August 29, 2006

Daily Thrifty Tips - August 29, 2006


Volume Five, Number 164, August 29, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com

Hello,

My Frugal Life Contest

To celebrate the opening of our new blog site, My Frugal Life, we are running a new contest. We will award three $20 prizes for the best blog posts between today (August 28th) and the end of September.

To enter, just create blog, if you haven't already, and start posting. At end of September we'll look through all the posts and pick out the cream of the crop and award prizes.

What we will look for?

The goal of the My Frugal Life blogs is to give ThriftyFun users a place where they can share their thoughts about frugal living, budget and finance, crafting, gardening and all the other topics we focus on at ThriftyFun. We'll look for posts that are engaging and useful for others.

Do I need to post a lot?

Nope, you can post as little or as much as you want. We'll only pick three winners, though, so if you post more it may increase your chances of winning.

What can I blog about?

We really don't have any restrictions about what you blog about or how often you post as long as it is family friendly.

How do I create a blog?

First you need to be registered as a user at ThriftyFun.

Register Here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/register.ldml

If you already have registered click the link below to create a blog.

Create Your Blog:
http://www.myfrugallife.com/account.ldml?account_nav=blog

You can use your ThriftyFun login to create you My Frugal Life blog. These blogs are brand new so if you encounter any problems please let us know.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Photos:

Today's Tips:

New Requests:

More Reading:

Today's Sponsors

Eversave

Sign up for Eversave and receive saving alerts from the nations leading brands via email and local coupons.

More Information:
http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1461549-10313907

Today's Photos

Jim and Max the Cat

Max, with husband Jim, hoping for a handout. Jim has never been a cat person, but he spoils Max rotten!

By Coreen Hart, Rupert, ID

Jim and Max

Jim and Max

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Dale Hollow Lake (Southern Ky/Tenn)

Our family's recent trip to Beautiful Dale Hollow Lake (Southern Ky/Tenn). This picture highlghts the FUN we had just spending 4 days on the water. It was so relaxing and just wonderful to be able to bond. On this trip were Grandpa (age 73), Grandma, Mom, Dad and DH's age 14 and 8. What a blessing to be able to share this special time together.

By Diana from Prospect, KY

Dale Hallow Lake

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Contests!

The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

Today's Tips

Cleaning Cast Iron Pans

Don't use dish soap to clean cast iron pans and don't run them through the dishwasher. Fill the dirty pan with water and bring it to a boil, then you should be able to scrub off any debris. Rinse with hot water, let the pan dry and rub a small amount of shortening, lard, cooking spray or cooking oil inside the pan before storing.

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Reading the Car Manual

I have been blessed with a new vehicle with a daunting array of buttons and gizmos on the dashboard. The owner's manual is quite thick and proved daunting to me to just sit and read initially so I now devote the time I am waiting for my granddaughters to arrive home on the school bus at the head of our rural road to familiarize myself with what all the buttons are for. A very good use of time for me as I now know such things as what button to push how many times to find out how many gallons of gas I have left in the tank, and how far it will take me at what speed.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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First Impression Quote

This is one of the best quotes I have ever heard, and it is so true!

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression"

If only we all remembered this.

By Christine from Melbourne, Australia


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Marked Down Meat

Watch the prices on fresh meat as it gets closer to the sell date. Our supermarket marks the prices down really low. Last week they had chicken legs marked to 29 cents per lb. I bought 20 packages and when I got home I repackaged and labeled them into smaller freezer bags. I will use them in casseroles, soups, barbecuing, etc. Seeing that the meat had not gone by the expiration date, it still was good. Anything you put in the freezer will only come out as good as it was when it went in. What a buy.

By Joesgirl

Grocery stores mark down meat when it gets near its "sell by" date. There is nothing wrong with the meat, the grocery store just needs to move it before the "sell by" date has passed. If you are shopping for tonight's dinner then this meat can be real bargain. If you don't plan on eating the meat quickly, freeze it for future use.

By Fisher

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Using Resealable Containers When Traveling

When I travel, I like to take small containers of toiletries but these small items can be costly at the drug store. I have saved up little resealable containers that I have come across over the years and then use them to fill with my favorite hand cream, baby oil etc. when traveling. I also pack these small items that might potentially spill, into little zip lock baggies.

