Daily Thrifty Tips - October 2, 2008

We have some Frugal Halloween Costumes today. Have you made in homemade costumes in past years that you would like to share with ThriftyFun readers? Submit your photos or costume ideas on one of the contest pages.

Here are the Saving Money On... topics for this week. Do you have any tips to share?

Saving Money on Halloween Costumes
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Saving Money on Cold Medicine
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Saving Money on Makeup
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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Chloe and Delilah (Jack Russell/Lab, Beagle/Lab)

Chloe is a Jack Russell and Lab mix. Delilah is a Beagle and Lab mix. Both are two. They were strays left on side of road that I picked up. Both were starving.

Delilah jumps over Chloe back and forth to aggravate her. Chloe loves to sleep and she can say "Hey". They love to cuddle with each other.

By Tami from Auburn, GA

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Frugal Halloween Costumes For Children And Adults

Halloween is fast approaching! Here are some easy and inexpensive Halloween costumes for adults and children alike, using sweat suits and stuff you have laying around the house. Our family has dressed in these costumes over the years with great success, winning contests and receiving many compliments!

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Craft Project: Pumpkin Rolls

Give your extra toilet tissue a festive look this fall with some fabric and a few craft supplies.

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Refurbish Old Plastic Pumpkins With Paint

Recycle your old faded plastic pumpkins with a new coat of paint and a little glitter. Acrylic paint works best for indoor and outdoor use.

By Laura from Newberry, FL

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Make Sure You Are Registered To Vote TODAY!

Remember that voting is coming up very soon. NOW is the time to vote absentee or to register. I believe the law is that you have to register 4 weeks in advance in order to vote.

By April from NW Missouri

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Product Warning: Dollar Store Toilet Paper

Product: Knockoff of Scott 1000 Toilet Paper

Manufacturer: Made in China

Cost: $1 for 4 rolls

WARNING - Do not buy the knockoff of the "Scott 1000" Toilet Paper at the Dollar Store! This gave my 5 year old granddaughter a very painful and itchy problem "down there" and it took 2 weeks and 2 visits to the doctors office to get her all healed up! This TP affected ALL of the women in our family in a bad way, even the adults (at first we all thought we came down with yeast infections at the same time!). Our family will NEVER buy TP that's made in China from a dollar store again!

By CKD

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Check Clearance Racks Year Round

I always search the clearance racks all year round. This is great when you buy sweaters (for fall/school) in May and June. Never pay full price for kids school clothes. Always search on line sites too. Try different stores on-line and go directly to their clearance page. Type in "codes" in your search engine for free mailing codes.

By Lisa from WNY

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Buy (and Ship) Wedding Gift at Bed, Bath and Beyond

Go into Bed, Bath, and Beyond to send a wedding gift if you cannot attend. If you go into the store, you can use your coupon (which you cannot online) and you pay for shipping based on the price of the item (not the weight). Plus you can get gift wrapping and a personal note included for free. So you save in multiple ways.

By Bethany from SC

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Do Online Surveys for Rewards

I signed up for surveys that you get points for answering. They give rewards of either merchandise or cash. For the last 4 yrs. each October, I turn in the points for gift cards or merchandise to be used as gifts. The survey site, My Points is excellent and NFO Surveys. You can also receive points toward merchandise from credit cards IF you used them for gas or shopping. I do a lot of my Christmas shopping this way, its been a big help saving money, and still giving nice gifts to the people I care about.

By Jan from Carleton, MI

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Dryer Sheets for Dusting

To dust all the furniture, I use a sheet of "Bounce" that is commonly used for the dryer. I don't know what's in it, but I save time as the dust does not stick to the furniture as much as it used to with my regular dusting cloth.

By Bobby from Montreal, CANADA

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Have a Snack Basket

I keep one of those little plastic baskets used for organizing in a cupboard that my kids can reach. This basket is filled with snacks that I feel they can eat without me knowing or are healthy alternatives to treats. We call it our snack basket. It is also a good tool to use with our toddler who likes to snack all day. We can put only a few snacks into the basket and when they are gone, then no more snacks!

Source: This is from many different sources, but "Super Nanny" had the idea for limiting snacks with a snack jar.

By Rachel from Indianapolis, IN

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Cookie Swap Party

I LOVE cookies so when I saw a book by Gooseberry Patch on Cookie Swaps I was in HEAVEN! There are MANY ways you can do your party. I set the date and just asked all my guest to bring a BIG batch of there favorite cookies (try to see what kind they are making so you don't end up with all one kind). When the guest arrived, we placed them on a table and everyone was able to get what ever they wanted. I also made a few other finger foods that were not sweet so we didn't all have a sugar overload, lol.

