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Vol. 8, Num. 74, April 15, 2009 (Read It Online) Here are the contest winners for last week. Photo Contest Winner Craft: Place Mat Handbags Carol turned thrift store place mats into a neat handbag. Great work! Pet Contest Winner Pudgy (West Highland White Terrier) Thanks for sharing Pudgy with us. Polly also offered some wise advise in the feedback about trying to get dogs at rescues and avoiding puppy mills. Tip Contest Winners Split Easter Basket Purchases Between Families Saving money on easter baskets by working together with other familes. Cheap Or Free Retro Activities Lisa shares 20 inexpensive activities. Recipe Contest Winner Grilled Salmon With Spicy Honey Basil Sauce Raymonde shares a tasty grilled salmon recipe. Thank you to everyone that took time to share something! Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
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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:
Cut your little boys' hair yourself. I've always done it myself so I have no idea how the professionals do it, because it is, indeed, a challenge. I go into the yard with my 2 1/2 year old, he gets a spray bottle, I have hair scissors (sharp) and a comb. He gets to spray whatever he wants to, which he loves, and I, after spritzing the top of his hair with his squirt bottle, play crazy hair stylist, chasing and trimming whatever I can get up between two fingers, like the pros do. Go all directions, front to back, side to side for an even finished product. Then, back inside the house, a half inch attachment on a set of clippers (buzzers) to finish the sides and back. If he gets upset about the clippers, try letting him have his hand on the clipper-handle with you and be sure he can see himself in the mirror. Then it's like he's doing it himself which is all a toddler wants out of life! He looks like a little man. So handsome! :) TIP: Always err on the side of leaving it a little long. You can always play again tomorrow, but it takes weeks to grow back an over zealous mistake. By Gail M from Burbank, CA
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Rate It: Recycling Furniture Cushions to Go With Your Decor This is my current decorating project at my home. I recently inherited some antique wicker chairs from my parents. The chairs have been placed on the front porch of my home. However, the fabric for the chairs was totally not my taste. Being the thrifty person I am, I remembered some fabric that I had found at Walmart for "outdoor furniture" that I had purchased several years ago for less than $3.00 a yard. I pulled out the fabric and proceeded to rip apart one set of cushions. I used the old fabric as my "pattern" and recycled the cording and the zippers for each of my new cushion covers. The photo shows the new covers I have made on the left and the OLD covers on the right. I am down to the last of the four chairs to complete the transformation from ugly duckling to swan. I hope that this inspires others to get out their sewing machines and do something constructive around their homes. It is very satisfying to see what you can do yourself! Source: Me: Using what I have here at home to make something old look new again. By southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA
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Rate It: Baby Animals Are a Sign of Spring Spring in the country wouldn't be half as much fun if it weren't for all the beautiful baby animals you see. These are right outside our front door across the road so a really wonderful sight any time of day. By Beth from Ft. Blackmore, VA
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Rate It: Garden: Photos from Elaine's Garden My pictures are of a butterfly attracted to my cone flowers, a robin nest in my dogwood tree, my friends grapevine and the tree pots I utilized to decorate the large maple tree in my backyard. It is very difficult to get anything to grow under it so I hang several half pots with 'S' hooks attached to a length of plastic wash line connected with a toggle. I can take it down at the end of the summer and rehang it again to allow for any growth and prevent damage to the tree. By Elaine from York, PA
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Rate It: Ariel is 11 week old mixed breed dog. I'm unsure what breed she is, I've been told she is a crossbred mongrel and collie. I got her on the 30th of January. A social worker rescued them from a house and took them in. There was no dog homes available to take them so she gave them away to people she knew would want them. She starts running up and down across my corridor out of the blue, it's real funny and very cute.
