Daily Thrifty Tips - May 16, 2007

General Electric has recalled 2.5 million dishwashers due to a potential fire hazard, you can find a link to the recall in the More Reading section.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Cocktail Ring
By Lisa Adams

This fashionable cocktail ring is easy to make and looks great too. Your friends will all want one.

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Tea Cup Bird Feeder

This is a quick easy fun gift for mothers day, spring teas, or summer birthdays.

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Niko (German Shepherd/Husky)

Niko is a 1 year old German Shepherd / Husky. We got her from a private breeder.

Niko loves to howl and kick a tennis ball around the house. She enjoys her long walks and digging up my yard.

Niko is definately a diva. She has been very difficult to train as she thinks she rules the roost! We love her to death and will continue to try.

By Kelly from Saint Paul, MN

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Look for Cheaper Repair Options

Remember there is always the a number one way of doing things and then, on the other hand, the way that will probably work most of the time. For example, if you have a minor leak in your car - you can use Stop Leak and keep an eye on the oil levels as opposed to a major repair. Sometimes, if money is tight, the B level solution will do quite well.

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

Editor's Note: I have also found that if you tell a mechanic you are strapped for cash, they can sometimes give you a range of repair options. They would prefer to put a new transmission in a car rather than repair an old one because it's more money for them and easier for them to guarantee, but when they know that's out of your price range, there often are other things they can try that are cheaper and may also fix the problem.

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Getting Animal Feed from the Food Store

My husband and I go to the dumpsters behind the food stores and get lettuce and apples for our Emu. I cut up the apples and freeze them.

By Dolores from Tombstone, AZ

Editor's Note: Be sure to talk to the store manager to get permission. In some cases I have heard of managers setting aside unwanted produce for people.

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Recycle Used Motor Oil

Used motor oil is recyclable. If you change your own motor oil, pour it from pan into an empty windsheild wiper fluid bottle (with screw top) when you are done. You can bring this to your local garbage drop off, some places have special days when they take: paint cans, batteries, tires, used oil and other things you would think were not recyclable. If everyone does a little, we can all do a lot!

By Starchild from Lamoille County, VT

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Attach Wheels To Trash Can

I have a large white plastic trash can in the kitchen. I attached the trash can to a stand on wheels (the kind you get to move plants). This way I can wheel the can to the table or even another room to clean up spills and messes.

By Lorraine Z from Staten Island, NY

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Keep Kids Busy With Summer Movies

Get free movies to watch from local library. This is especially great for kids over the summer. Make one day a week a movie day. They might not have the latest movies that are in theatres but there are tons of kids movies out there. To make it more enjoyable, plug in a TV outside and have their friends over.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Thumb Tack and Push Pin Tip

Put a thimble on your finger when you're pushing tacks into walls.

By Chell

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Pennies for Cut Flowers

Throw a couple of pennies into the water with your fresh cut flowers to keep them alive longer!

By Katherine Bishop

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Longer Lasting Pens

If you want your pens to last longer and be ready to use when you need them, store them tip down in a container rather than tip up or on their sides.

By Robin

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Using Color Coded Sponges

I color code my sponges. For example: yellow is for the toilet, green is for the sink, etc. The sponges last longer because you know what it is being used for. And you can plan accordingly.

By Jessie B.

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How long will mushrooms keep in the refrigerator?

How long will mushrooms keep in the refrigerator?

Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH

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Building Credit With Credit Cards

My husband and I would like to be able to make a budget using credit cards. We have little credit and would like to be able to someday get a loan to buy a home. How can we successfully budget our finances to be able to pay off the credit card every month?

P.S. We usually try to do the envelope budgeting.

Jessica

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Electrolysis Advice

I am looking for anyone who has had electrolysis done on their face. Please specify if a disposable needle was used or if a probe was used. I am trying to find out if you feel that what you had done was successful and worth the time and money. Any feedback, positive or negative, relating to your experiences would be appreciated. Please be sure to let me know if it was by needle or probe. I have been told that laser will not work on coarse white hairs and that is part of my problem. In terms of time and cost, does anyone have any feedback on whether to have laser first on the hair that it will treat and then electrolysis on the hair that laser won't treat?

