Daily Thrifty Tips - November 8, 2006

Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

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Riley is a 1 year old Domestic shorthair Rescue kitty. Riley was found outside and brought to a rescue organization by a good samaritan.

He had a badly bitten and infected tail, leg injuries and was starving. Through surgery and sickness he has been sweet and patient, and he is now a precious companion to our other cat Lucien, as well as our beloved kitty boy. For fun there are Two words: feather stick!

By Susan from Akron, OH

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These are great for gifts any time of the year or just to decorate your home.

Materials:

• 1 old plate, plain, but it is pretty if there is a raised design on the edge
• Rub on Transfer, cut design out you wish to use.
• Rubbing stick
• Sponge
• Acrylic Paint (color to match transfer)
• Light glitter or spray on glitter (Optional)
• Spray Sealant

Directions:

Wash and dry the plate. Using the sponge, dab it into your paint and then apply it to the edge of the plate. Let it dry. Apply the transfer to the center of the plate according to direction. Apply the glitter. Spray the sealant on in a well ventilated area (or outside). Let it dry completely.

To make it a gift, include a wall hanging bracket or plate stand. These are great for any occasion.

By Dawn Salisbury from Ogallala, NE

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Save money on your wedding. Have it while the church is decorated for Christmas.

By Liz from New Baden, IL

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I live in an urban neighborhood with a wide range of income levels. Last Christmas, I noticed that my elderly neighbor lady didn't have a Christmas wreath or any decorations on her door. It occurred to me that maybe she couldn't afford it, so I found some decorations and made up an Christmas spray for her with a nice silver ribbon and put it on her door as a surprise. She really liked it! (it was a way I could share and not hurt her pride.)

By Pam from Los Angeles

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I have many canning jars and rings, and I keep them stored on a chrome shelf in our garage. The rings would fall all over the place until I got the idea to use one of my husband's bungee cords. I strung the rings on the elastic cord and then hooked the cord on the back and on the front of one of the shelves. Now, the rings are hanging there ready when I need them. Just be careful to not pull the cord too tightly or you may lose your grip on the cord and get snapped, etc.

By Suzzy from Phoenix, Arizona

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My brother, sister and I (and families) exchange at Christmas. We set a dollar amount per family. Every year, we know which sibling's family we will have (I have my brother one year, my sister the next and then back to my brother). We have a chart with the years listed and it just rotates so it would work for any number of siblings) and the amount we are allowed to spend, so we are able to purchase gifts anytime of the year. Since you can run across many good sales year long, this is quite helpful.

Now this amount is only for the husband and wife or just for the sibling, if not married or with a partner. We have always kept the children separate but there are only 4 children between us but you could easily use the dollar amount for the whole family. Group gifts such as movie tickets and popcorn packs, board games, overnight stay at a hotel (depending on price ranges), etc.

Hope this helps

By Dona from Watertown, Wl.

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This isn't a tip, just sharing our annual Thanksgiving day. We always go to my cousin's house in Columbus, and (Bless her) she ends up with a minimum of 35 people. She is a VERY busy doctor, but manages to make this wonderful homemade turkey dinner with all the trimmings. We all bring a dish or two, and there are lots of hands to help before and after, but the majority of the work is on her. Her husband always plays the piano, and it is not a complete day without the Snoopy Christmas piano solo. We have a great aunt who is a very strict vegetarian, and is WAY up in years. She is quite eccentric and just makes the whole day. We have so very much to be thankful for this year, especially. This wonderful family is not the least of it.

By Margie from Mount Vernon, OH

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Being on a limited income, I was always at a loss when birthdays and Christmas came up. One day as I was watching my grandchildren fingerpaint, I hit on a cheap gift that would have special meaning to the receiver. I had each child paint a picture of something that they liked and then had them coat their hand with the fingerpaints and "sign" their painting in one corner. It is so cute. I let them dry and store them.

Later for a birthday or Christmas, I take out the paintings and put them in dollar store frames and give them to the child's parent or grandparent. People really rave about them. Oh,yes, I write the child's name and date on the bottom so I won't forget who drew the picture and it comes in handy in later years when you want to know how old they were when they made the painting. You can get pads of art paper and cheap paints at dollar stores and it sure has saved me lots of money at gifting time.

By Dawn from Gary, IN

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It's easy to save money while shopping! One trick is to gather as many coupons for items you use as possible. When the weekly flyers come out, spend a few minutes searching for items you use, and compare sale prices. Will the coupon make a difference? But whatever you do, don't buy an item just because you have a coupon. Another trick is to stick to a budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend, and stick with it! Meat can be cheap or expensive, depending on how you shop. If you have a source for ten pound bags of chicken leg quarters, you've got it made. Good luck!

By Coreen from Rupert, ID

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You can make nice little pill boxes for the purse by saving nice small containers and decoupaging pictures on the lid with diluted white glue (then sealing it with clear nail polish.) I had a lovely one once made out of an old lens case. Good for Christmas presents!

By Pam from Los Angeles

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My tightwad living tip of the day is when buying a home, any kind of home, it is buyer beware time. If you aren't handy, don't buy a fixer upper, buy a home that is livable, but within your very tight budget. If, you knowingly get a 50 year mortgage at 33 or something, make sure you will be around to pay it off. Deceit is nothing to fool around with on banking. Always deal with honest people. You will have less heart stress that way.

