Daily Thrifty Tips - July 30, 2007

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. We are having some wonderful weather here in the Pacific Northwest. We have been having an unprecidented number of requests lately. We can use some help, can you look them over?

Here are the contest winners for the week before last.

Tip Contest Winners

Buy Mulch In Bulk From Landscapers
By Camilla from Atchison, KS

Hanging Planters From Paint Cans
By Regina from Rochester, NY

Photo Contest Winner

Garage Turned Into A Home
By txdesignerd from Texas

Thank you for all the great entries!

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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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.

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Gold and White Winter Wreath

If you'd like something a little out of the ordinary hanging on your front door this winter then this wreath is just for you.

Crafting Time: about 1 1/2 hours for a 12 inch wreath

Materials

• 1 yard gold embossed tulle (found in fabric stores and craft departments)
• scissors
• 12 inch white foam wreath form
• ordinary straight pins
• 2 yards (about) of 3 inch wide mylar ribbon
• wreath wire (other wire will work also, thin wire is easier to work with)
• several small gold ball ornaments (you can even use those from an old holiday decoration)

Instructions

By Marie E. Cecchini from West Dundee, IL

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Grandson and his Easter Basket

This is a picture of my 11-month-old grandson with the Easter Basket that I made for him this year. I actually wove the basket myself! (Not too bad for a first-timer). I loved making it. I then put Easter grass in it and a few age appropriate gifts. It turned out great!

By Tammy from SC

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Old Timey Lawnmower Lawn Decoration

This is a picture of my old timey lawnmower that I have in my front yard for decoration. I hung a cute bird house and put in some fake sunflowers.

By Sandy from Bluff City, TN

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Making Your Own Business Cards

We save money on business cards by designing our own. My husband took this picture in our backyard, and put the words on it on the computer.

By Jessica from Marion, NC

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My "Moon-Kissed" Double Delight Rose

This rose begins with a light color with light pink coloration with darker pink outlines on the outer petals. As it matures, the coloration gets darker; I photographed this rose with a different setting on my camera and it appears like the moon is casting a lovely shadow on the rose. It is amazing to watch the transformation of a rosebud into a exquisite rose blossom.

By WandaJo from Tennessee

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Maya and Mollie (Cats)

Maya is on the left and Mollie is on the right! Mollie is a 4 year old tabby/Maine Coon mix. I found Mollie on petfinder.com 4 years ago and adopted her from our local humane society. Mollie is the queen bee at our house!

Maya is 2 and a "blue" and tabby mix. We found Maya through freecycle.com. A family found her in their yard when they were mowing the grass, she was around 4 months old. She is truly a sweet cat!

Mollie loves to help us with dishes! She sits on a stool and supervises when the dishes get washed! She meows and cries if you do not put her on the stool when you are washing dishes! Maya just loves having fun and is into everything! She loves to be petted and we have to try very hard to keep her away from the hamster and fish that we have!

These two girls rarely hang out together, so when we got this cute shot of them just loving up on each other, it was a once-in a lifetime shot! We love our kitties!

By Carrie from Stantonsburg, NC

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Use A Teapot Instead Of A Soap Dispenser

Something to do with the dishwashing liquid bottle. Instead of having the ugly bottle on your sinktop, you just purchase a cute teapot and pour your dishwashing liquid from the pot and you also have a cute decoration.

By Patty from Wellsburg, WV

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Top Shelf Rule

With three children under four, going to the store is a major event and I hate having to go more than once a week because I forgot something or we ran out of something before shopping day. The "Top Shelf Rule" has helped out tremendously.

Buy one extra of everything nonperishable that your family uses regularly (ketchup, rice mix, soup, cooking spray, ziploc bags, etc.) and devote your top pantry shelf to just these items. The top shelf rule is that no one in the family is allowed to take something down from the top shelf without first writing it on the grocery list. This way, we never run out of things before grocery day. It has worked so well, that I have started a "top shelf" with my cleaning supplies too.

