Daily Thrifty Tips December 2, 2004

Hello,

Thank you to Cindy for sending in some more Holiday Photo tips.

This weekend's TF News will be about memory tricks and tips to help people remember to do things. If you have any memory tricks that work for you, be sure to submit them on the contest form.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Tips:

• Save Money by Taking Your Own Family Holiday Portraits
• Firestarters and Yule Log Gift
• No
• Sew Tree Skirt
• Buying Good Ingredients
• Check Online for Coupons
• Saving on Energy This Winter
• Softening Suede
• Refurbishing Rubbermaid Drain Boards
• Uses for Fish Tank Water
• Opening Tuna Fish Cans
• Tip For The (ahem) Toothfairy
• Makeup Bag For "Girl Stuff"
• Inexpensive Sponge Cake
• Gingerbread Cookies
• Good Sugar Cookies
• Reusing Deli Containers For Baked Goods
• Second Use for Denture Cleaner
• Christmas Countdown For Kids
• KoolAid Ice Cubes

New Requests:

• Christmas Parade Float Ideas
• Decorating Plastic Mugs
• Easy, Inexpensive and Quick Recipes
• Cutting Wine Corks in Half
• Removing Old Ball Point Pen From Jersey
• Gift Baskets Ideas for My Dad
• Looking For Bold, New Color To Paint My Walls

More Reading:

• Clay Pot Santa & Mrs. Claus
• Mussels, Three Ways
• A Christmas Theme for Your Room

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Today's Tips

Save Money by Taking Your Own Family Holiday Portraits
By Cindy Bailey

The secret to taking great family portraits is to have a colorful background, have everyone dress in colors that match or contrast with the background, have plenty of natural light, and take the shots as close as possible.

I just took a Christmas portait of my one-year-old niece. Her dress was red and white, mostly white, so I bought 2 yards of red fabric with roses and two yards of white net-type fabric. I attached the red to the wall with straight pins, draped the net over top, also attached with straight pins. I added a couple of white plastic snowflakes too the wall, attached the same way. Then I handed the baby a snowflake.

While she was looking at it delightedly, I snapped away. Always be sure to have light behind your subject as well as in front of it. The people at Wal-Mart thought we had it down at a studio and wanted the copyright permission, which made Auntie Cindy very proud!

More Tips On Taking Holiday Portraits

A reader asked for some more tips regarding taking your own family portraits.

May I suggest the following:

1. Even if you don't have a digital camera, don't be stingy with the number of shots you take. Professional photographers will use a whole roll of 24 or 36 on one subject. It's really not that expensive, and you get the shot you want. Besides, you can send the ones that aren't your favorites to friends and acquaintances in those frame-style Christmas cards that you can get at the dollar store. (Or make your own frames).
2. It's a good idea to move your subject around; change the background, whatever, just in case there is something wrong that you aren't noticing, like something stuck on the bottom of the baby's shoe or something!
3. With babies and small children, keep snapping, even if they're weeping or pouting or pulling one another's hair! Some of my best shots have been of this spontaneous variety. The perfectly posed ones where everyone is smiling at the camera seem boring after that! (See attached photo of my niece. We had been bribing her with the lollypop she's holding, but we couldn't get it back from her at this point, so I just snapped away. Her mother and my parents--the baby's grandparents--liked this one best of all!) This type of photo gets more precious with the passing years.
4. Also in this photo, notice that the oversized green ornament matches the background--grass. The green contrasts with the white outfit. The leopard skin makes you think of a green jungle. You get the idea. People don't think of all these things when they look at the photo, but somehow they know the photo looks RIGHT. Also notice that I got down on the baby's level, which gives the photo more depth. The grass in front of her feet is in the foreground where it should be and the background is dark and somewhat out of focus.
5. Always step back and look at the background before you place the baby/dog/whoever in the setting. Sometimes there is an electric cord or plant that will look like it's sticking up out of the person's head or something. You will need to work really fast once you get your subject in place.
6. When creating your background, try to create layers so your photo will have depth. For example, in the photo that appeared on this site yesterday, I used a printed fabric, and then gathered the tulle and draped it like a curtain. You don't have to buy new fabric, use what you have on hand, but even for a small baby you'll need at least two yards of each kind. If you don't want anything so fancy, maybe hang a piece of denim and attach a couple of raffia bows. Put the baby in little bib overalls with a bright red shirt and little hiking boots.
7. You can make your photos more meaningful if you place the baby's favorite lovey or blankey or binkey (or the dog's "mean kitty" toy) somewhere strategically in the portrait. Try to have your background match it. It will bring its own set of fond memories.
8. If you are sending the photo as a Christmas greeting, give your photo a title or caption or write a little rhyme about it. People just love that. For example, I dubbed the photo that was posted here yesterday as the "Snow Princess in the Desert" because she was holding a snowflake and she lives in Nevada.
9. Your great photos go to waste if you don't display them prominently and appropriately. Regarding my niece's photo, last year on her first Christmas, I had her sitting on white, star-studded tulle. I bought a large frame (for about $5) which was matted for an 8 x 10. I cut strips of the fabric and covered the mat with them, attaching it with glue stick. Her mother went wild over it!
10. Finally, keep the photo shoot in perspective and hang onto your sense of humor. In the years to come, you will be so glad you did.

