If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

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Removing Debris From Drinking Pails

To remove the hay or straw debris from the alpaca's drinking pail, use a slotted spaghetti lifter/pasta server. No need to freeze your fingers in the winter!

By Emily from RI

Removing Debris From Drinking Pails

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Garden: Blue Morning Glories

This is a shot of my lovely morning glories this past summer - you can see the coxcomb in the background. This was a glorious sight first thing in the morning with dew sparkling on them!

By Roseoma3 from Liberal, MO

Blue Morning Glories

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Garden: Blue Jay In The Snow

A Bluejay about to take flight after snatching a peanut I put out for the squirrels.

By Melmarr from Michigan

Blue Jay In The Snow

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Pinky (Domestic Shorthair)

Pinky is a 4 year old domestic shorthair cat. We adopted Pinky with his brother, Fuzzy, in February 2007 from a local rescue.

Pinky loves to reach out and grab people's feet. My son is not too happy about that one! He also really loves the laser pointer and will run into the open looking around for it whenever he hears the keychain on the end of it jingle. He'll chase that thing for 30 minutes. After it's disappeared, he swears it's still there somewhere!

Pinky had intestinal surgery in October 2008 (from swallowing too much fur)! We have 4 other cats (5 total) and we have to police him so he doesn't clean ALL of the other cats!

By Jackie from Feasterville, PA

Pinky (Domestic Shorthair)

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Craft Project: Balloon And Paddle Game

Hit a balloon with homemade paddles, like tennis or badminton.

Approximate Time: 10 minutes

Supplies:

1 round balloon
2 - 12 inch rulers or paint stir sticks
Scissors or utility knife
Masking tape
2 paper plates

Instructions:

Cut 2 slits the width of the ruler in the middle of the paper plates about 1 1/2 inches apart with scissors or a sharp utility knife. Please do this part by an adult.

Slide the end of the ruler in one slit and through the other slit from the front of the plates.

Tape the sides of the slits with masking tape for security.

Blow up a round balloon.

Set up a chair or other barrier for the little ones to hit the balloon over using their paddles.

Or another idea is to hang the balloon front a long string from the ceiling, keeping it a good length for them to reach, if there is only one child and they can hit the balloon with the paddle by themselves without having to chase it around the house..

By D.L. from Millbury, OH

Balloon And Paddle Game

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Tip Contest
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

My Frugal Life
Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Easy Tip To Save Money Now

In an attempt to try and save money this year, we are only going to the store once a month and really watching our food budget. We also try to keep the heat turned down when we can. It's been a cold winter here and sometimes we just add more warm clothes and blankets. We also have quit shopping as much and only buying things we need. And we rarely go out for fast food anymore and we rent DVD's instead of going to the movies.

Source: Just things we thought of.

By Sherry from Poulsbo WA

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Wax Your Curtain Rods

We have fancy metal curtain rods but the tabbed drapes did not slide easily across them. I put a coat of car wax on them. The curtains slide really easily now!

By Janice from Abilene, TX

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Product Review: Pledge Multi Surface Duster

I like it. A lot. Very good for cleaning items that are almost hard to reach (I'm short) and delicate items with a lot of projections and depressions (like my shelving unit with assorted figurines and vases).

Ordinarily, I don't use disposable cloths because they only serve to clutter up landfills, but this one is a keeper. I will add that it could use a few modifications. The bottom of the wand gets more use than the top. By the time the bottom fills up with dust, you don't want to touch it any more than you absolutely have to - although you could certainly pull the duster mitten part off, flip it over, and slip it back on.

It comes as a large fork with a handle. The forked part gets the slip on duster 'mitten'. Disposable duster mittens are available, 4 to a package. The mittens on the box cover picture seem larger than they really are. Purchased it at Target with a coupon in anticipation of a big house cleaning. I don't recall the price.

http://www.pledge.com

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Keep a Journal By Your Computer

I keep a journal type book right by my computer to write down recipes, tips, ideas, sayings or quotes I like. I have found this to be invaluable to me.

