Daily Thrifty Tips - April 28, 2006

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After my seeds are growing and in bigger containers, I place them in crates, against the patio doors and windows which are facing west. I am known to have at least 20 crates! The light and air can get through to all plants.

Once the weather warms up during the day, I place them on the porch facing east during the day, and bring them in at night, or cover them up with sheets. Using the crates, I can transport them to the garden easily.

By Kim from WI

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T.J is 18 months old. I found him in the newspaper, in Aug, 04. He came from a loving home.

He loves sleeping in baskets, playing with toes, playing with our other cat and both our dogs, and taking a bath

By Cindy from Elkhart, In.

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I print from my computer regularly. The cost of ink really displeases me, so to save I print only in black and white and do not use the color at all.

To do this, I go up to the very top left section of the monitor and click on file. From that menu, I click on print preview. On that screen I click print on the upper left corner of the screen which brings in another screen on which differing options are offered; one of which is print all in black and white.

On the same screen you are offered the option for quick print which gets it done really quick. That's all there is to it. Color cartridges are more expensive and every penny saved helps. I also reuse my paper if only printed on one side.

By Angellface from Seymour, CT

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My mother, raised in the Depression, passed down a lot of thrifty wisdom to me. It was a matter of principle not to waste and to get as much value as possible. Besides, that meant that you could spend money elsewhere, like on theater tickets and records! We looked for sales and I heard my mother say "I could make it for less than that myself!" and I learned sewing and other skills.

After leaving home my budget got tight and I discovered the world of vintage in thrift shops. Often you are paying for someone else's taste, so I have developed my own. Unfortunately not everyone appreciated this, so I also learned to keep it to myself. But now vintage is chic - so go figure.

For years I have lived by my wits. Knowledge can be power when living thriftily, and that's the best tip I can pass on to you. Keep learning! Just reading the daily newspaper has told me many ways to save money. It's more of a philosophy than just knowing what outlets to use. Keeping aware of what's around, you will find the best deals. Even in Germany while visiting my sister I found bargains she didn't know about!

This lifestyle's bonus is a degree of freedom from the stranglehold of consumerism. I have all I need to lead a full and happy life without selling my soul to the company store, and in that, I am a happy American freak! Here's to thrifty living!

Pamphyila from L.A., CA

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This is really kind of a testimony. When my daughter graduated from high school I decided to go to work to pay college expenses. My daughter was a straight A student but found it difficult to get scholarships at the time locally. I still had a 14 year old son at home but I had never worked and I thought this would be best. My mom told me not to go to work because once you get used to that extra money it is hard to quit.

Well, at almost 40 years old I did not listen to my mother. My daughter graduated in 4 years with honors, and yes she did get small scholarships along the way, but I did get used to the money and acquired debt.

Before, I had time to budget well, cook from scratch and time to catch sales. etc. Then, I started having trouble with my son, he had been a great student up until then. He is grown now and married with a son of his own. He turned out to be a fine young man.

I know this might make a lot of working moms upset but I have been on both sides and it is very difficult to combine working and being a mom. I can only imagine how hard it is for moms with small kids. I am not saying by any means that no one should work.

However, if you want to stay home eventually, be careful how you handle the extra money. Set goals and timetables. Plan what you will do with extra money and stick to it. I had never intended to work this long and I have been there 14 years. I actually had more to show for myself before I worked. I am now working to pay things off so I can retire. Like my Grandma used to say, it is not how much you make but what you do with it.

By MawMaw2four from Fort Worth, TX

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My husband and I have started having his paycheck directly deposited into our bank account. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most important is that if the check is direct deposited, we are less subject to forgery and identity theft.

By Robin from Washington, Ia

Editor's Note: This is also a good thing to do with Social Security checks.

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Making your own brown sugar is easy and cheaper than buying it at the supermarket; it tastes great on cooked oatmeal in the morning or used in any recipe calling for brown sugar.

To 1 cup granulated sugar, add 2 Tablespoons molasses. Stir together until evenly mixed with a fork. After trying it once, vary it by using 1 Tablespoon molasses, using the dark molasses or the light molasses. We prefer 1 cup sugar to 1 Tablespoon light molasses, but I have made all the other variations. I make a double batch every time.

By Betty

I have made my own brown sugar for years. You use white sugar and add molasses and mix well. I was always running to the store for brown sugar until I discovered this hint. You can make a little or a lot. You can make light or dark depending on the amount of molasses you add.

