Daily Thrifty Tips - November 1, 2007

The last week or so we have been having some server problems. We have made some changes that will hopefully fix the problem and have also ordered new hardware that we hope to get installed. Thanks for your patience!

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Craft: Knitted Character Sweater

Knitted Baby Sweater - Sizes 1-2-3-4. Front zipper, cable stitch on front and around hood. Also cable stitch can be knitted in a contrasting color. Pictures were transfered on tracing paper, then traced on knitters graph paper.

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Decorating Pickle Jars

I decoupaged fabric onto pickle jars and put piece of vinyl flooring for a countertop disguise. I have a Mary Englebret theme in my kitchen.

By Maggie from Bloomington, MN

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Breakfast Prices As Conversation Piece

Print out a simple set of breakfast (or other meal) menu and prices or use vinyl precut letters and numbers and put it in a frame for a cute display or conversation piece near where you eat, all in fun! You could accomplish this same thing by using a chalk board.

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Henry (Saint Bernard)

Henry is a 5 year old Saint Bernard. Henry had cancer when he was six months old. After being treated, his owners decided they no longer wanted him, because he dug up the bushes! He is a wonderful dog!

Henry is shown here on a play date with a dog that was being babysat for a day. He loves the company he keeps with Dizzy (dog), George, and Jasmine (cats)
He also loves to go for walks!

Once when we were walking Henry, a car that was straining to get a better look at him, actually hit another car because they couldn't help but watch Henry!

One other thing that I should mention is Henry just loves children. There are always kids who try to ride him like a horse, and he doesn't mind a bit!

By Gloria from Mustang, OK

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Magnesium Capsules For Constipation

A friend was telling me she'd went to see her doctor about constipation. He told her to go buy her some magnesium capsules, to start out taking 1 per day for the first 3-4 days and then increase her dosage to 2 capsules every other day. This will take care of her problem and it did.

She said to do this instead of spending money on high priced fiber cereals, fiber drink mixes or having to taste/drink chalky liquid magnesium laxative over the counter medications. One to two magnesium capsules with some juice or water and it's over with, no yucky aftertaste. She said her bottle of magnesium capsules cost cheaper than most of the products I mentioned earlier, and this bottle of pills will last her a long time.

By Terri H. from NV

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Cheaper Alternative To Swiffer Wet Jet Pads

The other day when I was shopping I happened to see a new mop replacement for the Swiffer. Rite Aid has started carrying a pad that fits on the Swiffer mop. It was $2 cheaper so I decided to give it a try. It was great! It looks like the old Swiffer. It did a great job and for the cheaper price I'd highly recommend it. It's in a purple box and it's called "Clean Ease Cleaning Pads."

By Suziq from Philadelphia, PA

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Store Cottage Cheese Upside Down

After opening cottage cheese, store it upside down in the refrigerator. This way, it won't spoil with mold.

By Nona from Pasco, WA

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Store Food Garbage In Fridge Until Pick Up Day

Instead of tossing meat or fish scraps into the garbage, put them in a plastic bag in the freezer until pick up day. Keeps your can from attracting flies and roaches, etc., especially during the summer. To further prevent these pests, spritz your garbage can with bug spray every other day. Works great.

By Rhema from Charleston, SC

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Warm Up Your Brain With Sudoku Before Studying

I accidentally discovered that if I 'warm up' my brain by doing 1 or 2 sudoku puzzles before studying math, the lesson seems easier and sticks in my brain better.
Wish I'd discovered this a long time ago.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Use Fishing Hook and Line for Clearing a Clogged Vacuum

My youngest daughter sucked a sock in the vacuum hose and then tried to use a wire hanger to take it out and hopelessly jammed it in, it seemed. I came up with the idea of a treble fishing hook and fishing line. Dropped it down, hooked it and tada! Sock removed.

By Delia from Yucca Valley, CA

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Staple Patches In Place Before Sewing

Staple a patch in a couple of places to the item before sewing. This way, you can check to make sure it is placed correctly and not crooked (scouts, military etc) and also it will hold it in place while you sew. Afterwards, just remove staples carefully.

By Robbie from Knoxville, TN

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Tap-Tap-Tapping in the Cemetery

Two men were walking home after a Halloween party and decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery just for laughs. Right in the middle of the cemetery, they were startled by a tap-tap-tapping noise coming from the misty shadows. Trembling with fear, they found an old man with a hammer and chisel, chipping away at one of the headstones.

"Holy cow, Mister," one of them said, after catching his breath, "You scared us half to death! We thought you were a ghost! What are you doing working here so late at night?"

"Those fools!" the old man grumbled. "They misspelled my name!"

By wm miller from Indiana

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How to Unclog Fabric Softener Dispenser

Need to know how to unclog the fabric softener dispenser in a front load washing machine.

Diane from N. Hartland, VT

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Alternative Uses For Wine

Does anyone know alternative uses for wine other than food related? I have about 2 gallons of homemade wine that was left by a previous house owner. I don't really want to eat/drink it since I didn't make it and don't want to use it. Can it be used for cleaning/plants/gardens. Any ideas for use?

Thanks!

