Daily Thrifty Tips - July 19, 2006

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I was weeding the peony bush I have planted under the mailbox. I checked to see if I got all the weeds and much to my surprise this garter snake was looking back at me.

By Jan at Springfield, Minnesota

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Isis is our 2 year old Tabby, Blue Russian. I work at a daycare and we have a cat there. She had kittens which I helped deliver. Isis was not breathing and I helped her to start. She was my pick from then on.

She likes to chase the other two cats, loves to eat and play with toy mice. She is very spoiled at bedtime if I don't pick her up and carry her to my bed she will sit and cry until I get her. Every meal time she sets at table and watches us eat.

By Grammy from Bedford, Indiana

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Our beloved Sandy (Chinese Shar-Pei) was 12 when we had to have her "put to sleep" due to old age and poor health. Rather than let the vet dispose of her remains (which is costly), we brought her home. We live on the side of a ridge with woods on 3 sides. We buried her at the edge of the woods. It saves the money of having the vet do it AND lets us keep her close to us.

I have a large stone I will put her name on and the year she died with black paint. In the past, I have bought one of those foil sheet cake pans and a cement mix that all you do is add water. While the cement is still wet but firm enough to write in, I use a tool something like a screw driver to write an "epitaph", the pets name and birth and death years. You can either lay that on the grave or with another sheet cake foil pan, set it upright in partially set cement to look like a regular monument!

You can really get creative and add a picture by making an indentation in the partially set cement,laying the picture in it and cover it with either a piece of glass that is the same size or a clear piece of plastic or plexiglass, add a paw print, etc.

By Connie Leonard from Lewistown, Pa

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Before our daughter got married, we charged her room and board once she had a job. However, instead of spending it we saved it without her knowing it. When she finally began her wedding plans, we had that money to help with expenses. One of the biggest savings was that I made her wedding gown. Also, friends chipped in to make the flowers.

This is a picture of her with her father waiting to walk down the isle.

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I keep my leftover Christmas wrapping paper. Then I can use it to wrap up delicate and fragile ornaments off the Christmas tree to store in a box for the next year. Then, I repeat with new and fresh after gifts open the next year and so on.

By safka from Oregon

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I always look at the bargain tables at the major book chains, like Barnes and Noble, for deals on books for presents - especially when they are marked down to less than $5! (They also have deals on journals, stationery items, CDs, etc.) A nice crisp book is always appropriate. (They have kid's books, too!)

By pam from Los Angeles

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I have started using the draft mode on my home computer's printer, you can too, and this will save ink "in some programs." You can change your preferences and settings so you print in draft mode for all programs, and then you don't have to change it every time you print. On a PC, in Control Panel / Printers, right click on your printer and properties and change it there. It should stay changed always for all programs, and if you need better-quality printing, you can change it back for that event. My black cartridge does last longer set in draft mode. I also recycle my empty cartridge at Office Max, when I do, they give me a free package of printer paper. Take advantage of this great offer!

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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How can you measure the worth of spending time with your child? In time? Money spent on activities? Neither! It is in their eyes when it is you they see when they wake up. It is in the way they say, "Momma", their voice so sweet and true. It is in the feeling of their soft little lips giving you a kiss. All of this I have learned since I quit my job and started staying home with my little Ava, who is now 18 months old.

In order to budget and live on one income and give up 1/3 of our take home pay, I have become quite frugal. No longer do I make frequent trips to the mall for clothing for myself, or anyone else, for that matter. Now it is yard sales and consignment shops when we need something. This goes for toys and books as well. It is amazing what you can find in great shape for next to nothing (and sometimes for free!). And yard-saling is fun for me and for Ava.

The grocery list has changed, too. No more frozen dinners or pizzas, no more meal-in-a-box type purchases, and no more convenience foods unless they are priced at rock bottom and I have a double coupon. Name brand soft drinks are a thing of the past, too. Now it is store brand or nothing. We love sun tea and homemade lemonade. No more restaurant lunches or dinners; or at least very, very few. Funny thing is, I don't even miss any of this! I like cooking now that I have time, and making bread and other items from scratch is very satisfying. No preservatives, just all-natural ingredients; when possible. I used to think I'd miss going out to eat for lunch every day. Now I laugh at that notion. Miss spending up to $30 a week for meals I cannot even finish? I don't think so! Give me a PB &J and I'm all set.

