Volume Five, Number 127, July 7, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
From time to time, people report problems receiving our newsletters by email. Also, some people have missed newsletters having only recently re-subscribed since our registration change last month. If any reason you miss an issue, here are a couple links to help you get caught up.
The first is the Index By Date. It allows you to look back at any date over the last 5 years and see what was published.
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Newsletter Archive
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Have a great weekend,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
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Today's Tips:
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Today's Photos
| Happy Birthday Indy
Today (June 9) is my pomeranian, Indy's first birthday. Everyone has been so kind this past year in allowing me to share pictures of Indy I just wanted to say Thank-you and share his 1st birthday picture. HE is enjoying a Dingo!
By Connie A. from Smithville, TN
For more pictures of Indy go to:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82128740.tip.html
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12169382.tip.html
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60029199.tip.html
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| W.h.i.s.p.e.r. (Persian Cat)
W.h.i.s.p.e.r. is a sweet stray, approx. 4 yrs old. She looks like a pure Persian according to vet.
She adopted us. Stopped at our door and was in desperate need of care. She found the right home : )
She likes to play with moths, flies and any flying insect. This is usually done in a dim lit room. She also loves her tiny rubber ball and knotted cotton rope.
There's NOTHING funnier than her 'wicked smile' ; ) A very quiet lady she is; barely whispers when she 'talks', hence her name.
By CanaGin from Canada
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| Patriotic Pups - Barkley and Scruffy
Barkley is a 7 year old Pointer/Lab mix, Scruffy is 1 year old Cairn Terrier/Lhasa Apso mix. Both were adopted from the San Diego County Animal Shelter.
Barkley, our black and white boy is crazy for the tennis ball. He'll chase and retrieve it over and over, both at the park and at the beach. He is a great swimmer, and will just wear himself out at Dog Beach, here in Ocean Beach, swimming after his tennis ball.
Scruffy, our little tan girl was sort of an after thought. We figured Barkley could use some company while my son and I were away from home, and she certainly fits the bill. She is such a character, and can't get enough attention. She isn't as fond of the water as Barkley, but is exceptionally social with any and every dog she meets at the park or beach. This is a photo of our 2 patriotic pooches taken last 4th of July, a few days after we adopted Scruffy. They look like they are standing at attention!
By Donna from San Diego, CA
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Today's Tips
| Homemade Rust Remover
If you need to remove rust from chrome, wipe it with aluminum foil dipped in Coke. If you just need to polish the chrome, use a crumbled up piece of aluminum foil and rub.
By Marnita from Cumming, GA
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| Add Eggshells To Houseplants
Crushed egg shells gives house plants and flower plants a growth burst. They love it.
By Sharon Lee from Canada
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| Inexpensive Hair Color
I tint my own hair with success using regular peroxide on dirty hair for copper highlights and then using combined red/blonde colored shampoo/conditioners, etc. However, I have a grey/blonde patch on my right temple that is resistant. Having some light self-tanner on hand, I impetuously decided to put some there to see what would happen. And voila! it blended in the grey/blonde quite nicely and it has stayed, too. Just a tip - works for my auburn hair - maybe this - or a darker version - would work for you, too.
By Pam from L.A., CA
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| Buyer Protection For Online Auction Purchases
PayPal and other programs provide buyer protection for online auctions. This can help resolve disputes if a product isn't delivered as promised. The problem with this protection is that it doesn't necessarily cover the full price of your bid. Purchases are currently protected for up $1,000, that means if you get burned buying a $2,000 computer, PayPal will only cover half of it.
By Fisher
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| Heating Pad for Animals
If you're needing to keep a small animal warm, but you find a heating pad for humans to be too hot, simply fill a glass bottle with warm water. Cork it or seal it and place next to your small animal. It's the next best thing and you can control the warmth.
By Terri from NV
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| My Frugal Life - Tips From a Single Mom
In my early thirties, I went through a divorce and suddenly found myself as a single mother of three small children. Fortunately, I was able to still manage to buy a small home with a backyard and continue working full time. My house was simple but had enough room for the four of us, with a "roomy" kitchen and even a small rec room for the kids. We were a single income family and had a mortgage, car, childcare, utilities, ...oh, yes, and food! I had to cut corners as much as I could. Looking back, I'm not quite sure how I managed.
- To save money on utilities, I invested in a cordless phone with an answering machine. By doing this, I managed to lessen my monthly utility bill to just the basic charge. No caller ID or special features and, of course, the machine still allowed me to get missed phone calls. (The cordless part was a 'must have' for chasing small kids around the house!)
