Daily Thrifty Tips - October 23, 2008

We have a ton of new requests today, please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Make A Microwave Shelf

I don't have much counter space, so when I knocked off the umpteen cup of coffee while trying to open the microwave, I said "that's enough"!

I had four cans of fruit juice that I transferred to other containers. After the tops were off, and cleaned, I hot glued on some fabric to match my kitchen. Contact paper, wallpaper, scrapbooking paper, or paint will also work...

I found a great board just the right size, and lifted everything up. Underneath, I found a basket that is perfect for my teas, cocoas, and ciders. If you need more counter space, you can do something similar.

Hope this helps!
Poor But Proud

By Sandra from Salem, OR

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Craft Project: Trick Or Treat Place Setting

These cute pumpkins make perfect decorations for any Halloween party. They can be used as favors or as place setting gifts. Just remember to fill them full of yummy candy!

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Craft: Grocery Bag Tote

My daughter, Eryn, made and sold these bags to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. She used ordinary plastic grocery bags and fashioned them into a great tote. She added the colorful pink ribbon for a decoration. Recycling for a cause!

By Wendy from Coopersburg, PA

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Leo (Orange Tabby)

Leo is 6 going on 7 and an orange tabby. I got Leo last October. A lady from church had a tragic fire at her place. She needed to find a temporary home for her cat and dog. I got word of it and offered to give her cat a loving home for as long as needed. Well, it took her a bit longer than she had hoped to get her new place and by that time, she knew Leo and I had fallen in love with each other and also that he had a wonderful home. She asked me to keep him and she would go to the shelter and find a new one to love.

Leo likes to explore in the woods behind my place, chase bugs, take naps, get rubs/scratches and cuddle up close at bedtime. He is a wonderful blessing to me.

By Alexander D from Belair, MD

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Craft: Making Christmas Presents From Fabric Scraps

We all know how expensive Christmas giving can be. My husband and I live on a disability check. He fell and broke his back 3 years ago, and I stay home and take care of him. We had to change the way we live, only necessities now. But I have grandchildren that need Christmas gifts. I decided to make each one a quilt that reflects their own interests, so I started digging in the closet for scrap fabrics. (I sew.)

I did have to buy some pieces, although they came from the remnant shelf. They were very affordable. I was able to give my grandchildren a very nice gift that didn't cost much, only my time. A lot of love went into each one and now they will have something to remember Maw Maw when I'm gone.

By Vickie from Earle, Arkansas

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Using Toothpaste for Polishing Metals

Toothpaste is a great polisher for metal. My husband uses the white paste to polish his belt buckles. Squirt it on the metal, use the toothbrush to scrub it into crevices, and then wipe clean when done.

By Mindi from Henderson, NV

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Taking Out A Splinter Without Pain

Before getting out a needle or tweezers, try covering the splinter with Scotch tape and then pulling it off, fast and easy.

Source: A friend Agnes (day care worker)

By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario

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Wrapping in Plastic before Putting in a Box for Mailing

With the weather changing and more rain on the horizon, you might consider wrapping items in a plastic bag before placing them in a box for mailing. Many times packages are left outside when delivered. The plastic bag will protect the contents of the box until the recipient arrives home.

By Tedebear from San Jose CA

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Organizing Children's Artwork

I have two preschoolers who bring home lots of artwork and make their own creations at home. While their projects are my favorite, we've accumulated boxes of their paperwork that we don't look at or use. One afternoon, I spent a few hours photographing everything they did, downloading the photos to our computer, and uploading them to an online photo service to share with the grandparents. Next, I filed a few of my favorites in two cardboard magazine boxes, one for each child, and put the rest in the recycle bin. Now, at the end of each day, I gather all of their work and either hang it on the fridge or put it in the "art gallery" box. Once the box is filled, I photograph the work and go through the process above.

By Britt from Boston, MA

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Uses for Leftover Fabric Scraps

What to do with all your left over fabric scraps? Keep your pets warm. Make a dog or pet cage cover with matching place mat for food.

Laura from Newberry, FL

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Product Review: Boscia Blotting Linens

Product: Boscia Blotting Linens

Manufacturer: Fancl International

Review: This product is advertised as being good for removing excess oil from skin and it is good at that. However, I saw on another website that it was also good for removing excess oil from hair and therefore increasing the time you could go between shampoos; I didn't find it to be good at that at all, so don't purchase it just to remove excess oil from your hair!

