Daily Thrifty Tips - May 3, 2006

Gardens Alive

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Jupiter's Beard good cut flower. It self seeds. They need little water and is surviving in poor clay soil here on the "Path Garden". It could be a weed soon. LOL

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark,Ca.

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You know you're in the south when ...

By Dawn Sposato from Gainesville, FL

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This simple project is a wonderful way to use the china teacups gathering dust on your shelves. Filled with soil and ivy they make dainty and long-lived planters.

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Chip is a 5 year old Border Collie Mix and Pixel the Pomeranian lived to be 15. I got them both from the dog pound! Saved them! Their favorite thing to do was take a bath.

Well, sad news is that Pixel (the Pom) died about a month ago. We miss her and I thought I'd submit this in her honor. She was a sweet girl!

By Freidaw from Anaheim, CA

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The first thing I do upon receiving my AARP magazine is tear out those pesky mail-in reply cards that make the magazine difficult to handle, but before pitching them, I check for blanks. Since I do not regularly stock postcards, these are a handy substitute for business-related needs. I have also cut them down to use in a rolodex file or even for recipe cards I do out for others. They are already perforated and quite easy to remove, most of them are a convenient-to-use size, and they didn't cost me anything.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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You can even save dollars on boating - In a well known marine store I saw boat curtains for $22 for a panel. We used bargain valance ruffles from the dollar store and instead of $100+ for curtains, we got easily installed ones that are perfectly good for $5!

By pam from L.A., CA

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I came from a family of 10 kids. With 12 people in the house, we had to be frugal - that's all we knew. My Mom, never bought anything that she couldn't make. She made fabulous meals that stretched with enough for leftovers. I never ate in a restaurant until I was 13 years old - and then my neighbor treated me. I never felt deprived - I thought that's how everybody lived.

Now in my married life, I'm still frugal. I stick the tail end of a bar of soap to the new bar so nothing is wasted. I cut the top off the toothpaste tube - still a couple of brushings left! I pull the plastic pour spout out of the laundry detergent, you'd be surprised how much is still left in those bottles that won't come out! I make all my own Christmas gifts. Best of all, I found the greatest 2nd hand store where I buy my clothes. I can get better things there for less!

Lovethosehounds from Port Charlotte, FL

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For new stains, club soda can be an effective spot removing for clothing and carpets. First blot the stain to soak up as much as possible. Then pour club soda directly on the stain, wait a 5 seconds and scrub the area with a damp sponge. For stains on carpet, if the stain has been successfully removed, put a towel on the top of the area with a book on top of it. This will soak up any moisture that remains in the carpet or the pad.

By ThriftyFun

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Those little soap bars that you get at motels and as samples go to good use by the side of the kitchen sink and wherever else you need just a little bit of soap. I save all of mine (even when they are slightly used) and put them in a bag to use up at home. And then I put them in a decorative saucer or interesting old ashtray by the sink. Much cheaper than liquid soap!

By pam from L.A.

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If you are going to attend a vendor show (or fair of some type) where you think there might be multiple opportunities to register for door prizes or drawings, a fast and easy way to get the information down is to use your home address labels. Normally, all you have to add is your telephone number.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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First, the best way to prevent heel marks is to have a "no shoes" policy in your house. If you have a heel mark you need to remove, just rub it with a pencil eraser. A "magic" eraser works well for removing heel marks on floors or baseboards.

By ThriftyFun

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Thought for the Day: There are two worlds; the world that we can measure with line and rule, and the world that we feel with our hearts and imagination.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Here's a tip for dealing with wet, muddy foot print on carpet. Sprinkle cornstarch over the foot print and let it dry. Once dry, vacuum up the cornstarch. In any case, mud is always much easier to remove when it is dry, if you try to clean it when it is wet, you just spread it around.

By ThriftyFun

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Ask yourself if there is a real need to have the fastest Internet service at premium prices. Keeping your computer maintained will keep your computer functioning faster.

Consider unlimited "Dial Up Service" for $9.95 a month. I prepay 3 years and have not had a problem with my local ISP. I feel I have more time than money! There is nothing that I need that fast to pay a premium price to have the fastest Internet Service.

By Syd from Dunkirk, MD

Read more tips for saving money on your internet service below. Feel free to post your ideas.

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I have just obtained two Spy Apple plants. They are about three feet in height in the pots. Please advise me on transplanting.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Damann from Brooklyn, New York

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What are some good ideas for 12 year old birthday parties?

Mari From Rosedale, MN

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How can I get bathtub decals off?

nsd624 from Madison, WI

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We are having a very large family reunion. I am in charge of this event this year. I am looking for games or some form of entertainment. Any help would be appreciated!

Mylene Holmes from Mankato Minnesota

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Have you ever heard of adding fennel seed to your homemade spaghetti sauce? Is it any good?

Thanks,
P.J. from Delaware

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My husband's leather chair is beginning to acquire an odor. What can I do to eliminate it. I have already cleaned with leather cleaner but to no avail.

Billie from Texas

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My children stained my dark gray formica countertop with toothpaste (whitening toothpaste). Is there a way to restore the color or draw out the "bleached" stain?

Mike from NY

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I have vertical blinds in our living room but they are beige with pink and blue in them and our room is now light blue with a white rug. Is there any way of painting or somehow changing the colour? New ones are so expensive.

Jane from Richmond, B.C. CANADA

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I have a philodendron (heart-shaped leaves) and in about a month will be embarking on a three-week road trip, with my house plant in the car. I'm very nervous about him making it through the trip alive, and I have a few specific questions if you could please help me out:

1) Is it safe to clip my plant before I move? He is very long and viney and I think he would be easier to transport if he was smaller, is there any way to do this safely?

2) Any tips for car travel with plants, other than taking him out to give him air to breathe whenever we stop?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Thanks so much!
Lindsey from Montreal, Quebec

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I have a painted sheetrock wall. I was wondering if I can texture it with sheetrock mud. Then repaint it. Has anyone ever done this and was it succesful?

Verue from LA

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Gardens Alive

$20 FREE off your first order at Gardens Alive!

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

Breed Description: This version of the Schnauzer retains all of the characteristics of the standard-sized Schnauzer-a square shaped body, wiry coat, v-shaped ears, bushy eyebrows, a prominent beard and a large black nose. This affectionate, obedient breed is playful and alert and makes an ideal small companion dog.

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Breed Description: The Schipperke is a small, compact dog with a short back, strong legs, docked tail and fox-like head. This breed has a distinctive black coat that forms a ruff at the neck. His alert and loyal nature makes him a fine watchdog. Originally used as a guard dog on barges, this small breed is at home on boats and has an inquisitive nature regarding everything around him.

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I grew up in a rural community in the 1970s and 80s with a burn barrel in the backyard. Like most of our neighbors, our family burned trash in an effort to minimize costly trips to the dump. As a kid, it was one of my favorite chores. I mean, what kid doesn't like being asked to light stuff on fire? We kept our burning confined to a 55-gallon drum (no big mattresses or car tires), but we burned our fair share of paper and plastic. If only I had known then what I know now, I would have dragged my feet kicking and screaming if I had been asked to "take this out to the burn barrel."

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Spontaneous shopping is not only a problem but a habit as well. Have you ever gone shopping because you were bored or because it was a rainy day? This behavior leads to overspending and overcrowding in your home. Instead, follow some rules while shopping to eliminate the desire to purchase.

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There aren't many recipes this good that call for only five ingredients! With just a couple of short cuts and a little effort, you can enjoy your own Sloppy Joes whenever you want to!

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