Daily Thrifty Tips - December 18, 2008

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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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Craft Project: Santa Hat Purse

This is so easy to make and inexpensive.

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Craft Project: Tie Door Wreath

This is a masculine take on a Christmas door wreath. My father-in-law is in Assisted Living. All the ladies have holiday decorations on their doors. I thought this would be cute for the gentleman's look.

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Pop Can Ring Snowflakes

I read the instructions on making the big snowflakes from the pop can plastic doodads and remembered I had a ton saved for 'something'. I made 3 of the snowflakes for my front porch and they are a gorgeous decoration! Thanks to ThriftyFun for the instructions. Isn't that what ThriftyFun is all about? Using something that would otherwise be thrown away, and using it creatively, saving money in the process? Long live TF!!!!!!!!!

By Susan in Omaha

Editor's Note: The link to the instructions are in the feedback below.

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Craft: Casserole Dish Covers

You can make nice casserole dish covers from two placemats. These make nice Christmas gifts for friends or family. All you need is two matching fabric placemats, quilted, or unquilted . First you match up the placemats , then sew around three sides leaving one small side unsewn. You can then use velcro to fasten or put a button hole on top placemat then sew button on bottom mat on the inside. Or you can do as I did and make two button holes on the top placemat, then match it up and put two on the bottom mat. Be sure to line then up. You can then take a serving spoon and stick it through the button holes on the top and bottom mat. Or use a wooden spoon for a decorative look . This is not my idea, but thought it makes a nice gift that is easy and inexpensive to make.

By Madeline from Jacksonville, AL

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Lola (Australian Shepard)

Lola is about 10 and an Australian Shepherd. She's a rescue, she was found injured beside a highway. We suspect she was thrown or jumped from the bed of a pick-up truck.

She loves to kayak! We live near the 1996 Olympic venue on Lake Lanier and she's always eager to hop in the boat. She's been the perfect pet since the day we brought her home 4 years ago, proof that rescue pets make the best pets!

By Tess from Gainesville, GA

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Craft: Knifty Knitter Pom Pom Maker

Knifty Knitter pom maker. This is less than 5 dollars and comes with three sizes for you to make pom poms with. I made medium ones. Also something I had fun with, I took one color and wound it around the middle, then wound another color across whole thing. When I had my pom made it had a burst of purple in the middle of the orange. My nieces loved it and they are also being added to the scarves made with the Knifty Knitter spool loom.

By Christina from Paducah, KY

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Craft: Polymer Clay Decorated Glass Blocks

Decorate your glass blocks with Polymer Clay - You can bake them in the oven (drill holes first) at 260-265 degrees F for 20-25 minutes and the clay sticks to the block.

By Anita from Jackson, Mi

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Pair Target In-Store Coupons With Manufacturers Coupons

This is a tip for shopping with Target coupons. Some people do not realize that you can pair their in-store coupons with manufacturers' coupons. Example: I bought Glad trash bags. I had a $1 off coupon from Target and $1 off coupon from the manufacturer. $2 off right away - making them even cheaper than the generic brand. I did this with a few items yesterday and got more than $10 off my total bill. I also know that CVS and Walgreens, just to name a few, let you do this.

Source: General Knowledge that is often forgotten.

By Savings Assistant from Georgia

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Add Bows for a Christmas Touch

A nice holiday tip I ran across while surfing the net was to add holiday touches to items already around the house, like putting bows on figurines, etc. I think that's a great idea and will use some gratis ribbon I got to put red bows on some of mine. And then after the holidays, it's easy to clean up and store!

By Pamela

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Use Vinegar for Cleaning Purposes

Many hospitals are now using white vinegar to clean and disinfect everything. With cut backs, it has become more economical. With germs (all over the world), that have become immune to cleaning solutions and antibiotics, vinegar has become the number one choice. Vinegar has a perfect PH balance, being neither acid nor alkaline. Germs operate outside this perfect balance and perish when their environment PH is changed.

I keep a spray bottle of 2/3 white vinegar to 1/3 distilled water in my kitchen and bathroom. Before I put away the cutting or chopping board, I spray the surface. After rinsing off chicken in the sink, I swoosh some soap around on the surface with my hands(also soaping up my hands), rinse it and then spray vinegar on it. I use this spray on every surface in the kitchen and bathroom. I put some in the toilet water a few minutes before I clean the toilet, as it neutralizes the water, killing germs. Wiping down door knobs and light fixtures will help the spread of germs as well.

I also use only natural cleaners which have vinegar in them. Very handy to spray and wipe down cutting knives before putting them away. Wiping down surfaces in the children's and baby's room not only deodorizes but will help cut down the spread of germs. Spray and wipe children's lunch boxes or anything they bring home from school.