By Amy from Austin, Texas

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Remedy For Melted Chocolate Candy Bar

Recently on vacation my husband had bought a package of mini candy bars; we were sight-seeing and when we returned to the car, the candy bars were melted. We were thirsty so we purchased a large soda with lots of ice; after my husband had consumed the drink from his soda cup, he placed one of the mini candy bars on top of the ice in his drink cup; replaced the top; after 30 minutes, the candy bar had firmed up and he enjoyed his bite-size candy bar.

By WandaJo from Tennessee

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Cleaning An Electric Grill Without Removable Plates

Do you have an indoor grill WITHOUT a removable grate? To clean, take about 5 or 6 paper towels and wet them well and set them in your grate and plug it in. Let it steam for a few minutes, unplug, then using a spaghetti lifter (the kind with claws on it) rub your paper with it and it will get in all the nooks and crannies. It makes a little mess on your counter but is much easier to clean up than on your grill!

By Elaine from Iowa

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Gift Coffee Mug Jams

I have a couple of friends that would like jelly but in a small amount, I started doing this years ago. Whenever I make jelly or jam, I always put approximately 3/4 cup in one of those coffee mugs I would really like to get rid of.

I first put 3 Tbsp. of grated paraffin wax in the bottom; pour hot jam into the mug. The paraffin wax will rise to the surface to seal the cup. While it is still fairly translucent, I tuck a piece of cotton string about 3 inches long into the hot wax, leaving half of it sticking out. To use the jam, all they have to do is pull on a string with little effort. The paraffin wax will come off, there's no need to poke, stab or jab to get the paraffin off.

Then I cut a piece of saran wrap to fit the top, put a rubber band around it to be sure it stays on. I cover it with the piece of pretty fabric and tie with a ribbon. They have to keep the coffee mug!

By Babbie from Lemon Grove, CA

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Gift Bag Swap

Gift bags seem to go on and on, so it's a shame not to re-use them. Think about swapping them with a friend or someone at the office who doesn't have the exact same gift list as you do!

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Cheap Cat Collars

Cat collars, on the cheap! Use plain elastic! Tie it. The beauty of a piece of elastic is that it won't choke a cat and works as an expandable "breakway" collar. Another cheap collar: Cut off the ribbed tops of old socks. Make five collars per sock. Nice and soft! This should also be listed under "what to do with old socks!"

By Mary from Kensington, MD

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Use Credit Cards for All Purchases and Earn Cash Back

I recently received my credit card bill and was happy to see my cash back amount earned was $120.00, which I called and had them apply to my bill. We only use one credit card and charge everything we purchase in a month. We do not charge anything that we can not pay for when the bill comes due, that way we pay no interest, yet for using the credit card, we receive cash back. As long as you are careful what you charge and know you have the money to pay the credit card bill when due, you get free money while paying out no interest.

I also pay several of my bills by credit card automatically each month, this saves me a stamp and also adds to the cash back amount accumulating with each charge I make. I recently became aware that when anything changes on a credit card, such as a new expiration date, then you have to notify the appropriate billing departments of the changes. Otherwise, you may be hit with late fees when charges to the credit card are denied. This will happen even if the credit card number is the same and your credit is good. Some billing departments will let you know when a card expiration date is coming up and advise you to "resubscribe" to the auto payment. Some are happy to collect late fees.

Again, I stress this is only a good idea if you are budgeting and watching that you do not abuse the charging items you know you do not have the money to pay for when the bill is due, paying interest is not an option unless there is a dire emergency.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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Product Review: Almay SmartShade Foundation Makeup

I don't know how many people have tried the new SmartShade foundation from Almay, but for once they've created something that actually does what it's supposed to. (For anyone who's never heard of this, it's the foundation that adjusts to your skin tone). It's a little pricey at $10 for one tube, but you only have to use a tiny little bit and it takes all of 30 seconds to put it on which is great for me since I hate having to take time to put makeup on in the morning. Plus, it doesn't even feel like you're wearing makeup. Just thought I'd share that it's definitely worth trying out.

