Sunshine (Chameleon)
The little guy blends perfectly with the aloe leaves, took a bit for me to see him there looking out the window! Cute!
Unemployment Blues are "Green"
Ive been where you are now, and looking back, it totally reset my life. Now, life is good, I enjoy even the smallest things, and my stress level is nowhere it was before our health problems forced us both out of the workforce suddenly. Heres hoping you both...
Removing Bathtub Stains for Under $20
Barkeepers Friend is AMAZING, have used it on several things that nothing else could help. I also hear great things about the pumice stones, but I used one once and it left scratches on porcelain. Looked better than before, and it was the only thing that worked...
Extra Savings At Goodwill And Craft...
What a great idea! I didnt know about the half price days at the thrift stores, will start paying attention to ours. :^) I do use my smart phone to show them a coupon at Michaels, and love not having to remember to bring a paper coupon.
Thrift Shops Before Retail
I totally agree with you, Melissa... thrift shops are the best! Ive found just about anything Ive ever wanted at them, and at a bargain price. When 50% off sales hit the stores after Christmas, they dont even tempt me. Why pay 50% when you can usually get it...
Using Any Vacuum Cleaner Bag
What a great idea! I have wondered if there were some way to do this, so glad you posted this tip. One of the BEST ideas ever!
Sewing Machine Only Stitches in Reverse?
This has happened to me with a couple of vintage sewing machines, both Vikings. Since I wasnt going to invest in them further by spending money for repair, I had nothing to lose. So, after carefully opening the back and looking inside the first one, I saw a...
More Harry Potter Paper Pieced Quilt Blocks
I love this! Hubby is a huge Potter movie fan, are you going to post patterns?
Painting Formica Countertops
Love it! You did a beautiful job, its inspired me so much, thanks for sharing!
Medical Help for Persons Over 65?
We have to assume youve already applied for Social Security and Medicare, since you are 65. If you make less than $25,000 a year, call Medicare, at the very least you may qualify for something called Low Income Subsidy, which means that they will pay for your...
Gift Ideas for Mother's Birthday?
Whatever you get her will be loved, but to make it really memorable, why not also write her a letter telling her how loved and appreciated she is, and be specific about little things she does that you really notice and appreciate. At this point in her life...
Single Use Salve Packs for Camping
Brilliant! Though I might not go camping, I could see this same idea used to hold a set of tiny screws that might get lost, or hold matches to keep them dry, or any number of things that itd keep safe and protected, in a compact little package that could be...
Cure of a Dry Nose
My husbands doctor gave him a prescription for a special ointment to put in his nose several times a day because he has allergies and can get a dry nose from the side effects of allergy meds. We refilled the prescription for years and it worked beautifully...
Embroidery Machine Not Picking Up Bobbin Thread?
There may just be a bit of thread-fuzz down in the bobbin area. Something simple like that often throws things off with any kind of sewing of embroidery machine. Ive lost hours of work trying to figure out what was wrong and found that the top thread had come...
Treating Poison Ivy?
Im not suggesting this will work for everyone, or even if that its a doctor recommended thing, just going to tell you what worked for me and I dont know if itd work for anyone else. Im extremely allergic and tend to break out all over if Ive touched poison...
Soup in a Jar Gift
What a thoughtful thing to do! Ive been through cancer treatment and will positively affirm that this sort of thing would be greatly appreciated. Often, people assume that someone else is taking care of you, or they dont know what to do, so no one does anything...
Radiation Treatment Caused Loss of Taste?
When chemo really messed up my taste buds, I found it sometimes helped to swish some water with baking soda mixed in it around in my mouth several times before eating, spitting it out and swishing more. Seemed like it kind of neutralized some of the bad tastes...
Use Manila File Folders For Business Cards
Perfect timing! Id been trying to design a card with a background color thats similar to a manila folder color, but didnt want to use so much ink. This should work just fine, thanks for the tip!
Review: Wild Blue Internet
Ive had Wildblue for at least four years and have never had a problem with it, though I use the internet a lot. However, I do agree that almost any satellite provider will slow down service after too many large file downloads within a short period of time, in...
Riding Mower Engine Keeps Shutting Off?
When my push mower did that, a friend told me that it was most likely gas trash or gunk stopping the fuel and that it was getting stuck in the jet soon after Id start mowing, then might release later and would let it through again, etc., which sounded about...
