Daily Thrifty Tips - October 30, 2007

With Halloween almost past us, we are going to start focusing on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Do you have any tips for organizing a large Thanksgiving meal and making sure that everything is ready at the same time? If so, please submit your tips and ideas on the contest page.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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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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Craft: Halloween Kit

Great for kids classmates or special kids that you see on Halloween. Also great for craft shows. Great halloween party loot bag.

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Hibiscus Bush

Just a picture of my favorite Hibiscus Bush.

By Denise from South West Florida

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Halloween Goodie Boxes

Halloween goodie box. Made from paper, ribbon and stickers. Purchase plain wood boxes at Michael's or other craft store for $1.00 and decorate in any theme. Great for teacher gifts.

By Diane from Leesburg, VA

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Cheyenne Zoo in Colorado Springs

Taken at Cheyenne Zoo in Colorado Springs on 9/07.

Their web is: http://www.cmzoo.org/

By Mary Lou from Abingdon, MD

Editor's Note: I'm not sure what these birds are. Can anyone identify these lovely creatures?

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Beauty (Chihuahua)

Beauty is a 3 month old Chihuahua. She was born in my house.

She likes to chew socks and loves to be held.

By Betty Boop from Riverside, CA

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Mystery Halloween Tin Can Craft Photo

Here is a very cute craft photo of some tin can pumpkins that we had uploaded to ThriftyFun but we didn't receive any information about them. If you are the person who submitted these, please leave us some feedback so we can give you credit. These would be great with tealights running up a driveway or in a window for Halloween.

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Use A Plastic Knife For Cutting Brownies

Use a disposable plastic knife as opposed to a regular kitchen knife when cutting brownies. This will cut the brownies cleanly, instead of pulling the brownies and causing an ugly, messy, crumby build up around the edges of each piece. Brownies will stick to a metal knife, but not to a plastic knife.

By Michele from East Bethel, MN

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Keep Track Of How Long You Have A Product

Whenever I open an item, I now write the date on it with a sharpie marker. This is especially helpful with make-up, especially mascara, as I believe the shelf life is only about 3 months. I write the dates on all sorts of other things such as: lotion, hairspray, nail polish, shampoo/conditioner, liquid soap, the list is endless. This has started to help me realize how fast or slow I use a product and to know how much to budget out for each product over a period of time.

By Denise from Nebraska

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Glass Photo Christmas Ornaments

You can buy four packs of clear glass ornaments at Hobby Lobby. These are the kind that have the little metal top you can pull off. Note what size you get, 4 inch, 5 inch, 3 inch, etc.

Cut a piece of drawing paper, or printer paper even in a circle the size of the ornament you have. The easiest way to do this is to use a compass, or trace the bottom of a can the right size.

Decorate the piece of paper as you like, write something on it, draw a picture on it. If you like, you can print out a picture on paper and cut it out instead of plain paper. Cutting out a circle from photo paper is not recommended. Make sure what ever you put on the paper can be easily bent without damaging it.

Once your artwork is complete, wrap it around a pencil, with the picture inside the roll, facing the pencil. The idea is for it to be thin enough to slide into the ornament. Once rolled tight and slipped into the ornament, it gets tricky. Use long tweezers, knitting needles or an unfolded paper clip or two to unroll the picture inside the ornament. This is sort of like building a ship in a bottle. Once unrolled it should stay pretty flat on its own. Make sure the picture is the right way up.

Now get a tiny funnel or something with a small spout. You can add "snow" to the ornament! Use iridescent confetti, part confetti in little shapes, sparkles, small downy feathers, beads, etc. Make sure to put most of the "snow" behind the picture, this will help it to not curl up. It's much easier to use a small long funnel to do this, so you can just place the spout behind the picture. Add some "snow" in front of the picture as well, take care not to put so much in as it hides too much of your picture.

Now all that's left is to pop the cap hanger back on the ornament, and you're done! You now have a personalized glass ornament that the recipient will marvel at!

Note: you can glue the top onto the ornament if you're worried it will come off. You can also paint on the outside of the ornament if you want.

By Panktty from Anderson, IN

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Convert Exercise Tapes To DVD

I have been slowly saving my exercise VCR tapes to DVD. By the time I really need to do this, the VCR/DVD recorders will be out of fashion, I am sure. So, if you have a favorite VCR tape that might not have been popular enough to be brought back to life as a DVD, keep this in mind!

