Daily Thrifty Tips - July 21, 2006

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Olivia is approximately 14 weeks old now, she is younger in this picture. She is already in her new home, but I still think the picture is a treasure. I call it "sweet innocence"

She is one of a litter, but I love love this picture and wanted to see what others thought of her. I am too emotioally involved to be objective. The litter is all gone now.

Coton de Tulear is a rare breed of dog from Madagascar. I have her parent and have for about 3 years or so.

She liked to play, cuddle, more cuddle, sleep, bathroom, eat, snuggle, cuddle, and kisses. No she loves to run and play, loves easy squeaky toys!

They are a rare breed and I wanted to show her because they are just so cute, but not often seen.

By Cadia from Midcoast Maine

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My previous entry was about my daughter's wedding dress... This one is about my 5 year old grandaughter's wedding dress. She wanted a wedding dress too because her Aunt was getting one. So I made her one to wear for a halloween costume. What a Cutie! Grandma is in the picture with her. No real tips except do what you can to make your grandkids happy!

By Judy Harris from Birmingham, Al.

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Our makeover of our backyard, a before and after photo. Were very happy with the results.

By Joy from Culbertson MT

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Layer flowers and tiny plants and leaves from your yard or from a nature walk in between strips of clear tape (my example shows a narrower size but wide shipping tape works well, too.) You can use as gift wrap or trim or to bring interest to a boring or plain spot in your house. Even small plants with the roots intact can be used -- especially interesting in a window so the light shines through!

By melody_yesterday from Sedalia Missouri

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Supplies

• Bottle
• Rainbow Twine (or other colors)
• Decoupage Glue
• Clear acrylic craft paint
• Cork for top

Directions

I used an old bottle, went to Home Depot and bought Rainbow Twine. It comes in about 4 or 5 other (solid) colors. Rainbow was more colorful and interesting to me.

I put decoupage glue on the bottle and wrapped around the bottle 5 times and pushed it up into place and held there till I was sure it was stuck tight. It gets easier as you go down the bottle.

After it was all wrapped, I put on 2 more coats of decoupage glue letting each coat dry in between coats.

Then I used Clear Acrylic Craft Paint on it to give some protection to the bottle. Put a cork in the top and it was finished.

Decoupage is the POOR MANS ART!

By Sherry (hamp2468) from Valdosta, Ga.

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I read this tip on another forum, and was so impressed with it that I wanted to share it here. The tip is: When you go shopping in a store that has carts, at supermarkets, Walmart, Target, etc., wrap the child safety belt around one handle of your purse and fasten the ends together. Then if someone tries to take your purse when your back is turned, it will at least slow them down and maybe give you a chance to stop them!

By Catherine from Orlando

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Use clothespins as chip clips. For years, I have used clothespins for chip clips. You can get 40 or so for $2 in most stores. I also use them for sealing cereal bags so they won't go stale.

By Roger from Hampton, VA

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An easy way to butter corn on the cob, Butter an end piece of bread that many of us throw away anyway. Hold it in one hand and hold corn on the cob in the other hand and roll into the buttered bread. It is such a great way to butter the corn!

By Diana Albers from Highland, MI

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Don't know about you - but I am always breaking those little "belts" on my watch which hold the strap on well before rest of the band is shot. Good news - those little silicon rubber bands they sell for hair are just the right size to stand in for the missing little strap! They are sturdy and they come in colors, too.

By pamphyila from L.A., CA

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My family was tired of living in the big city. High taxes, high crime and high cost of living. After many years of scrimping, coupon clipping, yard-saling etc., and just barely making it, we decided to make the big move.

Certainly, we were already living quite frugally. But we found that high taxes and cost of living were eating us alive. We both needed to work full time to pay all the bills and keep ahead of the game.

Finally, we decided to move to a state with a lower cost of living. We sold our small urban home for a large profit and paid $20,000 cash for a lovely three bedroom home in a small rural town.

We realized a yearly savings of about $16,000 by moving. No longer are we paying a state income tax. Our commute to work is 1/2 mile. Prices are lower, so we save when we shop.

Now we both work part time. Our days belong to us and we are able to indulge in even more frugal activities. Our standard of living has actually gone up considerably.

The first of the month is just another day since we got rid of our mortgage. Stress and strain is only a faint memory. I highly recommend that others follow in our footsteps.

