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Daily Thrifty Tips - March 31, 2009

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Date: 04/02/2009 Topic: Newsletter Archives > Daily Thrifty Tips  
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Vol. 8, Num. 63, March 31, 2009 (Read It Online)

Sorry for the delay in sending out newseltters this week. This newsletter was intended to be published on Tuesday. More delayed newsletters to follow.

Thanks for reading,

The ThriftyFun Team

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:

Today's Tips:

Joke of the Day

New Requests:

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 Project: Egg Balloon

A colorful, fun craft just in time for spring!

Craft Project: Egg Balloon

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Craft: Turn Wool Sweaters Into Pants

Turn your old wool sweater into a pair of pants for your baby! Wash the sweater with hot water and dry with high heat to shrink it. Cut off the sleeves, and sew them together to make a pair of "legs". Finish the waist with a draw-string (an old shoe-string works great) or elastic. You can even use the collar or bottom of the sweater to make it look more professional around the waist. And, wool makes a great diaper cover, too!

By Jackie from Burlington, KY

Craft: Turn Wool Sweaters Into Pants

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Plastic Bag Storage Tip

Ever open the plastic bag cabinet or drawer and have them all "spring" out at you? I was condensing some today when I thought "I wonder how small they can get?" So, I rolled one from the bottom up so the air would leave, and when it was done, it was the shape of a long cigar. I then folded it in 1/2 and 1/2 again, and stuffed it in a spice jar. I actually got 3 in there!

Now, I am not saying you have to put them in spice or medicine bottles, but you can fit a lot in ziplock snack bags, old coffee cans, pringles tubes, or just about any container that keeps them "corralled"! I hope this helps.

By Sandi from Salem OR

Plastic Bag Storage Tip

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Craft Project: Crochet Jellybean Duck

This cute duck is fun for Easter or for anytime. She is crocheted with 4 ply yarn, with a drawstring under her tail. Fill her with jellybeans, and when you squeeze her tummy, she lays "jellybean eggs".

Craft Project: Crochet Jellybean Duck

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Angel (American Cocker Spaniel)

Angel 1 year old American Cocker Spaniel. We found Angel through a pet breeder in our area. My other two cocker spaniels died a year apart and we missed the companionship our dogs provided. I've learned so much about cocker spaniels and just had to have more.

Angel loves playing with our other cocker, Halo. She sniffs trails when taking walks, loves riding in car, enjoys chew toys, and runs and fetches the ball. One of her cutest moments is when TV is on and a dog barks, she runs to the screen to watch the dog and tilts her head and barks. She appears to be communicating.

Angel is a small chocolate cocker spaniel who was born on Valentine's Day. Angel is a lap dog and loves to have her tummy rubbed. She is full of energy right after her bath and loves to run and be chased after. She's has a sweet disposition and is very gentle.

By Myrna from Ohio

Angel (American Cocker Spaniel)

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Lona'Kai and Jaxon Rolls-Royce (Golden Retriever)

Aloha! Lona'Kai and Jaxon Rolls-Royce are 9 month old Golden Retrievers. We purchased them from a breeder in May 2008. We selected Jaxon after playing with the puppies for a while, but Lona started crying when we were getting ready to leave, we had to take her too!

They love car rides, shopping at pet stores, going for walks, playing with each other and learning obedience skills for treats. They are never far apart. So far everything I've heard about Golden Retrievers is true! They are really smart dogs, love water and pretty easy to train.

By Lona'Kai and Jaxon from Elkhart, IN

Lona'Kai and Jaxon Rolls-Royce (Golden Retriever)

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Contests:

These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

Today's Tips:

Two Pads of Paper

I keep a pad and pen beside each the computer and the microwave. I use the one by the microwave for shopping items I need; then I have a ready-made shopping list. The one beside the computer is to remind me of things I have to do. I use the pads upside down. That way you tear off what you use and not a whole page at a time. Sounds a bit mean now I have written it but when you are retired every little helps!

By Skinnyjinny from Scotland

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Use PediPaws on Your Nails

I bought one of those PediPaws that you see on TV to file your pet's nails and I can't get it anywhere near them. They just don't like the noise, so it's been sitting in the drawer since November. I was thinking, $20.00 down the drain.

