Daily Thrifty Tips - May 5, 2006

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Oreo is 1 year old.

By Marissa from New Hampton, NY

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The beauty of nature.. . This butterfly had a broken wing and landed on my daughter's finger. He stayed with her for almost 10 minutes as she talked to him and gently touched him.

By Roe from New Hampton, Ny

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Wrinkles is a 7 year old Boston Terrier. In June of 1999 we lost our first Wrinkles. We had loved him so much. He brought a lot of love and joy to our lives. The house was just empty with him. We decided to buy another Boston. We found a family in the country that raised Boston's. At first we were going to purchase a female since we didn't think we could ever replace our Wrinkles. Then the little girl of the family went inside the house and brought out a puppy. It was our Wrinkles! He looked almost exactly like the Boston we had lost. As soon as we held him we knew he was ours! We named him Wrinkles the Second!

His favorite game is "mouse". My husband will put his hand under the bedcovers and move it around saying "look Wrinkles there's a mouse!". Wrinkles will bark and jump at his hand. He knows it is his hand but still loves to play the game. He also likes to bite at my shoe strings when I walk outside, trying to untie my shoes!

Wrinkles is the most loving pet I have ever had. He follows me around and sleeps by my side at night. When I'm unhappy, all I have to do is look into his loving eyes and I'll cheer up!

By Cynthia from Ava, Illinois

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If your linoleum or vinyl is starting to peel up around the edges, it's important to fix it to keep moisture from getting to your sub flooring. Put linoleum cement under the edge of the linoleum and place a large book or brick on it.

By ThriftyFun

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Thankfully, my husband and I are doing all right on one income (unexpectedly) with 3 little ones. We have no debt and by God's grace, we are not lacking either. I give my husband and his upbringing a lot of credit for this. As much as he may have hated it growing up, his dad always made him come along on jobs to teach him how to fix things. His reasoning was that you fix up what you have, instead of buying new.

My husband has built and renovated houses, rebuilt car wrecks to exceed safety standards, fixed burnt out ovens and replaced parts on washers, etc. The money we have been able to save and the security I derive from knowing that if the car breaks down in the middle of the month, it won't kill us as much as it might others, has been phenomenal.

Lee from Canada

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When your finger nail polish is partially dry, stick your fingers in a bowl of freezing cold water, it will speed up the drying process.

By ThriftyFun

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Today's list of things to do: Work, take the kids to soccer practice, pick up dry cleaning, pick up kids, homework and wash some laundry. Is that enough for one day? Try to fit in some time to make dinner in that slot and you are just lost for time. Yet, there are many ways that you can reduce your workload in the kitchen so you do have time to do all the running around you have to do and make a healthy dinner that is affordable for your children.

Here are some great time saving tips to incorporate into your busy day to save you some time.

• Prepare vegetables when you bring them home. After stopping at the grocery store, make sure that you take a few minutes to wash your vegetables before you put them away. Once clean, wrap them loosely in a paper towel and place into a plastic bag. They are clean and ready to be used. This works great on celery, carrots, lettuce, and your spices.

• Keep organized. You should have all like things stored in the same place within your kitchen. One drawer holds your knives and one for your other utensils, for example. You do not have to dig around to find where that large bowl is if you already know where it is located. It's a matter of getting into the habit of putting things away!

• Before you go to bed at night, take out the meat you plan to have for dinner the next day. Place it on a cookie sheet on the lowest level of your refrigerator. This way, it has enough time to defrost and you don't have to use your microwave to do it. It gives you more time too. You can just jump into cooking rather than trying to deal with defrosting too.

• Crock pot meals are ideal for a busy day. If you know that tomorrow you have a lot to do, then tonight do this. Prepare vegetables and ingredients the night before for your dinner. Just before you leave for work in the morning, put the crock pot on with all your yummy food in it and when you come home it is done for you.

Saving time in the kitchen means you'll save money and you will give your kids a healthy meal every night.

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Using a knife to cut lettuce causes the lettuce to brown more quickly. To remove the core from a head of iceberg lettuce, hit the core end against the counter sharply and twist the core out.

By ThriftyFun

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This works well for cleaning your hair when you can't get wet. Mix 1/2 cup cornmeal and 1 tablespoon salt and put it in a shaker. Sprinkle some of it onto your hair and brush it out. As you brush it, it will remove oil and dirt from your hair.

Here's another recipe:

1 tablespoon cornstarch or finely ground oatmeal

This is an effective dry shampoo for when you can't use water. It comes in handy on camping trips. Just apply the cornmeal or oatmeal to your hair and scalp and then brush it out. Depending on how long your hair is it could take 5 to 10 minutes to brush it all out but it will remove a lot of dirt and oil from your hair.

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After opening a nail polish bottle for the first time, rub some petroleum jelly on the threads on the bottle before putting the lid back on. The cap will be less likely to become stuck.

By ThriftyFun

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Fresh flower bouquets are wonderful and can last much longer if, besides all the usual methods of adding conditioner/aspirin to the water, and freshly cutting stems and so on, you PRUNE your bouquets. Rather than just throwing out a bunch of flowers that has begun to wilt, change the water, and cut off/throw away the wilting foliage or flowers. Often you can end up with a smaller bunch of flowers which you can then rearrange and you will find that what remains will be quite fresh and will last another few days or a week or more. (I have even rescued cut flowers tossed by my neighbors, pruned them and had a few unexpected flowers to put in a vase and enjoy....)

By Pamphyila from L.A., CA

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Here is a dynamite tip for keeping potted plants well watered:

It might sound crazy but try this - Cut a small disposable diaper in half, lay it plastic side down in the pot after placing half of your soil in the bottom of the pot. Cover with the rest of your soil and whatever you are planting. The plant will retain much more moisture and your plant will not need to be watered near as much!! It really works!

