Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 286, December 5, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and didn't spend too much time struggling in holiday shopping traffic. We had a rare bit of snow and I fell getting out of my car. The bad news is I was quite sore for a few days, the good news is my son and daughter did some of my Christmas shopping for me.
We have 20 new requests today, please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer. We also have fixed the Lonely Requests page. The page had been broken since one of our recent updates but is functioning now. As of today, we currently have 222 lonely requests.
Lonely Requests Page
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board_lonely.html
And if you have any Homemade Christmas Gifts or Crafts to share, please submit them on the Photo Contest Page:
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Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Photos
Ladybugs in the Window
Clean your Lady or Manbugs out of the corners of your windows before painting. I want to paint this window. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with these little guys/girls. It's too cold here to throw them out. I sure can't kill them. My plan A is to put them in the basement and let them hold up for the winter there.
By April from Buffalo, NY
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Sterling (AKA Stinky) the Siamese Cat
S Sterling is a 7 year old Siamese cat. We bought him from a Navy family that was having to relocate due to military. Sleeping is what he loves to do best! Sterling is double jointed we call him a bag of bones. He is nosiest cat that ever was! Whenever we bring anything new in the house he has to be the first one to check it out.
Sterling also has a very odd habit of smelling people's breath, he seems to be able to identify people by their breath. Whenever Sterling cleans himself he can completely fold himself in half and if you say something to you him to interrupt him you will get the infamous "look" as to say what are you looking at? We just love Stinky!
By JustSusan from Virginia Beach, Va
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Sassy (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)
Sassy is a 6 week old Cavalier King Charles. She was born here. We are the proud owners of her Momma, Penny Lynn. She likes to Play! Play! Play! Play! We just love this breed they cab melt the grouchiest person's heart! This year we get to keep a puppy when Penny had her puppy's we have already got her name :) Her name will be Madison Rose! Enjoy the baby!
By JustSusan from Virginia Beach, Va
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Candid Moments at a Wedding
Some of the best wedding memories are candid ones. Be ready at all times for that "One Special Moment"!
By Guy Longtin from Renfrew, Ontario
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Festive Silver or Gold Pumpkins
By Christine Weber Sounds crazy but it looks great! Use your uncarved pumpkins from Halloween and spray paint them silver or gold. Add a plaid Christmas ribbon and voila, a masterpiece! People always stop and ask about mine!
View Project and Photo: Click Here
Dried Leaf/Flower Wreath Cards
By Christine Weber These cards make frugal use of all those leaves carted home and pressed in books in late October. They are reborn again in a pretty set of stationery cards for correspondence with loved ones or as a gift for a friend who loves to write. If leaves aren't available, dried flowers work well too and look particularly festive formed into a wreath for Christmas.
View Project and Photo: Click Here
Whiskbroom Angel
Who needs a kitchen witch when you've got this adorable little whiskbroom angel around? No need to scare away the evil spirits - just let the Hacienda Angel whisk all your troubles away.
Hacie is another quick and easy craft that takes almost no time to make - but makes a cunning housewarming gift for any happy new couple or householder.
The only skills you need for this simple-to-make whiskbroom angel are the ability to thread a needle and an eye for color. My angel has a Mexican flair to her, thanks to the lively stripes of the kitchen cloths I chose - but yours can just as easily be a gingham angel or wear a skirt patterned with a fruity border of green lime slices or cherries.
View Project and Photo: Click Here
Holiday Greens Planter
By Christine Weber In a terracotta pot ringed in ribbon, "plant" an attractive array of evergreens and berries found on a walk through the woods (or at your local florist) for a festive, frugal outdoor decoration to greet Christmas visitors at the door!
View Project and Photo: Click Here
Today's Tips
An Ornament for Every Year
I have only one child, a wonderful 18 year old son who is a joy in our lives. Every year, including the Christmas that I was expecting, I have made him a special ornament. I love to do crafts, so I try to make the ornaments extra special, having to do with something that has gone on in his life for that year.
He didn't really start appreciating them until he was about 10 years old. Now, however, he can't wait to unwrap Mom's special present to him. When I'm no longer on this earth, he will hopefully have a nice supply of handmade ornaments, made by me, to mark the special occasions in his life.
I buy the satin covered styrofoam balls and decorate them with beads, sequins, or whatever. I had already made this years, but just today he found out that he's going to be helping to film a FEMA documentary that will air either on HBO or PBS. His life dream is to work in TV. So I will gather my beads, pins and glue and try my darnedest to make a TV camera in the shape of beads on an ornament.
