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Vol. 7, Num. 242, December 15, 2008 (Read It Online) This is the newsletter we planned to send out on Monday. We are focusing a lot of our energy on helping Susan, the found of ThriftyFun, as she deals with some major medical problems. Sorry for the delay. We are still going to send all the newsletters this week, they just will be delayed a bit. Thanks for reading, Susan
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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:
The Simple Pleasures! By Angie from Erie, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68756541.tip.html
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Rate It: Craft: Quilts from Thrift Store Fabrics My 85 year old mother-in-law lives with me. We've been buying fabric and notions at thrift stores for about a year now, costing us 2 dollars a Walmart sized bag. We decided it would be neat to make the family quilts for Christmas. We chose easy patterns, she cut and ironed the pieces and I sewed then together. They turned out beautiful and I'm sure the family will cherish them for years to come. We had enough to piece together more than 2 quilts with a 2 dollar bag of thrift store fabric. We recycled, saved money and made some great memories working together.
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Rate It: Penny is 1 1/2 years old. She is part beagle and part Jack Russel (from the Humane Society). After my beagle Rosie passed away, I was so sad, my family allowed me to go to the Humane Society to look. I instantly fell in love with Penny. She had been returned because they said she never settled down.
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Rate It: Oliver is 5 years old. He was a birthday present for my stepdaughter's 6th birthday. He likes to play with mice and paper balls. He is very friendly, likes to play, definitely a mamma's boy.
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Rate It: Craft Project: Baby Food Jar Santa Candy Jar This is a vintage pattern that I used many years ago. But is still a popular recycle craft. It is a Santa candy jar made from a baby food jar.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82841169.tip.html
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Rate It: Craft Project: Christmas Mailbox A decorative mailbox made from wood and posterboard.
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Rate It: Craft Project: Plaid and Felt Gingerbread Man Felt and Shiny Plaid gingerbread ornament with topstitching, glitter face and ribbon bow.
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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!
Home Organizing Tips Inspired By Don Aslett I read in a book written by Don Aslett (the great cleaning guru) something that made so much sense that I am sharing it with everyone. If It Can Be Hung, Hang It! Things like pictures. Even hair dryers can be hung in a neat caddy on the wall, if your are serious about the bathroom. I have stuck regular size Kleenex boxes to the walls or side of cabinets by pushing thumb tacks through the bottom of the box. I have done it. I don't like stuff on the toilet water tank. There is only a slight pin hole to repair. So much time is taken by having to move things to clean the surfaces underneath them. If There Is A Lot Of The Collectibles, Put It All Under Glass. You won't have to dust as much if your collectibles are in proper shelf with doors that keep out the dust. I don't know of too many people who like dusting each and every item. I'd rather clean one pane of glass then having to hear someone bemoan that I broke one of his or her precious items. If It Has To Be On The Floor, Make Sure It Reaches All The Way To The Floor. He is talking about furniture legs where you see underneath. Use dust ruffles. Fill underneath the bed so dust can't collect there. When cleaning the floor, Have A Rinse Bucket Beside Your Cleaning Bucket. It will help keep the cleaning going; less stops for changing water. Let Cleaning Solutions Have Time To Work Before Scrubbing The Surface. Some solutions take at least a minute before they began breaking down grime. You will save on cleaning fluids, believe me. Keep Large Objects Flush With The Wall Or At Least At A Straight Angle. They will be easier to clean around when vacuuming or sweeping. Most vacuum cleaners move only in straight paths. Not everyone has the money to afford a Dyson. Putting Artificial Grass Down On Your Side Walk Starting Four Feet From Your Entrance Will Knock Off Most Of The Dirt That Gets In When Even Having Guest That Use The Doormat. You can get it in different colors; there is no need for the bright green to clash with your terra cotta paver stones. I find that you don't have to salt your entrance way as much either. Counter Sink The Edges Of Gardens And Flower Beds so the lawnmower has room to maneuver around the pretty lawn things. My Own Rule Is: Keep Things In The Same Spot If You Want Others To Help. They cannot get into the mood if the cleaning supplies move around. Cleaning is bad enough, let alone having to look for things to get the cleaning finished. That is one reason why my Dad won't help cook anymore; everything in the kitchen gets moved around. A couple of days before my parents went on an extended trip to Japan, my mother took extra time and moved the pots and pans from drawer under the stove to another set of drawers. It took me about 30 minutes to find things so I could just cook my supper. I almost quit to go out to eat. But Don Aslett is not a neat freak, he just believes in avoiding having to do unnecessary movements when cleaning. After all, he was in the hotel cleaning business for a good part of his career. He believes in function as well as cleanliness. By Tim from Science Hil, Ky Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19550251.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Christmas Lights Year Round Christmas lights... not just for Christmas anymore! Think about buying a few packs of lights after this year's holiday when they go on clearance and use them all year round. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18143352.tip.html
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Rate It: A Touch of Conditioner for Dryness Tis the season, the cold dry weather of winter. When my hair starts to feel very dry on the ends or I have static, I take one or two drops of my conditioner and rub it between my hands and apply where needed. It can be done to hair just washed or dried. You can adjust the amount of conditioner according to hair length or thickness, but less is best. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83655299.tip.html
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Rate It: Donate Books and Magazines to the Local Library Our local library accepts donations of books and magazines. They keep what they can use and sell the rest in a "Friends of Library Sale" a few times a year. The proceeds go to buy more books, etc. You might ask in your local libraries if they ever do anything like that. This might be a good place to get rid of some books you might not can sell and want to get rid of. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20256656.tip.html
