Daily Thrifty Tips - July 26, 2007

Back to school time is one of the most expensive times of year. It can be very difficult when money is tight. Do you have any tips to help parents stretch their back to school dollars. Post them here:

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Paper Strip Turtle

Here's a great rainy day or "I'm bored!" project for your kids.

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A Different Twist On A Baby Shower Cake

This is a photo of a baby shower cake I made for a friend. It is made from 5 rolled-up baby blankets ($1 each) held together with straight pins. The lace around the bottom is also pinned on. No hot glue is used so this can be taken apart with no damage to the blankets. The top of the cake consists of 2 blankets, with baby washcloths rolled to resemble flowers and the little doll on top is an inexpensive one from Walmart. This is very inexpensive to make and a cute little shower gift.

By Sharon from Ravenna, KY

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How To Style A Toddler's Hair

In order for anyone to style my granddaughter's hair, we must occupy her mind with an activity. She loves to play in the water so my oldest granddaughter, pictured styling Hannah's hair, has filled the bathroom basin with water for Hannah to play in while she is getting her hair done for the day, whatever technique works.

As we all know, children love to play in the bathroom; Hannah is occupied in the bathroom for combing her hair, putting medication on her eczema. She loves to play in the water.

I especially like these pictures because of the mirror image!

By WandaJo from Tennessee

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"Hippy" Birdbath

This is my "Hippy Birdbath". I made it out of a PVC pipe and a hub cap. I used a glue, "Glue All", to put them together. It took a day to dry. Then I placed it in my rocks. The birds love it.

By Donita from Loveland, CO

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Magnum the Kitten

Magnum is my 8 week old kitten. We adopted Magnum from the Harnett County Animal Shelter.

Magnum is extremely sweet and very hyper and just loves being around us! He wants to play and RUN! Magnum is a very special kitty because we rescued him from a local shelter.

By Carrie from Stantonsburg, NC

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Keep Your Home Phone For Emergencies

I have a niece that her and her husband only have cell phones. Yet when they're both out (not together) and have their children being babysat, now what? What if that person has to make an emergency call (for whatever reason)and they don't have a cell phone? I think that the base phone at home is necessary. Just take basic local calling.

By LRP from LWL, MA

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Tips For Spaghetti

Try adding a few teaspoons of powdered chicken bouilion and olive oil to the water you cook your spaghetti in. It really perks it up! If you like using cheater sauce (jar sauce) like I do, it can also be improved on by adding a little oregano, powdered garlic, and lemon pepper.

If you eat in front of the TV (like I do) and you make a thick meat sauce by adding jar sauce to the meat, the sauce will stay warm longer and help keep the slippery spaghetti from sliding off the plate onto the floor on your way to the table or TV!

I used to rinse out the sauce jar to put in the pan with dinner but anymore, I just add leftovers to the same jar the sauce came from. Put the spaghetti in the jar first, then the meat sauce so when you dump it out on the plate to reheat it , the sauce will be on top.

By Veronica from Sedalia, MO

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Organize Grocery Coupons By Aisle

Instead of organizing your coupons by item, organize buy the aisle the item is found on. That way when you have a coupon you want to use, you don't have to go looking up and down the store looking for the item.

By Jennifer from Conyers, GA

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Making Over Vintage Clothing Is In Style

Have a teenaged girl who longs for expensive mall fashion? Tell her that a current hip fashion trend is making over vintage t-shirts. There are whole stores in L.A. devoted to made-over vintage tees! They are cutting them down on the sides and bottom to make a bigger shirt a form-fitting one. This is just one of many tee makeovers, take a peek at the books on it. Maybe there's even one available at the library!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Cover Top Of Fridge With Plastic Wrap

After thoroughly cleaning the outside of the refrigerator, I line the top with plastic wrap. No more greasy, dusty grime!

By Keeper from Morganton, NC

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Use An Ice Cream Scoop For Filling Muffin Pans

When you are filling your muffin pans, use an ice cream scoop so that your muffins will all be the same size. Also you will not spill the batter on the top of the pans. Clean up is much easier.

By Catherine from Columbia, SC

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Scrap Printer Paper Instead of Post Its

Why buy Post 'em notes? Why not just tear off the unused portion of the computer paper that has been used to print something, but no need to keep the full page or when you go to toss a sheet? I have a drawer that I keep all sizes of computer paper that I've "saved" thus saving me money of buying Post 'em note paper when all I do is toss after the reminder is no longer needed. Use to write down appointments, phone numbers, etc. Every penny helps.

By Carol from Valparaiso, IN

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Bring a Small Pillow On An Airplane

Now days, so many airlines are taking the pillows they use to hand out to people on their flights, off the planes, to cut expenses. We, all, use carry-on bags anyhow, to carry valuables, etc. in. Why not make yourself a small, lightweight pillow to pack in your carry-on and have to use for yourself? I'd make it a pretty or vibrant color so someone else might think it belonged to the airline. Some flights are just too long to not have a pillow for!

By Terri H.

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Stubborn Oven Cleaner

This recipe is from Natural Cleaning for Your Home by Casey Kellar.

• 1/4 cup ammonia
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup white vinegar

This is cheaper and better for you then bought oven cleaners.

By Paula

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A Cleaning Timer

To motivate me when I am cleaning, I set the kitchen timer for 20 or 30 minutes (however much time I have that day to spend cleaning) and then I try to get as much done as I can before the bell rings.

By Rama

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Dark Purple Banana Peppers

I have a couple banana peppers that are turning a dark purple, what gives? The peppers appear fine, nice and shiny and growing strong. The stems have some darker stripes running through them. They are sweet bananas.

