Daily Thrifty Tips - October 25, 2006

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White Boy (I know, it's sooo original) is 13+ years old and is a Domestic longhair mixed. He came from the animal shelter.

He likes to sleep and eat. I had to share this pic with everyone. I am trying to organize my closet and I put in these wire grid thingies. I just put an old fuzzy throw blanket in there today. I can see that somebody is enjoying my organizing activities.

By Joyann from Visalia, CA

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This is a simple way to decorate your sandwiches for Halloween. Great as an appetizer or sent as a school lunch.

Ingredients

• Sliced almond slivers
• Sliced Bread
• Peanut Butter or Jelly or both, tuna would also work

Directions

Make sandwich as usual then cut the crust off all the sides, keeping the curvature at the top. Now cut the sandwich into thin rectangles about 1/2 an inch wide. At the top where there is a curve even out to make it look like a tip of a finger. With a little bit of peanut butter (or mayonnaise) place one almond sliver at the end of the thin sandwich this is the fingernail.

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Each year my husband adds a couple of carvings to his collection. We light the pumpkins each evening during the month of October. I really wish all of you could bring your children and grandchildren by to see them.

Michaels and many other stores sell carvable pumpkins. Get one for each of your children or grandchildren. Let them carve them, have them sign and date the bottom. In a few years, you will have a fantastic collection of carvable pumpkins showing their skills. What a fantastic memory for the family! Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!
Tedebear

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If your refrigerator's filter is in the front grill, under the doors. When it's time to change it and you have trouble getting it out, place a tad bit of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on the new filter's ears. It will be easier to remove and change out next time. (The summer's heat can cause the filter to lock in place.)

By Terri from NV

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With winter coming to MN, it's time to get prepared with warm clothing. I learned this when the kids were small: Cut the foot off a pair of old tube socks. Then slip the tube part over the top of their boots and no snow will get in when they are outdoors.

By Simplycindy from Southern MN

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Here's a great way to store your extra plastic bags such as the ones you get at grocery stores and other stores. Fold the bag in half lengthwise (putting the handles together and lining up the bottom of the bag). Now fold again--you have a long skinny piece. Starting at the bottom of the bag, fold in thirds (like you fold a flag) until you get close to the top (where the handles are.) Secure the end (handles) into the opening that is created by this method of folding. You have a neat little triangle to store now instead of a big puffy mess of plastic.

These are easier to grab out of a basket or bag than a wadded up mess of plastic. I have a three-tiered wire mesh hanging basket in my pantry--the smaller folded bags go in one basket and the larger ones go in another basket. When I need a trash can liner, I grab the right size bag--no more searching through all the bags to get the size I need.

By Glowgirl from Watertown, WI

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I purchase a large package of already sliced mushrooms from Sam's club about every two weeks. For me it is a great price and saves time since I do not have to slice them. However fresh mushrooms spoil very quickly, especially the pre-sliced ones. My problem was that I use so many mushrooms in the dishes I make and since I am feeding a family I need a larger quantity than the normal 8oz. package. I prefer the fresh to the canned for both price and flavor along with health reasons. To me, the canned mushrooms just have too much sodium in them.

Finally, I stumbled on a great way to make them last for about two weeks and occasionally a little longer if I need. When I get home from grocery shopping, I take the package of mushrooms and transfer them all into a gallon size zip storage bag that I linned with a couple of paper towels. Whenever I get out some mushrooms to use, I check the moisture level of the paper towels.

If they are fairly damp, I replace them, making sure that most all of the mushrooms touch the towels instead of the plastic bag. This keeps the mushrooms very fresh and crisp, almost as good as the day they were first brought home.

They have remained usable and fresh enough for two weeks using this method.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

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If you don't have snow boots but need to go out in the snow, just wear two pairs of socks with a plastic produce bag between them. The layers will help keep you warm and the bag will help keep moisture out of the inner sock.

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Check to see if you get any bonus by applying online for credit cards, accounts, etc. I just got a $30 credit on one offer and my bank offers bonuses for opening accounts online. To think, they used to offer toasters and clocks!

By Pam Munro from Los Angeles

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To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

By LRP from LOWELL, MASS

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Use this recipe to help keep dust down when sweeping your basement garage or workshop. Mix 6 cups sawdust, 2 cups rock salt, and 1 1/2 cups mineral oil and put it in a jar with a lid for storage. To use, sprinkle it on your floor before sweeping.

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

More Information:
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How can I stop sweaty feet?

Ellie from Boca Raton, FL

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Does anyone have an advice about teeth whitening with benzoyl peroxide?

Monica from Kailua Kona Hawaii

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I am looking for a cute pattern to make the coffee can santas and snowmen. Thank you so much for your help!

Bonnie from Pittsburgh

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What is good for leg cramps?

Marie From Petersburg, VA

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I have wood stain splatters/spray on a fiberglass boat, how do I remove the stain? I was spraying wood stain on my fence and the spray carried over to the neighbors boat.

