January 06, 2009

Daily Thrifty Tips - January 6, 2009


Vol. 8, Num. 3, January 6, 2009 (Read It Online)

We are pleased to announce that we are nearly caught up on Crafts for Fun and Money checks. If you had a craft published last month, you should be receiving a check shortly. You may have already gotten it, if you chose PayPal as your payment option. Thank you to everyone for sharing holiday crafts and sorry for the delay in getting checks out.

Every year we like to publish tips for saving money in the Near Year. If you have any tips to share, feel free to submit them on the contest page.

Thanks for reading,

The ThriftyFun Team

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Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Photos:

Today's Tips:

Joke of the Day

New Requests:

More Reading:

Today's Sponsor:

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

Today's Photos:

Craft: Beaded Bracelets

I absolutely LOVE making beaded bracelets. I bead in a quiet and peaceful place where I get plenty of inspiration. All the bracelets I made in the photo were done deep in the forest on our 20 acres of solitude in the Sierra foothills. First I pick a color theme and then let my imagination go a little crazy. Your bracelet can be as simple as one or two choices of beads on an elastic strand, or more complicated if you are making your bracelet as a gift for someone special. Let your imagination go to work and peace will surely follow.

By Karen from Davis, CA

Beaded Bracelets

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Garden: Butterflies To Be

I plant tons of milkweed which is my host plant and it attracts many butterflies to my yard here in Florida. Several times a year I get their offspring. Here on December 14th, I have probably 15 of these magnificent caterpillars on one plant alone, all soon to be butterflies.

By Florida gal from Spring Hill, Fl

 Butterflies To Be

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Craft Project: Pom-Pom And Paper Butterfly

This cute butterfly has pom-poms as a body and as decorations on its wings. The wings are made from paper and the antennas are made from chenille stems and beads.

Pom-Pom And Paper Butterfly

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Feather (Peek-a-poo)

Feather is 9 months old and a Peek-a-poo. We rescued him from a horrible pet store.

He loves to lick you in the face. This is an especially loving, happy, energetic breed.

By Kalene from Oregon City, Oregon

Editor's Note:Here is an earlier post about Feather

Feather (Peek-a-poo)

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Using All Of Your Lipstick

With the high cost of cosmetics, I have discovered a way to use ALL of your lipstick! When the tube gets flat on the top, I use a plastic cuticle tool to dig out the remaining lipstick. I usually have several tubes that are flat at one time. I put the retrieved lipstick into a small plastic container and pop it into the microwave for about 20 seconds or so and it melts down and when cool is a new source of lipstick. I use a lip brush or a Q-tip to put it on. I have done this for years!

I recently went to a Women's show in Savannah and saw where they were selling a lipstick "motel" for $15.00. I figured that this was entirely too high to be paying so I began searching for something around the house. The photo shows a contact lens container with lipstick in it. Yes, I said a contact lens container! I simply made sure that the container was clean and dry and I nuked one of my already salvaged pots of lipstick and poured some into the contact case. I then put the container in the refrigerator to cool. The case even has mirrors on the top so that I can see what I am doing if not at home! I have even done another one with a small compact that was used up that I got with a bonus from the makeup company that I use regularly. Your possibilities are endless.

CAUTION! DO NOT PUT ANYTHING THAT HAS METAL INTO THE MICROWAVE! USE SOMETHING PLASTIC AND THEN POUR INTO YOUR CONTAINER!

By southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA

Using All Of Your Lipstick

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Contests:

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

Today's Tips:

Save Blog Entries Before Posting

When a Blog Entry Vanishes. It's frustrating to craft a word work of art, "post" and...it's gone. I have another blog that did that about once a week, and it drove me crazy! So I did something about it.

I now compose my lengthy thoughts in Word - included for free in most Windows operating systems - then cut/paste them into the Blog entry window. This way, if it disappears, fine. I can always cut/paste it again from my Word file.

I save them a week at a time, then start a new file, using the date as the title. This way, I know what I've already blathered about it.

Cut/Paste is easy. With your mouse, click to the very top of what you want to transfer. Holding the left mouse button down, "highlight" what you want to share by dragging the mouse over it. Control C (hit control and c at the same time) will copy it to a sort of invisible clipboard. Position your cursor where you want the text to go, and hit Control V. That will paste it to the new space, like your blog text entry space. Then hit "post" knowing you have a backup, just in case.

Hope this helps !

Source: Just my way of dealing with a very temperamental website provider.

