March 02, 2007

Daily Thrifty Tips - March 2, 2007

Volume Six, Number 43, March 2, 2007 (Read It Online)

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Here's today's featured request...

ADHD Worse on the Same Days Every Week

My 8-year old has ADHD. Wednesdays and Thursdays of EVERY week he is just impossible to deal with. However, he maintains the same schedule every single day and everything is always fine every other day. It's just those 2 days out of the week. Does anybody at all have the same problem? Does anybody know what i can do? Please help.

Thank you,
Michelle from Virginia

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Today's Photos:

Shamrock Lapel Pin
Lattice Fence
Golden Backdrop
Chester (Mixed Breed)

Today's Tips:

Fixing Tweezers
Rain-X For The Shower
Safety Tips When Opening Doors
Shopping at Garage Sales
Negotiate Payment Plans For Bills
Oatmeal Milk Bath
Preventing Infections At Manicures
Video: Epicurious Cooking Techniques
Cutie Caddie For Little Girl's Toiletries
Leave Birthday Card Envelopes Blank
Computer Tip for Degree Symbol
Use Grater To Mix Butter Into Flour

New Requests:

Vinegar In Soup
Decorating a Boy's Room
Smocking Pattern for a Child's Two Piece Swimsuit
Giving Ear Drops to a Dog
Homemade Bath Bombs Won't Harden
Crockpot Lasagna
Making Easter Wreaths With Bath Puffs
Juice Pouch Tote Bag
Odors in a Linen Closet
Foods I Can Eat After Having My Teeth Pulled
Painting Cultured Marble
Making Funnel Cakes With Pancake Mix
Carpi Sun and Koolaid Jammer Crafts
Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors
Looking for Inexpensive Prom Dresses
Cleaning Carpet Without a Steam Cleaner
Chirping Smoke Detector System
ADHD Worse on the Same Days Every Week
Living Room Paint Color Advice
Removing Candle Wax from a Tablecloth

Shamrock Lapel Pin
By Harlean Greathouse

Need a Shamrock to show your Irish Pride or to keep from getting pinched on St. Patrick's Day?

Materials and Tools:

Crochet Hook Size G
Small amounts of 4-ply yarn in Green and White
Straight pin with bead head (Find these in quilting supplies)

Instructions:

Leaves: With green, ch 3, join to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join with sl st.

Rnd2: Ch 1 (sc, hdc, 6dc, sc) in first sc (Leaf made), sl st in next sc, (work leaf in next sc, st st in next sc,) twice.

Stem: Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5 ch; sl st into last round to join. Finish off.

Push hook through stitch just ot the right of stem from front to back and pull up white yard.

White Piping: Working between the stitches, make slip st in each stitch around with last sl st just to left of stem (see photo.)

Finishing: Cut yarn and finish off by pulling end through loop on hook. Pull end to back of shamrock. Turn shamrock over and tie ends together in a secure double knot (white to white, and green to green.) Clip ends off close to knots. Use the straight pin to attach to your lapel.

Click Here for a PDF of these instructions

Shamrock Lapel Pin Craft Project

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Lattice Fence

Materials Needed

lattice cut to size
hot glue and gun
acrylic paint
brushes
stencils if you like
sealer

Directions:

Glue lattice together to resemble fence as in picture, trace on your stencils or free hand it, then paint, let dry, then seal.

By Sandy from Bluff City, TN.

Lattice Fence

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Golden Backdrop

As the sun went down, I spotted the person on a golden backdrop...

By Bhaskar Dutta from Ahmedabad, INDIA

Golden Backdrop

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Chester (Mixed Breed)

Chester is still a pup, 4 months old. He is a mixed breed, I'm not sure what. He was a gift from my ex-husband to our daughter.

He chews on EVERYTHING, be it the wall, shoes, furniture, you name it, he just chews away at any old thing.

He is very friendly and hyper!

By Lisa from S.C.

Chester (Mixed Breed)

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Tip Contest
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Photo Contest
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Fixing Tweezers

Have your tweezers flattened out and lost their spring? Close the tweezers with a pencil placed halfway between the hinge and the points to increase the bend. Then they should grip again.

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Rain-X For The Shower

One of the best things to use in the shower to help keep away the soap scum build up and mold, is Rain X. Yes, you would normally use it on your windshield, but if you use it in your shower, it has the same effect. When the water hits it, it just beads up and rolls down.

By Becky from Sw. Creek, MI

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Safety Tips When Opening Doors

Be aware of your surroundings when opening your garage door (or any other door). Wait till passersby are past your home before opening your garage or getting out of your car, to go inside your home. Stay in your car for safety purposes. If need be, you can always leave in your car and come back later. Better to be safe than sorry.

By Terri from NV

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Shopping at Garage Sales

Tips from our readers about shopping at garage sales. Post your ideas below!

Knowledge Is Power

Visiting yard sales can be especially fun and often profitable for collectors. My mom collected tea pots, and I have friends and other relatives who collect knives, old fishing hooks, lures, and other tackle, etc. If you are interested in any sort of collectible item the most important thing is to know all you can about your subject. It is amazing how often people sell items with no idea what they're worth on the market, and that plain old fishing lure or pocket knife being sold for a dollar might be quite valuable. Also, original packaging is often important and can increase the value of an item considerably.