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Firestarters and Yule Log Gift

Recycle metal coffee cans by making firestarter kits with them. I have friends and family with fireplaces (who also camp). I've made the firestarters with melted candles over sawdust in egg cartons and pine cones before. Toss them in baskets from the Goodwill.

This year I plan to paint the cans with winter scenes and place the firestarters inside with mint twigs for fragrant kindling, long matches and a long lighter, and pair it with a yule log. They can also fill the empty can with water in case the fire gets out of control

By Kim C.

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No-Sew Tree Skirt

For an easy & economical tree skirt, I purchased a round holiday tablecloth (vinyl front, flannel back). I cut a small hole in the center and cut a straight line from the hole to the outer edge. It works great, is easy to clean & my kids love the design.

By Karen in NH

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Buying Good Ingredients

False economy ends up costing more in the long run. While it may be less expensive to buy unhealthy ingredients for cooking, health and nutrition suffer. I use real butter and olive oil in cooking. While it may cost more in the short run, my family is healthier for it. Costs can be reduced by buying on sale and in bulk quantities. An added bonus is that the food tastes better.

By Lynn

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Check Online for Coupons

Prior to shopping, I visit the store's website to see if there is a current coupon I can print.

By JOAN GENCO

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Saving on Energy This Winter

Lower the thermostat in your home by 2 degrees or more during the winter months. Also, be sure to change your furnace filter monthly during the heating season. If you have central air conditioning change the filter in the summer, too. Remember to keep obstructions away from the hot and cold air registers.

Lower the water temperature on your water heater. A small thing to do to create some real savings.

Replace conventional light bulbs with high efficient fluorescent light bulbs. They last much longer and cost much less to use!

If you have any secondary refrigerators or freezers, unplug them when they are not fully in use.

Wash and dry full loads of laundry. Use cold water in most loads. Hang clothes out to dry when possible.

To maintain the life of your dryer, there is one simple thing you can do all the time and that it to simply make sure that the lint trap is cleaned after every load. Also, it is cheaper to use that way because it does not have to work as hard to dry each consecutive load.

One of the simplest things to do is just to train everyone in the household to turn out lights when they leave a room. This can be a real savings on your monthly electric bill!

To help save water, install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators. Also, take a 5 minute shower rather than a bath. A 5 minute shower uses half as much hot water as a bath.

Another way to help save on your water bill is to be sure and repair leaky faucets and water lines. A leaky faucet can waste gallons of water in a short period of time.

By Robin

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Softening Suede

For softer suede, try rubbing lightly with "sand paper!"

By Trish from Az.

Editor's Note: Be sure to use a fine sandpaper.

