Daily Thrifty Tips - February 28, 2008

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Mini Christmas Wreaths

I made these mini-wreaths for Christmas this year. I use the rims of two plastic yoghurt containers facing each other, then wrap natural string around the entire circle. I then go out into nature and start collecting things to glue onto my wreath. This one I used immature pine cones. In the second picture, I used the bottom of the same yoghurt container as my base. I decoupaged green plaid paper onto it then hot glued the same little pine cones making a wreath shape. Originally I wanted to make fridge magnets out of these but they were really too heavy so I added a string to hang them with.

By lisingreece from Greece

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Laundry Detergent Caps For Bathroom Cups

One way we reuse the caps from liquid laundry detergent bottles is in the bathroom: we use them to rinse our mouths after brushing our teeth. Not only are they unbreakable, they are easy to wash by hand or in the dishwasher.

Most of them even match our decor! :)

By Laura from Long Beach, CA

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Birthday Wrapping

This is one of my good friend's birthday party and my 9 and 12 year old boys decided to decorate him with the decorations from his party. They had a blast wrapping him up. They just kept going at until they used all of what was hanging. They ripped it down themselves too.

By Susan from Towanda, PA

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Jack (Siamese Mix)

This is Gentleman Jack Daniels aka Jack. He is 3 1/2 years old and a Siamese mix. Our daughter and son found him under a shed at church. He was only a tiny kitten, the vet estimated only 2 weeks old. He was so young we had to feed him with a dropper for weeks and only weighed 4 ounces when they found him.

Jack likes to play a game we call "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Kitty". This is where he "hides" in plain sight and tries to jump out and scare us. He also licks and grooms our Jack Russell, Frannie. They are best friend.

We taught Jack to shake hands (just like a dog). He gives a high five and low five on command. Plus, if you ask him for a kiss and he will give you one. Jack loves to go bye-bye riding in the car, but is so afraid of strangers. He almost died when he was neutered. We have a wonderful vet who "breathed" for him for over three hours and went to extreme measures to keep him alive when he had a severe reaction to the anesthesia. They say cats have nine lives. I believe it.

By Leigh H. from Montgomery, AL

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Fire Department Symbol With Perler Beads

The Maltese Cross is the Fire Departments symbol. There was no description or directions on how to make it. So I took a large circle peg board for the Perler beads and started to make one on my own. I made the circle for the middle of the Maltese Cross. Then I made the cross part. Then I made the 3D ax, ladder, fire hydrant. Finally I made the F. D. and the 22 for Fire Department and what number it was.

By Susan from Towanda, PA

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Check Out Restaurants.com for Thrifty Dining Out

This site, http://www.restaurant.com/, has gift certificates of various amounts. A certificate for $25.00 usually runs $10.00. Here is where the savings come in. I wait until the certificates are 50% or more off. This is a HUGE BARGAIN! At 50% off, this means that you will get a $25.00 certificate for $5.00.

I have found that the restaurants listed are not your local chains. Often they are new places, or others that are trying to drum up more business.

We have been pleasantly surprised at some of these "new places", that we would have never explored without the certificates.

Read the fine print, most places require that you spend a certain amount on food, alcohol is usually not included, and some places have restrictions on the days you can use your certificates.

Check out the site, it does not cost anything to join, and I have not received any spam as a result of subscribing.

By Christine from Sterling, Virginia

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Keep Car Keys On Bedside Table In Case Of Intruders

Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car.

Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and, sure enough, the criminal won't want that.

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.

Source: email from my friend Linda

By April from NW Missouri

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Tips for Windows, Carpets and Furniture Scratches

More tips for cleaning.

1. Vinegar and water for cleaning mirrors and windows, use newspapers to clean with instead of rags. I have done this. It works wonders.
2. Use a mixture of 1/2 baking soda, 1/2 salt, sprinkle on carpets to kill ants and roaches. Leave on at least 15 minutes, vacuum well.
3. Make a liquid of instant coffee and warm water to cover the scratches on dark furniture. The darker the furniture, use more instant coffee. Rub on, let set a few minutes, dry, polish.

Source: An E-Friend

By Randa from San Marcos, TX

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Patterns for Petite-Plus Women

Finally, a web site for Petite-Plus women! I'm not Petite or Plus (anymore) but I DO understand how hard it can be to find patterns that really fit! Here's what she says about her site: "Petite Plus Patterns" are designed especially for the woman with narrow shoulders, D cup bra, rounded tummy, and delicious full curves everywhere! The "Look" is classic - basics with clean lines to dress up or down with your choice of fabric and accessories. Many styles are excellent candidates for machine embroidery and fabric arts. (She also includes directions on reducing the bust size for smaller busted women in each applicable pattern)

Here's what she says in the chat transcript: "We have the Perfect Fit Guide that shows how to make the front larger or smaller. We draft our patterns for a woman who has narrow shoulders, a full bust, a tummy, a shorter crotch depth and lots of fast curves The height is a woman who is 5 foot 2 inches, but there are shorten/lengthen lines in all the appropriate places if you are taller or shorter."

