Daily Thrifty Tips - January 10, 2006

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Dolly is a 3 year old lab mix; Dutch is a 3.5 month old Rottwieller

Dolly adopted me! She likes to roll and play and run amok.

Dutch was a gift. (Dutch was in yesterday's newsletter) He likes to chew everything in sight!

Dolly has proven to be an invaluable teacher for the new puppy. She has helped to teach him the house rules and to house break him. When she catches him breaking a house rule she snatches him by the ear and gives him a shake. She also will drag him to the door if she thinks he's going to mess in the house. This photo was taken while she was teaching him not to chew on the furniture.

By Gretchen from Coulterville, IL

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AAAHHH that was GOOD

By Monica from Pasadena, Texas

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Pot holders to scissor holders.

These are pot holder scissor holders. Fold a pot holder into a cone shape. Hot glue the sides together. Careful not to burn yourself. You can use the loop at the top for hanging or poke holes to run a ribbon for hanging.

Next decorate with silk flowers, beads, feathers, sequins etc. to hide the seam. Add a pair of kitchen shears or sewing scissors with this note glued to the front.

I keep my scissors,
in this sack.
If you use them,
put them back.

Thanks to my cousin Darlene for this idea. I made them for many friends, the mail lady, the Avon lady, etc. I've also made these small sacks for kids scissors and for my desk.

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark,Ca.

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After Christmas sales are the best place to buy for next year. Buy tree and other decorations, lights. cards, wrapping paper, napkins, table cloths, at the sales. Sometimes gift items that will be good for next years giving are also available.

Also there will be sales on everything throughout the stores. It is easiest to return items in the next few days so if you received something you know you will not wear or use, take it back. Most stores are very forgiving immediately after Christmas (but less so later) without sales receipts.

Have fun!

Next year, when preparing for Christmas and opening up a "Christmas Club" account, stash some extra money in and specially mark it for "After Christmas Sales". By Terri from NV

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If you have a problem ask yourself will this matter next week, next month, next year, etc. If you do this you will realize that the problem often is not as serious as you may think, so you need not worry so much.

By Virginia from Darfur, MN

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Editor's Note: Shaunta Alburger has agreed to write articles for ThriftyFun. This is Part 1 of a 4 part series she has written about her plan to go on a Debt Crash Diet in 2006.

Do you have to work a job that doesn't fit your life because you can't afford to quit? It boils down to one thing; you work the job for the paycheck. You need the paycheck because you have debt.

I have a solution. Go on a crash diet. I'm not talking about giving up food so that you won't need to work as many hours. Go on a debt crash diet. Are you serious about being a full-time writer (or something else)? I have a plan that could bring you one giant step toward that goal.

A debt crash diet is simply a year of very intense thrift, during which time debt is eliminated and savings are built. Let me put my money where my mouth is, and tell you that my family is going on a debt crash diet in 2006.

A debt crash diet will take fifteen months; three for planning, followed by that year of intense thrift.

Will it be easy? I really doubt it. We're cutting our food bill by 2/3 and putting off replacing our twelve-year-old minivan. For one year, we are giving up movies, eating out, gym memberships and cable TV. Our goal is to pay off nearly $20,000 in debt, and to save $12,000 in one year.

I'd like to ask you to stop for a moment and ask yourself what being completely out of debt and having a four-month supply of money would mean to you. Could you stand to live a work-optional life? I thought so.

I can't promise that a debt crash diet will make your full-time writing dreams come true. I can promise that when you're through, you will be working to pay for today, instead of yesterday with interest. You will have gained some valuable insight into which material needs are most important to you, and which you can give up for good.

By Shaunta Alburger
http://www.pennywisejournal.com

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My mom was 85 when she died, and she was a widow for over 20 years. So I had to laugh when she told me she used Wesson oil to stop her cupboard door from squeeking. She used it on the front door hinges as well. We have so many nice products nowadays that she didn't have. But if you happen not to have WD40, you might have cooking oil in a pinch.

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark,Ca.

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All you stay-at-home moms can take heart! A recent newspaper article stated that in the USA there are about 5.4 million moms opting to stay home and care for their children rather than going outside the home to work.

But just because mom isn't bringing home a weekly paycheck doesn't mean she isn't contributing to the family's finances. As we all know, some of the hats we moms wear are: chauffeur, cook, housekeeper, nurse, chief financial officer, child care worker, and many others!

In today's world, the value of all these jobs, on a 24/7 basis would be worth a yearly salary of over $100,000!

