Daily Thrifty Tips - October 30, 2008

I hope everyone is having a nice week. If you carved pumpkins this year, we would love to see them. Feel free to submit a picture of your Jack O' Lantern on the Photo Contest page.

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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.

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Flower Girl Jocelyn

This is a picture of my almost three year old granddaughter Jocelyn. She was the flower girl at her parents wedding just this past September.

By Kim from Penetanguishene, Ontario

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Craft: Portrait Pumpkins!

I used a wire hanger, wooden clothespins and some wooden pumpkin shapes to display my artwork from my children. You can add more or less pumpkins. I used three because of my three wonderful children. We painted the pumpkins, hot glued a clothespin to the back and then clipped to the wire hanger.

By Wendy S from Coopersburg, PA

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Panda Bear (Japanese Chin)

Panda Bear is 13 years old and a Japanese Chin. I bred her parents.

She likes to look cute or sleep. She's the best room mate! lol

By keeper60 from NC

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Craft: Non Carved Jack-O-Lantern

Decorate a pumpkin with construction paper. It's safer then a knife carving pumpkin. Then attach beads, etc., whatever you have, even yarn for the hair

By Joyceann from Danvers, MA

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Craft Project: Bewitching Tomato Cage Ghost

Large tomato cage covered with a sheet to make a Witch Ghost

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Using Shampoo as a Cleaner

Who needs expensive cleaning products, no I am not talking about vinegar. We have all heard of that one, this one is actually great, economical and more "earth friendly" than other products.

It's shampoo, or your Avon bubble bath. When I am tired (with 5 kiddies in the house) and don't feel like using the elbow power (like vinegar), I pour a little shampoo on the bottom of the tub and with a damp cloth, wash.

It really takes off the grime and soap scum with ease with out the big scrub! Just make sure you rinse and rinse well. I use this for all of my bathroom and it is only about one squeeze! And think of the great smell, lol.

By Denise from Bristol, Quebec

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Collect Newspaper Comics for a Gift

This is an inexpensive gift idea for kids and other people who like to read the comics.

For those who get a newspaper, or can have access to them, cut all the comics the recipient likes from each days' paper, and paste them onto computer paper, in order. The benefit of compilation books without the expense, and a fun way to recycle some newspaper!

Punch some holes in the page and put them in an inexpensive binder. If you want, get those tabbed notebook dividers to separate the different comics from one another. This works even better to give to people who don't get their favorite comics in their local newspaper, or don't get the paper, period.

By Saber from Omaha, NE

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Donating Leftover Halloween Candy

Our orthodontist's office has a creative idea to turn your Halloween candy into cash! For each pound of candy that is brought to their office, Dr. Alvarez will pay $2.00. You get to keep $1.00 per pound and the other dollar per pound will be donated to the American Diabetes Association. They have a scale there and of course, they will round up! In addition, the candy that they buy from the children will be donated to an organization that sends care packages to our troops overseas. November is American Diabetes Month. Help make a difference!

Source: Dr. Alvarez of Alvarez Orthodontics in Center Valley, PA.

By Wendy S from Coopersburg, PA

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Use Paper Shredder for Paper Strips

You can use your paper shredder for some of your craft projects. If I need even strips of paper, I will usually run the paper through the shredder. Each piece comes out perfectly, and it only takes seconds.

By Georgetta R. from Waterloo, IA

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Wrap Lunch Meat in Paper Towels to Absorb Moisture

Most lunch meats get watery or kinda slimy, when in the fridge a while. After opening, wrap in paper towels. You can put it back in the bag it came in or a zip lock baggie. Change towels when they feel damp. No more slimy or soggy bread either.

Source: I came up with this one a few years ago.

By Laura from Spartanburg, S.C.

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Halloween Punch Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 envelope orange Kool-Aid mix
• 2 envelopes grape Kool-Aid mix
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1 large can pineapple juice (at least 32 ounces)
• 1 two-liter bottle of ginger ale
• Assorted colored gummy worms

Directions:

Mix all the envelopes of Kool-Aid with just 2 quarts of water and use the 1-1/2 cups of sugar. Add pineapple juice. Mix thoroughly and chill. When ready to serve, pour into punch bowl and add chilled ginger ale. Garnish cups/punch bowl with gummy worms. Can be served over iced or just chilled.