By Jaclyn from Murfreesboro, TN

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Camouflaging Wall Flaws Using Leftover Wallpaper

After installing a new wallpaper boarder, I noticed a few flaws on the wall itself. I decided to camouflage the flaws by adding some pretty accents from the remaining wallpaper border. I carefully cut out my favourite images and applied them over the flaws in a way that looked decorative. Now nobody will ever know there are flaws on my wall.

By Lisa from Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Painting a Bathroom Sink

I am wanting to paint my kitchen counter top, but haven't a clue on what color, I just know I don't want white. I have yellow walls white cabinets and red curtains, chair cushions, etc. I am needing some ideas. I also want to know if it's possible to paint the sink in the vanity in the bathroom, or will the running water damage the paint.

Thanks for all the help.
HEIDI from East Lynn, IL

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Rag Baby Quilt

How do I make a rag baby quilt and is there a pattern? What size blocks are used?

Grami Fran from Utica, NY

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Growing Grass On Top of Concrete

Our inground 16x32 pool has been filled in. We have a concrete patio surrounding the pool, we would like to grass over the concrete, possibly drilling holes into the concrete for drainage. Removing all of the concrete is not an option! If anyone has filled in their pool and have pix would love to see them.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Thanks,
Gen from Medford, MA

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Organic Face Mask Recipes

I have about everything wrong with my skin, it is acne prone, oily,and dry! I need organic facial mask recipes because I don't use any of the store bought chemical ones. Please help me!

Horrible_Skin_Gurlie from Daly City, California

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Blocks for Building up a Patio

Where can I get inexpensive blocks to build up my patio?

Visa from Tempe, AZ

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Boston Pizza's Pad Thai Recipe

I'm looking for a recipe for Boston Pizza's Pad Thai, which my kids love. Boston Pizza is a Canadian chain. Here's a description of the dish from their website:

"Pad Thai

Our take on a Thai classic. Fettuccini noodles, carrots, red pepper, green onion and your choice of tender chicken breast or juicy shrimp, all tossed in our spicy Pad Thai sauce. Drizzled with peanut sauce then finished with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro and lime."

The US chain is called Boston's Gourmet Pizza but according to their website, they don't serve Pad Thai.

Dolna from Nova Scotia

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Repairing Cracks in a Sink

I need help on how to remove or repair cracks in a sink that is part of a molded one piece counter. It is white with veins of gold glitter going through it. It looks like someone tried to epoxy one of the cracks. Can I sand this out?

Bobbye from Midwest

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Removing Texture and Wallpaper

I am trying to remove foil wallpaper that has been covered by what looks like a plastery substance so the previous owners could paint the walls. It must of been a quick fix to make the walls look good to a potential home buyer. The plaster stuff is thicker in some areas than others so its like an excavation sometimes it is so deep. Is there an easier way to remove the layers and layers? I have used an exacto and spray.

Bobbye from Midwest

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Westchester Pattern #HP70162B

Was in process of doing my bathroom. Ran out of this border. Tried different web sites, most say discontinued. Can anyone help me out? Only need about 5 feet of it.
Westchester Pattern #HP70162B

Thanks!
Lisa from Trevorton, PA

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Solvent Odor In Washing Machine

I have a Whirlpool Duet Washer. About a month ago, I accidentally washed a cloth soaked with a gun-cleaning solvent. Since that time, after many loads of wash and attempts to get rid of the smell - it persists both in the machine itself and usually in the clothes as well. Even going on vacation for a week and leaving the door open to air out didn't help.

I would greatly appreciate any advice or ideas anyone may have to solve this problem. Thanks!

Andy from Texas

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Help! Bridesmaid With Too Short Hair

OMG, I have the most horrible hair! I cut my hair to achieve an emo look but now I need to be a bridesmaid at my cousins wedding! I NEED to grow my hair out fast! Help me please

Regretful_Emo from Daly City, California

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Painting Designs On Carpet

Can a person use textile paint to sponge a stencil design on permanent ugly carpet spots? Anyone tried it?

J E from Portland OR

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Bedroom Painting Advice For Red Carpet And Dark Furniture

I need help. I am moving into a house that has red carpet in the master bedroom. We have a dark espresso bedroom suite. The bed is a canopy with white mesh. What color would be nice to paint the walls and accent the room with?

