Daily Thrifty Tips - May 8, 2008

I hope everyone is a having a nice week. If you are looking for some last minute Mother's Day ideas, be sure to check out the Mother's Day section on ThriftyFun:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/Mothers%20Day_658.html

And here are the Saving Money On... topics for this week, do you have any tips to share?

Saving Money on Peanut Butter
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Saving Money on Oatmeal
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Saving Money on Ice Cream
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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Australian Sunset

Here a nice sunset I have made in my garden last year.

By Sara from Australia

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Elsa and Abbey (Mini Poodle)

Elsa is 6 years old and Abbey (deceased) was 17 1/2 years. We got Abbey, the mini poodle, at a pet shop, Elsa was a feral cat.

They liked to sleep. This picture they were sunning themselves. Abbey has crossed the Rainbow Bridge this pass January. I have adopted (2) mini pups a month ago.

By Debe from Mount Arlington, NJ

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Craft Project: Scrap Fabric Pencil Holder

Don't throw out those small pieces of fabric that are leftover from other projects. Save them for new projects, such as this cute pencil holder made from a tin can.

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Craft Project: Flowered Hat

This is a simple, very inexpensive project that you can make for your own front door, but also makes a great Mother's Day gift for a mom or grandmother.

Approximate Time: 20 - 30 min. will require additional time if you paint the hat

Supplies:

• used straw hat
• spray paint
• metal ring (optional)
• wreath wire (optional)
• silk flowers - can be previously used
• scissors
• quick-dry craft glue or glue gun
• pop-top ring from can, cafe curtain ring, or something similar
• small piece of wire or needle and thread

Instructions:

1. Dig out an old straw hat or pick one up at a yard sale. Spray paint in color of choice and allow to dry.
2. (Optional) Use wreath wire, which is very fine, to fasten a metal hoop to the bottom/back of the hat to keep the brim straight. I used a metal ring I pulled from an old lamp shade (waste not, want not) and it was perfect. Your hat may or may not need this addition.
3. Cut the blossoms from several silk flowers and glue them to the hat where the "bowl" meets the brim. You can put them all around or just in a selected location. A ribbon bow can also be added, if it suits you.
4. To add a hanger, you can glue the bottom section of a can pop-top pull, or sew a cafe curtain ring (or something similar) to the back.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Get Paint Swatches To Match Your Color Scheme

I dont know about you, but when I am in a store and I see something I like for a particular room and am thinking of purchasing, I am never sure about the exact SHADE of the particular color of pink, for example,in my living room, or blue (is it a grey blue or a green blue? I don't remember!).

Here's what you do - grab some paint swatches from your local hardware store and cut out the colors that are your color scheme (for each room if you want). Make sure that you label shade on the back what room its for. Then keep these in your wallet or punch a hole in each and put them on a key ring and - presto! No more taking back that sage green that should have been a celery. :)

And when its time to do some touching up, you already have your paint samples. :)

Source: my crazy brain

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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Reusing Spice Bottles For Organizing

When spice bottles are empty, the plastic ones you get, wash them out with hot water and soap, remove labels and let air dry. When dry, you can store sewing pins, needles, buttons, small nails, tacks, anything small.

By Barbara from Meeker, OK

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Use Car Air Fresheners In The Garage

I have a great tip for keeping a fresher smell in the garage. Use one of the air fresheners that you can hang in your car. These have a strong perfume to them and work better hanging in the garage. Our cat also lives in our garage and this keeps his area smelling great too.

Source: I got one of this fresheners given to me at a car wash recently and couldn't stand the strong smell in the car so I just hung it in the garage and it worked better.

By Sheila from Ont Canada

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Driving The Speed Limit To Save Money

Gas prices are rising rapidly (as always), so here's a tip for getting better gas mileage: OBEY SPEED LIMITS! Studies show that, for every 5 miles per hour you drive over 60 mph, it's like paying an extra 20 cents per gallon of gas! And, by actually going the speed limit, you'll be avoiding a pricey speeding ticket.

So, when those folks are speeding around you on your morning commute, just remember: YOU are making your gas last longer, avoiding tickets, and just being a safer driver! Aren't you smart? :)

Source: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

By Katy from Nashville, TN

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Recipe for a Happy Day

Mix together the following ingredients:

One full measure of chirping, trilling, birdsong
Four quick sprites of gentle, soft spring mist
The sparkling glow in a loved one's look
The enjoyment of a friend's visit

Add the softness of a cuddly, drowsy kitten
The trust and devotion in a puppy's eyes
The festive twinkling of Christmas lights
The whisper of the leaves in a gentle breeze
The bubbling, gurgling murmur of gently flowing water

Fold in five large white, billowy clouds
Thoroughly laced with early June sunshine
Sprinkle liberally with joyous children's laughter
Bake in the cozy warmth of a snowy, blowy winter evening's kitchen, surrounded by your dear ones.

