Daily Thrifty Tips - July 2, 2008

We have some recent product recalls in the More Reading section. Be sure to look them over to see if you own any of the products.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Mother's Day Garden Bed

This is my granddaughter looking at my garden of flowers that my husband made for me for Mother's Day. My child also bought flowers for my husband to put in the garden. The colored flowers are supposed to be a waterfall.

By Maria from Cedarville, NJ

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Baby Girl (Pit Bull) and Sweetie Pie (Pit Bull/Rock/Lab/Blue Heeler)

Baby Girl is a 1 1/2 year old Pit Bull and Sweetie Pie is a 5 month old Pit Bull/Rock/Lab/Blue Heeler.

Baby Girl i got a year ago after she ran in front of my van and the Sweetie Pie is her daughter.

They like to run, run, run. They are so spoiled if you want them to move you have to pick them up and move them, they won't move.

By Beverly from Aubrey, Texas

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Use Ketchup To Polish Brass

I have an old dresser that has brass knobs that have gotten very tarnished over the years. I tried Brasso, Bar Keepers Friend, etc. to no avail. I finally found the solution.

Ketchup! Yes, you read that right. Place the knobs in the a pan and cover with ketchup. Bring to a boil and boil for a few minutes. Then rinse and wipe. Voila!

Source: Chemistry!

By Michael the Moe from Forestville, MD

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The Library Is A Frugal Way To Beat The Heat

For a frugal way to beat the heat, go to your local library. Admission free. Hours of perusing your favorite books and magazines. Cost of a library card to take books, videos, CDs, or DVDs home with you free. Take advantage of the resourceful personnel there. They are happy to be of assistance and can give valuable tips on researching. Use the internet for free while there. Bathroom facilities are provided as are drinking fountains. Did I mention all of the air conditioned comfort for as many hours as you care to stay, all without receiving a bill for it at the end of the month. Some offer lectures while many offer story time for children or puppet shows. All for free. Enjoy. It is also a great way to keep your children occupied and learning during the hot summer months. Also, avoiding the heat means less of the 'crankies'. :)

By Strawberry from Nashville

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Use Ice In Front Of A Fan

To keep cool on a very hot day, turn on your fan and arrange a bowl of ice-cubes in front of it. Just like having an air-conditioner without the cost. Enjoy!

By Irene from Pittsburgh, PA

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Use Baby Wipes On Floor Spills

Use baby wipes to clean up spills on the floor. My back is bad, so I sit here at my desk and scoot around on my office chair (on wheels) pushing a baby wipe with my foot! It's a whole lot easier and the cost is minimal. Excuse me, I must get back to that spot in the corner:)

By Flitter from Ontario, Canada

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Dishwasher Powder For Stubborn Linen Stains

For getting spots out of fine linen, soak in 1 Tbsp of dishwasher machine powder. If stubborn, add a few drops of bleach (if white). If not white, add 30% peroxide.

By Nic from NC

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Use Colored Gelatin When Planting Small Seeds

If you are planting very fine seeds, such as carrot, lettuce or wildflower; mix the seeds with some colored gelatin powder. It really helps to spread the seeds evenly and makes it very easy to see where they've been sown. The gelatin seems to help them grow too!

By Laurie from Fairbanks, AK

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Happy Birthday USA Cupcakes

When my kids were tiny, I wondered how to teach them the significance of Independence Day. I was reading Sesame Street Magazine with my kids, and saw a page that was entitled, "Happy Birthday, USA!" Then a great idea hit me, what's a birthday without CAKE? I took the kids shopping and we decided on strawberry (or cherry) chip cake mix with white cream cheese frosting with red and blue decorator's gel for the lettering. We made cupcakes, frosted them, and wrote "USA" with the decorator's gel. Each cupcake got a blue birthday candle so everybody at our family barbecue could sing Happy Birthday to the USA and blow out their own candle. It was just the right way to start teaching our children the importance of patriotism. Independence Day is more than parades, food, and fireworks. Now my kids are teens, and we still keep the tradition.

Just a baking hint - if you are making a cake mix, add 1/2 cup - 1 cup of sour cream to the mix before baking. It makes the cake SO MOIST and more like scratch!

By Marie from Idaho Falls, Idaho

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Keep Mosquitoes Away with Listerine

Use Listerine as a mosquito repellent. My mother told me that she uses the original Listerine as a mosquito repellent for my daughters when she has them camping with them. She just put some in a small spray bottle and squirts them down before they go out to play and so far, they haven't had any bites.

I went to Wal Mart and got the generic brand of Listerine for about $3.00 and got 3 small squirt bottle at the dollar store... one for the house, one for the car and one for my travel bag. I filled all three bottles and still have over half a bottle of Listerine left over. Such an inexpensive way to keep the bugs away from yourself and the family!

