Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 244 October 12 & 13, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
My apologies for not publishing a newsletter yesterday. We had the internet go out in our new office for much of the day. Boy is the world different without the internet. Today's issue with be a for both days.
Tomorrow we plan to publish a TF News with Halloween tips. If you have any Halloween costumes, decorations, recipes or haunted house ideas, feel free to post them on the contest page.
Remember that we are donating $3 for each Halloween or fall decor tip submitted to the Red Cross for Katrina Relief.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
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Today's Photos
Build Your Own Canopy
Instead of buying a canopy, build your own.
Here is the canopy I built using supplies from Wal-Mart and Home Depot. Why spend $500.00 when you can spend $50.00 and get what you want by doing it yourself.
By Kristina Mason
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Detroit Zoo Polar Bears
These 3 pics are taken from the Detroit Zoo Polar Bear Exhibit. It is a glass tunnel you walk underneath. They were feeding the bears fish at the time we went. The bears are right above you as you walk thru the tunnel.
By Donna J.
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Petey the Cat
This is Petey! He will be 2 years old in a couple of months. He's a domestic short hair we adopted from our local veterinary hospital, one of four kittens we have adopted from there. We opened our bedroom window one warm winter day, and Petey couldn't resist sunning himself in the fresh air. He's Mom's buddy!
By Sandy Webber
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Princess (German Shepherd)
This is Princess. She is a 14 yr. old full blooded german sheppie. We got here from a lady who rescued her from death by a breeder who was to lazy to care for her after she got old. She loves to eat barbies and play with my 3 yr. old DD
By Rebekah Warren
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Batrisyia Driving Her Car
Our cutie pie daughter Batrisyia Noor Tasneem enjoying a ride in her car.
Nura Rashid - Victoria, Australia
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Charlie (English Bulldog)
English Bulldog named Charlie who is 2 yrs old. He loves chairs, it started with the kitchen chairs, but now everytime I take him anywhere he just sits on a chair like he's a person. Other people thinks we are both crazy, dogs apparently don't belong on chairs, but don't tell Charlie this. He won't believe you.
By Kath
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Today's Tips
Pumpkin Carving Tips
Halloween is right around the corner. This page contains some Jack O'Lantern carving tips and resources. Feel free to post your own tips.
When carving out your jack-o-lanterns, carve a section straight across the bottom then clean out as much seeds and flesh as possible. This serves several purposes, the pumpkin sits straight, the lid does not shrink and collapse and you just lift the pumpkin up to light your candle. Roast the seeds after rinsing and if you have small pumpkins boil the flesh and mash for pumpkin goodies such as pies, cakes, cookies or bread.
By LuAnn from lancaster, Ohio
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Saving Money on Boxed Rice Meals
To stretch my dollar a bit farther, when making boxed rice dishes I also cook up a cup or two of plain white (or brown depending on mood) rice and mix them. You still get a lot of the yummy flavor from the boxed rice, but twice the amount. I also do this with boxed noodle dishes. My family never even notices.
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Hypnotist Joke
For eight days and nights Mr. Jones had been unable to sleep. All kinds of medicine had, had no effect whatsoever, and in desperation the Jones family summoned a renowned hypnotist. He fastened a beady eye on Mr. Jones and chanted, "You are asleep, Mr. Jones! The shadows are closing about you. Soft music is lulling your senses. You are asleep! You are asleep!" The anxious family looked at the ailing man-and sure enough he was asleep. "You're a miracle worker, " the grateful son told the hypnotist- and paid him a substantial bonus. The hypnotist departed in triumph. As the outside door closed, Mr. Jones opened one eye. "Say, " he demanded, "Is that lunatic gone yet?"
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Frugal Toys
Making Wood Blocks
You can make great wood blocks for very little money using scrap wood. Start with untreated lumber, cut the wood into various sizes, sand off any rough edges, stain the wood and then seal them with polyurethane. You can even let your kids paint pictures on the blocks before you apply the polyurethane.
Recycled Containers
Recycled plastic food containers or old tupperware containers are great for making sand castles or playing in the bathtub. They also can usually be stored within one another so they don't take up much space when they are not being played with.
Squirt Bottles
Water fights can be a lot of fun in the summer time. Squirt bottles and spray bottles for dish soap or hand soap that are thoroughly cleaned can make great water guns for small children. Fill up some water balloons as well and let the games begin.
Frisbies
Frisbees are inexpensive and give children an opportunity to be outside. It's wonderful exercise and a lot of fun. Tossing a frisbee back and forth teaches sharing and can be easily played with up to three or four people. Frisbees can also be used for Frisbee golf where players try to hit various targets around the yard in the fewest number of throws.
