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Volume Six, Number 247, December 26, 2007 (Read It Online) I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We did our family gathering over the weekend so I had a nice quiet Christmas morning. Today is another big shopping day with people spending their Christmas gift money and returning gifts. It's a good day to buy wraps and decorations for next year. As always, don't buy what you don't need. With Christmas now behind us and the the the new year approaching, it's a good time to think of new ways to save money. Do you have any plans or money saving strategies that you hope to employ next year? Feel free to post them at the link below and we will compile them for this Friday's Saving Money On... newsletter. http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10447304.tip.html Thanks for reading, Susan
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Serving Tray From A Wine Crate I have acquired many wine crates recently, so I made some of them into serving trays. I have given a lot of these as gifts and sold quite few also. I use them when we BBQ to carry all the things needed outside :0)
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Rate It: Keira (Miniature Siberian Husky) Keira is 6 1/2 weeks old and is a Miniature Siberian Husky. I got her as an early Christmas gift in late November.
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Rate It: Merry Christmas from ThriftyFun's Maggie Here's Maggie all dressed up in her antlers wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Maggie spends everyday with us at the office. She is my dog but all of the staff love her and greet her each morning when I arrive. She waits patiently while I help to put the newsletters together. Maggie was a rescue dog that I've had since 2004. She's a wonderful companion and is a Chow mix. She was 1 to 2 years old when I got her. They had no information about her because she was tied to the animal shelter door when they arrived at work. So she's 4 to 5 years old now. She is very polite and gentle and it was a lucky day when we found each other.
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Rate It: Reuse Gift Cards For Tree Decorations Here's a fun and cute way to use those gift cards given from retail stores. We all receive them in so many themes and characters that are so pretty. Just use a hole punch in one corner and hang them from your tree as decoration. You can also put on a self adhesive address label and write TO and From on them and use them as gift tags. Merry Christmas and God Bless Everyone! :)
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Rate It: Chilito (Rat Terrier/Chihuahua) Chilito is 7 years on on November 14, 2007. He is a Rat Terrier/Chihuahua. I Answered and ad for a free Chihuahua. After two weeks, she called and said she hadn't found a good home so she interviewed us and we were picked.
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Rate It: Cooper and Audrey (Terrier Mix) Cooper (1) and Audrey (4) are Terrier mixes (unrelated). Both Cooper and Audrey were rescued from high kill shelters.
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Rate It: I love decorating for Christmas with Angel Fluff ((snow), you can use it anywhere and it really adds a nice wintry touch. On the window ledge I rolled up scotch tape, then carefully applied the Angle Snow, it sticks pretty good. Merry Christmas! By Mary Lou from Maryland
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Rate It: Blossom is 6 years old. She's quite the prissy long haired kitty. I got her in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
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Rate It: Make Christmas treat holders out of felt. One is a mouse and the other is a stocking. Use a candy cane for both items. The hook on the candy cane makes the mouse's tail.
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
What is Boxing Day? Wikipedia states: "Boxing Day is a traditional celebration, dating back to the Medieval Ages, and consisted of the practice of giving out gifts to employees, the poor, or to people in a lower social class." You can read more about the history of Boxing Day here: What's Boxing Day mean to thrifty folks, the people who are trying to save time and money? That's a more relevant question. Below are a few answers. Countdown to Christmas: One of our favorite thrifty tips is "Buy Christmas presents all year round". It's a really good tip! The financial crunch that many are suffering from right now can be avoided, or minimized, by thinking ahead and starting to buy for Christmas now (or as soon as possible). I like to make a list of all the people I intend to buy Christmas presents for next year and I carry it around in my wallet. At the very least, it's a great time to buy small presents, the kind you might give to co-workers or use at a gift exchange. While Boxing Day may not be the best day to go shopping, if you can handle the crowds you will most likely find some amazing deals. Decorating for Less: The best time to buy Christmas decorations is right after Christmas. Ornaments, lights, dancing Santa dolls go out of style really quickly after Christmas and often are deeply discounted. Taking Gifts Back or Exchanging Them: In general, there is a one or two week time period after Christmas in which stores have extra staff to handle returns and exchanges. It's also the easiest time to return something without a receipt. Candy: Just like after Halloween, Easter and Valentines Day, you can get chocolate in various shapes and sizes for really cheap right after Christmas. You can freeze it and it use it in future baking projects. I am not certain how long you can freeze chocolate for but I'd imagine a few months at the very least, does any know? (Send mail to daily@thriftyfun.com or post online) Set Goals on Boxing Day (or shortly there after): It's easy to overspend over the holidays which makes for a tight financial start to the new year. It's a good time to set financial goals for the new year and evaluate how you spent money. What did you spend your money on and where can you spend less? And sometimes, where should you be spending more money or time? Rather than dwell on debt or money you may have wasted, spend time setting goals for the next year. Post Your Thoughts on Boxing Day!: What items do you look for online after Christmas? Do you have a good way to ease the financial burden of the holidays? (Originally published 12/26/2000, revised 12/26/2007)
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Rate It: This is the kind of candle you can burn, then pour on and use as a massage oil or for rough spots like elbows and knees. Soy wax never gets extremely hot so you won't burn yourself! Great Gift for Valentine's Day or Anniversary. Ingredients
Directions
