When you subscribe to my newsletter "The Budget Stretcher" you will receive this easy guide to effectively organizing and managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click the below link to learn more:

More Information:
http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/confirmsubs.html

Today's Photos

Making a Bottle Cutting Jig

Here are instructions for making a jig to help hold and cut bottles.

Bottle Cutting Jig Instructions

Materials:

5 ft. of Number 2 (1 by 4) pine board (pick a good straight one)
8 1-5/8 or 2 inch deck screws
Wood glue
Stain
Polyurethane
1 wooden school ruler

Tools:

Sander
Clamp
1/8 drill bit
Electric drill / driver
An electric saw of your choice

Step one:

Bottle Cutting Jig Instructions

Cut wood in following dimensions:

2 pieces, 18 inches long
1 piece, 12 inches long
1 piece, 7 inches long

Step 2:

Glue and screw the two 18 inch pieces into a "V" Shape. Don't worry that one is going to be higher than the other.

Bottle Cutting Jig Instructions

The "V" shape

On our first attempt, we put the taller board to the back in assembly.

Step 3:

Glue and screw the 7-inch piece to the bottom. This is the bottle stop. Take special note that the bottom of the "V" and the bottom edge of the stop are even. This will assure good stability, I also left 3/4 of an inch between the front of the "V" and the front of the stop. This is done so that the 12 inch piece will also butt up against the stop and run across the front edge of the "V". A screw at a downward angle attaches the front plate to the "V", making sure not to stick out the inside of the "V". The 12-inch board is nailed to the shorter side to act as a hand rest for cutting the bottles.

Sand all corners and edges to make it user friendly. Attach the wooden school ruler along front edge for making exact cuts. Stain if you like, but a coat or two of polyurethane should help make this a lasting project and easier to use. That's all there is, folks.

To Make The Tapper

Materials:

1 piece of 1/2 inch steel rod, cut to 14 inches
1 ground rod connector

Bottle Cutting Jig Instructions
This is a picture of the tapper all together

I put two small bends as shown to be able to reach the bottle sides without hitting the neck. I rounded the end of the rod so it will contact the bottle with no sharp edges. I did this with a bench grinder but you could also file it round. To attach the ground rod, I replaced the short bolt with a longer one and slit the top to be able to solder in a washer so you could tighten without a wrench. This makes the tapper adjustable for any size bottle.

Bottle Cutting Jig Instructions

Bottle Cutting Jig Instructions
These are close-up pictures of bottle tapper parts.

Instructions for using Bottle Cutting Jig:

Materials:

One Bottle Cutting Jig
One Glass Cutter from hardware store, the kind used to cut flat glass

Lay bottle in Jig, making sure that bottom of bottle is firmly against bottle stop. Score with bottle cutter, resting hand on the hand rest. Score and then rotate the bottle. Do not repeatedly score bottle as this is a waste of time and makes the bottle harder to cut. Repeat this until you are all the way around the bottle. Insert tapper and gently tap around the score line until you hear a small cracking sound. Continue until bottle is apart.

Note To Users: Be ready to tap the cut soon after scoring. Any lapsed time and, believe it or not, the glass will heal and be almost impossible to break.

By Debra and Leo Frick (Colorado)

Post Feedback: Click Here

Panda (Boston Terrier)

Panda is an 8 month old Boston Terrier. We purchased her in June when she was 14 weeks old.

She loves to play outside. She will chew on sticks, leaves, and rocks and likes to chase squirrels.

She loves to eat raw carrots and apples. She is truly a blessing and a joy. She is pictured here with my daughter, Rachel.

By Angela from Wilkesboro, NC

Post Feedback: Click Here

Contests!

Tip Contest
Submit a Tip or Recipe!
Photo Contest
Submit a tip with photo!

The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

My Frugal Life

Frugal Travel Guides
Submit a Frugal Travel Guide

Today's Tips

Organizing Coupons

Here are some common household items you can use to help keep your coupons organized.

