Daily Thrifty Tips - June 13, 2007

Kids are starting to get out of school. What are some good, inexpensive, snacks and recipes that kids can make during the summer months? Post your ideas here:

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

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Easy Brick Herb Garden

A great weekend craft for anyone who uses herbs in the kitchen or anyone who wants to spruce up their yard.

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Plant Columbine For Spring Surprises

If you want surprises in your garden each spring, plant a few varieties of columbine, and see how they evolve. They are easy to propagate from seed. This plant is great for producing large numbers of seed and if you have two distinct species in your garden, it will not take long to have hybrids. They tend to be short lived plants (3 years, more or less) you need to keep new ones coming along from seed, so letting them go to seed is a good idea. You can easily harvest seeds into envelopes to share with friends. Please remember that hybrids may not return true to form from seed.

This year I have some "new" styles. I wonder what will come up next year.

By Regina from Rochester, NY

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Grandchildren: Matthew, Grace and Jacob

This is a picture of my 3 youngest grandchildren; Matthew (9), Grace (9) and Jacob (8 mos). There are 11 in all, 8 boys and 3 girls plus 1 great-grandson.

By Jan from Springfield, MN

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Bea (American Pit Bull Terrier)

Bea (Beatrice) is a 1 year old American Pit Bull Terrier. She was adopted from the shelter in December 2006.

She likes to chase the cats, play ball and bark. Bea got sick from bad dog food and now eats homemade food. She is a sweet, loveable lap dog.

By karenstph from Atlanta, GA

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Easy Omlets For Camping

This tip is for use when camping outdoors.

Get a ziplock bag, add a few eggs (w/o shell) into the bag, add shredded cheese, chopped onions, etc., whatever you like in your omelets. Close the bag, (you may want to use a potholder) and put it in a pot on your camping stove with water. Usually takes about 5 minutes at the most. Empty contents onto your plate. You'll have the most amazing eggs or omelet, cooked in a ziplock bag. We use this idea a lot when we go camping. The kids love it too!

By Bonnie from Norman, OK

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Keep Kitchen Tools Handy

I keep my measuring spoons on a magnetic hook on the side of my microwave above my stovetop and another set of measuring spoons on a magnetic hook on the side of my refrigerator beside my counter that has my stand mixer and food preparation area.

I also keep a plastic spoon and knife in the margarine tub for measuring or dipping out a spoonful of butter or just to butter toast! I just run hot water over the plastic spoon and knife after use, dry it off and place it back into the butter tub.

By WandaJo from Tennessee

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Healthy Tips for Reducing Fats When Cooking

After reading so many recipes on this site that are ladened with fats, I thought I would share one of my tips that I use to help our family use a little less of them.

1. Use cold butter for toast and such, cold butter melts slower and less oozes all over your toast. Warm butter melts quicker making you go back for more to finish buttering!
2. Grate all cheese with a FINE grater, it looks like a lot MORE but is actually less when it comes down to weight. I've fooled my husband for years thinking he is getting a lot of cheese with the fine grater, I use it all the time for recipes from casseroles to tacos.
3. Use a few teaspoons or tablespoons of Olive Oil or Enova (a oil in the stores that is marketed to be less absorbed by the body) to saute food in. Use the Enova if you must for cooking (it's very light in flavor) but an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce will work just fine in most cake mixes, brownies and such.
4. If you are one to buy pre-grated cheese, try this the next time to cut down on fat. Save the bag, buy one block of regular fat and one of lower (or if you can get a good melting non fat) fat cheese, grate them (when no one is looking so they don't say "This tastes funny", which is what my husband would say when he saw the bag, but not when he didn't, ha ha fooled him!) together and put back into the bag. Waa laa! Lower fat cheese and no one is the wiser!

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Ignore Fashion, Buy What You Like

There is fashion and there are things you just like. Espadrilles, for example, those rope soled canvas shoes that originated in the South of France. They come in both flat and wedge styles. I always take mine out for the summer. And this year, they are actually IN fashion! So I get compliments, but I will be wearing them next summer, and as long as they last, because they are part of my personal style. (And P.S. if you get them out-of-style/season, you can get bargains, like I did!)

