Daily Thrifty Tips - November 14, 2007

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Homemade Bowling Ball Costume

I just wanted to share my Halloween costume picture. I went to Walmart and got two standard size hula hoops and a box of 39 gallon lawn and leaf bags. A hula hoop fits right inside the lawn bag and then I taped all the edges to the back with black electrical tape. Do the same with the second hula hoop. I cut out three circles from plain white paper and taped them to the front with packing tape, cut out the Brunswick letters and logo, along with the weight number in a circle. Then, I cut some strips from another lawn bag and taped those on for straps that I hung from my shoulders.

I wore a plain black shirt, black pants and a plain black cap. Bowling pins from a children's bowling game completed my bowling ball costume. I love coming up with different things for Halloween each year. I found a similar "bowling ball" costume on the internet for $50 but I made my own and spent less than ten bucks!

By Stacey from Orem, UT

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Goodbye to Autumn Trees

These are my Goodbye to Autumn Trees pictures.

Joseph Raglione

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Moo Moo (Sable Ferret)

Moo Moo is a 1 year old Sable Ferret. My girlfriend and I went shopping at Target and stopped at a pet store on the way out. Moo Moo was the biggest and oldest ferret in the glass box he lived for 9 months. He kept getting picked over and I felt so sorry for him. The manager called me 2 months later and told me to pick him up and and he wouldn't tell a soul where he went. We drove 2 plus hours to get him at the last minute and he's been a wonderful funny addition to our family for 3 months.

He likes to hide baggies and his baby cell phone under the couch. He loves plastic toys, TV remotes and will chase the vacuum all over the house biting it and jumping on it. He loves to be kissed and loved! He is a very lucky ferret and we are very lucky parents!

He sleeps with his tongue out...

By Lesa from Pinehurst, NC

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Free Rice Vocabulary Builder Website

Here is a fun site that is educational AND donates money to the United Nations World Food Program. It runs you through words and definitions. For each word you define correctly, 10 grains of rice are donated. The words get harder until it finds your vocabulary level. Good for anyone that would like to improve your language skills and WAY more fun than reading the dictionary.

• http://www.freerice.com/

Jess in Oregon

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Refill Foaming Hand Soap

My little boy likes to use foaming handwash in the bathroom, so I choose a brand that has a screw on lid (that can be taken off and replaced again - some are permanently sealed). When it runs out, buy a cheaper brand of ordinary handwash liquid and dilute with water (1 part soap to 4 water) and refill the bottle. Much cheaper and lasts for ages.

By Juliet from Manchester UK

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Coffee Cup For Cat Water

I keep an old coffee cup in the bathroom for my cat's drinking bowl. It's super easy to keep filled with clean water and he loves drinking out of a "people cup."

By Jane from Stone Mountain, GA

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Septic Tanks Need More Water

Conserving water in the toilet tank (eg. filled water bottles inside the tank) is a wonderful idea IF you are not using a septic system. To reduce the amount of water going through the line is to just about guarantee yourself a clog. Unlike "city" systems, septic tank lines are more prone to 'heave' up, not being as slanted to carry waste downwards, and if there is not enough water pushing waste through, it's going to build up and cause bigger problems later. Had to learn this one the hard way ;) lol

By PrairieLady from Colorado

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Facial Scrub/Mask From Things On Hand

My friend and I were messing around; pretty much sticking everything we had ever heard was good for facial masks in a blender and whipping it up. we actually came up with a really nice one! it feels really good.

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1 cup corn meal
• 1 8th cup of fat free milk
• 2 bags of chamomile tea (we used caffeine free just cus I've heard that caffeine makes your skin produce a lot of oil. I'm not sure it really matters. I'm just overly cautious :)
• 2 eggs (just the whites)
• 1 half cup of oatmeal (raw)
• Optional: 1 or 2 drops of lavender oil. Makes it smell good, but remember, keep it to a minimum. Your face can only take so much oil.

Directions Like I said, we just stuck it all in a blender. Whip it until it makes a thick paste. If it's too dry, add more milk. Too wet, more cornmeal. Remember to take the tea out of the tea bags. You just want the leafy bits. The first time around, my friend just stuck the whole bag in. : p That made for an interesting mask.

Splash some hot water on your face to open up your pores before you start. Use it as a scrub at first. Make circles on your face with your fingertips with it. Once you've given your face a good scrub, pat on more in an even layer to make a mask of it. Don't leave it on for more than 15 minutes. (I've never left it on that long so I dont really know what would happen. You can be brave and daring and try if you feel so inclined). Wash it off with warm-hot water.

This makes enough for about 5 facials. Perfect for a girl party, or hey, even a guy party. Hope you enjoy it!

