Daily Thrifty Tips - June 5, 2007

We have lots of new requests today. Please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer.

It's not just gas prices on the rise, food prices are starting to go up due to high demand for corn (for ethanol) and higher fuel costs for shipping. Do you have any tips for dealing with rising food prices? Post them here:

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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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.

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

Wine Glass Charms

To make a beaded wineglass charm, you will need medium sized earring hoops, decorative beads and charms, and pliers. Thread the beads and charms on the hoops in a neat, decorative pattern. Do not overload the hoop with beads.

When you have finished adding your beads, use the pliers to create a 90 degree bend in the end of the hoop to hold the beads on and to attach in the ring at the other end. Voila! All of your party guests can tell their glasses apart!

By Tara Lee from Tampa, FL

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Gracie's Third Birthday

This is Gracie at her third birthday party. Doctors don't know everything, only God does. She's had 3 open heart surgeries.

May God Bless Everyone!

By Misti from Carthage Tennessee

Editor's Note: Here are some previous entries about Gracie

• Gracie's (Miracle Baby) 2nd Birthday
• Gracie Signing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
• Gracie Visiting Great Great Grandpa in Germany
• Gracie With Santa Claus!
• Gracie and the Piano
• Gracie at a Picnic

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Beautiful Fuchsia

This is a beautiful flower I grew last year. It was small when I bought it and I never dreamed it would get so big and bloom all summer and fall.

By Sherry from Silverdale WA

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George and Snap (Pygmy, Fainting Goats)

I bought George and Snap when I saw a sign posted at the local Tractor Supply store. We bought them to save money on gas for mowing by letting them eat the grass, we have 25 acres. We are making them a playground with free things we can find. These two love to play King of the Mountain. We picked up a stray beagle dog who loves to play tag with them too. They can really make you laugh! Snap, the black and white goat, is going to have babies any day. Our first and we can't wait. George, the white and Brown goat, is a Fainter. If he gets scared, he gets stiff and falls down. This lasts around 15 seconds. It is his breed.

By Esstar from Plainfield, Ohio

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Patriotic Summer Centerpiece

I needed a cute centerpiece for my dining room table to last me through the summer. I was looking for something with the red, white and blue theme so I could leave it out from May to September! I went to the dollar store and bought this cute pot, two bouquets of flowers, some foam, the placemat and the two candles. For $6, I have a cute centerpiece to use for years to come!

By Kathy from Saint Charles, Missouri

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Healthy And Quick Cooking Tips

I am a working mom with a husband who often needs to work late. So, to prepare healthy and quick meals, below are what I often do:

• Steam my rice (our staple) while I do the cutting and washing
• Whenever possible, steam along some vegetables along with the rice (e.g. cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, etc) but put them in only after the rice is almost done to avoid over-cooking
• Add some herbs, nuts (cashews, pine nut, etc) on the rice for extra flavour and nutrition
• Fry some crunchy stuff needed in a little oil, after that pour in some water for blanching some vegetables
• Lightly blanch the vegetables in a little hot boiling water (just enough to cover the surface) added with a little oil(from previous frying) and salt. Bring to plate quickly to preserve the nutrients. Reuse the water for cooking soups, this makes a tasty broth.

By Alohamolly from KL, Malaysia

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Spray Bottle For Ironing

My iron always gets clogged from the hard water we have and the steam gives up way before the iron does. I was ironing (a rare event now that I use wrinkle spray) and using my spray water bottle and realizing that it's as good or better than steam. I have an old sprayer connected to a large old plastic bottle on an ironing board I found on the street! (which is better than the newer one I had.) And if you carefully align the flat surfaces of what you are ironing, you will only have to touch up the rear side. That's thrifty fun living!