Paper Clips: Easy for the cashier to handle at the check out.

Envelope: Take a junk mail envelope and stick it to the fridge with a magnet. Put coupons you want to redeem the next time you go to the store in it and your list on the envelope.

Note Card Box: A note card box works well. Many have A to Z dividers. I see these a lot at garage sales.

Old Check Book: Easy to carry with you and convenient at the check out.

Accordion File: They make accordion-style files for cancelled checks that work well for coupons. You can sort them by aisle or the month that they expire.

Clothespin: Works well for keeping the coupons together while you shop.

More ideas . . .

Use A Highlighter

Highlight the expiration date with yellow marker.

Luzianaboy

Keep With Your List

I store my coupons in an old paper check box and put them in a notebook with my list when I shop!

Alekscat the frugal feline in Richmond,VA

Organizing With Envelopes

I have any envelope for each month and sort by expiration date. This way I can use them before they expire.

Judy

Make Your Own Zipper Pouch And Keep In Your Car

I make my own zipper pouch (fake leather vinyl) for my coupons, I punched two holes, inserted a gromet and used a leather thong so I can slip it over my shoulder if I want to. I do not carry a purse. Determine the size that best works for you! Save the envelopes that you get with bills, seal the flap inside the envelope, and label the type of coupon you put in it. Then put the envelope into your coupon pouch, with the address facing the back. You can use these to section your coupon pouch. You can also reuse some of your incoming mail envelopes too! Add some scotch tape at the top edges for stability, since you will be thumbing through them often. Keep the labeling simple" i.e. Candy, Beverage, Bakery Items, Canned and Jar Items, Frozen Food, Meat & Cold Products, Ice Cream, Miscellaneous and boxed items, Soap and Household items, Paper Goods, Personal Items, and FREE Coupons. Don't worry about expiration dates because you always get new ones. Once a month while watching TV, sort your coupons and discard the expired ones.

Most Important: Be sure to keep your coupon pouch under the front seat of your car (or in your glove box), so you will "always" have the coupons with you. You never know when you might need them!

By Syd

Keep Coupons, Club Cards And Receipts Together

I use a kangaroo ziploc bag. It hold my coupons in one pouch, frequent shopper cards in another and receipts in another. It is stuck to my fridge with a magnet!

By homeschoolin_mum

Organizing Coupons With Sales

A way I save time and keep from wasting coupons is to scour the grocery ads as soon as they come in. I have a list that I keep with different stores' names listed in different sections (only ones that aren't too far). When I see an item on sale that I use, I go through my coupons and hopefully find one, then paperclip the coupon on the paper under the store's name. I make a grocery run once a week and hit all of the stores close by and save lots of money.

By Lisa

Keep Your Coupons In The Car

Always leave your clipped coupons in the car. This way you will always have them on hand when you need them, not at home.

By Karen

Organize With A Coupon Divider

I keep my coupons in a coupon divider (small accordian). I label specific foods/areas under their section, dairy, cleaning, pet, etc... When I first cut them out, I write the expiration date with a flair pen on the coupon so I can readly see it when in a hurry. Then I divide and file in specifc area in my case, Then in each section, I paper clip the coupons expiring in the current month. I like having the coupons in section, so I don't have to constantly go thru the whole batch. I can then take my coupon case to the store, in case something I use often is on sale, I can go ahead and cash it in and get two bargins in one, if I have a coupon for it. I have lost out so many times that this seems to work for the whole family.

By Karen -N.C.

Website For Local Shopping

A great tip to help sort through your coupons and compare to the store sales flyer, check out the website, http://www.cutouthunger.org/. Through this web site at no cost, you can browse a listing of your local coupons as well as a local grocery store and see what savings you can find. It really cuts out a lot of time of sorting and comparing.

