Daily Thrifty Tips - March 21, 2006

Reunion.com Find Old High School Friends at Reunion.com

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Rosco is 2 years old. I don't know what breed or mix he is.

He likes to play fetch. He is so loveable.

By Rachel from Bloomington, Illinois

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These personalized frames are great gifts! They can literally be for anyone because they are personalized. I enjoy making them for my daughter and with children for their parents on Mother's and Father's days.

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I don't know how old Aayla is, she is from an animal shelter. She is a tortie, otherwise I do not know.

After my old cat, who was at my side for 14 years, died, we went to the animal shelter. We saw a lot of cats, but none spoke to my heart. Then she said: We have a quarantine area, maybe you want to look there?

And there she was, our kitty girl. She was so tiny, sitting in that big cage. We could hold her, and when I did, she gave the softest purr. My heart just jumped, and I knew I was in love.

She loves to tear clothes from the clothes rack, and then install herself on top of the fallen clothes. She also loves to throw stuff over, and she knows exactly where we store her food :)

By Sylver from Netherlands

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Because our wedding had a short lead time, we sent out "save the date" emails through eVite. Much easier than phoning - and cheaper for relatives all across the country.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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Ah, the wonders of the humble paperclip with its many uses beyond just clipping together paper. It can be bent to hang a calendar over a cabinet door or form a picture hanger. You can use the straightened end to take out the burnt ends of matches from your still-liquid candles. You can use is as a way to temporarily clip extra keys to your key chain and for Xmas ornament hangers. I even read where one local electronics repairman fuses paperclip wire into plastic parts to fix machines where the parts are not available!

By Pam from L.A., CA

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Cover bricks with fabric or wallpaper to make attractive bookends.

By ThriftyFun

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My Best frugal tip is to order as many freebies you can get. I visit free sample sites and get make-up, shampoo/conditioner, lotions/perfumes, tons of tea samples, feminine hygiene, baby products, etc. I have even received free full size samples with coupons for money off and free offers. This helps me save on not having to buy items at the store.

By Rebecca

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Sizes don't matter in clothing - just the fit. So learn to develop a sense of your size no matter what the size markings are.

Very often things end up in thrift shops because they were originally mismarked. (And a shoe that's marked, say, size 9, is actually more an 8.) And imported Asian sizes are generally smaller than U.S. sizes.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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Check under your car seats, in pockets of coats and jackets, as well as in the furniture for loose change! You might be surprised how much you will find!

By Robin from Washington, IA

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To estimate gas costs for a trip try this --

http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/TripGasPrice.aspx

By aardvark from VA

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You can use the acrylic sheets they use to print transparencies on to replace the glass in small pictures. Easy and safe.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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I'd like to know the proper technique to paint over chrome.

Captnronoh from Toledo, OH

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I need paint color advice, my carpet is Grey and furniture is Navy Blue. The walls have just been painted a nice shade of Yellow, however we can see the Entrace (foyer) from sitting on the navy furniture and we are in need of a contrasting color to paint our entrance way. Please help.

Trisha from Canada

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I'm looking for recipes for homemade saddle soap.

Thanks,
Tigger2044 from NE, Conn.

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I am interested in ideas for creating an English, late 1800's interior decorating theme around fox hunts and English equestrian decor. My entire home is currently in transition to this style. Anyone know of where used, discarded horse rider apparrel is looking for a new home?

Also, I want to create a garden using the old chimney's bricks to create jumps similar to the ones used in steeple chase courses. Does anyone know of a web site where I could see pictures of such? I am intrigued with the Edwardian colors and wondered how to finish bathroom walls to set the room back in that era.

Thank you,
Ladybugv2 from Michigan

Editor's Note: Sounds like quite a decorating challenge! I would love to see pictures as you make progress.

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Do you have an idea for a homemade carpet cleanser for my steam cleaner?

Sue from Naples, FL

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My daughter has a problem with her laundry. She randomly gets bleach stains on her wash. She has stopped using any bleach and fabric softener and it still happens. Does anyone have any ideas what might cause it. It doesn't seem that the machine would hold bleach for months. Very strange.

Thanks for your help,
Sally from South Berwick, ME

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OK, I'm in trouble. :(

I was frying some tortillas in vegetable oil when I got a phone call and as you can probably guess, I forgot to keep my eye on the pan and the vegetable oil dried up and I burned the pan. To make matters worse, I tried to scrape the burnt spots off with a plastic spatula and I melted a little bit of the spatula onto the pan.

