Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 143, October 6, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We have a different format for the newsletter today, let us know what you think.
Our Halloween topic site will open tomorrow or the next day. Feel free to submit your Halloween tips, recipes and ideas.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Tips
Carrying Case for Snacks
Parents, are you tired of those smashed up snacks in your diaper bag or kid's backpack? I have found that if I store my daughter's Nutrigrain bars in an old hard-sided glasses case inside my diaper bag, they don't get all crumbly anymore. They fit perfectly, and stay in great shape. Then when we're finished, we can stick the wrapper back in the case to throw away at home without getting crumbs and fruit goop all over the inside of the bag.
By Lynn
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Use for Cotton Baby Blankets
Buy cotton baby blankets whenever you see them at yard sales or wherever. Cut them into squares and use as lint free cleaning cloths.
By Lisa
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Easy Chicken Soup Alternative
My neighbor was in bed with a sick headache, I didn't have chicken to make her soup. So I opened a large can of chicken broth, put it on to heat, added 1/4 of an onion diced, 2 sliced carrots and 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley.
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Homemade Towel Wrap
I made a hair wrap kind of like the "seen on TV" item . It required 1 hand towel (in the colors of my bathroom) which I bought on clearance. I made a pattern from the store-bought one, sew right sides together and add an elastic loop near the top. Turn right side out, loop should be outside. Wrap wet hair and tuck the end into the loop. Use a medium to lightweight towel. I just hang the towel wrap on a hook in my bathroom and its always dry by the next day. Wouldn't this make a great gift!
By Linda
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Keeping Buttons On
To keep buttons on (anything) turn to the wrong side of fabric and put just a small drop of clear fingernail polish on the threads. Have never lost a button yet.
By Jessica
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Precious Placemat Gift Idea
This is especially nice for Grandparents. Have your children draw a picture of grandpa and grandma and then sign their names to this work of art. Cover with clear contact paper. If you have a baby you could coat one of their little hands and one little foot with paint and then press on the paper and then sign it for them.
By Debra in Colorado
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Message in a Bottle Gift Idea
This is a nice romantic gesture for a husband or boyfriend.
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Thaw Meat Faster
Frozen meat that you want to use tonight will thaw faster on a metal pan than on the counter. The metal draws the cold away and the meat will thaw faster. If you will be gone all day, though, thaw in fridge.
By Linda
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Warm Air Circulator
If this winter you are going to be using a wood burning stove or a free standing fireplace to heat all or part of your home, try this tip.
Place a box fan or small fan behind your wood burning stove or beside your fireplace to circulate all that warm air. You might be surpised at how much more square footage you can keep toasty warm.
By Debra in Colorado
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Old Pantyhose and Nylons
Cut the legs off and fill with flax seed for the finches. They liked it better than the expensive feeders we bought last summer. Now you are left with the panty part. Put your growing pumpkins, melons and squash in them to discourage varmints. Worked in our community garden.
By Great Granny Vi
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Halloween Costume Ideas for Adults
Here are a couple of grown up costume ideas that are fairly cheap. "Devil with a blue dress" (for you rock and rollers.) Last year I wore a blue dress I'd already had with devil horns and tail I picked up on sale for 1.99 and everyone loved it!
By Paula
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Disposable Paint Pan
A lot of the stores around here have started putting their meat in big plastic pans. Washed out these make great disposable paint pans. You can also clean them with a little bleach and use them to give cookies or candy at the holidays or use them for a small kitty litter pan for afd kitten you are trying to potty train. They also make great water pans for outside animals.
By Debra in Colorado
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Witches' Hats
Squeeze a one inch circle of cheese in center of each cracker. Top with a corn snack. Makes as many as you like.
By Paula
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Reuse Junk CD Mailers
Every once in a while I will get in my mailer a really nice plastic CD box with a CD from one of the "other internet providers" I use these to mail Photo CD's to my family. Open the CD and lay the box flat and remove the paper from inside the plastic cover. Now you can slide your own paper in with your receivers address and send it right off. Hope this helps someone who takes a lot of pictures and loves to share. You might even get the neighbors to save them for you if you don't share this tip with them :)
By Debra in Colorado
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Keeping a "To Buy" List for Gifts
Every time you need or want to buy something, write it down on a To Buy List. Go through your calendar for the next few months and add any gifts you plan to give.