In a microwave, melt all ingredients on low, stirring often. Make sure the wax/oils don't get too hot! When melted, add 1/4-1/2 tsp of essential oils (lavender, sandalwood, ylang ylang are good ones (or a combination). Pour into containers and insert wicks in the middle. Set 24 hours then it's ready to burn. How to use: Let candle burn for awhile (20 mins?) until enough of it is melted to pour onto the body. Try not to pour too close to the skin. It will be quite warm but it won't burn you. Enjoy! Source: this is my own craft recipe By Lisa from Halifax Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39123604.tip.html
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Rate It: Freecycle, Petcycle, Tag Sale and Barter Groups My husband became disabled in 1985 and then I became disabled in 2005. So we have had to think of ways to cut back and save money. I recently found out about some groups on Yahoo that have helped us considerable. You have to join Yahoo if you haven't already, then you can sign up for these groups. The groups are freecycle, petcycle, tag sale and barter groups. You need to offer something first and then you can put on for a wanted item. It is a good way to spring clean any time of the year also. They have a lot of these sites all over the place. There is even a site you can go to (www.freecycle.org) and pick your state or a neighboring state and it gives a list of sites in that state or county. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19166929.tip.html
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Rate It: We use "Christmas BAGS" for the majority of our gift wrapping. You can usually buy 2 of them for a dollar at most "dollar stores". But, that's cheap, because we re-use the same bags year after year. Gift Bags are not only easy to re-use, they are SO easy to wrap up a gift quickly, using no box, no bow and no wrapping paper to throw away! What could be better! My daughter simply collects them up and folds them down to a small size. She keeps them in a box for next year's gift-wrapping, then at the next Thanksgiving, we get out the Christmas bags from the "Bag Box" and divide these between whoever in the family wants to re-use them. Then on Christmas night, back they go into the box for next year. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15943093.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Different Wrapping Paper From Santa Be sure to use a wrapping paper that the kiddos haven't seen when wrapping gifts from Santa! Then they will be sure to know that he is real and has stopped by! I hide a new roll each year and if I don't use it all, I tell the kids that Santa left me the rest for next year! :) Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23003979.tip.html
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Rate It: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year I want to wish everybody a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and to all those at Thriftyfun.com. A BIG Thank you for all you have done for me since I found this site and a MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! And a Happy New Year! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18343263.tip.html
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Rate It: Missed Sending Out Christmas Cards? There have been times that I was so busy working as a musician over the holidays, that I didn't have time to send cards, etc. So, I just sent everything out in January and said "Happy New Year!" It worked, too. (Or you could say "Happy Epiphany" or "Three Kings" (because the wisemen came AFTER Christmas!) Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91412655.tip.html
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Rate It: I give Christmas Gifts a few days after Christmas and call them Happy New Years Gifts. The reason why: I don't want people to feel obligated to give me something in return yet I want to say Thank You. All those after Christmas Sales and it is a good way to quickly regift an item. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97821575.tip.html
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Rate It: Substitute Fruit Juice for Oil in Baking For any baking recipe that calls for oil, use any fruit juice instead. The same amount that the oil should be. This is less fattening, healthier and makes for moister cakes, brownies, etc. It does not alter the taste. I usually just open a can of peaches, use the juice then serve the peaches with dinner. Enjoy! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76758127.tip.html
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Rate It: Using Left Over Wrapping Paper Here's my favorite tip for left over "Xmas Print" wrapping paper: I sew and like to alter or make my own patterns so, my favorite "Christmas Left Over Tip" is to use left over Christmas wrapping paper for making patterns with. I just use the back side which is white to draw and cut out my patterns. The white back side of left over Christmas paper also works great for Kids to draw and color on. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92575430.tip.html
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Rate It: If you make a glaze, try using lemon juice instead of milk in the recipe. It is great on banana bread, pumpkin bread or just about anything you use a glaze on. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65544177.tip.html
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Rate It: I agree that good gravy must start with flour that is slowly browned in the pan drippings (fat only!) before adding your liquid to thicken. Another helpful hint when making really good gravy is to use a slotted spoon. It seems to keep the gravy from forming the lumps so many complain about. When almost ready, season well with salt and pepper using the "taste test" method. It takes more than you'd think! Gravy isn't difficult but takes time and patience, and then is oh so good! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67330375.tip.html
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Suede Pieces Too Small to Cut Out Pattern I am trying to make a long dress out of pigskin suede, and the pieces are not large enough to cut out the pattern. Is there a way to do it? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65740457.tip.html
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Rate It: I forgot to check hubby's pockets and washed a stick of Juicy Fruit gum and it also went through part of the dryer cycle before dh told me. There was a small sticky mess in the dryer but I did not see anything in the washer so I washed the clothes over. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58085992.tip.html
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Rate It: 30th Anniversary Party Theme "Candy and Flowers" I'm hosting a 30th wedding anniversary party next August. The theme is candy and flowers. I need ideas for 10 centerpieces. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16281519.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Potpourri Wax from Wall How do you clean wax from a potpourri melt off of the wall? I blew out the tea light from underneath but was too high. The wax spattered all over the white textured wall. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf785414.tip.html