Cardboard Boxes
Use small and large carboard boxes to help your child make a playhouse, fort, or space ship. You can easily cut windows, doors and then use pens or paint to decorate the outside. Make the project outside on a nice day to avoid messes indoors.
Sidewalk Chalk
Sidewalk chalk can make for hours of summer fun. The chalk can be used to draw hopscotch or four square lines on your driveway or patio. The kids can also just draw pictures. The pictures will last for a few days, until it rains, or can be easily washed off with a garden hose.
Deck of Cards
A deck or two of playing cards can be purchased very cheaply and opens up numerous games for kids. Kids can play Go Fish, War, Old Maid, Crazy Eights, Solitaire, and other simple games. Cards can also be used to build card houses or to do magic tricks. Check out a book of card games at the library and kids can entertain themselves for hours.
Feel free to post your favorite frugal toy ideas.
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Farmer Underpaying His Help Joke
When a rumor got around that a certain farmer was underpaying his help an inspector came to check up. "How many people do you employ?" he asked.
"Two hired men and a hired girl." said the farmer.
"I understand that you are paying them below the minimum wage, " the inspector said.
"Is that so!" said the farmer. He called the hired men and the hired girl. "Now," he said, "Tell this fellow what your wages are."
"One hundred dollars a week," each of the hired men answered. Eighty dollars a week plus room and board," answered the girl.
"Well, that's all right," the inspector said. He turned to the farmer. "Are you sure you don't employ anyone else?"
"Only the half-wit," the farmer said. "He gets his board and a little cash each week for his tobacco."
"That's disgraceful!" the inspector said. "Let me talk to him!"
"Talk to him!" the farmer said. "Why you're talking to him right now."
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Lonely Man Searching for a Woman Joke
A New York city man complained to a commuter friend that he didn't know any women, and he was lonely "I'll tell you what to do, " the friend said. "This afternoon, take a New Haven railroad train to Greenwich, Connecticut. When you get there you'll see lots of attractive women waiting in their station wagons. Some of then will be disappointed because their husbands won't be on the train. The thing for you to do is to approach one of them, explain that you were expecting someone to meet you, and strike up a conversation." That afternoon the city man went to the station and got on a New Haven train, but after it had started he discovered he'd taken one that didn't stop at Greenwich. It did stop at Stamford, though, and figured the same tactics would work there. Sure enough, at the Stamford station there was a beautiful woman in a station wagon looking forlorn because her husband hadn't shown up. The city man struck up a conversation with her. She was in a receptive mood, and invited him to her house for a cool drink. An hour later her husband came home and showed irritation in his greeting to his wife. Then he turned on the man. "And as for you, " he stormed, "I told you to get off at Greenwich!"
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Cleaning Permanent Marker or Crayon off Walls
Do you hate when your children or brothers and sisters get crayon marks or permanent marker stains on the wall? Well, I have a solution for you and its very simple. All you have to do is use any toothpaste (maybe Colgate) and wipe the mark away. Works every time!
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New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 17 $25 prizes in a variety of categories.
Tip Contest!
To enter, visit:
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Photo Contest!
To enter, visit:
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Contest ends October 31, 2005
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
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New Requests
Good Housekeeper Sewing Machine User Manuals
Hello,
I'm the new owner of a Good Housekeeper model # 984 Sewing Machine. How do I obtain a manual for this sewing machine? I have the option of the previous owner coming over to show me how. But I've never owned a sewing machine before and would love to dive in!
Thank You!
Brandy from East, SD
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Water Stain on the Ceiling from Flooding
How to remove a water stain, that is a result of an upper floor bathtub overflowing, from the white sealing?
Sankab from Bardonia, NY
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Uses for Yogurt Containers
I'm looking for interesting uses for everyday objects like yogurt containers.
Gloria from California
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Uses for Foam Meat Trays
I'm looking for interesting uses for everyday objects like foam meat.
Gloria from California
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Advice About Pressure Cookers
Are pressure cookers good, great or fantastic to use? I am considering purchasing one but remember all the mishaps with them in our distant past. Have they improved? Any brand recommendations that you would recommend?
X from USA
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Paper Name Tag Backing on Washable Suede
I have a paper name tag backing on washable suede jacket - how can I get it off?
Cs41036 from Creston, IA
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Uses for Egg Cartons
I'm looking for interesting uses for everyday objects like egg cartons.
