Daily Thrifty Tips - November 27, 2007

I hope everyone is having a nice week. Do you have any holiday tips or gift ideas to share? Please submit them on one of the contest pages.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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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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Craft: Recycled Jar Snowman

Create cute snowman jars from canning jars or mayonnaise jars. These are great for giving layered cookie mixes, party mixes, or any homemade goodies.

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Recycled Denim Tote Bag

Here is a denim tote bag made from a pair of old recycled jeans. I have a step-by-step tutorial at this link:

• Denim Tote Bag Tutorial

By RecycleCindy from WA

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PJ (Cocker Spaniel)

PJ is a 1 year old Cocker Spaniel. I got him at a pet store in Spring 2007. He likes to play with his brother.

By Heather from Canton, GA

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Bon Bon and Kittens (Calico Longhair)

Bon Bon (French for sweet), she is the sweetest cat I have owned in over 60 years. She is 3 or 4 years old (according to the vet) and is a Calico long hair. She adopted us 1 1/2 years ago.

She came walking down our street in a senior park that does not allow animals to run free. My husband said "Where are you going?" and she came over and talked to him. I went to the door and she came in and talked to me. She looked thin, so we gave her some cat food we had left from our 15 year old cat that had died 6 months previous. She was starved!

We took photos to the 2 SPCA's in town, took her to be scanned (no chip), sent 200 flyers to everyone in the park, took photos to 5 local motels, put ads in our local papers and no one claimed her. Our family of 14 suggested names and Bon Bon won, because she is sooo sweet.

She likes to play with tiny cloth mice.

Six weeks after adopting us, sweet Bon Bon gave us 7 kittens on 4/1 - BIG April fools!

By Elizabeth from Salinas, CA

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Dottie At 9 Months (Dalmation)

This is Dottie! She's now into her 9th month.

She loves to stretch out completely! Grin :) She is quite a love bug. Kissy Kissy doggie. She eagerly awaits her morning walk. She greets everyone on our walk with open arms. Quite a hugger too! I have "regulars" that look for us in the mornings! She's a real charmer. And I find her at the cookie jar constantly!! She'll do anything for cookies!

By Jennifer from CA

Editor's Note: Here are previous entries about Dottie:

• Dottie (Dalmation)
• Dottie At Four Months

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Avoid Fabric Softener In Your Washer

Never use liquid fabric softener in your clothes washer! By doing so, you will cause yourself more service calls (repair costs!), and ultimately lessen the life expectancy of your washer. Fabric softener coats and clogs the hoses (and other parts, depending on the type of washer you have). I am not a repairman, but spent many years working for a major retailer supervising a customer service group specializing in major appliance "issues". I worked closely with senior technical assist repair personnel with 20 plus years field experience that passed on several "words of wisdom" to me.

I remember the day I asked this one extremely experienced tech "Well, if liquid fabric softener shouldn't be used in clothes washers, then why are special compartments made ON some washers specifically FOR fabric softener?" (Thinking I had him!). He responded with a grin on his face "Because that is what consumers WANT on their washers for "convenience". In turn, manufacturers give consumers want they WANT, not necessarily what they need (or in this case DON'T need)." Oh, I get it now, we, as consumers, are to blame for our own desire for conveniences.

By Liz from Austin,TX

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Homemade Cranberry Sauce

If you think you don't like cranberry sauce, you probably have only had the nasty canned variety. I was one of those people...I hated cranberry sauce until I tried the homemade variety. Take a trip to the store for the following:

• 1 lb. cranberries (1 bag)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup orange juice

I highly suggest making extra to freeze or can. The last two years I haven't had ANY left over to enjoy the next day.

By Jillian from Sacramento, CA

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Drive With Enough Room For The Car In Front Of You

If you're sitting in traffic, try to leave sufficient space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, in case the vehicle behind you fails to see you stopped. If the driver behind you rear ends you, you'll have enough space to try to keep from hitting the vehicle in front of you.

