Daily Thrifty Tips - February 6, 2008

We have an article for our male readers in the More Reading section titled: A Guys Quick and Frugal Tip for Valentines Day Romance. Be sure to check it out.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Yard Sale Candle

One of the things I collect at yard sales during the summer is scented candles, because they are SO much cheaper, and I love to burn them throughout the winter for the scent and feeling of warmth. This unique candle was like finding a treasure - for only $.50!

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Rosco at Mardi Growl

Rosco at the Mardi Growl parade in Knoxville, TN 2-3-08

By Patti from Oak Ridge, TN

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Use Old Socks as Stuffing for a Pet Bed

Our cat loves to sleep on something that we use or have used. We had a bunch of odd socks and holey socks from years gone by. Originally I was going to make sock puppets but had a better idea.

So I took a old pillow case and stuffed all the socks in it and sewed the top up.

Now she has a pillow to curl up on and when it is dirty -
I just throw it in the wash.

By Valerie from Rockdale, TX

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Preparing For The SAT

My son is a sophomore in high school and will be taking the SAT probably next year.

Go here:

• http://www.collegeboard.com/splash/

and sign up to get a sample SAT question sent to your child's email address every day (I have the question of the day sent to my email too!) It's FREE too. :)

Studying a little every day for the SAT is much less ominous than cramming last minute and will help reduce anxiety when it's "test time."

By Laura from Long Beach, CA

Editor's Note: Another website that is free and good for studying for the SAT is:

• http://www.freerice.com/index.php

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Use Less Dishwasher Detergent In Soft Water Areas

I had my dish washer repaired and I got a tip from repairman. If you are in an area like Memphis, which has soft water, you need use only a fraction of the amount of dish washer detergent recommended. Using more only clogs up the machine. In a hard water area, use amount recommended by manufacturer. Save some money and make your dishwasher last longer.

By Wolf from Memphis

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Angel Food Ministries

A friend told me about a web site http://www.angelfoodministries.com . You get about $60.00 worth of food for $30.00, plus specials. Almost every state has this network and most cities. You just select your state, then a city and it will tell you the distribution center, deadline date and distribution date. There is no income qualifications and no application so everyone is eligible. You can buy as many boxes as you like.

If, for instance, you go to the website and select "menu" and then "February 2008". They will tell you what items will be available in February. Every month, the menu items change. I plan on doing this on a regular basis. Finally, a program that applies to everyone! My distribution center is not even five minutes from my house! Hope this helps and thank everyone for their wonderful, recipes, tips and advice.

Source: http://www.angelfoodministries.com

By Debra from Elkhart, Indiana

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Tell Someone How You Feel For Valentine's Day

This tip is for a great, thrifty, and heart-felt Valentine's Day gift. The best part is, it's free! One year, I wrote a poem about my favorite aunt, who I'm very close to. Though my poetry is rather personal to me, I finally decided to share it with her for Valentine's Day not long ago. I found a beautiful frame on sale, and copied the poem onto some decorative paper, then framed it. My aunt loved it! She moved out of state some time ago, and recently told me that she has my poem on display in her house. She said that people have seen it and commented on it, and that she's always proud to tell them her niece wrote it for her.

I've also done a variation of this; writing a letter to an uncle who has helped me out in the past, telling him how much I appreciate him. Sometimes these things seem really simple, but they can have profound meaning for a loved one. After all, who doesn't like knowing that they're loved and appreciated?! So sharpen your pencils and start writing, Valentine's Day is coming soon!

By Lisa from Kenosha, WI

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Let the Sunshine In

Many of us forget, especially those living in the northeast, to open those blinds, drapes, shades, etc. to take advantage of the free heat from the sun. It can shave off as much as 8 percent from your heating bill.

Source: Carol K. (On Stretcher.com)

By Veronica

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Uses for Raspberry Branches

Pretty soon it will be time to clean up what Old Man Winter left behind. I have raspberries and, come every spring, winter has left me broken branches, I'm sure the birds also help in the process. Don't throw them away, they make GREAT marking sticks to mark off where you've planted your other plants. Break them off about 6-7 inches, stick enough in the ground where you've planted some thing and you should have enough to put the package of what you planted over the top of stick. Cut the bottom off the package, don't want to look at it upside down.

