Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 76, March 21, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
This week's TF News will contain Spring Gardening Tips. If you have any spring gardening tips or photos to share, please submit them.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Indian Blue Jeans Quilt
- Panoramic Sugar Egg
Today's Tips:
- Holiday Appetizer Pie (Hot Dip)
- Easter Basket Items
- Easy Easter Dessert
- Saving Money On Napkins
- Need Something For Your Home?
- Easy Crockpot Ribs Meal
- Anniversary Gift Joke
- Frugal Poem: Flour Sack Underwear
- Joke: Why did the rooster cross the road?
- Replacing Batteries Tips
- Removing Blood from Carpet
- Cow Knock Knock Joke
- Stretching Vegetable Soup
- Fixing a Broken Laundry Basket
- Lemon Oil For Sinks and Tubs
- Easter Ideas For Teens
- Removing Gum
- Garbage Bag for Cat Litter Pan
- Chalk Line for Ants
- Gas Saving Tips
- Keeping The House Clean
- Flavored Waters
- Decorating a Tropical Bathroom
- Boys and Bathroom Breaks
- Preventing Bacon Grease Splatters
- Oatmeal and Egg White Facial
- Keep Essential Spices In The Cupboard
- Lazy Version of Stuffed Peppers
New Requests:
- Reupholster a Sofa - Step By Step Instructions
- Decorating a Chair With Neckties
- Coupons for Use in Canada
- Cleaning Antique Shelf Supports
- Removing Labels from New Vanity Top
- Removing Cola Stain from White Blouse
- Starting Our First Family Reunion
- Annuals For a Blue Flower Garden
- Freezing Prepared Oatmeal?
- Poinsettias For a November Wedding
More Reading:
- Mint-Chocolate Coffee Spoons (A quick and easy way to enjoy mint-chocolate coffee!)
- Easter Traditions: Seven Ways to Add Meaning to Your Family Celebration
- Pink Sunrise Punch
- Time is NOT Money
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Today's Sponsors
No sponsor today. Advertising information available at:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/advertising.html
Today's Photo Contest Entries
Indian Blue Jeans Quilt
Blue Jeans Quilts don't have to look like they are made from old blue jeans. I made this one using a purchased panel from Walmart and different colored old jeans plus some beads and a fleece backing to make this Indian style quilt for my sister. The blocks are laid out to represent the 4 directions and the beads (hard to see in the photo) also represent the 4 directions.
By Pat Jennings
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Panoramic Sugar Egg
Harlean has sent in some lovely instructions for making Panoramic Sugar Eggs. The instructions are in a .pdf file for which you may need Acrobat Reader to view. Download Acrobat Reader
Click Here to download the Panoramic Sugar Egg Instructions.
By Harlean!
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a prize. You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Today's Tips
Holiday Appetizer Pie (Hot Dip)
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. cream cheese (softened)
- 2 T. milk
- 1 pkg. sliced, dried beef (snipped, 3/4 c.)
- 2 T. instant onion
- 2 T. chopped green pepper
- 1/4 c. dairy sour cream
- 1/4 c. chopped pecans
Directions:
Blend cream cheese and milk. Stir in beef, onion, green pepper, and pepper.. Mix and stir in sour cream. Spoon into 8 inch pie tin or ceramic pie is nice. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Serve as a dip with crackers, chips, etc. Serves about 20. May be made ahead and reheated in microwave. Always serve warm!
By Robin
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Easter Basket Items
When making Easter baskets, keep in mind such things as colorful pencils, fancy erasers, sugar free candies, cute little stuffed animals, flavored lip balm or gloss, crayons, colored pencils, modeling clay or Play-dough (or make your own).
My sister, for years, has raved over the great stuff I've give her children in their Easter baskets (things she'd never thought of). Sis said the what she likes best of the things I send are because they don't rot her kids' teeth.
By Terri H.
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Easy Easter Dessert
Make any kind of cupcakes and frost as desired. Put some coconut in a baggie with a few drops of green food coloring , zip the bag and squish it around until the coconut turns green. Pour coconut onto a plate or bowl and dip the frost cupcakes in it. Stick on a few jelly beans, add a licorice whip as a handle and have an "Easter Basket" cupcake. The kids can do most of this decorating with minimal supervision.
