Daily Thrifty Tips - September 29, 2006

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I'm always looking for old windows to paint. As you see here they make great welcome signs, and much loved gifts!

By Laurie from Michigan

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Lady is my 5 year old Pomeranian. She was my favorite uncle's dog. I adopted her when he died last fall.

She loves to cuddle and play with her stuffed toys. She knows she's cute. Whenever I grab the camera, she's always ready to pose.

By Maudie from Castorland, NY

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Whenever you make a purchase using the card, deduct that amount from your checkbook register just as if you had used a check. When the credit card bill arrives, pay in full, deducting -0- from the balance column. Treat your credit card like real money!

By Carolyn

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Use little stuffed toys you have around or get as freebies as erasers for whiteboards. (I know from my tutoring days that you also can make little white boards from almost any slick white surface - I used slick white folders and little boards probably originally used with magnets I got at yard sales.)

By Pam from Los Angeles

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If you have a frugal neighbor or friend, this works well. When you cook dinner, cook a little extra and exchange the leftovers with another frugal friend or neighbor. That way you're cooking once for two dinners and you're not having your same leftovers!

By WINDELLA from PASADENA,CA

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On this same board, recently a lady posted, "Place the fried onions in a baggie and use a rolling pin to crumble them into fine crumbs (you can use a blender or food processor if you wish)". When needing cereal or cracker crumbs for toppings, using the baggie and rolling pin will be a lot faster and a much easier cleanup than using the blender or food processer. Always strive for a way to make your time spent in the kitchen a shorter experience. That'll leave more time to spend with your loved ones or for you can a long soak in the bubble bath, or curl up with a good book, etc.

By Terri from NV

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Buy small brown paper bags and paint them with vegetable oil until the paper is translucent. Turn them upside down to drain out any excess oil. Pour tempered chocolate inside the bag and turn and tip the bag until all sides are covered. Turn the bag upside down to pour out excess chocolate. Move the bag to parchment paper covered tray and place them on the tray upside down. Put the tray in refrigerator to chill.

When firm, "carefully" peel off the paper. You may have to coat the inside of the bags a second time to get a thick enough coating of chocolate. This is a bit tricky, so you may have to experiment for best results.

By IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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A very self-important college freshman attending a recent football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation.

"You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one," the student said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. "The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our space ships have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing and...," pausing to take another drink of beer.

The older man took advantage of the break in the student's litany and said, "You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young... so we invented them. Now, what are YOU and your bunch doing for the next generation?"

The applause was resounding.

By Terri from NV

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If you frequent movie theaters regularly, check and see if they have a Movie Rewards program. You get points every time you purchase tickets and when you get enough points, you get something free like popcorn, a drink or a free movie ticket. They usually give away small drinks and popcorns but they'll allow you to upgrade for the difference in cost which is usually minimal.

By Fisher

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Don't buy a new car if you haven't paid off your old one unless you have equity accumulated. One common practice at dealerships is to offer to roll the balance of an existing loan into the financing for a new car. It usually creates a situation where you are taking a loan that is greater than the value of the car you are buying. While this makes it easy to leave the car lot with a sparkling new car, it's a bad practice for consumers and a financial boon for dealers and lenders. Anything that is good for them, is usually bad for you.

By Fisher

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When buying a new or used car from a dealer, make a down payment of at least 20%. That will be a enough to cover taxes and most of the vehicles first year depreciation. Dealerships will gladly sell you a car with less down, but that will leave you with an upside down loan for years. An upside down loans means you owe more than the car is worth.

By Fisher

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My 7 year old is a little larger than average around his waist, so I have to buy pants that are to long for him in order to get ones that will fit him around his waist, and end up cutting and hemming them for a better fit.

I use the leftover pants legs to make cute little bags to keep things in.

You just take a leftover pants leg, turn it inside out and upside down, hand stitch (or machine) the cut end together, and turn the leg inside out. Then take two colored shoelaces or pieces of string and run them through the top of the open end so you can pull it tight to close, and use for a handle.

My daughter and niece make and decorate them, and they turn out great! (Their ages are 9 and 8.)

By Valerie from Huntington, WV

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Keep in mind that your credit report may be tied to your spouse's. If your spouse has bad credit habits, it could effect your credit as well. Even a divorce will not necessarily eliminate negative marks against your credit since you may be held accountable for any joint accounts and shared debt.

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This is one of the most hilarious games I've EVER played at a party:

This is best for a LARGER GROUP because the object is to see how many DIFFERENT WAYS a person can get from point A to point B and NOT repeat any previous method.

Example: Player no. 1 from a surrounding onlooking line might begin the game by running. Player no. 2 would likely walk. No. 3 might skip, No. 4 might hop....

Watching is so much fun, participating is SO-o-o-o-o CRAZY feeling, partly embarrassing/partly addictive and comical hearing the audience roar but not really knowing until someone shows a video/DVD of it later on for a fresh "Perspective".

Believe it or not, only a couple of folks duplicated a method, which ASTOUNDS the audience to see how many ways there are to accomplish this game. (It's o.k. to let someone "slide" if they "accidentally" repeat another person's method, because they might have been coughing, laughing, taking a potty break, or eating and didn't see the one they copied...OR, could NOT think, for whatever reason, of a new way that had not been done before. The C R A Z Y feeling comes from the SURPRISE that over 100 can be done, and that it shows "human" ingenuity (and takes some HUMILITY ) at it's best, thanks to the Creator of Heaven and Earth who gave each of us a brain to USE! LOL

By Lynda from TX

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When you need something to use as a hanger for one of your craft items, just hot glue soda pop tabs to the back of your craft. Use one or two tabs depending on the width and weight of your artwork.

