Daily Thrifty Tips - January 19, 2006

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This picture is of my and my best friends before Homecoming! YAYA So much fun!

By Rachel from Libertyville, Il

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Master Baxter is 6 month old AKC registered Black Labrador Retriever.

Baxter if from my 1st and only litter of puppies raised from my chocolate male and my black female labradors.

He loves to play rough with his father Chance.

He's mamma's boy. He's a little on the shy side and definitely not because he hasn't been around people. He just loves to stand right by "momma"!

By Cynthia from Shacklefords, Va

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Here's a quick and tasty way to cook potatoes - and make them look like they are roasted even though they are not - and without the fat!

First wash your potatoes and then cut them into bite size pieces. (I leave the skins on.) Microwave them for 4-6 minutes or until they are fairly soft but not too soft. Then pop them under the grill of 5-10 minutes till they have a nice roasted appearance. They will look and taste great!

By browser from uk

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Microfiber cloths sold in the automotive section (they are 8 or 9 inch square) fit great on the swiffer mop head. They can pick up a lot wet or dry, and are great for dusting. They are machine washable (best to hang dry) or you can just rinse and reuse if you are not using chemicals. Great to keep one in the bathroom for wiping steamy shower walls or mirrors.

By Kelly from Willamina, OR

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A businessman was in a great deal of trouble. His business was failing, he had put everything he had into the business, he owed everybody. It was so bad he was even contemplating suicide. As a last resort he went to a priest and poured out his story of tears and woe.

When he had finished, the priest said, "Here's what I want you to do: Put a beach chair and your Bible in your car and drive down to the beach. Take the beach chair and the Bible to the water's edge, sit down in the beach chair, and put the Bible in your lap. Open the Bible; the wind will rifle the pages, but finally the open Bible will come to rest on a page. Look down at the page and read the first thing you see. That will be your answer, that will tell you what to do."

A year later the businessman went back to the priest and brought his wife and children with him. The man was in a new custom-tailored suit, his wife in a mink coat, the children shining. The businessman pulled an envelope stuffed with money out of his pocket, gave it to the priest as a donation in thanks for his advice.

The priest recognized the benefactor, and was curious. "You did as I suggested?" he asked.

"Absolutely," replied the businessman.

"You went to the beach?"

"Absolutely."

"You sat in a beach chair with the Bible in your lap?"

"Absolutely."

"You let the pages rifle until they stopped?"

"Absolutely."

"And what were the first words you saw?"

"Chapter 11."

Submitted by GB

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Does it seem your son or daughter always "needs" (or wants) money? One way to save YOUR money is to help your preteen/teen develop a small business. Your son or daughter will learn the life skills of work, responsibility, and accountability. He/she will experience the pros and cons of independent business ownership/management, learning self-reliance and customer service. Recognizing the value of money and making better purchase decisions can result.

Last fall our 12 year old daughter started a pet care business for the neighbors on our street. With just a few regular customers, she now has her own spending money.

She tithes to church and contributes to her savings account, developing positive life habits - all with no monetary cost to me. She bought her own Christmas gifts this year and even took us to lunch. My only investment is parental support.

Now she is researching her earning limits before paying taxes to the IRS- another life lesson in the making and I open my own purse much less!

By Meritmom from Byhalia, MS

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Just because a sandpaper has become flat doesn't necessarily mean it's worn out. The sandpaper may just be clogged with sawdust. Try removing the sawdust with a soft bristled brush.

By ThriftyFun

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When the nail head breaks off a nail, it can be tough to get the claw of the hammer to grip the nail. To remove the nail, slip the claw of the hammer over the remainder of the nail and then pull the nail out by moving the hammer sideways instead of straight out.

By ThriftyFun

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To prevent any musky or unidentifiable odors when I change my linens I dust the mattress with Baby Powder. You can use the baby powder from the dollar store.

Make the bed as usual and know that you will sleep like a baby.

By Pat from Peoria, Az.

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For preschoolers and babies, nothing beats a cardboard box! Older preschoolers can color on it, and decorate. Babies like to play peek a boo with the flaps (check it first for any small items.)

Make drums with empty oatmeal containers or the big formula/peanut butter cans (nowadays with safety lids)

Buy a cheap set of dominoes or cards for older preschoolers. They can learn numbers, sequencing, play memory, and learn matching and basic addition with the dominoes.

Keep a supply of non-bleach disinfecting wipes for cleaning garage sale and thrift store toys, or ones that are dropped. Dry thoroughly before playing!

On the days you have no choice but to go to a fast food restaurant, take advantage of the kid's meal (free toys) even for yourself. Restaurants like Wendy's and McDonalds have toys for ages 0-3. If you have a toddler (or crawler) order a meal for yourself (would you believe that used to be the size of a regular meal?) and save that toy for your child. Then they won't try to steal big brother's or sister's stuff.

