Volume Six, Number 4, January 5, 2007
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Here's today's featured request...
Organizing Fishing Supplies: I am looking for tips to organize fishing supplies? - Michele from Kingsport, TN
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We have a new poll questions...
Did you file your taxes on time last year?
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For our latest contest we combined the tips published around the holiday since we only published a handful of newsletters in that two week span. Here are the winners!
Tip Contest Winner
Free Christmas Trees - Make Your Own
By Kfromoz from Australia
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Turn a Used Box Inside Out
By Diane from Helena, Montana
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Photo Contest Winner
Chandelier from a Table Lamp
By Sara from Rochester, NY
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Thank you to everyone that took time to submit a tip, recipe or photo.
Have a great weekend,
Susan
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
Today's Photos
| Stone Covered Golf Ball
This is pretty much self explanatory. The stones came from a dollar store.
I couldn't resist putting horns on it! It's temporarily sitting in a salt shaker lid - but i think it would be OK just sitting.
By melody_yesterday from Sedalia, Missouri
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| Slick (Yellow Tabby Cat)
Slick is about 3 years old and is a large yellow tabby. Slick was a stray that made his home under our car in Florida for several months before we moved back to WV. We just couldn't leave him and now he's a permanent member of the family and strictly indoors for good.
He loves to watch the birds and squirrels from an upstairs window and pester an older kitty member of the family. We have a 16 year old gray persian mix kitty that he loves to harrass but she can put him in his place real fast.
By Sally from Charleston, WV
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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!
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Today's Tips
Inexpensive Cat Toys
Inexpensive Cat Toys
Giving your cat toys doesn't have to be expensive. My cat likes to play with things such as ping pong balls, empty spools, milk jug rings and bouncy balls. He likes to take his catnip mouse or a ball, and bat it around in the empty tub and chase it.
By Karen from Big Rapids, MI
Prescription Bottle
Don't buy expensive cat toys! Put a marble, a couple paper clips or some dried beans in an empty prescription bottle, put the lid back on, and roll it across the floor. My cat plays with these for hours!
By Becki in Indiana
Foil or Paper
My cats have as much fun playing with a rolled up ball of old foil or paper as they do with those expensive cat toys.
By Ness from Lakeview, NY
Plastic Easter Egg
Putting something that makes noise inside a plastic easter egg works for a cat toy.
By Marti
I put a plastic egg shell on the ground for entertainment of my cat.
By Mea
Dowel and Ribbon
You can get a dowel rod and tie ribbon and bells to the end of it (or feathers) and shake it around for kitty to bat at. It is long enough that you don't get accidentally scratched while kitty plays.
By Tawnda
Grocery Bags
Plastic grocery sacks that make crackle noises are my cat's favorite. I put a few bags into a tiny pillow case, sew it up and he plays with his toy for hours and carries it from place to place!
By meoowmom
Paper Bag
Nothing makes my cat happier than a paper bag.
By PLR
Nuts
Roll a whole walnut (in shell) on hard floors. Or any other large, round and hard nut. My two cats love them. Christmas is their favorite time because of all the holiday nuts (not my family... lol) in the house.
By Barb
Baby Mittens
I made my little cats some toys out of old baby mittens. I took some stuffing, stuffed the mitten and put a bit of catnip in it and sewed the top of it. I gave it to my cats and they loved it.
By Jerica
By camo_angels
Moleculer Ball
The best bouncy ball, though a little more expensive, is the "molecule". It's like a bunch of little balls, or the one with 16-18 sides. They move like prey! (05/21/2006)
By camo_angels
Cardboard Box
A cardboard box... ULTRA FUN! For a twist you can add some holes or roll up some paper and throw in there. My cat LOVES boxes.
By Amac
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Brown Sugar Tips
Soften Hard Brown Sugar
For hard brown sugar, wet a paper towel, wrap it around the sugar and in a few hours or less, it will be soft.
