Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 140, June 6, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We have a lot of new requests that were posted over the weekend. Be sure to check them out and see if you have any advice to offer. You can read today's issue of ThriftyFun Recipes online at:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf708830.tip.html
This is the last time I will mention the ThriftyFun Recipes in this welcome message, so be sure to subscribe to the ThriftyFun Recipes if you want to receive the recipes. To subscribe, reply to this newsletter with "recipes" in the subject.
This Friday's TF News will be about Recycled Crafts. It should be a great issue. If you have any recycled craft ideas to share, feel free to share them.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
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Today's Tips:
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Stuffed Capsicum Peppers
Ingredients
- 4 Capsicum peppers
- 2 medium size Potatoes
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp Finely chopped ginger
- 4-5 Chopped green chilies
- 4-5 Curry leaves
- Salt
- 1 tbsp Oil
- Chopped coriander (cilantro) and tomatoes for garnishing
Method
- Heat 1 tbsp oil. Put mustard seeds and curry leaves.
- Add chopped ginger and chopped chilies.
- Finely add mashed potatoes and mix it properly.
- Put this masala aside.
- Take capsicum (pepper); remove its cap and inner part which contains seeds.
- Put potato masala in these capsicum bowls and cover with its cap.
- Put this stuffed capsicum in microwave oven for 4-5 minutes.
- If there is power level in your microwave, use medium level.
Before serving garnish it with chopped tomato and coriander leaves.
By Zaufishan
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My Sweet Onyx (Toy Poodle)
My dogs name is Onyx. He is almost 1 year old. He is special because he almost died at birth. He's a Poodle and they have to clip their tails. Well, they clipped it too short and he almost bled to death. It was horrible. He was about 6 weeks when I finally got him. He's still a puppy and he loves to run and play. But most of all he loves his mommy, he is always by me, ALL the time.
By familyov6
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Amanda's "A" Quilt
My daughters name is Amanda and I wanted her quilt to be special just for her. So I made her an "A quilt". She loves animal prints. Again cutting a ton of strips in many different colors I sewed them together to make the "A". Using an old blanket for the batting and a black full sized sheet for the backing. She loves it and while we were watching "Extreme Home Makeover" on night, I asked each of my four children what they would NEED to take from our home if we were the family on TV that had a home makeover, she replied..."my A-quilt, Mom" : )
By Tracey
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Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win $25! You can enter the photo contest here:
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Today's Tips
Simple "Easy Cleaner Uppers" Recipes (Cleaning Wipes)
Contents:
- Supplies needed
- Making the product
- Tips and suggestions
- Warnings
For quick clean-ups I make these cleaner containers. They're fun, no mess, and OLDER kids (notice I stressed older because these cleaners are toxic if ingested) love to use them, too! They save money, time and waste. I taught this method to my employees at my Daycare Center to save costs.
NOTE: Buy Ziplock or Glad disposable and reusable containers and a roll of "Select-A-Size" paper towels for this project.
For window cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, bleaching, de-grease cleaners:
For all recipes:
Take about 30 paper towels and fold individually into squares. Place them into the container. Pour the bottle of cleaner using just enough to wet all the towels, but not saturating them. Seal the container.
When you're ready to clean, just remove a paper towel, wipe the area, then dispose of the towel.
For bleaching only:
Add one part bleach to 4 parts water.
For furniture polishing:
I pour Liquid Gold's furniture cleaner (the liquid soap kind) into the container with the paper towels.
For Just Soap:
Use 1 part soap and 4 parts water for washing items with just soap. follow the paper towel and container instructions above.
Cleaning Up Babies:
For cleaning up messy children or dirty bottoms on babies I use a mild baby shampoo like Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo. Use 1 part shampoo to 4 parts of water. For just cleaning bottoms I add a bit of baby oil to the solution to help prevent diaper rashes, but don't add the oil if you're going to use the same wipes for other messy children clean-ups!
TIP 1: If you would rather have a container that you can easily pull wipes out individually (like "Wet Ones") you can do this:
Take a roll of paper towels and cut the roll in half. Remove the inner cardboard core. Place one of the rolls in an empty cylinder-shaped baby wipe plastic container that has a "pull-out top". Pour in the cleaner. Then, pull out a towel from the center of the core and feed through the opening in the top of the container. This method will last you for a longer time and save you money in buying the plastic containers.
