Daily Thrifty Tips - November 3, 2006

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Here is my niece was showing the younger children that you can have a good time at the beach without having to spend money on the walk or in the arcades. Just have an sand art contest. This is an image she made of herself.

By LRP from LOWELL MASS.

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Recycle Gift Wrap to make unique Tree Ornaments or Assemble a Beautiful Mobile

This is a great way to recycle the wrappings from your gifts ~ be it from a birthday or from Christmas or any other occasion for that matter.

Materials:

• Gift Wrap (enough for 14 - 6 inch squares)
• Rubber Band (flat)
• Old CD for pattern
• Glue
• Toothpick
• Sharpened Pencil
• Needle and Thread or Dental Floss
• Paperclips
• Optional: Tweezers

Directions:

Start by smoothing the used gift wrap if necessary. Then cut 14 squares about 6 inches square. Stack and paper clip together. This will enable you to cut the circles all at the same time to save time on this project. Draw a 5 inch circle on the back side of the top square and cut the circles. A perfect template for the circle is an old CD. You know, one of those that AOL keeps sending you. *Smile*

Fold each circle into quarters, then unfold and restack and clip with paper clips. Mark the center where all the folds intersect by pushing a pin through all circles.

Divide circle into eight segments by cutting along creases and halfway between, slitting from the edge to half an inch from the center pin hole. You can draw lines to make this cutting step easier. The lines will not show in the finished starburst. Use photo 2 as a guide.

Wind each segment around the point of a sharpened pencil, forming a cone. See photos 3 and 4.

Use a very small drop of white glue on a toothpick to secure the edge.

Cut two pieces of a flat rubber band, and a 12-15 inch piece of strong thread. I use dental floss for the thread. Thread a sewing needle with this and tie a double knot in one end. Place one piece of the rubber band on the thread above the knot.

Thread seven stars face down using the center pin holes. Thread the remaining seven stars face up. Thread on the second piece of rubber band, and push the band snugly against the 14 stars.

A tweezers is a help with this step. It isn't necessary to tie a knot at the top as the rubber band will prevent slipping. Make a loop at the top end of your thread for hanging your ornament.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Baby Bear is 7 years old. She is part husky, part black lab and actually looks like a black german shepherd. We got Bear as a pup, 5 weeks old, from a next door neighbor. We are so glad we got her. All the puppies in the litter got parvo and died. She's the only one left in her family.

She loves to go for rides in the car and go to the country and RUN! Bear is such a smart dog. She will come upstairs and get me if I'm needed. She can sit, shake, give me 5. We always thought she should have been a guide dog, she is just so smart. We love our Baby Bear!

By Judy from Iowa

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I am going to start out by saying that I am an amateur at sewing so if any experts have any sewing tips feel free to submit feedback, it would be greatly appreciated by many. This project was a bit difficult but was very well worth it, all my friends asking for one and I get many compliments while I am out and about.

I used an old gear driven singer sewing machine to execute this project and it worked wonderfully. The great thing about these old machines is that since they are gear driven instead of belt driven (like most machines today) you have less trouble getting through the heavy material. This project would have been very difficult on my feather weight singer that my dad bought me when I was 16.

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For a juicy hamburger, add one beaten egg for each pound of hamburger meat. Don't flatten burgers with your spatula, that presses out the juices.

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It's that time of year to start planning dinner parties. Here's a great tip and craft I like to use.

Tip: Boiling water will make ice cubes clear!

I usually start saving my milk cartons (1/2 gallon, cleaned out with bleach water) about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. Cut off top of carton. I usually put my bottle of whatever liquor I'll be serving, most times it's Bailey's Irish Cream or Vanilla Vodka inside the milk carton as a guide. Pour water that has been boiled then cooled inside of carton. Then decorate by putting, cranberries, orange slices, fake flowers, cherries etc. in the water. 24-36 hours before your party, put cartons in freezer and freeze until solid. Day of your party, take out of freezer, let stand at room temperature until you can take the bottle out of the carton. As a variation, you can put a few drops of food coloring in the water to tint.

