Daily Thrifty Tips - November 20, 2007

Volume Six, Number 225, November 20, 2007 (Read It Online) I hope everyone is having a great week. We have a lot of new requests today. Please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer. Thanks for reading, Susan Send to a Friend! Share a Tip (You could win $25!) Share a Photo (You could win $25!) Have a Question? Submit a request... Link to ThriftyFun.com View Active Topics! Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Today's Photos: Craft: Coffee Filter Turkey Spectacular Blooms Wall Pocket Decorations November Sunset Chase (Golden Retriever) Today's Tips: Time To Talk Turkey Use a Lamp Timer With Your Crock Pot Thrifty Way to Ease Lower Back Pain Start-up Investments Are A Sign Of A Scam 500 Count Sheets Are The Maximum Using Masking Tape in the Kitchen Lower Fat Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Keep Track of Rainy Days To Save Garden Water Condiment Bottles for Decorating with Icing Joke of the Day New Requests: Removing Sharpie from a Cloth Doll Removing Musty Smell From Leather Furniture Decorating Cardboard Magazine Holders Do You Wear Rubber Gloves To Wash Dishes? Cleaning Mildew Off Black Nubuck Shoes Advice On Where To Have 12th Birthday Party Advice For Preventing Dog From Hiding Under Bed Pattern For Brandy Snifter Santa What Color to Paint Kitchen with Dark Green Counter Tops Home Remedy For Silver Tarnish Plastic Zipper Won't Work Brewing Coffee For 11 People With Small Pot Freezing Sides To Go With Pork Chops Ideas For Marking Where To Clean Up After Dog Bread Sticking To Dentures Ideas For "Body Parts" Topic For Preschool Class Advice For Cat That Doesn't Bathe Itself Help Selling a Home How Do I Tell A Guy I Like Him Dying Bleach Spot In Cotton Spandex Blend Pants Icing a Cake to Look Like a Book Sleepover Party Ideas for Girls Today's Sponsor: 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 Today's Photos: Craft: Coffee Filter Turkey Use unbleached coffee filters as a craft for kids around Thanksgiving. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22754486.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Spectacular Blooms As most of you know gardening is an art form and creating a beautiful garden takes hard work and patience. The results, however, can be spectacular! The Mother to six of my cousins, eighty year old Elizabeth Lepore, added fish oil to black earth in order to produce this particular flower. It was one of the last flowers to bloom within her secret back yard garden this past September, and I took the picture. By Joseph from Laval West, Laval, Quebec, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26645124.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Wall Pocket Decorations These are wall pockets made from tin cans. These are the large sized cans that schools and such use . Tops and bottoms are cut from the can, then I step on one end to flatten it together. The I drill 5 holes across the the bottom, through both layers and "sew" with light weight wire. Once that's done, it's time for the fun part. These I decoupaged with fabric and added some odd dangle pieces that I had in my craft room. Drilled 2 small holes on the top back for wire to hang them up by :0) By Maggie from Bloomington, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53233126.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print November Sunset Had to share this spectacular sunset with the readers. It's rare to see one like this in my area, the reds and purples are so vivid. Hope you all enjoy. This was taken on November 13, 2007 Carol from Valparaiso, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85300964.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Chase (Golden Retriever) Chase is a Golden Retriever and is now 4 1/2 months old. He was named Chase (Utley) after a Philadelphia Phillies baseball player. We brought Chase home from the breeder on Aug 1. He is seven weeks old in this picture. Chase likes to do exactly what he is named, "CHASE!". Chase constantly chases my youngest son who is four. He's the slowest of the herd. LOL By Kelly from Bensalem, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28945005.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! Today's Tips: Time To Talk Turkey Tired of chewy, dry turkey every Thanksgiving? There's an easy solution, according to Tori Ritchie -- immerse the bird in some brine, which will keep it moist and juicy. To see the rest of this article, follow this link to CBS News: Time To Talk Turkey Link recommended by Sherry from Silverdale Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82742603.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use a Lamp Timer With Your Crock Pot Use a lamp timer when cooking with a crock pot and think you don't need the meal to cook all day. Use the lamp timer to start the meal while you are away. Or, do the opposite and use the timer to stop cooking so the meal will not overcook. Happy cooking! By Terri A from Erlanger, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51682561.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Thrifty Way to Ease Lower Back Pain Since I pulled my lower back out a few years ago, I have trouble with it now and again. When my back is acting up, it's even impossible to relax in my "evening chair". The simple solution I discovered was to place a square of plywood under the cushion of the chair. What a difference it made! Now, even when my back hurts, it's a pleasure to sit down. For even better results, slide a heating pad, on low, behind you. The combination of the firm seat and heat works wonders! By Marie from West Dundee, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89766997.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Start-up Investments Are A Sign Of A Scam You shouldn't have to cough up cash to be able to work for a company. Start-up investments are for the birds. Any company that askes you to make a "donation" or "investment" is scamming you. It's that simple. By Hayley from La Place, Louisiana Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64707756.