Daily Thrifty Tips - April 8, 2008

We are running a bit behind today so contest winners will be announced tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

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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Craft: Bleach Bottle Piggy

Use a regular bleach bottle, rinse it out with water and baking soda (takes the bleach smell away). Let dry. Paint with acrylic pink paint and let dry. Paint your spots on with either black or brown acrylic paint and let dry for about and hour.

Use black or brown felt and pink felt and cut out ears, hot glue them on. You will need either 4 small thread spools or 4 medium size thread spools for the legs, I get mine at 99 cent store. Cut your holes in bottom of bottle so that the spools make the piggy bank stand right. Cut the circles and insert spool, hot glue around each one so they don't come out. Paint on your eyes and your nose, a slot for the money, then spray with a sealer and you are done.

By Sheri from Stockton, CA

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Craft Project: Earth Day Bird Biscuit

Here's a great kid's craft idea to help them celebrate Earth Day, which is April 22.

Approximate Time Less than 30 minutes

Supplies:

• Flat wooden heart (or any wooden shape) with a small hole drilled in the top
• Peanut butter
• Plastic knife
• Bird seed
• Ribbon
• Bowl

Instructions:

By Mom of 1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Buddy (Boston Terrier)

Buddy is 5 years old and is a Boston Terrier. My Husband Scott purchased him from a pet store, he was sooooo small. We've had Buddy practically since he was born.

We live down from a large park and Buddy LOVES his walks in the morning and evening. After that comes his toys, he's very strong for his size and loves to wrestle them from you.

Buddy has to sleep between us and he sometimes stays in bed after we have gotten up for breakfast. Boy, can he sleep and there are times when I can't tell who is snoring; My Husband or Buddy. They are just like your kids; you worry about them, care for them and have to discipline them, TOO!

Here is a photo of Buddy with his friend Max (Yorkie). We went to stay at Max's shore house last summer and Max wasn't into sharing his domain with anyone other than his Brother Vinny (not shown). Let's just say, they didn't quite like each other right off the bat. But as you can see, they did manage to get along so we could enjoy our stay.

I believe they we scoping out another dog who was walking pass by the house. I guess their plan was to attack if needed!

By JoAnn from Cherry Hill, NJ

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Leave Your Camera Case at Home

When going out to take photos, don't take the camera case with you. This is like putting up a "Steal me" sign. I use one of the soft padded containers people use as lunch boxes. Some companies use them as advertising give aways. Thieves are less likely to take what they think is your lunch than to take a camera.

By Hairy Wolf from Memphis TN

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Keeping Earrings Sorted

I was having a problem keeping up with my earrings. I wanted to separate my real ones from my plastic ones, etc. so I came up with an idea. I purchased several ice cube trays. In 2 different colors. I put my good earrings in the white trays, in the cube section, one pair in each. I put the others in the pinkish trays. They store so well, and are easy to find, easy to see, and they also stack well so the colors get stacked and I don't have to go through all of them to find a certain pair. IT WORKS!

By Connie from Smithville, TN

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Add a Sporty Neoprene Bicycle Grip to Your Cane

If you use a cane, your hand can get pretty sore using the hard handle. Go to a bicycle shop or discount store and buy a neoprene bike hand-grip. These fit perfectly over the cane. Your cane will now have a comfy, soft handle.

By Cyinda from Seattle

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99.9% Silver to Keep Milk and Water Fresh

The pioneers who traveled west would put silver coins in their water barrels to keep the water from spoiling. Back before there was refrigeration, people would put a silver coin in their milk jugs to keep the milk fresh longer.

These days we have no REAL silver coins in circulation. But you can buy "Silver Rounds" from any coin store. A "silver round" is one measured ounce of 99.9% silver. It's cast to look something like a silver dollar. These days they cost under $20, but can be used over and over again.

Real silver is a natural germ fighter. In tests, silver has kept milk fresh for 2 - 10 extra days. A Silver Round can also be put into water dispensers to keep not only the water fresh but also the spout clean. Keep milk and water fresh the natural way, by putting a 99.9 % silver round in your storage containers.

By Cyinda from Seattle

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Reusing Envelopes for Lists

I like to re-use envelopes. I use a letter opener thing I got from an insurance company (a scissors will work) to neatly open the mail. Then I re-use the envelopes to write my "to do" list and/or grocery list on the blank back side. You can store coupons and receipts inside the envelope, too, which is very handy. I keep a little pile of envelopes just for this use near the phone in the kitchen.

Source: Source: my own idea

By Lee from Twin Lakes, WI

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Movie Review: Sharkwater

Have you seen the film, SHARKWATER? This is an adventure filled film about the destruction of the Earth's shark population. It is sure to bring to your attention the possible necessity of sharks for our oceans.