If you don't want to leave the kiddo's out, you can use a plastic soda bottle in place of liquor bottles. Leave soda in or you can make chocolate milk, strawberry milk, sparkling apple cider... Use your imagination.

By Laurie from Nevada

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While dining, be careful not to slather on too much dressing on top of your salad. We like the taste of the dressing, but not all those calories they pack onto our waistlines. Ask for your dressing on the side.

Dip your fork into the dressing and then into your salad for each bite. This way, you'll get the taste of the salad dressing along with your salad. A pal taught me this, several years ago.

Remember to do this, it works wonders, whether you're dieting or not. The same could go for ketchup for fries, and/or any other food and sauce combination. Save calories and money!

By Terri from NV

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Fresh vegetables seem to break down so quickly these days, no matter how perfect the refrigerator settings. I've found a way to keep lettuce, green peppers and even green onions fresh and useable for 7 - 10 days (without chemicals or additional expense).

Upon returning from the grocery store, rinse your vegetables thoroughly (in an attempt to remove preservatives). Thereafter, wrap each item (head of lettuce, or peppers, individually) in an old dish towel and place in a plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible before securing the bag with a twist tie.

For such things as green onions or baby carrots or bean sprouts, spread the items across the unfolded towel and roll the towel (and contents) before bagging.

This is a quick and convenient way to keep from throwing out rotting or too-soft-to-use veggies!

By RoseAnne from Calgary, Canada

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Fitting shoes can be tricky. I used to use shoe stretch I got at the shoe repair store but I ran out. To get a new pair to fit just right, I applied regular rubbing alcohol to the pressure points (inside and out) and walked around as it dried. And it WORKED! (Did it a couple of times.) Mine were rough suede, try a little on a spot that is not seen to test other sorts of leathers.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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If wax has spilled onto your carpet: lay a terry cloth towel over the wax stain and using a hot iron, iron the stain. The wax will melt and the terry cloth will soak up the melted wax. Works on upholstered furniture also.

By Eileen from Port Orchard, WA

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I have had my HE4T Kenmore for 9 months and wish I had kept my old washing machine. After using it 2 times my husband complained that the towels stink and dont smell or feel like they use to. I paid a ton of money for this product and it isn't worth a ****! Does anyone know of a class action lawsuit for this machine? I am almost tempted to buy a reliable top loading machine again. I paid so much money for this machine and the smell is so bad I wouldn't even give it to my worst enemy. My clothes dont even smell fresh either. I have kids that complain also. There is definately something wrong! I never had any of these problems until I purchased this washing machine. I also have the matching dryer which has not caused any problems.

Kim from North Carolina

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Remember making these when we were young? This is a great indoor craft to do when it's too cold or raining outside for the little ones to play.

• 2 large coffee cans
• Plastic clothesline or rope

Have a grown up punch two holes near the unopened end of each can. Thread plastic clothesline through the holes and tie the ends together. Pull on strings as you walk on your tin can stilts.

By Laurie from Nevada

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Here are some ideas on how the more fortunate can help someone for Christmas. It doesn't have to break your budget. It can fill your world with the most incredible feeling and gives back or pays forward, however you might believe. Some of us have money but not a lot of time, so donate generously to a Christmas Charity.

Where I live, the firemen collect and distribute good used toys to needy families. Most county social services have programs to help with Christmas. But if you would like to get more personally involved in helping a family, here is what you can do. First off, you can invite a family to your own celebration. A few gifts of things they really need can be a godsend. A check for part of their utilites might be a great gift for the parents. Ask around for gently used toys for the kids with your friends and family. Make it a family thing. You will be surprised at how many want to help you make a great Christmas for someone else.

