Daily Thrifty Tips - November 13, 2007

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Tuesday. If are planning to submit any Holiday crafts to Crafts for Fun and Money, be sure to submit them soon so we can use them before the holidays. Crafts for Fun and Money is a program where we pay $15 for craft projects with pictures that are published. For more information visit the link below.

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

Recycled Benches From Fence Wood

Our neighbors wood fence blew down in a storm. I eyed the mess for a day or so, then offered to clean it up for them, if I could have the boards. They were happy and so was I! Made a total of 25 benches from the wood, sold them for $40.00 each. Kept 3 for my yard :0)

By Maggie from Bloomington, MN

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Reflection

Take time to enjoy the unexpected beauty you encounter.

By Heather from Canton, GA

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Tank (Basset/Lab)

Tank is 7 and a Basset and Lab or a BASSA-DOR. My husband found him in a dumpster in Florida seven years ago

He loves to play on the bed with his daddy, but best of all he likes going in daddy's truck, even if it is not moving. He is the light of our life and he gives kisses and unconditional love.

By Judie from Eatonton, GA

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Craft: Handprint Turkey

Easy to make paper turkey that is perfect for decorating your home or to give as a gift. It uses tracings of your child's hands and feet creating a great keepsake that can be kept well beyond this holiday season!

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Purchase Gift Cards Throughout The Year

For Christmas shopping, start purchasing gift cards every paycheck or month in January. By the time you get to Christmas, you won't have to dip into your regular budget to purchase Christmas gifts.

Source: I originally read this suggestion in a Woman's Day magazine.

By ALS from Columbia, MD

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Add Tuna To Mac And Cheese

Spruce up a box of plain old mac and cheese with a can of tuna fish! Now you've got cheesy tuna noodle casserole! You can even add a cup of frozen peas and carrots (add while the noodles are boiling) to make it more special. My son loves this and he gets a more balanced meal.

By Christine from Spanaway, WA

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Making Your Own Butter

You don't need a churn to make butter. You can do it THIS way using a hand whisk or an electric mixer at slow speed. In the summer, churn your cream at temperatures between 52 and 60 degrees. In the cooler seasons, try for between 58 and 66 degrees. The length of time it takes for churning and eventual texture of butter depends on bringing the cream to these temperatures ranges. You can adjust
the temperatures by placing the cream container in a water bath of the correct temp.

Beat or whisk the cream with a steady regularity. Continue beating until part of it turns butterlike (sudden, hard texture) with liquid (buttermilk) in the bowl. This happens after about 15 minutes. Pour the buttermilk out (you can save it to use for something else) and add cool water, beat gently some more, drain again.

When the butter beads are completely washed, add a small amount of salt. (1/4 tsp. of sea or kosher salt to lb. of butter). If you are only making a tiny bit, you don't have to salt it because it will be consumed quickly with no spoilage. Beat the butter on a flat surface (marble top or clean counter) Use a rolling pin or flat meat tenderizer large wooden spoon to press out ALL the water you can. Do not use any plastic in the above steps. Do not store in plastic. Use a glass jar or a wooden box. Plastic will greatly affect the taste.The whole process takes about 30 minutes, no matter how much cream you use.

By MasterMom from Hutto, TeXas

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Protect Delicate Plants With Sand

Some plants in your area will be a tender perennial which means they may or may not make it through a severe cold snap, or you may have plants you want to protect from the cold. To protect such plants better, when weather gets cooler in the fall time of year, put a mound of builders sand or other sand around the plant, then mulch heavily over the sand and water well. This will protect the plant over the winter.

In the spring when warm weather arrives, remove the sand and mulch. Put new mulch around the plant leaving space around the trunk of the plant for plenty of air ventilation, this will keep your plant from becoming so thirsty in hot weather and the mulch will decompose into good nutrients for your soil.

By Linda from Fort Walton Beach, FL

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Keep Last Bit Of Laundry Detergent Upside Down

I am doing laundry today. As usual I purchased a new bottle because I was getting low. I have been doing this for several years and think it's time I shared it. When you do what appears to be the last load from a bottle of detergent, screw the cap on and set it on the shelf upside down. You will get a capful for your next load. At least one extra load per bottle will amount to some savings eventually.

By Marty from Houston, TX

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DVD's and CD's for Paint Palettes

Used CD/DVD disks make great paint palettes for acrylic or oil paints, or even the oil sticks used for stenciling. You can wash them off and reuse them if you like, or if you have the DVD case you can even store your palettes in there with the oil sticks still on them, and use them again at a later date.