By Ginny
Microwave
An easy way to soften brown sugar is to simply place it in the microwave for a few seconds! (Not long enough to melt it of course, just to soften it)
By Aneita
Add A Slice Of Bread
Place a piece of bread in with the brown sugar and it will soften, in a few hours.
By Chelsey
Freeze Then Microwave
When finding my brown sugar had gotten hard and not wanting to toss it I put some in the freezer. When I need some to make cookies I decided to microwave it. It turned out fine. It seemed to work better after being frozen. I now freeze my brown sugar once it starts getting hard.
By RoseMary B. from Texas Creek, CO
Use A Food Processor
I chop it up in the food processor if it has gotten hard.
By Ed
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| Cleaning Pans With Baked On Food
Here's a little trick my grandmother taught me for cleaning pans with baked on food. Fill pan with a couple cups of water and about two squirts of dishwashing liquid. Place pan on burner and turn on high until it bubbles. Turn off burner and let sit for about 5 minutes. Burnt/stuck-on food will come off very easily.
By Marnita from Cumming GA
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| Old Socks For Bathroom Cleaning
Whenever I clean my bathrooms, I place a sock (preferably one from the hospital) on my hand. it helps when cleaning tight areas and cuts my time nearly in half. Get really bold and put one on each hand, especially when cleaning the showers. Try it, you too will love it.
By n-se from san jose, CA
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| Easy Desserts For Unexpected Guests
If you have frequent visitors, keep a plain cheesecake or pound cake in the freezer to bring out for refreshments. No need to buy a can of pie filling for topping, unless you want to. We all have jams and jellies in the cabinet or refrigerator. Spoon out a few spoonfuls into a microwaveable cup. Lightly warm till it reaches a consistency that you can drizzle it over your dessert or on the sides or around the rim like some fancy restaurants do. No need for whipped cream and other garnishes, for a lasting remembrance of your get together.
By Terri from NV
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| Uses For Leftover Chili
Do you have just a little bit of leftover chili? Make another meal out of it by baking a large potato, then opening the potato and topping with the heated leftover chili, some shredded cheese and sour cream. Or, put the leftover chili in the center of a tortilla, add cheese, shredded lettuce and chopped tomato, and roll up and heat for a quick and frugal burrito!
By Becki from Logansport, Indiana
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| Shower Curtains As Tablecloths
I seem to go through many tablecloths throughout the year. From stains to seasonal changes to holiday fashions, I've found that if I take a simple Dollar Store shower curtain, I can decorate them to fit different themes. I have actually glued on assorted items on the trim of my new table decor and have even let the children use permanent markers for making a "Birthday" table cloth. The best part is when I take it out of the storage box for the next reason, it's already decorated and the memories are fun!
By Patti from Plainville, CT
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| Online Book Exchange
I just joined a free book exchange site at http://www.bookins.com
You enter in the books you want to trade and the ones you want. If anyone wants them, you print out postage on the site. The only cost is $3.99 per book for shipping (and you don't pay for the books you send.) In the first 2 days of membership, I have gotten a book and sent one off! And it is helping me to sort through all the piles of books in the house, too! We bookworms need incentive!
By Pamphyila from Los Angeles
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Putting the Leaves on Your Family Tree - Part One
By Debra L. FrickPutting the leaves on your family tree is not as hard as it may seem. In these days of the Internet super-highway, putting together your family tree has become an attainable goal. I will be giving you step by step instructions on where and how to begin your research into your family. I will give you ideas on how to store your research and organize it. I will give you websites where you can research your roots and that have message boards where you just might meet a relative you did not know you had. Researching your family tree can be a rewarding and addicting hobby.
First you must decide how far back you intend to take your research. Many of us want to go back as far as we can. Others may want to record what family history that can still be found in the memories of living relatives. This is your project so neither approach is wrong. Just the materials you will need will be different. Setting down an oral living history of your parents or your grandparents can be a wonderful gift to leave for the generations that follow you.
