March 09, 2006

Daily Thrifty Tips - March 9, 2006


Volume Five, Number 47, March 9, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com

Hello,

Here are the results to yesterday's poll:

Have you purchased a home recently?
Yes (24) 26%
No (68) 74%

We have a new poll today: Do you grow any of your own fruits and vegetables?

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Today's Photos

Angel (Southern Belle)

Angel (Southern Belle) is 9 months old.

Sept 1, 2005 I came home from a painful bunch of needle shots for nerve damage. "Another stray" I said at my door. So again I let one in. This one though is NOT LEAVING ME!

We play just like she's a baby. I have play time with her. She loves to spoil me as I spoil her. She has given me hope each day as I live alone. She loves to give me high 5s, and she has her favorite toy. And it's purple (lol). If her toys get tangled up she will get my attention just like a baby till I fix them.

I believe GOD sent her to me. She is my Angel! She is more so than a pet. She is my child. She understands everything I say and she responds. And she does tricks.I love her. And she is a southern belle lady cat.

Angel (Cat)

By Jequettea from Kingsport TN

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Sunny (Goldendoodle)

Sunny is our nine week old Goldendoodle. Her daddy is a red Golden Retriever and her momma is a white standard Poodle. I purchased her from a breeder in Colorado last week.

Sunny's 'breed' is relatively new and very sought after. It took me a very long time to find a reputable breeder that actually had pups available. The waiting list for these dogs are months long and I was fortunate to have found Sunny. I would like to share the breeder's web site with everyone because they were wonderful. http://www.sixthdayranch.com

She likes to chew stuff up and run in the yard.

Sunny - Goldendoodle

By Sandra Johnson from Orlando, Florida

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Today's Tips

Lightening the Look of Dark Wooden Cabinets

Living in a rental apartment with particularly dark wooden cabinets, I have lightened them up by applying small flowered plaques from the dollar store (reproductions of classic art) with adhesive putty which doesn't mar the surface. They can slip occasionally - but are easily re-applied and really make a BIG difference in the kitchen, establishing a flowered theme I continued in the wall decoration, etc.

By pam from Los Angeles

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Coffee Creamer Cartons

I like to recycle things and I have found that the containers for Coffee Creamers are great for Elbow macaroni. I have used the same container for years now and it holds up well and also holds a lot of macaroni.

By Michele from Calhoun KY

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Repairing IKEA-like Laminate Furniture

1) repair chips/wear with acrylic craft paint
2) cover tops with contact paper - marble pattern, wood grain, etc.
3) Cover worn bottoms edges of veneer with narrow strips of contrasting/matching contact paper.

(We rescued a bookcase off the side of the road with worn bottom edge showing the particle board underneath by covering with a strip of matching wood grain paper.)

By pam from Los Angeles

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Uses for Cereal Bags

One thing I do as an avid recycler is to use the empty bag inside the cereal box for crushing graham crackers to make crust. I use crackers and dried bread to make crumbs for meatloaf. Those bags are much more durable than plastic storage bags, and they are virtually free. I also use them to store meat or bread items in the freezer!

By Bobbie from Rockwall

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Other Options for Weight Loss

Drink plenty of water:- By drinking plenty of water, toxins can be removed from your body without putting on any calories.

Eat roughage rich vegetables:- Green vegetables often play a significant role in loosing weight. Salad must always form a part of your diet.

Play some outdoor games:- Games not only revitalize your lost spirits, but also help you in losing weight easily.

Weight loss exercises:- Regular work outs also do wonders.

Avoid overeating:- Under all the circumstances, overeating should be avoided as it plays a major role in the weight gain.

Take less sweet products:- Intake of sweet products should be minimized.

Weight loss Atkins fat fast:- Weight loss can also be achieved successfully through Atkins diet.

By susan sweet from Richmond,VA

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Decoupage Tip

For decoupage - Use a diluted solution of ordinary white glue to seal in the decorative paper you have applied to your object. It dries to a nice, shiny surface.

By pam from Los Angeles

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Keeping the Dogs Out of the Trash

I got tired of putting my plastic trash bags on the curb on trash night and the dog across the street rummaging through everything and spreading trash all over the place. I put a stop to that by putting Tabasco sauce on the outside of the bag after setting it on the curb. Surprise! The dog now walks way around the trash bags.

By Pamm from Tulsa, OK

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New Requests

Paint Color Advice

I would like to paint my frontroom but I dont know what color will work. I have blue carpet and all blue furniture. Any ideas?

Marie from Hammond, IN

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Faded Mock Crocodile Purse

I have a turquoise mock croc purse that is beginning to fade. I've found shoe polish in the right color, but I'm wondering if this will be the best bet to fix the purse. Will the shoe polish be colorfast, or will it rub off on my clothing when I wear the purse?

