Daily Thrifty Tips - January 30, 2009

During these tough economic times it's very important to stay upbeat. One of the ideals that ThriftyFun was founded on was that you don't have spend a lot of money to have fun. Now is a great time to share your thrifty ideas. If you have any ideas for entertainment during a recession, feel free to share them on one of the contest pages.

In addition, be sure to recommend ThriftyFun to friends who are facing tough economic times. This site, and others like it, can be great resources for people who are facing tough economic realities.

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The ThriftyFun Team

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Craft Project: Valentine Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Create Decorative Soap Dispensers by using mason jars and recycled pump dispensers from inexpensive store bought liquid hand soap plastic dispensers. Add themed fabric circles and ribbon to create a very pretty dispenser for liquid hand soap or lotions. Any glass jar or plastic ones for kids bathrooms work well and metal lids work best.

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Craft: Hearts Wall Hanging

Here is a simple and inexpensive craft for all your favorite Valentines.

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In Memory Of Sophie (Birman)

Sophie passed away at 15 years old. Our little girl was a Birman that we rescued the day she was born. Her mother refused to nurse. I work for a Veterinarian and I took her to work with me every day. The doctor's would carry her around and, of course, take care of her health.

Sophie always liked to sit in the window and look outside and she would grab your feet when you walked by. She would also chase our Welsh Corgi "Tucker"

We miss her terribly. I still cry. She passed away on December 16, 2008, just 3 weeks ago, she had mouth cancer. I have already picked up her ashes. Sophie is now home with her family where she belongs.

By Sherri from Rohnert Park, CA

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Cheer Up Your Winter Window

Just a reminder to cheer up your kitchen window in this wintry weather by growing celery hearts in a glass. I submitted this tip a couple of winters ago and a month or so later, Susan showed us a pretty photo of one that she grew.

Just cut off an inch or two of the celery heel, stick a few toothpicks in it, and place it over a glass of water, with the heel just touching the water. Change the water when it gets cloudy. It will sprout hearts in about a week. And your kitchen will feel a little like spring.

By Jantoo from Kenosha, WI

Editor's Note: Here is a link to that original article:

• Windowsill Celery Hearts

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Dollar Store Plants

Buying plants at the 99 cent store, save money and enjoy new plants all the time

By Pam from California

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Dilute Ultra Dish Soaps to Save Money

This is a tip/reminder that can save money. Do you remember when the ultra dish soaps came out? At that time the manufacturers said to dilute the soap, using, I believe, 2 parts soap and one part water. I have a bottle on my counter that I add dish soap to with the water in those amounts. I have noticed on the brand I buy, it does not now mention adding the water but it still says 'ultra' so I add it anyway. I think this was done because instead of using a small amount of soap, women would give a long squeeze of the liquid onto their sponge or dishrag. It saves on the total amount of soap used. If you haven't tried it, you should.

By Linda from Bloomington, IL

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Memory Tip: Type It Out

I have a tip for trying to remember things. After being downsized like so many of us these days, I went back to school to retrain for a different job. I found that if I re-type something I really needed to remember, it not only honed my keyboarding skills, but helped me to remember what I read. Once I typed it out word for word, it was sort of engraved in my memory! Works great for me. I hope other can get some good out of it!

By Su from Sandusky, Ohio

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Use Baby Wipes to Keep Dogs Fresh Between Baths

To keep my toy chihuahua smelling good in between her baths , I rub her down with a baby wipe. She will smell so good after that, and her skin will not be dried out from bathing to often.

By Janette from Parkersburg, WV

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Use Sheets to Cover a Worn Quilt

I use 2 sheets to cover a light quilt that's worn. Tack the sheets every 6 inches then hem it on sewing machine. You have a new quilt.

By Kathleen from Dothan, AL

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Make Your Own Hamburger Patties

Instead of buying the ready made hamburger patties at the store which are more expensive than bulk ground beef and have no seasonings, I have started making my own. I buy the bulk ground beef, season* it the way I like it. I take a large cookie sheet (the kind that is not completely flat, but has a 1/2 - 1 inch rim around it) and press the seasoned meat into it. I then take a large plastic tumbler or a small plastic container of some sort and then press the glass into the sheet of meat (like you would with a cookie cutter when making rolled cookies).

If I'm not going to grill them immediately, I take the perfectly shaped patties and cover them with plastic wrap and put them in the freezer for a few hours and then store in a zip lock freezer bag. They are frozen individually, so I can take out as many as I want. It works out GREAT and all the burgers are the same size and cook evenly.

* To test the seasoning take a small piece of the ground beef and cook in a small fry pan, add more if needed at this time.

By JK from Phoenix

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Plant Veggies In Your Flower Bed

Even if you don't have garden space you can get a few homegrown foods by adding a few choice vegetable plants to the scheme of your flower bed. Just pick your fav vegies in unusual varieties. Good greens are lettuce, mustard, turnips, spinach, kale - curly or flat, come in all shades of green, red, purple, yellow and black.

