Daily Thrifty Tips - September 25, 2007

Here are the contest winners for week before last. Photo Contest Winner

Farm Book For Visiting Boys
By Esther from Plainfield, Ohio Tip Contest Winners

Make Sure Ebay is Actually Making You Money
By Victoria from Carpentersville, IL

Frugal Tips For Electric Bill Savings
By Lori from Marion AR Also, here are the My Frugal Life Eassy winners for the first half of last year...

Income Tax Payment Is A Wake Up Call
Laurie from Bemidji, Minnesota

Nickel and Diming My Way to a New Kitchen
Joyce from Lakeland, FL

My Mom's "Lid" Drawer
Becky from Charlotte, NC

My Frugal Life: Watch Where The Money Goes
Lynne from Lynn MA

My Frugal Life: Live Like Good Ol' Grandma
Staci from Amanda, OH Thank you to everyone that took time to submit something!

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Backyard "Drinking" Fountain

Everything from chipmunks, birds and next doors Dalmation enjoy a refreshing drink from our backyard fountain. I rinse it out every morning and clean it throughly weekly or as needed.

I shaped/pruned the butterfly bush to partially surround the fountain. Impatiens surround the base of the fountain. A solar spot light gently illuminates it at night, making it look spectacular day and night.

By Mary Lou from Abingdon, MD

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Boo Boo Bunnies As Shower Favors

Using pastel colored washcloths, roll the facecloth, from one corner to the opposite until they reach the middle. Take the rolled cloth folded evenly in half, the bend at the end to form two ears and put an elastic around it to form a head. You should have a bunny like craft with an oval hole in the back to fill with "The Boo Boo Bunny Saying" and a net bag of candy. You then hot glue on two eyes, a pom pom nose, and a larger pink pom pom for a tail. Tie a pastel colored ribbon around the neck to hide the elastic.

You can print up the saying on a baby printed paper, roll them like a scroll, tie with a ribbon, wrap candy in netting and tie with a ribbon. I also make a giant one for the Mom to be. This is made out of a thin inexpensive bath towel. Measure towel, and cut until you have a perfect square and then make the larger bunny just as you made the smaller ones. And with the extra piece of towel, Cut into smaller baby wash cloths, roll them, tie with a ribbon and stand inside the opening of the bunny! This makes a cute decoration for baby's nursery!

By Jackie from Southern, MA

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Dorm Room Mug Party As Ice Breaker

My daughter was feeling a little unsure of how to fit in at college. She said she was sometimes left out of things. So I suggested that she be the initiator by throwing a party with food so she did. Everyone on her floor came and the ice was broken. Got me to thinking of this easy party idea for the college set. Invitation idea is also attached.

Make Dessert

Cake In A Mug

• 1/3 cup cake mix of your choice
• 4 tablespoons milk (or water if you're desperate)

Topping: 10x sugar (superfine), canned icing, fruit and whipped topping, or make it a sundae party with ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, etc.

Make Hot Drinks

Take Mug Shots

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Bugsy (Domestic Long Hair)

Bugsy is 1 year old, he just had his birthday! He is a Domestic Long Hair. From 50 feet away, I spotted my baby curled up in a ball behind a plexiglass display case at a shameful mall pet store. One look at him, and I pushed to the front of the line and said "I'm taking him home". His fluffy white fur was tinged from lying in a filthy cage, and he had become so immune to children poking at his window that he barely lifted his head when I scooped him in my arms for his ride home.

He has a toy, "blue toy", that he cannot be separated from. He drags blue toy around the house, and brings it in the bed at night (lucky me). It looks like it's gone through the paper shredder, and the bell is gone, but its his favorite. He'll play fetch with "blue toy" until the sun goes down.

Bugsy is the sweetest, funniest, quirkiest cat I've ever known. I have a wrought-iron table in the living room, with metal scrollwork under the glass. Bugsy loves to climb on the metal and hang from it upside down like a monkey. He'll "hang out" like that for upwards of 15 minutes, purring all the while. Bugsy's a cat you just have to know to understand, and I wish everyone loved their pet as much as I do!

By Sarah from Portland, OR

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Use Conditioner Instead Of Shampoo

I learned this from a Dermatologist. Use conditioner instead of shampoo it has surfacants in it which clean the hair. Your hair needs to withdraw from shampoo so will take some time and look a bit greasy at first but it adjusts and looks shiny and great. No harsh chemicals either. Use cruelty free products too!

