Daily Thrifty Tips - October 29, 2008

If you make a homemade Halloween costume that you are proud of, feel free to submit a photo of in on the Photo Contest page. We will publish the photos that are submitted the week following the holiday.

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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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Black Scuff Eraser
By Debra Frick

This is a simple tool that you can make to remove scuff marks from tile floors. We use these at the school I work at to remove the children's slide marks on a brand new floor. Our school maintenance guy has a hard time keeping the kids from sliding on his beautiful shiny floors so he made these erasers so that he did not have to get on his knees to clean them off and it also makes it easy for those "small offenders" to clean them off themselves.

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Amazing Lazy Susan

This multitiered lazy susan is from Fisher Price, and I have no idea what it was used for. I got it at a thrift shop and decided to find out what would work perfect for it's hole dimensions and the height between the two levels.

I found that baby juice bottles, spice bottles you buy, and the little spices you get from? (I took the label off but you know the jar). The juice and spice jars work on top, but the little ones are the only size for inside the levels.

Now, this can work in the kitchen for other things, too. The baby juice do not have the shaker tops, so you could put bullion cubes in there, cake sprinkles, food coloring, etc.

In the craft room, buttons, sequins, glitter, needles, the list goes on and on...

In the work room, screws, nuts, washers, nails, tacks, and more.

If you can't find a susan like this, you can do the same thing on the ones you find from Rubbermaid or build one. The base dimensions are 10 inches for the round part and 8 inches for the three tiers.

Enjoy!

By Sandra from Salem, OR

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Max's First Halloween

My adorable little Grandson Max, getting ready to celebrate his first Halloween!! He is taking after his Daddy in his Army costume, he's already our little Hero......

By Jackie from Orlando, Florida

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Tootsie (Chow Chow)

Tootsie is a 6 year old Chow Chow. I searched the internet; she is Martha Stewart's Paw Paw's Granddaughter. I drove to Connecticut and picked her up Nov. 2002.

She likes to for rides on my boat. Tootsie is a very sweet Chow; she loves the lake and will sit on the beach for hours and just look across the lake.

By Peg from Rochester, NY

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Shoe Polish Instead of Replacing Shoes

My husband was going to buy another pair of $85 shoes because his were scuffed. Instead, I spent $4 on shoe polish and they look beautiful! Sounds like a no-brainer, but I'm guilty of replacing expensive shoes when shoe polish would have done the job.

By Britt from Boston, MA

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Prescription Savings on Ibuprofen

My doctor wrote me a script for ibuprofen tablets. I had no idea how much cheaper this would be then just buying at the store. I bought 270 pills 800 mg. size for $20.00. I usually pay $3.00 for 100 pills 200 mg. size (generic).

Per 800mg. dose of the script = 7 cents
Per 800 mg. dose over the counter = 12 cents.
A savings for me of $36.50 a year. Every little bit helps.

By Janet from Brant Rock, MA

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Use Greeting Card Back for Photo Paper

Out of photo paper for printer? Try using a back of a greeting card that is all white and not overly glossy. In your printer set up, choose heavy duty ink jet paper. This worked fine for me, until I got more photo paper.

By Apeters from Northampton, PA

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Christmas Shopping Tips

I never understood people who waited until the day after Thanksgiving to start their Christmas Shopping. I usually start in July or August and know some people who start in January. I know it's already October, so start now if you can. It will still help you during the holidays. Make your list of "giftees" and keep it in your purse.

When you see an item on sale that would be right for one of them, buy it and put it on a shelf in your closet or under the bed. Check off that person's name on your list and continue on. By the time Christmas season has started, you are nearly done with your shopping and can enjoy the holidays without the pressure of paying for them all at once or worse, afterward.

Another thing, cut back on the number of people you buy for and the amount you spend on each. The idea is to let that person you love know that you do love them. It isn't necessary to go into debt to show off your gifting prowess.

Also, do you have any craft skills? Often, making something for a gift costs much less and I know I really appreciate the fact that someone took the time to actually make a gift just for me.
Happy Shopping!

