Daily Thrifty Tips - August 3, 2007

The FDA has announced a recall of some canned green beans. Be sure to check that out in the More Reading section. We also have a new My Frugal Life post My Frugal Trip To DisneyWorld in the More Reading section. The servers were down this morning so if something wasn't working for you, that is why. All seems to be working now.

Have a great weekend!

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Lavender and Mt. Hood

I took this picture last weekend at a lavender farm in Hood River, Oregon, the dark purple is Grosso Lavender which is best known for oils. Grosso is a hybrid and must be started by propagation. It took 4 years to achieve this. If you stand still, you can hear the bees. They leave the lavender and go across the driveway to the pears. This is as close to heaven as I can get, Lavender and Mt Hood. I added the chair! Hood River is where the fruits for most of the mail order fruit companies grow, tons of orchards and only 2 lavender farms!

To get to Hood River, you drive through the Columbia Gorge. I have seen the lavender fields in Provence and they don't hold a candle to this one. Before relocating to Pacific NW, I lived in TN where you CANNOT grow lavender (too humid), so I am the happiest gardener in my small community. It grows like a weed and even has to be trimmed in fall. Just thought my gardening buddies would love this pix.

By CJ Jones from Camas, WA

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Secure Your Load

Secure your load in the back of your truck with a scroll truck net. A net allows the air to flow through while holding items in place.

To make the net you attach netting to two plastic pipes. Cap the ends of the pipes. Roll the net up like a scroll and keep it in the back of your truck. It is handy to secure one item or a whole load.

By Betty from Louisburg, North Carolina

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Bridal Shower Watermelon Lighted Centerpiece

• 1 Large watermelon
• utensils used for pumpkin carving
• There is a book out there with watermelon carving designs
• 1 tealight candle
• 1 large glass plate

Cut bottom of watermelon so it can stand on plate and scoop out watermelon (I used the watermelon from inside in fruit salad for shower). Attached stencil to front of watermelon, use toothpick to poke holes in row as to where you will cut. Take off stencil and you will see a dot to dot layout of the picture just carve away. Put a tea light inside.

Note: you can not do this in advance as the rind starts to wither as a pumpkin would. Looks cool on table.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Keep Loose Items In Eyeglasses Case

I was wondering what to do with some of my unused spectacle cases then came up with an idea to organize the bits and bobs I carry in my handbag (purse). So I popped in some of the things I routinely carry that usually ends up in a heap at the bottom of my bag and takes me ages to find any item.

In one case i have a pen with a needle and thread attached inside the pen, my backup diabetic medication, a small mirror, plasters, small scissors, hairband, denture cream, money for an emergency phonecall, diarrhoea tablets and soap. I have room for a few tissues on top too. I was surprised at how much I can get in there.

I will use one case to use when my young nieces and nephews come to stay. Taking plasters and antiseptic cream for scraps or bites, eye wash (I live by a sandy beach) Junior paracetamols, wet wipes in a ziploc bag etc.

I was going to give them away on Freecycle but I think I will keep them now.

I will be passing my tip onto my lady friends and even men can carry a glasses case with their things inside as no one would know what's inside, would they?

Happy summer to you all, xx

By Monique from Somerset UK

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Mitten (White Norwegian Forest Cat)

Mitten is a 4 year old White Norwegian Forest cat. We adopted Mitten from a cashier at our local KMart who had a new litter of kittens and needed to find homes for them. We took one look at him and we were in love! He was only about 4 weeks old.

Mitten loves playing with laser lights and he is the sweetest of our 4 cats. He constantly seeks out attention and just loves to sit next to you and be petted! He was my very first cat and will always be my baby!

Mitten loves to share our popcorn when we're watching a movie!

By Carrie from Stantonsburg, NC

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Tree Stump Garden

Here is a picture of the little garden scene I have in my front yard. we cut a tree down and the stump was there. I just planted some flowers and put some yard decorations around it and here is how it turned out. It looks much better than it did.

