Thrifty Tip Contest (November 6 - 12, 2010) | ThriftyFun

Menu Ask a Question Share a Post Account Search

social

Contests Winners Enter a Contest

Thrifty Tip Contest
(November 6 - 12, 2010)

This contest is over. See the winners and other entries below.

Latest Prev Next

Duration	Entries
November 6 - 12, 2010	67

Tip: Poem: Ode to ThriftyFun

(Guest)
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 846 Posts

November 12, 2010

This is a celebration of ThriftyFun and our ThriftyFun Family. I've been working on it, off and on, for a couple of months and am finally happy enough with it to share. I hope you enjoy!

Comment Was this helpful? 26

Tip: Natural Baking Soda Toothpaste

November 11, 2010

To make your own toothpaste, just use a fifty/fifty ratio of coconut oil to baking soda. Start with a small batch and use a few tablespoons of each. If you like, add a few drops of an essential oil, like peppermint or spearmint, for flavor.

Comment Was this helpful? 13

Craft: Painted Terra Cotta Pots

November 8, 2010

I have SO many terra cotta pots that have just accumulated over the years. So like all my other craft projects, I decided through trial and error to explore the possibilities.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 26

"PayPall" Phishing WarningThis time of year, we might use our paypal accounts to purchase things on line. Well, (Jaws music if you please), they are out "phishing again". Yep, the spammers and spoofers got me this morning.

5 Comments Comment

Check Nut Quality when HarvestingBefore you spend a lot of time picking up hickory nuts under any particular tree, crack a few of the fallen delicacies first. If three out of four are rotten, there's obviously not much sense in gathering at that spot. Move on to another tree.

Dry Your Own Citrus PeelsGrate lemon peel, lime peel, and orange peel when you buy those fruits on sale or any time. Allow the peel to dry on waxed paper. When fully dry, store in glass jars and label. Saves money by using these peels for flavorings when cooking or baking.

Dryer Sheet AlternativeIn a pail mix 1 gallon water and 1 cup concentrated fabric softener. dip a sponge or dry washcloth in the liquid, squeeze out the excess and toss in the dryer with your laundry. Seal the pail when not in use. Re-soak the wash cloth when needed.

1 Comment Comment

Fixing the Time on Difficult AppliancesWe have a great deal of difficulty programming the correct time on our kitchen stove's display. The attempt to simply set the time is often interpreted by the stove's microprocessor as a request to set up timed cooking.

1 Comment Comment

Freshening Sheets Between ChangesTo freshen sheets between changes, I use any brand of room spray that calls itself "Crisp Linen" or "Fresh Linen", even if it's from the dollar stores. I spray it on the fitted sheet and a drop on the pillows.

1 Comment Comment

Keep Dog From Jumping Through WindowOnce a dog learns that he can jump through an open barn, house, or shed window, he's apt to be hard to keep out. You can let the animal cure himself of that habit, by setting an open pan of water in the opening.

Keep Saw from Sticking in Sappy WoodA little kerosene and used crankcase oil dripped onto its blade will keep a saw from sticking and binding as you cut hedges and other sappy wood.

1 Comment Comment

Put Timer on Water HeaterWhy heat your water for 24 hours? Just install a Hot water heater timer purchased from Lowes. Set the timer for 1 hour before rising in the morning.

3 Comments Comment

Shred Mail Without A ShredderIf you don't have a shredder, here is an easy way to "shred" your mail. Take all the mail you don't want, tear it up into little pieces, put it all in an empty envelope, seal it, and toss it in the trash.

5 Comments Comment

Soft Scrub RecipeFor homemade soft scrub cleaner, mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup dish soap, and 1/8 - 1/4 cup vinegar. Adjust amounts of baking soda or vinegar until it's the consistency you prefer.

1 Comment Comment

Clear Nail Polish to Secure Eyeglasses ScrewIf you need to put a screw in sunglasses or eyeglasses, dab the screw with clear nail polish to keep it in place. The nail polish keeps it in place as it gets in all the cracks and spaces.

