Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 151 June 20, 2005
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Hello,
This friday's TF News will be about Container Gardening, if you have any tips or photos to share on that subject, please submit them.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Photos
Cat Chairs - Bunny and TC
I have been looking for something to keep the kitty cats off the couch and bed. I found this Mini Mushroom Chair at Walmart and one of the kitty cats Bunnie (Bobtail), love's it. I also bought two large basket's at AC Moore's for $7.00 and with the coupon they were $5.00.
Two other kitty cats TC (TopCat) in the picture, and Thumper no picture, fell in love with them. Helps to keep the hair down at this time of the year.
Bunnie is 14 months old and TC 16 years old.
By Fran
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Make Magnets from Clippings
By Jess Hampton This is a fast, easy way to use up old National Geographic magazines, newspapers or stamps -- with some acrylic medium and a magnet sheet, you can create customized magnets!
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Cinnamon the Rabbit
This is Cinnamon the rabbit. He is owned by Patricia Elster who lives in Winston-Salem, NC. Cinnamon the rabbit is a lovable and cuddly boy!
Patricia
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Today's Tips
Cleaning with Vinegar and other Frugal Tips
Using White Vinegar
Use it to clean your mirrors, your floors, your tubs, rinse your hair, clean your glasses, put in your dishwasher rinse department, rinse your white clothes in it, gargle for sore throats, use as good antiseptic and many more uses.
By Sandi
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Buying in Bulk
Buy in bulk grocery items that you use on a daily or regular basis. Take it home and either down size it into smaller containers or a large bin. These items will be much cheaper than it would be for several smaller jars or containers.
By Terri
What food goods or products do you buy in bulk or large quantities. This can include anything used for the household.
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Frugal Vacation Planning Tips
Tips for planning a vacation and saving money. Post your ideas.
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Summer Vacation Picture Gifts
With summer vacations looming, it is time to take lots of pictures. I ALWAYS get two copies. When giving a picture to someone, I put it in a frame. (Thrift stores always have frames for very little cost.) If you have several pictures to give someone, place them in a small album. This is a very welcome gift of pleasant memories.
By Tedebear
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New and Transferred Prescriptions Incentives
Target, CVS and a few other stores offer a store shopping card (incentive) when you bring in a new prescription or transfer a prescription from another store. I take medication before dental appointments and the cost of the prescription was .65 cents with prescription plan at a local pharmacy.
I had filled a new prescription at Target a while back and got a $10.00 shopping card. Then later when CVS had an incentive for new or transferred prescriptions I got a $25.00 shopping card. The register receipt also had a coupon attached, spend $15.00 and get $3.00 off. $28.00 is nothing to sneeze at!
It pays to watch for these ads if you fill prescriptions at local pharmacies.
Tip: You must transfer a prescription from a different store.
By Syd
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Keeping Animals Out of Your Vegetable Garden
Tips for keeping animals out of your vegetable garden. Post your ideas.
Keeping Animals Out of Your Vegetable Garden
We live in the country mountains so there are lots of bunnies, deer and other little critters always wanting in our veggie garden. My husband has put up a very high fence with chicken wire, but he also had to put it on the ground along the fence too. He took one foot of fence and attached it to the fence going up, then bent it forward when it hit the ground and made it smooth all the way around the fence. This left 3 feet setting on the ground. Then he attached metal spikes made from coat hangers to hold it down. We found out that without this chicken wire going out from the fence at least 3 feet the bunnies were able to dig into the garden. This seems to have deterred them.
By RoseMary B.
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Saving Money on Meat
Tips for saving money on meat. Post your ideas below!
Buying Meat on a Tight Budget
Our grocery budget is frequently tight, and I have found that we tend to run low on meat sometimes. The solution we found was that if we would get all of our meats first at the store and then figure what we had left to spend, we could usually get enough meat to last a week or more and still be able to get all the other things we need without too much compromise or sacrifice.
