Daily Thrifty Tips - May 9, 2006

Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

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Here are some more pictures we had uploaded for the contest but we haven't been able to find the entries to go with them. The pictures are from different people (we assume). If you recognize either of these sets of "buddies", please write us and let us know more about them (names, ages and other things you'd like us to know) so we can give them their own entries.

3 Cute Dogs on a Blanket

A Dog and Cat Sleeping Together

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Exuberant!

By Diane from Elmira, NY

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Here is a photo of a coffee table I made out of a window. I left the panes in,put in some old items, then bought a piece of plastic for the top. I bought some legs at a Menard's store.

By Gintoddy37 from Il.

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For the last year our daughter has done many fundraising events. Her school concert band wanted to attend Disney World in Florida over spring break and she needed to earn her own way. She sold enough that she even had a credit that was her spending money while there.

She called the other morning to ask if she could get a shirt from the Rainforest. Then in mid-sentence she said "Oh wait! I have a coupon for 15% off - that will make it better". I thought to myself - she's learning. YEAH!

She's due home tomorrow and she still has over $100 left - I'm sure proud of her!

Nancy from Troy, OH

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To keep orchids upright, try using those cute tiny hair clamps to hold the stem to your stake. The clear ones blend in well and looks much nicer than using twist ties.

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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I am a knitter and have seen kits for knitting with strips of fabric; they make 1/2 inch wide strips from cloth, and you knit these into a purse, as if they were yarn. Instead of buying the kits which are outrageously expensive, I buy remnants of fabric, usually from the quilting area, and cut my own strips (instead of a hundred long strips that you have to attach together somehow, I just lay out the 3 or 4 yards of fabric, start at one corner, and go around and around the edges to cut one long piece that's about 1/2 inch wide; it breaks sometimes if my cutting is off, but then you only have a couple of connections to worry about and not one on every row).

The material, when knitted, will only reflect the colors you've chosen and not the actual pattern. So if there is Easter fabric on sale you can knit an item that has pastels in it, and no one can ever tell they were bunnies and eggs! What to knit? I made eyeglass cases, throw rugs made from several squares sewn together (when doing squares for a rug, you can use several different material patterns, as long as they are in the same color family--they will come out complementing each other nicely). And I just found some material so gorgeous that I am going to attempt my first top! Yarn is too warm to knit with or wear in the summer; I'm making a short sleeved top from a sunny gauzy material. I hope to be able to post a photo.

By Laurie from St. Louis, MO

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If you are gardening on a tight budget you can rescue plants. I have found that when the gardeners for my apartment complex replaced the bedding plants, there were viable discards, which I nursed back to health. I have rescued poinsettias after Xmas (the foliage the rest of the year is nice), kolanchoas, and impatients with great results (and even mystery plants.) Besides, bring them back is very satisfying.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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I have found the cheapest source for those new disposable bowl covers. My friend was unpacking her cosmetology bag and there was a box of cheap (100 count for $1.99) disposable shower caps. These were clear, had a great elastic band, and stretched to a huge size. I have since bought my own box from the beauty supply store, we have a Sally's Beauty Store here in town. I have used this instead of plastic wrap. I can rinse them at home for reuse. At 2 cents each they make the perfect cover for school cupcakes, picnics, or delivering meals and so many other food items.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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This year, I am giving pre-paid name brand gasoline cards to graduates. If I, as an adult am finding it hard to swallow the current gas prices, I can't imagine too much more welcome a gift for high school or college graduates who are responsible for maintaining their vehicle or paying for the fuel they use.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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When my kids were younger, we would go to picnics and it would always end up that one of the 4 would end up with there food on them, the paper plates would give a way. So I started looking for anything that would work to hold there paper plates, in a pinch.

I found that a lid from a plastic gallon of ice cream was my answer. It fits the paper plates perfectly and the kids didn't wear their dinner.

By Cindy K from Elkhart

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Submit Your Tips and Photos!

Tip Contest!

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Photo Contest!

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Contests are now weekly. We'll pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week.

Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!

Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor

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My 4 year old daughter smeared clinique lipstick on wool berber carpet. Since I don't have lighter fluid, what would anyone recommend?

Kate from USA

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I was wondering how to decorate my room in an African safari theme on a budget and in a tight space.

Jay from Hampstead

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When I was a kid growing up my father used to make a wonderful bar called "Carmel Oat Bars". I have done several searches on the net and none of them sound like it. It is made with oatmeal, brown sugar and butter, that is cooked to make the carmel bar. You then placed chocolate chips on top till melted and then spread evenly. Chill and cut into bars. If anyone has this recipe I would appreciate it as I am not good at giving it a go myself.

