Daily Thrifty Tips - March 16, 2006

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Rufus is 5 years old and is a mix of two other mixes. We got Rufus at a Doberman Pinscher rescue.

Rufus loves to go for a walk and then sleep for the rest of the day. He also likes to go out on the lake, he loves the sun and water.

He is completely part of our family, he is always making us smile.

By Jennifer from Los Angeles, CA

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Here's a fun, very easy craft idea - might be something you'd like to put in Easter baskets this year as a gag gift, lol. Simply take some dryer lint and shape it however you want (kinda small). Then do the same with a second piece of dryer lint.

Hot glue some google eyes somewhere on both of them, stick them in a small zip baggie (which you can get at craft stores) and add a topper labeled "Pet Dust Bunnies". (I just printed the words on regular white cardstock.)

Underneath "Pet Dust Bunnies", type the following words: "Your new pet dust bunnies are virtually mess-free, and they don't require food, toys, or exercise!"

Fold the card over the top of the zip bag and give to someone special! Guaranteed conversation starter!

By Stacey from Orem, UT

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Sabrina is 13 years old. She's nothing special in the breed, she is just my lovie little cat.

When my husband died suddenly in 1993, I told my daughter I was thinking of getting a cat for company. Later, I decided not to get one, but I forgot to tell my daughter, so one day she brought home a cat, and she has been my companion for all these years.

I think Sabrina thinks she is a person, because she sure "talks" enonugh! And especially if I don't get her food fast enough.

Sabrina likes to take the chair before I can sit down, or if I throw my coat down, she is right on it.

By Lee from Columbus, Ohio

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Three Ring Binder

I got tired of digging through filing cabinets to find a statement or bill so I started punching holes in my bills and organizing them in a three ring binder. I organized them by date. (Bills too small to be punched were taped or stapled to a larger piece of paper.) I had separate sections for bills, taxes, insurances, credit cards, etc. I had a separate binder for medical papers and bills and one just for the house which contained my mortgage contract and statements. When I needed to find a statement, I just flipped through the appropriate binder and each year I start new binders.

By Sharon from Bonita Springs, FL

See Through Folders

I use the binders that have zippers all around and metal rings inside. I put those plastic see thru folders that snap shut, I punch holes thru them and place them in the binder, label them, that way you can just slip the bills in there and when it comes time to pay the bills you have everything including pens and whatever else you need all in one binder and zipped so you don't misplace the bills! Works great for me!

By Kay

Folders for Each Day of the Month

In the front of my file cabinet (main file cabinet) I keep folders marked 1-31, representing each day of the month. As bills arrive, I place them in the folder for the day I need to pay them. Really helps me to get my bills paid on time.

BrendaLea

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An old timer is a person who remembers when a pie was set on the windowsill to cool - not to THAW!

By Robin from Washington, IA

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To avoid white watermarks in pans when boiling puddings, eggs, etc., add a little vinegar to the water (cider vinegar is less potent if you don't like the smell).

By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX

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Rubbing alcohol not only makes an amazingly simple cleaner, but it kills nasty germs around your house in the process. Rubbing alcohol is not just for medicinal purposes anymore; it can be used in all sorts of practical and cleaning applications around the home. Much cheaper than other cleaners (most drug stores and discount stores carry 16 ounce bottles of 70% rubbing alcohol for under $1), rubbing alcohol works just as well.

Use rubbing alcohol to:

• Clean your dry erase boards with a cloth or paper towel dampened with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol removes the buildup from stubborn dry-erase markers.

• Use alcohol to clean grimy phones, switch plates and doorknobs. Not only will the alcohol remove the oily dirt and dust, but it will also kill germs on these frequently handled areas.

• Do dust and dirt collect on your tabletops? Wipe them down with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol to uncover a great shine. (Alcohol may not be suitable as a cleaner for all tabletop finishes, so be sure to do a spot test first!)

• Need to keep an ice pack on hand for those sudden emergencies? Build your own inexpensive model by filling a freezer bag with one part alcohol and two parts water. Label it well, and pop it in the freezer. The rubbing alcohol will keep the water from freezing into an unmanageable block. When needed, the ice pack will have a moldable slushy form, which is perfect for forming around skinned knees and elbows and the odd-sized lump left behind after an unfortunate tumble.

• Have any dusty decorative candles stored away? Before lighting, wipe the dust away with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol removes the dust without ruining the wick, as water often does. Be sure to let the alcohol evaporate completely before lighting the candles!

• Use rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth to remove grime from household fixtures.. The alcohol will leave behind a nice shine.

• Remove fresh ink stains by blotting with rubbing alcohol. This procedure also often works to remove permanent marker stains on carpet.

• Rubbing alcohol makes a terrific, streak-free window and glass cleaner. Just dampen a cloth with a 50% mixture of water and alcohol and wipe glass clean. Do remember that, although rubbing alcohol makes a fabulous, inexpensive cleaner, it is considered extremely flammable. To avoid any potential problems, make sure that you store rubbing alcohol in a cool, dry place away from anything that emits heat and/or sparks.