By Stephanie Burtis
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Grocery Shopping at Salvage Stores
Shopping at salvage stores can save you big bucks on groceries. But when you're there, take note of the environment. Are there small bugs or tan colored moths flying around? If so, pick the items to purchase carefully. Check each item around the part of the can where you open it or where a jar's lid fits. Look for moth eggs or larvae.
If a product you were planning on buying has one or more on it, do not purchase it. Just leave it at the store. Also beware of cereals, flours, rice, as they can be inside the package already and you won't know until you get home.
If you've never had a moth infestation in your home, and had to toss out all kinds of foods, you're very lucky. Mine even got in unopened bags of dried fruit, nothing keeps the little critters out but canisters. We had to "bomb" (bug foggers) our whole house twice before getting rid of all the moths!
I had to totally re-do my whole kitchen, and pantry. But not until after having to toss out at least a couple of hundred dollars in packaged foods! Now, I keep a bay leaf on every shelf in my kitchen and pantry. I replace them 1-2 times a year.
By Terri
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Saving Money on Greeting Cards
Tips for saving money on greeting cards. Post your ideas.
Going Out of Business Sales
Be sure to shop stores that you know are going out of business. You can get items greatly reduced. This is usually when I pick up most of my all occasion greeting cards. This way, I don't have to pay full price for them. I also buy them at church bazaars (I bought a package of 10 cards and matching envelopes for .25 a pack!) Needless to say, I didn't just buy 1 package, I got several! I just can't stand paying nearly $3.00 a card in drug or grocery stores.
By Terri
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Treats for Wildlife
When not making compost, we toss our vegetable peelings, fruit cores, seeds, crushed egg shells, melon rinds, out under our trees for the wild birds, rabbits, chipmunks, etc. to munch on. With living in the desert, it's a treat for them to find something different. I'm also told that coyotes will eat these same items, too, if they're hungry enough.
By Terri
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An Emergency Twenty
For emergency purposes, stash a $20. or more, somewhere in your car, so only you know where it is (maybe your spouse, too), in case you leave home with no money in your wallet, purse, or are pickpocketed. This worked for me last week, when a pal invited me to go to lunch with her, when I ordered & went to pay, I forgot I didn't have any cash on me. I then remembered my stash in the car!
By Terri
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Recycled Tubs for Emergency Bowls
Keep a few disposable Cool Whip tubs on hand. You can always use them for freezing leftovers, or taking a dish of something over to your neighbor's. Today, I needed one for a neighbor's dog that had gotten loose. He was thirsty and I gave him 2 bowls of water. Afterwards, I just tossed the tub away.
By Terri
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Refilling Inkjet Printer Tanks and Cartridges
Refilling is really a money saver, I have been doing this for over 6 years. The key is buying the ink that is designed for the manufacturer's tanks/cartridges.
I purchased the pint bottles of ink from InkSite.Com in 2000, very nice company to deal with. Pint bottles are $27.00 + $5.85 shipping. The manufacturer's blend of ink for my Canon Printers.
Just bought hubby an inexpensive Canon printer and checked the model # with Inksite to see if the ink was compatible with what I have. Good news is that it was.
At the price of cartridges and tanks, it certainly pays especially if you use color printing a lot.
Don't believe the negative talk you hear about refilling.
By syd
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Use a Timer When Watering Your Garden Or Lawn
Set a timer and water your garden at the same time your sprinklers water your lawn.
By Terri
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Recommendations for Removing Odors
Removing Smoke Odor
I swear by Fabreze, I like Deep Clean. Just spray and it works! My mother in law comes to visit and her clothes stink of cigarette smoke! It very hard to get the smell out, of clothes and the bedroom, but Fabreze works! Also, for the air is Febreze Air Effects, I love meadows and rain, just spray in the air and smoke smell is gone! Good luck!
By klz1948
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Cheap Hanging Baskets
It is cheaper to use artificial flowers & plants than real plants. They always look good and no watering! And they can be used for several years depending on conditions.
Tip: Buy the flowers when they are marked down and save for next year.
As cheap as you can get!
