Daily Thrifty Tips - October 5, 2007

We are running a little low on photo entries, probably do to the school starting. If you have a craft idea, organizing idea or garden decoration feel free free to snap a picture of it and send it in. We also are looking for homemade Halloween Costume ideas. Each week our Editor's pick the best photo from two weeks prior and award a $25! Enter your photo submissions here:

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I just heard on the radio there is a recall of Campbell's Chunky Soup - Potato with Bacon Bits soup this morning. There are pieces of plastic in the soup. Be sure to check out our Recall section for this and other recent recalls.

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Dottie's Food Bowls

This is a bowl server my husband made for our Dalmatian Dottie. I've seen the server in magazines and stores for up to $40.00. Out if scrap materials, my husband made this bowl server for about $5.00 dollars. I used white semi gloss paint for easy cleaning up and acrylic black paint for the spots. I thought it turned out nice and wanted to share a money saving tip for all our canine/feline lovers. Still thinking of labeling with her name on it!

I previously purchased the two stainless steel bowls from Ross for $3.99. Ross has a lot of nice items for dogs and cats. Check Ross out for savings! Dottie is 8 months old now. The paint is dry! Notice she's licking the spot!

By Jennifer CA

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Miranda And Sally (Domestic Shorthair)

Miranda is 10 years old and Sally is 5. Both are domestic shorthairs. We got Miranda 9 years ago from a friend/co-worker of my brother. We got Sally 4 years ago from my sister-in-law's family.

They like to eat, sleep, and lay in front of the heat register when it's cold outside!

By Maryeileen from Brooklyn OH

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Big Geranium

This is a picture of the hanging geranium that my son gave to me for Mother's Day, it gotten lots of sunshine and just kept getting bigger and bigger, sure hope I can winter it over.

By Phyllis from Roseburg, Oregon

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New Drapes Out of Sheets

It will be 9 years next month since we moved into our house. There were absolutely no drapes in the house. So I had to find a frugal way of either buying drapes or making them myself. My husband and I first started shopping for drapes at several stores. I looked at the price tags and was astonished and knew right away that it would have cost us a lot of money to do the entire house. We price shopped at a number of stores, and still the same thing, just too expensive. Then we tried some thrift shops such as the Salvation Army and the Goodwill, and didn't find anything to our liking. The drapes were either too long, too short or too narrow for our windows and I would have had to alter them so they would fit the windows anyway.

I either read this frugal tip in a magazine or heard it on TV about making drapes out of flat bed sheets. I thought to myself, "Why not give it a try". I purchased two flat queen sized sheets from Sears because I fell in love with the large flower pattern. The flat twin size sheets were either purchased from K-Mart or Walmart. I also had to purchase some drapery rods for the kitchen, bathroom and three bedrooms.

I didn't use a sewing pattern, just plan old ingenuity and the many years of sewing experience helped me out tremendously. I wanted to make floor length drapes for my living room windows. So I ran the curtain rod through the top casing on the sheet and hung it up to my window. Then stepped back and took a long hard look at what needed to be done. The sheet was extremely long so I measured as to how much I should cut off at the bottom. I cut both sheets the same length and sewed the bottom hems on my sewing machine. With the fabric that was left over, I made a separate valance. There was absolutely no material wasted. I did pretty much the same for the bedroom drapes, but sewed a valance at the top and still had enough fabric left over and made two tie backs and sewed plastic "0" rings on each tie back. I made a pair of drapes and a matching shower curtain for my bathroom, and for the master bedroom made the drapes and a matching duvet cover for our comforter.

I'm so frugal, that I didn't want to spend the extra money for another flat sheet so I made a pair of drapes out of the left over fabric that I used on the kitchen window.

They are so very easy to launder, and never need dry cleaning. Just wash, dry and press with your iron. I even bought four pairs of sheer drapes in a few garage sales that I used for my living room and bedroom windows.

Now you're probably wondering what it cost me to do the entire house. Would you believe if I told you about $109.00 - $115.00.

