Daily Thrifty Tips - December 18, 2006

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This is Mamma, Diva, and Cotton. My girls!

Diva and Cotton are from Mammas litter and are about 1-1/2 years old. Mamma is 3 years. They were given to me.

They like to run around the house as fast as they can go!

By Allison from Elmendorf, Texas

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Creating a personalized, ornamental ball for the tree can be as individual as you like. Mine are red balls with golden glass paint depicting a design and each loved one's name.

Materials and Equipment:

• a large garbage bag or several sheets of newspaper
• several plain Christmas balls
• glass paint with writing tip (available at most craft or art centers)
• metallic thread
• scissors
• paper
• pencil

Instructions:

1. Before you start, clear the table and cover it with newspaper or a large garbage bag to avoid getting paint on the table.

2. Start by creating a template of the design you want to paint with pencil on a piece of paper. Incorporate the name of a loved one into the design.

3. Take out your Christmas ball. Cut a length of thread from the spool and thread it through the hoop on the top of the ornament. Create a loop to hang your completed ornament by.

4. Once your design is ready, open your bottle of glass paint. Remove the cap and screw the writing tip onto the end of the bottle. Copy your design onto the Christmas ball.

5. Hang the ball on the tree or from a hanger to dry.

6. Complete steps two to five for each personalized ball you want to create.

7. Give your completed ornament to its namesake or hang it on the tree as a reminder of the one you love. (Originally Published 12/4/2005)

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Here are my house decorations this year.

By Dorothy from Friedens, PA

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My son Aleef Adam at 9+ months. He's so cute and lovely!

By Rose from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Complete a short survey on what vitamins you take, where you purchase them, to receive: 1 free sachet and a $3.00 coupon for your next order of Spirulina IL-4 products. Offer good in USA and Canada, only.

By Terri from NV

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Winter temperatures are tough on vehicle windshields. You can save yourself from having to replace your car windshield down the road by getting dings repaired in a timely matter. If you have comprehensive auto insurance, these repairs may be covered and they often waive your deductible so the repair in essentially free. Call your insurance to see if they have a windshield repair program.

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I have a "hiker's clip" attached to my purse handles. When I get home and inside, I immediately attach my car and house keyring onto the hiker's clip. So the each time, I'm ready to leave, no more having to hunt for my car keys!

By Terri H. from NV

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To save time and wrapping paper, I am sharing a tip for figuring out how much paper you need to wrap a gift. I learned this tip when I worked in a local shop in Rockwall. All you will need is some string or yarn, whichever you have on hand. I keep yarn in my gift wrapping materials, so it is always handy.

Wrap a piece of string or yarn around the package and then add 2 inches. Cut the paper to match the length of your yarn. This takes out guess work and makes wrapping so much easier.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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I love baking. I love making pineapple upside down cake but every time we would have some at work, I would see how people would struggle with the pineapple slices. So for my next pineapple cake, I used crushed pineapple and just sliced the cherries in half. This helped a lot. It was easier to eat and cut, especially with plastic forks. It also increases the moisture in the cake.

By Midq from San Antonio, TX

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Sometimes when you scrub at stains on your jeans, you end up with a white spot, which can be even worse! To mask those white spots if you have lighter blue jeans, you can use a grey water-based marker. Grey just matches the color of jeans better than most blues. Apply the marker messily to the white spot, and then blot with water. Re-apply several times until it matches the rest of the fabric. (If you don't have a grey marker, you can also try grey eye shadow!)

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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When you are choosing a veterinarian, ask friends and family in your area if they have a vet they would recommend. It's important to find a vet that is good with both people and animals; someone who is willing to take time to answer any questions that you may have.

