Daily Thrifty Tips - August 28, 2007

Here are the contest winenrs for the week before last.

Photo Contest Winner

Decoupaged Tissue Boxes
By Lisa from Thessaloniki, Greece

Tip Contest Winners

Memory Quilt from Childhood
By Delene from Portland, TN

Using It All - Lemons
By Bobbie from Rockwall

Thank you to everyone that took time to submit something. We had a bunch of great entries.

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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Horse And Buggy

This is a picture I took while on a walk, I thought it was awesome.

By Judy from Lanark, Ontario, Canada

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Riley (West Highland White Terrier)

Riley, the Wonder Westie is 2 1/2 year old West Highland White Terrier. We got Riley as a 3 month old puppy from Scottie Kingdom Rescue.

Riley loves to be chased. He also loves a rubber frog that *was* my son's. It's the one toy he actually doesn't chew to pieces, but he loves for one of us to throw it for him to chase down. Now if he'll just leave the real frogs alone.

Riley is a smart, sweet pup whom gives us much joy. We're very grateful to have him.

By Sherry J. from Irving, TX

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Framing Old Business Cards

Unique way to save business cards new or old

Approximate Time: 15 minutes

Supplies:

• frame
• scrapbook letters
• adhevsive corners
• scrapbook paper

Instructions:

My mom recently found an old business card from my dads when he was young and had his own business. He died when I was 20..

I took frame that I bought at Dollar store already had matting I just cut scrapbook paper for background of business card. I took business card and centered it and adhered self adhesive corners so I could put in card without ruining it. After I did that the beige matting looked plain so I took scrapbook letters to spell out the info on card. You can do this with current business card or postcards and with the tons of scrapbooking items out there there always something that compliments the item.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Jacob (10 months)

This is my 10 month old grandson Jacob doing what he does best.

By Jan from Springfield, Minnesota

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• Tip Contest
  Submit a Tip or Recipe!

• Photo Contest
  Submit a tip with photo!

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

• My Frugal Life
  Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Do Surveys For Discounts On Your Next Shopping Trip

When shopping in certain stores, they ask you to complete a survey online or on the phone. If you complete the survey they give you a code and you qualify for a specific percentage off your next purchase. No matter how much you spent.

By Evelyn from Oceanside, CA

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How to Harvest Pumpkins Properly

To make sure your pumpkins last as long as possible, they must be harvested, cured, and stored properly.

A common mistake is to harvest fruit while it's still immature. This will give you fruit that can not be successfully stored, giving you poor quality results.

On the other hand, keep in mind that mature fruit that have been removed from the vine are still alive, so proper curing and storage will slow the rate of respiration, and prolong the storage life of the pumpkin.

To harvest correctly, here is what you do:

1. Harvest pumpkins when they have developed a deep uniform color, and have a hard rind. The rind will be firm and resist denting when pressed with a thumbnail
2. Harvest all mature pumpkins before a hard freeze. A light frost will destroy the vines and should not harm the fruit, but a hard freeze, can damage the fruit, so get your pumpkins in before damaging hard frosts arrive
3. When harvesting pumpkins handle them carefully to avoid cuts and bruises which can provide entrances for various rot-producing organisms
4. Cut the fruit off the vine with a pruning shears. Leave a 3 to 4 inch (7.6 – 10.2 cm) handle on the pumpkins. A pumpkin with a "handle" is not only more attractive, but they are less likely to rot when they are harvested with a portion of the stem still attached to the fruit
5. Try to never carry the fruit by their stems. The stems may not be able to support the weight and they may break off
6. After harvesting, cure the pumpkins at a temperature of 80 to 85° F (27 to 29° C) and at a relative humidity of 80 to 85 % for about 10 days
7. Curing helps to harden their skins and heal any cuts and scratches
8. After curing, store pumpkins in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Storage temperatures should be 50 to 55° F (10 to 13° C)
9. Never store pumpkins near apples, pears, or other ripening fruit. Ripening fruit release ethylene gas which shortens the storage life of pumpkins
10. When storing pumpkins, place them in a single layer where they don't touch one another. Good air circulation helps to prevent moisture from forming on the surfaces of the fruit and helps prevent the growth of decay fungi and bacteria.
11. Avoid placing pumpkins in piles. This generates unwanted heat which may result in the rotting of some fruit
12. Periodically check pumpkins in storage and get rid of any fruit which show signs of decay

