Daily Thrifty Tips - June 19, 2006

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Here is a photo of an old dress form I decorated. I used an old dress found at a garage sale. The following two photos are more of my dress forms.

By Mary from LeRoy, Il.

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Toot is approximately 10 years old. He showed up on my doorstep many years ago, meowing to get in. He looked like he was about 6 months old at that time.

He's a sleeper, but he does love to be petted and have his head scratched. I began telecommuting to work two days a week and this photo shows how Toot helps me earn my paycheck.

By June from Bartlett, TN

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Sparkles is 4 years old. I was over someone's house (which I will not mention) when I noticed that this house has about 8 dogs and there was Sparkles, just being picked on by the dogs.

Sparkles was being poked and nipped and pulled on. Sparkles is also declawed so she had no way of protecting her self. I was very angry. Sparkles got away from the dogs and then she threw-up on the floor. The person that owned her yelled at her, which she should not have done.

Iwent right over to Sparkles and picked her up in my arm to let her know that she is safe with me now. I told the owner that I was taking Sparkles home with me TODAY! So that is how I got her. I saved her 1 year ago.

Well, when I first got Sparkles she was very, very scared. So it took about 5 to 6 months for her to trust me. Sparkles is a very laid back cat. She's afraid to go outside. So she likes to sunbath by the window with the fresh air blowing on her little face. She likes to go on the back screened in porch and smell the fresh cut grass andd watch Molly and birds. Sparkles loves to lay on everyone's lap.

When I do my workout, Sparkles will sit there and watch and then when I'm not looking, she jumps at my feet and takes off running. She keeps doing that till I'm done working out. At the end of the day when it is time to sleep, Sparkles comes in the room and cuddles up above my head. she "purrs" sleeps till the next morning. Sparkles is my little Angel.

By Margarita from Greentown

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To help save money when grocery shopping or shopping for multiple items anywhere, use a tally counter to keep track of your spending and don't be surprised when you get to the register. Calculators never work for me because I always end up zeroing by mistake.

Example of a tally counter: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000C1XTB/104-7121830-3860750

By Lisa from Oakland, CA

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Braid your wet hair in small sections (I do this before going to bed). When I wake up, I take down the braids and have an instant perm that lasts for days. But it will wash out when you shampoo again. Remember the thicker the braid, the longer it takes to dry. So use less hair in each braid. The braids don't hurt your head when sleeping like rollers do. Everyone thinks I just stepped out of the salon.

By Trisha from Alabama

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The most hated job in the world; cleaning the oven and racks. I found out 2 years ago about this, and it is a cinch; a job I no longer dread.

Make sure, of course, to have good ventilation. Then, spray the oven with straight ammonia. In the meantime, cover the racks with paper towel - I use a little scotch tape to secure here and there, then take them outside and saturate the paper towel with straight ammonia. I use a spray bottle. Secure the wrapped racks in a plastic garbage bag for a few hours, or overnight. Viola...you can wash them off with soap and water, and they sparkle like brand new.

By Wanda from Venice, Fl.

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I am blessed with a husband who has a green thumb. He let some lettuce go to seed last fall, and this spring we have been inundated with a hundred heads or more of organically grown Bibb and oakleaf lettuce. We took a big bag of washed lettuce to church today and told everyone to take some home. We brought extra grocery bags so they could take what they wanted.

At first they were shy. But after much encouragement, and when the most well-to-do family helped themselves, the rest disappeared quickly. I think this is an example of the Lord providing so that even "poor folks" like us can be rich and have plenty to share. It made me feel rich and happy, and proud of my husband. We will share some more of the Lord's largesse next Sunday with our church family.

By Coreen from Rupert, ID

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I am a single mother of three and a teacher at Head Start. We don't make much money (think fast food restaurants) and we get laid off for the summer so I must live frugally throughout the year. I haven't bought clothes at full price in two years. When I did, it was because I had an income tax refund. I receive clothing from friends and family and I "shop" at a free church in town. No one even imagines that I get my wardrobe for free!

I had a baby four months ago and while I was pregnant, I took classes at a pregnancy intervention center. They gave me mommy money in exchange for a class about parenting one hour each week. With the money, I bought a baby bouncy seat, clothes, a baby gate, maternity clothes, nursing clothes, bottles, and much more. When I finished the program, they gave me a brand new bassinet.

