Daily Thrifty Tips - December 8, 2006

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Here is Sunny my Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle Mix) at one year old. We purchased her from a breeder in Colorado last year as a pup.

She likes to play with my other two dogs, play with toys, chew sticks, search for bugs, chase frogs, dip her face in her water bowl and lay her face on my clothes.

Sunny is all grown up now and is a beautiful dog. She can be such a terror at times but then be such a sweet, adorable, lovable girl. She learned early on how to ring a bell to go outside and she obeys all her obedience commands. She can sit up and beg, roll over, catch a frisbee or ball and actually brings it back without chewing it up first!

Here are some previous entries about Sunny:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80993528.tip.html

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22690075.tip.html

By Sandra Johnson from Orlando, Florida

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I snapped this picture this morning in the Southeast corner of my backyard. These are the short days here in the Pacific Northwest where sunrise and sunset both happen during the workday. Dark when you leave for work, dark when you get home.

The trees are huge Douglas Fir trees (with a tiny volunteer madrona) that are all around my neighborhood and in my yard. Christmas trees grow like weeds around here.

In compensation for the short days at this time of year, we get very long days in the summer.

Susan from ThriftyFun
Port Orchard, Washington

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My family has decided to draw names for Christmas gifts this year. My retired parents were still buying for myself and my four sisters, our husbands and 10 grandchildren. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars, they (and all of us) drew the number of names to match how many we have in our family. We are limiting the expenditure to $25 per person. This will make the holidays much less stressful and a lot more economical. It is also more fun to focus in on a few gifts rather than trying to buy for the masses.

Amy

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We moved into a house where pets had lived. My two little dogs started scratching, and so did I. Fleas everywhere. An exterminator told us to wash the inside of our vacuum with Clorox and vacuum daily. I mixed 1/2 Water and bleach and sprayed around my woodwork. I have white carpet, so I used 1 cup bleach in the Carpet Cleaner along with the cleaning solution. I am flea free, at least until next summer. I use liquid garlic on my pets' food, and even rub it into their hair. So far, it works.

By Roni from Zebulon, NC

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I had a lot of small containers of leftovers after Thanksgiving; and wanted to heat everything at once but didn't have enough pans to do the job. I took real mason (canning jars) and put the individual foods into each jar and put broth (water would be fine) and meat in the bottom of the crockpot around the jars (not touching each other). I put the crockpot on low and went out to church. When I came home, my dinner was ready! Wish I had thought of this years ago. Now I will heat leftovers this way often.

By Sheila S from Leominster, MA

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Plastic milk crates make great closet organizers for stacking clothing. The old sturdy milk crates are pretty hard to come by at this point, but you can purchase light weight plastic crates at the dollar store or department store that work just as well.

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Try giving food gifts for Christmas this year! There are so many things you can do. Our daughter and her new sister-in-law made homemade candy today to share.

One year, I made Christmas trees out of bread dough. It's easy! Just buy ready-made bread dough from your grocery store cold case, (make sure to get rolls and not actual loaves of bread) arrange the bread balls in the shape of a tree and bake. I decorated them with red and green cherries, glitter, etc. and glazed it with powdered sugar and milk. They looked great and all the people that I gave them to just loved them!

There are so many different, fun ideas out there. Check out your library if you need ideas or just keep checking this awesome web site for some! You're sure to find them!

By Robin from Washington, IA

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If you possibly can, PLEASE pick a name from church or store, or anywhere that you can, to buy for a complete stranger for Christmas. We have a "Share a Christmas" gift at our church, and it may be someone from there or someone that a member thought might need a little help. We have a limit of $30, and I find that almost always I can find that amount from my budget. This year our person is an elderly gentleman who just wants a white shirt for church and a pair of pajamas. How wonderful that we can provide a little bit of help to someone. This is one of our favorite things to do for Christmas. I'm sure that someday pretty soon, someone will be bringing us a gift from our "Secret Santa" too.

By Margie Minard from Mount Vernon, Ohio

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I recently made a bridal gift but it could be used for a Christmas gift. I used a 3 ring binder and plastic page protectors. I put a recipe for each month of the year in the book. Some recipes were my own favorites or some were clipped from magazines.

I used colored paper to mount the recipes on and used small cut out pictures or stickers to decorate each page with something seasonal or special in the month.

I included pages with a holiday poem or inspirational thoughts. Sometimes I added almost whole page illustrations from magazines that went along with the particular month.