Properly cured and stored pumpkins should remain in good condition for 2 to 3 months or longer depending up on the variety

If you follow the above steps, you will be assured a successful harvest, and you can use your pumpkins any way you want after that!

By Mythi from Silverdale WA

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Use Inexpensive Condiment Brands for Cooking

If you have a specific brand of condiment that you prefer, use the brand that's cheapest for cooking. For example with ketchup, go ahead and buy Heinz for putting on sandwiches, but use the cheaper brand of ketchup for making meatloaf and other dishes that require it. When baking with the cheaper condiment, the spices and other ingredients will blend to make the flavor. No one will notice.

By Terri H. from NV

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Offer To Fix Your Rental

It makes a certain sense to get a bargain apartment/house that needs fixing up and then fix it by painting, etc. You get a deal on the rent and the landlord will probably be delighted, as the slim profit margin won't allow for much renovation. Our old landlady gave us a month or more free rent for the makeover we did on my long-time place!

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles. CA

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Photo Scavenger Hunt

For an cheap birthday party for pre-teen or any older child, have a scavenger hunt at the mall. Make a list of odd thing such as Alyssa's Dad's favorite cologne or a mannequin with red shoes. Each group of children and an adult must have a digital camera and take a picture of what they found. The group with the most items win. As a treat, eat pizza at the mall. You can compare pictures and no clean up. Most stores are willing to go along so are a lot of customers and the kids have a great time. We did this with a small group and the kids had a great time.

By Marilyn from Lewisburg, TN

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Ask For Coupons At Company Websites

Contact manufacturers for free samples and coupons for your favorite products. I have received free coupons for tuna fish by way of email. Just go to their web sites and get the email address. Ask for coupons and samples!

By Birthaleen from Burbank, CA

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Rat Trap

This simple but powerful trap is created with only three materials. The materials are:

• Cardboard paper
• Rat glue
• Piece of wood

Directions:

Get a piece of cardboard paper, pour the rat glue on the surface and place two pieces of wood on both sides. Put a piece of food at the center of it and drop at the part the house the rat passes regularly. Once it gets attracted to the food, it will step on it to eat and will be glued to the trap.

By Taura from jos

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Back to School Sales for Stocking Stuffers

As everyone knows its Back to School time and stores are selling crayons, pencils etc at extremely cheap prices. Think ahead to Christmas as I saw Crayola crayons for .20 at Walmart and would be a great stocking stuffer or gift.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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How Sturdy is Birch and Ash?

We are contemplating replacing some kitchen chairs. The replacements are of birch or ash from Chair King. How sturdy are these woods?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Canning Zucchini in Pineapple Juice

I need a recipe for canning zucchini made with pineapple juice. Any one out there have one and know if it is any good? It's that time of year the zucchinis are coming in full and fast. Thanks so much to you all out there in cyber space.

Barb from Fairview, Mi

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Diet and Vitamin Advice for ADD and ADHD

I am at my wit's end and so ready for school to begin. I have a six year old boy whom I'm thinking has ADD or ADHD just by his behavior. I don't want to put him on drugs. Does anyone know what I could do for him as far as his diet or vitamins goes?

I am so frustrated as to why he thinks it's okay to put toothpaste on the new recliner and nail polish on the new end table (which removed the stain and finish). He sneaks food into the living room and it ends up in my carpet or furniture. My last furniture he peed on.