I have made this punch many times. Warning! The finished punch looks like swamp water! No kidding! I found that children LOVE this but adults actually turn up their noses at the punch just because of the COLOR. It is really good punch but some adults just won't drink it. I, being the fun loving person I am, think it's a HOOT that some adults are so finicky! Anyway, give it a try, at least once. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!

Source: Either from Woman's Day or Family Circle magazine at least 10 years ago.

By southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA

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Keep Your Freezer Full To Save On Electricity

Being single, I don't have my freezer full of food all the time. Keeping your freezer full saves money on your electric bill. I now keep empty spaces full by filling milk jugs with water. I also have clean fresh water on hand at all times in case of an emergency.

By April from Buffalo, Ny

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Links: Making And Using Acorn Flour

I learned of this several years back and always wanted to make my own and use it in a recipe!

How To Make It:

• http://www.selfsufficientish.com/acorns.htm

• http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGIK_enUS276US276&q=acorn+recipes+

• http://www.nativetech.org/recipes/recipe.php?recipeid=245

By melody_yesterday from Sedalia, MO

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Reusing Thrift Shop Items for Candle Holders

If you're like me, you love to make decorations for your home by items found in thrift shops and salvage yards. For homemade candle holders where the base isn't too large (like staircase balusters), just epoxy an upholstery tack upside down on the top and you have a place to secure your candle.

By Patricia1951 from Imperial, NE

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Halloween Popcorn Hand Party Favor

Ingredients:

• Clear plastic gloves (food service type)
• Microwave popcorn
• Corn Candy
• Spider rings
• Colorful yarn

Directions:

Open glove and put a piece of corn candy into the tip of each finger. These are the "fingernails". Fill the gloves with cooked and cooled popcorn. Tie with colorful yarn and put spider ring on one finger.

These favors are ALWAYS a hit with children and adults too. They get a kick out of receiving the favor because of the "novelty" of the use of the glove.

You can buy a package of 100 of these gloves at the Dollar Tree. I apologize for not having the candy corn and spider ring on the one I did hurriedly today to give you the idea of the finished product. The most difficult part is getting the popcorn down into the finger parts, but well worth the reaction of those who receive them!!

Source: From either Woman's Day or Family Circle magazine approximately 10 years ago.

By southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA

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Removing Clay From a Baseball Uniform

My boys play baseball and I like to buy them the double play Mizuno baseball pants. They are more expensive but they last so much longer and don't rip in the knees so it turns out to be worth it. But you cannot bleach them. They suggested some expensive Krud Kutter Red Clay remover which I bought and it doesn't get the stains out. Have any home remedy suggestions for cleaning white baseball pants? The baseball clay is what I cannot get out from the infield.

Sally

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Unclogging a Shower Drain

How can I unclog a drain that has built up shampoo and soap, without calling a plumber?

Connie from Columbia, SC

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Remedies for Heel Spurs

Any advise for heel spurs caused from Planter Fasciitis? I was already over weight and quit smoking and gained more weight. I want to walk to lose the weight but it is so painful. I walk through the pain and it just makes it worse. I went to the foot doctor and had those painful shots. My insurance will not pay for the shoe inserts from the doctor and they are $350. Any suggestions?

Wacky Camper

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Getting Rid of Fleas

I have a 10 month old Yorkie-Pom and she brought fleas into the house. We can get rid of them on her, but the house has been a nightmare! Any suggestions? We have laminate and rugs.

Sandy from Jonesboro

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Making a Mummy Costume

I am looking for ideas for making a mummy costume.

Mayson from TX

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Cleaning Silver With Products at Home

I am searching for a homemade recipe for cleaning silver that uses tin foil, baking soda and boiling water. Any help would be most appreciated!

