Daily Thrifty Tips - January 27, 2009

It's a good time to start preparing your taxes, especially if you are getting a return. Get your return back early so you can put it to work for you either by paying off debt or earning interest in your savings account. Do you have any tips for getting ready for tax time? Feel free to share them on the contest page.

Contest winners for last week will be announced tomorrow!

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Craft Project: Valentine Pencil Toppers

Decorate pencils with foam conversation hearts for your children to give to their friends on Valentine's Day.

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Farewell Party Cake for an Irish Priest

Our beloved priest is leaving the R.C. Catholic Church where both my husband and I regularly attend. This Godly man has a heart of gold and we really hate to see him leave. The church is holding a farewell party for him on Sunday, January 25, 2009. Father Jim is an Irishman so I wanted to bake a cake with an Irish theme. I've just started to learn cake decorating on my own through trial and error. I own a paperback book entitled: Cake Decorating for Dummies.

I made the 18x12 inch cake from scratch and didn't use box mixes.

By MCW from Lewiston, NY

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Have a Cash Bar at Your Wedding

You don't have to spend a lot to have a nice wedding, you can have a pay by the drink bar. That will save a lot and people are less likely to drink too much. If the booze is free, people are more likely to drink more.

By Melissa from Moncure, N.C

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Poppit (Pomeranian)

Poppit is going on 10 years old. She is a Pomeranian that we got 2 years ago. She used to be a "puppy mill" dog she got too old and the old owners were going to send her to a shelter. I met her and fell in love. We gave her the life she should of Always had.

Poppit for fun, likes to make her Mommy (me) happy by letting me dress her up and show her off....she is a real Ham.

By Cyndi from Lindenhurst, NY

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Ceaser (Lab Mix)

Ceaser is a 1.5 year old Labrador Retriever mix. I bought him from a neighbor around August of 2007.

He likes to play with tennis balls, go on long walks/runs, chew on his bones, and horseplay. He walks in circles and wags his tail wildly with a bone in his mouth when people come into the room. He moans when its bath time and tries to hide under the bed. He acts embarrassed when you show him love because it clouds his tough dog image.

By Nathan from Sweetwater, Tennessee

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Keep an Eye on Automatic Debit Payments

I live on Social Security Disability and nothing else. I've signed up for automatic payment for utilities, phone, etc., but I've had some REALLY bad experiences! Set up your accounts to be paid on-line, but do NOT sign up for the automatic debit. I was charged twice in one month for both my electric and gas bills, and it overdrew me to such an extent that my bank charges came to $135!

So keep track of when your bills are due, go to the sites early in the month and schedule a payment for a specific date. No surprises, no anguish. Also, set up your bank account so you can see it on-line. Any "surprise" withdrawals can be spotted early and reclaiming that money is more easily handled. You'll have to call them, but it works out. I hope this keeps others out there free from the horror I experienced!

By Polly from Cedar Springs, MI

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Lacy Valentine Napkin Rings

Frilly, romantic, inexpensive, simple to make, and so versatile!

Materials

• White flexible wire or white pipe cleaners
• Lace trim
• Narrow velveteen ribbon

Instructions

You can make these any size or shape you want. For Valentine's Day, of course, you will want to make heart shapes. Experiment with the wire getting the shape and size you want. Cut the wire leaving an extra fourth of an inch to use in bending the ends together when you complete the project. Thread the wire/pipe cleaner through the "channel" which forms the upper edge of the lace trim. As you thread the wire through, push it together to get the desired fullness (generally 2 times the length of the wire is sufficient). Bend the two ends of the wire together. Shape the wire to form a heart with the connection at the bottom. Make a tiny red bow from the ribbon and glue it onto the ruffled heart at the bottom where you joined the ends of the wire.

There are so many ways to use these: as candle rings, napking rings, place card markers with a small piece of paper looped through the heart, etc. They are also pretty scattered on a red tablecloth for a Valentine's celebration.

