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Monarch on a Zinnia - butterfly on an orange zinna

Monarch on a ZinniaWe have so many butterflies on our zinnias and here's a picture of one.

Chocolate Chip Cashew and Coconut Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cashew and Coconut CookiesHere is an easy and delicious way of whipping up 4 dozen chocolate chip cashew and coconut cookies! If you want, add flaky salt on top.

Repairing Clothing Snags - snag isolated against a paper towel

Repairing Clothing SnagsKnit fabrics are very easily snagged. Here is an easy way to repair the snag using an unusual tool - a dental floss threader. Here we show the process on two men's shirts.

DIY Apron and Utensils Holder - wooden tools in the jar

DIY Apron and Utensils HolderThis is a DIY holder for aprons and cooking utensils. It saves space in the kitchen and is decorative. The parts are removable for washing or replacement.

Blue Dragonfly at San Diego Botanic Garden - blue dragonfly on a light green and cream colored leaf

Blue Dragonfly at San Diego Botanic GardenHaving a good time does not always require money. Every 1st Tuesday of the month, San Diego Botanic Garden offers free admission to San Diego County residents. (I only had to pay parking which was just $2).

DIY Shirt Collar Stays from Magnetic Hotel Keys - sample stay and 6 new ones for keycard

DIY Shirt Collar Stays from Magnetic Hotel KeysThis is a simple way to recycle magnetic keys from past hotel stays into shirt stays. One key makes 6 stays.

School

Back To School Breakfast Schedule

Back To School Breakfast ScheduleWe use to struggle with what to have for breakfast. My children have come up with a breakfast schedule and they posted it on the fridge. They listed days of the week and the breakfast meal that will be served that morning.

Pita sandwich with lettuce and tomato in it.

School Lunches With PizzazzThe prices of school lunches, like most other things, are rising. Yet, parents need to question whether these lunches are providing their children with healthy lunch options and whether or not the lunches are worth the money.

printer cartridges

Free FundraisersAs schools suffer through budget cuts, fundraisers become even more important. Yet everyone is cutting back, and purchasing wrapping paper, candy, or raffle tickets isn't in the budget.

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Photo of two bananas and a brown paper bags.

Saving Money on Packed LunchesWith kids going back to school soon, it's a good time to start looking for ways to save money on packed lunches. Here are some tips shared by the ThriftyFun community. If you have advice, please post it here.

school bus in the country

Buy Teachers' Gifts NowIt might be fall, but now is the time to purchase your child's teacher gifts. Teachers always appreciate tokens of student appreciation, especially those that are hand-picked by their students.

First Day of School Photos

First Day of School PhotosEvery year, since our kids were in Kindergarten, I have taken a photo of them in their cubbies. Looking back at them, they are so small those first few years.

Gardening Tips and Advice

PVC Pipe as Garden Support/Stake - PVC tree supports

PVC Pipe as Garden Support/StakeNeed a garden support/stake for your fruit trees, plants, or garden flowers? An inexpensive alternative from trellis and garden stakes is using PVC pipes! They are extremely inexpensive, averaging out to be $2-3 each depending on the pipe you go with.

Protecting Delicate Blooms from Summer Heat - patio umbrella over lilies

Protecting Delicate Blooms from Summer HeatDuring these massive heat waves, don't let your flowers wilt and die. Use a patio umbrella to protect them. My spider lilies were wilted and dying from 103 heat (1st picture bottom left.) I gave them some extra water and used a patio umbrella to protect them and it brought them back to their beauty.

How to Make a Plant Terrarium - finished succulent terrariums made with brass edged glass containers

How to Make a Plant TerrariumHere are my step by step instructions on how to make a plant terrarium with no drainage. Plant terrariums with no drainage require little maintenance - you only need to water every 2 to 3 weeks, or when needed.

New Retaining Wall and Early Plantings - house with wall and first plantings in the fall

New Retaining Wall and Early PlantingsDuring the summer of 2018 we added a second tier retaining wall to our front yard. It improved the existing steep slope that was mostly useless, as it was difficult to water and slippery to try and weed.

Yellow Sticky Traps for Flying Insects - insects stuck to yellow sticky paper

Yellow Sticky Traps for Flying InsectsI have many household plants throughout my home. I used indoor soil for these plants and didn't think there would be any flying insects. My friend introduced me to these yellow sticky traps (she actually gave me a handful). They are rather large double sided sticky traps so I cut them down in smaller pieces and placed them into my potted plants. A few hours later, the traps are already working!

Cable Ties for Supporting Plants

Cable Ties for Supporting PlantsWhen garden plants start to produce, they need extra support. Cable ties are great. They come in many sizes and are inexpensive. You can tie them to a plant stake, another part of the plant, or a fence. At the end of the season, just cut them and dispose of.

More Gardening Tips and Advice

Pest Control

A lizard on a porch.

Keeping Lizards Off Your PorchLizards love to sun themselves during the day. Your porch may very well be a nearly ideal place for them to catch some sun and warm up. If you live in an area with many lizards, keeping lizards off your porch might be an issue you have to deal with.