By Debra Frick
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Syndication Spotlight
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/
More Information:
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New Requests
| My Chihuahua Stopped Eating
My chihuahua who I have had for almost 3 years recently stopped eating. I have her on the B.A.R.F. diet (for those of you who don't know it's Bones And Real Food, basically home cooking for your dog) - She has been on this diet her entire life and the only change has been a new addition to our family; a little chihuahua boy. She started wanting to eat his food (kibble) and I worried since it wasn't something she was used to. Out of desperation to get her to eat, I let her have some. Now I'm stuck with her not wanting kibble or her normal diet. I worry because with her being such a small dog, her blood sugar can get very low very quickly. - I know she doesn't have some sort of blockage, cause she definitely can eat her treats (which I have also stopped giving in hopes of her wanting to eat her food) - I've owned dogs all my life and am still confused on what is wrong with her. Can anyone help?
Lish from Scottsdale, AZ
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| Planting a Pumpkin Patch
I want to plant one acre of pumpkins, I live in east central ohio. What would be the best soil type, and pesticides needed? Any help or advice would be very appreciated.
Hardiness Zone: 5a
Becky from Scio, Ohio
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| Stains on a Leather Coat
How do you get a hand sanitizer stain off of a leather coat? One of my students squirted my leather coat with germex.
Jhowell from MI
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| Water Bottle Crafts
Does anyone have any craft ideas on what to do with empty disposable water bottles? We use so many during the week and I hate to just throw them away.
Lady of the World from NC
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| Hair Growing Tips
I have brown natural curly hair and it is not growing out. Is there anything I can do?
Charissa
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| Pimple Marks on My Face
I have lots of pimple marks on my face. Is there a homemade recipe for curing them faster?
Sood
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| Repairing a Tear on a Microfiber Sofa
I have a microfiber sectional sofa that now has a small tear in it. Wondering what I can use to repair this. It has not gone all the way thru the cushion fabric that I can tell.
Thanks,
Penny from AL
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| Choosing a Stroller
I am pregnant and I am trying get a jump start in choosing a stroller and carseat. Any advice?
Sandra from NC
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| Cleaning a Stove After a Fire
There was a small fire in the house and now my white oven has a yellowish stain all over it from the smoke, how can I get it off? I have already tried regular dish washing soap and oven cleaner but its still there.
Crystal from Seattle, WA
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| Natural Cleaner For Tropical Plants
I am looking for a natural cleaner for tropical plants.
jrhilary from NOTL, ON
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| Noodles Restaurant Mac and Cheese
We live in the Chicago area and enjoy going to Noodles Restaurant. My son loves the macaroni and cheese. Does anyone have a recipe similar to that? Thanks.
Miss Mac from Chicago, IL
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| Samsung LCD Television Reviews
<b>Product:</b> LCD Television
<P><b>Manufacturer:</b> Samsung
<P><b>Request:</b> How does the Samsung 40" or 46" LCD Television rate against Visio or Panasonic?
Bonny from Boca raton, FL
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| Teaching Toddlers
I am a mother of a 21 month old boy and feel we need more structured learning, his language and other skills seem behind his peers. Any tips for teaching or websites, etc. I am interested in all advice. So far I sing the 5 Little Ducks songs, and his ABC's, pray nightly and color most days. But I am sure there is more out there.
Robin from Marietta, GA
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| Silly Putty Stains on Clothing
My daughter got silly putty all over her coat. It was in the pocket and somehow from sitting on it, etc. it is in spots all over it now! I was able to pick off the "putty" parts, but there were stains left. I tried to wash it in the washing machine, but the stains remained (however, when it was wet they appeared to be gone). Has anyone tried a remedy after trying to wash them out? She just got the coat a couple of weeks ago and I hope that by washing it the stain wasn't set further. Please let me know any suggestions!