By Marge W. from Sanborn, NY

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Cinnamon Sugar For Coffee

Instead of expensive flavoring for coffee, I bought a bottle of cinnamon sugar and sprinkle to taste in a cup of coffee. I also add different flavored extracts (rum, coconut, vanilla) to my coffee.

By Deborah from Lafayette, LA

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Making Fancy Shower Curtain Hooks

You know those pricey matching shower hooks to match the pricey shower curtain you bought? Well I finally found my "snowflake" shower curtain for Christmas. I bought matching color hooks (plastic, who cares) went to craft store and bought 12 wooden snow flake cut outs. I painted them to match. I just bought an Americana shower curtain and bought color hooks and bought wooden stars! By the way,those new glue dots work, making thm non-permanent! Happy crafting.

By Keeper from Morganton, NC

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Old Fashioned Perfume Containers

if you want to make an old-fashioned perfume or lotions container, you can use old perfume bottles from second-hand stores, garage sales, flea markets and etc. A idea for lotions is plastic travel bottles from discount stores. You can get old looking labels from magazines and craft stores. You can tie a ribbon around the handle to decorate with a small button or silk flower in the middle of the bow.

By Becki from Middletown, NY

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Advice to Freshmen in College

To Freshmen: Make sure you get good grades because this is the time that you really don't have much to do. Get involved, meet people, make friends not babies. Think before you talk because your words can either affect someone negatively or positively. Whenever you want to say something about someone, ask yourself "If you were in that person's shoes, how would you feel". Be serious in school so that you won't regret that later. Most importantly, have fun! This is the year that you have to shine.

By Susan from Saint Paul, MN

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Squeaky Crib Bars

Use spray cooking oil on crib slide bars to keep them from squeaking and waking up baby! Nightmares? Use any spray bottle air freshener, etc. to make a monster go away. Label tape it on and spray monsters away and out windows at bedtime.

By Kathy from Chazy, NY

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Rinse Dishes In Bleach Solution

If you want your dishes disinfected (especially if you don't have a dishwasher and someone in your household is sick), after washing them in dishwashing detergent, run them through a rinse of 1 gallon of water with 1 tablespoon of Chlorox added to it. I put a dish pan or large bowl on one side of my sink with this mixture. This works great for camping too because sometimes you may not have access to hot water. This is an old Girl Scout trick. After we rinsed our dishes at Girl Scouts, we hung them in mesh bags over a clothesline or tree limb to dry.

By Melanie from N. Wilkesboro, NC

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Organize Coupons in a Card Box

On Sunday, cut out coupons from the paper and file them in a box for 3x5 inch cards. You can bring this with you each time you go grocery shopping. Then if you see something on clearance, you have a coupon for, you can often get these items for free!

By Laurie from Arizona

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Buy Family Gifts For Christmas

Rather than buying individual Christmas gifts for your cousin, her husband and each of their children, give one Christmas gift to all of them that they can enjoy as a family.

Some family gift ideas are as follows: A gift card to a local video store (include some microwave popcorn and candy); a book of passes to the movie theater; a board game appropriate for each family member's ability level; a gift certificate to a nice family-friendly restaurant; a donation in the family's honor to a charity that's important to them; a gift basket with gourmet coffee and tea, muffin mix, pancake mix and syrup, jellies and jams, etc.

You'll be amazed how much money you can save this Christmas season by giving one family gift rather than several individual gifts.

By MomOf1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Saving Money on Drapes, Blinds and Window Treatments

Tips for saving money on Drapes, Blinds and Window Treatments. Do you have any tips to share? Please post them below!

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Making Pomander Balls In Humid Climate

Every year for Christmas I try to make old fashioned pomander balls: stud citrus fruits with cloves, roll in cinnamon, then put in a cool dark place for several weeks. But this climate is so hot and humid they always mold before the process is complete. I've tried putting them in a very low heat oven but they scorch and smell awful. Anyone have a solution?

peanut from Virginia

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Yellow Jackets In House

Help, we have hundreds (and I am not kidding) of yellow jackets in our home. We have probably killed 6 or 7 hundred but they are still here. Any advice. No one has gotten stung yet except the dog.