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Out at the farm where we've lived most of our lives, we had a huge deck to decorate for Christmas. We had whiskey barrel planters in 2 corners so I went to a thrift shop and got used artificial trees. I tied on some ornaments so they wouldn't blow away, tied the lights to the branches and wrapped the tinsel well around the branches. We had 2 gorgeous trees for practically nothing. Then I asked my husband for an old tire. I bought some cheap green fabric, tore it into strips and wrapped it around and around the tire to make a wreath. After adding lights, just wrapping them around it also, and putting a HUGE red bow on top, we had a beautiful big wreath to hang on the deck. Voila!! Everything looked so pretty! I'd have to dig to find pictures of it all now but it really turned out pretty. I also made a Nativity out of dish soap bottles, weighting them with sand and draping them with fabric, etc. and set them up in the wishing well barbecue my husband had made. With a light from above, it was beautiful! Such fun it was, before we got older and lazier. Now we just have a few lights. But a little imagination went a long way back then!!

By Marlene from Larimore, ND

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I often buy white Christmas balls that have a pearly appreance after Christmas when they reduce the price. I keep paint pens and hand decorate them. I put holly leaves and berries on them and different captions like: Merry Christmas, NOEL, Let it Snow, etc.

I always do some with the receipent's name and family member names on them. They make great Christmas gifts. When I use them as bridal gifts I make one with the bride and groom's name and the date of their wedding on one side and "Our First Christmas and the year" on the other. They can be gifted in the same box they are packaged in, and most brides don't have many ornaments for their first tree.

By Martha

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In an effort to reduce energy consumption, put your pot of pasta water up on the stove early in the day. Let it come to room temperature. When it's time to cook, it will take less time to boil.

This tip save energy, time and money.

By Cheapo from Hamburg, NJ

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I use a rice cooker and often have leftover rice. Rather than throw it away, I do what my old Japanese roommate used to do, freeze it! Place leftover cooked rice in plastic wrap or a ziploc baggie and put it in the freezer. It will keep for a long time and only need a few seconds in the microwave to heat up. Tastes great after being frozen.

*Tip - freeze in individual serving sizes for a quick lunch. Add some frozen veggies and sauce and voila!

By Carrie from Yakima, WA

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I use binder clips for everything! Not only do I use them for resealing food packages and holding paper, but for clothing as well. They are very useful for holding up too-long pyjama pants and minimizing waists that are too-big. I keep assorted sizes in a pretty jar in the kitchen so they are always on hand.

By Jenny from Cyprus

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

How do I make a rag rug and what is the best material?

Evelyn from Oregon

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I need help removing white spots on a glass top stove? They have been there a while. I tried a razor but it did not work. They are almost smooth.

Edna from West Bath, Maine

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Is there some form of homemade recipe or formula to make a germ cleaner the same or stronger than lysol.

Jim from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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I need some ideas for Christmas presents for my boyfriend. He's 16 and it's our first christmas together and we decided to do homemade gifts for the most part this year. I would really love if somebody could give me some ideas ASAP, =)

Katie from WI

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My children were given temporary Christmas tattoos at a festival. I can't get the tattoos washed off their faces! I've tried soap & water, makeup remover, hydrogen peroxide, and canola oil.

Melanie from Colorado Springs

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I have done a lot of cookie baking. I would like suggestions on how to present these gifts-packaging, etc, for the WOW! response they deserve.

Linda from Vista, CA

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I'm buying a new home and at inspection it has termites. When the owner gets rid of them, will this be a on going problem?. if so I will back out.

Thanks,
Chris from NJ

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I have white cabinets, stainless appliances and black counters, what would be a good wall color for my kitchen? Also, the floors are cherry. Off my kitchen, my dining room is red and the hallway leading to the kitchen is a yellow (pale). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Laney from Washington, DC

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Will urine show up under UV light? What other bodily fluids? I'm into forensics. If urine dries without a smell or stain, is it gone?

Rob from Forked River, NJ

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I am looking to buy but prefer to make some biodegradable cleaners. Can you help me with some brands or some recipes?

Thank you so much,
Laura from Norfolk, VA

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How can I remove static from cloth car seats? I get zapped everytime I get out and close the door.

Thanks,
KW from Arizona

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I have a female Eclectus parrot that pulls her feathers out. I adopted her from a loud vet clinic and I would like to see her get her beautiful feathers back. How can I help her?

Ruby from Buford, GA

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How do I fix my hair, it turned green from a hot tub. it is frosted.

