Daily Thrifty Tips - September 5, 2006

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Hades is 1 1/2 year old. I got him when my girlfriend's daughter had to get rid of her cats because of her new born son. He likes to chase the other cats in the yard or lounge around (as seen.)

The strainer he is sleeping in I use to place the bio-balls in while I clean out my pond filter. I forgot to put it up after cleaning the pond and saw him as you see him now.

By Qryztufre from Athens, TN

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Papaya is 7 weeks old in the picture. He's nearly 9 weeks old now, and he's brown all over his body and little black around his mouth. Somebody told me that he's 'brown chihuahua', but I'm not so sure about that. Can anyone tell me what kind of dog he is?

He likes chasing me and biting my slipper. And he's peeing everywhere in my house.

By Kina from Tuggerah

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This is more of a comment rather than a tip because I got the tip here in the first place!

I finally got around to trying white vinegar as a replacement for fabric softener. IT WORKS! In some cases I added it to a little liquid softener that I like but when I was totally out of softener a couple days ago I washed towels with just the vinegar in the softener dispenser and wow, they came out really soft and didn't smell like vinegar either!

Give it a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Vinegar is natural and is pretty cheap too! I just bought a huge jug of it yesterday for $2.08 and sometimes it goes on sale.

Oh and I also washed some tops of mine with the vinegar for softener. I let them drip dry and they came out very soft and smooth!

I am so glad I read thriftyfun because I would never have known to use vinegar in the wash otherwise!

By Debbie from Illinois

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When looking to add a skinny tail to a costume for Halloween or a play, use a tube sock as a guide.

Take one adult tube sock and cut in half. Then lay this pattern on top of your fabric for the tail. Trace out your sewing allowance lines and then cut out. All that's left to do is sew it up.

If you want to add details like spikes for a dragon then just add them along the sewing line. For a lion, trace the end of the pattern over a faux fur and then cut the end off your tail fabric. Remember to leave extra to sew on. Then sew the tail fabric and the tip fabric together before sewing the main line.

For the top, you can either make a loop for a belt to go through or just sew it directly onto the costume.

By lifewithmadman from Little Rock, AR

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I have been purchasing Crest Night Effects tooth whitener and using it with great success. However, anyone who has ever bought these products know just how expensive they can be even with coupons.

Crest Night Effects comes with a small vial of whitener and fourteen brushes for application. After using all the brushes, I was left with quite a bit of whitener in the vial. Cleaning the Crest brushes has proven difficult. They become stiff and not pliable. I have tried every way to clean them and still be safe with them returning to your mouth. Nothing has worked.

I purchased a package of children's art brushes at Big Lots for a dollar, they can be bought in a dollar store also. They are a little bigger than the originals, but work exceptionally well. Extending your whitener an additional two weeks. I use the money saved to splurge on my favorite bath wash or face moisturizer.

Enjoy the savings and the beautiful smile.

By Ukwildcat49 from Somerset, KY

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When you are close friends with other neighbors, and you have different needs, exchange coupons! E.g., 1 neighbor has 3 cats. Next door has 2 adult dogs. 1 has a newborn infant, and 1 is past the "Change."

If these 4 people exchange coupons, the 1 with the kitties gets all cat food coupons or cat litter coupons. The one with the newborn infant gets all diaper coupons; the 1 with 2 adult dogs gets all dog food coupons, and the woman who is past the "Change" splits the coupons for "female hygiene products" with the remaining 3 women!

It is amazing how much you can save using coupons -- especially at stores which double coupons redeemed at their store!!
In one year, we had saved between $130 and $150 JUST by using coupons!

In addition, all families have preferences when it comes to cereals. If you don't like shredded wheat, exchange it with someone who will eat it. Or... swap with lady 2 for Kellogg Rice Krispies coupons. Life is expensive enough... why NOT save a few $$ this way??

Yer Hillbilly friend in TN...

