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Garden: Plant Annuals Close Together

If you plant your annuals close together, with a few perennials, you will avoid getting weeds in a small garden.

By Terry from New York, NY

Garden: Plant Annuals Close Together

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Decorating A Pink Bathroom

When we moved to this house, the wall tiles were beige colored. I painted them dark red to tone down the pink bathroom, applied a few 'stickers', papered the walls and made the curtains from lace curtain material, backed with a cream silky lining material. This type of curtain was quite expensive to buy ready-made. I bought some cream braid for the tie backs. 9 years on and still looking quite fresh.

By Skinnyjinny from Scotland

Decorating A Pink Bathroom

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Craft Project: Easter Bunny Fabric Wind Sock

Create a cute bunny windsock for your outside trees or porch to twirl in the breeze.

Craft Project: Easter Bunny Fabric Wind Sock

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Hamlet (Pug)

Hamlet is a 6 month old Pug. I got Hamlet on 12/13/2008. He likes to playing tag, soccer and mostly loving on me. Hamlet is the sweetest little dog and very smart. He has brought sunshine back into my life.

By Janie from Whitehouse, TX

Hamlet (Pug)

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Make Your Own Dog Chews

Here is a recipe to make your own dog chews.

Make Your Own Dog Chews

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Tip Contest
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My Frugal Life
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Buy Family Members Different Socks

When my children were home we could never match socks for each person. So I decided for my husband and son that one person got the solid white crews/tube sock and the other person got socks with stripes. With the girls, one would get bobby socks and the other would get crews, or one would get low cut footies and the other got ankle cut. Then the style of socks determined who owned each sock. This made laundry folding day much easier.

By Kimberly from Lakeland, FL

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Reduce Cat Allergies With Monthly Bathing

If someone in your family is allergic to cats, you can still have a cat! Stop the allergies by bathing the cat once a month. My daughter is allergic to cats so we got a kitten and started bathing her once a week for several months, then we slowed down to every other week, then only once a month after a while. I've done this with several cats. If you start them out young, the kittens don't mind the water at all and will just relax and enjoy their bath. Believe me it really does stop cat allergies. This is backed up by research from universities.

It's usually the cat's "dander" that causes most allergies. Just make sure the water is warm but not hot (I used my elbow to gauge the temp like you would for a babies bath) and start at the cat's bottom and move to the front. Be extra careful when you wash their sweet little heads and keep the soap out of their eyes. I recommend a "no tears" shampoo for their heads. If you have a spray nozzle attached to your sink, it's a bonus, otherwise use a small pitcher or cup.

By Cyinda from near Seattle

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Repair Winter Boots With Duct Tape

My daughter's winter boot zipper broke and we could not find anymore winter boots in our area to fit her. There are two zippers on each boot, fortunately. I cut into the edge of the broken zipper and got the metal pull back into the zipper and zipped it back up half way to hold that side together. Then I put many many layers of thick black duct tape all up and down the zipper area, inside and outside the boot, from the sole up to the top and over. The boot has been holding together beautifully and she is wearing them even in the snow.

By Maryanne from Ontario, Canada

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Product Review: Capital One No Hassle Rewards

First, a warning. ONLY do this if you have the cash on hand to pay off your credit card balance at the end of each month. Otherwise, you will be paying interest, which defeats the point.

Ready? Make sure you have a credit card that pays cash rewards, such as a Capital One No Hassle Rewards cards. (No, I don't work for the company!) Search online to find the best rewards program for you. I like the No Hassle Rewards cards because you can claim the reward $ at any time; you don't have to let it build to a certain amount or wait until the end of the year before you can get your money. Also, you start earning rewards right away. My old credit card required that I spend $5000 before I qualified for a reward, and it changed the reward from 1% to .5%. That is not a good deal.

Next, use your credit card for every single purchase or bill from vendors that will accept credit cards. Your oil bill. Your cable bill. Your electricity bill. Your groceries. A gallon of milk from the corner store. A Happy Meal. As long as the vendor takes credit cards, no purchase is too small. (Again, just keep tabs on the amount you spend and make certain you will have the cash to pay off the credit card in its entirety at the end of each month. You do NOT want a balance from month to month.)