http://petitepluspatterns.com/
(just click on "Patterns")

Chat Transcript from Pattern Review (she gives "fool-the-eye" tips. You have to sign up for the site to read this, but it's FREE!) http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/archive.pl?var=chat&id=cheetham0407

By Cyinda from near Seattle

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Tips For Getting Coupons

This tip for people who use coupons. There is a website called http://couponmom.com/ that you can print coupons on. Also if you have a product that you use a lot, call the 1-800 number and they will send you free coupons too. Also check different stores in your area. Their are 4 stores in my area that I shop at different times and use at different times. But remember as my husband sometimes says if it is too far to maybe save a buck or two remember about the gas prices.

By Barbara J from Shoemakersville, PA

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Shaving Cream for Emergency Carpet Cleaning

Shaving cream is great to take stains out of rugs. Spray and scrub with a brush.

By Gary

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Store Your Celery In Aluminum Foil

If you wash and dry your celery, then wrap it in tin foil. It will last twice as long. Don't laugh, it really works. I didn't believe it either until I tried it and, believe me, it really does work. Keep it near the bottom of the fridge or in one of the drawers.

Source: Its a tip that came in our local neighborhood magazine, the Bowester.

By Barb from Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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Take Care Of Yourself When Handling Old Patterns

Keep Check on Your Health. I love to crochet and all the OLD patten books/magazines excite me when I would find them at garage sales, then eBay! WOW! I am in heaven... They are musty, mildew, who knows what has crawled over, in and through them? Some of the books you don't even want to touch, but if you're like me, you can't keep your fingers off or out of them.

When I was done looking at them I had to wash my hands right away, wondering what had I really touched. What I did was to wet a wash cloth, put it in a bowl and, instead of licking my fingers to turn the pages, (like so many of us do) now I touch the wash cloth, then turn the pages.

Hope this has helped those who like all the old stuff out there. So let's take care of ourselves as we enjoy!

By moonbeam from WI

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Use Chicken Broth Instead Of Water In Recipes

When a soup, casserole or sauce recipe calls for water, I substitute chicken broth instead because it really enhances the flavor much more than water. You can be frugal with this idea by easily making your own.

Take a roaster carcass from a turkey, or whole chicken, or 2-3 pounds of chicken wings. Place in a crockpot, cover with water, add a couple of cut up carrots, a stalk or two of celery, salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low 7- 8 hours. Let cool, drain liquid through a colander, pick out any meat for later use. Place in fridge overnight and fat can easily be removed in the morning. Place cupfuls in ziploc freezer bags or ice cube trays. Freeze until needed.

Taste the difference it makes! The little bit of effort is worth it!

By Debbie from Fisher, Illinois

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How to Find Out-of-Print Sewing Patterns

The sewing pattern companies reuse their pattern numbers. So, when you are searching for an older pattern you need to know not only the pattern number you are searching for - but when it was printed, or a description of the item so that you can find it. Simplicity 1234 could be a dress one year and a few years later it could be a shirt pattern. If you can't find a pattern you wanted from years past, here's some links:

How to find out of print or discontinued sewing patterns:

• http://www.oldpatterns.com/search.html

McCalls Out-of-Print Patterns:

• http://www.mccallpattern.com/list/out_of_print/page-1

Simplicity Out-of-Print patterns:

• http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?page=athumbnail_OOP.cfm&category=0

Sewing Collectibles and Vintage Patterns:

• http://www.lanetzliving.com/

By Cyinda from near Seattle

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Refinishing a Wood Coffee Table

I have a solid oak rectangular shaped coffee table I bought 30 years ago and the problem is it has smoked glass for the top and is now scratched and outdated. I would like to refinish the wood and replace the smoked glass with something else to update it. Any suggestions?

Kim from Penetanguishene, Ontario

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Window Treatment Ideas

I just purchased a house we are trying to fix up. I have two large windows in my living room one is from floor to ceiling about 6 1/2ft tall and about 6ft wide! It is a solid window not broken up. The other is about 4ft tall 6 ft wide two broken up windows side by side.

Right now there are ugly green vertical blinds on both. It doesn't look right because one window does not go all the way to the floor. My walls are a light tan and my furniture is chocolate brown. Please help me what else can I do for these windows!

Sarah from Hamburg, AR

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Environmentally Friendly Oven Cleaning

What is the best environmental-friendly way to clean a oven?

Sheila from Ont, Canada

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Why Do Oranges Fall Before They Are Ripe?

Why do oranges fall from the tree before they are fully ripe?

Hardiness Zone: 9b

Salvador from Brownsville, TX

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Skin Allergy to Coffee

I think I may have developed a skin allergy to coffee. Has this happened to anyone else out there? I'll give it up if I have to but I'd rather not! Food allergies are hard to isolate, so it could even be something else. My doctor says it's dermatitis and there's pretty much nothing I can do about it. I don't like that answer very much and am willing to eliminate foods if it seems reasonable that they could be the cause.

