Daily Thrifty Tips - May 1, 2006

Gardens Alive

$20 FREE off your first order at Gardens Alive!

http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/gardens.lasso

A simple thrifty project to add elegance and character to an entranceway (or even a shed door!)

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Cassie and Allie Cat are are 6 and 7 and are tortoise shell and calico female cats.

Allie showed up at door in rainstorm and Cassie we got after our other calico cat was put to sleep.

They both like to lie in sun mostly and sleep. Both are quite friendly, but Allie cat was probably abused as a kitten and tends to bite if petted too much. But we love her anyways and believe God sent her to us to take care of.

Alley Cat

Cassie

By Sherri from Granbury TX

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Make fine art from the most mundane objects! Here I photographed a common cheese grater, on a counter top in my kitchen. I can see this on a gallery wall.

This would be a good one to hang in a kitchen, especially one of the newer "Stainless Steel" styles.

By Grayce Pedulla Dillon from Fort Pierce, FL

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Sadie is a bouncing beautiful Beagle and is approximately 4 1/2 years old.

We adopted Sadie from the county animal shelter (dog pound) where she had been picked up as a stray. She was a little over a year old when we got her.

Sadie loves to play hide and seek - hides under a blanket and growls at you through the blanket, then runs around the house with the blanket over her.

This picture is of my daughter and Sadie - such a beautiful pair! Sadie sits up straight on the couch (like a human) to let you know she wants her belly scratched. She is such a fun part of our family!

By Connie from Roswell, NM

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When washing dishes by hand, don't keep the hot water running. Rather, partially fill up the sink with warm, sudsy water. Wash multiple items before running the warm water again to rinse them off. Allow to air dry in the drain. You'll save gallons of water.

By Fern from Portland, ME

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With canning season coming up soon, this idea is for making jams and jellies. When you make jams or jellies, the last process is a hot water bath. I even got a Master Canner agree with this method. When you have put on the two lids and need to do the hot water bath to fully seal the jar, place it in the dishwasher, during the rinse cycle. It is a sealed container and the temperature of the dishwasher is sufficient to seal the jars. Save money and time.

By Lois from Colton Ca

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I had a stain caused from water mixing with ink on some piece of junkmail. We tried baking soda, vinegar. Nope that didn't work. Then I thought hard for a minute, and ran to get my nail polish remover. It went -- like magic, like on tv when they are promoting something new and fantastic. Just pour it on, just be mindful of the type of counter you have.

By Lisa Hallman from Ajax, ON

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I love making icebox-type dessert pies for the summer season. So many of the recipes sounded great, but called for a chocolate cookie crumb crust. I'm not about to buy a pre-made chocolate crust, nor do I ever have chocolate cookies on hand cause they are too darned expensive to buy, and I didn't want to have to make chocolate cookies just for a crust.

SO, one day I was making a pie flavor that just screamed out for a chocolate crumb crust and I was going to use my plain old cheapo standby graham cracker crust recipe, but then I got a bright idea of adding some cocoa powder to the processor while making the crumbs. It worked great, 1/4 cup.

It was one of those inspired moments that you have no idea where they come from. I've made several of the crusts since then with the plain old cheapo graham crackers and cocoa powder and the pie flavors have definitely been enhanced by the chocolate flavored crust. I couldn't tell the difference between my fake chocolate cookie crust and one made from actual chocolate cookies.

By Susan M. from Omaha, Ne

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Stores that sell appliances love to have people buy appliances on their high interest store credit cards. That can result in paying double for the appliances if you don't pay them off aggressively. Always try to save up for large appliance purchases rather than putting them on a credit card. Also, be sure to check the local want ads. You can find good deals on appliances from people who have recently upgraded theirs.

By ThriftyFun

Do you have any tips for saving money on appliances? Feel free to share them in the feedback forum below.

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If you don't want to wait a few minutes for the light bulb to cool down, just use an oven mitt to untwist the hot bulb.

