Daily Thrifty Tips - April 27, 2006

Gardens Alive

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Cookie is a 6 year old Maltese. We adopted each other when her her owner passed and her niece didn't want another dog. Her dog would just nip at Cookie if she barked at anything.

Cookie is always sitting up when we return home from being out. It sounds like she is clapping when her nails click together. She loves to retrieve her squeaky toy. She places it in my hand for more game time. She has me trained very well. She makes me and my husband Frank smile every day and we are amazed how well she gets along with my new (1 year married) husband's cats.

Cookie loves her bathtime between trips to the groomer every two months for a clip. She fits right in the kitchen sink and loves all the pampering. It has been said that "it's a dogs life." Well, she has a great one.

By Linda Pape from L.V., NV

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Morning dew and butterfly on azalea in our backyard.

By Charlene from Aiken, SC

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Never try to entice your cat into the pool for a swim ... it won't work. By krinkle03 from Melbourne, Australia

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I have just got to share this link with you. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a few months ago and it was all change with my diet. I was running round in circles trying to find out as much information as i could and of course find nice recipes to suit the new food regime. Now I have found this link and it's fantastic.

It takes second to download on Broadband and it's free. As well as giving me lots of invaluable diabetic help links it gives me a whole plethora of recipes and the ability to add many more of my own as I find them. For a newly diagnosed diabetic, this certainly looks to be a great help to me. I just couldn't keep this to myself.

http://www.azzcardfile.com/collections/diabeticdiet.html

The above link shows you the screenshot and click on the left-hand side link at the bottom of the page to download.

All best wishes

By Monique from Somerset, U.K

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I just discovered this by accident and wondered if anyone knew this and why I didn't.

Instead of chasing my dog around the laundry tub to give him a bath, I put him in my double sink with the divider between his front and back legs.

I guess your dog would have to be tall enough so he wouldn't touch the divider. He can't jump because he can't use his back legs. Worked like a charm, other than the shaking off the water, still haven't mastered that yet.

By Ceil from Tavares, Florida

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If you are going to buy cheap furniture, why not buy it really cheap? Visit your local thrift stores and look for gently used furniture. Keep an open mind. A coat of paint can make many pieces of furniture look new. Even particle board furniture can be painted, just use fine sand paper to lightly scuff the surface first.

By ThriftyFun

Do you have tips for saving money on furniture, feel free to post them below.

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I use a digital camera when I go to the home-improvement store for help. I just painted a bathroom and took with me a picture of the existing fixtures and floor-tile color. It really helped when picking the new paint. Also, when a plumbing section leaked, I took a picture of the pipe to explain to the plumbing person what it looked like.

Another time, my hubby needed a unique floor drain cover. I laid a ruler across it and took a picture so I'd have the dimensions. When I was looking for a comfy chair for the living room, I took a picture of the current pieces and then was able to find just the right chair at a estate sale. Try it and see how much time and money you can save by having that digital picture with you.

By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX

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Sprinkle baking soda on rugs before going to bed and then vacuum it away the next morning and your house will smell nice and fresh!

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Vitamins are part of good health for me - but they can be expensive. But even here you can find bargains! My husband and I just SCORED at the bargain rack at the supermarket. $100 or so of supplements for about $20!

Why? They just didn't sell, I guess. One thing to check for is the expiration date. Sometimes bargains are near theirs - but if vitamins are on the shelf they have to be WAY before that date - so you can easily use them before. I have gotten deals on all sorts of supplements by looking at bargain counters at the drug store and even in close-out stores. Keep your eyes open and stock up when you can and you will save a LOT on your health. (You can also get good deals on the net at sites like vitacost.com)

By Pam from L.A., CA

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Try to arrange plants and decor in odd numbers. In a corner of your yard, using wood, rock or brick, make a three layer diagonal garden. Ensure that the back has a strong layer of backing.

Plant for every season and make sure there are white plants used sporadically between the other plants. Also different leaves and textures make a lovely fresh and refreshing three layer garden.