By Adele from Sheboygan Falls, WI

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Buy Gas With A Credit Card That Gives You Cash Back

Turn lemons into lemonade! This is how we turn the painful gas prices into a rewarding experience. If you don't already have a credit card that has rewards, research card companies that have great rewards. We use a Chase card and often they have a promotion that will reward 5% on everything purchased at a gas station, including the convenience store. We have to buy gas, we use the card. If you are a cash-only person, when you buy the gas on the card, take the same amount in cash and put it in an envelope. When the credit card bill comes in, you have the exact amount of cash in that envelope that you can put in your bank account and pay the entire bill off. And let's say you spent $500 in gas during that month, then you also earned $25 in rewards. Not huge, but it's more than you would have gotten if you just paid cash.

And if you are out with the family and need a quick drink or lunch, don't stop at a drive through, go to a gas/convenience store and get the family meal there. Benefits: everyone can stretch their legs, bathroom breaks, healthier food choices, cheaper drink choices, AND the rewards that come with that spending.

Discover is long known as the "card that pays you back", but my Discover cash back rate is 1/4%. I get 20 times that much with my Chase card. And we save all our rewards up over a year's time and then use those rewards to help pay for our annual vacation. You'll be amazed at how quickly you will accumulate rewards!

By Amy from Northern Virginia

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What Is Anso Sauce?

What is Anso sauce? i have a recipe for a marinade for pork ribs. One of the ingredients is Anso sauce. I haven't a clue what it is. It's obviously something you can get in the U.S. and not available here in Malta. Does anyone know what I can use as a substitute? Please try not to give brand names of alternatives. There's a good chance that I won't know what you're talking about either, as they may not be available here. A description of its uses and basic ingredients would be just fine. MANY, MANY, THANKS!

Cettina from Malta, Europe

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Chocolate Valentine Pancakes

Normally, I recommend avoiding sugar as much as possible - but once in a while (like on Valentines Day) it's okay. :)

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

• Whipped cream
• Cake decorating glitter (pink or red)

Directions

Decorate with a little whipped cream (use food coloring if it's homemade) and cake glitter. Serve immediately.

By Laura from Long Beach, CA

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Pattern That Uses Men's Ties

I am looking for a pattern to use my Dad's ties. If any one can help please let me know.

Lee from Paragould, Ar

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Orangeish-Pink Coloring on Washed Clothing

Why do some of my clothes - but only a few of them - have an orangeish pink cast to them after being washed and dried? It seems to only affect part of the garment as well.

Bonzettes from Los Angeles

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Visiting Parke County, Indiana

I am planning a budget-friendly trip to Parke County, Indiana to visit the beautiful and bountiful covered bridges in the area. I would like the 'inside scoop' on the best and cheapest places to stay, eat, and shop, etc. I sent away for brochures but would like to know about the places the locals consider the best since I like to travel the 'back roads'. Thanks for your help.

Annette from Auxvasse, MO

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Making a Yellowed Purse White Again

I have a Dooney and Bourke white IT bucket bag. Around the zipper it has yellowed on both sides. The rest of the once white outside is also yellowing. (just not as badly as the area right by the zipper). What can I do? Can I clean it somehow, and if so how?

Kiedra

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Removing Glue from Teflon

How do I remove glue from Teflon? The glue is from the paper that was glued to the pan when I bought it.

Vicki from Kettering, Ohio

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Growing an Asparagus Fern

How do you get asparagus ferns to sprout fronds? I have one that has exactly four fronds. It's been this way for years.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Marilyn from Indian Orchard, MA

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Refinishing Formica with Spreadstone

I am thinking of refinishing my Formica counter top with Spreadstone product. Do I need to remove the sink or can I go up to the lip, or even over the lip to make it look like an under mound? If anyone has already used this product please let me know how it is holding up.

Carla from Raleigh, NC

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Spa Party for 10 Year Old

Do you have any ideas for a 10 year old girls birthday? She likes Spa stuff and she is also going to have a sleepover afterward. Thanks!

Zoe from Birmingham, AL

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Painting with Crown Suede Paints

How does one paint with suede paints bought from CROWN? Please advise.

