Daily Thrifty Tips - January 16, 2007

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His name was Cesar. He lived to be 1 and a half years old and was a St. Bernard. I got him in the spring of 2004.

He loved tennis balls. I miss him so much!

By Gabrielle from Sweden

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Supplies

• Empty Clean Jug
• Paper Bags new ones, not used!
• Royal Coat Glue
• clear acrylic craft paint
• foam paint brush

Instructions

Tear paper bags into pieces. Use Royal Coat Glue starting just inside top of bottle. Go around bottle, leaving handle alone - you can hold onto it this way. Go around the jug, overlapping your pieces. The glue goes on the back of each piece of paper, apply paper down to bottom, let dry overnight.

Now do the handle and let dry an hour or so - you need smaller thin strips for handle. After the handle is dry, do the bottom.

You can print a fun saying, a picture, your State. Print it out, and glue to bottle. Google has Images of any thing you want to print out.

Put on 3 coats of Royal Coat Glue on your bottle, letting each coat dry well.

Use clear acrylic craft paint all over the bottle letting each of the 3 coats dry first.

I filled mine up with red clay and put a cork in the top.

The Decoupage Jug makes a nice doorstop.

By starlight2007 from Georgia

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This is more of a "don't do this" craft tip. I used some transfer sheets from a local source to print out the pictures and frames for this Bookcase Quilt. They were the type that are fabric on top with a backing that glues the piece down when you iron it. These are NOT washable! The photos and frames were ruined when washed and I had to remove every one of them from the quilt and do them over. The 2nd set was sealed with an acrylic sealer so that the quilt could be hung on the wall and the photos protected somewhat but it is still not washable. You can see the original before it was washed on webshots. Please save yourself a ton of work and make sure your photo transfers are washable before you use them in a quilt.

By busybee1952 from White Cloud, MI

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I needed some inexpensive, but thoughtful gifts for a number of people who have been helping me with my small business this year. I was able to pick up packs of Christmas towels and matching hot pads for $5. Each pack makes two angels and you have an oven mitt left over. Makes a nice teacher gift for a lady.

Time To Make: About 10 minutes.
Level Of Difficulty: Easy enough for a grade schooler.
Cost: $2.50

Materials:

• 1 tea towel
• 1 dish cloth
• 1 square hot pad
• Coordinating ribbon
• Optional: holly sprig, wired tinsel, gift bag, fiberfill

Instructions:

1. For body and head, fold tea towel into thirds lengthwise. Fold in half again lengthwise. Now fold in the opposite direction. (Refer to photo of finished project).

2. Tie a ribbon about 3 inches down from fold to make angel's head.

3. For arms, fold dish cloth in thirds. Roll up and tie ends with ribbon about an inch from each end.

4. For wings, bunch hot pad up tightly in the middle. Tie with ribbon.

5. Tie arms to body. Tie wings to the back of the project as shown.

6. Optional: you may tie the hands together "in prayer" with a holly sprig. Also a halo of wired tinsel, etc. may be placed on her head.

7. You may present her in "clouds" by placing her in a small gift bag and placing fiberfill in the top of the bag instead of tissue paper.

By Cindy Bailey from Waynesburg, PA

Editor's Note: Although these are made in Christmas patterns, these could be made with other styles of towels and hot pads for anytime of year.

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Call your City Hall to see if they recycle paint. Some cities are giving away(for FREE) 50-55 gallon drums of recycled paint to people that use it to paint their homes.

Some cities also have a graffiti removal program and will give you free supplies to remove it from your area. They are happy to have volunteers.

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

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Here's a solution that works for getting rid of odor problems on anything and anywhere; such as on clothing, furniture, refrigerators, freezers, rooms, semi-trailers with stinky cargo (see below); anything and everything! No matter what the odor! At least, I've never heard of an odor it wouldn't get rid of!

Years ago, I had an old upright freezer that was full of rock shrimp my brother brought back from Louisiana. My young son accidentally left the door ajar, and it had defrosted long before we discovered the mishap. Talk about stink, and it was throughout the insulation too. There's not much that stinkier than rotting seafood! I tried everything I knew, then tried everything everyone else told me to try. Nothing worked. We finally set it outside with the door removed to let the sunshine and fresh air work on the smell. That didn't work either. Nothing worked until an acquaintance told me what to do.

