Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 200 August 18 2005
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Today's Photos
Church Decoration - Lattice
This is the decoration inside the front door of our church. We liked it so well that we decided not to change it for my daughter's wedding. Not the same colors but it still looked so nice!
By Robin
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Tips for Taking Pictures of People
Photography - It isn't about the background, but more so about the subject, so fill your contents with the subject of the photo. If not, the subject might get lost in the background.
This photo was taken of my son at Cathedral Caverns in Grant, AL. I took lots of photos of the cave outside and in, but this was one of my favorites. We scanned the photo and put it in a folder with the other photos. If you are making a scrap book with photos, include the cave photos with the one of just your subject and you will always know where it was taken.
Just remember, you are taking a photo of the person, so making sure you can see them is a good thing.
Happy Clicking!
Sherry
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Scooter (Chihuahua) and Toby (Chihuahua/Min Pin)
Huggin' Buddies
Scooter is an 8 month old, full blooded Chihuahua. Toby is 1 1/2 yrs old and is a Chihuahua/Miniature Pinscher mix.
We got Scooter from a breeder and Toby from a friend. They play so well together and love chasing squirrels until we put up a fence. They love playing tug-of war with their toys.
By Jean
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Today's Tips
Pasta Bites for Babies
Instead of buying the expensive Gerber pasta bites for my 11 month old daughter, I buy a can of store brand cheese ravioli. I store it in the fridge in a Rubbermade TakeAlong container that I bought at Wal-Mart (two containers were only 98 cents). Whenever she's ready for it I just take out how many pieces I need, rinse off the tomato sauce, cut them up into bite size pieces and pop in the microwave for 13 seconds. It's the same as the Gerber pasta bites, just a lot cheaper! And by rinsing off the tomato sauce, she can feed herself without getting so messy!
Anna
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Homemade Birthday Banners
I recently recieved a catalog in the mail that had everything you could possibly want for a child's birthday party. But the cost of the stuff was crazy! They had banners in the catalog that said "Happy Birthday, Juila" with whatever theme you were doing for $14.99. I wanted one for my daughter's upcoming birthday, but wasn't about to spend that much for a piece of paper! So I got to work!
I had bought a Print WorkShop CD at Wal-Mart for $10 when we bought our computer and it has the feature to make banners on it. I added a border and a couple of Spongebob Squarepant pictures on each end and "Happy Birthday, Brooke" in the middle and printed it up. It came out just as good as the ones in the catalog and only needs to be taped together. And it came out a lot cheaper!!
Anna
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Be Satisfied with Your Purchase
If you get a carryout meal, only to get home and it's not exactly what you ordered, by all means, keep your sales receipt. Stop back in and tell the management about your purchase. They'll most likely make it to your liking.
This, too, could pertain to getting something from the grocery, (ex. a 1/2 of a watermelon from the produce section, only to get it home to serve and find out that it's soured) I had this happen to me once, they replaced it with one that was quite tasty. Our money is hard enough to come by to settle for less.
By Terri
Editor's Note: So true. Just because something is perishable doesn't mean a store won't take it back. We had cheese go bad incredibly quick, took it back and they replaced it. It's helpful to have the receipt but I have even been able to take items back without it.
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Mousepad for Manicures
A mousepad with gel wrist rest is perfect to support your hand while doing nails. Just don't do it near the keyboard!
By Linda
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Removing Corn Silk
Remove corn silk by rubbing a damp paper towel over the husked corn.
By Linda
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Saving Money on Meat
Tips for saving money on meat. Post your ideas below!
Saving Money on Meat
I like to stock up on different varieties of fresh meat but hate paying the some time expensive prices of fresh meat. While shopping at Safeway once, I noticed red manager price off stickers on various packaged meat. The reason for this is that the meat is getting close to the expiration date (but not past yet) and the store wishes to get rid of the meat if possible.
I find that these packages are great bargains for me. Once I even managed to get over $15 worth of meat for about $5.50. As I have a freezer, I freeze all my meat for future use and thus extend the expiration date of the meat. By watching for these manager specials, I not only save money, but am also able to get a variety of fresh meat.
By Marlene
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Soy Sauce Steak
I buy a pack of thin cut steaks at the grocery store which usually cost about $4 - $5 and cut them up into strips to make soy steak. In a frying pan over high heat, put in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. In a mixing bowl add your strips of steak with some garlic salt, pepper, and about 3 tablespoons of soy sauce. Stir together and cook over medium heat until done. Goes great with brown rice and mixed veggies! Enjoy!