If I'm out in public with him, he has to find a bathroom several times. His K teacher wanted us to hold him back in K another year, but I won't do that, since academically he's fine (smart), he just doesn't focus well or follow directions well. Same thing with karate. He may not be promoted to the next belt.

Plus, he's still in Good Nites at night. Help!

Sandy from WI

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Cat Losing Hair on Leg

My cat is losing his hair on the side of his leg, any ideas?

Barry Worthington from Houston

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Yellow Spots on White T-shirts

I seem to run into a problem with white shirts. For some reason, even with shirts I have never worn, if the shirt is white, after a few days these yellowish brown spots will appear on the shirt. Most of the time it's just small spots, but there have been times where the spot is much bigger, covering the large areas of the shirt. These spots also don't seem to come out in the wash. I have tried a variety of detergents and things. This only seems to happen to cotton t-shirts though. What is this and how can i get it out?!

xjussx from Parkersburg, WV

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Boy-Girl Birthday Party

My son says he would like to have a boy-girl party this year. I'm wondering if he's old enough. He's 13 going on 14. And I think he wants to have a mature party. With intimate games (7 minutes in heaven). I am a little uneasy if that is what he is going for. So please give me your opinions.

Thanks,
LeAnn from Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Hand Washed a Dry Clean Only Item and the Colour Ran

I decided to hand wash a 100% silk maxi dress and the black within it has run into the cream (in patches). Is there any way to spot clean the stains? Please help as I love this dress! Thanks

Mel from UK

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Favors for Baptism and Adoption Party

We are having our 5 month old daughter Baptised in a couple of weeks. We are having a reception following the service to celebrate her Baptism and her adoption. I am looking for ideas of items to give as a favor/gift to families that attend. We received so much support and encouragement during the adoption process and want to thank everyone for being a special part of this journey.

Tina from Somerset, KY

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Removing Glue from Glass

What removes glue from glass?

Larry from Missoula, MT

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Saving on American Girl or Similar Dolls

I would like to know of anyways to save money for a $87 American Girl doll. I am 11 years old and am kinda out growing 'baby dolls' so my Mom suggested 'girl dolls'. If you know any other 18 inch doll brands or similar sizes, please post back! Thanks in advance.

P.S. I receive an American Girl magazine every month.

Mackenzie from Millington, TN

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Redoing a Bedroom Without Painting

I want to redo my room. I don't want to completely redo the painting and all, but I want to add color. My walls, pillows and blankets are all blue and I have a brown cube/chair thing. But that's about all the color I have. And I'm on a tight budget. I like the colors orange, green and yellow, but I don't know how to bring them in without going overboard or without them matching. Help!

Megan from Olney, MD

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Hungarian Cream of Wheat Balls Recipe

I am looking for Hungarian recipe for cream of wheat balls.

Birtaleen from Burbank CA

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How To Make Crispy Microwave Pizza Crust

My mom needs to gain weight so her doctor told her to eat lots of pizza(wouldn't you love to hear your doctor say that!). It's way too hot here to use the oven so we've been making them in the microwave. Not as good as the oven but not too bad either. One problem: the crust doesn't get too crispy, even the types that are made for the micro. Does anyone have a remedy for this? Thanks!

Joan from Chesapeake, VA

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Permanent Marker on Upholstery

How so I get red permanent marker out of upholstery fabric?

Jana

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Keeping Bees Away from a Hummingbird Feeder

Does anyone have an idea as to how to keep bees away from hummingbird feeder?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

DONNA from Millbury, OH

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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

My Frugal Life With The Four H's

Hi, my name is Jen. I just turned 37 on 8/6/07. We have been fated to a frugal life and are coming to love it. I have a home with my husband of 8 years, and our 4 girls, Holly, Hailey, Hannah and Harley. We could not have kids as I had ovarian cancer. So our girls are our 4 rottweillers. They are house dogs and very loved.

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Making Concrete Patio Blocks

How do you make concrete blocks? Advice from the ThriftyFun community.

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