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Use Perfume to Freshen Your Home To freshen the air in your home, I use perfume I purchase at the Dollar store. Some of the scents are not too bad and do a good job freshening your home. I even take a small piece of cotton and attach it to the heat vents to get the scent in each room. I attach it with a paper clip and it's not noticeable.So no ugly air freshener showing. Just clean fresh air. If your heater vents are flush with the floor, you can use a cotton ball wedged in slots. By Diva53d from Foymount, Ontario Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64348893.tip.html
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Rate It: Dog Friendly Oatmeal "Raisin" Cookies Knowing that raisins can kill dogs, I created a more dog friendly oatmeal cookie. All you have to do is, substitute blueberries instead of raisins in oatmeal cookies. Use your favorite oatmeal cookie recipe without the raisin option. Place 5 fresh blueberries on top of each cookie before baking. Bake as you would oatmeal raisin cookies. Researching the net, I found that blueberries won't hurt dogs. As far as the oatmeal cookie itself, make sure your recipe doesn't include anything that might hurt your dog. Concerned that raisin cookie crumbs may fall on the floor or someone unknowingly might give our dog a cookie with raisins, I wanted a more dog friendly oatmeal cookie as we have them quite often. This recipe isn't meant to feed your dog, it's just a way to assure that dog's don't get raisins unknowingly through human cookies. Remember dog's can be very quick, when something as good as oatmeal cookies fall on the floor. Please take the "No Raisin for Dogs" alert seriously, as it is true and it really doesn't take many raisins to kill some dogs. By Suzyspinkmoon from Clinton, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78022255.tip.html
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Rate It: Use a Pringles Can for Car Sickness If you have a child who get carsick, the best container to use for the incident is a Pringles can. Saves a big mess and easy to store until properly disposed of. By Lauralcchick from Fairmont, WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92858037.tip.html
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Rate It: Alternate Fence Pickets to Look Good from Both Sides When you put up a wooden fence, you usually nail the pickets to one side, then the other side of the fence doesn't look all that great. But if you keep alternating the pickets, nailing the first to your neighbor's side and the next to your side, you will end up with a fence that looks something like basket weave and will look good on both sides. By Amuck Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41512877.tip.html
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Rate It: When job hunting, use the yellow pages. Look up companies in your field, call them and ask if you can fax over your resume and to whose attention. In about 3-4 business days, follow up with a telephone call to the person it was sent to. If you are looking for a job in another area than where you live, look up companies in your field on yahoo yellow pages. Only 10% of the jobs ever get posted in an advertisement as that costs money. The trick is to contact someone at the right time. If the employer you contact says they have no jobs, ask them if they know someone in the field who might be hiring. Most jobs are filled by someone who knows a person who works there. Be sure to tell all of your friends and relatives that you are looking for a job and about your qualifications. That way when their boss mentions they have an opening coming up, they can mention your name and experience to the employer. Make sure your resume is grammatically correct and things are spelled correctly. An employer sees a misspelled resume as a sign the person is careless and will not do a good job. If an employer gets a resume that does not say what kind of job you are looking for, it goes into the garbage can. Do not put in your objective that you are looking for a job that offers personal growth. That does nothing for the employer. Put down you are looking for a job as a sales trainee where you can use your strong interpersonal skills. Then the resume gets sent over to the sales manager instead of into the garbage can. Employers tell me, "If he doesn't know what kind of job he wants, I'm not going to figure it out for him." If possible. find out something about the company before you apply. If they are a manufacturer, what do they manufacture? By Karen from Tampa, FL
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Rate It: Kudos to the toymakers who add a volume control switch on their battery operated "talking, roaring, squealing, etc." toys. For those that don't have that feature, a piece of duct tape securely sealed over the speaker holes will lower the decibels to a level that you can tolerate yet still be audible enough for the child who's playing with the toy. I use duct tape because it is very difficult to remove yet is woven in a way that lets some of the sound out. Smaller children will need supervision if they are curious ones who try to take things apart and put foreign objects in their mouths, but then they have to be watched closely anyway. At least the noise level won't add to the mayhem! By Sandy from Elon, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82658533.tip.html
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Rate It: Deodorizing a Cooler or Ice Chest If you have a portable cooler that has the odor of rotten meat, you can open it and clean it. Leave open to the sun for at least a couple of days with the opening facing as much of the sun as possible. This will get rid of most or all of the odor. By bjb64f from Central Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf185843.tip.html
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Rate It: Replace Bushings to Extend Your Vacuum's Life In line with the vacuum cleaner cleaning. If you replaces the bushings (motor brushes), the vacuum will last another 5 or 10 years and have lots of suction. Source: My son-in-law did mine. By Siris from Dawson Creek, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60227222.tip.html
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Rate It: Make Your Own Spreadable Butter Make your own "spreadable" butter by liquidizing 70% butter to 30% vegetable oil. Rinse off any residue left on the liquidizer with boiling water and use in sauces. You can add low sodium salt to unsalted butter at the same time. By Verity from London UK Editor's Note: A liquidizer is another term for "blender". Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99309861.tip.html