Anna
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Quicker Tea
In our house we don't drink coffee, but we go through iced tea like crazy. It takes so long for water to come to a boil on the stove, so I started making my tea differently. We bought a 10-cup coffee maker which makes tea a lot faster! I fill up the water to the 10-cup line and add my tea bags where the coffee filter would go (no filter needed for tea bags) and start it up. In no time we have tea!
Anna
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Single Parenting: Dealing With Dead-Beat Dads
By Sharon Shearer My heart goes out to the innocent children who are dragged into Talk Shows with two cursing, yelling parents letting the world know they have a problem with support for their child. Children have feelings too, and the bitterness only produces frustrated adolescents. Then parents wonder why kids go off the deep end and commit crimes in an effort to get someone to listen.
I don't know about other states, but where I reside there seems to be a pass-the-buck policy in many Child Support cases. For nearly sixteen years this happened with me and my Daughter until I had enough and took matters in my own hands. I'd like to offer a few suggestions to help mothers going through this situation.
1. Most Importantly: Keep your negative comments to yourself and away from the involved child. This only builds frustration, and eventually they will know the truth, anyway.
2. Don't let fear of a court battle prevent you from doing what it right by your child. Years ago it was a tough process, but today DNA tells the story -- Case Closed!
3. Merely having the proof doesn't always get results. Lawyers don't hesitate to collect their fees from the state but that doesn't guarantee results. As a parent, stay on top of it, report again and again, that the court ordered support has not been sent. Many times officials are unaware that Dead-Beat Dads aren't paying support.
4. In my case I had a State Senator who helped by providing the name of an advocate who listened to my side of the story and went to bat to help. Income Tax money can and will be tied up until past due support is up-to-date. Trust me on this! Keep digging until you find a caring State Advocate. Believe it or not--there are some out there.
5. For the sake of the child, be persistent. It can be discouraging but don't give up. Children have rights, too! And they must depend on us as a parent to stand up for what's right in their behalf.
By Sharon Shearer
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Fruit Salad
Quick Fruit Salad
If you keep canned fruits and a bag of mini marshmallows on hand at all times, a bowl of fruit salad can be made very quickly. To serve to unexpected company or just something to eat on while watching TV.
By Terri
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Longer Life For Dryer's Heating Element
To give your dryer's heating element longer life, take out the lint catcher and clean with dish washing liquid and a scubbing brush. Fabric softner & dryer sheets put a flim on the lint catcher that you cannot see that blocks air from flowing through it. If you don't believe me, before cleaning it, run the lint catcher under water and watch to see if it runs through the screen on not! It's best to clean the screen every couple of months to save your heating element!
Anna
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Contest ends August 31, 2005
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New Requests
Coupons for Troops
I just read a post on Ebay's want it now page that a military family stationed overseas would like expired coupons. I guess they can use them for up to 6 months after the date. I can not imagine expecting someone to pay for old coupons so I wanted to know if anyone knows of an organization that would distribute expired coupons to these families? It's the least we could do to support our troops.
Thanks,
Amanda
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Cat in Crawl Space
A young cat has gotten under our house crawl space. I have lured it out with food, but was unable to block the hold before it quickly went back under the house. Any suggestions for luring it out long enough to block the hole? It has been under the house for awhile -- urine smell. Any suggestions for eliminating the odor without crawling under house? We do have a crawl space door that I could open and put or throw something into.
Please help,
Jo in Oregon
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Dog Licked Up Spilled Grease
My Dog licked up some spilled grease and now has vomited once and acts uncomfortable. What home remedy can I give her or does she need to go to vet? Thank you for any help.
Sheila
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Removing Ink Stains From Carpet
If anyone has a suggestion for me to clean ink from my carpet, I tried but it has smeared into several spots. The carpet is peach colored with blue ink spots. My 13 month old puppy had fun playing with an ink pen the other day! HELP!
Angie from Michigan
Tips for cleaning ink stains from carpet. Post your ideas.
Caution: If your carpet manufacturer has a website or toll free number, be sure to research what advice they might have. Different solutions may not work on different type of carpet. It is always good to pretest any solution on a carpet remnant.
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Which sex of cat should I get?
My neighbour found a cat and 4 kittens in her back yard. The babies are about 4 weeks old and so cute! Anyway, we are going to send them all to the shelter so they get the best care and protection. I am going to take one of the kittens when they are weaned. My question is, which sex of cat would be better? I am looking for a cat that is tolerant of kids (mine are 7 and 10), loving, quiet and playful. It will remain indoors also. Thanks for any opinions!