The other day, I was filing my nails and noticed my heels looked rough. I spied that PediPaws thing in the drawer and thought, "Hmmm, I wonder if it would work on me?" Well, it is the best thing I have found in a long time! It does a good job on filing my fingernails, toenails, getting rid of that hard, dry skin on my heels and calloused parts on my feet. Now it won't go to waste and I can still use it. I can also re-wrap sand paper on the little disks and use them again.

By Barbara from Evington, Virginia

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Sharpen Your Scissors With Aluminum Foil

When you need to sharpen your scissors and don't have a sharpener, try cutting through a couple of sheets of aluminum foil. This sometimes helps.

By middlekid from Science Hill, Kentucky

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Prescription For Behavioral Issues In Cats

Over the past two years, I have had problems with two of my cats peeing on things after we moved to a new house.

I took them to the doctor to make sure they didn't have bladder infections. This had happened before with my parent's cat, and that was the trouble. However, the vet determined that the cause was not physical, it was behavioral.

These cats had always been high-strung. I changed the type of litter. I moved the litter boxes to very quiet locations. I added litterboxes to new locations. I bought a fortune in enzymatic cleaners to completely remove the scent of urine from anywhere they had messed. The vet prescribed them Valium. This helped a bit, but they still were urinating on things. I also didn't like that they seemed "foggy" on Valium.

I was washing the bedding on my bed several times per week. They expressed their angry opinions on my couch, so I had to cover it in vinyl and put hospital pee pads all over it so they could be easily washed, and I could bleach the vinyl cover. One of the cats began to pee on the stove.

Finally a lady from a local cat rescue advised me to ask my vet for a medication called Elavil. She calls them "happy blue pills"!

What a change! This inexpensive anti-anxiety, anti-depressant is worth its weight in gold. My cats are more relaxed, and I haven't had a single mess in over a week. The happy blue pills don't make them foggy either.

Pets are a lifetime commitment, and I love my (formerly) angry cats. We are all much happier now that they are on medication!

Source: Whisker Rescue in Red Deer, Alberta.

By Janet from Red Deer, Alberta

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Use a Dust Pan to Collect Debris on Your Kitchen Counter

Clean off your kitchen counters/appliances without getting it on the floor. Just use a household dustpan and put it under the bottom edge of the counter or appliance and just move the dirt or food remnants right into the dust pan. I just wish I would have thought of this years ago! Now I don't have to constantly sweep my floors after I clean off the counter or other. You can use the dust pan to clean off other ledge areas in your home, like window sills, etc.

By go2jared from Columbus, OH

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Recycle Soap With Cookie Cutters

With the prices today for everything, I am reminded of a memory of my Grandmother, who is extremely frugal. She saved the leftover slivers of bar soap in an old cereal bag. When she had enough she would recycle them. I loved this.

She would melt down all the slivers in a pan and then would pour the melted soap into cookie cutters or small dishes. It would cool and she would have several new bars of soap. And they were also very pretty with all the new color swirls. I would love taking a bath with these new soaps.

By Cheap momma from Greeneville, TN

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Reuse Sticky Residue from Credit Cards for Crafts

My tip is to save all the sticky stuff that holds a credit card on paper, that attaches the label on plastic reusable containers and where ever else you find it. I carefully pull them up and put them of a piece of plastic. I then use them when I am making 3D cards and pictures. I cut them in little pieces. You can layer them too! That way I don't buy the dots, and you might say it is free!

By jlyoung from Martinsville, IN

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Use Soda Can Box to Organize Bags

The fabric tubes for storing plastic bags are useful and can be handmade instead of purchased. For those of us that are not as crafty with a sewing machine I have the solution. I use an empty cardboard fridge mate soda case that your sodas come in from the store. The hole that dispenses the soda is used for both loading your plastic grocery bags and removing.

To make it look nicer, I covered mine in contact paper that I had leftover from lining my cabinets. I also keep one next to any small wastebasket that uses the plastic grocery bags for easy rebagging. The dispensers easily stand on their own next to the wastebasket or because they are so light, they can be hung on the wall, fridge, etc. with a couple of self adhesive velcro pieces.

