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Vol. 8, Num. 203, October 16, 2009 (Read It Online) Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like. Your ratings are used to pick the contest winners. You can view and vote for all of this week's contest entries here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml?contest=15454 Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
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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:
Halloween: The Eye Balls Have It Costume To make this costume, start with a white kitchen trash bag. Cut a hole at the top for the child's head and one on either side for their arms. For the Pupil, we hot glued a paper plate painted black to the center of the front side of the trash bag. For the Iris, we used slightly crumpled green Saran Wrap, also hot glued to the trash bag. Optional Red streaks were made with Red Mylar from a leftover birthday balloon, but could be made with Red permanent marker. Dress the child in either a white or black sweatsuit (we went with white for better visibility at night). An adult can help the child put the bag over their head, then stuff with newspaper and tie the bag closed around the child's waist. A thrifty and fun costume guaranteed to be a hit! Source: Our son's imagination and Mom and Dad's creative execution! By Chris from Williamstown, NJ
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Rate It: Taya (Miniature Poodle, Papillon, Pincher) Taya Pookey Honey Bird will be 3 in September. She is a miniature poodle/papillion and pincher. We saw an ad, she had a brother and sister but right away we realized she was the one. When she's not outside and she's bored, she goes to her toy basket. She tips it over finds her bone and takes it over to a person's leg or foot and pretends to bury it with pretend dirt. It's really cute. She sleeps with me at night and I have a long pillow and she lies down right by my face or on my face cause she's really small. By Jade from Abbotsford, BC Contest Contender!
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Equinox is a 1 year old runt. My husband heard a tiny meowing last winter while in a doctor's office parking lot. After looking around he discovered it was coming from the engine of a nearby car. He pounded on the hood of the vehicle and out dropped a 5 week old little kitten! We named him Equinox after the type of vehicle he was hiding in. Equinox has never stopped being a kitten, anything moving becomes his toy. One of Equinox's favorite things to do is sit next to his humans and watch the mouse move on their computer screen. By Dominique from Kalamazoo, MI Contest Contender!
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Halloween: Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) Dog Costume Supplies:
Instructions: The white shirt is from the Salvation Army. The plaid fabric was also from the Salvation Army. The wig is a from a previous costume. Her leash was just painted with red glitter paint. She also had a small pocket sewn in the side of the dress to hold a tape recorder that played the sound track to the movie. By Kellee from Auburndale, FL
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Rate It: This was just a peaceful place to stop and relax and enjoy the autumn colors. Picture was taken at a rest area on the outskirts of Bancroft, Ontario. By Donna from Foymount, Ontario Contest Contender!
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Inexpensive Waterproof Bed Protector I have an idea for a waterproof cover to protect the bed from bed-wetting. The hardware store has rolls of plastic sheeting in various sizes and thicknesses. It's available in both black and clear. Clear seems to be the most commonly used type of plastic. The thickness I have in mind is 6 mil. Many people use 6 mil plastic for such jobs as a covering to cure concrete, for remodeling work, as a drop cloth for painting, to cover outside materials, for a vapor barrier when insulating a house and under concrete, for construction, and similar tasks. In addition some people might have a roll of 6 mil clear plastic (known as polyethylene film) left over from September 2001 after Homeland Security suggested people buy a roll to protect against the possibility of future terrorist attacks. This type of plastic is available in hardware stores such as Lowes, Ace, and Home Depot, contractor supply stores, farm supply stores, and similar places. Due to its toughness it seems like it might be good to use to cover the mattress as a protective sheet for bed-wetting. Some vinyl sheets tear after a while and this seems like it might be a cost effective solution to this problem. There is a book on asthma which discussed using this type of plastic as a protective cover to protect against allergens. In addition, it also mentioned the possibility of using it as a bed-wetting sheet. I first found out about this years ago. A friend of mine had a child who wet the bed and she used this type of plastic to protect her daughter's bed. The plastic also comes in 4 mil and other thicknesses but I'd be inclined to use the 6 mil because it's stronger and should last for a long time. The only drawback to using this type of material to protect the bed from bed-wetting is that it makes a crinkling noise when the person moves around in bed which might bother some people. This can be minimized however by putting several layers of cloth over the plastic. I wrote an article talking about this in greater depth and I thought the readers of Thrifty Fun might be interested in this as well. Source: Tip from an article I've written-"Waterproof Sheets for Bed-Wetting" by Colin Ellison By Colin from Maryland Contest Contender!
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I use cast iron pans to help keep our blood iron levels more normal. But sometimes when we forget to season them well things get stuck on the bottom, or even Burned! Putting a little water into the hot pan will cause all the charred bits to lift right off. In a few minutes, it can be swished out easily with no scraping or scrubbing. By Bailey36 from SW Michigan Contest Contender!
