Daily Thrifty Tips - October 31, 2007

I hope everyone has a safe Halloween. There is a recall of costume teeth that contain lead paint, be sure to check that out if you have purchased something similar to that.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Growing Organic Vegetables At Home

I love to grow organic vegetables they taste so much better than chemically grown. If you think that it is hard to do you are so wrong. It is actually easier once you get established.

First thing you need to do is decide if you are going truly organic or semi organic. If the thought of any bugs in your garden just makes you cringe, well you may be the semi organic type, but you need to realize bugs are a gardener's best friends. So spraying or dusting every bug you see is more harmful then helpful because the good bugs will get killed off and the bad bugs will just multiply like dust bunnies. Before you know it, your lettuce looks like lace and your carrots have tunnels. Spiders, Ladybugs, Praying Mantis, even wasps eat the weevils, caterpillars and flies. I have planted marigolds and other flowers around my beds and the spiders who live there do a great job as the guards keeping the perimeter safe. And birds are so much fun to watch as they hop around eating those fat worms that want to munch on your veggies. I've even watched a cardinal work it's way around a tomato cage to get at a fat tomato worm!

Second, the more organic material you put in the garden will make it easier to till. It will also hold water better, won't burn your plants like chemicals and will encourage the microscopic organisms in your soil to break down the organic matter to make it easier for your plants to get their daily nutrients. I also noticed that the more organic material is in the garden, the less fire ants I see. Seems they don't like the good stuff, mostly go for the "fast food diet".

Third, you need to consider starting to compost all your fruit, vegetable and yard scraps/clippings. You will be making the "black gold" that you can add to your garden or even your potted plants. Just don't use any clippings that you have applied chemical weed and feed, it tends to weed the vegetables too.

I could go on and on but make the effort to go organic, your carrots will be sweet, your broccoli will make your kids ask for seconds and the tomatoes will taste like tomatoes. Check out your local library for books on gardening, google organic gardening on the web and check out this website: http://www.gardensalive.com for great organic products and tips. I have been using their products for years and have seen great results especially when using their Tomatoes Alive and the WOW- (with out weeds) which really works to keep the weeds in check which makes the weeding chore much easier.

Don't get discouraged it takes longer for the effects of organic gardening to show but the benefits are far reaching,and knowing that you are not eating the chemicals that you used to "KILL" the bugs with should make you much happier.

I have shared my garden abundance with friends and they are the best advertisement for going organic when they say they have never tasted 'sweet' broccoli or really sweet carrots that come from the grocery store. And by the way, don't be surprised if you have bigger, brighter and healthier plants. Take a look at the photo, this is what organic gardening and soaker hoses on timers can do for Broccoli. I picked these after Thanksgiving last year. Each head was about the size of a dinner plate and I wasn't trying to enter any contest!

By piki viki from Abbeville, AL

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Craft: Funnel Pumpkin Candy Holder

I saw this awhile back and I just loved it. Easy to make and great for Halloween parties.

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Hay Bales and a Nice Fire

For garden parties in the fall, try using hay bales as seats and placing mums along side. Have a bonfire and snuggle around on fluffy bales of hay (you could even throw a quilt on top)

By Diana from Greensboro, NC

Editor's Note: Hay is extremely flammable and should be kept well away from any fire source. Use caution and have a hose or fire extinguisher handy whenever burning in the backyard.

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Craft: Cute Buckets for Trick or Treating

Here is a cute alternative to bags. Make these trick or treat buckets made from beach pails.

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Tobias as Zorro (Italian Greyhound/Beagle)

Tobias is a 1 1/2 year old Italian Greyhound/Beagle mix. I got Toby when he was 8 weeks old from a neighbor whose dog had a litter of pups.

Toby likes to go to the dog park, he likes to play tug of war with other dogs, and he likes to greet new people he meets. He's very friendly.

His best friend is our German Shepherd puppy, Angel who is 6 months old.