2 Comments Comment

Drilling Holes In Your CeilingYou can make that particular task a lot more pleasant by rolling up a stiff cardboard funnel and fastening it to the drill bit with a wire guide at the dirt catcher's top and a rubber band at its bottom.

1 Comment Comment

Ergonomic Handle for ToolsThere are times when busting out a chunk of concrete or modifying a piece of heavy farmstead equipment that a home handyman has to put in a long stint with hammer and cold chisel or star drill.

2 Comments Comment

Growing Fishing WormsFill the worm box with pieces of corrugated cardboard, wet the chunks of scrap down good, let them stand for a couple of days, then put the worms in on top. The worms will burrow right down into the moist corrugations and live on the glue that's on the material.

Keep Pet Info Handy When TravelingBesides having a folder for each dog in my filing cabinet, I also scan all my vet paperwork as it comes along and save it to a folder in a Yahoo account as a backup. I created a Yahoo account just for my pets information.

1 Comment Comment

Mark Stains for Dry CleanerFor clothes that are to be dry cleaned, pin a note to stains to alert the cleaner. It will help if you can specify the source of the stain.

Masking Tape For Coloring HairI color my hair at home, and always end up with dye on my forehead and ears, which can stain your skin. I have tried to put petroleum jelly on my hairline, but it would get in my hair and stop the dye from taking.

4 Comments Comment

Print Preview to Read EmailsTo save time when reading e-mails that have more than one page, I hit the print button. I don't print the e-mail, but can often read the whole e-mail without having to page forward multiple times. Saves lot's of time.

1 Comment Comment

Use Tea Tree Oil to Repel Head LiceThis is a lice treatment I learned about today on my trip to Walgreens, from a dear friend who I go to church with who works there. Combine 6 oz. Dawn dish detergent, 2 oz. white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons tea tree oil. Put on hair for ten minutes.

5 Comments Comment

Adding Veggies to Meatloaf or Hamburger PattiesWhen making meatloaf or hamburger patties, add chopped vegetables and oatmeal or bran for fiber! If you make your own veggie juices at home as I do, use the leftover pulp.

Check For Free Services at BanksI would like to share this with those people who are unaware that if you have a checking account, the bank where you do business will: make copies, fax papers, notarize papers, and make your money orders - all for FREE!

13 Comments Comment

Cleaning Coffee Pot StainsMy glass coffee container had stains in it. I remember reading somewhere that I should fill it with hot water and a denture tablet, let it sit overnight, rinse out,and the stains should come right out.

Dryer Sheets to Wipe Down DogI have 5 indoor dogs. As we all know, even if you bathe dogs on a regular basis, they can stink up a house. I have an extra sensitive nose and odors drive me to distraction.

2 Comments Comment

Freeze Individual Whipped Cream PortionsDrop large spoonfuls of leftover whipped cream on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and freeze. Once frozen individually, store them in a freezer bag. You can use them on desserts, coffee, or hot chocolate. Use within two weeks.

1 Comment Comment

Hide Gifts in Popcorn Ball OrnamentsFor a good, old-fashioned Christmas surprise, wrap some tiny gifts in wax paper and conceal them inside popcorn balls. Hang the balls from your Christmas tree.

1 Comment Comment

Inexpensive Wreath FormA very inexpensive way to get a wreath form is to buy the pipe insulation that has a slit in it in the size you need and form it in a circle. This insulation is firm and is a dark charcoal gray.

2 Comments Comment

Link: Free Medical Information CardIf you don't carry Emergency Medical information on your person, you NEED to. Here is a site that offers 100% free Emergency Medical information that you can fill-in online and print out.

2 Comments Comment

Paper Towel Tube to Prevent Creases from HangerTo prevent creases in garments hung on hangers, take an empty paper towel tube and make a cut lengthwise. Slip it over the bottom of the hanger. The round edge prevents a crease.

