Daily Thrifty Tips - February 25, 2009

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Homemade Wedding Bouquets

These are sample wedding bouquets that I made myself.

By Marlene from Seagrove, NC

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Garden: Homegrown Garlic

The picture of garlic from my garden last year.

By Kathleen from Dothan, AL

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Coffee Cup Holders For Cans

I love soda in aluminum cans, but hate the cold and condensation on my hands. I came up with a great solution that I thought might help others who have similar problems with their hands.

I put my can in a cup! The handle stays dry and warm, and the soda can actually stays colder longer since it's "insulated". I hope this helps!

By Sandra from Salem, OR

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Samanda (Mixed Breed Cat)

Samanda, is a Tabby, I think. I'm not sure. She is 1 year old.

She was given to me as a gift after my little cat, Sammi, died just after Christmas. She likes to chase my older cat, Molly, who doesn't like her yet. She likes to play with any string, or cord that might be hanging down. She also loves to get in the bathroom sink and play with a stream of water. She will sit in the sink and play with the plug too.

This little girl was in a litter of 5 and was kept outside with all the rest of the cats. When I went to see what they had, she reminded me of my older cat, Molly. She was a bit "wild" and skittish, but now she is so sweet and loving. She follows me around the house and sleeps next to me on the bed. What a blessing she has been to my broken heart from losing my Sammi.

By Barbara from Evington, VA

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Use a Photo Album as a Recipe Holder

I found this "photo" album several months ago at a discount store. I loved the cover but wanted to use it for recipes instead of photos. It just didn't make sense to me to use it for photos with a "chef" motif! Now that I am collecting so many fantastic recipes on a daily basis at Thrifty Fun, I am using the album to store the recipes.

I just print them on 4x6 index cards and they fit perfectly into the pages. Each page will hold 2 on each side of the page. With the clear covering protecting the card, you don't get unwanted spills/stains on the cards! Since the photo was taken, I have covered the word "Photographs" with a label I printed that says "Recipes". The book has 50 pages which is 200 recipes. I try to get the entire recipe on one card, even if I have to print it on the back of the card too.

By Southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA

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Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

On days when you're in a rush but still would like to come home to the welcoming aroma of a homecooked meal, you might want to try this. Put a frozen turkey breast in your slow cooker. Dump a package of onion soup mix on it. Turn the cooker on high and it will be done when you get home after work. Whip up some stuffing mix and open a can of green beans and you have a feast with little effort. (I use one of the West Bend Slow Cookers that has a base and the rectangular pot sits on top of it.) If you are hesitant about leaving it cooking while you're gone, you can always put it on the night before and it will be ready when you get up. Just be sure to refrigerate it before you leave.

By Sandy from Elon, NC

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Watch for Free Kids Events

To keep kids entertained, look for free events. Sometimes programs offer 1 free class with no obligation. Gymboree, Little Gym, and Stroller Strides do this. Additionally, some churches have open play times for a minimal fee. If a church near you doesn't, see if your church might be willing to do that. All you need is a multipurpose room and some toys. The kids love it!

By Laurie from Circle City, AZ

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Make Bread for the Birds With Old Flour

I found an old 5 pound bag of wheat flour that got lost in the back of the pantry. Not wanting to waste it I used it in my bread machine and made loaves of bread to put out for the birds. The bottom of the loaf where the mixing paddle goes is perfent to slip over the snoe fence outside the kitchen window. The birds are loving it!

By Peggy from Cortland, Ohio

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Resume and Interview Tips for Job Hunters

Job hunting is a very prominent issue right now. There are several things that people can do to help them get on track when hunting.

The first is writing an impressive resume. Keep to the basics but don't get too vague. For instance, instead of saying "Got government contracts for our company" you would say "Solidified over $70,000 in government contracts in the year of 2008";. You also want to make sure your resume is not too long. You only want two pages if your skills and accomplishments are impressive enough and detailed enough to completely fill two pages. If you only have half of the second page filled, it is a good idea to either add or take away some information. Potential employers don't like a lot of reading when they are on a time crunch to fill a position.