By Sandy from Bluff City, TN

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Use Extra Earrings as Push Pins

Pretty and stray post earrings can be used as push pins on cork bulletin boards. So when you've lost the mate of a pair of post earrings, don't despair, use it on your cork board! Maybe you have special memories of some event you wore those earrings to. The moment doesn't have to be lost with the other earring, think of that special moment every time you look at your bulletin board or cork board!

By Terri H. from NV

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School Locker Caddies For The Fridge

Now is the time to buy those neat little locker caddies they sell for use at school! I got some and I love them to use on my refrigerator! Things that tend to get lost in my junk drawer find their new home very comfy! These were $1 each and well worth it!

See pics: http://www.ringo.com/photos/photo.html?photoId=226781358

By Veronica from Sedalia MO

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Look For Free School Supplies

Another way to save on school/home office supplies is to look for online freebie. I have gotten sample highlighters, photo and print paper, pens, and post-it notes! (I also pick up pencils, pens, stickers and notepads at every faire or similar event I go to, but you already know that!)

And if you work in an office, look around for office binders and surplus supplies that are being tossed (like old letterhead) so you can recycle them!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Free Grocery Coupon For Extra Foods (Canada)

This is for the Extra Foods stores. First you have to go to their site at http://www.extrafoods.ca and register. Each week they offer a free food item with the purchase of an amount of groceries.

This week the coupon is for a free Presidents choice 907g Celeb margarine with a $25.00 grocery purchase. The margarine is added to the groceries then the coupon is taken off, so really you only have to pay about $22.00 worth of groceries. Last week it was for a large bottle of Presidents Choice cranberry juice with $35.00 worth of groceries. Once it was for free bag of flour, another time for a small case of bottled water.

If you shop at Extra Foods, its worth printing the coupon.

By Pico from St Paul, Alberta

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Replace Your Kitchen Cloths Each Day

I was watching a show on TV the other day, on properly cleaning of your kitchen. Something that I think we all do well. But sometimes the dish cloths, dish rags or sponges we use around our sinks and stoves, often get overlooked. These items don't take very long to harbor thousands of germs! Remember to get a clean one each day, don't use the same one day after day, you could just be re-spreading these germs and could cause sickness in your family.

By Terri from NV

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Use Food Coloring In Decorative Bottles

When I was a kid, there was a designer friend of the family who had designed these beautiful modernistic liquor bottles. We had several of them. I filled them with water, colored by food coloring and put them on my window sills so the light could come through and it was really pretty! You could do the same with any jar that fits on a windowsill - or bottles of interesting shapes!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Donate Excess Trial Size Toiletries

If you've ever gotten more trial size lotions, shampoos, soaps via traveling, and more than you can use, or maybe no longer need or want. Don't forget about the less fortunate in your area. These can be donated to a local food bank or church food bank, to be passed out for those in need. To some, the price of bathing soap, might make the difference whether they get to bathe or not.

By Terri H. from NV

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Back to School Shopping Tips

Purchase items early: the school gives supply list at end of year so when you find requirement on sale, purchase if not able to use from previous year.

Our Jr. Higher would lose his lunchbox. After two times of this, I send his lunch to school in paperbags.

The 3rd grader likes to have something hot so I do corndogs, or chicken fries and place in drink thermos. I slide the 'stick' out of the corn dog after heated. *always heat the thermos first!

Knowing that the Sr. and Jr. higher will need to make flash cards for study help, I purchase a triple pack for less then price for single pack of index cards. These can be studied on the way to various events and saved for studying for exams later.

Always keep a calendar of events: I have a different color marker for each child and place events for each day on large desktype calendar on the refrigerator so everyone can see where we are at. I even do this in my personal calendar. Great help with 3 kids involved in sports and band.