By Ross from Hendersonville, TN
PROUD father of an American Soldier

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Moving again and I find myself touching up the finishes of our furniture pieces. Because they are old solid hardwoods, a bit of fine sandpaper and some furniture polish/oil touches up the nicks nicely. I think to myself that folks pay oodles for "distressed" pine from Ireland and elsewhere - whereas I have my own version! Think of that when acquiring furniture! Old solid wood pieces (out of oak, maple, pine, beech, walnut etc.) wear much better than modern veneers/laminates (which are very difficult to refinish) and are at about the same price or less!

By Pam from Los Angeles

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My husband got a nice area rug for the bathroom but the colors didn't quite gel. Salmon stripes when pink would be better. So I took a permanent marker in hot pink and went over the smaller salmon stripes, leaving the larger ones. Voila! It now goes with the dusty pink bathroom tile!

By Pam from Los Angeles

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My laundry shelf height is limited, so I have to pour the larger super saver size detergent bottles into a 32 oz. container. This resulted in some spillage until I decided to decant into the smaller bottle when I need to do a wash. This way, the excess goes into the washer instead of down the kitchen sink.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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It seems like I have more contact lens cases than I need and too many nearly empty tubes of lipstick. Rather than toss everything, I cleaned the contact lens cases well, then filled them with the leftover lipstick (using a toothpick to get the rest of the lipstick from the tube). The clear cases are the best, as I can tell what color lipstick is inside and the lipstick stays nice and clean.

By Jenny from Cyprus

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Mrs. Johnson decided to have her portrait painted by a famous artist. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond earrings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets and a ruby pendant."

"But you are not wearing any of those things."

"I know," said Mrs. Johnson. "My health is not good and my husband is having an affair with his secretary. When I die I'm sure he will marry her, and I want her to go nuts looking for the jewelry."

By Terri from NV

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For anyone who's going to be getting married soon, this bit of info is for you. if you still write personal checks, instead of doing everything online, consider using up all your printed personal checks, until they're all gone. Just update your married name by hand, each time you write a check. (Do this only if you plan on keeping your account at the same banking establishment.) When your old checks are almost gone, then re-order your new checks with yours and your new spouse's info on them. No use wasting the older checks, especially if you had purchased them.

By Terri from NV

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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My son was recently in school in Mooresville, NC. I noticed during the move a beautiful cedar or arborvitae tree that I would love to have. It was pyramidal, green (of course), but what made it stand out were the yellow-tinged lacy ends to the branches. They were beautiful, but I could not find out from anyone what type it was. Can anyone help? Thanks so much!

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Brenda from Greenville, AL

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I recently bought a new home in Florida. When I turn on the cold water at all inside faucets, I get hot water. Eventually the water turns cold. If I turn off and turn on again I get hot water then cold. Same when I flush tolits. Any ideas what is wrong and possible solution.

Jack from Florida

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I have a small pantry and would like advice on how to organize it. Can you stack canned goods on the floor?

Onesummer from GA

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I am looking for a pattern for a crocheted double wedding ring afghan.

Angie from St. Louis, MO

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How to clean a discolored "borganna" faux fur jacket from the late 1950's, early 60's

Jane's Clean Up from Dallas, TX

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I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas on what our church could do for Pastor appreciation. We always just do a little get together in our fellowship hall with sandwiches,chips and then cake. But this year I wanted do something different. I thought you all might have some good ideas to share with me. Thanks a lot, I appreciate any ideas you share with me.

Teresa from VA

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Does anyone have any tips for teaching a dog to swim? My dog will go out in the water is yet to swim.

Thanks,
LS

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What are the little grey bugs all over my gourds and squash and the vines? My plants seem to be dyeing because of these bugs.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Candace from Charlotte, MI

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How do I remove urine odor from my kitchen tile floor?

Stephanie

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I've seen a few commentaries posted that had a butterfly or an old lady, etc. on them. How do you get those? I think they are called icons or emoticons?

By GUEST from ILLINOIS

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Does anyone have this recipe, I can only describe it, but maybe someone will recognize. Its a deli (cold) potato salad, there is a bacon flavor, no eggs, creamy texture but not mayo. It also had finely chopped softened (cooked?) onions. I asked, of course, they were not telling! Does anyone know how I can replicate this?

