Daily Thrifty Tips - February 28, 2007

Pichchini the Cat

Pichchini is a one year old cat. Around 1 year back while on my way back home, I saw this little cute kitty meowing. I couldn't help but cuddle it with my hands. Thats it. It started following me straight to my home. Ever since, she is with me.

She likes licking my fingers and I enjoy that from her!

By Bhaskar Dutta from Ahmedabad, INDIA

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Using Carpet Samples to Carpet Your Room

My husband and I were living on a limited income and our living room floor really needed carpet. So we started collecting carpet squares or carpet samples from the various carpet stores in our area until we had enough to do this room. These work great because they are very reasonable usually 25-50 cents a piece, stain guarded or stain resistant, easy to install, you get to use your creativity as far as color and design and you usually get better grade carpet this way. And best of all if one gets stained, just take it up and replace it.

This room cost us about $35.00 to do. You will need to remove the binding from all your squares before you start to lay the floor. It is easier to clear the entire room and start laying the carpets out the way you like them until the whole room is done to your satisfaction. You can cut and piece anyway you like, any shape or size. Then go back to where you started and start stapling the pieces down to the floor until you have the entire floor stapled down. Once this is done, vacuum and stand back and admire your creativity and handiwork. This process works for any room you want to do.

By Connie from Towanda, PA

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Heart Shaped Cheese Pieces

Aren't these little hearts cute? Guess you could use all kinds of shapes as long as you had the little cookie cutters. I asked the deli man to slice my cheese about 1/8" or so and pressed out the cheese and placed it on the crackers. Made a real nice presentation.

By Mitzi from DeLand

Editor's Note: Here are more pictures Mitzi sent in showing the whole presentation. Great job Mitzi!

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Recycled Seedling Containers

I love to start seedlings early, and didn't have anything to put the soil and seeds in to get started so I went to the kitchen and there was my answer! You know the containers that the floor cleaning cloths come in, they are perfect for starting seeds in. You use the container part for the soil and seeds and the cover to place under the container. This works great and you're recycling too.

By Joyce from Tennessee

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Use A Cleaning Caddie

I found wonderful caddies at the Dollar Store. They are oval with a handle in the middle. I use them for everything. For cleaning, I put all of my supplies in the caddy; even the dust rag, paper towels and garbage bags. Now, all I have to do is grab the Cleaning Caddy as I call it, and go from room to room without running around the house because I forgot some supplies!

By Stacy from VA

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Lavender Dreams Bubble Bath

• 1/2 cup scented shampoo
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 15 drops lavender essential oil

By Jan from Suring, WI

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Soap Slivers To Mark Fabric

Take the small pieces of soap that are left over in the shower, dry them out and presto, you've got a great marking tool for fabrics and quilting. The soap slivers work great to mark dark fabric, and it washes out easily too!

By Cyinda from Redmond, WA

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Thrifty Tips For Golf

My husband and I went golfing and it reminded me that he has gotten great deals on golf clubs for the both of us at thrift shops! Then we go to the municipal course, so it's within our means!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Video: Poaching an Egg

Sharpen your culinary skills as you watch Epicurious demonstrate essential cooking techniques.

Today's featured video is How to Poach an Egg.

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Swiffer Cloths At Dollar Store

I bought a Swiffer regular floor sweeper when they first came out. It worked great and picked up even more dirt after I vacuumed. When I saw the price of the clothlike refills, I decided not to pay the high price. So when I was at the Dollar store, I saw a package of Swiffer like cloths. I got 20 cloths in the package for a dollar. When I got home I dusted the floor. I took off the cloth and was going to throw it in the trash when I noticed the other side was clean. So now I turn the cloth over and get double duty.

By Nancy from Peabody, MA

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Salmon Salad Idea

This is not exactly a recipe because I make it differently depending on what I have and what is in season. It is basically a salad, and I like to use various greens, peppers, olives, cheeses, tomatoes, onions, etc in a very large bowl. I top that with about half a small can of red sockeye salmon and pour Kraft Catalina dressing on it. This combination of flavors really works well for me, especially when the weather gets hot.

By Alph from Greenwood, SC

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Spray Chalk

• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup warm water
• drops of food coloring

In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch and water, stirring until mixture is smooth. Add drops of any food coloring and mix well. Pour mixture into small plastic spray bottle. Shake bottle before using to break up clogs. Use spray chalk to decorate sidewalks or snow. Or use it to create colorful sand sculptures at the beach. Makes 1 cup.

By Jan from Suring, WI

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Teach Your Children To NOT Open The Door

Last night, my husband went to the home of a potential customer by appointment. A small boy (perhaps four) opened the door. My husband asked if his daddy was home. The child said yes, and invited him in. My husband, being a reasonably prudent man, told the child to go get his daddy, while he waited outside the front door. Ten minutes later, the child's father appeared, fresh from a shower. He had apparently gotten the time of the appointment confused, and at that point, my husband entered. There was jewelry, credit cards and house keys on the coffee table.

There ARE "bad" people out there. For those who just never thought of it, please, PLEASE train your children to never ever open the door to anyone, under any circumstances. Repeat, repeat. repeat the rules to your children. Have "someone at the door" drills. It could be a matter of life and death.