By Nancy from Troy, OH

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Hard Water Staining My Clothes Yellow

Hard water is staining my clothes yellow. Any advice

Stacey from St. Ignace, MI

Editor's Note: Here are some tips on washing clothes in well water that may also be helpful:

• http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf836969.tip.html

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White Haze When Making Candles

I recently started making candles again. My question is after the wax has hardened and I release the wax from the mold, there is a white haze on top of the wax. I tried and remelted the wax on a lower temp. thinking the wax was too hot when poured, but I got the same results. Any tips on how to fix this? Thank you.

Dana from Newkensington, PA

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Ideas For Sifting Rocks Out Of Garden

I need to get the rocks out of my garden. I've already made a rectangular "box", open on top, heavy-duty wire mesh on the bottom, but lifting it to shake it hurts my back. I'm trying to create a way to put legs on it and shake it to filter out the dirt. I'm looking for examples, plans, etc.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Jo from Tacoma, WA

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Recycling Contact Lenses

Does anyone know what to do with old but still usable contact lenses? Can they be donated? Does it matter if they're soft or hard, semi-permeable lenses? I know the Lions Club used to take old eyeglasses.

jantoo from Kenosha Co, WI

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What is The Difference Between General And Family Practice Doctors?

Hi, everyone, just a question. Does any one know the difference in a General Practice doctor and a Family Practice doctor. There was a question at work yesterday. Thank you to whoever answers.

Sandy from Baltimore

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Toddler With Diarrhea

Not a very pleasant topic, but here goes anyways. My son is 20 months old and has had diarrhea for the last 4 weeks. Numerous trips to the doctor hasn't helped - all tests have come back normal. He has lost 1 lb in the last month, and is still losing. He is also throwing up (usually only at night, in bed!), but the doctor still tells us to just wait it out. He is still eating and drinking, and acting normal for the most part.

I think something more is going on with him, but don't know what to do. Since it's already been a month, I don't want to wait it out any longer. I was told to try adding powdered acidophilus to his drinks, but this hasn't helped either. Any other suggestions that you have would be very much appreciated!

Melanie

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How Do You Tell Someone About Bad Breath?

How do you tell a nice guy he has breath odor without hurting his feelings?

Onesummer

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Painting Ceramic Floor Tiles

Does anyone know if it is possible to paint old ceramic floor tiles? My kitchen floor is covered in really ugly old tiles and I would like to freshen the room up in an economical way. Thank you

Lisa from Thessaloniki, Greece

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Looking For Snowman Pattern For Jars

I want to paint snowman faces on glass quart jars but I'm not much of a painter. Could someone tell me an easy way to do this? I've looked for patterns for this but haven't found any as of yet. Help?

Karen from Clemmons, NC

Editor's Note: Here is a tip on making snowman jarsL

• Snowman Jar Craft Idea for Co-Workers

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Increase Breast Size Naturally

Please tell me about any exercise or food remedy to increase breast size in females.

fizoo momo

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Help With Computers

I'm a bit new to using computers and I've just seen my account in ThriftyFun. I'd like to sort it out and delete a few things from my bookmarks that I don't need anymore. Please, how to delete from bookmarks and change stuff from one folder to another? Sorry, I sound stupid, but this is all new to me. Thanks.

Cettina from Malta, Europe

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Bulk Foods Near Owensboro, Kentucky or Tennessee

Where can I find bulk food stores near Owensboro, Ky or Tennessee

Heart and Soul from Jay, FL

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What Causes Oily Skin?

What really causes excess production of oil on the face? Is it the sugar, wheat, oil we eat. What causes excessive activity in our sebaceous glands?

Philippa

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Squishy Sound From Sandals

I just bought a pair of Bass sandals. They're comfortable suede, but with each step I take, the air is compressed out of the footbed, making a squishy sound. Anyone know how to stop the sound?

EleanorN from Indiana

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Preserving Friendship when Kids Don't Get Along

How do I tell a dear friend that my child does not want to be friends with her child, and not ruin the friendship?