From my friend Deeli,

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

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You can cover inexpensive plastic waste paper baskets from the dollar store and elsewhere with marbled contact paper to spiff them up. Use flowered paper, too, to fit the color scheme. Works on vinyl as well as hard plastic and makes them look much more expensive.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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You can buy lemons in the winter when they are cheap and freeze the juice in ice-cube trays. One ice-cube section equals about 1 tablespoon of juice.

By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX

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Tips for saving money on shampoo. Post your ideas.

Keep your shampoo in a pump bottle and you'll use less (which is all you really need anyway!). It measures the amount for you. You can also dilute it before pouring it into the pump as shampoo is usually very concentrated.

By Debbie from Crawfordsville, Indiana

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It seems really simple but some people still go over their spending limit when they shop and have to put stuff back at the checkout. I hate to do that, so what my husband and I do now is we set a limit and I put that limit into the calculator when we get to the store. As we put items into the cart I subtract them from the total. When I get to zero, I stop shopping.

By Christi from Paducah, KY

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When cleaning the chrome rings around your burners the easiest way I have found is to put them in a shallow pan with 4 tablespoons of powdered DISHWASHER soap in it. Barely cover in the water and let them sit overnight. By morning, they should wash easily.

Hugs Da Nanna

By Laurie from Idaho

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Tips for cleaning glass shower doors. Post your ideas.

Cleaning Lime Deposits and Soap Scum off Shower Doors

We bought a used home and the shower doors were caked with lime and soap scum. We couldn't afford to replace them right away and Lime Away didn't get all the scum off. I borrowed my husbands razor scraper from the garage and ran it over the scale and it all came off. Make sure to use new razor blades or you'll scratch the glass. They look like new.

By Sharon from Bonita Springs, FL

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I have recently moved into a home where the people before me painted the bath tub an ugly dark green. The owner said he has tried everything to remove it. Does anyone here have any suggestions on how to get it off of the tub?

Thanks!
jazzie from McKinney

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I need to remove lipstick stain from laundry done in my dryer. Lipstick melted and soiled everything in dryer.

Gnla from Miami, FL

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I have been seeing request for Rainbow Tea Parties? What is a Rainbow Tea Party?

Thanks,
Jan

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My church has choose me to be a leader for a rainbow tea party. I have never been to a rainbow tea party. My color is gold and I need all the help I can get. This party is in a couple weeks so please respond soon.

God Bless,
Torri from Houston. TX

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I got engaged March 2005 and was so excited I started purchasing some favors for my May 2006 wedding right away. I bought 100 personalized wedding bells from Things Remembered and this week while I was opening the boxes I noticed that they are rusting. Any suggestions on a good cleaning product?

Annie from Los Angeles, CA

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How should I decorate a large white lattice screen that will be behind the brides table? I've bought rolls of lavender/lilac tulle that's 6 inches wide by 25 feet (I'm placing shimmer on some and 'crystals' on others) and fake flowers. Also, the bride would like to incorporate white Christmas lights.

Should I run the tulle and lights in and out of the lattice work, placing flowers occasionally for color? Or do most people drape the tulle across the top and let it fall to the floor at the ends?

I haven't been able to find pictures on the web of lattice screens decorated, so I'd appreciate anyone's opinion who's willing to give it!

Thanks,
Beth from Louisville, KY

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As wasteful as they are, glue sticks can be very convenient for a variety of projects. Does anyone have a recipe for making a glue stick, which can be put inside an empty roll-up stick?

Ree 127 from Sarasota, FL

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I'm kind of in a bind... I am getting married in May and am starting to look for the bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts. Here's the thing... some really close friends of ours (part of the wedding party) just got married and their bridal party gifts where what I was planning to buy; personalized flasks and jewelry boxes. How cliché, I know, but I can't seem to come up with anything better. My budget is about $50-75 for each bridesmaid and groomsman.

Any suggestions? I'd like something special and creative.

Thanks!
Annie from Los Angeles, CA

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I have been traveling quite a bit lately and keep my facial soap in a plastic soap case and then put in a plastic zip lock bag. After a couple of days, it has a terrible odor. Does anyone have a suggestion for stopping this odor? I don't want to just put it in my cosmetic bag when it is wet.

Aquarius from Ontario Canada

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Hello,

I wondered if anyone had any ideas for Insomnia? I cannot seem to get any sleep at all and I wondered if there was something that I could do to help this? I don't drink coffee or have caffeine any time near bed time and sometimes not all day.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

katieandjeffy from Pennsylvania

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My skin is extremely sensitive, if I touch or scratch my face it goes red. Inexpensive earrings make my ears peel (it's gross) and tanning booths give me bumps after using them. Is there an easy way to calm down irritated skin?

Brooklyn from Calgary, AB

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I am needing ideas for our 8th grade dance. I want to incorporate the idea of them moving on to the HS. I have a DJ and food and drinks. What I don't have is a theme or a slogan. This is the first class to have completed all 3 years at our Middle school.

Any ideas?

Sueann from Greenwood, Indiana

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American Blinds, Wallpaper & More! 10% off your entire purchase plus free shipping! - Enter CABH

http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/dtoday.lasso

Once winter turns the corner toward spring, it seems like garden tasks can stack up quickly. One technique that is a real time (and money) saver during planting is using seeds tapes. Although most seed companies carry ready-made tapes, you're left stuck with using whatever seeds choices they offer. Follow these six easy steps and make your own.

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