By Terri H. from NV

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Thrifty Gifts For The Family

I have been trying to think of "thrifty" presents for my immediate family. I am also planning to buy them modestly priced "new" items but I thought a thrifty gift would also be special, because they know I am into that kind of thing. Here is what I have come up with. I hope other people will also contribute their ideas.

For Mom, 2nd grade teacher and homemaker: A bundle of Hallmark magazines from 2007. I know she doesn't subscribe to this magazine but I think she would enjoy reading my old copies.

For Dad, retired math teacher: A set of geometry crossword puzzles with vocabulary words and problems that I have made for my classes (I am a math teacher, too). He loves to do crossword puzzles and I know he enjoys math.

For Brother #1, college student living on his own for the first time: A set of easy recipes, many from thriftyfun.com, that I have made successfully and that he can make in his apartment, or cook for my parents if he decides to ditch his slacker roommates and move back home. He seems to enjoy cooking and talks about how his roommates only eat "gross frozen food."

For Brother #2, aspiring auto-mechanic: A monogrammed mechanics clean-up kit. This will consist of a bottle of dishwashing detergent with his initials written on it with a sharpie, as well as shop rags also with his initials in sharpie. Of course, the shop rags would come from my husbands pile of old clean socks with holes. (I know, it's kind of a stretch, but he is hard to think of gifts for.)

For Hubby: Fresh AA batteries and a new brush head for his electric toothbrush that he hasn't used in a few months just because he's been to busy to charge the batteries and I keep forgetting to get him a brush head.

I hope other people will also contribute their ideas!

By Allison from northeast TN

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Luxury Salt Glow (Scrub)

This is the easiest scrub recipe around and probably the best. I've made lots of different scrubs and tested many recipes but always come back to the basic one because it works best. Makes incredible gifts!

• 1 cup sea salt (fine)
• 1/2 cup light oil (a combination of grapeseed and almond is good)
• 1/2 tsp vitamin E (you can break open capsules)
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp essential oils or fragrance
• 1 tbsp dried herbs or flowers (optional)

Ideas:

• 1/8 tsp. lavender and 1/8 tsp. clary sage with dried lavender for a stress relief blend)
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon essential oil 1/4 tsp. orange EO for a circulation blend.
• 1/8 tsp. Rosemary and 1/8 tsp. Peppermint for an invigorating blend (with dried mint leaves)
• 1/8 tsp. ylang ylang and 1/8 tsp. patchouli for an aphrodesiac blend (with dried rose petals)

Source: This is my own recipe, as are the EO blends :)

By Lisa from Halifax, NS

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Sneaking Veggies Into Ground Beef

I'm constantly trying to sneak more veggies in to our meals and found a good tip. Whenever I have a dinner with ground beef (tacos, burgers, meat loaf, sloppy joes, chili etc) I shred a zucchini into the meat. If your kids are really turned off when they see the green peel, just peel it before you shred it. This works especially well in tacos and sloppy joes or anything with a sauce because the zucchini just soaks up the color and flavor of the sauce and you really can't tell that it's there.

To make this tip even quicker, a few times a month I buy a bunch of zucchini and shred it and put it in ziplocks and put them in the freezer, then I just have to toss it into whatever I'm cooking and, without even trying, I get another serving of veggies in. It is also good for stretching these recipes without having to add more meat.

By Miss Jen from Provo, UT

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Roasting Turkey Bones for Soup Stock
By Sally

Turkey soup is a thrifty, nutritious way to take care of that left over bird. There's always something left! Remove the meat from the bones, as soon as possible to preserve the flavor and quality. Place the leftover bones on a cookie sheet, and roast them at 325 degrees F. for about 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Place the bones in a large pot, with about 2 - 3 gallons of water (depending on the size of the bird). Bring this to a boil, and then simmer for about 30 minutes. Strain the stock through a colander to separate from the bones. This will make absolutely, the best turkey stock for your soup!