TIP 2: If you don't want to use toxic cleaners, there are cleaners out there that are non-toxic and safe for smaller children to use. Just be sure to read the label and directions carefully, because even though they may say "non toxic" they can still cause irritations.
FINAL WARNING: NEVER ALLOW ANY CHILD TO USE ANY CLEANER UNTIL YOU ARE SURE THEY HAVE NO ALLERGIES TO ANY OF THEIR INGREDIENTS! (or will put them in their mouths.) Before using wipes for messy children, test on a small area on their arm before using on any other part of their skin to make sure they aren't allergic to the ingredients in the solution.
Hope you enjoy my Easy Cleaner Uppers! : )
By Dyanna
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Large Parrot Clean Up and Raising Tips
For easy cage clean-ups I place newspapers on the tray on the bottom of their cages.
For bathing I put warm water in a spritzing bottle and spray them.
For cleaning their cages I use a non-toxic, non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner.
To keep dander and dust from eliminating all over my house I place their cages close to one of my furnace return ducts. I also use a HEPA filter in my furnace to catch most of all the dust particles. I make sure that I don't place them too close to the duct because I don't want their feathers getting sucked through the return duct and clogging up my furnace. Note that this is a return duct and not a register.
If you have a parrot that likes to play in his seed bowl and push his "good" seeds out of his bowl, I place a small tin pie pan under his food bowl on the bottom tray to catch the seeds, then I pour them back into his bowl. This saves me A LOT of money in feed. Make sure he/she doesn't have any poopie droppings in the feed dish, though. You don't want to contaminate the bird.
NEVER, EVER use your self-cleaning feature on your oven around or close to your bird. The fumes will send them into a sudden shock and kill them immediately.
Same goes for non-stick pans. If you allow a pan to burn on the stove the fumes from the non-stick substance sends off toxic fumes to birds.
Never use any cleaners, hairsprays, or air fresheners around your parrot. These are toxic.
Do not allow your parrot to chew on newspapers because the ink is toxic.
No matter what the controversies are about having your parrot's wings clipped, DO IT! It saves the parrot from flying into things and getting hurt. It's painless and humane if they're kept from the wild.
Have your parrot microchipped. This helps identify them if the parrot flies off or has been stolen.
Teach your parrot your phone number! If they become lost they can tell someone their phone number.
Enjoy and happy 'parrot'ing.
By Dyanna
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Chore Organization
Write down chores you need to do on a regular basis on index cards and divide them by daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal, yearly, etc. Include yearly home system maintenance upkeep which will save your home down the road.
By H Cowley
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Three Pronged Method for Grocery Savings
By Todd King
I use a three-pronged method to saving money at the grocery store and it can work for you, too.
First, always cut and use coupons. Use them when they're out of date. A number of the nation's largest chains do accept them.
Whenever possible, look for the house brand, also known as the "store brand." Oftentimes, these generics are made by the manufacturers of the biggest brands. By not marketing them, the savings go to you. Advil is great and I love it, but the Albertsons - Savon ibuprofen is still ibuprofen and the savings may be up to a third.
Finally, buy what you buy on sale when you prefer a specialty item or something made by a name brand. Odds are if it's not on sale this week, it will be next week. The major chains tend to rotate them. In conjunction with buying on sale, be certain to sign up for the store's savings card. And forget about all the Orwellian fears of big brother knowing what soap you like to buy; in fact, you don't need to sign up for a checking approval in conjunction... just the discount part is fine!
Good shopping!
By Todd King
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Uses for Shoe Organizers
Tips and ideas for using hanging shoe organizers, other than for organizing shoes. Post your ideas.
Use for Plastic Shoe Bags
I bought a large plastic shoe bag with the large pockets and hung it in the basement. It will hold several small tools, paint brushes etc. Keeps items organized in a small space.
By C. H.
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Kerosene for Stains
When you have tried everything else to get that stain out try this: Kerosene! Kerosene will bring out just about any stain there is.
By Mary Dingess
Editor's Note: Remember that kerosene is very flammable so use with care and it is recommended that you rinse the kerosene out of the fabric completely before laundering.
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Saving Money for Christmas
One way to prevent Christmas from being a financial burden is to plan ahead. Here are some tips to help you save money on Christmas by planning ahead. Post your ideas.
I can't thank you enough for all the tips and wonderful suggestions. I have saved so much time and money!
Instead of waiting for holidays, I buy gifts whenever I see what I think a friend or relative will enjoy. I place the gifts in boxes and mark the outside of the box and just keep adding all year round. When birthdays and holidays roll around, I am always prepared. My budget is intact!
