No bulky lipstick tube.
Tissue holder: Use a spring top closure pouch 3-1/2" by 3", many times FREE at health fairs, senior centers, promotion items. Fold 4 Kleenex type tissues in small squares and put in pouch. Put a headache pill in the bottom for emergencies. You can also carry a note pad and pen (in back pocket) so if you see something while shopping that strikes your eye, jot down notes so that at home you can create your own, that goes for cute phrases also! You can do a crude drawing if you are not an artist; this will refresh your memory. Also, you can jot down stores and prices, if you want to return later.
It eliminates the possibility of having your purse snatched! This has worked for me for more than a decade.
By Syd
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Organizing and Displaying Pierced-Ear Earrings
I use a 1" wide grosgrain ribbon. Choose a color you like, and tie a knot in each ends to keep the ends from fraying; or hem the ends if you're feeling flush on time and want a neater look. Hang up one end on the wall with a nail or cup hook. Then just poke the backs of the earrings through the ribbon. I have two 1.5-foot long ribbons hung up in my bedroom, and must have at least 40-50 pairs of all types (studs, hoops, hooks, etc.) hung up there. Very inexpensive, and makes it really easy to find the pair you want. Gussy it up with a bow or other trim at the top, and you've got a cute gift idea too.
By Lynne
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Marking Good Magazine Articles
My hubby and I like to read magazine articles about saving money, investing, etc. Hubby does not have the time, like I do, to read the magazines that contain articles such as these. As I read information that I know that he would like to read I flag it and pass along the entire publication on to him. He appreciates my effort!
By Betty
Editor's Note: Post-it Notes work great for this.
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Destroying Credit Cards
When the time comes to destroy a credit card. We run them thru our shredder, which cuts both in vertical and horizontally. If it's still not to our liking, we'll cut even more with scissors. But we don't drop them all in one waste can, we scatter them in various places, in the trash. While also, saving some for another trash day.
By Terri H.
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Rural Mailbox Tip
Be careful when going to get your mail from your mailbox if you have rural delivery. Now that it's warmer weather, watch out for all those little critters that are trying to find refuge from the sun. Just a few days ago, my husband found a wasp in our mailbox. Look inside to make sure you're not getting more than just your mail, when you put your hand inside.
By Terri H.
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Our Little Patriot - Learning the Pledge
When my little Grandson (now 6) was 2 years old he learned the pledge to the flag at Daycare. This was his translation: I pledge allegiance to the FROG of the UNITED STAKES of the MERICAN and to the REPOTON for WITCHEN STAYS one nation under God IN-A-BISSIBLE with LIVERY and JUSTUS FROG!!! We were so proud of our little Patriot.
MamawKC
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Buying Cleaning Supplies At Dollar Tree
Can't say enough for DOLLAR TREE STORES. I went today and found all kinds of Bissell cleaning products. When a mother can stock her cleaning shelf with 11 good products for $11.00 THAT'S a bargain! Can you imagine what that many items would have cost elsewhere? The brand names? Bissell, the Works, Dawn with bleach, not products that half do the job. Try it. You'll LIKE saving money!
By Sharon,Ky
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Finding Good Contractors
There's always someone out to make a fast dollar. Remember reputable contractors won't make offers good just for today. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it usually isn't a good deal.
Around here, several people got taken on driveway scams. The proposed paving company will come to your house saying they have some leftover blacktop from a local construction job, would you like it for a certain amount of money. Which usually is an amount to make you think it's a wonderful deal and the homeowners pay for it. Only to find the proposed paving company have dropped out a huge lump of blacktop in the middle of your driveway and have left! Left with your money!
And then you have to find a way to dispose of it, as it's no good to you hardened in a lump. Either you have to dispose of it or hire someone else to come and get it out. I've known of a couple of people who fell for this one, don't you be a victim, too.
By Terri H.