Genny from Bridgewater, SD

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'm getting married in October, and I'm also helping my aunt throw my bridal shower. We are also on a tight budget, and when it came to the bridal shower gifts we had no ideal what to give to all of my guests (approximately 100 guests invited.) We thought about candles or a cookie cutter to give to everyone, but then we still had to include the price of gift wrap. My mom then remembered the cinnamon Christmas tree ornaments that someone gave to her. Let's just say that we made 100 cute cut-out ornaments for around $6.50. I hope this helps everyone!

Cinnamon Ornaments

• 3/4 to 1 cup applesauce
• 1 (4 1/2 oz.) bottle ground cinnamon

Mix the ingredients together to form a stiff dough. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters.

Make hole for ribbon. Carefully put on rack to dry. Let air dry for several days, turning occasionally.

Makes approximately 12 sweet smelling ornaments.

By Katie Brinkley from Olney, IL

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Are you the type of person who is always getting bit by mosquitoes, even when someone else is sitting next to you and is completely unbothered? The answer may lie in your diet. I have heard that people who eat bananas on a daily basis are MUCH more susceptible to being eaten alive by skeeters. Something in the scent of bananas that seeps from your pores when you sweat, maybe. So if you are planning on going camping this summer, make sure to not eat bananas not only while you are there, but also a week or so ahead of time to let your body discharge that "bananalike" smell that drives the skeeters wild.

By PMZ Paul from Walnutport, PA

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Do you have an old trunk somewhere up in your attic, gathering dust because years ago some imbecile flipped the lid up hard and bent the hinges outwards? All you need to repair it is some braided high-test fishing line (the heavier stuff) and a staple gun.

Cut two pieces of the fishing line (about two feet per side, depending on the size of your trunk) and staple one end to the inner side of the lid, near the front. Leave about an inch sticking out from the other side of the staple, then fold it over and staple both the long end and the inch-long end, about a quarter-inch from the other staple. Repeat this on the other side.

Now, do the same thing on the inside ends of the trunk, also near the front, about an inch from the front walls, just like the top end.

Now your previously forgotten trunk will work fine, regardless of how decrepit the hinges are. If they are still attached, (even by a hair), your trunk will now function properly, provided you have done it right.

P.S. Try to get the lengths and positions the same on both ends of the trunk or your fix won't work too well.

By Paul from Walnutport, PA

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Pour a small amount of fabric softener into a spray bottle and finish filling it with water. Place in the bathroom to use as an air freshener. Works great for only pennies.

By Tina from Athens, TX

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Frugal For Life

A great blog with posts about frugal living.

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

I am looking for popsicle stick crafts.

Billy from Henderson, NC

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After 17 years of renting, my husband and I are finally purchasing a home. I am completely stressed out with the whole process but totally excited at the same time. I was wondering if anyone had any good tips to share about moving in general - there just seems to be so many questions to ask and things to remember! Thank you in advance for your advice.

Cindy from Lorain, Ohio

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I need some advice on slow cookers. Can anyone suggest a brand that they really like. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Joan from Chesterfield, MI

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How do you remove garlic smell from your hands after cooking?

Misbah

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What are some good home remedies for severe skin allergies?

Tina from Georgia

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I need "heart healthy" meal ideas for my diabetic husband who recently underwent heart surgery. Most healthy cooking is so bland it just doesn't appeal to him so he's not eating well and getting very weak. It's like a vicious cycle--if it's good for him, he just doesn't want it. Help!

Bonnie from Tuckerton, NJ

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I would love some advice. We're planning to travel to Florence, Italy in September. We've been reading as much as we can, but would love to hear from those of you who have visited. Can you advise us as to what areas you would visit again, and what sights you thought were a waste of time? We're going to be visiting for only 5 days.

Maggie from Virginia

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How can I clean permanent marker off vinyl siding on a mobile home?

Vee from Carencro, LA

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I have brick around a pool. I have children that play around my pool. Grass and weeds are growing from the cracks. How do I kill the weeds? The children are bare foot and I also have a possible run off. I am afraid to use anything toxic as I might harm my children.

Any suggestions?

Jim from Churchville, PA

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Dear ThriftyFun, how do I send a message to another member? I looked on both the Messages page and on the page to leave feedback for a particular member's tip, but can't find how to do it.

Lynn from Calif. from Chico, CA

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How do you get lipstick out of clothes that have been through the dryer?

Daisy from Fremont, IN

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Hi Ellen,

Thanks so much for all the great Tree ideas (A Good Tree to Give as a Gift). I actually found out a tree story about my brother and his new wife. I guess her grandparents got a tree for one of their wedding gifts and it was a Japanese Maple so wherever they moved to they would dig up the tree and take it with them. So, I thought that might be a good idea. Do you know the meaning of a Japanese Maple?