By Doggy from TX

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Storing Pancake Mix

I bought some boxes of CarbSimple pancake mix which were already out of date. So far, the mix is still quite tasty and not spoiled. As this product is no longer manufactured, I want to keep them. What is the best method?

The mix is in a sealed plastic package in a cardboard box (like other pancake mixes). I was wondering if putting it in heat sealed shrink wrap in the freezer would help prolong it's life (Seal-A-Meal)?

I called the pancake customer service number and was told as they are already out of date, they would advise me only to dispose of the boxes. I told the clerk I can't as the mix was purchased from Albertson's grocery which is was going out of business and has a no returns policy.

Suggestions?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Making Crafts From Dishcloths

Does anyone have a book or some ideas on making gift items out of new dish cloths? A friend gave me a pair of pajamas made out of three dish cloths. They are folded to look like a pair of pajamas. Attached to the pajamas is a note that says "We look like pajamas, But, really we aren't. We are just 3 little dish cloths; You will like us a lot. So just take us apart, it really won't hurt. Use us for dishes or just chasing dirt." I'm at work and cannot get a picture of them, but they are so cute. I can take these apart but would like to make this and other things like this.

Carol from Leslie, AR

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Haze on Hardwood Floors

I have cleaned my hardwood floor with everything, Quick Shine, Minwax, Orange Glo, Windex and just plain water. But my floor still has a haze, spots, foot and paw prints! Please, can someone help me?

Linda from Mount Pleasant, TN

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What Is This Plant?

I want help identifying this houseplant.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Thanks for helping me,
Sharon from Missouri

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Dog Going to the Bathroom In The House

My dog is now 5 years old and EVERY day she does her business in the house. I live with my parents and they said that if I don't find out why she's doing this I'll have to get rid of her. I exercise her before I go to school, when I get home, later that night, and she still does her business in the house! Why is she doing this?

Holly from Muskego, WI

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Painting Baby Furniture

I need to repaint a baby bed. What kind of paint is safe? I have started using an enamel based paint. Is this OK? It has a flat feeling to it. Could I use a gloss over it? Ideas anyone?

IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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Cats Spraying On Screen Doors

What can I do to prevent neighborhood cats from spraying on my screens and patio doors? I don't even have a cat! Every time I wash the windows (with vinegar or ammonia) they do it again. Please help.

Debbie from HB, CA

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Cleaning Tomato Sauce Stains from Plastic

How do I get tomato sauce stains from plastics?

Mary from Mass

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Water Marks on Silk

I need help removing water marks from silk curtains.

Neil from UK

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Baby Diaper Cake Instructions

I just saw a picture of a diaper cake made for a baby shower. It was made of diapers as a centerpiece. I have a friend due in June. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make something like this It was 3 tiers with ribbons and beautiful.

Please help!

Karen from Port Clinton OH

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What Is This Plant?

Here's another plant I was hoping to get identified.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Thanks,
Sharon from Missouri

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Changing Outdoor Cats Bathroom Habits

We had a fair amount of poor weather this past winter in Missouri. My outdoor kitties (all sterilized) have developed a very poor habit of pooping and peeing in the gravel on the machine shed floor. We have lots of woods for them to potty in. There are no doors on the shed to shut them out. How do I break their habit? What can I sprinkle or spray that is inexpensive and hopefully low maintenance until they find a new spot? Their urine is atrocious and stepping in cat poop makes for a bad day (my dogs would disagree). Please send ANY suggestions my way. Thanks so much.

Bobbi from Columbia, MO

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Neti Pot Advice

Has anyone used a neti pot? I want to know if it should feel like you brain is clogging up? I only used pure salt and not baking soda.

Shirley from Inverness Scotland

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Baby Oil Stains on Microfiber

How do I get baby oil off microfiber sofas?

Julie from New York City

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Health Insurance for the Self Employed

Does anyone know of a good carrier for self employed health insurance?

Carrieleenh from Nashua, NH

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Cleaning a Grill Cooktop

I would like to know how to remove baked on grease from my new stove's grill cooktop. After using it just once I cannot get the yellowish brown stuck on grease off. Help!

Carol from Paducah, KY

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Decorating a Box Like a Book

Can anyone send me ideas or pictures to decorate a rectangular box like a book? It has a hinged lid.

Thank you. :-)
Anbsmommy from Spanaway, WA

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Floral Window Pane

I need help with making a floral window pane. I have an old window and I want to put flowers on the corner but I don't know what to do with the glass. I don't want my wall to show threw. It is a log wall and I don't know how to fix this project. Please help!

Linda from Borden, IN

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Victorian Birdcage

I'd like some ideas on how to decorate a birdcage victorian style for a wedding. Can you be of some assistance?

Christine from Easthampton, MA

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Rats In My Backyard

How do I get rid of rats in my backyard?

John

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How we paid off 20K in 5 years on 22K averaged income.
By Mike and Tawra Kellam

In 5 years we paid off $20,000 of debt and medical bills on an average income of $22,000 per year.

We didn't have $20,000 debt when we were married. My husband had $3,000 in credit card debts at the time. Over the 5 years we made 2 major moves, killed 3 cars, and our daughter was born and placed in Neonatal Intensive Care.

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