At the end of the night I gave everyone a bag to place whatever cookies that were left over in. We played a few games that were fun such as I broke the girls up into pairs they had one minute to write down all the words they could think of that started with a certain letter that the host chose (such as the letter D) then after 1 min they have to make up a story using all the word they came up with! I also had the guest bring a cheap1-5 dollar wrapped present and played a gift exchange game which with the right crowd can be dangerous (lol) and REALLY fun! We had lots of fun!

This year I am already planning I found some cute jars at a thrift store and I am going to fill it up with candy so they can guess how many there are (closest guess gets the jar) and I'm going to ask that all guest wear the UGLIEST sweater they can possibly find (I can't wait for this) I will give a gift to the one with the ugliest sweater also, and of course a prize will go to the best cookie. That reminds me tell your guest to bring the recipe with them cause if it is a good cookie you know that someone will want it!

Also while I was at the thrift store I noticed they had a huge pile of Christmas tins that were 25-50 cents they would be PERFECT for guest to take home there cookies in just make sure to clean them all out!

My party was a ladies only it is so nice to kick the men and kids out and have a night for the ladies!

Please feel free to tell me how you do your cookie swap parties I would LOVE to know and if you have anymore fun game ideas!

Also it probably wouldn't hurt to have a gallon of milk nearby!

By Amber from Pomona, MO

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Make a Needle Threader

If you cannot see well enough to thread your yarn directly into a big eye needle, and have a hard time pinching the end to make it fit into the eye, you can make simple needle threaders using a piece of thin but stiff plastic, such as those that come in product packaging.

Just cut it into strips, up to two inches long, and up to one inch wide. Fold each strip in half, as you would a hot dog bun, making a permanent crease. Sandwich the end of the yarn into the strip, as you would put a hot dog into the bun, making sure the tip of the yarn does not go beyond the tip of the threader. Slide the strip-encased yarn through the eye of your needle until you are certain the yarn is threaded through, then pull the strip free. Alternatively, you can first slide the empty folded strip part way through the eye, unfold the other end, clasp the yarn inside it, then slide it through.

By Sharon from Nampa, Idaho

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Milk Carton Candles

Recycle used chunky candles by making your own. Melt down your leftovers double boiler style (never leave during this process), then dip the end of a new taper candle into this melted wax. Immediately place it into a clean wax-type half gallon milk carton and let it harden, making sure to keep it centered. Take other used tapers and break them into pieces, then place into the carton around the taper. Pour your melted wax in next and let it harden, then cut a slit in the top of the carton and tear it off. The result is a beautiful new candle that cost very little.

By Patricia from Imperial, NE

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Saving Money on Halloween Costumes

Tips for saving money on Halloween Costumes.

Post your ideas below!

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Homemade Children's Birthday Present Ideas

We are doing the 30 day challenge in Readers Digest for October. My daughter has a birthday party to go to for a little girl who is in 4th grade. I want to give her something special but not "buy" it. Any ideas?

Shawn from Katy, TX

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Water Repellent for Clothing

In the 80's, a co-worker of mine sold some type of water and stain repellent for clothes, shoes, etc. I thought it was an amway product but I cannot seem to find it anywhere. It was such a great product, as our uniforms were always clean and never had stains on them. Water literally rolled off our shoes. I cannot think of the company. The can was white and black I believe. Does anyone know what I am trying to find? Thank you for any help.

Yankgirl from Cape Coral, FL

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Ideas for Sweet 16 Welcome Message

Looking for ideas for a Welcome message for a 16th Birthday (for a sweet girl).

Alzira

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What Do Musty Clothes Smell Like?

Many people say they have "musty" smelling clothes or towels after washing them, caused by molds developed on the washer. I can't imagine how it smells but answering the following question would help me clarify this. Here's the question: Is it EXACTLY the same smell of clothes sold on thrift stores or is it a different one? Remember that thrift store smell?

John

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Rat Terrier Started Peeing Inside

My 8 year old dog started peeing in house after going outside all the time, what happened? It is a Rat Terrier, smart, cute and listens but what went wrong now?

Norma from Las Vegas

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Dr. Brandt Pore Effect

How good is Dr. Brandt Pore Effect?

Lised from Haledon, NJ

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Faux Finish Over Flat Latex

I used a wall coating with insulation in it. The coating is flat latex. I had it tinted as the company said but it has turned out too dark. The company said I can paint over it with another flat paint but I am tired of all this painting. Can I do a faux or color wash on this flat paint? I have looked everywhere for help. I need help with this please. Thanks a lot. I love this website, I look on it a lot.

Connie from Arkansas

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Fall Crafts For Adults

I would like fall craft ideas that are not for kids!

Jann from Union, Oregon

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Derma Wand Reviews

Does anyone have any information on Dermawand? Have you tried it and what results did you have? How long did it take to get results? Does anyone know how and where I can get information about this product and if it works? Thanks!

