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Volume Six, Number 91, May 9, 2007 (Read It Online) Today we have a nice My Frugal Life essay about NOT Keeping up with the Jones'. We also have more great tips for readers. Do you have any thrifty tips to share? Submit them here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml Thanks for reading, Susan
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Inspect The Floor When Replacing Doors We bought our house about 5 years ago. It had the old aluminum frame windows and sliding glass door. This year, we finally bit the bullet and had them replaced with Low-E vinyl windows. We also had our front door replaced at the same time because it was UGLY! It was painted badly (probably to sell the house) and the paint was peeling off in big strips. Although we got a fancy front door, it was really only a little more expensive than a regular front door. We decided to have everything installed by a professional so we didn't mess anything up. I'm so glad we did! There were the standard problems you might run into, one window was ordered at the wrong size, the new doorknob was broken, bees nest discovered living in our siding. I was glad not to have to deal with any of these little irritations. But the real payoff came when they removed the sliding patio door. There was a puddle of disintegrating particleboard and water under the door. The workmen were able to remove most of the damaged particleboard, we dried it out for a few hours with a fan and they installed the new door. Luckily the subfloor was still intact but it would not have remained that way if we had waited much longer to have the door replaced. As it is, we have had to move up our plans to redo the kitchen floor.
Then the next snag was discovered on day two. There was a similar spongy particleboard mess under the front door. He could take his finger and scoop it right out. Both conditions were caused by poor original construction and exacerbated by the old and leaking doors (I hadn't noticed any leaking, mind you). So, we have to redo the entryway flooring too! You can see the water stain where we still need to remove particleboard. Also, carpenter ants started filing out of the hole. They were living on the wet particleboard!
Although this is going to cost us a bit more than we expected, I am so glad that we didn't try to tackle these installations on our own. I'm also so grateful to the workmen for pointing out the problems, fixing what they could and explaining exactly what we need to do to fix the rest. They even advised us on house painting (our siding needs some help), mildew problems and some drainage issues. We have some work ahead of us but at least we know what is most important to fix first! Jess in Portland, OR
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Rate It: Mother's Day M-O-M Plates Craft Here's a Mother's day craft we did at church this year with the younger kids. It's very easy to do and inexpensive.
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Rate It: Nugget is a 3 year old Pomeranian. This is my daughter's dog, but my grandchild, he he! She likes to play tug of war and she is just a doll.
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Take Pride In Not "Keeping Up With The Jones'" What makes someone take up frugal habits? Being independent of "keeping up with the Jones'" as the saying puts it! Going along with the crowd or whatever is "in" at the moment seems to be an indication that one has no individuality! Make and freeze Leftover Soup from edibles too many people assign to the trash can and you'll have lunch for unexpected callers. Pay attention to advice about saving dollars and think about your priorities. Say you do a big load of clothes in the dryer, take them out and find two items still quite damp. Do you put them back in an appliance that takes a lot of power to run, or find some remote corner to hang the items in until they're dry enough to put away? Frugality is a habit and like any other, the more you feed it, the stronger it grows! When the main wage earner in your family grouses about high costs, do you begin to defend yourself? Think "we"; your spouse isn't necessarily a tight wad, so adults who sit down to think up ways to save here and there will be setting a good example for kids and stretching their income further! When it comes to income and outgo, it's "all in the family!" By Janet Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99978627.tip.html
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Rate It: Substitute Bread For Stuffing In Recipes A recipe called for a box of stuffing. I don't buy it because I prefer whole grains to white bread. Instead, I took some slices of whole wheat bread, toasted them until they were dry, but not overly browned, and let them air dry a few minutes. Then I put some chopped garlic in olive oil, sprinkled it with red pepper flakes and put the bread slices directly into the warm oil, turning so both sides are moistened. I put the bread on a board and cut it into 1 by 1 inch cubes. I used these instead of stuffing. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19885891.tip.html
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Rate It: I was given 6 Easter Lilies plants from my church after the Easter season. I was told that if I cut off all but 3 inches from the bottom and throw them into the ground that they should bloom again in August. Then yearly afterwards. I'll try it and see. Maybe now that this plant is no longer popular, you can check your nursery and see what kind of deal you can make and do the same as I am. (I was also told this works for tulips too.) Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36750409.tip.html
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Rate It: Cut Tubes In Half For Every Last Drop It's surprising how much product is left when you think the last drop has been squeezed from that tube of facial cleanser, moisturizer, or hair gel. I cut the capped tube in half and find several more applications. With the two halves of the tube placed in a plastic baggie, it's easy to scoop out every last bit - and often there's a generous amount left. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77528170.tip.html
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Rate It: Using Blue Painters Tape to Create Stripes As I was using the blue painter tape to create stripes on the wall, I discovered the blue tape looked better than the stripes I had painted. And it was easy to line-up. It really looks like I had painted the blue stripes myself. The tape comes in different colors and is less expensive than paint. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15607965.tip.html
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Rate It: On the subject of mulching to control weeds, I would like to add that flakes (or the two to four inch thick sheets that naturally peel off a bale) of alfalfa hay work very, very well. They are thick enough to prevent most any weed from germinating through them, and there are enzymes in the alfalfa (not to mention the nitrogen) that promote growth of whatever plants you are mulching. Other mulch or decorative rocks can be put over the top for a more finished look. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60707588.tip.html
