Daily Thrifty Tips - April 14, 2008

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. This week's Saving Money On.. newsletter is about Saving Money on Vegetables. Do you have any tips to share? Please submit them here:

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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 Project: Chill Chaser Shrug

This is my own version of a shrug. A shrug is a short sweater to chase a chill away. This would be a perfect Bed Jacket for a friend in the hospital. Or just to throw on when the nights are a little cool.

Approximate Time A couple evenings in front of the TV

Supplies:

• about 10 oz. 4 ply yarn
• Aluminum Crochet Hook size K
• Yarn Needle

Instructions:

The measurement examples are my personal measurements

Begin by taking measurements in inches.

• A to B is edge of your palm at wrist to underarm: 17 inches
• B to D is from shoulder to shoulder across back: 17 inches (you may need help with B to D)
• C marks the middle of the back. You will be increasing on the first half to this point , adding a couple rows without increases, and then decreasing for the second half.

The instructions are also in a PDF file for which you may need Acrobat Reader to view. Download Acrobat Reader

Click Here to download the Crochet Style Shrug Instructions in PDF format.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Scenery: Kentucky Fall Sky

A beautiful sky last fall.

By Julia from Kentucky

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Craft Project: Popsicle Kids

Heat up the glue gun, grab those fabric scraps and make some "kids".

Approximate Time: 30 Minutes

Supplies:

• 2-3 inch wooden hearts
• 4- 1 inch wood circles
• 1 popsicle sticks
• small amount of twine
• fabric scraps
• small letters

Instructions:

Girl:

Glue rectangle of fabric over a popsicle stick. Glue to heart for arms.

Gather fabric for skirt, glue under flap of arm material.

Decorate wood button face.

Glue string, twine or ribbon to both edges of arm and glue letters to the string.

Turn over and glue twine, string or ribbon to back for hanging.

Boy:

Glue rectangle of fabric over a popsicle stick. Glue to heart for arms.

Glue material to two popsicle sticks for "jeans". Cut a small portion out of the top for the neck. Glue to heart.

Continue the same instructions as for the girl.

This is a very versatile craft and can showcase hobbies with fishing poles etc. Enjoy!

By Tedebear from San Jose CA

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Moose (Golden Retriever/Lab)

Moose is 1 year and 2 months old and is a Golden Retriever/Lab mix. We got him St. Patrick's Day weekend on a Sunday.

He likes to swim, swim, swim! Also loves to run after balls and Frisbees and play with his brother, an Aussie mix, and everyone else in the family. We couldn't ask for better! This picture was taken when he was asleep in his crate, where his food dish seemed to be worn as a hat

By Jamie from North Carolina

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Ginger (Miniature Rat Terrier)

Ginger is 4 years old and is a Miniature Rat Terrier. She was the Pet-of-the-Week and we saw her on the local news. We called the animal shelter and told them that we would be perfect parents for her!

She likes to chew bones and sit on the back of the couch so she can look out the window. She loudly notifies us whenever anyone approaches the house. I made her a little pink night-gown out of the leg of an old pair of flannel pajamas. Actually, I made two of them for her...Well, I had two pajama legs! It seemed like a great way to recycle old jammies.

By Mallory from Mountain View, CA

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Cokeyo (Poodle)

Cokeyo (Coco) is 3 years old. He is a Chocolate Toy Poodle. I received Cokeyo as a gift when he was two months old. One of the best gifts I ever received.

He just plays, plays, and plays. Cokeyo talks now and then.

By Chris from Washington, DC

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Teaching Toddlers To Read

I was amazed when I saw my midwife's daughter reading "The Lord of the Rings" at 5 years of age, so I asked her how she learned to read at such a young age. She said the trick is: You start teaching them to read by playing a GAME with them at about 16 - 18 months (or older). She said "Kids CAN'T read SMALL BLACK letters but CAN read LARGE RED letters".

