Thrifty Tip Contest (August 21 - 27, 2010)

Duration	Entries
August 21 - 27, 2010	68

"Can I Keep It?" Rescuing Wild AnimalsIn almost every case, it is illegal to keep a wild animal. If you find a baby animal, that you believe has been abandoned; leave it where it is, unless it is in clear danger. Keep a watch on it from a distance.

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Add Space By Changing Door HingesSome rooms are so small, they're almost worthless. Occasionally, a cramped kitchen or other room can be "enlarged" enough to relieve an intolerable situation, by merely changing the hinges on a door so that it swings out instead of in.

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Alcohol For DVD Skip Remover and Eyeglass CleanserI have a two fold tip here. The first is that you can almost always get rid of those annoying skips on your DVDs by gently using eyeglass cleanser and a 100% cotton cleansing cloth.

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Make Your Own Diet Exchange Chart Using Windows NotepadIf you have a Microsoft Windows computer, you can make your own daily/weekly food planners, diaries, etc. complete with the little squares that you fill in to keep track of points or exchanges on Weight Watchers and other diets.

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Removing Hairband from Wet HairIf you have trouble taking a hair ponytail band out of your hair after swimming, try this. Rub some hair conditioner on it. It will come out easy and not pull out your hair.

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Store Phone in Zip-Lock When Doing Yard WorkWhen you go outside to garden and take your cordless or mobile phones with you, pop them into a zip-lock bag to keep them dry and dust free. Zip-lock bags come in lots of sizes, so there's one for each phone.

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Track Sales With A Price BookKeep a notebook of commonly purchased foods that are on sale. Note the date bought, store, brand, and the size of package and price per pound or ounce.

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Use Carpet Scraps as Car Floor MatsCut leftover carpet scraps to size as floor mats in the car for winter use. They can be washed when necessary. For summer use, old terry cloth shower mats can be used to keep floors in the car clean.

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Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to Remove Paint TransferMy husband went ballistic when he saw a scrape on my car bumper. My grandkids ride their bikes, etc. and he just knew someone had "nicked" the paint on the bumper. I took a tiny bit of a Mr. Clean sponge (the clean-the-marks kind) and gently scrubbed the "nick".

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Calabash for Dog MangeI live on the Caribbean island of Dominica in the West Indies and have a local dog. She came to us with a low immune system and gets recurring mange. We have tried the chemical treatment, but it was very harsh on her. We also tried neem oil without very good results.

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Gift Ideas for NewlywedsFor a unique wedding gift, gather kitchen tools or spices, put them in a small wicker basket, bowl, baking dish etc. and wrap the whole thing is a couple of tea towels. Make the bow out of another tea towel of a different color by wrapping around the gathered up corners and tying a knot; flare out the "ribbon" towels and attach a set of measuring spoons.

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Ideas for Using Roasted Chicken from DeliIn a pinch for time? Too warm to cook? Instead of grilling chicken after a long day's work, stop by the market deli for a roasted chicken. Whip up a package of mashed potatoes and a second veggie, and feed your family in less than twenty minutes.

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Make Your Own FrappeIf you've tried the mocha or caramel frappes out there, you know how expensive they are. Don't pour out your leftover morning coffee! I fix mine while it's hot with cream and sweet and low, and put it in a jar in the fridge.

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Paint One Side of Steps at a TimeEvery time I paint steps, as soon as the steps have fresh paint, they are needed. It's like a "Murphy's Law" thing! Well, I have the solution. Paint half of the steps at a time, left side from top to bottom or vice-versa. Then, when they're dry, paint the other side.

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Preparing for a Power OutageThese tips are in addition to the American Red Cross tips for dealing with storms and power outages.

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Print Topographical Maps as Alternative to GPSIf you like to hike, camp, or do outdoorsy things, but don't want to spend a lot of money on an expensive GPS system, you might want to try printing out a free topographic map online. AnyplaceAmerica.com has maps of the US that you can sort by city, county, or by feature.

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Tips When Your Dog is VomitingWhen your dog is vomiting it can be very scary. Once you've eliminated any serious issues such as bloat or poison contact, the best way to get the problem under control is Stop - Slow - Bland.

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Turn Ice Cubes onto Flexible Cutting BoardI have a tip for ice cubes. I twist the plastic ice cube trays to loosen the cubes, then quickly slap the tray upside down on one of those thin flexible plastic cutting boards to dislodge them.

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Use Boxes as Toy Train/Car TunnelsIf any of you do warehouse shopping, you know that the boxes you put your food in to take it home are not the best, except for one! You will notice that there are always boxes that look like a big "U" was cut out of the middle.

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Use Hair Wrap Instead of Swiffer PadsI found that my old swiffer mop that has no holders of any kind on it, will do well with the dollar store hair wraps with the button on the back.