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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There are some items in your kitchen that may be successful in removing tar. Butter, creamy peanut butter, or vegetable oil applied to the tar and left for 12 to 24 hours should soften in and make it easier to remove. If that doesn't work there are a few items from the garage that may work. WD-40, kerosene, or mineral spirits applied directly to the tar should soften it up and make it easier to remove. WD-40, kerosene, or mineral spirits will most likely remove wax from your car as well.

By ThriftyFun

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I am trying to lose weight for my 5 year anniversary. I need to lose about 30 pounds in 4 months. I do exercise, I go to a place like Curves and have been going about 6 months now and I have not lost more than 5 pounds. I would like to finally get in good shape. My height is 5 feet and I weigh 160 pounds. I am a female. I am not looking for a fad diet or anything but would like something that works quickly. I don't have money to spend on anything like special foods, etc. One last thing I do not have access to a computer on a regular basis so I can't join any online groups. Thank you in advance for your help.

Nailfanatic from Poteau, OK

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There are so many recipes with onion soup mix in them but I am allergic to MSG, which it contains. Does anyone know of an alternative to onion soup mix? Thanks.

Connie from Ontario Canada

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Aphids are invading my roses, anything organic that I can use?

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Sheri from Central Valley, California

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I have a Sears front loading washing machine that may actually be a Sears label on a Whirlpool. In any case, I get more lint on my clothes from the front loader than I ever got from my aged top loader. I use the energy efficient detergent designed for front loaders. Any suggestions?

Uncle Stan from Kensington, MD

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I'm a 60 year old woman. My hair is almost all gray. I would like to know where I can get a dye to make it all gray. I bought some a long time ago, but now I can't find it.

Thank you,
Lorraine from Zolfo Springs

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I sell candles, votives and body products and would like to make up some baskets for Mother's Day, birthdays, etc. Can someone give me ideas, as to what to put in a basket? Do you only use baskets and where do you get them? Do you wrap them in cellophane? I have never done this before, but would like to try my hand at it.

Thanks for your help!
Mary Bachert from Ontario, Canada

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How can I remove lint from an acrylic jacket? I washed the jacket with a bath mat and lint from the mat got onto the jacket inside and out. I tried scotch tape, package tape and rewashing, nothing removed the lint. Any ideas?

Thanks,
miriamne from Southbury, CT

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Can I use the vinegar weed killer in a flower bed being careful not to spray the existing plants and if so how long before I can plant new plants or seeds?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Darlene ORuairc from Clawson, MI

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I would like to know how I donate used cell phones.

Mbstew427 from Sahuarita, AZ

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Does anyone have a suggestion where to place a small MOM's work at home ad on the internet or other places, that can be placed for free or very little cost? I have a great business from home and need to advertise it very inexpensively, so Moms and Grandmoms can visit my website.

Thank you,
Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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I have some nice clothing for women that is size 8 and a few size 10, I would like to sell them either at consignment or a place where they can sell for a reasonable price and I could get a little profit for them. Does anyone know of a place around Lynchburg area?

Rosepetal from Lynchburg Va

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I got blood on two pairs of dry clean only pants - one satin and one linen. What can I do to get the blood out? Can I run them under water or will that ruin them?

Thank you!

Serafina from Milwaukee, WI

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I have a question about the knitting loom. When I get the 2 rows of loops done and then go to lift the bottom loop over the top loop all the way around and on the last peg, I end up with this huge loop of yarn behind the last peg. What am I doing wrong?

Zombie from Austin, Texas

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Recipe needed for vegetable pate. Years ago, such recipe was in The Virginian-Pilot newspaper (Tidewater, VA). It contained no meat, but was the color of liver pate and tasted exactly like it. Scrumptious! Have searched in vain. It was made in a blender (before the days of food processors), but a processor would work even better.

CayC from Green Cove Springs, FL

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Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to use a timeshare, or to sell one?

Thanks,
Linda from Thayer, MO

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I have an electric food slicer that I've had for a couple years. The last several times I've used it, it gets black on the edges of the blade which in turn gets on to my meat slices. I have to slice a couple slices, clean the blade and repeat. Does anyone know what this is and how to stop it?

Linda Valentine from Spokane, WA

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I guess we could read for days and days about animal urine, but my question may be new. Our son lives with us, and his big dog (part Rottweiler and part German Shepherd), has gone into heat again. She is a very sweet dog and we are planning to get her fixed. My question is about when she urinates outside. We live in an apartment, so she has to go on the cement patio, and it really is a strong fishy odor. Any magic tricks?

Kersti from Bellevue

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Rabbits and deer are eating my 2005 forestry planted trees and perennials. Research online shows me repellents that use stinky odors and coyote and fox urine. What is the best value in repellents that work?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Many thanks,
Mille Woodsi from Alto, N.M.

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The leaves on my tulips under my lavender bush appear every year but not the flowers. Can anyone tell me why and what I can do? Should I dig them up and plant new ones?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Thanks!
Kathy from Bloomington, IN

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Does anyone have any idea how to get those tiny glow in the dark stickers off painted walls? My daughter had stars on her walls when she was little. Now we are getting ready to paint the room and the stickers are brittle and won't come off, unless I pick pick pick at each tiny one. Plus some residue stays on.

Amanda from Philadelphia

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Gardens Alive

$20 FREE off your first order at Gardens Alive!

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"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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The possibilities are endless when you always have this delicious Roasted Tomato Pesto sauce on hand! Serve over cooked pasta with grated parmesan cheese, over toasted bread or on your favorite pizza!

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Or, perhaps we should say, setting up a cage for ferrets, because they are generally happier in pairs.

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