- I did the same with each utility, examining how I could save, what was using the most energy/ electricity and seeing what options I could cut out. The Dryer, for example, was an energy user so, as much as possible, I tried to hang clothes on the line.
- TV, of course, was important but not important enough to have extra channels and movies. It was basic cable or none at all.
- I was lucky enough to have a garage but didn't use it very much, so in the winter, I rented it out as storage for someone's summer vehicle. The extra amount helped to pay bills during the winter.
- I could not afford lawn care, so I bought a reconditioned lawn mower from a back yard mechanic for $50 and did it myself. That lawn mower lasted 6 years! What an investment!
- I bought the children's clothing at second hand stores and sales racks and was never too humble to accept 'hand me downs' from friends and family.
- And, finally, I searched for deals on food every week and often spent a sunday afternoon making meals for the week, like casseroles and spaghetti sauces.
It does pay to live through those times because even though situations get better (and they always do!), you learn the skill of "stretching a buck" and no matter how much income you have it is still a good habit to maintain (... a rare trait in this wasteful society.)
Jules from Atlantic Canada
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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| Silk Wedding Flowers
We are using silk flowers to do your flower arrangements. The bouquets for the bride and attendants and groom and best men will also be silk. The wedding cake will be outstanding in silks and will stand on a wedding cloth.
By Bev Sobkowich from Chilliwack, BC
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| Tips or Saving When Dining Out
I was amazed to read the average American household spends more than $2,200 dining out, according to New Strategist Publications. So, we do need to be good consumers and pay attention to what we are ordering at our favorite restaurants. Be sure to ask the price of the specials, my husband and I have found it is not unusual for them to be more expensive than every other item on the menu. Simply ask how much they are as the waiter lists them. Another profit making item is bottled water offered at many eateries, even your fast food stops offer bottled water. Bottled water is a huge profit for restaurants.
If you order wine with dinner, order a glass of the house wine, it is much more $ friendly, or do like my husband and I do, have small glass of wine and a piece of cheese before you leave for the restaurant. When we get to the restaurant we are not as hungry so we order a dinner that comes with a salad to split and order one extra salad.
If you do order a bottle of wine, be certain the bottle you order is the bottle you receive. Sometimes less ex-pensive varieties are substituted for pricier versions. Some restaurants will cavalierly substitute a less expensive year but still charge you the higher.
By Bobbie G from Rockwall. TX
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| Note the Shipping Charge When Bidding On Online Auctions
You can find good deals at online auctions but one trick that some sellers play is they offer a low bid price for the product, but have a really high shipping price. Never bid on an item until you have calculated the cost of your bid and the shipping charge.
By Fisher
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New Requests
| Wholesale Suppliers
I am opening a small variety store and I want to know if there are any websites online that offer wholesale ordering at a good price, accepting the payment of COD Company check or Net 30.
Latoya from MS
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| Self-Watering System
We are going on vacation and I would like to know about the self-watering system for plants using gallon milk jugs. I remember something about putting rocks in the jug, poking holes and sticking it in the ground next to the plants. We will be gone about 2 weeks. Do you have any information about these "watering jugs"?
Thank you for your reply.
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Ruby from Cave Junction, OR
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| Roof Repair Advice
I have a back porch that's about 8-10 ft. wide and about 20 ft. long. The roof is leaking badly and will need to be replaced. The flashing at the end was placed over the shingles allowing water to leak under and inside. The area around the jalousie windows may be ruined. Worst case scenario, ball park figure, is what I'm looking for. Also any advice as far is what to look for and what to look out for. I was thinking a handyman would be cheaper than a roofer since some handymen do roofing too. Any advice welcome.
Denise from Woodbury, NJ
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| Orange Juice Concentrate on Carpet
One day while rummaging thru my extra freezer in the back of my house. I sat a 12 oz. can of frozen orange juice up on the top of the freezer, forgetting about it. A few days later, I heard a noise. What I found was a partial can of thawed orange juice on top of the freezer, and the rest had run all down the front of my freezer and into my light gray carpet. I was lucky that it didn't explode onto the ceiling area. What a mess though! My question is --- does anyone know what takes orange juice concentrate out of carpet? Many thanks to those who answer!
Terri
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| Frappuccino Recipes
I am looking for any recipe(s) for Frappuccinos. Someone out there surely has their version that taste just as good as those sold in the stores in the glass bottles... that are very expensive.
Thanks in advance!
Michele from Western, KY
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| The Effects of Salt and Vinegar on Grass and Shrubs
What are the effects of salt and vinegar on grass and shrubs that you don't want to kill? How long will it take for the ground to recover? How do I help the ground to recover?