If the credit card pays you 1% back, and your bills total $2000 a month, you qualify for $20 in cash each month. That's $240 a year, just for using the credit card.

In these times, I appreciate all the easy cash I can get. Happy saving!

By Natasha from Exeter, NH

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Repair Large Screw Hole With Rope

If you have a hole that is to large for a screw, just put a piece of natural rope into the hole. I like jute or cotton rope the best. I tried toothpicks and wooden matches at first, but I've since found that rope works far better because it wraps itself around the screw so it fits tightly into the threads!

By JLS

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Deep Clean Your Hair With Baking Soda

One of the best tips I have ever gotten though the years (and I've been a tip collector for many years) is one for hair. We spend lots of money for products to remove build up on our hair, but we don't have too.

Here it is: take a cup of warm water add one tablespoon of baking soda to it and stir, when you get in the shower wet your hair first and don't add shampoo yet, pour the water with the baking soda over your hair and rub into your hair. DO NOT RINSE OUT.

Take your shampoo and apply to hair, then shampoo as usual. This makes your hair feel like new! I found I can do more with my hair after I strip all the gunky stuff out of it. I try to do this at least once or twice a month, more if I use more products. If you go to the weekly beauty shop take along a jar with the soda in and have your stylist to apply it to your hair before shampooing.

Source: I really don't know where it came from, I got it from my Grandmother many, many years ago.

By Patty from Hopkinsville, KY

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White Vinegar Instead of Jet-Dry

Jet Dry is often rather expensive to use in the dishwasher. Plain white vinegar will also do the job. You will go through more vinegar that Jet Dry but it's a lot cheaper!

By dpn from Turtle Lake, WI

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Viva la Frozen Leftovers!

We had three meals from a crock pot roast. The first night we had sweet potatoes that were frozen (leftovers) from a previous meal 2 weeks ago. The next day we had mashed potatoes, also from the freezer. Tonight the leftovers went into snack size zip bags with the leftover gravy. They will be used for hot roast beef sandwiches later on. Just peel off the plastic, pop in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and pour over a slice or two of bread. Also good with noodles, rice, potatoes, etc. I used up the leftover frozen rolls from the holidays this way.

Whatever you have left over from meals, portion it out and freeze. Don't let good food spoil because your family has leftover fatigue. That frozen food looks really good when you are tired and hungry and don't have time to cook. Your frozen meals are better and healthier (and cheaper) than the store bought stuff.

Source: Just from me.

By Joy from Visalia CA

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Save Glass Jars for Homemade Iced Tea

Save money, calories and chemicals going into your body by re-purposing store-bought glass tea jars for homemade ice tea. Clean the bottles after you're finished with your drinks (or get friends to give you some), then make a big batch of tea on the stove by boiling water and adding the tea bags to steep. I add some honey to mine and then when it cools down, I pour it into the glass bottles.

I keep these in the fridge (make caffeine-free and caffeinated ones separately) and grab when I'm going out the door. I save money on the tea, limit calories of a caffeinated soda, and don't have to ingest all those chemicals that come from a soda!

By Erin from Blue Bell, PA

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Using Durian

Description:

Durian often referred to 'That stinky fruit' to those who are not accustomed to the smell, but cherished by many who grew up around it. Known as 'The King of Fruits' through out Asia. This fruit has large spikes on the outside and creamy yellow-orangish fruit on the inside, with a similar consistency of avocado.

Uses:

The durian is eaten at many stages of ripeness and used to make sweets such as ice cream and also made into savory dishes in some countries.

Buying Fresh:

Often it is said that the durian is ripe when it starts to split open, although it can be eaten at many different stages of ripeness. When picking a durian to buy, look at the stem, if it is dry the durian is probably old. Where as if it is thick and sturdy, it is ripe. If the stem is cut off, shake the fruit and listen for the seeds knocking around, if you hear this the pulp has probably lost some moisture and therefore not as tasty.

Preparation:

The durian has natural sections, if you can find a seam, start by cutting down the seam. If the durian is ripe it should open fairly easily. Once you got it open you should be able to scoop out the fruit from one section then open another wedge and scoop out the fruit from each section. There is seeds inside the flesh of the fruit about the size of chestnuts, the seed can not be eaten raw.

