Daily Thrifty Tips - September 20, 2007

Warning About Walmart Flip Flops

Here's a scary story I came accross yesterday. It's about a person who bought Walmart flip flops and had a horrible reaction to them. Also, it looks like other people may be having a problem with this so I wanted to point it out.

Warning, some of the pictures are tough to look at!

http://www.lamanaphotography.com/walmart2.htm

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Pizza with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

I found this recipe on foodnetwork.com and it's the best pizza recipe I've ever made. Since the website didn't have a photo, I snapped a photo prior to baking.

• Pizza with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

Oat Bran Pizza Crust

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Unbleached Flour
• 1 package (1/4 oz.) Active Dry Yeast
• 1 cup very warm water, 115 degrees F.
• 1 1/2 cups Oat Bran Flour
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Oiled baking sheet

Directions

Spray a medium-sized bowl with no stick cooking spray. Place pizza dough in bowl and turn to coat thoroughly. Cover and allow it to rise in a warm, draft-free place for 15 minutes. Roll out dough to fit 14- inch baking sheet. Oil baking sheet and carefully place pizza dough.

Garlic And Herb Pizza Dough: Add 2 teaspoons dried basil, oregano, or rosemary leaves and 1 clove minced garlic along with dry ingredients.

By Marge W. from Sanborn, NY

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Clothespin Bag from Tea Towel

I've been living frugually most of my life and loving it. Always trying to find ways of saving money. My clothes pin bag was worn out and I found a free sewing pattern on a website.

• http://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/peg-bag.shtml

I bought a tea towel for $1.00 at an estate sale. What is needed to complete the project is a wooden hanger. I had one hanging in my closet so I asked my husband to cut the ends to shorter it for the clothes pin bag.

Marge from NY

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Towel and Pot Holder Kitchen Decor

New approach to a dishcloth you hang over your oven door handle.

Approximate Time 15 minutes

Supplies:

• dish towel
• pot holder
• large button

Instructions:

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Socks As A Kitten

Socks is 1 year plus a few months, now. He loved to run around the house and terrorize the other pets and people. Unfortunately, he got outside and never came home.

By Rhonda from Lansford, PA

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Fixing A Misaligned Tape

I had a video tape for my VCR that had been recorded with some favorite programs and it became jiggly when we tried to watch it. Out of desperation, I flipped open the side to expose the magnetic tape. I don't know what I was expecting to find, but had run out of ideas at this point because the tracking on the VCR wasn't improving the situation.

The tape was situated low, near the base of the cassette. As we didn't have anything to lose, I put my finger on the tape and slid it up on the right and the left to it's correct position.It played just fine. Well, considering it was very old, I threw it out after we'd watched the programs because I didn't want to record on it again.

Moral of the story: if you have very old VCR cassettes, expect this to occur!

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Vegetable Peeler For Fancy Chocolate Curls

To make chocolate curls for your desserts, use a large milk chocolate bar and shave with a vegetable peeler.

By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Brush Your Hair Bottom Up

This is a hair combing or brushing tip for medium to long hair to avoid snarling. Start combing or brushing your hair from the bottom working your way up to the scalp. This way your hair will not get tangled with snarls that are being pulled down from the top of your head.

By Birthaleen from Burbank, CA

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Frugal Tips In The Kitchen

1. When using the vacuum sealer to keep meat fresh that I buy on sale, I often find that I need to stack things in the bag like hamburgers. Instead of using wax paper, I use the leftover small parts of vacuum sealer bag to separate the layers of meat. These small parts of the bag are too small to use for its own bag, so using them is better than throwing them away.

2. If you can't get away from prewashing dishes like me, there's no need to set your dishwasher on a full cleaning cycle. By using the short wash, half as much soap, and air drying the dishes, I save lots of money.

By Deanna from Cedar Park, TX

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Cool Music - A Joke

A boy once asked his dad why he put his radio in a refrigerator.

The dad replied, "I want to listen to cool music".

By Gabriel from Nigeria

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Simple Wedding Shower Gift

Buy a nice basket or ceramic jar and fill it full of all sorts of kitchen cooking utensils. I had someone do this for me and I appreciated it so much. There are all sorts of different utensils you need that you never think about. Some ideas are cheese graters, tea ball, lots of cooking spoons, spatula's, melon baller, bacon press, etc.