Unplug For a While
I agree with you! We got rid of Dish Network and just watch the basic networks and local stations for FREE with a cheap UHF antenna, and havent really missed the rest. Because of weather reports (since we often have storms and tornadoes that wed not know about...
Use Emery Particles for Pin Cushion
Yes, where to buy the emery particles? Ive wanted to do this for ages, but didnt know where to look. Would love to try it!
Fix Rhinestone Jewelry with Missing Stones
This is a great idea! Cant wait to try it, thanks so much for sharing. We all have things we dont wear because its missing a stone or two that we never seem to find the right size stone for. :^)
Altered Dress Shirt Into a Summer Top
This is so cute! Thanks for sharing, its right up my alley and I cant wait to make one similar. You did a great job!
Teach Children That Abuse Is Not A Sign Of Love
BRAVO! Thank you for saying this. I am often amazed to find that when I say something like this out loud, some people will downplay it and seem to put me down for expressing such an opinion. Seemingly bright people for some reason still keep the stereotype...
Ranger Cookies
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I was just looking for a recipe with similar ingredients, will probably make these today. YUM!
Recycled "Jacketshirt"
I love this idea! Im always recycling garments, too, so Ill remember to save parts for making one of these when cleaning out the closet. Id never thought of cutting apart a jacket to add to a sweatshirt, very cool pattern. Thanks so much for sharing!
Spare Key For Car Door
What a great idea! Weve got those crazy expensive keys like that and couldnt afford a spare. I didnt know you could get one that would only open the door like that. Ive learned something new. Thanks for sharing! Cant wait to tell hubby. He is the one who last...
Make Bread in Tupperware Cake Container
I love it! Would never have thought of doing this, thanks for sharing the idea!
Thread Keeps Breaking on Sewing Machine?
You might take out the bobbin and look under and around it for fuzz. I have to clean out under there pretty often or my thread starts breaking or jamming up into birds nests, or sometimes itll just skip stitches. Try using the cleaning brush that comes with...
Taking Vitamins to Get Rid of Dandruff?
I agree with everything everyone else has said, but wanted to add one more. A friend of mine had used Vicks cream (not the salve, the white cream in a tube) on her scalp on psoriasis with excellent and almost immediate results, so I used the same on my dandruff...
New Year's Resolution: Be A Better Person
Excellent! How often a little thing has made a big difference in someones life, thank you for reminding us... and thank you for being the one to make that difference for someone today. :^)
Repairing a Jacket With a Broken Zipper?
Toggles or frogs as some are called, can be used but then the jacket isnt as warm as when zipped unless the sides overlap considerably. The same thing happened with my husbands coat zipper, and we were told at the cleaners that they could send the coat out...
Chafing Cream as Makeup Primer
Ive never heard of the product, but will go look for it and give it a try, how unique! I love it when theres something like that, more affordable, and does the same. Thanks for sharing! (Especially today, as I was just a few minutes ago looking at my makeup...
Making Dog Clothes?
The easiest way is to watch for your local craft store such as Hobby Lobby or fabric store such as Hancocks to have a sale on sewing patterns. Watch their Sunday advertisements for the sale, the go look in the clothing pattern books there for a section like...
My Frugal Life: A Winter Miracle
What a lovely thing to do! Im sure Im not the only one who plans now to go do something similar, so not only did you make a winter miracle for that one lady, youve ended up being the catalyst for many more. Thank you for sharing with us all!
Crispy Roasted Garbanzo Beans
Ive done this before when looking for a healthy substitute for salted peanuts, and they were yummy, but it never occurred to me to use any of the spices youve suggested, what a great idea!! I cant wait to get a can of garbanzo beans. Thanks!
Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Walnut...
Please note! My recipe for these cookies uploaded right except for one thing... it should have read 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar, not 3/4 cup. Sorry! I have written ThriftyFun about a correction, but wanted to let everyone here know in case it takes a bit for...
Make A Thrifty Recycled Drink Container
I love it! Totally elegant in its simplicity, my favorite sort of thing. Im going to look for jars right now. Thanks for a great tip!
My Frugal Life: ThriftyFun Family
Grace, you sounded so much like me, it made me feel better to hear someone else express those feelings! I am the same age as you, 53, and my life changed in 2007 also, drastically, and in the end, for the better! I grew up in a toxic family, like you, and for...
