Daily Thrifty Tips - June 30, 2006

Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

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Paris is a 4 month old rat-cha. I got him 4/17/06 as an early Birthday gift. He thinks he is a real baby and likes to be held and rocked to sleep.

By Cookie from Salisbury, MD

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Here is a pic of my granddaughter (Dani), standing by the water fountain I got for Mother's day. It looks great with our new landscaping.

By Mary from LeRoy, IL

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This is my Red Cardinal that stays in our old shed out back. He comes back every year in the Winter. He only stays in the shed at night, he does have a mate in a nest in my Bamboo next to the shed.

We put out seed and water for him. During the day he is gone, but returns to the Old Shed at night, maybe to watch over his mate.

By hamp2468

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Here's the secret to awesome chili! Gather all your spices and add them in when you are browning the ground beef, steak or whatever meat you use. The spices will fully dissolve and the fat from the meat is incorporated, giving the chili much better flavor. Try it once and you'll never make chili the old way again!

By Roger from Hampton, VA

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Here is a great idea for summer. Freeze aloe vera gel in an ice cube tray and rub one over sunburned skin. AAAAAHHHH!

By Carol from Lancaster, PA

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A businessman taking a seminar on work efficiency completed a case study of his wife's routine for fixing breakfast, and presented the results to the class. "After a few days of observation, I quickly determined the practices that were robbing her of precious time and energy," the man reported. "Taking note of how many trips she made to the kitchen to the dining room carrying just one item, I suggested that, in the future, she carry several items at a time."

"Did it work?" the teacher asked.

"It sure did," replied the businessman. "Instead of taking her 20 minutes to fix my breakfast, it now takes ME just seven."

By Doggy from S.A. TX

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• If you are bringing meat in a cooler that will not be cooked soon, freeze it before putting it in the cooler. Cans of concentrated juice can be brought along to help keep items cool as well, just be sure to put each can in its own ziplock bag in case it leaks.

• Soup and chili can also be made and frozen ahead of time and placed in ziplock bags in the cooler.

• Bringing a separate cooler just for beverages will help keep your other food cool. That way people can open and close to the cooler for beverages without letting cold air out of your cooler with meat and other perishables.

• Also, save space by freezing some water bottles. You will have some fresh water and not have to pack as much ice.

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Tips for storing yeast.

You can extend the life of yeast by storing it in the freezer. Active dry yeast can be stored in the freezer for up to a year. Freeze it in sealed plastic or glass container and be sure to mark it with the date of purchase.

By Fisher

I keep 2 lb. bag Fleishman's Yeast in freezer up to 2 months after opening. Got the tip from Aaron Brown of Good Eats! on the Food Network. Net savings is $74.00 and the yeast does proof!

By Vicki

In my fridge freezer I have a tupperware container with yeast in it. I bet the yeast is at least 3 years old. I used to make my own bread and now do not and so use a lot less yeast. I have not noticed any lack of inability for the yeast to rise because it is "old". It has been stored in the freezer and in the tupperware container since I bought it. So... just because the yeast may be over 6 months to 1 year in age, as long as it still rises... great, use it.

By Valleyrimgirl

I would suggest buying yeast in bulk at sams or a resturant supply. I buy it for $1.59 a pound. This is about the same price as a 3 strip packages of yeast. This will reduce the price to a few cents per package equivalent.

2 1/2 tsp. = 1 pkg.

Accourding to red star this is the way to store:

Once opened yeast will live for 2 weeks at room temperature, 6 weeks in the refrigerator, and 6 months in the freezer. I put the yeast in a zip-lock bag, remove the air and place in the feezer. Remember that yeast is a living organism so correct temperature is important.

By Sue

Yeast will last longer than specified on those little packages from the grocery store if kept in the refrigerator and even longer in the freezer (up to a year).

By Brenda Cole

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Whether you drive an economy car or an SUV, there are plenty of ways to improve your gas mileage. Avoid aggressive driving and observe the speed limit. Speeding, fast acceleration, and hard braking wastes gas. Lighten your load by clearing your car of extra weight, and remove roof racks or carriers if not used frequently. Keep current with car maintenance - clean air filters can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%. Properly inflated and aligned tires will improve gas mileage by 3%. Using the wrong grade of oil can reduce mileage by 1% to 2%. For longer-term savings, consider a high-mileage vehicle for your next purchase. See www.fueleconomy.gov for more on buying a fuel-efficient car or truck. (Source: US Department of Energy)

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I just discovered something about 35 mm print photos. Light goes right through them and you can see your photo on either side.