By Janette from Parkersburg,WV

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All Purpose Household Cleaner

Ingredients:

1 tsp borax
1/2 tsp washing soda (found in laundry aisle)
2 tsp vinegar
1/4 tsp dishwashing liquid
2 cups hot water

Directions:

Combine all ingredients. For a more pleasant smell, use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Put in small spray bottle and shake well.

Source: I saw this in a Farm Show magazine.

By Jan from Springfield, MN

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Organizing and Displaying Toy Cars and Trains

First go to any discount store and purchase see through fishing tackle type boxes of various sizes and place your child's toy trains, or hot wheel cars in them. Most of these have removable slots so you can easily customize yours if you are like me and have small trains and larger ones with tenders. It is so neat and easy for your little one to find and put away and so much cheaper than a train carrying case or cars carrying case. I even drew my son's name on the front of the case and used Thomas stickers on his to personalize it. The trains are put away when he is not playing with them but yet he can easily find which one he wants if you are like me and have way too many trains. They are perfect stackables for shelves or under the bed storage but easy to find when your child wants that favorite car or train!

Source: After pricing all the expensive train carrying cases I discovered this was a cheaper way and see through which made it easy for my son to find and put away.

By Karen from Union, SC

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Valentine's Bathroom Mirror

My sweetie is not into big gifts, fancy cards, or other holiday kitsch so this Valentine's day I am showing my love for him in a very heartfelt way. I made a heart pattern that will fit on a 3x3 inch post-it note. I cut out 50 heart shaped post-it notes (so far) in various pastel colors. On each of them I wrote a reason why I love him using a fun colored pen.

Some of them are silly, some are serious, and some only he'll know the true meaning! Anyway, on Valentine's day, I plan on turning his entire bathroom mirror into a Valentine card. At the top I'll add a sign that says "Why I Love" with an arrow pointing down to him every time he stands at the vanity. I can't think of a more personalized Valentine message.

Source: Just dreamed this up myself.

By Terri from Denver, CO

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Dental Floss for Sturdy Buttons

When my children were little, I used to secure buttons on their clothing with dental floss. There is no need to remove the button or existing thread. Just thread a needle with the floss and go through the shank or thread holes of the button once or even twice and tie it off. If it's a dark colored button, you can color the floss with a permanent marker to make it less noticeable.

You can't break dental floss with your bare hands and the buttons will stay on until you want them off. This is especially helpful on coats/jackets and jean waistbands. No more lost buttons!

Source: My Mom

By Carol from TX

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Have a Dedicated Recipe Computer

I've been an avid cookbook collector for over 40 years with literally hundreds of cookbooks! Because there are special recipes that my family likes in each cookbook, I used to find myself on the floor with piles of cookbooks around me as I tried to find a specific recipe. My solution, which my family really appreciates, is I purchased a used laptop and put a recipe program on it. This laptop is dedicated to recipes and is used for nothing else. As time permitted, I would go through my cookbooks and type favorite recipes on my laptop.

To make it really easy to find special recipes, I created separate cookbooks categories within the cookbook program for the recipes (like BREAD - BAGELS, BREAD - BRAIDS and WREATHS, BREAD - BREAD MACHINE, BREAD - BUNS, BREAD - COFFEE CAKES, BREAD - CORN BREAD, BREAD - CREPES & PANCAKES, BREAD - DINNER ROLLS, etc) Each category has it's own Table of Contents.

It does take some time to type recipes into separate cookbook categories but, in the long run, the categories have saved me hundreds of hours from searching for a specific recipe. I have 383 different categories in my laptop computer book now because the search engine within the recipe program limits my categories to 100 recipes. By keeping my categories within the 100 recipe limit, I can use the search engine to find all recipes using a specific ingredient, like apples, pumpkins, etc. The search engine enables me to create different dishes with the same primary ingredient. That way I can take advantage of in season specials without feeding the same thing over and over to my family.

