You To Prom
Do you have any clever ideas on how to answer a guy that has asked you to the jr. prom?
Post Feedback: Click Here
Non-chocolate Brown Frosting
How can you make brown-colored frosting that is not chocolate? My nephew wants a football birthday cake, but he does not eat chocolate. I have not had luck with coloring the frosting brown. I would rather not have to buy a container of brown food coloring. Any help would be appreciated! Ann Marie
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Black Ice Tea For IBS
I have had IBS symptoms due to the various medications I need to take. I have been suffering off and on for months.
About a month ago I started to drink medium strong black (traditional) ice tea. With in a few days of drinking about 3 quarts of ice tea per day, my IBS symptoms stopped. (Sweetened with Blue and Pink packets.)
Now I feel healthy, my system is back to normal.
I feel like a new man. :)
Has anyone else experienced this kind of relief and or any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Zabe
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Storing Green Onions
Thanks for all the responses about cilantro. How does one keep purchased fresh green onions fresh AND for as long as possible? I have tried wrapping them in paper towel, putting them in a plastic bag and storing in a cool (not cold) part of refrigerator but it doesn't seem to work. The green part goes first followed by the white part if I keep them long enough.
YT in London
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Mrs. Renfo's Jalepeno Peppers
I love Mrs. Renfro's water packed whole jalepeno peppers. I cannot find a store or distributor in the Hammond, IN area that carries them. Can you help me?
pepperlover
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Preserving Homemade Masks and Creams
What is the best way to preserve homemade beauty products: masks, creams, scrubs?
Alla
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Hair Nightmare!
Next time you have a huge event coming up and you scrimp and save to go to a "Professional" (I use this term very lightly), DON'T! As you can probably guess, this is not the look I was going for. I had waist-length auburn hair and asked for a classic, elegant 30's flowing waves style with that gorgous red like Kate Winslet's in Titanic. And this, THIS, is what she mangled my hair into.
I now have until Thursday to try and do something about it. My husband is coming home from serving with the military for a year overseas and hasn't seen the kids and I for a year. Now do you think that this Ronald McDonald hair is what he wants to come home to? PLEASE any suggestions are helpful. And yes, I am looking for a wig. Thanks in advance.
Suzanne S. in Misery
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Permanent Marker On Cabinets
My husband and I are remodeling our kitchen. While I was out he thought it would be a good idea to get a head start. He measured and measured and now we have a line on our brand new cabinets. Did I tell you this line is BRIGHT RED. If any of you know how to get permanent marker off of Wood Cabinets please let me know. MR Clean Eraser will just ruin the finish.
Thank you,
Jennifer
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Cough Remedy Using Brandy
I am looking for a natural cough remedy using brandy. I've been pretty much using it mixed with water. It's the only relief I have found yet. Could anyone suggest other ingredients to add to this mixture? I've had this cough for a week and as soon as I lie down the coughing begins. The brandy works for about 4 hours and then it begins again.
Thanks!
Cindie from South Carolina
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Homemade Clove Oil
Please post a recipe for clove oil made from home.
Kathy
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Selling Beanie Babies
My daughter has a large collection of Beanie Babies, tags and toys are in perfect shape. I have placed an ad in the newspaper, offering the group of 50 for sale for $100.00. We did not receive even one phone call. Has anyone ever sold a collection of Beanie Babies other than on eBay? I can't spend a ton of time on this, but don't want to just 'give' them away either! Please advise!
Emilee from Oregon
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More Reading:
7 Reasons to Switch to FireFox
By John Gergye
The Firefox browser has exploded on the scene. At the time of this writing there have been 23 million downloads of this innovative competitor to Internet Explorer. Minor drawbacks aside, most who use it love it - myself included.
View Article: Click Here
Why The Rush To Use College Financial Aide?
By Lois Center-Shabazz
Millions of Americans are balking at the high tax rate in our country. Their cry is to lower taxes by depleting government assisted funding for everything from social programs to education. Parents and students the federal government has money available for your child to go to college. You must use this money before it is too late and the anti-tax zealots remove all forms of government assisted college financial aide available. You must FAFSA now!
View Article: Click Here
Social Security - Retire in Poverty, Die Penniless
By Terry Rigg
If you live in the USA, work, pay into Social Security and plan to retire with only that income, that is exactly what is going to happen to you.
View Article: Click Here
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