Lyndsay from Albany, NY

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Basket for George Foreman Jr. Baby Rotisserie

I am looking for the round wire basket for the George Foreman Jr. Baby Rotisserie. I have lost mine.

Kim from UK

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Ridx Plus Rodent Repellent

I have been hearing a lot about the Ridx Plus, which is a repellent against rodents and insects. If you have used this, what is your opinion? Thank you and God bless.

Betty from Summerville, SC

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Cleaning Your Steam Iron

How do I clean the brown burnt on stuff on the plate of my steam iron?

Tracie from Los Angeles, CA

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Removing Grease From Washed Clothes

How do I get grease out of clothing once it has already been washed?

Tracie from Los Angeles, CA

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Sewing Patterns for Dresses in Queen Sizes

I have a wedding in May to attending, for my sister's son. I am a queen size and can't find anything to wear. Does anyone know of sewing patterns that come in queen sizes? I have just spent 30 mins looking and found a couple sites but not much.

Sandy from Baltimore

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Entwining Woody Hibiscus Stems

Does anyone know how to entwine woody hibiscus stems? I started the plants, but don't know when or how to do this.

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Bernette from WI

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Facial Scrub to Get Rid of Acne

I get bad acne. I've been using OXY brand stuff and its helped a little bit but I need something else that works a little better, whether I still have to use the Oxy stuff with it or not. I want a facial scrub or something that is easy to make and will make my skin look fresh, soft, clean, and clear with no stupid acne.

Denver from USA

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Planning a Rainbow Tea

My ministry is planning Rainbow Tea. We need some ideas for inspiration.

Katherine from Atlanta, GA

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Where Can I Get Pictures of Rick Springfield

I am looking for pictures of Rick Springfield. Does anyone out there have any? I saw him on Oprah today...LLLLOOOOOOVE him! Thanks a bunch!

Sandi from Montreal, Quebec

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Recipe for Scottish Scones

Does anyone have a recipe for Scottish Scones?

Maureen from Holmes Beach

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Frugal Storage Ideas?

We moved into a small house. We have too much stuff that I want to keep, and not enough room to store it in. Does anyone have any thrifty ideas for making your own storage, we're skint (lacking funds)!

Beck from UK

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14th Birthday Party Ideas

I really need some help. It's my 14th birthday in May and I don't know what to do. I need some ideas, I was thinking of hiring a hall and doing something in there but I don't know what. I was thinking of having about 20 girls but we only have about 100pounds max to spend. Have you got any ideas? Thanks!

Georgia from West Sussex

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Creative Acknowledgments of Coworkers' Birthdays

What type of gift or acknowledgment could we give to our coworkers on their birthdays? I work with a great crew and on the 1st of every month we buy a birthday cake which is for everyone whose birthday is in that month. We have been doing this for years and looking for new and more creative ideas. Any suggestions?

Onesummer

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Planning a Masquerade Birthday Party

I'm turning 17 this year and since I didn't do anything for my 16th birthday I decided to throw a party this year. I don't have a bunch of money to throw into it but I want to have a masquerade party. If anyone has any ideas to share with me on a 17th birthday party for a girl let me know.

Krystle from Virginia Beach, Va

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Planting Bulbs In The Spring

Can I plant tulip bulbs in the Spring? Will they rot?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Teresa from Burgaw, NC

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Repairing a Couch When a Strap Comes Loose

How do you fix a couch when a strap comes loose?

Dave

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Cleaning a 1930's Handmade Silk Wedding Dress

I have a 1930's handmade silk wedding dress. Does anyone know how I can clean this myself? Thanks so much!

Sunny from Shawee on Delaware, PA

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Air Bubbles in Wall Paint

I am painting a bed room wall a burgundy color and keep getting trapped air bubbles that do not go away. I have painted it 5 times so far using a roller, short and 3/4 mat, brushes, Behr and Ralph L. eggshell paints and yet it still looks horrible! Why? What am I doing wrong?

Mike from Sacto, Calif

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How Do I Care for an Orchid?

Does anyone know how to care for orchids? I got one as a gift a couple of days ago. It's beautiful, dark pink flowers, and it almost reaches my waist. I just don't know how to care for it.

Auntie Sandi from Montreal, Quebec

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Eye Color Changes in Certain Lighting

My eyes are very dark brown, almost black. Lately, a lot of people have said that in certain lighting they turn blue. I saw this happen once, the color was actually dark blue/green, like a peacock feather. Does anyone know what's causing this? Is something wrong, is medical attention needed?

If it's any help, I'm 56. My mother and sister have medium brown eyes, my brother's are amber/yellow. Daddy's eyes were emerald green with a gold cluster around the pupil with a bright rust cluster on top of the gold. Thanks for any help.

Curious Cat from South Norfolk, VA

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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:
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