Ruchi

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Helping a Puppy Going Through Separation Anxiety

I have a new 11 week blue brindle pit bull named Kai. I understand that puppies go through separation anxiety but for the next 2 weeks I will be working and going to school. At night he cries but I will say he is getting better. What can I do to ease this transition for him and my family(and neighbors)and also for the next two weeks when he is home alone.

He does have a crate that I am getting him used to. In the 2 days that I have had him he understands to sit and he knows when I put on my sweater and my certain pair of shoes it's feeding time. I will say that Kai and I are off to a good start. But for the crying, what can I do?

Keish from Jacksonville, NC

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Removing a Stain from a Baby Quilt

I have an old baby quilt that was handmade and is in good shape and probably colorfast, but it has been in storage for a long time. I laundered it and dried it like usual; and then noticed a brown stain over part of it. I do not know how to get rid of it and what the cause of it was. I thought I laundered it before I put it into storage. I had it in storage in a plastic blanket bag until I removed it recently to launder it.

Julia from Kansas

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Red Sharpie on a Wooden Cutting Board

I got red sharpie on a really nice wooden cutting board. I've tried everything but I still can't get it off.

Megan from Colorado

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Making Money at a Rainbow Tea Party

How do you make money doing Rainbow Tea Parties. I heard that you can. I need details.

Fances

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Making Ortega Style Taco Sauce

How do I make taco sauce? Like the kind Ortega makes in the bottle, it's too expensive!

granniegityergun from Rochester, NY

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Homemade Body Butter

Anyone have a recipe for homemade body butter?

Gwen from Central IL

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Little Girl's 'Flipper' for Pageant

Can some one tell me where to buy a 'flipper', you know the false teeth for little girls in pageants? if so please let me know because I have searched the internet and found nothing.

Kelli from Florida

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Whippoorwill Pea Seed

I need a source for whippoorwill pea seed.

Segars from Buchanan, Georgia

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Replacing the Rubber Gasket for the Garbage Disposal

I have a question about replacing the black rubber gasket type thing in the sink of the garbage disposal. Does the old one come out, or do you push a new one on top of the old one?

Suzanne

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Making Something with a Bumper Pad

Does anyone have ideas on what to make with a bumper pad? Since it is no longer recommended to use bumper pads in cribs, I'd like to sew something with it - at least use it. Just can't think of anything.

Nicole from Canada

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Getting Urine Smell Out of Gravel

I can't get the urine out of the scoria, (crushed red gravel) in my yard. It smells all the time, especially when its really hot, or after heavy rain.

Hayley from Canberra, Australia

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Daisy Kingdom Doll Armoire Pattern

I wish to find a doll armoire pattern that I think is by Daisy Kingdom. It is cardboard and you cover it with fabric. I don't really know how long ago it was or if it was a pattern or a kit that included the cardboard. Thanks.

Carol from Tucson, AZ

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Multi-colored Bug

A few years ago, I lived in central California. Remember the old "Cootie" game where the legs were one color, the head another and so on? I actually saw a bug just like that. Creeped me out! Anyone happen to know the name of this bug?

Eeyore1950 from Walla Walla, WA

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Daughter's 4th Birthday Party on a Budget

I have a four year old daughter her b-day is coming up next month. I am strapped for cash and don't have any ideas. Chuck E Cheese is too expensive. And I have friends who want to come to the party and their low on money too. I have a really small house so I can't have it at home. Any ideas. Boys are coming too.

Shenean from Lebanon

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Pit Bull Puppy Chews on Everything

I have a 9 month old pit bull mix who is on the verge of being homeless. She chews my metal yard lights, dog blanket, lattice of my garden, wood on the corner of my house, you name it. I buy her toys but nothing works. There's another dog, they play all the time. I need you to share some experience and wisdom. Thanks for any help

Jim from Tucson, Az

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Ideas for Mother's 80th Birthday

I'd like some ideas for my Mother's 80th birthday. She was in an orphanage in Waverly, Iowa

Deb from Spicer, Minnesota

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

A Guys Quick and Frugal Tip for Valentines Day Romance
By Debra Frick

In the soul of every woman, there is the desire for her man to do something wonderful and unexpected for Valentine's Day. Every woman wants romance and something magical for this special day so here are some quick tips on how to make this the best Valentine's Day ever. First, if you don't know what she would like, ask her mother! Moms always know the best ways to please their daughters. Ask her best friends. Now if that gets you nowhere, refer to this article.

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