There's plenty of room for all the recipes I'll ever want. I set the type size as large as possible to easily read the recipes without having to be right on top of the computer. Now I can have my laptop on the counter and get things from around the room as I need them without having to go back to the laptop to see what the next ingredient is. Of course, I input my ThriftyFun recipes and other recipes I may find that I like (say in magazines) in the laptop. I'm almost half way done with my cookbooks. It's nice to know that I have thousands of recipes already on the laptop.

When I've finished going through all the cookbooks, I plan on getting a used laptop for each of my daughters and putting the recipes on each dedicated laptop. Then, long after I'm gone, they will still be able to have a part of me at their table. My girls are pleased that some day they will have all of these recipes without having to look thru all the cookbooks to find them. Some day I'm going to have to part with all the cookbooks. Some of them are very old. But I haven't figured out the best way to do that yet.

I do hope you enjoy creating your own cookbook laptop like I have. The process has given me a LOT of fun going over the recipes. Since I'm typing the recipes instead of creating them, I've also saved myself a LOT of calories too! Make sure you back up your recipes as you go along. It would be horrible to have a computer failure and lose all that work.

Source: original

By Bobbie from Mesa, AZ

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Check To See If Your Skillet Is Level

If you have a skillet that always sticks, check this: Put it on a level surface and see if it sets flat, or if it tilts slightly. If it's doing the tilting, that's the cause of the problem - it's not your cooking!

Source: My own idea after having problems with an expensive skillet that wasn't made properly and which always had food sticking to it.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

You are on the bus when you suddenly realize ... you need to fart. The music playing is really loud, so you time your farts with the beat. After a couple of songs, you start to feel better as you approach your stop.

As you are leaving the bus, people are really staring at you, and that's when you realize you have been listening to your ipod.

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

Looking for Old Fairy Tales Book

I had a book of fairy tales when I was a child and it finally fell apart. My mother threw it away one day and I would like to replace it. I do not know the title of it (sadly) and it has been 10 years since I have seen it. I purchased it at a yard sale. Now that I have children, I would like to read them stories from this book. There are many books out there that are good, but I want this particular book.

Some of the stories were, Boots and his Brothers, The Sea Maiden, The White Snake, Rapunzel, The Widow's Son, The Ass..Table..and Stick, The Princess Who Lived on a Glass Hill, Puss in Boots, and many others. If anyone could help me find the title and maybe more importantly, the Book I would sincerely appreciate it. I would like to have this particular one. Thanks everyone for your time!

Jamey from Chapel Hill, NC

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Carpet Dirty from Heavy Traffic

I have a heavy traffic carpet area that I just can't get all the way clean. I have a Bissel Steam Cleaner. I have even sprayed it with Oxy-Clean laundry pre-treatment spray before using the steamer, but it still looks dirty compared to the surrounding area. I would appreciate any ideas.

Mary from Hummelstown, PA

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Growing a Poinsettia

I have always considered myself to be a good plant person. I own 9 very large African violets, one spider, Christmas cactus, poinsettia, pot of begonias and several medium bamboo. However very successful with the African violets, every once in a while a bamboo dies which I'm told shouldn't happen. My cactus isn't showing much sign of growth either. Every time I've tried a poinsettia, they die in two weeks. I carefully water it, it gets sunlight whenever it is shining in the SE. My two ideas were that I should re-pot them in better soil and should stop bottom feeding. If you can help me keep my poinsettia alive that would be great.

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Jordan from Farmington, MI

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Saving Money on Fat-Free Half-n-Half

Any ideas for saving money on fat-free half-n-half. I use fat-free half-n-half in my coffee but it's more expensive than the whole-fat variety. I also like skimmed-evaporated milk in my coffee, if I don't have my half-n-half, but it's not any cheaper.

Laure from North East, MD

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Reviews of CatGenie Cat Box

Does anyone have a CatGenie? It is a self-flushing, self-washing cat box from PetNovations. Approx. retail value: $329. I just entered a sweepstakes to win one and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this product.

Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH

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What Breed is My Dog?

Just wondering what breeds my dog might have in him. He is a golden retriever cross. Some people have said that he might have border collie in him or husky. Just wondering what you all think. His name is Luke and he is 6 years old. We adopted him from the SPCA. He is the best!

Diane from Alberta, Canada

What Breed is My Dog?

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Pecan Cobbler Recipe

I wold like to find a recipe for pecan cobbler. Thanks.

Perla from Pontotoc, MS

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Buying an Acai Berry Bush

I'm looking to buy an Acai Berry Bush. Does anyone know where I can buy one either by catalog or website?

orugun1 from Portland, OR

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Recipe for Lemon Garlic Salt

My local store stopped carrying lemon garlic salt. Does anyone know how to make it or what stores carry it? It is very good on almost any food! Thanks.

orugun1 from Portland, OR

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Yellow Rainbow Tea Ideas

I am looking for ideas and activities for a rainbow tea. My color is yellow.

Renae from Tarboro

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What Breed is My Dog?

My gorgeous boy Pasha is the best thing that ever happened to me! He's sweet, funny and smart. When I first got him, they told me he was a pure breed, but I doubt it. Do you guys have any idea what mix he is?

Sandra from FL

What Breed is My Dog?

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Dog Has Inconsistent Appetite

Also, he is 9 months and weighs only 50 lbs. He does not eat much, some days he eats a lot, 4 or 5 times a day and other days he just eats half a cup or 1 cup (same food always or a mix of wet and dry). His stools are always normal and he's never had upset stomach that I know of. How do I know if for example his teeth are bothering him? Any clues? Thanks!

Sandra from FL

Dog Has Inconsistent Appetite

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Tool for Making Sequin Balls

I saw a tool, a long time ago, that pushes the pins, with a sequin, in to the ball. It had a wooden handle an some way to hold the pin I believe. Please help me, my hands and fingers don't do well pushing the pins in anymore. Thank you.

Susan

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Glue for Making Paper Toys

I recently discovered the wealth of paper toy patterns available online at sites such as www.thetoymaker.com But I've been having trouble finding information on the best kind of glue to use. Rubber cement is too slow to dry, and Elmer's seems to soak through the paper too much. A glue stick doesn't offer enough precision. Does anyone have recommendations?

Chloe

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Jokes for Assisted Living Facility

I belong to a church group that go to an assisted living facility every Friday and need access to some clean jokes to help us entertain. We usually have a talk about the Bible, a little singing and then some "jokes" or stories to lift their spirits. I would love some suggestions as to where to locate this sort of item, even books or whatever. Thanks to all and God Bless us all.

Betty from Belleview, FL

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Protecting a Tattoo When Tanning

I am looking for a tanning lotion to put on my tattoo to keep it from fading when tanning outside and in the tanning bed.

Kelly

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Cleaning a Shower Head

How do I take off my shower head to clean it? I have a Pegasus shower head and the holes are stopped up.

Sue from Norman, OK

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Inexpensive Reception Ideas

We are getting married on 06/12/09 and having the reception on 06/13/09. I need ideas for a very inexpensive reception, under $2000. My colors are chocolate and teal. It's an outside reception by a pool. Thanks very much.

Melody from Huntsville, AL

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Cakes Sticking to the Pan

My cake stuck to the pan. I greased and floured the pan (Wilton 9 inch round). I just started cake decorating class and thought baking would be the easy part, I guessed wrong. How do I stop the cake from sticking? Now I have a clumpy mess of cake so I will have to make a new one. Any hints or advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

Janet from Ontario

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Saltines and Peanut Butter Cookies

I am looking for a recipe for a no-bake cookies with two of the ingredients being peanut butter and saltine crackers, but does not have chocolate in it. Thanks for
the help.

Lin from Topeka, Kansas

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Budgeting Groceries for a Family of Four

I was wondering what a family of four spends on their grocery bill each week. I live with my husband and two daughters aged 9 and 13. I have worked out a new budget this year as we want to make inroads on our mortgage. I have budgeted to spend AUD 150 per week on food including pet food.