By Mythi from Silverdale, WA

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Use A Face Steamer For Lung Congestion

Picked up a little home face steamer by Revlon at a yardsale, thinking that the steam would be good for my sinuses when blocked. And I have found that BREATHING the steam is also good for lung congestion. So much easier than hanging over a steaming pot or water basin - and mine only cost $1. (I mean, isn't that what nebulizers are - steam with medication?)

By pamphyila from Los Angeles, CA

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Planning For Holiday Dinners A Week Ahead

For the holiday dinners, you should plan what you are going to have the week before and cook your desserts the day before the holiday.

By Wendy from Enid, OK

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How short should I cut my daughter's hair?

I am cutting my 12 year daughter very long hair very short. How short should I her cut her very long hair?

Frank from Hemstead, New York

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Getting Out of Debt

I hope someone can help me with my problem. I am deep into debt and I would like to know if someone could guide me with a very basic easy way to get myself out of this ordeal. I have tried everything that i could and still I fall back. I am going to start this week when i get paid to get this monkey off my back. Could suggest a very simple and basic budget or using the envelope method what ever it takes. I don't want any thing that is to complicated right now.

I am looking at about seven thousand in total debt that includes miscellaneous items and credit card debt. I also owe the IRS. What should i do first? I get paid bi-weekly total of 679.86 monthly. Also, I have a second job in retail so that check is not always the same, It goes by the hours I work. Help me please someone.

Malmal from Boston

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Problems Laying Flat During a Massage

I need some suggestions. When I get a massage I have trouble staying on my stomach for a long time because I have large breasts. Does anyone know a way to alleviate all that pressure on my breast while getting a massage?

az2010 from Easthampton, MA

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Locksmith Themed Christmas Parade Float Ideas

Our company will be in the annual Christmas parade and I am looking for a Locksmith-themed Christmas parade float... any ideas?!

HELP! These are locksmiths, and aren't too creative.

CHRISTY from ORLANDO, FL

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Knit Hat Pattern

Does anyone have a knitting pattern for an easy to knit hat - preferably one which can be easily adjusted to fit different sizes of adult head. I'm looking for a man's hat, a woman's or unisex?

Thanks,
Mary from UK

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"Parade of Lights" Christmas Parade ideas for Brownies and Guides

I am looking for "Parade of Lights" Christmas Parade ideas for Brownies and Guides. We're trying to come up ideas that use light. Our girls (approx. 50) will be walking, and have blue rain capes if it rains. One leader uses a medical scooter and is dressing up like a tree, with lights. This leader is riding at the front of the group.

Theresa from New Westminster, B.C.

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Stubborn Ingrown Hair

Does anyone know how to get rid of a severly ingrown hair on my husbands back? He has had it for years. It gets infected, we try to pop it and it stinks to high heaven. It goes down for a while and comes back. It does not hurt at all. I am just searching for natural remedies. Thanks so much.

Sherry from Stokesdale, NC

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Sunflowers Theme Decorations

I'm on the decorating committee for a woman's retreat and the theme is sunflowers. I need some smart and easy ideas for table decorations, and favors.

Thanks,
Octoberbabye from BRADENTON, FLORIDA USA

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Cleaning Outdoor Chair Pads

How do I clean my outdoor chair pads? Before bringing them in for the winter, I would like to get them cleaned. There are some small patches of mildew on the fabric. What gets it off?

Vanet from Saugerties

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My New Job Doesn't Offer a Retirement Plan

I have a 40000.00 in my 401k and my new job doesn't offer a retirement plan, what should i do?

Oscar from CA

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Allergic Reactions to New Carpet

We need new wall to wall carpeting installed through our entire house, living room and 3 bedrooms. I've read that new manufactured carpets contain chemicals. Has any one ever had an allergic reaction to new carpeting? When would be the best time of year to have this work done?

Marge from NY

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Who sells Aborio rice?

Does anyone know a store that sells Aborio rice? I've looked at Walmart, Kroger, and many budget stores and can't find it. My daughter has looked for it in Indiana and hasn't found it either.

Thanks,
Pauline from Arcanum, OH

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Painting Glass Vases

I need glass vase painting tips and templates.

Tami from Yakima, Wa

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Fixing Unresponsive TV Remote Buttons

My TV Remote has some buttons that don't work anymore. I took it apart and cleaned the contacts, but certain buttons barely work - the ones used most often...

Does anyone know how to get those button contacts, on the underside, to make good contact again with the PC Board inside the remote?

DoctorBill from Spokane, WA

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Substitute for Brandy

I need a substitution for brandy.

