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Vol. 8, Num. 220, November 10, 2009 (Read It Online) We are extending voting for the Halloween Costume contest until tomorrow (November 11th). You can view and give a "thumbs up" to costumes that you like here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/Special%20Contests_Halloween%20Costumes%202009_15504_15505.html Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like in this newsletter. Your ratings are used to pick the contest winners. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
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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:
Use Pledge For Shiny Painted Countertops I just completed painting my cream formica countertops to resemble granite. I followed many painting tips from your website and with a little push from my kids I took the plunge! They turned out awesome. The only thing I needed to figure out was how to keep that awesome looking shine on them? After long searches I finally found it out, Spray Pledge. This product is awesome on these countertops. The shine is unbelievable along with the smooth feeling it provides. I accidentally sprayed it on my glass apothecary jars, and surprisingly when I wiped it off they shined so well and looked 2x better than your glass cleaner. Use Pledge on any surface. I even sprayed it on my leather furniture, looks wonderful. By Kerry from Oak Harbor, OH Contest Contender!
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Halloween: Michael Jackson Costume Wow, this was hard to do, I can't lie. This is Michael "Drackson" (as my son calls him). We used DVD videos to sketch the make of the jacket. We bought a 60's style costume and used the little black leather jacket pattern. We added the sequin embellishments and zippers (long zippers and fabric tac and added zipper pulls). We made regular pants into cropped pants and added satin ribbon down the sides like tuxedo pants. We used sequin fabric to make tube sock covers. We bought white winter gloves (used only one) and traced the glove with more sequin fabric. I bought a fedora at Walmart. For his hair, I went to a African American hair store and bought tracks of synthetic weave and glued the tracks onto a stocking cap. Total cost was well over $80.00 because I had to buy him penny loafers! Added a studded belt and white tee shirt with 80's lettering that said "The King Of Pop" By Drii from Stockton, CA Contest Contender!
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Checkers is a three year old Tuxedo cat. She adopted us when she decided she liked our backyard better than her previous owners, our neighbors. She likes to roll in the dirt and chase birds. Checkers is the most well-behaved cat I've ever owned. She never gets on the furniture, sleeps most of the day, and never begs for food. By Tasha from San Jose, CA Contest Contender!
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Busa (said "booser" named after the Hayabusa motorbike) is a 20 months old Staff Boxer cross. I got him one week before Christmas 2008. My son turned up at 11pm, told me to shut my eyes and open my hand for my present, then dropped Busa into my hands. He named him Busa after his step dad's motorbike in the hope he would love the idea of a dog. What a fantastic pet he is! He has never, ever shown his teeth even when bitten by another dog! He loves his runs and walks and he throws his pigs ear in the air for an hour before he thinks about eating it. I have a grandson who lays all over him, sticks his fingers in Busa's mouth and share's his biscuits with him. Busa is so gentle with him. He is a fantastic dog, I love him like one of my children! This picture of Busa is with Rachel my niece. By Chrissytherose from Rochester, Kent England Contest Contender!
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Azazel is a one and a half year old Canadian Ferret. I purchased Azazel for Christmas, 2007. Azazel likes to play with our younger ferret Boba and pick on the Kitty. She also enjoys stealing my slippers and toothbrushes or anything she can get her paws on. Oddly enough, the ferrets never steal my son's or husband's things. Azazel and our other Ferret are the friendliest most loving pets I have ever owned (including other ferrets). Contrary to popular belief, they do not stink and are not aggressive. No, they are not rats. They are more closely related to weasels. Since having the ferrets our house is so much happier. They always make me smile and laugh. My son, who is autistic has shown improvement and much better social skills. My husband and I want to open a Ferret Shelter for abandoned and mistreated ferrets, often bought on a whim and viewed as exotic, by people who have neither the time or ability to care for them. They are prone to sickness if not cared properly for. We would like to rescue and give a home to any ferret who needs it. By babygaige from oregon Contest Contender!
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Zinc Pennies Can Be Toxic To Dogs This is for all of us pet lovers! Just received this email health alert from the ASPCA and found it to be important enough to share! And, YIKES, who would have ever dreamt? Dog Ingests Toxic Pennies and Survives Pennies minted after 1982 contain a zinc core surrounded by copper and are the only U.S. coins in circulation that pose a toxicity hazard to pets. Unfortunately, these toxic, late-model pennies are commonly ingested by our furry friends. The stomach provides an exceptionally acidic environment and aids in the rapid distribution of zinc into the blood stream, which can cause life-threatening anemia and kidney failure. Luckily, Gordo was in good hands. He immediately received a blood transfusion, and then ASPCA veterinarians passed an endoscope (fiber optic technology attached to a tiny camera) through the dog's mouth, down his esophagus and into the GI tract to locate the pennies and retrieve them with a long, grabbing instrument. The non-invasive procedure was a success, but the evidence was startling. The handful of retrieved coins included several gnarly, partially decomposed pennies and others that appeared almost new. "If you look at the pennies we took out, the pure copper ones from before 1982 are perfect, intact and shiny," reports Dr. Murray. "The newer, zinc ones are all eaten away." Of course, this interesting disparity in coin metals is probably of little consolation to mischievous little Gordo. His pet parent, too, was just relieved to see his furry friend recover well, and no doubt will forevermore watch what Gordo eats! As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested pennies or any other toxic item, please contact your veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at (888) 426-4435. http://www.aspca.org/news/national/11-06-09.html By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender!