Terry from Jacksonville NC

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Can anyone give me an idea as to how to get red out of a load of whites that got washed with a red item? I used bleach, but that didn't work. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Jacquelyn from Walker, LA

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I have a female Golden Retriever mix that is approximately 8 years old. I also have a purebred female Collie who is 10 1/2. These dogs have both been immaculately house-trained until recently. Nearly every morning I am waking up to a bowel movement mess right by the back door in my kitchen, (thank God it's linoleum so it's easy to clean up) which is the door that they go out to potty.

Obviously they know where they are supposed to go, but for some reason they cannot seem to wait until we get up to let them out. These dogs get let out at night before we go to bed and first thing every morning. For whatever reason, it seems that, because of the consistency with which this is happening, one or the other of their "schedules" has been thrown off. How do I get them back to where they go during waking hours? This is just awful! Waking up to this every morning is really getting to me.

Can someone please give me some ideas? I'm thinking that I will have to sleep on the couch some night just to figure out who it is that is doing it. I hope someone can help. In case you can't tell, I'm terribly frustrated! Thanks ahead of time!

Robin from Washington, IA

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I have two goldfish who laid eggs and 1 of them hatched. How long does it take for the baby goldfish to grow into full grown? I already put the older fish into a new tank but I want to know how long it will be.

Sydney from CA

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I have 2 pups. One 2 year old and one a little over 3. Both dogs love to eat. One dog is overweight by 7 or so pounds. The other needs to drop about 15 pounds. What treats can be given that is healthy and won't cause a weight gain? The heavier dog actually goes to my pear tree and takes pears off and eats them whole. They are very pampered. Both are large dogs. One is 63 lbs. and the other is about 80 lbs. Any treats I can make??

Vanet from Saugerties, NY

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How do you remove permanent black marker from a micro-fiber suede couch? The cushions are attached and the color is pale olive green.

Tammy from York, PA

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My 77 year old father has Alzheimer's disease and I haven't got a clue what to get him for christmas. Any idea's would be welcome.

Tulapip from Hampshire UK

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How do you make modeling clay?

Peggy from Ottawa Ontario

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I'm trying to find something whether it be a cleaning product or home idea to clean acrylic paint off aluminum. I have a 50's model travel trailer that at one time painted with acrylic paint. Now that I have it I'd love to restore it but haven't been able to come up with anything to get the paint off the aluminum. I've tried mineral spirits, gas, diesel, paint strippers and even aluminum cleaners and nothing seems to cut it. The gas so far has done the best but would love to find something that I don't have to scrub so hard. Thanks for any help.

Kiddo from Florida

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Does anyone have suggestions for cleaning a shower that has a film that won't seem to come off? I have tried Downy and scrubbed it, but neither of these methods worked. Thanking you in advance for any ideas.

Jackie from Walker, LA

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I need ideas for crafts:

Theme: Puerto Rico

Ages: Preschoolers

Thanks,
Sonia from Puerto Rico

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I am researching the 1800's decor for an upcoming hotel we are building and I want to design it in period with modern comforts and amenities.

D'Nyse from Napa, CA

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I started strawberries in four layered pots. I don't know what to do with them for the winter? I'm thinking I will put them in my unheated garage, but the temperature will very a great deal; from 50 degrees F on a sunny afternoon to 32 degrees F at night? If I do put them in the garage should I cut the runners off?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Dick from Newport, PA

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How do I get pen ink off of a wooden butcher block counter?

Cocoa from Portland, ME

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Any recipes for homemade rolls?

Joy from Houston, TX

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I'm looking for a recipe for crunchy horse treats, like those found in farm stores. Thanks!

Kim from WI

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Apple juice from an apple I was eating got on my yellow shirt. I can't get the stain out. Can you help?

Trish from UK

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I am painting a wooden deer and I saw one that had a red nose with a light behind it but I am not sure what the nose is made out of. The nose is like a red shiny type of plastic. Does anyone know what I am talking about. Thank you!

Pl from WV

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I have yellowjackets in the ground. What's the best way to get rid of them?

Ron from NW Florida

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How do you remove super glue from a microfiber couch?

Tammy G. from Ocean Springs, MS

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When do I prune rose bushes?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Ida from Newbern, NC

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How can I remove baby diarrhea from white carpet?

Trina from Ottawa Canada

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I am looking for instructions for a bracelet. I'm not sure what it's called but each bead represents something in the life of Christ. It's not the colored beads like the "Wordless Book" bracelet. Thanks for your help.

Brenda from Burrton, KS

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I'm hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year and would like other ideas for recipes. Any helpful hints?

Joy from Houston, TX

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Where are the best freebies?

Misty from Chesapeake, VA

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How do you get rid of krazy glue stains of fabric?

Debbie from Miami, FL

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I've been reluctant to share this family secret but have thought it was the least I could do after gleaning so many great recipes from this site. My apologies to my sister Erin the Caterer as this has become one of her signature sweets. My family is "NUTS" about these.

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