Good way to get DH to eat less of the stuff too! Besides it's cheaper to eat that and you get more choices nowadays. Because they are toys that you got for free, keep them in the car for emergency fun! Or for grandkids visiting at the house.

By Kelly from Willamina, OR

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I wear contacts and also use hair spray, I found that spraying my hair after putting on a sun visor keeps the hair spray out of my eyes and off my face.

Hope this helps someone whether or not you wear contacts.

By RoseMary B. from Texas Creek, CO

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My husband and I had moved to a home that was completely furnished and we stored our household goods, furniture, etc. in a 53' semi trailer until we moved to another home. My husband had some moth balls in a box that was emminating a smell in the trailer and when we get things out of the trailer they smell like moth balls. We are afraid that our furniture will smell when we move. Anyone have any ideas on what to do now with stuff in the trailer? What can we put in it to get the smell out? I just hope our couch, beds, china hutch isn't ruined.

Jadef from Kansas City, KS

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I am looking for a oriental salad that uses ramen noodles. I would appreciate your help.

Denise from Smithville, MO

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I need help with a birthday gift for my 80 year old mom. She's out of state so the item would have to be shipped. She has everything and not much room.

Thanks,
Sara from Phoenix

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I bought a leather coat from an online auction and it reeks of cigarette smoke. How do I get the smell out of the coat? It is a very nice soft leather.

Ruthie from Kingston Springs, TN

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I am a plus size lady and have a rather heavy bust. Whenever I eat, I somehow spill food on my tops and they don't come out in the wash. Most of my tops are clean but have these stains on them and I don't like to wear them. I don't want to throw them away because there is nothing wrong with them other than the stains. Anybody have any ideas for me? Would really appreciate it.

Peggy M. from Gaithersburg, MD

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I think it was here (Thriftyfun.com newsletter) that I saw a recipe for Homemade Peanut Butter Cups. Well, I copied it and printed it but now I have misplaced it. Does anybody out there have a recipe? I need it for next weekend for my husband's birthday party.

Thanks!
Paula from Portugal

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I accidently got something red in my white laundry and everything has a pink cast now. I have tried hot water and oxyclean several times to remove the pink to no avail. How do I get my whites white again?

Ruthie from Kingston Springs, TN

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My niece just bought a bar and is looking for ideas to attract more customers and get the town to know the new bar and owners. I don't drink and would love any ideas someone could give me on what to do for fun and getting the business going. Ideas to liven up the bar and get the customers wanting to come and have fun even if they don't drink would be great.

Needy from Mount Ayr Indiana

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I want to start redecorating my house and dont have too much money. We have ugly brown carpet with dark stained crown molding. I want to replace the furniture and paint the walls. Our living room and dining room is one open space, I need color ideas.

Christina from Richmond, WA

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Does anyone know of any satellite TV providers that do not require a credit card to establish service?

Dashcar from Sioux Falls, SD

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I need opinions and creative ideas. My husband and I are going to be getting an entertainment center and two tall bookshelves from our in-laws. They are a light wood colored pressed board. So, to be creative and maybe add to our color scheme, I thought we'd paint them before we get them in the house... my husband has yet to be convinced.

Our colors are red, olive, and a golden yellow. I've been watching decorating shows, and I want my "new" furniture to have some character. Thanks. (If it helps, we have a large wall that is red, and two couches that are a solid olive color.)

Olivia from Baton Rouge

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Has anyone ever had lyrics to a song stuck in their head, but can't remember who sings it? The lyrics go like this "she's young now she's wild now she's free", and that is all that keeps running through my head!

Julie from Watertown, NY

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I'm hoping someone can help with a crochet problem. I recently started an afghan using the afghan stitch. This is the first time I've tried the stitch and the piece I'm crocheting is rolling up. Is it supposed to do that? Any help will be appreciated.

Jayne from Bristow, VA

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What are the best kind of apples for baked goods? Not sure if I should just ask Canadians this (lol) as the USA might have different kinds of apples there. There are just so many different kinds in the grocery stores now a days. Would love everyone's input on this.

Yvonne from Ontario

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I need substitute for Beano that can be used for preventing gas and bloating from eating beans and vegetables.

Ed Langley from Rockford, Illinois

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How do you remove lip gloss from a coat?

Jenn from Hempstead, NY

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Does anyone know how or what to use to remove reddish-orange stains resulting from Uristat, AZO and other products used for UTI's and/or bladder infections? Some of the tiny tablets had come out of their packaging in my hand bag and now everything is reddish-orange, including the lining of my bag. Even my hands are stained and nothing seems to be helping. Any advice with this, other than do not get any more bladder infections in the first place?

Megan from White Lake, MI

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My 2 year old grandson recently wrote on his mom's hardwood floor with a Magic Marker. Does anyone know how to clean this without ruining the finish? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jackie V. from Walker, LA

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How can I clean formica furniture?

C from Coconut Creek, Florida

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