Keep Chocolate From Dogs?
While Ive had occasional visits to vets where I felt taken, dont feel too bad about your vet telling you to come in. After all, if hed said not to worry, and then your dog became really ill from it, youd have really hated him, so I think they sometimes try...
Let Mushrooms Dry Out
Great tip, thanks! Cant wait to try it. I have fresh shrooms in the fridge right now, just love them, and had wondered how to dry some for later.
Minimizing Deep Scars
Thanks so much for the info and product name! Id wondered if those products work or not, had figured they were just hype. After hearing from an actual person that they do help, Ill buy some and give it a try for a thick old chemo port scar that bugs me. Give...
Use Hand Sanitizer as a Stain Remover
Thank you for mentioning this! My husband is forever getting stains on his shirt when away from home, but usually has lost the stain removal pen we try to keep in the car. Since we always keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the cup holder, hell have something...
Traveling With Pets
Thanks for your tips! Were planning on taking our dog with us next year on a trip, and Ive already been worrying about hotel stays and what to do at restaurant stops, so your comments really made me feel better about it. Id like to add a tip for others who...
Microwave Says "Child" On Display
Thanks so much for solving the puzzle for me! I just tried it on my microwave, and youre right, Child came back by pushing the Start button 3 times, and did indeed go away with three pushes of the Stop button. The microwave is my friend again, lol Lot that...
Embroidery Stitch Doesn't Work on Singer Model #6268?
Are you remembering to lower the presser bar lever? (Thats the lever you lower to set a presser foot down onto the material.) My embroidery attachment sits so close to the fabric even without the lever down, that at first it just didnt occur to me that it wasnt...
Cleaning Eye Glasses?
My old pair of eyeglasses did that. The little nosepads fit over and around a metal part that would tarnish and turn green, making the clear pads greenish. Finally it would become green all the way up inside the pads where it couldnt be cleaned, so Id take...
Repairing a T-shirt?
There is a fusible webbing made for stretchy knit fabrics, such as t-shirts are made of. I recently found some at a yard sale, but I assume its still available at sewing stores like Hancocks and JoAnnes. Just ask one of the employees for a fusible web that...
Psoriasis on the Scalp?
A friend of mine had a thick patch of it on her scalp and used Vicks Salve, but I dont remember how she learned about it. The hard patch of scales just sort of came off within a day or two I think, and the spot healed right up, but the Vicks Salve was really...
Sink Smells Bad?
I agree with the one who suggested a drain snake, & would like at add a bit more. We had the same problem with a sink drain. When nothing helped, I used a thing sort of like a small drain snake, but it has a round brush bristles surrounding the end of it for...
Review: Redbox for Cheap and Convenient Movies
We love Redbox! We use it at least once a week. If you sign up at www.insideredbox.com then you get a free movie code emailed to you every Monday, good only for renting on that Monday, to take the movie back by the next night. (Once we signed up, we went to...
Product Testing Websites?
Please dont sign up for the creativehomeartsclub.com someone mentioned here, or at least dont do it before you google that name along with the word scam, or do a google search along with spam mail. Sure wish Id looked it up first before I signed up. If youve...
Warning About Treadmill Dangers For Children
Thank you for posting this warning! I still have nightmares about the day a man brought his small grandson over to our house (which is not childproofed because we dont have children visiting normally) without telling us in advance that he was bringing the child...
Eat A Leaf Of Poison Ivy To Prevent Reactions
Along the same lines, some health food stores carry a brand of teeny sugary pills that have a minuscule amount of poison ivy extract that seems to be safe. All the local landscapers and park service people around here use them to make them immune to poison...
Prevent Curly Bacon By Using Your Oven
I agree with you, baking is the easiest fastest way to make bacon without a mess, so I cut my package of bacon in half, then make a couple of jelly roll pans the same time then drain and keep it in the fridge for several days. It reheats in just a few seconds...
Survey Advice?
I received a check in the mail for $7 today from one company, and Ive gotten enough points for gift cards for doing surveys, plus some inexpensive items to test. Most of the surveys youll see from online only put your name in a sweepstakes or give a very small...
Removing Moles and Skin Tags?