Lori
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Sharpening Paper Shredder Blades
I think the blades of my paper shredder are getting dull. Has anyone ever sharpened theirs?
Thanks,
Amanda
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Restoring a Steamer Trunk
I would like tips on how to properly restore the inside of an old steamer trunk. The current paper inside smells musty and is coming off. Also, how do I accomplish this on a limited budget?
Melissa
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Homemade Swiffer CarpetFlick Cartridges
I just bought the new Swiffer Carpetflick. It's simply a plastic broom with a removable sticky "cartridge" that traps dust, hair, fibers that you then toss. I found it incredibly effective and you wouldn't believe what it removed from my carpet in a two-minute test (pet hair, formerly invisible crumbs).
However, I will not pay for the cartridge refills. I think they are practically a dollar a piece! They are simply a thin flimsy coated piece of cardboard. The kind you recycle everyday from cereal, new products and other boxes.
This cardboard piece is simply coated on both sides with a super-sticky adhesive. You remove paper backing from both sides before use.
There has to be a simple way to coat my own cardboard cutout with some type of adhesive. The post it note type of adhesive is probably a little thin. Rubber cement is probably too strong along with the smell and it's not good for the environment. Using a kid glue would be too messy as would letting it dry and rewetting before use.
Any ideas? I thought about simply wrapping a wet baby wipe around it, but it's not particularly "sticky".
This sticky adhesive seems to be the same stuff as those kids' toys and lint rollers that you rewash with soap to reactivate. Very sticky. Anyone know how to make this? If so, I could practically make these cartridges for free.
Thank you!
Melissa
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Huge Ants
We have recently built a garage. We put slag [cement?] right in front of the garage door and now we have ant problems. I am not talking about normal ants, these ants are huge. Can anybody please help me get rid of these?
Thanks in advance,
Donna
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Matching Paint Colors for Touch Ups
I love this newsletter, the participants are great. I have a dilemma. I am in the process of getting my house ready to sell. I am filling nail holes on the walls and touching up paint. i was told by my real estate agent that it was not necessary to paint the entire interior white in order to sell it, which was a relief because the labor and cost would be prohibitive.
Unfortunately i have lost the brand, color name and sheen of the paint used in several rooms. I don't even remember which store I bought the paint at to narrow my possibilities. I have been trying to choose the same color by taping up similar swatches and observing them at various times of day and in different light to get a match. When I get close I buy a quart (the smallest option avail.) and try a touch up.
So far I have spent $30 on three quarts of non-matching paint. it now looks worse than if i had just left the nails in the wall! I am at my wits end as to how to end this madness. There are literally thousands of possibilities.
Part of the problem i think is related to age and sun-related fading and smoke stain. I have tried washing the walls first with little change. does anyone have any suggestions to correct or disguise this mistake without having to repaint the entire room?
Debbie
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Randy Reindeer Crochet Pattern
I am trying to locate the randy reindeer crochet pattern. All i know is that it was published in america.
Thanks,
Anne
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Work From Home
Does anyone out there have a stay at home job that isn't a scam, and is relatively easy to do? I'm looking for a part time job working from my home. I see all the internet sites on stuffing envelopes, etc. but none of it really seems like it would be legit. Anyone have any suggestions?
Kara from Tampa
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Kielbasa with Cola
I've been trying to find a recipe for kielbasa made with Coca Cola.
Thanks!
Amanda
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Navy Blue Steaks on Red Clothing
I would like to know if anyone can help with a laundry problem. I take my red, maroon, and pink clothes to my mother's to wash because when I wash them at my house I get a navy blue streak on them. This has happened to towels, shorts, t-shirts, you name it. We are on well water, and she is not. Any help would be appreciated!
Cathy from SC
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Reupholster a Recliner
I just bought a used recliner. it looks like a mid century modern, it has a label that says it is "Design Environment" N.C. The chair is great except that the straps under the seat cushion have all just fell apart.
I need to replace these straps which look like a thick ace bandage and have metal clips that simply slide into a groove on the frames bottom.
Any ideas where I can find these kind of straps or what I could substitute?
Thanks,
Rick
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Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
I have burnt jam in my stainless steel boiler. How do I remove the hard burnt crust from the bottom of my pan without damaging the stainless steel?
Michael Clarke
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Arch Window Curtain Pattern
I need a pattern for sewing an arch curtain for an arch window, or some idea to cover the arch. I know you can buy shades in the arch style, but I'd like to make something myself.
gouligann
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Taking Down Blinds
I was pleased to see the items on cleaning blinds. However, what I want to know is how to take them down!
Corey
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