By Linda
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Saving Money On Napkins
Tips for saving money on napkins. Post your ideas.
Save those extra napkins provided when you get takeout or delivery food! They're just the right size to pack in lunchboxes or to keep in the car's glove compartment.
By Jennifer Maslowski
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Need Something For Your Home?
Ask others if they have extra. I needed curtains for my living room and mentioned this to a neighbor who makes them for herself. She had extra taking up space in a closet - free for me and cleans up for her!
This can also clean out your closets - pay close attention to what others may need or just tell friends what you are trying to get rid of. This could really bless someone else.
By Martina
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Easy Crockpot Ribs Meal
In a crock pot, place a sliced onion in the bottom. Put a package of spare ribs in on top of the onion and then cover with a full jar/bottle of BBQ sauce. Cook on high for 1 hours then on low for the rest of the day. Meat is so tender it falls off of the bone!
Bon Appetit!
By Martina
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Anniversary Gift Joke
Clyde: "That's a great looking truck you've got there."
Clem: "Thanks. That's the anniversary gift I got for my wife."
Clyde: "What a thoughtful husband you are. Did she get you anything?"
Clem: "Yes, actually she got me a new living room set."
By T.H.
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Frugal Poem: Flour Sack Underwear
When I was a Maiden fair,
Mama made our underwear.
With five tots & Pa's poor pay,
How could she buy us lingerie?
Monograms & fancy stitches
were not on OUR flour sack britches.
Panty waists that stood the test
With Gold Medal on the Chest.
Little pants the best of all
With a scene I still recall:
Harvesters were gleaning wheat
Right across the little seat.
Tougher than a grizzly bear
Was our flour sack underwear.
Plain or fancy, three feet wide,
stronger than a hippos hide.
Through the years each Jill & Jack
Wore this sturdy garb of sack.
Waste not, want not, we soon learned,
Penny saved, a penny earned.
Bedspreads, curtains, tea towels, too.
Tablecloths to name a few.
But the best beyond compare
was our Flour Sack Underwear!
~Author Unknown
By Terri H.
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Joke: Why did the rooster cross the road?
Why did the chicken cross the road, come back and jump in a mud puddle and cross again?
Because he was a dirty double crosser!
By fats82439
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Replacing Batteries Tips
I have a preventative tip to avoid those times when it's difficult to remove the dead batteries from electronics equipment. Whenever I need to replace batteries in anything, I put a long strip of tape around each battery, leaving a "tail" hanging. When it comes time to replace the batteries, I simply pull on the tape "tail" around the battery which easily removes the battery. This is quite a frustration saver for remotes, PDAs, CD players or anything else that uses batteries.
By Mary
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Removing Blood from Carpet
Tips for removing blood stains from carpet. Post your ideas.
Here is a tip for removing blood stains from carpet that some people might be unaware of. My veterinarian actually told me about this when my dog cut her leg on glass. Use inexpensive hydrogen peroxide to remove the blood. I use a small squirt bottle to apply it just where it's needed. It's amazing how this simple solution just dissolves the blood immediately. However, be careful as this could "bleach" out colors.
By Mary
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Cow Knock Knock Joke
Knock knock.
Who's there?
An interrupting cow.
An interr...
MOOOOOO!
By Jennifer Maslowski
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Stretching Vegetable Soup
To almost double the amount of canned vegetable soup without doubling the price, simply add a can of mixed vegetables which usually only costs on average 25 cents. This works especially well with Progresso's Vegetable Soup because of its thick consistency.
By Jekessans
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Fixing a Broken Laundry Basket
When a laundry basket breaks, don't toss it... drill holes in the rim on either side of the break and sew it together again!
By Elaine O.
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Lemon Oil For Sinks and Tubs
After I clean my porcelain sinks and tub, I use a small amount of lemon oil on a soft cloth and wipe down the surface and it just gleams! It also repels soap scum and other dirt to keep the sinks/tubs cleaner longer. Don't oil the bottoms of tubs, though, as you don't want to make it slippery for anyone who showers.