By huggybear2 from Zeeland, Michigan

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Babysitting Bartering Group

Bartering should be on all of our minds right now, with the economy the way it is. Start a "Babysitting Bartering Group". You can keep a schedule and barter hours like money. That way you get "free" babysitting with trustworthy and dependable babysitters.

By Savings Assistant from Georgia

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Getting Rid of Fleas After Removing Carpet

When our rental home became infested with fleas, I pulled up all the carpet (it was shot anyway). Daily, I washed all the wood flooring with VERY hot water with bleach added. This got into the tiny spaces between the boards and under the floor molding. I kept this up for about a month, then once a week. I had successfully killed off the fleas and the larvae throughout the house and never had another problem as long as I washed all the flooring each week.

Also, if you sprinkle salt on carpeting, you must vacuum every couple days with moth balls in your vacuum bag and disposing of the bag right after vacuuming. Fleas occur in cycles so you may get the live fleas knocked down but if you don't keep up with the vacuuming, and reappyling the salt every few days another bunch of flea eggs will turn to larvae, then to adult fleas. Your pets should also have fewer fleas.

Doing this along with using Frontline, Bio-Spot, whatever should get fleas under control. You must put in the time and hard work to break the cycle but then do the maintenance cycle frequently.

By Mary from Victorville, CA

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Use Warm Water When Frosting Cake

When frosting a cake with a rubber spatula, first dip in some warm water then proceed to frost. It helps apply smoothly and and preventing little pieces of the cake from coming off. Reapply the dipping method as needed.

Source: My mother taught me this years and years ago.

By Joycean from Danvers, MA

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Keeping Lettuce Fresh

My tip is a way to save money and food with lettuce. I am a senior who lives alone. I buy the bagged lettuce because it is hard for me to cut up lettuce. If I didn't eat the bag of lettuce quick enough, I still ended up wasting some of it. I knew this was because of the natural moisture in the bag. One day an idea popped into my head. Moisture can be wiped up with paper towels. So I put a folded sheet of paper towel in the bag before I folded down the top and put a clip on the bag. I cannot eat a lot of lettuce at one time for medical reasons, so only eat a small salad every other day or so. If I notice the towel is getting moist, I put a fresh (dry) piece in the bag. I have had a bag of lettuce last me almost two weeks. Saves money and food. Try it.

Source: My own idea.

By knitter from Bloomington, Illinois

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Cleaning Cast Iron Pans

I love using my old-fashioned cast iron cookware, especially my grandmother's Dutch oven for homemade soups on top of our wood stove. I treasure each piece. I have found it best to wash only in hot water, and then rub some vegetable shortening on the inside of each one after washing. This keeps them rust-free with that beautiful black sheen. This also makes them quite "non-stick" without a questionable coating, like Teflon.

By Margaret M. from N. Springfield, VT

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Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

• 3 cups oat flour
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• water, enough to moisten

Directions

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Selling Antique Furniture

The stock market is bad. What is the best way to sell my antique furniture?

Jay from Beltsville, MD

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High Fiber Recipes

I am looking for high fiber recipes. Thanks.

Pambur from Pennsylvania

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Toilet Runs Again after Filling

Looking for a little more help today. It seems every time I flush the toilet, maybe 5 minutes after it's been flushed, you can hear it run again then stop. Never did that before. Almost sounds like, air or pressure. Any Ideas?

Thanks,
Robin from Burlington CT

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Nail Polish Remover Stain on Varnished Furniture

How do I fix a varnished table with a nail varnish remover stain?

M Lees from Cumbria

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Cleaning a Cloth Couch

I just purchased a Lazy Boy dark blue cloth couch from a garage sale for my son. What would be the best way to clean it?

