Daily Thrifty Tips - June 8, 2006

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

Lil Jerry is a 9 year old domestic cat. I got him from a crazy cat lady 9 years ago in Oklahoma City!

He likes to run around the house 90 miles an hour, banking off furniture and anything else he can get a grip on. He also likes to watch the back yard where I have 3 pecan trees full of squirrels.

Lil Jerry is very misunderstood. He seems to be a grouchy old curmudgeon but he is the sweetest when we are curled up on the couch with a good book or movie. He loves to act mean, but he's a kitty baby at heart.

By Charan Rose from Oklahoma City, Ok

Post Feedback: Click Here

Riley and Tasha are 6 years old. I got them in May 2000 at a pet rescue shelter. They like to chase each other and little foil balls. They know what the word 'HUNGRY' means, they come running to get their special food.

By NINA from BATH, PA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Get ideas before you start the work. You can print colors off the internet you like and take them to the store to match up.

By Jeri from Indianapolis, IN

Post Feedback: Click Here

Tip Contest
To enter, visit: Submit a Tip or Recipe!

Photo Contest
To enter, visit: Submit a Photo!

The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week.

My Frugal Life
To enter, visit: Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Frugal Travel Guides
To enter, visit: Submit a Frugal Travel Guide

I found that if you write to manufacturers of toiletries and tell them that you enjoy their product, they will often send out coupons for those products for free (it's worth the cost of the stamp).

By Chris A from Syracuse, NY

Post Feedback: Click Here

To keep salt from clumping in humid weather simply place a small piece of paper towel over the top of the shaker, covering the holes. I've tried using uncooked rice, and/or soda crackers inside the shaker, even used the little dehumidifying capsules that come in vitamins, and nothing would work. The paper REALLY does work and I found out by accident.

By Margie Minard from Mount Vernon, OH

Post Feedback: Click Here

Any kind of shower can be a diaper party, but the basic idea is to encourage each guest to bring a package of disposable diapers to the party as a gift. That way mom is well stocked for a long time in the future.

One way to encourage guests to make each package of diapers that they bring a "ticket" to winning a raffle. Each package they bring represents one ticket, so one guest could buy themselves several tickets by arriving with several packages of diapers. The prize can be a small gift basket filled with beauty products or foods. If a diaper party is successful, a mom can be supplied with diapers for months!

Tip by Hope Mason, author of How To Throw A Baby Shower
(http://www.lulu.com/spiritbooks)

Post Feedback: Click Here

Threading whole cranberries on a spears or toothpicks makes a nice garnish for a cheese tray. You could also use these as swizzle sticks in crantinis or to spear the top of a turkey sandwich.

Tip By Hope Mason
http://www.lulu.com/spiritbooks

Post Feedback: Click Here

Buy your favourite soap when it's on special and store it in your linen closet amongst your towels and bed linen. You can slip any small hotel soaps in there as well.

Leave a couple of cakes in your made up guest beds. Your guests then enjoy lovely scented sheets, no matter how long it is since you made the beds. Just remember to remove them before your guests go to bed, or they might think you are 'giving them a gentle hint'! Lots of Luck! And put your 'special' soap amongst your lingerie, so they also become gifts that keep on giving.

Not only do you reap the benefits of the perfume, but soap hardens the longer it's stored - so not only do you enjoy all those lovely perfumes, but you save money into the bargain.

Cheers,
Wendy M. from Oz. from Australia

Post Feedback: Click Here

When I was pregnant with my third child, I had a medical condition that made me extremely physically ill. The kicker? I had 3 year old twins with special needs that I still had to care for.

During times that I felt well enough to do things, I would get as much done as I physically could. Boiling up some chicken for use in a meal for the next day, browning some ground beef or turkey and then freezing it for the same purpose. Making up some spaghetti sauce. Just anything I could do have less work when I knew I wasn't going to feel well.

Another thing I did when feeling well enough to get some stuff done was to hang the twins' clothes grouped in outfits, with their pants and a matching shirt on one hanger. This way, in the mornings, getting them ready for the school bus to arrive to take them to their early childhood class, I could be toasting waffles and they were able to pick out the outfit they wanted to wear for the day. This eliminated arguments that "I don't want to wear that" or "That shirt is itchy."

