Daily Thrifty Tips - August 2, 2006

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This is Alvie, our Black Lab. We got him on a Friday and by Monday he was breaking out with little blisters on his face. Took him to the vet and he said it was "puppy mumps". Within a few weeks, he looked like this. We went thru 4 months of visiting the vet and medication. The vet said it was the worst case he'd seen in his 25 years of practice. The poor little thing. We couldn't even hold him because of the odor, but we loved him. Alvie is now 3 years old and was left with some scarring on his muzzle . He's the best dog you'd ever want.

By Penny from Ipava

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A rainbow at our small farm.

By Teresa from Stuarts Draft, VA

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This fragrant tea rose is planted in a whiskey barrel that sits on my deck in the backyard; the fragrance is sweet smelling like a beautiful dusting powder and the brilliance of the colors will take your breath away to look at them.

By WandaJo from Collierville, Tennessee

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How do you know when you're picking apples from the grocery if they're fresh or not? Run your fingers over the skin of the apple, if it feels smooth, it's a fresh apple. But if it feels like the skin is rubbery or wrinkly, it's not a fresh apple.

By Terri H. from NV

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Did you leave that microwave popcorn in there too long? Do you have a brown, yucky mess? I did too! I tried one tip that barely worked, then I remembered using something to clean off the soot on the inside of my wood stove window. SIMPLE GREEN.

Yes, it's simple and it's in a green can. I like the fact that it's also non-acidic, non-toxic, and bio-degradable. And boy does it work! I used it to get off the brown stains in my microwave from really OLD popcorn. I sprayed it on, waited 2 minutes (if that), and wiped with a paper towel and that was it. No more brown stains! Hallelujah for Simple Green.

By Dustie Jackson from Tuscola, TX

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Here is a new use for old pantyhose: If you are not into wearing headbands but would like an inexpensive one to keep your hair back while doing housework or just washing your face; cut the waistband (leaving it in a complete circle) off a pair of tired pantyhose. It works great and won't damage your hair.

By Marnita from Cumming, GA

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While you're working with cording, some endings can come unraveled. End that by putting a tiny drop of super glue on the end of the cording that you are working with and smash it together, working it into the fibers at the ends of the cording. Get the glue off of your fingers with fingernail polish remover with acetone dabbed onto a cotton ball. You could also try the product "Fray Check", but super glue is cheaper, stronger and longer lasting.

When you get near the end of your cording with the glue on it, either sew it into your pattern or cut it off and add the new piece and continue. Since it is only on such a small area, little is wasted.

By Kelly Thomson from Mission, TX

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I purchased small oscillating fans to place in the corners of each room in the house (excluding the bathroom) and the house stays cooler with the air flow being kept on the move rather then being still. I would estimate it being at least 10 to 20 degrees cooler in the rooms throughout the house and I believe it is because the air is kept moving in each of the rooms.

By dpcarr

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Carbonated soda that has gone flat can be rejuvenated by mixing it 50/50 with freshly opened fizzy soda of the same type. (works for beer, too!)

By pamphyila from L.A., CA

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My husband is an over-the-road truck driver and is typically gone 30-35 days, then home for 4 or 5. While he is out, I cook as if he were home. Then I freeze individual portions of whatever I cooked (labeled with date and name).

When I need something for lunch or am just too tired to cook dinner that night, I pull one of those pre-cooked frozen dinners out and have a good dinner! Also when he comes home, he will raid the freezer when it is time for him to go back out again for whatever individual dinners I have frozen! Then he has home-cooked food for dinner even when he is on the other side of the country from home!

By Sheila from Port St. John, FL

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I get whole chickens on sale and bake them in the oven, usually three. Then, I separate the meat into freezer bags. The bones and browned skin go into a stock pot with water, onion, carrot and celery. I freeze this in plastic bowls. I have SOOO much chicken and broth, I can make soup, chicken alfredo, chicken spaghetti, stir fry, chicken pot pie, chicken and rice, the recipes are endless!

By Debbie from Columbia,SC

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Picture frames are really expensive, but I love the look of really big, thick frames. I can always find awesome, old frames at garage sales for $1 or less, but usually without the glass. What to do? Dollar store frames, while very cheap and made of plastic, has glass! Just get the right size and for $2 you have a sturdy frame with cheap, perfect-sized glass.

By Carrie Snider from Yakima, WA

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Lemons

By Geri In KY

Clean Smelling Garbage Disposal

By Suzanne S.

Garbage Disposal Tip

By chell

Garbage Disposal Stinky?

By Classi and Creative

Citrus Rinds

By Terri H.

Denture Tablets

By Joyce from Phoenix, AZ

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I have recently made up my mind that I really need to organize my sewing/crafting room. It looks like a cyclone has gone through it LOL! Any way, this is what I have started with:

I bought some XL ziplock bags and have some Gallon size as well. My plan is to gather up all of my different projects that I have bought supplies and patterns for and bag each one. I may even label the bags for future reference.

Next I plan to hang the bags on those hangers that have those "pinch" clips on them and keep them in my closet until ready to work on. This should clear up a lot of space and allow me much more flexibility when sewing and/or crafting.

By Judy from Birmingham, AL

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Frugal For Life

A great blog with posts about frugal living.

More Information:
http://www.frugalforlife.blogspot.com/

Model: lotus® Sanitizing System

Manufacturer: Sharper Image

Request: I'm wondering if anyone has used this product yet. It is supposed to turn your regular tap water into a saniziter by "ozonating" it. The water is good for about 15 minutes before you have to recharge it. It is a bit expensive at $199.95 but has a one year warranty and should be reusable countless times. I have small children and want things to be clean but don't want to use commercial cleansers. There is also a Lotus Water Treatment System for drinking water using a similar process.

