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Vol. 7, Num. 17, January 24, 2008 (Read It Online) We are starting to get close to gardening season. Do you have any tips to share with the ThriftyFun community? Post your ideas on the contest page. Thanks for reading, Susan
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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:
Sunset Captured On Mobile Phone This photo was taken on my mobile phone from my front garden last autumn
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Rate It: Jack (Irish Glenn of Imaal Terrier) Jack is 11 and is a Irish Glenn of Imaal Terrier. I found my pet when he was about 8 months old on a very dangerous intersection. No collar, no identification. He deserved a good home. Where ever he came from, they did not deserve this very special wonderful pet. We love him so much. He still plays like a puppy and, of course, he likes the doggy parks. Sittin' shot gun in the car, we smuggled him in to several Las Vegas hotels. He's a traveling dog. He is the bestest anywhere! He's such a good boy, if a door is not open all the way, he will bark once. He waits to be invited. Check out the Irish Glen websites and you then will see how wonderful and smart and why they bred this little cute tough guy. By Jay from LA, California
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Rate It: Craft: Hanging Ball Made With Old Cards Take 20 used Christmas card (or any other card) fronts and cut out 4" circles. Using a triangle template, fold the edges of the circles up to form flaps. Glue the flaps together, add a hanging ribbon and you have an 8" decorative ball.
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Rate It: Oh, how I enjoy shopping for bargains. During the warmer months, DH and I love to go to all kinds of garage sales. At one of the sales, I saw something hanging on a nail which was stuffed full of plastic shopping bags. So I just had to find a free sewing pattern to make one for myself. I made several for friends who lived out of state, then the very last one I made for myself. If you look closely at the photo, you might find the mistake that I made. The palm trees are upside down, I had sewn the hanging loop on the wrong end of the bag and it was too much work to correct the mistake. I hang my plastic bag holder on a hook leading down to our basement. Now whenever I need a trash bag, I know where to find one. This pattern was created by Diane DeArmond By MCW from NY
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
I put all my change in a jar from one Christmas to the next. I always pay with bills, this way I get more change to put in my jar. When I'm ready to do my Christmas shopping, I take my change to the bank and cash it in for bills or put in my account. I can save from $300.00 on up, the most I saved so far was $700.00. I think that's pretty good for saving just my change. I don't cash in my pennies, they go to my 2-1/2 year old grandson someday, so he should have a good many pennies. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15419592.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Dawn Dishsoap for Stripping Hair of Buildup When you want to get all the hairspray and chemical build up out of your hair, use Dawn detergent once a week to strip it from all of those chemicals. Instead of using shampoo, use a little Dawn and wash your hair. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97212876.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Envelope for a Year's Worth of Receipts I have a tip for organizing your receipts for income tax. Every year in January, I get a medium brown envelope and write on it "Tax receipts 200?" (whatever year is the current one). I put all my receipts in it through the year. Then, the next year when it is time to file your income tax return, your receipts are together and they are easy to sort into categories. Filing made easy for the accountant and yourself. You are not wasting time looking for receipts and trying to remember where they are. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91525254.tip.html
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Rate It: To add a lovely scent to your home, spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent when the light is turned on. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67181716.tip.html
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Rate It: Add a Marshmallow Inside Ice Cream Cones When giving little ones ice cream in cones, I put a marshmallow in before the ice cream; large for square bottoms, mini for triangle cones. Less mess! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69905850.tip.html
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Rate It: Add Mouthwash To Your Steam Cleaner Get more cleaning and germ killing power with your steamer cleaner if you add a little mouthwash to the measure of water your steamer uses! I have done this countless times and always love the clean feeling this gives me! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55628456.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Dish Soap When Driving a Screw To make your job easier when your driving a screw into hard wood, putting a drop of liquid dish soap on the screw end will make the screw go in much easier and the soap won't hurt a thing. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31052146.tip.html
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Rate It: Make A Pillow Out Of A Beloved Shirt Because I have six kids, we tend to pass down a lot of clothes to the next sibling. My oldest son had a special shirt he simply did NOT want to let go of. Rather than pass it down to his brother, I agreed to let him keep it. But he simply could not keep it as a shirt because he continued to wear it, despite his belly hanging out. So I stitched up the arm holes and neck hole and filled the "torso" of the shirt with fiberfill. Then I stitched up the bottom of the shirt, creating a super cute, super cozy PILLOW! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59589328.tip.html