The lemon oil is a natural substance and doesn't affect your bathwater at all; in fact, it adds a nice, citrus-y scent!
By Laurie Larkin
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Easter Ideas For Teens
For the person looking for stuff for her children that isn't candy for Easter. I have found they love getting books, erasers, stuffed animals and figurines. My older daughters still have all the figurines they got in their Easter basket.
By Jane Squires
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Removing Gum
Tips for removing gum from. Post your ideas.
Plax for Gum
Plax mouth rinse is great for taking any gum out whether it is fresh or it has been there for a while. It sure beats the heck out of putting something in the freezer or putting peanut butter on it.
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Garbage Bag for Cat Litter Pan
Line your cat litter pan with a garbage bag to make clean up easier.
By joni514
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Chalk Line for Ants
If you have ants coming into your house, make a chalk line. They won't cross it, it sticks to their feeties.
By Tonya Vest
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Gas Saving Tips
Empty your trunk of all nonessential heavy items to improve gas mileage.
By cynthia conley
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Keeping The House Clean
Tips and strategies for keeping your house clean. Post your ideas.
Here's a tip for me: spend more time on housework and less at the computer!
By KLF113
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Flavored Waters
Mixed flavored waters with regular water to make it last longer and reduce that saccharine-y taste.
By lindabu
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Decorating a Tropical Bathroom
I was decorating my children's bathroom in tropical fish and when I tried to find some counter items to hold cotton balls and such I was less than impressed with the selection. Then I thought I would create some items so I went to my local Wal-mart and looked in the pet section for fish bowls.
The smallest was around 3 dollars. So I picked up 2 of them and while I was in the candle isle looking for a candle to go with the decor I noticed some glass bowls that looked the same as what I found in the pet aisle but at .77 cents vs. the $3.00 for the others.
I then bought some round glass beads found on the same candle aisle and hot glued them onto the bowls. so with a little imagination and luck I now have the perfect items for my bathroom, but at half the cost as it would have been.
By mommy3
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Boys and Bathroom Breaks
I am the mother of 3 little boys ranging from the ages of 3 1/2 to 7 months and when we have to be out somewhere I found it was quite difficult to unload all 3 and go inside to use the bathroom when one of the older boys had to go.
So when I ran across a potty chair with a lid and splash guard a light went off in my head, "if I can use this at home why not in my van". Not only is it convenient b/c I don't have to unhook the baby... I have both hands free to handle the boys and it is much more sanitary b/c I know it is clean. So if you are a stressed out mom or dad that has difficulty when you are out with bathroom breaks then this is the route to go.
By mommy3
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Preventing Bacon Grease Splatters
When frying bacon, add some celery leaves to the pan. The bacon won't spatter!
By Stacie
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Oatmeal and Egg White Facial
Once I tried mixing 1 cup of oatmeal, 2 egg whites, butter, and baby lotion and by the next day my skin cleared up! Hope this works!
LuckyLucy
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Keep Essential Spices In The Cupboard
We always keep out store cupboard filled with essentials that add to the flavour of any meal.
Cheap cuts of meat taste so much better when cooked or marinated with herbs and spices, mustard, pesto, tabasco, worcester sauce, balsamic vinegar, wine... WHATEVER!
A little goes a long way!
Julie UK
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Lazy Version of Stuffed Peppers
Here's what I do when I want stuffed peppers, when I'm trying to watch my weight.
Chop 1 med. onion and 1 large or 2 med. green peppers. Place in fry pan with a lil water and cook till slightly tender. Set aside.
Brown meat. after meat is browned dump in colander and run a lil of hot water on meat to get rid of excess grease, return to pan.
Add peppers and onion mixture to hamburger.
Rice: add 1 cup rice, 2 cups water to a med pot bring to boil stir then cover pot and reduce heat to barley a simmer. Cook about 20 minutes time water is gone.
Here's the sauce I make for it. I make a lot and freeze the left overs for another meal.
