Daily Thrifty Tips - December 8, 2008

The owner of ThriftyFun, Susan Sanders-Kinzel, is currently in the hospital dealing with a serious illness. This is delaying some of our publishing since she plays an important part of everything we do at ThriftyFun. We did not send out a Friday newsletter but should be on schedule for this week.

Please keep Susan in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for reading,

Jess and the rest of the ThriftyFun Staff

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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.

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Craft: Letter Bingo

I took a blank piece of card board (free from the school I work at) or some places will give you their cardboard from packing and made bingo boards using letters (this can also be used for colors, numbers and shapes). I use a permanent marker to write on the cardboard.

Each board measured about 7 1/2 inches by 10 inches (I made it large enough for the children to handle).

I drew 9 squares in all for each board. I eliminated the free space on each board. I wrote one letter (small caps) for each square. I created about 10 to 15 boards, each one with different sequence of letters.

I purchased poker chips (fifty cents) from the thrift shop (they are large and easier for little fingers to grip).

Instead of bingo balls, I purchased an educational poster (this one was the alphabet) from the dollar store and cut the letters out. I then use them to call out the letters.

For prizes, I used raisins, nuts, crackers, and erasers, shapes made from foam, pencils and things that I could find at the dollar store or thrift shop.

For extra added savings, create the other bingo games on the back of the same cards you used for Alphabet bingo or make one half colors, the other shapes or numbers.

Total cost for me $5.00 (I already had some of the items) and I checked at a book supply store. Most of the bingo games cost $9.00 and up and that is for one game. I was able to make several 4 games for the price of one) and time. Priceless for my grandchildren and learning that will last a lifetime. To knock the cost down even further, you can make your own calling cards for shapes, letters, numbers and colors

By Georgetta from Waterloo, IA

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Buttons and Tank (Miniature Schnauzer)

Buttons is 4 years old and Tank is 2 years old, they are Miniature Schnauzers. I was on a trip to Oklahoma and purchased Buttons. Tank is Buttons' first born pup.

They like to chase balls and frisbies. They are wonderful companions

By Vickie from Raleigh,NC

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Craft Project: Advent Paper Chain

There are many ways to count down to Christmas. There are songs about it. Retail has take a cue from the season and transformed it into a list of shopping deals for the holiday season. Each year at church, we take the month of December off from creating crafts about the children's bible stories and make Christmas themed crafts. The Sunday before the month of December, we usually make an Advent. This year, it was a paper chain.

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Craft Project: Pom-Pom Reindeer

Another craft for left-over pom-poms and extra craft bits. The cute reindeer has pom-poms for a body and head and chenille stems as antlers and legs.

By Aysha from Boise, Idaho

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Garden: Growing Rutabagas

Here's a picture of some of the rutabagas I grew in my garden. I also grew some very large lettuce leaves and large garlic bulbs. I love to grow large tomatoes, 2 pound ones. We have fresh veggies all the time. What we don't use, I freeze them and share with friends and neighbors. It's a very good pastime, saves on food.

By Kathleen from Dothan, AL

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Garden: Spiderweb With Dew

A beautiful spider's web on the hedge by my daughter's school bus stop. Had to run to the house for my camera! We were all trying to get pictures, and everyone was saying how the light was wrong, you couldn't see the droplets and so forth. So I decided that rather than shoot the whole web and get what everyone else had, I'd choose a part of it that would best show the dew. It seemed to work!

By Lynn from Johnstown, PA

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What Is The Name Of This Flame Plant?

This is a beautiful plant but I don't know what it's called. Doesn't it look like a plant of flames?

It's stunning. It was flowering in my best friend's garden this summer. Perhaps a fellow member might know it's name?

By Monique from Somerset, UK

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No Melt Sparkleballs

I've been making sparkleballs for years. But this year I've finally discovered an excellent no-melt method for putting the holiday light balls together-- thanks to my new husband, Steve! A fan of www.sparkleball.com sent me her instructions for using soft cups and a hole puncher to build the sparkleball. She then used bits of wire to attach the cups together. But crafty Steve gave me a package of zip-ties, and the result was brilliant. The No-Melt Sparkleball is perfect for children!