By Sandy
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Stewardess Joke
An airline captain was breaking in a very pretty new stewardess. The route they were flying had a stay-over in another city, so upon their arrival, the captain showed the stewardess the best place for airline personnel to eat, shop, and stay overnight.
The next morning as the pilot was preparing the crew for the day's route, he noticed the new stewardess was missing. He knew which room she was in at the hotel and called her up wondering what happened to her. She answered the phone, sobbing, and said she couldn't get out of her room.
"You can't get out of your room?" the captain asked, "Why not?"
The stewardess replied, "There are only three doors in here," she cried, "one is the bathroom, one is the closet, and one has a sign on it that says 'Do Not Disturb'!"
By Terri
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Making Wind Chimes
Tips and ideas for making your own wind chimes. Post your ideas.
Making Wind Chimes
I use all sizes of natural wreaths as wind chimes. Going to a thrift store or yard sale, I look for the wreaths and gold dinner ware, or any unusual utensil. I drill holes in the dinner ware and using fishing line, tie them on the wreaths. The wreaths are level, which sometimes I use leather strands to make a "hanger" or I keep using the fishing line.
There are so many ways to make wind chimes. I use colorful beads, odd chime tubes, one inch tiles that are glued to a one inch piece of wood. Dig through your jewelry box. Those old pearl earrings could possibly be a piece to a wind chime.
By Tina Harrell
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Pulling Skin Off of Chickens
I use paper towels when pulling the skin off of chicken before cooking. It has a great grip, and you can throw the whole thing away.
By Tina Harrell
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Saving Money on Teenage Driver's Insurance
We have found that having a teenage driver was a big drain on our insurance premiums. One thing that has helped a lot, though, is that we have her restricted to driving the oldest car. That has saved us some money on insurance and I highly recommend it!
By Robin
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Cleaning Up Pet Urine
Use Listerine to remove pet urine. Put 3-4 cups of Listerine in a bucket of hot water. After cleaning, no Listerine smell will remain.
By Terri H.
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Dicing Chicken Into Uniform Cubes
If you are to cut up chicken for a recipe and it is too soft, I just put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes, just enough to freeze it but not too hard and then it is easy to cut.
By lizluvs2cook
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Grocery Shopping Tips
Tips to help you at the grocery store. Post your ideas.
Calculating Savings At The Store
Always keep a small calculator at hand when shopping so you can quickly figure the sales out.
By Brandi Morgan
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What A Child Hears Joke
How many times has this happened to one of us?
A visiting minister spoke eloquently during the offertory prayer. "Dear Lord" he began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "without you we are but dust..." He would of continued but at that moment a very obedient little girl (who was listening!) leaned over to her mommy and asked quite loudly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mommy, what is Butt dust?"
By lizluvs2cook
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Organizing Your Upright Freezer
Ideas for organizing an upright freezer. Post your ideas.
Frozen Food
To eliminate second guessing on how old food is in the freezer, just write with permanent marker on the bag or use a label and the date and year when you bought it, then when you buy new items put the old ones in the front and the new stuff in the back. This way you won't forget about those items and they will be used up and not forgotten. I do this in my pantry also.
By lizluvs2cook
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Other Active Topics
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 16 $25 prizes in the following categories!
Tip Contest Prizes!
- Best Gardening Tip
- Best Recipe
- Best Food Tip
- Best Home Improvement Tip
- Best Gardening Tip
- Best Craft Recipe or Tip
- Best Money Saving Tip
- Plus 2 tips chosen at random
To enter, visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest Prizes!
- Best Pet Photo
- Best Party Tip, Craft Recipe or Craft Tip with Photo
- Best Gardening Tip with Photo
- Best Home Improvement or Decorating Tip with Photo
- Best Organization Tip with Photo
- Best Wedding Tip with Photo
- Best of the Rest
To enter, visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Contest ends July 15, 2005
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
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New Requests:
Planning a Party For Teen Boys (and Adults)
I am planning a 16th birthday party for my son. We will be having a cookout at a swim park (lake) with many of his friends and also family (ages ranging from 2-65). Some of the kids are not so well behaved and I need something to occupy them so they don't terrorize everyone!
I am hoping someone can give me ideas that will make this fun for everyone. I need ideas for everything from making the invitations-food-games-prizes. I want to make some really cool invites that aren't so plain. His birthday is July 24, so I have a month to plan. I never had this problem with planning my daughters parties! Boys at this age are hard to plan for! :) Please help!