If you do not like the smell, add a few drops of peppermint oil. Want to add to the germ killing solution, add some rosemary, clove or lavender oil. These will also leave a nice scent lingering in the room. Gardeners who do use pesticides, will plant lavender in around plants and trees. Bugs and germs do not like lavender.
Lavender, like garlic wards off many unwanted pests and germs.

This can create a more healthy environment for your entire family and our environment.

By Trisha from West Vancouver, BC

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Gather Pine Boughs from Christmas Tree Lots

Have a yen for an Xmas tree but don't have the $ or space? Then gather pine boughs (branches) to you from the local xmas tree stands and garden centers! Otherwise they are headed for the trash and they make lovely holiday arrangements with the look and smell of a tree, you can even decorate them with ornaments.

By Pamela from Los Angles

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Swap Craft Items You Don't Want

Alert all your crafter friends and family about a years end "craft de-stash" to clean out odds-n-end items or things you bought on sale and have no real need for. Swap the items by the bag or boxful by weight or item-for-item. Everyone comes out ahead, freeing up space and decluttering the craft room. Everyone goes home happy with things they traded.

By Melody_yesterday from Otterville MO

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Pocket The Savings From Lower Gas Prices

With gas prices decreasing, I have been putting the difference from what I was paying for gas (with the high prices) to what I am currently paying in savings. Wow, this is really starting to add up nicely!

By Donna from Northlake, TX

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Secure Donated Electronic Parts Together

This tip goes out to all you frugal living people who remember to give back! Donations can often be nothing more than someone looking for the use of a free dumpster, and gently used is the key.

When donating any electronics, such as TVs, VCRS, Radios, etc. and/or any battery operated items; use a piece of masking tape to secure battery covers, cords, and separate pieces, and on the tape tell if the piece is broken, runs good, new, needs repair, etc.

The other day when sorting through the donations I received at our Sheltered Workshop, I came across the unusual instance where the donor cared if his donations ended up as nothing more than, just more trash, and cared if someone tripped up over a dangling cord. It was nice not to have to test run, find batteries, hookup, unhook, etc. I have employees to cater to and testing items, takes up much of my time. And to know that the donor cared if I broke an arm, well, I made sure he was in my thoughts this Thanksgiving.

By Dede from Macon, MO

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Lovely Home Scents

I love all types of air fresheners, candles, plug-ins, etc. I will buy one nice votive, burn it until it can no longer burn, then add it to a small dish that fits on top of my "heated candle plate" for additional use! You know the little hot plate type scent distributors that you usually put a jar candle on to warm up and distribute wonderful scents?

I also reuse my used holiday flavored tea bags (they come in gingerbread, candy cane, sugar plum, etc.) in some water on these hot plates to have a lovely scent for no additional cost! Mmmmmm!!

Source: Thought this up myself...

By AHA! from Sterling, PA

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Product Review: Soot Eater Chimney Rod

Product: Soot Eater Chimney Rod

Cost: $75-$90

I wanted to clean my chimney before I started using the fireplace. I went to my local Ace Hardware Store and purchased the 'Soot Eater Chimney Rod' for $82. This contraption looks like a weedeater and basically works like one! I used my husband's cordless drill or you can use an electric drill. It comes with 5 rods so it will fit nearly any size chimney in height and dimension. They also make a sweep for pellet stoves. I LOVE this product. It worked like a charm and was sooooo easy to use. I HIGHLY recommend using this before you start a fire if you are not sure how much build up you have in your chimney.

By Laurie from Pahrump

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Scanned Christmas Card Wrapping Paper

Use cards to make x-mas wrap! We receive so many wonderful Christmas cards, that I thought it would be fun for those who are a tiny bit computer savvy to make their own custom Christmas wrapping paper from them for your special gifts. All you need to do is scan your favorite cards into your computer then cut, shrink and paste the parts you like of just one card repeated or many cards on to a single piece of 8 1/2 x 11" paper, then if you save this info into your computer, you can use it again and again!

By Cyinda from near Seattle

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Dip Your Fork Into Salad Dressing

Dip your fork into your salad dressing or dip, instead of dunking your food or pouring your dressing over for food. Your tongue will still get the flavor you're wanting, not tons of it, neither will your hips. Plus, you'll not have to purchase the salad dressings as often, so you'll be saving on your food bill.

By Terri from NV

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Freeze Fryer Grease Before Discarding

I of course reuse all my plastic store bought food tubs, as it saves me major money on leftovers storage, but here is a tip for disposal of old fryer grease.

The large margarine tubs, or coffee containers, make a great "freezer" container for storing old fryer grease. In the freezer it is out of the way, and once it is frozen you can slide it out of the container right into the trash, and again reuse the container! Do this only on trash pick up day though so it doesn't melt and make a mess, and believe me, the trash pick up people will thank you for that lack of mess, and smell!