Lynn M from Chico, CA

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Using Panty Hose with a Run in One Leg

To get more use out of your pantyhose when you have a run in one leg, cut off the ruined leg and save the good part. When you get a run in another pair, cut off the ruined leg. Now you have two good parts to wear as one pair.

Source: Learned to do this so long ago that I can't remember where I learned it.

By Judy from Frederic, MI

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Product Review: Green Bags

I wanted to share my review on the GREEN BAGS, that you see on TV. I bought mine at Walmart, they WORK. I put my lettuce, bananas, anything you don't want to ruin quickly. I put the bananas on the counter for a week and they barely turned at the tips. I was amazed to say the least. Just don't wash the stuff before you put it into the bags, I guess it needs its own vegetable sweat. The box I bought was ten dollars and it come with 30 bags, that you can use over and over. I am usually not to open to as seen on TV but sometimes you luck out, and I was sick of throwing away broccoli, just give them a try.

By Emily from Ore City, TX

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Use Egg To Keep Crisco From Sticking

When measuring Crisco in a measuring tin cup, first break your egg from a recipe in it. Put the egg into the batter and then Crisco into cup, it will not stick to cup now.

By Apeters from Northampton, PA

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Deep Fry for Crispy Bacon

To get really crispy bacon, you can deep fry it! The oil needs to be kept in a different container than your regular frying oil. You can use it to make your hush puppies taste better, though.

By Tim from Science Hill

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Easy Flan Recipe

I'm looking for an easy, delicious flan recipe that I can make with ingredients I already have on-hand. I don't have sweetened condensed milk, and most of the recipes I have seen use that ingredient. I do have evaporated canned milk.

Tina from Ashland, OR

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Permanent Marker On Car Headliner

How do you remove permanent marker from the headliner in a car?

Linda from Dallas, TX

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"Gooey Buns" Recipe

I am looking for a recipe from the 1950s or 60s. They were called "Gooey Buns" and contained cubes of ham, hard boiled eggs, cheese (Velveeta?) and some other ingredients? Then the mixture was placed in hot dog buns, wrapped in foil and baked in the oven until melted and gooey. I loved these when I was a child and my Mom made them often. Thanks for the help!

Kat from Will County, IL

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Removing Makeup From Face

What do you use to remove makeup from your face? I use Dove bar soap with a face cloth. Lately, I've noticed that Dove is not removing all the makeup after I wash my face. Sometimes after I wash my face I will get another clean face cloth and wipe my face and more makeup comes off. Do you use something better at removing makeup?

Onesummer

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Fumes From Oven Cleaner

I used oven cleaner to clean my oven and now when I use my stove the fumes burn my throat. Can the oven cleaner be causing this?

Leo from Boston

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Free Cookbook Creator Program

A group of us are trying to put together a cookbook to sell at a fundraiser. We need a free program to do these on our home computers. We don't have any start up to pay a publisher. Anyone know where I can download a free cookbook creator program?

Shala from Zanesville, Ohio

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Swiss Steak Seasoning Packet

Does anyone know how to make Swiss steak? My mom used to make it using a Swiss Steak seasoning packet that she bought at the grocery store. She said she has been looking for it in Texas, and can't find it. I can't find it here in California either.

Alisha from Lompoc, CA

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Ripening Green Tomatoes Inside

I read once how you can ripen green tomatoes in the house after the frost has hit, or just before. I've brought in loads of tomatoes, now what do I do?

grammamare from Charlotte, MI

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Reviews of Flea Products

What products work best for fleas? Flea powder, spray or other products, for dogs and cats?

Delbria from Perry, GA

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Angel Christmas Tree Topper

I am looking for a pattern for an angel Christmas tree topper. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Linda from Hartley, IA

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Inexpensive Ways To Tile a Floor

What is the least expensive way to tile a floor?

Judy from Union, NJ

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Cleaning Old Carpet Stains

How do you clean an old stain on Berber carpet?

Gwyneth from Plant City, FL

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Homemade Remedies For Toothaches

Any good remedies for toothaches besides over the counter or oil of cloves?

Laurie from Marshfield, WI

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Using Lotion After Waxing

After a Brazilian waxing is there a safe, every day lotion that can be used in that area to keep it from looking and feeling dry?

WarpedAngel from MD

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Making Extra Money For The Holidays

How can I get extra money for Thanksgiving and Christmas because I need extra money?

Melissa from Oklahoma

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Snacks Not Available In Australia

I am planning a trip to Australia in a few months and would like to know what snacks to bring along from the US that I won't find there?

