Daily Thrifty Tips - January 23, 2008

I hope everyone is having a nice week. This Friday's Saving Money on Newsletter is about Saving Money on Valentine's Day. Do you have any tips to share?

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Growing Three Sisters

Testing Three Sisters Mound With Sunflowers and Pole Beans. 2007 test with AO458.

More Info: http://sustainablesoils.org

By Jim from Cave City, AR

Editor's Note: The Three Sisters planting was used by many Native Americans. It generally consists of corn, squash (pumpkin) and beans, all growing in a single mound and supporting each other.

Here is an article on how to plant your own Three Sisters mound in your garden this year.

• Kidsgardening.com/Creating a Three Sisters Garden

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Illinois Clouds

This was taken by Arcola, Illinois last fall as we sat waiting for a train. The clouds went on forever

By imaqt1962 from Illinois

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Aurique (Golden Lab)

Aurique is 9 years old and a Golden Lab (designer breed). He was dropped on my doorstep by a friend who thought we would make a good pair. Aurique's owner was going to shoot him, when he was two months old because he chased people who walked on the road. I lived in the forest, where he can't see the road. My 12-year-old Border was sick and dying, so my friend thought I needed Aurique, as much as he needed me.

Aurique loves playing in the snow and with other dogs. Mostly, he is a great therapy dog for the elderly and as a seeing eye dog. The name Aurique comes from the Latin name, meaning the golden prince.

By Winnie from Magdalen Islands, Quebec, Canada

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Store Electronic Chargers In Ziplock Bags

I have 5 chargers for my electronics. I keep from getting them mixed up and tangled up by sticking them in their very own zip lock. The quart size is perfect. I put on the front in marker what device the charger is for and they get stored nice and neat in my desk. You can also put the handbook in there if you need to.

By Debradj from Illinois

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Organising Tax Papers

I organise my tax papers in a binder using clear page protector covers and with labelled dividers to keep the categories separate and organised. Each time something for tax comes in it is placed in the binder in the correct division. The clear covers makes it easy to see exactly what is in your tax file and ready for preparation when tax time comes.

By Koraline from Canberra, Australia

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Four Simple Ways To Defog Your Mirror

1. Spray a thin coat of shaving cream onto a dry mirror, rub with a lint-free cloth until the cream disappears...
2. OR keep candles lit during your shower or bath..
3. Or run an inch are two of cold water before adding hot water to the tub..
4. Or just wave a hairdryer at the mirror

By craftmom_9@ from San Marcos, TX

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Use Baking Soda and Water for Cleaning Silver

Instead of spending money on silver polish, just follow the following instructions: In a stainless steel sink, add 1/2 of a cup of baking soda to 1 gallon of water, dip silver in water and wipe with a sponge to remove tarnish. I use this all the time and it's wonderful.

By Esther from Baltimore , MD

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Keep Carpet Scraps for Traction in Snowy Conditions

In rural Ohio, getting stuck in the snow on occasion is expected so I keep several medium sized carpet scraps in my trunk. When placed under wheels, they make getting traction--and out--easy!

By Trude from Lima, Ohio

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You CAN Save $5,000 This Year! - Tips From Woman's Day

These tips are from the Woman's Day website. They were too good not to share:

By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC

You CAN Save $5,000 This Year!

Here are simple strategies to save at the grocery store, reduce your cable bill, trim your car payments and more.

• Go on an H2O Diet - For the next 12 months, give up ordering soft drinks whenever you eat out. Ask for water instead. Every time you do this, stash $2 into your savings. Even if you save only $10 a week, that's $520 a year.

Editor's Note: To see the rest of the tips, follow this link:

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100% Juice Is A Good Way To Add Nutrients

Serving juice to your family can be an easy way to help picky eaters get the nutrients they need. Use your calculator to find the best price per ounce. (I always keep one handy inside the front of my coupon pack.) Always buy 100% juice. Don't waste money on fruit beverages that are mostly water. You can always add water at home. Adding water cuts down on calories and is a healthy way to serve juice.

Don't shy away from fruit juices with vegetable juice added. These are nutrient rich. You can always dilute them with apple juice for serving. Apple juice is always a thrifty purchase. Use it to mix with other more expensive juices to make premium blends.

Forego the convenience of juice in a bottle. Don't buy individual servings. Make your own.

Consider buying frozen juices that you mix in a pitcher. These juices are usually less pricey.