My acquaintance was a long-haul truck driver. His route took him back and forth to Mexico. He hauled freight to an industry down there. He would then pick up a load of untanned cow hides to deliver to an industry back here in the US. He had a refrigerated truck, so no problem, right? Wrong! On one trip with a load of those hides, his truck broke down, and was down for a couple of days in 100+ degree weather, with no refrigeration!! He couldn't get any repairs done for at least 24 hours, so he was hoping that, if he didn't open the trailer doors, the remaining coldness would be enough to keep the hides cool until he could get the refrigeration back on. Wrong, again! Well, the odor that hit him in the face when he opened the trailer doors 24 hours later is unimaginable! He off-loaded the stinky cargo, but it had already permeated every porous part of the trailer, wooden framework, floor, etc.! Luckily, someone who worked in the stockyards there told him to set an open can of fresh coffee grounds inside the trailer and close it up for 24 hours. He didn't believe it would work, I mean, "one 13oz. can of coffee, no way!" But he gave it a try anyway, he didn't have anything to lose and he couldn't go anywhere until the repairs could be made. After the time was up, he carefully opened trailer doors. Voila! Stinky smell all gone!!!

So, if you have a small item (smaller than a freezer or semi-trailer, that is), do the following:

Place item(s) into an appropriate size plastic bag, along with an uncovered bowl (or other OPEN container) with about 7 oz. (half a can) of fresh coffee grounds in it. Seal bag with twist tie, but be careful not to spill the coffee grounds. It probably won't harm your item, but why take the chance? Leave bag sealed for a few days. Remove item from bag, do sniff test, the offensive odor should be gone.

NOTE: if you are a frequent eBay buyer, and hate receiving smoky smelling items, this will take care of the problem.

Oh, yes, don't try making coffee with the grounds, but don't throw them in the trash either. Sprinkle them in your flower bed. Your flowers will love you for it!

Donna in the Land of Oz, USA

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There are many times I have made a trip to the grocery store to pick up milk, which today ends up costing even more due to higher gasoline prices, so I now purchase the store brand of dry milk to have on hand. Since doing this, it has saved me making a trip to the grocery to get milk. I also use the dry milk in my bath water for a milk bath. I don't know the exact amount because I just pour it in from the dry milk container as the water is running. If you want some bubbles to add to your milk bath, just squirt a small amount of shampoo into the running water. The small bottles we get when staying at a hotel are great for this, too.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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Some people like to eat them, but most people seem to avoid them. Here are some uses for bread heels.

Bread Crumbs

By Beth

Cooking Uses

By PoPo

Bread Pudding

By Bonnie G

For Birds

By Claudia

Bread Pancakes

• 1 cup stale bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 cup flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs beaten
• 4 Tab. melted margarine or oil.

By Suzq

Flp It Over

By Jessica

Keeping Cookies Soft

By Diana

Stuffing

By Karen

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Canned soups often have more broth than they need and are less "hearty" than what I like to serve (and eat). The easy way to "fatten" them up, and a great way to clean out the refrigerator, is to add any leftover vegetables to the pot. It makes for a much heartier bowl of soup.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Foil Liners

By Christi from Paducah, KY

More Crispy Parts

By Regina

Great for Freezing

I've been cooking my meatloaf in the larger muffin size pans now for about 3-4 years. It's so much easier. After they're cooled, I pop them in a big ziploc or freezer container and in the freezer they go, until I'm ready for some of them. I usually make several pans of them, so I have plenty for lots of meals. Just bring out how many I need for a quick meal, a few minutes in the microwave and they're ready! There's nothing faster than that!

By badwater

Cooking for Two

By Hazel Rabenaldt

Microwave Muffins

By M. Day, Ohio

Meatloaf Muffins Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 box savory herbs stove top stuffing
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of water

Directions

By Amy

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My son burned a hole in our carpet. I took my vacuum and an old panty hose over the wand with a rubber band and then proceeded to vacuum the carpet. The fibers that collected in the panty hose were then placed in the hole that I had put super glue in to. Voila! The hole was fixed and no one could tell.

By Sally from Buffalo, NY

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Sewing

By Pam from Elkhart, IN

Staples

By Amy

Duct Tape

By Linne

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I have one of those weird shaped pot scrubbers that you get free at fairs, expos, and those things. It's got a slanted edge and curves to a point, then the next curve is a bit wider. It's suppose to be used to do the dishes, for that stuck on stuff. Well, I found out this little freebee gadget is wonderful for all sorts of tasks, like getting craft supplies (unknown substances) off the kitchen table, cabinet, wall, tub, sink. It's a great little tool and really does no damage to the surface yet gets it clean!

By Mary from Golden, CO

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I use Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) on a cotton ball to remove blood spots when quilting or sewing, from the needle sticks. Removes with no trace of stain. I use it on other spots on clothes. When applying make up, if a spot gets on a blouse, this removes it in seconds, dries with no tell tale sign, and you are good to go. I've used it on carpets and drapes as well.

By Diane from Allentown, PA

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/

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What are the ten best dishwashers by ratings of 1 to 10?

Ed from Monson, MA

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My Amaryllis bulb (Red Lion) sprouted a tip of a leaf or stalk two weeks ago and stopped growing. Any ideas how to make it grow? The growth is green, just not getting bigger.

