Daily Thrifty Tips - March 12, 2008

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For this week's Saving Money On... Newsletter the topic is Saving Money on Easter Baskets and Gifts. If you have any tips to share, please submit them here:

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One Man's Treasure

I collect old wooden windows for crafts and find most out on trash day. On this particular day, I spotted a window frame under some items. After moving them away, this is what I found!

As the saying goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure" One will be place in my large bay window and the other is going in my bathroom that we are remodeling. What a find! I love 'em.

By JoAnn from Cherry Hill, NJ

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Color Snowmen

Did you know you could color your snowmen? Mix food color in a spray bottle with cold water. Just enough so it shows the color. Spray the snowman after he's been built and "wha-la", you have a beautiful colored snowman like none other in the neighborhood. Kids will love this idea!

By Donna from Millbury

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Raven (Miniature Pinscher)

Raven is 5 years old and is a Miniature Pinscher. We got her from a family member we have had her for 2 years.

She likes to play with my 9 and 12 year old boys. She is such a joy to have, she loves to lay on the boys' beds with them and she loves to sit on people's laps.

By Susan from Towanda, PA

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Add A Clickable Link To Your Yahoo Messenger

Give your Yahoo messenger chums a clickable link to brighten their day!

1. Open your messenger and find the NEW STATUS MESSAGE located on the option bar beside your profile pic above the ADD (+) friends symbol on the left. Single left click and you will see a drop down menu.
2. Scroll down to the next to the bottom option (above "invisible") where it says "new status message".
3. A small window opens and it is there you paste first a link, then a space or 2, then what you wish for it to say. Clicking this will take you to the url you pasted on. Recently I found that some urls do not work so if you mask them using "tiny url" (http://tinyurl.com/) or "short url" (http://www.shorturl.com/) or other url shortener it will. This has been the case mainly with the you tube videos.

Source: my own experiance

By melody_yesterday

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Security Tip for Single Woman

As a single woman living alone, one way I make myself feel just a bit more secure is by keeping a large, dirty pair of men's work boots with some wadded up socks on top of them on my front porch. Just that added security of seeing a pair of large boots there, like someone just took them off. It makes an unwanted person think twice. Of course, my dog is the BEST for letting me know about any unexpected noises. ;-)

By MasterMom from Hutto, Texas

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Use Expensive Cat Food as Treats

I received a sample of some cat food in the mail, Purina Naturals Plus Vitamins and Minerals. Our cat goes crazy for them! Instead of changing her diet, we decided to use this kind as her treats. We figured out the cost, and can buy a 6lb bag for a little over $7, compared to $72 for 6 lbs of cat treats.

We use this food to play with our cat too. Throw a piece on the floor, and she'll run after it to eat it. Not on carpeting, of course. We'll use about 1/8 cup for her treats, so she gets exercise and her treats all in one!

By Mikyenrut from WI

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Get a Re-key Pack Instead of Changing Your Locks

If you have good hands and you just moved into your new home, you really don't have to change your locks. All you have to do is go to "Home Depot" and get a "Kwikset" or "Schlage" re-key pack and start working. It's easy! If you call and use a locksmith, it will cost you around $65-$120 to re-key your front door with two cylinders. To use the Home Depot re-key pack, it will cost you around $22 for both doors.

By Atozlocks.com from Los Angeles

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Consumers Beware Of Quicken Loans

If anyone is researching companies to refinance to get a loan on the equity in your home, do not use Quicken Loans, Inc. The company is misleading from the first conversation and you will end up losing any money they request ($300 - $750) for a "Good Faith Estimate", not to be charged until your home is appraised once you have been approved.

You are rushed through the process so fast by them in order to "lock in the rate" that you have no time to really look at the paperwork. The broker will tell you that you have already been approved, sets up a date for the appraiser of their choice (TSI Appraisals) and charges your card. Of course, you are told that this will be refunded at closing, if you make it that far. If you question anything, you are suddenly unable to speak with anyone there in relation to your loan and then you get a letter saying the loan is denied without refunding your Good Faith Estimate ($550.00 in our case). You get no documentation of anything pertaining to an appraisal, just a copy of a bill with 3 different amounts on it. Stay away from Quicken Loans, Inc.

Source: This happened to us and we are taking action through the following: Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov), State Attorney General in my state (PA) and Quicken Loans, Inc. (MI), AmericansForFairnessinLending.org, www.occ.treas.gov (Ofc of Comptroller of Currency), Small Claims with ConsumerAffairs.com for their Predatory Mortgage Lending practices and misrepresentation.