Allie

Organize By Product And Date

Buy a coupon organizer and keep coupons organized by product and date. Go through it weekly when you add new coupons so that you can use the ones that will expire soon.

By jennifer

Velveeta Box

Need a place to put store coupons until you get them separated and filed? Take the bottom cardboard portion from a loaf of Velveeta Cheese, and glue expired coupons until all surfaces are covered on all sides, overlapping them at angles to cover. Use household glue. When thoroughly dried, keep this easy to locate box somewhere in your kitchen. You'll never again have to hunt for where those loose coupons are, it lasts for years and will accommodate even those extra long coupons. Even someone who doesn't read well will recognize this box for what its intended purpose is!

By Ronsan

Organize By Date

Organize coupons by date in their separate compartments. This will help you keep from missing expiring ones.

By Linda Zid

Baby Wipe Box

I use a baby wipes box with alphabet dividers. I've used the same box for 12 yrs and the lid is just about ready to leave the box. I don't have any more babies so I don't what I will use next. I'm not sure the wipe boxes come with the full lid anymore - I think they just have the cut out center.

By petunia

Alphabetically

Alphabetically file food categories in a small index card size box, using color tabbed dividers. Example/Breads, Beverages, Canned Goods, Dairy. I also store store coupons in back and clean out the expired coupons once every month.

By Snerd

Folding Wallet

I keep all of my coupons in a folding wallet and have them in alphabetical order as to what type of product they are ex: cereal, condiment, meat, pasta. This way whatever store I go into I have my products in some sort of order for quickness.

By Carol

Coupon Clipping for the Coupon Challenged (Like Me!)

I finally found a coupon system that works for me. I put sheet protectors in a 3 ring binder, after clipping open the sealed edges of the protector. I separate these into sections as they are in the grocery store: Produce, canned items, prepared foods, breakfast foods, etc. (Use what works for you). Then I cut out coupons every week and tape them onto the sheet proctors. I can easily see which coupons I have and don't have to flip through them one at a time as they are on an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet and I can see many at once. For some reason, I use many, many more coupons this way and often save 50% off of my grocery bill.

By Cheryl Spring

Post Feedback: Click Here

Warning About Storing Garlic Cloves In Oil

There is a common kitchen tip that says to store peeled garlic cloves in oil, unfortunately, botulism can develop when garlic is stored in this manner, especially if it is stored at room temperature. The garlic and oil should be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator for no more than a week. It's a handy tip but not worth the health risk.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/garlic-ail_e.html

Post Feedback: Click Here

Free Internet Books

You can read out-of-copyright books for free on the internet, on websites like http://www.gutenberg.org/. A lot of older books are no longer under copyright, including all the works of Shakespeare.

By Beth from England

Post Feedback: Click Here

Get an Estimate for Car Repairs

Always get an estimate in writing before having repair work done on your car. Once the repairs are done, only pay for the repairs that you authorized. Pay with a credit card so you can reverse the charge if there is a problem with the work that the repair shop won't remedy.

Post Feedback: Click Here

Google for Educators

Google has paired up with National Geographic with Google for Educators. For our readers who are also educators, check out the following link: http://www.google.com/educators/gaw.html

Post Feedback: Click Here

Raggedy Ann Birthday Party

This is a fun party for a young girl or the young at heart. First you will need a few Raggedy Anns to decorate with. Check your local thrift stores. To make your own invites for this party, find some red and white checkered paper. This can be found at any craft store in the scrapbooking department. Envelopes can be found at Wal-Mart. Cut paper just a little bit smaller than the envelope. Hand write your specifics inside. Decorate the outside with a big red heart on which you will write "I love you". Tell your guest that they can bring their favorite Raggedy Ann or Dolly or Bear.

Decorate your tables with red and white checkered tablecloths. Table ware should be bright blue. You can make fun centerpieces by filling a basket with Easter grass and one Raggedy Ann. Attach one red helium balloon to each basket with four ribbons so that it looks like Raggedy Ann is sitting in a hot air balloon. You probably will need two of these for the gift table and one or two for the main table, depending on how many guests you plan on having. Party favors can be small heart shaped boxes filled with M and M's or other candy.

