Daily Thrifty Tips - Daily Thrifty Tips

The great thing about the ThriftyFun community is how generous our users are. There are numerous people that take time to answer user requests. Requests are posted in a large variety of topics like frugal living, crafting, home improvement and gardening.

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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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Easy Valentine Cake Decorating

I baked a scratch (no cake mixes) devil's food cake for our senior citizen luncheon. It's not the most beautiful decorated cake, but I think you get the idea. I had baked another cake about 1 1/2 weeks ago and had left over frosting in my refrigerator that I wanted to use up. And just had enough frosting for this cake. I love the decorating sprinkles because you can cover up a lot of mistakes and no one will ever know. I also used colored sugar along the sides of the cake.

My DH held the cake so I could take a picture.

By MCW from Lewiston, NY

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Craft Project: Heart Posies

Need a last minute valentine craft? My year old granddaughter and I made 25 of these for her class in about 90 minutes. We call them Heart Posies.

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Coco (Calico)

Coco is a 10 week old long hair calico cat. I got her right before Christmas of 2008. She is very playful and loves her butterfly on a string!

By Katie from Cobourg, Ontario

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Craft: Thomas The Tank Engine Mailbox

Complete with velcro open roof for easy retrieval of Valentine's day cards and a slot is on the back of Thomas where the cards will go in. Wheels are nut/bolted and are moveable.

By Becky from Vandalia, Illinois

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Craft Project: Valentine Heart Blanket

A simple blanket made from felt squares.

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Craft Project: Crocheted Fingerless Gloves
By Debra Frick

These gloves would be great for any romantic dinner. They are a long glove that should hit right between the elbow and wrist. Ladylike gloves are making a big come back right now. These also could be made for a wedding or prom.

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Use Your Bathroom Mirror as a Reminder Board

When I am in the bathroom each morning putting my makeup on and doing my hair, I am always thinking of things I need to do (Dr. appt., errands to run, calls to make, gifts to get, birthday reminders, the list goes on) or stuff I need to buy at the store.

One day I had a dry erase marker in my bathroom drawer (why I even put it there in the first place is beyond me). I got it out and began writing my thoughts on the mirror. Wow. this was a life saver for me!

When I'm done in the bathroom I transfer the list to paper and put it in my purse immediately. If it is something that needs to be done around the house I leave it on the mirror until it is done (or if company is coming over, I write it down elsewhere). I hope this works well for you too!

By Donna from Northlake, TX (Roanoke)

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Passion in a Pan

A Valentine's Day dessert. My Mom used to make this for Dad and she would prepare it in the Angel Food cake ring. She wrapped the pan's outside in foil to decorate it, and placed a bud vase with a rose in it in the middle.

Ingredients

• One box Angel Cake Mix OR premade bakery Angel Cake
• 1 can cherry pie filling*
• 1 large tub Cool Whip

Directions

Open the defrosted Cool Whip, and can of cherry pie filling. Tear the cake into bite size pieces.

Place a layer of cake pieces in the bottom of the pan. Layer this with the pie filling and Cool Whip, spooning a tablespoon dollop of pie filling and right beside it a dollop of Cool Whip.

After each cake/filling layer, tap the pan on the counter top to "pack" the ingredients down. Continue layering till the pan is full.

The top will look attractive enough, but you can spread more Cool Whip and decorate with single cherries if you want. Refrigerate covered at least 2 hours after making, as it needs to set up.

Enjoy!

By Dede from Macon, MO

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Saving Ideas From ThriftyFun

When I read through ThriftyFun and other emails, sometimes I run across a pattern or something I'd like to read again. I copy what I want (Edit, Copy) and then go back to my email and put it in an email to send to myself (Edit, Paste). I make sure that I put the idea in the subject line (scrubber pattern) and then mail it to myself or someone else. It takes just a couple of seconds and then I've got it for later use without having to jot down the idea on a piece of paper. This keeps things nice and neat and orderly. When I have time, I can easily find what I want. My friends seem to like having these special ideas sent to them this way.

By Bobbie from Mesa, AZ

Editor's Note: If you are a registered user of ThriftyFun, you can also bookmark interesting posts you see so you can retrieve them later. You can organize them into categories and even make your own comments. You can register for ThriftyFun on our home page or by following this link:

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Repairing Cracks in Fine China

Repair fine cracks in china plates and cups by boiling them in milk. The milk reacts with the kaolin in china and closes the crack.

Place the plate in a pan, cover it with milk (fresh or reconstituted powered milk) bring milk a boil, cover and let simmer for about 45 minutes.

