Daily Thrifty Tips - December 12, 2007

Did you make any homemade Christmas gifts or decorations? Feel free to submit them to our Crafts for Fun and Money program. We pay $15 for every craft that we publish. For more information visit:

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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.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Jade (Labrador Retriever/White German Shepard)

Jade is part Labrador Retriever (mom) and White German Shepard. She will be 2 in December. Jade came to us as a pup bought by my nephew who was moving back home from college. His girlfriend had arranged to pick up a pup and when he got there he realized that males can not say NO to pretty girls holding puppies.

He got one. Took it home and mom (sister-in-law) calmly mentioned that he would be working and she had two dogs and a cat already. No room for a pup. Emailed photos started coming to us with pleas of save the animal before other fates come. I was outvoted by the kids (at the time we were in a job that moved us every few years). She is sweet, came with a name, nearly housebroken, and the kids were right, except when I have the 'pick-up- duty' before cutting the lawn:)

Like most Labs, she likes to run. She is the fastest dog I have ever had and really has "wheels." She absolutely loves other dogs. Of course, digging up flowers (my poor Iris beds within reach of the tie-out) is a hobby of hers. Jade quickly learns 'tricks.' My teenage daughter taught her to "sit pretty", butt on the floor, front legs begging in about 15 minutes. If you say "BANG" and point your hand at her (thumb up, pointing finger like the barrel), she will immediately lay down, feet in the air, head off to one side, dead.

By Pete from Dublin, OH

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Count Down to Santa
By Harlean Greathouse

This is a craft for the kiddies to make as time for Santa draws near, and they ask repeatedly "How many more Days?"

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

Editor's Note: This was originally posted in 2006.

Click Here to download the Countdown To Santa instructions in PDF format.

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Craft: No Bake Gingerbread House

Using an empty milk or juice carton, graham crackers and royal icing, create an adorable gingerbread house with your kids. This is so easy and so much fun. Making these has become a tradition at my house.

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Inexpensive Dog Coat

My elderly dog was getting cold and shivery on her daily walk-abouts in the back yard. I looked at dog sweaters but she's a good-sized dog and they were $30! I went to the Salvation Army store, picked up a kid's sized fleece zip-up vest. I put her front legs through the arm holes and zip it up over her back. She stays cozy and best of all, it cost me $1.25!

By Marna from Hartford, CT

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Websites for Coupon Codes and Deals

Here are some websites to find coupon codes and deals!

• www.keycode.com
• www.currentcodes.com
• www.slickdeals.net
• www.findsavings.com

Source: Bargain Shoppers on Today news online.

By Laurie from O'Fallon, IL

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Use Makeup Brushes To Clean Keyboards

An easy way to clean your computer keyboard is by wiping it with makeup brushes. They make it easier to get between the keys. The inexpensive brushes, large or small, work just fine.

By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Use Minute Steaks For Cooking

When I make beef stroganoff or beef stir fry, I buy minute steaks from my butcher. One minute steak costs about $1.50 and I use one for every two people and more veggies. Healthwise, you don't need a lot of red meat per person anyway!

By Catherine from Brownstown, MI

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Free Accommodations Through Couchsurfing

Ok, so you are travelling this year, your budget is extremely low! Try http://www.couchsurfing.com I host a lot of people with this website and will end up using it myself next time I travel.

It's been an incredible experience. It's free to join. Make sure you detail your profile as much as possible, this will attract like minded visitors! I haven't had any problems at all, because you can leave feedback on the website. I tend to find that visitors are on their best behaviour since they don't want you to give them a bad review (this would mean no one else would want to host them!). Most people I've hosted have either made me dinner, brought me local gifts or pitched in for groceries.

I often get asked by family and friends why I would host strangers and get questions like "aren't you afraid to get robbed?" I read their profile and use my intuition. I only host people who have full profiles including photos and reviews from other hosts. This website has really enhanced my life and I've met wonderful people through it!

If you are a senior, you might consider another website called http://www.Hospitalityclub.org which is aimed for older retired travellers, though anyone can join.

Happy Travels!

Source: This is written by me and taken from my website: The Frugal Vegan:http://goddessfreya.googlepages.com

By Lisa from Halifax, NS

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Twelve Days of Christmas Trivia

Many people think the Twelve Days of Christmas are the twelve days before Christmas, but actually they are the twelve days AFTER Christmas. The Twelve Days begin after Christmas and count on until January 6, the feast of the Epiphany (when the Three Kings arrived at the manger) and the traditional end of the Christmas season.

