Daily Thrifty Tips - August 20, 2006

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As a busy home school mom I needed a way to have easy, quick, inexpensive meals without going out. I did not even have one day to do once a month cooking. So I cook half the month. I make a menu for 15 days. On day one for instance, we might have meat loaf, well I make enough for two meals by putting the meat loaf in muffin cups and freezing half. This works with most things like hamburgers, chili, soups, etc. For pastas I make the sauce and freeze and cook the pasta when needed.

Lisa

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It will be garden time soon. So, these are mostly garden ideas.

As you collect seeds, put them into jugs that you have cut with a hole in the side, or have cut the top off. You can carry the seeds to the garden in these when planting time comes. You could also sort your seeds by planting times, i.e., plant right after the last frost, plant in cold frame, start indoors, don't plant until late spring, keep for fall planting, etc.

When you plant your first crop out, you can use jugs to make frost covers.

Make a tote for your clothespins. (Buy any replacement clothes line and pins now, so you are ready the first warm day.) I made mine by cutting a hole in one side, and slicing through the handle. It slips over the line easily.

The tops make good funnels for larger stuff, or larger amounts. I keep one for filling the bird feeders.

Use jugs to store and carry household waste water to the garden. My garden loves soapy dish water, and so does my budget. It's also free exercise.

Set jugs full of water among the tender early plants. They will absorb solar heat by day, and release it by night.

Poke a small hole in a jug and use it as a drip waterer. Set one drip jug where the drops fall in an open basin of water to attract birds.

If you have a large dog, you probably need a big scoop, and you can make one from a milk jug. Cut on a slope, from the bottom of the handle to the opposite side at the base of the jug. Works to carry grain to larger animals as well.

Cut tops off (funnels, remember?) and use the bottom to make medium size planter pots. You will need to poke a couple of drainage holes so plants don't get water-logged.

- Rose B

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If you bought lemons in bulk and they are close to going "bad", squeeze all the juice into a bowl, remove all seeds, and pour into empty ice cube trays. Freeze and voila, when you need fresh lemon juice take the tray out and pop a cube. Let it melt and you've got fresh lemon juice! They're very refreshing in a glass of ice water.

By Lynn

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Keep a small baggy of teas handy when you go out & make sure to bring a travel mug. That way you can always make a cup of tea. Hot water is almost always free!

By Mara

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Dear Dollar Stretcher,

One of the many money-related problems that my husband and I seem to encounter is related to ATM use. Frequently the card is used for cash withdrawals or purchases and the amounts are not routinely recorded in our checking account register. I love the convenience of the ATM card but want to know if you have any suggestions for using it wisely and with discretion. Should only my husband or myself have an ATM card as opposed to both of us?

Thanks!
Leslie

Like many couples, Leslie and her husband use an ATM frequently. And they must not be alone because consumers will pay about $2 billion this year for the privilege using them. And despite the fees, it's not surprising that they're popular. An ATM card and pin number makes getting cash much more convenient than in the old pre-ATM days.

But, like so many new tools, they can be used improperly. So what can Leslie and her husband do to get control of their ATM cards?

The first, and obvious, answer is to make absolutely sure that they enter any ATM transactions in their check register. Failure will not only make it harder to balance the checkbook, but could also mean that errors in their bank statement might go undetected.

One way to encourage proper recording would be to make a game of it. If hubby used the ATM and didn't record the transaction there would be a penalty. Perhaps some extra household chores. The idea is to make it a habit to record any transactions. We tend to remember things that are important to us.

Another way to regain control is to use the ATM card less often. It appears that their cards get a lot of use. And that can cause a couple of different problems.

Using the card frequently but on different days each week will make it harder to remember to list any transactions. It's just human nature. When we get home at the end of the day we typically think of dinner not doing our 'homework'.

There are other dangers of frequent use of ATMs. It can be an invitation to uncontrolled spending. Some people find it impossible to resist impulse purchases if they have access to cash. And while no one single purchase is large, when added up they can mess up a budget big time.

And there are the fees. Over 80% of all banks impose a surcharge if a non-customer uses their ATM machine. It doesn't seem like much, but a 75 cent fee on a $50 ATM withdrawal amounts to 1.5% of your money.

One way to avoid overuse problems is to schedule your ATM use. Don't just pull it out any time you want a couple of dollars. Rather use it once a week. Take out enough cash for your planned expenses for that week. Leave the card at home on other days.

You'll find a number of benefits with this strategy. First, when you only use it once a week it will be much easier to remember to enter the transaction in your check register. And if you do forget, it will be much easier to spot the missing week when you balance your checkbook.

Second, you'll have a better handle on whether money is slipping through your fingers. If your cash runs out before the end of the week you'll know that you're making unplanned purchases. They might be justified. But it's a good time to check for needless impulse spending.

Once a week ATM use means giving up a little convenience. But most of us have lives that are predictable enough that we should be able to know how much cash we'll need for the week.