Happy hunting!

By Alph

Map Out Your Route

We sometimes have up to 100 yard sales on a weekend advertised in the newspaper. We clip out the ad and highlight the ones that interest us. We have a city map that is laminated. We take the list and a marker, and mark the location of each yard sale we want to visit. Then we map out the most efficient route and number each location. Eliminates discovering that the 5th yard sale on your list is half a block from the first one you visited.

By Harlean from Arkansas

Pick Up Silver

My favorite thing to look for at yard sales is silver trays, candle holders, etc. I have a huge tote filled with those items and in helping friends and family decorate for weddings, etc. they have really made the food table look elegant. No one knows they came from a yard sale.

By MamawKC

Co-Op Garage Sale

A friend of mine told me about a lady in Lexington, KY who has a huge garage/consignment sale twice a year (Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter). She has regular clients who bring her baby and children's clothes, toys, accessories, etc. She will not take anything stained, torn or dirty, all in top notch condition. They must be tagged individually and ready to sell on hangers, with a list compiled of what was brought. She runs a newspaper ad and makes money helping other women sell their quality used clothes, etc. After the sale, the client must return to pick up their items and money . Thought I'd share this with you so that others can do the same.

By Money

Bring Cash

Bring cash to garage sales so that you can bargain. Make sure to bring some change and small bills, too. They won't always have a lot of change.

By Linda

Neighborhoods Not Necessarily Better

My mother and I use to believe that we would find higher quality items or better bargains from garage sales in the area's upper income neighborhoods. We found out that their items weren't any better and were priced much higher than they should have been.

By BarbMoore

Negotiate Payment Plans For Bills

When dealings with your bills, remember; everything is negotiable, even (or maybe even especially) utility bills. I have lived in the same place for, jee, 20+ years with the same account so I find that I can negotiate payments for my phone, gas, electric, etc.

Always ask for a payment plan!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Oatmeal Milk Bath

1 cup cornstarch
2 cups powdered milk
1/2 cup oatmeal

Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl before transferring to a decorative bottle. Attach a gift tag with these directions: "Oatmeal Milk Bath" Add a generous amount to warm water running bath water. Soak, reax and enjoy.

By Jan from Suring, WI

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Preventing Infections At Manicures

This tip caters more towards woman but I guess it can be useful to men too. This tip involves the care one should use when getting a manicure/pedicure and what steps can and should be taken to avoid any possible problems that can lead to nasty infections.

First, always make sure that the manicurist uses new files on your nails (acrylic/regular nails) the first time you ever get your nails done and ask that you be allowed to keep those same files (stored in a plastic bag) so that you can bring them with you every time you get your nails done. This way you know where those files have been and that no one else has used them. Be sure to keep them sealed in the plastic bag at all times and don't let anyone else use them. Make sure you get them replaced at regular intervals, purchase new ones from your manicurist, perhaps she will even give you new ones.

Second, another good idea is to also bring your own bottle(s) of nail polish and clear top coat, once again erring on the side of caution because you don't know how many people the manicurist has been using the bottles of polish she has at her disposal. Most manicurists won't mind this one bit and it is in their best interest to avoid any possible cases of cross contamination at all costs.

Third, it is also a good idea to remove your nail polish yourself before even going to the salon if, for no other reason, to save a little time.

Also, make sure that your manicurist washes her hands before starting work on your nails, especially if she/he has just finished with another customer. These tips should help you have a better experience at the salon and also help avoid any possible infections from even happening.

By Melody from White City, Oregon

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Video: Epicurious Cooking Techniques

Sharpen your culinary skills as you watch Epicurious demonstrate essential cooking techniques.

New Videos Include:

Making Cookie Dough, Rolling Out Cookie Dough and Cutting Cookie Dough. Great for beginners!

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Cutie Caddie For Little Girl's Toiletries

My 5 year old daughter has a great deal of "Things" that we use while she is getting ready for bed and getting ready for school. We were constantly running up and down stairs, in and out of the bathroom and everywhere to get her ready. No more! I found a fabulous oval caddy with a handle in the center at the Dollar Store. We put her hair brush, barrettes, hair bands, lotion, kiddie perfume, and a mirror in it and she named it the "Cutie Caddy" (all by herself!). So now, we just grab the Cutie Caddy before bed and in the morning and we are ready to go. I am even going to make myself one because it works so well and saves so much time for only one dollar!

By Stacy from VA

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Leave Birthday Card Envelopes Blank

In my extended family whenever we go to birthday parties, we don't write the name of the person it's for. That way when the party is for someone in the immediate family, you can use the envelopes for mailing whatever.

By LRP from Lowell, MA

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Computer Tip for Degree Symbol

Just learned this, and wanted to share. For example: if you wanted to type 350 degrees on your recipe for baking, etc. On your right number key pad, type in 350, and then with left hand; hold down alt key, and simultaneously type in 167 on right number key pad; and the degree sign will show.

By Judy from Collierville, TN

Editor's Note: This should work on Windows systems but not on Macs.