By ThriftyFun

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To eat eggs or not? Also, a secret to storing them. Since the early 70's, people have been debating whether or not eggs are bad for you and believe it seems the jury is still out. According to a study funded by the National Institute of Health, 1 egg per day is unlikely to have a substantial impact on the cardiovascular health among healthy men and women. From what I have read, the small adverse effects of cholesterol in an egg is counterbalanced by the nutrients. These nutrients include: B vitamins, antioxidants, folate and unsaturated fat.

Here's your insider secret to picking fresh eggs:

Look the other way when your eggs expire! It's true. If you buy federally graded eggs before the expiration date - you can use them safely for the next 3 to 5 weeks. This information was found in a Healthy newsletter I subscribe to. So enjoy a egg they are so inexpensive and good for you!

By Bobbie from Rockwall

Editor's Note: There is a great difference between the normal eggs sold in the grocery and farm fresh free range eggs. To read the dramatic difference go to:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/eggs

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Ah, the lowly cotton swab (or q-tip to you) - good for so many things. I just used it to clean off the little nooks and crannies of a vintage instrument I was trying to recover from its years of dust and grime. It can be a paint brush, or a makeup applicator. Or use it to apply bleach sparingly on a spot.

Use your imagination - and always keep some on hand. (I have picked up huge bags of them at the dollar store - they last me forever.)

By Pam from L.A., CA

Have any more ideas for using cotton swabs? Post them here.

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My Mother was raised during the depression so being Frugal is a way of life for me. Mother would never go anywhere unless it was to work, she did all her shopping on the way. If a store was more than a block or two off her route she didn't shop there.

Our gifts were either from Gold Stamps or she rebuilt, repainted, and remade finds. To this day, I can't remember ever having a birthday party, they were a waste of money. Now that I have raised my family, I thank her. My husband and I have raised 9 children, 5 lived with us full time, without my having to work outside the home.

Here are some frugal things I do...

For gifts I rebuild, repaint, and remake finds. This includes children's birthday parties. I just can't make myself give them up. My youngest daughter has been planning for prom all her high school life. She has 3 dresses to chose from without costing me anything. The dress she is going to wear she got from our church. Our church had a barn full of clothes for any member that has a need and she fell in love with a dress they had. She has volunteered her time in exchange for the dress. I actually have 2 two children going to prom this year and have spent less than $100.

For My Son

I got his clothes at a thrift store:

• Tuxedo... $20
• Shirt... $4
• Shoes... $7
• His (Senior) ticket... free
• Date's ticket... $35
• Date's corsage... $12.50

For My Daughter

• Dress... Free
• Shoes... Free
• Senior (Senior)
• Her Ticket... Free
• Corsage 12.50

That's a total of $91.00 and both kids look great.

When they were younger I could feed us all on $50 a week. A 5 pound roll of hamburger made 4 meals. We would eat 2 pound roast for Sunday night. A 10 pound bag of chicken leg quarters for the remaining meals. For just $16 we had meat for every evening. I would also buy 10 pounds of potatoes, some noodles, and 14 cans of vegetables. Any extra money went for soaps. shampoo, and snacks. They ate lunch at school and I ate leftovers for lunch.

Randa from Martindale, TX

Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml

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When boiling water for pasta, only put in the amount of water you really need and cover the pan until the water boils. The water will heat up faster.

By Fern from Portland, ME

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Does anyone have an inexpensive alternative to Spray 'n Wash? If so, please share with me.

Thanks!
Mary from San Diego, CA

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I am looking for a Weekly Reader Book (I believe) about a little ghost who wants to go to school and his adventures. I don't know the name of the book or who wrote it. I would like to find a copy of this book. Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
kmcl59 from Pensacola, FL

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I put a couple of scatter rugs on my kitchen floor, they bled (red dye) into the linoleum. It's a rental apartment. Please me remove the stain! I tried bleach, vinegar, mostly everything already posted (for magic marker) on linoleum. Any other ideas?

Mama J from Chandler, AZ

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I'm having a 30th surprise party for my husband. It's going to be at the Fox and Hound, where I have reserved 2 of the pool tables. I'm inviting 25-35 people, my question is what can we do while there besides drink and play pool? I'd like to have some games to do to get everyone involved but I have searched on the net and only find horribly silly games or things that are not appropriate. Any ideas?