Carrie from FL

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"Girly-Girl" Centerpieces

I need ideas for a centerpiece. Our Women's Ministry is having a meeting. We are responsible for setting up themed tables. Mine is a "girly-girl" using plates with shoes, pocketbooks, and other girly items on it. Colors will be hot pink and lime green. What should I do as a centerpiece?

Debbie from Shallotte, NC

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Iron Mark on Cashmere

How can I get rid of a white iron mark on a red cashmere sweater?

los from France

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Organizing Nails, Screws, Nuts and Bolts

I would like to organize my husband's nails, screws, nuts and bolts. There are so many of them we're overwhelmed. Any suggestions for us to get started?

Thank you,
Linda from Claremont, NH

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Can I Machine Wash Dry Clean Only Draperies?

Would it be safe to machine wash heavy draperies - no fabric content is listed, however I believe it is Rayon. It also states dry clean only.

Alesha from Neosho, MO

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Do Hand Sanitizers Contain Sulfur?

Do any hand sanitizers contain any amount of sulfur?

Karen from New York

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Required Documentation For Bringing Dog Into USA

What documentation do I need to take my dog to the USA?

Thank you.

Walter from Ottawa

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How To Organize Printed Tips

I used to save all of my tips from this website on my computer. My computer crashed and I lost all my data. Now I am just printing them out and keeping them in a folder. Do you have any ideas on how I can keep them organized?

Onesummer

Editors Note: If you are a registered user with ThriftyFun, you can bookmark tips and they will be accessible from any computer over the internet.

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Help With My Ten Year Old's Behavior

My 10 year old boy is the best boy in school. He is very well behaved but at home he started to talk fresh mouth curse words and very disrespectful to us. All his friends are younger, he treats them bad. He has no confidence, he is behind in school because he has panic attacks and school phobia. We did spoil him but have stopped. Teachers say he the best kid. He will not play sports with kids his age he is timid.

Help,
Tom G. from NJ

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Coed 12th Birthday Ideas

Hi I'm having a party on the 29th for my 12th B-day party. I really desperately need help!

It's my first boy/girl party and I'm in middle school so its important to make a good impression to me. I'm having really cool people over. Its gonna be awesome. I need game ideas and food ideas. I need some stuff to talk about to the girls and guys. Two of the guys I really like and am hoping to impress. So please help me!

ToRiRoSe208hehe

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Remove Bled Color Without Losing Original Color

How do I take color that bled from fabric sewn onto a towel off the towel but not take the color out of the material it belongs on????

My husband decided to help with the laundry and washed two new fancy dishtowels together. The color bled onto the cotton backing. We are talking, red, orange and yellow and green. I want to take the color off the backing but not off of where it belongs. Can I use the removers for dye or will it also remove the color from the original fabric which is still attached? HELP! Mom doesn't know what has happened to her gift yet, I don't think. If she did see it, I'd like her to see that it was repaired and not destroyed. Thanks!

Sniffles from Omaha, NE

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Parakeet Is Losing Its Feathers

My parakeet is acting strange. I'm afraid he's got what my other parakeet died from - respiration problems (wheezing etc). The only signs he's showed are some loss of feathers around the eyes and from my sister's accounts - sitting on the bottom of the cage, but I'm not sure for how long. When she just told me this she said he was sick like the other one. How can i know for sure? My parents refusing to take him to the vet? :

Thanks again,
Jay

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Cleaning Vinyl Floor Tiles

I have cream colored vinyl tiles on my kitchen floor. Despite regular cleaning, these tiles have gotten really dirty. I can see dirt and grime in the grooves. I have used ammonia (diluted with water), Pinesol, ivory dish liquid, etc. Nothing seems to work. Can someone suggest a safe cleaning solution? I have an infant in the house so I cant use too much of any harsh chemicals.

SB from PA

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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

Bravo! Issues Nationwide Recall of Select Poultry Products for Dogs and Cats

Vernon, CT -- Sept. 18, 2007--- Bravo! announces a voluntary recall of select tubes of three of its poultry products for cats and dogs.  The pet food is being recalled because two of the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, while the other product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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Quong Hop & Co. Recalls Tofu Because of Possible Health Risk

Qukong Hop & Co. of South San Francisco, California is recalling all SOY DELI brand tofu with code date DEC 17 2007 and certain varieties of SOY DELI and QUONG HOP brand tofu with code date SEP 23 2007.

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Roundup Alternative

Alternatives to using Roundup and other commercial brands. Here are tips from the ThriftyFun community, post your own here.

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