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Making a Paper Clip Phone Stand - phone on stand with pencil next to it

Making a Paper Clip Phone StandI have created phone stands previously, but this one could be the super easiest. I don't have to provide too many crafting materials and I can make this anywhere with my bare hands. At least if you need one anywhere just bring a large paper clip with you.

Restoring a Tarnished Gold Bracelet - cleaned bracelet

Restoring a Tarnished Gold BraceletI had a lovely Alex and Ani bracelet that tarnished. It was easy and quick to make it look like new.

Plastic Bottle Neck Ring Pieces Dish - keys in the bottom of the dish

Plastic Bottle Neck Ring Pieces DishThis is a cute little decorative dish you can make out of the plastic neck rings from bottles. I put mine by the front door for my keys. You can also build it higher with more bottles and make it a full on bowl. This is a fun and simple craft!

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.

Spring Roll on plate

Spring Rolls with Masago (Fish Roe)A nice light yet filling appetizer or snack featuring masago*. You can customize your spring roll wraps however you would like, but this is a combination I enjoy making. The amount yield varies depending how ingredients you use per spring roll. With 4 small avocados, I made 8 rolls and plenty of left over ingredients.

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.

Pest Control

Plastic Bottle Fruit Fly Trap - finished trap with a floating fly

Plastic Bottle Fruit Fly TrapWe have tried many things to get rid of fruit flies in our home, and this is hands down the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way. One of the most important things in order to catch them is the bait you put out. Fruit flies can be more attracted to some things more than others.

Mosquito on someone's hand.

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

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.

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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.

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.

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! :)

More Pest Control

School

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.

Yellow crosswalk sign.

Green Tips for Back to SchoolOther than the holiday season, back-to-school shopping offers consumers the largest opportunity to collectively vote with their dollars in support of environmentally and socially responsible products.

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.

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.

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.

Gardening Tips and Advice

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.

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.

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.

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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

Videos

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.

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.

Someone laying down roofing tar paper.

Removing Roof Tar from Skin with Olive OilRoof tar and other sticky substances can be gently removed from skin by using regular olive oil from the kitchen. Learn how to do it in this short video.

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 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.

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.

Recent

Leftover Bread Pudding on plate

Leftover Bread PuddingThe pudding that is very common to our country is unlike the one that's soft and creamy. Our pudding is mostly made of leftover bread or stale bread. It's also soft in the inside but crusty on the outside.

baked Blueberry and Almond Oat Muffins

Blueberry and Almond Oat MuffinsBlueberry and almond oat muffins make a convenient breakfast for on the go. Each muffin is packed with plenty of protein, nutrition and tastes delicious!

How to Care for Your Swimwear - suit soaking in vinegar water

How to Care for Your SwimwearSwimwear goes through a lot more than your typical article of clothing. It gets in contact with chlorine, salt, sun lotions, and sprays. They're also way more elastic than your usual garment, so throwing them in the washer and dryer will only shorten its lifespan and kill its colour. Here is how I wash my swimwear to elongate its life and keep the quality pristine.

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Peacock Popsicle Stick Puppet - finished puppet

Peacock Popsicle Stick PuppetMy daughter loves peacocks, she admires their beautiful feathers. She asked if we could make a toy peacock. Of course, we can make a peacock puppet with simple everyday supplies - assorted construction paper, wiggly eyes, pipe cleaner, scissors, a Popsicle stick, glue, and tape.

DIY Fur Covered Notebook - fuzzy yellow yarn character notebook

DIY Fur Covered NotebookYou can easily make your own interpretation of this cute yarn, fur, covered notebook for school or work. It is 3D and will definitely brighten your day. Try this DIY fur covered notebook.

breaded Fried Green Tomatoes

Making Fried Green TomatoesI have a tomato vine that is full of large green tomatoes. It is so heavy with tomatoes, the wind blew the vine and the post over. On the good side, the vine is still living and we are enjoying fried green tomatoes.

Questions

Cloudy Turtle Tank - cloudy water in tank

Cloudy Turtle TankWhat happens when my medium sized turtle tank gets foggy? I don't know what to do.

Identifying the Brand on a Pearl NecklaceI found this pearl necklace at a thrift store. It looks vintage. but I am not 100 sure. It has an upper case C and a small lower case C. I thought it was Charming Charlie at first, but it's not.

Dog Aggressive to Other Resident DogI have a Jack Russell and she has been attacking our 18 year old Chihuahua. Every time the chihuahua squeals like she is in pain. Any suggestions on curbing this behavior?

Under Processed Canned Spaghetti SauceI canned homemade spaghetti sauce in a hot water bath. I was to have them boil for 50 minutes, but I mistakenly boiled for 30 minutes. They are cooling now and I will check in the morning to see if the seals "popped" and I don't feel a "bubble" on the lid. If they sealed, are they OK? I'm afraid of botulism, but doesn't the lemon juice that I added help prevent botulism?