Jennifer from Oklahoma

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How do you remove mascara from carpet?

AnnetteS

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I am in a contest for weight loss. I have three weeks left. Does anyone know a fast way to lose weight. I am doing it to raise money.

Pam

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I am looking for a knitting or crochet pattern for Irish step dance gillie-style baby booties. My pregnant daughter is an Irish step dance teacher and I would love to knit or crochet her some Irish gillie baby booties. Does anyone out there have a pattern for these?

Lori from South Jordan, UT

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Could you post some tips about how I can improve my FICO score?

Thanks,
Tim from NY

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Can I use Half and Half that has soured?

Lynkco from Prairie Home, MO

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Does anyone have a really good homemade spaghetti sauce recipe that they would like to share. Could you also include the amounts used of everything (including spices or herbs), and how much sauce it makes?

Thanks for all replies!
P.J. from Delaware

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I have a microfiber couch, my granddaughter got purple marker on it, the company I bought it from told me to use baby shampoo to clean it, I have tried that and also tried a small amount of alcohol, but neither of these is bringing the marker off, any suggestions? Please help!

Thank you,

Shar02822 from Cynthiana, KY

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I am seeking help on removing brownish orange blotches off a white nylon/polyester jacket due to color "bleeding". My mother soaked my white jacket with a pair of brown gloves and now they're ruined. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Cecilia from Vancouver, BC

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I just purchased and planted a Muskogee Crape Myrtle. It has no leaves on it yet. When should it start and when do the flowers start appearing?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

mg24510455 from Maryland

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Does anybody have a good way to make fresh spinach? I want to make it like how they serve it in the restaurants. Do I just boil it or what? Mine never quite turns out like the pro's make it.

Thanks!
Peggygv from San Antonio, TX

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I am new here and I am trying to become more thrifty if you would say. :O) I have had some hard times with money in my 26 years of being here. Here is my question: Does anyone have a idea for cheaper laundry soap? I am open to all ideas, that's for sure. I have a family of 4 and this includes two little ones so it would have to be something that can cut dirt as well.

Thanks so much for your time, :O)
Shawna from Walbridge, Ohio

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We're trying to spike our hair up and we don't know where to start! Any advice? We have long hair and some G2B freeze spray.

MelBex from YT

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How do I get dried cement off my tarmac driveway?

Martin from England

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Just wondering if anyone knows the best way to get a new plant from my spider plant that is making babies. I've heard (or read) that you can put them in water (to make roots) or plant them in a new pot full of dirt. I have also heard that the sprouts will just grow as a plant? I would like to know the best way as I have about 15 to do something with, and no green thumb.

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Thanks,
Tami from Charleston, SC

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The plastic On-Off-Speed knob on my trusty Patton fan has cracked. Naturally, I don't know what kind of plastic it is. Is it realistic to try to repair the knob with glue? What kind?

Renlute from Palo Alto, CA

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Does anyone know what a good credit score is? I am referring to the FICO score.

Thanks,
Tim fom NY

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Gardens Alive

$20 FREE off your first order at Gardens Alive!

http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/gardens.lasso

Breed Description: Shih Tzus have compact, sturdy bodies with long flowing double coats and long facial hair. Considered a sacred animal in its native China, the nimble Shih Tzu was once described as having a lively gait 'like a goldfish.' Bright and expressive, this breed excels at what it was bred for-companionship.

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Through the years, I've read at least one hundred different articles with tips and tricks on how to cut your grocery bill. With a large family, I've followed most of the advice at one time or another. I've cut coupons, browsed through sales flyers, etc. One piece of advice that doesn't work for me is to planning a week's worth of meals and shop only once a week.

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Say goodbye to generic jarred pasta sauces and experience your own restaurant quality meaty pasta sauce any day of the week. Prepare large batches in advance, freeze and enjoy with every pasta meal.

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Breed Description: Greyhounds are slim, graceful and aerodynamically built for speed. They have long, flat skulls, long sharp muzzles, deep chests and strong, powerful legs. These dogs are incredibly athletic in build, highly intelligent and independent in nature.

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