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Refurbishing Rubbermaid Drain Boards

I have Rubbermaid drain boards on the counters next to my sink. They had begun to look faded from being cleaned all the time. We have very hard water and I use vinegar to remove calcium deposits. I got tired of looking at them so the other day after cleaning them once again, I grabbed the liquid car wax and spread it on. I let it dry and then polished it with a soft cloth. They looked almost new again!

By jeangnome46

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Uses for Fish Tank Water

What do you do with the leftover water from your fish tank maintenance?

Uses for Fish Tank Water

Fish tank maintenance requires that you replace a portion of the water on a regular basis. Use that fish tank water to water plants, for the cat's water dish, or pour it in your toilet to flush it. (It takes 2 gal to flush it)

By coolchinchilla

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Opening Tuna Fish Cans

I love Tuna Fish but hate opening the cans due to them being messy. So, to make it easier and less messy, I take 2 tuna cans, but one under the other, and open the can with my manual can opener. The second can makes the first can sit higher on the counter, and also makes the can turn smoother. :>)

By Andrea Swisher-Hawes

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Tip For The (ahem) Toothfairy

I use a pretty pill box (available at most pharmacies) - the ones intended to carry pills for when you're on the go - for my daughters when they lose a tooth. I have my daughter place the tooth in the box and then put it under their pillow before bed. This makes it easier for the Toothfairy to find in the dark. Then, when my daughters wake up in the morning, they find the empty pill box and the Toothfairy's gift in a ziploc bag, as the pill box isn't large enough usually to hold the gift.

By Melissa from Missouri

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Makeup Bag For "Girl Stuff"

I got tired of having to worry if I had enough "girl stuff" packed when I had to go somewhere, and I wanted to keep my occasional need for "girl stuff" private. So, I purchased a small makeup bag and filled it with travel "girl stuff" (O.B. brand and travel liners). This way, I don't have to worry about it as often, and, when I pull the make up bag out, it looks like I'm just going to "powder my nose".

By Melissa

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Inexpensive Sponge Cake

Grease and flour two 9 inch layer pans or 9x13 inch oblong. Beat 4 eggs with rotary beater until very light.

Beat in:

2 c. sugar
2 t. flavoring
1/2 t. salt
Beat in:
2 T. butter melted in 1 c boiling hot milk
Sift together and beat in (very quickly):
2 c. sifted flour
2 t. baking powder

Immediately pour into prepared pan. Bake 25-35 minutes for cake; 18-20 minutes for cupcakes. This is wonderful with fresh fruit on top with some Cool Whip. YUM!!!

By Robin

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Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 c. sugar
• 1 1/2 c. lard
• 1 c. molasses
• 1 c. hot water
• 2 tsp. ginger
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1 tsp. lemon extract
• Pinch of salt
• 2 eggs
• Flour enough to make a stiff dough (8 c.)

Directions:

Mix first 9 ingredients. Add flour to make a stiff dough. Chill in refrigerator. Cut into gingerbread men and decorate with raisin eyes, nose, and buttons. Bake at 350 degrees.

By Robin

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Good Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1 c. margarine
• 1 egg
• 1 t. vanilla
• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1 t. cream of tartar

Mix together margarine (softened) and powdered sugar. Add egg and vanilla. Beat well. Add baking powder and cream of tartar. Add flour. Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour. Roll out and use cookie cutter. Bake at 350 degrees about 7 minutes.

By Robin

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Reusing Deli Containers For Baked Goods

I save and wash deli containers (the kind potato salad comes in). I use them to send "squishable" stuff like brownies and cookies with lunches to keep them from being smashed, and if I don't get them back, not a big deal.

By Camilla

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Second Use for Denture Cleaner

Here's a quickie toilet cleaning tip I use. After having soaked my dentures in denture cleaner, I pour the used cleaning mixture right into the toilet, let it sit a few minutes than give it a quick swish with a brush. This way you get 2 uses out of those expensive denture cleaning tablets!