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Potty Training Tips For Puppies

When house breaking your dog, remember it needs to go out before and after everything! Before a nap, after a nap, before eating, after eating, before playtime, after playtime. When you can't be watching your puppy for signs of having to relieve itself, keep it in a restricted area and make sure to take it out to do it's business before and after you place it in the restricted area.

In between the napping, playing, etc., the puppy should be taken out every hour, NOT put out! You need to take it out so you can praise it when it pees or poops...how else is the puppy/dog going to know its doing what you want?

When moving about the house, keep your puppy/ dog attached to you with its leash...this allows you to movie about getting things done and teaches your puppy/dog to remain close. You can practice the recall (come!) at this time, when you have the ability to make the puppy/ dog to come and create another great habit for your dog. Your dog will grow up thinking when you say "come," it has no choice but to come. Depending on the dog, I have kept my dog attached to me for up to a year and a half.

By Cyndi from MA

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Tent Camping Tips

Hello from Canada!

Going on a camping Holiday? Great! But don't forget to bring a light-weight blue foam ground mattress to place under you when you sleep, and also a plastic sheet to place over your tent. Two basic rules of camping have always been 1: to place more under you then on top and 2: cover your tent with a water proof plastic or treated nylon. Rain or humidity must not reach the actual tent. Have a great and comfortable camping Holiday!

By Joseph from Laval West, Laval, Quebec, Canada

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Chilled Baby Wipes For Summer

I suffer badly in extreme heat but love to go to parades, outdoor craft fairs, rummages sales, etc. I experimented and found that an inexpensive package of baby wipes (99 cents at the thrift store) are a life saver. Just toss them in the refrigerator overnight and the next day when you go out, toss the package in the car. They are refreshing and really do the trick. They smell good and cool you down right away. If you want, you can freeze them for an hour or two and they stay cool longer. Also nice to cool down that cranky hot child too.

By Crafty Chrissy from Oshkosh, WI

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Make Ice Cubes From Coffee Or Tea

Don't let your morning coffee or evening tea go to waste! Try making ice cubes with either brew. Get creative by adding some clean fresh rose petals or spirals of lemon or bits of mint. Try shaved chocolate curls in the coffee cubes or even some mini chocolate chips!

Romanticize!

By Veronica from Sedalia, MO

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Excuses For Gossipy Callers

Gossip anyone? I always keep a timer in my pocket when I'm at home. When my friends call with the intention to gossip, I just ring the timer in my pocket and apologize that I must hang up to check the food in my oven. I also ring my doorbell and pretend to welcome somebody warmly, then excuse myself for having to hang up to welcome my "fabricated" guest.

By Mae from Washington, DC

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Mylar Balloons for Scrapbooking

Re-use old Mylar balloons by cutting out the outer balloon designs; tape next to, and around photos for scrap booking. You can also cut the balloon apart to make a background for the picture in a frame, or as a border around the picture. Use the inside, outside design, or both, for your creations. Many pictures can be decorated from one balloon.

By Marie from Wisconsin

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Struggling Aloe Plant

What is the best way to grow aloe plants?

I have one plant and I'm afraid I've over-watered it since it is a semi-desert plant. It just kept on getting browner and browner. One of the leaves has fallen off, so I immediately took it outside and put it into a bigger pot with rocks in the bottom, then sand mixed with fertile dirt, then some of that Vermiculite stuff on top. I transplanted it into that new pot and am about to put a plate or tray underneath it and keep it in the house for now.

How long do you think I should let it go without water? It was dying, but when I cut open the paper planter-cup that it came in the dirt seemed bone-dry. What shall I do? To water, or not to water?

What about taking it outside? Right now it is still getting down into the 60s at night. Is it safe outside or should I keep it in a windowsill?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Thanks,
Paul from Walnutport, PA

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Earring Organizer

I have lots and lots of earrings. I have some that loop in, others that have backings. I want to create something to "display" them so that I can 1. find the pairs easier, 2. see all of them for choosing a pairs, and 3. keep the pairs together. I know that I have seen them over the years in various home magazines, and of course, now that I need one I can't find any pattern to use. Thank you so much.