Barb from Fairview, MI

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Measuring Foam Larger Then Cushion

How do I measure foam, larger than actual size of cushion?

Enid from Butler, PA

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Are Contracts Signed Before Declaration of Mental Incompetence Valid?

If a person is declared mentally incompetent, can a contract they signed before that date of declaration of incompetence still be valid?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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How to Bobbin a Singer 6268

I have a singer sewing machine model number 6268 and I need to know on how to bobbin it. Thank You
Barbara

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Taking Care of New Guinea Pigs

I need help with my 2 adopted guinea pigs. First of all, I know nothing about them.

They are both very shy, will this get better? Also, I put their cages in my daughters room, and they were just cleaned, but they smell. It's not an offensive smell, but not very good either. Would Marshall's By-Odor be good to take care of this? Is it safe for the pigs? I want to litter train them, any tips ? Lastly, when I bring them out of their cage to roam around, they never move from the spot that I put them in. Is this because they are not used to being out of their cage? They were owned by two boys that brought them to Petco to be adopted because the boys wanted lizards instead of the pigs. Any help would be greatly appreciated !! Thanks!

Sherri from Parsonsfield, ME

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Is Vinegar Harmful to Septic Tanks?

Is using vinegar for cleaning harmful to septic tanks? This is the first time I have lived in a home with a septic tank and I know bacteria live in the tank and I know vinegar kills bacteria.

Celeste from Beaverdam, VA

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Baking a Sponge Cake

Any tips for baking an evenly risen sponge cake?

Lynette from Bristol

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Tuna Soufflé

My friend is looking for an old recipe for Tuna souffle that has cashew nuts in. Anyone have anything like this?

Mary from Lake Geneva, WI

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Orange Sunshine Bread Recipe

Does anyone have an old recipe from possibly the early sixties, from either Woman's Day or Family Circle, called Winter Sunshine Bread or Orange Sunshine Bread? It involves using the orange peel and boiling and rinsing it several times before boiling it with sugar until it thickens then using it in the recipe.

Tomzwife from Gate City, VA

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Tying a New Electrical Outlet into Existing Power Source

A friend has asked me to help install a 15 amp 110 volt outlet in a landscape area. The area is bounded by a driveway so running a wire will be very difficult.

However, there is landscape lighting that has a 220 volt feed to it that is powering 4-24V lights. Can I wire nut into one side of the 220 volt transformer supply and install an outlet mounted on the back of the transformer post?

Dan from Maryland

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Sweet Bread Machine Recipes

I need bread machine recipes for breads that are on the sweet side, for snacks. Also, I need recipes to feed an extremely picky 10 yr. old.

Tamara from Eureka, CA

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Getting a Kitten to Eat Dry Cat Food

How does one convince a 10 week old kitten that dry cat food is edible? I have tried adding water to the dry kibble, leaving it plain, and she still tries to "bury it". She eats canned food (and cheesies) with no problem, which is the problem as she is a little pig!
She has been de-wormed twice, there are 2 older cats in the house so she has her choice of three types of dry cat food.

Cinnamon from Williams Lake

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Removing Writing from Wine Glasses

I recently started a job bar tending weddings at a hall, and brought home a dozen flute wine glasses that were not taken home by guests. They are not engraved, but have the bride and grooms names and wedding date printed on them. How do I safely and effectively remove the writing so that I can enjoy them myself, in my home?

Susan from Essexville, MI

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Making a Tied Flannel Blanket

I have seen the blankets or throws made of two pieces of flannel and tied together, but I don't know how to start.

Do I need to stitch them together first? Do I just cut and tie? I might like to do these for my grand children for Christmas.

pm813 from Spring Lake, NC

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Removing Rodent Urine Stains

Does anyone know how to get mouse/rat urine stains from clothing? I had my off-season clothing hung in my spare bedroom closet but found evidence of droppings and yellow urine stains on the shoulders of the hanging items. I tried regular laundering but the urine stains remained. Didn't want to try anything else until I consulted my friends. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Leah

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How to Lighten a Red Jumper to Orange

How can I lighten a red jumper to orange.