Food for your party can be as simple as punch and cake, but if you want to get fancy for your party, you could also make this a tea party. Make small tea sandwiches by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and cutting them into heart shapes with a cookie cutter. You could also make these with cream cheese on a nut bread or fruit bread. You can buy heart shaped ice cube trays at a party store or you can take a heart shaped cake pan and fill with punch and freeze. Heart shaped cookies can be made by using pre-made cookie dough cut with a heart shaped cookie cutter.

To make a Raggedy Ann Cake, you will need a Raggedy Ann cake pan from Wilton. Follow directions on the cake pan to bake and decorate. Another option is to buy a pre-made plain cake and decorate with a small Raggedy Ann set on top of the cake and held in place with tooth picks or bamboo skewers. These can be hidden under the clothes of the doll. Another option would be to get some pre-decorated cupcakes (covered with sprinkles) and add a foam heart written with the "I love you" like the heart on Raggedy Ann's chest.

Bookmark Craft For The Party

This activity should take at least 15-20 minutes.

You will need:

Red and Blue strips of construction paper
Raggedy Ann Stickers these can be made by using a label program on your computer. Just add a Raggedy Ann graphic to the label and print.
Markers Metallic are great

Pass out one strip of paper to each child. Spread out stickers and markers on the table and let them create their own bookmarks.

Raggedy Ann Games

Draw a Raggedy Ann on a piece of poster board. Have the children play "Pin the Heart on Raggedy". You will need one heart for each child. You can either make your own hearts out of construction paper or use some of the foam hearts.

Play music chairs and play the song "Teddy Bears' Picnic".

Balloon Relay Race, you will need two plastic children's chairs and one balloon for each child. Line up children in two lines, a few feet from the chairs. Hand each child a balloon. The object of the game is for the children to run down to the chairs, put the balloon on the chair and then bounce on it until it pops. First team done is the winner.

By Debra from Colorado Springs, CO

Post Feedback: Click Here

Storaging Green Onions

Put them in a tall ceramic vase with a little water and cover with a plastic bag and put in fridge, much like florists protect their blooms. Any tender green with stems or roots will benefit. My Pennsylvania-Dutch great-grandmother always had a bowl of these greens in the center of the table at each meal.

By hdwbob from Derby, NY

Post Feedback: Click Here

Make Your Own Juice Pouch Patterns

The patterns for the juice pouch crafts are hard for me to understand so I came up with my own patterns. I just bought my sewing machine, a few clearance fabrics, some trim and practiced.

I find to do a wallet for your checkbook, take out your check book wallet, make your pattern from this. I took 2 pouches and double stitched the sides. Then I hot glued beautiful lace and added shoe string handles. Great for the kids.

I used a handbag from my closet to use as a pattern. Stitched 3 bags together, back and front, 6 total. I sewed this together with added purple thick ribbon for the straps and rounded the edges. I double stitched it and made a pocket on one side.

I have photos if you would like to see. I also went to Wal-Mart and bought a handbag pattern for a bigger bag I am doing.

It is a time consumer to start. But don't sweat the patterns, make your own from items you have around the house.

By Sharon from Miami

Post Feedback: Click Here

View Active Topics!

Syndication Spotlight

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/

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

New Requests

Removing Mothball Smell

I have recently purchased a car from a family member. They put moth balls in the car because it had been setting up for a while. How do I get the moth ball smell out of the car?

Nancy From Birmingham, AL

Post Feedback: Click Here

Carrot Juice Stain on Clothing

How do I remove a stain made by carrot juice on a cotton shirt?

Lynda from Sandton, South Africa

Post Feedback: Click Here

Dog Kennel Christmas Float Ideas

Any more ideas for dog kennel Christmas float?