By Dorrie from Norman OK

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Static Electricity Remedy

I got so tired of getting zapped with static electricity every time I touch a light switch. Ouch! So I cut some dryer sheets in quarters and tucked a piece under a corner of each of the light switch covers (they could also be thumb tacked or taped there). Now, I take an extra second to squeeze and rub the sheet between my fingers before hitting the switch. I also tie a strip on each doorknob to touch before touching the metal. Voila! No more shocks! If you don't want to decorate your home with dryer sheets, you can tuck a dryer sheet in your pocket for the same purpose.

By Peggy G from Yulan, NY

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Date Checks With The New Year

Time to postdate your check book but only with the year, 2009. Do the entire book, fill in the month and day as needed. How many times have you already written in 2008?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

By Bud from Bradenton, FL

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Easy Lint Trap Clean Up

A great way to clean the lint out of your dryer: Tear a sheet of the sticky paper off of a dog hair or lint remover roll. Wrap the sheet around your 4 fingers (less your thumb) and swipe your hand through your lint catcher and around the surrounding areas of your dryer, including the wires that lint and spider webs gather on! Even get wild and wrap a few sheets around the end of a Swiffer mop and wipe off your fan blades or hard to reach ceiling corners- lint, fuzz, hair, dust and spider webs stick to this stuff instantly.

By Ohevyisrael from Bradenton, FL

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Make Your Driveway Look Brand New

We saved a lot of money by repairing (patching) our drive way then painted it using a 5 gallon bucket and a broom, very easy. People thought we had a new drive way and some people stopped to see what we were doing and to ask if it really works. Then they would do the same to their drive way.

By Kathleen from Dothan, AL

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Number One Thrifty Tip: Pay Off Your House

I have been re-reading Possum Living by Dolly Freed. Her number one thrift tip is to have your house paid for. She says: "Have you read John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath' When we read it, it completely amazed us. All that starvation, squalor and general misery the Okies were forced to endure stemmed from only two roots: (1) the fact that they didn't own their homes outright, and (2) their mule-headed determination to rely on the money economy. They would have had problems, but not all the grief they had, if they had owned their homesteads in Oklahoma. The geek who stayed behind living on wild rabbits probably wound up living better than anyone else in the story."

Dolly might be a little rough, but basically she is right. She's talking about the Great Depression, of course, and some people feel we are headed into that again. So many of us are living from paycheck to paycheck, paying interest on everything we "buy" and buying stuff we don't need.

I also just read "Angela's Ashes" which is a painful and crude read, because I can see that they relied on the money economy instead of getting out and scrambling for food, fuel and the basic necessities of life. Only the author, Frank McCourt, showed much initiative, and he didn't have any guidance from a more experienced person. He survived, and that is the climax of the story. A paid-for house, at least in our current government, is pretty good insurance against starving. But don't make the mistake of using it for collateral on a loan, or you can still lose it. There have been so many newspaper articles in the past three months on people who were well off, at least on paper, who are now homeless. Whatever you have to do, pay off that mortgage. Grow your own food and reduce the grocery bill. Wear your clothes until they are truly worn out if necessary. Stop going out and don't drive unless you have several errands to do. Barter. Help your neighbors. Gather and sell aluminum cans. If you have ten cents left over at the end of the pay period, put it away for an extra payment. This may sound extreme, but I think it's realistic. Don't want any ThriftyFun-ers going homeless!

Source: "Possum Living" by Dolly Freed, Universet Books, 1978.

By Coreen from Rupert, ID

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Cook Sausage Patties in the Oven

You can cook sausage patties in the oven too! Just line a cookie sheet with foil and slice your sausage roll in slices. Lay out on a sheet and bake with no flipping for 20 to 30 minutes.

By Mary from Ohio

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Keep Small Jars Organized in a Plastic Basket

I live alone and have a pretty small refrigerator. I found that buying one of those little plastic baskets from the dollar store and putting all your jams, jellies, etc. in it on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator. It makes it a whole lot easier to find smaller stuff like that, just pull out the basket and it's all there. It's just something I dreamt up while cleaning out my refrigerator one day and found jars here, there and everywhere.

By Barbara from Evington, VA

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Homemade Candy Dipping Fork

This Christmas, as I was dipping truffles in melted chocolate to coat, I wished I had a candy-dipping fork. Instead of purchasing one, I took a plastic fork with four tines, broke off the middle two tines at the base...and wal-la! the two outside tines made a great candy dipping fork for almost nothing. It worked great!

