Daily Thrifty Tips - October 17, 2007

We have more new recalls today, be sure to check them out in the More Reading section.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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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.

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Decoupaged Birdbath from Recycled Materials

A birdbath made from two plastic buckets, bottoms screwed together and a plastic saucer from garden pot for the top. These can be painted or decoupaged and sprayed with clear spray paint. Wipe down with alcohol before decorating. Some who have purchased these from me also use them for a plant stand/holder and for a gazing ball stand. They are about 3 feet tall and 9 1/2 inches across the top.

By Maggie from Bloomington, MN

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Craft: Very Special Delivery (Baby Doll)

This is not really so much a homemade birthday gift for a preschooler (over 3), as it is an embellished and personalized one. Get a life-sized infant doll with a soft body at a big box store for about $10. Then go to the dollar store where you can find onsies, even dresses, baby powder, small packages of newborn diapers, blankets, etc. Give the doll a name (I chose Nelly) and make a bracelet. (The doll can also wear some of the birthday girl's things from when she was a baby). You may find some things at yard sales as well, if you begin early enough. The whole set was less than $20.

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Smudge The Cat

Smudge is 3 years old. He's just a mixed breed February cat. We rescued him and his 5 siblings from an abandoned house

He's very playful and in this picture, taken when he was about 8 months old, he was more interested in playing with the camera strap than posing!

By Jeanette from Canton, MI

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Avoid Oil Change Scams: Verify The Work Was Done

This tip came from one of my husband's co-workers, who used to work in an automotive dealership. He knew of at least 10 times in one month that this happened: Consumers would bring their vehicles in for an oil change. The vehicle would be taken out back and "parked" for 2-3 hours. The customer would be charged for an oil change, new oil filter, labor, plus whatever else they thought they could get away with, never doing the work the consumer was wanting done.

So when you take your vehicles in for an oil change, ask the dealership to raise the hood of your car, before and after the oil change. Pull the dipstick out each time, you can see the oil color and level. Also, ask if you can see the oil filter from the top of the engine, to make sure they changed it.

Terri from NV

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Frost Meatloaf Muffins With Mashed Potatoes

The meatloaf muffins tip reminded me of something I used to do for my kids at lunchtime when they were little. I "frosted" meatloaf muffins with mashed potatoes.

By Marty from Houston,TX

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Preparing Planting Beds

When I plan a new garden bed or clean up an existing garden bed in the spring or fall, I pull or hoe to remove weeds then plant my flowers or vegetables, leaving proper spacing between the plants. Next, I lay 6 to 8 sheets of black/white newspaper on top of soil around my flowers as a weed blocker, After laying it, wet the newspaper to keep in place. I lay my mulch of grass clippings or shredded leaves on top of the newspaper, then I lay pinestraw on top for a formal touch. Wet the mulch to keep it in place.

This keeps your garden weed free for a few months and is eye-appealing, plus you are recycling the newspaper (which breaks down into mulch and is beneficial to your soil.)

By Linda from Fort Walton Beach, FL

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Start Buying Christmas Gifts In The Fall

My husband was surprised that I had started to buy little Christmas gifts before Halloween! But there are so many people we would like to give little gifts to at church, work and so on. So I start to shop around for Christmas gifts in the fall, so I can take advantage of bargains, and defray the costs over several months. I am usually done by the beginning of December, so I can avoid the holiday rush.

By pamphyila from Los Angeles, CA

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Medicine Chest Essentials

Be prepared for minor injuries and illnesses by updating your medicine chest and keeping it stocked with children's acetaminophen and ibuprofen, antibiotic ointment, bandages, antihistamine, and a thermometer. Being prepared can save a midnight trip to the all night pharmacy.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Olive Oil To Keep Pets Healthy

To keep your pet healthy, give her/him one teaspoon of olive oil daily in food. You will be amazed how it will improve their coat and their well being. My pets have not had any problems using it daily, however as a precaution, monitor potty habits.

By Wendy from Portsmouth, VA

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Covering Ceiling Tiles With Fabric

I searched everywhere on the web to find a solution for the ugly drop ceiling panels on my ceiling when I decided to move our bedroom to the basement. Replacement panels in metal and wood are beautiful, but very costly. I tried standard wallpaper which was beautiful, but realized it wasn't long enough for all the panels and would require commercial grade to get the lengths I needed which is costly. I tried painting them. YUCK!. To spray texture would have also been expensive.