Gloria from California
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Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
We were told to use peppermint oil to get rid of mice. We were told to put a few drops of it on a cotton ball then place it where they or you think they come in. What we would like to know is how much is a few drops and can you use any type of peppermint oil or does it have to be the best?
Thanks,
Gene from Wisconsin
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Homemade Gift For a 15 Year Old Boy
This year, our large extended family have decided to not buy any gifts for each other and to make them all. I love this idea and have made jewelry, a poem journal and am working on some magnets. Now my only trouble is what to make for my cousin Lan. He is almost fifteen years old and hasn't been to pleased with previous gifts.
So I'm trying to think of what to make for someone who is all into fads, is very well off money-wise and is at the moment interested in getting girls, being macho and acting way beyond his age! Please help me out. I really am stuck on what I can make for him and have considered just giving him some money in a clever way but even then I don't know if he would appreciate it.
Glorya from Paso Robles, California
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Crochet Patters From Glade Commercial
Hi,
I'm a weird person... Has anyone seen the "Glade" commercial with the Crochet Lady. She's making little covers for her smelly cones... the old air fresheners. She's making a Christmas tree and at the end she tells them next time she'll be showing them how to make this cute little bunny cover! Its hilarious for me, a crocheter! So my question is as a joke, does anyone know were I could get a pattern for a cute little bunny or even the tree? I have a knitting and crocheting group in my home and thought it would give us all a good laugh!
Thanks for your time.
Brandy from East, SD
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Odors From Cooking Chinese Food
I am a university student and this year I have two foreign students from China living with me. Their food has a very strong smell, and they cook 3 times a day, sometimes more. I clean twice a week, scrub every surface I can with either Mr. Clean or bleach and water, and the house smells fresh again. As soon as they cook again though, the entire house reeks to the point that its making me sick. Bowls of vinegar, baking soda, febreeze, air fresheners, boiling water and cinnamon and vinegar... they all help but they do not kill the odor, and I need something that will deodorize all day long. I'm at the end of my rope, and cannot find a soloution.. any ideas?
Candice from Windsor, ONT, Canada
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Craft Uses For Keys
A long time ago we got a huge bunch of keys from our neighbor who is a locksmith. Now that we have all these keys we don't really know what to do with them. If you have any suggestions for nifty thrifty ideas then please do share some with me.
Gloria from Paso Robles, California
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Cat Keeps Returning to Previous Home
I have a 6 year old female cat. We lived in this trailer for her entire life, until just a couple of months ago when we built a house and moved into it. The house is only about 1/8 of a mile from the trailer we used to live in and the cat hates the house! (She's an indoor/outdoor cat).
Almost every night, she will go down the road and lay on the porch of the trailer, while we haul her back every morning. We even brought her 'friends' over (other outdoor cats she sometimes will play with). There really is not much for her at the trailer.
Do you know of any way to keep her from doing that? We love her and want her to stay here, she just doesn't seem to want to. (She has a LOT of extra space, compared to what she used to have.)
Please help! Running out of ideas.
Carl from Smithfield, IL
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Coping With Fibromyalgia-CFS
I have Fibromyalgia-CFS. If anyone else out there has this and has any ideas on making daily living, ie; chores, etc. easier and less taxing on the body, please share. I have days where I'm in so much pain it's hard to even take a shower. My hands hurt so much just holding a tooth brush hurts. So any ideas would be appreciated and if anyone else has this and wants someone to 'complain' to, send me an email.
Valery from NJ
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Energy Efficient Thermostat
I want to install a energy efficient thermostat, one that will turn on the heat in the morning, down while I'm at work, then back on in the afternoon, and then back down at night. Is this something that I can do myself or is it something I will need to hire an electrician for?
Robert from New York
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Entertainment Ideas for a Single Female
I don't drink, smoke, gamble, do drugs, or go to church. The nearest place to volunteer is 100 miles away. People ask me if I have hobbies, it's like WHAT? So I'm asking, Does anyone have any ideas on what a single female could do?
Laurie from Seattle, WA
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More Reading:
Toddler Food Safety
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Festive Ideas for Fruits and Vegetables
By cdc.gov The holidays are a great time to enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetable a day!
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Butternut Squash Soup
By Charlie Burke Fall in New England marks the brief period when our local products are at their peak. We should have a few more weeks of great tomatoes and corn, but fall squashes are now in our Farmers' Market along side them. Hot soups now will replace the cold ones my wife and I prefer in the summer, and this is our favorite; velvety smooth, it's even the color of fall. With a food processor or a food mill it is easy to make, and it can be made a day or two ahead, a convenience when entertaining.
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Earth Clay Soap
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