Daily Thrifty Tips - August 16, 2007

Do you have any tips for getting kids prepared for back school? Please post them here:

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Miracle Baby

Miracle Baby only weighing 14.2 ounces at birth.

By Crystal from Ravenswood, WV

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Bridal Shower Gift - Make a Kitchen Maid or Mate

This is adorable! If the bride is a good friend, you will know what household items to use in creating your custom-made Kitchen Maid. And today, some couples have joint wedding showers, so you can also build a Kitchen Mate for the husband-to-be. Here's how:

• Begin with an ironing board to be the body of the Maid or Mate.
• Tie an apron with pockets around the middle to make a waist. Fill them with smaller kitchen items, utensils or tools.
• Attach a plunger on one side of the back of the ironing board as an arm and a toilet bowl brush or feather duster as the other arm.
• Add a dustpan at the wide end of the ironing board for feet or set the ironing board on top of a vacuum and bind with several elastic cords under the apron (as we did in the photo).
• Secure a string mop as the head of hair to the back of the ironing board with the mop portion flopped over the top narrow end of the ironing board.
• Create a face with nylon net scrubbies for the eyes, a small sponge for the nose and a nailbrush for the mouth.

By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Cooter (Turkish Angora)

Cooter is a 2 year old male Turkish Angora. Cooter was rescued from my local Humane Shelter. He was one of 3 kittens that were abandoned with his mother by the roadside by the shelter.

Being strictly a house cat, Cooter loves to be brushed and held. He is a very pampered and loved cat. Cooter will often explore the bathroom sink, hoping that a occasional drip of water will come down that he can "swat" at. Cooter is a very vocal cat, and will "meow" loudly when he can't have his way. This cat is a real "ham" when it comes to taking his picture.

Cooter is a beautiful cat. He was adopted for my son, after he lost his grandmother. Cooter helped my 12 year old son through his sadness and grief. And my son is learning how to be a responsible caretaker.

By Lori from MI

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Little Dress Clothspin Bag

I found this in a very old magazine that I bought at the Goodwill store and made a cardboard pattern out of the pattern in the book. I made lots of these clothespin bags which I gave to friends and family as gifts. These were made from fabric scraps, lace, etc. that I had from leftover projects but you can use whatever you like to make them.

I received lots of compliments on how cute they were. They are very easy to make and I love to make anything easy.

Another way to make these if you don't have a pattern is to use little girl's dresses and sew up the bottom, works best with a "V" neck so you can hang it up with a wire or plastic hanger.

Use a simple dress and take it apart,make a pattern so you can make lots of these clothespins bags.

Hope you enjoy making these as much as I did. Thanks!

By Marian from Danville, VA

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Giant Sunflowers

Here are my giant sunflowers I grew this year. I am only 5'2" so you can see how tall they are. Some of them are 14 feet high. They are beautiful. I have them planted in a square shape around my pumpkin patch.

Have a great rest of the summer, fall will be here before you know it (my favorite time of year.)

By Sandy from Bluff City, TN

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Tips for Streaking Your Hair

I have great success streaking my hair with plain hydrogen peroxide on very dirty hair, applied several times or over a period of time. However, I did notice that without using my colored shampoo/conditioner, it did look a bit brassy. I recommend using a mixture of red and gold color shampoo, with another mixture of red and gold color conditioner. You can tweek your own concoction to fit your own hair color preferences, but do note that hydrogen peroxide does have a tendency to go turn hair red while lightening.

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles, CA

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Emergency No Slip Mat for the Bathtub

Just a very simple suggestion - we stayed at a Hampton Hotel with no anti-skid treads in the tub. Yep, it was slippery.

On the spur of the moment, I threw a towel onto the the tub floor for resistance. It actually worked! If it didn't, we were going to head for the nearest store and buy some suction treads or a rubber mat. Was wondering if the towel would bunch up and head for the drain area (it did) but I managed to shower without slipping and only had to retrieve the towel once.

Much better than an accident! Other than that, it was a nice hotel and I'll stay there again next time we go out of town.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Reuse Newspaper As A Garbage Can Liner and Other Tips

Here's a tip to help make a huge difference for our green planet. Keep old newspapers that are abundant in recycle dumpsters. Line in home trash containers with old newspaper. Simply press the newspaper against the sides of the trash bin or leave loose with several papers layered beneath. At the end of the day, gather and roll in a ball a few pages of the newspaper holding your daily trash, and dispose in an outside trash receptacle lined with a 100% biodegradable bag or similar/recycled plastic liner.

