Daily Thrifty Tips - July 6, 2006

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BB is about a year old and is a parakeet. We stopped by PetsMart to pick up food and BB was being so cute that he had to come home with us. Our cockatiel needed a buddy hence the name BB (Bert's Buddy)

He likes to fly around the aviary and give Bert his best buddy grief. And he loves to look in the nesting box to make sure everything is going as planned even though he doesn't have anything to do with it.

By Kerri from Vero Beach

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A local gang congregating in my alley. Picture of butterflies.

By Susan from Elbert, WV

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My husband, Jon, and I are in charge of the first Sunday of the month donuts at our church. There are usually a few who want "healthy" sweets. There is a lady who supplies 2 dozen muffins, also, and supplies a fat free muffin, but she was on vacation this month, so I made the muffins. I used the Weight Watchers muffin recipe, which I found on the ThriftyFun recipe site... just add a can of pumpkin to a cake mix. I also sprinkled in a little cinnamon and nutmeg. WOW! Did those go over well! I was able to send three folks to the ThriftyFun website, too. THANK YOU whoever supplied that recipe. I have a feeling that we will have several more requests for that recipe.

Sincerely,
Margie Minard from Mt. Vernon, OH

Editor's Note: Glad the muffins worked well for you! The recipe was shared by IMAQT1962, who submits a lot of great recipes. For others who may be interested, the recipe is below.

Weight Watchers Chocolate Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 box devils food cake mix
• 1 can (15 oz) solid pack pumpkin

Directions

Mix together. Do not add anything else that is mentioned on the box. It only takes these 2 ingredients. That's all. Mixture will be very thick (and you will be tempted to add something, but don't.) Place in muffin tins, sprayed with non stick spray. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. This makes 12 muffins.

1 Muffin is 180 calories, 2.5 G fat, 37 carbs, 2.5 G fiber, 2.5 G protein = 3 WW points

By IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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Being a mother of triplets I needed to cut up food for my children quickly when they were young. I found that a pizza cutter worked for way more than pizza. Grilled cheese sandwiches, any sandwich, french toast, toast, pancakes, quesadillas, and waffles. Try it you'll become addicted too!

By Carol from Torrance, Ca

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The Wal-Mart near my house has a gas station on-site. I can buy a reloadable Wal-Mart shopping/gift card for any amount and use it to buy gas at that station. But here's the best part: I get an automatic 3-cents-per-gallon discount for using the card. With the amount I drive, this really adds up. And putting my gas money on the gift card helps me budget wisely!

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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I have cut so many corners, my life is now full circle.

By CKinKS from Louisburg, KS

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If you see a construction site or a renovation near your house, ask the contractor or site manager if you can have some of the scrap building material. They usually will be happy to oblige you as long as you don't get in their way. They are going to have pay to dispose of the refuse so any that you take off their hands will save them money. It's a great way to get scraps for fire wood, wood for small projects, or old bricks to use in your garden. Of course, always ask permission before removing anything from a construction site!

By Fisher

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Did you know that vinegar is a wonderful cleanser for your face. It's a natural bacteria killer. You mix one part vinegar, one part water and use a cotton swab and wipe all over face. Do this about 3 times a week and you should notice a cleaner completion. Make sure to watch out for your mouth, Unless you really need a way to wake yourself up.

By Elizabeth Gellise from Midland,MI

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I just recently discover a great way to make a "homemade" bookshelf. Stacking glass or plexi-glass on glass blocks. Glass blocks come in a great many styles and colors. I haven't made mine yet but I love cobalt blue or ambers. This configuration could vary for books, knick-knacks or perhaps a coffee table maybe end tables,the possibilities are endless.

By Karen from West Virginia

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If your kids need extra cash this summer, help them sell their old and unwanted video games on eBay. After a few months of play most video games are put on the shelf never to be played again. There are always people looking to buy used video games on eBay.

By Fisher

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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My potato plants have huge leaves but only a few small potatoes. What is the problem. We use cow manure for fertilizer.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Betty from Slate Hill, NY

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I am looking for recipes for homemade baby items such as diaper cream, lotion, etc.

Alicia from Dublin, GA

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I need an inexpensive location for my ceremony july 29th. It is non traditional which makes it easier. My budget for the entire wedding is $1000.00.