By Marilyn

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Christmas Countdown For Kids

To help the kids with counting down till Christmas and wanting to open presents I get small inexpensive gifts for as many days before Christmas as I like. I usually do two weeks. I buy small erasers, pencils, sweets, etc. and wrap each individually. I then get string or yarn and attach each wrapped gift along the string. I attach the whole thing to a wall horizontally. I then tie a small pair of scissors and tack it close by so every morning the kids can clip one gift off and get a nice little surprise. My kids loved this so much that I still do this even though they are now teenagers.

By Diane from California

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KoolAid Ice Cubes

Different colored ice cubes made of KoolAid make an exciting looking, as well as an unusually flavored drink when added to lemonade. Remember to use good judgment. Red and green should not be used together nor orange and purple.

By Mary Fields

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Other Active Topics

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New Requests:

Christmas Parade Float Ideas

I am a director of a daycare and we need a quick, cute idea for a float on a 16' trailer for this saturday. If you have any ideas please respond. Thank you!

Jenifer

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Decorating Plastic Mugs

Hi. I bought some 32 oz. plastic travel mugs with the intent of decorating them. But I am coming to realize they may be difficult to decorate. Can anybody reccomend a painting technique that would be dishwasher durable or other craft technique that would be dishwasher durable that I could use to decorate them? I am not hugely artistic, but could do rudimentary stencils or lettering. The ability to apply paper art with a clear plastic/polyurethane covering would be fabulous.

Mark from Altamonte

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Easy, Inexpensive and Quick Recipes

Hello! I am new to this newsletter and website and hoping I can pick some brains! I need dinner recipes that are quick and easy. Also recipes great for cooking ahead of time and just tossing in the oven for my hubby to cook when I have to work. And last but not least, most definitely inexpenseive! We are on a tight budget like many people nowadays, and the less we spend the better! Have a good week!

Jennifer from Illinois

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Cutting Wine Corks in Half

For Christmas, I am going to make a bunch of wine cork trivets. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the easiest way to cut them in half. I have tried the knife and that will be time consuming.... any other ideas out there would be appreciated.

Kari

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Removing Old Ball Point Pen From Jersey

I'm trying to remove a (don't laugh) 10 year old ball point pen autograph from a valuable jersey (the vinyl number part-which is white). I tried alcohol which seemed to smear, gonzo stain remover, non-acetone fingernail polish remover. Nothing is working. I'm getting so desperate I'm thinking of white out! Any ideas out there?

Kim

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Gift Baskets Ideas for My Dad

I like to make gifts for my parents and this year I want to make gift baskets but I dont have one for my dad. I just don't know what to put in it. Any ideas? Please help.

Casey

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Looking For Bold, New Color To Paint My Walls

My house has hunter green carpet all the way through it. My walls are all white. My den, kitchen/dining room and living room are connected (not separated by doorways). I want to paint my walls in a bold new color. I have thought about yellow, but my furniture in the den is yellow, and the furniture in my living room is burgundy (which i would like to make it have a palm tree/jungle theme). I would like something classy, but trendy. But yet is simple to achieve. Anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!

Myndi

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More Reading:

Clay Pot Santa & Mrs. Claus
By Amanda Formaro

Santa & Mrs. Claus are ready to bring joy to all the girls and boys. What a fun way to say Merry Christmas to your holiday host, your child's teacher, or a member of your family.

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Mussels, Three Ways
By Charlie Burke

Mussels have a lot going for them: they are inexpensive, versatile, flavorful and easy to prepare. Additionally, by buying Maine cultivated mussels you are supporting the revitalization of Maine's fishing ports which have declined with the loss of the herring fishery which supplied sardine factories and was a major employer down the coast of Maine. A simple Google search lists Maine's mussel farms and the following site details Lubec's efforts to revive its port through aquaculture:

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A Christmas Theme for Your Room
By Lata Budhrani

How about decorating along a theme this Christmas? Spice up your decorating projects for this Holiday season by using a theme.

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