Karen from IL

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Lion's "Tree of Life" Afghan

I am looking for the free pattern for the "Tree of Life" afghan, that Lion Brand offered on their blog this past spring. If anyone has it and would share it with me I would appreciate it, as I want to make it for a wedding gift. Thanks in advance.

Cheryl from Hessel, MI

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Walmart Getting Rid Of Crafts Department

Why is Walmart taking away their craft dept? I was saddened to go into the store on Saturday to get some Christmas fabric and wool and to my dismay the fabrics were gone. No buttons, no thread, no patterns, no notions, etc etc. The wool is going soon. The media is telling us to save our money or recycle and then when you want to sew they take it away. It's a shame. If the square foot in the store is not paying out it goes.

Patricia from Ontario, Canada

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Salvage Grocery Stores In New Jersey

I'm looking for a salvage grocery or discount store in New Jersey. Thank you.

hassana

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Painting Shower Tiles

I have a shower the previous owners painted. I removed as much as possible. Any hint on how to repaint or cover tiles?

Ruth from Mint Hill, NC

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Using Green Cherry Tomatoes

I had to pick my tomatoes because of the frost last night. I have a big bag of green cherry tomatoes. How should I go about letting them ripen? Or does someone have a recipe that calls for green tomatoes that maybe I can freeze to preserve them? I'm new at gardening and will appreciate any advice!

Haley from Centreville, Md

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Dusting Intricately Detailed Furniture

I purchased a formal dining set, and the detailing is very intricate. Any ideas on how to dust all of the nooks and crannies?

Jen from Shellsburg, IA

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Websites That Sell Really Cheap Books

Does anyone out there know of a website that carries really cheap used books? I'm also not too particular about what shape the books are in, as long as they're not missing any pages. Preferably one that has reasonable shipping rate.

For example, Albris Books has a lot of used books from many used book stores, so you have to pay shipping for each book, from each book store. If you buy 4 books from X Bookstore, you pay shipping for those 4 books from X Bookstore. However, if you pick books from another bookstore also, you have to pay shipping for the books you buy from them too. It gets pricey.

I read all the time and even at the local 1/2 price books store, or 1/4 price books store, I can't always find what I want. By the way, Albris will do a book search for you, and will send you an email when it comes in. However, it's on a first come, first serve basis; whoever answers their email first gets to buy the book. Not so fulfilling.

Any help would be appreciated.

Also, I do trade in some of my used books to get credit at the particular used book store, but some stores like Half Priced Books in Houston, TX, USA have given me literally $3.00 for a shopping bag full of books that I brought in.

Thanks very much.
Smoochie

smoochie from ,

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Reporting A Kennel That Has Parvo

How do I report Parvo at a kennel who won't admit it. My dog got sick on my b-day Oct. 14, 2008, he passed away on Fri. Oct. 16, 2008. Myself, my husband, my son, and my daughter's boyfriend worked at a kennel. We never have before. Puppies are dying a lot, at least 10 to 15 a week. Also they burn them. My dog was 7 and had never been sick before this.

Stacey from Crosby, MN

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Can You Dry Clean and Wash Clothes?

If you have clothes (cotton) that are NOT "Dry Clean Only" but you do Dry Clean them, can you then go back and wash them? Can you alternate or is this bad for the clothes to wash them once they have been dry cleaned?

Judy from Dallas, Tx

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Oil Stains On Sheet Rock

Fuel oil was recently spilled on the sheet rock wall next to our oil tank. I can see the areas where the fuel oil stained the wall. What product is best to use for cleaning the spots? The wall had been painted with latex paint.

Tomm

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Dog Pushes Food Bowl Around Before Eating

I have a rescued miniature Schnauzer. I have had her for two years, she is the love of my life. She is so finicky, and has started pushing her food bowl all around the floor before she will eat. Has anyone else had this problem?

Gail from Novi. MI

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Help Drilling Glass Blocks

Has anyone made glass block luminaries? If so, how do you drill the hole in the side of the glass block? Any tips?

Patricia from Stoney Creek, Ontario CA

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Daycare Name Ideas

My mom is a Pastor and she needs a name for her new Daycare Center. Her name could be used, it is Katherine. Thanks for your help.

Jennifer from Mississippi

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Need Ideas for an Advent Calendar

Any ideas on how to make a homemade advent calender? I want to make one my daughter can keep for a couple of years. I am open to it being made out of about anything cloth, wood, etc.

Anne from Troy, OH

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Crafts Using Pop Can Tabs

I would like to make some crafts with pop can tabs. What is a strong adhesive to use? I need something that is going to hold up.

Rettta from Mentor, Ohio

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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