By Dede from Macon, MO

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Making Ornaments from Costume Jewelry

I am looking to make ornaments from costume jewelry and want to use deco wire for some glam effect. What gauge will bend easily and still retain shape? I don't want to buy a bunch of wire I won't use because it won't hold up in storage, and it will need to be thin enough to sandwich between the jewelry pieces.

Dede from Macon, MO

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Makeup That Adds Shine to Your Face

Years ago I had makeup that left a nice shine, or glow on my face after it was applied. I really don't remember what brand it was. Does anyone have any suggestions for a brand that does this? It was such a fresh-looking sheen on my face. I'd love to find something that does that again!

Carol from Northwestern Ont., Canada

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Getting Rid of Scuffs on Leather Shoes

How can I get rid of scuffs on leather parts of my shoes from my skateboard?

Winston from Las Vegas, NV

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Toxic Odors After Cleaning Carpets

My girlfriend and I decided to clean her carpet so we took a hose and used a lot of water pressure on the carpet. After cleaning it by using a shop vac to suck up the water, the carpet was still wet 2 days later. Now there is a toxic odor causing her to get dizzy and sick.

The carpet looks clean now but the smell is terrible. I'm thinking she needs to remove the pad and replace it and maybe still use the carpet. Also how long can that smell go before causing hazardous health problems? We've kept the door shut and windows open since that day and its been about a week now. What do we do?

Ashley from Largo

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Cutting Heating Costs for a Trailer

I have an old trailer in southern Illinois, and my electric/gas bill was $211 for this month. Compared to the summer when it was only $100. I have plastic on the windows and a skirt around the outside. Is there any way to cut this cost and keep my trailer warmer?

DJ from Illinois

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Ideas for Covering Windows

We just bought a new home and I would like to cover the windows by my front door. They are 7 1/2 in. by 34 1/2 in. I just don't like people looking in my house especially if it is someone I am trying to avoid, like annoying relatives.

Mary

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Making Original Snowflakes

How do you make original and interesting "snowflakes"?

Carol from San Rafael, CA

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"Cheryl & Co. Frosted Cut-Out Cookies" Recipe

Does anyone have a copycat recipe for "Cheryl & Co. Frosted Cut-out Cookies"? The ingredients are listed on their website, but I'd love to have the recipe for it. They are a melt-in-your mouth vanilla sugar cookie, not a typical sugar cookie. Thanks!

Mia from Phila.

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Easy Pajama Pants Pattern

Does anyone have an easy lounge or pajama pants pattern they would share?

Michelle from Pontiac, MI

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Campbell's Lemon Chicken With Herb Rice Recipe

The Lemon Chicken with Herb Rice by Campbell's Supper Bakes boxed mix is delicious. Any idea how to make it from scratch? I'd like to make it less salty and healthier, if possible.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Recipes Using Oranges

I have an abundance of oranges. I bought two cases of oranges which were being sold as a fundraiser. The oranges are okay but not terrific, so my family is not eating them up. Besides juicing and making marmalade, I can't think of anything else I can do with the oranges to use them up. Got any suggestions?

Tina from Ashland, OR

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Last Year's White Almond Bark

How long does white almond bark last? I have a package from last Christmas. It still looks and smells good, but I don't want to use it if it could go bad.

Char from IL

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Selecting Exercise Equipment

What is the best exercise equipment to buy when trying to lose weight in the stomach area? I am looking for something inexpensive.

Onesummer

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Maine Coon Kittens Have the Runs

My Maine Coon kittens always have the runs, any advice?

Lorna from Isle of Man

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Getting Rid of Mange in the House

What do I need to do to the house to get rid of mange? I was advised to throw out all bedding and I did throw out the dog's bed but washed the blankets, etc in bleach and hot water. Do I have to steam clean carpets?

Susan from MI

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Wholesale Priced Octagon Soap

I am trying to find Octagon soap at wholesale prices.

Edna

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Homemade Remedies to Remove Dirt from Carpet

I recently had a party whilst my parents were away. They've returned to find huge dirt stains on my newly laid cream carpet. I don't know much about the carpet, do you know any home remedies to get the dirt out?

Alicia from NSW, AUS

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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

Children's Jewelry Sold Exclusively in Hawaii Recalled by Aloha 808 Trading Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Hazard: The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

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Xtreme Toy Zone Recalls Toy Dinosaurs Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Hazard: Surface paint on the toy dinosaurs can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

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Regal Lager Recall to Replace Phil & Teds Strollers Due to Fall Hazard

Hazard: The frame handle could fail to latch properly and break, posing a fall hazard to small children.

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The Toro Company Reannounces Recall of Electric Blowers Due to Projectile Hazards

Hazard: The blower's impeller, which is a rotating component on the blower, can break, resulting in pieces of plastic flying out of the blower. This poses a risk of serious injury to the user or a bystander.

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