By Bev from Chilliwack BC

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A great way to support your local library and find good deals on books is to go to library book sales. Most libraries have them multiple times each year and the prices are very reasonable. Plus, the money goes back into the library to support buying new books or community resources.

By ThriftyFun

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When my husband and I were married years ago, we both made minimum wage and lived from paycheck to paycheck. After the birth of our first child, we thought he was so wonderful and decided we wanted a dozen like him. I quit my job to stay home with him and my husband worked two jobs.

One night after work, he brought home a magazine that had an advertisement about taking college classes from home. We discussed the possibilities of him getting a college education but our delimma was, which field he should go into? We decided that since we wanted a dozen children, he needed to make enough money so our children could do the things we had not done, like dance lessons. I asked him which one he thought would make the most money and he said "Attorney". So that is the box we checked and mailed off.

A week later, two men in suits were at our front door and he enrolled in school. After the first year, he decided that if he continued to study law, he needed to be in a classroom with an instructor.

The next five years were very lean years. I bought all of our clothing from the Goodwill, Salvation Army and second hand stores, except for underwear. I made a lot of my clothes and gifts. I would get so excited when I found jeans in good condition. Once I found a pair of turquoise, a pair of white, and a pair blue ones for 25 cents each. In fact, when he was admitted to the bar, the dress I wore was bought at a second hand store.

Once a month, after all the bills had been paid, we had just enough money leftover for food. We would shop the sales and stock up for the month. We always had enough to eat but by the end of the month we were scraping bottom, cashing in our coke bottles (which was our once a month splurge) for milk or fresh veggies.

It never bothered my sons that they were wearing second hand clothes. When they were in high school, they never shopped for "brand name" clothing. One of my sons told me he would never wear 501 Levi's just because all the other kids did. Little did he know... I told him to go check out his play pants he was outgrowing and he was shocked to learn he had been wearing them along.

When necessary, I worked in the cannery on the lines, sorting tomatoes and peaches in the summer, until I made enough money to pay the tuition for the following year and to pay my sister-in-law for baby-sitting.

We continued to live in our rented home of 6 years until we found and bought our first home in the country, a year after my husband passed the bar exam. By the time we found it, we were ready to move into a tent if we had to, just to get our boys, all four of them, out of the city. No, we didn't have 12 after all, and no dance lessons.

Those lean years bound us together for life and we would not trade them for anything.

Ferneous from Waterford, CA

Coreen from Rupert, ID

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I get this terrible itching and tickling going on inside my ear, mostly in my right ear and every now and then in the other ear as well. It just drives me nuts. I know I should just go see my Dr but I thought I'd ask here first. It doesn't appear that I have wax in my ear, although, it could be way inside. I did try putting some hydrogen peroxide but that didn't do anything, nothing came out.

Debbie52 from IL

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We are having a teachers luncheon at our school and was wondering if anyone had any ideas for favors for the teachers, male and female.

Thanks,
Odonna

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I successfully took cuttings from a beautiful double yellow Hibiscus. They grew to about 18 inches and had lots of leaves then they started to lose their leaves and one died. The other is still alive and has shot up to over 2 feet in height but only has little shoots coming off the main stem and a couple of leaves right at the top. Any advice would be very welcome.

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Thanks,
Kay from Florida

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Does anyone use the Mvelopes system for spending and budgeting (mvelopes.com)? I understand the concept and have signed up for the free trial, but I am just wondering if this has worked for anyone else?

Kelly from DE

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How do you get gasoline smell out of a washing machine? I've tried vinegar but my clothes still smell like gasoline.

Carlie from Washington, DC

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I am curious to know how many seasons it will take for my Weeping Cherry to begin blooming. It was purchased as a seedling 6-7 months ago and it's being grown into a bonsai.

Steven Sullivan

Hardiness Zone: 8b

D_Mcpasterfield from Austin, Texas

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Is there any way to decontaminate existing flower beds of dog and cat feces so that I could plant vegetables such as beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash?

