Daily Thrifty Tips - September 25, 2008

Do you have any fall gardening tips or photos to share with the ThriftyFun community? Feel free to share them on one of the contest pages.

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Gizmo (Domestic Shorthair)

Gizmo is 7 years old. She is a domestic short hair. I found my wonderful Gizmo on August 31, 2001 when my mare gave birth to one of my fillies. Gizmo was standing underneath my mare between her legs trying to stay dry in the rain that day. Gizmo was about 3-4 weeks old and nothing except bone. She could fit in my hand. I took her home fed her fresh fish and milk and she is now a fantastic loving farm cat at the whopping weight of 8lbs. She is tiny, but FULL of life.

She loves to follow my husband around the farm. When he feeds the horses, she is there. It is so funny to watch her run after him and follow him. She has always loved him, unlike my X...that she use to pp on his clothes. :) When we are picking the garden, she is there, sometimes she even crawls up on my back, curls up and snoozes.

She is a wonderful little angel that God sent down to me. She thinks that she is the Queen kitty of the farm. I guess she really is. Everyone loves her dearly.

By Julie from Liberty, NC

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Craft Project: Handprint Gift Wrap

Add that extra "touch" and make a gift more personal with this handprint gift wrap craft.

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Take Your Own Creative Photos

I am a single mom of three and love to take pictures of the kids. Unfortunately I cannot afford to have professional pictures taken of the kids. Last Easter, I wanted spring pictures so I dressed the kids up in bright colored clothes and took them out in the yard. I have seen these pictures in studios before so I tried a picture with them laying down heads together. Not thinking it would turn out. It actually came out pretty good. Be creative with your backgrounds. Use trees, grass, pool, etc.

By Stephanie from Porter, Texas

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Craft: Recycled Heart Pillows

I made this heart shaped pillow out of old pillow shams. They were already in the quilted pattern, so I just cut 2 hearts from a pattern and sewed matching buttons on the back. The words were iron on stencils that I used a pen to make permanent. I hand sewed the strips of fabric using big stitches and finished it by stuffing slightly and buttons on the corners. After the embellishments were done, I machine straight stitched around the outside (I did not want the seam on the inside, I wanted it to show), leaving approx. 1/4 inch seam allowance. And I then hand stitched the seam allowance closed with the same big stitches.

By Jenn T from Lenox, MA

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Saving Money on Paint

Don't fall for the latest fashion in wall paint color and pay the high prices they want for paint. Find used shades in the taupe ranges or whites and off whites and mix together to get enough for the room you are painting. Use these basic colors also in your upholstered furniture, and use a bold color for your accessories if you wish to have a splash of color and you can change them more often or when you get tired of the colors and want a change. Much easier and cheaper than repainting the wall when you get tired of that bold color or if it goes out of style.

By Lynn from Rogers, AR

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Use Tide for Stains and a Cheaper Brand for the Rest

With the ever rising costs of keeping clean and clean laundry, I tried to come up with ways to cut costs in every part of the house (I guess that's why we are tuned into "Thrifty Fun"). For doing laundry I have always used Tide.

If you pour Tide straight onto a stain: grass, blood, chocolate, baby stains, the stain will come out. I measure out the amount for the load, then with the pile of stained clothes, I pour the Tide on the stain and toss it in. The key is that the Tide has to be on the entire stain. Then wash as normal. This works great but, Tide is expensive and seems to go up every time I go to purchase some.

So I decided to purchase a cheaper brand (I use Arm and Hammer liquid) and use that for towels or blankets or the things that normally don't have the stains. This has saved me quite a bit of money since I started it about 18 months ago. Thanks for listening.

By Beth from Bloomfield, IN

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Mystery Shop Scam: Beware Shoppers Research, Inc.

This is a local story about a girl who was scammed into wiring money to a Canadian firm. She thought she was receiving funds to pay for her new mystery shopping job.

