Daily Thrifty Tips - February 13, 2007

Dealing with a Garden on a Steep Slope

On this steep slope leading up to the lawn, I used natural rocks found around our property to make tiers. On the bottom tier, I planted sweet alyssum and sedum. On the second tier is rainbow swiss chard. The third tier has compact sunflowers.

By Kate from Lebanon, OR

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Prince (Chihuahua/Miniature Pinscher)

Prince is a 1 year old Chihuahua/Miniature Pinscher man. An elder friend of ours was seeking for a loving home for him and she offered him to us.

He likes chewing on his bone, walking in the park, keeping mommy company while she is doing her classwork and assisting daddy in the kitchen.

He is by far the cutest Chihuahua/Miniature Pinscher Man mix we know! People we encounter him and fall in love with him and always ask if we have any puppies. We apologize but say no ... so we absolutely love him for his uniqueness, cuteness and friendlness!

By Shimon and Rosine from Snellville, GA

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Ask The Deli To Slice Precooked Meat

I buy the precooked (smoked, honey glazed, oven baked, etc.) turkey or ham in the meat department when they are on sale. Then,I bring them to the butcher department or the deli department (You may have to purchase it first, just bring them the receipt.) Have them use their big slicers to slice the meat into thin sandwich slices. It saves me a lot of time and it is far cheaper than buying the sliced meat from the deli. You can also divide it up into smaller bags and freeze them for later.

By Cathy from Kihei, HI

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Barbie's Crocheted Kitchen Furniture and Appliances
By Debra Frick

Look what's cooking! Barbie is in the Kitchen

This is the second in the series of Barbie or other small doll crocheted furniture. Please feel free to change colors to fit more with what your little interior decorator would like. I have tried to use materials that anyone would have or would be easy to obtain. There are a lot more pieces to the kitchen so I would say for an average Crocheter working while watching TV it will probably take a week to complete. I have also tried to make sure that there are no little pieces that can be choked on so instead of buttons I have used embroidery for handles. Buttons could be used if for a child that choking is not a hazard. I did use chop stick pieces for handles on the refrigerator, stove and sink but made sure they were whip stitched on very tightly. But you could just embroider some handles on for younger children.

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Window Frames for Displaying Pictures

You can go to a salvage yard and get some old window frames and use them. we are taking one and using the top section on one side of our cuckoo clock and the bottom on the other side, putting family pictures in each individual frame section. It looks great and only two holders per frame. By Gail

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Book Learning

There's an old story in my family how my father got his first job after WWII by cramming the weekend before from a book he got from the public library! (He went to classes later, but that weekend of cramming got him in -)

It was a good lesson to us about how you could get vital knowledge from a book somewhere if you looked hard enough for the right one. And nowadays, finding that book is easier than ever with internet resources.

You have access to the best specialists in the world in any given field through their books and books about them. Take advantage of that knowledge, free if you get it from a library, to bone up on important issues in your life, from medical to legal.

The time spent pays off in the long run. It did for my Dad.

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Valentine Mailbox

Instead of using the standard shoe box for your kids Valentine's mailbox, decorate an empty cereal box instead. It fits better in their backpacks.

By Loretta

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Reindeer Basket For Christmas

You will need:

• a 3 inch high stuffed reindeer head and approx. 3 inch long stuffed reindeer legs (available at craft stores)
• a basket (I use a basket that meaures 5 inches wide x 7 inches long x 4 1/2 inches high)
• 3/4 inch and 1 1/4 inch ribbon
• 2 silk holly sprigs with berries
• hot glue gun and glue sticks

By Jan from Suring, WI

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Dissolve Powdered Detergent Prior To Using

I dissolve my powder detergent in 2 cups of water before I put it in the washer. This way the powder is completely dissolved and there isn't any powder residue left on my clothes.

Dixie from Alabama

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Pink Milk On Valentine's Day

When my kids were little I'd buy mix the Nestle's Quik Strawberry mix into the milk for their cereal then put it in a little pitcher. It would make the milk a nice pink color and be a nice surprise for Valentine's Day morning. A dab of red food coloring would also work.

Susan

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Bring A Rubber Bathmat When Travelling

A few years ago, I was at a hotel in Assisi, Italy and I slipped in the tub (which had no bathmat, no rubber grids nor any grab bars) while taking a shower and broke my arm in two areas. Needless to say, my vacation ended and I returned home, cutting my 25 day European vacation to 14.

By joesgirl from Beverly, MA

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Shopping Stores that are Closing

It's always sad to see a store close, I feel for the employees and their families. On the brighter side, you find some great deals. My local Albertsons is closing and everything is on clearance. They are also still taking coupons. The best deals right now are on party supplies and health and beauty products. I saved $105.08 on my shopping trip with the 30-60% off and my coupons. (the discount comes off of the lowest price. Some were already on clearance) Look for store closing sales and really stock up. I found everything for my son's next birthday party and the savings was 80%!