Jen from Eugene, OR

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Whites Aren't White After Washing

I recently requested help with my cloudy coffee which I still have. Now I need to know why all of my whites are a dingy yellow or brown. I use bleach but that doesn't help. What should I do? I want my white clothing and towels back!

kathleen48 from South Portland

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Self Cleaning Feature Stains the Oven

My Mother has a self-cleaning oven as do I. When she uses the self-cleaner it makes a yellowish stain above the door. Mine does not do that. How can we remove this stain? We have tried a variety of cleaners and I thought for sure the Magic Eraser would take it off but didn't! Any help is appreciated.

Michele from Western, KY

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Problems Installing Ceramic Tile

Hi, we are currently tiling our bathroom floor, and my uncle is the one that was doing it. He started with plywood 1 1/4" thick, and started putting down the thinset in 4 square foot sections, and I guess he didn't put down enough thinset, all the tiles came right up when it dried. Now he can't come back to fix it until friday, so I'm thinking I want to do it myself. Any suggestions on an easy way to fix this?

Thanks.
Stephanie

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Part for a Keystone 16mm Projector

Does anyone know where I can get parts for an old Keystone 16 mm projector? The drive and reel belt need to be replaced.

Thanks.
Betty from Middletown, NY

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Liquid Plastic for Crafts

I remember when I was young and did a craft to make flower petals and insect wings. You formed the petals or wings with wire, making sure it was completely closed, and then dipped it into a liquid plastic. The container looked like a small paint can, with a pry up lid. I cant remember what this plastic liquid is called, can anyone help?

Mfuncare from Maryland

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Electricity Themed Centerpieces

We are in the process of planning our end of year banquet for my daughter's high school marching band. The theme has to be related to electricity somehow. I need to make up centerpieces relative to this theme. This is a tough one! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. This is my daughter's senior year, and we want the banquet to be special for all of the kids.

Thanks so much!
Caroline from Florida

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Cranberry Walnut Bread

I would like a recipe for cranberry walnut bread like that sold at Starbucks.

Cricket from WV

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Lip Gloss on Microfiber

I just bought a new microfiber sofa. My child smeared lip gloss with glitter all over it. I am wondering what is the best way to clean it?

Castroe from Ukiah, CA

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Paying Off Debt With My Retirement

I need advice on paying off debt. I thought that I might use some of my retirement that has built up to pay off some of the high interest bills I have. I am 30 and my husband is 26. I know it's not the best idea to do that, but I'm not sure why. Since we're still young, maybe we can still build it all back up?

I'm thinking it would be better to get rid of all the high interest debt and start putting money away without a hole in my pocket. I do have some money saved in an IRA that we won't touch. Please give me any advice or experiences you've had and tell me pros and cons.

Thanks!
Elaia from Baton Rouge, LA

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Photo Toy Box

My son has a boy in his class that is moving and we want to give him a wooden toy box with photos for a going away gift. What do you suggest to use to put the photos onto the wood so they would be permanent and it would not hurt the pictures?

Missy From Columbia, SC

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80s Theme Birthday Party

My boyfriend is turning 30 on April 9th. I'm on a budget and need some ideas fast. I love the whole 80's theme, and think I'm goona go with it, but where should I have it without breaking the bank?

LeeLee509 from New York

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What's the best way to get drains unclogged?

What's the best way to get drains unclogged? I've tried the drain products and they work fine, but I have heard that they will hurt the pipes if used all the time. I need a simple, yet not harmful to pipes and pets, to unclog drains.

Thanks in advance,
Joylie from Pasadena, MD

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Painting Ceramic Tile

I have blue ceramic tile as a backsplash in in kitchen. I want to paint it white. Any ideas on how to do this? What prep is needed? Sure appreciate any and all help.

Thanks,
Renee from ST. Louis, MO

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Waverly Garden Images Bath Accessories

I am looking for Waverly Garden Images Bath Accessories, soap dish, toothbrush holder, cup, tissue box, and wastebasket.

Can anyone help?
Southern Bell from Rock Hill, SC

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String Easter Eggs

I am looking for instructions on how to make string Easter eggs. You use embroidery floss, starch, and a small balloon. Can anyone help me with instructions?

Thanks.
Sandy from Moose Lake, MN

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Can You Dye Carpet?

I have tried everything to clean my carpet but still have stains. Has anyone ever dyed carpet? Have you had good results? Please help, as I can't afford to replace it right now.

Thanks,
Trabocan from Liberty, MS

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Recipes Using Chicken Quarters

I have an abundance of chicken quarters in my freezer. There is only my husband and I but I would like some ideas on how to spice these up a little. Any suggestions appreciated!

Cookiepom from Owensboro, KY

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More Reading

Growing Monster Vegetables
By Ellen Brown

Have you ever wondered how people grow those gigantic vegetables that you see at the county fair? You've seen them-the scale crushing pumpkins that weigh in at 1,000 pounds, the 6 pound carrots and the cabbage heads twice the size of basketballs. Growing these giant beauties isn't as hard as you might think. If you want to impress your neighbors by having the biggest veggies on the block, here are a few tricks that will get you BIG results.

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