I used packing tape and cord to make little loops inside the DVD case cover to hold my stenciling brushes - and it becomes a portable palette I can take with me when I am doing projects, or to keep everything sorted and stored and away from the cats and kids.

By Regina from Rochester, NY

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How to Refresh Honey

To refresh honey, loosen lid (remove if metal). Place in microwave for ten seconds and it's as good as new.

By Tim from Gallitzin, PA

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Craft Swap Ideas

Start a craft swap between yourself, co-workers, family or friends or in your neighborhood. You can eliminate extras you won't use anytime soon yet have to store. Some local newspapers allow notices for group functions or happenings to be placed in an ad free of charge. Pick a time and place, put up index cards at grocery stores or check into free ads or use your communities bulletin board to pass on the word.

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Save On Your Grocery Bill With Angel Food Ministries

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization that distributes food to those in need. You do not need to meet income requirements. You can get a box of food containing both fresh and frozen items for approx. $25.00. I have been doing this for quite some time and enjoy the quality of food and the great savings.

Here is the website: http://www.angelfoodministries.com/default.asp

By Kelly from Atlanta, GA

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What Percentage of My Income Should I Pay for Rent or a Mortgage

Does anyone know what the good rule of thumb is for the ideal and maximum percentage of your income that you should be paying for rent or a mortgage?

Thanks,
LS

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Cathedral Window Quilt

I would like to make a Cathedral Window quilt. Does anybody have a pattern or instructions?

Viki from Abbeville, Alabama

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Christmas Card Picture

I am looking for a fun, cute, creative Christmas card picture. I have 3 girls 10, 6 and 3 . I have always done formal and want something different. Thank you

Kristi from IL

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Cleaning vs New Liner for Pool

My above ground pool was 'let go' last winter, it was green and slimy. I have been at it for months and am about half way there, should I persevere with chlorinating, scrubbing and vacuuming or get a new liner? Has anyone got any better cleaning tips?

A.C. from NSW, Australia

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20th Anniversary Ideas

My 20th anniversary will soon be approaching and we would like to do something special. I am looking for ideas. I can't afford to spend a lot of money so please keep that in mind.

imaqt1962 from Illinois

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Getting Rid of Gnats

Please help! I have gnats in my house. I am using the cider vinegar and dish soap but it isn't doing it. We live in a 100 year old house turned duplex that has flooded in the basement. The landlord doesn't care. He also just cleaned out the upstairs apartment which had a fridge and freezer full of rotten food. Any ideas of help would be appreciated. They are making my husband who is recouperating from major surgery which in turn, makes me crazy dealing with him.


Karen from Port Clinton, OH

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Corn Pudding/Casserole That Can Feed 40-50 People

I need a good recipe for Corn pudding/Casserole that can easily be expanded to feed 40-50 people. I need to use a large (111 oz.) can of corn, so preferably with only or mainly corn, not creamed. This is for my church Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks in advance!

Kim from Crawford, CO

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How to Make Dog Less Afraid of People

My daughter was coming out of Target Store and saw a pitiful mutt on a leash attached to a construction worker's truck. It said, "Adopt me".

She took it to the vet, got shots, got a large doggie indoor carrier/house and a cushy pad, a brush, a longer leash and a new collar, performed a flea doggie shampoo (seems to be very clean but we wanted to make sure), bought appropriate puppy pet food and water bowl...lots of love. It's approx. 1 year old male terrier mix. Unbelievably skinny, malnourished, abused, afraid of people... but very nice with a sweet personality.

So how do we make this adorable pooch less afraid? I know precious little about dogs. Help!

It doesn't want to go into it's doggie house --needs a couple of pushes, (pet store said house was suitable in size for this dog), doesn't come when called (more likely to just sit there).

We told our daughter the dog has to stay in the pet house when no one is home or at night (for the safety of the house and the pet) - of course we are going to give it an outside walk before it gets shut in and it's certainly not for all day, either). We have a nice fenced in back yard, - but the dog goes directly to the trailer and hides between it and the fence- doesn't come when called.

I'd like to be able to indicate to him that he needs to get in the doggie house. I can't be doing all this pooch shoving and pushing and I'd like to open the back door, tell the dog to go and expect it to come back to the door when I call it in 10 mins.

If we try to put on a leash and take him for a walk, he has to be dragged through the house out to the front door. Obviously, he doesn't know how to respond to a walk on a leash.

In the meantime, he sits by my daughter and follows her around the house, like her shadow.

So, now what? We like the dog, we just need to 'civilize' it and get it to forget the abuse history.

Thanks,

Holly from Richardson, TX

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How to Get Into Locked Desk

My desk is locked and I've lost the keys. How do I get in?