Fruit juice at any price is always a good buy because it helps one maintain good health. Kool Aid and other sugary colored water mixes are never a good buy. They may be cheap, but are only detrimental to health. We want to help build healthy bodies to lesson expensive trips to the doctor and to the hospital. Drinking 100% fruit juice helps stave off those more expensive alternatives.

By Carol from Wyoming, PA

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"Uh Oh! I Need To Get My Wife A Gift" - Personalized Gift Guides

Last year for Valentine's Day, I made hubby a little Valentine-book called "LAURA'S GIFT GUIDE." I used an inexpensive plastic photo album (so I could make modifications when I wanted to or needed to)

I dedicated one page to my sizes (including ring sizes) as well as my measurements. I included photos from online stores of examples of things I like (jewelry, clothing, perfume, shoes, etc.) Whenever possible, I wrote down the local stores that probably had the best prices.

For HIS Valentine';s Day present, I gave my darling hubby an empty photo album entitled "HUBBY'S GIFT GUIDE." I inserted a little coupon that read "Good for assistance in creating your own book."

Our "gift guides" are placed together on one of our bookshelves where we each can refer to them, add to them, and make changes as often as necessary.

By Laura from Long Beach, CA

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Use Caution Mailing Junk Mail Envelopes

Often people reuse envelopes which they received with junk mail. However, you need to exercise care in using these. Any envelopes that have a bar code on them, should only be used to send mail to their intended destination. The bar code is the address in computer language. So, while you may have your envelope hand addressed to the water company, the post offices computer may still send it to a different state and address and slow your mail. This can result in lost mail and late fees on your bills.

Source: self experience!!

By April from NW Missouri

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Natural Baking Soda As Underarm Deodorant

My favorite way to use baking soda for reasons both healthy and frugal is as an underarm deodorant. I have tried various natural deodorants and all have fallen short in controlling odor. Because baking soda balances ph levels and neutralizes acid, it works and I find the effects of it work all day long.

To make your own inexpensive and natural deodorant, combine equal amounts of baking soda and cornstarch. I add a few drops of pure lavender essential oil for fragrance (plus this works as a bacteria inhibitor) and place in a tightly sealed bowl, add a powder puff and voila!, you';ll have the most effective, simple and money saving natural deodorant one might find.

By earth heart from Polk, Ohio

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Free Entertainment Ideas

I'm unemployed right now. What are some things that I can do that are low cost or free for fun. I would appreciate any ideas you can give me.

Thanks,
April from Henderson

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Primer for Latex Paint

Advice Needed: In the room that I want to paint red, wallpaper was put on without preparing the wall so we kilzed it but with a water based kilz. I have been told that I need to use an oil based primer. Can I use a latex paint after using an oil based primer? Thanks for any help.

Dianec from Atlanta GA

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Mockingbird Taking Over My Bird Feeder

I have a bird feeder in the backyard and I have noticed a mocking bird totally taking over. It harasses all other birds, especially cardinals. The finches have stopped coming too. This is being going on for last 4-5 days. Help needed.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Asad from Jonesboro, AR

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Japanese Chin

Anyone else here have a Japanese Chin? Panda Bear will be 13 next month. Not a well known breed. They're faithful, smart, guarded at first but very friendly. She's on the smaller side 6.5 lbs.

Keeper from NC

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Dull Stains From Iron in Water

My daughter has well water and it has a lot of iron in it. This stains all of her white clothes and makes her colored clothes dull. Does anyone know how to remove these stains and prevent this from happening again. Thanks for any help!

Beth from Oak Grove, LA

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Liquid Fabric Softener vs. Dryer Sheets

Is there a difference between a Liquid Fabric Softener and those Dryer Sheets? Can I use one only and still get best results?

Nephilim from Toronto, ON

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Vomit Stain on Clothing

A year or so ago, while having the flu, I vomited all over 1 of my favorite shirts (that happened to be brand new). After scraping the nasty stuff off, I laundered it and was left with a huge grease like stain. The shirt is 100% cotton and dark brown in color. I tried scrubbing it with Shout and Tide and rewashing and it did nothing. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Steve from Blair, NE

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Warts on My Face

I have flat warts on my face. I wonder if there is a homemade solution to get rid of them since I can't afford to go to a dermatologist? Thanks!

Loi

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Making Indoor Water Gardens

Anyone know how to make indoor water gardens? It's like the ones for outdoors, but smaller containers for around the house. I read about them in a Martha Stewart "Living" magazines a couple of years ago. Grateful for any info on indoor water gardens. Thanks!

