Daily Thrifty Tips - February 16, 2007

Keeping Your Camera with You

Always keep your camera with you on walking or bicycling trips. The point and click automatic digital cameras over five megapixels, create near professional quality photographs.

Photography is a state of mind. Decide to photograph all the things you find beautiful, no matter where they are located and no matter what the subject matter, then you point and click. Soon, your state of mind is set on what is beautiful in life. You have become a photographer.

Signed: Joseph Raglione: amateur photographer.

By Joseph Raglione from Laval, Quebec, Canada

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Decorated Pumpkins and Squash

I purchased my pumpkins and squash in early October. After Thanksgiving I converted them to Christmas decorations with a little spray paint and wire rimmed ribbon. Even after sitting on my porch until after the New Year, they were all still intact. We even ate some of the small pumpkins and the squash!

By CJIrby from Longview, TX

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Miss Akemi (Shih Tzu)

I would like to introduce Miss Akemi. She is now 4 months old and is a shih tzu. My pride and joy.

By Himiko from Salisbury, MD

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"Hey, What's Snow Anyway?"

My granddaughter Hannah stays with me about 2-3 times a week at school before classes resume each morning. We play in the classroom, stroll around the building, watch Curious George and other PBS early morning programming.

This particular picture is outside a Jr. K-4 classroom decorated with a snow scene and a blow-up penguin. Hannah was sitting in the stroller and looking at the penguin like she was saying, "Hey, what's snow anyway?"

Hannah's mother has since changed shifts at work and I no longer keep her in the mornings at school. I have sweet memories of playing with her. I made a scrapbook page of our morning at school with other pictures of Hannah around the school and in the classroom.

This is a priceless memory for me and my granddaughter to share in years to come.

By WandaJo from Tennessee

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Cooking Tips With The Microwave

• Soften brown sugar: place apple slice in bag, close tightly with string or scotch tape, microwave on high about 15 seconds.


• Toasting coconut: place coconut in 9 inch glass pie plate, microwave on high for 4 minutes, tossing with fork after each minute.


• Plump raisins: place in safe bowl, add 2 tsp. of water, cover with plastic wrap microwave on high for 30 seconds.


• Warm syrup for pancakes: remove cover if in plastic or glass container, microwave on high for about 30 seconds.

By LRP from Lowell, MA

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Check SearchAllDeals.com Before You Buy

Before purchasing any product or service (online or offline), go to http://www.SearchAllDeals.com and see if there is a deal or coupon applicable to the purchase. This site is a big time saver as it searches 60+ deal/coupon sites all at once.

By Jasmine from Palo Alto, CA

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Why You Should Eat A Complete Breakfast Every Day

From when I was a child, I kept hearing the same words over and over, "Part of this complete breakfast". Now I'm an adult and have just recently truly paid attention to those words. I used to be one to skip breakfast altogether, but can't anymore as I'm now working out at the gym. I've got to thinking, "What IS a complete breakfast?"

I thought I would share what I have found to work for me, for someone who gets up and never has time to stay and eat, but goes to work. A complete breakfast should have three of the four food groups and about 300 calories (a bowl of fiber-rich cereal with milk and a banana is an example of a complete breakfast). Ideally, there should be protein and fibre in the breakfast. These slow sugar release from foods so that you feel fuller longer. Recommended daily intake (RDI) for fibre is 30 grams. So it's great to eat whole grain breads and fiber-rich cereals in the morning to meet this RDI. Another thing to look for in a complete breakfast is calcium (to keep up bone density/mass).

To get the benefits a breakfast offers, you don't have to eat as soon as you wake up. Just make sure you eat within two hours of getting up. As I personally am out the door right when I get up, I have my own grocery cupboard at work, consisting of (and matching 3 out of 4 food groups):

1. Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast with 250mL 1% white milk. Good alternative: Nestle Carnation Breakfast Anytime!


2. 2 slices of 100% whole wheat bread (btw, I have noticed that the whole wheat bread toasts oh so much better than white).


3. Trans-fat free peanut butter (crunchy has less sodium than smooth).


4. Strawberry jam (ok ok, the sugar in these jams are quite high, but at least there is fruit in there. somewhere. right?)

As for me, I can definitely vouch that I have more energy throughout the day just by eating the breakfast I mentioned above. I would recommend anyone who argues to at least test it out for a month. You WILL see a difference in your energy and your mood.