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Use Grater To Mix Butter Into Flour

There are different methods for mixing firm butter or margarine into a flour mixture for baking. The one I have found to be the easiest is to use my cheese grater and grate the stick of butter or margarine. To keep the end you hold onto from getting soft as you grate, keep the paper wrapped around the end. After grating a third of the stick, use a spoon to cover what you have grated with the flour mixture (so you don't end up with a big glob of grated butter!) This is so quick and easy!

By glowgirl from Watertown, WI

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Friends of ThriftyFun

Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

Vinegar In Soup

How does vinegar improve the flavor of soup? Any specific type of vinegar?

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Decorating a Boy's Room

I would like suggestions on how to decorate a young boy's bedroom to last him for maybe 4 or 5 years. Creativity is welcome!

Sandy from Stoughton, WI

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Smocking Pattern for a Child's Two Piece Swimsuit

I am in need of an older smocking pattern for a child's two piece swim suit. Does anyone have the instructions?

Thank you,
Nelwyn from Bunkie, LA

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Giving Ear Drops to a Dog

My 3 yr old terrier mix has an ear infection in both ears. My problem is that he's giving me a really hard time with getting the drops in. I even brought a muzzle, and it's still a fight. Does anybody have any tips?

Trish from Durham, NC

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Homemade Bath Bombs Won't Harden

I am having troubles getting my bath bombs to harden. I have tried 3 different recipes and STILL my bath bombs crumble when I pick them up. I am using "fruit fresh" as the citric acid. I read you can use this. They do not harden at all. They are still moist after 3 days of drying. What am I doing wrong?

Dana from Newkensington, PA

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Crockpot Lasagna

I am looking for a recipe called crockpot lasagna. I believe it was posted once. Unfortunately, I am unable to find the recipe I had saved.

Ncgirlnga from NORCROSS, GA

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Making Easter Wreaths With Bath Puffs

Does anyone know a way to make easter wreaths using bath puffs?

Betts from Florence

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Juice Pouch Tote Bag

Please can someone list the instructions for the bottom of the koolaid jammers tote bag. I have been trying to make this purse. I am constantly wasting packs.

Thanks very much,
giftsandbags.com

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Odors in a Linen Closet

My nephew peed on a blanket and no one knew it and it was put in the linen closet. How do you get rid of the smell in the closet now? I have washed everything in the closet and it didn't help. Febreeze seems to make it worse.

Kellie from Cookeville, TN

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Foods I Can Eat After Having My Teeth Pulled

I have to have all my teeth pulled to get dentures, weak teeth run in my family. I was wondering what kinds of food will be soft to eat, that don't require any chewing, besides the usual mashed potatoes, pudding, and Jell-O. Any ideas would be gratefully appreciated, as monday I will only have a few teeth on top until they pull those, then no teeth.

Thank you!
jmz2005 from illinois

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Painting Cultured Marble

I would like to faux paint a granite-like top on my older cultured marble sink top, sink included. Can you tell me what materials that I can use so that the end result will be glassy smooth, like granite and yet waterproof.

Lynnette from Prescott, IA

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Making Funnel Cakes With Pancake Mix

I am looking for a funnel cake recipe using pancake mix.

Shanice from Campbellsville, KY

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Carpi Sun and Koolaid Jammer Crafts

I am looking for more ideas and plans on making items with Capri Sun and KoolAid Pouches. Purses, bags, and etc...

Thanks so much,
Robin from Bison, SD

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Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors

I read a tip about this a few days ago about cleaning ceramic floors, but darned if I can remember or find it now.

Mary from Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Looking for Inexpensive Prom Dresses

I am a junior in high school and my prom is coming up very soon. My parents are divorced and both are living pay check to pay check, and I'm really invovled in school activities and community service, so I haven't had time to have a job except for the summer, which I'm saving up so I can go to college. I've searched thrift stores, consignment stores, and online, but nothing has come up. I was wondering if anyone out there knew where I could get recently worn dresses for a small price?

Cara from Platteville, WI

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Cleaning Carpet Without a Steam Cleaner

I'm looking for a thrifty way to clean wall to wall carpeting in our apartment without going through the expense of renting or buying a steam carpet cleaner.

Thanks,
Lisa from Concord, NH

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Chirping Smoke Detector System

I have a hard wired smoke detector system with individual battery backup. My system started single chirps every 30 seconds 3 days ago. I changed all batteries in all smoke detector system, still chirps. I had an electrician come by today and he does not know what the problem is either. The chirp only comes from the master bedroom and disconnecting the bedroom detector physically and electrically does not stop the chirp. a physical inventory of the attic above the bedroom reveals NO box, etc. that could cause the chirp. I'm lost, need help.

Mike from Garland, Texas

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ADHD Worse on the Same Days Every Week

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Living Room Paint Color Advice

We are renovating our living room. It is a large area. We have hard wood floors, navy blue leather furniture, and the bottom portion of the wall is oak. I need help deciding what color to paint the top portion of the wall. Please share your input!

Michelle from Philadelphia, PA

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Removing Candle Wax from a Tablecloth

How do I remove candle wax from a tablecloth?

M. Tucker from Cullen

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