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Use Shoe Polish Rags to Clean Washer and Dryer I keep those shoe polish rags (the ones the fancy hotels give out to their guests in the room with the soap and shampoo) on my dryer. When dust and detergent accumulates, I run it under the water filling the washer, wipe down the washer and dryer and throw it in with the load I'm washing. After it's dry, it goes back in a basket on top of the dryer ready for the next time the appliances need a good wiping down. By Jazzy from Ellicott City Contest Contender!
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Buy Groceries at Scratch and Dent Stores I shop at a scratch and dent grocery store about 50 miles from my home. The savings far surpass the the cost of the gasoline. I have gotten $200.00 of groceries for $60.00 before! Check on the Internet for the nearest place for "scratch and dent" stores in your area! You must be careful for expired merchandise but I have never had a problem. By mamasue46 from Hagerstown, MD Contest Contender!
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Use Plastic Bag for Shower Cap We had checked into a hotel recently when I discovered I had forgotten my shower cap. It was midnight, and I did not want to make a trip out to purchase one and the one provided by the hotel was just too small for my big head of long hair. I always have several empty plastic, bags in my luggage and I grabbed one of them. It was ten times better than a shower cap, as it was plenty large enough. I just put it on my head and twisted the ends on each side and tucked them up under the bag to make a nice snug fit. This trick is great also for camping trips, when you want to take a quick shower without having to do all the hair wash/dry deal. The bag dries very quickly too. I've actually done away completely from the shower caps. On a recent family camping trip, I showed my daughter and she laughed. Later after she had tried it, she said, "Mom, that works great." By GG from Greenville, NC Contest Contender!
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Save Electricity with Motion Detector Light Switches A good way to save on electric bills, especially when you have someone in the home who forgets to turn out the lights, is to install motion detector switches. These are great. They turn themselves on when you enter the room and off when you exit. By Carla from Huntington, WV Contest Contender!
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My old wood floors had been hidden under carpet. They were to the point of slivering up through the rugs, I fixed them with cooking oil, tea bags and liquid floor wax. You pour the oil on the floor and rub it in with the tea bag, wipe up the excess then pour the liguid wax and rub it in. They came out so beautiful, it really works, I can now walk barefoot on them. It did darken the floor a little, on another floor I tried the "green tea bags" it made a lighter color. By Joni from Connecticut Contest Contender!
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My most favorite way of keeping warm is to use flannel sheets on the bed. Apparently it's a good idea because my two dogs love it, too. I also purchased a electric heater that rolls easily from room to room, great money saver. By Carolyn from Springville, AL Contest Contender!
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Clean Acrylic Paint With Hand Sanitizer An awesome way to get dried acrylic paint off of your hands and out of your paint brushes is hand sanitizer. Inexpensive. For paint brushes just work the brush back and forth in the sanitizer. For stuck in, deep, dried on paint, spread the bristles apart, and work the sanitizer in with your fingers. By Rick from Winston-Salem, NC Contest Contender!
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My fingernails are peeling. The top layer is coming off. Does anyone know how to handle this problem? They are thin and break very easily, but now they are also peeling. Help. By Cheryl from Raleigh, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48820247.tip.html
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Rate It: Getting Rid of Beetles in House The beetles have gotten into my sons house. How do we get rid of them or will they eventually leave on their own? There are alot of them. By Janice from Murfreesboro, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17027246.tip.html
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Rate It: Oven Cleaner Left Brown Spots on Floor I was cleaning my kitchen with oven cleaner yesterday. It worked great on ever thing. But now I have brown spots all over my floor. Does anyone have any ideas on how to remove them? By rwmommy from KY
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Rate It: Updating Master Bedroom with Built In Cabinet The new house we just purchased has a built in entertainment/storage unit in the master bedroom. Any suggestions for what to do about it? We aren't sure if we'd like to keep it or not, but we don't know how to remove it either. By Lacey from Fort Smith, AR
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Rate It: Paint Color Ideas for Kitchen Cabinets I saw posts about painting laminate. As you can see by the picture I am working on remodeling this kitchen. The cabinets are very dark/outdated, but are in "like new" condition. Very solid/sturdy. I was thinking of adding tiles to the backsplash and maybe painting this laminate countertop. Any ideas on these cabinets? or the green laminate? The wallpaper has already been removed. By Jen from Cleveland, OH
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Rate It: Does the product PediPaws really work? By Leigh from PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31700133.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know of home remedies for tapeworms? By JR from Angola, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf684013.tip.html
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Rate It: I am 14 and for my birthday I want to do something extremely fun. I don't know what. I have thought of going to a waterpark, sports game, concert, or a hotel. Can you help? By angeboo from Syracuse, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19665181.tip.html
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Rate It: I need ideas for my daughter's 2nd birthday. It is in December. By Yuriann from San Antonio,TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000797.tip.html
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Rate It: How can I make homemade mosquito repellent? By Shelby from Orofino, ID Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf115181.tip.html
