Daily Thrifty Tips - August 24, 2007

We have some recent recalls in the More Reading section. Have a great weekend.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Sunflower Hats

Sunflowers painted on straw hats.

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Expandable Peg Rack For Organization

Here's a great way to organize your hats or necklaces and bracelets using a wooden expandable peg rack that can be purchased at the dollar store. My hubby uses one to hold his many hats, and my daughter has one on the back of her bedroom door to hold her many necklaces and bracelets.

By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Humphrey (Basset Hound)

Humphrey is a 3 year old Basset Hound. He was adopted at PetsMart Super Adoption

He likes meeting people and getting belly rubs. Please Rescue. You can find pure breed intelligent dogs!

By Melissa from Salt Lake City, Utah

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Butterfly In The Butterfly Bush

This is a picture of a butterfly that I took in my front yard on their butterfly bush. I really don't know what kind it is. I thought the photo came out great myself. The colors are so bright and vivid. He is one of about 100 that stay in this bush.

By Bonnie from Norman, OK

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Use Tee-shirts For Staining Furniture

We have a friend who works in a cabinetry shop. He says old cotton tee-shirts make the best rags for staining furniture. Cotton holds the stain longer than cloth made from other materials.

By Terri H. from NV

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Cake Decorator Gift Idea

For cute holiday gifts that don't cost a lot use the cake decorating bags used for frosting cakes and fill with ingredients for your favorite recipes. Just tie the recipes to the bag and add cooking directions. This can also be done with cocoa. I've seen similar sold in stores for $5.00 to $10.00. Great gifts, fun to make and cost effective,

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Buying Supplies for Bridesmaids Dresses

All my daughter's bridesmaids were in college and on a tight budget. My daughter and I went to JoAnn's to pick out and purchased the patterns of our choice on 99 cent day. We collected coupons from friends and used them for zippers, thread and other notions. The best was the 40% off the fabric. We figured how much we needed for all the girls dresses purchased in one cut and used the coupon.

My daughter and I cut the fabric to the needed amounts, assembled bags with their dress "ingredients" and handed them out. All the girls were aware of the plan and found someone, like their grandma, to do the sewing. The total of their dresses that fit perfectly was under $40.00 each, and not very much work with some team effort.

By Grace from Grand Island, New York

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Treating Minor Ailments Yourself

In filling out a survey on health care, I realized that my first line of defense health-wise - besides maintaining good health overall - has been self-care. So many minor ailments respond very well to home treatment, which I always try first. It there is not a positive response, then I go to the MD. But more often than not, knowing first aid has saved me a trip to the Md's office - which even with my insurance costs $20! (Of course, you have to educate yourself on ailments and research home treatments)

I see the difference in my husband who won't always take my advice - He went in for a rash I told him was allergic, which it was and could have been treated at home with cortisone cream! I used to have books on hand for research, but now there are even websites on the net that tally symptoms to try to help you pinpoint your ailments! (And you can compare several sites to get a better overview...)

By pamphyila from Los Angeles. CA

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Wedding Cakes for Less at Grocery Bakeries

Grocery store bakeries are a good buy on wedding cakes. A sheet cake with 1/2 sheet cake on top, with decorative flowers in my wedding color, cost $60.00. I purchased a cake topper from a local craft store.

By Victoria from Channahon, IL

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Peroxide for Laundry Whitening

You can add 1 cup of peroxide, instead of bleach to whiten laundry. If there is blood or other difficult stains, pour peroxide directly on the stain. Let it sit for a minute, then rub and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

By Kelly from Largo, FL

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Binder For Saving School Keepsakes

My granddaughter is going into first grade and I wanted to get her something that would be good all year long and maybe longer. What I did was pick out a new hard binder in her favorite color (purple) and put 40 page savers in the binder. I printed out a page that had her first name on it and a large smiley face. Then I put in large font "1st Grade", the school year (2007-2008) and further down the page "Teacher:_____"and below that school:"______".

I put the page inside the place for the page on the outside of the binder. I also printed out the information on the city that she lives in entire school calendar (4 pages) showing vacation, etc. This went into the binder for Mom I also made another with a pink binder for one that starts first grade in 2009 (without, of course the school calendar) The "purpose" of this binder is to put in two pages each week of school to save (and show to relatives when they visit whenever throughout the year) At the end of the year they will have something to remember the year with. Inside the binder is a pocket to put a report card or progress reports.