By Dameemag from Rothbury, Michigan

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Use shoe boxes and other similar size boxes to make large building blocks for your kids. Tape the lid of the box on and then cover them with contact paper. You can even find contact paper with a brick or wood pattern on it.

By ThriftyFun

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I like to give little presents at holidays like Easter to my neighbors and their children - and although they looked great, all the wrapping were recycled! The violet ribbon was saved from a gift, the yellow stripped cellophane around a bunny came from a bouquet, and the gift bags and tissue and the bows all had been around before. So be careful in unwrapping your gifts - you can USE the ribbon/bows, even the paper AGAIN for someone else. It's ecological and thrifty, too. (And fabric ribbon, even the thin rayon kind can be IRONED to make it look nice and fresh, too - my great aunt taught me that.)

By Pam from L.A.

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Sandpaper

I am old enough to remember when knife sharpeners used to come to the DOOR. Not anymore - but you can sort of sharpen your scissors by cutting through sandpaper until the edge is restored. Not ideal - but better than dull scissors and very thrifty.

By pam from L.A., CA

Steel Wool

You can sharpen scissors easily by cutting through a few pieces of steel wool.

By Robin from Washington, IA

SOS Pads

I also use my scissors to cut SOS pads. It saves not having to waste a whole SOS pad as well as sharpens my scissors.

By Tawnda

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When cleaning, apply your cleanser to the surface and let it sit while you work on something else and give the cleaner time to work and you will have to use a lot less elbow grease to get your cleaning done.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Whenever I cook a frozen dinner, I save the plates they were cooked in. Then, when I make meat loaf or roast or whatever, and veggie or mashed potatoes, I'll put the leftovers in individual portions in the saved frozen dinner plate and freeze.

Makes for quick meals if your strapped for time. Just pop in the microwave and voila. Your own homemade frozen dinner.

By Penny from Ipava, IL

Editor's Note: While freezing dinners in these trays is probably safe, reusing them more than once is not recommended by Food and Drug Administration. You probably should put the food in another microwave safe dish before reheating it. Here's some advice from a PDF titled "Reusing Food Packaging . Is it Safe?" that was published by the University of Illinois.

"Do not reuse microwave packages that contain "heat susceptors" for browning or crisping. The adhesives that hold the susceptor to the package may be damaged by the original use. The material is more likely to migrate into the food if it is used again."

You can download the PDF here: http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/vista/pdf_pubs/FOODPACK.PDF

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I'm looking for a copycat recipe for garlic smashed potatoes from either the 99 Restaurant or Bugaboo Creek. Hopefully one of your readers will be able to help me. Thanks for a wonderful ezine!

Karen from NH

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I would like copycat Carnation Breakfast Bars recipe or something similar.

Thanks for any ideas,
Cynthia

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I am trying to find an old apple tree variety that used to grow outside of our house. I know this variety is at least 100 years old and would love to replace the dead tree with a new one of the same variety. It is a late maturing apple, yellowish green in color, sweet and crisp. I can remember fruit still hanging on this tree till Christma. My mom used to use this apple for everything. Anyone have any idea what the name of this variety of apple tree is?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Thanks for your help,
Veachel from North East Ohio

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Does anyone else have a problem with their T-Fal cookware sticking? It seemed like when I would wash my skillet in the dishwasher that it came out a different color and the food in it would stick. Are you not supposed to put T-Fal cookware in the dishwasher? I paid a lot of money (in my opinion) to get pots and pans that don't stick. Is there something I can do to make the skillet nonstick again? Help!

(btw, I hand wash it in the sink now)

luv2craft from Normalville, Pennsylvania

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My husband suffers from Ulcerative Colitis which is a constant inflamation of the bowel. His diet is so limited most of the time. No fried food, no seeds. So many things can add up to a flare up that I am half afraid to feed him. Does anyone know some good foods to feed him that may even help the condition!

Frustrated in Port Clinton OH

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I need some ideas for something for the guests to throw at our wedding as we leave the church. I do not want to use bubbles, rice, or petals, something original and inexpensive. There will be about 300 guests and our colors are black and white with red accents. Thanks again, we have only 4 weeks to the wedding!