By Victoria from Newberry Township, PA

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Change Smoke Alarm Batteries When You Change Your Clocks

Daylight savings time is a good time to change your batteries in your smoke alarms. Most safety companies and fire departments recommend the batteries be changed every 6 months, which happens to be about the same as daylight savings time.

By April from NW Missouri

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No Snow Boots?

We got 5 inches of snow and more coming. No schools open in many surrounding counties. We went next door to build a snowman and play in the snow with our 2 year old grand daughter. They had no boots for her to wear. So we put plastic bags on her tennis shoes and tied them at the ankles with string. Then we pulled her pants legs down over the bags and wrapped some duct tape around her ankles to keep snow from getting into her pant legs. It was a nifty idea and worked like a charm. Kept her feet dry so she could have fun with grandma and grandpa.

By Donna from Millbury

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Removing Hair Dye Off a Bathroom Counter

My son dyed his hair blue last night and of course he got it on the bathroom counter. Let me tell you this stuff is VERY hard to get off anything. But I got the old faithful baking soda out and a sponge and off it came off; even off the hands. I was told that most people still have this on things a year later. Just wanted to share.

By Jessica from Avon Park, Florida

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Keep Recipes in a Three Ring Binder

To keep individual recipes filed neatly, I used a 3 ring binder, and fill it with clear page protectors. You can slip any recipe into the sheet protectors, and the plastic keeps your recipe page from getting messy while you are cooking - just wipe clean! I also use divider pages to separate the different categories of foods such as meats, breads, vegetables, desserts, etc.

I have used binders that have a clear pocket on the front into which you can slide a personalized page . These also make inexpensive and thoughtful gifts. I made one for a friend, and put her name on the front in her favorite color. I put a few of my best loved recipes inside, and added some empty page protectors for her to add her favorites.

By Jan from West Blocton, AL

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Add Bran to Make Diet Ice Cream

Try this. As I am dieting, I deserve I need a treat too, so I add Bran to my chocolate ice cream, it is like eating a crushed cone in your ice cream. You'll eat less of the cooool stuff.

Enjoy!

By Carol from Blairsville, PA

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Repairing an Inflatable Castle Bouncer

My kids received an inflatable castle bouncer for Christmas. It was purchased at Walmart by my friend last September, so it is too late to return it. They love that thing, but one of the seams has begun splitting and that part has deflated. We tried using the transparent repair tape that came with it, but when my husband re inflated it, the seam just split even more. Now there is about a four inch hole along the seam. It is vinyl material. Anyone know what might fix it? I thought that duct tape fixes anything :) but he won't try it. He says because the split is on the seam, that it won't hold. I hate to junk it. Any suggestions are welcome!

Writermom from New Jersey

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Will Birds Use Old Nests?

I have bird nests in some of my trees that were left over from last year. Should I take them down, or will birds use them again even though they didn't make them?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Peg from Springboro, OH

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Recipe for Easy Lemon Meringue Pie

Can I get some easy lemon meringue pie recipes?

Phyllis

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Heat Marks on Wood Furniture

How do you remove white heat marks from furniture?

Nick from Jersey

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Wedding Reception For Under $1000

I'm trying to plan a wedding, and have no idea where to start. I only have $1000 for the entire reception. If anyone has any ideas on what to do, please help me!

LaToya from Chicago, IL

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Sharpie on Microfiber Couch

I love the tips for cleaning regular ink and other stains off microfiber furniture, but my 2 year old got a hold of a Sharpie. Not a regular sharpie, an INDUSTRIAL cannot be removed Sharpie. Any suggestions for that?

Dish soap, Magic Eraser, alcohol, baby wipes, even Clorox wipes have done nothing. It is not on the cushion, it is on the arm of the sofa, so I can't even remove the cover to wash. Please help. I only had the sofa for a month before he marked his territory.

Eileen from Norton, MA

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Smoke Detector Problem

I have a smoke detector problem. It keeps beeping off and on. I changed the batteries and it still will beep off and on. Help please!

Lloyd from Round Rock, TX

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Home Remedy for Mosquitoes

Is there a home remedy for mosquitoes?

Larry from Sterling Heights

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Fabric Softener Stains on Clothing

I wear scrubs daily, and noticed for quite a while now that I have spots on them from my liquid fabric softener. Any suggestions to get rid of them, or preventing them in the future for other clothing? I use Downey.

Daphna from Alachua

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Confederate Jasmine Not Flowering

I have a Confederate Jasmine. It has very dark green leaves. It's a healthy plant but not flowering. What I can do to induce some flowers?

