Daily Thrifty Tips - November 8, 2007

We have a very scary recall of Spin Master Aqua Dots in the More Reading section. Be sure to check it out of you have purchased that product for your children.

For more recent recalls visit the page below:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/Consumer%20Advice_Product%20Recalls_1285_6245.html

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Have Fun At Your Wedding

Loosen Up!

By Heather from Canton, GA

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Kane (Black Lab/Rottweiler)

Kane is 5 years old and is a black lab and Rottweiler, rotten lab as I call him. He was orphaned in Ohio, it was either us or death.

He likes to sit on me. Kane is a very loving dog and minds like a normal child!

By Deloris from Indiana

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Raised Stenciling with Spackle

Decorating a wall with joint compound and a stencil.

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Twice Loved Shirt

A couple dollars worth of faux foliage and some beads can turn a "plain jane" sweater or shirt into "OH WOW" favorite in an evening while watching TV! My 79 cent "twice loved" shirt is now totally fun and attractive!

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Use Dresser Drawers as a Bookshelf

I have purchased quite a few books over the years. I spent so much money on the books themselves that I didn't have enough left over to buy shelving, and that's where I got the idea for this helpful little tip. I had stacks of books all over the house, and I finally decided that something had to be done, so I went on a hunt. I found a damaged dresser that had been left in the basement by the previous owner of the house, so I pulled it out and started brainstorming a way to turn it into a bookshelf.

I came up with the idea of taking all the hardware off the drawers and stacking the drawers on top of each other. The bottoms of the drawers now became the back of my new modular shelving unit. Each shelf measures 36 inches wide, 15 inches high, and 8 inches deep. With a little bit of staining, the new shelves make a beautiful addition to the living room, turning my unsightly stacks of books into a source of numerous complements.

By Jessica from Marion, NC

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Plastic Drawer Organizers and Zip Lock Bags for Craft Storage

I don't have a sewing/craft room, however I do sew and craft a lot so I have one of those plastic drawer organizers and use plastic zip lock bags to organize my stuff. It works great, I can see what's in the bags easily.

By Mary from Conroe, TX

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Give a Dry Cleaning Certificate for a Wedding Dress

This tip is for an unusual wedding gift. I have heard many new brides complain that after the wedding when they are just starting out, they do not have the money to get their dress cleaned and stored. It can be very expensive but would be a good gift to get a gift certificate to a dry cleaners for someone who is especially close to the bride or several people could combine to give her the certificate.

By Elaine from Belle Plaine, Iowa

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Wax Paper for Shiny Faucets

To keep your sink faucets shiny, rub them with a piece of wax paper after cleaning them. This will keep them shiny for about a week.

By Pam from Ft. Mitchell, KY

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Organize Buttons In Clear Film Cannisters

Have a lot of buttons, all colours, shapes and sizes in a bag or bottle? Collect the little plastic containers from a photo developing shop (clear ones), stick little round stickers on top and colour them with Koki pens. Fill the containers with the buttons, pack them in a flat box. If you want to find a button, just look inside the box, look for the colour you want, take it out and select the button suitable for the job. Saves time.

By Marlene from Pretoria, South Africa

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Clover Valley Soups at the Dollar General

In case you haven't noticed, the price of a single can of name brand soup has gone up so high that a person trying to budget can't hardly afford it. I found that Clover Valley Bean with Bacon soup is comparable in taste to another National Brand, with the exception being you get 18.6 oz. of the Clover Valley for $1 whereas the national brand for almost 1/2 as much, you pay over $1 almost $1.50! I find this brand at Dollar General Stores but I haven't checked elsewhere.

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Homemade Stationery As A Gift

This is a tip for homemade Christmas (or other occasion) presents:

I am a rubberstamper and cardmaker. Last Christmas, I came up with the idea to make packets of stationery as presents.

In Michael's, you can get packets of blank, prescored cardstock and matching envelopes in white or ivory. These sets come in 25 or 50, and in two sizes. These make ideal 'blank canvasses' for stationery--no matching of envelopes is required, because the envelopes are included. (I'm sure there are other places where you can get packets of cardstock and envelopes, as well.)

