Daily Thrifty Tips - April 20, 2007

I hope everyone has a great Earth Day weekend. This week's Saving Money on Newsletter has tons of tips and articles for saving money and saving the environment. You can read it here:

http://www.ThriftyFun.com/tf99135870.tip.html

There are two new recalls relating to the contaminate rice protein, you can find more information here:

Pet Food Recalls

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Apache (Pitbull)

Apache is a 4 year old Pitbull. A friend traded him to me for one of mine as a puppy.

He likes to play chase and eat dinner with us at the table. He's a cookie nut so we put treats in the cookie jar. I will say "Apache where's your cookie?" and he'll go and jump at the cookie jar.

By Sandie from Archer Florida

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Do It Yourself Dog Biscuits

With all the problems with dog food lately here is a good way to make dog biscuits and my dog loves them.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 Tbsp. molasses
• 1/2 cup water

Directions

Mix ingredients all together in bowl, roll out dough and use cookie cutters to make designs or just roll in cookie shapes. Bake 375 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Celery Rose

I cut off the end of a celery stalk and it looked like a rose. I had to post it, it was so cute. I didn't know they looked like that! Interesting!

By Stacey Silva from Orem, UT

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Using Crystal Everyday

I am always looking for ways to use my pretty crystal everyday. For instance, I use a my celery dishes to hold folded dinner napkins in the kitchen and paper hand towels in the bath. I also use my 8 inch square crystal tray to house my 6 1/2 inch luncheon napkins.

By Mitzi from DeLand, FL

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Shoeboxes For Photo Organizing

Well, I was reading all the different ways to use old shoe boxes and thought of one myself. I have collected all these shoe boxes because I just can't see throwing out a perfectly good box that could be used for many other things. I needed to sort a huge box of pictures, you know, the ones that never make it to the photo albums. What I plan on doing is painting these boxes in coordinating colors and using them to file my pictures by date! I will then have easy access to them and I will label the boxes each with what years they are from.

Great ideas from a lot of people on shoeboxes.

Hugs, Jackie from Norton, MA

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Different Colored Socks For Each Person

Each family member has a different color sock, 4 boys and my husband and myself. Makes it easy to sort. Black, gray, white, gray with a stripe and gray with a colored heel. It is so difficult to keep their socks white that my husband and myself are the only ones with white socks.

By S Duffy from Canada

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Easy Hair Spray Removal

To get hair spray out of your hair, put a little baking soda in your hand with your shampoo and it will remove freeze spray as I use it daily. Works!

By Bonnie from Saint Petersburg, Fl

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Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Are you wanting an innovative way to serve your chilled egg, tuna or chicken salad for your next potluck? Cherry tomatoes! Wash some cherry tomatoes, hollow them by removing the core, seeds, and membranes. Slice a tiny piece off the bottom of each tomato, so it will sit flat and not roll all over your plate or serving dish. Stuff your tomatoes with your cold egg, chicken or tuna salads, or mix and match. Garnish with a light dusting of paprika or a tiny sprig of fresh dill. Makes a great finger food!

By Terri from NV

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Plant Mixed Garden With Old Seeds

If you have a bunch of old seed packets and they are outdated or you don't know how old they are, find a spot and mix them all together and see what grows. I've seen some beautiful flower gardens grown this way. In the fall when you are cleaning up your flowers, you can also toss the plants off into one place and the seeds will germinate and grow into a nice mixed garden.

By Mythi from WA

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Organization For Pack Rats

I know that this sounds simplistic but if you are a pack rat (and who isn't?), try to root through your things on a regular basis. I put away items into a "safe" place and then I cannot find them. I am in a store and I "think" I need pens when I have dozens of them, if I only knew where. I have been going through some of my things for spring cleaning and I found that I have three different packages of whiteout because I put each one in a different place for storage. This goes for food. And seasonal clothes. Do not buy new clothes before you take out the clothes that you have stored and really know what you need (or can fit into). I believed that, as a pack-rat, I was always prepared for an emergency, but the emergency was tieing up my money on things I did not need or already had.

By Heather from Boston, MA

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Try Products For Free

When you can, join advertising/promotion programs that give you samples and free stuff for participation. One such setup currently is being a buzz agent. I have gotten a full-size face lotion to sample and talk about, a trial of computer software and a little backpack. It's mostly for kids, but they are going after boomers now, too. (Years ago, I got kitchenware from someone else for keeping track of all the groceries I bought. The schemes change over time.) You get to try new products and every little bit of saving helps.

By Pam from Los Angeles

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Cut Mr. Clean Magic Erasers In Half

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser product is very good. However; it is a little expensive. I have found that by cutting each pad in half, I get twice the cleaning. One half will clean the bathtub, or countertop, or shoes, etc. Often times you need a clean one to clean a different item. So half is just enough.

By Margeth from Michigan

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Ice at the Bottom of a Frost Free Freezer

My frost free freezer is forming ice at the bottom. Why?

Ralph from Philadelphia, PA

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Satin Bow for a Prom Dress

We are trying to find a way to keep the satin bow on my daughter's prom dress tied! We have to pull it really tight first, she holds it while I make the bow. But because the fabric is so slippery, it loosens quickly. It's a major support of the dress so it can't be loose. We tried pinning, but really can't seem to get it through all parts of the knot without it showing. Anyone have any suggestions other than sewing the knot after she puts it on? THANK YOU!

