Daily Thrifty Tips - September 20, 2006

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.

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I try to think of poses that are not seen in your typical wedding albums, something unique to the bride and groom that will set them apart from the rest.

By Tangi George from Winston, GA

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You can use recycled jeans to make a fabulous quilt! The entire background of this Eagle Quilt was made from recycled blue jeans. Bleach, acrylic paints, and different colored jeans make up the landscape and the whole thing was quilted by free motion.

By Busybee1952 from White Cloud, MI

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Sally is 10 months old and is a Border Collie. We found her on the street running through traffic. She was 12 weeks old when we found her. She was skin and bones, with eyes sunken in.

Our Vet said if we had not taken her in, she might live 2 weeks longer, or died in the traffic. She now is Healthy, Happy and Loved.

She likes to play fetch the ball, catch a frisbee, some agility play. Sally did like to dig for moles. My husband put poop in the holes, she has stopped digging now

By Sherry (hamp2468) from Valdosta, GA

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My daughter and I have thick hair and constantly are clogging up our bathroom sink. I could not pull out the hair gunk with a tweezers because it is too deep. A light bulb went off in my head. I grabbed a melon baller and conveniently pulled up the ball of hair! No mess, and no need to call the plumber! No toxic cleaners needed either!

By amylucille from Fremont, OH

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I haven't had any clothes drycleaned for years (oh, I can hear some gasping, she must be dirty).

No, I found over the years that most things can be succesfully washed in the washing machine. Even things that have 'dry clean only" labels on them. Nothing has ever shrunk or wrecked on me yet!

I wash in cold water only (that helps to save on electricity bills too) I've washed my woollen winter jackets, and many other items.

Of course, I don't think you would wash a fancy ball gown, (I don't have any) or a man's business suit but for other items it works just fine.

By Ellie from Melbourne, Australia

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Ingredients

• 6 cups sifted flour
• 2 Tbsp. and 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup nonfat dry milk
• 2 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all. Spoon into a 2 quart container cover tightly and store in the refrigerator. Will keep about 1 month.

Baking Powder Drop Biscuits From On Hand Mix

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, stir in 2 cups mix, 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (or 1 cup heavy cream plus 1/4 cup milk). With a fork, mix just enough to moisten mix. Drop the dough by heaping tablespoon onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes Makes about 20

By Randa from San Marcos TX

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Check out small, family-owned ethnic food stores in your area if you're cooking on a budget but yearn for something a little more exotic. I bought a 10 pound sack of delicious, fluffy, fragrant basmati rice at my local Indian grocer (in small-town Iowa!) for less than $8, and I even recycled the decorative rice sack into a purse! Ethnic food items and spices can usually be found much more cheaply at these types of stores than in the "world foods" aisle of the supermarket. Plus, if they're family owned and run, the person working there will usually be happy to give you free tips on what and how to cook with the food they sell!

By Thompsons1 from Pella, IA

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A Texan stopped at a local restaurant following a day roaming around in Mexico. While sipping his tequila, he noticed a sizzling, scrumptious looking platter being served at the next table. Not only did it look good, the smell was wonderful. He asked the waiter, "What is that you just served?" The waiter replied, "Ah senor, you have excellent taste! Those are called Cojones de Toro, bull's testicles from the bullfight this
morning. A delicacy!"

The cowboy said, "What the heck, bring me an order." The waiter
replied, "I am so sorry, senor. There is only one serving per day becausethere is only one bullfight each morning. If you come early and place your order, we will be sure to save you this delicacy."

The next morning, the cowboy returned, placed his order, and that evening was served the one and only special delicacy of the day. After a few bites, inspecting his platter, he called to the waiter and said, "These are delicious, but they are much, much smaller than the ones I saw you serve yesterday."

The waiter shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Si, Senor. Sometimes the bull wins.

By Terri from NV

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Hi, I have got tips for you.

When you buy tires from Goodyear, they rotate your tires for free (a $30 plus savings) every time. We only had the money to buy 2 at the time, but this still applies to us. Might have been a smidge higher at the outset for the tires, but it has paid for itself many times over. They also frequently run sales on the oil changes. Right now, there is a $15.95 coupon out and there is even a $4.00 rebate on top of that. I am saving money like crazy on this one.

Also, it pays to call your phone company to check on unadvertised specials. We are with AT&T and I called them the other day with the intention of dropping the Select 3 option (caller ID, etc). The kind person told me my internet rate would go up. I asked if there was any way to save since I was on a limited income. She said it is unadvertised, but I can give you $10 off a month of basic service for the next 6 monthes, plus I can also give you $5 off a month for the next 12 months off your Select 3 plan. So, $15 whole dollars off my phone bill, just because I called and got snoopy.

