Daily Thrifty Tips - February 15, 2007

Scooter Bentley (Bichon/Yorkie)

Scooter Bentley is a 10 month Bichon Yorkie. Scooter joined our family in June, 2006 in Ohio.

He loves to play with his toys, go for walks, play with other neighborhood puppies and he very loveable.

Scooter loves to give kisses and get hugs. He has a very sweet nature and personality.

By DiAnne from Leesburg, Florida

Here is Scooter Bentley's previous entry:

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Homemade Febreze

I love using Febreeze Fabric Freshener but have found it to be quite expensive when used constantly. So, I decided to make my own Fabric Freshener and it is less costly.

You will need:

• Spray Bottle (I use an empty Febreeze one)
• Liquid Fabric Softener

Spray away and be happy.

Carolyn from E Northport, NY

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Ways To Reduce Salad Dressing Use

The new salad dressings with sprayers are pretty pricey even if you have a coupon. To control the amount of salad dressing we use at home, I do not remove the foil seal when opening the new bottle. I take a toothpick and punch several holes in the foil top. I also invested in an inexpensive spray bottle and make my own spray dressings. Why pay someone else to do this for you?

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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Foil To Prevent Pet Accidents

We had a problem with one of our cats pooping around the litter box but not in it. In fact she really liked the bathroom rug. Our vet recommended us to lay down foil in the places she was pooping because they don't like the feel of foil on their paws. Well we covered the entire space where she was going except for the litter box and a small path to it. Worked like a charm. Kept at it for a while then slowly started removing the foil. If she started back to her little habit, we put the foil right back. Took a while but Ms. Kitty finally got the message!

By Sarah from Hixson, TN

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Endless Cleaning Possibilities For Toothbrushes

I bought a cheap, battery operated toothbrush for cleaning in the kitchen for grooves in plastic containers,in between fork tines, pot handles. Other uses: cleaning combs, false teeth and the best one: cleaning the nose guards on your eye glasses. Endless possibilities.

By Keeper from Morganton, NC

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Weekend At A State Park

One getaway I would highly recommend is a weekend visit to a state park! I live in Indiana, and you can reserve a cabin for $25 to $35 per night. The cabins are furnished, have electricity, private bathroom and shower, and kitchen. You bring your own linens, dishes, etc. There is no television, which I personally felt was an advantage. We brought cards and board games for entertainment, but you could bring a TV if you really needed one. We stayed for a long weekend and went hiking, explored a cave and a waterfall, went horseback riding and swimming. It was wonderful!

Check with your state's Department of Natural Resources or your local Chamber of Commerce or Parks Department for information in your area.

By Becki from Logansport, Indiana

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Dryer Sheet For Your Hair

This is how you or the kids get static electricity out of your hair in a pinch or spur of the moment. Take a half of sheet (frugal) of clothes dryer fabric softener and rub it through the hair. And voila! Static is gone.

By Diana from La Cygne, KS

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Cooking Tips For Vegetables

Anything that grows under the ground, start off in cold water: potatoes, beets, carrots, etc. Anything that grows above the ground, start off on boiling water: peas, green beans, etc. Never put a cover on anything that is cooked in milk unless you want to spend hours cleaning up the stove when it boils over.

By Jan from Suring, WI

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Buy Two Of Bargain Finds

If you find something you like that's a bargain, why not buy two? I got some inexpensive dollar sunglasses I liked a while ago and bought two pairs. Now one is shot, and I am working on the second one. (And I just found another style I liked and bought another two pairs, for $2.)

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Removing Stains From Washable Clothes

• Alcoholic Drinks: rinse with cold water immediately, if isn't removed with cold water and glycerine scrub gently and rinse with vinegar


• Blood: presoak in cold water for 30 minutes. if isn't removed, add ammonia water and scrub gently.


• Candle Wax/Crayon: use a dull knife to scrape off as much as possible. then place wax between two facial tissues. press with warm iron. wash as usual.


• Chewing Gum: rub area with ice cube, scrape off with dull knife. wash with warm water.


• Coffee/Cocoa/Tea: sponge with cold water immediately. wash in warm water with detergent and bleach (color safe bleach if for colored clothes)

By LRP from Lowell, MA

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Non-Electric Laundry Machine

Almost 30 years ago I frequently used a non electric washing machine in Eureka, California in my small apartment. It held up to two white sheets, cleaned really well, was easy to use, but, I also purchased a wringer that would clamp to my sink to ring out the clothes. It saved a lot of money, used less water and soap and was a god send. I am now looking to purchase another one if i can find where to get one. If you know, please let me know. I now live in ash grove, missouri and am almost 70 years old and disabled to where going to the laundry is too hard for me, but, I have great use of my arms and would like another. The name as I recall may have been wonder-washer?