Beth A. Leahy from York, ME

Post Feedback: Click Here

Buying Empty Juice Pouches

Does anyone sell the empty koolaid juice pouches?

giftsandbags.com from MI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Selling Crafts in Front of Your House

Are there any laws against selling crafts in front of your house? Like a table full of koolaid handbags?

giftsandbags.com from Miami

Post Feedback: Click Here

Cleaning Converse Chuck Taylor's

My white converse low-top tennis shoes are starting to look kinda dirty. I wondered if I could put them in the wash machine without harm. They are just white canvas low-top Chuck Taylor's, but I love them and don't want to mess them up. Any ideas, suggestions, or tips?

Randi from Vacaville, CA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Hand Cream Stains on Sheets and Clothing

How do I clean yellow stains on white sheets and collars made by creams?

Wanda from Cape Town, South Africa

Post Feedback: Click Here

Soup is Too Spicy

I made a soup with some hot sauce and it is way too "spicy hot". How can I balance out the spicy heat?

Lucia from L.I. New York

Post Feedback: Click Here

Cleaning Necklaces With Rocks and Gems

I recently inherited several necklaces from my mother-in-law. She was a smoker. I wanted to know how to clean some of them. The ones I don't know about are made out of different rocks, gems. Some tiger eye, some onyx, etc. Not sure what they all are, but I would love to know how to clean these. I have searched the website, but can't find anything for this type of jewelry.

Thank you for any help.

Jill from Indiana

Post Feedback: Click Here

Buying Boas

Where can I buy boas for the Kool-aid bags?

Sharon from Miami

Post Feedback: Click Here

Growing Long Hair

How can I make short hair long and healthy, Please give me some homemade tips.

Esha from Pune

Post Feedback: Click Here

Uses for Wrapping Paper

What are some uses for leftover Christmas paper?

Emily from Greenwood, SC

Post Feedback: Click Here

Cleaning Vinyl Siding

I had a new roof put on my home and they removed the old one and stained a lot of my vinyl siding with black marks. It is a combination of the old stuff hitting the house. Any good ideas for removing it from white vinyl siding?

Joseph from New Jersey

Post Feedback: Click Here

Spiral Shaped Wire

I am wanting to make some crafts that require spiral shape wire. Can anyone suggest how to get the wire to spiral and stay that way? I could use memory wire, but it is usually too thick for the beads that I am wanting to use. Any suggestions as to what gauge wire to use?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tonya from Texas

Post Feedback: Click Here

Uses for Small Plastic Pringles Containers

I have a ton of small plastic pringles containers. They are from the individual sized portions. Any fun ideas of what to do with them?

Margaret-mek from Jersey

Post Feedback: Click Here

Cookie and Cake Recipes Using Honey

I am looking for an easy cookie or cake recipe using honey.

Judy from Texas

Post Feedback: Click Here

Freezing Pumpkin Rolls

How can I freeze pumpkin rolls for the holidays?

Lu from Galena, OH

Post Feedback: Click Here

Blood Stains on Clothing

How can I remove a blood stain (on the cuff) from a white long sleave T-Shirt?

Thank you,
Linda Huff from Mt. Sterling, KY

Post Feedback: Click Here

Decoupage With Newspaper Clippings

I'm going to be decoupaging a cheap old table with newspaper clippings. I'm concerned that the reverse of each clipping might show through once I have decoupaged them to the table.

What sort of surface should I mount these on to minimize any effects of them being translucent - a dark surface or a light surface?

In other words, might it be better to paint the table black or to paint the table white before starting the project?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Ted Parsnips from Los Angeles

Post Feedback: Click Here

Baby Formula Stains on Microfiber

I have a microfiber couch that has baby formula spit-up on it and I can't get rid of the oder. Any suggestions?

Trish from Babylon, NY

Post Feedback: Click Here

Getting Rid of Head Lice

How can I get rid of head lice?