By Louise from Port Charlotte, FL
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Freezing Eggs
When I get an abundance of eggs, I crack them in a bowl, beat them, and pour in ice trays. When frozen pop them out and put in a baggie. Then later when I need an egg, I just take out how many I need and let thaw. they keep really well this way. One cube is equal to a medium or large egg, depending on your ice trays. Works great in recipes.
By lorac456 from Searcy, AR
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The Best Toys Stand the Test of Time
The best toys do not necessaily need batteries-remember wood blocks, lots and lots of blank paper and a new set of crayons, lincoln logs, Tinker Toys? These have stood the test of time!
By Linda from Vista, CA
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Christmas Ornament Decorating Idea
Turn your favorite Christmas ornaments upside-down and place into the top of taper candle holders. By using candle holders of various heights, it makes for a beautiful mantle display or tabletop decoration.
By Bobbie from Imperial, NE
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Brown Sugar Tips
Soften Hard Brown Sugar
For hard brown sugar, wet a paper towel, wrap it around the sugar and in a few hours or less, it will be soft.
By Ginny
Do you have any brown sugar tips? Please post them below.
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Shortening for Greasing Pans
I keep a plastic container with shortening in it. When I need to grease a pan, I use a small baggy. Pull baggy over your hand, dip in shortening and grease your pan. When finished greasing, slip baggy off into garbage. No more messy hands. If you are frugal, slip your hand out of baggy into the shortening container and leave it there and use it multiple times.
By June from Toronto, Canada
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Easy Gift Bags
Needed:
-9x12 inch felt
-scissors
-sewing machine or glue or needle and thread
-ribbons, elastic ties, etc for decorating
Take a 9x12 sheet of felt and cut it in half longways with decorative scissors (you can use straight cut scissors, too). Then fold in half short ways. Sew 1/4 inch seam with machine or by hand or glue side openings only, to close. Leave the top open. Makes a nice little gift bag. Decorate as desired. Let your imagination go wild :)
I put zipper plastic bags inside with 1 cup of flavored coffee creamer or chocolate mix and tie with covered elastic (in the holiday ribbon section at WalMart). I placed a sticker on the zipper bag with name of ingredients and directions for use. I then placed a sticker on the outside of the felt bag with the name of what was inside. Makes a cute stocking stuffer or small gift. Also, it is another idea for craft shows for the holidays. I make my own "gourmet" mixes to put inside.
By Hvnlyhills from Peebles, OH
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Stockpile Gifts Buy Ahead at After Holiday Sales
Every year after Christmas I go to the after christmas sales and buy ornaments, gifts sets, small gifts etc. I also buy childrens toys and small gifts as well. I put the gifts in a box that I wrap in a netural gold, silver, blue or red shiny paper so when it is put in the storage area I can easily identify it throughout the next year. I label the boxes. For The childrens box I call it something like "The Treasure Chest" or "Treats for The Sweet".
You can wrap the presents in advance and let the recipients choose their own gift which is great fun. Or you can just have a stash of gifts on hand all year, which will save time but the best part is the money you save! I don't know if you are like me but last minute shopping always seems to cost me more in both time and money! Also don't forget all the other after holiday sales that can help you stock your box-Valentines-Easter-Spring, etc!
By JustSusan from Virginia Beach, Va
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Contest ends December 31, 2005
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New Requests
Flower Pot Gift Ideas
I have a ton of flower pots that I'd love to use in my holiday giving but I need ideas for the people who don't like gardening. Any suggestions?
Katie from Poughkeepsie
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Cards for Leaving Tips
Does anyone have the information on how to create miniture cards to leave with a tip at at a local restraunt or at your barber or stylist?
osewcute2004 from Corpus Christi, TX
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Planning an Arabian Nights Interaction Event
I am going to organize an interaction event for our school organization in January and i am planning to use the theme of arabian nights. What do you think are the things that I need that are not too costly. We are in a tight budget.
Thank you so much!
Jvia05 from Phils.
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Christmas Gifts for Soldiers
I am looking for a place to find Christmas gift donations for my fellow soldiers. Thanks for the support!
Sarah from APO AE
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Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Friends
I'm looking for some cute Christmas gift ideas for my friends. They are teens and im broke. Any cheap things that are still cute and meaningful would really help! Maybe even homemade?!
hole_puncher from AL
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Cleaning Basketball Uniforms
My husband coaches a basketball team that recently received new uniforms. The colors are red and white. How do I launder them so that the red does not bleed and fade onto the white trim?
Mary from Leesville, Louisiana
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Do I have to flour a cake pan?
When a recipe says to grease and flour a cake pan, when the cake is done, and I take it out of the oven, there is always some of the flour from the greasing and flouring left on the finished cake. I don't want to frost the cake. Do I have to flour the cake pan, or is greasing it enough to prevent this problem from happening?