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print 500 Count Sheets Are The Maximum Sleepbetter.org was doing an interview on TV news. They said that you really can't get a thread count for sheets that is more than 500. If advertised as 1000 thread count, it's 2 sheets woven together. I thought that was interesting. That web site is supposed to have info on finding the best pillow for your needs. I haven't checked. Source: http://www.sleepbetter.org By Holly from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67003190.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using Masking Tape in the Kitchen I keep a roll of inexpensive masking tape in my kitchen. I tear off pieces to put on the tops of my spice bottles, so I am able to write the name of spice on top. I wrap a piece around the bottle with the name also. This enables me to see what spices I have as I turn the round table around without having to pick up each bottle to find the one I want. Also, on the inside of my cabinet with the spices I have a list of spices. I have check marked and highlighted the spices I have on hand. Another idea for mask tape, when using the plastic cereal holders I cut out the name from box and tape it on the outside so all my household knows what cereal it is. By Miniduck from Indpls., IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63771609.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Lower Fat Grilled Cheese Sandwiches To make a lower calorie count of a grilled cheese sandwich, spray the outside of the bread with butter flavors or plain Pam spray instead of using butter or margarine. The sandwich will toast beautifully and you have saved all the fat! Delicious! Source: My granddaughter, Sarah By Toysmom from Carson City, NV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36975900.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Keep Track of Rainy Days To Save Garden Water Keep track of the days that it rains on a calendar. Circle the day and write "Rain". This way its easy for you too see which day it rained. It will help you save money on your water bill. You will always know when you should water your garden, so no over watering occurs, and no waste! By Tonya S. from Coal City, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85178717.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Condiment Bottles for Decorating with Icing Use condiment bottles, the kind with the pointed lids, to decorate cakes and cookies. Simply fill them with icing and squeeze to decorate your cakes and cookies. Not only is it easier than squeezing icing out of sandwich bags, but you can reuse the bottles, which saves money and the environment. By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29751045.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dear Webby's Joke of the Day A Sunday School teacher asked her class, "Does anyone know what we mean by sins of omission?" A small girl replied, "Aren't those the sins we should have committed, but didn't?" Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Removing Sharpie from a Cloth Doll I bought an American Girl Doll at Goodwill and they wrote her price in Sharpie on the cloth body: any advice for removing this? Beth from Chapel Hill, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46593668.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Musty Smell From Leather Furniture How to remove musty smell from leather furniture? James from Friutland Park, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50488096.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Decorating Cardboard Magazine Holders I would like to decorate the inexpensive cardboard magazine holders so that they look better and match the colors in our office. I am clueless about craft projects so I do not know where to begin. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks! SassyGirl from Sumner, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55884733.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Do You Wear Rubber Gloves To Wash Dishes? Do you wear rubber gloves to wash dishes? Katie from Hiram, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33737034.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning Mildew Off Black Nubuck Shoes My son has a new pair of black nubuck (suede-like) shoes that were stored and now have mildew spots. We cleaned off the mildew but the spots do not go away. Does anyone have any suggestions? Betty from Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20626421.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Advice On Where To Have 12th Birthday Party My mom said I can go somewhere for my 12th Birthday Party but where? Alex from North Carolina Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52686003.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Advice For Preventing Dog From Hiding Under Bed New dog likes to hide under a bed - we need to put something under the bed that will keep him from scooting all the way under it. I was thinking of large rectangular boxes, but cardboard might attract silverfish (we don't want to start having a problem). Sheets of foam might dry out and crumble (or the dog might shred them). We could go out and buy a bunch of plastic containers, but I'd rather be thrifty! Suggestions? Holly from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80274920.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pattern For Brandy Snifter Santa Years ago I had a pattern for a santa made from a brandy snifter. He had a felt face and hat. There was an opening in the back of the hat where it came together for a person's hand to get into the brandy snifter that was filled with candy. A bell was on the top of the hat which folder over to one side. I appreciate any help I can get in getting a pattern. PatinTexas from Amarillo, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63690002.