Tobias (as Zorro) from Cocoa Beach, FL

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Use Wrinkle Releaser On Sheets

If you have sheets that are wrinkled or a crease that shouldn't be there, spray some fabric relaxer, like Downey wrinkle spray on it on it. Hold the dampened material for a few seconds in place, and smooth it out until it dries in place. I do it for my pillow cases as well and the smell is wonderful and refreshing. Who needs to iron. . . "not me"!

By Daphna from Alachua, Florida

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Use Cayenne And Lotion For Aches

For general aches and pains, mix cayenne pepper powder with your favorite hand and body lotion. Keep adding the cayenne powder until the mixture is a pink color. Mix well. Then apply to the body area, of the ache or pain that is bothering you. After a few days if you still have the aches or pains, then go to a doctor. Wear latex gloves while mixing and applying this mixture, as you won't want to rub your eyes or nasal area afterwards.

By Terri H. from NV

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Use Elastic Bands To Keep Clothes From Slipping

To prevent silky tops, blouses etc. from slipping off coathangers, wrap thick elastic bands tightly around the ends.

By Jan from Grantham, UK

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Websites To Get Or Earn Freebies

With the holidays just around the corner, it's time to start getting gifts for friends and family. I have spent quite a few hours surfing the net for freebies. I have already received quite a few samples. I put them in a large 2 gallon ziplock bag as soon as I get them.

There are a number of websites out there that have great and easy freebies for anyone. Some of my favorites are Walmart.com, Mercury magazines (you can get 1 year FREE mag subscriptions), momsview.com and cereal.com. Just type in free samples in the search bar, and have fun browsing! Walmart is very fast on sending out samples, usually within a few days.

I created an email address specifically to use for only freebie websites, helps to cut down on spam from main email addy. I also signed up for surveyspot and mypoints. I get gift cards from mypoints and checks from surveyspot. The gift cards go into the freebie bag, and the cash from the checks goes into the freebie bag. I have close to $100.00 of free stuff to give for gifts and stocking stuffers.

If you start now, you will be able to get a nice amount of freebies, and if you are faithful and work on it regularly, you will have a lot of stuff for next year. Have fun and good luck!

By Lori from Elgin, IL

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Keep Membership Cards On A Keyring

Organize your store "perk" cards, gym membership cards, library card etc. by punching a hole in one of the corners using a hole puncher and then putting them on a key ring.

By Robbie from Knoxville, TN

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Crafty Uses For Milk And Soda Bottles

I lately have been finding many ways to reuse plastic milkjugs and soda bottles. Here are just two new ways we can reuse them.

Milkjugs

If you make two or more, a tossing game can be added. Make a stand from another milk jug bottom, you have a pitcher either for mixing batter for pancakes or to keep those berries in. There I go, I said I was only going to give you one.

Soda Bottles

Now add both of your creations to a clear plastic Soda bottle. You will figure out what size. Add water then a few drops of food coloring. Turn the capped bottle the other way around and you have a plastic fish aquarium. You should also consider hand decorating the outside of your bottle with hand drawings or cutouts.

The best part, and very few people even know, is that a soda bottle stands on its cap very well, and that cap does not leak.

So you just made a toy,a curio or a thinking device. An exercise tool, and most likely many more things which you get to tell others.

To Reuse Is To Be Thrify

Mr. Thrifty

Michael from Shermansdale, Penna.

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Watch Out For Old Lead House Paint

With all the recall notices here and elsewhere for toys etc., I would like to add that I read in the Los Angeles Times that the lead exposure in the paint in such toys is extremely limited. Although lead is always serious, it's even more vital to check on lead exposure from old lead paint found in many homes. If your child is exposed to the dust or chips from such leaded paint, that could be significant lead exposure, and this has in fact, contributed to most of the serious lead exposure problems.

By pamphyila from Los Angeles, CA

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Use Pill Bottles To Store Seasonal Hardware

When putting away seasonal things that contain loose screws, bolts, etc., take an empty safety capped pill bottle to store them in, label and then select a drawer or empty tool box/container to keep them in. You will always know where they are.