I also had received an advertisement from Dish Network, trying to get us to switch our sattelite service to them. I told DirecTV about it on the phone, our contract was due to expire. I didn't threaten to move service or anything, just mentioned our new option. Well, the lady said I can give you $10 off a month for the next 6 monthes. (It was a loyalty incentive, lol.) Also, last winter, when Directv's Pay-Per-View service was not up to par on Sundays, I complained and got $10 off a month for, I think, 12 months. They didn't anticipate there to be such a huge demand for football on Sunday and therefore you couldn't see anything to order on Sundays on Pay-Per-View in our area until like 7 or 8 pm at night. So, complain nicely and you might get a reduction like I seem to keep getting.

I have gotten inferior made products several times lately and I call the customer 800 number lines and tell them. I am always rewarded with free products or a coupon for a good amount off my next purchase. One cat litter company I contacted about the trouble with my $5 box of cat litter sent me 2 free coupons which netted me $16 worth of free cat litter. I am nice when I talk to these people and honey gets you everywhere, lol.

By Lori from Marion, AR

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Dieting and primarily trying to eliminate sugar is so difficult, especially for us older ladies. I keep a tootsie pop or any kind of sucker in the fridge. If I'm just craving something sweet, I just have a few licks from my sucker. It has worked great so far. Chocolate tootsie pops are especially nice!

By Caroline from Richmond, Indiana

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Those cheap plastic pens with caps make great travel containers for your fine crochet hooks. Just remove the "pen" part and pop in your hook. No more poking through your bag and getting lost.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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When scrapbooking, save all your scraps. They can be used when making cards, etc. Small triangles can be used for corners, etc.

By Cindy from Fountain Hills, AZ

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

I would like to know what type of plants I can grow that will stop the mosquitos and also if some one has a recipe that works on them. We bought a home in Tennessee and went to see it and were eaten alive my the mosquitos. I know there has to be something that can be grown to keep them at bay!

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Thanks for all your help,
Deb from TN

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I am trying to clean various marks off the wall (like scuff marks from shoes). They are on Interior walls that are painted white.

Marvin from Lewiston, Maine

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How do you clean copper pots?

bbleackley from Saskatchewan

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How do you remove residual manufacturer's glue from silk shirt from the size sticker.

Bill from San Diego, CA

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I wore a pair of new jeans in a beige colored leather car and now the jean dye is all over the seat. How do I remove it?

LLM from Florida

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I would like to request a little help on how to plan a wedding.

Josephine from Houston, Texas

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Many years ago when Phil Donohue was still on tv, he had Susan St. James on his show. She made some recipes that I used to make and my family loved, but I cannot for the life of me remember all the ingredients or how to put them all together.

The first one was a recipe for a barley casserole that had barley, fresh veggies, some kind of cheese (I think Swiss or Mozzarella) and liquid of some sort, and it was baked.

The second one had noodles, onions, tomato soup,corn, and some kind of meat (either chicken or ground beef) and it was baked also.

If you know these recipes, please post them! I would love to make these again.

Thanks and God bless,

mamajerry from Akron, Ohio

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I'm looking for duct tape craft projects.

Randi from Vacaville, CA

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I got red nail polish on an LCD computer monitor, how can I safely get it out?

Michelle from Minneapolis, MN

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I am looking for a budget way to get rid of acne. I am 45 years old.

pondersr

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How do you get spray paint off of linoleum?

Robin from Tullahoma, TN

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I need ideas for an underwater themed dance! It's for high schoolers and the cheaper the better!

Thanks!
PandaPrez from New York

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I am going back to work after an 8 year gap of staying at home. I was at home caring for a family member. I worked as receptionist, office manager and have used switchboards. What I need is advice on what to say during interview for the gap in employment. All tips welcome.

Sandy from Springfield, MO

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I have 2 huge and very heavy mirrors that were my grandmothers and I need to ship them cross country. Does anybody have any ideas on how to ship them and through what company to ship them through?

Amanda from New York, NY

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Can someone recommend a good toaster? I have had 4 different brands in the past 4 years and they either burn the toast at the top of the slice or toast either too light or too dark - even by changing the setting.

Thank you,
Rosalie from San Diego, CA

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Does anyone know how to get rid of that old cotton smell out of shirts? My clothes really smell like old cotton and it bothers me.

Frank from Vernon, British Columbia Canada

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How do I re-insert the water tube to the ice maker water source? It was clogged so I removed it by pulling it out. There is a rubber hose extending from the back of the freezer which connects to a 3" long metal connecter tube which connects to another rubber section which feeds the ice maker. I am unable to fit the metal tube into the hose in the back of the freezer. Kenmore side by side about 7 years old.