Anonymous

Source: Found in a cookbook....lovely words, can't you just feel the warmth and smells of your Grandma and Mother's kitchens

By Mary in Cocoa, FL

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Mother's Day Picture Frame

Make a square frame using four popsicle sticks. Glue construction paper to the back of them. Have the child draw a picture of themselves or them and their mommy. Decorate it as you'd like using glitter, stickers, whatever you'd like. You can even put a magnet on the back to hang on the refrigerator. This will remind mom how much she means to you.

By Tammy from Fort Mccoy, FL

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Use A Can As A Biscuit Cutter

If you are in need of a cookie or biscuit cutter, simply take an empty soup (canned goods) can and open it with a can opener on both ends. This works perfectly the same as a cutter and saves you from buying one of those fancy cutters that are made from the same thing.

Note: Check both ends of can to be sure it can be opened on both ends as some cans are rounded on the ends.

By sbb1 from Umm al Quain, UAE

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Mother's Day Cookbook

My little grandsons (Jonny, nearly 4, and Joey, 20 months) are elbow deep in a project for Mother's Day for their mommy, other grandma, and day care provider. We are making a cookbook of their favorite meals and snacks. I am taking tons of pictures of them "fixing" the food. It helps that they are total hams! But we have included such things as "ants on a log" (celery stuffed with peanut butter and dotted with raisins), tacos, grilled cheese, jello with fruit, and other things we love to make together. I am printing out the recipes with pictures on the computer and putting them in clear report covers. In the mean time, they are learning about healthy snacks and easy meals, and we are having a BALL! I can hardly wait until they can present their gift.

By Margie from Mount Vernon, Ohio

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A Mother's Day Memory Box

This is a great gift for the new mom or grandma or to start a new tradition. A Mother's Day Box is a wooden box that will store all the Mother's Day cards, pictures, dried flowers, etc., every year from the child (ren). Include a small journal for the mom/grandmother to put her special thoughts into.

Take a wooden box 12x8x8 in size, with a hinged top, On the lid write "MOTHER'S DAY MEMORIES" (or "GRANDMA'S MEMORIES") then the child's (ren) name. If possible, save room on lid for the child's handprints or you can put them on the front side of box. Have the child decorate the box anyway he/she would like. On the inside, place a small journal or diary so mom can write what they did that day, thoughts, etc. Every year mom can add the cards, pics, etc she received. Everything is kept in one place and it is nice enough to keep out on the coffee table. As soon as I get mine done, I will post a pic.

By Christy from Fulton, MS

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Make and Freeze Unflavored Koolade

We are all washing out and re-using single-serving sized plastic bottles, right? Even if you never have an occasion to buy such things, your friends will gladly save them for you, if you ask.

Make 2 jugs of Koolade, one of two separate flavors. Make a gallon of each. Put sugar or sugar substitute, in one but not the other. Using the one without sugar, pour into pre-washed plastic beverage bottles to measure about one-third and then place in the freezer for 4-8 hours. Put the sweetened jug into the fridge.

Just before you are going out, take one of the bottles from the freezer and fill to the neck with the koolade from the jug in the fridge, shake and you are set to go. The beverage will stay cold longer than any drink you could stop and get in a convenience store because almost half of it is ice when you start and the sugar content lowers as the day wears on because the "ice" part wasn't sweetened. The change in taste will be gradual.

This also works well when you simply add plain drinking water to the frozen part to encourage little ones to drink more water. Flavored water is just as good as unflavored water and you don't have to mention that you didn't put sugar in the frozen part.

By Susan from WV

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How Does Salt Effect Plants?

How does salt affect plants? And why? A long explanation would be very helpful. Do you know any websites concerning this problem? Thank you for your help!

Johanna from Sweden

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Mother's Day Ideas Using Crepe Paper Streamers

I have many rolls of various colored crepe paper streamers. I would like to have my Sunday School class (grades 1-4) make something for Mother's day out of them. Perhaps someone has instructions on how to make flowers out of them? Any other ideas?

Patty from Darrington, WA

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Removing Marker From A Box

How do you take black marker off a box? Its just a puzzle box, but I need to take off the marker. HELP ANYONE?