Imagine a lightbulb with a pinwheel on top, maybe several different types of photos of fireplaces, water falls and even a covered wagons and you could have a action lamp of the 50s.

Well, not as big but, what if you could project shows off the pictures through those photos onto a plain lamp shade. It Works! I wish I had a pinwheel for on top of the lightbulb. That isn't something you can easily make, At least not me!

I made a suncatcher for the morning sunny window. I cut the picture, which was a double, to size to fit in one if those little cross stitch frames.

What I cut out was blue with a few puffy clouds sky with two full leafed trees reaching for it. I tried it against the setting sun and it lit up. The funny part, the sun was coming from practically the same view as that bit of photo.

Oh well. I think this has gift possibilities for my friends and relatives. Not much cost in it but they can enjoy the scene for many years hanging in their window.

Hey, I hope I helped someone else to even come up with more ideas.

A picture is worth how many words?

Happy idea making from Mr.Thrifty from Shermans Dale, PA

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I am learning that restaurant-bill discrepancies are not uncommon, but they are rarely caught. Many patrons now pay with debit or credit cards. The check arrives at the table, and they give it a cursory glance at best. Provided the final amount falls somewhere in the acceptable range, they sign and go. And that could be a big mistake.

My friends Jennifer and Ryan, on a recent dining-out experience, noticed two additional items on their bill that they did not order. Jennifer pointed this out to the restaurant's manager. His response? Fat-Finger Syndrome.

Huh? He said this happens when a waiter or waitress gets rushed and hits the wrong key or too many keys on the keypad when inputing the order. Can you believe they actually have a name for this? Well, at least that particular Outback Steakhouse does. That should tell us how common such a misstep really is.

So, pay attention, folks! And when you discover a problem, respond with dignity and grace. The outcome will be more to your liking than if you make a scene and embarrass everyone around you, your kids, for example.

By the way, Jennifer and Ryan received a $20 gift card and an apology, a wise move on the part of Outback Steakhouse. Outback saved a customer, because Jennifer and Ryan ended up returning for another meal to spend their gift card.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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I have a request from my daughter for an Australian themed 8th birthday party. Any ideas for games, decorations, crafts, etc.?

Siobhan from Surrey, UK

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I also could use a homemade ant killer.

Thanks so very much.

Jamish from Ranson, KS

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How do you remove gasoline from my car's carpet?

Ingrid from Blind Bay British Columbia

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I have had DSL from Verizon for almost a year and have had nothing but trouble, trouble, trouble with it. I have chosen not to cancel it yet because if I do before my year subscription is up I get zapped a penalty. I would like to know if anyone else has had problems with verizon. I end up calling verizon on an average of twice a week with so many problems. A lot of them have to do with e-mails, for example, sometimes I can't send e-mails to any one with an address of hotmail or aol. Sometimes it takes forever to download things. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture. In our area the only other option I have is to go with Comcast, which I hear is terrific but quite expensive. May I please hear from anyone that has verizon, especially in the Northshore area of Massachusetts.

Thank you kindly.

Regards,
Joesgirl from Beverly, MA

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Does anyone have any craft ideas using washcloths?

Thanks,

Eleanor from Duluth, MN

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My problem is with my zucchini, I grow it in containers on my sun deck where I have had great success with tomatoes in the past so I thought I would try some zucchini this year along with the tomatoes. To this date, they are doing great except that some of the fruit seems to be rotting on the vine. We have been having a lot of rain the past few days (approx. 4 inches). I thought about spraying with a mixture of antibacterial soap and peroxide. Any suggestions? Thanks for your sudden response.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Ray from Pittsburgh, PA

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I got krazy glue on my microsuede couch. I need help getting it out if possible.

Thanks,
Chris rubio from indianapolis, IN

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I have a recipe that says to cook ribs in 2 bottles of barbecue sauce and then cover the ribs the rest of the way with water and bring to a boil, then simmer till done. Then put the ribs on the outdoor gas grill and turn and baste for 20 minutes till brown. I did this and it was delicious. I wonder if chicken could be cooked the same way?
I appreciate all replies.