If you can't do that, why not try this. When you buy your thanksgiving turkey, buy an extra one for a needy family this Christmas. Buy an extra chicken or a couple of Cornish game hens, which will be on sale also. Between now and Christmas, if you were to pick up just one extra can of something for a Christmas dinner, by Christmas, you would have one heck of a spread. This can be donated to any shelter or social service program or to a family that you know. If you don't know a family that needs help, call your local social services and they should be able through a social worker to get you a family to help.

Now on to the best part for children, the tree and presents. Some of you will be replacing your Christmas tree this year. Instead of sending it off to the Goodwill, why not take it and any decorations that you are not going to use and put them aside to give to someone who will not have a tree. Throw a decoration party with your friends to make or get more decorations for the tree. Any gently used game or book is a great gift for a child. These can be picked up cheaply now at your local thrift store. Our Goodwill sells games for a dollar apiece and most game companies give away replacement parts for free or for a small charge.

If you start now, you could be a Santa to more than one child. Stuffed animals are also really a bargain at the thrift store where you also can buy large bags of small toys to stuff stockings with. You can buy stockings at the local dollar store or recycle ones you may already have. Extra pencils and school supplies are great for in their stockings and may be something you already have. Think about cold weather and if "your kids" have enough cold weather gear. Practical and useful and most needed.

Don't forget your elderly folks too. A small shoe box with things such as winter gloves, a scarf or shawl, personal hygiene items, a new coffee mug and some instant coffee, tea or hot chocolate makes a nice gift. Throw in a book or some magazines and wrap it all up and you have a wonderful, low cost to you but big benefit to them, gift.

In the end, we, the people are the most caring and generous people on this earth no matter our race, religion or credo. You can make a difference in this world, one day at a time.

By Debra Frick from Colorado Springs, CO

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Do you know that with their slick covers, the soil on paperback book covers can often be wiped off gently? Nice to know when passing around mysteries and so on to friends! (You can also cover them with clear contact paper to preserve them!)

By pam from Los Angeles

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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I have a lovely Hawaiian Umbrella tree, it lives indoors, and is approximately 25 years old and quite healthy.

Recently, while visiting a local mall, I saw another Hawaiian Umbrella with the roots wrapped around the trunk: a banyan effect, but not random, and besides being quite attractive it had the added benefit of supporting the (by no means sturdy) trunk.

Mine is about due for transplanting and I'm wondering if I can take some of the (very long) roots and wrap them around the trunk without losing the tree (I do realize roots need some degree of moisture).

Any advice/suggestions would be most appreciated.

Hardiness Zone: 3a

Thanks and regards,
Rose Anne from Calgary, Canada

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What is the best way to clean marble tile?

Nita from Wellington, MO

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I'm looking for a plant called Episcia Tropical Topaz. Any ideas where I can get it?

Judy

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Does anyone know how I can make my own cake icing ('frosting' for Americans) that is the same as the Sara Lee Chocolate Fudge one sold in containers? I love this stuff, but it's so expensive here in Australia!

Cathy from Townsville, QLD

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I love to try new things, but there are many types of fruits in the supermarket that I'm afraid to buy because I don't know if they are ripe or how to eat them. I was staring at a Japanese pair the other day for example. Can people list what they are familiar with and tell me how to pick a "good" one and what to do with it when I get home? I would love to try a prickly pair too, but those thorn things get in my fingers!

Lorrie from Marmora, Ontario

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How do you make waste baskets out of greeting cards?

Beth from Riverview, Michigan

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I have white turtleneck shirts in their plastic packaging and they are starting to turn yellow. What can I do to stop this?

Shawn from Medford, NJ

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How do I remove 'water' stains on the hem of my white pants. I have already sent them to the dry-cleaners and they can't even seem to get rid of them.

Nina from Cape Town

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My name is Jasvinder and I live in UK and I would like to earn extra cash at home, but I am only at the moment interested in stuffing envelopes. I was wondering if you could let me know a bit more about it and how can I start?

Jasvinder

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How do I get chewing gum off my leather couch?