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Bdasch from Port Aransas, Texas

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I've often seen Borax mentioned in postings. I'm in the UK and no one I ask has heard of it - does anyone know if it can be found under a different name?

Thanks,
Heather from UK

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I am 60 years old. Will I able to withdraw funds from my IRA account? What is the minimum I may withdraw annually?

Roshan from Bayside, NY

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Does anyone have some good recipes for the grill machine (such as a George Foreman grill)? I have one of those grills and wanted to start using it again but would like some new recipe ideas. Thanks!

Debbie52 from IL

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My Husband wears dress shirts quite regularly throughout the week, and I always take them to the dry cleaners. but the dry cleaner hasn't been able to get out the ring around the collar. Should I expect him to? Is he not doing what is expected of him? Or do I need to use something else to treat the ring around the collar? Most of them are french cuff shirts so I can't wash them myself. So what can I pretreat them with that i won't have to physically wash the whole shirt to get out?

Katie from Oshkosh, Wisconsin

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I need a cheap, inexpensive way to remove labels and the glue from baby food jars. Thanks in advance.

kmcl59 from Pensacola, FL

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Killing weeds without killing grass: I need a natural homemade weed killer that will kill weeds but not the grass. All I have seen are recipes for non-selective killing. Can anyone help, this must be the best kept secret by the big boys.

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Driftingmist from Quesnel, B.C.

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I recently purchased a Tommy Hilfiger purse on ebay and it smells like mildew. Most of the purse is canvas but the bottom and strap are leather, there is some metal hardware on it as well. I was wondering what I could do to get the mildew smell out without damaging the purse.

Thank you,
Karlene from South Lake Tahoe, CA

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I need Peg Bracken's recipe for Saturday Chicken (no cheese!) for a party that is coming up soon. I used to have her books, I Hate To Cook and the appendix. Does anyone have it handy?

Thanks,
Marilew from Venice, FL

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I would like to know to naturally straighten my dry, REALLY frizzy, thin, and REALLY restless hair. I already know about using milk but it didn't work out for me too well.

Selena

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Something has been eating my collards and leaving behind tiny holes. The entire crop will be wasted if I can't figure out how to stop this from occurring or find a cooking method that makes me comfortable that the food has been sufficiently disinfected, yet nutritional value retained. Any suggestions?

My preferred recipe has been, up to this point in time, to lightly sauté the julienned greens in extra virgin olive oil, add some diced garlic and sauté a little bit more.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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I am looking for a cheap and original wedding favor to give to guests at my wedding reception. I do not want to use bubbles, rose petals, or rice. Our colors are black and white with red accents and there will be about 300 people in attendance. I have been thinking for months on this, and haven't come up with anything yet. Also, my fiancé and I are hispanic, so anything along that ethnic line would be fine as well. i only have 4 weeks until the wedding, the sooner the responses the better!

Thanks so much,

Melissa from Topeka, Kansas

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Does anybody know of a web-site or an address to write to where you can have yourself removed from mailing lists for credit card offers? I've heard they exist, now I just have to find one.

Lynn Beth from Albany, NY

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Does anyone have an idea for a quick and easy appetizer for a party at work for about 40 people. Nothing real fancy - just plain and simple.

Thanks,
Bsue from Coshocton, OH

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Gardens Alive

$20 FREE off your first order at Gardens Alive!

http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/gardens.lasso

Let's face it: some pets are better with young children than others are.

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Have you heard about the amazing health benefits that come with having a pet?

1. Having a pet helps lower blood pressure and reduces heart rate.
2. Having a pet helps ease symptoms of depression.
3. Having a pet makes it easier to make friends!
4. Pets offer unconditional love and affection.
5. Pets can help ease the loss of a loved one.
6. Having a pet can help make you more active.
7. Having a pet can help make you take better care of yourself -- if only because your pet is depending on you.

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