So what you do is make a bunch of cards that have BIG RED words on them like "grandma, mom, dad, out, banana, cat, chair, flower", etc. The lettering should be about 2 inches high. Then you put all the cards in a pile on the floor and ask the little one to "bring me the word 'banana' (or whatever word)". Of course you start with only 2 or 3 cards at a time and when they have mastered these, you add one more word every so often. Be sure to give them LOTS of praise whenever they get one of the words right. Toddlers and little ones just LOVE this game! It's fun for them, teaches them to read, and gets them interested in reading at an early age.

My midwife's 5 year old daughter carried a book with her everywhere she went. She absolutely loved to read! Several of her friends were also reading books by themselves at 3 or 4 years of age. Of course you can add to this by also reading them a book each night before they go to bed. My daughter says "It's bed time, go pick out the book you want me to read to you." This way my granddaughter actually LIKES bedtime, and you sure can't beat THAT!

By Cyinda from Seattle

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Frugal Air Freshener You Can Make At Home

Ingredients

• 2 packages Knox Gelatin
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup scented liquid potpourri
• pinch of salt

Directions

Source: A friend from Iowa gave me this years old

By Char from Springfield IL

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Tips For Getting Water To Sick Puppies

If you can't get your puppy to drink water, try ice cubes. I found that I can get my puppy to even lick Pedialite in ice cube form. Hope this helps!

By Rachel from TX

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Save Clothing Elastic For Craft Projects

You know the clear stretchy elastic that is used sometimes for securing blouses on your hangers? Well, I cut them off cause they bug me, and I re-use them in my sewing! This type of elastic is sometimes hard to find and can be expensive. There are a lot of instances where you only need a small amount of the clear elastic (for example: on a neckline) and this is just enough! Voila! .

Source: my own idea!

By Frances from Bland, MO

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Use Milk of Magnesia as a Facial Mask

For adults or teens with an oily T-zone on their face; there are lots of cosmetic items that help with oil control, but a very inexpensive item that does the job very well is Milk of Magnesia. A generic brand will suffice and is even less expensive. Just put a cotton ball's worth of the milk of magnesia on the oily areas. Let it dry for a few minutes, and then wipe off. It really absorbs the oil for hours and hours and is very cheap to use!

By Tracey from Westerville, Ohio

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Link: Human Foods, Products That Can Kill Pets

Link to Excellent Site for Pet Owners

• http://www.kitv.com/family/15665425/detail.html

By Laura from Long Beach, CA

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Making Basket Stuffing

I use pinking sheers to cut up all old magazines, candy wrappers, colored paper of any kind and keep it to use as basket stuffing when giving a gift or making baskets for friends.

By Denise from McRae, GA

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Clean Your Iron with a Dryer Sheet

When your iron gets sticky or dirty or when you accidentally get iron-on interfacing stuck to it, simply take a fabric softener Dryer Sheet and set the Dryer Sheet on top of a paper towel (to protect your ironing board), then lay another paper towel next to it. Turn your iron on high and iron the dryer sheet, then iron the paper towel (to clean the iron off). Go from ironing the dryer sheet for about 30 seconds, to the paper towel and back and forth again until your iron is totally clean. I like this handy trick because it cost nothing and your iron will glide smoothly, just like it's brand new!

Source: I heard this handy trick on a PBS quilting show.

By Cyinda from Seattle

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Four Different Ideas for Roast Beef

To save money, buy a large roast beef. The first night have roast beef, the next night, make hot roast beef sandwiches and chop up the remaining roast beef. Mix with sauteed onions and peppers and 1 cup catsup, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 2 Tbsp brown sugar and 1 tbsp mustard to make barbecue sandwiches or decide to make a pot of vegetable soup and add all remaining leftover beef. It is a time saver and cost effective when you cook like this. One nice size roast can make at least 3 or 4 meals. Happy cooking!

Source: its a variety of recipes of my own making.

By Maureen from Williamsport, PA

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When Making Cookies, Cook Half and Freeze Half

When you are baking cookies, try to bake only 1/2 a batch and freeze the rest for later. I flash freeze drop cookies and can bake as many or as few as I want at a time. This way you can have fresh cookies anytime you want them or when company shows up!