Lisa from Wall, NJ

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How to Join Coupon Train

I am looking to join a coupon train please.



ginaNelson from Franklin, MA

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Whiteflys on Indoor Plants

Please tell me how to get rid of whitefly on my indoor plants like fine herbs: basil, tomatoes, sage, mint etc.

Thanks

Hardiness Zone: 1

Sylvie from Mongolia

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BMG Coupn Codes

Does anyone have a code for getting music cd on bmg or dvds?

Vickie

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Pregnant Shepherd With Blood in Stool

Is it normal for a pregnant shepherd to have some blood with stool when they are very close to delivery date for puppies?

Ed from York, SC

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Fixing Glider Rocker That Squeaks

We have a glider wooden chair in our living room, it came with a gliding stool.
The rocker squeaks so loud that you can't sit in it and watch TV or have a conversation.

HELP! My husband wants to get rid of it, but we have a lot of company and no other chair to replace it.

Connie S from Swansea, MA

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Microsoft EHome MCIR 109 Keyboards Number Pad Not Working

I bought a new notebook yesterday, and yes its great. But my NumPad isn't working.

This has nothing to do with my NumLock Key, because it does not react when i press it.

The hole block isn't responding [Numbers, Enter, / + - *]

What shall I do? The drivers are installed.

Keyboard Model: Microsoft EHome MCIR 109
Notebook: Acer Aspire 7520
System: Win Vista 32

Steph from LU

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Christmas Card Stockings

Years ago my husband's grandmother made crocheted recycled Christmas cards in the form of a stocking. There was an opening along the top and the 3 sides were all attached. the whole card was hole punched then crocheted as mentioned before, but the top was open so you could insert cash or a gift card. Does anyone know how these were made? Does anyone have a pattern? We'd love to continue the tradition, but aren't sure how to make them thanks!

Joanne from Brisbane, CA

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Advice For Taking Care Of Roses In Spain

I live in Madrid, Spain and I have some roses. Right now they look really terrible because I have never really taken care of them. Yes, I am ashamed of myself and now I want to do everything I can to learn on how to take care of them properly and have some really nice roses. I know nothing or very little about roses and much less about taking care of them. But I want to learn. I want to get these roses in somewhat into shape and start experimenting. How do you suggest I start? I do want to mention that there are about 4 months of really hot summer weather like in the 90-100 and there are about 8 months of really cold winters with some snow. I am a basket case, but I am willing to learn. Anxiously awaiting for your response. Thank you. The Alien!

Michael

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Using Coffee Grounds in the Garden

I found some unused bags of ground coffee from several years ago in the back of a cabinet. I don't want to use them for brewed coffee to drink. I know there are many uses for USED coffee grounds, but do they have to be used? Can I use them unbrewed or will it be to acidic for the yard or garden?

Kristen from Austin, TX

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German Shepherd Keeps Running Away

I have a German Shepherd that keeps running away she's 10 years old I let her out to go potty and if it's dark she will take off in less then 5 minutes why?

Julie from Anderson, CA

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What Color to Paint Kitchen With Cherry Cabinets and Bamboo Floors

Please help with kitchen color! We can't decide. We have bamboo floors and cherry cabinets. What would you suggest for a kitchen color?

Valerie from Madison, WI

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How To Cut Plexiglas

How do I cut Plexiglas?

Colleen from Buffalo,NY

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Cooking Red Beans Azuki From Oriental Trading Co.

Are ALL Orchids brand RED BEANS-AZUKI sold by the Oriental Trading Co as hard to cook as my mother (r.i.p.) discovered they were?

I gave her a pack several years ago and found several packages while moving. I recall she said she cooked them and cooked them and they were STILL not tender!

So I wonder if it's the variety of the bean or the method used or WHAT?
Anyone who has experience with these PLEASE HELP!

Thanks !

melody_yesterday from Sedalia, Missouri

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Drilling Slot For Glass Block Bank

Does anyone out there know how to drill the slot for a glass block bank? Please Help! Thanks.

Suzanne from West Seneca, NY

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Baking a Frozen Apple Pie

How to bake a frozen apple pie? Thaw first? Temperature? Time?

ELAINE from Trenton, NJ

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Recipe For Mock Crab Cakes Made With Zucchini

Searching for the recipe for mock crab cakes made with zucchini?

Janice from Eastern NC

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Tasty Sugar Free Cookie or Cakes

How about some sugar free cookies/cakes? The cookies we've tried seem not that tasty.

CharlieRS

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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

Saving Money on Thanksgiving

Tips and ideas for saving money on making Thanksgiving dinner.

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