• http://www.sharkwater.com/

By Lisa from Halifax, NS

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Reusing Bed Skirts

I have found a great bargain for all of us crafters! If any of you are thrift store addicts like me, you may have noticed that there are a LOT of bed skirts in the linen section of Goodwills, etc. Apparently not a lot of people use them, but they are a GREAT source of fabric. You can cut the ruffle apart from the center and you have yards of material to use to make a skirt for an ottoman or chair, valances, or even a border for a quilt or comforter or pillows. You can usually pick one up for a buck or 2! What a deal!

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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Using Paper Bags for Cat Litter

You can recycle even when cleaning up after your kitties! I WAS scooping the cat litter into plastic bags each day, thinking I was recycling the bags, but duh! They still sit in the landfill, NOT breaking down.

So now I buy a cheap bag (either from the dollar store or on sale at local grocery or drugstore) of paper lunch bags, scoop the litter in there, fold it over and throw it away. The paper will break down much faster, if I had a store nearby that sold bags made from recycled paper I'd buy those (but alas, I've found none yet).

Source: Me!

By Michawn from Morgan Hill, CA

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Old "Washing Clothes" Recipe

Imagine having a recipe for this! Years ago, an Alabama grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe:

This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook - with spelling errors and all.

Washing Clothes

Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.

Paste this over your washer and dryer. Next time when you think things are bleak, read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give thanks. First thing each morning, you should run and hug your washer and dryer, also your toilet - those two-holers used to get mighty cold!

For you non-southerners -wrench means rinse. ;)

Source: no particular source. Came by it while reading.

By Mary from Cocoa, FL

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Freeze Cabbage Before Cooking

I have found a way to reduce the amount of cabbage smell that emanates in a kitchen when it's cooking! Want to know the secret? Freeze it! Cut up your freshly bought cabbage, wash it, pat it dry with kitchen paper and portion it into ziploc bags -press out the air and seal. Then pop in your freezer.

When you come to cook it; it takes about 1-2 minutes in a pan of boiling water OR alternatively stir-fry it in a little olive oil which I like to do. Delicious and saves on the cooking time.

And, quite by accident, I found there's no lingering cabbage smell in the kitchen so now I get to eat cabbage more often in my diet and we all know it's very good for you!

Source: I found this out myself!

By Monique from Somerset, UK

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Replacing a Patio with Grass

I have a patio in the garden and I want grass. I have taken up some of the paving stones and there is a mix of concrete and stones (hardcore I think!). It appears to be quite porous and not very thick, instead of digging it all up is there any chance the grass will survive with a load of holes drilled in? Please help as my time scale to do this has gone down by a day. :-)

Thank you in advance for your help!

Xavier

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Baby Shower for Mother with Nightmare Before Christmas Themed Nursery

I am assisting in the planning of a Baby Shower soon. The mother is an awesome person, in her early twenty's...however she is a little different. The nursery theme is going to be "Nightmare before Christmas"...I need some ideas to help her express her individuality!?

Amanda from Lake Charles, LA

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Removing Window Cling Stains from Oak Table

Anyone know how to remove green & purple gel window cling stains from oak wood table? I took my St. Pat's clings off the window and laid them on my oak kitchen table until I could find the plastic sheet to place them on. When I went to remove them, they had left a print on my table. I have tried Goo Gone and a Magic Eraser and it has lightened, but it is still in the finish.

Deb from Kansas City, MO

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Organizing Toys

I would appreciate any helpful ideas on organizing toys for my 1 year old daughter. We have not purchased many containers yet. I have seen the shelves with the open bins (interested if people like this or not) and other ideas for a play area and my family room. PLEASE send pictures also if you have examples!

Tina from Somerset, KY

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Removing Super Glue From Laminate Floor

How do I remove Super Glue on laminate wood flooring without damaging it?

Renee

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Cleaning Popcorn Ceilings

My ceilings, especially in my bedroom are getting a lot of cobwebs. The ceilings consist of the stuff that falls on your head if you touch it. Any suggestions on how to clean these stupid ceilings?

Penny from Ipava

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Finding Playground Equipment

I am looking for swings, slides, or other play equipment. How do I find it?

Casandra from Vandalia, MI

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Getting Rid of Lesser Celandine

Can anyone tell me a foolproof and organic way of eradicating lesser celandine from my lawn? Also any suggestions what to grow in its place as grass doesn't take very well (the area's too shady). Will have to put some paving down (where tree roots allow) but need some ideas what to plant around it.

Thanks,
Kate from England

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Homemade Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator

How do I make my own Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator for my husband's work clothes?

I have made my own laundry detergent forever and NOTHING, I mean nothing, removes the oily smell from my husband's work clothes. I've tried adding vinegar,
borax, washing soda, etc... until I bought Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator (you add it to your detergent, I had to use two huge capfuls, but it worked).

This $6 bottle only lasted for three loads (3 days) of my husband's work clothes. I HATE Febreze itself in a bottle as I feel it contains harmful ingredients, and I'm sure this stuff does too. What will remove the odors from my husband's clothes It's a fine terrible smelling oil mist that gets in his socks, everything.

Thank you for any advice. I have thought about using lemon scented ammonia, but have tried to quit using harmful chemicals.