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Use Iron Out to Clean Toilet BowlI read most toilet cleaning testimonies. I'm in this business, and my best advice is to use "Iron Out". Fill your tank and bowl above the "dirt" line and add 1/2 cup in each. Leave overnight if possible, or at least 5 to 6 hours. You will be amazed.

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Use Shoe Inserts to Make Crutches ComfortableTo make crutches more comfortable, purchase silicone gel pads (the type that fits into shoes) and secure with duct tape over the crutch pads.

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Watering Houseplants On VacationIf you are going on vacation, water plants in an enclosed porch, with shutters down.

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Cleaning Different Stains from Pillow Top MattressI cleaned a pillow top mattress with Spray Nine and it definitely got out the pee smell. This is to all those dads out there with Spray Nine.

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Frugal Fun Outings for KidsLiving on a tight budget is hard. We try to make it easier by finding cheap or free things to do with our boys. They are age 5 and 3. I have found all kinds of free museums and parks to explore.

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Grilled P.B.J. SammieHere's a fun one! Be sure to let the sandwich cool for a minute before biting in to it so the oozy gooey center doesn't burn your mouth. You might want to have a napkin available too.

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Keep Paint from Dripping when Painting CeilingThe next time you find yourself facing the task of painting a ceiling or up under an overhang, cut a hollow rubber ball in two and slip on half open side up over the handle of your brush.

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Make Container Covers from Old SocksFor that daughter going to college, and has sorted her socks with the colorful tops. Hope you have saved them. You can slip glass, plastic, or cardboard containers into them for handy organizers.

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Make Expandable Cage around Plants to Keep Out DeerWhen putting a cage around a new plant or tree (to keep out deer), overlap the cage and tie it with straps. You can then expand cage as the plant grows without making new cage. Also insert PVC pipe through slots of cage for easy watering direct to the roots.

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Make Patterns Out of Shower CurtainsMake large pattern pieces from inexpensive shower curtains. The pattern pieces will last much longer than paper patterns.

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Paper Clip as Emergency Zipper PullIf your zipper pull breaks or comes off and you need an emergency replacement, a paperclip will work. Years ago, my down coat zipper pull came off and the only way I was able to get my coat off was to use a paperclip!

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Use a Marshmallow as Cupcake FrostingNeed a quick frosting for your cupcakes? Three minutes before they are done carefully open the door to the oven, slip a large marshmallow on top of each one. Use rainbow marshmallows for some color or the flavored ones for some flavor.

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Use a Throw as a Comforter for Toddler BedRecently my grandson moved into a toddler bed. The mattress is the same fit as the crib, but I needed a blanket that fit the entire bed. I found that the throws that are sold everywhere are a fit perfect. They come in variety of colors and patterns.

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Use Baby Wipes as Makeup RemoverI purchase inexpensive tubs of baby wipes, and use them daily for makeup removal. After using them to clean my face, I then wipe my sink before tossing.

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Two sticks of butter in different sizes.

Use Measurement Instead of "Stick" For ButterI've seen a few people over the past couple of years ask how many ounces or cups a stick of butter is.

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Use Rubber Brush to Groom CatsI've tried just about every tool on the market for grooming my cats. I found that although it does a good job of removing fur, just a simple, soft, rubber brush does just as well and obviously feels better to my beasts.

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Boil Eggs With Potatoes for SaladWhen I am cooking potatoes for potato salad, I put my eggs in with the potatoes. This way they all cook together, and I don't have to use another pot.

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Boiling Water For StainsDid a mystery stain appear on a light colored cotton shirt after it had been washed? This stain is often from juice that has dripped from a juicy piece of fruit. When you first notice the stain, stretch it over a colander set in the sink and pour boiling water over it.

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Cancer Risk With Non-Stick CookwareI want to share something my oncologist told me. He said he hopes I will replace all my "non-stick" cookware with good stainless steel products. He was very definite about this. Since I have come through the surgery and am now cancer free, I will do all he asks.

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Check ASPCA and AVMA Vaccination Frequency RecommendationsI just discovered that the American Veterinary Medical Association and the ASPCA both state that new research confirms that dogs need certain vaccinations only every three years.

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Craft: Dice BraceletI made a bracelet out of dice. Maybe it will bring luck to me!

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Crafts Using Tin Cans?Don't throw out those soup, vegetable, and fruit tin cans. You can use them to recycle into wonderful crafts.

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Diabetic Socks for Injured FootIf you have an injured ankle that is swollen or you are unable to move, it can be quite hard to get your sock on without causing pain or further injury. Try a pair of diabetic socks. They can be purchased at any store that sells regular socks and some drugstores as well.

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Freezing ChilesWhen using part of a can of chipotle chiles with adobo sauce, simply spread the remainder into a quart size Ziploc bag, and freeze flat in the freezer. When frozen, simply break off what is needed for your recipe, and refreeze.

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Hang Children's Art on a ClotheslineWhen our boys where young, we would run a length of cord down the hall for each boy. They then painted clothespins (clip type), and when they brought home a creation they would clip it to their line.