By Robbie from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Editors Note: Due to the new restrictions on liquids, be sure to only fill containers halfway to leave room for expansion and put all of them into separate bags to avoid spillage. Aerosol containers can explode in unpressurized cargo holds so it is better to buy these at your destination.

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Using Bacon Press as a Panini Weight

While using my bacon press as a panini weight, I was grumbling to myself about the potential cleanup mess afterwards. I decided to wrap a piece of parchment paper around the weighted plate, secured with a piece of tape on the top. If it made a mess, most of it would be on the disposable paper.

Since I took all of these precautions, there was no mess. If I hadn't, well, you know what would have happened.

By Holly from Richardson, TX


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Recycling High Density Foam Mattresses

Wondering just how to recycle the high density foam (not inflatable) pool "mattresses" being tossed on curbs, I discovered that they make WONDERFUL sleeping mattresses and toppers for overly soft sofas, with loosy-goosey or no cushions, out of shape twin mattresses, campouts and overnight kid company!

Use twin fitted sheets to anchor them to whatever they lie on, then a top sheet to cover yourself. I've slept on one because of my condition for over a year and they are usually "bubble" patterned so that they aren't too hot AND usually have both a built in pillow OR a folded back end so that I can store my glasses in the fold at night for both protected storage AND easy finding next morning! I'm amazed how well and versatile they are for lots of needs, hands down better than plastic blow-ups, spongy foam, or thin roll up mats!

By Lynda from Richardson, TX

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Two Minute Fudge

Take one tub of frosting mix (any flavor), microwave for one minute. Add one cup of peanut butter to the frosting and microwave an additional minute. Add nuts (if desired). Pour in waxed lined dish and refrigerate. ALWAYS a winner!

By Tedebear from San Jose

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Making Custom Composition Notebooks

I just decorated a basic composition book that I found 3 for $1 at a local drug store. Using a glue stick, I covered it with scrapbooking papers and ribbon and put my niece's monogram on front and now she has a cute back to school notebook!

By Deb from Goffstown, NH

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Congee

In China, there is a breakfast as standard as our bacon and eggs. It consists of cooked down rice and any veggies or meat that you happen to have on hand. It's so simple, and will be as delicious as the ingredients you add.

Instructions

Put one part cooked rice to 4 parts stock or water and bouillon into a blender. Blend till most of the rice is in minuscule pieces. Place in pot with fitted lid (ideally stainless steel with a lid that vapor locks.)

Add whatever meat/veggies you have on hand plus any seasonings you like that blend well with the meat/veggies. Onions work especially well.

Add a little salt, white pepper and dry wine (optional)

Bring to a boil, spin lid (to lock) and turn to low heat. Stir from bottom with a spatula about every 20 minutes until the rice cooks down and looks like porridge (will be at least an hour.) Add additional water if necessary.

If you have it on hand, you can mix in some sesame oil before serving, serve with chopped green onions as a hearty breakfast, OR lunch, or prelude to dinner.

By Doggy from TX

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Getting The Right Portion of Meat

One way to save money on meals is to incorporate less meat into your diet. Most supermarkets have butchers available who can provide you with specific amounts of beef, chicken or seafood. For example, if you only need one chicken breast for a recipe, they can provide it for you, and it normally costs the same price per pound as you will find in the meat displays.

By Fisher

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Syndication Spotlight

Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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

New Requests

Sour Milk Smell in Car

My daughter spilt milk in the car and it was there for several days in 30 degree Celsius temps. Three months later and I can't get rid of the smell... help.

KP from UK

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Burning Smell Coming From Garbage Disposal

When I run my garbage disposal I notice a burning smell coming from underneath the sink. This has been happening since I have lived here (4 years). What is causing this?

Pam from Chicago, IL

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Good Dog Breed to be a Running Companion

I would like to have a running companion. What breed would you recommend as a running companion that also protect me in case of an emergency or need?

Liliana from North Rose, NY

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Preserving An Autographed T-shirt

I have a new t-shirt that has been autographed with a sharpie pen. How can I keep the autographs from washing out every time I launder the shirt?

Melanie from Eugene, OR

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Cleaning Grease Buildup on a Gas Stove

I just recently got a new thermador stainless steel gas stove top with 6 burners. The burners are already stained from grease buildup. I tried Easy Bam, 409, nothing is helping these old stains, any suggestions?

