Daily Thrifty Tips - May 2, 2006

Gardens Alive

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I like to let hummingbird vine grow upon my iron fence. It gives my garden a "lacey" look.

By Robbie from Martin, Tn

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A wreath of everlasting flowers that keeps summer memories in your home year round. Dried flowers can be purchased inexpensively from a florist shop if you haven't any on hand. Tansy, strawflowers and others are glued to a wooden wreath covered with moss. Well worth the extra effort!

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Suma is our 10 year old grey cat. He's a very large cat, but a gentle giant indeed. Very sweet.

9 years ago we adopted him from the humane society. We've never regretted it.

He likes to wave to me, kiss me, pose, give me right tootsie, give me left tootsie, give me two tootsies, touch me. He also likes to drink water from my cupped hand.

The coolest trick he does is "show Mommy teeth." He will repeatedly yawn BIG on command when I as him to show me teeth. He likes to pose for the camera. He gets rewarded for all his tricks.

By Grayce Pedulla Dillon from Fort Pierce, FL

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Casper is a 9 year old Tri-color Collie. Casper was born into the family.

Casper loves to hang out with her mom, Rascal-12, her adopted collie brother- 4, and adopted german shepherd brother Dagwood- 4 also. They have a large yard and love to run, play, and hide from each other.

Casper hates for anyone to fight. She thinks the chickens (roosters and hens) are fighting so she breaks them up. When Casper is around I'm sure we have a few frustrated roosters. My brother makes and sells custom clocks and sends the money to collie rescues. I had him put my favorite picture of Casper on a clock. The only more beautiful collie in the world is her mom. But I could be biased.

By Kathy from Northeast Colorado

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One way to save money on furniture and such, is to go dumpster shopping. It's not as bad as it sounds. In spring, many university students are moving out of their apartments and often don't wish to take furniture with them as they are often moving away. These people will often leave good, gently used items near the dumpster instead of bothering taking them to a thrift store.

Smaller towns will often encourage a spring and/or fall clean-up time lasting from a few days to a week or more. Often people will place on the curb perfectly good items that may only need a good cleaning or a new coat of paint. If one is a bit talented and has access to the proper tools, some items need a bit of fixing. I know people who put perfectly good items (that they no longer need) on the curb during town clean-up knowing and hoping that someone will pick it up.

By Marlene from Altona, Canada

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Save those tiny zip lock bags when you come across them - holding samples, etc. They can be re-cycled for all sorts of things - holding sewing kits or eye glass repair kits or (if they are bigger) groupings of cosmetic samples. Or you can use them to present bits of jewelry as gifts. They really are useful!

By Pam from L.A., CA

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When traveling and staying in hotels or motels, remember to pack a couple of snack size zippered plastic bags for used complimentary soaps and bottles of shampoo. Nothing is worse than finding soap residue "goo" or spilled shampoo in among your cosmetics or shaving kit because you didn't have a secure plastic bag for them.

Also, I always put an extra pillow case on my bed pillow when traveling to later use as a laundry bag. Dirty clothes are then kept separate from your clean ones. Upon returning home, the entire bag is deposited in the laundry room ~ no sorting dirty from clean. Sure makes unpacking easier!

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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I am a avid reader, but I don't have the time to sit and read, so I get CD's at the library. I get so many at one time, that I don't finish all of them before the due date. So, now I still get 4 or 5 and load them to the computer, then I can listen while I work on the computer. If I want to take them on the move, I just burn them to a CD or a MP3. I now get all my material back on time.

By Lee from Columbus, Ohio

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If you know a toy train enthusiast (or are one yourself) you can use an old metal mailbox to create a tunnel for your train. Just remove the door and back of the mailbox and let your toy train travel through it.

By ThriftyFun

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When I retired, I had a rude awakening when I found out that I would have to go with my record instead of my husband's when I applied for Social Security. I had a huge decrease in income which meant cutting corners wherever I could. I have always sewed so clothing was not a problem.

As far as cooking goes, I've raised a bunch of kids who were well-fed though not very high on the hog. I made my girls' clothes which I'm sure saved a bundle and when I worked, I made a lot of outfits to wear to work. It's challenging to come up with ways of saving money.

Sewingmamma from Pittsburgh, PA

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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To better organize my daughter's puzzles I cut the picture from the top of the box and place it along with the puzzle pieces in a ziploc bag. Now the puzzles take up a lot less space and no more squished boxes and missing pieces :+)

By Melissa from Avon, IN

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This is saving me time and money at the grocery store. With trial and error, I finally figured out how to use coupons more effectively and efficiently.

At home, I go through my supermarket's weekly sales ad with my coupons in hand. I write my list on the outside of an envelope, also by each item that requires purchasing more then one, I note the number and then place the coupons that I plan to use inside. This saves me so much time at the store. I don't have to keep sorting through the coupons as I shop, plus I go in shopping for just the items I have on my list.

This way I avoid impulse buying. I know exactly what I plan to buy and where my coupons are for those items.

By Bobbie from Rockwall

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In need of inexpensive prom or winter formal dresses? Go to wedding stores, check the clearance rack and the samples rack (usually favoring the smaller sizes) - checking both the most casual bridal dresses AND the bridesmaid dresses. In addition, you can check your local garment district (L.A. has one downtown), thrift stores, consignment stores and the local newspapers - and stores selling quinceniera dresses (a 15th birthday party in some cultures).