Marsha from Ridgeway, SC

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Laser Hair Removal Advice

I was wondering if anyone has had laser hair removal done and how bad it hurt and just how long did it last? I have hair on my chin and am really embarrassed by it I have read that it is not permanent but I am about ready to do it anyway because I am desperate. Also, am I a freak of nature or do more women than I know of have hair on their chin? Any help would be nice. I have to shave my chin twice a day now it is so bad and my skin is too sensitive there to use Nair or wax. Thanks.

Mindy from Washington, IN

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Cleaning Lavatory Drains

What is a simple way to clean out lavatory drains?

Pat from Collins, MS

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Love Bugs in My Car

What is the easiest way to remove love bugs from my automobile?

Pat from Collins, MS

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Faith Based Reading Name Ideas

I am starting a faith based reading to hospitalized children service and could use some help with a name. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Noelle from Boca Raton, Florida

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Christmas Carolers Made From Tomato Cages

Has anyone the directions for Christmas carolers made from tomato cages and sweaters?

Gamapat from Up North, WI

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What is This Plant?

I give this plant sunlight and water. What is this plant?

By Joyceann from Danvers

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Freezing Scalloped Potatoes

I would like to know if you can freeze scalloped potatoes. I do make mine low fat; I use non fat milk, butter buds and sometimes I use unflavored soy milk or unflavored rice milk. You can't even tell the difference.

This is funny though - If my husband knows I'm cooking this way he complains! But if I don't tell him I use this type of recipe, he says "Now this is the way I want you to cook all year round! See how much better food tastes when you use real butter and real milk?!"

I think it's a scream! He's diabetic and has heart disease so I have to try to cut back where I can because he won't follow his doctor's advice about what to eat (or what not to eat).

Thank you!

Smoochie

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Looking For Yo-Yo Patterns

Does anyone have yo-yo patterns they would like to share? I have one for a Christmas Tree and a basket that can be put on towels. I am in the process of attaching yo-yo to form a Christmas tree to finger towels for Christmas presents. But I would be interested in other uses also.

Joan from Maryland

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Crafts Using Small Baskets

Does anyone have a craft using small baskets (3 in. long and 2 in. high)? Thanks.

Cynthia from Lewisport, KY

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Looking For Biz Detergent in Florida

I love Biz and need to know where I can find it in my area. I have been to the local stores and NO ONE has it. Please let me know where I can find BIZ in the Clearwater, Florida area. To me Biz is the best product ever made and I need to get some more.

June

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Laundry Powder Recipe Without Washing Soda

Does anyone know a good recipe for homemade laundry powder without washing soda? I haven't had any luck finding it in my neighborhood grocery stores, and I don't have a car to go farther afield. I know that it's orderable online, but the shipping is really expensive. Would equal parts soap, borax, and baking soda work? Any advice appreciated!

AnnElise from Baltimore, MD

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Accessories For 1/24 Scale Doll House

I am looking for things to make and print out for my 1/24 scale doll's house. Any ideas?

Vera from England

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Winterizing Roses

In winterizing roses, do they have to be confined by cones. I am tempted to try hilling alone and wish to use shredded leaves mixed with top soil. Does this make sense? Also, I would like to cut up cross sections of paper leaf bags to act as restraining devices for the leaf/soil mix. Any advice gratefully received.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Jim from Detroit, MI

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Finches Sitting on Infertile Eggs

My finches have been sitting on their eggs for over 2 weeks. I'm not sure of the sex. I have a "fawn" female/male and a "chocolate" female/male. I've had them a little over a month and a few weeks ago I realized they were sitting on eggs.

There is always one of them in the nest so I can't get in there to examine the eggs. How do I get the finch out of the nest without scaring it to death to examine the eggs. How long will they sit on infertile eggs?

carole-1 from Palm Coast, FL

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Looking For a Sonus Hearing Aid Representative

I have lost a great deal of hearing in my left ear. My brother has the Sonus aids. I live in Gainesville, Florida and would like to know if there is a representative here?

Daisy

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Personalized Santa Face Wreathes

I saw a Christmas wreath at Minge's pumpkin fest. This wreath had Santa Claus or snowmen faces and each one had a family members name on it. It was very cute and looks easy to make. Does anyone know anything about making these wreathes?