Barbara from La Canada, CA

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Nail Polish Stains on Clothing

How do I get nail polish out of clothing?

Brenda from York PA

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Uses for Overripe Bananas

What can I do with overripe bananas? They are Black but I don't want to throw them away.

Kimberly from Sumner, WA

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My Perfume Bottle Stopped Spraying

My brand new spray perfumed bottle won't spray anymore. What to do? How can I unblock it? Can't take it back, it was a gift from a faraway country.

Nancy from Québec City

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Substitute for Washing Soda

I was trying to make my own laundry soap but I cannot find "washing soda" in any stores around me... Can I substitute it?

Jennifer from Illinois

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Damp Smell in Basement

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting rid of damp smell in basement. I only smell it when we open the door to go downstairs, when you get down stairs we don't seem to smell the dampness.

Donna J.

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Why Is My Dog Limping?

I have a one year old Labrador. She has been such a cute little friend through out but recently I have been noticing that she has started limping almost after every month or so. This limping is not on a particular leg, the strange thing is that if it's left leg one month, it becomes the right leg next month. I have taken her to best of vets but they say that her legs are absolutely alright and she does not have any disorder. I have also taken X-Rays but it's still the same. I understand that female dogs come on heat and during that they are not active, but that is also twice a year. Can you guide me what the reason could be?

Zuludon from INDIA

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Scuff Marks on Furniture from a Vacuum

My vacuum leaves white scuff marks on furniture when the rubber piece rubs against the wood. How can I remove the white scuffs?

Debbie from Novato, CA

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Tacos for 100 People

How many pounds of ground beef do I need to feed a 100 people tacos?

Elaine from Atlanta, GA

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Garden Chipper Reviews

I'm looking for a garden chipper, i.e. a mulcher to chop up small branches, garden plants, etc.

Andrew from MA

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Homemade Oven Cleaners

Does anyone know of any home remedies to use to clean an oven? I cooked chicken and all the grease ran off the pan to the bottom and smoked the whole house. Needless to say the oven is a mess and I don't have any oven cleaner.

Laura from Orland Hills, IL

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Learning to a Play an Appalachian Harp

Has anyone experience of learning to play the Appalachian Harp? I'm trying to find out about this instrument and how to play it, but not having much luck with UK sites!

Mary from UK

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Beer Stain on Suede

Removing a beer stain on a suede purse.

Marie from Chula Vista, CA

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Moles on Skin

I am African American and my dad has moles and of course I get them, but how can I get rid of them without having marks.

Binski from Detroit Michigan

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Painting a Vinyl Floor

I wonder if it is possible to paint an old stained vinyl floor. It looks grimy though it is very clean. Any ideas for painting or otherwise improving its appearance?

Sissy from Upstate, NY

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Teaching Road Awareness to a Dog

We adopted our daughter's springer spaniel/collie cross when she moved back home and found that he had no regard for road safety and traffic. We managed for months with fencing around the home but this has had to be removed for work to be done. The minute the door is open he sometimes manages to escape and dashes straight down the drive and across the road. We take him out to the garden on a lead but he refused to do the deed unless he is off the leash and then he is at liberty to run. I am at my wits end as to how to teach him to not to run, and to not approach the road. Once he is running he is on a mission to go and doesn't obey any commands. What is the best way to train him? We have other dogs who go out at the same time and they have never tried to make a dash for it.

Margaret from Swansea

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Gum on Microfiber

How can I remove gum from microfiber sofa.

Carmen from Harrisburg, PA

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Repairing an Air Mattress

How do I repair a leak in a Coleman air mattress?

Shelby from Rio Rancho, NM

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Removing Wrinkles from a Leather Jacket

How can I get wrinkles out of a leather jacket? My son put it in the washer by accident.

Nita from New York

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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here

Today's Sponsors

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When you subscribe to my newsletter "The Budget Stretcher" you will receive this easy guide to effectively organizing and managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click the below link to learn more:

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More Reading

Cooking Marrows

Tasty use for those marrows (a squash similar to zucchini) that grow to gigantic proportions hidden in the garden!

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Freezing Water Chestnuts

Selecting High-Quality Water Chestnuts:

To select good water chestnuts, look for firm, hard-shelled tubers that are free from insect damage and bruising. Chinese markets are a good place to locate them year round.

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