That averages out to under $40 per person. Am I being realistic or am I dreaming that I can keep this up? I have two small dogs, a rabbit, a bird and two hens. I did the grocery shopping last week and spent the $150 which did't include meat as I already had some in the freezer. I realize that I don't have the luxury to be spontaneous.

Patricia from Riverstone, Australia

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Using Olive Oil for Dry Skin

What is the best olive oil to use on your face? I have extremely dry skin and nothing seems to work where it's manageable and comfortable. I have used high end products to drug store products and just cannot find the right moisturizer for my skin. I'm in my early 40's and experiencing very dry skin. Dry skin hurts too! Please help! Which olive oil has worked or not worked. I would appreciate your advise. Thanks.

Ro from San Antonio, TX

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Donating Old Trophies

I have several old trophies I'd like to donate somewhere. Is there anyone in the Allentown, PA area that would take them?

J from Allentown, PA

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Lid Covers Prevent the Toilet Seat from Staying Up

I like to use lid covers on my toilet. The problem is for the guys - how can they get the seat to stay up since the thickness of the lid cover prevents this?

Polly from Turtle Creek, PA

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Recipe for Millionaire Candy

I'm looking for a recipe for Millionaire Candy. Thanks!

Judy from Collierville, TN

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Make Up Stains on Furniture

How can I get oil from dirty hair and make-up off of white couch material?

Evelyn from Alvin, TX

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Recipe for Coffee Chews

I am interested in an easy inexpensive "coffee chews" recipe. It needs to pack a lot of punch to deliver a great deal of caffeine kick in a small portion. I know about chocolate covered coffee beans and have had them for myself and have given them as a gift. I realize there are free recipes online to easily make my own. The problem is I would like something similar with no hard crunching needed, something chewy and delicious please!

melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO

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Tape Residue on Photos

I had to tape pics onto a poster board for my dd's student of the week, and now I have a sticky residue on the back of the pics. Does anyone out there have a safe way to remove the residue without ruining the pics? Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions.

jmz2005 from IL

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Removing a Facial Scar

I have an old surgery scar on my mouth and I want something to help remove the scar.

Kholiwe

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Selling Land in Another Country

Does anyone have ideas on how to sell land, 30 acres in Belize? I am out of ideas!

Eve from Belize

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Zone Diet Recipes

I have started the Zone diet and would like to have a few simple recipes for 14 count days. I am getting tired of 4 ounce ground round on lettuce leaf with dill pickle.
Thanks.

Hope from Charleston, SC

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Removing Leg Warmer From Knifty Knitter

I too have lost the Knifty Knitter instructions. I am trying to make my daughter a pair of leg warmers with the blue circle loom so I need the top open. But since this is the first time I have ever done this I have no idea how to take it off the loom. I looked on the other sites and still can not figure it out. If someone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

Jen from York, PA

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

My Frugal Life: Zero Degrees and Dropping

The high temp today is -5 (Fahrenheit) and falling toward -15. Fearing my face will crack, I'm staying in.

I could set the thermostat at 72 degrees, but it's at 64. I don't need to be cheap, but I want to. Plus I don't want to be a fuel hog. I am home alone, so there is no one to argue with me about this.

I'd be embarrassed for some friends to see me, but I'm sitting at my desk with a down vest over a long-sleeved tee, a fluffy rabbit-tail scarf around my neck and a wool hat perched on my head. It's comfortable and not bulky.

Believe me - I can spend money; this is about allocating resources. I'll take a nice hot shower or bath tonight. If I had guests at my house today, I would crank the furnace way up long before they arrived, but I'm comfortable in my little hat, which preserves body heat so well. I keep popping it off because it's overwarming my globe. Now I must attend to the other end.. I've got to put on another pair of socks.

Broke Girl from Chicago IL
http://bebrokebuthappy.blogspot.com

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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Daily Thrifty Tips - January 28, 2009

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