Daily Thrifty Tips - July 31, 2007

We have been getting a lot more requests than normal. I guess we are getting well known for being a helpful community. We're still trying to get caught up on the backlog so if you are waiting to have a request to be posted, it's taking a little longer than normal.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Gift Card House

I wanted something fun to give as a gift to my niece for her wedding shower so I made a gift card holder she can use at the wedding. If she wants to, she can pass it down to friends. This is a great way to display her engagement picture or any fun photos of her and her new husband!

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Flower "Bed" That's Different

Want something different for your front lawn or garden? Use an iron chair or glider and fill it with ivy and flowers. My husband put some wooden sides on it and I lined the bottom with coconut liners. I filled the bottom with several inches of potting soil and planted away topping off with pine straw. Every year I try a new plants for variety.

By Tammie from Moody, AL

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Amanita Muscaria/Fly Agaric?

My mother was taking her walk in the woods at the cottage and happened upon this fab mushroom. I snapped this shot after something took a bite out of the side. I believe it is an Amanita muscaria - AKA: Fly Agaric.

By Lisa from Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Dolley (Dachshund)

Dolley is a two year old Dachshund. I bought her when she was six weeks old. She loves to go for car rides and would you believe she likes us to put outfits on her. We give her lots of love.

By Judy from Michigan

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Link: Threadbanger.com

Have your teens check out http://www.threadbanger.com for DIY projects for really cool and hip clothes!

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Slice Storebought Cookie Dough Before Unwrapping

I bought cookie dough for the first time and found slicing it messy and the slices broke easily so I tried slicing unwrapped rolls and it was much easier for me.

By Lila-Ann from Canada

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Make Sure A Gift Of Wine Will Be Appreciated

Neither my husband nor I are wine drinkers, but on 5 different occasions, we've been given bottles of wine, as gifts. Before assuming everyone drinks wine, it's better to ask and make sure. When in doubt, a gift certificate some place would be a better gesture.

By Terri H. from NV

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How To Keep Deer and Rabbits From Eating Your Plants

I like to use this recipe to help deter deer from eating my plants.

This makes 1 gallon of spray. Beat 1 egg in 1 cup of water and sieve to get out white strings or clumps. Add to a gallon jug, add

• 1 Tablespoon of regular dish soap,
• 1 Tablespoon of cooking oil,
• 1/2 C milk

I keep this in an extra refrigerator, it can get smelly, but that helps deter the deer and rabbits. Mark your bottle - deer repellent, so no one drinks it. Fill your spray bottle and spray your trees, lilacs and plants. Don't spray on anything you want to eat, but I do spray my peas and beans before they start to blossom. Spray after every heavy rainfall.

I find after doing it 3-4 times the deer get the hint and quit coming. If you have a problem with deer eating young plants and trees, begin spraying early in the spring, before damage begins. But spray it during the day, so it has a chance to dry on the plant before it would freeze.

By Marcia from New Auburn, WI

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Boil Drip Pans To Get Them Clean

To clean the really cruddy drip pans from your stove, put them in a large pan with vinegar and boil the stuff off. Works like a charm, Just drop them in soapy dishwater and the come clean with very little work.

By duckie43 from Tell City, IN

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Easy Recycled Bird Bath

Take an old small plastic storage unit (like Rubbermaid) with the flip back top that has seen it's better day and remove the top. Lay this on the ground and fill with water for the birds. It's the right depth and they will love it. Most bird baths are too deep for the little birds like canaries and finches so this type is just right.

By Louise from Cibola, AZ

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Look For Giveaway Dishes For Food Gifts

For giving cake, cookies or candy at Christmas, to new neighbors or a sick friend, I look a garage sales, Goodwill or sales at retail stores for containers. Today at the General Dollar Store, they had their summer dinnerware on sale for half price. I got eight nice sized, bright colored dinner plates for a total of $2.50. They will make great plates for the rum cakes I give away at Christmas and look so much better than just a paper plate.

By Jane from Piqua, OH

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Product Review: Swiffer WetJet

For as long as I've been married, (22 years) I've hated mopping my floors! It was always such a useless chore, because the minute I got it all mopped, someone tracked in more dirt. Well! We've been remodeling, and when we laid down new linoleum on our floors, I decided it was time to get my adolescent daughters (and sons) involved. So I bought the Swiffer WetJet unit. Had a $5 coupon, and my supermarket had a $5 off with purchase special, so it only cost $10! We are hooked. The beauty of this product is, it's quick, easy, and the dirt gets thrown away! No more is keeping the floors clean something to be put off, and it's worth every penny. I still have to use a broom for tracked in mud, and the dry version of Swiffer for quick jobs. Now, the only time I use a mop is for water on the floor! My children (and me) happily use these cool new products to help keep my home clean, so it's worth every penny! 'Sides that, there are coupons for Swiffer quite regularly in the newspaper to save money.

