Daily Thrifty Tips - January 31, 2006

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Getting ahead of the pack... here is an Easter Wreath of plastic eggs. All I did was to hot glue the plastic eggs to a wreath form that I had covered with spanish moss.

After the eggs were set, I poked in Easter "grass" to fill in the holes. I hung a plastic flocked bunny (bank) from the 99 cent store to the middle. Oh, and I got the eggs from Wal-Mart (after Easter the year before) and the 99 cent store.

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, Ca.

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Lola is 9 months old and is a Puggle (pug/beagle mix.) We got her in June of 2005 from a local breeder.

She LOVES to chew on bones and play tug of war...of course sleeping is always good too!

When you talk to her she cocks her head from side to side as if she is listening to what you are saying, it is the cutest thing!

By Georganne from St. Louis, MO

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I love Celestial Seasoning's Chocolate Caramel Enchantment Chai tea, but it's so expensive. I found that if I used a medium sized pot of water, one Chai tea bag and one regular black tea bag, I couldn't tell the difference. Tasted just like straight chai! You can get a box of regular black tea for about $1.00 at any grocery store.

By Amy from Great Falls, MT

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I made flash cards for my daughter to help her learn new words. I bought a pack of index cards and went through some old magazine and found pictures of everything from tennis shoes to a salad. I cut out the pictures and glued them onto the index card and wrote the name of the picture on the front of the card.

Anna from South Carolina

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I found an old ladder at an antique store for $5. I painted it and hung it from hooks on the ceiling in the kitchen. I purchased screw-in hooks and put them on the rungs of the ladder and the outside to hang pots, pans, and other kitchen items. Very inexpensive pots and pans organizer with country charm.

By BarwickJ from Ottumwa, IA

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Instead of buying Spray and Wash or a similar item I make my own.

Clothes Spot Remover

1/3 cool tap water
1/3 all purpose cleaner
1/3 rubbing alcohol

Put in a spray bottle. Shake to mix and use as needed for spot removal on clothes.

By Penney Lock from Sioux Lookout, ON

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I have some pink suede boots that i recieved for Christmas. My little sister left the top off of a container, so now they have oil stains on them. Is there any possible way to get them out or cover them?

Deborah

Removing Grease from Suede Boots

I have just used the tip for removing grease from suede boots. It really does work. Blot off excess grease with kitchen paper. Dip a clean piece of cotton material in some white vinegar and dab on to soiled area. Dab off excess with dry cotton cloth and when completely dry buff with suede brush gently.

Anne Cassells from South Wales Uk

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I buy bacon ends in 2 kg boxes (about 4 lbs.) and run them through my grinder. Then cook. Put in jars and keep in freezer. You have cooked bacon bits anytime you want. At a fraction of the cost to buy them.

I also keep the fat for using in other recipes.

By Penney Lock from Sioux Lookout, ON

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One of the first steps to living within my budget is to figure out how much I've been spending each month. And the best way to do that is to track what's going out. Once I had a clear sense of where my money is going, I then can found places where I can cut back or just get a reality check on how much I spend on, say, that daily latte at your "special coffee store".

Here's is what I did to make my money map:

Start with your fixed expenses. What do you pay each month for your rent or mortgage, car, health club, insurance, utilities, phone service, cable, preexisting credit card debt, student loans, etc.? Make a list of these amounts.

Then track your variable expense. Most people have no idea how much they spend each month on things like take-out food/drive-thru, movies, drinks with friends, online shopping too, even gasoline and groceries.

Starting now, you're going to keep tabs. Every day, for the next month, you're going to get a receipt for everything you buy, even the small ones. If you buy something, that means printing out a record so you can account for that as well.

If you shop on the phone, make a note. Then, every night when you get home, spend five minutes pulling those receipts out of your wallet and entering them into a journal or jotting them down, category by category.

At the end of the month, you'll have a money map. You'll know how much you're spending, and on what. And then you'll be able to make some changes (and perhaps even spare your "special Coffee Drinks").

To be honest after a few weeks, if I was at the store and going to purchase something I knew I was going to have to come home and write it down in my Money Journal. Sometimes THAT alone stopped me from making that purchase. : ) Saved some money!

By Tracey from Michigan

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Everyone who uses this site should vote for this e-zine. This morning I notice it only has 380 votes so far this year. That's pitiful! Under Susan's greeting there are links, one is to vote for ThriftyFun. I have been voting and get absolutely no junk as a result. Don't be shy. Lets give this great e-zine the support it deserves. It gives us so much and asks for nothing in return.

By Jayne from Bristow, VA

Editor's Note: Thanks Jayne, we appreciate your kind words.

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For the three local stores that I shop I look at their weekly specials before making my grocery list. Then I go to my index card box where I have typed or written out menus for suppers. I've categorized the meals behind the tabs: Beef, Poultry, Fish, Pork, and Other (Meatless). I also have a Desserts section. Example: Marinated Chicken would be at the top of the 3x5 index card. Below I've listed side dish options to go with it. Then to the right side I have the ingredients I'll need to prepare the meal. On the back, I've typed the recipe out so I don't have to go "digging" for it every time I want to cook it.