Be creative, one of the holders I covered in brown packaging paper or from a brown grocery bag and let the kids decorate it however they wanted. Very useful, costs nothing and is a great rainy day craft for the kids!

By Rebecca from Mechanicsburg, PA

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Set Up a Meal Swap With Friends

If you don't have a lot of time to spend cooking but are sick of the same leftovers, set up a meal swap with a friend or neighbor. Last week I gave my aunt some of my homemade potato chowder, and she gave us some of her homemade chicken soup. It worked out great!

By Glaittli from Seattle, WA

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Make Your Own Condensed Soup

I make my own condensed creamed soups for recipes. I take 1-1/4 cup milk, 3 -4 tbs. cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water (or broth). Then I add about 1/2 cup chicken stock or pureed celery or mushrooms, dash of garlic powder, salt and pepper. I use a wire whisk to stir over med high heat until blended and thickened.

Use as you would any recipe calling for condensed cream soups. It's a quick and easy way to make a recipe such as chicken pie without having to run out for cream soup, and much less expensive!

By nctyphoon from Trinity, NC

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

There's a little boy at school and asks the teacher if he can go to the washroom.

"Okay" says the teacher. "But first you've got to say the alphabet."

They boy says the alphabet:

"a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,n,o,q,r,s,t,u,v,w,x,y,z."

"What happened to the 'p'?" asked the teacher.

"It's leaking out of my boots now."

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

New Requests:

Repairing a Comforter

How can I repair an old comforter that is losing its insides? My mom doesn't want to part with it but as I wash it the insides keeps coming out. Thank you.

By flower51

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Removing Spice Odors from a Crockpot

I made chili in my pressure cooker last night. Now the cooker insert, lid, and especially the silicone ring seal smell like cumin, in spite of several washes. The same is true with the silicone spatula I used. I tried soaking in baking soda and water and later added white vinegar. Maybe the solution was too weak. Does anyone have any magic solution to share with me?

By Soph6767 from Amarillo, TX

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Reviews of EZ Rent-a-Car

Has anyone used EZ Rent-A-Car? Especially in Las Vegas. I need to rent a car for a trip there in May. They seem to be cheaper than the other car rental businesses. I wonder if anyone has had good or bad luck with them. Thanks.

By Dust Bunny HK from Denver, CO

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Substituting Vanilla Extract in Tapioca Pudding

Is there a substitute for vanilla extract when making tapioca pudding?

By BKW123 from USA

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Recipe for Walmart's Red Sauce

I have a delicious chili recipe that calls for Walmart's canned Red Sauce. My Walmart no longer stocks this sauce. Does anyone know how I can find out the recipe for this Red Sauce? Thanks in advance for any help.

By barb07 from Boerne, TX

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Authentic Korean Recipes

I am looking for authentic Korean recipes for yaki mondo and kimchi. I lived there for a year and loved the stuff but I can't find my recipes. I want to be able to make a large amount of the yaki mondo to freeze so I need instructions for that too. Thanks.

By momma2many from Arkansas

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Rug Edge Turns Up

I have a throw rug made of heavy carpeting and one of the edges turns up. I do not want to trip on it and fall. I have tried using tape and just about everything else short of bringing in an elephant to sit on it. Any ideas?

By Joanne from Fond du Lac, WI

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Making Cloth Diaper Covers

I am looking for a free pattern to make the little underpants that go over a child's nappy to hide it. My friend it having a girl and I really would like to make her some cute ones as she is using cloth nappies.

By emmasm02 from Adelaide, Australia

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Ink Pen Melted on the Dryer

Someone left an ink pen on top of my dryer and it is melted. AAny ideas to remove it?

By happygrammy8 from West Chester, PA

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Are Hardwood Floors Sealed?

I just moved to a house that has hardwood floors, but I don't know if they are sealed or not. How do I know? Also how do I clean the floor? I refuse to waste money using a Swiffer. Is there a less expensive way?

By pink_bracelet from CA

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Removing Mold from a Dada Jacket

How do you get mold out of a dada jacket

By shunt1985 from Williamsburg VA

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Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

How do you make a peanut butter cake?