Anne from Phila, PA

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I have just changed the colors in my bathroom and want to paint my wicker over the toilet shelf and wicker wastebasket to match. I am not certain what color to use either. The shower curtain is leopard and I just bought a nice tan rug and two chocolate brown reversible bath mats. I was thinking tan or beige? I would like to make the wicker look old and wanted to know if any one can tell me how to do this.

Thanks,
Kathie from So. Portland, Maine

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I am looking for a recipe for chili like the kind Junior's puts on its burgers and fries.

Thanks,
GK from Winnipeg, Canada

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I wanted to know if there is a home product that is safe to use on the dash of my car that won't crack the dash over time. I have heard that Armor All does cause your dash to crack when used over time. I don't know that to be true but I am afraid to use it or anything else commercially sold. My dash is lacking of luster. Any suggestions would be appreciated thank you

Connie from Mountain Home, AR

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When I bought my condo they came with typical 90s kitchen cabinets, which are very blah! They are not real wood and have no molding on them. I have tried painting them white but due to my black and stainless steal appliances the white paint just doesn't work. I would like to paint them black. I have Olive green paint on my walls for your info. Do you think its a good idea to paint the cabintes in such a dark color?

Amina from Nashua, NH

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My sister has had multiple sclerosis for at least 12 years or better. And has been bedridden in a hospital bed, still at home, for probably 10 of those years. She has vision problems, has migraine headaches all the time, scoliosis of the spine, and a multitude of health problems. The MS causes the vision problems. She no longer reads because of the extreme headaches.

One thing I got accomplished for her was getting her hooked up with a free audio library through the state of Missouri where she lives. She used to pay lots of money every month to get audio books to keep her occupied. And this program is entirely free postage and all. So, if you know someone bedridden who likes to read check into this. A library near her that I called advised me of this library.

So now I need to know... she does the neurotin shots, and she is in that group that nothing seems to help her very much. It just keeps her from getting worse faster, which it seems to be a slow process. I am wondering has anybody found out anything of value to help patients of MS through their experience. My sis is miserable. She basically does phone ministry when she is able to help friends and neighbors that she knows of. And thank God her husband is a pharmacist and helps to keep on top of things. But I just wondering if there is any small little thing, suggestion, that might make a bright spot in my sister's days.

Until I found out about the free audio books she had really cut down on her reading as she used to be a voracious reader. That's one small bright spot. They have a housekeeper who also checks on her 5 mornings a week. I wonder if there is some type of activity that we haven't thought of. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks for taking any time out to give words of reflection and advice.

Lori from Marion, AR

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Forgive me if this may be the dunce question of the day... or year.
I am simply wondering if after mixing vinegar with water for use as a simple cleaning solution, and storing it in a standard spray bottle; does it lose it's "oomph" after so long? I tend to believe it would be fine, but? Thank you for your thoughts!

Amy from Walnut Creek, CA

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What can I do to prevent my feet from swelling?

Donna from Houston, TX

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I was wandering if anyone has a recipe for a chow chow relish. If you do I would like to have a copy of it.

Thanks,
Stormy from Madera, CA

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Can someone tell me away to clean black marks left on hardwood floor. These marks come from dog urine, while on vacation. I have tried everything. I need a cheap way.

Aponder from Greenville, SC

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How do I get rid of moth ball smell in drawers?

Jeff from Philadelphia, PA

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How can I remove dry erase marker from silk? The fabric is actually 70% silk and 30% linen. The marker leaked and dripped, so it is more dense than just a mark on the fabric.

Lori from Lake City, TN

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How can I remove adhesive from carpet? I used double sided rug tape to stick the area rug onto the wall to wall carpeting because the rug kept moving when my father walked on it with his rolling walker. The rug kept moving, so I finally gave up and took the area rug out of the room. Now I have these ugly black adhesive spots on my carpeting. I need help!

Susan from Portage, IN

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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:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

As a writer (and literary packrat), I periodically find my nightstand and the shelves of my office bookcases sagging under the weight of enormous stacks of books. I seem to accumulate them without even realizing it, and admit that in the case of some of them, such as my recent flea market find, "WWII Veterinary Care Manual for Horses," I never get farther much than the table of contents. I'm a softy for stray books (and animals) and I can't bear to part with them unless I know their going to good homes. If you're like me and your bookshelves are about to buckle under the strain of unused books, here are some ideas for lightening your literary load.

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These are light as a feather.

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