Daily Thrifty Tips - May 15, 2006

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Roxy is a 4 year old 100% Shetland Sheepdog (Shelty)

I went to the country and bought her from a lady that breeds Shelties.

She likes to play ball and is somewhat vocal.

By Jacob from Yukon, OK

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Colorful pieces of tile elevate a standard picture frame to something extraordinary.

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I have a simple stress reliever tip (and picture) to share. I was in a class once and learned this from the teacher. Take a good-sized tupperware storage box (Just big enough, yet small enough to store somewhere, you'll know what I mean in a sec.) Fill it nearly to the top with any one of the following items:

• Real beach sand - (or you can get bags of sand at Home Depot or other similar store)
• Unpopped popcorn kernels
• Any small dried beans, etc.

Now, you can decorate the lid of the box any way you wish. The trick is when you get stressed, go somewhere alone and just run your hands through the stuff, play in it, believe me, it's soothing. Sand works wonders, even unpopped popcorn kernels (in mine) work great, you just sift through it, play in it, it's relaxing! Happy de-stressing! (Just don't mistake YOUR popcorn kernels with regular popcorn kernels - eww.) :)

By Stacey from Orem, UT

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I am sure a lot of people have trouble with making note of using a debit or credit card - (My husband does.) I like to put a post-it note on my card(s) and note the date and amount on the note so I can transfer it to my checkbook later. (The new super sticky ones are really good for this.)

By Pam from L.A., CA

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In lieu of the holiday, I thought I'd share a Mother's Day joke. Did YOUR mother say any of these? (I know mine did!) Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Things I learned from my Mother

1. My mother taught me to APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me about RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me about LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me about FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.."

6. My mother taught me about IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

7. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

8. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks like a tornado went through it."

9. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

10. My mother taught me about the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

11. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

By Stacey from Orem, UT

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Dear Thriftyfun:

I am a natural born thrifter. I have been poorer than a church mouse as well as on top of the mountain. That has never stopped my bargain hunting. I learned about thrift living early in life since my mom was raising 3 kids on just her salary. Even after we were gone and she was retired, she would get 2 uses from each tea bag and saved and hoarded every twist tie that made it's way into her house.

She never used a paper towel or a paper napkin just once, she felt that it was wasteful and she was not only a hoarder but also a recycler as well. Mama always counted her change and looked through her change for pennies, nickels and dimes to check them with the coin collector book. Although I have the same tendencies, I tend to look at things a bit differently and find that my time is worth more than the effort to recycle napkins.

I have a large (5 bedrooms, 4 baths) beautifully decorated house and I have furnished my home with hand me downs, thrift store finds, clearance items and even dumpster donations. To me, finding a bargain at one of these places is an exciting game and I love to win at this game! What do you think?

Ellen from Charles Town, WV

Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml

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I would like to share a vacation savings tip I have discovered. I purchase a book called Entertainment 2006 at www.entertainment.com (a new one is released each year) for the area where I'm planning to vacation during the summer. These books usually go on sale for about $10 by that time of year, and they offer savings on two-for-one meals, entertainment, etc. Some coupons need to be mailed in ahead of time, but most are good on the spot.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall

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When cooking bacon in the microwave use your kitchen scissors to cut the slices in half. This allows you to arrange the bacon on the plate so that none of it hangs over the edges, causing a greasy mess.

By Carol Young from Landisville, PA

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I need to keep a constant stock of items to avoid extra trips into my favorite discount grocery store in the next town. Most pantry items in my hometown store are just too expensive to get (sometimes a three dollar difference!) After reviewing my grocery receipts and pantry for a month, I devised a shopping list on my computer that lists everything I use in my home, broken down into general categories like Produce/Fresh; Frozen; Pantry; Office; Toiletries/Household.

I saved it on MS Word, and before I go shopping I do an inventory, then open my list on my computer, "delete" what I do not need to buy, and print out the list. When I close the program, I choose NOT to save the changes, so I always have the complete list. Stuff that needs to be purchased at a specialty store is italicized, and if I have coupons, I highlight the item and keep them with my list, so I don't forget them. The list is very easy to read, and I have extra room to write down notes or unexpected items (like car parts!) It takes a little time to set it up, but the time and gas I save from forgetting an item is very valuable!