Thanks again,
Mandi from Erie

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Is it possible to wash a slipcover that says "Dry-clean only" on it? It is 100% cotton. It's not one of those Sure-fit ones that you buy at the store, it came with the sofa. It's a loveseat that opens into a single bed. It's not really fitted, it's supposed to look "relaxed and casual" so it's loose-fitting. If it shrinks a little, I think it will still fit.

It is attached by velcro at the back. It is really dirty at the bottom from my dog lying on the floor right next to the sofa. Should I take my chances? What if I just wash it on the gentle cycle and hang it to dry? Has anyone ever tried this before? Thanks for any suggestions!

Marianne from Connecticut

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I'm just looking for a cheap and quick recipe for chicken & dumplings. Thanks!

Prettyptbull

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I sew and would like to know where I can obtain cloth to use as padding for my bras.

Delene from Modesto, CA

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I have an old (first generation) George Foreman grill that I found in a cupboard when cleaning. I put it on a laminate table top and forgot about it. When I moved it there were black round spots on the table. They will not come off even with the Magic Eraser. Has anyone found a method that works to remove these marks without causing damage to the tabletop?

Sue from Richmond, VA

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My sister and her husband are moving to Kuwait and have been clearing out. She very kindly gave me a Dysan vacuum cleaner, which works like a dream - unfortunately it stinks! I have washed all the parts I can. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Trish Maley from London, England

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Other than recovering old checkbook or pocket calendar covers, is there another use for these? I don't carry the checkbook with me anymore and date books are replaced with my PDA.

Sarah

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I am looking for a recipe for Macaroni salad. Nothing fancy. Is it better to use miracle whip, or mayonnaise? Also, I am looking for a recipe for pasta salad. Any recipes would be appreciated. Please list the amount of ingredients used for both recipes.

Thanks,
P.J. from Delaware

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We just received a very nice, gently used couch from a family who has a dog. Our cat has decided that he needs to mark his territory with urine. I know how to get the smell out but how do we deter the cat from going there again?

Laura from Chicago, IL

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I've read about new shoots coming up around the base of trees, (i.e. Dogwoods), but, what about the shoots that come up around the base/lower trunk of my Cherry tree and Crepe Myrtles? The bases of these trees are approximately 8-12" in diameter. Do I lope them off? Is it possible to transplant these "sprouts?" If so, how?

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Bekkicat from Charlotte

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I am look for ideas for wind chimes, garden decor, kids outdoor art, garden ideas for toddlers and any kind of kids projects that can be made for indoors or outdoors.

Hardiness Zone: 3b

Max from Orlando, FL

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In February my parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. My sisters and I are trying to plan a really nice party for them in our church Fellowship Hall. They are also considering renewing their vows. Have any of you planned such a party, and would you mind sharing ideas with us?

Thanks so much!

Sharon Young from Benton, AR

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I have a very expensive, dry clean only suit that has underarm odor. I took it to the cleaners but the odor is still there. Any suggestions?

Kia from Chicago, IL

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My daughter Katie and I would like to make crafts items to sell at local craft shows. We have some ideas but would like more. Does anyone know of some good websites for free craft patterns and ideas? Thanks!

Sharon Young from Benton, AR

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I cannot find step by step instructions on how to make a rug out of unmated socks, i seen this in an old book years ago it was really simple, but cannot find it now.

Jodi from Marysville, Ohio

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My husband's work shirt is a light baby blue and yesterday he was playing with a white-out pen and it broke and got all over his shirt. We have used oxiclean and it still did not come out. Does anyone have a suggestion or is it a lost cause now?

Thank you,
AMY from PHILPOT, KY

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How can I advertise my new cleaning business for a reasonable price?

Amanda from Jacksonville, FL

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I'm new here and am looking for some help removing crayon and marker on my unfinished dresser. I tried a piece of sandpaper a while back but it just left scratches. Maybe I need a special kind of sandpaper?

Aminah from Boston, MA

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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

The debate is over. Scientists agree that planet Earth is in the middle of a warming cycle and human activities that dump CO2 into the atmosphere are helping to turn up the heat. With melting glaciers, more intense weather patterns and vanishing species, we're already starting to see the consequences of rising temperatures. How we choose to deal with the impacts of this problem is going to shape the future of all life on our planet. By taking individual action we may not be able to stop global warming, but we can certainly slow it down. Here are 10 simple things that you can do today to fight global warming.

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Selecting High-Quality Garlic:

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