Smoochie

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Removing Pet Odor from Carpet

How do you get the smell of dogs out of wall to wall carpet, and furniture when it is not urine related?

Lisa from Pa

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Melted Crayon Dried on Clothing

How do you get crayon out of clothes that have been washed and dried?

Amber from Lonaconing, MD

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Getting Rid of Refrigerator Odors

We came home to an electrical problem. The refrigerator is full of bad food. What can I use to get rid of the foul smell? I have tried straight bleach and it still smells. Thanks.

Mary from Hat Island, Washington

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White Blotches on Engineered Wood Floor

How do you get rid of white blotches on an engineered wood floor? I think it maybe from moisture. It is a Mannington engineered floor.

Susan from Jackson, NJ

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Stains on Gymboree Clothes

I love Gymboree clothing, however as you know Gymboree stains really badly. I tried everything but nothing works. Any suggestions?

Maria

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Paint Color Ideas for Dark Blue/Terra Cotta Couch

I bought a new couch, dark blue/grays with specks weaved in of terra cotta color. The room has a white fireplace with white marble hearth. I need suggestions for wall colors. All woodwork and doors in the room are white also.

I am not looking for modern. I want the room to be comfy, relaxing and feel like home. Also, I need some advice on window curtain colors. It's driving my husband crazy, I can't decide on colors. Thanks.

Donna from Fall River, MA

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Is Dawn Safe for Septic?

Is Dawn Septic Safe?

Lora from Anacortes, WA

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Baby Fish Are Dying

I bought 6 fish for my 10 gallon tank. Two died and apparently one gave birth! I now have had these babies for about 2 days and they are dying! I checked my Ammonia levels and they are under control now. What should I do? Should I move the babies into another tank?

I don't know what kind they are. There are about 10-12 of the babies and 4 bigger fish. I bought Red Mickey Mouse and Guppy fish.

Lauren from Colorado Springs, CO

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Removing Hardened Bathtub Caulking

How do I remove old caulk from a bathtub? I have a tool but the caulk is so hard I can't remove it.

Wanda from Dayton, OH

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Backed Up Sewer Line

The main sewer line keeps backing up. Any ideas?

Liz from PA

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Red Pet Food Stain On Carpet

How do I remove red pet food stain from a beige carpet? My cat vomited all over the carpet. I have tried peroxide and that is not removing all of the red color.

Lewis from Oklahoma City

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Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

I would like to know what are some of your favorite kitchen gadgets. I have always liked baking but don't have very many gadgets. What are some that are worth spending the money on? One of my favorites for regular cooking is a little electric chopper.

I had a food processor but it was to big and took up a lot of room and sometimes it took more time to clean it than it was worth. So my recommendation would be a small electric chopper! Whats yours?

Amber from Pomona

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Painting Dark Wood White

I am trying to paint two dark wood antique chairs white. I sanded the chairs, primed them and have applied 3 coats of semi-gloss latex paint with a sponge brush. You can still see the original color of the wood peeking through. Any suggestions how I can finish this project?

Sgt. Tiggs from High Point, NC

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Adding Glitter To Dress

I would like to add glitter to a dress. I am going as a fairy godmother for Halloween and I am using a prom/brides maid dress made of polyester and nylon. I don't want it to look tacky but just a little extra flare to match my daughter's costume.

Michelle from Campbell, CA

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What Breed Is My Dog?

What breeds are my pups? The one on the left is Khaos, and we got him from the shelter as a German Shepherd mix. When he was a pup he looked like he had pit in him, but he quickly grew out of that, for a while he looked like he had husky. Now I have no clue. He has that wacky tail and small floppy ears. He runs like a deer and swims like a fish.

The one on the right is King and he's about 14. No idea whatsoever what breed he has in him.

Sarah from Seneca Falls, NY

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What Breed Is My Dog?

Can anyone help me find out what breed my dog is? Her mother was Alaskan Malamute.

Laura

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Removing Rust From Car Interior

I spilled "The Works" cleaner in my car and it has wreaked havoc on the interior. All of the black metal that was exposed, has rust all over it. The aluminum was etched by the fumes. I finally got the smell out, but am worried about all the rust under the seats etc. How do I get rid of the rust?

Melissa from Lake Lure, NC

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Making Salsa Without Peppers

Is there a recipe out there on how to make salsa without peppers for people who are allergic to peppers?

Cindy from Alberta, Canada

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Looking For Tall Champagne Vases

Where can I find tall champagne vases to hold crystals and roses?

Tonya from Woodbridge, VA

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Making Silver Paint

What colors of paint do you mix to get silver? I want to make some silver bells from a stamp for Christmas cards.

Angie from Lily, WI

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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