By Terri

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

How can I remove black rubber shoe scuff marks from my kitchen vinyl floor? It's brand new linoleum and I don't want to ruin the finish. Thanks!

Sher from Indiana

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How do you get rid of a smell in tennis shoes?

Bev from Bay City, TX

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I am looking for the recipe for the Colorado Steakhouse Stuffed Mushrooms. The waitress once told me the recipe, but I forgot some of the ingredients. You stuff the mushroom with three different cheeses and top with a Hollandaise sauce. I remember one of the cheese's was white cheddar, but I don't remember the other two. The restaurant closed up in our area, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Gina from Chicago, IL

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How do I remove cigarette stains from a paper light shade? It's an expensive shade and I don't want to throw it out.

Any info will be appreciated,

Thank you,
Sonia from B/ham, UK

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How do I get nicotine stains out of a porcelain bathroom sink? I have tried bleach and it didn't work.

Guin from PA

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Does anyone have a homemade recipe for fruit and vegetable wash? Thanks!

Caryl from Lawrence, KS

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Hey there folks. I am looking for some help with a costume. I am going to a party entitled "World's Fair" and was thinking of going as a globe. Of course, I don't know if I can pull it off. I was thinking of a hula hoop at my waist/equator. I would use old white bedsheets that I can paint the continents on. But, two questions: How do I attach the hula hoop to the cloth and how to I keep it round above and below the equator?

Ccap from Winnipeg, MB

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How do you get water stain out of a poster?

Rachel from Taneytown, MD

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How do I adjust my monitor's screen size?

oops from India, Tamilnadu

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I want to redecorate my bedroom in an asian inspired theme. I picked a jade green. I though it would be cool to make one wall a darker color. Is that a good idea or will it look stupid. Also, I dont know what darker color will match.

Veronica from CA

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"Blooming Nine Patch" (quilt) is a variation of Trip Around the World, but looks more complicated. Without buying a whole book, where can I find instructions on block layout?

Carol from Manitoba, Canada

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I had and lost a pumpkin pie recipe with no crust for diabetics. Can anyone help me find another recipe that is almost the same?

Thanks,
Carlene from Oxford, ME

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Product: Friedrich C-90B Electronic Air Cleaner

Model: c-90b

Manufacturer: Friedrich

Request: I would like to know how effective this product is.

Terry from Montrose, PA

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I am looking for tips for wax removal from finished hardwood floors?

Leslie from San Pedro

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I let my dog out at 3 last night and she got sprayed by a skunk. We used the baking soda, peroxide, dish soap, method and she is doing fine. However my house reeks. I would like to try the coffee grinds method but how do you do it? It may sound stupid but do I sprinkle it all over the house? Or just set it out in bowls? Right now we have fans going in every room. Should I turn them off when I do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated. We are dying here!

Steve from Charles Town, WV

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I need party games for a restaurant.

MUSLIMAH from AL

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I would like to have insturctions on how to make a bootie bag. i almost have it but I need more help.

Thanks,
Bonnie from Pittsburgh

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My printer ink always goes dry on me way before it gets used up. I mainly print out is recipes. So every 6 months or so I end up paying another $28 for an ink cartridge. Is there a way to keep printer ink from drying out? Please.

Ariela from FL

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I need ideas on how to decorate a homecoming door at school. Lions vs Bulldogs, theme, Red storm in the jungle "So pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm".

Margo from Colleyville, TX

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I need ideas for my daughter's 12th birthday party.

Tyieshaka from Houston, Texas

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My six year old has put green crayon on my fabric lounge. How do I remove it?

Michelle from Australia

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My Hibiscus leaves on some varieties look dirty (maybe insect dirt) and grayish. Generally unhealthy, like they have been stung or like they have a disease.

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Jesse from Winter Haven, FL

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How do I blow out my sprinkler system?

Jerry from Thornton, Colorado

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Where is an Aldi's that is close to Huntsville, Alabama?

ARETHA from HUNTSVILLE, AL

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I am looking for ideas for the 12 days of christmas for a teenage boy?

Sarah from Orem, UT

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What is the best method for freezing chips?

Martin from England

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Can anyone tell me where to find cheap wedding favors? Silver color preffered.

Omayra from NY

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What is the quality and functions of a Formex Watch and how much do they cost?

ROBIN from LOS ANGELES, CA

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I have a craft idea but thought I would run it by you all to see if maybe someone else had already tried it. I do beadwork but keep my broken beads, just in case. I was thinking today that if I put a 1/4" of glue in a clear Pringles lid and let it get tacky, then I could put the broken pieces on the glue. When it dries clear, punch a hole through and hang it like a suncatcher.

Does this sound feasible to anyone or am I jumping out into left field? Any imput would be appreciated.

Tonya from Tyler, Texas

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How do I clean the years of finger prints off fabric wallpaper without damaging the fibers and color? The fabric is a multi textured silk - varied shades of green?

Rebecca from Chicago, IL

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I have yards of cream colored linen fabric, is there a process that will turn the linen white? Many thanks for your know how.

Rebecca from Chicago, IL

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Free Firefox Web Browser

"The award-winning, free Web browser is better than ever. Browse the Web with confidence - Firefox protects you from viruses, spyware and pop-ups. Enjoy improvements to performance, ease of use and privacy. It's easy to import your favorites and settings and get started. Download Firefox now and get the most out of the Web." You can download Firefox with or without the Google Toolbar, both versions are free.

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The roots of some plants prefer the wide open spaces of living in a large-sized pot. For other plant's roots, a tight, cozy pot where they can reach out and touch the walls feels more like home. No matter what their preference is, sooner or later just about every plant outgrows its pot. And even if it never does, it will probably need repotting anyway. So how do you know when it's time to repot your plant? Here's what to watch out for:

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