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Hello,
We had a recent Brainstorm online about Inexpensive meal ideas. Some good ideas have already been posted. What are some inexpensive meal ideas that your family enjoys? Feel free to post them below:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf246766.tip.html
We have 11 new requests today, please see if you have any advice to offer.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
Today's Tips:
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Puppy Training - Paris Rain (Toy Poodle)
My tip is on training. No matter how young you get your pup, start taking her/him out every hour on the hour. I did crate training.
My puppy's name is Paris Rain, she is a toy poodle and the runt of the litter she is 9 wks old and 1 lb 6 oz. I acquired her from a breeder. Paris is my spoiled lil pup brat.
Nia
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Transforming Old Formica Countertops
Want an inexpensive way to transform your old, ugly formica countertops? Make them look like granite! Easy to do. Just paint a bonding primer and allow to dry. Next sponge on a combination of black and white acrylic paint. Follow up with 4-5 coats of oil based polyurethane. Mine have lasted over 3 years (even with a 5 yr. old son!)
Our original countertops were just an old ugly scratched white formica and we couldn't afford new ones.
I am very proud and happy with the way they look and even my neighbors thought I got new countertops!
By Marianne Ashton
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Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a Digital Camera! You can enter the photo contest here:
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Today's Tips
Tips for saving money on fruit. Post your ideas.
Buy Fruit on Sale
Always buy fruit on sale. Not only is it cheaper, but usually it is on sale when it is in season, so it is also the tastiest then.
By Feldfam
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Painting Tips (For Inside the House)
Tips to help you while painting the interior of your house. Post your ideas.
Foil In The Paint Tray
Line your paint tray with foil for easier cleanup.
By Linda
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Ask Cable and Phone Representatives About Special Deals
Whenever you pay your cable or phone bill, check to see if you qualify for any better deals; customer service people won't volunteer this info, but I've saved plenty just by asking!
By Karen
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What are your favorite smoothie recipes? Post ideas below.
Saving Bananas For Smoothies
Freeze bananas past their prime and make low fat smoothies by blending the banana, vanilla, and a glass of milk. just zap in the microwave for 20 seconds or so to remove the skin (but keep banana frozen). MMMM!
By Karen
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For teenage kids with acne try this. Just take the herb burdock root 1 or 2 times a day. They will thank you. It heals from the inside out, and much safer than any "prescribed medication".
By J Knecht
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I do this a lot in the summer time its for the k9's in the family. I'll put some kibbles and bits in a ice cube tray then fill with chicken broth and cover with saran wrap stick some rawhide sticks in the middle and let freeze. YOUR DOGGIES WILL love it on them hot summer days! :) enjoy
By Janice Huff
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Tips for making good soup. Post your ideas.
Soup Stock
I save and freeze onion skins and celery tops for use when I make soup.
By Sylvia Belle
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Wearing Red When You Eat Tomato Sauce
I like to wear a red shirt if I'm eating tomato sauce in case it splatters you'll never notice it.
By Chris Rogalski
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Handy paint bucket or paint cup liners can be made from plastic shopping bags. Just place the bag in the container and cut to size with scissors (make sure the bag overlaps the outside rim of the container about an inch). Use masking tape to attach the bag to the outside of the container. Clean up just involves throwing the liner away.
By Gary
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Dicing Chicken Into Uniform Cubes
Dicing chicken uniformly escaped me for years, but I have finally managed to figure it out so all the pieces of breast meat are uniform in cubes without the mangling and shredding.
1. Cook the chicken breasts the day before and refrigerate overnight. I use a ziploc bag which then becomes the long-term storage unit if I have leftovers to freeze.
2. Work with one half a chicken breast at a time, cutting the solid breast on the bias into 3 or 4 smaller slices or pieces.
3. Turn each slice or piece again 1/4 turn, noting carefully if the first cut is producing shredding. If so, turn slightly more.