Before buying your cardstock/envelopes, query your prospective giftees as to their favorite motifs/animals/colors, etc., if you don't already know what they like or even are crazy about. Write down each person's 'favorites list' and keep these notes together somewhere safe. (I keep mine in a big envelope in one of my craft storage drawers, so I'll always know where to find them.) Compile as many 'personal favorites' lists as desired, or as many as the budget will handle. :-)

(You can frequently get the cardstock/envelopes packs at Michael's with a 40-50% coupon, for even more cheaply than normal. I get these throughout the year, and always have some on hand for making impromptu gifts.)

Collect whatever supplies you will need for making the stationery, and set-to! Go to town! Have lots of fun making your own uniquely personalized stationery for friends, family, neighbors, children--in short, anybody who writes, who needs to write notes, (children's thank-you notes, anyone?) or who could be encouraged to write if they but had an attractive incentive. :-) Your stationery can be that incentive!

(I love making these; and my giftees love receiving it and using it too! I gave a packet to a little girl at her eighth birthday party a month ago, using cat stamps. She was thrilled, and used one of her precious notes to thank me for her present! I know that she normally does NOT like to write anything at all, so I considered this a major coup. LOL.)

One more thing: you don't have to be a rubberstamper/cardmaker to fashion stunning stationery. You can use paper scraps, pieces of fabric, yarn, etc. etc. Just use your imagination, and you will come up with lots of wonderful ideas to carry out. Enjoy!

By Bron from Augusta, GA

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Cardboard For Easy Pet Cleanup

Get unlimited cardboard from fast food places. You can put some in your pet carrier under papers. Also put papers on cardboard in the area you keep pet, just in case it is not REALLY well house broken!

By Bill from Indiana

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What Are We Saving All This Money For?

I love ThriftyFun. It's the nicest, friendliest newsletter around, and is just so full of so many money saving and helpful tips.

Yet, I was reflecting this morning what are we all actually saving this money for? I guess there are as many diverse answers as there are readers here: Are we saving to reduce our bills and get out of debt? To buy a house? To take a special holiday? Sounds a bit morbid, but for older readers, even to pay off a funeral (in advance!) so our children won't have that burden.

Me? Older, now single, low pension income, paid work just one day a week. Renter, not home owner. So I had to think what am I penny pinching for? Well, apart from rent and utilities and food, to be able to buy my children and grandchildren birthday and Xmas gifts without resorting to using a credit card. To be able to contribute financially to a few charities, to be able once in a while to have a little (budget) holiday, to be able to adequately feed and care for (when vet bills come around) my two cats.

It would be interesting to hear what others 'savings' goals and dreams are.

By Ellie from Melbourne, Australia

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Using Milk and Soda Caps for Christmas Decorations

What do you do with the Milk and Soda caps nobody wants?

I believe I pretty much covered before their use as game pieces. How about Holiday Decorations or just small vessels that can be used to decorate holiday decorations?

1. Caps For Holiday Decorations?
The many colours of milk caps can easily be used on Christmas trees. Once you add your personal idea to them. Me? I like Glitter and little glow in the dark writings on the back.

2. Believe it or not there are still some metal soda caps that can be found on the larger soda bottles.

Those caps are neat as you suspend small bits of fishing line through them and add small figures made of paper to create a merry Go Around affect.

The Plastic Soda Bottle caps? They also come in different colours. Add a few bread ties for arms and legs plus a pair of shiny wings to the 3 strung together soda caps and you got yourself a made by you Christmas tree angel. Nope this one you hang on a lower branch

Almost every year I decorate whatever type of tree I have reusing things like bottle caps, junk mail holiday pictures, cutouts fashioned from cereal boxes. Even tinsel made from aluminum looking plastic bags you find in some food boxes. And no lights on the tree? Just passive lighting works for me.