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Help Your Savings Grow With CD's

If you have money in an ordinary statement or passbook savings account, you are probably getting about 3% less then if you put in CD's (certificate of deposits). CD's range from 6 month to years so get one that fits your needs and you'll be making more money each month in interest.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Top Pancakes With Applesauce Mixed With Syrup

My kids love to have pancakes or French toast for breakfast pretty often. My only concern is the amount of syrup that they eat along with the main course. We started making our own syrup from fresh fruit when available, but there's still a lot of sugar in it. So, I have started putting a dollop of syrup into a bowl of applesauce and topping their pancakes with that instead. More nutrition--less sugar--less hyper kids to scrape off the ceiling an hour later!

By Gina J. from Colorado

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Use A Broom To Scrub Out A Freezer

Whoever the angel was who posted the tip about using the broom to scrub the bathtub, well she is just the BEST! I just used the same idea to scrub out my upright freezer with baking soda and water. Worked like a charm!

By Margie from Mount Vernon, Ohio

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Add Bleach To Your Fountain Water

I have a lovely indoor water fountain that I'd stopped using because I had to clean it too often. Now, I use it all the time thanks to a tip from my local florist. Her tip for keeping it clean was to add a little bleach to the water that is recycled. This keeps it so nicely that I only have to clean it every once in a while.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

Editor's Note: Too much bleach in the water could be a concern if you have children or pets, especially cats who drink out of the fountain. Having said that, bleach is used to clean contaminated water after floods, 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of regular unscented 5.25% household bleach per gallon of water should be fine (Source: CDC.gov).

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Skewers To Keep Squirrels Out of Planting Containers

During the summer, I plant vegetables in containers and keep them on my deck. In the past, I've had a great deal of difficulty keeping the squirrels from digging up my new sprouts. A friend gave me an idea which has worked well. What you do is get a package of bamboo skewers, which usually runs about a dollar, and stick the skewers into the soil, with the points sticking up out of the soil and over the edge of the pot. This deters the squirrels from climbing into the pots to dig up the seedlings. It's worked very well, no squirrels have been injured, and my vegetables are allowed to flourish.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Getting Rid of Earwigs

I want to kill earwigs that are nesting in a children's playhouse.

Teresa from Surrey

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Acid Free Tissue Paper

Does anyone know where I can get acid free tissue paper? This is the kind that won't discolor clothing. I've tried craft stores, bridal and prom shops, fabric stores, stationery stores -- no one has it. A mail order source would be fine.

Joan from Chesapeake VA

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Chicha de Jingibre Recipe

Fermented ginger drink - also known as Chicha de jingibre in Nicaragua. Non-alcoholic. Traditionally served to children and adults as a cooling refreshing beverage. "Hot" while swallowed - this might be due to spices. Any one have a recipe? I've checked all the search engines, and could come up with a mention of the beverage, but not the actual recipe.

I have a friend on chemo and since she remembers this from her childhood, the ginger content might help to cut back on nausea (pending MD approval).

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Using Wall Glaze on Wallpaper

Has anyone ever used "wall glazing" over vinyl wallpaper?. I detest my bathroom wallpaper! I would like to glaze over it, giving it a "vintage or aged" appearance.

Sharon from Southern Illinois

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Starting a Rose Bush from a Cutting

My daughter asked me "how do you start a rose bush?" Can you start one with a branch of the bush and rooting it in water?

Thank you,
Joyce from Wis.

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Cleaning The Battery Compartment in a Radio

I have a radio receiver which operates on dry cell batteries. The battery compartment consists of two tubes one houses 3 cells while the other one has one cell. Both tubes have springs on one end (which touch the -ve pole of cells). Due to batteries being there for a long time there has been electrolyte leakage which has spilled inside the tubes and the springs have got corroded.

I need advice on how to clean the spilled electrolyte (which is dry now) and the springs which have corrosion on surface which is preventing current flow.

If it helps, my radio receiver is Hitachi Worldspace Receiver.

Thanks for help,
Neeraj Bhai from India

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Recipes Using Splenda

Do you have good recipes using Splenda?