By Melinda from Adrian, MO

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

This guy says to his buddy, "You'll never believe what happened last night."

His buddy says, "Well then, tell me what happened." The guy says, "Last night the doorbell rang, and when I opened the door, there was my ex-mother-in-law on the front porch."

She said, "Can I stay here for a few days?"

So I said, "Of course, you can stay out there," and shut the door."

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

New Requests:

Slow Cooker Recipes

I am looking for some slow cooker recipes.

Becky from Shreveport, LA

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Getting Crayon Out of Clothes That Have Been Washed

How do I remove crayon stain from clothes that have been washed?

Ritu

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Getting a Job as a Longshoreman

I just want to know want all I need to know to become a longshoreman. Thanks.

Sotaya

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Color Stains out of Other Colored Clothes

My daughter accidentally soaked her favorite pink jacket with her sister's brown pants. How can I remove the brown stain from the pink jacket? Please help.

Florence

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Olive Oil as a Moisturizer

I have a oily skin, with pimples and scars. Can I use olive oil mixed with water and massage my face? Please let me know how to keep my face glowing as I also have a dull complexion.

Gayathri

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Goulash Recipe

I would like to get a goulash recipe.

Kim from Altamont, IL

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Amaretto Syrup Recipe

How do you make amaretto syrup?

Tiger's Mother from Altoona, PA

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Carpet is Sticky from Urine

My mother is elderly and is in reasonably good health except for a urine control problem. She takes pills and wears those diaper type things, but they don't always work. Her carpet is sticky and I know it's from urine leaks. Any suggestions for making the stickiness go away?

Paula from Moberly, MO

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Deciding on a Child's Bedtime

What time should a 9 year old be in bed?

Bert from Ocala, FL

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Removing Burnt Rings on Stovetop

I had a renter in my house. When they left I discovered large burnt areas around my stove rings. What will remove burnt areas?

Arlene

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Using the Knifty Knitter

How do I use the Knifty Knitter?

Donna from North Bay Ontario

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Restoring Pizza Stone to Original Color

I received a pizza stone for a gift. However, with use it has turned very dark almost burned looking. I am not able to restore it to its original color. What did I do or not do to have this happen. My daughter-in-law has a stone and has used it as much as I have and hers does not look like mine. Please help.

Kathleen

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Keyboard Buttons Not Working

Why don't my dot and del buttons work on my keyboard? Any help would be appreciated.

Blake from Barnsley

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Activity Ideas for a Brain Injury Rehab Facility

I need help. I work at a brain injury rehab facility. Most of our clients have use of only one hand and I would like to know if you have some ideas for activities we could do.

Margie

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Cat with Itchy Ears

I have a six year old "tuxedo" cat named Albert, who has an itchy ear problem. I tried the parasite meds and I don't see anything in there. Does the vinegar work for cats too? He weighs about 10 pounds.

Kathy from Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Flying Bugs in My House

Since the summer, I have been finding flying insects in our home. They started in the kitchen but have also been in the bathroom and living room. They have what appears to be two long brown wings going directly down their back. They squish very easily and do not bite.

Our house is made of wood and I worried that they were flying termites. We brought in an inspector who told us they were just moths. However, they are still here and it is winter. Should I call a different termite company to come and have a look? There are not a lot of them.

Betsy from Baltimore, MD

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Craft Ideas for School Sock Hop

I am running a Sock hop for my DD's school. It is a K-3rd school. I am all set but I need a craft for the sock hop theme and I am drawing a blank. It needs to be easy and cheap. I would appreciate any ideas! Thanks in advance!

Cathie from Ringwood, NJ

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AeroGarden Reviews

Product: AeroGarden

Model: SpaceSaver6

Manufacturer: Aero Grow International Inc.

Is this a financially feasible product to help me get good nutrition through the winter?

Christine from Halifax, NS

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Exercising on a Gold's Gym

My husband and I purchased a used home gym a few weeks ago. It came with an instruction manual and the manual listed off the exercises that can be done on it (20 to be exact), but when I was experimenting on the machine, I only figured out about 8 (and that was improvising on a few). This is a Gold's Gym that is no longer made, so I started Googling, looking for some posters to get an idea of how I do things like bicep curls or leg curls and calf presses.

Does anyone know of a website or a good resource where I could find some kind of demonstrations of what I can do? It doesn't have to be specifically for a Gold's Gym, just something that tells me what pieces to use to do a specific exercise. Thanks!