I found pages in magazines with common recipe substitutions and even a page of household first aid. I titled it "A year of recipes" on the outside.

By Martha

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When you donate blood during the 2006 holiday season, there are various freebies they are giving away. The states include: AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, OH, RI, SC, TX, VA, WA, & WI.

Download PDF File

Get something for giving! If your state is not listed, pass it on to a friend or relative in one of those states.

By Terri in Nevada

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The sweetest gift I got was from my brother and his wife. They had taken pictures of our family and had them made into a calendar. I checked at Wal*mart they are only $3.00 a piece and the family gets a great reminder of the past year and family if they don't live near by. It was truly a great gift. In fact I am giving one to my family this Christmas but it is my way of telling them I am pregnant. The month I am due I will put a picture of the positive pregnancy test. They will be totally surprised.

By Beth

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I haven't been baking for very long, maybe you already know this trick. But when I am making bread that calls for honey, I have learned that if I measure the vegetable oil first before the honey (using the same measuring spoon), the honey slides right out.

By Jenny from Springboro, OH

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If you are generally disorganized, get a spiral notebook and start making lists. Start by writing today's date followed by everything you need to do that day. As you finish items, cross them out with a single line, so you can still read what it said. If there is anything still on your list at the end of the day, write it at the top of the list the following day. Start your day with a list and you get more done.

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Believe it or not the best thing to use if you have a runny nose is Viva paper towels. I know, I know. But they are soft and strong. You could get the ones that are divided in threes but I just tear each of the regular sheets in half. I had a cold for two weeks that was mostly a head cold. I only used these paper towels and I never got a red or sore nose, and I normally get sore around my mouth and lip too. Nothing, zip, nada. It is really the best and far superior to those other tissues. And not too expensive because you only use half.

By HEATHER from WHITMAN, MA

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Animals such as raccoons, foxes, bears and even stray cats and dogs love to rummage around in garbage bins or at the rubbish dump looking for something to eat. These animals can receive the most horrific injuries from trying to lick inside old tin cans, getting their tongues cut by the serrated edge or even getting their snouts stuck inside the can.

The lids on cans (especially the rip-off kind) are also very dangerous to animals and they can get cut up something terrible by accidentally licking on the edge. The sharp lids from these cans can also cut holes in your garbage bag and even be a serious hazard to the garbage man who has to empty your bin and you could be liable for any injuries he may receive, so for everyone's sake, please, please, please ALWAYS rinse your empty cans AND the lid, put the lid INSIDE the empty can and then squish the can flat at the top before you throw them away or recycle them. Stomp on them if you have to, to flatten them.

This is a small, but significant step in helping protect our precious wildlife, AND the garbage man too. :o))

By Vicki from Copenhagen, Denmark

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/

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I have medium green color cotton slacks that have a chocolate stain on them. What is the best way to get it out? The cleaner I tried didn't do it.

Thanks,
Carol from Boynton Beach, Florida

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I bought 2 used American Girl dolls for my daughter, they both have slightly frizzy hair. Does anyone know of a way to improve the hair so it will be less frizzy?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Jennifer from Bend, Oregon

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How can I remove egg from stucco?

Steve from Warwick, PA

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I have come across a old Mr. Clean doll. I remember my mom having it when I was a little girl. I contacted the Mr Clean company and asked if it was considered an antique. They said yes, but couldn't tell me the value, it was made in 1961 and came on a bottle of Mr Clean that year. I tried contacting some antique dealers on the internet, but none replied, they wanted $25.00 fees first. Can anyone help?

Barbara from Spartanburg, SC

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I'm traveling 800 miles for the Christmas holiday and I'm trying to decide if I should fly or drive. The flight is about 2 hours, the drive would be about 14. I'm on the fence because I don't know which way is safer and the most practical. We'll have a lot of luggage not only for us but the baby. She will be 6 weeks old. What should I do?

Stephanie from Indiana

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Our rented house has all plain, smooth, unpainted white plaster walls. It still looks good but over the years the plaster has dulled a bit, and doesn't look so fresh and white. Is there a safe way to clean plaster and bring back the whiteness? We can't paint or wallpaper -- remember it's a rental and this is the way the landlord wants it kept. If anyone knows of any tested and true ways to clean it, I'd be so glad to hear them!

Laurie from PA

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I live in a dorm at school, none of the kids are supposed to use bleach, but of course they do. I've been the lucky person to put clothes in after they are done and have had 3 very nice shirts with bleach stains. How can i prevent this? I don't have the time/money to run just a load before I put my clothes in. Any suggestions?