I only buy baby products at Kroger because I get "points" for each dollar I spend on baby items. I use my WIC (Women, Infants and Children - http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/) there and get points for that. Kroger brand items count double so I buy them as often as possible. Also, with coupons, I can buy some name brand items cheaper than the generic.

I receive food stamps and try to be as frugal as possible with them. I shop at Kroger for my regular groceries and Winn-Dixie for my meat because they always have meat buy 1 get 1 free. I also buy food from Angel Food Ministries. I can get a weeks worth of groceries for a family of four for $25. Visit http://www.angelfoodministries.com for more info.

I have a $20/month telephone and I am accidentally paying AOL for internet (I forgot to cancel my free trial in time). We NEVER rent movies. For the price of rentals, I buy DVDs at WalMart and secondhand stores. I bought some great kids movies at Wal Mart for $1 each. For entertainment, we go to the library, park, a track near our hospital has Canada Geese around all the time so we go there to feed the geese. I also look for free events in our town.

I always look for something free with items I buy. I once got a free Dragon Tales DVD with a box of training pants, WIC honors BOGO, so I can get 2 lb. of cheese if it's on sale BOGO, I buy the WIC cereal with free toys inside for the kids. I check out any sale bin, etc., that I pass.

I only live frugally enough that I don't owe any bills to anyone. I never want to be without electricity or a home. I do want my kids to look nice and clean and we always dress as nice as possible. We always have food around and I try to help others as much as they help me. I have recently found even more ways to save money through bartering with other moms, freecycle, and paperback swapping. I hope to have fun with these new "techniques". I love to save money, it gives me a high, LOL.

Scruggle from Dublin, GA

Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml

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I keep a magic eraser in my shower and go over the the tub and shower every time I take a shower. Keeps cleaning time down to a minimum and my shower is always clean.

By Kim from NJ

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Don't buy items when you are stressed out or anxious. Always be prepared to leave a store or a car lot if you don't feel comfortable with your purchase. Most items can be returned, no questions asked, within the first month of purchase if they are unopened. So if you get home and have buyer's remorse because you feel like you paid too much or got pressured into buying something you didn't want, go ahead at take the item back immediately. Any reputable store will allow you to return the item.

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If you have ever had a freezer lose power and have had the stench of rotten meat--here's a tip I learned from my Grandmother. Not sure why but their freezer shut down. They always bought their meat in later year, in halves. Before that they were farmers and raised their own.

After cleaning their freezer out with baking soda, they put a large bag of charcoal in the bottom of the fridge for several days. The smell was gone and they were able to use the freezer again. Before the charcoal, they thought they were going to have to get rid of it.

Several years after this happened to them, my husband needing a 3 prong adapter, unplugged our freezer and forgot to plug it back in. I used Grandma's advise and it worked for me. Appliances are very expensive so I appreciated Grandma's knowledge in the matter. I'm kind of new to this site and imagine that this may have been posted before but thought maybe there are other people out there like me. Speaking of this site---IT IS AWESOME! I'm addicted to it!

By PeggyLee from Cecil, OH

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Frugal For Life

A great blog with posts about frugal living.

More Information:
http://www.frugalforlife.blogspot.com/

I have recently had my braces removed. I have 2 retainers I have to wear every night. The only retainer cleaner I have ever used is from Aquafresh. They are denture tablets, you soak them in a tablet and hot water. The thing is I can rarely find this product. Does anyone know of another way to clean your retainers? Soap and water is a no-no.

Thanks for any help.
Dana from Newkensington, PA

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I bought a 5 lb. bag of self-rising flour to use in one specific recipe... now I have most of the bag leftover and wondered how I might use it up? Can I use it in a recipe that calls for all-purpose flour and baking powder and just leave out the leavening? Could it be used for biscuits perhaps?

Thanks,
Debbie from IL

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I need to know where I can find Grandma's Browns Baked Beans down south. My mother brings them from PA when she comes down here. I never noticed them in our area.

Polly Anne from Bradenton, Florida

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We're having an outdoor "messy" party for our young friends ages 2-8. I have painting, making slime, water balloon tosses and making ice cream sundaes for activities planned. The problem is that EVERYONE RSVP'd that they are coming (when does that ever happen?) so now we're expecting around 35 kids and 12 adults. I need some more ideas for fun, thrifty outdoor games to keep these little ones entertained! Thanks for your help!