Thanks,
P.J. from Delaware
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Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
I was wondering if anyone has a quick and easy recipe for Cutout Sugar Cookies for Christmas. I have found a lot of recipes but so many call for like 6 cups of Flour. I don't want to make that big of a batch.
Thanks,
Mindy from Erie
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Making a Large Snow Globe
I want to make a large snowglobe to be used in a Christmas parade. Any ideas on how to construct one?
Kat from NM
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15 inch Fashion Doll Clothes Patterns
Last year I got my granddaughters 15 inch fashion dolls at Walgreens for $5.00 each. They are lovely but I can't find any patterns for clothes for this size doll. Does anyone have any suggestions? I did find a plastic 15 inch doll at Walmart with a pattern for a crochetted dress but I also want to make fabric clothes for the dolls.
Thanks a million,
Stanlie Steamer from Long Beach, CA
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Dog Tearing Up Papers
My lab mix puppy just turned a year old and has been out of her crate without any issues for the past 4 months. Beginning yesterday, she has been knocking everything and anything off of my kitchen counters and tearing them to shreds while I'm gone. She's used to being alone for several hours a day so that's not the issue. I don't know what started this, but I hate to drag out her crate again when she used to be soooo good!
She's tearing apart newspapers, my cookbook, tissues and tissue boxes, pens, pencils, you name it. It's not food she's after because that's all put away. Here's a pic of what I came home to today after being gone an hour and a half.
Any help or suggestions you may have are appreciated!
Chima0692 from NJ
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Discolored Plastic Headlight Covers
I am looking for a way to remove the discoloration on plastic head light covers on a 1998 Chrysler van. It is ruff looking and stops a lot of the light from coming through from the head light. The light has become very opaque and not crystal clear like it was when it was new. The build up is more to the top of the light cover.
Kenny G. from Gulfport, MS
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Nail Polish Remover Smell
I got ink in the dryer and removed it with nail polish remover but now how do I get the nail polish remover smell out and make the drum shiny again?
Thanks,
Scott from Chicago, IL
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Goulash Recipe
I am for a recipe for a goulash that my father-in-law is craving (he is now in a nursing home, and does not eat very much). I would love to find this for him, my mother-in-law used to make it. It has beans, hamburger, vinegar, and I think potatoes. She used to fix it for him, I think it may have had ketchup also. I have tried to find it, please someone help me satisfy his craving for a dish his beloved used to make for him.
Thanks in advance,
Carolyn from Charleston, WV
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Hair Dye on Leather
Does anyone know how to remove brown hair dye from a cream leather sofa?
Gemma from Newcastle, UK
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Permanent Marker Inside Dryer
Does anyone know how to get permanent marker off of the inside of your dryer? My daughter and her husband do laundry all the time at my house and he forgot to take a permanent marker out of his pants from work and now we have a mess! It's all over my king size comforter as well and I'm almost afraid to run anything through it because I don't want to ruin anything else. Any ideas?
Robin from Washington, IA
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Moist Poor Man's Cake
I lost my recipe for a very moist poor man's cake. it was dark brown in color and very moist. I tried a recipe from the internet, and it was not at all like my favorite one. It came out lighter in color, and somewhat dry. Does anyone have this very moist poor man's cake recipe? I would appreciate it!
Thanks,
P.J. from Delaware
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Removing Candle Wax From Furniture
You can remove melted candle wax from a piece of furniture, or sometimes this will even work for carpet, with a piece of newspaper and an iron. Just place a piece of newspaper (folded) over the melted wax area and place a hot iron, on a low setting, on top of the newspaper for 5 to 10 seconds, lift up iron and paper. The wax should have soaked up into the paper and removed it from the furniture. This might need to be repeated a few times.
By Lori Bartel
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Shorten Pants With Tapered Legs
How do I shorten the legs of pants that have tapered legs? The narrower diameter at the bottom makes the fabric higher up pucker and pleat when folded under. How do I make a smooth seam?
Thanks!
Lynne from New Mexico
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Television Reviews
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what television might be a good one to buy? We'd like to buy one in the 27 inch range and it can be regular or flat screen. Our current Sanyo TV, while not old, is very muffled and difficult to hear. I don't think it's just ours either, as I was recently at someone's home to watch a movie and their Sanyo was very muffled, also. Thanks for any advice you can provide!
Pat from Bismarck, ND
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More Reading:
A Life That Makes A Difference
By Steve Goodier "How do you account for your remarkable accomplishment in life?" Queen Victoria of England asked Helen Keller. "How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?"
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