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Rate It: Sell Your Infant and Toddler Clothing Sell your old infant/toddlers clothes to a consignment shop or have a garage sale. You'll be amazed on how much you receive. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf367478.tip.html
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Rate It: I recently boiled a whole chicken to use later for chicken salad. I wanted to save some of the broth but did not want to fat/grease that I usually get in it. I put a narrow bottomed funnel in my jar and put a coffee filter in the funnel. I ladled the broth into the funnel, letting broth drain to bottom. If the filter seemed to be getting full of the fat, I changed the filter. I saved a half gallon of broth and no fat, even after being in frig. I suppose this would work with beef broth, too. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf716562.tip.html
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Rate It: Clean sand off wet skin. Sprinkle Baby Magic Baby Powder on skin to remove moisture, and the sand virtually falls off by itself. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf907223.tip.html
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Rate It: To make a temporary backpack for carrying your lunch on a short hike, bringing home trailside treasures, or transporting other light objects, just close the waist of a long-sleeved sweater or jacket with pins or string. Knot the sleeve ends together to form a strap. Stuff your cargo inside, slip the strap over your shoulders, and you're on your way. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf762509.tip.html
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Rate It: Multi-tasking: Crafting on the Phone I never seem to have enough time to do everything. So I Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf824245.tip.html
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Does anyone have a recipe for a mock potato salad made with saltines? I heard it was popular back when we used to make apple pie with ritz crackers. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60824547.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anybody know of any quick weight loss tips that you have tried yourself and has been successful. I am going top a class reunion in July and really want to lose weight for the occasion. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90796811.tip.html
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Rate It: I would be interested in any rhubarb wine recipes. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53690680.tip.html
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Rate It: Adjusting the Waist Size of Pants for a Toddler Any suggestions for easy quick ways to fix toddler's pants from being too big in the waist? My 3 yr. old daughter has a small waist. Pants or shorts that otherwise are the right fit are too large at the waist. Many pants slide down or fall right off. Belts are not really an option since most pants for small children don't have belt loops. I've thought about making those elastic bands with alligator clips that women wore in the 90's to sinch in dresses from the back but I'm not sure how to go about making them. Any ideas? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91755094.tip.html
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Rate It: I need some ideas for plastic Easter eggs. I know it's way past easter, but I was wondering if you had any ideas for leftover eggs? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25499188.tip.html
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Rate It: Chicken and Macaroni Salad Help I need some help to see what I'm forgetting to add to my recipe for chicken salad and macaroni salad. I do the miracle whip, salt and pepper, some relish, sometimes a dab of mustard. (Of course eggs in the mac salad) They always taste like somethings missing. I've even used some lemon pepper and that still didn't do it. Can someone please assist me? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44532880.tip.html
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Rate It: Fixing a Refrigerator Door Handle Is there a glue I can use to fix a white fridge door handle? Any other tips would be appreciated. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35782304.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing a Marker Mustache From an Oil Painting How can I remove a marker mustache from my oil painting? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22174552.tip.html
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Rate It: I am having lawn trouble and I'm at my wits end. I did the weed and feed thing in the early spring and now the clover and it's pretty purple flowers are taking over. Any help getting rid of it is greatly appreciated. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97443984.tip.html
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Rate It: Scratches on a Mobile Phone Screen How do you clean scratches off a mobile phone screen? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28939859.tip.html
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Rate It: Is it worth investing in this expensive cookware? Does the weight of all of these pots break the electric stove burners? Does stack cooking work? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17068568.tip.html
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Rate It: What can I use to kill bamboo that is coming into our yard from our neighbor's yard? It sends shoots out all along the brick fence we have and now it is even coming further into our yard by traveling under the ground and coming up wherever it wants to. We get about 10 new shoots per week. I cut them down repeatedly and some die off but others just ignore my attempts. We can't pull it out like a regular weed either. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93256454.tip.html
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Rate It: Pet Urine Stains on Subflooring Thank you in advance. My dog ally has created an indoor potty for herself on the carpet. A friend has just pulled up the carpet for me. Now on the wood subflooring there are urine stains. What can I do to get the smell out of that wood. He suggested cleaning it with febreeze. Well, that isn't a cleaner. Then he said he could put more subflooring on top and then tile over it. i still think the smell would come thru. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34757668.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Cigarette Smoke Odors What can I do to get cigarette smell out of my house? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54239796.tip.html
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Rate It: Permanent Marker on a Refrigerator How do you remove old permanent marker off of refrigerator with an "orange peel" surface texture? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32451309.tip.html
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Rate It: College Graduation Party Ideas I am planning a graduation party for my husband. He is graduating with a masters of taxation degree. I could use any cool unique ideas. I have not started anything yet and would love any ideas. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf897997.tip.html
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