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Rate It: I boiled water in a copper bottom sauce pan on a glass top stove and forgot about it. Now the sauce pan has gone totally grey at the bottom on the sides and the glass top has a white foggy spot. By Vicky from Calgary Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf939701.tip.html
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Rate It: I'm looking for a homemade dog food recipe. By Heather from Grand Rapids, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf877190.tip.html
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Rate It: Flea Remedies Safe to Use on Upholstery I am having a flea problem in my home. I have 3 chihuahuas all under 10 lbs. I have been reading all the different home remedies. But none have said anything about putting them on furniture. Taz my long hair likes to sleep on corner section of unit while I am at work. So I have had seen some fleas on us when we sit on the couch. So are any of these remedies safe to put on fabric furniture? I am going to try the salt on the carpet today and bathe them. I am just so tired of the little hopping pests. I have found them on me. And since dogs sleep with me figured I might even wash sheets in vinegar, too. Would really like to have any info that would help. Thanks. By SandiF from Stillwater, OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21270448.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I cut patio blocks? By Yasir from VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62346651.tip.html
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Rate It: Painting Plastic Trim on Steel Door How do I paint plastic trim on a steel nine light door? By Linda from Morley, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36690575.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have an easy solution for cleaning suede? By Sabrina Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73119342.tip.html
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Rate It: What should I do with all the empty toilet paper rolls that I have saved? I hate to just throw them away. By Ed from Lexington, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33214561.tip.html
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Rate It: How many Choose and Charge accounts can you have at one time? By dimples from Boston, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97088069.tip.html
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Rate It: Permanent Marker Stain on Carpet My daughter just got a permanent black marker and wrote all over the rug in the basement. The rug is light in color and is Berber. I have tried Pro Solve, but it is not working. I'm going to try using the cleaner that comes with a steam cleaner, but am not to hopeful. Please help. By Sara from Barrie, Ontario Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80888638.tip.html
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Rate It: There is a 5 inch long black scuff mark from a shoe bottom on the lower part of a wooden door. I have tried several methods including toothpaste on a sponge and liquid soap. What can you suggest? By JoAnne from North Platte, NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf532595.tip.html
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Rate It: Painting Counter Tops To Look Like Granite Can I paint it? I have a 60's to 70's style bathroom. I like it, and made everything look old fashion, but just want it painted plain or Marblized style, somehow. How do you paint old Formica countertops? By Eleni from Hemet Sage, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81627785.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you remove adhesive label from plastic? By Tammie from Fenton, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21155023.tip.html
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Rate It: How to clean urine stain from a suede leather couch? By babe from OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17446482.tip.html
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Rate It: Refrigerator's Door Ice Maker Not Working My Kenmore Elite model 449310410 ice maker works, but the ice crusher does not. I can't figure how to fix it. By Cathy from Moundsville, WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10886393.tip.html
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Rate It: I'm considering buying a treadmill. I'd like to hear from folks who own one. What brand do you have and with what features? Have you had problems? I know nearly nothing about them other than the obvious. By Betty from Lubbock, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf230877.tip.html
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Rate It: What can I use to clean the leather in my car? It is starting to crack and is somewhat soiled. I have tried to clean the leather, but it does not work. Thank you. Irene By Irene from Topeka, KS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75266028.tip.html
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Rate It: Milky White Spots on Laminate Flooring I have almost new laminate flooring. I never use any cleaner on it just my H2O mop (steam). About a week ago I noticed a large almost white spot on it right in the middle of my living room. Now today I have another by a chair. Help. Does anyone know how I can get rid of them and what causes it? By Sandy from AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19631901.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know where I can find a top for a Corning Ware teapot? It was a small back top and there was a small piece of metal on the inside of the top. I contacted Corning Wear and was told they no longer make the tea pot. It was also a small pot. Thank you. By Lynda from Kearny, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29981777.tip.html
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Rate It: Using Reed Diffuser Air Fresheners Do those reed diffuser air fresheners actually work? I would like to hear opinions and experiences with these. I don't want to spend the money on one if it does not get good reviews. By Robyn from Hampton, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60018474.tip.html
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Rate It: Soap Dispenser on LG Front Loader Stuck Closed I have an LG Tromm front-load washing machine that's about 5 years old. The soap dispenser drawer is stuck and I can't get it open. I've tried everything, it acts like it's locked somehow. Does anyone know how to get it to open, or as an alternative, is it okay for me to just pour the liquid soap on the clothes inside the washer before washing? By Linda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88219973.tip.html
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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:
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