By Joyce from Benson MN

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Use Evercide To Control Fleas In Your Yard

For a contact flea control in your yard, a pest control product called Evercide works great.

By Jeremy from Biloxi, MS

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Stop Light For Garage

This tip is for people like myself that runs into the wall of the garage. I've tried the tennis ball thing and didn't work for me. So, my husband bought this "traffic light" looking wall unit that plugs into the wall. It looks just like a traffic light that has "red on top", "yellow in middle" and "green on the bottom".

It is really great and I haven't even hit the garage wall, because it lets you know by the light when it flashes, just like in the real world. If the light turns to yellow, I keep going until the red light comes on. Then I stop. I love it. I thought he was joking when he first showed me it. But, again I haven't hit the walls yet. He bought it at Walmart for $10 in the automotive section.

By Bonnie from Norman, OK

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VCR/DVD Recorders

This is a question about VCR/DVD recorders. I had a Panasonic VCR/DVD recorder and recorded some math VCR tapes to DVD that go with my text book. I did not use the proprietary Panasonic recording, I used the "can be played in any DVD recorder method". Well, the Panasonic broke. I ended up with a different model of Panasonic (because this was a year and a half later) and this one will not play my math DVD's. I'm so aggravated it's not funny. These DVD's are no longer available. I was depending on them to help me with the quadratic formula info. What could I have done differently? What can I do now?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Kitchen Aid Mixer Recipes

I just got a Kitchen Aid Stand mixer. Does anyone have recipes for this machine?

Tonnie from Hawaii

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Insulating Walls

I would like to further insulate my walls from noise and cold. I live in my own condo so I can't really put anything into the walls. I keep thinking (for the last 4 years) I could cover the walls with fabric or carpet or something. but then i heard something on t.v. and thought those might get mildew or something. I live about 300 feet from a busy highway so the noise is loud at times. I know new windows would help but that is not feasible right now. Any ideas would be appreciated. There is one wall with mostly window that faces west and then the other wall has 1 window but mostly wall and it faces south..

Sandy from Baltimore

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Designs to Paint on Pottery

Does anyone know where I can get pictures or designs to paint onto blank pottery plates or platters? I buy the fired bisque plates and then paint pictures with ceramic paint and get them fired. Fruit and vegetable or floral ideas are effective. Maybe some ideas for Christmas?

Susan from Durban

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Spanish Word for Candy Corn

How would you say "candy corn" in Spanish? I was thinking of 'dulce de maiz or dulce de elote' but both seem to imply an actual candying process.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Curves Women's Gym

Reviews on Curves exercise place? I am thinking of re-joining after 4 years. Just wondering if it got any better, or is it still like a crowded herd of cattle just going around in a circle, and does it really make anyone lose weight?

Lisa

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Carrot Cake Recipe With Canned Carrots

I would like a carrot cake recipe that uses canned carrots vs. fresh. It seems as though that would work alright but I know no one who has had success in doing so.

melody_yesterday from Sedalia, Missouri

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Removing Spray Tan From Clothing

How do you remove spray tan from your clothes?

Marsha from Lismore, NSW

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Help For Uncurlable Hair

My hair is uncurlable! I cannot curl it with a curling iron at all, and its not that I'm bad, its my hair it just won't hold the curls, does anyone have any idea how to fix this?

Kim from fgf

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Finding Arms to Repair Glide Rocker

Where might I find glider rocker arms for repairing a glider rocker?

MJ from Florida

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Cardboard Sheets for Shipping

I'm looking for clean flat sheets of cardboard around 18X24 for shipping posters that I sell on Ebay. Anyone have any ideas on this?

Bob from Catonsville, MD

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Reynolds Handi-Vac Vacuum Sealing System

Has any one tried the new Reynolds Handi-Vac Vacuum Sealing System?
Any comments or opinions?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Icy Windshield

Anything for frosty/iced windshields? I am a van driver for school kids and it is left out all night. I might not have enough time to scrape in the mornings.