Hardiness Zone: 7b
Mona123 from Bear Creek, NC
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| Flowers That Will Grow Under Pine Trees
I need advice about what type of plants/flowers, preferably perennials, could be planted under pine trees. I've been told that the dropping pine needles kill most plants because they give off kerosene. The area in question is very shady. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Teri Hayes from Klamath Falls, Oregon
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| Making Purses Out of Candy Wrappers
I am looking for instructions on how to make purses, belts etc. from recycled candy wrappers, potato chip bags, etc.
Thanks for any help.
Elizabeth
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| Raising a Deaf Dog
I adopted a 3 yr. old Shetland Sheep dog named Magic from the local shelter May 15, 2006. She was born deaf due to some careless breeding. We are adapting to having a "special needs dog". Can anyone give me helpful advice or share stories of their deaf dog?
Thanks!
WyoKrista from Laramie, WY
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| Pine Tree Stump Coffee Table
I have a large pine tree stump that I would like to finish and make into a coffee table but I am unsure of how to do this. It is 3 feet high and 2 feet in diameter with the bark still around it. Any advice would be appreciated.
Karen from Boise, Idaho
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| Pit Bull Chewing on Everything
My daughter has a 8 month old pit that is chewing up everything! She just called, he chewed up her new glasses this morning, the old ones a while back. Anyway, she loves this pit so much and doesn't want to get rid of him. She has crated him, he still shows her no signs of catching on. How can she stop this before she has to seek the alternative?
Judy from Leighton, AL
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| My Feather Bed Smells Like a Wet Dog
I washed and dried (with tennis balls) my King size feather bed at the laundry mat and now it smells like wet dog. I have hung it to dry in the sun, placed it in the dryer again, and used febreeze. The smell will not go away. Any suggestions?
Meredith from Winooski, VT
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| Homemade Fragrance Oil for a Lamberge Lamp
I would like to learn to make the fragrance oil to burn in a lamberge lamp.
Debby from Vinton, LA
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| Auto Cool Reviews
I just saw this thing called Auto Cool on TV. I believe it cost $15 plus shipping and handling. It's one of those "as seen on TV" thing so I am dubious. I think what you do is place it on top of your window and then close it. On one side it has a solar panel, on the other side it has a fan. Supposedly it helps keep your car cool white it sits parked. Has anyone purchased this and does it work? Or can you recommend something similar.
Thanks,
Anna from Phoenix, AZ
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| Replacing Carpet With Vinyl Flooring
I am contemplating replacing my 30 year old carpeting with one piece vinyl. Does anyone have any advice for me? What brand? Color? I have 7 inside cats and one dog and I'm thinking it might be easier to keep clean. My husband is in a wheelchair and he weighs about 300 pounds. Will vinyl stand that kind of wear and tear? Also, should I consider no-wax vinyl? Has anyone else replaced carpet with vinyl? Thanks for any advice and tips.
Brenda from Knoxville, TN
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| My Yard is Just Weeds
I have a yard with just weeds -- I have very little money--what can I do? I live in the Western plain country -- water is expensive and area is very dry.
Susan from Wyoming
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| Tape Residue on My Car
I used tape to cover a broken car window. Now that the window has been repaired, tape residue is on the hood and trunk of the car. I don't want to ruin the paint, but want to remove the tape residue. Help.
QueenK from Escondido
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| Replacing Your Carpet Padding
How to change the padding under my carpet due to cat urination. I need easiest way if possible.
Mel from Torrance, CA
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| Werther's candy "Snow Cone"
Does anyone know how to make a Werther's candy "snow cone"? One of my teacher friends got one from a secret santa years ago. It was in an ice cream type dish and looked like a huge golden scoop of ice cream. It used the Werther's wrapped hard candies.
Redanbobbye from Homosassa, FL
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| Spray Paint On Acrylic Nails
I was wondering how you clean spray paint off of acrylic nails and hands! I have the solar acrylic nails and it just doesn't seem to come off! Thanks for your help!
Haley from waco, TX
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More Reading
Cheap Ways to Beat the Heat
By Kelly Ann ButterbaughThere are plenty of ways to keep cool during the summer months, but how many cost efficient ways are there? Try some ways to cool your temperatures and your budget as well.
Read More: Click Here | Freezing Corn
By Ellen BrownSelecting High-Quality Corn: Corn should be harvested for freezing in the "milk stage" (as soon as the kernels are full of sweet, milky-colored juice). If the fluid in the kernels is clear, the corn is not ready yet. Try to process the corn a quickly as possible after harvest, before its natural sugars start turning to starch. Purchased corn should be kept refrigerated while being sold, if it's not, reduce storage time accordingly. Husks should be green, silks should be moist and gold and the kernels should be packed in tight, even rows.
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