By Melanie from Wenatchee, Washington

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Baking Soda and Lemon Juice for Burnt Food Stains

To clean burnt-on food off of a burner pan, first pour enough baking soda to cover the caked on food. Then, pour enough lemon juice to make a paste. Let it sit for several hours, and when you come back, you can just wipe off the mess without any scrubbing.

By ALS from Columbia, MD

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Use Your Wood Heat for Hot Water and More

Use the heat from your wood-burning fireplace insert to do so much more than heat the house! The top of my insert forms a 12 x 30 inch shelf. We keep a big pot full of water and a full tea kettle on it at all times. Put a metal trivet under them and the water stays piping hot. Remove the trivet ahead of time if you know you'll need boiling water for pasta, or just transfer the hot water into a pot on the stove for a huge head start.

Make tea any time without turning on the stove. Use the hot water for dishwashing, handwashing or even taking a sponge bath to reduce water use. All of these uses eliminate the need to run gallons of cold water down the drain waiting for hot water to reach your tap from the water heater. Reheat soup. Heat canned foods in a pot (don't heat them in the cans, even if you've pierced the rim to let steam escape they will bubble over and make a mess!). "Flame dispersers" used for propane cooking achieve a simmer. "Roast" vegetables in a covered casserole dish or dutch oven. It takes longer than an oven (2-3 hours), but uses no extra gas or electricity. Experiment, have fun!

Source: "Original" idea (if any such thing exists!)

By Denise-Christine from Eugene, OR

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Form Foil On Bottom Before Lining Pan

When needing to line a baking pan with foil, turn the pan upside down, take the foil and shape it around the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Then pull it off, turn the pan right side up and just set the foil right inside the pan! Sh-bang! Perfect fit!

By MasterMom from Hutto, TeXas

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Garden Hose as a Saw Blade Cover

My garden hose has been left outside neglected too many times but it still has a purpose as saw blade covers! Cut the hose to the length of the blade and slit down the side so that it can be slid over the blade as protection. It could also serve another way in the garden to mark out a curvy edge for plants rather than a straight one. Just toss it out along where you want it and move it a little bit to make nice curves for the flower beds or garden rock!

By melody_yesterday from Sedalia, Missouri

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Stow Plastic Bags In Your Car

Hate all those plastic grocery bags laying around? I stuff mine into paper towel tubes and store them in the vehicles for emergency spills or garbage bags! Anyone with kids knows that they have needed a bag for dirty clothes at one time or another!

By Christine from Spanaway, WA

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Dog with Yeast Infection on Skin and in Throat

My dog had a yeast infection in her skin and throat (vet's diagnosis). I don't know exactly the yeast's species name. Her skin was itching and her hair shed. In some places, skin was scaled off and she felt very itching here. Her elbows had no hair. Some lumpy and scaled off spots emerged there.

Sometimes, she wanted to dislodge something out of her throat but she couldn't. At that times, she seemed to panic a little and seek grass for chewing vigorously. My pet's vet said that yeast might infect in her throat and cause that syndrome. The treatment is: shave off her hair and bath her with PVP Iodine. But I wonder if this treatment is absolutely effective. Because PVP Iodine is just an antiseptic . Moreover, I can't shave off my poor pet! If you have any tips to solve this problem, please let me know. Thanks a lot!

goodbyemino

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Buying a Bread Machine New vs. Used

I would like to buy a bread machine and see many at the thrift store. Should I try one of those first or get a new one? Any recommendations on the brand? I don't want to spend a lot of money on it. Thanks!

Mindy

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Spoon Rest Ideas

What do you use for a spoon rest when you are cooking? I usually just tear a piece of aluminum foil. Any better suggestions?

Onesummer

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Overweight Pug-a-poo

I have a 2 year old Pug-a-poo, Molly. She is getting fat. I don't know if she takes after the Pug, broad chest and heavy or not. She will not eat dry food unless I mix it with canned. She's 11 lbs, gained 2 lbs in the last year. You can grab fat , I guess it's fat, if you 'pinch an inch'. I feed her small amounts, 1/2 cup of mixed, twice a day. And she gets treats which I am cutting out. Any other ideas? I walk her at least 4 times a day. Short walks, but she's a very small dog. I can't let her run because she won't come when called and she chases rabbits and squirrels. My yard is not fenced in. I would really love some ideas about proper feeding for a small dog, she was so tiny. And exercise too.

Valery from Cranford, NJ

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Online Shopping with No Credit

I am looking for a shopping site that you can buy now, but pay later with no or bad credit.

Hope from Wickliffe, KY

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Removing Mark Left by Sticker

I had a knick knack on my wood table. Apparently, there was a sticker on the bottom which left a mark on the table. It isn't sticky and I've tried using baby oil and furniture polish to remove the mark, but nothing works. It looks like a shiny spot where the knick knack was. Any ideas?