Hardiness Zone: 11

Luis from Carolina, PR

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Homemade JetDry Recipe

Does anyone have a recipe for the JetDry that goes into the dishwasher to remove spots from glassware?

Rose from Malvern, PA

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Trimming a Yorkiepoo's Hair

I would like to know how to trim a Yorkiepoo's hair at home. He's half Miniature Yorkie and half Miniature Poodle. Please show me pictures of how.

Doris from Lawrenceville, Illinois

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Homemade De-Icer Recipe

Does anyone have a recipe for homemade windshield de-icer? I am tired of scraping my windows just about every day. Thank you in advance!

JZ from Illinois

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Easy Vegetarian Meals for Two People

I'm looking for vegetarian recipes for one or two people that are easy to prepare and to digest. Soups, salads, and smoothies would be ideal.

Angela from Sault Ste Marie, ON

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Crocheted Puppet Doll on a Granny Square

I am looking for a crocheted puppet doll crocheted to a granny square. You can put your hand in the puppet and the other hand under the granny square and make it look like a real baby is moving. I had one years ago but lost it. Can anyone help me?

Katie from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada

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Should I Choose a Dark or Light Counter Top?

I am needing to choose a counter top for my kitchen. I have light maple cabinets and the kitchen is not very big but it has a lot of windows and a big sliding glass door. I have looked at so many colors and I am stuck on whether to pick a dark or light counter top. What is the rule of thumb on this subject, or is their one?

Erica from KS

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Getting Dogs to Quitting Eating Their Poop

How do you get dogs to quit eating their poop?

Carol from Blairsville, PA

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Ways to Ask for Money Instead of Gifts

I am having a going away gathering and I want to ask for money and not gifts. I am looking for a cute way to do so. Please help!

Ashairah from Kansas City,Mo

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Computer Mouse Ball Keeps Sticking

My computer mouse keeps sticking. Does anyone know if I can clean where the ball is on the underside or should I just replace the mouse?

Cettina from Malta, Europe

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Flames Themed Wedding Decorations

My boyfriend is into flames like on his motorcycle. We are getting married in September. I decided to go with the colors red, orange, and yellow for the flames. I am not very creative and would like some decorating ideas. The ceremony will be at a small historical church (40 people seating) and the reception will be at a separate banquet room location. I need to decorate both with the flame idea and colors.

Flamingbride from Sarasota, FL

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'Garden Party' Themed Teacher Appreciation Supper

I am having a Garden Party themed teacher appreciation supper in May. Need ideas for table favors.

Gertrude from Shallotte, NC

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Table Favors for Church 'Mother and Child' Banquet

Does anyone have any ideas for a church's 'Mother and Child' banquet table favors? Mothers can bring sons, too, so the favors need to fit both sexes and all ages. We'd like something that is eye-catching and economical that our committee can make. I'd love to get some ideas from you! Thank you.

Lois from Pennsylvania

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Removing Double Sided Tape from Laminate Floor

How do you get double sided tape off of wood laminate floors?

Carla from Rolla, MO

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Is It Legal for the Owner to Keep 10 Percent of My Tips?

I have a question. I work as a waitress and the owner is the cook. He takes 10 percent of each waitresses tips every night. Is that legal?

Christie

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Dryer Isn't Drying Clothes

The dryer is taking two or three cycles to completely dry a load.

Brian from Hamilton, MI

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Drying Figs in the Microwave

Each year I have about 70 kilos of figs from my tree. Fresh ripe figs don't have a long life, maybe a couple of days. I would be grateful if someone could tell me how to dry figs in a microwave. I don't have an oven and each time I have tried to sundry them, all the wildlife in the area think it's their birthday! I don't have the time to sit shotgun all day. Please help!

Sue from Cadiz Province, Spain

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Removing Wood Smell from New Pine Drawers

I've just bought a new set of pine drawers. They obviously smell very strongly of wood, but the drawers are going into our nursery, and I don't want all the baby's clothes to smell too. I've looked at drawer liners, but I think I'll just end up with a wood smell plus the liner scent, and I really want to remove the smell, not cover it.

Also I don't know what chemicals might be on the liners, and I don't want all my son's clothes to smell of roses! Does anyone have any ideas how to remove the smell? Thanks!

Julie from UK

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Plastic Soda Bottle Wind Chimes

Does anyone know how wide or long the cut needs to be in plastic soda bottle wind chimes. The cut is in the side of the bottle. Does the lid need to be left on?

Deb from Knox, TN

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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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