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Installing Air Conditioning Units
Don't wait till Summertime to install an air conditioning unit. If you can wait till the 1st week in September thru the 2nd week in October. Air conditioning systems usually are marked down sometimes up to 30% in price.
By Terri H.
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Discounts From Your Local Nursery
With planting season upon us, check with your local nursery to see if they give discounts if you bring back the pots and trays that you have at home from previous purchases (if still in good condition).
By Terri H.
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Saving Money on Coffee Filters
Tips for saving money on coffee filters. Post your ideas.
Instead of buying the more expensive cone filters, I take the cheap white basket filters and cut them in the shape of a cone filter. You can use a regular cone filter as a template. If you don't want to cut each filter, you can fold the filter so its shape is more conical.
By truerblue
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Watch Out When Paying Bills by Phone
Our bank has encouraged it's customers to NEVER pay bills over the phone. They have had many scary stories about things that went wrong for their customers when they did that. Identity theft can be a problem as well as the situation of wanting to make a one time bill payment and the company takes it upon themselves to keep taking money out of their account at the same time of each month without their permission.
By Robin
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Easy Deviled Eggs
I'm always requested to bring this when I am invited to an event. I once brought 40 halves and it still was not enough eggs! Rubbermaid makes the containers which hold 20 halves each. I bought mine at Target when they were on sale for $2.00 each.
I use Best Food's Relish Sandwich Spread to mix the cooked yolk and then fill the halved cooked white eggs, and sprinkle with paprika. I've tried the Kraft brand and it is too sour for my taste. Just use enough sandwich spread for the right creaminess to your liking before filling the eggs. I used to also put in a little yellow food coloring, but I don't bother with doing that anymore, since the paprika pretty much covers it.
By Las Vegas Angel
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Harvard Beets
Cook:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. butter
Directions:
Pour over sliced cooked cubed beets 1/2 hour before serving.
By Robin
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Pepsi Chicken
Great recipe and very easy. With spring being the season we all get that fever to start barbecuing again. But sometimes the rain puts a damper on that. So a great indoor recipe is Pepsi Chicken.
- You will preheat your fryer for 375
- Fit as much chicken as you want to in it
- get a bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce and pour over the chicken
- next you add a can of pepsi
- put a little salt and pepper over the chicken
- cook until chicken juices come out clean.
This takes less than five minutes to prepare and about forty minutes to cook.This is the best indoor barbecue around. Good Luck!
By Jennifer
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Best Wedding Fruit Punch EVER!
Sort of expensive to make but well worth it.
Ingredients:
- 8 Oranges
- 8 Lemons
- 3 Limes
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 quarts Pineapple Juice
- 4 quarts GingerAle
Directions:
Squeeze and blend all fruit removing the seeds,and skins. This can be made and stored for use before use. Add additional Pineapple Juice and GingerAle. This can also be spiked with liquor. Make a pretty ring of artificial fruit or flowers in a round jello mold, add water and freeze the mold to float on top. Great alternative to the FOAMY sherbet punches.
By Sharon,Ky
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Fondue - Milk Chocolate Caramel
Ingredients:
- 2 cans sweetened condensed milk
- 2 jars Caramel Ice cream topping
- 6- (1oz) squares unsweetened Bakers chocolate.
Directions:
Mix and let melt together in fondue pan. MUST be kept warm while serving.
By Sharon Shearer
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"Lucky If You Get a Piece" Dessert
Ingredients:
- 4 sticks butter or margarine
- 4 cups plain flour
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- 2 cups cool whip
- 1 Bag Powdered Sugar
- Strawberries (or your favorite fruit)
- Packaged strawberry (or other fruits flavor) pie glaze.
Directions:
Mix together flour, margarine and chopped pecans and mash in a long casserole dish or cake pan. Bake 350 degrees till browned about 10-15 minutes. Cool.
Mix together cool whip and powdered sugar, and spread on the baked crust. Then mix together strawberry glaze and cut up strawberries, and spread on top. Everyone loves this dessert!