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Rate It: Are you debating whether to see a physician about how you are feeling? Here are 10 symptoms you should not ignore:
By Diana from Prospect, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63784359.tip.html
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Rate It: I have bought my children's clothes from yard sales, and thrift stores for years. Not too long ago, my 19-year-old son came to me and asked if I wanted to go to the thrift store with him, and told me that he was hunting for clothes. While I was busy gathering my "treasures", Phillip went clothes shopping. He got 4 pairs of pants, and 5 shirts for $35.00, all name-brand items. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48244536.tip.html
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Rate It: When putting names into an Address Book, write them in pencil. This way when an address or name is changed all you have to do is erase! The Address Book will serve you longer and save you money. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88237081.tip.html
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Rate It: Instead of buying foaming soap refills, try this: Buy one container of foaming hand soap. When it's empty, refill with 2 Tbsp. liquid hand soap for every 1 cup water. So simple, so easy, and cheaper. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29957105.tip.html
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Rate It: Set Up a "Mailbox" for Christmas Cards Save on postage stamps sending Christmas cards. If you want to send cards to: church friends, school friends or work, set up a mail box. For example at church, set up an area with each person's name on a box, then drop a card. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56517670.tip.html
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Rate It: Funky Flower Gel Bamboo Plant or Candle Gift I was at a discount store and found 4 packages of flower gel for $1. Then I went to the dollar store and bought a tall 3 inch square clear glass vase for $1. I headed over to the grocery store where they sell Bamboo Plant Stems for about $1 each for small ones. I added water to the gel pack, then placed what I needed in the tall vase and placed the bamboo stems in there. It looks like something you'd buy for a LOT more money. I tied Raffia around it for gift giving. The flower gel was orange and I thought it looked really great with the bamboo. I was only able to find orange, but if you can find different colours you can also make layers of various ones. *Most gel packages make about 1 litre of gel and I hear it is good for making plants last longer. Best to use with distilled water and the gel is usually bio-degradable. It's best to use the following plants only: bamboo, herbage, arrowroot, amaryllis, palm, dasheen, and fleshy-plants. (plants who can grow in darkness). Because I didn't use the entire package of gel for this, the gift cost me under $4 to make! Other Ideas: Instead of plants you can place a candle in there as well (for decorative purposes only). I've also seen beautiful seashells mixed with blue gel and votive candles on top: By Lisa from Halifax, NS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67998606.tip.html
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Rate It: For the month of November I did my grocery shopping without my husband, wow I did save money! I did not take into consideration the number of extra items he added to the cart! I am sure it would be helpful to leave home any extra people when grocery shopping, kids, husbands, grandchildren, etc. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16618819.tip.html
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Rate It: Butter Rim To Prevent Casserole Spillovers To prevent a casserole from boiling over in your oven as it bakes place butter around the rim of the casserole dish. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90833507.tip.html
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Freezing Hummus and Blue Cheese Dip With the holidays coming up, I'd like to know if its possible to freeze homemade hummus and blue cheese dips. They are so convenient if guests drop by and it would be a life saver if I have containers ready to just whip out of the freezer! Does anyone have any experience if they were successful after they thawed out? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40800535.tip.html
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Rate It: What kind of glue do you use to shorten a suede skirt? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54603191.tip.html
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Rate It: Selling Min Pin/Chihuahua Puppies We have a new litter of min pin/chihuahua pups and are not sure of the selling price. If anyone could give me an idea it is appreciated. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41753337.tip.html
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Rate It: I'd like to make ornament or wall hanging that are country-ish and "homey". Perhaps with hearts. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62566458.tip.html
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Rate It: Chevy Venture Engine Doesn't Stay On I have a 1997 Chevy Venture, the engines cranks but doesn't stay on. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66921998.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you put lights 200 lights on a 32 in. wreath? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93856149.tip.html
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Rate It: My children bought me a new washing machine for Christmas but it can't be hooked up because the old hose is rusted to the water faucet. How do I get this unscrewed without breaking the faucet? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29202486.tip.html
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Rate It: Parade Float Ideas for "Kids Against Meth Ending Lives" Float I am looking for ideas to decorate an car hauler for a Christmas parade. The theme is "Kids Against Meth Ending Lives". It is a float for the Kamel Klub at Bethel Springs Jr.High in Bethel Springs, TN. We would really like something simple for the fact that we have about 19 teenagers riding on the back. The colors of the club are lime green,black and gold or silver. Please help, we have 6 days to do it. Thanks for all the help. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12492448.tip.html
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Rate It: Dog Treats Made from Canned Dog Food Does anyone have any recipes for making and baking doggie treats using canned dog food? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26984695.tip.html
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Rate It: A homemade quilt got dry erase marker on it. The quilt is pink and white squares and the marker color is red and black. We would love to know some way to get the marker out of the quilt. Thank you! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73208056.tip.html