I have not tried this myself because I do not have any fine china but if anyone else is interested and would like to try it let me know if it works.

I do have an old porcelain tea pot that has some fine cracks in it and plan to try it on this. The tea pot is very large and will require a large pot and a lot of milk for me to do this, not to mention the tea pot is about 45 years old, so wish me luck.

Source: This tip came from my AT&T home page listed under ordinary object, super uses: by Aishia Sultan.

By Patricia R. from Houston, TX

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Hand Lotion for Hair Static

My daughter has thin hair that is always full of static. I have found the best way to keep it under control when we are away from home. I keep a small tube of hand lotion in my purse. When her hair starts "fly away", I rub lotion into my hands, then onto her hair. It keep the frizzes down for a while and moistens my hands too!

By Melissa from Arizona

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Valentine's Day Letter

For those of you who may not feel "artistic", please consider this unique Valentine's Day Gift: A Valentine's Day Letter.

Cut some 8x11 inch paper in half and fold into a booklet. Name it "I love you for..." On each subsequent page write one little memory, from your past that helps endear you to your loved one. You may add photos or memorabilia if you want! This even helps remind YOU of how blessed you are!

These type of Valentine's letters to parents are especially nice! Many times, they don't get the loving attention that they once gave us and don't realize how precious their love for us is in our memories!

I did this for my parents anniversary and after they passed on, found it amongst their "saved possessions". I know it meant a lot to them (and even more to me once I found it again many years later.)

Treasure each other! :D

By AHA! from Sterling, PA

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Put Polymer Clay Projects in the Refrigerator Prior to Cutting

If you work with polymer clay and use molds, you know you usually have to cut around the molded clay to get a clean edge. If you put the project in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before you cut, the clay will be much less likely to stretch or tear.

By Louise from Center Point, TX

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Transport Cupcakes in Muffin Tins

I used to always shy away from taking cupcakes to parties and potlucks because I could never figure out how to transport them without buying expensive cupcake caddies. Simply putting them back into the tins means you get frosting all over your hands when removing them.

The super-simple solution? You can use the cupcake tins, but need a "filler" to lift the cake up a little bit. The perfect filler is those gatorade, juice, milk caps that can't be recycled. Just drop a cap (or two if they are slim) into each cup in the tin and set the cupcake on top. This will give you enough leeway so that you can pick them up by the liners instead of the tops.

If you have some large cereal boxes (family size, or Honeycomb are usually pretty big), you may be able to slide the tins in to keep them covered in the car.

By Sara from Fort Worth, TX

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Check Out Food Bargains At Dollar Stores

With things being so tough financially, I've found it helpful to shop regularly at Dollar Stores. Often times they have full size products. I've on several occasions bought full sized name brand ranch dressing, grated cheese, sour cream, canned veggies, chili and more.

Also, if I have only few dollars until payday and need something, they're smaller sized products that will keep me until payday. There are a lot of items they have that are great to add to children's lunches. And for those who diet, I have many time purchased, South Beach meals as well as sugar free foods. It's crowded a lot of times but the money you save is worth the time and effort.

By Joely from Ceres, CA

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Decorative Valentine Skewers

For Valentine's Day deco, I punched out hearts with one of my heart punches (about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide) out of red paint chips and glued skewers onto the back of them. I then stuck them in a white silk floral arrangement. It's best to use an uneven number of them - I used five. Really decorative and simplistic - and just about free. Scrapbooking paper or construction paper works well also.

By Billie from Melbourne, FL

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Shirt Texture Changed After Being Washed

I washed my beautiful t-shirt in the washing machine with other dark clothes. My t-shirt is 100% viscous material. I took it out of the machine and the texture has changed. How can I get it to be soft again? It was really expensive and I loved it. Thanks.

Gina from London

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Grainy Frosting

How do you repair grainy frosting?

Arlene from Berea, OH

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Puppy Wants to Sleep in Our Bed

I have a pit bull pup. My brother had her first and he let her sleep with him. Now she won't stop crying and barking unless she sleeps with us. But she pees on the foot of my bed. Help?

Stephanie from Crossville, TN

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Tootsie Roll Mouse

Does anyone remember how to make a Tootsie Roll mouse?

Debbie from AZ

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BON-CC-41 Product for Skunk Smell

Where do you find the BON-CC-41 product? We have skunk smell in the house. Many people said this is what they used, but I can't find it.