Crafts4Life from Kentucky

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Safe Air Fresheners for Cockatiels

I have always heard that febreeze shouldn't be used in a home with birds that it could kill them. I have a cockatiel. We also have dogs and I wanted to find out if anyone knows whether or not there are any fresheners that are safe. Also, are the plug in air fresheners safe?

Shannon from Middleburg, FL

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Coke Stain on Stain Shoes

Someone spilled soda (coca cola) on my brown satin shoes. I took them to the dry cleaners but they said they couldn't remove the stain. How can I remove a stain from satin shoes?

Courtney from Quakertown, PA

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Free Dog Clothing Patterns

I want to make dog clothing but don't know where to find free patterns. I'm thinking of making things such as snoods, coats, etc. Does anyone have any other suggestions for things I can sew in the pet arena?

Many thanks,
Wendy from Hervey Bay, Australia

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Cheap Apartment in North Port Florida

I am looking for cheap apartments in North Port, Florida? Any advice or ideas?

Amy from North Port, Florida

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Instructions for an Avon Night Light

Someone gave my granddaughter a clock / night light / sound maker for Christmas. No box, no instructions. It is from Avon, silver looking and has a picture of a waterfall on the front, with the clock section below that. On the sides there are buttons for Chimes, Waterfall, Wind, Birds, etc. On the bottom there are Mode, Set and Up and Down buttons. We cannot figure out how to work this. Does anyone out there know where I can get the booklet or have one they can share the information?

Thank you,
Bonnie from Martinsburg, WV

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What color kitchen appliances should I get?

The kitchen we are updating is the standard oak cabinets with cream/neutral counter tops. The floor is neutral tan ceramic tile. We would like to replace the counter tops and appliances. The kitchen is painted a soft light green and opens to the living room which doesn't have a color yet. Any suggestions on colors for counter tops and appliances? It is just so bland with all the neutral in the kitchen.

Kelly from Pittsburgh, PA

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Yellow Stain on a Green Shirt

How do I get a yellow set-in stain off of my green shirt?

Kenya

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Cheap Wedding Sites in Baltimore, Maryland

I am planning my wedding for october of this year (2008). I need to know of cheap wedding/receptions sites to hold my wedding. I would like to have the wedding and reception held at the same place with the possibility of having a caterer at the site to. I have little money but want something nice, simple and clean. Please help!!

Tracey from Baltimore, Maryland

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Trouble House Training My Chihuahua

I have a 2 1/2 year old Chihuahua and I have tried for all these years to house train him. He goes through the house hiking his leg on every thing and pooping everywhere.I work nights and I am there during the day. He stays in the basement most of the time because I have a big problem with pet poop and pee.

I just don't know what to do about this. I feel bad that he has to stay cooped up in the basement all the time i don't have any other solution. So if some one could please help it would be a life saver.

Amanda from Cumming, GA

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Mold and Mildew Inside of Refrigerator

How do you get mildew and mold out of a freezer that had food left in it with no electricity? The doors were left open so it is dried on there. The smell is not that great either. Can you pressure wash it out? It is a new fridge with a bottom freezer that is being left in the house we are buying.

I would hate to have to get rid of it but the mold/mildew mixture looks pretty bad. It also oozed a sticky looking liquid on the floor. I can't wait to see what is under the fridge. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

NiqueLSU from Baton Rouge, LA

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Rubel's Heavens Retired Angels

Do you know where I might find Rubel's Heavens Retired Angels?

Shari from Kalamazoo, MI

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Selling Trees I Want to Remove from My Yard

We have 5 big oak tree in our back yard and we want to get rid off them. Wondering if there are any company will buy them? I live in New Jersey. Can someone please give me some information? Thanks a lot!

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Sarah from Livingston, NJ

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Asking a Guy on Swim Team to Sadies

The guy I'm asking to Sadies is on the varsity swim team. I need an idea how to ask him.

Erin

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Watering Bamboo Sticks

Do bamboo sticks need to be watered?

Zaneta from Montreal, Canada

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Paint on Leather jacket

How do I clean white paint off a leather jacket? I don't know what kind of paint.

Carol from Victoria, BC

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Spiced Tea Recipe Using Tang

I am looking for a recipe for instant spiced tea mix using instant raspberry tea, instant tang, and instant lemonade mix. Thanks

Gigi from Cheyenne, OK

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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

Ten Easy Ways to Eat Healthfully
By Claire Bush

Diet is a four letter word!

Restrictions lead to a feeling of deprivation and that leads - you guessed it - right to the kitchen cupboard, in search of a reward.

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