Susie from VT

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Does anyone know where you can get clear glass plates? There was a post on here awhile back where someone had decopodged one with some cute pictures and I would like to try it too.

IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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How do I get rid of onion smell from the garbage disposal?

Slexsandra from Aberdeen, MD

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Gum left in child's pocket was washed and dried. Now the gum is stuck on the inside walls of my dryer. How do I remove the gum from the inside of the dryer?

Gina from Tamuning, Guam

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How do you get scars to fade fast? I am getting married in August.

Wendy

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How do you freeze oranges?

ELEANOR from CONNECTICUT

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In school, one of the desserts provided was Lemon Curd tart. I loved the lemon curd that they used but cannot find it anywhere. Mass produced Mr. Kipling lemon tarts just don't do it for me, it is not the same. Anyone know what I am referring to and where I could purchase it.

Mary from Surrey, England

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How do I remove cigarette odor from a fur jacket?

Suegilly from New Orleans, LA

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I am sending you the picture of my 1 year old male dog, please let me know what breed does he belong to? It doesn't look like a pomeranian, which is what we were told while adopting him. Please let us know his breed so we can take good care of him.

Thanking you,
Anju from India

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How do you remove dried on super glue from bathroom counter top?

Judy from Strongsville, OH

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My adult sister dumped all over me telling me what she has thought of me all her life and how i wreck everything for her. All of which is not true. To make a long story short I haven't spoken to her for 3 years and have decided she is narcissistic and don't want her in my life. How do i rebuild my self esteem so i can feel good about myself?

Steven

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How do I clean my old silverware? It was not taken care of and was stored in the garage and basement until I received it. I don't know how old it is but it has been passed down on my husband's side

Zena from Mandan, ND

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How do you get ink off a vinyl coat?

Linda from Kettering, Ohio

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Is there any way someone can come to an office to sharpen a paper cutter?

Thank you,
Ann

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I have to get a Secret Santa gift for a girl at work for under $10. (Secret Santa) Here is my prob.: She is 33 years old and hates getting commercial gifts. People that know her suggested I make her something, she would much rather I give her something from the heart, than something I can buy in a store. Some said I should bake some cookies; the problem is I HATE baking, and I am not "crafty". I do, however, LOVE attempting art projects with my 7 year old nephew, but that won't cut it. Any ideas?

Sandi from Montreal, Canada

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Can you tell me why when I print out one of your Thriftyfun tips/hints. The print is VERY small? This has just recently started occuring. Is anyone else having this problem?

Thank you,
Sharon from Southern Illinois

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I need a recipe for a carrot dish called "Pennies from Heaven".

Thanks,

Jean from Sparta, IL

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I have OCD and my main worry is transfering disgusting things like urine from one place to another. My daughter's diaper leaked on the couch and we washed it with soap and water and used a household upholstry cleaner. There is no smell or visible stain. Do I have to worry?

Rob from Forked River, NJ

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I used to have a notebook from Bisquick with lots of recipes but I can't find it. I got it from an offer on the box - do they still have the offer? Thanks.

Kay from Illinois

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I absolutely love the bbq sauce that Mcdonalds uses on their McRib sandwiches and was wondering if anyone had a copycat recipe for this. Thank you in advance for any help with this.

jmz2005 from illinois

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Get "The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer" Free

When you subscribe to my newsletter "The Budget Stretcher" you will receive this easy guide to effectively organizing and managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click the below link to learn more:

More Information:
http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/confirmsubs.html

I have a friend, Samantha, that is having some money troubles and needed some help with Christmas. So, we dug around in my craft supplies and started to make some things for gifts. Getting together to work on her problem was good for the both of us, she gets a little help and cheering up and I get company and get to share my creative skills with her.

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Aurea. Purpurea. Triangularis. Variegata. For some gardeners, the thought of trying to understand (let alone pronounce) complex botanical terms can seem intimidating. And while you certainly don't need to understand botany or Latin to grow a successful garden, a basic understanding of the language of horticulture can deepen your appreciation for the plants you grow and be downright handy when your shopping for plants. Here's a brief and very simple explanation of the how's and why's behind 5 common botanical terms.

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