By using different colored shapes and bows, these can be adapted for many different holidays. They are very pretty as little wreaths to place on the Christmas tree.

By Sandy from Elon, NC

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Use a Rolled Towel for a Draft Stopper

If you have drafts coming in from under your door, here's a quick and easy solution from items you already have on hand to make a draft stopper:

Take a bath towel or two, roll them up lengthwise, and tie with yarn, embroidery thread, or string, every few inches to secure. :-)

By Deeli from Richland, WA

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Use Baby Dresses for Toddler Tunic Tops

Being the first girl out of five grandchildren, my daughter received a lot of dresses in her first year of life. Rather than wear them once and pass them on, we are re-using them as tunic tops, now that they are too small to wear as dresses. What was a darling dress at 6 months old, is now an adorable shirt at 18 months! It helps me save money on the wardrobe and keep my daughter stylin'!

By Alana from Avon, NY

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Saving Discount Candy for Spring Holidays

You were looking for Valentine's tips and here is one for saving on Valentine's (and St Patrick's day or Easter) candy and other goodies. When you go shopping on Dec 26 and thereafter, check out the candy markdowns at the discount stores and drug stores, because a lot of it is perfectly good for Valentine's, St Patrick's Day, and Easter, but priced 50-75% cheaper. For example, the holiday bags of Hershey Kisses contain kisses wrapped in red, silver, and green foil. I'll buy several bags and sort the red and silver for use in Valentine's Day gift bags, and save the green and any other colors for Easter baskets.

If you are a crafter, or a baker, you can also buy Christmas crafting and baking sets (e.g. packages of felt or pipe cleaners, or sprinkles for baked goods) and separate out the red from the green for use at upcoming holidays (red for Valentine's, green for St Patrick's day.) Finally, if the children in your life are fans of any licensed characters (Sponge Bob, Hannah Montana, Cars, Hello Kitty, High School Musical, etc) you can also find many sweets and novelty items in the holiday candy aisle that make great treats for Easter baskets, upcoming birthdays, etc.

By Laura from Vienna, VA

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Protect Your Remote Control

I've noticed people mentioning grease from hands entering their remote control. No cleaning of remote controls, if you wrap remote in saran wrap. The wrapped remote works perfectly well. Replace the wrap when changing batteries.

By George from Portarlington, Victoria, Australia

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Bon Ami Polishing Paste to Remove Soot

Make a paste from Bon Ami polishing cleanser and water to remove the black soot from glass candle holders, marble fireplace fronts, and most anything else with black soot.

Source: I discovered this while trying to remove the black from my glass candle holders. I tried every cleanser under my sink! The only one that touched it was the paste made from Bon Ami Polishing Cleanser. Worked like a charm!

By Kaye from Acworth, GA

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Change Clothes in Dryer Before It Stops

When doing laundry, remove clothing from the dryer before it stops on its own, and put the next load in. This way, the dryer doesn't cool down and then have to heat up again for each load. The clothes are dry by then, and if you get them folded right away, you won't need to worry about wrinkles.

By Mary from Hummelstown, PA

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Low Cost Wedding at the Chicago Cultural Center

My fiance and I want a quiet, private ceremony. We were going to go the courthouse here in Chicago when I heard that for $10 (in addition to the $35 license fee), the judge will perform the ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center. It is the home of the largest Tiffany windows still in existence. Short ten minute ceremony is held in the GAR hall with seating for 40 surrounded by marble walls. Please let me know if you need more information!

By Julie from Jules72

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Reuse Salad Dressing Inserts

I save money on salad dressing by reusing the little inserts that are in the tops of some brands of salad dressings. These inserts have a hole in the top to limit the amount of dressing poured onto the salad. I just pop them out of the empty bottles with a fork tine, wash them, and push them into dressing bottles that don't have these handy little items. They come in two sizes. They are particularly helpful when pouring an oil/vinegar dressing, allowing blending of the two ingredients rather than getting an overabundance of one, and not enough of the other. And no more salad swimming in an over-pouring of dressing! I'm sure I gain about 1/8 of the dressing, and the salad tastes much better with less "goop".