By Syd
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Making Your Own Hairpieces
My Grandmother used to make her own hairpieces. She'd brush her long hair every night before bed & again, each morning. She'd take her hair out of hairbrush every day and put it in a safe place. When she had enough to work with, she'd fix it into a bun. So in the morning, all she'd have to do would be to brush her hair up and pin on this bun. It was so real looking and she always got so many comments on her hair. Not too many people knew mine and Grandma's secret!
By Terri
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New Requests
Florida Shade Trees Suggestions
I live in florida and want to put in some shade trees, i would like something that would grow fast and doesn't lose to many leaves if that is possible. Any suggestions?
Jen
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Cat Urine Smell on Hardwood Floors
My cat keeps peeing and pooping on my hardwood floors. Any suggestions on how to get up the urine smell?
Amy
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Turning Spenders Into Savers
My boyfriend and I have both just graduated and are moving on to school. We are both moving about a half an hour away, to the same town, and going to community college. I'm ready, he may not be.
Anyway... We both like to spend money, meaning neither of us have money. So please tell me, how do I turn my boyfriend into a frugal boyfriend? How to I help him, without feeling like I'm balancing his checkbook and stuff? I try and help him as much as possible, but it's frustrating sometimes.
Please help me guys! I am beyond frustrated, but I knew you guys could help.. So how do I turn two spenders into two savers?
Jordan
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Swollen Feet and Ankles
May I have some tips for swollen ankles and feet? I don't know what causes this but it can be very painful. It is the tops of my feet that get really bad. Thanks for any advice.
Michele
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Uses For Campbell's Select Microwave Bowls
I bought one of the Campbell's Select "Savory Lentil Soup" in the microwavable bowl. It does say on the label not to re-use the container. It is a sturdy container with a dandy sturdy cover and it is a shame to have to just throw away the whole thing after one use. Any suggestions on how I could recycle this?
Pamela
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Removing Masking Tape From an Old Chest
I have received a very old chest and it has been wrapped with old masking tape, please advise what i can use to get the glue off without ruining the finish.
Thank you,
Lyla
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Remove Layers of Wallpaper
We recently bought a house and are doing a lot of renovations on it. Our living room walls have wallpaper on them. We started using the steamer and mixture of fabric softner and water to get it off to find 4 layers of wallpaper. It took one day to get a wall done and we still have 3 left to do. Is there any easy way to do this?
Katie
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Reusing Down Feathers
I have 2 old (40 yrs plus) feather quilts (type unknown) which have been in storage for about 20 years due to their deteriorated stitching and sentimental value. I'd like to reuse the feathers but can't visualize myself doing so in a feather "storm" while perhaps making a lap robe or some pillows of questionable value (to say nothing of wasted time). I would appreciate suggestions for techniques and/or advisability of such a project.
Barb from OH
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Uses for Oxygen Tubing
Does anyone have an idea of what to do with used oxygen tubing. It's about 10 feet to 50 feet long and about as thick as a straw. i have seen the double port. thinner ones used for old treadle sewing machine belts. Please post some ideas, my husband wants to send it to the garbage man.
Thanks,
Vonnie
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Keeping the Garbage Disposal From Stinking
What is a good way to keep a garbage disposal from stinking?
Judy from Texas
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Mildew on Couch
Last time I moved, the movers couldn't get my couch through the doorway, so I stored it in my parents' garage. Two years later, I'm getting ready to move again, and my Dad brings the couch over so the movers can pick it up. The only problem is, apparantly water was leaking under the tarp that was covering the couch, and now one arm/side of the couch is very much covered in mildew.
What do I use to clean the couch and how do I make sure I get all the mold out?
Stephanie
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Problem with Neutered Dog
I have a 6 month old pit and a 4 year old german shpererd mix. i got them both fixed a bout a week ago, but the problem is that he stills tries to hump her! For example they'll play keep away and she (the shepererd) will go down back to the ground and then he'll start trying to hump her! What do i do?