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Soup Can Gift Loaf
A great tip for the holiday season. I am always having trouble finding small bread pans for gift loaves. My mother gave me the idea of using soup cans. Just wash good. remove the label and spray with a bit of cooking spray. Fill can to 3/4 full and you have a great little loaf. I have used this to make pumpkin, banana, even mini cakes. some cans have ridges on the interior and that mold comes out on the loaf, makes for easy uniform cutting. You can give them right in the can, decorate can after cooling, or they very easily slide right out.
By Melissa Blake
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Eyebrow Trimming
I just stumbled upon a nifty idea at my house. I use my husband's mustache trimmer to trim my eyebrows. It's so much simpler than plucking and trimming with scissors.
By Lisa T.
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Cindy's Quick Chix
Serve with rice and green salad on the side. Yum!
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Homemade Makeup Recipe
We've used this makeup at halloween for several years and always had great luck with it.
http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/halloween/makeup.htm
By paula
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Other Active Topics
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
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Today's Recipe: Mini Mummies
Ingredients:
2 tubes (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls
16 oz. pkg. cocktail sausages
Mustard and catsup
Directions:
Separate crescent dough into 4 rectangles.
Roll each out to 1/8 inch thickness.
Cut each into six, 8" long strips.
Roll a sausage in each strip.
Arrange seam side down on an ungreased baking sheet
Bake at 375 F for 10 to 12 minutes.
Serve with mustard and catsup. Makes 4 dozen.
By Paula
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Syndication Spotlight:
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Dear Webby's Humor Letter
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New Requests:
Solutions for Dry Hands
I hate it, I can use lotion like crazy and minutes later my hands are still dry. My hands are not weathered, cracked or anything like that, they are just really dry, I can't stand the feeling. I have even waxed my hands (in paraffin), only to find them dry again soon after. Any tips out there? Please!
Marni from Los Angeles, CA
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Homecoming Idea
I am trying to figure out a good date night for my friend and I. Nothing too romantic. We are going out to do something instead of going to the Homecoming Dance. We don't like dancing, so i figured I'd take her to a park later on in the evening and picnic dessert type of a thing, but I need something to do before that. Got any ideas?
Jason
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Sticky Carpet From Spilt Kool-Aid
I have 3 clumsy children and have a lot of kool-aid stains on my carpet. Even though I have got some of them out, my carpet is sticky. Any suggestions on how to not only get out the stain, but also get out the stickiness?
Hope R from Oklahoma
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Recipes Using Pre Sweetened Kool-Aid?
I have too much kool aid on hand after a sale this summer. I was really figuring that we would use it but we didn't! Is there a cake recipe or other dessert I can use it in so I don't waste it? I really don't need any punch.
melody_yesterday
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Good Recipe for Seasoned Butter Beans?
I would love a tasty recipe for seasoned butter beans - for crockpot or stove top. Preferably like the Glory Brand but a lot less costly --Last time I had any, they were 87 cents a can!
Looking forward to hearing how everyone makes theirs!
melody_yesterday
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More Reading
7 Good Reasons for Playing With Your Cat.
By Larry Chamberlain
Playing with your cat is the best possible way to build up a bond between the two of you. Do you want your cat to think of you as more than someone who is there to provide food, shelter and warmth? Then regular play sessions will go a long way to ensuring that your feline friend sees you as an object of his or her affections, that you are someone to greet when you arrive home.
View Article: Click Here
Saving Money: Finding What Works for You
By Darlene Arechederra
I admit it! I'm guilty!
My husband has lovingly accused me of taking *nothing* out of the fridge and making something out of it. I transform it into a scrumptious, edible meal, and he shakes his head in wonder. He's delighted each and every time I pull it off.
View Article: Click Here
Automation and the Job Market
By Gary Foreman
I never use the self checkout at stores. The reason? I believe it takes away cashier jobs. I would rather stand in line for a little while longer rather than feel that I might be responsible for someone losing their job. Kay
View Article: Click Here
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