Daily Thrifty Tips - November 13, 2008

Are you looking for inexpensive gift ideas? Check out the Christmas Gift section on ThriftyFun. There are hundreds of ideas for inexpensive gifts that we have published over the last 10 years.

Christmas Gift Ideas http://www.thriftyfun.com/Christmas_Gifts_246_265.html

Also, be sure to check out our Craft Projects section.

Craft Projects
http://www.thriftyfun.com/Craft%20Projects_1309.html

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Craft: Christmas Tote Bag

Christmas tote bag made of quilting scraps. I made this tote bag from two squares of 30 by 30 inch material with batting in the middle. You then quilt them together and put a binding around the raw edges. It's like making a 30 by 30 quilt square or you can use the pre quilted material, just add your binding. You then lay face down, fold the two opposite corners to the middle, overlapping each other. This, you will see, will give you a square in the middle. Sew around the square in the middle, this will give you the inside pockets. Then flip wrong sides together and sew up your sides. Take the bottom and sew 2 inches from the corner point across, this will give you a boxed bottom. Do this on each side. Then cut off point and discard. Make sure you zig zag across where you just cut. Turn this to the inside. You are now on the outside of your tote. Fold down your outside flaps, sew across the top of tote about a half inch.

You are now ready to make your handles. Cut matching material into 2 - 4 inch by how ever you long you want your handles to be. Fold the material, each side to the middle and press. Then fold once again and sew on each side of strap. Do this to both pieces of material. You should now have two straps ready to sew on your tote. Measure 1 1/2 inches from the top corner of the tote, pin your strap in place making it a good inch down in the tote. Sew across the strap several times to secure. So this for both side of handle. You then take a piece of sew on velcro and sew at top between handles on both sides.

This is was not my original pattern but I have modified it to my own liking. The embroidery patterns used are from the free embroidery pattern section of sew forum and I take no credit for them, they are gifts from the wonderful digitizers there. I only embroiderd them on to my tote bag. Oh, the inside pockets are at an odd angle but this is the way it is made. Don't worry, things will not fall out of the pockets as they are quite deep.

By Madeline from Jacksonville, Alabama

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Bear (Schnauzer)

Bear is a 4 month old schnauzer. I got him 2 months ago, a gift from my husband.

He loves to play with the kids.

By Patricia from De Berry, TX

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Craft Project: Turkey Pumpkin Centerpiece
By Harlean Greathouse

Preparing Wood:

Cut with scroll saw or band saw.

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Craft: Easy No Sew Window Valance

I took a dust ruffle from a bed and cut it lengthwise first for the length of the window. I had 2 windows side by side. I left enough of the white part of the sheet to make into tabs because I don't sew. I made the white into 8 inch strips above the pretty ruffle then just tied it in a bow on the rod.

By Joyceann from Danvers, MA

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Craft: Puzzle Piece Pins

A ways back, someone asked what she could do with puzzle pieces. I tried to describe these, but until I found them, could not do a good job. So, here they are!

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Recycle Election Signs as Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Since there are many election signs everywhere and the election is over. You can decorate them by spray painting them and tying a bow on them to look like Christmas presents to put in the yard. A lot of people will give them to you just to get rid of them.

By Karen from Bolivar, TN

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Use Rice To Clean Vases

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub... Bottle brush won't reach all the way down to scrub that dirty glass or plastic vase?

Put 2 tablespoons of dry rice inside, then pour in 1/2 cup of hot, soapy water. Cover with the palm of your hand and shake vigorously. Discard rice and rinse the now-sparkling vase.

Source: A friend who owns a flower shop.

By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario

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Use Lemon Drink Mix In Your Dishwasher

For your dishes to come out if the dishwasher spotless, try lemon flavored drink mix. The kind with no sugar. I put my detergent in the first wash cup and half a packet of the lemon drink powder in the cup that closes. This way I use less soap AND no spots:)

Source: My Auntie Pat

By Holly

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Painting Shirts With Acrylic Paints

I enjoy painting with acrylics on shirts. They are only gifts for family and friends, but are well received and used. I think it would be interesting to make a larger linoleum carving and put it on the back of a shirt! You could change colors too. When I paint on shirts, I usually use white shirts, they show off color best, but for me and men, I choose grey, sometimes black! Today, glow-in-the-dark acrylics can be used as well, fun for Halloween!