Thanks! Any advice will be MUCH appreciated!
Sandie
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How can I get rid of the magpies but keep the rest of the birds?
We have all sorts of beautiful birds in our backyard: finches, wrens, quail, robins, and they all seem to get along just fine. We enjoy watching them and feeding them. But now a group of magpies has settled in the area and chase the birds away from their feeders, and will even divebomb our dogs if they get too close! Any idea on how to chase the magpies away but without killing them and to ensure that the rest of the birdies stay?
Nicole from Ontario
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Crochet Cabbage Patch Clothes
I am looking for crochet cabbage patch clothes. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Cnix
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Rubber Duck invitations
I'm having a baby shower in late June for a niece. I'd like to decorate with Rubber Ducks as a theme. I know it will not be hard to get decorations together, but I'd love invitations with ducks on them. Has anyone seen them or has a cute idea of how to make them?
Also I'd like a duck candy mold to make soap favors. Does anyone know of a website that has free printable backgrounds (I guess you'd call it wallpaper?) for cards in a Gingham check print? I'd thought about gingham background with a craft foam Duck glued on.
If anyone has ideas or suggestions please help. Thanks!
Sharon,Ky
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Old Dried Dog Urine
I kept smelling this faint urine odor and could not find where it was. When I was moving furniture to bring my Christmas tree in, I found a big dried spot of dog urine. I immediately got the carpet cleaner out and went to town with baking soda and carpet cleaning detergent. Now the smell of urine overpowers my front room! How do I remove the odor, there is really no stain after I shampooed the area but PEEE EWE!!! Tina
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Removing a Scarf From a Knifty Knitter
I am first time user of the Knifty Knitter. I am trying to knit a scarf. When I am done, how do I get the scarf off the kniffty knitter with out it coming undone?
Susan
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Cleaning Stucco
How do you clean stucco?
- Buddy
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Wedding Vendors In Nebraska
My name is Carla and I am planning a June wedding of 2006. My problem is that I can't find any information on any Good Bakers or other helpful vendors in the state of Nebraska for a wedding. Am I just stupid or what. Please Help.
Carla from Nebraska
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Making a Skirt from Men's Shirts
I am looking for instructions on how to make a skirt using mens shirts.
Becky Malone
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4 Year Old That Cries a Lot
Please someone help. I have a 4 year old Granddaughter that cries when she doesn't get her way. It's getting to the point where I'd rather have her not come and see me. Her crying really bothers me. She'll cry over the simplest things. Not opening the car door, Daddy going outside to get something out of the car and he tells her he'll be right back in. She cries cause she can't go out with him.
She'll cry cause everyone else is watching a program on TV and she wants to watch funnies, she's told to sit on the couch after being told 3 times not to run in the house. Plus telling her it's time to go home, that's a big one, and bed time is another. These are just a few reasons of her crying, but like I said, it really bothers me.
Is this normal and will it every stop? Do any of you have some advice for a Grandma on how to cope and advice I can pass on to her parents.
Pam
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Mildew Smell in Flooded Car
How do you get mildew smell out of a flooded car? My daughter's new (used) car smell of mildrew. We are afraid it was a flooded car. How can we get this odor out? It didn't smell when we bought it. It has been about two months now and the odor is very strong. They must have used something to hide the odor at the time of the sale.
Bonnie for LA
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Removing Moss From Roof
Hi,
I know that using bleach to kill, and zinc to prevent is ok.
The problem I have, is that the roof I've got is huge. I bit off more than I can chew in buying this property, and it's getting quite a lot of moss growth. I know I must remove and prevent.
The problem is that I do not know what jet system to use to mix the bleach and water. Also, I can only do this from a ladder.
The zinc will have to wait.
Thanks in advance.
Mike
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Finding Nemo Centerpiece Ideas
I will be having a birthday party for my son who will be turning 2 and I would like ideas for centerpieces. The theme will be Nemo and I just can't think of anything. Please help. Thanks.