Julie from Birmingham

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Housebreaking a Chihuahua

I am having problems housebreaking my Chihuahua. She is a 2 year old adult female Chihuahua that is healthy and fixed. I have a doggy door she can use 24/7 ( she loves it and uses it)and my problem is she is still peeing inside.

She does use the potty outside sometimes and is highly praised when she is seen doing it but she poops and mostly pees inside several times a day. She is not allowed to roam the house because of this but is put in the kitchen so she can use the doggy door whenever she wants and so she can't potty everywhere which she does when she has total freedom in the house anytime. Why is she still using the potty inside when she can go out whenever she wants? She will also do it on any rug she finds including the one we wipe our feet on at the door so now we can't have any rugs where she can get to them. What can I do to help her understand not to do this? I have tried crate training, walking her, sitting outside with her until she pottied only to have her do it five minutes after we come back inside even though we were outside for more than an hour playing and walking around...she does this almost every time. Please help me someone.

Thank you,

Sonya from Macon, GA

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Pattern for Pioneer or Settlers Bonnet

I live in a developing nation in the South Pacific (Vanuatu). Craft materials are very limited. I bring in what I can when I visit my home country but restrictions apply. Can anyone supply me with a pattern to make a Pioneer Woman's bonnet. I think that you may call it an early settler's bonnet.

I have a small piece of stiffening for the wide brim. I guess that the bonnet has a circular/oval section at the back of the head and some gathered fabric coming forward towards the forehead - then, the brim. I have been making cloth dolls for the local children. They are made small (7 1/2 inches and smaller, as cotton fabric used for folk/Amish dolls/patchworking is as scarce as hens teeth. Many thanks for your great ideas. Happy crafting.

HeatherJoanne

Editor's Note: This is a Australian Early Settlers Bonnet, not American. She says they look kind of like the bonnets in Gone With The Wind.

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Does NIX Kill Fleas?

Will NIX (head lice shampoo) kill fleas?

Annmarie from Oneonta, NY

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Do Mothballs Kill Spiders?

Do mothballs kill spiders?

Chuck from Cleves, Ohio

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Removing Fly Paper Adhesive From Fabric

Help! I dropped a Sticky Fly Paper Pest Strip onto my suede pillow and pants. I was able to pull it off, but now I am left with this sticky goo on both items. Can anyone please tell me how to get this goo off of my things! Thanks.

Bren from Washington, DC

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Pomeranian Yorkie Mix is Throwing Up

My dog is still technically a puppy cause she is 9 months old. She is a Pomeranian mixed with west highland white Yorkie and she has been throwing up for the past 3 hours. I don't know what to do I wouldn't think she would have parvo but then again I'm not a vet. Does anyone know what I can do?

Kimberly from Virginia Beach, VA

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Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

I have a 4 hp Briggs and Stratton push mower (murry). the carburetor is not getting any gas, even when the tank is full. Do I need to get another www.organizedcablecord.com or is there some other things I can try first?

Charles from Georgia

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Scuff Marks On Patent Leather Shoes

I have used nail polish remover on my white patient leather shoes but the red scuff marks did not come off. What can I use so it will?

Bree from Miami, FL.

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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

KB Toys Recalls Wooden Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Honeywell Recalls Gas Valves Used in Decorative Fireplaces and Stoves Due To Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Target Recalls Plush Boys Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Salton Inc. and QVC Recall Electric Toasters Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Risk of Impact Injury Prompts Recall of Estes-Cox Model Rockets

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Lan Enterprises Recalls Doll Strollers After Child's Finger Tip was Severed; Product Also Poses an Entrapment Hazard to Young Children

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Making a Banner

Tips for making a banner for a birthday, holiday or any celebration. Post your own ideas here.

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