Daily Thrifty Tips - April 17, 2007

There's a new pet food recall of Natural Balance Recalls Venison Dog and Cat Foods. You can read more about it in the More Reading section. It's not clear if it's connected to the contaminated gluten yet. I have seen this pet food recommended as a brand that should be safe, so it's discouraging to see it subject to a recall.

Saving Money and the Planet

This week's Saving Money on Newsletter is about Saving the Environment and Saving Money. One great thing about frugal living is being frugal tends to lower your impact on the environment. With Earth Day coming up, we are looking for you favorite money saving tips that are also good for the environment.

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Save the Earth, One Paper Towel at a Time!

You can save money and reduce waste by using hand towels and washcloths in your kitchen. I use the hand towels to dry my hands from numerous washings during meal prep and etc., when damp simply change it out with a new one. I use the washcloths for wiping off the counters or table, with water or with sanitizer. Washcloths also work great to wipe off appliances, and can easily replace the bacteria-growing sponge. I also keep small washcloths to wipe off my baby's face after a meal.

I keep the basket on top of my fridge, I roll the hand towels and fold the washcloths so I can feel for what I need. This saves space on my counters, and keeps them clean and dry.

Simply wash the towels, using the renewable resource: water. Paper towels not only use up trees to be produced, but bleach too; which can affect the water supply around the factory. "If everyone does a little, we can all do alot"

By Starchild from Lamoille County, Vermont

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Recycling Old Boards for Home Decor

Here is a great way to recycle old boards into great home decor. You can paint anything any theme you want. Either stand it up or you can hang it on wall.

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Spring Lilacs in the Ozarks

Spring Lilacs in the Ozarks.

By Milly from Summersville, MO

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Tucker (Pembroke Welsh Corgi)

Tucker is a 10 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. We got him from a breeder in San Jose, CA about 5 years ago. He was returned because the family that had him had a very sick little girl.

We found out later that the family was the nephew of my best friend. It was such a great feeling knowing that "Tucker" could still be in the family. Their little girl is now well and happy, thank goodness.

He likes to go to the park and steal your socks. I work for a Veterinarian and I take him to work sometimes. When he is in the Doctor's office, Tucker sleeps in his chair and the Dr. does his medical notes on the floor. He is too funny.

By Sherri from Petaluma, Calif

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My Frugal Life: Stretch Every Dollar

I'm an old lady now, but I guess my upbringing is what led me to always be inventive and saving. Dollar bills did not multiply without a lot of making do and doing without! I had two children and stayed off the job market until the youngest was in Junior High School. I figured raising my kids might not pay, but it was something I needed to do.

I did alterations and dressmaking at home, ran a summertime campers' needs shop and learned to make my house a homey 'home' at little cost. I taught myself to sew, to make drapes and other household things. One pair of drapes that began in our living room, with many windows, later had their 'turns' in other rooms (one as a round tablecloth and matching sofa pillow covers), as they all began to wear out. My mantra became "Everything doesn't HAVE to be perfect" as I learned to wallpaper and lay inexpensive vinyl and carpet tiles.

My saving habits are paying off in my old age. I have no desire to keep up with "the Jones'" and am writing and marketing columns concerning cooking, decorating and nostalgia for a bit of what our great grandmothers called pin money! Life as I've lived it has taught me that stretching dollars and being inventive is easily as much fun as tossing hard-earned money to the wind!

Janet from Conway, NH

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Garbage Bag Tip

Open up package of garbage bags and put the entire package of bags, minus the box, in the bottom of the garbage container. When one is full, just remove and the others are right there to use. Helps save a few steps. This is an old housekeeping trick and is a sign of a good housekeeper!

By Rockinr from Pittsburgh, PA

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Safety Tips For Road Trips

A very dear friend was recently stranded in her car on a very cold winter night. She ran out of gas and wasn't nervous about it until she went to use her cell phone and the battery wasn't charged. Fortunately, a good samaritan family stopped to see if they could help. Here are some things we all need to think about before we get in the car, even to go a short distance.

• If you don't have a cell phone, purchase one and always make sure it is fully charged.

• Do not ever drive through water in heavy downfalls.

• Make sure you have a simple first aid kit in the car

• Also include a flashlight.

• Keep a screwdriver in the glovebox, in case you ever need to break a car window to escape.

• Put a sleeping bag or a couple warm blankets in the trunk.

• In cold weather, carry a candle and matches in a can or container in the trunk. This could keep you from freezing.

• Keep your car manual in the car, that way you will always know where it is.

• Keep a spare key in your wallet or purse, just in case you get locked out of your car.

• If the accelerator gets stuck, turn off the key.

• Let a friend or someone else know where you are going, especially if you have to travel at night. I have my road service number programmed into my cell phone. Never get in a car with a stranger to go to a phone or get gas.

I am sure there are more good tips, but these are all I can think of right now.

By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX

Editor's Note: Another good tip is to keep phone numbers for any road side assistance programs you belong to. Feel free to post your ideas below.

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Job Hunting Journal

My husband has been searching for work, for the past few months. Each week, we search the classified ads in the local newspapers. To make things easier for him, after marking the possible job selections, I cut each out of the newspaper ad. I then tape each possible job ad, into a spiral notebook pad, allowing room to write all the necessary info in larger print. This will save precious time, when he's on the road trying to find each street address to apply at, for the ads that require him to apply in person. He can just glance at the bigger handwriting on the note, rather than having to squint and trying to read the small print of the classified newspaper ad, especially if he's still driving and looking for the address. By keeping this "journal", he's not having to keep up with stacks of newspaper ads, too.

By Terri from NV

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Check Door Hinges Periodically

I just read the hint about checking the screws in your doorknobs. While I was going around, I found that my door hinge pins were all elevated. A couple were half out. This could have meant the door falling off it's hinges, literally. So please take a hammer with your screwdriver to check both ends of your doors.

