Daily Thrifty Tips - June 21, 2006

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Never try to cut out a pattern in the same room as your cat! :) Ginger was rolling around all over my pattern that day!

By Mysti from Colorado Springs, CO

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A cloudy day in Yuma, AZ.

By D. Sandoval from Yuma, AZ

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Lexi is a 10 month old Chi/Pin. She was a gift from a friend. She likes to play with her McDonald babies. My Lexi is as spoiled as you can get. She is a true baby.

By Brenda Campbell from Williamsburg Kentucky

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We learned that adding our 16 year old to our auto policies was going to really hike up the price. I'd heard about good student discounts but since we homeschool, we weren't sure they would work with us. Because we are members of one of the larger homeschool organizations, I was able to submit her grades in a form they could understand and were somewhat familiar with. Her grades earned enough of a discount that we almost don't notice her being on the policy.

Hold on to your child's progress reports and submit them. It may save you a few hundred dollars!

By Hawkcomom from Rex, GA

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Instead of using pesticide based methods to rid my daughter of head lice, we applied mayonnaise to her hair. Apply before bedtime and cover hair with plastic cap, like those sold in dollar stores. Next morning, wash, rinse and comb out nits. This method is more time consuming than using Nix, but is safer for the child.

Also, to help prevent re-infestation, we gathered my daughter's long hair into a ponytail.

By C. Nelson from Mountain Home, AR

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10 Reuses for a Disposable Razor...

1. Attach a piece of terry cloth to head of razor to clean and dust glass picture frames, computer screen,etc.
2. Take off razor head. Use just handle and build paper christmas tree angels and other possible ornaments.
3. Emergency auto window ice scraper
4. A dirt smoother for potted plants, also to cover up starter seeds.
5. Attach cloth to razor end for corners paint brush.
6. A musical percussion drumming stick (make different sounds from different materials)
7. Standing up handle first, could be a modern street light in a model town.
8. With razor blade taken out, a pretend vacuum cleaner handle and nozzle for a doll house.
9. Attach to a mobile for a science fair with other examples of products that should have never been made.
10. Cut handle to size then melt out nail holes then attach to wall with angled small nail to hold and stabilize small pictures with frames

Friends, I had a dickins of a time coming up with these ideas. They work, I tried them all, but it is far better just to quit buying disposable razors.

Happy Green Shaving,

By Mr Thrifty from ShermansDale, PA

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One of the primary rules of being frugal is TRY TO DO IT YOURSELF FIRST. I just finished doing my own taxes with the help of a J.K. Lasser book. Not only does it give me a MUCH better idea of my finances, it also saved me the HR Etc. fee. It would take a LOT more expensive accountant to finally get the deductions I was able to find!

By pamphyila from L.A., CA

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Just how frugal am I? As a confessed "dumpster diver", I have taken my passion to a whole new level.

I am an avid gardener already and spend hours picking and canning vegetables. However, it occurred to me that the local grocery store throws away bruised fruit and spotted veggies everyday that I could put to good use if I prepared them right away. I met with my local produce manager and, while he gave me an odd stare, he agreed to call me once a week after he pulled un-sellable produce from the shelves.

The first week, he helped me load my van to the brim with boxes of ripe avocados, bruised peaches, overripe bananas, etc. I set aside several hours to freeze the bananas, to be used later for banana bread. I made guacamole for my family with the avocados and made peach preserves with the bruised peaches.

As the weeks went by, I learned to make most anything out of the gleaning! The produce manager and I developed a friendship and regular system and I fed my family well! I obtained produce items that I would've never even thought to buy like mangos, rhubarb and ginger. With these, I learned to make all sorts of jellies, pies, cobblers and dried spices.

If you have a little time and a frugal mind, you can decrease your food budget and increase your family's palate. Try talking to your local produce manager when you see him in the aisles. You may get an odd stare... and a trunk full of groceries!

Shealynn from Kansas City, KS

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Before wearing pantyhose for the first time, put them in the freezer overnight. First get the pantyhose wet, gently ring them out put them in the freezer overnight. Once frozen, pull them out slowly and hang to them to dry. Why does it work? I have no idea, but this tip has been around for ages and people swear by. You can also spray pantyhose lightly with a spray starch to help prevent runs.

By FS

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Folding splatter shields that are sold to place around a skillet when frying also has another clever use. You can place them around mixing bowls to keep cake or cookie batter from getting on walls while mixing. They clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher.

By Laura from Elberta, AL

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Don't buy cookbooks, unless you have tried it out and want to keep it. The library is such a good resource for cookbooks. Also, check the website of products you like. They usually have recipes online that use their product or even free cookbooks for you. I just got my KC Masterpiece one today. It not only had recipes it, also has photo holders for you to add your own recipes.. I have gotten cookbooks or cook booklets also from Jiffy, Pillsbury, the Pork Board, Lipton, Campbells, Eagle brand, and Bush's. And others I can't remember right now. Plus, I signed up to get the Kraftfoods magazine. They have wonderful recipes in there and it's all free.

By Christi from Paducah, KY

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If you get a run, spray it with some hairspray to stop it in its tracks. A little clear nail polish will also do the trick.

Read more ideas below...

