Daily Thrifty Tips - November 28, 2006

Free Photo Organizer From Google

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Sun and smile, in a Norwegian garden. After a hard day . . nice and dry!

By Erling Ottesen from Norway

At 9 Weeks

At 16 Weeks

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Every year after the holidays, I choose a project to help fill the long Winter evenings while watching my favorite TV programs. This is the end result of last Winter's project. It is king size and it took 64 twelve inch Granny squares to complete. It was made mostly from leftover yarn from other projects or purchased at yard sales. I used blue around the edge of each square and also two rows around the bedspread after it was assembled. It is very warm without the weight of a comforter.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Make this quickie for a child using. kids' bubble bath or spray foam. For a teacher, use hand soap or hand sanitizer.

TIME TO MAKE: 10 minutes
COST: About $3.

Materials:

• 1 bottle bubble bath, spray foam, shower gel, or liquid hand soap.
• 1 red hand towel or wash cloth (single hand towels in red are easier to find)
• 1 white bath mesh sponge
• 3 rubber bands, red is best
• Ribbon scraps for trim and tag
• 1 red pom pom
• 1 scrap red card stock
• black marker, tape, tacky glue

Instructions:

1. Attach mesh sponge to front of bottle, about half way down, with rubber band as shown for Santa's "beard."

2. For his hat, fold hand towel in half and wrap around top of bottle, placing the fringe at the top and leaving about 3 inches below for Santa's face... Secure to bottle with second rubber band as shown in photo.

3. Gather fringe and secure with third rubber band.

4. Draw eyes on bottle and attach pom pom for nose with tacky glue.

5. Attach wide ribbon to cover rubber band on bottom of hat with masking tape.

6. Cut out a gift tag and punch a whole in the top. Write: "North Pole Brand Santa Soap".

7. Tie thin ribbon over rubber band on top of hat, leaving 4-inch tails. Attach tag and tie a bow.

By Cindy Bailey from Waynesburg, PA

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We found that the best strategy is this: we spend all year both searching for gifts and spending extra time with the people we love so the gift means more. It is easy to work a little O.T. or use a credit card and buy off someone. Gifts mean a lot more if they meet your interests even if they cost 1/2 as much. Plus! you get time with the people you care about and less at work.

By Jenn

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This occurred purely by chance. I was looking at packages of chicken and trying to select the best one when I noticed that the family size were less per pound than the standard size. I kept on looking, and sure 'nuff, noticed that several of the less expensive family sized ones were actually smaller weights than the standard sized ones.

So I purchased the smallest of the family size and saved about $2.00. Usually the family sized packages are grouped together at the other end of the counter, so I never thought to compare prices.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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When your windshield wipers seem to not be working well, try cleaning them with simple soap and water. Dirt, leaves, and pine needles get stuck there. Also if this doesn't work, try roughing up a little with sand paper. Good as new.

By Katluvsbears from Coatesville, PA

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This low cost facial cleanser is so gentle you can use it every day. If you use it even a few times a week, your complexion will be radiant for the holidays. All you do is dampen a tablespoon of cornmeal with enough water to make a coarse paste. To this paste, add a few drops of liquid hand soap. Now gently massage the mixture all over your face, then rinse with warm water. You'll have the cleanest pores in town. Happy Holidays!

By Marie E. Cecchini from West Dundee, IL

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Any of your kids studying a clarinet or another woodwind with a cork? I just found out that you can use LIP BALM instead of cork grease - cheaper, easier to get and smells better too.

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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I have done this a few times. Ok, my friend said to cut down on electric costs, he shuts off his electric box. This is when he is out for a few hours, and at night before bed. He has noticed a $30.00 savings so far. I know it sounds crazy. But when I leave out for a few hours, I do it also. $15.00 savings so far.

By giftsandbags.com from Miami

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Fudge is easier to cut if you first remove it from the pan. You can do this with a little preparation ahead of time. Butter your pan, and then lay a strip of waxed paper across the pan about 4 - 6 inches wide and long enough to stick out over the edge on each side. Press it down against the buttered pan. Pour your cooked fudge in and let it cool. Invert the pan onto a cutting board or a cookie sheet. Grab the waxed paper "handles" and pull gently. The fudge will drop out of the pan. Lift the pan off and it is ready to cut. No digging out the first couple pieces.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/

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I would like to have a list for the uses of apple cider vinegar?