So, I purchased flannel backed, vinyl fabric that is extra wide from the long bolts at Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon. They sold me what they had and ordered the rest to make 21 yards, which is what I figured I needed for a 12 X 18 room. The fabric I chose has a white on white damask floral print. I removed the panels and painted the gray metal supports to match the fabric. I cut the fabric into the standard squares using the same pattern, since most of the squares in the middle were the same size. The ones around the edges had to be premeasured and fitted.

I used spray adhesive to secure the fabric to the panels. I ironed each panel using the low acrylic setting and a double sheet to protect it from burning and got beautiful results. The total cost of my endeavors was $50 for the fabric on sale, $8 for 2 cans of spray adhesive. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and did it by myself. The only negative is that it is very messy, but it's also a good time to check the wiring and spray for spiders and other bugs that like getting into your basement ceiling.

By Cherith from Concord, NC

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Hugs and Kisses Gift Bag

For a quick and friendly gift, I take a gift bag fill with a bag of Hershey Kisses and use the computer (or write) the word HUG in many sizes and colors. You now have a bag of Hugs and Kisses. Always a big surprise.

By Mariyn from Lewisburg, TN

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Resolve Carpet Cleaner For Laundry Stains

Forget the stain sprays for laundry, they never seem to do the job. Resolve rug cleaner in the pump bottle works wonderfully on clothes. Spray the stain, wait 5 minutes and wash, voila!

By Joette from Attleboro, MA

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Cheap Shower Caps for Food Covers

Instead of buying the expensive elasticized bowl covers that are so handy, go to the dollar store and buy the shower caps. You get 10 to 12 of these in a package so it makes them very economical. I use them over and over. I rinse them and dry them over a container. After several uses, I just toss.

By Elaine from Belle Plaine, Iowa

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Seaweed Fertilizer

Can I get the content of seaweed compost fertilizer?

Hardiness Zone: 4b

Henry from Malaysia

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Entertainment Activities for Businesses

I'm responsible for spreading an entertaining culture in a multinational company to satisfy the employees. I need ideas of any kind; sports, social activities, anything. I thought of throwing a birthday party every month to celebrate the employees whose birthdays are in that month. Also I thought of starting a table tennis tournament. Please help me with more creative ideas. Thank you all for your time.

Tools available: plasma screens, open area, meeting rooms.

Hesham from Egypt

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Stove Top Mac and Cheese Recipe

Looking for a Mac and Cheese recipe cooked on the stove and that is easy to make.

Jennifer from Orlando, FL

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Home Remedies for Removing Cat Urine Odor

Does anyone know of any home remedies for getting cat urine smell out of carpet?

Denise from mo

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Bootie Purses

How do you make bootie purses?

MARY ELLEN from Leming, TX

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How To Paint a Child's Face Like Spiderman

Any suggestions out there for how to paint a child's face for Halloween? My 4 year old grandson wants to be Spiderman and I just can't afford the costume. So I'm making it, but need help on how to make his face look like Spiderman. Where can one find face paint? Please Help. Thank you in advance.

Maggie from Manassas, VA

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Excercises For Your Face

Over the past year I have noticed my face is a lot fuller and my skin is sagging somewhat. Does anyone know if there are any exercises that will help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Denise from MO

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9 Year Old Lab Losing Hair

My 9yr old yellow lab has recently begun to lose patches of hair. He started itching about a month ago but didn't show any other signs. It just looked like a little dry skin. He doesn't have fleas at all. Now we are starting to notice the missing hair, some on a hind leg, a little around his collar area and now a bit on his chest. He seems to have a real doggie odor that he didn't have before. Does anyone have a clue? I wanted to give him a soothing bath but I don't know what to use. His regular doggie shampoo is organic with but I don't think it will moisturize him. He is eating well and gets a homemade diet of natural or organic food, is well hydrated, gets exercised everyday. I wonder if he could have picked up something from the house we stayed in on vacation in the beginning of September.

Dorothy from Kingston, New York

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Removing Sharpie From Vinyl Bus Seats

Help! One of my little darlings on my SCHOOL BUS wrote some pretty nasty graffiti on my bus seat with a SHARPIE.

I noticed a couple questions about this on the board, but did not find an answer.
The seats are a rough vinyl.

Currently I have tried GOO B GONE, Magic Eraser, and Goof Off!

Thanks!

Christine from Fairfax, Virginia

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Restoring Steel Sink After Using 409

I made the mistake of using 409 on my steel sink and now parts are spotted and it seems some of the silver actually came off if that's even possible? Of course after the fact I read that it's not recommended to be used on steel. Please tell me there's something I can do to restore it? It's a brand new sink!