As well as promoting independence in a couple of children who have a lot of grown ups helping them and telling them what needs to be done (due to their special needs, they are always being told, "It's time for therapy", etc.) They love picking out their own clothes, even to this day. It may not seem like a big thing, but one less thing to do when you are feeling THAT sick is a big deal.

By Crunchy Mama (Jen) from Maple Park, IL

Post Feedback: Click Here

No nut cracker on hand? Here are some other ways to crack a nut.

1. Use a vice grip or pliers.

2. Place the nut in a towel and hit it with a blunt option like a hammer or mallet.

Post your ideas.

Post Feedback: Click Here

Have you ever had both boiled eggs and fresh ones in the refrigerator and couldn't remember which was which?

I take a pen or pencil and write a B on all my boiled eggs and eliminate this problem.

By garnetgirl9 from Stoughton, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Frugal For Life

A great blog with posts about frugal living.

More Information:
http://www.frugalforlife.blogspot.com/

I am wondering what can be planted on top of a septic tank besides grass? I know trees are out!

Hardiness Zone: 9a

SusannL from Florida

Post Feedback: Click Here

My condo is less than 3 years old. I moved in when it was brand new. I'm a very careful person and always use cooling racks on my arborite (matte finish) counter tops. An area about 8 - 10 inches on the "island" is very dull. I've tried vinegar-water; Mr.Clean, and a few other cleaners to bring up the colour but no luck! Does anyone know of a product (homemade or otherwise) that might help. It's a beigy mottled effect pattern. Thanks for a very helpful Newsletter.

Mairmie from Edmonton, Canada

Post Feedback: Click Here

I need a nice speech to honor my dad for his 80th birthday.

Lauren from Seattle, WA

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have long brown hair (to my bra in the back) and I don't want to cut it but I need some new styles. I'd like some ideas for some fun "do's". It's straight and has never had anything done to it. I'm a little scared I won't like what ever is done. So I thought maybe I could get some new ideas. If you could send them ASAP, i'd like to try them for a big thing that is coming up. Thank you.

Jess from Boondocks, Georgia

Post Feedback: Click Here

Has anyone heard about cold laser treatments for weightloss and/or smoking cessation? I read where you can lose 2 to 4 lbs. per week or quit smoking without weight gain, is this true? What is the cost and where do you go to get this done ? Info appreciated if anyone knows what I'm talking about, thanks!

Kendy from Milwaukee, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

What are graham crackers? This product is unknown in South Africa.

Gurth from South Africa

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have a table that I believe is Oak. I bought it at a yard sale a couple of years ago. Anyway, I want to paint it to look distressed white or cream. Is this even possible? Where would I even start? I obviously know nothing! Any help would be appreciated.

Melissa from Pleasant Grove, UT

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have a HUGE chest freezer that no longer works. I hate to throw it away and was wondering if anyone might have some ideas on putting to use.

Witzend from Challis, ID

Post Feedback: Click Here

Free Printable Coupons

Print brand name coupons and use them at your favorite store! Sign up to take advantage of over 80 money-saving offers inside.

More Information:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/print_coupons.lasso

When I moved to my present home, I inherited a big, unruly bed of faded orange daylilies. For a while I contemplated getting rid of them, but the bed was large and well-established and it seemed like a lot of work. Then I become friends with an avid daylily collector, and before you know it, I was exploring the many (MANY) types of daylilies available. With the hundreds and hundreds of different lilies growing in his garden, I was certain he had one of the largest collections in the world. That is, until I found out there are more than 50,000 daylily cultivars!

Read More: Click Here

Breed Description: The Briard is a large, muscular French Sheep Dog who is referred to by his many admirers as "as heart wrapped in fur." This brave and loyal breed is devoted to his family and makes a wonderful companion for children. They are commonly used today in police, rescue and guide-dog work.

Read More: Click Here

When my mother was in college, she had a German shepherd named Sherry. Sherry didn't mind if my mother left the house, or my uncle, or my grandmother. If my great-grandmother left the house (which she did at least once a week to go to the hairdresser) Sherry would get very upset. She would go to my great-grandmother's room and take things. A hairbrush would end up in the living room. One slipper would be deposited in the kitchen; the other would find its way to the den. As far as Sherry was concerned, my great-grandmother was not allowed to leave.

Read More: Click Here

Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:

Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users:

Tip Contest!
Submit a tip and enter our contest.

Submit a Request
Frugal solutions to everyday problems.

Search ThriftyFun!
Use Google technology to search ThriftyFun.