By Sheila S from Leominster, MA

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Dental Floss for Making Repairs

Dental floss is perfect to repair tears in mesh items, such as playpens, beach and laundry bags, even mesh shoes. Simply use a small piece or two to tie the mesh back together. Floss is very sturdy!

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Snowman Light Jars

Does anyone have jar patterns for snowman light jars?

Wendy-Lou from Chilcotin, BC

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Scalp Itches in the Morning

Does anyone have any suggestions on what will stop my scalp from itching so bad in the morning? I don't have dandruff, I don't have lice, and I've moisturized with several things. My husband,(with his hard nails) scratches it vigorously for me. My nails are week, so it feels much better when he does it. I need a natural method, please!

Joann from Cole City, GA

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Dog With Lupus

Our lovely neighbors have a gorgeous eight year old Bearded Collie who is suffering from Lupus. Does anyone have any good herbal recipes that would help him please?

Sioux from Tasmania, Australia

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Transporting Seeds to the Philippines

My father in law would like to find out information about purchasing garden seeds in the U.S. and transporting them to the Philippines. He would like to grow American veggies and a greater range of flowers than are available there. Does anyone know what the customs requirements are for this area or have any experience with this?

Jess from Portland, OR

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Cracked Tomatoes

Could someone please tell me why my tomatoes are cracking?

Thank you!

Maria from Sterling Heights, MI

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Advice About a Student Loan in Default

I recently purchased a business (last August 06) and had emergency surgery in November. I had complications until February of this year. In April, I was contacted by a collection agency regarding a defaulted student loan that i took out in 1980s. It was the first I had heard of it... time has a way of veiling such things. They said that I could make payments every month for 8-12 months and then reconsolodate. I have to have another surgery and am trying to save any money so that I can do so. Does anyone have any ideas?

Valerie from Chico, CA

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HBD102 Breadmaker Recipes

I have a HBD102 bread maker and I do not have a recipe book. Could you please email me a recipe of white bread and brown bread and what I have to do.

Yanah-Marie from Scarborough Ontario, Canada

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Quick Meals For Busy Mom

My kids start football season next week, and I'm going to have 4 days of evening practices. What meals can I make during the day that all I have to do is heat on the stove or toss in the oven quickly when I get home?

Alexandra from Armed Forces, Europe

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Help With Growing Watermelons

I have two questions about growing watermelon. We have a small watermelon growing in our garden. What do I do to protect it? I remember reading something about a milk jug, but don't remember the specifics. Also, how do I know when its ready to be picked?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

Thank you!
Amy from Austin, Texas

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Fruit Punch Stain in Gray Vehicle Carpet

I am getting ready to return my leased vehicle in a few days, but there is a Fruit Punch Stain on the beige carpet in the back. Someone left a cup of punch in the cup holder back there without me realizing, and it leaked. I have tried every stain cleaning product imaginable (I actually have a big bin full of them), but nothing is working. The stain is old now, and I know it will be harder to get out, if I even can. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Gail from Long Island, NY

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Refilling the Swiffer Bottle

My Swiffer jet mop was aways running out of the expensive refills. I tried to refill the bottle by drilling a hole in the end of the bottle and refilling it with my own cleaner. The mop leaked and stop running. I had to purchase another Swiffer. This time when I ran out of the Swiffer cleaner I filled a large spray bottle with my favorite cleaner and sprayed as I mopped.

Trisha from Alabama

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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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Thomas and Friends, Curious George and Other Spinning Tops and Tin Pails Recalled By Schylling Associates Due To Violation of Lead Paint Standard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Martin Designs Inc. Recalls SpongeBob SquarePants Character Address Books and Journals Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Priddy "Trucks" Shaker Teether Books Recalled Due to Choking Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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CPSC, Stokke Announce Recall of Sleepi Crib Foam Mattresses Due to Entrapment Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Uses for Mint Tins

Craft ideas for the empty metal mint or candy tins with hinged lids. These ideas were posted from the ThriftyFun community.

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