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Warm Crib Sheets With A Heating Pad

Use a heating pad on LOW to warm your baby's crib before lying him/her down after you get him or her to sleep. But REMEMBER, be sure to check the temp with your hand before to make sure it's not too hot. This will keep the "cold" sheets from waking him or her.

By Robbie from Knoxville, TN

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Freeze Grapes As A Snack

Just wanted too let you all know this, I am sure some already do, when grapes are on sale, buy them and freeze them. They make a great frozen snack. Be sure and wash them good before eating. The kids love them.

By Sue from Shoals, IN

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Protect Books With Fabric Book Covers

Reading library books? Borrowed books? New books? I purchased a number of the new stretchy fabric book covers found in school supplies to keep on hand to use. That way, all books I read will keep their fresh pages. The fabric is thin enough to see the title, etc through it, but still protects the book. I got a bunch of them during school sales at $.25 each.

A good idea to put one on a book you lend out as well, bright covering reminds the borrower to return it!

By Joyce from Benson MN

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Epsom Salts For Achy Muscles

End Achy Muscles. Try adding two cups of Epsom salts to your warm bath water. It not only eases pain, but reduces inflammation and because the salt is what's called an electrolyte, it will help with muscle nerve and enzyme function--the main thing is you'll feel better.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Keep A Photo of Box Contents For Help Later

I have a LOT of stuff stored in boxes and occasionally would spend hours looking for one small thing. So now when I pack boxes, I take a picture of the contents and make two copies, one for the outside of the box and one for a special folder I keep for that reason. It makes looking for the items so much simpler.

By Trude from Lima, Ohio

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Keep Kids Amused With A Hole Punch

Invest in several deco hole punches adn keep some of your nicer junk mail that is a pretty color or nice texture .When the grandkids or neighbor kids come over, put them to work "helping". Let them have a few of the pieces they make. While you visit and drink coffee, the little ones aren't up running around getting into things and getting into trouble if they have "a job"!

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Dog Jumping on People

My Ozzie is a Boston terrier mix, he is a little over a year old. I'm having problems with him when people are coming in the door. He jumps all over them and scratches, of course not on purpose. But when little kids come over I don't want them getting scared or hurt. I want to control him more when people are entering my home, what can I do?

Nikki from Chicago, IL

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Apartment Garden

Due to landlord's remodeling, I am going to have a nice new apartment but no more garden or back yard! Recently, I purchased three tomato plants to be planted in two plastic hanging bags. Does anyone have any other ideas about planting in a limited space? I know about the potted plants and I don't know if I'll even have a patio for a raised bed.

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Mary from Redding, CA.

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Crafts Using Old Bread Tags

My son wants to make something from old bread tags. Does anybody have any good ideas?


Les from Adelaide, SA

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Replacement Rubber Arm For Office Chair

Does anyone know where one can buy the RUBBER OFFICE CHAIR arms that cover the ends? I bought two office chairs for our computers several years ago and forgot where. No Brand Name on them! The rubber arm covers are cracking and breaking. I have glued them, but that is no longer sufficient. Where can one get these rubber arm covers? Any web links would be appreciated. I am toying with the idea of making WOOD replacement covers to screw onto the arms.

DoctorBill from Fairfield, WA

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Stopping a Bed From Squeaking

How do I get a bed to stop squeaking? After moving 11 months ago, the bed still squeaks, and it's time to ask for help. This is the 3rd time it's been set up in about 10 years. Wooden headboard, no footboard.

Thanks!
Kim from WI

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Making Things For Pigmy Goats to Play On

I'm looking to things to make for our 4 pigmy goats to play on. Any ideas? Pictures are a great help to me, but not necessary.

Thanks,

Kim from , WI

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Difference Between Minute Rice and Other Brands

What is the difference between Minute Rice and regular rice in the bag like Mahatma or Watermaid? I was told that rice in the bag was too starchy and unhealthy. It just seems like Minute Rice is getting more expensive every month.

Onesummer

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Are Bread Twisties Color Coded by Date?

I have heard that bread twisties are color coded as to the day of week they were made. Does anyone know if that is true and what color goes with what day?