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Michael from Uniontown, PA

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Displaying Baseball Caps

I have lots of ball caps and wonder if anyone out there has any clever ideas how to display them. I've seen ball cap organizers in magazines but I wonder if anyone has made some kind of device to display/store them? Thanks!

Rhonda from Palmer, AK

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Buying Bulk Marigolds

I am looking for bulk marigolds to string together for the garlands in an Indian wedding, anyone know where I can get them? So far I can only find seeds.

Thanks in advance!
Jenny from Monterey, CA

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Keeping Hands Moisturized

I would like to know if anyone has a good tip for keeping hands moisturized. I am a dental assistant and wear latex gloves and wash my hands frequently on a daily basis. I've tried hand creams, salves, and regular lotion but my hands still tend to be on the dry side. Also looking for a good firming body lotion. Thanks for all the help.

Blake from Poteau, OK

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Food Coloring Stain on Carpet

My son got blue food coloring on our light brown carpet. We are moving out in a month and need this stain gone! How do I get it out?

Thank you so much,
Jenna from Waterville, ME

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Finding a Home for a Baby Bird

I found a baby bird on our steps outside and have been feeding it. I need to find a home for it. What do I do?

Gladys from Chelsea

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Fig Strawberry Preserves Recipe

I'm looking for a recipe for my Pop-pop. He says his mother used to make fig-strawberry preserves and he is wanting some. I tried one recipe about 2 years ago, but it did not come out well (and yes, I know how to make preserves). Can anyone help me with this?

Cheri from Texas

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Diesel Stains on Clothing

How do I get diesel stains from clothing?

Debbie

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Locating Free Tires

Where would be the best place for me to find old used tractor or truck tires free? I am not sure if this should go under crafts or gardening or other as I am using them for a few things.

Peggy from Endicott, NY

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Chesapeake Border Patter #HH2805-2B

I am looking for a wallpaper border by Chesapeake Border Patter #HH2805-2B. It has birdhouses on angels. It has been discontinued.

NoreenKumm-Gory from Atwater, Ohio

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How often should my dog eat?

How many times a day does a six month old Pit Bull eat?

Seratta from Chicago, IL

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Uses for Chicken Broth

I boiled a family pack of chicken wings for my mother and I have a pot full of tasty chicken broth on hand. What can I do with the broth? Can it be frozen and used later?

Onesummer

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Warner Co. Pattern No. AFR7192

I am looking for wall covering. Rooster print on beige background made by the Warner Co. (No. AFR7192), solid vinyl wallcovering. I need 2 rolls.

Judy from Dublin, Texas

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Floor With Black, Red and White Tiles

My laundry room floor has black, red and white tiles. What colour should I paint the walls?

Linda from Victoria

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Crayon Stain on Suede

How do I get out crayon out of a suede couch?

Ladonna from Houston, Texas

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Renting Space In L.A. For A Baby Shower

Hi,I am having a baby shower for my daughter but my place is too small for 80 invites and I really don't know anyone that has a bigger place. Can anyone suggest a place that I can rent? The baby shower is in August or September. Thanks so much!

Cindy from Los Angeles, CA

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Kitchen Wall Color Advice With Black And Cherrywood

What wall colors can be used for black counters, floors and cherrywood cabinets?

Fran

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When Can I Trim A Puppy's Nails?

When can you trim toe nails on a 7 week pit puppy.

Regina from Dana Point, CA

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Will Dry Heat Harm Wool Clothing?

Will dry heat harm wool clothing? Following a bedbug infestation, I would like to use the dryer to be sure bugs and eggs are dead, but I do not want to harm the clothes.

mcgurkh from NYC

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Pen Stains In Entire Load Of Laundry

I accidentally washed a pen inside of my shorts pocket in a FULL load of laundry, containing my daughters adorable clothes and my husbands work clothes. I need to get it out. Open to any suggestions? I have tried many things but none seem to work. Please help. All clothes are stained.

Morgan from Missouri

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Painting Santa On Old Bottles

I am looking for a pattern to paint Santa Claus on an old wine bottle or glass soda bottle. If anyone has any ideas where I can find that I'd appreciate it.

Stephanie from Jacksonville, NC

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Treatment For Dog's Itchy Ears

Does anyone have a good treatment for itchy dog ears? I used the recommended home remedy of alcohol, white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. It worked to flush the yeast out of the dog's ear, but now his ear seems to itch.

Tammy from MI

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Where Can I Find The $10 Dinners?

In a recent newsletter, wasn't there a topic that was $10 meals or something like that.

It was shells, sausage and something else. I was trying to copy it to my word processing program and I lost it and I had deleted the message before I was really ready to delete it. Can you help?

I have seen other meal ideas with a similar topic meals under $10 etc but don't remember where I saw it as I subscribe to several frugal newsletters. Thank you so much!

Melissa from Illinois

Editor's Note: Thank you for your question about our $10 Dinners series of recipes. We are trying to do a different dinner twice a month. You can access the Sausage Shells and Cheese article here:

• $10 Dinners: Sausage Shells And Broccoli

• Recipes-Cheap Meals-$10 Dinners

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Buying Wholesale with Deferred Billing

Where can I get bulk wholesale items at deferred billing?

Courtney from Pembroke, NC

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Cigarette Burn on MicroSuede (Microfiber) Couch

How do I fix a cigarette burn in a microfiber sectional?


Denise from Glenolden, PA

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Cleaning a Hamilton Coffee Maker

How do I clean my stained Hamilton Beach coffee maker?

Gene from Lake Wales, FL

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Uses for Plastic Clothing Hangers

I'm looking for uses for white plastic clothes hangers.

Audrey

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Lighten Your Hair with Lemon Juice

How do I bleach my hair with lemon juice?

Haley from California

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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

Laundry Bottle Craft Ideas

Craft ideas using laundry detergent bottles.

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