Sally from Chewelah, WA

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Animals Made from Tableware

I am looking for instructions or pictures of animals made from old tableware (spoons and forks). Mostly I want to know how are pieces attached to each other - glue?, solder? Any tips on bending the spoon to achieve the shape?

Krafty Kay from Tilden, NE

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Getting White Out Off Black Sweatshirt

My son has a black hooded sweater and he accidentally threw white out on his sweater. How can I remove it without fading the sweater?

Diane from South Gate, California

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Washing Greasy Men's Work Clothes

I was reading a few days ago about when you are trying to wash greasy mens work clothes, someone said to put a cup of something. It was something real simple that we already have a the house and I knew that I would remember so I didn't write it down, but, guess what? I forgot it. I remember saying "oh! of course, that is so simple, of course it would work". Could the person that wrote it down please put that information back on the site? Thank you!

Jamish from Ransom, Kansas

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Scratches On A Glass Tabletop

I have a glass coffee table. How do you fix scratches some are deep others not so much please help. Thank you.

Bev from Northbrook, IL

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Homemade Wall Sizing

Anyone have a recipe for homemade wall sizing that is used on the wall before applying wallpaper? Thanks so much.

Mary from Marshalltown, IA

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How To Make Cinnamon Brooms

How do you make cinnamon brooms?

Becky from Ohio

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What Can Be Injected In a Turkey For More Flavor?

Does anyone know what I can inject into a turkey to make it even more flavorful?

Pamsfriskd from Wichita, Kansas

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Making a Model of the Human Ear

Anyone know how to construct a working model of the human ear using a quaker oats container and another container of water and some other house hold items? It's for a school science project.

Claudia from SINY

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Coloring a Leather Handbag

I want to polish my black leather handbag, but I fear shoe polish will rub off.Do you have a suggestion for what to use to clean and color the leather?

Candy from East Troy, WI

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Using Wood Ashes on Pineapple and Apple Trees

Can I use wood ashes on my pineapple and apple tree?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

Robert from Montverde, Florida

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Getting Cats to Stay Off Kitchen Table

I have cats that keep getting my kitchen table and chairs. I have used a bottle of water to spray them and they have not learned yet. Any ideas for this? I can't afford to spend a lot! Thanks.

Rose Anne from Crystal, Michigan

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Cleaning Glass Doors on Fireplace

We use our fireplace a lot. The inside glass doors to the fireplace have that thick dirty film on them from so many fires. I don't want to scrape the glass with a blade because I don't want it to have scratches on them. Has anyone had this problem of cleaning theirs and found a good way to get them at least almost like new to see through again? My elbow grease and cleaners like Windex, detergent, are just not cutting it! Would appreciate your help. With the holidays here I would like to have them look nice and be able to see the fire when the doors are closed.

Julie

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Switching a Baby from Nursing to Table Foods

I have a 7 month old baby who is nursing. He has 2 teeth, sits up, reaches for things, 20 lbs, etc. All the signs that he should be ready for table food/baby food. The problem is that he has no interest in food. I've tried a lot of the pureed fruits, veggies, and cereal. He turns his head away every time. I've tried food with a little more consistency and that hasn't worked either. He likes to bite, so crackers agree with him but all he does is break them into pieces. That's hardly a meal. I don't want to nurse till he's 3! I don't want to nurse much past a year. This wasn't an issue with my other 2 kids.

Pamela from Illinois

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Crock Pot Stuffing Recipe

I am looking for a crock pot Stuffing recipe. I think I saw one but I can't find it now. Help!

Shari from Woodlawn, IL

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Alternative Erasers for Dry Erase Board

What can I use for an eraser for a dry erase board besides the traditional erasers? Has anyone used something else successfully?

