Daily Thrifty Tips - February 19, 2007

Vada (Pit Bull), Jade and Suki (Blue Point Siamese)

Vada is a two year old American Pit Bull and the kittens are 8 week old Blue Point Siamese.

Vada is just a guest and the kittens are ours. Vada needed a temporary home until my daughter could take her back.

Vada, Jade and Suki are the original couch potatoes. The kittens think Vada is their mother.

By Debra Frick from Colorado Springs, CO

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"Applique" Your Furniture

I used hot glue to place the heavy cording and the pretty fabric on my couch and recliner. I also used some fabric paint.

By Lily from South Bend, Indiana

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Shannon (Golden Retriever)

Shannon is our 9 year old Golden Retriever. We got Shannon a year ago, the owners split up and had to find a home for her.

She loves to roll on her back and show off, also loves to race around in the snow. She will not do without her scarf on, if I don't put a clean one on immediately she drags her dirty one out of the laundry pile and tries to put it on herself. She is very vain.

By Judy from Lanark, Ontario, Canada

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Trouble Does Sleep!

Be patient. "Trouble" does sleep!

By Blessings from Austin, TX

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Tessa (Yorkshire Terrier)

Tessa is a 9 year old Yorkie. I got Tessa from my other Yorkie's litter.

She likes to play and go for walks keep me company.

Tessa got a new hair cut for Valentine's Day. So smart she is and very loveable.

By Sheila from Wisconsin

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Homemade Glitter

• 1/2 cup salt
• 3 drops food coloring

By Jan from Suring, WI

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Soap Ends for Shaving

I remembered my father saving and placing the ends of soaps into a soap travel container. He had one of those barber shop shaving brushes and he would wet it and run it over the soap to use as shaving soap.

By LRP from Lowell, MA

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Styrofoam For Storing Earrings

Ever get tired of trying to find a matching pair of earrings in those drawers in jewelry boxes? Do this: Cut thin styrofoam to fit inside the drawers. Packing material from a box is perfect or floral foam from a craft store. Push post or wire from earring into foam. The pair will always stay together. Replace foam when it gets too many holes in it.

By Laura from Elberta, AL

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My Five Cent Pants!

I would have to say this is one of my greatest finds as a bargin shopper. I like to cruise thru the clothing isles at the Toys'r' us store. If you watch they tend to have some good clerance prices on clothing. Read More: http://www.myfrugallife.com/blog_designersheets.html

By DesignerSheets from MS

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Cardboard Windshield Cover For Bad Weather

With winter bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain, if you have to park outside in the weather, here is a tip that will save lots of time and frustration. When you are ready to park your car for the night, take a few minutes to take a couple pieces of cardboard and slip them under your windshield wipers so that they are held securely and cover your windshield. You will be so happy in the morning to just slide them off the windshield and have clear vision with no scraping and defrosting. You may even have time for a second cup of coffee before you head out the door for work.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Thrifty Night Out

Just had another thrifty night out! Went to a local restaurant with a coupon a friend had and then we went off to the university for a free concert. (We did pay for parking.) It was a lovely evening and within our non-existent entertainment budget. And there will be more free concerts in the series, so I will look it up on the website. I said to myself, "We have to get out more often", and it can be done even when you are broke!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Homemade Jigsaw Puzzle

Make a personalized homemade jigsaw puzzle by gluing a photograph to a piece of 1/4 inch plywood. If you have a color ink jet printer you can print the photo yourself. Then use a jigsaw to cut your puzzle pieces. Glue a copy of the same picture to the lid of a cigar box and wrap the box for a great gift.

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Medical Information Fact Sheet

I came up with this idea when I was taking care of my mother as she got older and was making more and more trips by ambulance to the hospital. I was getting fed up with the constant questions the ambulance crew were always throwing at my mother and she didn't always know the answers. I typed up a fact sheet on the computer with all her pertinent information, full name, age, date of birth, complete medication list, doctors info (even his phone numbers) diseases and illness, past surgeries, etc. Anything and everything that I thought the ambulance crew and the hospital needed to know about her at a moment's notice was included on this fact sheet. When the ambulance crew was finished with it, they could, in turn, pass it along to the hospital staff. It even had the dates of her last hospital visit and any changes in meds. The ambulance staff, the hospital staff and her doctor all thought this was a very good idea. If someone lives alone, a family member can type this up and leave it in a prominent place should the need ever arise for it. I updated it every time there was any changes made concerning her and always had it available when needed.

By Melody from White City, Oregon

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Vinegar For Flaky Pie Crusts

For flaky pie crust, either homemade or ready made, I use vinegar brushed on before adding filling and on top crust. It makes it extra flaky.

By Aunt Peg from Cortland, OH

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Budgeting With Envelopes

I would like to know if anyone is using the old fashion method of budgeting using envelopes. I don't know how to set them up and what items to put on them. I thought this would help me control my spending and start paying on my debt and stop living from check to check. I have not even enough money to buy a cup of coffee. I never have money. I get paid on thursday and by friday I am broke. Help me please.

Malmal from Boston

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Color Advice for Kitchen Counter Tops

In my kitchen, I have natural oak floors, natural maple cabinets and white appliances. Would a black counter top look good?

Suset from Chicago, IL

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Weak Finger Nails From Wearing Rings

Why are the fingernails on my ring fingers weaker than the others?

Mary from Stockton, CA

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Stucco Type Finish

I have a hallway with stucco type finish, painted glossy. How do I paint this using Latex paint?