You can get cabbages in purple, red, bluish as well as green. If you get the winter decorative cabbages they even come in pink!- and they're still edible. You can grow beans as a great vine with flowers that are purple or red.

There is a super ornamental pepper with all the hot colors, yellow, orange, and red, that covers the plant with edible peppers. And of course my most favorite, tomatoes, can be found in small or tall plants and the yellow, pink, red or even white fruit. They all add just as much color and texture as flowers but with the plus of produce.

By Trace from Wartburg

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Dishsoap Insect Spray

I use soap to spray for insects in garden. Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap in a quart spray bottle from Dollar store. Spray once a week and after a rain.

By Kathleen from Dothan, AL

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Making Sweet Tea in the Microwave

Take a plain glass measuring cup and fill it to 1 cup of water and add 1 single tea bag (I like Tetley round family size). Microwave a couple of minutes until boiling. Next pour 1 1/2 cups sugar in a gallon size plastic container and then pour the measuring cup with tea bag in the container and leave that tea bag and keep adding water to it until container is full. Be careful because it will be hot.

Delicious and quick sweet, southern tea with less mess and waste, using the one tea bag and the sugar just instantly melts from the hot tea. Now, refrigerate and pour you a glass with some ice cubes in it and ENJOY! You will never make tea on the stove again!

Source: My sweet Mother.

By Karen from Union, SC

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Count Plants in Starts Before You Buy

When buying any type of plant; vegetable, bedding plants, or houseplants; always count the number of actual plants in the container. You may as well buy five plants as buy three, and there are always variable amounts in them. Then when you get home you can set out each one separately and have many more plants for the same price. Especially for houseplants, divide the subshoots into good potting soil in separate pots. It will take a little time but each little plant will make a whole new houseplant. That gives you 5 or 6 for the price of 1, and you won't have to worry about the original plant overgrowing its container.

By Trace from Wartburg, TN

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Removing Food Coloring from Your Hands

I have a tip for those of you who use food coloring to cook. I've noticed that when I use food coloring, it's hard to wash it off. I learned that if you put detergent on your hands and rub them flat on the inside of your kitchen sink, the coloring comes right off and you don't end up walking around all day with red hands.

By Rosemarie from Lynn, MA

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Deducting Your Cellphone Bill on Your Taxes

What pieces of my cell phone bill do I need to take to my tax prep? I started using my personal cell for some calls that were work related in June 08. Do I need to highlight specific calls, or just give him a monthly payment rundown?

Dede from Macon, MO

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Inexpensive Ways to Lose Weight

I was wondering if someone knew how to drop 10 pounds or more a month. What are the best exercises and food that should be involved. I am very obese and just need help losing this the healthy way. I don't have the money for a gym or Weight Watchers, so home remedies would be the best. Thanks in advance.

Christine from WI

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What is the Title of This Movie? (Take Her, She's Mine)

There is a classical movie, perhaps starring Jimmy Stewart. His daughter goes to Paris and he eventually goes over there to bring her back home because he can't stand her being over there. It's a comedy about an overprotective dad. I watched it years ago and would like to see it again but I can't remember the name of it. Does anyone know what the name to this movie is and who starred in it? Thanks!

colts73 from Indiana

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What Breed is My Dog?

What breed is my dog? She is 2 years old and spoiled rotten. I was thinking Shepherd/Collie mix but it is so hard to tell. I have a male who is a Jack Russell/Beagle mix and you can hardly tell them apart other than she has longer hair and thick ears. Here is a picture of them together, she is the dog to the left.

Melissa from Vermilion, OH

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Selling Home Baked Goods

I love to bake and I'm thinking of selling baked goods at my local flea market on weekends. I am looking for advice on what to make and how many items to sell? Thanks for the help. Megin from North Haven, CT

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Recipe for Fruit Cocktail Chicken

I need a recipe for baked, fruited chicken. You use fruit cocktail. I made this about 20 years ago but I've lost the recipe.

Linda from Midvale, OH

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Feeding and Caring for Ladybugs

I am a science coach with our school district and our first graders are going to be raising and caring for ladybugs in the classroom. We need to know what to feed them other than aphids? Hopefully we can find a food that is "classroom friendly". Can you help?

Pam from Midland, TX

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Calculating Child Support

We live in Ohio and my husband owes back child support. The magistrate says that they can include my income in the calculations to determine how much he pays a month now. Why should my income be included? Its not my debt and they are not my kids.

Melinda from Cleveland, Ohio

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Getting a Dog to Play With Toys

How do you teach a dog to play quietly with a toy? We have a 1 year old rescue who probably spent his first year stuck in a cage in a closet, deprived of food. That's my best guess. He's now 2 yrs. old, very affectionate and a good pet, but very demanding of our attention.

We didn't realize this until we took care of a friend's dog. This dachshund was tossed a ball and spent a good 10 mins. attacking it, playing with it and being happy. Our dog isn't interested. He likes Frisbees, but again it's something we have to do with him. We need the occasional break. Any suggestions or is he too old?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Ground Chicken Recipe

I need a ground chicken recipe?