Marcella from Mount Dora, FL

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Struggling Bamboo Plant

I have indoor bamboo, it is in a porcelain pot, with small rocks. As I said I have in indoors on a mantle that really does not get any sunlight, it is close to a window but does not get any sun. The leaves were light green. I was giving it a combination of tap water and bottled water, some times miracle grow. The water got moldy and the stalks got some black and gray spots on them, the water also had film. This is when I would put the water all the way up at the top. I decided to put the bamboo outside, I drained the water and put fresh water in with miracle grow. It is on a porch where it gets good sunlight for half the day, I usually alternate the side it is on to get sun all day. My leaves were a little brown and crispy, now they are totally yellow and whitish, please help me what should I do?

Steve from NY

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Tame Creme Rinse Recipe

Can anyone tell me how to make a creme rinse like tame? Regular conditioners make my hair oily?

Thanks,
MARIE from PETERSBURG, VA

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Locating Someone in Germany

How do I locate someone that lives in Germany?

Lavonne from Louisville, KY

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Getting Out of a Car Lease Early

We have outgrown a vehicle we had leased for 36 months. We found a replacement vehicle and are looking to get out of the lease 9 months early. We are very close the the mileage limit on the lease and did not want to pay penalties. How can we (ideally) get out of the lease earlier than the termination and also recoup some of the money will undoubtedly lose in this situation?

Kathy from Ohio

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Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss

Does drinking apple cider vinegar help you lose weight? A friend of mine has been drinking some before meals because she said it prevents some of the fat from being digested? Not sure how the science works but she has lost about 10 pounds and said she hasn't really changed anything else. Anyone know about this?

Thanks,
Seeme

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Recipe Using Jerusalem Artichokes

I have Jerusalem Artichokes growing in my back yard. Anyone have some really good recipes using them? They have a very mild flavor, and are not so digestible when raw. I know they're good for diabetics, but I don't have diabetes, fortunately. I gave some away last fall when they were ready, but they grow like weeds. Not even the rabbits can eat all of them.

Jantoo from Kenosha Co, WI

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Decorating for a Church Reunion

I am decorating for a Church Reunion. This reunion is for everyone that has been a member of this church in the past, even if they are no longer members. We are expecting over 700 people in attendance. I need some ideas on decorating the tables and the fellowship hall. The first night will just be on the lines of a reception for the people to get registered and mingle. The following two nights will be a program and dinner.

Darlene from Peoria, IL

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Curling Tupperware Lids

This is for the tupperware knowledgeable. I've heated up food in cereal bowl sized tupperware containers with the lids loosened and now the lids are curling up. Nothing I do will flatten them out and they don't stay on securely since they are no longer flat. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Kim from Cleveland

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Ink on Durasuede

I have a very light tan Ashley durasuede living room set. My 18 month old got a hold of a blue ink pen and scribbled on a cushion. The tag on the couch says to clean with the foam of a water based cleaner. Does anybody know a good cleaner to use or any other solutions? Thanks!

Crystal from NC

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Musty Smelling Yarn

I need some help. My aunt just gave me some older yarn and it is REALLY musty smelling. Is there and way to wash/clean it?

Thanks,
Mackenzie from Millgton, TN

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Lamp Shape Ideas

I have a couple of floor lamps that need new shades. They are inexpensive lamps from Shopko, Kmart, etc. The floor lamps have 3-way lights. New shades cost almost as much as a new lamp would. The shade is about 9" high; the bottom diameter is about 14", and the top diameter is about 6-1/2". I do not sew therefore that is not an option. I was thinking that maybe I could buy some inexpensive wide ribbon and wrap it from the top ring to the bottom ring around the whole frame but I'm not sure if this would be safe with the heat of the light. Any inexpensive ideas or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Judy from Wisconsin

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Germinating a Parlor Palm Tree

How do I germinate parlor palm tree seeds?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Marlene from Philadelphia, PA

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Cleaning a Stainless Steel Coffee Pot

Does anyone have a recipe for cleaning the inside of a stainless steel coffee pot?

Rose from Malvern, PA

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Making a Peg Leg for a Pirate Costume

I'm making a pirate movie and I need a realistic non-cheezy peg leg. Can someone help me out?

Jeffrey from Cordele, GA

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Cleaning Suede Shoes

Can I use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to clean light pink suede shoes? If not, what is recommended? They are just dirty from general wear, not stained by anything specific.

Thank you!
Kind regards,
Carol from Republic of South Africa

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