To really make a difference, purchase 100% recycled bags at select markets or online. Keep a flat stack of old newspapers right under the trash container making easy access.

Note: newspaper decomposes and generally has soy based ink.

Say "no" to plastic or paper bags at stores. (bring cloth bags, they're great!)
Save money, and save critters from harmful plastic waste in landfill areas.

By Lydia from Redwood City, CA.

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Collecting and Using Product Samples

I'm addicted to free samples! The first time I ever received a free product sample in the mail I almost threw it away with the thought that I would never use it. Luckily, I did use it and I liked it so much that I went to the store to purchase the product in its full size. Now, I seek out free product samples everyday on websites geared at obtaining free samples and on specific product websites.

Well, as you can imagine, I get all kinds of samples. Besides finding great new products, I also have the perfect sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturizer, etc. for overnight or weekend trips. This summer I put together a "going away to camp" sample pack for my niece for her first overnight camping trip and she loved it. She was able to share these products with her new friends and, yes, she even discovered a new "favorite" toothpaste!

By Diane from Old Bridge, NJ

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Electrical Appliances For Camping

If you camp at camp sites with electric hookups and/or water, take 2 essential electrical appliances:

1. An electric skillet

2. A coffee pot that basically heats water.

You can thank me later.

By Veronica from Sedalia, MO

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Coffee Filters For Small Servings

If you like to use paper plates a lot for snacks, here's a great frugal substitute. Use coffee filters instead. They're great for portioning out snacks for yourself or for your kids. They're easier and cheaper than using paper plates for things like a hot dog. It's also a great way to portion control snack sizes, especially if you're trying to cut back and lose some weight.

By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Add Vanilla Extract To Salt Dough

When making your salt dough for crafts, add a drop of vanilla, it not only makes your creation smell good, but helps prevent mold. Peppermint works well too, but I prefer vanilla.

By Karen from SW Florida

Editor's Note: Here is a recipe for Salt Dough on ThriftyFun:

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Using It All - Lemons

I keep looking for the price of lemons to go down, but alas, this is not happening. My family uses lemon in a variety of ways so hear are my tips. For the best buy, I usually look for fruit sold in bulk mesh bags; and until I started to use these little tricks, I would often find that at least one or two pieces of fruit had gone bad by the time I needed it.

When you first bring the fruit home, wash and dry every piece, then using the fine side of a hand grater (not a zester), grate off the rind of at least a few of the fruits. Store the zest in a small zip bag in the freezer to use in muffins, quick breads and other recipes.

Then squeeze the juice from all of the lemons that you will not be using within a week. Pour the juice into an ice cube tray and freeze. Store the lemon juice cubes in a zip bag of their own in the freezer.

When a recipe calls for two Tablespoons of lemon juice or more I can thaw as many cubes as i need. A cube has 1 1/2 Tablespoons of lemon juice.

This has saved me money and time! You can also use this for oranges and other citrus.

By Bobbie from Rockwall

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Has Anyone Used StickySheets?

STICKYSHEETS: has anyone out there tried StickySheets yet? They're sold as something to remove pet hair from furniture, etc. I've used masking tape in the past to remove pet hair and it always worked great; but this dog I have now has the hardest hair to remove. The masking tape doesn't really work at all on removing her hair, especially from the car carpet and upholstery.

Lynn Marler from Chico, CA

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Bumper Pads For Girls Crib

I am looking for a bumper pads for a crib, a little girls one.

Rachel from Canton, Oh

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Cleaning Micro Suede Couch

I am having a difficult time trying to clean my 1 year old micro suede couch and love seat. I have a baby that drools on them and a little dog that likes to eat her treats on them. When ever I clean them i seem to make a bigger mess. I am unable to remove the back cushions so I haven't even tried cleaning them. Please HELP! I want my pretty beige couches back.

Lisa from Vacaville, CA

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Repairing a Fisher Price Record Player

I found one of the old Fisher Price Record Players (see picture) at a yardsale and bought it (hard to find those nowadays!) Anyway, I plugged it in and tried it with one of my old children's records and when you put the needle on the record, it just sits there, it won't get in the "groove" like it's supposed to and play the record, it will either just sit there or slide right off, I thought I could hear some sound in the speaker but it's distorted and low - even with the volume at max. Anyway, my question is: do you think it's the needle that's bad or something else? What should I do with it? (I don't want to throw it out if I don't have to.) Thank you!