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Rate It: I need help repairing small tears in a microfiber sofa. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77376914.tip.html
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Rate It: Recipe for Gritzwurst Using Pork I am looking for a recipe for homemade Gritzwurst using pork? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12382754.tip.html
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Rate It: Putting Shower Curtain and Liner on One Rod Do you use 2 shower curtain rods (1 for the liner and the other for the curtain) or just 1 and put both the shower curtain and liner on the same rod. I have always used two but I wonder will 1 rod suffice? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64792140.tip.html
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Rate It: Fixing a Peeling Iron-on Transfer How can I fix a peeling iron-on transfer? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16498000.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Burn Marks from Vinyl Tile How can I remove burn marks from vinyl tile? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68864891.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Instant Potatoes without Milk How do you make instant potatoes without milk? Can you use evaporated milk? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28108058.tip.html
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Rate It: Chocolate Chips Turned White in Freezer I had several packages of semi-sweet chocolate morsels (chocolate chips) that I put in the freezer. I took them out a few days ago hoping to make fudge. The chips had turned whitish. Can they still be used? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62275610.tip.html
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Rate It: Gift for a Dental Assistant Graduate My daughter will be pinned on January 10, 2008 as a Dental Assistant. What would be a nice gift to bring to the pinning? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30966845.tip.html
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Rate It: Reconstituting 'Flarp' (Noise Putty) How do you reconstitute 'Flarp' (noise putty). I left it outside it's container and now it's sort of dry. Would I use oil, water, what? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11851849.tip.html
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Rate It: My Shih Tzu is chewing its paws. What could be wrong? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78378405.tip.html
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Rate It: What do I feed a 5 week old Italian Mastiff? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53638191.tip.html
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Rate It: Chicken Casserole with White Sauce My mother used to make a casserole with chicken breast, cubed, ham, peas, noodles and some type of white sauce. This is from my child-hood memory, so I may have left something out. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95113689.tip.html
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Rate It: Cat Hair Loss from Flea Allergy Have a pet who lost all her coat because of a flea allergy. Most of her coat has been restored except for a spot on her neck. What can I do to restore that bald spot? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58228385.tip.html
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Rate It: 111 Easy Edgings (Leisure Arts #2924) (Paperback) I saw this on amazon.com yesterday. Does anyone know how it is done? "111 Easy Edgings (Leisure Arts #2924) (Paperback)". Edgings add a touch of lacy class to everything. These are great projects to add to table cloths, clothing, lamps and much more! The instructions introduce a new top-to-bottom method instead of the traditional chain method. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79118049.tip.html
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Rate It: Indoor Birthday Party Locations I'm starting to plan my son's birthday party. Because of the large family my husband and I have, we can not have it at ours or anyone else's house. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50486534.tip.html
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Rate It: How Do You Get Play Doh Out Of Clothes? My sons just got play doh as a Christmas present and my youngest smeared it all over his new Christmas pajamas. Does anyone have any advice before I wash them? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56887796.tip.html
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Rate It: Keeping Tuna Salad from Being Dry What do you put in your tuna salad? I put 2 cans of tuna, 2 eggs, mayo and a little sugar. However, I ordered a tuna sandwich from a restaurant yesterday and it was delicious. Mine is usually kind of dry. Do you know what the secret ingredient is? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32754646.tip.html
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Rate It: Could My Dog Have Postpartum Depression? My American Pitbull has just had 7 beautiful pups. It has been one week. Since the day after her delivery, she has been aggressive towards me. She has shown teeth and has tried to nip me. My girl pal and I have always been close. However, she has not been herself. Is it possible she has postpartum depression or am I missing something? Got any ideas? She's 3 yrs. old and this is her 1st litter. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30544997.tip.html
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Rate It: Keeping Turkey from Drying Out When Reheating I am making a large New Year's dinner and am making as much as I can ahead of time. I cooked the turkey today and put the breast meat unsliced in the freezer. What I would like to know is the best way to reheat it on New Year's day without it being dried out. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59646507.tip.html
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Rate It: Rebate and Coupon Publications Does anyone know of any rebate or couponing newsletters still in publication? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76445103.tip.html
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Rate It: Water Spots on a Micro Fiber Couch How do you remove water spots from a microfiber couch? I have a dark brown microfiber couch. I have a dog, a 2 yr old and I breast feed my 2 month old. There's dog slobber and breast milk on it. I can't seem to find anything to get the water rings left behind after cleaning it. Plus some places that I've cleaned over and over are getting stiff. My husband is in Iraq and will not be happy if he come back and our 1 yr old couch and love seat are trashed. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28825679.tip.html
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If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information:
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