Daily Thrifty Tips - August 7, 2006

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This was taken as we were landing in Anchorage, Alaska.

By Jan from Springfield, Minnesota

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This is a garden area I'm working on to dedicate to pen-friends in prison that I write to.

What area looked like before.

Next step to dedicated garden area. Garden's name is "Rays of Hope". I also wrote a theme poem to go along with the garden.

Laying the plastic down to kill off the weeds. Should have used black plastic with cardboard or newspaper laid out underneath to kill weeds off better.

Next steps of to prepare soil for "Rays of Hope" garden. Sorry, I don't have a photo doing this.

Remove plastic, dig up soil and rake grass, weeds, etc. out. Add top soil, potting soil and re-use dirt you dug up. Then rake all smooth.

Planted acorn squash and mixed up all kind of vegetable seeds with soil and spread them out in this area and will be doing the same thing in the area next to it.

Side view of top section of "Rays of Hope" garden. Planted blackberry vine, cranberry hibiscus and also mixed all kinds of flower seeds with soil and spread out in both sections after plants were planted. On inside rows along board by walkway, I planted a row of strawberry and blue Indian Corn. The outside by driveway, I planted a row of Sunflowers to make a Natural Border to resemble a fence.

After plants and seeds were planted. I still need to get some round log sections for walkways and fill in with more soil. After that I'll surround the sections with white landscaping rocks. Once the plants start to grow larger I'll lay down two colors of mulch bark (red and gold).

At the top side sections by the driveway will be the entrance with a small trellis type archway that I will plant climbing roses on the outside of the archway and hang a plant from above. Then I'll make the name of the garden on a wooden plaque that I'll have nailed to a wooden stake off to the side of the archway. I will also make another wooden plaque sign with the theme poem "Ray of Hope" attached to it. I'll also have markers for each person I write with information and a photo attached to it.

By Sunflower from Sioux Falls, SD

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Samson is a 4 year old Siamese cat. My eldest daughter found him at her high school, hungry, in need of a lot of attention and very affectionate.

He loves to roll around in the dirt. Sam is crosseyed and can't see for beans but he sees most clearly with his big heart!

By Ursula from Navajo Reservation, AZ

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I fill and run the washer at bedtime, only full loads and cold water. In the morning I hang the clothes on an old fashioned clothesline. This only takes a few minutes and I enjoy being outside in the early morning. By late afternoon, everything is dry and I fold as I take things down. I take down like items together, i.e. all towels, all socks, etc to facilitate putting things away. No hot water use, no dryer use, running the washer at off-peak times. Conserves energy and that's a good thing!

By Linda from Vista, CA

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Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dishsoap
• 1/4 cup any flavor non sweetened jello, any brand
• 2 - 2 1/2 cups warm water.

Directions:

Mix gently as making suds will weaken mixture.

By IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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Ingredients:

• 1 quart skim milk
• 3/4 Tbsp. baking soda
• 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
• 10 oz. water

Directions:

By IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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I saw the cutest beach bag made out of hand towels today on DIY Network. Check it out!

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_needle_arts/article/0,2025,DIY_13768_4433364,00.html

By Mary from Ocean Springs, MS

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Tips for saving money on coffee.

I love the gourmet flavored coffees. They are so pricey, I refuse to buy a big bag of it. SO I get the little "single pot" bags and stretch it buy adding the same amount of regular coffee. I buy the decaf flavor and add it to regular caffeinated coffee. So I get half the caffeine and double the amount of coffee.

By Especielle from New Braunfels, Texas

Post your ideas below.

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Once you see a line of ants, try not to kill it right away. Instead, follow the route of the ants so as to know where it's coming from and where it wil end. That's the only time you'll use your sprayer to spray over them. You eliminate the problem today, later and tomorrow.

By Millie from Manila, Philippines

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A few months ago, I purchased 2 shades of lipstick. After being home and able to try them, I realized that I didn't prefer those colors after all. After having tried to return them for my money back, it was too late. My first intuition was to give them to someone who might want them. But what I ended up doing was mixing them. I put on the light colored lipstick first and top with the darker lipstick. This was the color I was looking for in the first place!

By Terri from NV

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I'm currently working a second job at a retirement home in the kitchen and saw this recipe the other day. Probably something everyone's done before but I just thought I'd share it, it's good.

In a big bowl, combine cut-up fresh broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes (little cherry tomatoes work good), and red apples. (Anything else you'd like to add as well) Then, simply pour creamy ranch dressing over it all and mix thoroughly, refrigerate for about 25 to 30 minutes and enjoy. It's so good!