Sure you can reuse those milk and bottle caps for most any holiday.
Just use your imagination before your hands
Reuse Is Non Abuse of Our Earth

Mr. Thrifty from Shermansdale, Penna.

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2nd Birthday Party Ideas

I'm doing a birthday party for my 2 year old daughter. I'm thinking of either Dora the Explorer or she likes bees and ladybugs so I thought of some garden theme. Her birthday is Dec. 23 so, I need to get started. If anyone has any ideas from decorations to cake please let me know.

Carla

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Donating Ostomy Supplies

My DH had a colostomy for several months after his colon cancer surgery last year. He got it removed and the colon rejoined. We have several hundred dollars worth of Hollister and Concatec Ostomy supplies and want to donate them. Any suggestions as to who helps with this sort of thing?

Marty from Houston, TX

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Book on How to use Power Tools

I am a DIY wannabe. I have quite a few simple Black and Decker tools but the manuals are so complicated and so not user friendly. I looked on Amazon to find a nice, easy, walk-me-through-and-not-scare-me how-to book and couldn't begin to pick one. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good, easy to understand how-to for power tools? An electric drill, circular saw, that sort of stuff. I use them now but really don't want to hear my grandkids say, "Gramma, tell us about when you used to have thumbs". Thanks for input. Anything I have ever gotten from you guys has been good.

Sheila from Kearney, NE

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"Old Fashioned Christmas" Float Theme

I need ideas for a "Old Fashioned Christmas" float theme. Any suggestions?

Kelly from Mississippi

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Repairing Driveway Cracks

What is a good economical way to repair driveway cracks?

Cajunanagel from Shreveport, Louisiana

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"Celebrate the Season" Float Ideas

I am looking for Christmas parade float ideas with the theme of Celebrate the Season.

Jennifer from Bowling Green, Kentucky

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"I've Been Boo'd" Ideas for Thanksgiving

I am looking for an activity similar to "I've been boo'd" for Thanksgiving. Has anyone ever done this before?

Angie from Spring Valley, Illinois

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Problems with Rolling Backpack

My backpack on wheels is starting to have problems. Sometimes the wheels refuse to roll (possibly they are tilting)- had a lot of wear. I was wondering if these things are made with non-rubber type wheels. Suggestions? Warnings? Like cars, do they need regular replacement when the mileage gets too high?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Black and Decker Jar Opener

I have arthritis and great difficulty opening some jars. I already got a thumbs down on the new One Touch Jar Opener. Anyone have the Black & Decker one or some other device. I live alone so that leaves me. Thanks!

Keeper from Morganyon, NC

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Ways to Freeze Cabbage

Does anyone know if cabbage can be frozen? I froze it in unstuffed cabbage soup, but I don't how else to freeze it. The soup is excellent, too.

Thanks,

Mary from Paris, Ohio

Editors Note: Here is a link to some information on ThirftyFun about freezing cabbage: Freezing Cabbage

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How to Make a Duct Tape Shirt

How do I make a duct tape shirt?

roach from Norway, ME

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Getting a Toddler Around in Winter Weather

Winter will be here before we know it and I need to figure out the best way to travel around the neighborhood with my almost-two-year-old son. We have to walk my older son to school every day and run errands and I know the stroller we have right now won't make it through the snow. My son is too big to carry, but he's not big enough to walk on his own, especially in the snow. Has anyone come up with a good way to get toddlers around in winter weather? I've asked the other moms at school, but most of them just drive, even though they live a block away from the school, and since I don't have a car it's not an option.

Trix from Toronto, Canada

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Recipe For Cranberry Fluff With Red Jello

Does anyone out there have the recipe for Cranberry Fluff - About 30/35 years ago I had a recipe for a salad called cranberry fluff. It contained fresh cranberrys, walnuts, mini marshmallows and red jello, among other things. It just filled the old Tupperware Wonderlier bowl. I lost the recipe years ago and have been trying to find it again. Thank you for your help.