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Use Unused Kitchen Appliances for Storage I recently moved from a 3 bedroom house to a single wide mobile home. I found I have much less storage space in my kitchen so this is what I did. I don't use my oven regularly, so I store my pots and pans and lids in the oven. In order to cut costs on my electric and water bills, I do not use the dishwasher. The top tray makes an excellent place to store the small items like measuring cups and spoons, long handled forks and spoons, tongs, and can opener. The bottom is large so the large dishes, baking pans and cookie sheets fit with no trouble. I also hang a small hand towel and a dish towel over the door. This puts everything in a place, out of sight, and everything is quickly reachable. This worked so well that I bought a small roll of that rubber mesh used for shelves and cut it to fit the top tray so the measuring spoons and other small items wouldn't fall through. Works great. By Clynnaltemus from Inglis, FL Contest Contender!
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Skin So Soft as an Insect Repellent The Avon Skin So Soft bath oil is a terrific alternative to using an aerosol bug repellent. The skitters absolutely hate the smell and stay away. Simply wipe on exposed skin areas with a piece of paper towel and you're bug free. Source: Trial and Error while living in a forested area By Mlina from Amherstburg, ON Contest Contender!
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I wrote asking for tips and have now cured the 'smelly' dog. I got a second vet's opinion re the awful smell my chocolate brown lab had. The vet diagnosed a yeast infection and prescribed an anti fungal and anti bacterial shampoo. Shampoo twice a week for a month. After one shampoo the awful pervading smell vanished. I will continue. and finish the the treatment. By Sylvia Contest Contender!
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Store Extra Bags in Bottom of the Trash Bin Here is a time saver tip; keep your extra trash bags at the bottom of the barrel, so when it is full, just remove the bag and reach down for a new one! By ARCTICALICE from Boston, MA Contest Contender!
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Preserve Leaves With Hair Spray You can preserve colorful autumn leaves easily by spraying them on both sides with heavy duty hair spray! I did that, put them on twigs with wire - added nuts and other pods. I put them in a nice vase found in a thrift shop and made a lovely Thanksgiving centerpiece/guest gift to bring to my family's house. Outlay? $2-3 for the vase! By Pamphyila from L.A., CA Contest Contender!
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Clothes Tree from a Lamp Stand You can make a clothes tree of a sort from a curlicued lamp stand! I found an abandoned standing lamp stand, which was quite heavy and had 3 metal curlicue decorations on it around the top of the stand. I cleaned it up and put it in my bedroom and now hang scarves and so on from it - covering the lamp part on top with hats. You can hang plastic rings and/or an embroidery hoop onto the swirled part to make it easier to hang the scarves, or whatever you want to hang. I find I can also put last night's clothes on the top! Price = $0 By Pamphyila from L.A., CA Contest Contender!
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I am looking for advice to repair a Swiffer Vac. It turns on but the noise it makes sounds like the battery is about to die and it doesn't produce any suction. It seems to run for quite a long time like this so I don't think it's the battery but possibly the motor? Has anyone had any luck repairing something like this? By Sarah from Warsaw, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35716617.tip.html
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Rate It: Water Bathing Potatoes for Canning I have always pressure canned my potatoes. The canner is starting to leak so I have to beat the lid to get it to seal. Years ago didn't they water bath everything? Does anyone know the old recipe for water bathing potatoes and the steps to do that? By Ruth from Sweet Valley, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56582462.tip.html
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Rate It: GE Washer is Stuck in the Spin Cycle My GE washer (9 years old) gets stuck on the spin cycle. What would cause this and what will it cost to repair? By leslie from Annandale, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19762366.tip.html
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Rate It: "Miracle on 42nd Street" Float Ideas I am in desperate need of some ideas for a Christmas parade float for the local Cub Scouts. The theme of this year's Christmas parade is 'Miracle On 42nd Street'. The parade committee consists me! Any and all ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. By Christa from Owensboro, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52445022.tip.html
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Rate It: Perfume Bottle Sprayer is Stuck I dropped an expensive perfume bottle on the floor and the nozzle sprayer jammed. Now it will not spray and I cannot get the perfume out. Any ideas on how to get my perfume out? And when I do how do I transfer it in another bottle I have that is empty? By Denise Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43964155.tip.html
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Rate It: I have photos that are stuck to the glass in the frames. I guess they got moisture in them. How can I get them out without tearing the picture? By Elly O. from Irving, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000337.tip.html
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Rate It: Wild Blue Internet Service Reviews Anyone have experience using WildBlue high speed satellite internet service? By edenray Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62783939.tip.html
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Rate It: I'm an overweight widowed Englishman wanting to loose a few pounds. (Not sterling) Any ideas from over the pond? By Trevor R. from Nottingham Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf531634.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Leather Dye from Leather Couch I have a couch and I want to remove the dye. So how do you remove leather dye from leather, if this is possible? Thanks. By Rick Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62393078.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for suggestions for homemade air fresheners. By Bob M. from Ogunquit, ME Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf766832.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for Dawn Power Dissolver I shop in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. I cannot find Dawn Power Dissolver anywhere. Where can I find it to purchase it? It is the best stuff I have found for cleaning my convection oven. Comes out beautifully and like new. Wipes off like a breeze. Thank you. Patricia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26837542.tip.html
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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:
Some people are comfortable bargaining, but others would rather stick with the number on the price tag. There's no need to fear bargaining; the worst that will happen is that a person will say "no deal."
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