By Tracey from Hibbing, MN

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Blinds/Shade For A Skylight

We will be moving my daughter into a room with a recessed skylight. Any thrifty ideas for an inexpensive shade or blind? The blinds on line are nearly $200. In my own bedroom, we have the same light, and I hooked up a curtain on two rods, but we can't actually open it or it falls off. I want something in her room that we can close and open. Thanks!

Natasha from Exeter, NH

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Making Your Own Hanging Tomato Baskets

Has anyone out there seen the wonderful advertisement on TV for growing tomatoes hanging upside down? I looked at the price of each and decided I couldn't afford to buy 6 or 7. I would love to know if someone has an idea for making your own hanging tomato growers. Thank you!

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Pattie from Bridgton, ME

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Irises Aren't Blooming

Does mowing your Irises after they've bloomed cause them to not bloom again the next year? I'm not much of a gardener, which is probably obvious. We've had them planted for several years, and they bloomed pretty well for the first 2-3 years. My husband then mowed over them the last couple of years (after their blooming season), and now very few have bloomed back. Is there anything we can do now to help?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Leah from Shelbyville, TN

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Baby Vomit Smell In Pram

How do you get the smell of milky baby vomit from your baby's pram?

Lesley from Glasgow, Scotland

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Pests Eating Leaves Of Hybiscus

What can we do to prevent leaves of my Hybiscus from being eaten by unknown pests? I am first time user and amazed by the information I can send to resolve my problem. Right now I don't have a picture but will take one after I submit this question.

Hardiness Zone: 9b

Pauus from Palm Harbor, Florida

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Will Toothpaste Scratch Marble Sink?

If I brush my teeth over my marble sink will the toothpaste scratch it?

Janet from Benton, AR

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How Do You Use Bluing Product?

I need to know how do you use that bluing stuff to make your whites white. My husband wears white dress shirts. They get dingy after a while. Any suggestions on keeping them white? I bought that blue stuff but don't want to mess up anything help!

Kathy from Triadelphia

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Birthday Party Theme: "1974 In Las Vegas"

I need ideas on how to make a birthday party fit the theme "1974 In Las Vegas".

Quinflo from Hong Kong

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Can You Play Harmonica With Dentures?

I'm an avid harmonica player but I may be required to get dentures. I'm worried that having dentures may impede my harmonica playing. Do any of you have any experience playing harmonica with dentures? If so, do the dentures diminish your skills in any way?

JLS

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Advice On Rimadyl Dosages

My black lab is approximately 8 years old. I have recently started him on Rimadyl, as he was getting somewhat stiff and arthritic. He is doing wonderfully. He is on 2 75 mg tabs a day. Has anyone had experience with cutting the usual dosage in half, or alternating days, to save money?

I am getting the Rimadyl from Entirelypets(dot)com, and it is way less $$ than from my vet, but still expensive. I assume my dog will be on Rimadyl the rest of his life, but would like to dose him as minimally as possible while he is still fairly young. Any experience you can share with Rimadyl dosage?

Tracey from Westerville

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Is an egg still alive if the yolk broke?

I am incubating a duck egg and the yolk broke inside of the egg. Is it still alive?

Tina from Temple, TX

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Can you get fleas in your house without pets?

If you do not have a pet and you have a dirty house, can you still get fleas?

Crystal from Da Veg

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Ideas To Get Help Paying Vet Bills

My 5 month old puppy was recently diagnosed with Parvo. She has been in the vet for 3 days now and she has started to show signs of improvement. Is there any way to help with the bills, they are now at $1200.00 and she will still have to stay for another 3 days. Is there anybody that knows any way to help with these bills. My family and I just can't let her go. Please send responses. God Bless!

Cathy from Louisville, KY

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Animal Themed Celebration For 11 Year Olds

Do you have any party ideas involving animals for 11 year old kids. Not a party but a special celebration? Thanks.

Ashna from Ontario, Canada

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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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Rabbits Eating Flowers and Plants

How can I keep rabbits from eating my plants? They eat everything: vegetables, flowers, shrubs, ornamental grasses.

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Keeping a Dog Out of a Vegetable Garden

Question:

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