By Kevin from Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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Reuse Large Ice Cream Tubs

I buy ice cream in the clear buckets with handles. After the ice cream is gone, I wash and dry the bucket and lid. Then I use the bucket as a container for storing flour, sugar, cornmeal, cookies, chips, etc. I take an index card write the name in maker and tape it to the lid after trimming off the excess. I make sure that the entire index card is covered in tape, so that it is protected from dirt, water, etc. These containers are great because they are stackable, clear, and cheap to replace. The handles make them easy to carry around.

By Jennifer from Annville, KY

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IMPORTANT: Peter Pan Peanut Butter Recall

IMPORTANT! PETER PAN PEANUT BUTTER RECALL INFO

If consumers have this product, they should discard it, but save the product lid. For a full refund, consumers must return the Peter Pan Peanut Butter or Great Value Peanut Butter product lid along with their name and mailing address to:

ConAgra Foods
P.O. Box 3768
Omaha, NE 68103 The lid will have a product code on top the first four numbers will be 2111.

Consumers with questions or concerns about the recall can call the 24-hour toll-free hotline at 866-344-6970. For more information about salmonella, visit www.ific.org.

For more on the story go to: http://www.topix.net/business/food-science

Thanks to IMAQT1962 for the heads up on this.

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Using Up Corn And Flour Tortillas

Every time I purchase a small package of tortillas, about half of the package sits for days on the counter top or in the fridge 'til I wonder about its freshness and throw it out. I decided to resolve this situation by purchasing "101 Things To Do With A Tortilla" by S. Ashcraft and D. Kelly.

Got it at the "All Books $4.95" bookstore (although some are priced closer to $2). ISBN 1-58685-469-0

I went through it and wrote down the page numbers for recipes calling for gorditas, flour and corn tortillas and chips.

FYI: The book says that the tortillas store well in the fridge for about 2 weeks or in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. This should cut down on a lot of waste.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Perfume On A Lightbulb

Here's an old fashioned tip on making a room fragrant. Put a dab of perfume on a light bulb in a lamp, and then when the lamp is on, the heat of the light bulb will diffuse the scent. Be careful, though, putting it on a hot bulb may cause it to shatter. I have also put cotton balls dipped in perfume on the metal part of the lampshade holder to diffuse the scent. A good use for perfumes that may be too dried up for daily use.

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Free Purina Food

I heard on a radio station in Kentucky today about a free promotion from Purina Food. If you call 1-888-606-BARK you can receive a free bag of One dog food or cat food. I use this product and it is not cheap. I don't know if the offer is just good in Kentucky or not, but it is one per household.

By Donna from Brandenburg, KY

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Another Year Has Passed (A Poem)

How true it is . . .

Another year has passed
and we're all a little older.
Last summer felt hotter
and winter seems much colder.

I rack my brain for happy thoughts,
to put down on my pad,
But lots of things that come to mind
just make me kind of sad.

There was a time not long ago
when life was quite a blast.
Now I fully understand
about "Living in the Past".

We used to go to friends' homes,
football games and lunches.
Now we go to therapy, to hospitals,
and after-funeral brunches.

We used to have hangovers,
from parties that were gay.
Now we suffer body aches
and sleep the night away.

We used to go out dining,
and couldn't get our fill.
Now we ask for doggie bags,
come home and take a pill.

We used to often travel
to places near and far.
Now we get backaches
from riding in the car.

We used to go out shopping
for new clothing at the mall
But, now we never bother...
all the sizes are too small.

That, my friend is how life is,
and now my tale is told.
So, enjoy each day and live it up...
before you are too old!!

By imaqt1962 from Illinois

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Removing Chewing Gum From Hair

How to get bubble gum out of hair. Apply peanut butter to the gummed area and rub and walla, the gum will release and remove easily.

By Diana from La Cygne, KS

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What does the term "Supreme" mean?

What does the term "Supreme" mean?

Marjorie from Vereeniging, South Africa

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Aloe Vera Oil

How do I make homemade aloe vera oil from that plant?

Miriam from Tampa, FL

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Can you live on less than £5 a day?

Can you live on less than £5 a day?

Nicola from England

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Saving Money on Diapers

Tips and strategies for saving money on diapers. Post your ideas below!