Antoinette from Cincinnati, OH

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Getting Rid of Odors in a Cement Basement

I live in a 75 year old house and the cement basement smells horrible. It has a small pantry and a furnace room only. When I use the furnace the smell comes through the heat vents upstairs. I have mopped the floors with bleach, placed Damp Rid and other odor eaters down there and nothing seems to get rid of it. I have dryer sheets over the vents upstairs to mask the smell. Any ideas?

KC from SE Idaho

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Wooden Cabinet Stained My Carpet

The carpeting got wet under a cheap, "wooden" bookcase and became stained. I'm guessing it's some sort of wood stain, although the cabinet is laminate over particle board. I've tried a carpet shampooer but it didn't even lighten. I was thinking of diluted bleach next; I've got nothing to lose. Any suggestions? It's carpeting over padding over a concrete basement floor.

Lisa from St. Louis, MO

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Olive Garden Style Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

My family ate at Olive Garden the other night. Does anyone have a recipe for the Chicken Gnocchi Soup? It was wonderful!

JoAnne from Florida

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Extracting Citronella Juice from a Plant

I know that citronella keeps away mosquitoes. I have access to lots of citronella plants. How do I make citronella juice or extract? I want to mix it with a regular bar of bath soap (how do I melt the soap?). I would also like to mix it with candles to make citronella candles? I hope the process of extracting citronella juice would be simple enough to make in my own kitchen. Thanks.

marangman from Malaysia

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Using Loamy Soil When Planting In Sandy Soil

I live in the tropics, on the beach. The ground of course is very sandy. I am aware of certain plants/trees that love sandy soil - coconuts, tropical pine, papaya, mangoes, citronella, passion fruit. There are many tropical fruit trees (guava, banana, avocado) that need a loamy type of soil which I do not have. My question is, if I were to dig a large hole and fill it up with loamy soil ( say 1 ton ) and then plant the tree in it, would this work or would the salt eventually bleach the loamy soil and kill the tree?

Hardiness Zone: 11

Marangman from Malaysia

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Putting New Tiles on Top of Old Tiles

I used the wrong type of tiles (wall tiles) to floor my bathroom. Now these tiles, which are porous, have collected scum and algae in the tiny porous holes. They are impossible to bleach (with Clorox) or acid clean. So now I want to replace these tiles. Can I just lay new tiles on top of the old ones without removing the old tiles first? It would save me a lot of time. Thanks.

marangman from Malaysia

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Arm and Hammer HE Laundry Detergent

I have been looking at my grocery store for Arm and Hammer Laundry Detergent HE for over a year and they do not carry it. I have tried a few other stores in the area and they also do not carry it. Could you please let me know where I can purchase it? I have been using that detergent for over 15 years and if I can't find it, I will need to find another detergent to use.

Ilse

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Using Polyurethane On Outdoor Furniture

I want to know if anyone has ever put polyurethane on a table for the outside. I am worried about run off and it becoming sticky in the summer heat. Any suggestions are welcomed. Thanks.

82tish from Kansas

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Selecting A Paint For Kitchen Cabinets

We would like to paint our oak kitchen cabinets. I've read quite a bit here about the primer to use. Thank you all for your tips! I am now wondering if there is a particular brand of paint that is especially kitchen-cabinet-friendly?

Cindy

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Lasagna Polenta Recipe

I noticed info regarding the Lasagna Polenta. I searched the website looking for the recipe - but did not locate it. Did I miss it in one of the newsletters?

Thank you,
Cg

Editor's Note: We don't appear to have a Lasagna Polenta recipe on our website yet, does anyone have one to share?

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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

Container Ideas From Every Room in Your House
By Ellen Brown

Plants will grow in just about anything given the proper soil, water and light conditions. If you're looking for some inexpensive container ideas, grab a pencil and some paper and take a walk around the house for a few inspirational ideas.

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