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We all like to save money and stock up on good grocery bargains when we find them. However, we want them to stay fresh until we're ready to use them. This is the best solution that I've found. Many items can be kept fresh a long time in the frig or freezer when unopened or even after opening if sealed well, such as in a ziploc bag. (Don't use the new zipper type though, just the original Ziploc). Bags of potato chips or cookies, boxes of cereal or crackers all do very well in the frig or freezer. They absolutely will not get soggy if sealed properly. I've stored things like this for a few months and they remained fresh until ready to use. I even store surplus hand lotion, face cleansing cream, and the like in the frig. for several months. It keeps it from getting rancid and stale. Try it, you'll be surprised.

By Laura from Elberta, AL

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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A few days ago in one of my daily e-mails someone sent in the recipe for Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning mix. I saved it in a recipe folder on my computer and was going to make it but without MSG and a lot less salt. But my dinosaur of a computer had been acting up for a while and it finally died (Boo Hoo!) and I lost hundreds of recipes and other files.

The recipes tend to make the rounds so I'm not too concerned about most of them but I really would appreciate it if whoever sent in that recipe could re-send it. I checked the archives and was unable to find it. Maybe it was from another site but I'm desperate... I really need this recipe so if anyone out there has it, please post it.

Thanks,
Margaret from Texas

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Does anyone know how to make a wind spinner (whirligig) from beer or soda cans?

Gasjarvi from Ilion, NY

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I looking for a pattern(s) on how to make a hat out of palm fronds. Anyone know where I can get some instructions?

j from Mobile

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My daughter has a new dress that only been worn once. I washed the dress not knowing it was dry clean only. In return the red part of the dress bled onto the white collar and I'm not sure how to fix it or if I can. If anyone has a suggestion on how to get the red out of the white collar in a dry clean only dress please let me know.

hicks0909 from Trinity, NC

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I am looking for a recipe for homemade yellow type squash pickles.

Thank you,
Jodi from Texas

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I would like to make small favour boxes for a baby shower. Does anyone have any templates?

Radiate from Ontario, Canada

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I am looking for directions on how to make autograph dogs out of tube socks. I cannot find my directions. Please help!

Amy from Holland, OH

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How often should I water my garden vegetables?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Shirley from Kansas City, Missouri

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I'm looking to purchase a DVD player. Does anyone have information on any brand that they've found to be reliable?

Kathy from New York

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How can I remove paint from my hands with simple food products from my cupboard. I have tried using turps but all that is doing is giving off a strong smell throughout the house.

Hato from Auckland New Zealand

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I have several pair of dress slacks that have the pleats in the front panel. Now pleats are out dated -- does anyone know of a way to remove the pleats without ruining the appearance of the dress slacks?

Thanks!
Eva from Roscoe, IL

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My brother is getting married soon and him and his soon to be wife just bought there first house too and what I was wondering is for part of their gift we were thinking of buying them a tree to plant in there yard kind of symbolizing Love, Life and a new beginning do you think this is a good idea and if so what type of tree do you think would be good? I wanna do a poem with it too you know that kinda goes with the symbolizing and everything. Let me know what you think!

Thanks,
Mandi from Erie

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On my parents property are some of my great grandmother's roses called 7 sisters. Does anyone have any information/advice on these.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Sarah from Chattanooga, TN

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I have recently moved to a house that was built in the 40's and it has black ceramic tile in the shower and bath. They are lovely, but the ones in the shower have either hard water stains or soap scum. I have already used kaboom and a few other products with no effect. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Gracias!
Jen Vin from Managua, Nicaragua

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Since many of the "brands" that we purchase (here in the US) may be owned by maybe just a handful of (parent) companies - I am in search of a website (if one exists - since it might be the most current) that would list the "owners" of such "brands".

Thank you,
Noel from Northern California

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How do you cut and preserve day lilies to be used in a flower arrangement?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Jane from Mountain View, MO

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I would like to make my own diaper bag. Does anyone have a pattern? I'd also like to make a nursing pillow if anyone has a pattern.

Radiate from Ontario, Canada

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I read somewhere that I could fill a pie shell with beans using parchment paper to stop it from shrinking. I do not have any parchment paper. Is there any other method I can use? Pricking the shell and using cold pastry still allows the shell to shrink. The beans and paper work well, but I don't have the paper.

Ethel from Canada

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I will soon be adopting a 40 pound dog named Josh. This dog has heartworms and I am looking for what is the lowest price on Heartworm shots. What is the lowest price for a heartworm shot for a 40 lb dog that is not far in the process of heartworms?

Sophie from New Orleans, LA

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I purchased a Maytag Neptune Washer 4 years ago. I cannot use any liquid bleach in it because, more often than not, some clothing in subsequent washings show mysterious bleach spots. My appliance man assures me that it is impossible for this to happen since the last rinse water is completely spun out before the next wash cycle begins. Regardless of what he believes, it happens making it impossible for me to bleach clothes in this machine. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Mrs. J from Independence, KS

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Selecting High-Quality Broccoli: Select firm, young, tender stalks with compact heads. If leaves are still attached to stems they should be dark green and firm. Yellowing flowers means the broccoli is old. Broccoli should be harvested before the individual clusters start to open and processed as soon as possible after harvesting.

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There is something to be said for the lure of on-line auctions. While as a consumer it offers a look across the world at what sellers have to offer, it also provides a seller with opportunities once unavailable. For the average person who is looking to sell a few valuables which were found around the house, eBay offers a brass ring if only the seller is capable of grabbing it.

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