If mom went back into the workforce, many of these jobs would need to be done by someone else, at a considerable cost. So the work of being a Stay-at-Home parent does provide a high financial value. And that doesn't even take into consideration the non-financial benefits that families reap!

--Every day we make deposits in the memory banks of our children!--

By Cyndi Roberts
http://www.cynroberts.com

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Request: Want to hear a strange cat story? Here's the story of the cat that ate the 5 foot elastic string.......

The elastic string came from a cat toy that you hang over a door and there's a furry mouse on the end. Well, it was constantly coming untied from the plastic piece that went over the door, so someone just laid it on the coffee table. (My daughter was living with me at the time). We had no idea that my cat, Sugar, has a desire for elastic.

A day or two later, in the early morning, I'm awakened by the sound of a hysterically terrified cat that is running around the house yelling and growling. She ran right across my chest while I was sleeping in bed. The reason she was so scared? There was a 10" piece of elastic string trailing out of her anus and the end of this elastic is intertwined with several of her stools! She was frantic because she couldn't figure out why these stools were chasing her!

I chased her down and tugged ever so gently on this string thinking it was just going to pop out. When I pulled on it and it stretched I knew immediately what is was. I just didn't know she had eaten all 5 feet of it until I went downstairs. (She didn't eat the mouse, thank goodness!). So I cut off the very end with the stools, threw on some clothes and took her to the vet.. The whole string showed up on the xray, snaking it's way through her intestines and balled up in her stomach. Very bizarre. The vet said I had a choice: they could operate and remove it which would be very expensive, or we could wait and see if she passes it BUT there's a danger it could perforate her bowel and she could possibly die. Wow, what a choice.

Well, I didn't have a spare two thousand dollars, so I went for the "passing it" option. It could take all night so I had to move her to a local animal hospital so she could be monitored. Next morning I get a phone call and she passed it with no problem! What a relief! And speaking of cost, that little episode still ended up costing over $500. But I was so happy she was okay!

She was pretty traumatized from that event and has been grumpier ever since. That was 4-5 years ago and since then no one can go anywhere near her butt or she freaks.

Well, that's the elastic string story. She and I will certainly never forget it!

Donna M. from Maryland

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My candle recipe uses wax from all types of old candles. I have 1 pillar candle from a store which was made improperly, so it goes out when the melted wax gets too deep. So I will melt it down and use it for a candle..

1. First I buy wicks from the store, about 10 for $1.50. These work better than cotton string which goes out easily.

2. I use a hot fudge jar for the candle. Why? Because it's clear and will shed light when the candle wick gets lower, and hot fudge jars are made to resist heat. They are made to be heated in the microwave. Other jars are not heat resistant (like salsa jars).

3. I have one dedicated jar for melting wax. I put it in a pot 1/2 full of water, put the burner at about 33% heat and let the wax melt. This takes about 20 minutes.

4. I add a wick to each hot fudge jar, then fill the jar with wax. If the wick moves I center it with my fingers. Let wax cool.

5. To speed cooling, put jars in fridge. Keep melted wax on low, you will need to fill in the candles later.

6. As the wax cools it forms a depression in each jar. This is normal. "Top off" the wax as soon as the candle is hard, about 10 minutes in the fridge.

7. Candles may need one more "topping off" then they are done.

Use as a normal candle. These candles will have a hurricane shield as the wick gets lower.


Chuck R. from Kentwood, MI

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I have a pal whose family members used hair coloring to dye their carpeting. It worked successfully. So if you're planning on new flooring, you might want to do this, rather than what you were originally planning.

By Terri from NV

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Love to read? Check out http://www.paperbackswap.com. All it takes to join is 9 paperback books. (I had a few lying around the house I no longer wanted and got the rest at our county library's booksale for 50 cents each; thrift shops and yard sales would be another good place to get them.) Then you post your 9 books and automatically get 3 credits.

If someone wants one of your books, they'll e-mail you, you print the Media Mail wrapper right from the website, slap $1.59 worth of stamps on it and mail it. As soon as the requestor receives it, you'll get another credit. Then when you order a book, all it costs you is 1 credit; the sender will pay for the stamps and send it to you. You can also have a "Wish List" of books you'd like to get and they'll e-mail you as soon as one becomes available and ask if you still want it. With the cost of buying paperback books brand new being close to $8 or $10, I think this site is wonderful!