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print What Color to Paint Kitchen with Dark Green Counter Tops I need advice on paint colors for my kitchen/dining room. It's all one big room. I have dark green counter tops, deep brown floral curtains, cream appliances, and oak cabinets. Should I go with a lighter celery green or paint a color that is complete opposite? Basically, my kitchen colors are dark green and brown. Your advice is appreciated! Tina from Lebanon, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22481328.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Home Remedy For Silver Tarnish What are some home remedies for silver tarnish? Carolyn from New York Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33005929.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Plastic Zipper Won't Work I have a bag with a zipper that moves up and down, but will not pull together and close. Any ideas on how to fix this? Danny from West Virginia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30997335.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Brewing Coffee For 11 People With Small Pot I need to brew coffee for 11 people and don't have a coffee maker that large (ours is a 2 cup). Suggestions? Thanks. Holly from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81698933.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Freezing Sides To Go With Pork Chops What "sides" freeze well? I am making pork chops to freeze and exchange and was thinking about stuffing and a vegetable. Pamela from Jenison, Michigan Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90171151.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Ideas For Marking Where To Clean Up After Dog When my daughter takes the dog for a walk in our yard, she forgets where the messes are when she goes back out to clean up. I am thinking of markers made of something that won't blow away, yet is portable, easy to clean, bright, seen easily during cloudy days, sticks up above the grass. Suggestions? Thanks, Holly from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65881529.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Bread Sticking To Dentures I have a problem with bread sticking to my dentures. Any suggestions? Mary from St. Louis, Mo Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93169726.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Ideas For "Body Parts" Topic For Preschool Class Please give me some creative ideas to do on the topic "body parts" for preschool class? fana Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18354469.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Advice For Cat That Doesn't Bathe Itself I've recently adopted two cats from a local shelter. They're 11 months old. Sadie cleans herself constantly and smells just fine, but her brother Zack doesn't clean himself often, and he has terrible BO. What is a natural "no wash shampoo" that I can use to wipe him down with? (I don't want to bath him much because they still got their claws, and he is very fearful from some terrible experiences while they were street cats) Also, I read about this Expel Odor Neutralizer - does anyone have any experience with using this on the cat directly? Since they lick themselves I want to make sure I don't use anything that may be harmful. Thanks, Anna from NYC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34697939.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Help Selling a Home Trying to sell our home, everything has gone wrong, from the real estate company firing our realtor at the end of the summer, (she never showed the property) to investors who want to harm our credit to take over our home. We started out trying to sell it for $145,000 and now we are doing a short sale and selling for $127,000. Now the investors want even less. Where do I go, what do I do? We were going to refi if it didn't sell and now we can't because it was on the market and the loan to value is too high. People lie to be in this school district, what are we doing wrong?anyone have a rich uncle who would buy it or some great advice? HELP! Brenda from Peachtree City, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64048995.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How Do I Tell A Guy I Like Him I like a guy in class, and he is really good friends with my ex. I think he likes me back, what should I do, I'm terribly confused. Joni from Sandy, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79585495.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dying Bleach Spot In Cotton Spandex Blend Pants How do I dye a bleach spot on a pair of black pants that are 97% cotton and 3% spandex? Dye Nichole from Greenville, Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78073172.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Icing a Cake to Look Like a Book I want to ice a cake in fondant so it looks like a book and want to turn the icing back in the corner so it looks like the page of a book is turned back. I've seen pictures but can't work out whether the icing just covers the top and the corner is turned back and then the sides are iced separately or if it is iced all over and down the sides then a separate piece of icing is put on top so it looks like the corner is turned back. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks Lynette from Bristol Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23737542.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sleepover Party Ideas for Girls I am dumbfounded! My oldest daughter turns 12 Dec 29th, I was thinking about an all girl sleepover. Pizza, decorations, rented movies, make-up to play in. But I have no clue if that is something a 12 year old would want. I want it to be a complete surprise. HELP! Susan from North East, Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82058682.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Today's Sponsor: 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 Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.