Alina from Hoffman Estates, IL

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I am looking or turnip recipes.

Ellen from Hampton Bays, NY

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I love cats. I had 6 and got another one, who is such a lover. He's a 7 month old male named Punky. We have tried everything to acclimate him to the other cats but nothing seems to be working. Any advice?

Pam from Elkhart, IN

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My dog Abby (terrier mix) is constantly begging for food, even after she just finished eating! Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get her to stop? Thanks to all!

Morgan from Ontario, Canada

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I am looking for a safe and effective way to clean children's toys on a daily or weekly basis. We have four children (in three different schools) so lots of opportunity for sharing germs. Also, our youngest is one and puts EVERYTHING (and I mean EVERYTHING) in her mouth, so I need a cleaning method that is safe for her, too. Thanks so much for your help!

Crista from Grandville, MI

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This question is for those of you with any tax knowledge. My husband's and my income for our family of 4 is such that we usually receive a tax refund of all taxes taken out of paychecks plus earned income credit. However, we have no personal debt and an excellent credit rating so we were able to buy our first home. We did not have a down payment saved so our parents gave us a one time gift of $15,000.00 to use for the down payment and closing costs. Do I have to claim this as income? Also, do we HAVE to itemize and claim the interest on our house, or can we just file like we always do because there are pretty much no taxes due to deduct from? I want to file our taxes electronically like I did last year but I wanted to know the answer to this before I do anything. Can anyone help?

Thank You,
Cindy from Lorain, Ohio

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What's the best homemade Christmas gift you made or Christmas craft that you received this past year? I'm trying to get some ideas for next year.

Nancy from Milton, FL

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Could someone tell me what powdered dextrose is? We have a family project this weekend of making homemade sausage (various kinds), and one of the recipes calls for powdered dextrose. What is it and where could we look for it? Local food stores do not carry it on the shelf, and the meat departments have no idea of what it is. Any suggestions?

Pattie from Fredonia, NY

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My new cherry finish table has loads of scratches on the shiny finish. The wood itself is fine but the shiny finish looks like someone took sandpaper and swirled it all over. This table is brand new and it's not something I want to strip. Is there some type of polish that buffs out those surface scratches?

Thank you!
mbl687 from Boston, MA

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I went through your website, it is really wonderful.But I'm searching for art and craft items other than those made for Christmas, New Year and Halloween. I'm searching for art items that can displayed at home for all seasons. Can you help me?

Rizu

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We recently purchased a Shitzu puppy the first visit to the Vet. we were told he had a heart murmur. We have become so attached to him it would break our hearts to return him. He is 8 weeks, old what is his life expectancy?

Paul from Burkburnett, TX

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How do I quiet shoes with brass buckles that jingle when I walk? Is there a clue to stop the clinking?

Liz from Boston, MA

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How do you clean brass chandelier?

Jannette from Missouri

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I have an outdoor sofa that has three separate cushions. Our dog totally destroyed one of the cushions. I was wondering if anyone has a cheap way to replace this cushion or all three? These cushions have a back and seat, all one piece.

Thanks so much, in advance.
Mary from Mendenhall, MS

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I have body lotion stains on my new cream carpet. How do I clean it?

Silvabma from Wellington, NZ

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What can be used for ultra dry chapped lips? It's from medication I take, I believe. I drink 8-10 oz water a day and have tried everything on the market It is driving me nuts!

Thanks,
Pam from Elkhart, IN

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Is there an air freshener that does not have a perfume?

JD

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I am not sure whether I am allergic to something or if its something else. For several weeks I have been having trouble with my lips. It starts out where they start to itch a little then they get really dry and flakey then they develop tiny blister like bumps that itch terribly. The closest thing to compare it to is poison ivy. If I keep them slathered with vitamin E lip balm constantly I don't get the blisters. But they still look severely chapped all the time. It's still noticeable even if I wear lipstick. I'm miserable. Please help!

Blake from Poteau, OK

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If you had a can of store bought low sodium lentil soup, what would you do to make it more interesting?

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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What is a home remedy for silverfish?

Denice From Alvin, TX

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Has anyone tried the new Swiffer Wetjet Pads? I don't like them. They no longer have those flaps that hold the small pieces of dirt that missed when you were sweeping. If you use the pad once and put the mop down for a while, that dirt is deposited back on the next floor you clean. Does anyone know where I can find the old style pads?

Joanieq from Owego, NY

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What pets does everyone have?

Wendy

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Four adults and two children want to go to Germany next year. Does anyone have any tips on frugal traveling overseas? Tips for the best airline? We want to fly into one city and leave from another. Please share your tips with me.

Thanks,
Gisela from Rolla, MO

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My husband's leather jacket stained the collar of a few of his work shirts. Is there a way to get the stain out?

Sue from Milwaukee, WI

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Can Texas Caviar be frozen?

Kent from Missouri

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