Daily Thrifty Tips - May 20, 2008

Here are the contest winners for last week. We had so many deserving entries that we decided to give away 3 prizes for tips this week instead of 2. Thank you to everyone that took time to submit something!

Photo Contest Winner

Be Patient And Prepared For Photo Opportunities
By Travis from Columbus, OH
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56120095.tip.html

Tip Contest Winners

Cleaning Gardening Pots Before Replanting
By Mythi from Silverdale WA
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51966338.tip.html

Create an Inventory List for Household Products
By Lynn from Oregon
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55166240.tip.html

Quick And Easy Temporary Kennel
By Cyinda from near Seattle
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60658498.tip.html

Recipe Contest Winner

Spicy Asian Peanut Noodles
By Emily from Santa Cruz, CA
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53838969.tip.html

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Craft Project: Quilted Sunglasses Case

Save those extra quilted fabric squares and create a soft plush quilted sunglasses or eyeglasses case with a cell phone pocket.

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Tucker Lee (Golden Retriever/Collie/Chow Mix)

Tucker Lee is 2 years old. He is a Golden Retriever, Collie and Chow mix. I adopted him from Partners for Paws.

He likes to sit on my lap and play with the cats. He gives high 5's, shakes paws with you and give puppy kisses on command. He is such a sweet natured dog.

By Ida from Circleville, OHIO

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Tissue Rose

This was purely by accident. I had no wrapping paper, so I used several pieces of tissue paper and twisted it up and it formed what looked like, to me, a rose. So I stuck some silk leaves I had on both sides and it looked like I did it on purpose.

By Diana from Highland,Michigan

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Photo: "Poppy Talk Like A Cow"

Our granddaughter is having a sleep in with Poppy, but she could not sleep for long. Her comment was "he talk like a cow".

By Sara from Australia

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April Roses

Flower picture for April 2008

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

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• Tip Contest
  Submit a Tip or Recipe!

• Photo Contest
  Submit a tip with photo!

These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

• My Frugal Life
  Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Recycled Seedling Containers

When I am starting to grow plants indoors, I drill a couple of holes in an empty yogurt or juicy juice container (I cut the tops off) and use them as the pots.

By Abigail from Columbus, SC

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Leave Drawers Filled When Moving

Another good tip for moving; remove filled drawers with clothing, sheets, or whatever. Load the empty dresser, night stand, etc. on the truck. Replace the drawers and turn the furniture to the inside of the truck, so the drawers will not come open while traveling. Remove the drawers before unloading the furniture and then replace them once the furniture is in the house. This saves a lot of time and the hassle of packing.

Source: I learned this from my parents when I was growing up and we moved.

By Linda S. from Arlington, TX

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Use Coffee Cans For Camping Food Storage

Instead of throwing away plastic coffee cans, wash them out and store them. Then when you are going camping use them to fill up with: flour, sugar, noodles, rice, cereal and other dry goods.

Source: My own idea

By Sherry from Silverdale WA

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Anniversary Dance To Celebrate Long-Term Marriages

At my cousin's daughter's wedding, the DJ asked all married couples to come to the dance floor, He played a song and asked anyone who had been married less than one day to leave the floor, of course the bride and groom left. He then continued the music, and asked anyone married less than one year, they too left the dance floor. He then went in increments of five, ten, fifteen, etc. After he hit the 40 year mark, he again reduced it by years, 45, 46, 47

I had never seen this before. When my son got married, we had the DJ do the same thing.

The last two couples dancing were my sister and brother-in-law, and my son's "adopted mom and dad", longtime family friends.

The newlyweds presented a bottle of champagne to the longest married couple. And a picture was taken of the four of them.

It was a huge hit, as people were saying, "you've been married how long?"

Just wanted to share this fun idea!

By Marge from Malden, MA

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Aspirin Scrub For Softer Skin

Instead of getting expensive facials, buy some inexpensive uncoated aspirin. Most aspirin has a little coating on it, but that's okay. Simply wet one aspirin with some warm water while gently scratching off the coating with your fingernail. Once it gets mushy, rub in between your two hands and apply it gently to your freshly washed face. Rub gently for about 15 seconds then rinse and pat dry. Your face will be the smoothest it has ever been! I do this about once a week. Try it on your hands also.

Source: www.makeupalley.com

By Peg from Sea Cliff, NY

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Organize Drawers With Reused Plastic Packaging

I don't know about you but my underwear drawer is frequently in disarray. I keep those clear plastic things that sheets come in and tablecloths because they are good for so many things. Well, I decided to organize my messy drawer by keeping all of my slips in one of these clear plastic bags. No more rummaging around! These bags are good for so many things!!