Kevin from Philly, PA

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Can anyone tell me how to untangle a gold chain?

Christine from Melbourne, Australia

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I want to know how to make aloe vera juice at home, and how often I should drink it.

Stacia from Moreno Valley, CA

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Does anyone know how to remove water marks from good velvet? The dry cleaner had no luck. Rain splattered onto a vintage velvet coat and in spots, nap is flat. Any ideas?

Marisa from Dublin, CA

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What do you get someone that likes to figit a lot, I don't really know what he likes we just started dating and I am lost. I just don't know what to get him.

Ashley from Waco

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How do you remove paste marks from new wallpaper. I sponged with warm water when it was newly hung but it didn't work.

tom hughes from scotland UK

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I have a cute picture of my two children cuddling in bed sleeping. Any ideas on what to write below the picture?

Shelly from MN

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I need to sell an antique french butcher's table. i paid $5000 for it at ABC about 10 years ago. How do I sell it now?

Kate from New York, NY

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I am looking for a wicker type wishing well.

Tootie from Flint, MI

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I have a bedroom with two double hung windows on one wall, but they are not centered on the wall. What kind of window treatments should I use?

Mary from Sleepy Hollow, Illinois

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My father left a cherry halls cough drop in his 60/40 shirt pocket. It went through the wash and dryer. There's a quarter size stain at the bottom of the pocket and on the front buttoning band. The ingredients are menthol, FD&C blue no. 2 and FD&C red no. 40, glucose syrup and sucrose.

Thanks,
Janet from NJ

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If I burned a small section of my jeans, is there any way I can save them? There is not an actual hole in the burned section, just a brown discoloration.

Tasha from Hurley, MO

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I am trying to remove latex paint from my new rug. It's only 2 months old. I'm sure what the fabric is but it's mini shag. A twist, I believe. I have only washed it with warm water and a tiny bit of soap. Today its a little hard but the paint color is mostly out.

Gail from Calgary, AB

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I can't seem to find much info about human urine. During our awful ice storm my elderly mother-in-law stayed with us and wet on my sofa, no amount of cleaning is helping the smell. What will take out the smell. I paid $132.00 to have it cleaned and it stinks!

Nancy from Decatur, IL

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I have a 1962 Midge Barbie doll, bubble haircut, red hair, and she is in perfect condition, no flaws at all. I bought her in 1962 when she was brand new. I would like to know how much she would be worth, and where would I go to go about selling her and getting the best price?

Thank you,
Rose from Central Lake Michigan

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I received an email with names of soldiers serving in Iraq who do not get any mail from home. I would like to send each of these soldiers a note of encouragement and support and I would like to enclose small items that they might like. What to enclose? I plan to use padded 6x9 envelopes, so I have that much room for stuff. Need suggestions on small items that would be enjoyed.

Susan from Akron, OH

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Can anyone tell me where to find tower vases on sale. I live in New York so in the area would be nice.

Omayra from N.Y.

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I am planning a college graduation for my husband. He is majoring in entomology (insects) and I need ideas for centerpieces without creeping the guests out! The party is being held in a small local restaurant. Thanks!

Mrebisz from Newark, DE

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I am looking for a creative way to give a gift that can not be wrapped because it is too big and it also needs to stay outside?

Mary from Brooksville, FL

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I'm planning a masquerade ball in the middle of Jan. 2007. I need ideas. If you have anything let me know; foods, decor, anything will be great.

Thanks,
Baller from Bremerton, WA

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My built in dishwasher quit and I have access to a portable. Is it possible and practical and fairly easy to replace the built in with a portable.

Kathy from Centerville, IA

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Is there any place that will give you a loan, not a payday loan, when you have very bad credit,n o home ownership but do have a full time job? I am desperate in PA.

Bonnie from Erie, PA

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How do I get poster/finger paint off my toddler's hands? She was at preschool today, and her hands are stained blue up to her elbows?

Mel from Beckley, WV

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I need some advice on how to get feces stain out of white underwear. Any suggestions?

Robin from Washington, IA

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College is expensive; that's no news to anyone. While many know that scholarships, grants, and community colleges save money, what they may not know are the smaller ways to save money while they're already there. Books can be the costliest expense not covered by financial aid. With some courses totaling $200 in books, the investment for a full course load is overwhelming. How can money be saved?

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