Tana

Post Feedback: Click Here

"Whimsical Christmas" Float Ideas

My Girl Scout troop is going to be in our towns Christmas parade, the theme is a whimsical christmas. Does anyone have any ideas?

Amanda from Mathiston, MS

Post Feedback: Click Here

Mustard Seed Necklace Instructions

I am looking for instructions for making a mustard seed necklace.

Frog from Fogelsville, PA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Juice Bags Slipping While Sewing

How can I keep my bags from slipping? I am having the koolaid jammers slip while sewing.

giftsandbags.com from MI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Kibbles 'n Bits Manufacturer

I am trying to locate the vendor that makes Kibbles 'n Bits (mini bits) and also the new one that has the teeth cleaning bites in it. If any knows where to get these products or how to contact the manufacturer please let me know.

Thanks,
IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

Post Feedback: Click Here

Plants and Trees That Grow In Arkansas

I need a list of flowering plants, fruit trees and nut trees that grow in Arkansas, near the Mt. Home area. Can I take cuttings of my plants from California? I know Roses, Iris and Day Lilies do well there. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Great Granny VI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Recycling Broken Jewelry

How can broken jewelry be recycled?

Beth

Post Feedback: Click Here

Baby Oil In Hair

How do you remove baby oil from hair?

Tracy from Cascade, IA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Homemade Candy Wrapper Wedding Favors

How do you print your own candy wrappers, to be used as wedding favors?

Taira from Brookline, MA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Planting Bulbs Indoors

Hello Ellen,

I Live in zone 6 or so and currently have freesia bulbs I want to plant but I want to grow them indoors. Do these bulbs need to be cooled for a period of time before planting? If so, for how long?

I also have some tulip bulbs that are starting to sprout that are not yet planted. I'd also like to grow them indoors. I understand there's a cooling period for these. If I can't put them in my fridge, what might my options be?

If I put them in my fridge, I've heard you can't have apples in the fridge. Is this true? And finally, for what period of time would they have to be in my fridge or is it too late because they're beginning to sprout?

Thanks for any help you can provide from the one who loves only fragrant flowers!

Fragrance Lover

Post Feedback: Click Here

Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here

Today's Sponsors

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:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

More Reading

Lipton Onion Soup Mix (Copycat)

I have been using this recipe for years in place of the original. I think it is just as tasty and is certainly less expensive than the real thing.

Feedback

No feedback yet. Click here to post feedback.

Post Feedback

Your thoughts are welcomed and appreciated. Be the first to post feedback!

Like ThriftyFun on Facebook

Browse Topics

Over 80,000 tips, recipes, questions & crafts.

Christmas	Weddings for Less
Beauty	Budget and Finance
Cleaning	Craft Projects
Craft Tips	Food Tips
Garage Sales	Gardening
Gifts	Green Living
Home Improvement	Organizing
Parenting	Parties
Pest Control	Pets
Recipes	Repair

Daily Thrifty Tips - November 14, 2006

Materials:

Tools:

Step one:

Step 2:

Step 3:

To Make The Tapper

Materials:

Instructions for using Bottle Cutting Jig:

Materials:

Organizing Coupons

More ideas . . .

Use A Highlighter

Keep With Your List

Organizing With Envelopes

Make Your Own Zipper Pouch And Keep In Your Car

Keep Coupons, Club Cards And Receipts Together

Organizing Coupons With Sales

Keep Your Coupons In The Car

Organize With A Coupon Divider

Website For Local Shopping

Organize By Product And Date

Velveeta Box

Organize By Date

Baby Wipe Box

Alphabetically

Folding Wallet

Coupon Clipping for the Coupon Challenged (Like Me!)

Bookmark Craft For The Party

Raggedy Ann Games

Feedback

Related

Post Feedback

Browse Topics

Popular Now

Ask a Question

Subscribe to ThriftyFun Newsletters!