By Kelly from Willamina, OR

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For burned-on black yuk in a stainless steel pot or a glass one, use bleach (like Clorox). Pour in enough to cover. Usually by the next morning, the black will be gone. Even if the charred part is thick, the bleach will loosen it enough that your pot can be saved, and with no strenuous scrubbing. Some pots will require more than one overnight (don't ask how I know).

By Galey from Boyce, LA

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We brought my mother to our home to live during the last few years of her life. She had a multitude of medications and medical information. Also there were trips to the doctor's and various specialist's offices and the emergency room, so that much of the information, especially prescriptions, changed often.

Finally I opened a computer file and recorded all the pertinent information. Then after each change it was easy to go in and add or deduct information to keep the list current. I would usually fit 2 to 4 copies of the list in medium or smallish print on each sheet of paper and print out two or three sheets.

I would cut the lists apart and store a couple in the glove compartment of my car, a couple in my wallet, and several on a magnetic clip on the front of my refrigerator, throwing out the older versions that were there. It was so much easier just to hand an updated list to the nurse, doctor or paramedic, than to take the time trying to gather together prescription bottles and remember pertinent information in the middle of a crises. ALL the professionals loved it so much that I now do the same with each member of the family.

The lists look something like this:

Jane Doe
DOB: 1/12/1234 Age: 56

Insurance: Medical Ins Providers
# 123456789

PCP: Dr. James Brown
Our Town Medical Center
(123) 456-7890
Cardiologist: Dr. John Sweetheart
(University Hospital)
800-123-4567
Pulmonologist: Dr. Breath
Office: (123) 123-4444

Allergies: Penicillin, aspirin,

History: Heart attack, Broken leg, TB

Operations: Tonsillectomy Adenoidectomy, Hip Replacement

Current Medications:
List including dosages and
where pertinent, times.
Ex.: Lipitor 20mg (1/day)

By Jeanne from South Daytona, FL

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Find ten to fifteen baby items and place them in a paper bag. Give each guest a piece of paper and a pencil. Blindfold each guest and let them feel what items are in the bag. The guest that correctly identifies and remembers all of the items in the bag wins.

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I'm looking into having a princess theme party for my soon to be 1 year old. I would like some cheap ideas for invites and decorations. I don't want to spend a lot of money but would like to make it special.

Thank you,
Carla from IL

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I have a weeping willow tree that is about 1 foot tall right now and I want to know how long I can leave it in a pot and what size pot it needs. It currently is in a 1 gallon nursery pot. i would appreciate advice.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Thanks,
Sue from Centralia, WA

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How do I remove red lipstick from leather?

Nancy from California

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Our cat is scratching our furniture. Any suggestions?

Schwinnjn

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I'm looking for a recipe for Hot German Potato Salad containing Angostura Bitters, bacon and cornstarch. I got it from a friend's cookbook years ago but lost it. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Alph from SC

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I have a new kitchen and one corner cabinet has 2 lazy susan shelves and I have a small pantry. Can you tell me what organization scheme works the best here? I also have a cook top and under that more cabinets. I thought I would put pots and pans there?

Ellen from Medway MA

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I am looking for a recipe for Crab Enchiladas.

Jeanne from Willow Street, PA

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I have tired everything to keep eyeliner on my bottom eye lid, but nothing I try helps - it melts away. Any suggestions?

Sue Ramsey From Washington, IN

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We have been infestation by the millions (no joke) of nasty little beetles that come in black, red and sometimes gray. They don't seem to be going for any kind of food item such as wheat, flour, etc. They like to feed off of their dead comrades, and anything else they can find dead. The closest thing I can find that matches their appearance is a death watch beetle. I don't think they are death watch beetles, though? They are coming to my house every evening after the sun goes down and throughout the night. Once the sun comes up I don't see them running through the yard towards the house anymore.

We have had the exterminators out and they have sprayed the house, but even though it has killed multitudes of them (some places we had an inch or so thick of dead beetles on the outside of the house) the numbers are too great and they just don't stop coming into the house. By the way, the exterminators are at a loss also as to what these beetles may be.

Please help. I am getting ready to move to a hotel. I think the house should just be burnt to the ground. Any clue as to what to do besides burning the house, yard and surrounding field would be awesome.

Brutond from Lancaster, CA

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I bought a wooden bed frame last year, and it's creaking. What can I do to stop it from creaking? Is it because the bed needs to be taken apart and screwed together again?