Yvonne from Grain Valley, MO

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Attaching Mirror Pieces To Bowling Ball

I'm decorating old bowling balls with old mirror parts. What is the best way to break an old thick mirror and the best way to attach it to the bowling ball? Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Bonnie from Lascassas

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Looking For Easy, Plus Size Clothing Patterns

I am new at sewing and would love to find easy, PLUS size clothes patterns. Any help would be very much appreciated.Thanks and God Bless!

Debra from Hampton, TENN

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Transplanting A Peony Plant

I have a beautiful peony plant in the front of my house. The problem is I am never out there and seldom get a chance to enjoy its beautiful blooms. Can I replant it to my backyard? Do peonies do well with a move?
Is it o.k. to replant now? (May)

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Lynn from Toronto, Ontario

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Teflon Coming Off George Foreman Grill

We bought the George Foreman GR15BWI Grill in April of 2006. We love it! The Teflon coating is coming off the upper and lower plates big time. We are concerned about getting the Teflon in our food. Can you recoat these grills? Is it supposed to come off? What can we do to make using this grill safe?

Richard

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Ways to Freeze Cabbage

Can I freeze cabbage?

Connie from Olivehill, TN

Editors Note: Here is a link to some information on ThirftyFun about freezing cabbage: Freezing Cabbage

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Cleaning Microfiber Furniture

I have a lipstick red Microfiber Sectional. Recently my dog managed to get overly excited about company coming over even though he's seen them a million times. He peed on my couch. I tried desperately to remove it but a shinny, hard spot remains. Then while I was gone my wife spilled red juice on it, same result. What do I do: Try and remove it myself or hire a professional?

Rob from Norfolk, VA

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Making Your Own Colored Elastic

Hi, I am making a necklace out of wooden beads that are light in color but have a wooden tone to them. How would I color the elastic I am using? I do not want white or black elastic to show so would prefer a brown or tannish color. Thought of using tea but did not know if the acid in the tea would effect the elastic. Afraid that marking pens might rub off on the wearer. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Linda from Washington

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Make Your Own Car Air Freshener

Did anyone ever get the recipe for the gel looking, cookie cutter shaped air fresheners being sold at craft fairs for 4.95 each with rope tied through top for hanging? I would like to make my own instead of buying and looking for them elsewhere. Hard to find.

Wendy

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Craft Ideas For Mission Trip

In July I will be going on a mission trip to the Ensenada area of Mexico with Azusa Pacific U on a Family Mission trip. The groups are split up and do construction work for the church they are assigned to and a VBS for children. They also do crafts with the ladies.

I am trying to figure out useful crafts for the ladies that they would be able to really use and enjoy. They have to be relatively short in length. So far I have only come up with a pot scrubber made of nylon netting. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Harriet from Lakewood, CA

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Decorating A Straw Hat For Mother's Day

I need ideas for how to decorate a straw hat for a mother's day banquet.

Ruth from Russell

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Discontinued Wallpaper: Village Wallpaper #5812111

I am desperately trying to locate a wall paper pattern. I ran out about 10 feet short of finishing my project. The wallpaper is from Village Wallpaper. The pattern is Cranberry Orchard Toss and the pattern number is 5812111. It is from their Absolutely Vintage book. Someone please help me find it.

I ordered it prior to having cabinets installed and by the time the cabinet guy FINALLY got finished, the paper had been discontinued. I have placed two orders online only to receive an email a couple of days later saying that the order could not be filled.

Rebecca from Thomson, Georgia

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White Flowers That Bloom In June

I am throwing a graduation for my granddaughter in June. The theme is black and white so I want to know what White flowers are in bloom in June. Can I plant seeds this late to bloom in June, which will be hot about 80. I will need a lot.

Hardiness Zone: 10a

firewater from Napa, CA

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Homemade Cough Remedies

Looking for an old recipe for a cough remedy that has whiskey and rock candy but not sure what else if anything?

Zan from Charlotte, NC

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Freezing Squash

Can someone tell me how to freeze fresh squash? I think you just cut it up and freeze it but not sure. Thanks.

mitch914 from Ingleside, TX

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Homemade Aloe Vera Juice

How do you remove bitterness from aloe vera extract and get a clear juice?

Akhil

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Pigeons on My Balcony

Pigeons won't leave my balcony and they are making nests and laying eggs. At times they first lay the eggs and then gather the sticks around. What is the best way to get rid of them without hurting them or hurting the eggs?

Nirad

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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