By jwbm10 from Dallas, TX

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Removing a Plumbing Snake from a Drain

How do I remove a "snake" from my bath tub drain?

By Lan126 from Colorado

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Cat Urine Inside Work Boots

Does any one have any suggestions on how to remove cat urine from my husband's work boots (inside). I know vinegar works great, but will it irritate his feet after we have sprayed the inside with the vinegar and let it dry? Does anyone have a suggestion to clean it out of his boots with out irritating his feet? Thank you for your help.

By Tulip1 from Tracy, CA

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Paint Color Ideas for House with Dark Gray Carpet

I found this great house to rent with nice size rooms however, the carpet color is like a dark gray or smoke black color with white walls. I am not afraid of bold colors and I was thinking of painting the wall that has openings to the kitchen and bathroom a bold red? I am in need of some help on choosing accent wall colors to go with the carpet. I would like to keep the rooms as open as possible. Thanks in advance.

By ANH128 from Long Beach, CA

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Triumph Cutting Machine 26"

I recently purchased a Triumph cutting machine 26". It doesn't seem to work. I don't have the electric diagram and I need it to fix it. Can you please help me? The only information I have is a tag IDEAL-WERK D 7460 made in West Germany.

By Cesart from Hialeah Gardes, FL

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Giving Dogs Aspirin

My dog has tendinitis in her left hind leg. Can I give her any aspirin for it? If so, how much at a time? I would like to know because my dad wants to put her down. She won't eat. Can you help?

By Luna, Saya, and baby from Torrington, WY

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12th Birthday Party Ideas

I need ideas for my son's 12th Birthday Party. We are having boys and girls. Most all the ones invited are soccer players but every year we have had soccer themes and we usually have his parties where the entertainment part is included. This year he wanted to have it at the house. I would like ideas to make this party cool! Thanks.

By Casie from TX

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Make Your Own Postcards

Has anyone ever made their own postcards? I would like to make my own but do not know where to start. Any suggestions? I have inks and stamps. Thank you.

By Dianne from South, AL

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Static Electricity Shock

I get shocked on everything I touch at work and it hurts. What do I need to do?

Shavonne

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Holly Tree With Yellow Leaves and Black Spots

What is causing black spots and yellow leaves on my holly tree?

Robert

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Potty Training a Puppy

I have had my puppy since it was 5 weeks old. It is now about 5 months old and it is still going in the house! We have done everything we know to do and nothing seems to work. Could you please help us?

LJ

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Cleaning Oil from Your Driveway

My car leaked oil on the asphalt driveway and I want to know if there is a cleaner? It isn't my driveway. I rent a place. Phyllis

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Italian Tortellini Soup Recipe

Does anyone have a recipe for Italian Chicken Tortellini soup? I heard your are supposed to use escarole? Has anyone ever tried that?

By jabsgram from Billerica, MA

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Shaving Off Sideburns

I just shaved my sideburns off because I thought it looked really weird to be a girl and have dark brown sideburns. Now it all stubbly and I can't pull my hair up or anything. I was just wondering if there's a way I could make them look better? Or should I just leave me hair down for a couple months? Does the hair grow in darker and thicker?

By sugarcandy from Seattle, CA

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White Out Stain Removal

I spilled white out on my desk and carpet. How do I remove it? I need help.

Maxine

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Growing Tomatoes in Containers

What size container does a tomato plant need to produce tomatoes? I have very little room outside to put 3 containers with a tomato plant in each one. Would a container that was 6 inches wide, 8 inches long and 9 inches high be too small?

By Sandra from Pennsylvania

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Vegan Substitute for Cottage Cheese

I am vegan and have some recipes that calls for cottage cheese. Do you know how to substitute cottage cheese? Thanks.

By ypwykfd from Atlanta

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Cat Meows Every Morning

I have a six year old female cat named Rosie. She is wonderful. My only issue is about an hour prior to my getting up each morning, she start meowing and won't stop. I will call her, and she will come to my bed for a few minutes, leave and start meowing all over again. It is not because she is hungry or thirsty because there is always food available for her. Also the kitty litter is scooped each day to ensure cleanliness. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

By Karyn01 from Ottawa, Canada

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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

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