Angel from New York

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Advice About Boy Girl Sleepover

Would you let your 10 year old daughter have a boy/girl sleepover?

Sariah

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Camping Sleepover Ideas

Please help me with a camping sleepover!

Sariah

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Looking for a Potato Soup Recipe

I would like a good recipe for potato soup. There is a truck stop in Lincoln, Neb. that has the BEST potato soup, I wish I could get their recipe.

Theresa from Hibbing, MN

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Relocating to a Nice "Walking Town"

I'm thinking of relocating to one of the following: Richmond VA, Edenton NC, Savannah GA, or New Orleans LA. I can't drive because of an uncorrectable vision problem so transportation is my major concern. I've had phone conversations with real estate agents in all of these places and they all assured me their city is a great walking town and all immediate needs are within walking distance. But I'm skeptical. I've been lied to by agents before, even cheated out of $11,000.00 once. In other words, I don't trust them.

Are there any ThriftyFunners with personal knowledge of these places? Or do you know of a nice "walking town", preferably in the South, or even a neighborhood within a large city? I'd so appreciate some input. Life has been so chaotic, I just want a nice, cozy place to rest.

Curious Cat from South Norfolk, VA

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Sunless Tanner Without DHA

So is there a sunless tanner that will not make me itch? Where did Kelly get the Urban Chic? Any others that do not contain DHA? Help!

Heather from San Bernardino California

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Removing Graffiti Without Repainting Wall

How can I clean graffiti off rough walls that cannot be painted?

Peter

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Removing Set-In Yellow Stains on Collars

How can I remove set-in yellow stains on collars of white shirts? They have been washed and dried many times but are still in good condition.

Betty from Florida

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Number of Cups in 1LB Brown Sugar

How many cups are in a 1lb bag of brown sugar?

Abear from LA

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Rust on Steak Knives

How do you remove rust on steak knives?

Bev from Northbrook, IL

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McAlister's French Onion Soup Recipe

I would like the recipe for McAlister's French Onion Soup. Thanks

Brenda from Odessa, Texas

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Free Clipart Websites

I'm looking for a safe website with free clipart, that doesn't require you to buy something from one of their sponsors. Anyone know of any that I can download clipart from?

Caramel1 from New Jersey

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Furnace Filter Doesn't Get Dirty

My furnace filter never gets dirty. I think it should. If anyone has any thoughts as to why it never does I sure would appreciate some comments.

Tom from Ely, MN

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Buying Huckleberry Seeds

I am looking for where to buy seeds for a garden Huckleberry. Thank you

Helen from Concord,Ontario

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Star Wars Birthday Party

I am having a Star Wars birthday party for my 6 year old and need help with decorations ideas and food to simulate that of the Star Wars nature. I also wanted it to be a costume party but I understand not everyone can afford to dress up being so close to Christmas. Does any one have ideas as to costumes. Masks perhaps - Also on a tight budget. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Laura from San Gabriel, CA

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Coupon for Curves

Does anyone know where or how I can get a coupon for Curves? Thanks in advance!

Wendy from Lago Vista, TX

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Using a Hair Flat Iron

Help! I have never used a flat iron. My hair is short and fine. I am all thumbs. I want it to flip out like Dancing with the Stars Lisa Rinna. Any advice is welcome.

Minnie Mama from Memphis, TN

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Coupons for Triscuit Crackers

Nabisco Triscuit Crackers coupons are almost impossible to find. We like the flavored crackers such as the Roasted Garlic, Garden Herb and Rosemary and Olive Oil. The company knows that the general consumer will buy their products with or without coupons. I sure would like to save some money at the grocery store by being able to print off the coupons. I even checked the Nabisco website for coupons, no such thing.

Does anyone know where I can get some free Nabisco Triscuit Cracker coupons?

Marge from NY

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Craft Night Ideas

I am having my nieces (5 & 7) for a sleep over (on the floor in front of fireplace) and craft night. I would like some ideas on what to do. Ideally I would like them to make a present for mom/dad/grandparents. Looking for something FUN, frugal, and not to messy. Thank you for any suggestions. Have a great day!

Lori from Atlanta, NY

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Name for New Daycare

I need a name for my daycare I'm going to be opening. The age group I will have is from 0-4 yrs old. It will be GOD based. My name doesn't have to be in it.

Meme from Bakersfield, CA

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Removing Permanent Marker

OK I have tried the eraser and the rubbing alcohol on my floors, to remove the permanent marker but there is still a light like purplish color on there. Anymore suggestions you could give me to get the rest of it out? Please I need some help! My husband will blow if he sees how bad it really is.

Heather from Terre Haute, IN

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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