By Carol from Lancaster, PA

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Easy Indoor Pet Pen

When my cat came home after having emergency surgery, we needed a safe place for him to recover quietly and stop him from jumping until his incision healed. Have you ever tried to stop a cat from jumping!? It's NOT easy! At first, we tried keeping him in the bathroom but he wouldn't settle down, so we came up with something that worked like a charm:

Under our bathroom sink, we have a 3 door wide cabinet. It has new contact paper and I've always kept my cleaners in dishpans so it's very clean and safe. We took the middle door off by unscrewing the hinges and zip-tied sturdy wire grids where the door was. This let in air, light and ventilation; and also let us peek in to check on him.

Behind the far-right door and under the sink drain we put his cat box without a lid (the door made it easy to clean his litter!) We kept the "litterbox door" open for easy access when we let him out of the pen for brief periods. Behind the door on the left, we folded up a soft comfy blanket for him to sleep on (This is the door we open to let him in and out of the pen). Behind the middle door (the one with the open-grids) we placed a bowl of water and a bowl for food.

We never MADE him go into his pen, but instead bribed him with treats. This way he actually ENJOYED going in and staying there. This pet-pen has enough room for him to walk around in and to stretch his legs. At first, we had to bungie the doors shut, but after he got used to it, he actually likes it. I'm just thankful that we came up with a safe way for him to convalesce and heal safely.

Now he's doing fine, but he still likes going in his "cat-house" to sleep where he feels safe and secure, so we'll keep it set up for him. As long as he's happy, I don't mind losing the storage space for the time being. If you need a safe place to keep your pet, this is far better (and larger) than any cage or crate!

By Cyinda from near Seattle

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Cover Tin for Pie Edges

I love pies and if you have any pie tins (aluminum) left after you make pies, save them. On a wooden board with a sharp knife (being very careful because it would be easy to cut yourself and I just want to help not cause problems), take your knife and cut out the bottom. Make sure there are no sharp edges, you can usually cut any parts like that out with scissors. You now have a pie tin cover for around your pies while they bake to keep them from becoming burned and you from burning your fingers off.

Happy baking!

By Darlene from Fairview, PA

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Use a Hot Dog Bun for Sloppy Joes

No More Messy Sloppy Joes! Cut a hot dog bun in half and fill with Sloppy Joe mixture. The Sloppy Joe stay in and not all over. Children love it because it's small and easy to eat. Plus for parents the children waste less when eating it. Great for parties!

Kerry from Flat Rock, MI

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Use Toothpicks to Transport Cakes

Try the toothpick trick. If you have an iced cake you need to save or transport, and you don't have a special carrier, you can prevent smashed icing by sticking toothpicks in the surface of the cake before covering it with plastic wrap or foil. The toothpicks keep the wrap off the icing so it will be in perfect condition when serving time arrives.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Where Can I Find Fig Oil?

Where do I find Med. Fig Oil?

Pink Ribbon from Castor, LA

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Shelf Life Of Imitation Crab Meat

I am 8 1/2 months pregnant and I love the imitation crab meat. I purchased frozen crab meat a while back and thawed it (kept in the refrigerator). So now it's been about a week since I ate the thawed imitation crab meat from the refrigerator but I'm getting worried now that I shouldn't have eaten it. What is the shelf life of the imitation crab sticks once thawed and left in the refrigerator? Anxiously awaiting your response.

Nadia from Ontario, Canada

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Getting A Cat To Stop Scratching Without Declawing

I have a cat that is 3 years old who I love dearly. The cat is at the point of scratching furniture. How do I stop it from happening without declawing her?

Peter from Buffalo, NY

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Advice For Window Treatments In Formal Living Room

I need help in figuring out window treatments for my formal living area windows. I need privacy and want to dress it up at the same time. There are two French doors and two windows.

Laks

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Cover Letter and Resume Examples

How can I get example cover letters and resumes for waiter and waitress work?

Raul

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Buying Red Oak Blocked Pergo Laminate Flooring

Where can I locate Pergo laminate flooring in red oak blocked, PJ2607?

Alan from Langhorne, PA

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Adult Cat Nursing on a Male Cat

I have two cats inside. One is a neutered male a few years old and I have a female who is about a year old. When we first got her she was a kitten and my male cat would clean her and stuff. Now he lets her nurse on him even though obviously nothing comes out, still to this day she is doing it. I was wondering if it should be stopped and how to stop it.

Meghan from Grant, Louisiana

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What breed is my dog?

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what breed of dog she is. I used to think she had some boxer in here but now not so sure.

Meghan from Grant, Louisiana

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Litter Box Training a Kitten Whose Mother Isn't

How do you litter box train a kitten whose Momma wouldn't use one? Please help. The kitten used a box with reluctance a couple of times and the next time proceeded to use the floor. I put her in the box, she jumps out. I will not keep her if she doesn't get trained and I am already attached.