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Rate It: Dell Laptop Not Staying Connected to the Internet I bought a dell laptop from ebay, it works good but I cannot keep it connected to the internet using a router which is new. It has internal WiFi in it. We have tried everything we can think of. It will let you on for awhile and then kick you off and you can't get back on. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57149454.tip.html
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Rate It: Reviews of Samsung 3-Door Refrigerator I am thinking about purchasing one of those Samsung refrigerators that is a 3 door; two on the top for the fridge and a bottom freezer with 29 cu ft. I am waiting until after the Xmas season for better sales. Does anyone have one that they'd like to comment on? My concern is the fact that I cook a lot and have a fridge full of condiments, weekly groceries, soy milk, skim milk, iced tea, etc. In other words, how are the gallon sized shelves holding up with the weight of the beverages and can you actually put all of your groceries in there? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_046800... Holly from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54518621.tip.html
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Rate It: Retrieving Lost Pictures on a Computer I have Picasa on my computer for my pictures. It was upgraded to Picasa3 and I used it for a day. The next time I came to use it, all but 4 pictures are gone and I can't figure out how to get them back. Can anyone help with this problem? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30779559.tip.html
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Rate It: I don't have a puppy yet. I can have a 1 week old Labrador puppy. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26612861.tip.html
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Rate It: Housebreaking a 2 Year Old Beagle How can I housebreak a 2 year old beagle? I tried a crate but he soils in there. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15749168.tip.html
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Rate It: Using Oils in Homemade Heat Packs Can you use oil such as eucalyptus in a homemade heat pack with rice? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17432165.tip.html
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Rate It: What is the difference between symbiosis and mutualism? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30619443.tip.html
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Rate It: What do you keep your oil in after deep frying chicken? I deep fry in a heavy cast iron dutch oven. After I am finished and the oil is cool I transfer the oil to an empty clean milk jug for keeps. However, trying to lift and hold a heavy cast iron dutch oven while pouring the oil out is beginning to hurt my arms and hands. I didn't know if it was okay to just leave the oil in the dutch oven. Do you have a better way of deep frying and storing the oil? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13692109.tip.html
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Rate It: My wife's 30thbirthday is on Dec. 29th and I was planning to take her to Paris for the day but I have to work now. I am happy to do something on Dec. 28th all day and celebrate her birthday at 12 midnight or take her out on Monday evening. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44957505.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for Covergirl coupons. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87340398.tip.html
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Rate It: Blonde Highlights Came Out Pink I just came home from the beauty salon very unhappy. I had a touch up and highlights. I have burgundy colored hair with blonde highlights. After having this done the blonde portion came out pink. The hair colorist put a glaze over the blonde, as a result my hair is a very dark copper. What should she have done and why did this happen? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39810128.tip.html
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Rate It: Crocheting Necklaces Out of Trellis Yarn I am new to the site and am trying to find patterns to knit or crochet necklaces out of trellis yarn or similar types. I am also looking for patterns to make them without being knit or crocheted. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Happy Holidays! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66944318.tip.html
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Rate It: Stopping a Dog from Licking Too Much How can you stop your dog from licking too much? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22232008.tip.html
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Rate It: Leg Cramps While on Diabetes Medication What diabetes medicine is the person on that sent in feedback about the power drink by Coke? She had leg cramps. I am having the same thing on Januvia. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17145804.tip.html
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Rate It: My Doberman stinks. Is there anything I can spray on him to make him smell better? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54947535.tip.html
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Rate It: Dishwasher Rack Coating is Coming Off The coating on my dishwasher racks is starting to come off and it is leaving rust spots on my dishes. Any way of fixing this? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41064726.tip.html
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Rate It: I'm making a cheesecake for the holidays. It's huge though (13x9), and I expect that I'll have leftovers. It's cooked. Can I freeze it without sacrificing quality? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34035539.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Gloves Out of Old Sweaters I am looking for directions on how to make gloves out of old sweaters with fleece inside of them. Any help would be great. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32046874.tip.html
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Rate It: Ideas for "A Night in Paris" Themed Birthday I am searching for accessories to decorate tables for a Quinceanera, which is a 15th birthday celebration. Our theme is "A Night in Paris". For example small shoes, lady figurines. Hope you can help. Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85904546.tip.html
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Rate It: Tips for Starting an In-Home Daycare I am thinking of starting a daycare in my home. I am looking for people who have done the same and am wondering what would you do different or wished you had known etc? I'm not looking for how to get licensed but a few "tricks of the trade". I know I can do this and make more money than I am now and be home. I have been teaching for 10 years. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74898896.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:
What Have You Done To Save A Penny? We were featured on a call in radio show about thrifty living; Patt Morrison at NPR affiliate KPCC in Los Angeles, CA. They wanted to know how far someone will go to save money. We asked for your stories and here they are! Post your own unusual or funny stories about adopting a frugal lifestyle here.
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