Karen from Fargo, ND

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My Dog Won't Eat

My dog won't eat. What can I do?

Jack from Brooklyn, New York

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Dogs Fighting for Dominance

We have two lab mix male dogs which were from the same litter. We have had a problem with fighting over dominance since we got them almost three years ago. We are at our wits end and are at the present time trying to find a new home for one of them. This is extremely heartbreaking. We have spent hundreds of hours reading books and online trying to find answers.

Our vet tells us there is nothing more that we can do except to re-home one of them. Does anyone have something that has worked for them? It was only after we had had them for about a year, that we found out you should never adopt two dogs of the same sex from the same litter. Of course, then, we were too attached to them. We thought they would outgrow it.

The picture here is of the two of them in a portrait I painted of them.

Debby from Edmond, OK

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Making Applesauce in Freezer Bags

I want to make applesauce to freeze in freezer bags. Can anyone tell me how to do it? Thank you

Peggy from Canastota, NY

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Sagging Curtain Rod

Does anyone know how to keep a curved (crescent shaped) shower curtain rod from sagging in the middle. This rod doesn't have a enclosures at the top and bottom where it attaches to the wall and that causes it to sag in the middle.

Beth from VA

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Paying to Have Holes Cut in Glass Blocks

I am very interested in making the Christmas decorations out of the glass blocks. Not sure I can cut the hole in them. I did find a place that will do it for $5.00 each. Do you think that is a fair price? I think it sounds a little high. Don't really want to make them to sell, just use them as gifts for the girls I work with and maybe some other friends.

Thanks,
Ruth from Tennessee

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Fitness Gym Christmas Float

What are some good ideas for a Fitness Gym Christmas parade float that wouldn't be very costly? We are getting a slow jump on this because of the gym being so busy. PLEASE HELP.

Teresa from Moody, AL

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Putting a Diamond in a Different Ring

How much would it cost to have my diamond put in a new wedding band set? I know of course that I would have to pay for the new wedding set but does anyone know how much a jeweler would charge to take my diamond out of my old ring and put it in the new one? Thanks!

Mindy from Washington, IN

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Inexpensive Reception Locations in New York

I'm looking for cheap reception sites in New York where I can also have the ceremony for my wedding. Any suggestions?

Racheal from Bronx, New York

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Making Sharp, Straight Lines in Corners When Painting

We are trying to paint an accent wall in our living room. We are having trouble with the corners. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Donna from Assonet, MA

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Tips For Living Green

Looking for tips and ideas for living green.

Lilly from Paris, France

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Reviews of Smooth Away Shaving System

Has anyone tried that Smooth Away shaving thing? It's on TV, it's a pink plastic thing that has an abrasive side that you rub on your legs or wherever and it removes hair. If anyone has, do you like it and how long does your hair stay gone? Thanks!

Mindy from Washington, iN

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Information for an International S-8 Cable Skidder

Any of your husbands loggers? We are looking at a skidder. If you can help we are looking for information on an International S-8 cable skidder with a funk powershift transmission. Thanks in advance.

Cheryl from Hessel, MI

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Relieving Itching for Dogs

My Jack Russell terrier seems to have allergies year round and a cortisone shot every few weeks relieves her itching. But this fall, nothing helps. She is a 7 year old female, mostly indoors. No fleas or ticks; she just scratches all the time. I have tried baths, cortisone cream, raw food, antihistamines. Any ideas?

G. from Oklahoma City

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"Christmas Across America" Christmas Parade Theme

Our Christmas parade theme this year is "Christmas Across America". I'm looking for suggestions for float designs. We are a cub scout pack. We could have as many as 50-60 boys (or as few as 25-30 or less I suppose, but we had almost that last year and it rained!). We will likely have a 26 ft. trailer to use. I'm aware we'll likely have to have some boys walking as the 50-60 boy count does not include leaders. Please help!

At this point, I'm ready to just decorate up a float with a Christmas tree in the middle and put the boys around it and call it good, but there is a part of me that feels like I should try to come up with something that follows the theme. Help me please!

