Daily Thrifty Tips - May 23, 2006

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Pompi is my 3 1/2 year old Toy Poodle. I got him 2 years ago. He likes to play ball ALL day long! He sleeps with his ball in his mouth!

Pompi is the most loving furbaby I have ever had. He adores the human touch. He has a separation anxiety. He loves, plays and sleeps! Just screams! He's getting better!

By Dorie Crews from Algoma, WI

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I have an inexpensive and easy tip on how to make faux stained glass windows (or anything glass) using clear Contac paper and any craft store paint for $1.00 or less a bottle. This project is only practical on small windows such as are in your front door or small bathroom windows. Best of all, you can remove it very easily if you don't like the results.

I also put a coat of preservative on it when I was finished painting, also inexpensive.

By June Scholtz from Erie, Pa.

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Sometimes, the mother may decide that she wants to choose her baby's name at the shower. Guests come up with as many names as they can. The host will create a gift basket that is raffled off to the person who submits the winning name.

By Hope

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Spreadable butter that is healthier for you than margarine. We mix butter (room temp) and light olive oil (don't use extra virgin!) in
equal amounts, pour in a pretty crock, and refrigerate. It makes beautiful spreadable butter. It may not exactly be cost-effective all the time, but it is definitely healthier! We stock up on butter when it is on sale, and buy our olive oil in big containers, or when it is on sale. Enjoy

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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I started reading about frugal living about 9 years ago. My main reason was to save us money for my husband and I who were living on our own for the first time. Now we just bought our first house (2 months ago), so I'm trying to learn even more about frugal living.

Here are some things that I do to save money.

• I use the LIBRARY alot. I rent books, music, and videos from there.

• I love a garage sell or the thrift stores, they are very useful.

• I just recently started keeping track of when it rains. Why? So I don't have to water my grass (saving us money).

• I am a coupon user, and a big fan of sales.

• I do not use any lights during the daytime (since we're blessed with a window in every room).

• I converted to using fluorscent light bulbs over 9 years ago and have just recently replaced only 1 light bulb during this whole time. When I can't use a fluorscent I change the bulbs to low wattage bulbs (40 watts).

• I recycle almost everything, so it will save me money on trash bags in the long run.

• I am one of those people who pick up the pennies on the ground. It sure does add up, and that's one less penny my husband didn't have to work for.

• I use every free sample I can get. I sign up for everything that can save me money.

• I read all the frugal websites on the internet.

• I do surveys online for a small amount of money or for free samples. If I make any money, it goes into savings.

• I save on my phone bill by having only one line with no call waiting or caller ID. We have an answering machine for messages.

• When I do laundry, it is all done on the same day, saving money on drying time. I cut down on laundry soap by adding baking soda. I also spin the washer twice to get the extra water out (which saves money on the dryer time).

• I re-use the dryer sheets after they were used in the dryer. I use them to dust with.

There are so many ways to save, you just have to start looking and see what is good for you. There are things I plan to do to save in the future like putting up a clothes line in our yard and planting my first food garden (I hope, I am not a green thumb here). I will learn new ways to help us save more money now that we have our own place. During the years these ideas have saved us money and I hope this helps someone else!

Tonya from Illinois

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My wallet is made to hold both my checkbook and register as well as my cards. When using the debit card I just enter it as a check without the check number (but with the date) and subtract it from the account. It makes it doubly easy to monitor purchases when going over my bank statement.

When using the credit card, I add a little CC to the transaction description and subtract the amount from the account immediately, adding it to a running CC total in the bottom margin. That way I never overspend and always have the money to immediately cover the total credit card bill. It helps me stay disciplined and makes the credit card a tool rather than a temptation.

Since one reason that I keep a credit card is in case I ever have to use it for an emergency, I also round up each amount, which over time has built up a healthy emergency savings in my CC accounting. I have never felt any urge to tap into this since the comfort of knowing that it is there is worth more than any impulse purchase.

By Jeanne from Florida

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Squeaky crib rails waking baby? Spray them with non toxic Pam spray. Works beautifully. No more waking up the baby when you lift or drop the crib rails.

By Kathy from Adirondacks, NY

Editor's Note: Many supermarkets have their own brand of cooking sprays that are cheaper than the name brands but essentially the same.

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Did you know the hotter your pond is the more Koi fish will have to eat? If you have placed the pond where there is no shade then prepare to invest in a lot of food as heat from the sun causes the fish's metabolism to accelerate. The result is not only that they eat more but that they also go bigger. When planning a fishpond, try to make sure it is in a location that at least gets some partial shade during the day.

Tip By Hope Mason
www.lulu.com/spiritbooks

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I love burning candles; however, I don't like cleaning and scraping the candle residue from the holder after the candle burns up. To solve this problem, place about two to three drops of water in the bottom of the candle holder then place the candle in the holder. After the candle is burned through, the residue pops out very easily.

By Marnita from Cumming, GA

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When I'm making pancakes, cornbread, cakes, cookies, etc., I take a gallon size zip lock bag and make an extra batch, putting all of the dry ingredients in the bag. On the outside, I write the name of the recipe along with the liquid ingredients and baking or cooking instructions, with a black permanent marker. This way, I always have a bag ready to go for those times when I'm in a hurry. The bags are reusable, so I just refill them when I have time. I keep them in my pantry, clipped together at the top with a large chip clip, so they are easy to flip through when I need one.

By Teresa from Louisville, KY

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Use your cookie cutters for something other than making cookies. Small cookies cutters can be used to press shapes (heart shaped for instance) out of carrots, cucumber coins, apple slices and any other vegetable that can be sliced thinly or flatly.