By Stacey from Orem, UT

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Instead of buying the expensive pre-packaged diet snacks, I buy a large bag of good diet snacks and I measure the serving myself ahead of time and I put them in ziplock baggies. That way, I can just get them out and eat them or take them with me. Buying them by the big bag is much cheaper.

By Cindy Stout from Ohio

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Frugal For Life

A great blog with posts about frugal living.

More Information:
http://www.frugalforlife.blogspot.com/

I raised Mammoth Sunflowers this year, and they were beautiful. I would like to try to do it for a living, what spray should I use for the bugs that get into the seeds?

Hardiness Zone: 9b

Marcia from Alturas, FL

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I looking for information about blanching squash.

Linda from Roanoke, VA

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I think I have seeds on my Peace Lilly and on Pink Cloud Caladiums. There are extra growth's that have white or brown seeds on them. Are they seeds and where do I snip them off?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Thanks for your help.
Sherry from Valdosta, GA

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I am looking for cheap belt buckles.

Cynthia from Birmingham, AL

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I just purchased an Oster 4125 beehive blender whose lid is loose fitting (seems like they all are). I love the milkshake spinner blade function, wouldn't give it up. It even froths soy milk. Yay!

The directions say to keep a hand firmly on the lid while blending, but this isn't helping the drips. The problem is that some of the liquid spatters out of the machine (I am using 1 c. liquid in a 5 c. blender cup).

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Has anyone ever added a can of beef broth as one of the ingredients when making homemade italian spaghetti sauce? I saw a couple recipes that included beef broth as part of the recipe. I was going to try it, but didn't want to take a chance on maybe ruining the recipe? Thanks for replies!

P.J. from Delaware

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Product: Mac Mini

Model: 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo Superdrive

Manufacturer: Apple Computer

Request: Will this computer handle the things I like to do like, record Music, Graphic Design, Video Editing etc? Or should I spend the big bucks on a G5 and not waist my time with a Mini?

Silas from Spokane, WA

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I saw your advice on growing a cherry tree from a pit. Does this method remain accurate for the Rainier Cherry? Also, if the pit germinates can't more than one tree come from the pit since there are multiple seeds in the pit? Let me know. Thanks!

Hardiness Zone: 1

Brian B from Portland, OR

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I was wondering if anyone knew why tomatoes ripen but on the bottom of the tomato they turn brown and rotten. Any help would be great. Have a Blessed day.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Debi from Niagara Falls, NY

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I need to replace our 30-year-old freezer. Looking to purchase small, chest-type, freezer, about 9 cubic feet. Any advice on brands?

Betty from Beaverton, OR

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I know that corn on the cob can be frozen, but I don't know if any special prep is needed to do this. Could someone please tell me what I need to do to freeze it on the cob? My dd's grandmother gives us some of their extra. Thank you in advance!

Janice from Illinois

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I am looking for a small counter top dishwasher. I know they were made years ago, don't know if they still are. I'm single and I hate hand washing dishes. Can anyone tell me if they are still made and where I can find one? I have back problems and can't stand for any length of time. Thank you for any help.

Ellen from Maricopa, CA

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I'm looking to buy faux wood blinds and am wondering if anyone has bought them from Eddie Z's (www.eddiezs.com). The website doesn't list prices so I'm also curious as to how expensive they are. Right now there is a sale of buy one at 60% off, get one free.

Thanks,
Kim from WI

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I recently accepted a job which I'll be starting in about a month working 8 hours a week cooking meals, doing the grocery shopping, laundry, and very light cleaning (the family has a separate weekly housecleaner). I have no idea what to charge for this kind of thing. I'm a college student struggling to pay tuition, so I want to get as much as I can, but at the same time want the fee to be reasonable. They are a wealthy family, so I think I could get a decent wage, but am not really sure what to suggest. Any input?

Kristin from Upstate NY

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I love working mazes. Where can I find free ones to print out on-line?

Betty from Beaverton, OR

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I read recently that Alka Seltzer helps with urinary tract infections. I can't remember where I read this or how/when to take the Alka Seltzer. Can anyone out there help me? Thank you!

Donna from Greenville, SC

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Does anyone have an idea of how to use old chipped china platters? I have some plain ones and some beautiful ones that I don't dare serve on due to chips and discoloration. Thanks.

Karaof4 from MN

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