Daily Thrifty Tips - July 17, 2008

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. I wanted to take a moment to call attention to a wonderful blog on My Frugal Life. It's Pam's Pennypinching With STYLE. Pam is a long time reader of ThriftyFun and is the most prolific My Frugal Life blogger. Keep up the great work Pam!

Pam's Pennypinching With STYLE
http://www.myfrugallife.com/blog_pamphyila.html

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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Lacey (Cocker Spaniel)

Lacey is 6 months old and is a Cocker Spaniel. We just got her a week ago. She loves to play with her toys, sleep and run in the yard.

By imaqt1962 from Illinois

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Dad's Birthday Cake

On my husband's birthday, our daughter decided to bake him a cake and decorate it herself. She was 10. This was the best cake he had ever received.

By Karyn from Ottawa, Canada

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Baby Footprint and Poem

I found this footprints poem on the Internet. I did a foot print of my daughter's foot, then once it dried, scanned it to the computer. I then used a graphic program, added the poem and pasted the footprint.

You could make this for Daddy or Mommy.

By Karyn from Ottawa, Canada

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Frame Your Own Photography

Use your own photos to frame and display!

I photographed quite a few flowers and put them in an album. I framed several to display. When I want to change I just remove them and replace them with others I have collected in my album.

By Jean from Forest Lake MN

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Keeping Your Yoga Mat Clean

There are a few ways you can clean your yoga mat, here are a couple of ideas:

Yoga Mat Spray

Most people believe that vinegar and water will do the trick, so after a class, just spray this on lightly and airdry then roll up!

Mix 3 parts water to one part vinegar in a spray bottle. Thats it! You may use a couple of drops of lavender, eucalyptus or tea tree as they all have anti bacterial properties.

Deep Clean

If your mat needs a deep clean, ad a tiny amount of mild soap in a bathtub and soak mat. Hang to dry. That's it!

By Lisa from Halifax, NS

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Cleaning Your Microwave

Cleaning the inside of your microwave. Place a cup of water in the microwave, turn on the microwave, but keep an eye on the water level until the water is almost evaporated. Maybe 2-3 minutes. The moisture from the water will loosen anything that has spilled over, or blown up. Remove cup, wipe out microwave.

Source: I discovered this one day heating water for instant coffee.

By Robin Z. from Gothenburg, Sweden

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Safe Light Bulb Disposal

We've all seen how a glass light bulb will shatter when dropped. I've also seen what happens when a bulb is broken in a plastic garbage bag; it shreds the bag and the garbage falls out. I've learned to save clean, empty plastic peanut butter jars for use when I change a light bulb. I immediately put the old light bulb into the jar and put the lid on, then put it in the trash. There's no need to worry about breakage. I also use a jar when I clean up broken glass. It prevents the garbage bag from breaking open from the broken glass.

The new energy saving light bulbs we have now have mercury in them, so they should NOT go into the garbage when they wear out. They can also be put in a clean plastic jar and disposed of properly. In some cities, you can take them to the fire department for disposal because they are considered hazardous material. Your best bet is to call the company that handles your garbage pick up. BE SAFE!

By Dianne from Wilsonville, OR

Editor's Note: Fluorescent tubes also have mercury in them and probably a lot more because they are bigger. Make sure to take care of them as hazardous waste, also.

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Use Old Magazines As A "Step Stool"

Make the extra couple or so inches you need to be able to reach the tops of your cabinets from folded rolled magazines, catalogs or newspapers!

Very Simple! Just take out the staples (if there are any) and fold the double page top to bottom and then in 1/2 and 1/2 again until it is the height you want (I like mine to be an inch to inch and 1/2) and roll them.

I like it better to fold all the pages first then secure them with small tabs of tape or glue.

When you are finished, secure the end. Add a cord if you like so it can hang in the kitchen pantry or on the back porch where you know they will always be!

I made 2 of them today for this purpose and one is a little smaller around than the other so when I stack them for added height, they are more stable! Better than having to lug out the step stool for just one thing!

Source: This method of paper crafting was originally seen by me as a magazine bowl where the paper strips are done the same way !

By Melody_yesterday from Sedalia, MO

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Use Q-Tips To Get Every Bit Of Foundation

When my liquid foundation is down to the bottom, I use q-tips to get the remaining foundation out. I am able to get every drop out of my foundation bottle!

Source: I started doing it myself.

By Anne A. from Corvallis, OR

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Centerpieces for Blue and Gold Cub Scout Banquet

For my son's Blue and Gold Cub Scout Banquet we needed to make a centerpiece that reflected both the B and G theme as well as the fact that they were tiger cubs.

I purchased a variety of flower pots, 2 larger pots (there were 2 tables) and one each of 3 different sized smaller pots for each boy in the den. One was the largest of the smaller pots available, one was the 2nd to the smallest I could find, and 2 each were the smallest I could find. I painted them all white (as the paint kept bleeding when I tried without doing this) then painted every pot orange except the medium small pots which I left white.

I hot glued the pots together to make them look like little tigers. Then I had the boys paint their own stripes on the tigers, and glue on the google eyes.

We stuffed the bottoms of the medium pots with floral foam, then stuck 12 inch dowel rods which my son and I painted metallic blue and pearlized yellow into each. We then stuck each tiger head into blue and yellow craft sand that we used to fill the 2 larger pots that were also painted with the blue and yellow paint.

They turned out great, however my camera didn't work very well when I tried to get a picture of them. They were really cute. And the boys had a blast making them.