By Sharon Shearer
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Dried Beef Cheese Ball
Chop 1 5oz pkg DRIED BEEF (reserve enough to cover ball)
Combine:
- 2 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 small onion
- 3 dashes garlic salt
- and cut-up dried beef.
Directions:
Form into a ball. Cover with reserved dried beef. Top with an olive.
I have used this recipe to serve for many weddings, showers and special events. Guests love it!
By Sharon Shearer
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Pineapple Cheese Ball
Combine in a large bowl:
- 2 8 oz packages cream cheese
- 1 8 1/2 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
Directions:
Mix all together . Chill a few minutes and roll into a ball. Roll in finely chopped Pecans.
By Sharon Shearer
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New Requests:
Homemade Slimfast Recipe
Any ideas on how to make homemade slimfast?
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Dry Sunburned Skin
I got a BAD facial sunburn on Sunday, it's healing and now the skin on my forhead and cheeks is very dry and very tight. Does anyone know how to get rid of it? Please help,
Sunburned Samantha
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Recipes Using Turkey Thigh Meat
I have meat from turkey thighs extracted myself (I know it's a bit time-consuming) but it's one of the very cheapest I know. Any interesting recipes for using this meat, including when minced?
Thanks,
YT - UK
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Recipes For Turning Plain Pickles into Gourmet?
I recently received a gift of refrigerator pickles bought from a farmer's market. The hamburger dill slices had originally been purchased in either the gallon or maybe 5 gallon economy size, and drained and packed into small jars. Then a different brine (or maybe the same one with spices added to "kick up" the flavor) had been poured over them.
The jar I was given had jalapeno, sugar, tabasco and garlic added to the new brine. My question is -- does anyone know of recipes for doing this? I have thought about experimenting, but don't know whether to add more vinegar to the original brine, how much spice to add, etc.
Thanks in advance for any recipes you can share with me using this technique. It seems like an easy way to make your own personal style of pickles. Good for gift-giving also.
By Paula W
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Highschool Party Suggestions
Does anyone have any suggestion for a highschool 17 year old party ?
Thanks,
Becca
CheerBear88
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Crochet Patterns Using Fabric or Plastic Bags
I'm interested in crochet patterns in fabric, where can I find these? I'm also trying in find crocheted bag patterns that use plastic or wicker handles.
Thanks!
Bev B.
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Color Stains out of Other Colored Clothes
I just bought a beautiful sundress for a very expensive price packed it in my suitcase with hairspray and to my surprise, the hair spray opened and the black flowers bled onto the white dress in 2 large spots. Do you think a dry cleaner will be able to get this out, it is dry clean only. If not is there any other alternative for spot cleaning, I'd be devastated if it didn't come up Please Help! Sara
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Green Water in Above Ground Pool
We just set up a metal frame pool and the water has been nothing but green since! I have shocked it three times, added bleach, used stablizer, clairfier, and algecide as well. We have also added much clorine granules, and still no luck. PLEASE HELP!!! THANKS
- Carol
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More Reading:
Apple Bread
By LeAnn R. Ralph
This is my favorite recipe for apple bread. It works well with fresh apples or with frozen apples.
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New Hope for Old Farmers: Americans Long for Life 'Down on the Farm'
By LeAnn R. Ralph
Imagine my surprise when I read an article in the April 2005 edition of Reader's Digest informing me that membership in Future Farmers of America (FFA) has hit a 22-year record high.
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Shrimp & Broccoli Fettuccine
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10 Tips for Buying a Parrot
By Milo Piros
Parrots are one of the most attractive and rewarding animals in the world. Though parrots are very intelligent their requirements and demands are quite different from other types of pets. They need the care and attention of their owners far more than other household animals. Most of the parrot breeds are both noisy and destructive; and the larger breeds live for a much longer time than the smaller ones. Therefore it is necessary for you to think carefully about the following issues before buying them.
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