I started making my own cleaning products and am saving a lot of money that way. Plus, it is healthier! Baking soda, white vinegar, borax and some pure essential oil cleans and disinfects just about everything. I read all about it in "Clean House, Clean Planet" by Karen Logan.

I have read many books on how to make it work, and have gleaned advice from each one. The "Tightwad Gazette", by Amy Dacyczyn, was life-changing for me. And even though this gigantic book was published in the 1990s and some of the information is out of date, I have benefited greatly from all of the tips and advice people sent the author. Did you know you could reuse the little ring from a milk jug to keep your socks paired in the laundry? I don't know if I'm there yet, but you never know when they might come in handy, so I'm saving them!

Is the "sacrifice" worth it? What sacrifice? Like I said, I don't miss the old ways at all. Being with Ava is a bigger paycheck than I could ever earn sitting at a desk, making decisions for a company that doesn't really care about MY bottom line. She gives me gold coins in her smiles, in her kisses, in the cute little dances and songs, and in this opportunity to see her grow and learn, and be a part of it, too!

Yes, some days I don't get a shower, some days the house does not get picked up, and some days I want to run away from the mound of laundry that seems to never go away. But when I remember the dread of dropping Ava off at daycare and the way I missed her all day long, and that the laundry will eventually get done, and then Ava starts humming, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", all is well in my world!

Carrie Nowlin from Okemos, MI

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Save money by refilling your own printer cartridges. I found that refilling ink cartridges is very simple and will save a ton of money! I ordered a refill kit from inksell.com and it came with everything to do the job. The kit cost $12, and was good for 4 refills. I didn't spill a drop, and customer service is excellent with the company.

By Roger from Hampton, VA

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Save wrapper from individual toilet paper rolls. When disposing sanitary products use the wrapper instead of toilet paper.

By Nita from Levittown, Pa

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Take a tube sock of whatever size you would like and fill 3/4 full of instant rice. Put in microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. You will have a natural heating pad. Have kids or anyone decorated it with stamps or clothing paint.

By Linda Fleckenstein from Decatur, Il

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This recipe is for two but can be multiplied easily.

Combine one can of Navy beans (including liquid), one half can water, one scant teaspoon of bouillon, pepper to taste. Heat to simmer. Add desired amount leftover meat, sausage, or cooked bacon.

I've tossed in leftover corn, green beans, assorted cooked veggies. You can thicken this with a little corn starch or flour slurry.

It's very forgiving, and only takes a moment to turn assorted leftovers into something hearty and satisfying

By Doggy from TX

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Place a wet/soapy sponge in the microwave for 1 minute on high. When it's done, use a wet towel to clean the oven. The sponge is now clean, and the oven is clean and odor free.

By Dorothy Bayes from Sardis, OH

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This is a good recipe for BBQ sandwiches. You will need a package of boneless pork ribs, a couple onions, 1 bottle of BBQ sauce and a Tbsp. of Liquid Smoke. Put in crock pot and when done (8 hours), take out and chop up for BBQ sandwiches.

By Annette in East TX

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Safe Place for Newborns is a program which provides an alternative to child abondonment for mothers who can't keep their child.

In the 44 states which recognize the program, a healthy newborn up to three days old can be dropped off at any hospital emergency room, anonymous and without fear of prosecution.

The following web site provides more information about this life saving program. Click on your state for a list of information about how the program operates there.

Safe Place for Newborns

Fletcher from Manchester, WA

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Here's an economical way to bring life back into your hair using a homemade Organic Hair Conditioner: Mash one banana with 2 TBSP. of olive oil until smooth. Apply generously throughout your hair. Cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap and allow to sit for 20-30 minutes. Follow-up with a shampoo and rinse.