Linda from Abilene, Texas

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What is the difference between quick cooking oatmeal and old fashioned rolled oats? All of my recipes for oatmeal cookies say to use "quick cooking" oatmeal and all I have is a huge box of old-fashioned rolled oats, can I use that instead?

Paula from Christmas, MI

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How do you make a scarf with the Knifty Knitter?

Melinda from Cypress, TX

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I can't find Dawn Power Dissolver in my stores.

Any ideas?

C. Fisher from Algonquin, IL

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I wonder why there were no instruction manuals in the long loom series that I purchased recently?

Vera from Topeka, KS

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What should I buy a 13 year old girl?

Hans from Florida

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How do you get cat urine out of your carpet?

Tricia from Lima, Ohio

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Does anyone out there know the website that produces the animated Christmas e-cards that feature Chumley the dog? I think it might be the artist's actual website but can't remember the name of the artist. Any info. would be appreciated; thanks!

Lynn from Chico, CA

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I have some dining room chairs that are probably over 40 years old.. The backing on the chairs is mostly caning with a wooden frame. It needs replacing in almost every chair. I am thinking it would be smarter to just buy new dining room chairs. Two of them have already separated within their wooden frames.

The dining room table is still very sturdy. Although, the wood in the chairs and the table match in color, the style isn't an exact duplicate. It simply 'goes together' and was purchased as a set years ago. Suggestions? Comments?

Are you going to tell me that the quality available now is not comparable to this set and that the chairs should repaired at any price? Right now, they are probably not safe to sit in and will require re-caning and re-gluing.. Maybe even some dowel repairing. I'll have the repair person take apart the two that are still holding up, because they are now unsafe. I am thinking this is going to run hundreds of dollars no matter what I do.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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How do you make a chip package shrink in the oven? And what type of chip packet will be required; aluminum, plastic?

Lela from Sydney

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I need a recipe for poppy seed bread made in the bread machine.

Jamish from Ransom, Kansas

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I have a heated polar fleece blanket. It plugs into cigarette lighter. How can I wash this? Is it safe to wash in the washer and then dry in the dryer or do I line dry?

Angi from Kansas City, MO

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Are there any home remedies to get the odor of spoiled milk out of my living room shag carpet? if not, what can I do? The bad smell is putting me in a bad mood.

Jennifer from Olathe, KS

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I need the new Spiegel Deferred Billing Code until 2007. Does anyone have it?

Jackie

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When making homemade air freshening sprays, why do I have to use 91% alcohol? What is wrong with using the 70%?

Gayle from Hoffman Estates, IL

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I am looking for crochet pattern for adolescent girl's hats.

Kookiep from Old Bridge, NJ

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How much fabric do I need to reupholster a lazyboy recliner?

Jess from Crossville, TN

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How do you fill out a rebate from Longs Drugs online?

Jennifer from Sacramento, CA

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A set of pink and white sheets, a set of plain white perma press sheets and a mattress cover got wet and have mildewed. I have washed the mattress cover in TSP and liquid bleach with hot water twice and the smell still won't com out. Any help will be very much appreciated !

Thanks in advance,
Nanci from San Diego

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I would like to ask for recipes for a little 12 lb dog that I want to homecook for her. She has a yeast allergy, therefore I cannot use many foods. If anyone out there has some good recipes I would appreciate getting them. I did use one that was sent to me, but she is now tiring of it. The one sent was chicken with vegetables.

Gloria from Monreal, Quebec, Canada

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I need to make a centerpiece for a holiday party. The centerpiece has to represent a country and the country I am doing is Morocco. I am engaged to a Moroccan and have many moroccan things in my home both large and small. I just need ideas to get started.

Jessi from Richmond, VA

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Can you freeze pumpkin pie that was bought in a store?

Elyse from Freehold, NJ

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Free Firefox Web Browser

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