Jessica from WI

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Removing Krazy Glue from Hair

I've gotten micro braids in my hair and the person that braided my hair put Krazy Glue in my hair! How do I get it out without an hassle?

Nina

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Connecting New Wiring to a 20 Amp Breaker

I have a very old house with the original porcelain wiring. It has been updated through the years. How many outlets with new wiring can be connected to a 20 amp breaker?

John from Mt. Airy, NC

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Buying Nuts at Wholesale Prices

I am looking for a source for pistachios and other nuts that costs less than $4 a pound. Does anyone know of a mail order or internet company that offers nuts at "super wholesale" prices? I currently buy them from Costco but was wondering if there was possibly a more inexpensive source. The best I can get on pistachios is a little under $4 a lb, pecans are about the same. Someone here has to know.

Anna from Twin Falls, Idaho

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Oster Kitchen Center Pasta Maker Manual

I was recently given the pasta maker for the Oster Kitchen Center. It does not have any instructions. If any of you have one of these, can you tell me how to use it. Thanks.

Loretta from Lancaster, CA

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Foods That Increase Metabolism

Does anybody know of any good diets? I prefer ones that are fast but work with healthy and natural things? Also, does anybody know of foods that increase metabolism?

Aliesha

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Freezing Raw Spinach

Can I freeze raw spinach?

Ruth

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Discontinued Wallpaper and Border

I'm looking for the wallpaper and border pictured. It had been discontinued. I have it in my home and need to replace some. Can anyone help? I'll take whatever I can get. Thanks so much.

Brenda from New Hartford, NY

Discontinued Wallpaper and Border

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New Chow/Retriever Puppy

I just got a chow/retriever puppy for Christmas. Everyone has been telling me how mean and aggressive they are but I can't see that. The only reason I'm concerned is because I have a little boy and I don't want any issues.

I'm socializing this puppy like crazy. But if its mixed with a retriever and trained properly I don't see how he can be aggressive. If anyone has kids and this type of dog, please let me know how they are with your children. My new addition is Axle and he's about 2months old. I love him to pieces.

Chandelle from Chatham

New Chow/Retriever Puppy

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Paint Colors to Coordinate with Blue/Gray Couch

I need to know what color goes best with a blue/gray couch. I need wall colors. Thank you.

Gloria from Wiscasset, Maine

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Where Can I Buy Baby Cakes?

I live in the Louisville, Ky area. Where can I purchase Baby Cakes?

Tish

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New Rubber Mat Smells Bad

How do I get the awful smell out of a new rubber or plastic bath mat? I washed it and left it on the porch for three weeks and still can't stand the bad smell if I put it in the bathtub.

Betty from Big Stone City, SD

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New Puppy Advice

I just purchased an 8 week old Bulldog. I have two 7 year old Shar Pei's at home already. The last couple of days the female Shar Pei has been acting really weird, smelling everything and not wanting to leave my side. The first few days the new puppy did not bother her, now could she be thinking this is her baby?

Tamrmy from Orion, IL

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Homemade Remedy for Worms in Cats

Is there something I can add to kitten and cat food to rid them of worms. For example spices or food that I can add. There are over 30 cats and kittens, some are wild!

Diane from Fontana, CA

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A-1 and Honey Recipe

About 9 or 10 years ago there was a recipe on the A-1 bottle for A-1 and honey and it was so good on wings! I didn't write the quantities down as I thought it was so simple I would be able to remember but I can't. I can't seem to get the ratio of A-1 and honey right and emailed the company and got no response. Hope someone remembers this or knows what I am talking about. Thanks.

Pamela from MO

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Circus Themed Dance Ideas

What are some ideas for a circus rally/dance theme?

Nicole from Montclair, CA

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2003 Toyota Corolla is Slow to Start

My car is slow to start up sometimes. I have had the battery, fuel pump and spark plugs checked and all are fine. Any suggestions what might be the problem? This has been going on for 2 weeks. My car is parked in an enclosed garage so it doesn't get very cold. It is a 2003 Toyota Corolla.

Onesummer

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Manual for Pillsbury Bread Machine 1025

I need a manual for a Pillsbury Bread and Dough Machine 1025.

Renee from VA

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Today's Sponsor:

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

More Reading:

Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

Each year 8.4 million Americans are victims of identity theft. Ask around and it shouldn't be hard to find someone who can recant the tale of stolen identity. Frozen bank accounts, canceled credit cards, and ruined credit; the tales are frightful. Yet, just as one would protect a wallet full of money, one also needs to protect electronic cash.

Protecting Yourself

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