If you get called for an interview, make sure to read up on the company that you will be interviewing with. When they ask if you have any questions about the job or work place, ask the interviewer relevant questions. For instance, if you are interviewing for a big company, ask how many employees it has and how many you could potentially be working with. Also, ask the interviewer how long they have been with the company and ask how they decided to get into that line of work. It shows interest.

NEVER EVER ask about money on the first interview. Let the interviewer ask you about it first. Otherwise it could make you come across as greedy and may make the interviewer think you are only going to be there to draw a pay check.

Lastly, don't forget to write a thank you note. Seriously. If there are 50 qualified applicants, and only one writes a thank you note, chances are that one will be the one to get the job because they showed courtesy and their name will be on their mind most recently. Use a thank you card or even a special stationary to look more professional and help seal the deal.

Good luck to all those job hunters out there!

Source: I read a lot of articles about job hunting and resume writing. So far, my favorites are from www.soyouwanna.com - How To Ace A Job Interview and How To Write An Impressive Resume. After reading those two, I had no trouble getting my last two jobs. My old job I was at for three years before I graduated college and am now starting my second year at my current job.

By Sandy from Alabama

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Link: Bad Food For Dogs

The following website contains food that is deadly or very harmful to dogs. I knew raisins and grapes were deadly but would never have guessed avocado or broccoli was bad for them.

• http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/baddogfoods.html

By Racer from Bristol TN

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Flannel Headband for a Frugal Sleep Mask

My partner reads late at night, and I like to go to sleep right away. We have fixed this problem with the light keeping me awake, by me wearing a sleep mask.

However, I didn't go out and spend 7-20 dollars on one. I just grabbed my flannel ear muffs headband and wear it around my eyes. I get my darkness and snooze soundly!

By Dawn C. from Denver, CO

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Store Seldom Used Linens In Pillow Shams

Whenever I buy sets of bedding many times there are two pillow shams that go with the bedding and I never use them. The last time I got some, instead of just packing them away, I went through my linen closet and pulled out any small items that I could fold and put inside of the shams. Anything that I did not use on a regular basis, but wanted to keep.

I now had two pillow shams filled with many of my seldom used items and then put these filled shams on top of the bed in our quest bedroom. This way I used the shams and did not need to buy additional pillows for them, and also freed up some storage room in my very small linen closet.

By Susan from Mulberry, FL

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Link: FDA Updates on Food Recalls

I was going through my email and I am subscribed to the FDA update on salmonella products, and I found a widget that keeps you updated. You can put in on the computer, and put it in favorites and then go to it. I almost bought donuts, and then it said they were recalled in a town near me, so I am glad I had the widget.

Here is where to get the widget:

• http://www.fda.gov/default.htm

Hope this helps someone.

By Racer

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Spoiled Milk Odor in Car

How do I get a milk spill out of my car? It is gray fabric and I have had it detailed. I then took the seat out, it is Styrofoam on the bottom. I took it to the carwash and used the brush on it. I am going to spray Febreze on the styrofoam and put it back in my car. Does anyone have any suggestions. I also have to clean the metal that is under the seat because there is still a smell even though the seat is not in there, because it is drying. Thanks.

Sheryl from Oklahoma

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Instructions for Necktie Angel

I'm looking for a Tie Angle craft, made from a dowel rod and necktie.

Cynthia from KY

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Growing an Avocado Plant Inside

I plan on growing an avocado tree or bush indoors due to the cold winters we have. Can it ever bear fruit?

Hardiness Zone: 6a


Terry from Rochester, NY

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Recycling Used Cat Litter

How can I recyle cat litter waste? Right now, my bags of it end up in trash disposal. I know someone who directly created a slope of it over a cliff, over time! In the past, I've used it to fill holes in my property. The point is, it's not supposed to be used in compost (except for flower beds), and if treated as trash, it just goes into landfills, doesn't it? I am looking for environmentally sound ideas about where to dispose of cat litter. What do you do with your clay or scoop stuff?