By Cat from Adelaide

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Make Up A Loaf Of French Toast For Later

A quick, easy and appreciated breakfast is to make up a whole loaf of French toast. Let it cool and rebag it in the breadsack. Refrigerate it and when you want it, simply put it in the toaster. There you have it! Add your syrup and enjoy!

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Old Clothesline as a Garden Trellis

Plant any kind of vining plant below an old clothesline. As the plant grows, you can anchor it to the pole with string or yarn. When it reaches the top of the pole, you can train it across the clothesline itself by attaching it to the line with clothespins. I planted a wild blackberry bush under my old line and it not only looks great, but it's easier to harvest the berries each year.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Use Packaged Marshmallows for Mailing

When mailing cookies or breakable items to family and friends, use packaged marshmallows and crumpled newspaper to help cushion the item. That way your family and friends get two extra treats, marshmallows to eat and news from your hometown.

By LuvtoCook from Wilkesboro, NC

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Bury Wet Garbage In Your Garden

A good way to enrich your garden soil and help out the earth is to bury your "wet" garbage. I bury my apple, orange, potato peels, etc. in my garden. We can't have a compost heap, but I've found this works just as well.

By Phyllis from Cheektowaga, NY

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Center Prop for a Sagging Clothesline

We all know you can save a ton of money hanging out your wash instead of using the dryer. I recently started doing this, but realized that my clotheslines sagged when I put anything heavy on it or when they were completely full.

To create a clothesline prop pole, I found two old metal poles that were previously used for a canopy over an outside swing. The poles fit together perfectly. Then I got a metal hanger and cut just enough of it to make an "M" shape at the top of the pole. We drilled a very small hole near the top and allowed part of the metal hanger to come out of it and wrapped it around the pole for extra support of the "M". Fortunately, I didn't have to cut the poles as they were the perfect length. Now when the clothesline sags, I just prop the pole underneath it and my sheets and towels no longer lay on the grass.

By Deanna from Cedar Park

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Mark Keys with Nail Polish

If you carry a lot of keys, put a drop of bright pink or red nail polish on the key you use the most, so that you can spot it quickly.

By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Homemade Face Moisturizer

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. plain whole yogurt
• 1 tsp. of honey
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1,000 mg. vitamin E capsule

Directions:

By Birthaleen from Burbank, CA

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Cleaning Artificial Hair Pieces

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to clean artificial hair pieces?

The ones I have are from QVC or HSN - from Tony Brattin. I love them, they really are great.

I tried to used diluted shampoo but when they dried they were tangled and dull.

I tried conditioner, but no luck.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

:) Smoochie from Houston, TX

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Using Brown Pill Bottles For Crafts

Does anyone know of a way to use the brown pill bottles as an arts and crafts project?

Theresa from Hibbing, MN

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Do Disabilty Checks Need To Be Paid Back After Retirement?

I have heard that if you receive disability checks BEFORE you reach retirement age, you have to pay that back AFTER you reach retirement age. This friend of mine was on disability for a whole year before she reached retirement age and now that she is retired she received a letter in the mail saying that her Social Security checks were only going to be HALF of what she should be getting until all of the money that they gave her for disability is paid back. Is this normal? I'm very anxious to know the answer to this because I'm on disability myself and I'm only 45 years old. If anyone knows the answer to this, please reply.

Thank you very much.

Linda from Austin, TX

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Using Bed Sheets As Tablecloths

A lot of people told me I can use bed sheets for tablecloths at my wedding reception!

What size bed sheets can you use for banquet tables sized 60" and 70" round? And for 6ft and 8ft rectangle tables?

AKIYIA from GA

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Painting Counter Tops To Look Like Granite

How do you do paint counter tops to have the appearance of granite?

Shelli from Buford, GA

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Cleaning Mystery Yellow Stain From White Clothing

Almost every piece of white clothing I own has a mysterious yellow stain on it. I think it might be rust from the washer, but I'm not sure. The stains' are very small, but I notice them. Anyways, does anyone know how I can get them out?


Kristen from Tempe, AZ

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When To Start Leash Training Dachshunds

When and how should I start leash training my two dachshunds. The are about 12 weeks.