Allison from Northeast, TN

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Decorating Ideas for Country Scene Paneling

I have a decorating question. I need any ideas as to decorating a living room that has paneling with deer/country scenes on it. Yes its made into the paneling.

gracie23l from North Carolina

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Trouble Getting a Blood Pressure Reading

For about a year I've been having trouble getting a blood pressure reading. Whether it's in a doctor's office, at home, or those machines in public places. It says, "EP-7, 8, or 9". I can't find an explanation for those codes. My doctor just laughed and said don't worry about it. But my father died 2 weeks after his doctor told him he had completely recovered and my mother's doctor misdiagnosed her cancer twice so I'm not very trusting right now. Does anyone know what's going on?

Jo from Hampton Roads, VA

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Small Gift Ideas to Give Dec. 1-25

I have 2 ladies (who live in the same house-mother and daughter) that are my secret sisters from church. For each, I will give a gift bag with 25 individual gifts (one to be opened daily from Dec 1-25). I don't want to give both identical items, so I need some frugal ideas. Then for each item I will somehow tie it in with the holiday season. For example: Gum may say this is to hold it together for you this season, or peanuts with a note saying don't go nuts stressing. So, I need help coming up with 50 small ideas. Any ideas?

April from Missouri

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New Paint Color for Sage Kitchen

I would like to know what color would be best for a kitchen with oak cabinets. I want something new and updated. Right now I have sage green. But I am getting tired of it.

Karen from Sackville, NS

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Plant Similar to a Caladium

I have a garden plant that I would like to know it's identity. It grows in the Fall and Winter. It has arrow shaped leaves, green with white markings, looks like Caladium, sort of. Grows about 12".

Wayne from Middle Tennessee

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Dyeing Salt and Pepper Hair

Any hair colorists out there? I've been using Natural Instincts on my salt and pepper hair. It always turns out blond with yellowed ends. (After it starts fading.) My question is, I have very red coloring. It looks like I have a slight sunburn all the time. My cheeks, forehead and neck are the worst. Would I do better to go with an ash tone, a golden warm tone or something with a strawberry tone? I've had no luck looking natural. Also I am very thin on top so if I go too dark you see right through to my scalp.

Brenda55 from NC

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Tables Made from Old Windows

I saw a great project on here about making tables from old windows and I am trying to make 1 for my kids. I am doing a beach one for my daughter with shells, stones and different colored sands. I am at a stand still with how to glue the sand to the window panes. Will a spray glue work or do I need something stronger like contact cement? Any suggestions would be great.

Thank you in advanced!

Libby from Ontario

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Getting Blue Dye Out of Clothes

I have a new sweatshirt that I put in the laundry today and blue dye ran all over into it.

Cathy from Canada

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Golden Retriever Chasing Tail And Eating Fur

Why does my 1 year old golden retriever chase his tail and then pull out the fur and eat it? He has also started pulling the long hair off his front legs and eating it. He does not have an allergy he eats everything he can? How can I get him to stop?

Michele from Caledonia, Ont.

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Making a Table From An Old Door and Decorated Tiles

I would like to make a table from an old door and decorated tiles. Anyone ever done this? What did you use for the legs?

Judy from Charlotte, 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

My Frugal Life: Frugality Includes Our Cars

When we hear the word "frugality", many people think of smart housewives who scrimp and save to "help make ends meet", particularly in years gone by when there were fewer two-income families. Nowadays, we men are showing our thrifty side by doing what we can toward living the frugal lifestyle.

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Birch Bark Wrapped Candles Recalled by Roost Due to Fire Hazard

Hazard: The bark wrapping of the candle can ignite when the candle burns down, posing a fire hazard.

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Pure Allure Recalls Metal Jewelry Sold at Michaels Stores Due to Risk of Lead Exposure to Children

Hazard: The recalled metal jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

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La Femme NY Inc. Recalls Children's Necklace and Earring Sets Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Hazard: The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

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Children's Metal Jewelry Recalled by Colossal Jewelry & Accessories Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Hazard: The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

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Cherrydale Fundraising Recalls Bracelets Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Hazard: The bracelets contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

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