Natasha from Radford, Virginia

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Community Center Fundraising Ideas

The Community Center in our area has in the past made quilts, afghans, etc. to raise money for the Centers needs. But people now have plenty of that kind of stuff so we need some new ideas and suggestions for raffles. Hope you can help.

Beverly from Barmett, MO

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Using Coconut Oil as a Moisturizer

Has anyone ever used organic virgin coconut oil on their face as a moisturizer? If so, which brand has worked for you? What about cleansing your face, what has worked for you? Thanks for the advance tips!

Godiva from San Antonio, TX

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Making Boudin Filling

How do you make boudin? I don't want to make the kind you put in a casing, I just want a recipe for the actual stuffing. Thanks!

Jan from Atlanta, GA

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Ideas for a Boat Themed Nursery

I am looking for ideas for a boat or sailing yacht themed baby nursery.

Cynthia from Greenville, SC

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Making Raisin Bread in Bread Machine

I am having a problem making raisin bread in my bread machine. It's an old Breadmaster machine and I have no instruction book. If I add the raisins at the beginning of the cycle they just disappear into the dough. When I wait until I hear the first "beeps" the raisins end up stuck to the bottom of the loaf. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? Thanks for any advice.

Joan from Chesterfield, MI

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Paving Stones Craft Book

I am trying to find a craft book that uses paving stones to make different things like snowmen, santa, turkeys etc. Does anyone know what book I'm talking about?

Brenda from Russellville, AR

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Using an Old Can of Baked Beans

How long can you keep Grandman Brown's baked beans? I have a 54 oz. can that is at least 3 or 4 years old. The can looks to be in good shape. Are they okay to use?

Barbara

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Planting Mini Rose Bushes in New York

Can mini rose bushes be planted in April in New York?

Hardiness Zone: 7a


Tracylynn from NY

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Craft Ideas for Small Ivy Bowls

I am looking for Christmas gift ideas using small ivy bowls. I have about 30 of them and I would like some simple ideas for making up Christmas gifts. I have been looking on the web but have not yet found anything that I think I can do. Can you help?

Barbara

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Old Door Knob Keeps Falling Off

I have a very old door with old door knobs. I never used the door until I got my little rescue Yorkie who loves to go up the stairs and through the door. My problem is that the knob doesn't stay attached even with the setting screws tightened. One side is an old glass knob the other a brass one.

I am afraid the knob will fall off and the dog will be stuck on the other side.
Can anyone help me fix this? Forget replacing the whole set up, this is an old door that is not normal sized and I am not at all handy.

Linda from Brooklyn, NY

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Gorilla Glue on Dog's Body

How do you remove Gorilla Glue from a dog's leg and chest?

Cristina

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Getting Dog to Use Training Pads

I have a mini Shih Tzu and I was wondering how can I get her to use the pads instead of taking her outside. I got her one that is called Delux training pads, they have a scent on them so that she will go on it. How can I train her to use the pads?

Maria

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Homemade Bird Toys

Anyone know where to find a pattern for bird toys or a bird happy hut?

Dawna from Boone, NC

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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

Valentine Party Games

Here are a few games that you can play at your Valentine's party. Some are great for children's parties and some are geared more to adults or teens. Suggestions for prizes might be some homemade cookies or a ribbon for the teams or you could recycle an old trophy for your party.

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Outdoor Stoves Recalled by Jetboil Due to Burn Hazard

Hazard: A tight valve attached to the stove's fuel source can allow gas to leak, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

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Marzocchi Recalls Bicycle Forks Due to Crash Hazard and Risk of Injury during Repair

Hazard: The suspension system on bikes with the recalled forks could become completely compressed and fail to return to its original position after a forceful landing. This can cause riders to lose control of the bicycle and crash. The forks can also expand forcefully if repair is attempted by the consumer, posing a risk of serious injury.

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Catalina Lighting Recalls Halogen Clamp Lamps Due to Fire and Burn Hazard; Sold Exclusively At Staples Stores

Hazard: The UV glass lens on the lamp can crack, exposing the halogen bulb, posing a fire and burn hazard.

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Camp Stoves Sold Exclusively at Dick's Sporting Goods Recalled Due to Burn Hazard

Hazard: Gas could flow at a rate that would produce higher than expected flames. Rainwater in the burners can also prevent proper ignition and allow gas to build-up and ignite unexpectedly. These conditions pose burn hazards to consumers.

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Golfer's Billiard Games Recalled by Dick's Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Hazard: Surface paints on the golf balls can contain excess levels of lead.

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