Charlene from San Francisco, CA

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I am looking for information about making afghans with the Knifty Knitter.

Shirley from Warren, Michigan

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Looking for info on applesauce instead of oil in recipes. If it calls for 1 cup of oil do you use 1 cup of applesauce?

Thanks,
Bagossage

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I would like any ideas on how to get crayon out of my carpet? I have about a 3 foot mark on my carpet. Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,
Carla from IL

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My mom and I are planting a garden. She has some old creosote logs about 40 years old. Is it ok to plant strawberries in the holes of the logs? I don't want anyone to get sick on strawberry short cake.

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Bryan from Longview WA

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I have inherited a old (possibly teak wood) salad bowl set. The finish has worn off (light mahogany) in various spots on the bowls. How do I refurbish these bowls (hopefully, so they could be useable)?

Gail from Clayton, LA

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I have a small Chihuahua and I need patterns to make coats, clothes, maybe some booties. He's cold all the time. Are there some websites that have free ones? I've checked some. Any help would be great.

Thanks!
Morningloryrose from North Carolina

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I was surprised to learn of some business's that give senior citizens discounts. Quite often, all you need to do is ask. I only know of a couple though, does anyone want to share with me where they usually get senior citizens discounts? The pharmacy I go to is one I know of, and a grocery store gives seniors a discount on tuesdays, where i live (10%). There are probably a lot more. I even heard of a fast food chain that does, but I haven't checked it out to know for sure. Thanks for all replies!

P.J. from delaware

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I have white tile floors with white grout. The grout is very dirty. I have tried several different cleaning materials for grout but none work very well. Should I dig out the grout and begin again? If so, what color should I use?

Gal from St Paul, Minnesota

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This year I am in charge of decorating the Grade 8's dance. We chose a beach theme, but my partner in crime and I are having a few obstacles with trying to have the gym looking good. Since this is basically a graduation dance, we would like to make it really fun and would like the setting to look quite impressive. Any beach-themed decorating ideas would be VERY helpful.

Thanks,
Alice

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How do you repair a punctured air mattress?

Mimi from Fairfax, VA

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Eversave

Sign up for Eversave and receive saving alerts from the nations leading brands via email and local coupons.

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Replacing a sink in your home is a fairly quick and easy job.

Look for a new sink roughly the same size as you are replacing so you will not have to change the size of the countertop cut-out. Check under your sink and if you see water shut off valves on the hot and cold lines running to the faucet, you're in luck. Just turn them to the off position and you're ready to go to work. If there isn't a shut off present, you'll need to shut off all the water lines in the house. Save a few pitchers of water first. You can find the main shut-off valve at the water meter. Turn this off, then open all faucets through-out the house to drain the lines. Miss this step and the water sitting in the lines will be draining into the work area.

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Does your pet panic when you reach the veterinarian's office? Maybe she shakes. Maybe she complains loudly. Maybe she runs for the door at every opportunity. You may just have a vet-phobic pet on your hands!

Certain impressions last a lifetime. If your pet has ever had a negative experience at a veterinarian's office, she may be anxious about any other vet visit for the rest of her life.

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Breed Description: The Tonkinese is the result of crossing the Siamese with the Burmese. This medium-sized cat is medium-bodied in every way. It is neither long and svelte like the Siamese, nor rounded and cobby like the Burmese, but somewhere in between. This cat is quite muscular and surprisingly heavy. Its head is a modified wedge, with a slight dip between its almond-shaped eyes and prominent whisker pads. The Tonkinese has a short, glossy coat that is soft and silky to the touch.

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Hiking is great way to get outside and enjoy nature. Day hiking costs practically nothing and it is easy to get started. All you need is some comfortable shoes, adequate clothing, and some water and you can go out and explore your surroundings.

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Breed Description: The Korat is an ancient domestic breed form Thailand. It has a trim, muscular build, large, high-set ears, and a heart-shaped head featuring round over-sized eyes. The Korat has a glossy, short blue coat that feels like satin to the touch.

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You are tired after spending the day working. But, the age old question is, "What's for dinner?" Do you have an option for dinner tonight? Here is a quick dinner that you can make that is satisfying and easy to do.

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When we think of lavender, we think of the pretty, light purple flowers that blow gently in the breeze, producing a lovely, heady scent. The lavender's scent has been used for many years in bouquets, sachets, and potpourri. Did you know that lavender has many other uses?

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