Hazel from Shreveport Louisiana

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Help With Planting a Peach Tree

I heard that you can plant a peach tree in a pot, anyway you can plant it and it will grow. What I need to know is, can you just plant it as it is, or do you have to freeze it or HOW DO YOU DO THIS, PLEASE help me. I want to plant apple seeds also. How do I do this stuff. I am a city girl planted in the country and don't really know what I am doing, but I want to learn. Thanks so much for whoever is coming to my rescue.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Jamish from , Ransom Kansas

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Alternative to Soaker Hoses

I've been using soaker hoses for many years and they worked great. Recently I've started new beds and found the hoses to be very frustrating to use, they either won't work or sprout "geysers" which I have to repair, and the parts are getting expensive. Has anyone found a better alternative to soaker hoses? I've heard of using PVC piping and making small holes. I vegetable garden in a very drought prone area and need a reliable system when I am not home to fix the leaks. I use timers for everything already. The old soaker hoses still work great but the new ones must be made so cheaply and always notice they are made in China.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Viki from Abbeville, AL

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Grilled Chicken Taco Recipe

I'm looking for a recipe for Grilled Chicken Tacos with Lime

Debi from San Diego, CA

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Can Neosporin be Used On a Dogs Eye Injury?

Can neosporin be used on my dog's eye injury?

Donna from LA

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How To Improve Concentration

I need suggestions for improving my concentration. Sometimes I just can't face looking at these math books. But I don't have the luxury of saying, "Forget it!"

Thanks,

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Painting Christmas Tree Lightbulbs

Does anyone know how to paint on Christmas light bulbs? I have an assignment and that is to paint on Christmas tree light bulbs for Christmas decorations. Thank you.

pphoobear from Salem, NH

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Clean and Deodorize Sofa With No Stains

How to clean and deodorize a cloth sofa with no stains?

Warejoy

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Hanging Coffee Cups on Wall

I have a small kitchen and not enough cupboards space. I was thinking of hanging my coffee cups but they would have to be on the outside of the cupboards. Is there anyway I can hang them on the wall? Any suggestions would be great.

Donita from Colorado

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Transfering Cross Stitch Patterns to Aida Cloth

I like to do larger cross stitch patterns, but find myself getting frustrated by loosing count on these. Has anyone tried to transfer counted cross stitch patterns to aida cloth? If so does it help?

Amy from Evansdale

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Review of All Natural Smoke Free Program

Has anyone actually quit smoking with the All Natural Smoke Free Program?

Louise from Texas

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Recipe For Super Moms Ham & Chicken Salad Sandwiches

This may sound like an odd recipe request, but back when I lived in Minnesota, I used to get the Super Moms Chicken Salad and Ham Salad sandwiches from the SA Gas Station. I have been looking for years for a good recipe that is as good as these gas station sandwiches! Anyone know what I am talking about?

Carl from Phoenix

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Looking For New Thankgiving Recipes

This is the first year I'm hosting Thanksgiving. We recently bought our first house and my parents and my in-laws, plus my grandparents will all be coming here for the meal. There will be 9 people, not to many. However, my family has the exact same thing every year for thanksgiving. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry, yams, lima beans, mashed potatoes, jello salad, apple salad, date pudding and pumpkin pie. Not only am I getting tired of this menu after 23 years, but I want my in-laws to and family both like the menu.

What are some things you thrifty fun readers make that are big hits? My mom's allergic to shell fish, and my dad can't eat pork since he's Jewish. Also 2 people are diabetics. Any ideas?

Amy from Anderson, IN

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Recipe For Kuchen With Concord Grapes

Does anyone have a recipe for a kuchen made with concord grapes with their seeds? My German grandmother used to make one and she did not seed them. I also think she left their skins on. Thanks.

Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH

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Christmas Bar Cookie Recipe

What is a easy bar cookie recipe to make at Christmas suitable to be given to friends and neighbors as gifts?

Tammy from Missouri

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Frugal Curtain Tiebacks

Advice for making frugal curtain tiebacks from the ThriftyFun community. Post your own tips here.

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Removing Sharpie from Hair

I have a serious problem. My young daughter has some how used a red sharpie to color her hair. Does anyone have any tips?

Michelle from Rocky Point, NC

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Burnt Revere Pan

I burnt a Revere pan, not copper bottomed, making hot fudge icing . How do I clean it?

bpcazer from Brinkley, AR

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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

My Frugal Life: Thrift

Pack a lunch. Hop the bus to work. Drive a modest car. Walk when you don't have to drive. Hang your clothes on the line.

Perhaps not, someone might think you're poor.

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