Nica from Big Bend, WV

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Health Insurance for College Student

Our daughter, despite being a full-time student, is being kicked off our health insurance as soon as she turns 22. The student insurance offered through her university looks like mediocre coverage with high co-pays for about $100/month. Any suggestions for better and/or cheaper coverage?

Kerry from Sandy, UT

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Nail Polish Stains on Clothing

My daughter had a bottle of red nail polish in her North Face coat pocket and it went in the washer then the dryer. During drying it opened up and dried all over the clothes and inside of the dryer. Any ideas on how to get it out of the clothes and inside of dryer ? Thanks .

Karrie from Upstate New York

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Applesauce Vs. Apple Butter

What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter? They seem to be almost exactly the same, so why the different name?

Cettina from Malta, Europe

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Recipe for Angel Pie

I am looking for a recipe for a pie my mother used to make for me. We called it Angel pie. It was a white pie filling topped with whipping cream and sprinkled with walnuts.

Graycrab from Minnesota

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Older Dog is Having Health Problems

My 15 yr. old dog she is experiencing extremely fast weight loss, shaking, seizures and now bloody gellatenous stool. What can it be? The vet says she's just old.

Robin from Los Angeles, CA

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Making an Afghan with a Daisy Maker

How to use the daisy maker for making an afghan? It is a wheel with pins sticking our of the sides. You somehow wrap the yarn around these pins, then you pop it off and keep making more, attach them and make an afghan.

Carol from Whitaker

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Removing Popcorn Finish from Ceiling

Can you scrape off popcorn from a ceiling?

Gina

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Flat Top Stove Cleaner Recommendations

I have a glass flat top electric range. I don't want to buy the expensive cleaners that they recommend for them. I used to use Bon Ami, but can't seem to find it anymore. Is there something that I can clean it with that will not scratch and that I can buy or make to clean it?

I have tried Soft Scrub and it really does not do a very good job. I have tried Comet no scratch and it smells awful and leaves a terrible smell on my hands. Can anyone help me find a good cleaner for this job? Thank you.

Linda from Mount Morris, PA

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BBQ Stain on White Cotton Shirt

I have a white cotton blouse that I just spilled 57 steak sauce on. I have done nothing to it at this point. I am looking for a fool proof stain removal tip. I have tried to remove stains on blouses of this type in the past by putting oxyclean on it and then bleaching. It didn't work. Please help!

Robin from Wausau, WI

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Treating a Dog's Hip Dysplasia

My border collie has severe hip dysplasia. The recommended surgery is excision (they cut the ball from the top of the femur). Has anyone out there had a similar procedure done on their larger dog?

Toro from Perth, WA

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Gas Smell on Clothing

How do you get gasoline off clothes?

Teresa from Cincinnati, OH

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Cat Puts Things in Water Dish

My cat always puts things in his water dish. Not just anything, he puts only things that soak up water. I change his water every other day if not every every day and its filtered. He has done this ever since he was really young. Any suggestions?

Cliff from Jacksonville

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Cleaning Velvet Upholstery

How do you clean luxury velvet upholstery?

Joyce from Kamuela, HI

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Acai Berry Diet Supplements

Do acai berry pills work for losing weight? Is this substance something you can find in other foods? If so, which foods do you eat to get these benefits?

RJW

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Gift Ideas for Mishloach Manot

Purim arrives at sundown on the 9th of March 2009, and with it, the obligation for each Jew to send out mishloach manot to one's friends and neighbors.

Last year I made faux burgers. The meat was brownie, the bun was doughnut, the lettuce was green-dyed marzipan, and the ketchup and mustard were red and yellow cake frosting piped in squiggles onto the brownie. I added Krinkle Sticks, which look just like French fries, and I packaged them in boxes I'd gleaned from a local kosher burger joint. Everyone said it was adorable.

Unfortunately it was also bloody expensive. Since then I've been laid off from work and can't afford to do something that elaborate. But the damage is done, my best friends got the only boxes last year, since I didn't know anyone else in our new neighborhood, but they showed the boxes to everyone else.