3 Comments Comment

Removing Hot GlueTo remove hot glue cleanly from surfaces: Wait until glue has dried, then get a Q-tip and apply alcohol around the edges of the hot glue. It works quickly and easily.

Store Old Photos Behind New in FrameI always get school pictures of my grandchildren and was running out places to put them. Now I ask for 5x7 inch photos, use the same frame, and put the new photo in the front and the older ones are behind.

2 Comments Comment

Storing Dry Goods

Storing Dry Goods to Avoid WeevilsI recently had a major battle with Mealy Bugs (Boll Weevils) in my packages of flour, rice, pasta, etc., and I can't afford to purchase enough glass or metal canisters to store the many food items I had replace.

4 Comments Comment

Use Crepe Paper For SewingUse leftover crepe paper in sewing by placing over thick fabric like fleece or textured material that has a tendency to get caught in the feed dog or presser foot, depending on the type or loft of the material. Just sew right over it and when finished, tear if off.

Use Shellac Before Painting Over A Water StainBefore painting over an area that is water stained, seal with a coat of shellac; there is less chance the stain will bleed through the paint.

Use Yardstick To Support NailIf you're ever trying to install a nail or other drive-in fastener higher than you can reach, try this. Saw a short slit just a little narrower than the shank of the fasteners you're using into the end of a yardstick or other light piece of wood.

Wrap Gifts in Freezer PaperUse freezer paper for gift wrap, you can stencil it, put cute stickers on it, or just leave it plain.

Activate Scan When Leaving ComputerIf you're a 'home-only' computer user that typically leaves the computer 'on' during the day, but leave your computer for moments in excess of 15 minutes, do this: activate one (Virus, Trojanware or Malware) of your protection programs.

2 Comments Comment

chair box

Altered Box As ChairThis box was made with a 4x4 inch paper mache box from the Dollar Store, some of my scrapbook papers, flowers, pearls, and a little vintage poodle figurine. Even the little pillow the dog is sitting on is made with paper.

Buy Extra Turkeys During Holiday SalesSave time and money with turkey. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, turkeys are on sale so buy an extra 20 lb. one at each holiday and freeze it. Big turkeys have a larger ratio of meat to bone than small ones.

Cleaning Stained PorcelainClean badly stained porcelain with a paste of peroxide and cream of tartar. Simply scrub with a brush and rinse. If the stain persists, try again by covering stain with the paste and adding a few drops of ammonia.

Compost LeavesEvery fall, we see people working very hard with leaves, putting them in paper bags for city collection. Anyone who has even a modest back yard can use an easier method. You may already have a compost heap where you put your garden clippings, etc.

2 Comments Comment

Hemostat to Help with SewingKeep a hemostat in your sewing kit if you know a nurse you could get one from. It is handy for pulling/grabbing needles through thick fabric.

3 Comments Comment

Keep File with Maintenance RecordsWe all have to do it periodically. Buy a home, do maintenance on that home and/or yard, buy a car, do maintenance on that too. But how many of us can say exactly when it was done, how much it cost, who did it, and all the other details of each?

2 Comments Comment

Let Dough Rise in the OvenA perfect place for dough to rise is in the oven. Its draft-free and a perfect temperature. Of course, the oven needs to be off!

3 Comments Comment

Loading a Pig in TruckPigs, just like people, often have ideas of their own, especially when you're trying to load one onto a truck or into a trailer. Beating and/or attempting to reason with a stubborn porker under those conditions usually does little good.

6 Comments Comment

Make-up Storage SystemAfter searching high and low on the internet for an organizer that I can keep right on my desk, I went to Home Depot and bought a good size wall mounting organizer with clear drawers and large trays.

7 Comments Comment

Pin Sponges to Your PantsIf you need to be kneeling down, but don't have a pad for your knees, take two large safety pins and two large sponges and pin one sponge to the knees of your pants.