Melissa from Topeka

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I recently had a horrible toothache and nothing worked to stop the pain. Then my soon-to-be hubby brought home a few packets of this stuff called Pain Aid from work. This stuff works so good, but I can't seem to find it any place! It has Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Salicylamide and Caffeine in it. Does anyone happen to know where to find it or something similar to it that works so well?

Thank you in advance! :^)

Katie from PA

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I would like to ask for help. Could someone tell me how to get a chunk of candle wax out of a cats tail? It did not burn her but I cannot hold her down long enough to cut it out. It is very close to the skin of the tail. Could someone help me?

Thank you,
Vicky and Oddie from Ontario Canada

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I want to grow my own flowers for my wedding next summer, preferably perennials. which I would start growing right away. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for what kind of flowers would look best if you grew them yourself.

Jennyttt from Belle Plaine, MN

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I had an idea to covert our porch into a temporary sunroom by screening it. Can you make roman shades with screen material to raise and lower? Anyone have any ideas? I can't afford to pay to screen it in.

Wichypoo from Winona, WV

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I just got a white Easter Lily today and I was wondering when I should plant it. Do you have to wait until fall or can you plant them now? It's still got some flowers and green leaves. Do I have to plant it when the top turns brown? Also after I do plant it, will it come back year after year?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

luv2craft from Normalville, Pennsylvania

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I am going to have a rummage sale soon. I am looking for a cleverly worded ad to put in the newspaper to attract the attention of the readers. I hope to bring them here by the 100's. :O)

Joanne from Fond du Lac, WI

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We have a septic tank and are having a problem with lint from the laundry blocking the pipes in the septic field. I use a filter on the hose that discharges water from the washer and also in the drain of the laundry tub, but it seems that lint is still getting through. Does anyone out there have any hints on eliminating lint? I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

Joankay from Chesterfield, MI

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I've no idea what gardening zone I'm in but we have mild winters and mild summers - not much difference between the two it seems! My problem is a fatsia japonica which has developed what looks like cigarette burns on the leaves. Anyone have an idea what would cause this? No other plant is affected.

Scraig1 from Ireland

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I am doing a new horse theme for my room. I really am not sure what do get for it. Like sheets, wallpaper,etc. But, I was thinking about green turf. Also, how should I do it? We want to get it done by the summer.

Thanks!
Caroline from Carlisle, PA

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In a conventional home oven, how do I bake 8 cakes at a time (4 on top, 4 on bottom). Do I swap racks in the middle of the bake or do I just add more time? Thanks.

KP from Tucson, AZ

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The one and only Lemon Pie my daughter made turned out watery. Tasted fabulous but very watery. Now, why was that and what can she do to prevent it from happening again? Thank you for your help.

Linda from Ely, NV

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Gardens Alive

$20 FREE off your first order at Gardens Alive!

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

When I'm preparing a meal on a weekend, it's just as easy to double the amount and freeze a meal to eat later in the work week. Here are some great recipes that you can double up on and pull from freezer to oven on a busy day.

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Breed Description: The Vizla is an attractive and lively hunting dog, medium in size, with a lean and muscular athletic build. This versatile and talented breed can track, point and retrieve, all with equal skill and vigor. The Vizsla is a high energy dog that is happiest when working in the fields. Gentle and responsive, this breed makes a reliable hunting partner and affectionate companion.

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My mom grew up in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with six brothers and sisters. Her father died before she was a teenager, leaving her mother with no income to feed a large family. Meat was a rare and precious commodity in their home - they mostly ate meals made from their garden harvest. When they had meat, they made it last for as many meals as possible.

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I haven't used more than five coupons at the grocery store in the past month, and I don't remember picking up more than a handful of items on sale. I don't "shop around" anymore, and I refuse to "stock up." So, why am I saving money since I started these new habits? Because often people can waste money by saving money.

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If you've decided to add a ham-ham to the family, congratulations! Here are some tips for setting up a happy hamster habitat!

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This casserole is an old French favorite, it demonstrates simple home-cooking at its best giving a hearty and delicious taste of the traditional French kitchen. It makes a delicious and quick hot meal when served with fresh French bread. This recipe can be adapted for vegetarians by substituting the sausages for beans (white, black or red).

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I'm too sexy for my fur... Sorry, couldn't resist.

Okay, hairless cats aren't TOTALLY hairless. Like a peach, they've got fuzz. Down, if you will. The sensation of touching a hairless cat has been compared to warm velvet, or a hot water bottle.

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