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Rate It: Coat Honey Utensils with Spray Oil Honey in your recipe? If you coat your measuring cup or spoon with oil or a spray of Pam, the honey will slide out easily and you won't have a sticky mess to clean up. By Sammie07601 from New Jersey Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32002705.tip.html
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I am looking for suggestions for ground cover. Hardiness Zone: 3b By Weight Watcher from Toronto Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40344063.tip.html
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Rate It: Repairing a Hole in a Leather Couch My wife's dog ate the corner of my leather couch. It is 8 in. x 4 in.. Is there anywhere that sells corner covers or something like that? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix the couch? By Baughman from Indianola, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30400227.tip.html
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Rate It: The ugly, green outdoor carpet on my front steps and porch is finally wearing out and starting to rip apart. his is probably a good thing! But how do I remove it and all of the glue that's holding it down? Should I replace it, or do I need to wait and see what condition the cement underneath is in? By KSLausmanj from Grand Rapids, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35723321.tip.html
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Rate It: Cross Stitch Pattern: "Having children is like being pecked to death by a duck" Has anyone seen a cross stitch pattern or print anywhere with the saying "Having children is like being pecked to death by a duck"? A friend and I saw a print at a craft fair a year or so ago and we would like to see if we can get them. I really don't care if they are cross stitch or whatever. I just really would like to get the saying in print. I would like it to be sort of primitive/folk art looking. Thank you. By Donnacus from Modena, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55295770.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I get rid of woodchucks in my yard? By Gammamare from Charlotte, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74989716.tip.html
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Rate It: Losing Weight While in a Wheelchair My husband has been in a wheelchair for 4 years following a spinal cord injury. He has gained lots of weight because he can't exercise. He is 57 years old. Any suggestions? By Vguy from Earle, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10100201.tip.html
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Rate It: About 3 months ago we lost one of our two cats to a run in with a vehicle. We replaced him with a female tortoiseshell kitten. We also have a 5 year old male cat that grew up with our lost cat. The kitten will not leave the cat alone. Every time the older cat appears the kitten wants to attack him. I think it just wants to play but it is really bugging the other cat who just wants to be left alone. We have a water pistol that we use each time which scares her off, but not for long. She has a real obsession with the older cat. Any suggestions would be appreciated. By Loki from Wellington, New Zealand Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64772718.tip.html
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Rate It: I got Krazy Glue on my laptop and would like to know how to remove it. I heard about Acetone but I have a feeling that it will fad the material. Please help. Thanks! By Pisces2009 from Bellevue, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24094326.tip.html
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Rate It: Dog Misbehaves When Left Alone I have a two year old Shih Tzu that is an angel when I am home. The second I leave, she uses my floor as her bathroom, and destroys everything. I could even take her out right before, but she will "save" enough to show me she's mad. The worst part is that she knows she's done something wrong because she hides when I come home. She also only goes in the same stop, in front of my bedroom door. I really don't want to start with the crate again because she barks so much when I put her in it. I don't know what to do now. By JulieBz from Chicago Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61182191.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you get rid of musty smells in clothes? By Tynan55 from Hamilton, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf168818.tip.html
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Rate It: I plan on sanding my counters down too, priming them and using the stone spray paint. As far as the Poly-Finish Coat, do I used an oil based or water based or does it matter? Will the gloss shine make it really gleam like the other sealer does? Thanks a bunch. By Luvmyups2 from Charlotte, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80673719.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you refurbish an old (1970's) fiberglass tub? It has been refurbished already and is peeling, cracking and discolored. By tinaschraier from Orange , CA. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29885372.tip.html
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Rate It: I have recently started using cloth napkins exclusively for my family of seven. I am going through cloth napkins like nobody's business, as I am useless when it comes to getting out any stains! I use "fancy" white and cream-colored napkins. As well as burgundy and brown ones in an attempt to hide those stains! I can't just keep on buying new napkins every time guests come for dinner and I'm too ashamed to use the stained ones. Any good advice would be most appreciated. Thanks very much for your help. By AnnahFM from Toronto, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96973428.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know a stuffed mushroom recipe using brown gravy on top of toast that covers the mushrooms? I don't remember the whole thing. Please let me know. By Cookingsmylife2 from Staten Island Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11592454.tip.html
