Daily Thrifty Tips - July 12, 2006

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This is my Grand-daughter Rebecca "Becca". This was a day at the zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She just had a ball.

By Penny from Ipava, IL

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Shelby is my 2 year old Calico, adopted from ASPCA in Virginia 2005. She likes to read, chase her tail, sleep, and play with her mousey.

By 4ced-2-craft from VA

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I just love my Gold Finches! I keep food out year round for them They are a wonder the way they change colors with the seasons! During the winter they change from their bright and wonderful yellow to I guess you can say a "sparrow like" coloring. Here is one of my favorites, so far this year, that I took looking out my door to one of the feeders in the backyard.

By Rose from Zion, IL

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Reusing baking soda from the fridge. When my boxes of baking soda from the fridge and freezer need replacing I dump the 'used' baking soda into a zip bag and use it for cleaning. It does double duty this way. No reason to throw it out just because it gotten fridge-y smelling. I label the bag 'for cleaning'. It's great for dumping in dishwater when you have a icky greasy pan. It really cuts the grease and helps get rid of it. I also use it to soak off stuck on foods and in the slow cooker. Fill your slow cooker with warm water a couple drops of dish soap and a 1/4 cup of soda. It really works!

By Joyann from Visalia CA

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If you see water forming around your toilet, you probably have a damaged wax toilet ring. This should be promptly replaced. The wax ring creates a seal between your toilet and the sewer pipe that sticks up through the floor (also known as a toilet flange). The wax ring is fairly easy to replace and will save you the nightmare of having to replace soggy subflooring down the road. Don't caulk around the toilet, it prevents you from knowing when the seal is leaking.

By Fisher

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For camping, my husband who is Chinese and I only took a small wok, camping stove and one pot for cooking equipment. We found that the wok worked well on both the camping stove and the small backpack stove. We found we could do most everything in the wok, though chose to do the boil the water thing in the small pot. Picture us backpacking with a wok flapping outside the pack, well it worked!

By CK from Portland, Or

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New puppies (even some older dogs) like to chew. If you are having this problem, use "Vicks Vapor Rub". Rubbing a small amount on the surface or object you want your pet to avoid will keep them away; therefore breaking the habit.

By Marnita from Cumming, GA

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I just read a magazine article about hair. It indicated frizzies and hair dye that does not last can be attributed to hard water. Their solution was to suggest that you install a water softener showerhead.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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I do a lot of gluing and painting when working on my crafts. It can get pretty messy at times. My solution for this is to buy inexpensive paper towels and cut them into squares or rectangles (I cut several layers at a time) to keep on hand for quick clean-up of paint tips and glue tips. I store them in a gallon size zip lock bag. They can also be used to get your paint started flowing from dimensional paint bottles, eliminating globs of paint where you don't want them!

By Judy from Birmingham AL

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I just want to remind all dog owners that they should have water and shelter available to their pets outside. Even if you are just letting your pet out for a while on a nice sunny day, they need a bowl of water and a sheltered spot to get out of the sun. A shady spot is especially important for dogs with a dark coat. Even if you think it is cool enough out, the direct sun can be very harmful to a dog if he/she is exposed for some time. Lola, our brindle boxer, gets so hot in the sun! Thankfully, we have plenty of trees to give her shade.

By Carrie N from Okemos, MI

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If you need to replace the windows in your house, check to see if your electric company offers any rebates or coupons for new window installation. You can usually find significant savings if you replace them at the right time. You should also save your receipts and check for tax incentives when you file.

By Fisher

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Frugal For Life

A great blog with posts about frugal living.

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I have a new weeping cherry and it looks bad. I have water dripping all the time. I discovered red/brown lady like bugs without the black dots that fly and are eating the leaves on new tree. Bug-b-gone didn't seem to make them fly away.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Stewart from Voorhees, NJ

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I live in New Jersey and have a problem with zucchini plants. The plants are huge and healthy and producing an enormous amount of flowers, but no zucchini. The flowers fall off and no fruit is produced. I don't see any female flowers forming. What can I do to help the plants produce fruit. I have never experienced this problem before with the zucchini plants. Please help.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Dennis G. from Saddle Brook, NJ

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I have just bought a faux fur throw rug. It has an odour - it is a dreadful synthetic smell - almost like oil or petrol. I have tried putting the rug through the washing machine but it still smells. Any advice anyone please? I have thought of baking soda but the pile of the rug is very deep - about 1 inch and I am worried I would not be able to get all of the powder out again.