Value of a Vintage Lyre Table - table on newspapers being cleaned

Value of a Vintage Lyre TableI have this lyre table with the number 5878 on the base and on the bottom of the top. I am unable to find any information or value. Can you help?

Value of 1936 Collier's National Encyclopedia - red bound volumes

Value of 1936 Collier's National EncyclopediaCan anyone give me an idea of the value of a full set of Collier's National Encyclopedia, 1936 edition, including "Revision Service" volumes dated 1936 and 1940? The condition is good.

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

Roof with damaged shingles.

Roof Repair for Low Income Homeowners

Bee on Hummingbird Feeder

Keeping Bees Out of a Hummingbird Feeder

A man performing roof repairs.

Getting Financial Assistance for Roof...

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

Finding Plumbing Repair Assistance for...

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

A man cutting down a tree.

Selling Trees on Your Land for Lumber

Electric Smoke Detector

Electric Smoke Detector Won't Stop Beeping

Getting Rid of Fruit Flies, Fruit Fly on Apple

Getting Rid of Fruit Flies

Itching from a bug bite.

Identifying Little Black Biting Bugs

Three vintage appliances in white.

Buying Second Hand Appliances

Dental tools in open mouth

Getting Dental Work w/o Insurance

Basement brick wall and window edge.

Getting Rid of a Musty Smell in the Basement

Getting Rid of Ants

Getting Rid of Ants

Bug Bites

Getting Rid of Invisible Biting Bugs

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

Removing Toilet Bowl Stains

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

Two wood dressers.

Organizations That Help Low Income Families Get Free Furniture

Silver Bracelets

How Much is .925 Silver Worth?

Skunk in the Grass

Removing Skunk Smell from House

A birthday cake with a 13 topper.

13th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

Cleaning a leather purse with ink on it.

How to Remove Ink from Leather

Tiny black bugs next to a penny for scale.

Tiny Black Bugs in the Kitchen

Kitten outside of litter box on wood floors.

Cleaning Pet Urine Odor From Hardwood Floors

Removing Moss from Asphalt Roof Tiles

Removing Moss from Asphalt Roof Tiles

Red on a shirt transferred to the white.

Removing Dye Transfers from Clothing

White Heat Stain on Wood Table

Removing White Heat Stains from a Wood Table

Woman with holding her mouth in pain.

Remedies for Pain from Wearing Dentures

Photo of a hedge apple.

What Are Hedge Apples Good For?

Woman Cleaning Bathtub

Cleaning a Fiberglass Tub

Hummingbird perched on a feeder.

Keeping Ants Out of the Hummingbird Feeder

A photo of a real estate sign.

Real Estate Business Name Ideas

Removing Tree Sap Stains

Removing Tree Sap

Finding a Lost Relative, Genealogy Study

Finding a Lost Relative

Identifying a Cathy Collection Porcelain Doll

Identifying Cathay Collection Porcelain Dolls

Paint Spilled On New Car Carpet and Seats

cigarette odors in a car

Removing Cigarette Smoke Odors from a Car

Man scratching his head.

Getting Rid of Fleas in Human Hair

Two girls putting on nail polish on a couch.

Removing Nail Polish Stains From a Couch

bug next to a penny

Getting Rid of Tiny Biting Black Bugs

Faucet running in a kitchen that uses well water.

Removing Sulfur Smell from a Well Water System

young man using hairspray in front of mirror

Cleaning Hairspray Off Bathroom Surfaces

Cigarette Smoke Odors

Removing Cigarette Smoke Odors From a...

A toddler wearing jeans and a sweater.

Keeping a Toddler's Pants Up

New Dentures

Wearing New Dentures

A vet giving a dog a vaccination.

ASPCA Pet Vaccination Truck Schedule

dawn for fleas

Dawn Dish Soap For Fleas

Cat laying on the hood of a car.

Homemade Cat Repellents

Yard Sale Sign

Making Garage Sale Signs

Dog Standing on Carpet

Preventing a Dog From Peeing on Carpet and Rugs

Keeping Slugs Off Hostas

Keeping Slugs Off Hostas

a smart girl reading

Using Online Accelerated Reading Tests

50th birthday party numbered candles on a cake

Unique 50th Birthday Party Ideas

Someone mopping a floor.

How Much Does House Cleaning Cost?

Man Cutting Up Pine Tree

Selling Mature Pine Trees

Glider Chair

Finding Glider Chair Replacement Cushions

Cleaning shiny counter top with a cloth

Restoring the Shine on a Formica Countertop

A pair of eyeglasses on an open laptop.

Removing Anti-Reflective Coating from Glasses

Pink double layer birthday cake topped with at 12 candle.

12th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

Trumpet Vine Not Flowering

Trumpet Vine Not Flowering

Gas can on the car hood.

Cleaning Gasoline from Car Carpet

Mold on Walls

How to Clean Mold on Painted Walls and Ceiling

Cleaning Toilet With Ammonia

Cleaning With Ammonia

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