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Rate It: Use a Black Light to Find Missed Stitches Just when you think your stitched picture is perfect, take a black light and you will find the missing stitch(es). The white background will glow through where there was supposed to be a thread. This couldn't be any easier! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80498652.tip.html
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Rate It: Three Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children Understand Money
For years, parents across the nation have asked me what are some ideas to help their children understand money. Parents always want their children to have it better than they did; this is a legacy all parents wish for their own. Sometimes, this wish is what hurts their children the most. You need to wish the best for them but teach them to respect money and teach them how to save as well as spend money. It is OK to give your kids what they want but if that means you go without getting a new winter jacket so your child can have a new bike, then share that with them. Children need to understand the consequence of spending money. It does not grow on trees but when parents consistently give them money the children don't realize it may be coming from vacation money or money to pay off a credit card. There are three things that parents can do to help their children understand money: 1. Allow the kids to make choices If your child wants a new bike for their birthday and they also want a huge birthday party, what do you do? You tell your child the truth, that you only have enough money to either get them the bike or have a huge birthday party. Then, allow them to tell you which one they want the most. This allows the child to decide what they want most. 2. Give them a dollar limit for holiday or birthday presents Many times children do not understand there is a limit to the amount of money they can spend. If you know you can spend $100 for each child for their presents then allow them to choose the items they want. Many children differ in the gifts or amount of gifts they want. One child may want a $100 pair of Nike Air basketball shoes while another child may want to buy a couple books, a new telephone, some CD's, and some other knick knacks for $100. Allow the child to decide, this gives them a spending limit, allows them to see the cost of the items they want, and gives them a chance to make decisions. The best way to accomplish this is to make a gift certificate that says the dollars amount and the day and time you will take the child shopping for their present. 3. Talk to them about money Whether you are wealthy, middle class, or just making it, kids need to know about money. Talk to them about purchases for the house such as a new TV, VCR, or remodeling. Discuss your budget or lack of one and how much things cost. This does not imply that you are poor but gives the kids the necessary skills they need when they move out on their own. If you discuss money with your children then you will benefit them and not set them up for failure, bankruptcy, or a lot of pain. Money is a part of everyone's life and it should not be kept a secret but discussed openly within families. When this is done, then your family can make choices that benefit everyone. It also gives your children the skills that are necessary to make healthy decisions as adults. Good luck and remember to keep being savvy. (03/21/1999) By Michelle Keep Three Small Cups for Your Children I knew a family who kept three small cups for each child, to teach them how to manage money. Every time the child earned or was given money, they divided the amount up between the "savings", "offering for Church" and "spending $" cups. The child was allowed to use their spending money on items of their choosing. If it was a large item, the parents would agree to pay half as long as the child worked around the house to earn the other half. (06/14/2002) Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000004.tip.html
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Speeding Up a Knitting Project I have just bought baby yarn and needles and I am going to make a pair of socks with a high gauge. Any way to make the project go faster? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70214857.tip.html
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Rate It: Creative Anniversary Gift for Boyfriend I need a creative gift idea for my boyfriend. We have been going out for almost two years now and I need an anniversary gift. He's 17. I made him a scrapbook last year. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98238307.tip.html
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Rate It: What Makes the Beds So Comfortable at Nice Hotels? Why is it that some finer hotel beds feel so comfortable? Someone told me that they put a thin blanket or something under the sheet. I don't know if its the mattress cover. We love a firm bed, but there is something totally cozy about the finer hotel beds. Hopefully you can solve the mystery. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15031456.tip.html
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Rate It: Accessories to Put on the Coffee Table I need some suggestions for what ornaments to put on my coffee table. I live in an old, small cottage which has old fashioned furniture. I'm not into flowery fabrics. I prefer the simple styles. My living area is just off the kitchen which has very light oak units. The walls in kitchen and living area are cream, sofa is beige. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20171264.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a 12 month old child. He has a bad cough and it is worse at night. We believe that he has asthma, but his coughing has never been this bad. Is there anything out there that I can give him that would help that does not contain honey? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70530994.tip.html