• Woman falls victim to 'mystery shopper' scam

There are a lot of "work from home" opportunities that are advertised on the internet. Be wary of ANY that expect you to pay something upfront or require you to wire money or give personal financial information. Do your homework on the internet before signing up for anything and make sure to read any contracts thoroughly before committing. There are very few legitimate companies that do work like this and it is usually a very time intensive way to earn even a small amount of money.

True work at home or telecommuting positions would be with a local company, as with any other job. All the success stories that I have heard have been with someone who was interviewed and hired directly, not off some webpage.

If it is too good to be true . . .

Jess in Oregon

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Attach Your Bobbin to a Magnet

This is for all you sewing machine sewers. If you are like me, one of the most frustrating things to do is when you are trying to remove thread from a bobbin that you want to put another color on, it seems like no matter how tightly you hang on to it, the bobbin falls from your fingers onto the floor.

I have learned to ATTACH IT TO A MAGNET with the flat side down. You will never have it falling on the floor again!

Source: This tip comes from myself with over 55 years of sewing experience, and I just discovered it which proves you are never too old to learn!

By Elaine from Iowa

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Make Cloth Bags Out of Old Pillowcases

What do you do with pillow cases that are no longer needed for a bed? Turn them into cloth bags! First turn the bag inside out, fold down the sides of the opening, run a cord or other material cut to the length of the handle you want, hand stitch/sew. Turn the pillow case rightside out and there you have it, a bag! The best thing about this one, no cutting!

Source: I just started trying different ways to reuse material and items at home to save money and make money. It's even simple enough for the kids to do!

By Michele from Landisville, PA

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Cook Cheaper Cuts of Meat in Soda Pop

My tip is to cook cheaper cuts of meat in a mixture of 1 can of any kind diet cola, 1 small can of mushroom soup and 1 packet of onion soup mix. It makes the most versatile, delicious sauce and tender, melt in your mouth meat that you would never guess it would be made with soda pop!

I even cook stew meat on top of the stove and it comes out so wonderful that my family thinks they are eating top sirloin beef tips. Recipe can be doubled as needed.

Source: This is a family recipe.

By April from New Salem, PA

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Save Paper Packaging for Covering Your Workbench

I save the large (25 and 50 pound) heavy craft paper bags that wild bird seed comes in. I cut along the top and bottom of the stitching and slit one side then fold and store them on my work bench. These make wonderful heavy disposable work surface covers to protect your workbench for your current project. I also use them when spray painting, stripping furniture etc as they catch all the overspray and drips. When your finished, you just fold them up and put them in the trash.

By MaryCrane from Orange Park, FL

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Add Rice To Avoid Clumping in Shakers

Today someone requested a tip for keeping salt and pepper shakers and sugar flowing. Put some rice in the shakers and it will keep the salt and pepper and sugar flowing. I do it and it works.

By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario

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Why Chew a Whole Piece of Gum?

When I was a girl, my mother drove me nuts because when I asked for gum, she always tore it in half. NOW, guess who's following her mom's frugal ways? My kids grumble and tease me when I give them half a piece of gum, but the truth is, for fresh breath, half a piece is really all you need. And it's cheaper! Guess my mom was smarter than I thought. :o)

By Kim from Crawford, CO

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Coldwater Joke

A man went to visit his 90 year old grandfather and while eating the breakfast of eggs and bacon prepared for him, he noticed a film-like substance on his plate. So he says, "Grandfather, are these plates clean?" His grandfather replies, "Those plates are as clean as cold water can get them, so go on and finish your meal."

That afternoon, while eating the hamburgers his grandfather made for lunch, he noticed many little black specks around the edge of his plate so again he asked, "Grandfather are you sure these plates are clean?" Without looking up from his burger, the grandfather says, "I told you those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them, now don't ask me about it anymore."

Well, later that day, they were on their way out to get dinner. As he was leaving the house, grandfather's dog who was lying on the floor started to growl and would not let him pass. "Grandfather, your dog won't let me out." Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching, his grandfather shouted, "Coldwater, get out of the way!"

Source: Email from a friend.

By melody_yesterday from Sedalia Mo

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Permanent Marker on a Wood Table

How can I remove permanent marker from a wooden table?