By Kim from Crawford, CO

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Cheap Notebooks For Back To School

Just a tip to pass along. Right now you can get really cheap notebooks at Wal-Mart. They are 10 cents each. I bought a whole case, probably enough for a whole year for $2.40. I am sure this price is only good right around this time of year.

By Mark from Ottumwa, IA

Editor's Note: As stores are starting their "Back To School" shopping push, this is a great time to stock up on all sorts of school supplies. Each store will have their own loss leaders for great prices.

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Save Freebies For Gifts

Little advertising freebies make good little gifts. I rounded out a birthday gift bag with some dream cards I got from a drug company and gave another set to some teenagers who helped me carry my groceries up the stairs!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Granola Recipe

Does anyone have a recipe for granola?

Mary from Forked River, New Jersey

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Discouraging a Cat from Urinating on the Floor

What can I use to stop the cat from urinating on my floor? I tried using many things.

Wolflove from IA

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Using Powdered Detergent in a Frontloading Washing Machine

Can I use powdered detergent in a HE front load washer? It is a Bosch?

Michelle from Oxford, GA

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Information About Gas Logs

I was wanting some information on gas logs. We are thinking of having some put in before winter sets in and I really don't know too much about them. Are they a good source of heat? What about the expense? Are they cheap to use?

Right now our main type of heat is kerosene, we use our oil furnace only when it turns real cold like below zero. We had to dish out over $300.00 a month last year for kerosene and we wanted to try some other heat source this year which may be cheaper on our pocket books.

So anything you all can share with me, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all your help.
Teresa from Richlands, Va.

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80th Birthday Party Suggestions

This December my Mother will be celebrating her 80th birthday. Does anyone have any suggestions on what one could do for her birthday. She is not in good health as she is in a wheelchair. Also, I would like to make her a poem regarding her 80th birthday from me, her daughter. She is in a nursing home as of this time but may be home by December. Thanks in advance for your time regarding this matter.

Mary from Mendenhall, MS.

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Painting Advice For Jewel Tone Living Room

I'd like suggestions on what color(s) to paint our living room walls. Our couch and my husband's chair are dark blue. The throw pillows on the couch have jewel-tone colors such as purple, green, gold, and blue. My chair is the same pattern/colors as the pillows.

Maryeileen from Brooklyn OH

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Growing Pumpkins

Do pumpkins still grow as they are turning orange? Thanks

Sandy from Bluff City, TN

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Cleaning Silk

I have a 1930's handmade silk wedding dress. Does anyone know how I can clean this myself? Thanks so much!

Sunny from New Jersey

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Borax For Poison Ivy

I've heard that poison ivy hates boron-rich soil, and that an easy way to kill it off and prevent it from re-growing is to add borax to the soil. Has anyone else heard of this? And do you know if it would hurt other plants as well? I have three 100+ year old maples that I really don't want to kill. I have tons of poison ivy, and this seemed like a relatively cheap and safe way to get rid of it. Any ideas?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Beth

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Legal Advice For Qualifying As Non Profit

I leave in San Antonio, TX and I have an incorporated, non-profit business and I want to apply for my 501(c)(3) which is tax deduct for donors. We don't have a lot of money to hire an attorney so I did the research and typed up all that I think is required. I have been searching for a pro bono person/attorney to just sit with me, read over what I have and tell me if I have the correct information and if not what I need to do to qualify. I'm not asking for any one to type or do research, I can do that myself. I just need someone that knows what the government looks for to qualify non-profit business as "exempt". Can any one tell me of someone that can help with this issue.

Tanya from San Antonio, TX

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Cleaning Blood Off Plywood

Is there a way to clean blood off plywood?

Ligia from Daly City, California

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Malt and Shake Recipes

Does anyone have a secret recipe for a delicious Malt or Shake. I have tried different ways to make them but just don't taste the same as Ice Cream Shops.

Marilyn from Burlington, WI

Editor's Note: Here is a recent article about Shakes and Malts that may be helpful.