DIY Foil Garden Pest Deterrents - deterrents in a fruit tree

DIY Foil Garden Pest DeterrentsFor several years, most of our big fruit trees were being attacked by squirrels, birds, rodents, raccoons, and insects. Deterrent sprays did not work. Hanging shiny CDs barely helped at all. Finally, we tried this foil method and we have all of our fruit intact and growing at extremely rapid rates. Anyone need nectarines? We can't keep up! :)

Horses with fly nets to keep the horse flies off their heads.

Getting Rid of Horse FliesHorse flies can be a menace to have around. This is a page about getting rid of horse flies.

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Carpenter bee drilling into wood.

Getting Rid of Carpenter BeesCarpenter bees will attack the wood trim and porches around your home making holes and tunnels for nesting. This is a page about getting rid of carpenter bees.

Flea on White

Use Ammonia to Kill FleasAmmonia applied to carpets where your dogs and cats sleep can be effective in killing fleas. Be sure to let animals out while you do this. This is a page about use ammonia to kill fleas.

Mosquito on someone's hand.

Mosquito Repellent RecipesMosquitoes are a problem in many regions. This page contains mosquito repellent recipes.

More Pest Control

Videos

A tray of peanut butter cookies.

Flourless Peanut Butter CookiesThese easy peanut butter cookies are entirely gluten-free. Learn how to make them in this short video.

A tent pole elastic that has been repaired.

How to Fix a Tent PoleMany tent poles are attached with elastic, which can break with rough usage. Learn how to fix it in this short video.

Teak furniture on a deck outdoors.

Refinishing Teak Outdoor FurnitureTeak is a common material for outdoor furniture because it is long lasting if cared for correctly. Learn how to do it in this short video.

A fluffy Japanese style pancake in a snowflake shape with syrup.

Japanese Style Puff PancakesThese fluffy pancakes are a delicious alternative to traditional pancakes. Learn how to make them in this short video.

A small jar of butterscotch pudding.

Butterscotch PuddingCreamy butterscotch pudding is easy to make at home with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Learn how to make it in this short video.

A mantle pennant made in Halloween patterned fabric.

Halloween Mantel PennantsDress up a boring fireplace mantle with this decorative pennant made from Halloween themed fabric triangles. Learn how to make it in this short video.

Recent

Red lilies in bloom.

Field of LiliesThe rain this past winter and the cold did our gardens well in Murrieta, CA. I had at least 10 stalks of blooms with 6-8 blooms per stalk per plant and I have 2 plants. It was amazing. They smelled so good and gave a red glow to that entire section of my garden.

Effective Homemade Treatment for Ant ControlAnts in your home can be effectively killed without any harmful effects to pets or barefoot small children. Prepare a spray bottle with one part water and one part liquid soap (dish washing soap, Mr.Clean, Fabuloso cleaners, etc.) Spray and ants will die on contact.

Zinnias and sunflowers in a white pitcher.

Flower Arrangement from My GardenSunflowers and zinnias from my garden. The sunflowers are the teddy bear type. Zinnias are my favorite cut flower. That was until I started growing sunflowers. Now sunflowers might be my favorite. Just give me all the flowers. LOL!

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A Hudson Hornet from the '50s

Buying Your First Car The Frugal WayIn my day, cars weren't as plentiful as they are today. To be sure, Ford, Hudson, Packard, and all the other makers could put a motor car in your possession the very day you were ready to buy one. Trouble was, not many people could afford to buy one.

No Spackle Hole RepairOne day while painting a room with latex paint, I noticed that larger drops of paint, when left to dry, became pliable like a putty. I hit on the idea that this half dried paint could be rolled into a a tiny ball and smashed into a hole left by a picture hanger. It worked. Even if you need to lightly sand smooth, the color is through and through.

Ivy growing in a brown yard.

IvyI finally got something green to grow! All these years (a total of 40), I am ecstatic to see some thing green I planted and grew.

Questions

Identifying a Porcelain Doll -doll with braids and a straw hat

Identifying a Porcelain DollI was given this doll many years ago, but can not find manufacturer or value. Markings on neck: 9519 B

Value of Goldenvale Porcelain Dolls - elderly couple dolls

Value of Goldenvale Porcelain DollsHow much are these Goldenvale dolls worth?

Devil Chilli Dip Too HotI have some chilli paste (dip) made from devil chilies, vinegar, and other ingredients. It is unbearably hot. How can I temper it down?

Value of a Collector's Choice Porcelain Doll - doll wearing a green coat with plum trim and matching hat

Value of a Collector's Choice Porcelain DollHow much is this doll worth? It says limited edition. It is a Collector's Choice. I can't find her anywhere.

Identifying a French Doll - doll lying next to a ruler

Identifying a French DollIs anyone out there familiar with this type of doll? I bought it in the south of France. The body is stuffed with possibly sand? It has a full fabric body with a china head. I've looked for marks, etc., but found none. I am interested in identifying it, its age, anything I can find.

Identifying a Porcelain Doll - doll in red dress with lace apron

Identifying a Porcelain DollThe only marking on this doll is a "Made in Taiwan" sticker on her left boot. Does anyone know anything about it or if it's valuable?