By Marilyn from Waukesha, WI

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Healing a Cut

Does anyone know what cures a cut on your finger? Thanks.

Donita

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Removing Carpet Glue from Clothing

My son has started a carpet layers apprenticeship. His clothes are constantly covered in carpet glue and no-one seems to know how to get them out. I keep washing them but the glue marks are constantly there. The uniform is of course navy blue so it looks horrible. Can anyone out there please suggest something that might get the stains out? Help.

Nicole from Qld, Australia

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German Shepherd Not Eating

My 16 week old German Shepherd Olga won't eat she just lays around. I've changed her food recently and she threw it back up. I went back to the old brand and she still will not eat. I love my baby, she's getting skinny. She has a vet appointment tomorrow afternoon. What else can I do for her?

Summer from Moreno Valley, CA

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Removing Dead Bromeliad Flower

I have a Bromeliad Vriesea plant, the flower of the plant has died off. What is the correct way to discard of the flower? Pinch it off or cut it close to the main plant? And when is the correct time to start pruning off the flower? Do I need to save the seeds for reproduction of the plant? This is a new plant species for me. I just love the uniqueness of them! Thanks for your help.

April from Demorest, GA

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Homemade Makeup Setting Spray

I'm wondering if anyone has a good homemade recipe for makeup setting spray? Something like the "Model in a Bottle" brand. Thanks!

Dawn from Johnstown, PA

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Windshield Washer Fluid is Frozen

My windshield washer fluid is frozen. What can I do? Thanks.

Lola

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Parenting a Disabled Child

I have a 21 year old grandson who has been diagnosed with high-functioning Asperger's. He is gifted in electronics, yet can't get through the interview process successfully. This is a source of frustration and depression for him. Can anyone give me a reference to parenting that I might refer to my daughter?

wondernana from Clovis, CA

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Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

How do I get salt out of faux suede boots? I have flat black boots that got stained by street salt, the kind used to melt the snow. Now the boots have white stains. What can I do?

Sofia

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Cheap Ink Cartridges

I am looking for printer ink cartridges that are cheap and good quality. Where does everyone get theirs? It doesn't have to be brand name ink as long as it's good. Thanks.

Laura from Illinois

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Instructions for Knifty Knitter Long Loom

I purchased the long purple loom, and somewhere between my mother and my son, the instructions are missing. Can anyone tell me where to get instructions for it?

Cheryl

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Dog Scratching His Ears

My dog does not have an ear infection. He just keeps scratching his ears and making them red, bloody and swollen. I can't afford to keep taking him to the vet because he has allergies and keeps scratching himself raw. Any suggestions? He is on an allergy-free food. I tried putting socks on him. Nothing works. What do you do with a dog with floppy ears that keeps scratching at them raw?

wacky camper

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Healthy Low Fat Recipes

Would like some low-fat recipe ideas that don't include mushrooms or fish. I am trying to lose weight and need healthy food ideas. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I need to lose 50 pounds.

wacky camper

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Uses for Old Christmas or Greeting Cards

What do I do with my recycled Christmas cards? I took the fronts off and in the past have made gift tags with them. Now I am thinking of making them into a post card for Christmas next year. What does everyone else do with them? Amy from Long Branch, NJ

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Cleaning My George Foreman Grill

What is the easiest way to clean a George Foreman grill? I received one without the scraper, drip tray, etc. I just have the grill. My dh loves to use this for his burgers and I need an easy way to clean it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Janice from IL

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Sweating Toilet

How do I stop my toilet from sweating? It sweats so much that it leaves water all around the toilet.

Christina from Tilbury, Ontario

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Dying My Hair Gray

I would like to know how I can permanently dye my hair silver gray?
Someone needs to sell it in a bottle, so I can do it myself. I love my gray hair and don't need blondes, browns, etc.