By Heather from Boston, MA

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Use Elmer's Glue For Puzzles

This is for folks who do puzzles and glue them when they're done. I use regular Elmers white school glue and it does a nice job and it's a lot cheaper then the special puzzle glue you have to buy.

By Joe from Inver Grove Heights, MN

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Use Terry Cloth Fabric

Skip ironing! Terry cloth is to be found everywhere, in all colors and patterns. Think 'outside the box' for uses for this great material, much appreciated because it requires no ironing. What began as a large checked beach towel was recycled when I made a newspaper pattern, making the unstained, unworn portions into a round tablecloth. The scraps I was left with were cut into generous squares and are useful as cleaning rags. I've seen terrycloth material used to make curtains (or valances) for a casual or summer camp's windows. Hand hemming doesn't show in the cloth's dense pile and the 'care instructions' could not be simpler, just launder and dry!

By Janet from Conway NH

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Homemade Windsocks

I like to use homemade "windsocks" to decorate for a party. They last longer than balloons, and can be used over and over. For a July 4th party: Take any container that is a cylinder, like a coffee can, pringle can, or a koolaid container. Cut off top and bottom. Cover the outside with red material or red, white and blue material. Glue material in place. Cut streamers from same colors of rolled paper streamers, and glue on bottom of container. I look for colored streamers at garage sales, and find all colors. Also, you can use this idea for birthday parties, etc. Make streamers about 3 or 4 feet long.

By Margeth from Michigan

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Get Discounted Plants At Lowe's

At Lowe's, they reduce their older plants to 10 cents each when new fresher plants come in. Some of these plants were originally $2.99 and $4.99. These reduced plants just need a little water and they are as good as new. Check it out.

By Diane from Pembroke Pines, FL

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Thrift Store Computers

Sometimes you can actually get computers in thrift shops. There's one in an upscale city near us where you can get a whole setup for less than $100. I recommended it to a starving artist friend of mine.

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Every Time I Take a Breath - Joke

A man is reading a newspaper. He tells his wife, "Here in the newspaper it says that by the time I take a breath, more than 500 people die."

His wife says "I have been telling you to visit a good dentist for your bad breath!"

By Amarjeet from India

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Growing a Blue Pine

I went to visit my Son in Illinois last year. I purchased a Blue pine tree (small potted). I set it out in my yard when I returned. It hasn't grown much and it has turned green. Any suggestions on how to get it to grow and get it's blue color back? I live in Alabama and the climate here is warmer.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Trisha from Alabama

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Pore Refining

I'm looking for a thrifty way to refine my pores. Any suggestions?

Caramel1 from NJ

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Doggie Ice Cream Recipes

Any recipes for doggie ice cream? My bloodhound loves Frosty paws but the stores have stopped carrying it and I am looking for a healthy alternative.

Thanks,
Susan from FL

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Safe Flea Treatment for Puppies

What's a safe at home flea treatment for a 6 week old puppy?

Sue from Columbus, GA

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Using a Rusted Fire Screen In My Yard

I have found an old rusted fire screen that I would like to incorporate into my yard. Any Suggestions?

Deborah from Burlington, NC

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Planting a Beavertail Cactus

I have found a beavertail cactus. Where is the best place to plant it?

Hardiness Zone: 3b

Deborah from Burlington, NC

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Gluten, Egg and Dairy Free Meal Ideas

Does anyone have any ideas for cheap eats that are gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free and that don't take much time to prepare? I'm allergic to all that and am spending far more than my budget will cover on food, plus I'm working on my master's and don't have much time to prepare meals. Thanks!

Shellee from Carson City, NV

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What's the best soap for a frontloading washer?

I just bought a frontload washer. Do we need to use that expensive soap? Can we make our own?

Thanks
Syber from Iowa

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How can I get my dog to stop peeing by the bed?

My dog, Charlie Brown, is not really house broken, but I don't mind to be honest, i just clean after him. The only thing that bothers me is that he always wants to pee right beside the bed, often getting the sheets messy, and causing me a lot of laundry. How can I get him to find another spot?

Victoria from Chicago, IL

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Removing Gum From Clothing

How do I get gum out of clothes after it went through the dryer?

Jolene from Pekin, IL

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Getting Rid of Ants

How do I eradicate ants from my house?

Micro Direct from Secaucus, NJ

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Removing Permanent Marker

How do you remove permanent marker from laminate furniture?

REE from FREDERICK

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Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan

I let my stainless steel grill to hot. It is burnt, scorched. Any suggestions on getting it back to looking shiny?

Richard from Columbus, OH

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Clean Beaches Begin At Home
By Ellen Brown

Over 180 million Americans visit beaches each year to escape the sweltering summer heat. As global temperatures continue to rise, that number is bound to increase. Whether you cool off in the ocean or take a dip in your local swimming hole, assuming the water is clean and safe to swim in is no longer just another day at the beach. With increased pollution, storm-water run-off and sewage spills, beach advisories and beach closings are becoming more and more common. This is bad news for our waterways and bad news for the people who enjoy recreating in them-especially children and the elderly. Here are some ways to help keep your favorite beach (and yourself) safe from contaminants this summer.

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Recall Alert: Natural Balance Recalls Venison Dog and Cat Foods

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) was informed today, April 16, 2007, that Natural Balance Pet Foods has received consumer complaints regarding the Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Foods. The company does not know the cause of the problems, but has received reports of animals vomiting and experiencing kidney problems. Although the company is stating that the problems seem to be focused on one particular lot, as a precautionary measure, the company is pulling all dates of Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food from the shelves.

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Making Wind Chimes

Tips and ideas for making your own wind chimes.

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