My mobile home was a disaster. I am not that handy. I wasn't told about the pipes, and the end result was bad pipes burst in winter cold that cost me way too much for what my place was worth. I ended up selling it for less than it was worth too. I was honest in saying I couldn't do it anymore. I made sure my buyer had handyman experience, since my place still needed fixing on things that broke down while I owned it. This was honesty in me. It should be anybody you deal with when buying a home, any home. Time is also a key factor in fixing up. Make sure you have the time. Well, to all those who think owning a home is the way to go, good luck and God speed.

By Tanya from Dilworth, Minnesota

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Call your insurance company prior to loaning your car to a friend or a family member to make sure that you coverage extends to them. Your policy may have coverage for short term loans. It's important that they are covered because if they get an in an accident in your car, you could be held liable for damages even if you are not the driver.

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Avoid sitting in front of your computer for more than 30 minutes at a time. If you find you lose track of time, set a timer to go off in 30 minutes. Then get up, stretch, and walk around a bit before sitting back down. It also helps ease eye strain if you periodically look at distant objects.

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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I am thinking about buying a camel colored Microfiber couch and love-seat. What about stains? We have 4 children. I heard it stains easily? We don't eat on our furniture. What about oils from our body/feet?

Ruth from Maumee, OH

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I would like directions on making a wallet from tin can or soda pop cans. I would like other projects made with soda cans as well.

KATHI from Iron River, MI

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Somehow when I washed a handmade quilt a red shirt or something red got into the washer also. As a result, the quilt is tinged with red. This happened a while ago and I forgot about it. I found it tucked away in a zipper bag I am sure I meant to get it out later and clean it. Well, its been a while. Any ideas how to clean the tint from it? It's color designed, so it cant be bleached. Please help?

Thanks,
Ariela from JAX, FL

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Can anyone give me any ideas for a christmas float with the theme being have a holly jolly christmas?

Thank you,
Peggy from Jena, LA

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How do you remove stains on fabric. Dye and all types of stains on all types of fabric.

Surekha from India

Editor's Note: That is a pretty general request, for specific stain removal tips, use our search page. It can be found here:

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

Enter the type of stain you are trying to remove in the search form. For example: "Dye Stains on Fabric".

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What is the best washer dryer to buy in the UK?

Tasha from United Kingdom

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How do you remove hot iron mark on black polyester skirt?

Lisa from Camp Hill, PA

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I need help cleaning blood off microfiber sofa?

Beach from FL

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What are some good pioneer crafts my class of 3rd graders can do?

Tara from Florence, KY

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I need some help making a Glass block decoration. I saw these at a recent craft show and loved them. They are the large glass blocks like you use in the bathroom to make a wall and they are filled with tiny Christmas lights and it is all wrapped up in a beautiful big bow with glitter and sparkle. I have the hole drilled in the side and bought the lights but I don't know how to control how the lights lay in the block. I'm not sure if I am supposed to or not. Anyone else ever make these. I want to give them as Christmas presents so answer soon please. Thanks for your help.

FirstLady from Knoxville, TN

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How do I restore the leather and interior and the brass fittings on my recently purchased 1920's trunk.

Ruth from Woodstock, IL

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I need help removing dried nail polish from a leather sofa, I'm scared to use nail polish remover, will it discolor the sofa?

trx999 from Dallas, TX

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My husband signed me up for cold macaroni salad for his work's Thanksgiving luncheon. I make very boring cold macaroni salad - so it hasn't been made by me in years. Normally, I'd make it like potato salad: celery seed, diced onion, cooked macaroni al dente, Miracle Whip, a couple of hard boiled eggs.

Any suggestions?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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In order to get out of sewing about 25 patches/badges on my daughters Jr Girl Scout Vest, I used something called "Sew No More" which was recommended to me by my aunt. I, of course, put them all in the wrong spots! I tore one of the patches off and there is now a shiney dried glue spot in the shape of the patch. Does anyone know if this stuff washes off the material? On the tube it says it is washable, but that is when the patches are on. I dont want to rip off all the patches and be left with a bunch of shiny spots all over it. Any advise before I end up having to buy her a new vest?

Thanks,
Kim from NJ

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I need advice about removing candle wax from metal candle holders.

Helen from Ortonville, MI

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I have a ford explorer my heater is blowing out cold air. It works for a week but then it stops. What should I do?

Robert

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Mother of Bride dress: label says 67% polyester, 33% nylon; lining 100% polyester. Professionally spot clean only. Instructions say: Do Not Dry Clean. I spilled wine (white Zin, I think, looks like a water spot and is colorless) on the dress and no dry cleaner in this town will touch it. They're afraid of leaving water spots. Suggestions and help please!

Brenda from Raleigh, NC

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How can I remove rust from cast iron skillet. My mom used to use sauerkraut, ever heard of such a thing?

Jeanine from NM

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Does anyone know how I can remove Vaseline from a Microfiber dining chair (with non removable covers)?

Irene from The Villages, FL

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Do you have any 80th birthday party ideas?

Amy from Memphis, TN

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How do I make a blanket with the yellow knifty knitter? If I do this like I read and I hem, it still curls up. How do I fix that?

Jeannie from Morthport, 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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With so much to do, how do you do it all? I know that I can't answer that question completely, but I do have a few tips that help me get in, and get out -- of the kitchen that is!

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