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Prevent Rust Stains From Soap DispenserMore than once, I have had a bathroom hand soap dispenser that "leaks" rust on my white sink edge where the dispenser sits. I have really liked the dispensers and not wanted to throw them away.

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A recycled planter with faux fall flowers.

Recycled Tube Fall Faux PlanterI had some carpet tubing and tubes from crochet thread. With some hot glue, fabric strips, and silk flowers, I made a unique planter - of sorts!

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Reuse Baby Wipes Used For Quick Clean UpsI keep baby wipes in the car for quick clean ups and hand sanitizing. Baby wipes can be washed and used for other uses later on. After about four washings the fibers tend to break down, but they are still usable.

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Take Your Kids For A WalkMy husband and I have to work out entertainment on a very tight budget. I have two little boys, age 5 and 3. When my boys get the stir crazies, we take a walk to the closest park in the neighborhood.

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Use Old Cell Phone to Set RemindersI have joked and complained to my mother that I am getting as bad as she is with her memory and I need a dozen alarm clocks around the house to remind me of things I need to do or remember!

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Add Fabric Strips to Fence To Keep Pests OutLast year, I had difficulty with deer, wild turkeys, and our free range chickens getting into my garden, even though we have a 6 foot fence surrounding the whole area. The would jump or fly over and nibble away, eating whatever they felt like.

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Cleaning Vinyl RecordsTo clean the grooves of old records, Dip a shaving brush in a mixture of equal parts distilled water and triple distilled vodka. Brush the mixture into the grooves of the record and dry with a tack cloth.

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Cleaning With BoraxMy young boys love blueberries, and one got them all over a white shirt. I decided to put the shirt in a big bowl of water with about 1/8 cup of borax and left it in the sink overnight.

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Cornmeal Skin CleanserThis tip will give you soft, beautiful skin; it's a little messy, but it's well worth it. Place one cup of coarse cornmeal into a plastic cup. Pour a little water on the cornmeal so that the cornmeal will absorb the water.

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Door decorated with peel and stick leaves.

Decorate with Peel and Stick LeavesCut leaves from peel-n-stick paper and scatter them randomly on surface you wish to give a little life! I chose the inside of the hollow core door of my master bathroom and used marble green peel-n-stick.

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Dish Soap PaintTo make paint that is great for painting temporary designs on windows or even sidewalks, try dish soap paint! You can also paint on paper with it.

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Dish Soap PaintTo make paint that is great for painting temporary designs on windows or even sidewalks, try dish soap paint! You can also paint on paper with it. Once it is dry, it has a nice shiny finish. Clean up is a breeze. You need to use clear or light colored dish soap.

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Mark Pet Tags With Name and NumberYou can save money and effort by purchasing a tag for your dogs or cats that go outside. If your dog (or cat) gets out of your yard, having a tag with your own name and number will allow anyone who finds your pet to call you directly.

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Power Outage Survival Kit for College StudentMy niece is about to leave for college. In addition to the normal stuff a college bound student requires, I prepared a mini "college survival" kit, all packed within a small tupperware like container

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Remedy for Itching Mosquito BitesMosquitoes tend to eat me alive. I needed a quick fix to alleviate the itching, and I didn't want anything that was either too stinky or left dots all over me. Some store products didn't work for me.

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Reuse Mayonnaise Lids For Opened Canning JarsSave lids from mayonnaise, mustard, and peanut butter jars to use for opened jars of home canned foods in the refrigerator. They don't rust, and this will leave your canning rings free for another canning project.

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Rubber Bands To Secure Items in DishwasherUse rubber bands to help hold down lightweight items in the dishwasher.

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Save Paper Scraps For CraftsI do a lot of card making. Stock paper isn't really cheap, so if I have left over sentiments or papers from cutting out projects. I put them all in a basket next to my computer desk. Then if I need something, it is usually right there in the basket.

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Sewing VinylI am a sewing designer by trade. If you have ever sewn vinyl material, you know how difficult it is, because it is very slippery. In the past when I have sewn vinyl, my stitching has looked very unprofessional.

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Sundae SurpriseThis sundae is refreshing and so very different. Make a sundae as usual, using cranberry sauce for the topping. I do not add Cool Whip, but it could be used if desired.

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Use Decorative Chain to Hold HangersI lived in a small place where closet space was limited. Outside the closet, I installed a plant hanger hook in the ceiling. Put a decorative chain on the hook and let it hang down. Clothing can be hung on both sides of the chain.

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Use Logos from Old T-Shirts as Wall ArtMy grandchildren live with me, and we are always have to buy new T-shirts for them. We recycle old T-shirts with sayings and such on them, by taking a hoop that is used for sewing projects, and putting the shirt in the hoop with the part you want to show.

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Woven Place Mats as Wall ArtI always find really nice place mats at local thrift stores. I like ones made from straw, seagrass, and other materials like that. I really like the ones that are loosely woven so you can see through them.

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