Daily Thrifty Tips - June 16, 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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Whitley is a 4-5 year old mixed Lhasa. We adopted our girl from PetFinder on the internet about 2 years ago. She was Shabby Chic and needed lots of love.

She loves to snuggle on the bed with us, especially when our granddaughter Lacey is here.

We've never had such a loving, appreciative, giving, happy dog. And because we rescued her, she knows "she's home". She's very attuned to us and gives her love and is very well behaved. Loves children and pets, too.

By albert07 from Arab, AL

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On a grey, wet, May day in Western Washington, the state flower (rhododendron) adds a little color.

By Dineen from Burien, WA

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My "Oasis" is in my backyard. A project all my own. My husband was a bit skeptical in the beginning, but now is quite enjoying it. It's pretty in the winter, but serene, private, shaded from the hot Georgia sun in the Spring/Summer when the leaves return. It's a beautiful and relaxing place to relax when gardening or to just sit and read a book. I believe it's always a work in progress.

By Amie Kieffer from Atlanta, GA

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Before purchasing something from a store, make sure you know and understand their return policies, and how they apply to what you are buying. Most stores have restocking fees for opened items and some items like software cannot be returned if opened. Also, some stores only accept returns of certain types of items, like electronics, for anywhere from 7 to 30 days after purchase.

By Fisher

If you are buying a store brand for the first time and are hesitant if it will match up to the brand name, check with the store on their satisfaction/return policy. The Target and Walmart near me will refund 100% of your money if you are unsatisfied, as long as you retain the receipt. This was great to know when I started experimenting with store brand diapers and also formula. Nothing wasted if you know you can return it if it doesn't prove to be satisfactory.

By Keelie S.

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To keep brass collectibles or silver-plated picture frames or various what-knots from tarnishing try this: While the item is new and bright colored, spray it with two coats of clear lacquer/shellac. Let it dry completely between coats. It will not tarnish in the future. This method can also be used on plastic/poly-resin items that are exposed to sunlight to keep them from fading so quickly. Examples: yard decorations and items indoors that are left near a window sill.

By Laura from Elberta, AL

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You have probably noticed that the serving sizes at most restaurants is either more than a person can eat or more than a person should eat. Here's a way to prevent over eating while gaining an extra meal in the process. As soon as the server sets down a plate, divide your meal in half. Eat half at the restaurant and take the other half home to eat for lunch the following day. Your waist line will thank you.

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When feeding pets canned food indoors try this to make it much less messy. Place their bowl or dish on a large piece of newspaper. If the dish is against a wall, angle the newspaper so it extends a little way up the wall instead of laying flat on the floor. this will keep the pet from pushing any dropped food between the wall & baseboard area. When your pet is finished eating, just throw away the newspaper. The floor should stay relatively clean. I don't know, maybe I just have messy pets!

By Laura from Elberta, AL

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I just scored on a concertina for $20 in a thrift shop (used ones go for 3 times that much) and the bonus is that I found I could get instructional material on the INTERNET, so I could get going without further expense. Check the internet for musical materials for whatever you play! You can find fingering charts, tips and all sorts of stuff there.

By pam from L.A., CA

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If you are trying to get your pet to pose for a good picture:

1. If you are trying to get them to sit in a basket then try to get them used to the basket a couple days before.

2. Treats don't work, they get your dog hyper so they won't cooperate.

3. Try puting them in the pose you want a couple days before so they will already be prepared.

Most of all, have fun with your dog at the same time!

By Hannah from Cumming, GA

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Here's a tip if you're going swimming and don't have any ear plugs. You can keep a new can of children's Silly Putty on hand, to tear off a bit to put in your ears. To tear off enough so you'll be able to pull it out of your ear, once you're finished swimming. The reason to make sure it's a new can, you don't know what kinds of germs are in the ones they might have already played with. Be sure to use the putty that's not been played with yet.

By Terri from NV

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The Good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes and sand gnats come close.

By Terri from NV

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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http://webby.com/humor

I would like to know about keeping a rolly pollie as a pet. I mostly want to know what to feed him. He's in a cage and has a name, I just want to know what to feed them.

Lindsay from Hollister, CA

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I would like a good recipe for a chocolate peanut butter cheese cake.

Thanks for your help,

NMCL from ONTARIO

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How do I know if I am burning fat when I use my treadmill? I have a calorie indicator and a pulse monitor but how do I know if I am working out effectively? I weigh 160 and am 5'9 and 37 years old. Please help if you know! How long will it take for me to lose 10 pounds if I eat sensibly.

Any tips anyone?

Paula from USA

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I have a hydrangea plant that is in its 3rd year. It gets mostly afternoon sun and morning shade. Why won't it bloom? My mom has one, too. We bought them together. She has blooms, I don't. I am jealous! Any advice?

Hardiness Zone: 4b

Lisa5 from Billings, MT

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I have many Mulberry trees that are almost ready to pick. I would like to make jam with them this year. Do I need to take out all the little stems when making cooked jam or will they cook up soft in the processing? Thanks for any advice or recipes for Mulberries that come this way!

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Karaof4 from MN

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I have two 12 year old cats who have lived their whole lives at my house. They are mainly indoor cats but have always been free to go outside whenever they wanted. In 2 weeks I will be moving to a mobile home. It has a small yard but there is a lot of traffic and I don't want to let them outside, at least not for a while. I know it will be a shock to them to suddenly be indoor only cats. If anyone has experience with kind of situation I would appreciate any advice.

Thank you,

Joyann from Visalia CA

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I love fresh avocados and can sometimes get really good deals on them. Does anyone know of a recipe or if you can freeze them in any way? TIA

Cookiepom from Owensboro, KY

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Looking for new life for leftover hot dogs. I need some ideas so we can eat them as leftovers.

kimbers867 from Joppa, MD

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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."

More Information:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61219677.tip.html

Breed Description: The Ibizan Hound is tall, elegant and athletic in appearance. Originally bred for hunting rabbits, the sight hound also relied on its keen sense of smell and large erect ears and to help track his quarry. Today the Ibizan is largely kept as an affectionate and loyal family pet.

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This is an entree salad that is great for one of those hot summer evenings! The best part of this salad is that its so easy. Oh yeah and it tastes so wonderful at the end of a hot day! I always appreciate easy meals. This is kid friendly too! My 6 year old twins and toddler always ask for seconds!

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Selecting High Quality Beets: Buy beets for freezing with the tops still on. Crisp greens are a good indicator the beets are fresh. Beets should be uniformly red and free from visible damage. Small beets tend to be tender and less woody. Home grown beets should be left in the ground until fall and pulled up immediately prior to freezing.

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