Mom

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Gymnastics Birthday Party

I am having my 12th birthday party and I want it too be cool. I am not too concerned about it being the best party ever. But, there is one problem: I am in love with gymnastics, but not all of my friends are. I want to go to an open gym and hang out there for a while and play on the equipment. There are trampolines there and a pit, too that people can play on that doesn't really take a lot of skill and is fun. It is $60 and I am gonna pay with my own money. Do you think it's worth it? Please help!

Allie from St. Paul, MN

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Alternatives To A Swiffer?

What is the best alternative to the Swiffer dry mop?

Judie

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Recipes And Tips For Using A Convection Oven

I have just purchased a beautiful gas range with a convection oven. This is a total different cooking experience. I need tips and recipes. I know to lower temperature by 25 degrees and time by 25%. However, little things like when I cooked my roast, it was not juicy at all and I had no drippings for gravy, and my carrots looked like dehydrated orange peas, and forget about the onions. Should I cover the meat? What about casseroles and cakes? Any good recipes out there?

Thanks a million,

Sandy from Metairie, LA

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Training An Abandoned Dog

My children had found a 6 month German Shepherd abandoned so now we have adopted her. I am not sure of the best way to train/housetrain her. I don't want to do anything the wrong way! I'm not sure on the environment she came from but she is a really loving dog! My other concern is she pees a little when you approach her, is there a way to fix that? Other than a few concerns, she really is a good dog.

Giammetta from Columbia, South Carolina

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Light Spot On Wood Floor After Cleaning Up Old Urine

I had dark urine dog stains on my hardwood floor and I used the hydrogen peroxide technique however I may have used too much or left it on for too long because now that area of my floor is noticeably a lighter shade than the rest of my hardwood floor! HELP!

Jennifer from Slatington, PA

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Suggestions For Easy Window Treaments

I have a window in desperate need of window treatments. Can anyone suggest something easy to do that 2 rambunctious boys won't tear down? Both windows are aproxx. 6' x 4'.
Thanks!

Kathy from Parker, CO

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Disguising Brown Lawn

My lawn has a huge brown patch from my pool, having a get together this weekend any ideas on how to disguise it?

Hardiness Zone: 5b


pamela m from Pittsburgh,PA

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Cat Pee Smell on a Couch

Help! I've been given a beige velour sofa by my nephew and he has two cats at home. The sofa is lovely, if a bit dusty, but it STINKS of cats! I cant take it outside because its too heavy for me-it needs a GOOD CLEAN but what do I clean it with so its not niffy and spruced up a bit?

Cettina from Malta Europe

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Solutions for Dry Hands

My hands and feet get very dry and ashy despite putting on very good quality creams. Any tips to get these areas smooth and soft? Thanks!

Philippa

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Juice Pouch Bags, Wallets and Checkbook Covers

I would love any directions for juice pouch crafts (purses, wallets, belts, etc.) I am a mom who is finishing a college degree, and I see them all over campus.They look so fun to make, and I have a teenage daughter who wants them, too. Thank you!

Marie from Idaho Falls, Idaho

Editor's Note: Here are two Juice Pouch craft projects that are on ThriftyFun.

• Capri Sun or KoolAid Jammer Pouch Checkbook
• Juice Pouch Tri-Fold Wallet

• Make Your Own Juice Pouch Patterns
• Juice Pouch Purse
• Juice Pouch Tote Bag
• Kool Aid Jammers Belts, Wallets, Pocket Books and Checkbook Covers Patterns

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Removing Paint from Nylon

How do I get paint out of my nylon jacket?

Pepper from England

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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

FDA Warns of Potential Botulism Risk from Canned French Cut Green Beans Product Marketed Under a Variety of Brand Names

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat certain brands of French Cut Green Beans in 14.5 ounce cans manufactured by Lakeside Foods Inc, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin because the product may not have been processed adequately to eliminate the potential for botulism toxin. This warning is not related to another recent warning for botulism.

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My Frugal Trip To DisneyWorld

Hi, my name is Tracey and I first wrote asking for dining tips for our August family vacation to Disney in Florida. To which I received many good ones that will be very helpful. Thank you to everyone for them.

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