Browse

The sun as viewed through the pinhole viewer.

Making a Pinhole Solar Eclipse Viewer

A repair man fixing a leaky roof.

Finding Home Repair Help for Low Income Families

Bee on Hummingbird Feeder

Keeping Bees Out of a Hummingbird Feeder

A man performing roof repairs.

Getting Financial Assistance for Roof...

Roof with damaged shingles.

Roof Repair for Low Income Homeowners

Close up of a roof being installed

Finding Roof Repair Assistance for Seniors

Buy now pay later button on a computer keyboard.

Buy Now, Pay Later Websites

Man sitting on couch looking through phone book in flooded room with water up past his ankles

Finding Plumbing Repair Assistance for...

Electric Smoke Detector

Electric Smoke Detector Won't Stop Beeping

Silver Bracelets

How Much is .925 Silver Worth?

Itching from a bug bite.

Identifying Little Black Biting Bugs

Basement brick wall and window edge.

Getting Rid of a Musty Smell in the Basement

Getting Rid of Fruit Flies, Fruit Fly on Apple

Getting Rid of Fruit Flies

Dental tools in open mouth

Getting Dental Work w/o Insurance

Getting Rid of Ants

Getting Rid of Ants

A man cutting down a tree.

Selling Trees on Your Land for Lumber

A bunch of ants on a white background.

Identifying Small Black Bugs

A birthday cake with the number 11 on it.

11th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

Bug Bites

Getting Rid of Invisible Biting Bugs

Keeping Slugs Off Hostas

Keeping Slugs Off Hostas

Cleaning a leather purse with ink on it.

How to Remove Ink from Leather

White Heat Stain on Wood Table

Removing White Heat Stains from a Wood Table

Skunk in the Grass

Removing Skunk Smell from House

Person wearing pink rubber gloves cleaning a toilet with a sponge and a brush.

Removing Toilet Bowl Stains

A birthday cake with a 13 topper.

13th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

Kitten outside of litter box on wood floors.

Cleaning Pet Urine Odor From Hardwood Floors

Three vintage appliances in white.

Buying Second Hand Appliances

A vet giving a dog a vaccination.

ASPCA Pet Vaccination Truck Schedule

Woman with holding her mouth in pain.

Remedies for Pain from Wearing Dentures

Cigarette Smoke Odors

Removing Cigarette Smoke Odors From a...

Red on a shirt transferred to the white.

Removing Dye Transfers from Clothing

Tiny black bugs next to a penny for scale.

Tiny Black Bugs in the Kitchen

Hummingbird perched on a feeder.

Keeping Ants Out of the Hummingbird Feeder

Cat laying on the hood of a car.

Homemade Cat Repellents

Cleaning shiny counter top with a cloth

Restoring the Shine on a Formica Countertop

Trumpet Vine Not Flowering

Trumpet Vine Not Flowering

A man itching his head.

Tiny Black Bugs Making Head Itch

A photo of a real estate sign.

Real Estate Business Name Ideas

Finding a Lost Relative, Genealogy Study

Finding a Lost Relative

Glider Chair

Finding Glider Chair Replacement Cushions

Someone mopping a floor.

How Much Does House Cleaning Cost?

Yard Sale Sign

Making Garage Sale Signs

Pink double layer birthday cake topped with at 12 candle.

12th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

Man scratching his head.

Getting Rid of Fleas in Human Hair

An upset mom burying her face in her hands.

Collecting Back Child Support if Parent is Deceased

Two wood dressers.

Organizations That Help Low Income Families Get Free Furniture

Plants That Repel Snakes

Woman Cleaning Bathtub

Cleaning a Fiberglass Tub

bug next to a penny

Getting Rid of Tiny Biting Black Bugs

Well water running a in a sink.

Removing Rust from Well Water

A dog scratching his fleas.

Home Remedies for Fleas

50th birthday party numbered candles on a cake

Unique 50th Birthday Party Ideas

Grass Growing in Pavement Cracks

Solutions for Grass Growing in Pavement...

Cleaning Moss and Algae on Concrete

Getting Rid of Moss and Algae on Concrete

Tiny Orange Bug

Getting Rid of Tiny Orange Biting Bugs

Clearing a Clogged Bathtub Drain, Pulling Hair From Clogged Drain

Clearing a Clogged Bathtub Drain

Removing Burnt Popcorn Smell and Stains from a Microwave

Removing Burnt Popcorn Smell and Stains from a...

WetJet Package

Unclogging a Swiffer Wet Jet

Getting Rid of Fleas in Bedding. Upclose photo of a flea.

Getting Rid of Fleas in Bedding

Cucumbers on ice.

Freezing Cucumbers

Photo of a hedge apple.

What Are Hedge Apples Good For?

Photo of a toe with toenail fungus.

Getting Rid of Toenail Fungus

Mold on Walls

How to Clean Mold on Painted Walls and Ceiling

Pop Tabs

Selling Pop Tabs

Faucet running in a kitchen that uses well water.

Removing Sulfur Smell from a Well Water System

A backpack full of school supplies.

Finding Help Getting School Clothing and...

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Back to School Ideas!

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