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Activities for the Elderly and Disabled

I am looking for activities for the elderly and disabled.

Gillian from Scotland, U.K.

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Office Award Ideas

I need ideas for office employee awards. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Dayna from Richmond, VA

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Bleach Stains on Clothing

My brand new black jacket got splattered with bleach. Can this be fixed.

Thanks all,
Barb from Ontario Canada

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Split Lip

I have had a split lip on the inside of my mouth for about 2 1/2 months. Does anyone have any safe ideas on how to heal this? Thanks for your help.

Sandy from Stoughton, WI

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Painting a Chalk Wall

What do you do before painting a wall - if it's made of chalk?

Dad from Chicago, IL

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Washing Machine Smell

My washing machine stinks like rotten eggs almost every time I do a wash. I've put bleach through the wash and it helped for a short time. The clothes do not come out smelling bad.

Zazz4 from Oroville, WA

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Cleaner for Coffee Pots

Does anyone have a good cleaner for coffee pots? I used Thund'r Blast from Dollar General, but they have apparently discontinued it.

Hal from Evansville, IN

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Storing Fabric

I am looking for ideas to store large, heavy quantities of fabric. I read some posts and saw some really cool ideas, yet my problem is a lot larger. I have approximately 35 bins of wools and denim given to me and I would love to find a better way of storing them. The woolen are about 5 yards each.

Your help would be great!

Sharon from PA

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Cleaning Ceramic Bathroom Tiles

What is the best cleaning solution for cleaning ceramic shower tiles so they look nice and glossy afterwards and not show water marks? Is there something that will both do this and clean the grout as well?

Debbie from Garden City, MI

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Junior's Chili Recipe

I am looking for a recipe for chili like the kind Junior's puts on its burgers and fries.

Thanks,
GK from Winnipeg, Canada

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Lip Balm Stains On Clothes

I accidently washed and dried a load of laundry with lip balm, how do I get it out of my clothes?

Jessica from Placerville, CA

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What Should I Eat Before Taking a Test?

I took a math test and ran out of mental steam an hour into the test, aggravated by some guy who snored on and off for 45 minutes. Then a girl who came in a moment later, sat next to me and kept jiggling and wiggling herself as she took her test. Aargh! That one did me in.

Any dietary suggestions that I can eat before taking another stressful math exam?

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Storing Cut Avocados

Does anyone have any tips for storing avocados after they have been cut into? Should they be refrigerated? Is it best to leave the pit in, or take it out?

Laure from Maryland

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Growing Vegetables in an Apartment

I wanted to grow some veggies in my basement apartment. I was thinking tomatoes. But not sure if there is anything else that is a good veggie. I have two windows that get pretty good sun.they are also deep so I can always sit a pot in them. Any suggestions as to how to go about doing this or is it will work or what to grow?

Thanks,
Raylene from Toronto Ontario

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Lip Gloss on Microfiber

My nephew rubbed lip gloss into my microfiber couch. It has oily stains on almost every pillow. How do I clean this?

Mara from Chicago, IL

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Pruning a Hibiscus

I have had Hibiscus tree for about 3 years now and it is still hardy. I bring it in the winter. It is getting very large and growing outward. Can I prune it? If so when is the best time? Where should I cut? I am afraid to kill it seeing as I do not have any information on Hibiscus. I have scoured the net but have not found anything about pruning.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Barb from Phila., PA

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Birthday Party Games

I need ideas for party games for my son's 6th birthday party in May. We own a campground, so I would like to have a weenie roast and make s'mores, etc. There would probably be about 16-18 kids--everyone in his class that has had a party has invited the entire class! I could get 2 or 3 teens and 10 and 11 year old to help.

We don't have a pool (just ponds). The kids could ride pedal carts or paddle boats. We have a game room, but I don't think I want the kids spending their time in there. Perhaps a scavenger hunt? I could get a clown. Perhaps a bouncy castle? Don't want to go too extravagant. Thanks for help.

Sandy from Stoughton, WI

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Helping Wildlife in the Winter
By Ellen Brown

When winter weather arrives, gardeners can keep warm by staying indoors. The wildlife in our garden doesn't have it so easy. They either find a way to cope with the cold or they die. Here are three strategies animals use for coping with the cold and what you can do to help them through the winter.

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