4. Cube or dice each piece, one at a time only. If the slice or piece is too large or thick, it will naturally "give' along a seam line so work with each half. Again, if the shredding occurs, turn it slightly until you find just the right angle where the pieces are the uniform cut you are looking for.
What used to look awful now turns out pretty well for me. Don't be in a hurry with this as you want to use a sharp knife and aim for consistency. Now my chicken salad or chicken tetrazini is as pretty as can be because the chicken chunks are bite sized and uniform without a lot of weird shreds or bits.
By Ronsan
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Transfer your balance from an interest bearing credit card to a new 0% card you get through the mail. It will save you a lot of interest. Just make sure there is not a fee for the transfer.
By Kim
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Volunteer At Your Local Theatre
If you love the theater, consider volunteering for your local theater as an usher. You will not only get to see some great theater for free, you will be helping the arts in your community.
By Shannon Scott
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Tips for saving money on hand soap. Post your ideas below!
Soap Slivers
I save the slivers of soap, shave them into flakes and mix with warm water. I then store it in an empty detergent squirt bottle and use to wash my hands at the kitchen sink.
By Christy Moore
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Tips for saving money on moisturizer. Post your ideas.
Baby Oil Moisturizer
Smooth generic baby oil over damp skin after shower, inexpensive and effective!
By karen
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Tips and ideas for making your hands softer and keeping them from drying out. Post your ideas.
Slather hands in petroleum jelly (Vaseline or generic), pull socks over hands, and drift off to dreamland. Waken with softer hands. (Works great for feet, too!)
By Karen
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Saving Money Going To The Movies
Money saving tips for going to the movies. Post your ideas.
Look for Sneak Previews
Check out local radio, tv and newspaper websites for sneak previews of new movies. Win tickets and save money and see movies before everyone else.
By Richard cup Gardner
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Make twice as much as needed and save half for another time. Saves time and money.
By Mary
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Combine cheese, salt, and pepper; dredge turkey slices in mixture. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add turkey, and cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Place turkey in a lightly grease 9x13 pan; set aside. Add carrots and broth to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Pour carrot mixture over turkey; top with orange slices.. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Add orange juice and bake an additional 5 minutes. Arrange turkey on a serving platter with oranges and carrots, and garnish, if desired.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Place chicken breasts in a large shallow dish. Combine remaining ingredients; stir well, and pour over chicken. Cover and marinate chicken in the refrigerator 2 hours. Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade. Grill chicken over hot coals about 8 minutes on each side.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Place each piece of chicken between 2 sheets of wax paper; flatten to 1/4 inch thickness, using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Set aside. Combine honey and mustard; spread on both sides of chicken in chopped pecans. Arrange chicken in a lightly greased shallow baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until tender. 4 servings
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar in a heavy saucepan; place over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly until sugar melts and syrup is light golden brown. Pour syrup into 6 custard cups; let cool. Combine milks in a medium saucepan, and heat until bubbles form around edge of pan. Combine egg substitute, 1/4 cup sugar, salt and almond extract; beat well. Gradually stir about 1 cup hot milk into egg mixture; add to remaining milk, stirring constantly. Pour mixture evenly into custard cups; cover with aluminum foil. Place custard cups in a shallow pan; pour hot water to a depth of 1 inch into pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Remove cups from water and chill at least 4 hours. To serve, loosen edges of custard with a spatula; invert onto plates. Arrange assorted fresh fruit around sides.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Brown roast in 1 Tbsp. oil and drain. Layer carrots on bottom of slow cooker.. Add browned roast. Place potatoes around sides of roast. Pour salsa over all. Turn slow cooker on Low and cook 8 hours.
DELICIOUS!
By Yilbit
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This recipe came from a Kraft mail out.
Ingredients:
Directions:
By Liz From Ontario
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I recently started a thrifty living site called Mr. Thrifty. It has articles on saving money while having fun. I think some of you might find it beneficial.