Using Durian

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

(This one you have to read out loud)

"Information? I need the number for Caseway Trasnport."

"Would you spell that, please?"

"Certainly. C as in sea. A as in aye. S as in sea. E as in eye. W as in why. A as in are. Y as in you."

"Just a minute, sir. I'll connect you with my supervisor."

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

T-ball Parade Float Ideas

My grandson will be in a t-ball parade. I need ideas to decorate the truck that will be carrying the players. They are the Cubs. The colors are red, white and blue.

By Donna from Jonesboro, GA

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Play Makeup on Furniture

How do you remove little girl's play makeup from furniture and carpet?

By Grammy from Fort Wayne, IN

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Roaches in an Apartment

I'm looking to move into an apartment in July. However I've discovered there has been a major roach infestation that began March of last year. An exterminator came in an applied treatments to the building of 6 apartments during the year (last time in December). Presently there doesn't seem to be any roaches left according to the tenants and landlord (now March).

Should I be be weary of moving into such a place? Are roach treatments something that are to continue indefinitely even as a preventative measure? It just seems that roaches present even after 9 months seems an awful long time. The other concern I have is transporting a roach or 2 on travel to someone's home.

The rent is very affordable in a very convenient location, but I guess somewhere one has to draw the line. Is it reasonable to expect roaches to be gone by July? Am I just being paranoid, or should I really avoid this place?

By Otto from Ontario

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"Flower Garden" Themed Birthday Party

I'm planning my daughter's first birthday party. I need some ideas for things that adults would enjoy because I've invited friends and family, as well as little ones. The oldest children there are 4, and there are only about 4 kids invited.

If anyone has ideas on food, activities, or favors I'd love to hear them. The theme is "flower garden" because I couldn't resist the plates and napkins at the party store that had bright flowers on them. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

By Allison

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Sugar is Too Moist

My sugar is too moist. What can I do?

By leclerc from Canada

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Pen Ink on Vinyl Car Seat

How do I get pen ink off of my vinyl car seat?

By Lisa from TX

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Business Name for a Water Slide Rental

Need help with a business name for renting out our 15 foot water slide.My husband's name is Robert and mine is Mary. We only want to rent during the hot months in Iowa so basically from May to Sept. There is one more party rental in town but we only have 1 slide and will charge considerably lower than what they charge. Any suggestions?

By MaryAlice from Ottumwa, IA

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SnoBowl Toilet Cleaner

Can someone tell me where to buy Snobowl toilet bowl cleaner? I have used it and it is great. I used to buy it at Walmart but now they don't have it.

By Jean from Sachse, TX

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Planting Potatoes

I remember an article about planting potatoes in an upright position which allowed you to remove the bands and harvest without digging, but cannot find the article. Can someone help me?

By Marie

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Frozen Tomatoes Have Changed Color

We have two bags of frozen tomatoes from the 2007 season that have turned quite dark in color? Would you use them? They don't have any odd smell but we are a little worried.

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Cleaning a Rope Hammock

What is the best way to clean a woven rope hammock? Thank you.

By Brenda from Princeton, NJ

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Performance Ideas for an 80th Birthday

What kind of performance should my family do for my grandmother's 80th birthday?

By Esther from Malaysia

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Keeping Bugs Away When Sitting Outdoors

We were almost driven crazy Thursday at a school baseball game by the gnats or no see 'ems. At one point my husband said he was about to roll around on the ground to fight them off! We used spray more than once and we just passed the cans around, but it was like they just waited for the air to clear and our skin to dry and then they attacked again. What can we do?

By Sissy from Alabama

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Mildew Smell on a Stroller

How do you get mildew off of a stroller?

By Jenny from Gulf Shores, AL

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Rust Stains on Clothing

How do you get rust stains out of clothing?

By Judy from Riverside, CA

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Black Soot on Walls

How do you get soot from ceilings and walls off after a kitchen grease fire? I have tried the commercial cleaner with no luck, and also tried Mr. Clean and ammonia. Please help.

By Susan from Hamilton, ON

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Porcelain Dolls are Moldy

I have porcelain dolls that smell like mold and some have mold on them. How can I clean their bodies?