Erika from Texas
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Shampoo Stains on Shirt
i removed a grease spot from a green shirt with shampoo and now the shampoo spots are yellow. Can anyone gime me tips to remedy my problem? Thank you,
jessnju
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Care Bear Themed Party Ideas
My daughter is 2 and has down syndrome. We are planning a party for the 15th of June. I am planning a care bears party. I have invited quite a few older children as we don't know too many 2 year olds. As a matter of fact, none. Therefore, my daughter will be the youngest. The party is in our backyard where there is a swingset. Any tips for the party? We are on a tight budget of $150.00 total party favors, gifts, etc. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks,
Tracy
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Chocolate and Butterscotch Scone Recipe
The other day, I tried a scone that was delicious, and would like to find a recipe. I have searched the recipes sites, but to no avail! The scone had chocolate and butterscotch chips in it, and had a glaze. Yummy! Anyone know of this type? Thanks!
Pam
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Why does my husband's head stink by the end of the day?
Why does my husband's head stink by the end of the day? He uses soap on his hair and washes it everyday.
Bonnie for LA
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My Pit Bull Pup Thinks my Hands Are the Enemy
Hi all, I have an 8 week old Pit Bull pup. I love the little guy to death but he's a spritely fella and bites EVERYTHING he puts his mouth on. I made the MISTAKE and gave him a tap on his mouth one day when he was biting my feet. Since then he looks at my hand as the enemy. Also, when I'm bathing him he cries and thinks I'm punishing or harming him. He used to be very responsive, but now when I call him (and he sees my hands gesturing this) he's a bit apprehensive. How do I correct this and rebuild his confidence in me?
Yendor from Trinidad
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Keeping Baking Soda from Clogging Pipes
Years ago I used baking soda to clean my kitchen sinks and countertops. But then we found out that the washed away soda had over six months become a rock in my kitchen sink pipes. It cost almost $200 to have it snaked out and it broke two of the plumber's snakes before he could break it up.
I've seen advice to use baking soda on this site and I'm wondering how others are avoiding ruining their plumbing. What did I do wrong? I'm practically stingy so I know I didn't use very much at a time. And I'm not the best housekeeper so it wasn't as if I was cleaning constantly...
Allison
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Low Fat Recipes
I was wondering if anyone had any low fat, low calorie dishes to share.
Barb from Ohio
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Silly Putty Stain
Does anyone know how to get silly putty out of material? My child had silly putty on my sofa throw and the throw was sat on. I have picked off what I can pick off but its still there.
Thank you,
Cindie
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Crocheted Curtains
I would like to make my own crocheted curtains. Does anyone have patterns or tell me where I can find some?
Thanks,
Val
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Tire Recommendations for a 2003 BMW Mini Cooper S
I own a 2003 BMW Mini Cooper S. I am considering changing from 17" wheels run flats and 205/45 tires to 16" wheels and performance tires. I want to cover as much of the same wheel well area as the 17" 205/45/17 tires did.
What do you suggest that would not interfere with the speedometer, or handeling? My object is to improve ride, and handling. I am considering using Minilite wheels 16", any advice?
Bill from New York
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Wedding Advice
My only Daugter is getting married in july. I am looking for some good websites to help with the planning, decorations and parties. If any one could help me out, I would be grateful.
Thanks,
Sharyl
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Musty Smelling Coat Closet
I recently bought a home and one of the closets with a crawl space entry door has a very musty smell. I tried open dishes of vinegar, but it is still slightly musty. Any suggestions?
Joe
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your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
MyBudgetPlanner
Manage your money simply and quickly. Inexpensive budget planning
software.
http://www.mybudgetplanner.com/partner/thf/mbpmain.htm
More Reading:
Cream Cheese Brownies
By Nikki Willhite
Here is a totally decadent dessert - Brownies covered with cream cheese and chocolate chips! Hey! It's summer- We can walk it off.
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Why Classic Styles Offer the Best Clothing Value
By Diana Pemberton-Sikes
"I want to look good without spending a lot of money.
What's the best way to use my clothing budget?"
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Star Wars Party Planning for the Whole Family
By Cheryl Levey
I was about ten years old when a friend and her dad took
me to see the very first Star Wars movie, you know, the
one that is referred to as Episode Four these days. As a
child, I had an irrational fear of robotic things (seeing the
Terminator a few years later didn't help!) and my seven
year old son laughed at me as I recently told him how I
lost it in the theater and my friend's dad had to sit with me
in the lobby during almost the whole movie. The reason I
told him this is because he has his little heart set on getting
a Darth Vadar voice-changer mask. I can see it now, he will
stand over me in the morning as I sleep and wake me in
Darth Vadar's evil voice with "Luke, I am your father!"
(which is a running joke here these days).
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