Mary

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Removing Tub & Tile

I have redone my bathtubs with tub & tile and it is now cracking and peeling. I would like to know if there is a product to remove tub & tile?

Jo Anne Robnett Brown

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Wax Build-up on Cherry Wood

How do I remove wax build-up from cherry wood?

Tiffany from Ft. Myers, FL

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I Can't Find My Pictures on My PC

I have a big problem. I uninstalled People PC and installed my DSL, and when I did this, I lost all of my pictures. I was going to send them to my sister so she could download onto a floppy disc for me after my DSL was hooked up. I know they have to be in my computer somewhere, is there a free or inexpensive way to recover these pictures? All my pictures for the past year are there, including DD's end of year school picnic, and first day of kindergarten, among other precious memories. Any advice or help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You in advance!

jmz2005 from Illinois

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Removing Cigarette Smell From Fur

I need help removing cigarette smell from a fur stole.

Alison from South San Francisco

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Silicone Stain on Clothing

I have transparent silicone of my shirt. How do I get it off?

Nimmi from Orlando, FL

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Chicken with Garlic Cloves

Does anyone have the Richard Simmon's Deal A Meal Cookbook from the 90's? I am looking for a recipe that was in that cookbook. It was Chicken with Garlic cloves. My daughter made it for us when we were visiting. She no longer has the cookbook and we are both searching for the recipe.

If I remember correctly it was Chicken Thighs. What I do remember is that it called for 40 cloves of garlic. I know, that sounds awful, but it is roasted and the garlic turns out to be sweet and delicious. Here's hoping somebody can help with this request.

Harlean from Arkansas (and daughter Robin from Utah)

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Low-Fat Cheese Cake

I am looking for a recipe for nonfat or low-fat no-bake cheese cake.

Pretty

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Dishwasher Not Releasing Soap

I have a VERY old dishwasher and apparently the cup isn't automatically springing out to release the dishwashing liquid anymore. Is there a product out there I can use instead of using the released cup of detergent built-in? Are those the Electrosol tabs I see in the store?

Many Thanks!
Katie from Chicago

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Saving Money on Flea Prevention

I'm tired of spending tons of money on those flea killers that come in droppers and you use one a month. They don't work and they are very expensive. Does anyone have any idea how to get rid of fleas without spending tons of money?

Thanks!
Soly from Miami, Florida

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Burnt Stainless Steel Pan

I did a dumb thing. I boiled water to heat a baby's bottle. Totally forgot about it after the bottle was ready, etc. I went to bed, it boiled completely dry and sat and cooked bare stainless steel for about 2 hours! 1. Is it safe to use again? 2. How do I clean massive discoloration on the bottom of the pot?

Nancy from Rochester, NY

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Apple or Plum Coffee Cake

Anyone have a quick & easy recipe for a yeast made coffee cake topped with sliced apples or sliced plums?

Barbara from Chicago, IL

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Masquerade Party Cake

I am looking for ideas for a masquerade party cake.

Kim from Havre De Grace, MD

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My Mood Cat

My Siamese is a moody teenager. Her sister Patch is a love-crazy purr machine. But Casey is not. The best word to describe her is "emo". She rarely ever socializes. The one room she stays in is a room we do not use. She hides under the chair, in the fireplace, in my ELECTRIC ORGAN (NOT SAFE I REALIZE), and other places which we have not discovered yet. Sometimes she is a very charming cat. She'll come out into the living room begging for attention. She'll let you pet her. But the moment you make eye contact or say her name, she flees! And then she will hide from you and won't come out unless you try to drag her out (Which is dumb and I have stopped doing that) or if it's feeding time.

I have had her since she was 6 weeks old. She used to sleep on my shoulder and would let anyone pet her. She now hates to be picked up and hisses at everyone except for the immediate family. She hates the dog and runs away whenever she comes near. We have a rather large dog but she's a whimp too. Is there any way to make Casey less broody?

I have tried many different things. I talk to her softly. I am very gentle and I coax her with food. But it rarely does much good. She won't eat any treats I offer her anyway. HELP!

Choco from Orange Country, CA

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Crochet House Slippers

I am looking for pattern for crochet house slippers that look like baby booties.

JULIA from Ligonier, IN

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Steam Mop for Pergo

Can you use a steam mop on pergo flooring?

Sandy from Annapolis, MD

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Blood on a Mattress Topper

How do I remove a blood stain from my down filled mattress topper. I do not want to have to wash the entire thing because last time I did it I had to take it to the laundry mat to dry and it took over 3 hours to dry.

Andrea from Columbia, SC

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"Mom I Need A Job!": How Kids And Teens Can Earn Some Cash
By Debra Frick

Here is a list of things that you can do to earn some cash for that something special you always wanted. There are many things you can do that are better than setting up a lemonade stand in your front yard.

One of the first things you need to do is get some recommendations from your school teachers, parents, and friends. These are like a job reference that you would get if you were getting a job. Ask them to write a letter for you to say how trustworthy and reliable you are. You can show these to prospective customers. If you mowed Grandpa's lawn all last summer, ask him to write you a recommendation letter. If you watched your sister's kids for an evening, get her to write a letter also. Ask them nicely to include their contact information so that your customers can call them and ask questions about you. This shows prospective customers that you have had responsibility in the past and you know how to handle it.

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How Often Do I Use This?
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

It's always a good idea to inventory and evaluate. There are items which are priceless, earning their keep over and over again. Then, there are those which only weigh us down with debt. How many items do you have which are earning their keep, and how many do you own which are weighing you down? It's time to cut the cord and let those weights anchor someone else's debt for awhile.

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