Source: The instructions are here:

• http://www.sparkleball.com/nomelt.htm

By Sparkleball Lady from San Diego CA

Editor's Note: Here is the article on making the original style of sparkleballs. They are beautiful and not difficult to make.

• Craft: Sparkleball

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Store Daily Medications In Snack Sized Plastic Bag

If you are like me, you may have vitamins or medications that are too large or too many for a pill container. Take a recloseable snack size plastic bag and write with a permanent marker the days of the week or the number of days in a month. I find this really helps me to keep track of whether I have taken my prescriptions or not.
This would be an idea if you set up medications for older people as they may keep better awareness if it is in a see through plastic bag.

By Irene from Boston,MA

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Borrow, Don't Buy Flowers

Sometimes Lowe's Home Improvement Centers will let you borrow flowers for a church function. I know the store in Mobile AL did; they saw it as advertisement. The lady that borrowed them did not pay a dime. Just ask.

By Tim from Science Hil, KY

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Make A Christmas Tree Out Of Recycled Materials

In the past I have seen Christmas trees made out of the wire base used to house young sapling trees. It's a wire Christmas tree shape and then you string Christmas tree lights around it and cover it with clear plastic, if you choose, or you can leave it as is. My Uncle made that for his family for years. Money was tight for them and he never wanted my Aunt and their children to go without =)

I have also seen mountain dew, beer cans and coke cans glued to wire and then placed in a tall erect pipe in the shape of a Christmas tree (on the internet.) You start wide at the bottom and get narrow as the you reach the top.

My first Christmas married I opt'd for a smaller Christmas tree and then perched it up on empty boxes wrapped with Christmas paper. My neighbors couldn't believe that my beautiful flocked noble tree was only four feet high. I will never forget the look on their faces when the knocked on the door to ask if they could take a family photo by our tree and it was only from their waist up. I saved over $65.00 with a four foot vs an eight foot/nine foot tree.

By Anita from Temecula, CA

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Homemade Christmas Bathroom Deodorizer

Use a wash cloth and roll it in a roll. Sew side together and cut out fire flame and attach to the top with straight pins. Then attach the rolled cloth to the top of a fragrant soap and attach this with pins also. Then a colorful ribbon around base of cloth and soap and tie a beautiful red or green bow to cover up the pins. Makes a Christmas deodorizer for the bathroom . Can disassemble and use in the bathroom at a later date.

Source: given to me by Dianne, a teacher friend of mine, for Christmas gift to parents. Actually students brought their and cloths and soap then we gift wrap them for parents

By Julia from Pembroke, NC

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Reuse Dry Cleaning Plastic as Trash Bag

When you pick up your dryer cleaning clothes, you always have plastic around it. If your cleaners doesn't recycle the bags take the top of the bag where the hanger was, and tie a knot. This will take care of the hole the hanger made and put in trash can as a bag. Less waste in the environment and saves you money on garbage bags.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Save Money Rounding Checkbook Figures

When I write a check, I make sure I write the real amount on the check, but in my checkbook register I round the figure up. When I deposit money into my account, I round the figure down. You will never, see or feel it. In 2 years it adds up big time and them some.

By Laura from Spartanburg, S.C.

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Clean and Stock Your Medicine Cabinet Before Winter

When stocking your pantry for winter, don't forget your medicine cabinet! With cold and flu season approaching, now is a good time to clean out the medicine cabinet and take stock of what you'll need. Check the expiration on what you have, and discard the out of date stuff. Just do so where kids can't get to it! We always 'X' boxes or pull labels off prescriptions, so other family members know they were empty when toddler Jimmy found it in the trash or recycling!

When you're sick, you sure don't want to go out for more OTC generic Robitussin or decongestants. So I make sure we have enough already here. And with the potential for icy roads and bad weather coming, it's a good idea to make sure you always have a week of any prescription medicines available, too. So stock your medicine cabinet along with your pantry - you'll feel better!

By Dorrie from Norman, OK

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Pine Sap Removal

My sister says for pine sap removal from her car, and other items in her yard she uses hand sanitizing gel. It works wonderfully.