JO from Girard, PA

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Sheer Coverage Mineral Makeup

Has anyone tried any of the Sheer Cover mineral make up products? If so, what do you think of them? Good or not? Thanks.

Bonnie from Tuckerton

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Mildew on Suede Jacket

Over the summer, a suede jacket got mildew on the front while stored in a back bedroom closet. If anyone knows how to remove mildew from suede, please let me know! The jacket has been worn only a couple of times.

Sharon from Indiana

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Dress Made of Crown Royal Bags

I am looking for instructions on how to make a Dress out of Crown Royal bags? I saw a girl with one at a Halloween party! She said it was a toga but it looked like a dress.

April

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Pen on Microfiber

How do I get pen out of microfiber?

Help from Omaha, NE

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Spiced Sugar Cutout Cookies

Hi, everyone I have a question. Does anyone have a recipe for spiced cookie cutouts or know how to add spices to a sugar cookie cutout recipe. My sugar cutouts are nice and soft and I just want to add a little spice. I'm afraid if I add spices I will change the texture of the cookie. Please help.

Denise from Marion, NY

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Dog Licking It's Mouth

My dog is constantly licking her mouth and smacking her lips. She just started it about 2 weeks ago. Could you tell me why? Should I worry?

Kim from London

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Sweet 16 Masquerade Party

I am trying to decide if I am going to do a Masquerade party for my 16th! I'm just not sure if the people I invite would wear the masks? But I need help with pretty much everything!

Kiah

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Dog with Chronic Ear Infection

Hello I have a 7 year old Basset Hound who has had chronic ear infection for the majority of his adult doggy life. I have taken him to the vet every time and they give me antibiotics and drops. Every time I have to take it cost well over $200 for all the cultures they run and the medicine and they keep coming back. I am at a point that of thinking there could be some home remedy that we can use to make it go away. My poor buddy has very long ears and he is constantly shaking his head, digging in his ear with his back paw, and leaning his head to one side.... I feel so bad for him.... His ear smells really bad right now. I would really love some help or some direction to go other than another $200 vet bill. The medicine never works completely and I know that in a few weeks we just have the same thing to look forward to. I feel so bad for him because he acts so miserable and I can only imagine how miserable he really is. If anyone knows a good solution to my problem I would love any advice that can be given.

Kimmy from Wichita Falls, TX

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Cleaning Bath Tub Jets

What do I use to clean the jets in my bathroom jacuzzi? It is about 3 years old and used maybe a couple of dozen times only by me and never with any oils.

Ruth from Harlingen, TX

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Cleaning a Dooney & Bourke Purse

How do I clean my Dooney and Bourke fabric bag?

June from Fairfield, CT

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Halloween "Ugly Teeth" Recalled By Amscan Inc. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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Simple CPSC Safety Tips Help Prevent Halloween Hidden Dangers

CPSC Encourages Parents to Incorporate Safety into Celebration

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Children around the country are eagerly anticipating the night when they will wear their favorite costume and search for fun and delicious treats. As Halloween creeps up, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds parents and caregivers that when it comes to Halloween safety, there is no trick. Hidden dangers associated with costumes, treats, and decorations can be easily prevented, so that the holiday celebration is a real treat.

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CPSC Staff Study: Home Lead Test Kits Unreliable

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced the results of a special evaluation of consumer lead test kits. CPSC staff used commonly available test kits on a variety of paints and other products containing different levels of lead. Many of the tests performed using the kits did not detect lead when it was there (false negatives); some indicated lead was present when it was not (false positives). Of 104 total test results, more than half (56) were false negatives, and two were false positives. None of the kits consistently detected lead in products if the lead was covered with a non-leaded coating. Based on the study consumers should not use lead test kits to evaluate consumer products for potential lead hazards. These findings are consistent with previous CPSC staff test results.

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