To make my grocery list I then just need to check out the specials, go to my box and quickly choose what I'll cook for the next two weeks and write down what I'll have to buy. Initial setup of the system takes some time, but it's a real time saver and helps with the budget by my not going into the grocery store and just throwing items in the cart willy nilly "thinking" I might need them. This is also a good way to vary the meals so that you're not eating too much red meat and eating a variety of foods.

By Kathy from Canton, NC

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I have sent this request once before. I was wondering if there is anyone that is aware of a store, organization, or recycling center that will take old CD Jewel cases. I have a ton of them from CDs and we do not use them since we have caselogic CD wallets for the car. If anyone has any feedback on this let me know! I am at the point now where the donation could be for cash or simply for a donation.

Thank you!
Kimberly from Clevelnad, OH

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I moved into an apartment and the refrigerator and oven haven't been cleaned in along time. The fridge has an odor and I need to get it out. Plus the oven has burnt on mess and I need inexpensive ways to clean them. Any suggestions?

Rhonda from Michigan

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I went to a yard sale and got a frying pan. It looked brand new, but it was from the 1970's. It is harvest gold outside and on the bottom, with a white interior. Also, it has a design on the gold part (A picture of mushrooms.) Does anyone know if this is an enamel pan, and if it is worth keeping? Also, how do I care for it? All replies are appreciated.

Thanks,
P.J. from Delaware

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Does a anyone have the knockoff recipe for Applebee's Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip? Thanks for sharing.

Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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Does anyone have any ideas for free or VERY cheap dates. My husband is a youth minister and I basically don't work.

Thanks for the help,
Jeggie from Elberton, GA

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Why can't I log into the web site? It won't let me in.

Catherine from Winter Park, FL

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I am looking for a recipe my grandmother use to make. She also made a cake with many very thin layers with a glaze like filling of pecans and raisins. I would really appreciate any help I can get. Thanks in advance.

Thanks,
Karen from Pensacola, FL

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I recently purchased a new computer. I had Callwave on my old computer and fax. I have forgotten my password. I have asked several times to have it sent to me so I can switch to this new computer and have Callwave on this one, but so far, no one has sent me my password.

Sue Evans from Amelia, VA

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I am looking for a recipe my grandmother use to make. It is a cookie made with 1 cup of syrup, 1 egg, 1 cup of sugar and enough flour to make a cookie batter. I can't remember the rest of the recipe. Thanks in advance.

Thanks,
Karen from Pensacola, FL

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I'm planning my first graduation party for 2 daughters. One will be a college graduate and the other a high school graduate. I need ideas.

Andrea from Ellenwood, GA

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My daughter threw up yogurt on my microfiber ottoman. I cleaned it off with towel dampened with water, and now the fabric is very stiff. How do I revive the area back to its normal texture?

Thank you!
Kate from Idaho

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I need a low fat recipe for baking corn muffins without adding oil to make them moist.

Thanks,
Manell from TN

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How do you get the smell of sour milk out of the upholstery in a car? It just plain stinks.

Dennis from Staples, MN

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Does anyone have a slightly easy recipe for yellow cake? None of my cookbooks have it, and I am running out of patience with brand name cooking websites. I think they want me to buy cake mix instead! It is for my son's first birthday. Actually, I was thinking of marble cake. I want to make him a duck shaped cake, so I would like the yellow cake for the white frosting.

Thanks!
Kelly from Willamina, OR

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I need someone in Canada that will ship Sugar Twin liquid to me here in Arizona.

Bev Zukerman from Scottsdale, AZ

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I am looking for suggestions, at home or salon, for the best way to remove facial hair on lip and chin (some is coarse and white) and on your back and arms (not coarse and white)? I have been told that laser hair removal will not work for coarse white hair. I am looking for the best way to keep off for the longest time.

Sybil from Rchmond, VA

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I'm disabled and can be on my legs for only short periods at a time. There's got to be some "short cuts" when it comes to cleaning, dusting, etc.? Other than just doing it for short periods (HaHaHa...).

Thanks!
Zone 9
Trish from Tucson, AZ

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I was wondering if anyone knew of cheap nusery ideas. I'm wanting to do a barnyard theme (I already have a baby quilt with pig, cow, etc.). I was thinking of having my husband paint a mural on the walls and going to a flea market for furniture to refinish as well (Any tips for that would be appreciated as well).

Thanks for the advice
Jeggie from Elberton, GA

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Our locals schools are always looking for new a creative fund raising ideas. Outside of the commercial companies that specialize in fundraisers, are there any ideas out there that have worked for you?

Thanks,
Clair Leavitt From Ogden, Utah

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I am planning my daughter's 3rd Birthday and she loves dipping. I wanted to come up with a food dipping theme but I am not sure what the meal should consist of. I am doing a Dora The Explorer Theme as well.

Kelly from Hephzibah, GA

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