The T-shirts can be cheaply acquired at Wal-Mart etc. and end up being cheaper than a canvas, and more people get to see my work! A good tip is that usually the shirts for women I do the prints on the front, for men the back.

Scott

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Use Spice Rack to Organize Nuts and Bolts

I was helping my husband organize his new tool shed, and just didn't know where to put all the different sizes of nuts, bolts, screws, etc. I figured it was time for another plastic container, but they just get overlooked and purchased again. Instead, I used an old spice rack I bought for a dollar at a yard sale. He loved the idea. It spins, everything is visible and I didn't have to label more plastic containers. I am always looking for old spice racks now, they came in handy for all my daughters beads for her crafts as well.

By Frazzledmrs from California

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A Gift For People Who Have It All

I've always had a hard time giving to people who have the money to buy anything they want or for people who just have it all. Last year, apart from giving my mom the usual homemade stuff, I gave her a $10 gift card so she can give to any organization she wants! In Canada you can purchase them at http://www.canadahelps.org/ and in the US it's http://www.justgive.org/. All you do is go on the website and select to give a gift certificate, purchase the amount you want then it gets emailed to the recipient or you can print out a gift card and give it to them in an envelope. My mom said she had a great time trying to find a smaller organization in her community to give to and felt really good about it. I like this idea because the recipient gets involved too!

By Lisa from Halifax

• http://www.canadahelps.org/
• http://www.justgive.org/

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Make Your Own Photo Wrapping Paper

Here's a way to personalize all your gifts in a way no one else can.

1. Select your favorite photos or make photos that are meaningful to you (the giver) or the recipient. For example, select photos of you and your family, home, pets, etc. Or use photos of the recipients, their favorite celebrities, etc. This is easy with digital cameras. Or download pictures from the web and print.

2. Take these photos to a Kinkos or some place with a large color copier. Arrange the photos on scanning surface, close the cover and make as many copies as you want. Use the largest paper available, or shrink as necessary. Voila - you now have personalized wrapping paper.

By Bryguyf69 from NYC, NY

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Make Powdered Sugar from Granulated Sugar

Powdered sugar can be made from regular sugar in a conventional blender. This way you don't have to buy two types of sugar or make a special trip to the store!

By Diane from Chicago

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Don't Cook Your Turkey in the Oven

One way we have found to decrease the time in the kitchen on Thanksgiving and other holidays is to use an alternate source for cooking the main course - turkey, ham, etc.

We use our Weber kettle to cook our turkey each year; it cooks in less time, adds flavor (from charcoal and/or wood chips), and it comes out perfect each time. Plus, that leaves the oven in the house for preparing other dishes. That way we don't have to make things ahead of time and then warm them up while the turkey is being carved. Everything is warm and fresh and ready at the same time.

You can also do this with other large cuts of meat - ham, brisket, etc.

We have used this method as far North as Arkansas; when the weather was bad we just cooked in our carport or covered patio.

Further North or in times of bad weather, you can do what my aunt did every year up in New York state. She had one of the big electric roaster/ovens. If you aren't familiar with them they are are like a separate oven with a lid you remove, instead of a door that you open. Just set the temp and put in whatever you need to bake/roast.

These are often on sale before Christmas and they are really very reasonably priced. I have never been able to find one second hand; the people who buy them NEVER seem to give them up.

But, whichever you choose, this gets the main course out of your primary oven and lets you do everything in less time.

