Daily Thrifty Tips - March 3, 2006

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The "Brats", are left to right, Vic, Midge, Jose, Addy, and Minnie. They are 3 1/2 + year old Chihuahuas.

Minnie at the end, was from a friend as a pup, Midge in middle from a friend as a pup, the other 3 are Minnie's pups.

These 5 "Brats", are a pretty tight pack, and love to run, eat, play, exchange bones, and snuggle together. The only thing they love more than each other, is us, their humans!

I never dreamed of having 5 chi's, but, they are such a funny pack of "Brats", Minnie is the "Boss", (on far right), her whole name is "Minnie Pearl". She's the momma and boss.

By Glinda from Glendale, Ky.

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About a month ago I posted a request for help with a bathroom remodel project. Mocha/Tan tiles in a toddler bathrom with Ducky accessories. I hope all of the wonderful people that gave me suggestions see this. I took the idea from camo_angels to use a beach theme. I stenciled shells in the same color as the floor tiles and it looks great.

Thanks again everyone.

Tina from Atlanta, GA

Great job, Tina!

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I made "gifts in a jar" for family and friends for Christmas and for Birthdays. I have 4 children and each one of them do something to help. It's a family kinda thing for us.

We all take turns doing the measuring, writing, labeling...while we laugh lots too : ) I put them in a basket with some homemade bread. Cider mixes too.

Here is one of the recipes.

Decorate the jar with a bow tied around the neck. I used raffia. Be sure to attach the cooking instructions to the jar.

Friendship Soup Mix

• 1/3 cup beef or chicken bouillon granules
• 1/4 cup dehydrated onion flakes
• 1/2 cup split peas
• 1/2 cup alphabet pasta (any small pasta is fine)
• 1/4 cup barley
• 1/2 cup lentils
• 1/3 cup non-instant white rice tricolor spiral pasta

1. Use a canning funnel or any funnel that has about a 2" neck. Be sure to use a wide-mouth, 1-quart canning jar.

2. Layer ingredients in the order given above and add enough tricolor spiral pasta to fill the jar.

3. Attach a tag with cooking instructions:

In large kettle, brown 1 pound ground beef, (stew beef or chicken) which has been cut into bite-size pieces, in a little olive or vegetable oil. Remove the tricolor pasta from the jar and put aside. Add the rest of the jar contents to the pot with 12 cups water. Bring the soup to a boil and simmer 45 minutes. Add the tricolor pasta and simmer 15 minutes more. Serve with your favorite bread or rolls and a tossed salad. (Makes 8 servings.)

Enjoy,
Tracey

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Kitkat is our 2 year old domestic short haired cat. We got our cat when she was 4 weeks old.

She likes to play chase. Kitkat loves to hide under the table behind my coat in wait for someone to walk by so she can pounce out at your feet. She also like to be up on anything high, like she is queen of her castle here she is laying on a stack of boxes on top of the washing machine.

By Debbie from Berwick, Maine

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Cut a piece of sandpaper to fit on the end of a tongue depressor or popsicle stick and glue it on. Then trim off any excess sandpaper. Let the glue dry and you have a handy little sander for sanding hard-to-reach places.

By ThriftyFun

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A young man was having some money problems, and needed $200 to get his car fixed and road-worthy again. But had run out of people to borrow from. So, he calls his parents via the operator, and reverses the charge and says to his dad, "I need to borrow two hundred dollars."

At the other end, his father says, "Sorry, I can't hear you, son, I think there may be a bad line."

The boy shouts, "Two hundred. I need two hundred dollars!"

"Sorry, I still can't hear you clearly," says his father.

The operator cuts in, "Sorry to butt in, but I can hear him perfectly."

The father says, "Oh, good. YOU send him the money!"

Sent in By Jim

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My husband hails from Orlando so we go there for every summer vacation. Before his dad retired from Universal Studios, one of his perks was free tickets to give to his family. Now that the ticket well has dried up, we look for less expensive things to do down there.

My favorite thing is to go to Cocoa Beach. It is only about 40 minutes away and they have a very nice public beach that is free! The park is named Lori Wilson Park and the street is I Dream of Jeannie Way. This park has a great stretch of beach, along with bathroom, shower, and swing sets, picnic area.

Cocoa Beach also has a pier, Ron-Jon's Surf shop, and some great places to eat. There are also places in the area where you can watch for manatee. One preserve I remember was down a side street near Zachary's Greek restaurant near the public works water plant.

You can usually find a good price on a room for the night. There are several mom and pop motels. My favorite is the South Beach Inn, which is on the South end of A1A and right on the ocean. We stayed there last July for about $100/night. This included a large suite-type room with queen bed, queen sleeper sofa, and kitchenette with stove and refrigerator. We took one air mattress with us and all three kids slept comfortably. The beach there is so quiet-not like the Spring Break beaches you see on TV. There were times that our family was the only one in the immediate area and it felt like we had the entire beach to ourselves. This is a pretty good feat in the middle of July!

Of course, Cocoa Beach is right on the 'Space Coast' and it is very close to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. We like to drive by and see the huge space shuttle outside. The kids enjoy this drive because there are always lots of alligators on the roadside along this route. Sometimes we also see armadillos. Since these critters are not native to Virginia, it is a treat.

Back in Orlando, you can walk around Pointe Orlando featuring Muvico with an IMAX theatre, Downtown Disney featuring the Lego Store, or Church Street Station downtown. All are free, but of course, you will probably end up spending money in the shops. It is also fun to drive down International Drive at night to see all the pretty lights. Universal Studios used to have a nightly fireworks show, and we parked across the street at Dr. Phillips High School to get a free viewing.