By Terri H. from NV

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Brew Tea in a Coffee Maker

I have found an excellent way to brew tea without a tea maker. I have a small 4 cup coffee pot and I put 2 teabags in the carafe and fill the top with cold water. In no time I have tea without boiling water in stove or microwave. Works well for me!

Source: A hairdresser shared this tip with me.

By Elaine from Iowa

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Using Leftover Turkey in Green Bean Casserole

To use up every bit of your turkey, put it in your green bean casserole! I freeze the leftover turkey, both cut up and those bits left on the bone, wait a week after Thanksgiving, and make a new casserole with the turkey in it! It works well with chicken, as well. This way, your family won't say they're tired of the green bean casserole. A real time AND money saver!

By Polly from Cedar Springs, MI

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Using a Potato Peeler as a Cheese Grater

Potato Peeler = Cheese Grater? Last night, I had a yen to use up some going-stale tortilla chips as the base for some tasty nachos. But I couldn't find my cheese grater, one of those simple flat plastic ones. However, in a pinch, my potato peeler did a fine job. It worked best on the squared corners of the cheese block, and I probably used less cheese, because the wider, thinner strips looked like more.

And yes, I have used my cheese grater as a makeshift potato peeler. Not the optimal way to peel a potato, since there's probably more waste, but if paring knives aren't available or you're too clumsy to not nick your fingers with the blade, like I always do, a cheese grater will do. Especially if you're making hash browns.

Source: Just clumsy, silly me in a messy kitchen where I can't find nothing, when I need it.

By Dorrie from Norman OK

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Looking for Lacoste Shaving Cream

Where can I find Lacoste shaving cream?

MJAL from Garden City, KS

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Apple Jelly Not Setting

I am making Apple Jelly. It will not set, I have not had this problem before. It was boiling for over 30 minutes.

Margaret

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Reusing Matchstick Roll Up Blinds

Hello I need help in the re-purpose/recycle dept. I have some old matchstick roll up blinds. Any ideas on what I can do with them or make them into? I have about 10 or so I would hate to toss them and a week later realize that I should have kept them. The only thing I have thought of is making a few place mats. Thanks for the help.

Connie from Colt, AR

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Las Vegas Themed Winter Formal

The theme of my 9th grade formal is Las Vegas. Does anyone have any inexpensive ideas for ways to decorate for it?

Susan

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Hot Cocoa Recipe Using Splenda

Recipe for Hot Cocoa Mix that has Splenda, powdered milk and cocoa

Nancy from , AR

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Ideas for Decorating a Door

I am doing a school project where I have to decorate our door the best. I was wondering if you have any ideas?

Lauren from Sandstone, MN

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Using Decals on Lighted Glass Blocks

Can I use decals or static clings to decorate glass blocks? I am not sure if the lights will be too hot for the vinyl.

debtchr from Hilliard, Ohio

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Nicotine Stains from Furniture

I have 50 year old white furniture that is saturated with nicotine stains. Any suggestions on how to get them out. I've used everything?

Breanna from Albuquerque, NM

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Black-Bottom Cheesecake Recipe

I am looking for a recipe for Black-bottom Pecan Cheesecake.

Vicki from Buckhannon, WV

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Green Stains on White Silk Cloth

I was washing white silk cloth that has a green border. The green bled onto the white cloth. Does anyone have any ideas on how to remove the stains?

Sarala

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Homemade Spot Remover

Does anyone have a recipe for homemade spot remover?

Joy from Safford, AZ

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Roasting Squash Seeds

Has anyone ever toasted seeds other than pumpkin or sunflower? We just cooked a turban squash today and it had huge seeds. Has anyone ever toasted any squash seeds and how did they taste?

Sheri from Rathdrum, Idaho

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Where Can I Find A Klik Klak Couch

Looking for a Klik Klak couch. Does anyone know of one that does not look like it belongs in a doctor's office? The few that I have found are just down right ugly and are about as comfortable as something in Fred and Wilma's cave! If you are old enough you may remember the ones made in the 40's and 50's - very comfy and very sturdy and had blanket storage under the seat.

I have found a few on the net, but they are mail order only! You just can not buy a couch without sitting on it. What I need is the name of the manufacturer to take to the furniture store. Thank you for your help.