By Ginger from Lake Havasu City, AZ

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Frozen Foods at Dollar Tree

I recently found that my local Dollar Tree carries high quality brand name frozen foods. I got Green Giant steam in the bag vegetables for a dollar a pack, which is much less expensive than at my local supermarket. They also have garlic bread, Italian ice, and waffles. I checked to make sure they were not from a shady second rate place, or iffy foreign country. The quality has been every bit as good as what I get at the market.

By Sarah from Savannah, GA

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Chanukah (Hanukkah) Ideas for Children

With a very limited budget I need new Chanukah (Hanukkah) ideas for young children? Please include cooking ideas that young children could help make.

Rita from Meadville, PA

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Mozilla Firefox Autofill Form

How do I locate the autofill form on Mozilla Firefox?

Angelique from Stamford, CT

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Having a Large Wedding on a Budget

I am having a very hard time finding centerpieces. I've looked at a ton of websites and I just can't seem to find them cheap enough. I really like the floating candle idea, but the things I find are all too small and the bigger ones are way out of my price range I mean who wants to spend 700 dollars just on centerpieces. I need help. I still have plenty of time until my wedding but I don't want to be like my best friend who is getting married next June and hasn't even bought a single thing yet.

I am having a good sized wedding. My guest list is at 250 right now and I also have 20 people in my wedding including me and my fiance. If you have any suggestions I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much!

Melissa from LaBelle, PA

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Selling Collectible Dolls

I'm interested in selling my porcelain dolls. I have tried Ebay and didn't get any bids due to too many being sold there. Most of the dolls I have, my dad bought from either the Danbury Mint or the Franklin Mint. I really need to sell them. If anyone has any ideas on how to sell them please let me know.

Julie from Lakeland, Florida

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Bugs Biting Me In My Sleep

For the past two nights, something is biting me. I keep waking up with bites on my thighs. Right now on my left leg, there are 3 bites. And on my right leg, I have 6, three of those bites on that leg are in a nice diagonal line.

I have 2 cats that never go outside and are usually in my room but this just started happening for the first time. I also have hamsters in my room but they have been here for a few months too. Nobody else in the house is experiencing this. I have no idea what to do.

Annie from Columbus, OH

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Christmas Gifts That Fit in an Envelope

What kind of Christmas gifts can be sent in an envelope and are cheap and durable enough to not break in the shipping process? I'm trying to figure out what to send as a Christmas gift for my pen pal in Japan. Thanks!

Anna from Iceland

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Cleaning a Wooden Guinea Pig Cage

We have our guinea pig in a homemade cage with a wood bottom. I was wondering how I can safely disinfect the bottom of this when I clean his cage? I put paper in under the chips and it soaks up some of the mess from water bottle and urine, but not all of it. I would like to safely disinfect this area for him. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

jmz2005 from IL

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Bread Recipes for Sunbeam SVB 1308

I am looking for bread recipes for a Sunbeam SVB 1308.

Robert from Tanzania

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Chihuahua Puppy Nips

I have a 16 week old Chihuahua/Miniature Pincher mix. We adore him very much. Our biggest problem is he is nippy. We go try to pet him and he bites our hands. Never hard enough to hurt to badly and never has broke skin. If we try to hold his mouth shut then when we let go he jumps at us and nips again. I do not know how to handle this. We love him dearly and I can not handle this nipping. Thank you in advance for your help.

Thamasea from California

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Macy's Coupon Codes

I am looking for a Macy's coupon code.

Julie

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Halloween Window Slime Stains on Oak Table

Halloween red slime for windows has stained my light oak dining table like a bad tattoo. I've tried bleach pen, Windex, Tilex, Hydrogen Peroxide, Rubbing Alcohol, soap and water, to no avail. How can I clean this beautiful table, please?

Sandra from Colorado

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Root Beer Stains on Curtains

I have new curtains that are colonial blue. They are 55% polyester, 45% cotton, with 100% acrylic backing. Someone has splattered root beer on one of them. How can I remove root beer stains on curtain panel?

Becky from Bakersfield, CA

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Getting Bouncy, Shiny Hair

Does anybody know of anything that will make my hair bouncy, shiny, and lustrous without making it too dry, too greasy, or too frizzy?