Sheri from Rathdrum, Idaho

Editors Note: Here is a link to a recipe for Cranberry Fluff without red jello: Cranberry Fluff

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Recipe for Gobbs Cookies

We are looking for a cake-type cookie which we called "Gobbs". Can anyone find a recipe for these delicious sandwich type cookies which are put together with a frosting? Please and Thank you.

Julia in Orlando

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Removing Hard Water Stains from Whites

I live in a town that has terrible water, to say the least! It is so hard that almost every time I do laundry I end up with rust spots on different items. For this, I keep a great product called "Whink" around. Works wonders! The problem I have, though, is getting my white items to be truly white again! They are so dingy! Does anyone have any suggestions? Bleach doesn't work and neither does Borax! HELP!Thanks in advance!

Robin from Washington, IA

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"Christmas of Lights" Float Ideas

I need some ideas for my work's annual Christmas float for the Christmas parade on Dec. 1st. The theme is "Christmas of Lights". I want to do something original but cannot think of anything! Any suggestions??

Whitney from Canon City, CO

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Stuffing that Warms with Body Heat

Remember the old warm up seats that you'd take with you to go to the local high school football game on a cold fall night? I'd like to find out what the "stuffing" is in one of those items so I can make a small pet bed for my cat to sleep on. She is always cold and this would be perfect for her because it would keep her warm with her own body heat. No electric or batteries.

I saw these kinds of beds for sale online for $20-$60 each, but why buy one when I can possibly buy the "heating" ingredient and make one myself? (or maybe get the ingredient from someone on freecycle?)

Any ideas? Do you think it's just styrofoam and nothing more?

Misty from Ohio

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Determining When Baked Goods Were Made

I read someplace on how to tell when baked goods were made. According to color on bread twistie. Like red for Mon. yellow Tues. or the like. Anyone know the secret to get the freshest when there is no date on the package?

Shirlee

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Cooking a Frozen Boneless Pork Loin

How can I fix a 12lb. boneless pork loin. Its already been frozen.

Lynda from IN

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Festoonery Border in Mulberry

I am looking for a discontinued wallpaper border by Village called Festoonery Border in mulberry. I have already exhausted the suggested websites on other messages. Anyone have any in their closets?

meg1656 from Pittsburgh, PA

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Getting Smell Out of Carpet

I thought so far I have taken care of the smell that is omnipresent in Indian homes by keeping doors, windows, fans open/on during and after cooking. But recently I moved to a million dollar home that was beautiful. But from day 1, I found the carpet to be smelly. My earlier home had carpets too but was not smelly. I had decided to do a carpet cleaning before moving in, but my realtor said - why waste money as it has already been cleaned once by the seller ( I doubt that very much now). I kept my travel bag in a closet downstairs (where the carpet smells). When I travelled from CA to FL (in a long flight) for work - on opening my luggage at the hotel I found that all my new and expensive clothes got the typical smell. I travelled next week with another set of clothes and they all got the smell again. I treid to take care of them by keeping the closet door open in the hotel room, and turning on the fan and cooler. I still can smell them and all my nice clothes are spoiled. I do not wash my good clothes - as they lose their new texture and fall.

Back in India we never had this problem. I will either do a carpet cleaning the moment I return to CA, or will remove the carpets and install wood floor.

How can I take care of the smell - I am really very particular about my clothes and cannot stand this smell.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Molly from CA

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Recommendations for a Steam Mop

I have been looking at buying a steam mop for my floors. Can anyone recommend a good one that will clean all floor surfaces? My house has wood, tile and one painted floor.

Amy from Evansdale

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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

Schylling Associates Recalls Dizzy Ducks Music Box 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 products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Spin Master Recalls Aqua Dots

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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Fun and Free Thanksgiving Day Activities
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

The turkey is stuffed, the pies are baked, and the places are set. Now all that's left is filling the time between when the guests arrive and the bird is carved. Try some of these fun and free activities for the entire family to do before (or even after) the meal.

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Uses for CDs

Here are some uses for old CDs and DVDs suggested by our ThriftyFun community.

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