Doreen from Laporte, IN

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Veterinarians in Detroit, MI

I live in Detroit, MI around West Chicago and Wyoming area. I would like to know if someone knows where a vet is located around here. I just moved into this here neighborhood and I really want to know where there's a good vet so I can take my beautiful girl dog to get her shots and find out how old she is. I've got to get her nails clipped, she has been scratching us. Is it also true that I have to get her licensed here or is this only for pits and dangerous dogs?

Thanks,
Tracey From Detroit, MI

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Storing Photos

I have a gazillion pictures of my family and have been storing them in boxes and suitcases. I am contemplating using my hanging space bags (the plastic bags that you vacuum out the air)l Using picture albums would not be very thrifty and I already have things stored under my beds. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Thanks,
Brenda from Rutledge, TN.

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Meatloaf Without Tomato Products

I need a meatloaf recipe that is made without any tomato products. My brother is a kidney patient and has dialysis 3 times a week. He is single and has only me to take care of him. I would appreciate any recipes (home tested) for low-sodium, low-potassium and your prayers for him.

I would also like to say Happy Birthday to all of you June babies. Today (June 2nd) is my 64th. I love this site, you are so friendly and helpful. Its like a big extended family. Thank you, Ellen

Ellen from Maricopa, CA

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What breed is my dog?

What type of dog is she?

Janet

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Are Hens & Chicks supposed to bloom?

Are Hens & Chicks supposed to bloom? I've had them for years, but mine have never bloomed before this year.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Janus from Oakwood, GA

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The Tops of My Feet Are Red

On my feet the toes and top of the foot are red, and I mean RED! I do not know what is causing this. One of my doctors thought it was caused by a medicine - but that did not turn out to be correct. This has been like this for about a year. How do I wear sandals with my feet all red!

Any help?
Penny from Pittsburgh, PA

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Ground Cover Advice

i am looking for a well behaved ground cover that isn't invasive - got any suggestions? Winters can get to below freezing and summers up to 105F.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Cats With Different Feeding Habits

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where and how to feed 2 cats with different feeding habits.

We have one male (Bingo) who, for about 2 years, who was used to grazing on his cat food all day. Then we took in a stray female (Yoda) who was half starved, so we allowed her to graze all day as well. This wasn't a problem until she started to get healthier and now she looks like she swallowed a football! She is so plump!

The problem is that she will eat all day long -- she is definitely a boredom eater. But since Bingo was used to eating when he was hungry I think he misses out when we drop food in their bowl twice a day. Yoda just gets in there and licks the bowls clean. She's a stinker and will even find the dog food bowl (that we keep in another room). I try to play with her when I'm home and I try to shoosh her away when she's eaten her share, but it's frustrating. Any advice or something I haven't thought of yet?

Kathy from South Dakota

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How do I remove cooking oil stains from a wooden floor?

Some oil leaked from a bag I put on the floor, about a month ago. The oil has leaked into the wood, leaving a dark stain. I've looked up various remedies online but have not found a clear solution, and I don't want to go messing around with the floor until I know what I'm doing. The stain is about 10 inches by 20, made with some kind of edible oil, probably olive, the stain has been there for a month without treatment, and the floor is in pretty bad condition to begin with. It was lightly varnished a long time ago with some kind of clear finish, but the varnish is very thin now over most of the floor. I would very very much appreciate some well informed advice on this.

Lucy from Copenhagen, Denmark

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Cleaning an Old Photograph

How do you clean dust and grime of an old photograph?

Lorraine from Northern Ireland

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Starting a Hedge with Forsythia Clippings

I have these bushes at work and would like to make a hedge using them. Can I root them to do so?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Helen from Baltimore MD

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Removing Permanent Marker from a Car

How can I remove permanent marker from car paint? I had some kid write on white car with black permanent marker. I would also like to make sure there is no shadow left behind.

Christine from WVC, UT

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Removing Paint From Carpet

I spilled white paint on me beige carpet. How can I get it out?

Toni from Owensboro, Kentucky

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