Denise

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Recipe For Making Matte Eye Shadow

We are looking for a recipe for making matte eye shadow (similar to the matte LA FEMME and matte MAC eye-shadows in Medium Brown, Taupe, and Black). We have no prior experience in making cosmetics, and so would need to learn things from start finish, i.e., raw materials, equipment, mixing/preparing, and packaging.

Regards,
Conrad & Stephanie
Los Angeles, CA

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Tissue Oil Cocoa Butter for Stretch Marks

Is tissue oil effective in removing scars and stretch marks or is cocoa butter better?

Sana.m from South Africa, Durban

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Homemade Space Bags

I read in your column awhile back about someone using black trash bags and the vacuum cleaner to make a large space bag. Does anyone remember this?

Junebug from Long Beach, MS

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How Do You Antique Stain a Table Cloth?

I'm looking to stain a white table cloth to look like it's tea-stained/antique stained. How do I do this?

Mikki

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Homemade Dishwasher Powder

I have tried this recipe for dishwasher powder from another site and it wrecked my plastic baby bottles leaving a thick white film on them! Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon Borax
• 1 tablespoon Baking soda

Directions:

Mix; add to dishwasher. Use more baking soda for harder water.

What can I do? I would love to use this recipe, since it's so cheap and convenient. Do I need to add extra vinegar for the rinse? I am afraid I can get a film all over my dishwasher if I use this recipe and even more, plug the water ducts. I need more options.

Thanks,
Sweety from VA

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Homemade Wet Tissues

I have a major cold and like most colds I have a runny nose! I have a small problem, I ran out of tissues and was unable to go to the store today. so i need a recipe to make my own wet tissues. I need then wet because dry will hurt my nose more than it already does. Please help me!

Ashley from Jax., FL

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Teacup Cross Stitch Pattern

I am looking for a cross stitch pattern of a teacup. I would really appreciate your help.

Thanks,
LEONA from ST PAUL, ALBERTA

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White Bra Dyed by Dark Clothing

I have a new white bra that is now half blue from wearing it with a new (non-washed) black blouse. I have washed it in Woollite, soaked it in Oxyclean and nothing has worked. Help!

Melinda from Edmond, OK

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Poulan Lawn Mower Won't Start

I have a Poulan Lawn Mower with a 22hp briggs engine. When I turn the key I get a buzzing sound and it does not turn over. The buzzing occurs when the seat is depressed. Is there away to bypass the safety switch or to fix this problem?

CJ from Poplar Bluff, MO

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Dying White Baseball Pants Grey

I purchased and can not return 6 pairs of white baseball pants. I found out last night my daughters need grey baseball pants. Does anyone know if I can dye them if so does anyone have a suggestion on what brand of dye?

Thank you for your help,
Debbi from Brownstown, MI

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Updating Laminate Kitchen Cabinets

I want to update the look of my kitchen. I can't afford to get a new kitchen, my cabinets are dark brown laminate. Any suggestions for the wall color?

Pamela from Pittsburgh, PA

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Low Fat Snack Ideas

I've been dieting for almost a year (in June), and I have run out of ideas for snacks for the dieter. I am the mom, but, my son, who is 15, is also watching what he eats. We keep fruit and munchy crunchy "Go Lean Crunch" cereal to munch on. And, also, low fat popcorn. We really need some new ideas for snacks for the dieter!

Glinda

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Buttermilk Baking Mix

Where can I find buttermilk baking mix? I would like to make the garlic cheese biscuits but can not find the mix. Please help.

Thanks,
Deb from Largo, FL

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Restoring Paint Hardened Paintbushes

How do you renew paint hardened brushes?

Wayne from Salmon Arm B.C.

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Removing Paint From Carpet

How do I get dried paint out of carpet?

Brandi from Omaha, NE

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Recycling Computers

Do you have any tips disposing of or recycling computers? Post them below.

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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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Is Bottled Water Worth It?
By Ellen Brown

With wholesale sales exceeding $10 billion dollars in 2005, the bottled water industry is booming. And it doesn't show signs of slowing down anytime soon. According to statistics released by the Beverage Marketing Corporation, production exceeded 7.5 billion gallons in 2005-up a whopping 10.7 % from 2004. That breaks down to 26.1 gallons of bottled water per person in the U.S each year. At an average cost of $5.00 per gallon bottled water is certainly convenient, but is it worth it the cost?

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Small Magnets Are Injuring Children; CPSC Releases Stronger Warning to Parents

As the number of toys with magnets increases, so is the number of serious injuries to children. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware of hundreds of complaints that magnets have fallen out of various toys and at least 33 cases where children swallowed loose magnets and required emergency surgery. In addition, a 20-month-old boy from Seattle, Wash. died.

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Recall Alert: Infant Bouncer Seats Recalled Due to Frame Failure

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Saving Money on Beads for Beadwork

Tips for saving money on beads for doing beadwork.

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Growing Cucumbers

Here are some tips for growing cucumbers by the ThriftyFun community.

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