Stacey from Orem, UT

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Recipe For Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Does anyone have a recipe for cream cheese sandwiches? My husband takes his lunch to work, but deli meat is getting expensive. Also, I thought it would be nice for him to have something other than ham and cheese every week.

Thanks.

Lisa from Concord, NH

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10 Year Old With A "Fresh" Mouth

I have a 10 yr old daughter who is starting to have a fresh mouth. I have tried punishing her and taking away privileges but nothing seems to be working. My babysitter is starting to complain. I am afraid I might lose her. What should I do?

Fily from Texas

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Need Blade For Regal Kitchen Pro Breadmaker

I need a kneading blade for my Regal Kitchen Pro breadmaker. Where can I get that?

Valerie from Abbotsford, B.C.

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Is Extended Use Of Fragrance Oils Harmful?

I've wondered if the oil fragrance diffusers of any type are actually dispensing an oil film that will eventually become sticky, adhere to furniture, cause environmental and health problems down the road...any opinions?
Of course, using it for a day won't do much, but what about using them for an extended period of time, like years?

Am basing this on the fact that they used to say to coat the inside of the nostrils with Vaseline to prevent colds, cut down on sore noses. Now research indicates that the stuff actually accumulates harmfully in one's lungs and is not expelled.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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What Is Eating Holes In My Leaves?

Something is eating the leaves on my plants and leaving them looking like lace.

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Patricia from Carlsbad, California

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Lowering Blood Sugar Without Medication

I would like to know if there is a normal remedy to lower blood sugars normally with out medication. Please help
Thank you.

Alice from New Jersey

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How Long Does a Cats First Heat Last?

One of my cats (an almost one-year old kitten) appears to be in heat for the first time. How long does this usually last, and can I have her spayed as soon as it's over?

Bonnie from Tuckerton, NJ

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Where To Find Oxydol Laundry Detergent

I had a quick question. Does anyone know if they still make Oxydol laundry detergent? It seems like it was available up until a few year ago now I can't find it. I'd be willing to order it online if I have to.

Thanks.

Lisa from NH

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White Smoke From Homemade Diffuser Lamp Oil

I am making my own diffuser lamp oil and the problem is white smoke. The whole time it burns and that's till the end, I have white smoke. I am using:
16 oz. 91% IPA and 1 1/12 tsp. FO.
Can anyone tell me what is wrong. I also have a double diffuser stone. I wouldn't see that making a difference.
I just don't know. Any ideas on why this is happening?

Tazaczek from Saint Pete Florida

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Advice On Painting Kitchen With Green Countertops & White Cabinets

I currently have white kitchen cabinets with hunter green countertops. My kitchen walls are all white. I would like to paint the walls, but I don't know what color to paint them. I like warm colors. The kitchen is open to my family room which is painted a warm golden color. What color walls would go with my cabinets and countertops?

Diana from Martinsburg, WV

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Shihtzu/Maltese Not Eating After Being Spayed

My Shihtzu/Maltese has been spayed seven day ago. She was fine, got some pain medicine and cleaning solution but now she is not eating. She plays good and drinks water, should I worry?

Doris from SJ California

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Using Curtains Instead Of Painting

Anyone have any ideas on using curtains instead of painting a room?

I am thinking of purchasing curtains or making curtains to put on the walls in my bedroom instead of painting my walls. What do you guys think? Please give me your ideas, both bad and good. Thanks to you all whom chose to help me out.

Igmommy from Sweetwater, TN

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Helping Cats Get Along

I have two cats. A male 1 1/2 and a female 3 1/2. they don't physically fight - they seem like they just play, but they never groom each other, they never lie near each other. Whenever I play with the male, the female will come from whatever room she's in - and he always runs away. I spend as a result more time with her. He was my first cat. He was about 8 months when I got her and she was about 2. Is there anyway to make them get along better? They are spade and neutered and both healthy. They are rarely by themselves as I work from home. I would like to be able to play with the two of them together without feeling that I am neglecting the one. Can you please help?

Sabrina from Vancouver, BC

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Mold in My Basement

Every time it rains my basement gets moderately wet. It smells musty but I'm afraid that mold is growing. How can I get rid of that? Any suggestions is appreciated.

Marsha

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Home Spa Birthday Party

I am turning 12 on Aug. 27, but my party is on the 23rd. I need some games to play. I am having a spa party and it is gonna be super fun, but I want some games to play that go along with my theme. Also, we have a hot tub so if you have any just plain hot tub games, no theme that would be awesome! Thanks!

Allie from St.Paul, MN

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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