Weve removed skin tags for years by tightly tying quilting thread around the base of it while pinching and lifting the tag upwards. Put ice on big ones first, just to numb it a bit for the squeemish. Putting on a drop of Compound W wart remover seemed to speed...
Do Online Surveys for Rewards
Ive done a few of these as well and most are alright though its a LOT of time to spend for very little reward on most of the places, so dont expect much unless you have hours and hours of free time. I still do surveys for some places and enjoy it, but will...
Reuse Old Broaches as Refrigerator Magnets
I LOVE IT! This sounds so cute, and I just adore making things with old jewelry. Only a couple days ago I was looking at some cute novelty brooches I had from a few years ago, wondering what to do with them. THANKS!
Repairing Electrical Cord?
You can buy a heavy duty replacement plug from a home center like Lowes or Home Depot, usually for less than $3. Explain to a salesman in the electrical department what you did and theyll show you a plug and tell you how to attach it, a very simple job. Since...
Small Savings Add Up
Thats a good reminder that we all need, to save small amounts toward big bills. I do it on a monthly basis for bills that are due every 3 or 6 months like the newspaper, house insurance, etc. I divide the yearly totals of each by 12, and put that amount aside...
Use PayPal Instead of Credit Cards
Hi Kathy, I like your idea! I understand that youre talking about a little extra that youre going to spend anyway, not so much savings. Personally I like using PayPal or even a seldom-used checking account with a debit card, better than poking back paper money...
Knitted Breast Prosthetics?
Good luck on the knitted ones, I saw some once on a website and thought they were a cute idea, just cant remember where it was! Im a survivor, too, 14 months. I havent tried knitting the prosthetics, but once made polyfill stuffed ones with swimsuit-fabric...
What Can I Make with These Items?
Make a big checkerboard on any solid color fabric, painting in the alternating color with fabric paint or Sharpie colored pens so itll be permanent. You could mark the squares, guided by a ruler, then let the kids paint them in so they get some quiet crafting...
Caged Squash
To the one who asked if the squash had to be trained up into the cage...no, I dont remember having to do that. I may have pushed a leaf or two inside without thinking about it, but it pretty much grew straight up once the first few leaves were inside the cages...
Baby Cradle Purse
I am blessed to know Harlean and have seen firsthand many of her creations over the years. They are awesome! Her photos are great, but when you see them up close youll just be blown away, SO cute! Im FINALLY going to try making one for myself to use as a little...
Anyone Have Tips for Thrush?
Everyone said I was likely to get thrush and mouth sores during chemo, but I never did, possibly because of a tip I saw someplace. I always brushed my teeth and tongue with baking soda that was wet down with a few spritzes of Hydrogen Peroxide. (*I put the...
Salvaging Beads From Thrift Store Finds
Hey, thats a great tip! Ill be watching for anything beaded after this, as Ive seen beaded sofa pillows, lampshades, sweaters, etc... sold for next to nothing at yard sales because they had slight damage. Dont know why I didnt think to buy them for the beads...
Growing Hair Back Quickly After Chemo?
Wish I could tell you how to make it grow faster, but everything I ever read about it says about half an inch per month is the average rate of regrowth. I went through chemo last year for breast cancer, with the last dose in September, and my hair is 3 inches...
Walmart Will "Price Match" On Sale Patterns
What a great tip! I had no idea Walmart matched the pattern prices, and a Walmart is much closer than our local fabric store. Thanks so much!
King Sized Bed in a Small Room?
Look at local discount stores in the household storage section for plastic Bed Lifters to raise it enough for underbed storage. Lifters come in round and square shapes, with depressions in the center top to keep your bed from falling off. Ive seen them at a...
Tin Foil Method for Silver Cleaning?
Ive cleaned old silverplated forks (to use in crafting) by lining a cake pan with a big sheet of aluminum foil, liberally sprinkling on baking soda, and pouring boiling water over it to cover, then let it sit awhile until the water cools enough to remove the...
PayPal Reviews?
Ive used PayPal for years to both pay for items and to receive payments from customers through ebay, and have never personally had any problems with them. However, as with any financial transaction online, people must remember to not get impatient and click...
Why You Should Eat A Complete Breakfast Every Day
Thanks for the info! Im trying to do what youre talking about, in hopes of lowering blood sugar and such, just needed a little reminder and suggestions. This came at a great time for me. :^) We all get too busy to take care of ourselves, sometimes just a little...