Sally from McMinnville, OR

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I need a good recipe for southern sweet tea. When I add sugar to my glass I get a raw feeling in my bottom throat. I was thinking down south they melt the sugar and then add it to the tea. Also is there a way to brew the tea in the microwave?

Thanks in advance,
Nancy from Hale, MO

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I have a guinea pig in a wired, open cage. My guinea pig frequently chews the metal bars and it is rather a nuisance. I was wondering if it was safe for him to chew on that and if it is detrimental if I spray his nose with a spray bottle when he does it to get him to stop.

Thank you,
Michele from Bronx, New York

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I have not worn my professional suits and cocktail dresses for many years. They are timelessly simple (chocolate chiffon, Chanel suits) and in perfect health. Every resale shop I have called will accept no clothing older than two years. (Many of these dresses and suits cost hundreds of dollars.) Any ideas, anyone?

Thank you,
Janet54304 from Green Bay, WI

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We have a 10' X 20" asparagus patch and would like tips on how to stop weeds from taking over. Can mulch be used? Thistle is a huge problem as well as the usual dandelions.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Thanks for your help.
Kenn Ziebell from, Germantown, WI

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How do I get scuff marks out of white patent leather shoes?

Kelly from Scranton, PA

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I spilled candle wax over a pair of pants. washed them, now i have grease stains. Any suggestions for getting the grease stains out?

Deb from Riverhead

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Are there any food companies that mail coupons?

David from Boynton Beach, FL

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I have an indoor avocado plant that is about 5 feet tall. The leaves are only on the top 12 inches. Can I trim it down to about 2 feet and still have it leaf out?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

Janell from Aloha Oregon

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I planted a nikko blue hydrangea 2 years ago but it has never bloomed. I fertilize it and it is in a sunny location (6 hours of sun). It is healthy looking and green but no flowers. What can be wrong?

Hardiness Zone: 4b

Maureen From Nova Scotia Canada

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About ten years ago I had information about a Stewardess or Pilot Diet but I can't find it. Also, there was a book that was called the two day diet, can't find it either. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Maltb from Toronto, Canada

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Does anyone have an up to date discount promo code and deferred billing code for Spiegel?

Thanks so much in advance!
Charmaine from Cleveland

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I have a large piece of slate chalkboard from an old schoolhouse. I want to hang it for my children to play with. However, it has a sharp chip on one side. The area is still pretty thick. Can I sand it down, and if so, what should I use?

Kris B from South Dakota

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I am looking to plant my garden very soon and would like to grow veggies that I can freeze for the winter. What type freezes well?

Thank you!

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Mindy from Redmond, Oregon

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How do I get really sticky tape residue off a brand new leather golf bag?

Reid from Pleasant Ridge Michigan

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I have a very persistent gopher in my yard. I tried crushed mothballs in the hole he made, and thought it had done the job, but he's back. Any suggestions on how to get rid of him without killing him?

Jean from Michigan

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I have a huge walk-in cedar closet and have noticed that moths or sort are eating away at some of the clothes..is there any suggestions as to what I can do? Is there any touch up oil or liquid to refresh the cedar?

Thank you,
Maltb from Toronto, Canada

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Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

More Information:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61219677.tip.html

It is a horrible thing to think about: your pet slips out the door and seems to disappear. How do you get your pet back safe and sound? This timeline can help you out.

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Breed Description: The Scottish Deerhound is similar to the Irish Wolfhound, with a sleeker and lighter build reflecting the contribution of greyhound blood to its ancestry. This tall, athletic breed has a broad head, tapering muzzle and a shaggy coat or harsh, wiry hair. Originally bred for hunting deer, this breed is gentle and active and makes a great companion in the right home.

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The reason why 90% of women do their make-up wrong is the complexity of techniques created over the last one hundred years as makeup artist as a rule use the subjective method and not the objective method.

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Tax time is a good time to clean the filing cabinet and eliminate yourself of old paperwork. Yet, the fear of throwing out financial papers causes many people to save everything, leaving a packed filing cabinet with yellowing paperwork.

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"The award-winning, free Web browser is better than ever. Browse the Web with confidence - Firefox protects you from viruses, spyware and pop-ups. Enjoy improvements to performance, ease of use and privacy. It's easy to import your favorites and settings and get started. Download Firefox now and get the most out of the Web."

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Breed Description: The Sheltie is a small, long-haired working dog that resembles a Rough Collie in appearance. They are skilled at herding livestock and have a natural willingness to obey. Shelties are highly intelligent and excel at obedience and agility trials. They are extremely responsive and have been described as almost being able to read their owners minds. This breed is loyal and sensitive and makes a good family pet.

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