Another tip: stringing popcorn is a fun activity, but be sure to use stale popcorn to make the stringing easier. Fresh popcorn will break apart.

By Janet from Howell, MI

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Personalize Your Envelopes With Clipart

I personalize my Christmas card envelopes by inserting family or pet photos and dress up the envelope with Christmas clip art. I changed the page set up in my Microsoft Word program so the pictures, clipart, return address label and the "to" address appear in the appropriate spot on my envelope. I printed the envelopes in a few different steps. First I did the addresses. Then I re-feed the envelopes with my pictures and clipart. For the envelope, I change my page set up to the size of the envelope and paper set up to "landscape". I also personalize my letter with a few small inserted pictures. The pictures do not go where I want them to so I access the picture tool bar, pick "format picture"and pick "floating picture". I can then position the picture exactly where I'd like it.

By Joyce from Regina, Sask.

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Set Up a Christmas Tree Outside

This idea seems very simple and obvious, yet I have been told repeatedly by friends that it never occurred to them, so I thought I'd share it. One of the most frustrating things about putting up a Christmas tree is attaching the stand and stringing the lights. A few years ago I came up with the idea of doing it all outside on my patio. We bring the tree in from the car, untie it and stand it in a bucket of water overnight, to allow the branches to settle, and the tree to take up as much water as possible.

The following day my son helps me place the tree into the stand and I climb underneath to attach the stand to the tree trunk. Now that it's safely in the stand, we are free to walk all the way around the tree to determine which is the best side to display towards the front. Next I proceed to string the lights,(after I have checked to make sure they are in good working order.) You can't imagine how much easier it is to apply the lights while being able to walk all the way around the tree. It usually takes no more than 10 minutes for a 6 foot tree. As a side note, since we always place our tree in the corner of the living room, I don't bother to wrap the lights all the way around the tree. Starting at the top, I just go about 2/3 of the way around, then go back and forth until I have used all of the lights. I then plug the strands into my outdoor outlet, (though an extension cord plugged into the garage would work just as well,) to see if I have any gaping holes in the lights, and I can make adjustments as needed.

When I'm finished, I unplug the lights, and my son and I carefully carry the tree upstairs and into the living room. If you live in a snowy climate or don't have a patio, you could just as easily perform this set-up in the garage, then carry the tree inside. (You might also consider placing the tree inside one of those giant tree bags which can be purchased at most discount department stores, to prevent dropping needles on the floor while transporting it, but I find if the tree is fresh enough, it doesn't tend to drop too many needles. Once you try this method, you'll never do it any other way. You can also do the same procedure in reverse when it comes time to remove the tree.

By Donna from San Diego, CA

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Christmas Tradition: Stockings From Mom

Growing up we never had much money, but we always had a nice Christmas thanks to Mom. There were 4 of us kids and we got at least a few presents each, but it was very important to Mom that we had our stockings also. There was never anything big in the stockings; candy, little puzzles, gum, things she could get at the dollar store mostly. But we loved it, it was one of the best parts of Christmas.

Well, most of us are grown up now (3 of 4 of us) but Mom still insists on giving us stockings. And by now 3 of 4 of us also have significant others...and you guessed it, they get a stocking too! So Mom is up to 7 stockings to do every year. Unfortunately, Mom had some major financial set-backs in 2006 and as it got closer to Christmas, she had to tearfully explain how she couldn't even afford the dollar store stockings. We all told her that it was totally OK, but I don't think it did much to ease her mind. We all know that she still was very bothered by that fact. Soooo.....

Us 4 kids (well 7 if you include the signif others) got together and decided since stockings are so important to Mom, we would take care of them that year (last Christmas 2006.) We exchanged names (Mom didn't know about any of this) and we did stockings for each other. We also got Mom the biggest stocking we could find (my 2 year old niece could have fit into it..lol) and we each got a few things for Mom. Now she has a stocking too. Needless to say, Mom was very emotional when she discovered what we had done. I still get emotional myself thinking about it.

So it's a new year, and we all decided we like this new tradition much more. Of course, the name exchange is supposed to be a secret, but that doesn't work out so well......oh well, it can't be perfect. ; )

Happy Holidays to everyone and please remember receiving a physical "gift" to open isn't nearly as rewarding as giving a meaningful gift to someone you love.