By Jim McKinley
Editor's Note: We always love it when some our great users get their own sites. Check it out!
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Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
New Contest Prize! Now a 2 $25.00 Gift Cards
In our contest we are giving away two $25.00 Gift Cards (we will
select to winners at random) 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! This contest ends on May 15th,
2005.
Syndication Spotlight:
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New Requests:
Removing Masking Tape From Fiberglass Boat
I have masking tape that was left on too long (1 year). The tape is on a fiberglass boat. It is possible to scrape it off with a plastic scraper to avoid damaging the fiberglass but a very, very slow process. When the tape is off there is still the glue residue left, any ideas on the best way to remove both of these?
Thanks
James
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Removing Wood Stain From Cement Foundation
Does anyone have any advice for removing a wood stain from cement?
Thanks,
Amy
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Ice Cream Cake Recipes and Tips
Does anyone have any recipes for making ice cream cakes?
Thanks,
AMY
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I need some advice. Last year I did something that I now regret. I painted my porch floor white and after a long winter of shoveling the paint is all peeling off. My husband won't let me put a carpet runner on it during the winter because it is in the way of shoveling. What a pain! Any advice on what to do?
Amy
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Birthday Ideas While Moving Into College Dorms
My 19th birthday falls on the same weekend I move into the dorms at college, hours away from home. I don't know my new roommate and want my birthday to be a good time. Last year's party was terrible since I left the next day and many people had other plans so most people were no shows. I don't like celebrating my birthday really early. I don't have a clue what to do! Please Help Me!
Amy
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Does anyone have a solution to getting rid of whiteheads? I have several on my face that I would like to see gone. Thanks for your help.
Irene from Oakmont
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I am loking for crochet baby doll pattern. Can someone help me?
Thanks,
Coralie from France
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I am having a party soon and I need some game ideas or links to fun party games ideas.
Ashley
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My birthday is in July but i want to get some ideas so i can start planning the party now. I am turning 12 and I am going in to middle school so I want the party to be the party everyone remembers.
Ashley
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Everyone~
I am new to this site and trying to find my way around. I hope I am doing this correctly.
I recently purchased, on clearance, from Wal*Mart some wall paper for my little granddaughters shabby chic bedroom in their new-old farmhouse.
The patter was called Chenille Butterfly. It was sold in the bed and bath section with the other children's room redo things... like quilts, etc.
I was only able to get three rolls. I need two more.. If anyone has any or can get some at their Wal Mart please let me know.
Thank you,
CarAnna
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Lemon Tree Not Blooming Or Producing Lemons
I have a lemon tree, started by seed from a lemon slice, which is about 10 years old. It has beautiful foliage and grows to about 8 to 10 feet tall each year. We live in an area with freezing winters, so I have to cut it back in order to get it into the house.
My problem is that it never blooms or has any lemons on it. What is the problem? Are two trees needed to pollinate each other? Will it never have lemons on it? I'd appreciate any feedback or help.
Thank you in advance.
Karen from Missouri
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Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make 11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures of the crafts visit:
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More Reading:
My Dog Has Bad Breath - What Do I Do?
By Rose Smith
Yes, I'll admit it. My dog has bad breath. Sitting beside her with her hot breath wafting across my nostrils is enough to turn a person green. Well...really it's not quite that bad. But even a dog's mouth need to be looked after.
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Softening Your Walls with Color Wash
By Pamela Cole Harris
If you like the soft look of watercolors, why not try using a color wash on your walls? In addition to a softer color, color washing can accentuate the texture of your plaster or stucco walls. And it's so simple that even I, a faux-finish-impaired decorator, can do it
View Article: Click Here
Paying Off Your Credit Cards and Other Bills
By Terry Rigg
If you maintain a balance on your credit cards you are probably paying hundreds of dollars a year in interest. This is money that could be put to better use.
View Article: Click Here
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