Dmsommer from Cleveland

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Small Wooden Bases For Crafts

Looking for wooden bases for a project. They need to be less than an inch in height and about 8 inches around.

Cathy from Gainesville, FL

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"Miracle on Main Street" Themed Float

Do you have an idea for Christmas float with the theme "Miracle on Main Street"?

Ronda from Shawnee, OK

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Stamp Ink On Clothing

I have a pair a blue jeans and a white sock that have stamp ink in them. I was wondering what I can use to get them out of my daughter's good clothes? I have tried hairspray and that has not worked.

Brandi from Knightdale, NC

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Scrapbooking Ideas For Old Photos

Any good scrapbooking ideas? I have a ton of OLD pictures to go through and don't know where to start. Help.

Alice from Centerville, OH

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Recipes For Low Sodium Diet

My husband has been put on a low sodium diet. Does anyone have any recipes that would meet this description? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Alice from Centerville, OH

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Red Tomatoes Are Green Inside

Our beautiful red tomatoes are green and hard inside, especially around the "wall" of the tomato. What causes this? This has happened for the past two years. The tomatoes are practically inedible even though we let them ripen on the vine (or appear to ripen.)

Pat from Traverse City, MI

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Bugs With Split In The End

I have these little inch long bugs with a split on one end that we keep seeing in the kitchen and bathroom. I've tried recaulking the bathroom and every kind of cleaner I can think but still I see them now and then. Is this just something doomed to be in Florida or is there something that will keep them out?

Beth from Middleburg, FL

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Freezing Orange Juice In Carton

Can orange juice be frozen? I recently read that cartons of milk can be frozen, so I got to wondering what else can be frozen?

Sandy from Stoughon, WI

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Free Printout of Stratego

Does anybody know where I can get a free printout of Stratego?

Claire from Victoria

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Cleaning Oak Chairs

How can I clean grime off of Oak wooden chairs? It is on the top back where we pick them up to move them. It is sticky. I don't want to damage the finish.

Mike from Wheatland, WY

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Printing Your Own Wedding Programs

My daughter is getting married. We are wondering if you have to go to a printer to do wedding programs, or if anyone has a way of making them? I do want them to look nice. Is there a special program to do this? Same thing with little cards for the favors. Can you do them yourself or do you need a professional?

Jayne from Indiana

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Recipes Using Soy Milk

I am able to buy soy milk at 30-50 cents a quart (our cow milk is now almost $6 a gallon, so this is a huge savings). My family won't drink it straight (even though it is flavored) but I would like to try cooking with it. Does anyone have any recipes to share that use soy milk?

I started buying this as one of my daughters has to take a powered medication 2-3 times a day and she takes it in chocolate milk. With the chocolate in the soy milk, she will take it, but I'd like to try and save even more by cooking with it also.

April from NW Missouri

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Semi-Permanent Room Divider

How do I divide a bedroom, semi-permanent? I have a 13 yr old boy an a 14 yr old girl sharing a 10 x 11 bedroom. I'd like to provide them with some privacy and a quiet space to escape to. Something more noise dampening than a curtain; but ultimately removable, as we are renters. I'm thinking dry wall and some kind of brackets to attached it to the existing wall and ceiling? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Kathryn from Escondido, CA

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Blocked Caller Getting Through

Is there a way someone can still call my phone number when I have blocked them? Somehow they got through.

Ann from MA

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Fixing Electrical Wiring

I need to know how to fix hot/ground reverse on electrical wiring for home.

jenniferl from Silversprings, FL

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Super Glue on Cellphone

My husband accidentally got super glue all over the back of his cellphone where the battery is. Does anyone have any idea what I can use to get this off?

Amber

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Toddler Bangs Head During Tantrum

How can I get my 2yr old to not bang his head when he has a tantrum?

lovelife from Florida

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College Grant Advice

Are there any grants or scholarship available for those high school students applying for college who don't qualify under financial need criteria?

N.R. from Illinois

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Preserving Star Fruit

Do you have a recipe for preserving star fruit (star apple)?

