Daily Thrifty Tips - October 9, 2006

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:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

This simple craft takes a tootsie pop and makes it into a cute spider. It's great for a Halloween Party or to hand out to trick-or-treaters.

Time commitment: Less than 5 minutes per spider.

Supplies:

• Lollipop of your Choice
• 4 pipe cleaners
• Googly eyes
• Glue

Directions:

Hold all four pipe cleaners and center them on the lollipop then twist them around the stick. Bend each end of the pipe cleaners to make them look like spider legs. Glue on two googly eyes.

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Gracie and children playing at a picnic on Sunday, October 1, 2006.

By Misti from Carthage Tennessee

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Elmo - Pit Bull Terrier

Elmo is a one and a half year old pit bull. He was a gift for my son from my sister, 1 year ago.

He likes playing with my kids an going for walks. He's very loyal and a great guard dog

By Kui from Auckland, NZ

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Amanda is my 17 year old short haired calico. I adopted her from a pet store in 1988.

She likes to sleep!

By BETTIE K. from DUDLEY, NC

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Bailey is an 18 month old Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever/Poodle)

Bailey is happiest when he has a stuffed toy to play with. He can be a real comedian!

He has been with us since he was 10 weeks old. We've been through a lot together, and he's turning out to be quite a devoted dog. We love him!

By Maggie from Virginia

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Got two nearly brand new stylish items from thrift shops this last weekend - but from a surprising rack. OK - first of all we have to agree that when choosing clothing the FIT is a vital category. And that sizing is erratic, at best. So, why not look at the Maternity rack - even if you are NOT expecting? I like long tunics and long t-shirts - and you can find them and stylish stretchy pants here - some hardly worn. (Yes, I have been known to cut out the maternity labels!) What with baby doll dresses coming into fashion again - there will be probably more to wear on that often hidden rack.

By Pam from Los Angeles

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1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.
2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.
3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.
4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it "in."
5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
6. In the memo field of all your checks, write "for smuggling diamonds"
7. Finish all your sentences with "in accordance with the prophecy."
8. Dont use any punctuation
9. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
10. Order a diet water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.
11. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go."
12. Sing along at the opera.
13. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme?
14. Put mosquito netting around your work area and play tropical sounds all day.
15. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party because you're not in the mood.
16. Have your co-workers address you by your wrestling name, Rock Bottom.
17. When the money comes out the ATM, scream "I won!, I won!"
18. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling "Run for your lives, they're loose!!"
19. Tell your children over dinner. "Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."
20. And the final way to keep a healthy level of insanity. . . Post this to make people smile. It's called therapy

By IMAQT1962 from Illinois

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So the kids are back in school and you're back at work and you're thinking, "The last thing I want to think about is Christmas" but I am here to tell you that this month is the best for getting some of your shopping done. October is a great month to put together some gifts for those hard to buy for people on your shopping list. I also guarantee that you are going to get good prices too.

Right now is a great time to pick up "school supplies" to make art kits for your kids or teenagers. Also a great time to pick up the basics again from school supplies for your new scrapbooker. Don't forget those educational stocking stuffers they are on sale right now too. Flash cards and small Dayplanners will go on clearance here pretty quick. Also think about buying some of those plastic pencil boxes they can be used to hold makeup or small cars and that makes them portable. You could also put small puzzles in them.

October is also when all of your fishing supplies go on clearance. So why not pick up a tackle box and fill it for that Dad or Son or Grandson. Fishing Rods also go on clearance right about now. Add a couple of "I will take you fishing coupons" and you're set.

You also will be able to pick up tents and sleeping bags this month which could fill a teenager's dream. Add a few dishes bought at a garage sale along with a skillet and pan and you have made camping possible.

You can also put together a beach party basket for your teenagers that they can throw in the middle of winter. Two or Four beach towels bought on clearance, some of the new hot colored plastic picnic dishes and some sand toys for decorations and a gift certificate for food from the local grocery and they will be singing your praises. Throw in a CD of the Beach Boys and they will be hanging 5 before you know it.You can also put together an exercise kit by getting a big ball, a beach mat, a jump rope and a beach tote to carry it in. Some teenagers just might enjoy this.

Got an armchair quarterback on your hands? Get a beach bucket and fill with snacks for the upcoming college bowl games. Throw in some microwave popcorn and the bucket becomes a handy bowl. Also look in your toy section for summer themed toys such as Summer Barbie or the latest Monster truck, they are all on clearance now also. Add some clothes and who cares if Barbie comes in a Bikini. Other outdoor toys are also on clearance like jumpropes and balls.

Well, I bet I got all of you thinking about other ideas you can put to use but while we are on the subject, why not put together a couple of extras. You can use these as extra Birthday gifts or maybe donate them to a charity for kids for Christmas.

Happy Hunting and, remember, use your imagination for the best Christmas ever.

By Debra from Colorado Springs, CO

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Don't throw away your empty prescription bottles. I use mine for a premeasured "dose" of salad dressing for my work lunches. The little amber bottles are a perfect size for a single serving and are leakproof if they have a plastic seal in the childproof top. Clean well, peel off the label and check for leaks with plain water in the bottle first.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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To keep tops from sticking on bottles of things such as finger nail polish, glue or other adhesives, rub a very small amount of vaseline around the ridges before replacing the top.

By Ann from Dublin, GA

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Here is a cheap lunch tip: McDonald's has a $1 menu. Order a side salad, which is small, and the 4 piece chicken nuggets. Cut the nuggets into small pieces. All for only $2!