Since we usually stay with family when we go down there, and avoid the theme parks, we get a longer and more relaxed vacation.

I know these tips probably make me sound cheap, but hey this is the 'thrifty fun' newsletter.

By Kelly from Shenandoah Valley, VA

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You can make a bird bath with a trash can lid by turning it upside down and attaching it to the top of a pedestal. A short fence post works well for the pedestal and metal trash can lids seem to work the best for the bath. It's easier to attach the lid if you hacksaw off the handle. Decorate the lid with paint.

By ThriftyFun

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Apply pieces of masking tape to the window in a crisscross pattern on both sides of the window. Then gently tap around the outer edge of the window with a hammer until the glass breaks out. The tape should help keep the window from shattering but be sure to wear protective gloves.

By ThriftyFun

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Leftovers need never go to waste. Cheddar and salsa dip goes well in macaroni and cheese, and on broccoli. Salsa alone is good in spaghetti sauce and over chicken breast. Onion and garlic dips are good in mashed potatoes. All kinds of dips are good in vegetable casseroles, use you imagination and never throw away leftover dips!


By Bobbie from Rockwall TX

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Has anyone ever noticed that the only food that never goes up in price is "food for thought"?

By Robin from Washington, IA

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In a pinch, you can use chopsticks as knitting needles. Just sharpen the tips of the chopsticks in a pencil sharpener then dull them a little so they aren't too sharp.

By ThriftyFun

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These are for those who cannot walk. No out of pocket expenses for those who qualify. Call 1-800-823-5220 or go to www.threewishes2.com.

By Angellface from Seymour, CT

Editor's Note: This is from their site:

"To qualify for any of our power wheelchairs you must be unable to walk due to physical limitations and must be unable to self propel in a manual wheelchair due to upper body impairment. Your physician or physical therapist must also assist in evaluating your needs.

Our program accepts Medicare (NO HMO's) and processes all necessary paperwork for you. We gladly provide ongoing service of provided power wheelchairs and conveniently serve your needs at your home. In most cases, there is no cost to those who fully qualify!"

Has anyone used this type of service? Couldn't a person just get one of these prescribed by a doctor and have Medicare pay for it that way? I see lots of commercials from companies like this and I would like to hear reader's thoughts about this.

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Anyone know where to buy cheap Glitter Gel Pens? Online or not online?

LisaRodgers2 from Michigan

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I just noticed a large rust stain from a paint can stored in the bottom of our bathroom cabinet. The cabinet bottom is a laminate type material. Any suggestions on how to remove the rust without destorying the laminate?

Thanks!
Michelle from Houston, TX

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I just bought my daughter one of those looms you can make pot holders with. Is there anything else that can be made with this loom besides pot holders? I've heard of purses, rugs, etc. but I can't find anything on the internet. Help?!

nl1720 from New Lenox, IL

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I'd like to know if anyone can recommend a rice cooker that has a liner which is not aluminum nor coated with nonstick.

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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I just bought a house and will need to paint and replace all the floor coverings. My problem is that the kitchen has pink countertops which are in good condition. The cabinets are white. What do I do to make the pink work in the kitchen and how do I make it flow with the rest of the house. I am not sure what color of floor coverings to put in the house.

Ghardy from Tulsa, OK

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I want to paint my walls with textured paint but I have no idea how to. I did a search here once but didn't bookmark it and I can't find it again! I would appreciate any advice I can get here. Our walls are imperfect, I thought maybe the textured paint would help it to look better. Any advice?

Thanks so much!
Ariela from Florida

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I need ideas for cheap but elegant centerpieces. I am graduating from college after 20 years. I plan to have a luncheon and my colors are purple and maroon.

Simban from Huntsville, AL

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I have accumulated a lot of dry cleaner plastic bags. I hate to just throw them away as I know there must be something I can do with them. Thanks in advance!

Cookiepom from Owensboro, KY

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I have a recipe for a loaf cake, using raisins, brown sugar, etc. It gives the ingredients for 1 loaf, I want to make 2 loaves but I am not sure if it would come out right if I doubled everything in the recipe. I have done this when making soup, etc, but never when baking. Has anyone ever doubled the recipe when making 2 cakes, or is it better to just make one cake, and start all over and bake the second cake?

Thanks for any replies,
P.J. from Delaware

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What can be done to use nylon stockings?

Michelle from Swan Lake, MT

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My little man would like for me to make him a "Hackysack". Does any one know how this is done? This is a small crochet ball, filled with rice, I think. The kids use these to bounce off of their feet and hands. Would anyone happen to know just how these are constructed? I'd really appreciate this as I hate to spend over ten dollars to buy something that should be very easy to make.

Perkypet from Texas Panhandle

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I have a 7 month old female mix, we think she's mostly Brussles Griffon. When do I get her fixed? I hate the thought of her little tummy being cut. Do they do laparoscopic spaying?

Valery from NJ

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I've recently started working for a coffee shop that sells different flavored wraps. Not what's in it but the wrap itself. Spinach, tomato basil, jalapeno cheddar, herb, and wheat are the flavors we have. Does anyone know how to make these or know where to get them without having to go through the big companies like they do?

Jeggie from Elberton, GA

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I can't find title of children's book. I am looking for a 6th grade book about all adults over 12 dying and children having to take over the world and fend for themselves. It was based on a girls view.

Dr Beth from OK

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How do I get stains off of tile. I had what looked to be grease stains in front of my dishwasher in my kitchen, nothing I used would get rid of them so I bought "Tile'n'All" which contains hydrofluoric acid and followed directions, now there are greyish white spots where the liquid was applied. Do I need to replace these?

Trina from Granger, WA

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If you have home delivery, papers can really pile up fast. What are your tips for recycling unwanted newspapers?

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