- 1 large can tomato sauce
- 1 large can tomato puree
- 1 small can chopped tomatoes
- 1 small can of rinsed mushrooms
- Place all this in a crock pot.
- Chop 1 small onion, and green pepper and saute with a lil water just till slightly soft.
Add this to crock pot. Along with your seasoning.
- garlic powder
- oregano
- basil
- pepper
Add quantities to your taste.
I make this in the evening and let it cook over night with the lid off.
To serve as a meal: Mix meat mixture with cooked rice and put your sauce on top at the table. This meal has no added salt or fat.
Enjoy,
Pam
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New Contest! $30.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card 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! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on March 31st.
Enter the contest!
Syndication Spotlight:
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Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
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New Requests:
Reupholster a Sofa - Step By Step Instructions
I have a large 2 cushion sofa. Very Solid frame, except for the arms are really slim, loss of fluffiness and the cushion are about 1/2 inch thick. I have bought batting and a 5 in. thick 7 foot piece of foam for the cushions. But I have not done anything yet, I need help with some step by step instructions for how to reupholster without taking the whole couch apart. I saw it on T.V. but don't know how they did it. Please help,
Sue
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Decorating a Chair With Neckties
When I visited Texas last year I saw a antique chair and the seat had been redone by weaving vintage men's neckties for the seat.
I would love the have the directions for doing this. Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me with this craft information.
Betty in California
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Coupons for Use in Canada
Are there any websites out there for coupons which can be used in Canada? I see lots of websites for the USA but not for Canada. Thanks everyone! Mairmie from AB,Canada
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Cleaning Antique Shelf Supports
Does anyone know how to clean antique metal shelf supports (brackets) They`re beautiful filigree work but had many coats of paint. I managed to get all of the paint off but now have a very "rusty" set of brackets. Can anyone help. I want to repaint them with black or white rustoleum paint. Thanks! Mairmie from AB,Canada
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Removing Labels from New Vanity Top
We have a new cultured marble "onyx" vanity top in one of our bathrooms. How do I get the labels off?
Jan from South Carolina
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Removing Cola Stain from White Blouse
How do you get a coca cola stain out of a white blouse? I have already tried washing clorox, iron out, and regular washing. thnx Sherri
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Starting Our First Family Reunion
I would like information on starting a family reunion.
Tereas from Florida
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Annuals For a Blue Flower Garden
Last year I grew a white garden and it was spectacular. This year I'd like to try my hand at a blue garden. I'd like some ideas of annuals I could use.
Donna Marie
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Freezing Prepared Oatmeal?
I have high cholesterol and want to start eating oatmeal daily, but the instant is not effective in lowering it. Has anyone tried making oatmeal in a large batch and then freezing it in single serving sizes to reheat in the morning?
Mary
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Poinsettias For a November Wedding
I am getting married around the middle of November, and want to have poinsettia's as center pieces, I would like to know if they are available that early in the christmas season? Keep in mind I live in Southern Alberta, Canada.
Amanda, AB Canada
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Today's Sponsors
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http://www.thriftyfun.com/advertising.html
More Reading:
Mint-Chocolate Coffee Spoons (A quick and easy way to enjoy mint-chocolate coffee!)
By LeAnn R. Ralph
My sister-in-law makes these, and they sell them at school events to raise money for the parochial school where her son is enrolled. She says they "sell like hotcakes." Suggested price: 2 for $1. If you want to make gifts for people for birthdays or Christmas or other special occasions, or as party favors, the coffee spoons work well for that too.
View Article: Click Here
Easter Traditions: Seven Ways to Add Meaning to Your Family Celebration
By Susie Cortright
Family traditions connect us to past and future generations. They provide meaning and connection, as well as a sense of ritual and comfort. And they can create - and help to preserve - some of life's most moving moments.
View Article: Click Here
Pink Sunrise Punch
Mix juice & grenadine in punch bowl. Add ginger ale. Stir gently.
Add ice. Serve garnished with a cherry.
View Article: Click Here
Time is NOT Money
By Maria Gracia
Have you ever heard the old saying 'time is money'?
To be perfectly honest with you, that saying is incredibly misleading.
View Article: Click Here
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