Thank you!
Missy from IN

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Siberian Husky Puppy Playing Rough

We recently bought a Siberian Husky. He is 2 months old and is a very sweet and good puppy. There is one problem we are having with him though. I have a 17 month old son and every time Max(the puppy) is in the house he wants to get in his face and tends to get a little too rough with him. Does anyone have any advice on how to keep him from this?

Heather from Stanton, KY

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Trumpet Noise Coming from My Toilet

When I flush my toilet it makes a loud trumpet sound that last about 30 seconds. How do I get rid of this noise? And what could it be?

Bridget from AZ

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Apple Core in a Toilet

How do you get an apple core from your toilet?

Twyla

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Tile Cleaners

I am looking for a good tile cleaner in shower.

Mary from Arcadia

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Help With Muscle Spasms

Cciatic Pain and whiplash after motor vehicle accident have caused me severe muscle spasms to neck upper and lower back. Also, a piriformis problem causing butt and leg spasms for 1 1/2 years after auto accident. I still cannot sit for more than a few minutes at a time and no more than 45 to 60 minutes spread throughout day.

I just cannot tolerate the spasms and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Caty from Toronto, ON

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Avocado Plants in a Hot Climate

I am currently working in the Kingdom of Saudi - American of course. I am raising Avocado Plants and need to know more about them. Do I trim them to make them grow out or what? The Temp here is 130 plus.

Norman from Saudi

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Homemade Starch

I would like to have a recipe for simple laundry starch. It's getting harder and harder to find dry starch in my area.

Terry from Washington, DC

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Bible Based Preschool Mom's Message Board

Does anyone know of a message board/site that is for preschool moms, that is Biblical based? Thanks.

Mindy

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My Dog Is Afraid of Everything

I have a 1 1/2 year old Basenji. She is scared of EVERYTHING ! She gets scared of the wind blowing, sounds, people, leaves, lint, inanimate objects, ETC. She doesn't urinate everywhere, but if it is bad enough, she will have leakage from her anal glands. She will run off and hide, shake, or get all weirded out by pacing back and forth with her tail down looking like she has no idea how to get away. What should I do? It is very frustrating!

Melinda from Houston, TX

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Can Bleach Harm Dogs?

If I bleach my yard for Parvo do I need to keep the other dogs out of the yard? Can bleaching the yard harm my other dogs?

Sara from Georgia

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How To Get A Dog To Like You?

Can anyone out there tell me, or direct me to a website that can tell me, if there's a way to make a dog like you? Every dog my husband and I have had, the dogs all like him the best to the point of either ignoring me or even jealously growling at me if I get too near to my husband or the dog's toys. I've worked so hard on being nice to these dogs, playing with them, etc.

And the dog I had before my husband and I got married just adored me. But as soon as my husband moved in, my dog dropped me for my husband. I've been told it's because I'm usually the one who gives the dogs their meds, takes them to the vet and the groomer, all the unpleasant stuff and my hubby is their play buddy. Then I've been told that it's because dogs are pack animals and therefore very much into caring more for who's the alpha or the leader in the household and that's my hubby because I'm Type B and he's very much Type A, more charismatic, more forceful (without being mean) personality.

With our current dog, I thought I had kind of made peace with the fact that she's never going to love (or even like!) me like she does my husband but it really upset me when she bit me the other day. I was trying to take her chewy away from her so I could clean it and she chomped down on my finger and wouldn't let go no matter how I scolded and spanked her; I finally just had to yank my finger out of her mouth. Since then I've been afraid to get near her.

It really breaks my heart because I've always loved dogs; heck I even like a lot of dogs more than I do most people. And I've tried everything I can think of: try to play a lot with her, take her for walks, pet her and talk to her, but no dice: she'd rather I just go away and leave her with my hubby. It's weird I know to be so sad over this but my dad passed away last Nov. and this almost feels like another bereavement because I guess I'm never going to have another dog who likes me as long as my husband's in the picture. (Which of course I want him to be forever!) But does anybody out there have any suggestions?

Lynn from Chico, CA

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Tent Caterpillars

My crab apple tree has caterpillars in silk bags in the crotches of limbs. How do I rid the tree of these and prevent further issues?

Note: I sprayed Sevin on the trunk from the base to 2 ft high on 17 March, on 19 Mar I noticed the first silk bags forming. Most of the silk bags are 12-25 ft high.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Scott from Hollywood, MD

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Getting Rid Of Rotten Meat

I read the feedbacks about getting rid of spoiled food smells in the freezer, but what's the best way to handle the rotten meat?

Anna from N.H. Park, NY

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$200 Biweekly Budget For Family Of 5

How can I feed and clean a family of 5 for $200 biweekly?

Laurie from Belle River, Ontario

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Preventing Dry Chicken

I cook and freeze chicken and poultry to use for meals later. I'm finding that the meat is very dry. Any suggestions on how to prevent this from occurring?

Mindy

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Bleaching To Get Rid of Parvo

How do you bleach the backyard for a parvo pup?

Rachel from TX

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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