• Old Fashioned Soda Fountain Treats (Part 2 - Shakes and Malts)

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How To Use A Ham Bone

Any one know of a recipe that I can use a ham bone in. I had a huge ham in my freezer that I finally got around to cooking and dividing up for dinners and lunches. Now I have a this ham bone and I don't want to waste it. When I had my dog, this was not a problem. Now that he is gone, I want to make a soup or something out of it. Thanks for your help.

carrieleenh from Hollis,NH

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Tips For Cooking Steak In The Oven

If you were going to brown a steak on both sides in a pan and then place it in a hot oven to continue cooking, do you have a suggestion for oven temp and minutes for cooking?

Please note the inch width of the steak in your response.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Dryer Sheet Reviews

I was washing clothes and I put them in the dryer with the dryer sheet thingys but when I took them out they felt all waxy. Does anyone know of a different brand that can use so it won't leave my clothes like that it feels disgusting!?

Confused_washer from Daly City, California

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Decorating a Wedding with Chocolate

My daughter will be getting married early next year. She wants to use pink and brown as her colors. We are going to use a lot of chocolate to decorate. My problem is I don't have a clue how. I would appreciate any ideas anyone may have.

Beth from Oak Grove, LA

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How To Quiet A Squeaky Sleeper Sofa?

I have a full sleeper sofa that is 18 months old. It squeaks every time you sit on it. I also have a queen sleeper in the set that doesn't make any noise. I had to have the full sleeper replaced once because it was defective. Since getting the second one, I have had to have someone come out to adjust the frame, but this has not helped with the squeaking. Any advice?

Thanks,
Irish from Reading, PA

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Wholesale Prices For Plaster Ornaments

Where can I buy plaster ornaments at wholesale prices?

Nadine from Henderson, NV

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Growing Cantaloupes

Has anyone grown cantaloupes? I tried this year, just for fun. Only a few seeds grew and I have one cantaloupe. It is trailing up a tomato stake. Any ideas? Should I put it in a net so it doesn't break off? It is now the size of a baseball.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Valery from Cranford, NJ

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Keeping Your Aquarium Clean

I have a fish tank and I keep cleaning it but about 2 days later, it's dirty! Does anyone have any tips on how to keep it clean for longer?

Annoying_fishys from Daly City, California

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Homemade Furniture Polish

I ran out furniture polish and need to polish my wood furniture, any home tips anyone can give to me will be helpful.

Thank you!
Priscilla from Texas

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Getting Rid of Mice

Help! I have mice running through my walls of my mobile home and attached addition. I also see their turds in some places (and that's where I put the mousetraps which eventually catch them). YUK. I even just recently found a small hole in the wall of the addition and it looks like a mouse hole from the "Tom and Jerry" cartoons!

I'm not used to living in the country with all these critters and bugs invading my house! EEEEK!

Dee from Keene, KY

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Preventing Fruit Flies

Since I live in a part of the country where fruit is seasonal and I like to buy a lot of it, I am wondering if anyone can give me a tip on how to avoid fruit flies or, at least, control them. I keep a bowl of fruit on the table covered with a cloth and the remainder I refrigerate until I am ready to use them but the flies are starting to bother me. I will appreciate any help I can get. Thanks

Orva from Toronto, Canada

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Preventing and Cleaning Toilet Rings

I have a black ring around my toilet. Any suggestions to get rid of it. Bleach does not seem to work. I have even tried the blue tablets and other toilet bowl cleaners.

Rose Smith from Malvern, PA

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A Remedy for Ants in the Hummingbird Feeder

I hung a humming bird feeder last year, no problem. I hung one this year and the ants took it over! Any suggestions?

Sandie from Morganton, NC

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Tomato Plants with Yellow Leaves

Why are the leaves on my tomato plants turning yellow and the flowers will not set?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Dorene from Tonawanda, NY

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Frugal Las Vegas Tips

We are planning a family vacation (with 2 teenagers) to Vegas at Christmas. I was hoping to hear from either locals or people who have gone: on where to stay, on or off the strip or downtown? Where would you eat? What would you do while there? What is the best buffet for the money? Things we should NOT miss? Thanks for your help!

Brenda from Wyoming

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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

$10 Dinners - Basil Tomato Salad with Grilled Chicken

These meals are intended to be a relatively simple and healthy weeknight meal for a family of four. We assume that these dinners are being made in a kitchen stocked with regular kitchen staples. We will not include prices of oil, sugar, flour, spices, etc. unless you need a 1/4 cup or more. Regional food prices may vary and can be reduced by smart shopping techniques.

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