By Lynn from Chico, CA

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I really need ideas for my sisters 40th birthday, she's not very adventurous so that rules a fair bit out, but I'd like it to be memorable and special. All ideas are welcome. :)

Jojo from Australia

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My cats got to my suede leather jacket and a pair of my leather boots and one of them "sprayed" on them. Can someone give me a tip on how to clean them?

HB from NY

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I'm looking for a pattern of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. It was from Atlanta Puffections some years ago. It was sewn together fit over air fresheners.

Rita from SC

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I have one lonely 12x12 ceramic tile that I found the other day. It's beautiful and I don't want to throw it out. Does anyone have any ideas for a craft that I could use to display this beautiful tile with that doesn't require a lot of other items?

I thought about making a notepad holder somehow by adding a small pad and pen but I've run out of ideas. I'd like to make something with it and have it on my counter.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Yvonne from Ontario

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What is the best way to remove skintags?

Mr Nelson from San Diego

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I would like to make some homebrew. Does any have any tips or wisdom they could share about making your own beer. Is a kit the best way to start?

Thanks,
Jim from OH

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We have wood panels on the wall and alcoves over the fireplace, which we added in the 70's. Is there a way we can update or cover these without taking them off the walls?

Carol from South Wales

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I was wondering if anyone knew how to bend silverware to use as cabinet knobs and drawer pulls? I have both forks and spoons I want to use for this.

Thanks for your help.

Brenda from Wyoming

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I have a problem with my washing machine, it has a musty/mildew smell inside the machine itself. My clothes smell fine and my towels do also but afer you use the towels they have the same smell to them as my washing machine and of course once you use the towels you smell like the musty/mildew smell.

My washer is fairly new, approximately a year old and I have tried numerous things to get the smell out. I've used bleach, baking soda, cleaning products especially for mildew smells, almost everything imaginable but the smell still exsists. I've never left clothes in it for a long period of time and I myself have no idea how the smell got there but if any one has any suggestions or has any clue as to why my washing machine would smell the way it does please contact me.

Thank you to whoever has an answer or even a little help for me, it is greatly appreciated.

Latisha from Grafton, WV

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My children have outgrown their baby blankets and quilts, but still want to use them. Any ideas on how to make this small bedding more useful?

Thanks in advance!

Karla from CT

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Does anyone have any recipes for making a vegan cake or taking a regular cake recipe and making it into a vegan recipe? I am planning a birthday party for a vegan.

Thanks!
Tina from MD

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Our dog's crate takes up a lot of room in the living room. Any ideas for hiding it or making it useful?

Thanks in advance!

Karla from CT

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Does anyone know where to find a pattern for the "Colonial Lady" or "southern belle" type of embroidery pattern that you used to do on the edge of a pillow? You embroidered the head and upper body, and then crocheted the "skirt" on the edge of the pillowcase. I am looking for either already stamped pillowcases or an iron-on transfer pattern.

Where is Lee Wards when I need them?

Judy from Altoona, PA

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I have marble and granite floors in my foyer. I am looking for a homemade cleaning solution. Does anyone know what to use? Also, what about cleaning travertine?

Sonya from Georgia

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I am wondering if anyone has any ideas for using leftover cooked ham. There is only hubby and myself and we have plenty of leftover ham so I wondered about a nice soup or something. Does anyone have any ideas using ingredients that most would have on hand? Yvonne from Ontario

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When do women stop shaving their legs. I have shaved every day for the last 40+ years and I am sick of it. Do you just quit or do you shave every few days?

Thanks a bunch!
Mitzi from DeLand

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My foyer and den which have approximately 20 foot walls. I would like to paint, but I want to divide the room in half top to bottom. Any ideas on using different shades of paint, borders, etc.?

Gilberto Gomez from El Paso, TX

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I am looking for a recipe for a salad dressing. It is an oil and vinegar sweet dressing that I have only had served over a lettuce salad, with apples and walnuts in it.

Bonnie from Avoca, NE

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I have a flat coated retriever mix that is two years old. When she was little she had a problem with her hind hips. She would pull them out of socket when playing. In the last day or so she seems to be hurting and is have trouble standing. It's hard for her to get up off the floor. Could this be arthritis?

Deborah from Jacksonville, FL

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I am trying to revive very old linoleum flooring in my kitchen. We are on a tight budget right now so I need some ideas. Is there such a thing as linoleum paint and has anyone ever tried it? What is a good industrial strength cleaner? Any ideas will be appreciated!

Thanks,
Cheryl from Winston Salem

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We are removing the carpet on our stairway, but we do not want to replace it with more carpet. We wish to do something different.

Pansy from Waxahachie, Texas

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