Suzanne from Ft. Lauderdale, FL

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I bought this Cedar Chest for $25.00. On the back it says Murphy #23 in black letters and numbers. It also has wood handles. Can anyone tell me anything about it. Murphy has gone out of business. I would like some History on the Cedar Chest. By the way it has wooden caster on underside. Size is 54" long, 21" wide, and 19" deep.

Thanks,
Sherry from Valdosta, GA

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I am looking for advice on how to clean an old old marble washstand.

Marianne

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How can spots on car windows be removed? The windows do not look clean after cleaning.

Shae from NC

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How do you get latex paint off of leather shoes? The paint is white and the shoes are black.

Ana from Mobile, AL

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My place of employment is having a Christmas party where you buy or make a gift for about $20. We all pick numbers. We get to pick a present as our number comes up. The person next can take your gift or anyone else's, etc. Any good ideas on a general gift? Last year I did a movie package with Blockbuster rental with popcorn and candy for a movie night. Any ideas of any kind are welcome. We have some pretty crazy people there.

Thanks,
Karen from Port Clinton OH

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Get "The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer" Free

When you subscribe to my newsletter "The Budget Stretcher" you will receive this easy guide to effectively organizing and managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click the below link to learn more:

More Information:
http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/confirmsubs.html

As the calendar marches toward late fall and early winter, differences in regional growing conditions become much more pronounced. Some zones are covered in snow, while others are just starting to harvest. In all but the warmest zones, the list of seasonal gardening chores is starting to get short for most gardeners. That's welcome relief for most of us, because with Halloween just behind us, another busy holiday season is just around the corner. Before you find yourself knee-deep in cold, snow or holiday preparations, here is a helpful list of gardening tasks for the month of November.

Tasks For All Zones:

• Rake and compost leaves (or turn them under). Clean up garden debris to prevent harmful insects or disease pathogens from spending the winter in the garden.
• Keep up on weeding.
• Add organic compost to garden beds and amend soil as needed.
• Clean, oil and sharpen garden tools and make a list of what needs to be repaired or replaced.
• Start the clock for forcing indoor bulbs for the holidays (paper whites, amaryllis, hyacinth, etc).
• Gather berry-laiden branches and interesting winter foliage to use for holiday decorating.
• Change outdoor planters, pots and window boxes to seasonal displays.
• Cover compost heaps to prevent nutrients from leeching out due to rain or snow.
• Mist houseplants as needed to protect from dry winter air.

Tasks for the "Coldest" Zones (Zones 6 and Below):

• Continue to water trees and shrubs as needed until the ground freezes.
• Provide winter protection for rose bushes.
• Add additional protective mulch as needed.
• Bleed outdoor faucets and drain and store garden hoses for the winter.
• Mow the lawn for a final time and clean and drain fluids from the lawn mower before storing for winter.
• Don't forget to mark spring bulb plantings.
• Finish winterizing outdoor water features and swimming pools.
• Pot up spring bulbs (tulips daffodils, crocus) for late winter forcing indoors.
• Fill bird feeders and transition to heated birdbaths
• Wrap trees to protect against rodent damage.

Tasks for the "Middle" Zones (Zones 7, 8 and 9):

• Keep an eye out for frost warnings. Use row covers and cold frames as necessary to extend the season.
• Continue planting bareroot trees and shrubs.
• Finish planting spring bulbs.
• Divide and transplant perennials.
• Finish harvesting vegetables and clean up garden beds.
• Continue to mow the lawn until it goes dormant.
• Watch for insect pests.

Tasks for the "Warmest" Zones (Zones 10 and 11):

• Plant tender bulbs.
• Replace spent annuals with cool season plants.
• Divide and transplant perennials.
• Plant cool season vegetables, perennial herbs and sow seeds for succession plantings.
• Sow wildflower seeds now.
• Prune flowering trees after blossoms fall.
• Watch for seasonal insect pests.

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