By Rhonda from Uhrichsville, OH

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Ink on Clothes that Have Dried

My cleaning girl washed an entire load of laundry and dried it in the dryer missing the ink pen that broke all over the laundry. I need a soak of some sort to get the ink out of the load of laundry consisting of cotton dress shirts. I have tried to spot treat some of the stains with alcohol, toothpaste, Dawn dish detergent, and hairspray. Nothing is working. And even if it did, it would take forever to spot treat each stain. Can someone give me a remedy to this dilemma? I really love these shirts.

By Gail from Coral Springs, FL

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Traveling With a Dog

Has anyone done the trip from Michigan to Florida with their dog? What should we bring for him, and any suggestions on a nice motel/hotel to stay at that is clean on our way down and home?

By Wacky Camper

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Making Mini Cream Pie

When making a mini cream pie, how do you lighten up the caulk that is used for the topping? I would like it to be a little bit fluffier.

By Doris from Moline, IL

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Rancid Smelling Dish Towels

I have rancid smelling cloth dinner napkins and dish towels, usually from using them to drain fried foods. I've washed them in bleach, but the smell does not come out. Any suggestions?

By Jane from S.F., CA

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Pens That Won't Work

How do you get old ink pens to write?

By Barbara from Cadiz, KY

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Diet Plan After Gallbladder Surgery

I am about to have gallbladder surgery. I wanted to ask others who have had it done, what type foods or daily food plan they had to eat and stay on as to not hurt afterwards or promote diarrhea? I know all greasy foods are out, but what foods work best for digestion and do not cause diarrhea?

Right now it is impossible to eat lettuce, cornbread, nuts, spicy foods, or corn based foods at all. I have heard that after the surgery its impossible to eat any thing dairy based which causes diarrhea. Do you basically have to eat bland processed foods (like how baby foods are made) the rest of your life so they digest well?

I was thinking puddings, jello, mashed potatoes, and pureed foods right afterwards would work well but not sure what food plan to follow for a life plan thereafter. My gallbladder is only functioning at 17% and not sure which surgery I will have, Larposcopy type or the regular kind. The only meats I like to eat are chicken and turkey. Just a few vegetables but I love fruits of most any kind. Any advice given is welcomed. Thank you.

By Julie

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Dye Transfer on Clothing

I washed a pair of jeans with a green t-shirt and a pink cotton top. It now has blue blotches. Is there any way to get it out?

By Carol from Kansas City

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Acrylic Paint on Clothing

I was painting our address numbers with acrylic paint and of course got some on the front of my cotton knit type blouse. Any ideas how to get it out? I tried soap and water to no avail. Thanks to all!

By Big Sis from Cocoa Beach, FL

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Silly Putty on Upholstered Chairs

Does anyone know what works to remove Silly Putty from fabric chairs? One chair is covered with corded fabric (similar to corduroy), and the other is a woven blend sort of resembling velour.

By SunshineGal from Central WA

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Cigarette Burn on Carpet

I have cigarette burns in the carpet of my car. Can someone please tell me how I can get rid of them and/or disguise them? The burns are in conspicuous places and it looks awful. Thanks very much.

By metroplex from Houston, TX

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Ideas For My 17th Birthday

What should I do for my 17th birthday party? I need some ideas, my birthday is May 8th.

Emily from Greenville, SC

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Paint Color Ideas to Brighten Kitchen

What wall color will brighten a kitchen that has a dark oak floor, medium oak cabinets with stainless steel appliances? There is not a lot of natural light. I can't use yellow, it covers every other wall in my house.

Kelley from Burlington, NC

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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

My Frugal Life: In The Kitchen

In our culture, we have tended to be almost disdainful of our abundance, as shown by our great tendency to waste, just because we can. Not long ago, I was wondering what I would do differently in the kitchen if we had to survive on rationed amounts of food, as my parents' families had to during WWII. I consider myself pretty frugal, but there are certainly areas I could improve in. Some of them would include running vegetable peelings through the stock pot before discarding, saving all vegetable cooking water for soups and sauces and deglazing all pans that had something roasted in them.

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Daily Thrifty Tips - March 25, 2009

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