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Stray Cat With Mange
I've got a lot of wild cats outside that folks have dropped off over the years. I've noticed this one cat that has like alot of bumps on it's body,I'm not sure if they are bites. It also looks like some of the hair is thinning. Could this be mange, and if so, is there something I can do for this cat, other then taking it to the vet? There's no way I would be able to catch it. They do come up when I put food out for them. I've tried in the past to pick one up while they were eating and got scratched really bad. So I don't want to do that again.
I thought maybe there was some kind of old time remedy that folks did a long time ago.
Let me know if you have any feedback.
Thanks
Pam
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Roaches In a Very Clean Home?
Help! Im PETRIFIED! I have NEVER had a roach in my home, ever, in fact I sanitize counters, mop and vaccuum floors constantly, yet this morning there was a huge (an inch or so) tan roach sitting on my sink. I absolutely freaked out. Its dead. Then I read up online and tried to identify it,seems to me it might be a German roach, so I immeditaely went to the store, bought boric acid and some Ortho spray and combat roach baits, sprinkled the boric along the foundation outside the house, along inside and outside of windows, doorways, basement windows and cracks and crevices in my kitchen.
Tonight I snuck into my kitchen (Because I cant sleep knowing this is in my house) with a flaslight, and there was a black small thinner bug had with some tan markings on it but didnt really look like a roach. It had antennae as well as what seemed to be a single antennae out the rear part of him. I found two more within 20 minutes and they were all crawling by the base of the dishwasher.
It is very clean there, however there has been a leak lately that I need to have fixed. Bottom line, is this possible to have roaches when you have an extremely clean home?
The only thing I can think of is maybe it came from a grocery bag or from the wooded area in my yard. I have no idea what to do beyond what I've done so please write back immediately and help me, Im very upset.
I looked in all of the crevices and under the sink and although it was a bit wet by the back of the closet under the sink, there was nothing there, but I have a roach hotel under there just in case.
Thank you so much,
Stacey From New York
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Removing Wallpaper
I have heard that taking off wallpaper can be done easily with fabric softener -- BUT I do not know the proportions of Fabric Softner and water -- any ideas?
Eileen Powderly
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How to clean a white handbag?
Hi all,
I have this white and I treasure it very much. Recently, I realized that this handbag is not as white as before. Can anyone advise me the various ways to clean the exterior of the bag at the lowest cost as possible?
Thank you.
Regards,
Didi
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Ridding a House of Fleas
I recently returned from a weekend trip to find my house full of fleas. I have an indoor cat, but have never noticed any fleas until now. I also have two dogs outside. I dont know how they get in my house, but they won't go away. I also have a 1 1/2 year old baby to consider in the house. What are some ways to effectively rid the house of fleas?
Amy
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Musty Smell After Washing a Down Coat
I just washed my down coat according to instructions so I could put it in storage until the next winter. I must not have dried it enough because it had a musty smell later on in the day, is it just a matter of making sure it is dry? Can I rewash it and just make sure it is in the dryer long enough (I had it on tumble dry low per washing instructions for about an hour and a half)
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When is right time to have children?
I am a 27 year old woman. I teach and I am married, almost 3 years now. I am curious is there a certain age you should start trying to have a family? Some people say I am still young, others keep asking why we aren't trying yet. We are enjoying being married right now and I am thinking 27 is still young, am I wrong?
TexasTeacher
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Mohawk Color Advice
I have a mohawk but i can't decide what color to make it. Does anyone have an idea for a nice color?
realsk8er23
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Peonies and Ants
I have ants along the side of one wall of the garage. I have peonies at the end (or corner) of the garage. For some reason the ants have not found the peonies. How do I introduce them to each other. I had buds on the peonies, but they withered up because there are no ants to eat the wax off.
Ellile
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More Reading:
Creating Raised Beds
By Ellen Brown If you're short on space or the soil in your area is riddled by sand or clay, building raised beds may be the best solution to your gardening woes. You'll trade the time, money and effort required amending poor quality soil for maximum yields in a minimum amount of space.
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