Becky from Salkum, WA

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I've just moved into a new flat. My cat is 9 years old now an he's moved before. Any tips on how I can make it easier for him to settle in?

Vansfan from East Mids

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I cut down a Rose of Sharon bush that had become a tree (!), which was growing up against my house. Now I have "suckers" coming up through the ground in an area about 10 feet all around where it was! Help! They are impossible to pull out of the ground (long roots). Is there any way to get rid of them? I am unable to remove the root system from the Rose of Sharon since it is very deep and mainly under my house.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Thanks!
Kathy from Indianapolis

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I have two 15 month old cats and about 6 months ago I noticed that if I left clothes lying in the floor the cats would pee on them. Just a few days ago when I was doing laundry I left a pile of clothes in the floor and warned my cats not to pee on them. As soon as I turned around I heard one cat scratching in the litter box and the other one peeing in the floor next to the clothes. They have always been litter buddies and I see both of them using the box. Do you think that maybe they are starting to refuse to use the same box? What do you suggest that I do? Please help!

Beverly from Arizona

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A deer has sheared of all my hosta leaves, leaving just the stalks. Will the leaves grow back this year?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Thank you,
Jean from West Dundee, IL

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I am looking for a recipe for pepper relish. Hot and/or mild.

Thank you,
Tuey from Fort Collins, CO

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Hi Ellen,

I love Clematis and I have bought 3 plants this year. My garden is all around the perimeter of my yard with a fence. I would like to have them growing eventually all around but the expense is not within my budget. How can i start new plants from clippings of my already purchased plants?

Gratefully,
Karen from Leamington, Ontario Canada

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I had a yankee candle that had a fragrance in it that i disliked. i waited until it turned to liquid then dumped the liquid wax out. I wonder if it would be okay to pour new wax into it and use it again?

Thanks,
P.J. from Delaware

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I am looking for helpful advice, or anything regarding children with autism. My son has been given pdd label for special services over a year ago and was diagnosed with autism recently. Where to start or any help would be great.

Janmarie from Grays Harbor, WA

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I am looking for recipes using blueberries as a jam or jelly. Or any other recipes!

Thanks!
Michele from Western, KY

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How do I remove dark brown hair dye from a cream leather couch?

Joanne from Hartlepool

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I bought an old chest with particle board back and some on the drawers. The rest is painted wood. It has a bad smell--not sure if it is mildew or what. How can I remove the odor?

Speedmom from Atlanta

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Yesterday evening I discovered a young rabbit in my back yard. I figured it was responsible for the eaten plants in my gardens. I just discovered five or six tomatoes had been partially eaten, one almost completely finished and some had a single bite. I took photos and there are distinct teeth marks that look like the front teeth of a rabbit. I live in a subdivision that's two years old and this is the first time it's happened. What should I do? I don't want to lose my veggies to a bunny.

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Limner from Katy, TX

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I am looking for recipes to make 2 great dishes from Trinidad called ROTI and BUSIP SHIRT. They have curry, potatoes, seasonings and meat, poultry, or shrimp of your choice. The ROTI has a tortilla shape of skin folded around the filling. The skin is made with flour, split peas, and other items. It can be held in your hands and eaten that way or cut with knife and fork. The BUSIP SHIRT is similar in that the filling is put on a dinner plate and the tortilla shape skin is folded and dipped into the filling and eatened. The pronunciation of ROTI sounds like "row tee". BUSIP SHIRT sounds like "busted shirt". They are really great and I really would like to make them.

tryanything from Jackson, NJ

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I would like to know how to stop weeds from growing in the cracks of the driveway and sidewalk. I am getting really tired of pulling them out one by one.

Helen OBrien from Trenton, ON

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I finally got serious about the diet, but keep coming across recipes that include Tofu. (I hate tofu) Is there something similar that could be substituted?

Thanks,
Sue from Ft. Worth, TX

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How do I start a cherry tree from the pit?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Edie White from Whitmore, CA

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

It seems like organizing your garage can be a never ending task. Lots of companies make millions of dollars selling all kinds of storage systems to try to make your garage just a little bit more organized. OK I'm about to confess -- We've had this problem, too! I know, it's hard to believe, isn't it? The cool thing is we found a great organization tool that cost us nothing.

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Selecting High-Quality Bell & Sweet Peppers: Select crisp, thick-fleshed peppers that are free from blemishes and have a bright color. Pick home grown peppers when they have fully matured.

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