Frances from Kansas City, MO

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Treating a Sunburn

I got sunburned really bad on my face, arms and legs over the weekend and now my nose is starting to peel. Looks awful, even starting to get a sore on the side. Is there a homemade recipe or suggestion I can use to lessen the ugliness of this? I am embarrassed to go out, but have to for work. I try to keep moisturizer on it, doesn't seem to help much. Thanks in advance for any and all help with this.

jmz2005 from illinois

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Homemade Waterproofing Spray for a Tent

I was wondering if anyone has/knows of a homemade recipe for a spray to waterproof our tent? I hope I explained that right. We bought a new tent and want to spray it with something to insure waterproofing it in case of rain. Thank You in advance!

jmz2005 from Illinois

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Buying Wooden Window Boxes

I'm looking for wooden window boxes and the chunky brackets, like you see on homes in older neighborhoods. I need several for single windows as well as double and triple windows. I've looked at the lawn and garden shops in the Kettering and Dayton Ohio area with no luck.

Gwen from Dayton, Ohio

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Why isn't my grass growing?

I need some help with my new lawn if anyone could help me. 10 days ago I decided to redo my lawn. I layed screened rich top soil down and then seeded with Perennail Rye grass seed. Prior to seeding I broadcasted a fertilizer which was rated 7-7-7. After the fertilizer I put the seed down (very liberally) and then I rolled it.

I have water continually and have attempted to keep the soil moist. As I say its been 10 days since I have planted seed and to date there is no visible signs of germination.

What could I have done wrong?

Chris from Ontario, Canada

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Westin's Heavenly Bed

We recently stayed at a Westin and loved their "Heavenly Bed." I've read that there are less expensive brands that offer the same comfort and have learned from past experience that if you look in the right places, you can usually find a bargain. Has anyone found a good deal on this brand (or similar substitute) of bedding?

Gwen from Ohio

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Cleaning Dishwasher Pipes

I am wanting to clean the pipes and the interior of my dishwasher from build up? How do I do this the thrifty way and/or something that is safe for the environment?

Jonty

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Hawaiian Punch on Car Upholstery

Would the towel and iron trick work for Hawaiian punch on car upholstery? It is a set in stain that has been there for quite a while. I have tried just about everything.

Peggy from Lake Villa, IL

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Food Ideas

I am looking for food ideas to take to a family whose father just died. I need need to do something.

Thanks,
Ally from California

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Healthy Dog Food Recipes

I am looking for healthy dog food recipes for large active sporting dogs.

Betty from Kingston, NY

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Spider-Man Invitations

I need to Spider-man print invitations and birthday cards. Anyone have any advice?

Nilsa from Brooklyn, NYC

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Streaks on My Glass Shower Door

I was cleaning the front on my etched glass shower doors and now they are streaked something terrible. I have tried barkeepers friend, soft scrub, baking soda and vinegar. Each try it gets worse. Has someone been able to fix this problem?

Sherry from Stockton, CA

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Curing and Preserving Olives

Today I was given a large bucket of olives freshly picked. Although I googled "curing olives" there were so many listings and so many different instructions it was overwhelming. I wonder if anyone would have some information on this.

Kindest regards,
Maree from Melbourne, Australia

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Painting Concrete

I have a concrete porch that needs repainting. What kind of cleaner can I use to wash it? I also have heard that if you wash it down with vinegar after the cleaning, the paint will adhere better and last longer. Has anyone heard of this?

Judy from OH

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Using Coal Tar Shampoo

I have psoriasis and am considering using coal tar shampoo to ease the itchiness on my scalp. Can anyone recommend how I can counter the 'petrol' smell of coal tar shampoo? For example, with a really flowery smelling conditioner? I want to ease the problems on my scalp but I don't want my hair to smell like petrol!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Kate from Melbourne, Australia

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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More Lawmakers Take Food Stamp Challenge

Four members of the U.S. Congress are currently taking the Food Stamp Challenge to eat for a week on $3 a day. Although we know that many on ThriftyFun can feed their families on $3 a day per person or less, it's good to see the Congress take an interest in how many Americans live.

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General Electric Recalls Dishwashers (Fire Hazard)

GE has recalled 2.5 million dishwashers due to a potential fire hazard. GE has received 191 reports of overheated wiring including 56 reports of property damage.

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