KJP from Melbourne, Australia

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I would like to plant some Liliac bushes. When is the best time to do this?

Hardiness Zone: 3b

Jenny from Milwaukee, WI

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I need some information on how to get rid of or pay back a student loan that has accrued a lot of interest. When I call they say they will only accept payment in full.

Lizzy from Chandler, AZ

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I need ideas for a christening/baptism decorations. I especially need ideas for tables and favors.

Cathy from Miami

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I'm looking for plans to make a wooden planter for outside. Does anyone have any or know of a website that has free plans?

Hardiness Zone:

Nicole from Canada

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I am growing Santa Fe green chili peppers, they are about 8 inches long, but not sure if ready to pick? How do I know when to pick? Once picked how do I remove skin, for cooking. I know its tough skin, most say grill or broil, is there any other way?

Hardiness Zone: 6-7

Thank you,
Judy from Grand Junction, CO

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On one of the decorating shows they took down the sliding closet doors and put up curtains. I love this idea! I will be moving next week and I want to do this with my closet in my mobile home. On the show they hung a pretty fabric shower curtain from metal hooks and hooked them onto the door tracks. They did not give any details and I can't find any info on the website. Has anyone done this? How do you attach the curtain? What kind of hooks do I need? If you send a pic that would be great.

Thank you,
Joyan from Visalia CA

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I am looking for a recipe for making green olive spread. It was made years ago and sold in the grocery stores for sandwich filling. It was packaged in small glasses as the current day cheese spreads are.

Thanks,
Joyce from Sumter, SC

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I would like to plant some peony bushes. When is the best time to do this?

Hardiness Zone: 3b

Jenny from Milwaukee, WI

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I need suggestions for a 8 month old child visiting hot California! There's no air conditioning in house we are staying in and no shade outside. He gets so overheated. Any tips will be appreciated. Nap time is especially difficult for the poor little one.

Thank you,
ANBSMOMMY from WA

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I am looking for crochet hat pattern using recycled plastic grocery bags.

Rozanne from Waipahu, HI

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I need a detailed pattern/instrutions for sewing mens dress shirt. Can somebody kindly help me?

MD

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I started a container mint herb garden and I would like to know if I can transfer it into my regular garden and if so, when? I also need to know when is the best time to harvest it and how. Can you freeze it or do you dry it?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Cheryl from Lawson, MO

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Has anyone tried "Cholesterblock" for high cholesterol, and has it justified the claims made for it?

Marty from Saint Charles, IL

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I need recipe for Watermelon Pickles.

Thanks,
Nasrin from Ithaca, NY

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I am looking for a Recipe for Lemon Cheesecake. I tasted one that had a graham cracker crust, a layer of what tasted like cream cheese and probably dream whip, another layer of Jell-O lemon pie filling topped with either whipped cream or dream whip. I could try to duplicate but it would be easier to get a recipe.

Thanks,

Al from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

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My church is having a rainbow tea and I have been selected to be the captain of the color purple. This is my first rainbow tea. I need help with purple foods and decorations.

Christy from North Carolina

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Does anyone know how to get white-out out of a seat with a cushion in it?

Deedee

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Selecting High-Quality Cucumbers: Cucumbers do not freeze well by traditional methods, but if sliced, preserved in vinegar or brine and frozen, they will retain their texture and make delicious additions to salads year round. Select cucumbers that are firm and have a rich, deep green color. For freezing, they are best harvested when they are 4 to 6 inches in length and 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Organic cucumbers may not look as bright and shiny, but they are healthier because they are not coated with wax.

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When jeans are past their prime and not suitable for wearing, you can recycle the fabric to use in craft projects. Denim is durable and great for making purses, quilts or sleeves to hold tools. Here are some ideas...

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