Ann from Bethel, MN

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Using Eyebrow Stencils

After you color in your eyebrows using stencils do you tweeze the remaining? And how do you know which stencils match your face?

Jennifer from Fairplay, CO

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Removing Mothball Smell

I am in the process of purchasing a new home and the house smells like moth balls. The current owner has a chest of animal pelts in the master bedroom with moth balls in it. What is the best way to get the odor out?

rngrass from Mount Shasta, CA

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Where Can I Get Glycerin?

Where can I buy glycerin for homemade bubble bath?

Daisy

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Exercises That Can be Done While Sitting

I am 52 years old and have gained a lot of weight due to medications. My problem is that now I can't walk over 2 minutes at a time. Does anyone know any sitting exercises that would help me and also if these very short walks help at all for my health sake. Thanks and God bless!

Debra from Hampton, Tenn

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I Eat Too Much - Tips for Eating Less

All the talk about portion control and the tips as to what proper portions really are, has brought up a question. My family is full of big eaters. Many of our old bad habits are changing since my husband was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. But here's the thing, how do you teach them (and me) how to be full on smaller portions? I know we've gotten into the typical American habit of, if we don't feel like we're going to pop, we haven't eaten enough. Thank you Buffets! and Super-sizers! We all talk about how we hate that feeling but still insist on feeling that way. Any tips?

Sarah from Berrien Springs, MI

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Reversible Shell Baby Blanket

Does anyone have a pattern for Lee Ward Reversible Shell Baby Afghan?

Debbie Hodges from , Lyons, GA

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Painting A Room Two Colors

Is it good idea to paint a room two colors?

Karen from Caribou, Maine

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Uses for Dried Chili Peppers

I have a whole bunch of (hot) red chili peppers from last year's garden that I've dried and put in a glass jar. I'm trying to figure out what to do with them. I've already used them for chili, just looking for other ideas. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Mary Moo from Wilmington, IL

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Using Homemade Laundry Soap in HE Machines

Can homemade laundry soap be used in the HE washing machines?

Brenda from Carrollton, Texas

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Making an Indoor Greenhouse

I created an indoor greenhouse in my bedroom during the winter by our big windows facing south. I have been using grow lights, but the house barely gets over 70 in the winter. The plants and dwarf trees are growing ok, but I am wondering if light, water and fertilizer are enough? Do I need more heat on them, like the summer outdoors?

Hardiness Zone: 5b


Selah from Indiana

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Recipes Printed on 8-1/2 x 11 Paper

I print a lot of recipes from the internet on 8-1/2 x 11 paper. This is an odd size for any recipe box or book holder that I have found. I would like to just fold them in half, so that I then have an 8-1/2 x 6.5 sheet. Any ideas of how I might organize them?

wondernana from Clovis, CA

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Crock Pot Dip Recipes

I am looking for recipes for crock pot dips.

Phyllis from Gouverneur

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Pink and Cameo Themed 70th Birthday

I'm planning a 70th surprise party for my mom. We want it to be glamorous with the colors of pink and cameo. Do you have any suggestions?

Sandra from Mt. Carmel, TN

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Drying Flowers in Microwave

How do I dry flowers using the microwave?

Sheila from Mars Hill, NC

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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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Save on Suits
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

Whether it's for an upcoming wedding, a job interview, or a fine dinner, everyone needs to have one good suit in the closet. While women can get away without the business style suit until it's time for a job interview, for men it carries more importance. Yet, such a critical element to the wardrobe is most likely the most expensive one as well. The average men's suit is expected to cost $500, with women's suits coming in noticeably lower. There are some ways to save, but more notably there are more ways to 'get more bang for the buck.'

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Saving Money On Winter Clothing

Christmas is over and we have several weeks more of cold wintry weather. Here are ideas for saving money on warm winter clothes as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.

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