Marilyn

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Recipes for Lent

Seeing that lent is near and i don't eat meat on friday's would you have any good ideas for fish, or non-meat meals.

By LRP from Lowell, MA

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Mr and Mrs Santa - Made out of Magazine Pages

I saw a Mr & Mrs. Santa once that was made out of magazine pages that were folded over and I am trying to find the instructions. Has anyone saw this pattern anywhere and know where I might get the instructions? The base was a piece of round styrofoam.

Thank you for your help,
Vicky from Canadensis, PA

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Will vanilla grow in a tropical climate?

Will vanilla grow in a tropical climate that has a wet and dry seasons?

Nathan from Nicaragua

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Nougat Recipe

How do you make Nougat like you find in candy bars?

Joe from AR

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Spraying Cat

My neutered male cat has begun spraying when he doesn't get what he wants. At first i thought it was a mistake then after observing this behavior over several months, it became clear it's deliberate. When he didn't get the food he wanted, he sprayed the unwanted kibble so it was ruined. Another time, he sprayed directly onto the bag of the kibble he preferred, like it was his way of 'pointing.' This type behavior began happening at least once each day. He's not trusted indoors now. Can this cat be helped, and if so, how?

Gator from TX

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Latex Paint on Fabric

How do we remove latex paint from fabric? Is it even possible?

Amy from PA

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Carpet Glue on Tile

I want to remove old carpet glue from my bedroom tiles. Please help.

Hazera from Abudhabi, UAE

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Silver Cleaner

I saw someone on tv once that was using a combination of washing soda, salt and alluminum to clean sterling silver cutlery in seconds. I tried it but it didn't work! Have I got the ratio wrong?

S. Taylor from Toronto, ON

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Olevia 37" LCD HDTV Reviews

Product: Olevia 37" LCD HDTV

Request: I am looking for a review on the Olevia 37" LCD HDTV.

Dennis from Shelby, NC

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Chenille Style Pattern for Infants and Toddlers

I am looking for a crochet pattern in a Chenille style for infants and toddlers. It is an older pattern that has since been discontinued. I appreciate any help obtaining the instructions.

Sincerely,
Nelwyn from Bunkie, LA

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Could This Be Strep?

My husband's dangly thing in the back of this throat is longer than normal and starting to curl up it seems like. It just started bothering him about 4 days ago,his throat is really hurting him, does the dangly thing have anything to do with it? If it does, what should i do for him? Could it be strep throat?

Kaila from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

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Homemade Toner

I am looking for ingredients for a homemade astringent or toner.

Nancy from Lancaster, PA

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Homemade Stamp Ink

Does anyone have a recipe for making stamp pad ink?

Thanks,
Annie from Northern California

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Cleaning Viscose Fabric

What type of fabric is viscose? I bought pants at goodwill and I didn't notice that they were dry clean only pants until I got home. I don't do dry-cleaning! They are 80% viscose, and I was wondering what might happen to them if I washed them in my washer. Any ideas?

Amy from Charlotte

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Cat Throwing Up Worms

I am 12 weeks pregnant and just found my cat (I have 3 "indoor" cats) throwing up a pile of "life" roundworms. I also have a 6 year old child. What do I need to do? I will take that cat to the vet and get him and the other 2 treated. I have isolated all the cats in different rooms. Now do I have to "wash" all my carpets and upholstery? I have a large house! Do I have to take my child to the doctor? Can they even test if she is infected? How long should I isolate the cats?

Thank you for any answers!
Tania

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30th Birthday Party Ideas

My wife is turning 30 in june and I have no idea what to do for it. I thought about having a party at our house, but that is just blah. Any ideas would be helpful. She loves the ocean and looking for something that all her friends and family can be a part of.

Drew

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Coping with Fibromyalgia: One Woman's Story
By Debra Frick

Hello everybody, my name is Debra Frick and I have Fibromyalgia. Sounds like an introduction at a 12 step program, doesn't it? But sometimes, it is the disease that defines who we are. Now, I must make it clear that I am no expert on Fibromyalgia; except for the fact that I live daily with the pain and I know many people who suffer as I do. This is my story, plain and simple. I am telling you this story to try and give some suggestions of things that have worked for me and might work for you. I know that everyone's symptoms are different with this disease. Some suffer greatly and are in and out of the hospital. I am lucky, if I am not in flare, I can cope with the strategies that I have come up with. What I am trying to offer you, my friends, is hope. It is a powerful motivator.

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