The salad is only 20 calories and the nuggets are l70. The least calorie dressings are: (if you used the entire package.) Low fat Italian is 50 calories, Low fat Balsamic is 40 calories and Ranch is 170 calories.

Then if you are a "senior". you get a "senior" drink for 49 cents with refills.

It's a great day if I learned something new!

By Syd from Dunkirk, MD

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

How do I get a sticky label off of a suede jacket?

Dianne from Pawtucket, RI

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I am trying to clean ink out of clothes.

Cathi from Chicago, IL

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How do I take out just some color from valances. They are too bright of a yellow to match my duvet. I tried putting them in the washer with regular chlorine bleach but no color came out. I just want to take some of the brightness out not all the color. What is Nappy San? Will that work and where do I buy it?

Mikki from Sarasota, FL

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My three week old kitten has not had a bowel movement since I rescued her. Is that normal?

Geneviev from Albuquerque, NM

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I'm having a Halloween party and I have the decorations set but I need a little help on ideas with the food. I have eyeball ice cubes and I'm putting little plastic spiders on toothpicks but what else can I do? Thanks!

Jenny from Milwaukee, WI

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I am looking for a recipe for a Orange cake. I remember it was made without a mix and took a can of orange juice concentrate. It also had a seven minute frosting.

Thank you,
Randa from San Marcos

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I collect aluminum for cash, mostly aluminum cans. I have recently found in the garbage a tire from a car on an aluminum rim. I have no use for the rim, but need to remove the tire in order to cash in the aluminum rim. Does anyone have an easy way to get the tire removed from the rim?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Terri from Kentucky

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Does anyone know how to make liquid evaporative type air freshener with essential oils?

Ollie from Sydney Australia

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I am looking for a paint for walls when using deep red bedspread?

Miss Marple from Huntsville, AL

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Has anyone in a climate like mine had any luck collecting red worms in the wild? I have read that a manure pile is a good place to look. But it is getting colder. Will they have dived for the center of the earth by now? I would love to have some little worms to nurture over winter, and to feed my kitchen scraps to. We're down to one chicken, and she's so overfed I don't know how she manages.

Hardiness Zone: 4b

Coreen Hart from Rupert, ID

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I have a beautiful flower bed and am having trouble keeping the weeds manageable. this is a direct sunlight area. What products do you suggest we use?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Mikell from Klamath falls, Oregon

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How do you get rid of dark circles and bags under eyes?

Meams from Eden, NC

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How do I clean my Hamilton Brewstation coffee maker?

Renee from Tampa, FL

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I removed a peel and stick vinyl floor that was laid on top of a hardwood floor. The hardwood floor now has black marks around the edges where each vinyl square had been. How can I remove these black marks from the hardwood floor?

Peg from St. Louis, MO

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How can I remove a black permanent ink stain from rubber shoe soles?

Mary from Bham, AL

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Do I freeze extra baked goods before or after baking?

Cindy from Boston, MA

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I am looking for a pattern using jammers or capri sun pouch to make gameboy carry case.

Dana from Cchenectady, NY

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When storing watermelon in a covered container in the refrigerator and a piece of paper towel is placed in the bottom of the container and also on top of the watermelon, what does this do to the watermelon? And is this necessary? I say it dries the watermelon out and takes away the flavor.

Jill from Orange, CA

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How can I save bulbs from Caladiums and Elephant Ears to use next year? My elephand ears are still HUGE! They are larger now than in the pic.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Elaine from Charlottesville, VA

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I would like ideas for IOU coupon gifts for my husband. He is sixty years old and not one to go out a lot. He loves to stay home with our dog Holly.

Mary From California

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How do you make hair bows?

Pamela from Louisiana

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We replaced the belt on our vacuum cleaner and after doing that it left black marks on the carpet and the side opposite of the belt was hot. We have a beige carpet, not sure what kind (we rent), but carpet is kind that feels like velcro when you walk on it with socks. I have tried using awesome and a stiff brush and that didn't touch it. Please help! Thank you in advance.

jmz2005 from Illinois

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I need help with choosing a GOOD carpet cleaning machine, any suggestions?

Sophii from San Diego

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I am starting to make most of my own cleaning products and i am really enjoying it but lots of the recipes that I have found require something called washing soda. I can't find anything like that in any of the stores around here. Can anyone help me?

Tracy from East Liverpool, OH

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I am 16 and in high school. Through the high school I, along with 29 other students will be going to Chicago for Model UN. Which is where we go and represent countries and debate on World Issues from that countries point of view. I am excited for it, but there is a problem. All thirty of us need help to raise a rather large sum of money. We are also trying to go on another trip to St. Paul, but we can only go if there is enough money. So i ask, how can a large group of thirty students raise money. Are there any Ideas?

Jake from Isanti, MN

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My fuel oil (Diesel) furnace leaked yesterday. I am trying to remove the smell from the house but am having no luck. Does anyone know how to remove it or even lessen in?

cricket_0276 from IN

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I need ideas/themes for 2009 sophomore class float for homecoming parade, thrifty on a budget.

Sandy from Bastrop, TX

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I have 3 large kitchen windows with closed mini blinds that don't stop the sun's heat. Any temporary fix suggestions?

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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I have Hardwood Floors in house are very old from the 1940's and they are unsealed and chipping. What is the best way to reseal them? Wax, Oil or Polyurethane?

Doris from Kansas City, MO

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I have a new smooth, black ceramic top stove. Does anyone have any ideas on the best way to clean it, or a cheap cleanser to use that won't scratch the surface? It would be nice if there was something that I might have on hand at home? I have a store bought bottle, but it isn't cheap.

Ann from Ontario

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