Aliesha

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How Do You Get Free Seed Samples?

Does anyone know where I can get free seed samples? Also, does anyone one know where I can buy heirloom seeds?

Aliesha

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Military Ball Theme Ideas

I'm in JROTC and every year we have a Military Ball. This year we are having it in March and I can't think of a cool theme except St. Patrick's day. Can someone help me?

Ellie from Coker, AL

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Musty Odor on Christmas Decorations

I have handmade Christmas ornaments made of material, Styrofoam, and dress pins. They were in the basement and got wet and now smell musty. Any ideas on how to get rid of the smell?

Megan from Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

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Hibiscus Losing Leaves

I have a Hibiscus that I bring inside for the winter. This is my second year bringing it in. My problem is it starts to lose it's leaves and I don't know how to keep it healthy looking, could you advise? Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 3b


Mary Kay from Sun Prairie

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Getting the Run Around at the Eye Doctor

I'm hoping someone can help me with this problem. I'm a badly nearsighted contact lens wearer who occasionally wears eyeglasses and who has astigmatism in one eye. Within the past few years, I noticed my ability to see up close in both eyes has decreased, so I bought OTC reading glasses for when I am wearing my contact lenses to tide me over until I went to my next scheduled eye exam.

At that exam, I mentioned this to the eye doctor and requested bifocal contact lenses. I understand there are two different methods to do this: either I can wear one lens for the nearsightedness and the other for the age-related farsightedness or I can get two lenses with bifocals in each. Needless to say, the eye doctor told me that "my eyes weren't bad enough yet to warrant that" and that I was going to have to wear the OTC reading glasses instead.

When I asked how bad my eyes had to get with the presbyopia before I could get bifocal contacts, she did not really answer my question. So, I went back to the OTC reading glasses. At my next exam, I had a different eye doctor, and I went through the same request with him. I again left the office that day with no bifocals and not a clear answer as to why. I should mention that this is a chain eyeglass/contact lens company where patients see an "independent doctor of optometry" and where patients are more or less just a number. I have been willing to live with that because of their prices. However, I am beginning to wonder if I am getting the run-around at this chain, where I have been a patient for about 28 years.

Does this scenario seem right to those of you contact lens wearers out there? Is there a real LEGITIMATE MEDICAL REASON for denying my request for the bifocal contact lenses? I suspect that they are denying my request because they are probably not easy to adjust to, and they don't want to take a loss on the lenses if I can't wear them, which their return policy states they would do. I'm not sure if this is the case, and I need some advice, please help! Thanks in advance for the replies!

Tori

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Lights for Glass Block Decorations

Where can I find lights for my glass block Christmas box? I have searched everywhere, but cannot find one ended white cord Christmas lights.

Kathy from Canada

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Preserved Barbecued Squid Recipe

Does anyone have a recipe for bottled, barbecued squid? I want to bottle (preserve) some squid but want to try barbecue.

Marie

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Places to Live After Retirement

I am thinking about moving when I retire to northeastern GA, eastern KY or eastern TN. I would like to live in a place with around 15,000 people or less. I am looking for ideas and/or suggestions. Thank you in advance.

az2010 from East Hampton, MA

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Deodorant Stains On Clothing

How could I remove hard stains on armpits of white t-shirts caused by deodorant? The fabric actually turns hard.

Diane from Merrillville, Indiana

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Game Ideas for Family Easter Dinner Celebration

I am looking for fun games and activities. I am in charge of entertainment for our annual progressive dinner multiple family Easter celebration. I need ideas for a mixed age group. Games such as scavenger hunts, funny suppers, or an amazing race. I have done all of the above but am now looking for some more ideas for non-board game and non-computer activities.

Debra from Watertown, SD

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Canned Watermelon Rind

Does anyone have an easy, yet tasty, preserved watermelon rind recipe?

Irene from Naples, FL

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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 Pet Prescriptions

Tips and advice or saving money on pet prescriptions.

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