Daily Thrifty Tips - January 10, 2007

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Up the Stairs

This is my 18 month old granddaughter Hannah who has discovered our staircase. "I think I can, I think I can!" She gets to the top of the staircase of 13 stairs. The stairs lead to our bedroom/bath suite which is a converted attic. The staircase goes straight up with little incline! When she got up to the top of the stairs, her grandfather "Bubba" was there to greet her and help her "go down on her bootie" (sitting down) to teach her how to come down the staircase! Really Cute!!

We have a gate that we constructed to deter her from going up the stairs but this time, she got through the open gate!

Hey Bubba, Let's Swap Drinks!

She was sitting on the couch with her grandfather, "Bubba", he was holding her cup and she had taken his soda bottle! It was really cute the little smirk on her face. Ha ha!...I got your drink!

Watching Curious George

She loves to watch Curious George on DVD or on the computer; we give her the DVD jackets for her to pick out. She sits in her baby swing. We put snacks on the tray. She sits very quietly and watches the movies (Einstein, Veggie Tales or Curious George). She has learned to "swing" herself by grabbing the bars on the swing and pushing back!

By WandaJo from Tennessee

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Allie (short for Alegría, "joy" in Spanish) is my sister and brother-in-law's new dog. She is a rescue from the Animal Shelter. Allie is one year old and 48 pounds. They say she looks like a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, but who knows, she was a stray so no one knows for sure. She joins their cat family, Merlyn and Guy Noir who aren't real sure about the whole thing.

Welcome to the family, Allie!

Susan from ThriftyFun

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Last summer just after Easter I purchased a dozen little straw hats just the size for dolls from a sale rack. They were just drab straw colored so I decided to paint them. Then to go a step further I hot glued them onto skewers and a few old pieces of throw away wood scraps I had around to make colorful plant stakes. I stuck them into the ground where my new rose bushes were just taking off. They added such pretty colors and lots of conversation interest for my friends and neighbors! Look everyone! Blooming Bonnets!

By Kimi Sunshine from Nashville, TN

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Homemade Clothing Craft

Equipment:

• 75g aran yarn
• 6mm straight needles or size needed to get required tension
• Darning needle

Tension: 20 sts x 10 rows = 9cm x 5cm

Pattern:

CO 40sts
K2 P2 across for 15 rows
Next row: P2tog P2tog *K2 P2* rep from * to * until 4 sts remain, K2tog K2tog
P2 K2 across for 10 rows
Next row: K2tog K2tog *P2 K2* rep from * to * until 4 sts remain, P2tog P2tog
K2 P2 across for 10 rows
Next row: P2tog P2tog *K2 P2* rep from * to * until 4 sts remain, K2tog K2tog
P2 K2 across for 10 rows

Shape thumbhole
*P2 K2* rep from * to * for 14 sts, place remaining 14 sts on holder
First row: K2 P2 to end
Second row: P2 K2 to end
Repeat these two rows once more, place sts on holder and break yarn
Transfer sts from first holder onto needle, K2 P2 to end
First row: P2 K2 to end
Second row: K2 P2 to end
Repeat these two rows one more
P2 K2 across all sts, including those on the holder.
P2 K2 for 9 more rows
BO all sts.

To finish:

Edge thumbhole using buttonhole stitch
With right sides together, sew along long sides of glove
Weave in all ends

Notes:

It is best to use a fairly stretchy method of casting-on and off
A neater edge to the piece is formed if you sl the first st of every row p-wise instead of knitting/purling it, but do not do this for the thumb-hole.

By Beth from England

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Save lint from dryer, "cardboard" egg cartons (not the styrofoam ones) and old candle pieces or crayons. Put lint in each egg cup. Melt the candle pieces in an old coffee can. Pour melted wax into egg cups. Let dry, break apart and use to start your fires!

By Beejay from Whittier, CA

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Not all your holiday paper/ribbon has to be put away. Red, green, gold, etc. can be used by themselves for other occasions throughout the year.

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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I have found a great way to save money on lipstick. I always use a lip brush to apply my lipstick, that way I control how much I want to apply every time. Also, using a lip brush, I am able to get that last little bit out of the tube, before tossing it in the trash.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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The perfect accessory for a little boy's room is a transportation-themed lampshade. Just spray paint a lampshade black to look like asphalt. Randomly arrange roadway and street-sign stickers, then hot glue a few toy cars onto the shade. The airplane is affixed to the harp of this lamp with spring wire so it will have some bounce and movement.

By IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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Online bill pay is a good idea. But it is also a good idea to keep getting the paper statements too. You can do one of two things with them. Watch the balances disappear as you pay them on time. Or have a wake-up call when you look at them each month at the balances going up and interest and the finance charges you are incurring. Do better this year! http://www.NoDebt4U.org

By Brenda from Peachtree City, GA

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Make a New Year's resolution to clean out your medicine chest and dispose of any expired medications, pills, salves and ointments. This will keep you healthier in 2007! Don't forget to replace expired medications, purchase one each time you go to the store so as not to break the bank!

While you are at it, schedule your checkup, pap-smear, mammogram, digital rectal exam (men), labwork, bone density scan, etc., to take advantage of your health insurance! Schedule early as it may take several months to get an appointment. That way you'll have met your deductible early in the year!

Have a Healthy new year!

By Diana from Prospect, KY

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If you get plastic canvas that smells bad, try putting it in a sink full of hot water and dish soap. Let it set for an hour, take it out and put it on a towel. This also works with plastic canvas that is not flat. Put it in the sink and, when taking it out, put it on a towel and cover with something heavy. That will make it flat useable. I buy plastic canvas at yard sales and Goodwill and have to do this sometimes to be able to use it. I get some really good deals on it because people don't think it can be used.