Thanks
P.J. from Delaware

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Will clematis vine and sweet pea vine grow well in Roulette, PA.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Jean from Roulette, PA

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I sure could use a homemade urine-be-gone. I have got to say how very pleased I am that this site is on the computer, I go here all the time and find the answers I am looking for.

Thanks so very much.

Jamish from Ranson, KS

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I need advice about my oak table top. I believe whatever it was finished with is wearing off and this is not an old table. Can I sand off this finish on top and refinish it? What is a recommended finish which is durable, yet still allows us to see the beauty of the wood? I have never done anything like this before, but I am handy.

Sandy from Stoughton, WI

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I have an 8 month old cockapoo and she is driving me nuts. I think she might have bladder problems or something. I take her outside to go pee and poop but she does not go and I wait out there for 10 minutes. Then we go inside and about 15 minutes she goes pee on the rug or poop. I scold her only if I see her do it or she just finishes. I always know when she did it because she always goes running into her crate as soon as she does. She knows it is bad but I just don't get it.

I might have some ideas of why she might be having these problems. I have a male in my house, too. She might have bladder problems. She was just spayed 2 months ago and her stitches are gone. Do all female cockapoos just have problems?

Melissa from Huntingtown, MD

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I have a whirlpool refrigerator and the ice maker does not work. I tried the hair dryer trick but it didn't help. The ice maker seems to operate due to the fact that it goes through the cycle. I pulled out the fridge away from wall and it seems to me that water will not go up the line into the freezer compartment. Can some one please assist me with this problem?

Edna from Orlando, Florida

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I have a favorite restaurant in the Jacksonville Florida area called "Jimmie's Buttermilk Chicken". They serve a wonderful (sweet) creamed peas as one of their side dishes. Does anyone have their recipe (or any real good recipe) for CREAMED PEAS (no potatoes, no mushrooms, no onions... JUST PEAS!)

Thanks!

Juana Cookie from GA

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Has anyone used or uses a retro push mower? I am talking about the "old fashioned" ones that you push without gas and are now made of light weight metal? If so, are they pretty good? I have a rather large yard but it has a lot of flower beds that break it up. I want to cut back on the every week yard service I have. I thought that if I bought one of these I could do a touch up with this type of mower and then have the yard man come every other week. TIA!

JONNIE from Owensboro, KY

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How can you get self tanning stains off of clothing?

Jeanne from Bradenton Beach, FL

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Does anyone have a suggestion as to how I can clean my carpet, and spots with one of the homemade cleaners you suggested, BUT without a carpet shampooer and machine?

Clanmackinnon from Buffalo, NY

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I got permanent marker on my new white leather chairs! There are two small dots around 1 cm x 1 cm. I tried cleaning them with detergent straight away and they've faded. I've tried hairspray as well. My parents are going to kill me. Please help!

Katie

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Can someone tell me what is a good cleaner, store bought or homemade, for shower doors? I hate cleaning them but there is got to be something to make it easier to get off that filmy white stuff.

Thanks,
Debbie from Garden City, MI

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I'm wondering if anybody could help. My kitten who is 6 weeks old has recently started clawing at her mouth causing it to bleed. This happens usually after taking a bite of food but yesterday she was doing it even when not eating, she would claw at her mouth with both paws every 20 seconds or so. I took her to the vet who seemed to be at a loss as the cause of this, stating "she's never seen anything like it before". She was kept at the vets overnight for observation, and now although not all the time she is still clawing at her mouth when eating. The vet has prescribed Antepsin but I can't see how this will help as this is for stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Jason from UK

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Eversave

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Selecting High-Quality Chayote: Chayote goes by many names, including vegetable pear, but it has a unique taste all to its own. It is usually prepared like a summer squash, but has a crispier texture and longer cooking time. Look for dark to light green, firm, pear-shaped fruit that is free of blemishes. Select those with tender skins.

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A really impressive juggling performance done to music by Chris Bliss (chrisbliss.com).

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A lot of these tips are for tent camping. They are inspired by some hints from an old Boy Scout site.

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