Thanks!

Jess from Portland, OR

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We are planning a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for our parents and I would like someone's opinion on when to have it. Their anniversary is December 8 and I thought it would be nice to have an open house in early December. Although it may be a problem for my children to get there since they will be away at college and who knows what the weather will be like that time of year. We live 250 miles away from my family. Or maybe we could do it the weekend after Thanksgiving when everyone is home. My brother prefers something more informal. He would like to just do a family dinner in December and then next summer have a big picnic for them and invite all their friends and relatives. I like that idea, but I hate to wait that long. They're getting up there in age and even though they are in good health you never know what may happen. Plus would it look bad to wait so long? I'd appreciate anyone's opinion on this.

Char from Joliet, IL

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Does anyone know a use for mint leaves other than making mint jelly? Could you make your own mouthwash and what would you add to the leaves?

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Thank you,
Sharon from Canada

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I have a spot of Gorilla Glue on my new microfiber chair, that my son carelessly left there. It must have been on his hands. It obviously doesn't wash off with soap and water. Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone else tried to remove an adhesive of any kind. I'm afraid to try anything for fear it will eat through the fabric. Am I stuck with it? It is a spot smaller than a dime, right on the arm. Thanks so much!

Lisa Mutton from Pen Argyl, PA

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Can I freeze bread, bagels, etc? If yes, for how long?

Thank You,
Laura from Hemet, CA

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I'm turning the sweet 16 in May and I wanted to get everything under control for my party. The theme I was thinking of would be a Masquerade Ball or 'Unmask the Night'. The color will be black, silver and white. I'm a very fun type of girl and I've got a lot of friends. I thought that this would be a great theme for me. My mom is renting out a hall, which holds close to 75 people. I picked the color scheme for black, silver and white is because it's some of the easiest stuff to find.

I need help with decorations though. I was going to put a black and white theme for every other table. In the middle of the table I was thinking of putting either an upside down top hat filled with black and white roses or the happiness and tragedy mask as center pieces. I'm really into theater, I just think that it's so much fun. Also, me and my friend are singers, we're probably making up a special CD for this.

My party is Formal, boys are custom to either wear all black or all white tux's and girls must wear black dresses since they are easier to find. My dress will be a prom dress, a very beautiful black and white gown. There will be masks at the front door (all different shapes and sizes) and they wear the masks until after my speech, introducing them all to my party and the whole theme. I will have a grand entrance from what I know of.

My dad and I will have a father/daughter slow dance to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. My boyfriend and I will basically be the Phantom and Christine. It's both of our favorite movies. I'm wondering where black and white masks can be found along with decorations for cheap. And do you think that it'll be better to make everything by hand or just buy them?

Also, does anyone know of any good food to serve? I mean we'll basically be serving lunch/dinner so I was thinking of roast beef and everything.

Also if anyone knows of any good websites for nice looking gowns please let me know. I've been shopping around and there are plenty of dresses that I like but they either cost way to much or they don't have my size when they are on sale. I don't want a dress that really costs over $100, I know to look in different shops. Come to think of it I can make my dress myself. I know how to sew but it'd be to expensive for material (even if it's on sale).

Thanks! ^_^
Kristynne from Pemberton, New Jersey

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I clipped my dog today trying to help her be cooler in the weather. I have Oster electric clippers. They didn't seem like they wanted to cut. I kept having to take the hair out and oil them. Is there a way I can sharpen them or would I need new ones?

Sandy from Baltimore

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If anyone has a recipe for the Cheerios cereal bars, like the ones sold in the grocery store. I sure would love to try it.

jiang from Aberdeen, Maryland

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I want to know if there is something made to use on glasstop ranges to protect them from scratching when you use an iron griddle.

Pam Creech from Licking, MO

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Could you please explain to me how much is a stick of butter? I am in Australia and we weigh in metric.

Thanks,
Christine from Melbourne, Australia

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I washed a load of clothes that had cover-up makeup. I didn't catch it before the dryer and now I have dried in tan streaks. Any help?

krisnewb from Helena, MT

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We are going to Kansas City in Aug and staying at the Great Wolf Lodge. I've already found some info online but was wondering if there's any ThriftyFun members who've been or live there who could give me some ideas for things to do with children. Thanks much!

Debbie from IL

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I am looking for plans for a popsicle stick Eiffel tower.

Dennis from Pittsburgh, PA

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I was wondering if there was anything to use on my daughter's bedroom wall to get permanent marker off with. Typical 2 year old. lol

Anne from Tasmania, Launceston

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I am wondering what the best brand of liquid smoke is? What kind do you use?

Thanks,
Ron from LA

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How do you put stakes that hold Santas or candy canes, etc, into hard ground. I live in Tucson and the ground in very hard. I tried a hammer and everything. They would not go in. The stakes were unfortunately hard plastic. That could be the problem. However that is what the decorated Santas or candy canes came with. Please help as Christmas is just around the corner, thank goodness.

Sheilaewton from Tucson, AZ

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I need the solution for keeping tall candles to stand firmly in the candle holder without falling constantly. Please help.

Sheilaewton from Tucson, AZ

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I am looking for recipes for making ice cream in an ice cream maker. Everything that I have found so far asks for heavy whipping cream, and it is so expensive. Are there any recipes out there that use common ingredients. I picked up a brand new ice cream maker at a garage sale for $.50, and would love to use it. Thanks for the ideas in advance.

Stacy from El Paso, IL

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Selecting High-Quality Leeks:

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This is my favorite espresso maker. The Aerobie is entirely manual, but turns out to be a lot less work than the "automatic" espresso makers I have used before. It makes much better espresso than the inexpensive ($50-$150) pressure or pump espresso makers I have tried.

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