1 Comment Comment

Prepare and Freeze Rice in AdvanceMake big batches of rice and freeze in meal sized portions to use later when preparing quick meals. When freezing individual sized portions, freeze leftover vegetables, meats and sauces for hassle free and cheap work lunches.

Preventing Wax Residue in Candle HoldersI used to have the kindest neighbor who I would visit often. She always put a little bit of water in the bottom of the glass votive before putting her candle in to prevent the wax from sticking to glass votive and she was right!

4 Comments Comment

Product Review: Emery Cat BoardI will start off by saying that after reading the reviews about the Emery Cat Board I wasn't sold, but I wasn't totally turned off either. There are many sites that offer areas to critique the Emery Cat Board. I recommend you read a few of them.

3 Comments Comment

Product Review: Keurig Elite B-40 Coffee MakerI bought the Keurig Elite B-40 coffee maker and having entirely too much fun with it. I bought it at Kohl's on sale and used one of those discount coupons they send in the mail.

2 Comments Comment

Remove Condensation from Car WindowsWhen your windshield steams up on you, a clean blackboard eraser kept in the glove compartment of your car or truck can be quite handy for wiping off the moisture. The eraser is less bulky than a cloth and doesn't shed lint on the glass.

1 Comment Comment

Change Smoke Alarm Batteries When You Change Your ClocksRemember that most areas of the US set their clocks back one hour this weekend. The twice a year time change is also a great time to change out your smoke alarm batteries, and if needed, your smoke alarms.

2 Comments Comment

Check for Auto Recalls Before Visiting MechanicBe sure to check for recalls before going to the mechanic. I would love to think that there were not such things as "secret recalls", but there are.

Cleaning Your BlenderI used to hate using the blender, it was so hard to clean. One day after making a milkshake, I quickly rinsed it. Next I put some warm water and a squirt of dish washing liquid in it. Turned it on for several seconds, let it suds up, then just needed to rinse it out.

4 Comments Comment

Cover Pet Dishes With Press And SealKeep pet dishes clean without the mess, I love this idea that we stumbled onto with two finicky kitties! Use a sufficient (usually small) piece of "Glad Press n' Seal", or another clear wrap with one sticky side, to line your pet dishes.

1 Comment Comment

Link: Team Viewer to Share Your ComputerHave computer problems that you can't correct, but you have a trusted computer-geek friend, and that friend doesn't live close by or can't come over. Well, there's a FREE download that will allow him/her to join you 'on' your computer.

5 Comments Comment

Linseed Oil to Remove Road TarRoad tar and asphalt which splatters up and sticks to an automobile is almost impossible to remove. That is, unless you first saturate the spots with linseed oil.

1 Comment Comment

Mix Coke with EspressoAfter making an espresso coffee one night, I let the rest get cold. Then my husband suggested adding Coke to my cold espresso and, VOILA, Copresso was born. It tastes surprisingly good and different. Is this new or does everyone else drink this?

2 Comments Comment

Planting Strawberry StartsIf you have new strawberry plants and don't have time to plant them in the bed right away, no problem. The new plants will await your convenience if you the the method called "heeling in".

1 Comment Comment

Put Newspaper Under Rug For InsulationA thick layer of newspaper under a rug keeps the room warmer in winter and the carpet wear longer.

Removing Fresh StainsMany fresh stains are absorbed by corn starch or talcum powder. Apply the powder to the stain, allow to stand for about an hour, then brush off carefully.

Shelf Liner for Wobbly Sewing MachineAnother use for rubber shelf liner is to place a scrap piece under your sewing machine. This is handy and keeps my sewing machine from moving while I'm using it.

1 Comment Comment

Use Coin as ThimbleIf you're ever stuck with a tent, tarp or piece of leatherwork to repair and you don't have a thimble on hand, tape a coin to your finger to help you push that heavy needle through the heavy fabric or leather.

2 Comments Comment

Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2022-08-22 14:32:21 in 3 secs.
© 1997-2022 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/contest/000/350.html