Bettye from Washington, DC

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Will My Child Receive SSI?

Will my child who's father receives SSI or SSD receive monthly payments of her own?

Ruth from OH

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Dessert Made by Reba McEntire

Would anyone know on here about a dessert made by Reba McEntire? It was on the internet, not sure here or where. It was made with Ritz crackers, ice cream, and vanilla pudding. Please let me know if anyone knows this recipe. Thanks.

Donita

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Dye From Clothing on Leather Couch

I slept on my newer dark leather couch and got very hot with a black t-shirt on. When I woke up, ink from my shirt was imprinted on the couch. Please somebody give me an idea of how to remove this.

Rocky from Tennessee

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Inexpensive Face Moisturizer

Does anyone know of a good face moisturizer that doesn't cost too much? I am living on a fixed income and can't afford high priced department store brands. Thanks and may God Bless!

Debra from Hampton, TN

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Youthful Essence by Susan Lucci

Has anybody used Youthful Essence by Susan Lucci? Does it do what it says by reducing and diminishing pores and reducing pore size? If anyone can help that would be great. Thanks.

Joanne from UK

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Chewing Gum While on Atkins Diet

Can I chew sugar-free gum on the Atkins diet?

RJW from Staenville, GA

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Making Wood Pellets From Scrap Lumber

I want to know if there is a way to make wood pellets out of scrap wood from my wood shop.

William

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Pre-Quilted Fabric for Making Comforters

I would like to know if there are any pre-quilted fabrics available that are broad enough to make comforters and custom bed linens.

Little Princess from Brampton

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Puppies Chewing on the Carpet

We have 2 new puppies Dyson, he's a basset hound and boo, she's a Basset/Yorkie. Both are about 6 months old now and they keep eating the stair carpet and underlay. Everywhere else is laminated. Has anybody got any tips, the other 3 never did this. Shoes and trainers, YES. Help before my husband runs away!

Ray and Sylvie from England

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Wedding Reception Locations in Raleigh, NC

Does anyone know of any cheap wedding venues in the Raleigh area? A place with food included would be great. If not, a cheap caterer is also needed.

Katina from Raleigh, NC

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Looking for Vases for Centerpieces

My daughter is getting married in June. We are looking for 12" high square clear glass vases. We need 20 of them! Anyone know of a place to buy them inexpensively? Thank you for any help.

mom2tktk from Federal Way, WA

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Bleach Stains on Formica

I have a Formica countertop in my bathroom. It is only about 3 years old. I have places on my countertop that look "bleached out" from bottles of cleaner I have used and evidently they leaked a little bit. What can I do? I really don't want to keep it like this.

Becky

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Removing Skunk Smell from House

A skunk sprayed under my house 3 weeks ago and the smell will not leave. I have tried everything and nothing works. The smell is even in my jewelry. Can someone please help?

Geneva

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Norfolk Pines Damaged By Cold

My Norfolk pine got a touch of frost. I moved it when it was too cold. I lost some of the fronds, should I cut it back or just let it grow back? It kind of looks like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.

Diane from St. Paul

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Painting Laminate Countertops

I need info on painting laminate countertops. I tried to find it in the archives for 9/2008, but couldn't. I want to do my bathroom countertop.
Thanks.

Suzy from Inman, SC

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Crafts Made With Wine Corks

I want information on making crafts from wine corks such as wreaths, trivets, coasters, and bulletin boards. I want to know how to cut the cork so that it does not come apart.

I have been looking for a book of patterns and ideas along with care and instructions, but I only find free information that is not thorough enough. Can you help me with this information?

Thank you,
Rebecca

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Gasoline Smell in a Washing Machine

I washed a towel full of diesel in the washing machine. I've washed clothes several times after that and the diesel smell is still on the clothes. I've put it on many empty cycles to wash it away but no luck. Can you help?

Katherine

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Rubber Stains on Carpet

Does anyone have any methods to remove what seems to be black rubber grease stains on new carpet. It has come from the black stoppers at the back of a portable piano.

Carolyn from Melbourne, Australia

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Wedding and Reception Locations in Macomb, MI

I just got engaged and we are trying to find someplace that is nice and beautiful but something that does not cost a arm and a leg. We are trying to pay for most ourselves and I would like to have something where we can have the wedding and reception in the same place. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you very much.

Jen from Macomb, MI

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Homemade Lip Balm

Does anyone have a recipe for lip balm? I am going broke buying those little tubes of it for the grandkids who keep losing it.

Barbi from Willowick, OH

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Has Anyone Used "Magic Jack"?

Has anyone tried the Magic Jack? It's the jack that plugs into the computer with a USB connection, and costs only $20 a year for use. I'm saving up for one, but don't like surprises with new equipment. Thanks.

Polly

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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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How To Plant Bulbs
By Ellen Brown

Planting bulbs is relatively straightforward. Dig a hole, drop in a bulb, and cover it with dirt. Well, at least it's almost that easy. To get them off to a good start, follow these bulb-planting tips:

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