Cheryl from Lafayette, IN

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Subjects To Teach At Free Computer Classes

I'm going to be doing free computer classes for our church. It won't necessarily be for the church people, but for the people in the community we are trying to reach. I feel it will be necessary for some to learn how to use computers since some do not know how and will have to find out how to get a decent job (even receptionists need to know basics about computers).

So here's my question to all of you. If you were going to get taught something about the computer, what would you want to know? For example, how not to get a virus on your PC? How about how to email? If you wanted to learn Word, for example what is it you'd like to know? How to sell on eBay?

Try to be as specific as possible. I'm asking all of you since I know you all have great ideas and can get me started in the right direction. Thanks everyone!

Misty from Ohio

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Tips For Unclogging Drains

How do I clear a stopped up drain?

Harper

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Pricing Rag Rugs To Sell

I make crocheted rag rugs and know that the general rule of thumb is that you price by the inch. For instance 36 inches would be $36.00 if you make and sell. But for a round rug, do you measure and price from center to edge or completely across?

Patricia from OH

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Dye Transfer on Clothing

I washed a small load of new clothes, including black pants and a sweater, and then washed a load of new, brightly-colored clothes. Black dye ended up spattered all over the second load. How can that be possible? Where would it have been lurking? And how do I get it out? Thanks!

Judy from Santa Fe, NM

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Paint Colors For Italian Style Kitchen

I want to know what kind of paint colors should I use in my kitchen? It has cherry wood cabinets and the theme is Italian style. I really like yellows but is that for more country style?

Sheila from Piedmont, OK

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Fleas on My Cat and Her Kittens

My 5 month old kittens have fleas. The mama was a stray that I adopted when I saw that she was pregnant. How can I rid my cat and kittens of fleas? I tried to give them a bath and they scratched me up and down. I'm sure it traumatized them as well since it took them all day to come out from behind furniture. Please help. Thank you.

Roses from Oceanside, NY

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Running a Stove Pipe Out The Basement Window

I have a corn stove I was going to hook up in my basement. Someone suggested since my window was broke, why don't I run the pipe out that window. It comes with a wall fitting around the pipe. But I have to hold it in the window. I didn't want to use plywood.

The window is your plain small hole in the foundation in a grey metal frame. The windows pops out easy, so I can then run the pipe up the side of house with proper distance from house and double wall pipe. I also have my walls painted with a fire resistance paint. I'm going to paint around the pipe also. Thank you so much for your time.

So, are there any fireproof fittings, box, or case to put in the window then the pipe?

Robin

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Body Oil Stains On Microfiber

How do I remove body oil stains from microfiber furniture?

Jim from Florida

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Laser Hair Removal For Facial Hair

Has anyone ever gotten laser hair removal done? If so, how bad was the pain and how long did your hair stay gone? I have heard it really isn't permanent but I am so desperate I am willing to think about getting it done. I have hair on my chin so bad that I need to shave twice a day now. My chin is too sensitive for waxing or Nair.

Do more women than I know of have hair on their chins or am I just a freak of nature? Also, has anyone tried the prescription Vaniqua for hair removal and did it work? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mindy from Washington, IN

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Crocheted Dog and Pig Potholders

Does any one have a crochet pattern of a dog and a pig Potholders and Hot Pads?

Judy

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Keeping Animals from Eating Pumpkin Decorations

I have this problem every year and wondered if anyone else did too. I love to put 1 or 2 pumpkins on my front step for decorating at Fall season, but within days, the squirrels have chewed large holes in them and seeds are everywhere.

Is there a way to keep animals from eating them? I would love to be able to keep them on the step longer than 2 days. I don't know what to do to keep the squirrels out of them. It happens every year and no matter where I've lived, it happens. Thanks very much!

Mia from Phila

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Ghost Tealight Holders Recalled by Trade Associates Group and Crate & Barrel Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

Hazard: The recalled tealight holder can ignite posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

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Halloween Figurines Recalled by Coyne's & Company for Lead Hazard

Hazard: The recalled Halloween figurines contain high levels of lead in the paint.

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