I have to get it cleaned up because it's my girlfriend's favorite, almost brand new pan that she got for Christmas this last year.

The problem is that I have been glancing at this site now for a few days and I have tried: Vinegar and boiling water, baking soda and dish soap, boiling water and dish soap and I'm currently trying the dishwasher detergent soaking over night technique.

If, the dishwasher detergent does not do the trick, does any one have any almost guaranteed tricks that will work for me?

Thanks!

MrPlazmaDude from Colorado

Editor's Note: What is the pan made of? Does it have a non-stick surface?

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I have been going through some of the "work from home" posts on here, and wondered if anyone has found anything yet? I'd like to find something that can earn some extra income, and with the gas prices, finding an away from home job is not worth it.

I don't really have any special skills, and finding a good job is very difficult because of the location I'm in (the middle of nothing). I have tried Ebay but didn't really make money on there. Did anyone find anything? Any ideas?

Thank you!
katieandjeffy from PA

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Does anyone have a recipe for making homemade Fun Fruits? I would like to make them in my Jello jelly bean mold.

Thanks for your help! Have a great day.

Kelly from Racine, WI

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How do you get a knot out of a thin gold necklace?

Jerry from Hanover, PA

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Why are my clothes wrinkled after washing? I use homemade laundry soap, use vinegar during rinse, shake my clothes before placing them on clothes line; but still wrinkled.

G from from AZ

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I am getting married soon and my theme is going to be tropical. I have a bunch of cool Liquor bottles and was looking for some ideas!

Thanks,
Biff from Moberly, MO

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Does anyone have any ideas on how to "pill" a difficult cat or get him to ingest Panacur powder (He has worms)? Our vet tried 6 times to "pill" the cat and was unsuccessful, so we tried the Panacur powder instead. He will not eat this either. We have tried mixing it with everything we know that he will eat, but 2 days later, that food is still there. I think he would rather starve.

Any ideas or suggestions would be great! Thanks and have a blessed day. Kelly

Kelly from Racine, WI

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Can any one tell me about "Brown Boronia"? And where to get them? My zone is 9-10 in Southern, CA. I'm told that they will grow here.

Hardiness Zone: 9b

Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

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I am looking at making frozen cookie dough for alleries. I want to do this for people who can't bake for their kids and would buy this. QUESTION: Can you use rice flour for a base (to replace wheat)? I saw that some substituted soy flour for eggs. Are there any other non-egg substitutes you can use? I am going to use my DH's workplace as guniea pigs!

camo_angels from Willamina, OR

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The Homeschool group I belong too is kind of breaking a part because all the older kids are doing what they want but the rest of us who are mostly around 10-14 years old are still eager too have some group activities. I would like to try and have an Easter party but because we are all mostly older we don't want it to seem too kidish and hope to bring everyone together to restore the group.

May-Fairy from CA

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Please help me remove baked Pam residue from a regular cookie sheet (NOT nonstick).

Thanks,
Susie Whorley from Chapel Hill, NC

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My husband and I are wanting to go to Virginia for a vacation. Can anyone tell me the best places to visit while I am there? We will be driving from TN and will have a week off work. This will be our first visit.

Thanks.
Glo781 from TN

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Reunion.com Find Old High School Friends at Reunion.com

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Breed Description: The most popular short-haired pedigreed cat in Europe, the British Shorthair is a compact, medium-sized cat, that is powerful and well-balanced. They have a broad chest, strong legs and a general roundness to most of their features-a round head, round cheeks, large round eyes, rounded paws and a round tip to their tails. British Shorthairs have a short, dense coat and stand taller than American Shorthairs.

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As more and more supermarkets across North America respond to the growing consumer demand for healthy foods, foods grown organically will become even more affordable and accessible to the average supermarket shopper. If you're still unsure about all the hype over going organic, here are some answers to the common questions about organic food.

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Breed Description: The Boston Terrier is a compact, well-muscled and clean-cut dog with a lively temperament and high degree of intelligence. This breed has a broad, flat head, large round eyes and a sweet docile expression. Affectionate and loving, this dog is determined, strong and sturdy and makes an excellent companion.

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Breed Description: The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, self-confident and attractive breed with a hardy frame and moderately long silky coat. They were originally bred for work in the farm areas of Switzerland and are known for being calm-natured and people-orientated.

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