Thank you,
Patty from Spencerville, IN
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| Organizing Fishing Supplies
I am looking for tips to organize fishing supplies?
Michele from Kingsport, TN
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| Party Food Ideas for Kids
Does anyone have any ideas for party foods for 3 year old birthday parties? My niece will be 3 at the end of january and is having a Dora party and my son will be 3 in June and having a football party (I thought tailgate foods would be cute). Also, any idea for 1 year old party would be greatly appreciated. I have another son that will be 1 in june with no party plans yet.
Thanks,
KRISTY from ZANESVILLE, OH
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| Where can I buy glass blocks?
Where can I buy the glass blocks? Do any craft stores sell them? Someone said HD, I don't know what that stands for.
Thanks,
Amy from Springfield, MA
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| Cleaning Silver
Cleaning Tarnished Silver: I need a quick method of cleaning badly tarnished silver and silver plate. A while ago, I moved and then had surgery and by the time I unpacked, all my silver was badly tarnished. Nothing I have tried so far has been very successful, and I cannot stand or sit for long at the present.
SheilaMay from Bronx, NY
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| Cleaning "Dry Clean Only" Clothing at Home
How do you wash a down jacket that says "dry clean only" at home?
Herbal from Louisville, KY
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| Old Food Stains on a Tablecloth
How do you remove stains from a cotton tablecloth that was washed and stored away for a year? We think it is some kind of food protein. Please help.
Eugene from Newark, OH
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| Coke Stain on Clothing
How do you get Coke stains out of t-shirts?
Rose from Point Clear, AL
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| Christmas Card Tree
How do I make a Christmas tree out of the Christmas cards I received? I hate throwing them away.
Roxanne from Iowa
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| Sources for Wedding Flowers
I'm trying to save money on my wedding by creating my own flower arrangements. Any ideas where I can get the flowers from?
Thanks,
Abi
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| Sleepover Party Ideas for Girls
I need party ideas for an 11 year old girl that wants to have 5 girls sleep over at our house.
Laura from New York
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| timeQplus or Attendance RX Reviews
Have you heard anything negative about timeQplus or Attendance RX?
Kim from Hood River
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| Fish Smell on a Tile Floor
A freezer door was left open and liquid from frozen fish leaked on the ceramic tile floor and now a horrible smell exists. I have tried to clean with pine sol, no help.
Shirley from Houma, LA
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| Constipated Guinea Pigs
Two years ago I rescued 2 male guinea pigs from the middle of the street. They have been doing very well up until recently. One of the males has developed a major constipation problem. When he has a bowel movement it is a solid mass about 1 inch in diameter. I know it bothers him greatly as he squeals quietly. Is there anything i can do for him, diet, etc.? Please help as i hate to see him suffer.
Jaci from Hingham, MA
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| Dog Peeing on Couch
My dog pees on the couch and on the bed but only where the cats have been. Could this be a dominance thing? Or what is happening and how can I stop it?
Brianne
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| Alphabet Theme Room
I need help in decorating a new baby's room with an alphabetical theme. I can make lots of things and sew but need some inspiration.
Thanks,
Jeanne in Florida
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| Square Knitting Needles
Square knitting needles (the tips are still round) - has anyone tried them? Do they work better than round ones? The ad claims they're easier on the hands and wrist and the stitches are more even. Are square crochet hooks next?
Jantoo from Kenosha Co., WI
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More Reading
Should You File a Tax Return
By IRS.govYou must file a tax return if your income is above a certain level. The amount varies depending on filing status, age and the type of income you receive.
Read More: Click Here | Grocery Store Gardening
By Ellen BrownI'm often asked if the fruits and vegetables purchased from a grocery store can be planted to produce more food. The answer is, yes! And not only can you plant fruits and vegetables, but nuts and spices, too. As with traditional gardening, the key to successful "grocery store gardening" is to keep an open mind and possess a willingness to experiment. And above all, have fun!
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