Laura from Wilson, NC

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Keeping Squirrels and Pests Off Grape Vines

How do I keep squirrels and other pest off grape vines?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Denise from Louisville, KY

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Instructions for a Butterfly Magnet Made from a Soda Can

Anyone have instructions for a "Butterfly magnet" made from a soda can that you cut the bottom & top off, leaving a small sheet of aluminum?

Keeper from, NC

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Eliminating Carpet Beetles

Ever since we pulled up the carpet we now have carpet beetles like crazy (they must be looking for new food sources). Is anybody able to share wisdom as to how to eradicate them?

Susan from Columbus, Ohio

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Preventing Polo Shirt Collars from Creasing

This is continuing to drive me crazy. The collars on polo shirts crease or curl up, destroying the look of a shirt. I've tried 100% cotton, 70-30 cotton, poly etc. It doesn't seem to matter which. Even two of the same shirt, One will crease, one won't. Is it the washing? Or what?

DV2061 from Saskatoon, SK

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How Can I Make a Diaper Wreath?

Does anyone know how to make a diaper wreath? I saw one at a craft fair. One was made for a boy, and the other for a girl.

MJ from Forked River, NJ

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What Will Grow Under Walnut Trees?

What vegetables and flowers will survive under the drip line of walnut trees?

Hardiness Zone: 3a

Lorraine from Lone Rock, WI

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What Will Grow Under Pine Trees?

I would like to know what will and what will not grow under the drip line of pine trees.

Hardiness Zone: 3a

Lorraine from Lone Rock, WI

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Printable Games for 4 Year Olds

I am looking to print pre-made file folder games for my four year old. I've found tons of sites that have ideas or games you can purchase, but I am looking for something pre-made that's free. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Mindy

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Weight Watchers Pumpkin and Carrot Muffins

Could you please tell me the recipe for Weight Watchers pumpkin/carrot Muffins?

Thank You,
Carol from Port Charlotte, FL

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Living Room Paint Color Advice

I just bought a red couch and I have brown suede chair and also just bought two olive green pillows for the couch what would be a good color to paint my living room with my kitchen adjoining? A good color would be helpful for my kitchen also.

Sidney from Warner Robins, GA

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Making Row Covers To Protect Plants

I've recently discovered that something is eating my sunflower plants in one flower bed, and a hibiscus bush/tree on my deck. You mentioned row covers as a deterrent to deer, rabbits, insects, etc staying out of flower beds.

What are row covers? Where can I buy the materials? How do I construct these? Do the row covers only work for plants in the ground? What about a bush/tree that is on the deck?

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

cp429 from Georgia

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Foods You Should Not Feed Your Dog

I wanted to feed my pets some dog treats but I stumbled across this site that stated things not to give my beautiful chows. What should I do? Here is the site below:

• http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1661&articleid=1030

How do I get around this?

Quinchella from Detroit, MI

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Printer Ink on Skin

How do I remove printer ink from skin?

Roger from England

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Recipe Request for Fat Free Low Carb Oatmeal Cookies

I'm looking for a oatmeal cookie or bar recipe that is fat free and low in carbohydrates.

Judy from MI

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Help Getting Batter to Stick

You guys and gals were terrific with this 'dumb bachelors' bleach problem, so I thought I'd call on your expertise yet again. I consider myself to be a fairly good cook; nowhere close to what my Mom used to be, but at least no one has been taken to the hospital, yet! I'm sure it's simple to most of you, but for the life of me, I can't get a batter to stick to anything that I want to fry in a pan. It does not stick to chicken, fish, cube steak, liver, onion rings, nothing.

I've tried rinsing the item under water, then patting with a paper towel, before pressing with all-purpose flour. I've tried dipping the item in an egg and/or milk mixture before pressing with the flour. As far as I know, the only thing left is Super-Glue and I'm very close!

I use olive oil in what I think is a very hot skillet to start, then turn it down to cook and simmer, but most of the batter stays in the pan; not on the meat. I've been wanting to experiment with my Mom's, 'to die for' fried chicken with rolled/crushed corn flakes, but I'm afraid I'll wind up with big bowl of fried Corn Flakes.

As always, any help much appreciated and yes, she always told me to get a wife, but sons never listen, do they?

Larry K. from Clearwater, FL

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Reducing Yeast Taste in Homemade Bread

Help! I am baking my own bread because I'm getting sticker shock from the store bought loaves. My family complains that it tastes too yeasty. I agree that there is a bit more of that flavor in my bread, but I thought that was how it's supposed to taste. Any advice would be most welcome!

Amy from Canton, OH

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Saving Money on Apple Sauce

Tips for Saving Money on Apple Sauce as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.

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