Sue

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Holder for Organizing VCR Tapes

I have a stack of VCR tapes that haven't been watched yet. Previously they were bumped into and knocked out of order, so I'd like to prevent that from occurring again!

Is there some kind of a holder that would permit me to stack them, one on top of the other, in a vertical order, removing the oldest from the bottom and placing the most recently recorded ones on the top? Any other suggestions?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Raised Water Mark on Wood Veneer Table

How do I remove a raised circle on a pecan veneer table left by a water glass? It is not a white circle.


Janet from Birmingham, Alabama

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Getting Rid of Urine Odor in Bathroom

Any suggestions on eliminating the urine smell in my 1/2 bath? I think my boys have "missed" a few times. The floor is wood, I've washed it with vinegar/water, Spic n Span, plain water, etc and nothing works.

The smell goes away for a couple of hours and then comes back. Outside of replacing the floor, any ideas? I'm getting desperate since fall is now here and we'll be closing all the windows soon. Thanks.

Chris from Toledo, OH

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Device for Finding Keys

I am misplacing my keys a lot. Does anyone know of any device that could help me locate my keys when I can't find them? Something like when you misplace the handset to a phone and you can push the find handset button so you can locate it by the noise.

Ann from MA

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Keeping Food Budget Down for Large Family

I would like any info on getting my food bill down to $20.00 a day for 2 adults and 4 kids 13,10,5,3. Is it possible? We will be adopting 2 or 3 more kids (they will be placed with us within 4 months). I need help keeping my food budget down. My husband needs meat. He's in construction. I can get away with maybe 1 meal a week no meat. Thanks.

Tammy from Phelan, CA

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Getting Raccoons to Leave Neighborhood

How do I get rid of raccoons? We didn't know it at the time, but a neighbor family was feeding some wild raccoons. All we knew is that we had raccoons that were multiplying and becoming more and more curious and aggressive about their search for food. Before those neighbors fed the raccoons, the raccoons stayed up in the hills away from neighborhoods, but now they scour the neighborhood looking for food, getting into the trash, getting into people's garages, destroying things on people's decks, and so on.

We have trouble with the raccoons coming right into our home using the pet door for our cats and dogs to go in and out of. Yes, we have two cats and three dogs and still have trouble with the raccoons being bold enough to come right into our home. Anyway, I am writing this post for two reasons. The first is to let people know that when they feed raccoons, there often are consequences to pay down the road, and we neighbors are paying the consequences of this one family's decision to feed the cute raccoons (that family no longer feeds them because they, too, no longer feel the raccoons are cute).

The second reason is to ask if anyone has successfully gotten rid of raccoons once they have taken over a neighborhood. We have tried live traps, and the raccoons won't go in them. We have caught many neighborhood cats, though. Any other suggestions?

Tina from Ashland, OR

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Putting Greeting on Seed Paper Card

Looking through crafts, I found an article about making seed paper by Ellen Brown. I am going to try this but want to know how to put a greeting on the front of the card?

Barb from NY

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Shampoo For Hard Water

Has anyone found a natural, organic daily shampoo and/or conditioner that works well with hard water? Our hair is so dull! Thanks.

Cindy from Texas Hill Country

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Centerpiece Ideas For Masquerade Party

I'm having a sweet sixteen and I want the theme to be masquerade. I am having problems finding center pieces for it. Can I please have some advice. Thanks.

Chrismar

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Transplanting Climbing Rose Bush

How and when can you move (transplant) a climbing/trellis rose bush? I don't know the name of it, but it has beautiful, bright magenta roses about the size of a tennis ball when it blooms. We have it at the end of our house but want to move it in order to pour a patio. Any advice is much appreciated!

Hardiness Zone: 7b


Leah from Shelbyville, TN

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Website For Reviewing Doctors

Does anyone have any advice about how to get free information on doctors (such as profile, patient reviews, etc.)? I'm looking for something free and simple just to check out a doctor prior to going to them. I've come across a couple of websites, but they have some lengthy, wordy user agreements that I'm not sure about. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Leah from Shelbyville, TN

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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