Mashonda from Rancho, CA

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I have wash cloths and towels that are not very old, but whenever they get wet they have a musty smell to them. I have tried soaking them and adding everything I can think of to the wash, but especially the wash cloths still have that smell. Can anyone give me a hint or tip to get rid of that smell?

Aleysha Williams from Brownsville, PA

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Just recently, the colour in my black jeans ran and the end result was white lines or streaks appearing all the way down them. Is there any way in which I might effectively "run the colour BACK into them"? I was once told that leaving them to simply soak in hot water would fix them, is there any truth in this?

Keith McMahon from Dublin

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An approximately 10 year old maple tree on our bank started to "leaf out" this spring. These young leaves turned brown and now it looks as if the tree has died! I had hoped a drop in temperature early was the cause for the brown leaves, but no green is coming through again.

Also, we have another maple, on the same bank, about 30 feet from the other one. It has loads of maple seeds on it. They've never dropped, are still green, but the tree looks okay.

Someone told me sometimes trees will produce an abundance of seeds like that when "it knows it's going to die." Yikes! Any clue on that tree and possibly why the other one died while other maples and pin oaks on the same bank are growing fine? We were in a drought, but good rainfall fell just this week.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Thanks!
Kathy from Canton, NC

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My refrigerator got turned up too high and some of my eggs got froze. It is safe to still use these after they thaw, or should i throw them out. I mainly use to fry or make omelets. Thank you for the advice.

jmz2005 from Illinois

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I have curry sauce spilled on my carpet and can't remove it. Any ideas on home remedies?

Sharon from Airdrie, Scotland

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I recently found my old electric tortilla press in a cabinet. I made corn tortillas. It was a waste of time (unless you would like to share a recipe because these were tasteless and made with Maseca Instant Corn Maseca Mix). I am thinking it can be used for something else. Any suggestions?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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I have an existing strawberry patch that hasn't done well in 2 years. I want to transplant to start a new patch. Am I able to do that this fall or do I have to wait until next spring? Thank you.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Kathy from Illinois

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I have a George Foreman Contact Roaster that was given to me by a dear friend as a gift. When I opened it, it has no instructions or cookbook to go with it and it was the only one they had at the store. Can someone contact me with any information on how to work it and some recipes. I would really be so thankful. I would love to try it out, but don't know how.

Desperate, Angelheart from Clyde, Texas

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I would like a recipe to make fake foods especially the faux coffee and wine that you see in model homes.

Kelley from Colorado Springs

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I am planning my first "Outlet Mall" excursion for this next month, for school shopping and for supplementing my little one's hand-me-down wardrobe. What is the best time of month to go to these stores? I know there is a Children's Place, Old Navy, Gap, and other big names (this is coastal OR). My GF and I will be going midweek, to avoid larger crowds!

camo_angels from Willa

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How do you repair tears in microfiber?

Jane from NY

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Our 7 week old pup has diarrhea and has blood in her stool. She is our first pup and I think she maybe homesick although she gets a lot of love and affection. Can you please help. For any advice Im grateful!

Thank you,
Eimy from ROI

Editor's Note: If the blood in his stool persists you should take her to a vet as soon as you can.

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I have a northeast facing patio that gets decent sun, I am wondering which flowers and herbs will do best there from fall to winter?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Erika from Boulder, CO

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How long should an unwashed bag of cherries last in the fridge, assuming typical freshness when purchased at grocery store?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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The grapes on our concord grape vine will not get ripe, they stay green and hard until they dry up and fall off. Is there something we can do to prevent this?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

JC from Greensboro, NC

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I would like some information on either braided rugs or hooked rugs. My mom used to make braided rugs but she is gone so need some help.

Janiem from Eau Claire, WI

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I live in a mobile home which was previously occupied by both my brothers and their significant others. I don't know that they ever cleaned under or around the stove. I can understand maybe why (they didn't know how), it is a gas stove, I'm not sure about cleaning under it and around it. It definitely needs it. I guess I'm concerned with pulling a gas line and blowing up... any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch and have a wonderful day!

Mandy from Cuthbert, GA

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Preparing for Freezing: Cookies should be completely cooled before freezing.

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Imagine how wonderful your garden plants would grow if you had total control over their temperature, light and humidity and they never suffered damage from any garden pests. It may sound like a fantasy, but having your own greenhouse can give you that kind of control. Building a greenhouse doesn't have to be expensive. It depends on how simple or complex you want to make it. Here are a few tips to planning the ultimate do-it-yourself gardening project on a limited budget.

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