Sheri from Rathdrum, Idaho

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Tuesday Body Lotion from Target

I'm looking for a body lotion that I bought at Target. It is called Tuesday Body Lotion/Tuesday Body Souffle. I love it but can no longer find it. If anyone knows how to find it please let me know! Thanks!

Jennifer from Atlanta

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Finding Free Household Goods

Where can someone go to get free household items?

Joyce from Evans, Colorado

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Removing Spray Foam Insulation from Clothing

How do I remove dried spray foam insulation from clothing?

Stacie from NH

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Christmas Gift for My Boyfriend

What should I give to my boyfriend as a gift?

Bharati

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Getting Over-Plucked Eyebrows to Grow Back

Any proven home remedies to make your eyebrows grow back quicker and thicker? I've over-plucked for several years now, but I'd like to let them grow back in thicker (if that's still possible). Thanks for your suggestions!

Dawn from Johnstown, PA

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Looking for Edfred Cleaner

Where can I find and buy Edfred for hard water spot stains?

Laura

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Decorating an Ambulance for a Christmas Parade

I am looking for ideas to decorate an ambulance for a Christmas Parade. The theme is "A Joyful Christmas". Please help ASAP, we have 3 days to do this.

rsrandr from Bell, FL

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Using Mulch from a Tree Service

I recently obtained a free load of mulch (chips) from a tree service. It is green and brown mulch trimmed from the trees along the roadside. Is this mulch safe to place around shrubs and in areas where I plan to plant shrubs, flowers, and vegetables?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Miss Daisy from Waverly Hall, GA

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Information About 4H

I was sort of surprised to see -0- records returned in my search for 4H! My neighbor is a 4H Craft Lady and I went to their potluck last night as a guest! It was great! I would like to find 4H info, crafts, tips, and ideas. Thanks!

melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO

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Recipes Using Frozen Roma Tomatoes

My garden produced an abundance of Roma tomatoes, which I have frozen whole with skins on. I would like to make salsa and spaghetti sauce out of these. Most recipes I find use canned tomatoes. Any ideas or recipes? I would be grateful, thanks.

Karen from Leavenworth, KS

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Recommendations for a Wild Game Cookbook

Can anyone recommend a wild game cookbook? My son has requested a cookbook for Christmas, and since he also started hunting this year I thought a game cookbook would be good choice.

Liz from New Baden, IL

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Domestications Deferred Billing Codes

I am looking for deferred billing codes for Domestications.

Brandi from Hammond, LA

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Refill for Sudsing Shower Head

I am looking for BasicH refill. A friend has a shower head with a lever you turn and suds flow out then you turn the lever back and fresh water comes out to rinse. He said he bought it from Amway over 20 years ago, but after searching I found Shaklee Basic H2, but it doesn't include bath wash. Does anyone know the product I am looking for and where to find it? Thank You.

TJ

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Fantastik Cleaner Stain on Wooden Dresser

A bottle of regular Fantastik spilled on my daughter's white finished wood dresser. We didn't notice the spill until it had already penetrated the surface and stained the area a light purple. Any way to get it out?

Cathy from Placentia, CA

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Keeping Well Water from Staining Clothing

I recently moved to a home with well water and the stains are ridiculous. I'm getting over the tub, sink and toilet stains, but I am a chef and my coats are made of some crazy stain absorbing fabric apparently. All of my coats now look as if I've been washing them in half water, half coffee. Is there any way to keep the stains in my water from getting into my coats while still getting them clean? Is there a difference in the amount of staining that hot water can do opposed to cold water?

Kathryn from Tampa, Florida

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Quick and Easy Scarf Patterns

I need a fun, quick, and easy crocheted (or knitted) scarf pattern for the holidays. I have tried every kind of pattern and cannot afford to buy new yarn. I have mostly worsted weight.

Amanda

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Smell of Death Under the House

There is a horrible smell under our house. I cannot see anything but it smells of death what can I do? Its awful.

Bevy Ann from San Benito, Texas

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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

How To Keep Your Potted Mums Looking Fresh
By Ellen Brown

Perhaps no sight signals the coming of fall to gardeners more than a pot of brightly colored mums. Here are some tips for keeping yours looking their best this fall.

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