By Curvaliscious from Ontario, Canada

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Painting Fiber Glass Shower Walls

Does anyone know if or how you can paint a fiberglass shower surround? Any help will be appreciated.

Oneta

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Card Game: Runs And Sets

Need clarification on rules for sets and runs.

1. If a player wants to replace a joker which has been played in a run, does the player have to be on the board themselves in order to do this?

2. If a player has 6 3s can they make this 2 sets of 3s?

3. If a player has not laid down the required set, run or combination thereof, can they discard a card that could be played on the board?

Boop from Columbus, OH

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Any advice for a 50 year old who has just been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Teresa from Brisbane, Australia

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What Color to Paint Kitchen with Dark Green Counter Tops

I need some suggestions in upgrading my kitchen. I do know I want the wallpaper gone. Please give suggestions on color for walls with the green counter tops. Also what would be a goo floor type besides white. The white floors are really hard to keep clean. Help please!Photos of nice kitchen ideas would be appreciated so much!

Kim from Macon, GA

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Removing Nail Glue from Skin

I was putting on fake nails and the nail glue spilled all over my hands and legs what should I do?

Crystal

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Where to Buy Nothin' Better Cleaning Powder

I've read about "Nothin's Better" on here for cleaning shower doors but I can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know where I might find it? Thanks bunches!

JoAnn from Knoxville, TN

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Craft Use for Grocery Bags

Does anyone know of some craft projects for plastic shopping bags that you don't have to knit or crochet? I have read about fusing, is it safe with the fumes from the plastic?

Susan

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Pigeons on My Balcony

Please help me get rid of pigeons on a my balcony. I have tied foil pie plates, wind chimes, and colored plastic bags to try to deter them and nothing is working. I live in an apartment building so am not allowed to put up any kind of netting or permanent structures.

abbycat1950

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Uses for Old Trophies

I am looking for ideas on recycled trophies. One was for lamps and the other for special Olympics. Could you let me know any more?

Patricia

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Dog With Allergies

My dog has allergies. What can I do about it? Please help.

Bill from Clinton, MO

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Home Remedy For Getting Rid Of Ground Moles

How do I get rid of ground moles by using a home remedy?

Sue from Sanford, FL

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Replacing Carpet In Home With Lots Of Dogs

My carpets have had it. We live in a mobile home and have six dogs. We are on a very limited income, as we are disabled. I'm aware we probably shouldn't own so many dogs with are limited income but they bring us great joy and were almost all rescued from really bad homes. Just looking to ask what the most affordable thing to replace the carpet with? It would need to be something that can be easily cleaned since we have so many dogs. Thanks and God Bless You

Shannon from Florida

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Getting Rid Of Tiny Black Bugs

I have tiny black bugs with two antennas. How can I get rid of them and what are they called?

Karen from Florida

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Cherries Are Very Small

We have two cherry trees (do not know variety) but are 4-5 years, both trees have fruit all over this summer. However, the cherries were the size of small peas. Both trees are a good 8-10 ft tall, maybe taller and are planted on a slope for drainage. We live in the middle part of East TN.

We are asking for advice on how to increase the size of our cherries. Our cherries have pits inside them as well. We have not fertilize them at all, but the trees are watered. We have not sprayed the trees with any type of pesticides. Please advise as to what we should do. Thank you.

Alex

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Advice For Making Iron-On Embroidery Patches

How do you make embroidery machine appliques for iron on patches? I bought a Singer Futura 150 sewing and embroidery machine and I have successfully created lots of embroidery designs onto items like shirts, towels, etc. But I want to know how to make a design so I can cut it out and use it as a iron on decal.

I'm familiar with the different stabilizers such as water soluble, which dissolves in water, the tear away kind and the stay on thicker kind. And all work well with the designs I put on these items. I know others create there own decals from their machines but I do not understand how it's done. What type fabric is used? What type of stabilizer is used? If using the water dissolving stabilizer does the stabilizer go on top while its embroidering on the design to be washed off later? And how do you cut out the finished design so that it looks professional when applied to other surfaces?

I know after it's finished you put Heat and Bond iron on fusing to the back side. My designs are the ones that get stitched on at once. Meaning that I do not have many that get stitched on first in the color pages style with the outline stitched on first then filled in with the rest of the design. I have found some designs that are like coloring page fill ins but still do not know what type fabric they are to be embroidered onto or how you cut them out to look right.

I want to be able to make my own in my hoops I have for my embroidery machine, then be able to iron them on my clothes like the bottom leg on capris or in the t-shirts center to match. I have already put on a design onto my t-shirts by using my t-shirt and letting the design go straight on. There must be some way to do what I am wondering about. If anyone out there has done their own with their embroidery machines can you please share the how to's on that with me please?

I Googled on it but only got one person explaining it which made no sense to me at all. If you have pics of how to do it step by step that would be just wonderful! Thank you in advance.