Lydia in CA

I got my dress at Macy's for $18 on clearance. It had a small rip in seam, I sewed it and it looked great. (Original price of dress-$280) Try to find big places like Macy's that have clearance sections and you can get some real bargains!

By Misty

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Keeping popcorn in the freezer will help to eliminate "old maids."

By Robin from Washington, IA

Editor's Note: I assume Robin is talking about loose unpopped popcorn but it may work well with microwave popcorn also.

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Does anyone out there play a folk harp? Here's a $-saving tip - You can use fishing line for your harp strings. Compare the gauge needed with the heaviness of fishing line used for deep sea fishing. (And you can use weed-whacker line for the bass strings.) It's all monofilament, after all.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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A little while back, I saw where someone told how to make large pine cones into bird feeders. It said to roll the pine cones in something? and then in bird seed. Can you please tell me exactly how to do this?

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I have about 16 pairs of shoulder pads that were either from blouses, sweaters or dresses. I know I can use them to put pierced earrings in but does anyone know of any other uses? With everything being so expensive nowadays I just hate to waste anything.

Thank you for any info you can offer me.

Regards,
Joesgirl

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How do you prepare fabric such as muslin so when markers or acrylic paints are being used they don't bleed?

gbatkinson

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I really need help. I am selling my house and a couple of years ago I put mailing tape on the peak of my house on some type of aluminum siding, to hold my icicle lights in place. Great, but now 8 years later the tape is still there. What do I do?

Laura from Manorville, NY

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Anyone have any creative ideas for a vintage (1900s to 1940s) themed wedding reception?

Jennyttt from Belle Plaine, MN

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I am just trying to learn any tips about getting on track financially. My taste is wine but our bank account says cheese, that's straight to the point I guess. I want to be more thrifty, it just seems hard to get use to it. How long did it take all of you?

OhioLadie2006 from Ohio

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This is Midnight and Diamond. They were rescued from the shelter. Their names were given to them by their previous owners. Does it matter if I change their names?

trkrsteve

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How do I safely remove ball point pen ink from a oak table? My daughter scribbled on our oak end table. Is there a way I can remove it without removing or harming the finish?

Debbie52 from IL

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Does anyone have any ideas on how to make solar collectors for a swimming pool? I am trying to figure out a way to heat my pool without using electricity or gas.

JILLSAVES from Shavertown, PA

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Can someone please give me instructions on how to make a mustard seed necklace?

Missy from Tennessee

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I have been told that when moving to a new house with your cats you should cover their paws with butter to stop them roaming and getting lost. Does anyone know why?

Zebody from Scotland

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I would like to know how you get the little fuzz balls off of bed sheets? The sheets are 55% polyester and 45% cotton.

Suncat from Greentown, PA

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My container garden was doing just fine for about 3 weeks but now the leaves are turning yellow. What is the problem and how do I fix it? My garden has tomatoes, eggplants, bell peppers, squash, banana peppers, etc.

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Skipper from Pearl River, LA

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I have several glass bottles and a few metal containers of very expensive olive oil that were purchased a few years ago and have never been opened. They are kept on a shelf in my basement that is dry, cool and no significant moisture. Is there a deadline that the oil must be used or does it keep indefinitely?

Thank you.

Joesgirl from Beverly, MA

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I have just acquired a 7 week old kitten and she WILL NOT sleep in her own bed at night. I've had to resort to shutting her out of the bedrooms at night, which results in her walking around yowling for about an hour. Any tips or suggestions would be very helpful.

Thanks!
miz_macoo from Albany, Western Australia

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I need theme ideas for an Eight Grade Completion Night. The theme needs a saying that is looking into the future in someway.

Jessica from Oregon

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Gardens Alive

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http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/gardens.lasso

Camping and hiking can be a great adventure for young and old. Watch the trees sway in the wind, a bird fly across the sky or simply sit back and relax. The possibilities can be endless, but only if precautions are taken to avoid simple mistakes that could end the adventure prematurely.

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Breed Description: The Javanese is elegant and angular, with the elongated body, wedge-shaped head, large ears and blue eyes that are typically found in the Siamese. It's really only different from the Siamese in that it has a long, silky coat. That said, it is only different from the Balinese in the colors of its coat. To describe the Javanese can get a bit confusing, especially because the United States, Britain and New Zealand all have different ideas of what defines a Javanese.

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In many ways, setting up for a pet rat is similar to preparing housing for other small furries -- rabbits, guinea pigs, or ferrets.

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Breed Description: First developed by the nomadic Samoyed peoples of Northern Siberia, the Samoyed dogs were valued family members used to hunt, herd reindeer and haul sleds. This strong and vibrant breed is still easily recognizable by its magnificent thick, white coat designed to protect it from the bitter climate of its origin. Today the Samoyed makes a loving and faithful pet and is still respected for its proficiency in sledding, herding and pulling.

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Breed Description: The Parson Russell Terrier, also commonly called the Jack Russell Terrier is a small, medium-boned dog with muscular hind legs, a strong neck and docked tail. Initially developed to hunt small quarry, this breed's small, flexible chest, long body and adequately long legs, enable it to pursue game underground or trail hounds during overland pursuits. This dog breed is lively and alert and makes an excellent companion for adults of children.

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