By Mindy from Reading, PA

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Costume for Church Play

My church is putting on 'A Night in Bethlehem'. We are all responsible for our costumes. I will be a woman in a Jewish home in Bethlehem at the time of Christs' birth, I need clothing ideas. I have a black under garment that goes to the floor and has long sleeves, that I wear when I serve on the altar. So my body is covered but now what do I do for a robe effect? I have some white material that I got at church today.

Sandy from Arbutus, MD

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Alternative to Heartgard

I have a 4 yr old Pomeranian and gave her Heartgard. It made her hair fall out. Is there anything else I can use besides that?

Lana from Fort Washington, MD

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Lil' Bitz of Joy Daycare Logo

I need help with a logo for my daycare. The name of my daycare is Lil' Bitz of Joy. If you have any ideas please feel free to share them.

Thanks,
Meme from Bakersfield, CA

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Preventing Soot Buildup

Does anyone have a home remedy to keep that yucky black soot from building up on fireplace and wood stove glass doors?

butterfly11h from Lebanon, MO

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Removing Soot from Wood Furniture

I would like to know how to remove soot from wood without damaging the wood. We have Rosewood furniture that has smoky soot on it.

Lana from Fort Washington, MD

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Place in Charlotte, NC to Buy Masquerade Masks

Where can I send my guests to find their masquerade masks? I live in Charlotte, NC and I am interested in finding a location where my guests can make their own masks or buy one but in different varieties.

Mercedes from Charlotte, NC

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Gift Ideas for My Wife

I am looking for a present for my wife. I am thinking about lingerie, but the quality stuff is pretty expensive. Does anyone have a suggestion?

G.S.

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Removing Wood Varnish from Microfiber Couch

How do I remove wood varnish/stain from a micro fiber couch? A can of dark wood varnish exploded in my storage unit and dripped onto my beige micro fiber couch in an obvious spot. It's completely dried on the couch.

Christine from Jackson, NJ

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Homemade Leather Furniture Cleaner

I FINALLY got a new sofa and its leather. With 4 kids I hope I will be glad that we got leather. I need suggestions on how to care for and clean the sofa. I like to clean my home using baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice so I would rather not use the leather cleaners that are on the market if possible. Thanks.

Ann from Mint Hill, NC

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Bright White Walls with Red Accents

I just painted my kitchen bright white with bright red accents (baseboard, molding, cover plates). I think it might be too white as my husband says the kitchen now looks sterile and not the warm-and-inviting room we used to have. It's a large room and the appliances are off-white.

I'm thinking I might want to cover the white with something else (we just got a Home Depot gift card which we could use), but I'm not sure what color. I'm looking for suggestions of what color would go with red trim/accents.

Ksollod from MD

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Template for Cribbage Score Board

I would like a template for a Cribbage score board.

sellinsara from Romeo, MI

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Pastry Recipe for Mince Pies

Does anyone have a really nice recipe for Christmas Mince Pies? What I'm actually looking for is a nice pastry recipe for the mince pies. Not sure if they should be made with short pastry or flaky or puff pastry.

Carolyn from South Africa

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Information on Shiba Inu/Chow Mix

Where can I find information on a Shiba Inu mixed with Chow?

Susan from Greensboro, NC

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Putting a Small Gift Inside a Big Box

I need help on how to surprise my boyfriend. I got him a ring for X-mas and I want him to think I got him something big. I want to put it inside a big box but I don't want to leave it empty. Can someone one give me some ideas on what to put in the box to fill it up?

Sammy from Seattle, WA

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Christmas Gift for My Boyfriend

I don't know what to get my 18 year old boyfriend for Christmas. It's our first Christmas and we've been together about six months. He's really into baseball and I honestly have no idea, can anyone help me?

Heidisc1 from Philly, PA

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How to Make a Primitive Wreath

I bought a wire wreath to make my mother a primitive wreath. We saw one in a store where you cut strips of cloth and knot it around the rings of the wreath. How do you start that? How big should the strips of cloth be?

Tabitha from Prosperity, WV

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Recipe For Cherry Mash Candy

I would like a recipe for cherry mash candy using the canned cherry frosting.

jkv from Missouri

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Legitimate Work at Home Jobs

Are there work at home jobs that is actually legitimate. Not somebody standing by a $100,000 car or somebody on the beach. We, the real people, know you have to work to make money. How real are the online jobs or is that the business to sucker you in to buy their book or expensive programs for false hope.

Richard from Homer City, PA

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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