Shana from Pasadena, CA

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Preserving & Cleaning Old Reversible Silk Jacket

While cleaning out a closet, I found a jacket my grandmother gave my father at least 50 years ago. The jacket is reversible: one side is sapphire blue with silver sleeves, a white eagle and peach colored flowers (I'm sure the flowers are cherry blossoms so the original color was probably pink). The other side is black with beige sleeves (I'm sure the original color of the sleeves was silver), a white and red dragon, and a white Mt. Fuji. The collar and cuffs are a thick cotton knit but everything else is PURE SILK. The jacket is in great shape except for age discoloration. There are no washing instructions. How do I clean it without ruining the fabric or making the colors run? I've heard too many dry cleaner horror stories to go that route. Would Woolite or one of those home dry cleaning kits work? My dad died a year ago and I remember how striking he looked in the jacket, I really want to preserve it. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Peanuts from Virginia

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Looking For Review of Cover Girl Advanced Radiance

Does anybody know if Cover Girl's "Advanced Radiance" cream foundation is any good? I have extremely dry skin, most foundations look like chalk on me and I can't afford to keep throwing makeup away. Does anybody remember Cover Girl's "Moisturewear" or "Replenishing" lines? Those were great makeups! Is there anything equivalent to those?

Peanuts from Virginia

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Recipe For Tuna Melt With Bisquit Dough

As a teenager in high school, I learned to make tuna melt with biscuit dough thats all I remember help please. Thank You.

Carmen from Racine, Wisconsin

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Converting a Twin Bed Into a Ragrug Loom

Can I convert a single/twin timber bed frame into a ragrug loom? If so, how?

I have reused every part of the bed except the frame and I have tons of fabric samples. A rag rug for my veranda would be great!

Robyn from Australia

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Replacing Pulley on Riding Lawn Mower

The drive pulley on my MTD riding lawn mower broke. I removed the bolt that holds it on. Do I have to have a "puller" to remove the pulley or just will power and a hammer?

R.Wilson from Emmett, ID

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Health Advice For Dealing With 2 Year Old With Ink On Body & Face

My 2 year old woke up with ink all over his face and body. It seems that he had a broken ink pen in his bed and rolled around on it all night. My biggest worry is it is by his eyes. Can anyone help? Thank you.

Theresa from Rochelle, IL

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Where To Purchase Mood Ring

Does anyone know where I can purchase a mood ring that changes color according to my mood? I had one in 1977.

Birthaleen from Burbank Ca

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How To Tie Dye?

Hey all you crafters out there, can anyone tell me how to tie dye tee shirts? I have two that have stains and want to continue to wear them via tie dye.

Birthaleen from Burbank ca

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Ideas For Quick Workout

Any ideas for a quick exercise program that keeps one in reasonably good shape? I'm healthy, but occasionally run out of time for my usual 30 minutes a day & would like something that prevents me from feeling like a total slug!

Any websites or suggestions?

Liz

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2 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas With Sports Theme

My son is turning 2 in Nov. It's a sports theme. I need ideas.

Brandie

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Help Getting a Refrigerator

I am in need of a refrigerator ASAP. Mine went out two weeks ago and I have been buying bags of ice to keep what little food I can in there cool. I am a single mom with two young children on a fixed income and would appreciate any help at all with this matter. Thank you and God Bless.

Kris from Canton, Ohio

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Is This a Butterfly Bush?

Is this a butterfly bush? Thanks, really trying to identify what I have at my new house.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Linda from Bellevue, NE

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Is this a Geranium?

What is this plant? Sure resembles a very tall Geranium.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Linda from Bellevue, NE

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"Wake Me Up" Breakfasts

Breakfast has become boring. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Recipe For TNT Beet Soup

I went to a yoga retreat this summer and they served this wonderful beet soup, which I had never had. It was blended together and vegetarian.

So, I'm looking for a TNT beet soup. Anyone out there making this?

NeeNoon from Quebec, Canada

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Eggplant Recipes

I have a lot of eggplant any good ideas.

Antoinette Perry from Hawaii

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Removing Hair Dye from the Bathroom Wall

Does anyone know how to remove hair dye splatters on bathroom paint?

I used vinegar and soft scrub but only had luck getting the dye off the painted walls.

These two didn't work on the painted cabinet, which is weird because the paint here is a kind of gloss and you'd think the dye would come off easier.

The dye came off easier on the walls which were painted with flat paint.

Thanks for your help!!

:) Smoochie from Houston, TX

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Easy Pie Crust Recipe

Would like to make a simple pie crust.

Antoinette from Hawaii

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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

About 1 Million Simplicity Cribs Recalled Due To Failures Resulting in Infant Deaths

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing today a voluntary recall with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., of about 1 million cribs. The drop-side can detach from the crib, which can create a dangerous gap and lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC is aware of two deaths in Simplicity manufactured cribs with older style hardware, including a 9-month-old child and a 6-month-old child, where the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is also aware of seven infant entrapments and 55 incidents in these cribs.

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Saving Money on Bank Fees

Tips for saving money on bank fees.

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