Michelle from Minneapolis, MN

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Product Rating Web Site

I am looking for the web site that tells the ratings of products such as appliances, cookware, vacuums, and even airlines. I went to Consumer Reports, but it requires that I subscribe for around $19. Isn't there a free site where we can find out all this information?

Ariela from, Jax Fl

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Removing Spider Veins from Face

How to remove spider veins from your face?

Connie from Phoenix, AZ

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Re-shaping a Leather Jacket

My leather coat was hung incorrectly on a hanger all summer. It now is stretched and has a bump in one spot. How do I fix this?

Suzy from Denver, CO

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Homemade Cleaner for Dishwasher

I need a homemade solution for cleaning and disinfecting my dishwasher.

Trish from CT

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Using Old Sports Equipment for Decorating

Looking for ways to recycle sports equipment. We're planning to convert our garage into a game room. Recycling old sports equipment into another item is the way we would like to do this. Any ideas for fishing, billiard, tennis, baseball, football, and golf equipment. Thanks!

cre8tvm9s from New England

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Making vs. Buying Worcestershire Sauce

Can I make good Worcestershire sauce at home or is it better if I just buy it?

Mitra

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Substituting Peanut Oil for Vegetable Oil

I'm baking banana bread without shortening. It calls for applesauce and oil. I don't have enough vegetable oil. Can I use peanut oil? Or is it best to use more applesauce? I have natural unsweetened applesauce.

Heather from Florida

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Spiegel Discount Code

Does any one have a discount code for Spiegel?

V

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Decorating Around Base of Antique Tub

We have a Victorian bath that the previous owners removed the claw type feet and used bricks and cement to build two stands for the bath to rest on. The cement around the bricks is rough and needs to be decorated in some way. They have cemented the bath in quite securely else we would remove the bath, fit legs onto it and put it back. Any ideas of how we could decorate the cement to improve the look? Maybe cement river stones?

Susan from South Africa

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Inexpensive Toys Made in the USA

Need safe toys MADE IN THE U.S.A. for a great-granddaughter that will be 4 years old in Dec. I do not sew or do handwork. Anyone have ideas that will be easy and not much money? ($10 - $20 max)

I already give her grandma money for her college fund. Her birthday is a couple of days before Christmas. I don't want her to feel left out of the birthday party so I need something to give her for that too.

Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

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Plastic Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer

Plastic over-the-door shoe organizers: seems every time you really look for something, is the time you cannot find it. I have seen these before, at the Dollar General, at the Dollar Tree, and neither is carrying them now, and I refuse to pay a fortune for such a thing. Does anyone know where else I could look to find these on the cheap?

Carrie from Iowa City, IA

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Printable Yard Sale Price Tags

Does anyone know of a web site with free printable yard sale price tags?
I am hoping to just print the page and not have to spend time making pages of different prices.

octoberbabye from Bradenton, Fl

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Changing Your Email Address on ThriftyFun

Dear Thriftyfunners:

Thanks for your feedback on my post,"Dealing With Disgusting Email". I took your advice and got a new email address. Now I have a new problem: How do I notify Thriftyfun about the change? I found the following: http://thriftyfun.com/account.ldml This is supposed to lead me to my account so that I can make the change but every time I put this in my browser it says, "no matches found". What do I do?

Joan from Chesapeake, VA

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Electric Smoke Detector Won't Stop Beeping

I have 3 smoke detectors (hard wired with battery backup) on the three levels of our house. Upstairs unit started beeping a week ago. No difference after replacing the battery. I swapped this unit with the basement one. Even the basement one placed upstairs is beeping. The old one from upstairs is fine in the basement.

Any ideas of what might be wrong?
Thanks.

sk50 from Gaithersburg, MD

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Acrylic Paint on Clothing

How do I get red acrylic paint out of my white nylon jacket, blue jeans, brown pants and brown vest.

autym from Ear Falls, ON

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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

Guidecraft Inc. Recalls Children's Puppet Theaters 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 product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Dunkin' Donuts Recalls Glow Sticks Due to Choking and Strangulation Hazards

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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Huffy Recalls Bicycles Due To Cranks Falling Off; Riders Can Lose Control of Bike

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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Formula Brake USA Recalls Disc Brakes for Bicycles Due to Risk of Failure

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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Daddies Teaching Daughters: Automotive Knowledge

Are you wishing that there was a gift that you could give your daughter that would last longer than an ipod or the newest and best cell phone? Well there is, Dad! These days with education being what it is, there is a lot a Dad can teach his daughter that will serve her well in her life and that can build a bond with that teenager. Schools with budget cuts are cutting back on Driver's Ed programs, some no longer teach Auto Mechanics because of rising insurance costs.

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