By Freemommy from Shakopee, MN

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Store "Emergency" Eggs In The Freezer

When you return home with fresh eggs from the market, whip up a couple and pour them into a small ziplock freezer bag or freezer proof container and store them in the freezer on reserve for a just-in-case emergency like this:

Has this ever happened to you? You're baking a cake or cooking a dish that calls for eggs. You go to the fridge to grab a few eggs only to find that you are out of them. This has happened to me a few times and sometimes I either forgot to buy eggs when at the market, or cannot get to a market at the time. To safeguard myself from this I came up with this idea and it has been a safety net for me until I can get to the market. I have not kept them in the freezer for longer than 2 months at a time as I didn't want them to go to waste, but doing this has worked for me and I wanted to share this tip with all of you.

Source: Extra note: I thaw the eggs by sitting the container or ziplock bag in a container of tepid water and they cook/bake well and taste as if they have never been frozen at all.

By sbb1 from Umm al Quain, UAE

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Kids And Crafts: Keep It Simple

The best craft material is gathered on a hike in the woods or a trip to the beach by the children themselves. Provide glue, wool pieces, paper cups and plates, craft sticks (Popsicle sticks), bottle caps, cloves, and whatever you find in your cupboards that you are not using: acrylic paints and brushes, wax paper to put small amounts of paint on, plain newsprint paper for easy cleanup of the craft table and to paint pictures on (perhaps using a pine cone brush).

Sit down with the children and find your inner child by creating a mythical person or animal or whatever your heart desires. The children will amaze you with what they create. Together you can make up a crazy play about all your newly created friends and perform the play for family and friends. With all these supplies on the craft shelf, the kids will return time and time again to CREATE.

By Christine from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

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Wholesome Juice Spritzers

Juice Spritzers are a great way for you and your kids to drink more water. Simply mix half juice and half sparkling water together in any container or glass. I prefer one with an easy close top, like an old Gatorade bottle, that way I can take it where ever I go and it won't spill)

The sparkling water can be bought in the aisle where they sell pop. It's just carbonated water, but don't buy "Club Soda" because it contains salt which will dehydrate you.

I love these juice spritzers! I've been drinking twice as much water ever since I've started adding half orange juice to my sparkling water. It's such a refreshing treat, especially when it's ice cold! And cranberry, grape, or tropical juice is just as good. Try them all!

By Cyinda from near Seattle

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Identifying Insect Bites

Recently I noticed that my daughter had what appeared to be insect bites. However, when I looked closely I noticed that they have a black dot in the center and little red bumps all around them. When I try to touch them it seems to hurt. Does anyone have any idea of what this could be?

Nely from Chicago, IL

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Patterns For Plastic Canvas Whirly Gigs

I am looking for patterns for plastic canvas to make whirly gigs. The things you hang off your porch (for instance) that the wind twirls around. They might be called something else, not sure. Can anyone help me? I am also new to using a PC and would like to be directed to some sites that might have patterns or info. Thanks! I LOVE this site!

Linda from Adirondack Mtns, NYS

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Baby Boom Couple Wanting To Down Size

Baby boom couple wanting to down size. We want to sell antiques, Xmas tree decorations, tree, chain saw, Waterford collections, Lionel train set and tracks. Lots of other stuff. What is my best avenue to accomplish this in the next 6 months?

Gwen

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Removing Black Dye from a Metal Watch

How can I remove black dye from my white metal watch?

Shawaun from Gurnee, IL

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Rescuing Baby Rabbits!

These rabbits were discovered by a dog! They appear unharmed by the dog but I brought them home just in case. They fit in the palm of my hand. What solid food do they start on? What do I feed them if they are not eating solid food?

Stella from WA

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What Breed Is My Dog?

We got a puppy a few days ago and the person we got him from said he was a chihuahua mix. Once he got home, we started trying to guess what he was mixed with. We see no chihuahua, but can't begin to guess what the mix is. Does anyone have an idea of what he might be?

Emily

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What Breed Is My Dog?

My family and I adopted Lilly about 2 weeks ago. I am curious to know if she is pit bull. She resembles a lot of pits but we're not too sure. She has beautiful green eyes. If anyone has any feedback on what she may have in her, I would be glad to hear it! Thanks.

Sue from North Carolina

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Electric Smoke Detector Won't Stop Beeping

Did you get a response about how to get into your smoke alarm to change battery and silence the beeping? It's driving me mad and I can't slide the cover off at all. If it wasn't pitch dark and stormy outside here in Western Australia, I'd find a gardening implement and smash the alarm to pieces. There are 4 other alarms in the house, I can do without this one for a bit. Any info would be gratefully received.

Fionna

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Dog With an Ear Infection

Looking for a treatment for dog ear infections.

Brenda from San Diego

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Trouble Growing Pepper Plants

I am having trouble with my potted pepper plants. The leaves keep dropping off and look horrible. Attached is an image of what they look like. I can't tell if it is a disease or some bug eating them. Thank you in advance for any help or ideas!

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Angela from Painesville, OH

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Removing Grout from Tile

My husband made a mess with grout in the bathroom around the tub when laying new tile. Is there a way to remove all the old grout while leaving the tile intact? The grout was not sealed and he did not finish cleaning the grout off the top of the tile. Now it is hardened on the tile. I want to redo it right, while he is deployed. It is a jacuzzi tub with a tile surround so there is a lot of tile grout to be removed.

Anna from Arkansas

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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

How To Make Beaded Earrings

If you're bored with just beading bracelets and simple necklaces, try taking the next step and start making beaded earrings. You just need an ear hook with a loop to connect to. Then you need an earring body, or something to decorate. Then you need the decoration, otherwise known as beads!

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