Julie from Tenn

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Looking For Mailing Address For Animal Planet

I have a crazy request. I would like to get the address for Animal Planet to send a card to someone that was on one of their shows. I have just been all over their site and can't find a real address. I did fill out an email but doubt they will contact me. Can anyone help?

Sandy from Halethorpe

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What Breed Is My Dog?

Does anyone know what crossbreed she could be? She is from Romania, and we would all really like to know what type of dog she is. All we know is that she is a crossbreed. Thank you.

xXcherrydropXx from Bury St Edmunds

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How Do You Use A Yarn-around?

How do you use a yarn-around?

Missy from Walnut, CA

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Quick, Tasty Meals To Serve Fiance's Mother

I need a few ideas for some quick tasty meals to serve while my fiance's mother visits for a few days from out of state. This is my first time meeting her.

Tami

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Rose Bushes Turning Yellow

Why are my rose bush leaves turning yellow all of a sudden?

Hardiness Zone: 7a


Ann from MA

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Looking For Recipe For Boston Creme Candy

My Mother made a delicious candy that was called Boston creme candy, but I cannot find the recipe. Does anyone have it? Thanks.

Bonnie from Park Hills, Mo.

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Using Egg Whites On Mohawk

How do you use egg whites to make a Mohawk stand up?

John from Magnolia, Texas

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Ideas For 2 Year Old's Golden Birthday

My little girl will be turning 2 in October and it is also her golden birthday. I would really like to go all out for her birthday but have no clue what theme I should go with. I tossed around the idea of everything being gold from the table cloth to the cake but I'm not sure if that is for a two year old.

She also has a lot of cousins anywhere from ages 9 months to 17. I would like to have activities for all ages to enjoy. I plan on doing an outdoors birthday because the family is so big and it is tough to fit them all in a house. Any help on this matter would sure be appreciated.

Rebecca from Eau Claire, WI

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Removing Candle Wax From Church Pew Cushion

Need advice on how to get candle wax out of pew cushion at church. It is left over from New Year's eve's candle light service.

Oneta from Texas

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Looking For Suave Alpha-hydroxy Product

Use to use a Suave anti-aging product from Wal-Mart (Age Defense, maybe), containing Alpha-Hydroxy. It removed a brown spot from my face completely. I can't find it anymore and now have another big brown spot. What can I use? I'm getting the brown spots on my forearms now and would like to remove those as well. Thanks

Debra from Marion, NC

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Preventing Zipper On Dooney Purse From Fading

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent a Dooney and Bourke rainbow zipper from fading? I have had a few Dooney purses. With my purses before the zippers have faded, so I try not to zip them. This is not the most practical solution to this problem so I was just wondering if anyone had any idea on how I could find a way to keep my belongings safe and keep my purse beautiful.

Caleigh from Traverse City, MI

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Where Can I Find Bathroom Signs?

Where can I find brass or wooden signs for restroom doors to indicate which is the ladies room and which is the men's room? Prefer "cutout" type, small but attractive. I tried Lowe's. They couldn't find any to special order either. Needed for church restrooms. Thanks

Debra from Marion, NC

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Advice For Transitioning From Elementary to Junior High School

I'm entering 7th grade this fall and will be going to junior high. It's a lot different then my elementary especially in size. I am very nervous. Do you have any advice for me? Please help!

Emma from Salt Lake City, UT

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Hibiscus Flowers Not Opening

I have a hibiscus plant that will bloom, but the blooms will not open up completely before they die. I have planted it in the ground and fertilized it. I water it everyday, but nothing seems to work. What should I try next?

Hardiness Zone: 9a


Keri from Houston, TX

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Sour Milk Smell in Car

How can I get sour milk smell out of my car?

Renee from Albany, NY

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Removing Crazy Glue from Leather

My son spilled krazy glue all over my leather couch. How do I remove it without damaging the leather?

Sarah from Miami, FL

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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

My Frugal Life: A Journey

My Frugal Journey started when I became a lone parent, my son was 3 years old and I had to find us somewhere to live.

I was lucky that I was offered a house, but we had very little by the way of furniture etc... I discovered the joy of Thrift Stores, Ebay, Freecycle and Car Boot (Yard) Sales.

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Westminster Inc. Recalls Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Due to Risk of Fire

Hazard: The rechargeable battery inside the helicopter can overheat. This can result in the helicopter's body melting, as well as a risk of fire or burns to consumers.

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Hewlett-Packard Co. Recalls Fax Machines Due to Fire Hazard

Hazard: An internal electrical component failure can cause overheating of the product posing a risk of burn or fire.

HP Fax 1010 and 1010xi

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Children's Jackets and Hoodies with Drawstrings Recalled by Coolibar Inc. Due to Strangulation Hazard

Hazard: The garments have a drawstring through the hood, posing a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.

Sun Block Hoodie




Sun Block Jacket

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