Now everyone else I know is expecting another completely adorable gift basket instead of the cheap version I was considering (an apple and a pita in a hand-colored paper bag). Help! I need your crafty creativity. I need to make boxes that contain:

• 1. Two different items that are ready to eat.
• 2. No gluten.
• 3. No meat products, no dairy products, nothing that will spoil if people don't open it up right when they get it.
• 4. Must be something that could be prepared economically for up to 20 recipients.

Chayil

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Cleaning Microfiber Furniture

I found the sectional for our recreational room at Value Village. However, it is covered in stains. It is beige microfiber. What are my chances of getting it clean with a steam cleaner? The stains look like they could be juice or food. Should I roll the dice and spend the $250 and try and clean it? The sectional is relatively new just badly taken care of, any advice?

Vickie from Winfield, B.C. Canada

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Weight Watcher's Quick Start Menu

I have been trying to find the Weight Watchers Quick Start Menu. It was the menu for the first week of Weight Watchers back in the early 80s. It was called the Quick Start Menu - Week 1.

Patty from Syracuse, NY

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Appreciation Party for My Husband

My husband works full-time and takes great care of our family. While doing all of this, he has recently completed his work and obtained his MBA. I would like to have a small family party for him, and would love any ideas on how to recognize his sacrifice and hard work. Any gift ideas that anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

I love him dearly and he never asks for anything for himself, nor does he ever seek recognition for his efforts. This is why I would love to do something special for him, he does so much for everyone else. Thanks in advance for your help!

Robin from Dubin, OH

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Removing Paint From Fabric

I have a problem with permanent paints. I was so busy helping my son and making sure that he and the area was clean that I didn't think about me. I noticed a green spot on the front of my jeans and just today I noticed a green spot on the couch! So I looked at my pants again and there was more paint on the back of my jeans. Does anyone have any ideas that could possibly get the spot of the couch or jeans? Or am I stuck with it since it is permanent? The couch is a polyester fiber. Please help. Thanks.

Jessica from Eaton, OH

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Dried Out Pledge Wipes

I found a couple of packages of dried out Pledge wipes that I'd like to reactivate. I would like to use them on my leather couches, the package says they can be used for this. Does anyone have any ideas how to reactivate them? Do I just add a little water?

Kathi from Denton, TX

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Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave

How do I get rid of burnt popcorn smell from the microwave?

Patti from Chickasha, OK

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Planting Vegetables Together

What vegetables can I plant together, in the spring?

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Meechi from Camden, NJ

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Riding Mower Won't Start

I have a lawn tractor with a basic starting problem. When I turn the key in the ignition I hear a click but the engine won't crank up. I have removed the fuse and there is no click when I turn the key. I am assuming that there is power running to the ignition switch. The fuse test proves this. Is my problem likely to be the ignition switch or the starter motor (if such a thing exists on a lawn tractor)?

Brian from Dublin, Ireland

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Cigarette Smoke Smell in Upholstery

I bought a love seat from a flea market. It didn't smell all that bad, when I bought it, but now that I have it home it is filled with cigarette smoke. I am asthmatic and it is driving me crazy. It is really a pretty reclining love seat.

Do you think having it steamed cleaned from a professional will get the smell out? It only cost me $75.00. It will coast $97.00 to get it cleaned. Should I just get it out of my house altogether?

Irma Gould from Gravette, AR

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Baby Blanket Patterns

I am looking for a baby blanket pattern. Can anyone tell me where I can find one?

Dottie from Zeigler, IL

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Smelly Drains

How can you get rid of smells coming from the sink drain?

Karen from MI

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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: A Fan of ThriftyFun

I have been thifty all my adult life. I had my first child at 19 years of age, with 2 more that followed 5 years apart. I found myself using more and more store coupons, bought the childrens school clothing at a particular thrift store and at a discount store named Bradley's in NJ that has since closed down. We have stopped using fuel oil and use either our oven or small oil heaters to heat our home, moving the heaters from room to room if necessary.

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