Mark from Ottumwa, IA

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Beer Batter Bread

We had some outstanding beer batter bread from the Czech Stop ('Check Stop') restaurant in West Texas. Anyone have a similar recipe?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Removing Dye from Carpet

I laid an accent rug on top of my Berber carpet in my basement for a few months and some of the of the blue carpet dye from the accent rug bled through into the Berber. Any tips on how to remove it?

I have tried warm water and liquid dish washing detergent, as well as Resolve and a Steam Cleaner.

Sean

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Finding Free Packing Peanuts

I do a lot of packing for Ebay items and I am always buying peanuts. Is there anyone out there who knows where i can get these for FREE!! Thank you.

Bob from PA

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Removing Sharpie Laundry Marker

How can I remove Sharpie Laundry Marker from a gray sweatshirt?

Nanc

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Removing Wallpaper

Is there an easy way to remove wallpaper?

Cat from Winthrop, MA

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Baked Macaroni and Cheese

My mother used to make the best baked macaroni and cheese. I remember she used saltine cracker crumbs along with the macaroni, cheese, and milk. I don't know if she used an egg. Does anyone have the recipe?

Bobbye from Homosassa, FL

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Cleaning Upholstered Chairs

I have two old upholstered swivel chairs from an aunt that has passed on. They need cleaning. Any ideas that won't wreck my budget. They are a rust brown.

Sharlin from Louisiana

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Growing Avocado from Cuttings

Can you grow an avocado from cuttings?

woodstock1 from Lincoln Park, MI

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Planting Pine Seeds

I have some pine cones that I dried out to get the seeds. I believe they are white pine seeds. How do I store them? When should I plant them, and how to I plant them?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Kristine from Simpsonville, SC

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LiveUpdate Failure on Computer

Any computer geniuses out there? I need help! My computer is Windows Vista, my security is Norton 360. My LiveUpdate keeps saying, "LiveUpdate failed: Could not connect to the LiveUpdate server" (no error numbers, just the message). The automatic update feature is set to ON. Security is ON and says I'm protected, everything is up to date, no viruses or spyware detected.

According to the update history, updates are still being applied. Hewlett-Packard suggested I uninstall and reinstall the security system. I did that, it didn't help. The instructions on the Norton web didn't help either. The only thing that works is to turn everything off then reboot -- this is becoming annoying!

Anybody know what's wrong? A search of the web shows this is a pretty common problem but no one seems to have an answer. Is this really important or can I overlook it? A lot of my friends say they have this problem too, and they just ignore it. I am not computer smart, please help!

Curious Cat from South Norfolk, VA

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Manicure Recipes

I'm looking for manicure recipes. In specific something pumpkin or cinnamon.
Any ideas?

Naomi

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Water Stains on Tile

How do I remove water stains from ceramic tiles in the shower?

Kay from Canada

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Canine 7 in 1 Vaccine

I have a new Shih Tzu puppy. Is the 7 in 1 shot alright for him?

Odette from Defuniak, FL

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Wrong Health Insurance Plan

I have been dealing with my health insurance to no avail. My sister and I wrote a letter to the insurance commissioner trying to get help and that could take weeks. The insurance company has me listed in the wrong plan. I have a letter from them stating I am in the right plan. The bill I am getting is for the wrong plan. So therefore they think I owe $400 per month when it is really $195 per month.

We are afraid they will cut me off and then I will have nothing and it will be their fault. Any suggestions would be helpful. I work 2 jobs so a lawyer would be very difficult to come by. My prescriptions are more than they should be.

Sandy from Baltimore

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Sweet Potato Ponde

I am looking for a recipe. It was called a Sweet Potato Ponde and it was grated sweet potatoes and I don't know what else to put in it so if any one has that recipe please let me know.

Mary from Winterville, GA

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Homemade Flea Treatment

I just found this little kitten today outside my work and me being a cat lover I took it home. I noticed that this cat is completely covered in fleas. I tried using flea shampoo the Hartz brand and this foam stuff but it really didn't seem to get them all. I live in an apartment and really don't want to have my home infested. Can someone please give me some safe cheap home remedies. It would be appreciated

Beth from Lorain, OH

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How to Make a Reading Lamp From Books

I want to make a reading lamp out of old books.

Marlene from Daspoort, Pretoria, South Africa

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Trouble Finding Correct Web Page

I am looking for help for my computer. I am the only one who uses it. Two things are happening: when I do either a search engine search or an address bar entry, the resulting page is a porn site. I tried to type in my state official license site for my teaching degree and I get porn. When I try and close it, more pages come up. My security and filtering is set on high. I have no idea how to fix this. Help! I'm sick of porn! My computer also is running so slow and it's less than a year old. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Betty

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Birthday Gift Ideas for 18 Year Old Boyfriend

My boyfriend is turning 18. I want to get him something special, but I'm not good at the gift giving thing. I'll end up buying him something I'd like. HELP ME!

Sara from GA

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Fruit Salsa

Does anyone have a recipe for fruit salsa?

Marie from Idaho Falls, ID

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Broccoli and Brussel Sprout Leaves

Are the leaves of the brussel sprout plant and the broccoli plant edible?

EGRIBBLE from Killeen, TX

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How Do You Make Octagon Soap

How do you make octagon soap?

Annie from Kinston, NC

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Saving Money on Thanksgiving

Tips and ideas for saving money on making Thanksgiving dinner. Post your ideas!

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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