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Rate It: Recipes for Kenmore Elite Slow Cook Setting I have a Kenmore Elite oven that has both convection and a slow cook options. I have been unable to locate any recipes for the slow cook feature. It has two settings, high which is 4-5 hours and Low which is 8 to 9 hours. Any ideas as to where to find recipes? The manual comes with a very limited number of recipes. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91135591.tip.html
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Rate It: I am in need of information on how to keep cats off of cars. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67511502.tip.html
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Rate It: My mother passed away last year and left me 7 faux fur coats and jackets. They are very nice and are from Fabulous Furs and all different types of furs. Most are new with the tags and a couple were $500.00. I tried selling them for about $100.00 on Ebay and Craigslist. I hate to throw them out, but they are taking a whole closet full of space. Any ideas of what else I could use them for? They are all plus sizes. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64741182.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have the directions for a dish called Cooksmith, made mainly with mashed potatoes? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49461664.tip.html
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Rate It: Golden Birthday for 4 Year Old Golden birthday ideas needed for a 4yrs old girls party? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64650514.tip.html
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Rate It: Making a Kids Knitting Loom and Knitting Rake I would like to have instructions on how to make a knitting loom and knitting rake for my kids. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65866373.tip.html
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Rate It: Downloading Free Movies and Burning Them to DVD Does anyone know a website where you can download free movies and burn them to DVD? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55941819.tip.html
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Rate It: Growing a Tree Sized Pointsettia Does anyone know how to grow a poinsettia to tree size(about 5 feet)? I've seen these in stores and they really don't cost that much. The problem is getting it home. They break so easily as it is, they will never survive being crammed into my tiny car. I don't know anyone who could lend me a truck or van. Do you need a certain kind of poinsettia (fast growing?) for these? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65922190.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Glittered, Colored Poinsettias I love those glitter covered, colored poinsettias. Last Christmas they were $4.99, this past Christmas the price went up to $15.99, OUTRAGEOUS! Does anyone know how to make these at home? I tried spray glitter but very little stuck. I don't know what kind of paint to use that would not kill the plant. I know the color is something applied because new growth comes in green. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71506854.tip.html
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Rate It: Getting Refrigerated Pizza Dough to Lie Flat I like the Pillsbury refrigerated pizza dough but I can never get it to lie flat. It curls up no matter what I do. Does anybody have a solution for this? I'd really appreciate it. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16459081.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Smoke from Wood Doors and Windows How do I clean smoke off of wood doors and windows? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99185538.tip.html
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Rate It: Help Identifying Another Houseplant Here is one more plant I need identified. Does anybody know what kind this is? It feels very dry and paper like. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be like that or not.
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Rate It: Help in Identifying a Houseplant Can somebody help me identify this houseplant? It was in an arrangement that had about 5 plants grouped together in one large decorative basket. I'm not sure what kind of plant this is. Thanks for any thoughts!
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Rate It: Crayon Stain Recipe Using Spray N Wash Can you use the crayon stain recipe with Spray N Wash instead? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12853427.tip.html
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Rate It: All Inclusive Hotel in Cancun, Mexico What is a good all inclusive hotel in Cancun, Mexico? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67947492.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for a Good Place to Find a Computer I am looking for a computer. I am a disabled lady and would love to have one to use as a way of keeping up with the world. Where would be a good place to look for one? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28155726.tip.html
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Rate It: After a party, there are a lot of half empty bottles and cans of beer laying around. I recycle the bottles and cans, but I was wondering what is the best use for that old beer? Remember, it's other people left over, so I can't use it in food. I was wondering whether I could put in plants or what. I have some composting going on. Any ideas? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75560362.tip.html
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Rate It: Smoke Smell Removal from Furniture, Rugs, etc. We're looking for advice on how to clean cigarette smoke smell from a coffee table. The top is marble, and the base is wood. Any tips for what is the best cleaning agent for the marble and the wood? Thank you! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf554040.tip.html
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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:
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