Thank you,
Laurie

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I am looking for something to take off tree sap that has dripped on my car's windshield. I have tried everything.

April from Missouri

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My neighbor gave me a big bag full of apples and told me she makes applesauce with them, and told me how. My question is this: I don't have jars to put the applesauce in and was wondering if I could put it in freezer type ziplock bags and put it in the freezer, without changing the taste, and how long it would last? Thank you for all suggestions and ideas on this!

jmz2005 from Illinois

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I live in a 3 room apartment with a laundry room and bathroom. I need some decorating tips to spice up my apartment where it feels like home, and welcoming. I live on a budget, I am considered low income. Can you help me?

By Sue from Washington, IN

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What are some decorating ideas for halloween?

Stacy From Indianapolis, Indiana

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I live in an apartment, and would like to have sunflowers on my balcony. Do they do well in planters and if so, what's the best care for them?

Thank you,
Hardiness Zone: 7a

Joanne from Whitestone, NY

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How do I remove a Coca Cola stain from carpet?

Margaret from Mt. Coolum Australia

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I have a small tear on my vinyl floor in the kitchen. Any ideas on how I can repair it?

Onesummer from GA

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How to make a flower planter out of overalls or old jeans?

Marilyn from Brighton, TN

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I have TWO 16"x16"x1" Concrete forms for making patios or just stepping stones. My question is should I use quick setting concrete or just concrete? Also, what would be the ratio of water to concrete? I don't want to mix a whole bag for only two forms.

Joyce from Near South Bend, IN

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I am wanting a simple wedding. My fiance is wanting to wear blue jeans and a nice dress shirt. He is also wanting to wear cowboy boots and his cowboy hat. Will that look okay with my dress?

Jennifer from Tennessee

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I am looking for super fresco pattern no. 13057 if anyone can help.

Jackie from Leeds England

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We have a air conditioning unit in our window and it leaked water and we did not know it. Now we have mildew on our carpet, how can i get rid of it?

Gogo from Louisville, KY

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I am looking for info on Contact paper projects. Does anyone know a website with pics and directions for covering items with Contact paper? I'm trying to cover a small night stand. The veneer in peeling off and I need a temp fix till I can find another one. I'm having trouble with the corners and edges. I folded the corners like wrapping paper but it does not look quite right.

Joyann from Visalia CA

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I have a craft room. It sounds good, but it is also used as a book room, DVD, VHs storage. My problem is I am a quilter. I have organized the closet, but not the room. My handy husband made shelves 6 feet high and 6 feet wide. on two sides of the room. I have a double closet on the the other. The last wall is used up with a 16 drawer chest that I use to the max. In the middle of the room my husband made a table high enough and long enough for cutting quilt pieces and it also slants. But the problem is there is too much stuff in that room. I collect porcelain dolls and thimbles too. They are all in the craft room. It is third bedroom in the house. There is no other place to move any of the stuff and I really don't want to throw any of it away. Rummages are out. HELP!

Diane from Milwaukee, WI

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Does anyone know what kind of squash this is? It tastes like regular Zucchini, but I have never seen anything like it and no one can tell me what type it is.

Hardiness Zone: 3a

Ragteller from Tofield, Alberta Canada

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I'm looking for inexpensive ideas for table decorations for a high school homecoming dance. The theme is based around the Wizard of Oz movie with the cafeteria focusing on the Emerald City.

kdonahue from Naperville, IL

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A friend is hosting a get-together of 20 or so dogs (rescued cocker spaniels) and their owners, in late September. Does anyone have ideas on fun things they could do to make it a memorable event?

Dust Bunny from Upstate, New York

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How can I remove white out from leather?

Deedles from Melville, NY

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Hedges are an attractive way to define the boundaries of your yard and garden. Unlike privacy fences, hedges can be used to create an almost impenetrable barrier around small or narrow lots. They also provide shelter from the sun and wind, add year round interest to the garden and let you retain a sense of openness with your neighbors.

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