Amber from Fort Myers, FL

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New Clothes For Stuffed Animals

Where can I take an old stuffed monkey that I want to get "reclothed"? The cloth is old, and he needs to be patched up.

Libby from Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Painting Kitchen Counter Tiles

Has anyone ever had luck with painting over kitchen counter tiles. I have the white and want a marble or granite look. I thought about sanding and priming and then painting with a faux finish.

Pat from Mansfield, MO

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Ideas For Leftover Patches

My daughter was cleaning her closet and found a huge bag of patches she earned from soccer, swimming and girl scouts. Any craft ideas to make for a keepsake?

Carol

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Preventing Mold In Toilet

I am getting a mold like residue in one toilet in my house. I clean and clean, but it keeps coming back. I have tried almost everything, including different tank tablets with bleach. They seem to slow it down but not eliminate it. Help!

Minnie from East TN

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Cleaning Hard Water/Mineral Stains on Glassware

How do you get rid of hard water or mineral stains on glassware?

Gale from Vergas, MN

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Flowering Outdoor Plant with Rubbery Leaves

I'm looking for the name of a flowering outdoor plant that is rubbery feeling. Any ideas?


Monica from Fennimore, WI

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Window Treatment Ideas For French Doors

I am looking for a window treatment for French Doors. Currently, I am using sheers and I am tired of them, in addition, they look bulky. Can anyone help?

Kelly from Toledo OH

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How Should I Pay For My Child's College?

My daughter is now a senior in high school. She has a 4.0 plus average (honors, AP classes) and has a 75% tuition scholarship so far and will be probably be able to attend the closest university for free if she continues to apply for scholarships. At 75% paid, I can make up the difference if necessary.

However, she and her high-achieving friends want to attend the largest state university in a college town that's too distant for her to commute. I have told her that she can go if she gets enough scholarships to make up the difference. Room and board are more than I could pay as a single mom.

However, since my daughter is such a high achiever (many awards for her talents) I am starting to waiver. I wonder if I should take out a home equity loan or try to cash in my TSA? What if she gets in a car accident while commuting?

SusannL from Florida

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Growing Apricots And Peaches From Pits

I read your note on growing cherries from the pit . I am trying to start other fruit.
Do the seeds of apricots and peaches requiring the same method, I have done everything except refrigerate the seeds and so far nothing. Thanks

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Don

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Juicing Tomatoes In Small Batches

I'm growing tomatoes in containers. I would like to make juice out of them, but they are not accumulating fast enough. Can I freeze them a few at a time until I have enough for the juice? Also, does anyone have a recipe for making V8 Juice using all eight vegetables?

Ben from Chattanooga, TN

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My Child Won't Poop In The Potty

I have a 4 year old who just started preschool, and the problem is that she uses her underwear at night and all day. She doesn't wet the bed. She doesn't use the pull ups anymore. But my problem is the pooh pooh! She will pee in the toilet and not pooh. So what can I do or what method shall I use to accomplish it? I sit her on the toilet to pooh. But just sits and does nothing.

Isabel from Corpus Christi, Texas

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Uses for Small Styrofoam Ice Chests

My neighbor gets a styrofoam ice chest every week from Omaha Steaks. I keep trying to think of a use when she offers them to me. Any ideas?

Thank you!

Kathi from Oklahoma City, OK

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Nail Polish Remover on Leather

I just recently spilled a bit of nail polish remover on my new light tan leather couch and the color has now gone from light tan to almost white, I was just wondering if there was any way that I could go about fixing this problem.

Trish

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Latex Paint Stain on Jeans

How do I remove latex paint from jeans?

Annie from Juneau, AK

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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

Old Fashioned Soda Fountain Treats (Part 4 - Sauces and Toppings)

There is nothing better in the world than homemade toppings for ice cream. You can make so many more flavors than you can buy at the grocery store.

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Saving Money on Books

Satisfy you love of reading without breaking the bank. Below are some tips to help you save money on books. Feel free to post your own ideas in the feedback forum below.

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