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Rate It: Can scrapbooking be done with one hand? By Drawlee Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95591229.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Fuel Odor on a Leather Jacket I spilled Jet-A on the cuff of my leather flight jacket (not on the leather itself thankfully). Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the smell and/or fuel out. Thanks! By Freightdog from Salisbury, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80983563.tip.html
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Rate It: My dog is in a crate during the day and we have a puppy door so he can go out to the bathroom. However if there is a bag on the floor or a bed ruffle around the bed he will hike his leg and pee every time. Is there anything I can do to break this habit? By Scrappy5 from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99360282.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for a place to get some really pretty amaryllis bulbs and a piece of a Marshall Neal rose. Hardiness Zone: 8a By gbk from Folkston, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94253636.tip.html
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Rate It: Reviews of Beniful Wet Dog Food Is Beniful wet food in the plastic tubs safe to feed dogs and how nutritious is it? Patricia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66326446.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have any ideas or recipes for leftover (slightly stale) banana loaf? Thanks. By Lizzielongstocking from UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97980077.tip.html
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Rate It: We live in Baltimore City, MD. Our hardiness zone is 7. Would you kindly let me know if it is too late to plant seeds? Can I start seeds in peat pots? I put it off, and I'm worried it's too late for this year. I'd like to start a few dark red Crepe Myrtles, some ornamental grasses, tomatoes, butterfly bushes, fire thorns, cucumbers and some hot red peppers. We have potting soil, perlite and a warm place. Please let me know, and any other information as I'm pretty darn new at this! Am keeping my fingers crossed! Thank you all. Hardiness Zone: 7a By JoAnn from Baltimore, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55974285.tip.html
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Rate It: Expired Coupons Help Military Personnel Overseas Does anyone know anything about sending coupons overseas to our military? By Grandma65355 from MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf907217.tip.html
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By az2010 from Easthampton, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf914054.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Skunk Smell from House My house must of had a skunk spray under it last night. I don't know exactly where, because most of the bottom of my house is still insulated with snow. I can't bear the smell of my house and the smell is actually irritating my throat a little bit. Can you help me? By Elliemaefall from Steamboat Springs, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf576594.tip.html
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Rate It: I just bought a house that had dark colors on the walls, like a purple kitchen and chocolate brown walls. We primed everything with Kilz primer and did 2 coats because the original paint was bleeding through the primer. Then we proceeded to paint the walls the color we chose which was a beige color. Overall the paint job looks great but here and there on the walls you can see spots of white primer that still bled through our beige paint. Would I need to take a paint brush or roller and touch up the areas that only need to be touched up or does the whole entire wall need a second coat? I was afraid if the whole wall needed a second coat, my beige could appear too dark. Any thoughts? By Curious22i Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77119424.tip.html
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Rate It: Recipes for a Cocoa Latte Machine I was recently given a Cocoa Latte machine but no recipe booklet was in the box. Does anyone know where I can find a booklet or some recipes? This is the Back to Basics machine from Walmart. By Cybergrannie from FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30985322.tip.html
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Rate It: In 1964 a friend gave me a barbecue sauce recipe. It was mild and just the best sauce. Somewhere along the line I lost the recipe. I've done searches on the web, but can't find it, and it is impossible to locate my friend. The sauce had a bottle of catchup and a can of tomato soup in it. I can't remember the rest of the ingredients. If anyone has the recipe, I'd sure love to have it. By Amuck from Fairview Heights, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58705404.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have a recipe for refried pinto bean soup? I can't find one that isn't mixed with other beans. I just want use refried beans, spices, etc. By Msettamae2 from Taft, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58937794.tip.html
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Rate It: Liquid Laundry Detergent on Wall I recently spilled liquid laundry detergent on my wall. I can't get the stain off the wall. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have flat paint and I'm afraid that it will bleed through if I paint over. By sgmom from GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49679752.tip.html
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Rate It: What are the easiest plants to grew in clay like dirt? Hardiness Zone: 7b By Mscat61 from LaVergne, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29372947.tip.html
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Rate It: What are your tips for Saving Money on Pants. Post your ideas below. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34371059.tip.html
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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:
Make Your Own Weed Killer Recipe Weed Killer RecipeHere are two homemade recipes to try. Both should be used only on plants that you want to get rid of, taking care not to spray any on surrounding plants. These are most effective when used on emerging weeds.
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Rate It: My Frugal Life: Maintain What You Already Have Year after year, my husband says "don't spend any money" and I make lists of things we "need" and then go about getting them. Next, I sell a bunch of what I call JUNK at garage sales every so often. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49492734.tip.html
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