Should Leslie and her husband only have one card? Or each have a card on a separate account? Clearly finding out that your spouse isn't recording their transactions could be a source of marital friction. So if they continue to forget entries, it's probably better to get rid of a card or open separate accounts. A second account would be an extra expense, but cheaper than a divorce lawyer!

Finally, a comment. Often ATM issues are symptoms of a deeper financial problem. Frequent use of ATMs and a failure to record transactions can be the sign of an undisciplined approach to money. It's a easy trap to fall into.

It seems like the credit card companies and banks want to make it easy for us to use money without thinking about what we're doing. When we pull out a card and get instant gratification there will be a price to be paid later. Not surprisingly, it's also a great way to boost company profits.

So the next time that you pull out that ATM card, make sure that you're using it as a handy tool. Not being used by it to create extra profits for your bank.

Gary Foreman is a former Certified Financial Planner who currently edits The Dollar Stretcher website http://www.stretcher.com/save.htm You'll find hundreds of free articles to save you time and money.

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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Should I pay extra money for paper Airline Tickets? I plan on flying a relative in for the Christmas Holidays. I have always purchased paper tickets, I wonder if I should continue?

JeanAnn from Cape May, NJ

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I'm looking for inexpensive ideas on creating a mattress to sleep on. I can't believe there is so much labor and materials in a good mattress that they have to charge the ridiculous prices I see in stores nowadays.

Chuck from Pleasanton, CA

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How can I remove marker from a wall without removing the paint?

Tanya from Hastings, MN

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I need some ideas for a "roaring twenties theme" at my high school's homecoming in October.

Dwoods from LasVegas, Nevada

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I want to make a flat marble pocket stone that comes with a poem. EXAMPLE: It was a light blue flat marble with a smiley face drawn on it and the poem mentioned when you feel blue rub this stone.

DeeBee from NY

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Will painting one wall in a small bedroom a dark color make the room look smaller? Also, I am thinking of using a peanut butter tan on the main walls, a dark olive green for one wall and a deep red bed spread. Are those colors too far apart for one room?

Sam from Fargo, ND

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Does anyone have ideas on how to start a family cookbook? We have a blended family, with many adults and adult children. I thought it would be a great way to bring everyone closer if we put together a cookbook filled with family recipes. I have never done this before, and not sure where to start and how to finish it so that everyone gets a copy to cherish.

Maggie from VA

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I just bought a Honeysuckle tree. As a child i can remember the wonderful sweet smell of it. Mine does not seem to smell like anything. It's a really tall bush (Tree?). I bought it already attached to a trellis. What is wrong with my tree? Also, how do you take care of them? Thank you so much.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Dana from Newkensington, PA

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Why do dogs like to roll in dung and dead animals? Is it a territorial thing?

Glinda from Glendale, KY

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What does it mean when a dog has blood in urine? (Urinal Tract Infection?) Is there any natural cure?

Leeza from Tigard, Oregon

Editor's Note: Please see a vet about this problem if it continues.

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Frugal Friends,

I was wanting to know, do any of you know of any good Christian newsletters that I could subscribe too,that are up lifting and have encouraging words, stories or poems. Please give me their web sites so I can take a look at them. Also how about other frugal sites like Thrifty Fun.

Thanks for any help and information.

Teresa from VA

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Does anyone have any good advice for home remedies to treat gout? My husband is having more frequent flair-ups, and has eaten more cherries than you can shake a stick at, along with watching his diet to avoid irritating foods. He has been treated in the past with steriods, but the side effects have made them an undesirable choice. We are desperately seeking some help! Thanks in advance for any advice.

BBB from Greenville, AL

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How do you get WD40 out of clothing?

Lisa from Jax, FL

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How can I remove car grease from clothes. I work in a auto garage.

Brad from Ohio

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I have just read your answer to strong weedkiller (salt, water and white vinigar). My garden is covered in pebbles and the growth from under is terrible even though I have the ground covered with a mesh like cover. Will it be ok to use this solution on pebbles? There are no other plants in the pebbled areas at all.

Thanks for any help you can give.
K Green from UK

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I like to make as many gifts as possible and Christmas is not far away. Does anyone have any ideas for gifts (not necessarily handmade) for males from teenager boys right through to elderly men?

This is always a problem for me.

Thanks,
Christine from Melbourne, Australia

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How do I remove hair dye stains from a leather sofa?

A from HG, DQ

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I need ideas on table decorations for a Hospital Chaplains banquet with the theme "Hearts in Tune".

Pam from Wisconsin

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My husband fell asleep while cooking some green beans in my calphalon pan. You can see burned outlines of the green beans. I don't know what to use that won't harm my pans.

Sandy GTH from Humble, TX

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We just moved an hour away from any town in the hot central California weather without a house. We are basically living outside sleeping in a trailer and screen house. When we are there we have been very bored because everything we have has been packed up. Is there any simple Ideas for recreation or fun that we can do when were not working on building a living space?

Thank you,
Gloria from Nowhere Land

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Time capsules are a fun way to celebrate the New Year or can be made inexpensively anytime of the year as a fun way to preserve your family memories!

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