By Lisa from Lakewood

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Display Photos Under Glass

Instead of leaving your favourite pictures stuck in an album, try this:

You will need a piece of glass to fit any end table or coffee table, or bedroom dresser table. Take pictures and display over the area of table space, then get some flowers (dried with some baby's breath) and place near the pictures. Then place the glass over the display. This can be quite a conversation piece, especially when this is done in a living room.

By Janet from Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Homemade Baby Wipes

Try this if you find that you're close to running out of baby wipes and won't have enough to last until payday.

Using the empty wipe container, put in a small amount of warm water in the bottom, about 1/2 inch, add a few drops of baby oil, and a few drops of mild baby bath wash. Now, take enough paper towels to fill container and cut each one in half, then put them into the water, oil, bath wash solution. Now flip the stack over to be sure they all get saturated. Whaa-la! You have instant baby wipes. The bath wash cleanses the skin, the oil moisturizes and seals the skin. Use a dry paper towel or wash cloth to pat skin dry before diapering baby. I recommend using the better quality paper towels. The ones that feel more like material, because they're softer and don't fall apart so easily. Also, use the products that you normally use on baby, so you know they won't be allergic. I used these on my three children, now grown, when money was tight and found they worked better then the store bought ones.

By Josie from Homer, AK

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Steam Cleaning Leather

Is it ok to steam clean leather or does it remove protective coating if there is one?

John from Glasgow

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Bowling Banquet Decorations

I am having a bowling banquet and need decoration ideas. Could anyone help?

Thank You,
rplaner from Moore, Oklahoma

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Digital Video Camera Reviews

Do you have any reviews of digital video cameras? Post your experiences below.

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Stains From a Mat In a Bathtub

How do you clean old stains from the mat in the bathtub?

Tatyana from Sharon, MA

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Name Ideas for Disabled Children's Organization

CCS, formerly Crippled Children's Society are looking for alternative meaning for the letters CCS. Something positive and upbeat which reflects that the organization provides professional support services to disabled people of all ages in the community. Any ideas please? Thank you.

AngNZ from New Zealand

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Candle Wax on Material

How do you get candle wax out of material?

Linda from Oak Hill, OH

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Microfiber Pillows

How can I clean my microfiber pillows without leaving a mark from the cleaner?

Valerie from Portland, OR

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St. Patrick's Day Table Decorations

I am looking for St. Patrick's Day table decor ideas for a company breakfast.

Melonee from Milwaukee, WI

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Removing Plastic from the Top of a Stove

I have a melted plastic knob from a teapot on my white stove. Any idea how to remove the residue without ruining the surface of the stove?

MaryEllen from Wallingfor, CT

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Clothing Patterns for a Miniature Poodle

I need miniature poodle clothes patterns. Please help me provide clothes for my naked poodle!

Emm from Scottsville, TN

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Stevia Plant Information

I am looking for Stevia plant growing and processing information. I'd like to have the chance to grow the stevia plant and make good use of it to replace sugar consumption. How can I go about doing that?

Han Rrinh from San Jose

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Glue for Cuts in Hair

My son recently had a cut glued together at the hospital. They got a little glue happy and glued his hair to his scalp. How can I safely remove the excess glue?

Eva from Golden City, MO

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Discolored Aluminum Steamer

My aluminum steamer is thoroughly discolored through years of constant use. How do I get to clean out the very stubborn discoloration?

Yeeton from London, UK

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Flies With White Wings

How do you get rid of flies with white wings flying all over my plants?

Alinka9 from Florida

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Dye Stain on Leather Furniture

How do I remove dye from a throw off a cream leather suite?

John from Glasgow

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Stain Around a Bathtub Drain

I clean my bathroom almost every week but i've noticed a bright green ring around the drain in my bathtub and sink. What could this be?

Laci from MS

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Pioneer Shirt Pattern

Does anyone have a pattern for a mens pioneer type shirt? I need to make one for my husband for a trek this summer. I also would like a pattern for a women's pioneer shirt and possibly some pantaloons. Please respond asap if you have any one of these items. Thank you in advance!

Angie from Utah

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Glitter Nail Polish Stains

How do I remove orange glitter nail polish off my white cotton dress shirt?

Charmaine from Oakville, Ontario

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Spanish Moss and Cats

Is Spanish moss toxic to cats? I love the way it looks growing in the live oak trees in our yard, but if it might harm my three little buddies, it will have to go.

Thanks,
Sharon from Bunnell, FL

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Shoe Polish Stains on Clothing

How can I remove black shoe polish from clothes?

Anne from Ireland

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