By Marnita from Cumming, GA

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I am being inundated with gnats, house flies, and other pests, I don't know what they all are. I have tried apple cider vinegar, with soap and sugar, fly traps, wine bottles. Can someone tell me how I can get rid of them. I have killed a bunch but they keep coming. Thanks for your help.

Billie from Sharpsburg, GA

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Home built 2000 has very high energy bills. The meter shows draw of at least 1 KW always (except when main breaker is opened), this is with all appliances, AC, TV, lights, etc. are off. Edison is not concerned but says there seems to be excess juice going to master bedroom circuit. Can it have a circuit to ground, a mistake in wiring or something. All the GFCI are now out.

Bill from Los Angeles

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Does anyone have a recipe for making Bisquick?

Nicole from Chicago

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I was wondering how i can keep neighborhood cats from using my Flower Garden for outdoor litter box. What I can do to deter that?

Holly from Oregon

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Does anyone know this information? Can I freeze baking powder and/or baking soda without any ill affect on my end baking product?

S. Walle from Duncanville, TX

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There are bats flying around our yard and pool every night and it is starting to scare the kids. Does anyone know any way to get rid of them?

Elaine from Pasadena, MD

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Does any one have any ideas or suggestions about how to sell my crafts online? I don't want to use ebay.

Thanks for your help.

Darlene from MI

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I was wondering if anyone knows if you can use baby food jars for candles? I want to do a project similar to sand art, using candles. I want to shred different color candles, put in a wick, and layer the shaved candles into baby food jars. Will this work or will the jars get too hot and break? Has anyone tried this before?

Martha from Maryland

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I traded a piece of unwanted polyester to a friend to make her friend a seat cover for her porch swing for about 30 lb. of chocolate cake mix. Besides making cake-in-a-mug and a little in the topping mix for cherry crisp I am at a loss as to what to do with so very much of it. There is no conversion chart on the bag so I am wanting ideas with recipes that use chocolate cake mix, but the recipe has to be for using a measuring cup not "a box of mix + something else."

Thanks,
melody_yesterday from Sedalia Missouri

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Do you have a recipe for making tomato juice using tomato paste?

Judy from San Angelo, TX

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We bought a beautiful blue wall mount bathroom sink at a salvage store. It appears to be vintage 1940's. The spigot and hot/cold controls are there, but we don't know if they work. The problem is twofold: Where can we find the chrome support legs it needs? I've looked all over the internet. And also, the original spigot only sticks out about 1 1/2 inches, not very useable. The faucet mounts on the VERTICAL back of the sink, again not able to find anything online. This seems to be a rare design.

Thanks,
Elizabeth from Flint, MI

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I have some vintage straight razors with hollow ground blades. These are top of the line Solingen or Sheffield steel. There is no rust on the blade, but they have a blackened patina to them instead of the silver shiny surface of when they were new. How do I get them back to the new look?

Thanks,
Michael from Toronto, Canada

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I love to eat spreadable cheddar on crackers, like Kaukauna, but it is so expensive. Does anyone know a way to make this stuff from hard cheddar cheese?

Nicole from Chicago

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I remember reading that you can refill the swiffer. What solution do you all use to do this?

Mari from Garden Grove, CA

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My new countertop toaster oven leaks a lot of hot air around the door. It's a Hamilton Beach 31197. There is no gasket on door, just 2 little rubber donuts. Any suggestions before I return it to the store? I have contacted HB and am waiting to hear from them. It's a nice counter top oven otherwise.

Holly Gates from Richardson, TX

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I have big black ants that are invading the inside of my rented house. How do I get rid of them?

Chalida from Celina, Ohio

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Can you add fragrance oils to used candle wax? I am looking for something or some way to get my home to smell like a candle shop around the clock. Or, where can I buy candles that will maintain their scent until they burn out?

Joan from Eastampton, NJ

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How would I smooth out a newspaper article I want to frame?

Laurel from Lisle, IL

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I need to get rid of the smell of burnt popcorn in the microwave. Any suggestions gratefully received!

Trish from London, England

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How do you separate two pots that were put together to form a double boiler?

Charlie from grantham, NH

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