Tip by Hope Mason
http://www.lulu.com/spiritbooks

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Here's a recipe for Lavender Deodorant.

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. water
• 6 drops lavender oil

Directions:

Mix water and oil together. To use, apply to underarm.

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Is there a way to fix a zipper that sometimes zips and sometimes doesn't? I don't know why this is happening, but would appreciate another thrifty's zipper knowledge!

Thanks,
Tobie from USA

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A friend of mine is planning a bridal shower and is trying to find the details of a Mr. Right story game. She asked me, but I've never heard of it.

Apmacik from Niles, OH

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What are the BEST hours to start and end a garage sale? How many days should I have a sale? I was thinking if EVERYONE else starts theirs at 8 am, then I would start mine between 9 and 10 - this way, customers get a stab at fresh, not "picked-thru" inventory.

I also tend to think that most people are finished garage sale-ing by 2 to 3 PM. And I know that I RARELY go to a 2-day sale because I know the "leftovers" would most likely be undesirables. What do you think about these things?

Thanx and Big Hug! :)
Lauren from Atlanta, GA

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I need to know if anybody has any ideas about cleaning candle wax off of cherry wood and marble tables, the wax is up, but the marks are there, any ideas?

Thanks,
Eileen from Maryland

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I had a blue paper on my linoleun floor and after getting wet it has now stained and I am having a hard time getting it out. My floor is tan and brown so without bleaching out the original color what can I do?

Vicki from Elk Grove, CA

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Does anyone know where I can find a good medication chart? My husband just had Triple Bypass Surgery and I really need to keep up with his medications, like what he takes and like 2 or 3 times a day. Some kind of check list to go by. I don't know how to use the programs on the computer. Also what kinds of foods I can give him. Thank you all so much for all the help you have already given.

wvqdz from WV

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I acquired 2 great quality couches from a house that was left behind as the couple moved to a retirement home. But... I have to be blunt... they have a distinct "Old People" smell. Any advice on how to get that out?

Lopnslo from Chicago

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I recently started selling on eBay and signed up for PayPal. My first item got sold and I am now waiting for my payment. How do I get PayPal to deposit the payment in my checking account? I was told that the payment sits in PayPal account under my name until I spend it. What happens if I don't plan on purchasing anything on eBay yet I would like to receive the payment on what I sold? Can anyone help? I am new to this and I am hoping that someone can advise me. Thanks in advance for any info you can offer me.

Joesgirl from Beverly, MA

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My son's bottle has left numerous little milk circles on my microfibre couches and he wrote on it with an ink pen! How can I get this off without leaving water marks? Thanks so much for any advice!

charity12m from Tulsa, OK

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We are going to Disney World in three weeks, and I am wondering if anybody has some suggestions on how to keep track of a wandering toddler. My son is 2 1/2 and is as fast as a rocket and inquisitive. (He just escaped out my front door - what a scare!). I have heard about wearing bright shirts. Did anybody put ID on their children? How? What are your thoughts on harnesses? I'd like to say he'd stay in the stroller but he's at the age where he wants to do things himself. All your suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Kelly from Bensalem, PA

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Can you please send me instruction on how to paint a laminate countertop with Tile & Tub Epoxy Refinisher.

Thanks,
Vince D from NY

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The sink strainer we're using is fine mesh... to catch all the food debris (as the other sink strainer didn't catch enough). But how can I clean it? Is there a way to clean the smaller food particles from the fine mesh sink strainer or should I just switch back to the other one and let the food go down the drain?

Noel from Northern California

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I need major help. I wrote with black and green permanent marker on a wooden table with varnish and I need to get it out. If I don't, my teacher will send me to the office and I will get in trouble. I can't remove the varnish either. Please help.

Underpressure682 from Cleveland, Ohio

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I have bad breathe. I went to the doctor for my sinuses. She gave me some nasal spray and some antibiotics. But I still have bad breathe. It is so bad that I work with people who talk behind my back. I work as a waitress so that is really, really bad. Help Me!

Shorty from Columbia, MO

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I am looking for some new recipes for fruit salad.

Thanks,
Tuey From Fort Collins, CO

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My ten year old tortoise shell cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes and needs insulin injections twice a day. I can handle that, but she needs a diet free from vegetable protein and sugars. Has anyone else had this problem? can you share your feeding plan with me?

Sandra from Ireland

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How do I get rid of dust mites?

Shorty from Columbia, MO

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Does anyone know how to remove paint from a porcelain bathing beauty doll?

Much Thanks!

Auntie from Chicago, IL

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How do I get oil stains off my driveway?

Shane from Minnesota

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How do I get the smell of rotten meat and fish out of the air. The fridge died while I was out of town.

Natalie from Ruston, LA

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Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

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Like most things, canoes are perfectly safe if used in the manner in which they were designed. In actual fact, you have to work pretty hard to flip a canoe over because of its relatively flat bottom. Granted, if you stand up in a canoe, it is likely to turn over but then again, you're kind of asking for trouble if you do something like that.

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Peanut butter is one of the most popular flavors when it comes to any type of sweet treat and this dessert is no different! Adults and children alike will enjoy this treat perfect for almost any occasion.

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To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate? Lately, this seems to be a popular debate. After all, most of us were vaccinated as children, and occasionally get boosters for things like tetanus. Should our pets get the same sort of childhood treatments?

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Travel Destination: London, England

If you're tired of London, you're tired of life. I don't remember who said it, but it's true. You can explore the streets that Shakespeare and Dickens explored, visit the Tower of London, watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

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