By Barbara from Rothbury, Michigan

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I hate peeling oranges, the white stuff always gets stuck under my nails and then I end up smelling like oranges all day! So I recycle my bread bags or plastic zipper bags by sticking my hand in them and then peeling my oranges. Works like a dream!

By Amanda from Bloomer, WI

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To defrost a freezer easily, try this: First, turn if off or unplug. Remove the contents. Next, blow on the ice with a hairdryer, one small section at a time. The ice will usually melt quickly and you can remove a large chunk of it before it turns to water. Use a clean dust pan to scoop ice loose and dump. Cuts your time in half or better.

By Laura from Elberta, AL

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With so much snow everywhere, this is a timely tip to make sure the birds have a source of food. Place a few old cookie sheets or other shallow pans around the area where you feed the birds. Scatter feed on the pans during snowy weather. If the snow covers the feed, just empty them on the ground and refill them. When the snow melts, they will find the seed that you have dumped. In the meantime, they will be able to find food. I use large shallow trays and pans year round, but it is especially important in the Winter.

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 am looking for ways to recycle CDs.

JUNEBUG from FAYETTEVILLE, WC

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Does anyone out there have a recipe for homemade lamp oil? If you do I sure would appreciate it. Thanks again folks.

Jamish from Ransom, Kansas

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I have Confederate Jasmine on my fence. It has brown spots on it and the leaves are turning brown and falling off. Can you help?

Hardiness Zone: 10b

Thanks you,
Jaclyn from Tampa FL

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We have moved into a house in the country with a well. Shortly after moving in, we began to smell an egg smell in our water as it comes out of the tap. I read elsewhere that this is an aeration problem in the water supply, but no advice was given for a homeowner to remedy this. Any solutions out there?

Rebecca from North Branch, MN

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Can you freeze flavored popcorn, like from Harry and David?

Thanks,
Joan from St. Louis

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I need help with the color of our kitchen countertop! We had white cabinets and dark navy blue walls. We just did the tile floors a tan/beige neutral color. We are stumped on what color to go with on the countertops. The countertops will be against white board and white cabinets and navy walls!

R Noah from Northern KY

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I am looking for free knifty knitter patterns (baby blankets, Booties, slippers and throws).

Heather from Tipton, IA

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Where can I get a Dooney and Burke bag repaired?

mjuchn3

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We purchased a fabric sofa some time back. The sofa is in good condition but it had a peculiar smell. We hired an upholstery cleaner to clean the sofa. He shampooed and steam cleaned it. But the odor still remains. Can someone please suggest how to get rid of the smell?

Thanks in Advance for you time,
Vaishali from San Diego

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Can I freeze cooked spelt?

Anita from Vancouver, BC

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It can be difficult to put masking tape on hinges to keep paint off them. Instead, cover them with petroleum jelly. Any paint that gets on them will be easy to wipe off, even after the paint dries.

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I am painting my son's room and want am using a dark blue and grey combination. Which wall(s) would you typically paint the blue?

Lynn from N. Potomac, MD

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What sort of roots does a pyrocanthus have?

smithy157 from UK

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I am looking for a high quality low cost alternative to the pet foods we currently buy. Last summer I researched a lot about pet foods, and actively looked for one with veggie ingredients besides high quality protein sources, and NO CORN. That is hard to find. We are now buying Harvest Baked for the dog and Blue Buffalo for the cats, both of which are from Petsmart and both are quite expensive. Any hints or tips on where to get pet food without corn?

Rebecca from North Branch, MN

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Can you use vanilla in a rice bag?

Mandy from Perry, IA

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Does anyone have the website for finding the coupons from the sunday paper? it also matches up with the stores that have the items on sale. I have the one with the coupons only.

Thanks!
Kim from Howell, NJ

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I washed some white clothing with my girlfriends red dress, how do I remove the pink colouration from the clothing without destroying the other colours on my shirt?

Neville from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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I need some ideas for uses for the plastic bags that drapes and tablecloths come in. They are square and zippered. I have also gotten comforters in them. I do reuse them for storing the comforters but I have found I have a few from drapes and they seem too good to throw away, but I can't think what to do with them.

Thanks,
Timmie from St. Louis, MO

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Don't mess around with cleaning brushes and paint tools inside your home. Take them directly outside, being careful not to drip inside the house, and clean them on your lawn with a hose. If your paint is not water based, you can still save yourself a mess by cleaning up outside or in your garage.

By Fisher

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Where is a garden should carrots be planted?

Hardiness Zone: 11

Penny from Johanesburg, South Africa

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We want to plan a great surprise birthday party for our friend but we don't have any ideas. Can you suggest some?

Nic, Bobz and Charl

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Can I make a homemade recipe with lemon oil and vinegar for my furniture?

Carol from Fayetteville, NC

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I saw several journal covers made from beer cartons and am trying to find a pattern or directions for making some. Can anyone help?

Clare from Ketchikan, Alaska

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I have knotty pine cabinets that are 40 years old and very greasy. What home method can I use to get them clean and not make them sticky?

Uncle Al from Tennessee

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I'm a newspaper carrier and get many tips and gifts at Christmas time. I like to put some little handmade gift in the thank you notes but I've run out of ideas. This year I gave candy cane horses. I have between 550 and 600 customers. I need to get started right away! I need some ideas!

Thanks,
M. Donna from Dayton, OH

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