Daily Thrifty Tips - April 10, 2006

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If you have a lot of extra photos and dread putting them all in albums, a photo placemat is a great way to show them off to everyone. You can use your scrapbook skills and supplies to create an entertaining place at the dinner table. The photo fun placemat is a great gift to give to friends. However, I find that young kids really like to see themselves when they eat. I made this one after a trip to the zoo.

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Sam was probably around 3 months old. I'm not sure how old the chick was, it was one that we hatched.

Sam was orphaned. He had 3 other siblings that I gave to others to raise and release. We got Sam in March or April of 1998.

Sam was just so funny. He liked limbing on my husband's head. He loved hot dogs.

I raised Sam until he was ready to be released. He liked playing with the new chickens hatched. He was too young at the time to know that a raccoon eats a chicken, not plays with one.

By Penny from Ipava, IL

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When a loved one passes on and the family receives plants. Think of making a "Memory Garden" with them. I lost my Dad in 1980 and my sister in 1998 and nine months later my mom in 1999. Wonderful friends knew my love of gardening so we received many plants. Here are some of them.

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, Ca.

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I found a great way to make a low fat low carb low calorie Ranch dressing that tastes great! Just get a buttermilk dressing mix, I use Hidden Valley Ranch. Normally it calls for buttermilk and mayonnaise. I keep the buttermilk but use fat free sour cream (I use Naturally Yours Fat Free Sour Cream) instead of mayo. It keeps the consistency of the mayo with none of the fat. And it tastes great! Even my friends like it!

By Joelygirl from Ceres, Ca

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Instead of using those pricey denture tabs, soak your retainers in hydrogen peroxide like you would buy in the first aid aisle. I use this all the time and I never have a build up like I did with the denture tabs. I make a 32 oz. bottle last about three months and costs $1.50.

By Christine from Three Rivers, MI

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My family loves honey and I have had bottles turn to sugar because I did not store it correctly. To maintain quality, honey has to be stored properly -- in a closed container, in a dry location and at room temperature, about 70 to 75 F. Honey tends to absorb moisture, which can reduce its quality. The higher the temperature at which honey is stored the more likely it is to be damaged.

During storage, honey gradually becomes a darker color and changes flavor and composition. Differences will become noticeable after four months. For longer-term storage, freeze honey. Freezing stops such changes almost completely and preserves all the honey's natural goodness.

Do not store honey in the refrigerator, where temperatures can cause it to crystallize quickly. If this happens, remove the lid and place the jar in warm water until the crystals dissolve. You can also dissolve the crystals by heating the honey in the microwave only a few seconds at a time. Be careful not to burn it.

Honey is one of the few foods that is naturally low in pesticide contamination because contaminated bees die before they reach the hive. Honey is also free of preservatives and artificial flavors and colors, and it will not mold.
For equal sweetening power, substitute 2/3 to 3/4 cup honey for each cup of sugar.

The amount of honey that can replace sugar in cookies varies with the type of cookie: Replace no more than one-third the sugar with honey in crisp cookies like gingersnaps; honey can replace one-half the sugar in brownies, and up to two-thirds the sugar in fruit bars.

You can replace all the sugar in puddings, custards, pie fillings, baked apples, candied sweet potatoes, sweet-and-sour vegetables, salad dressings, sauces and glazes. Use honey to replace up to half the sugar in cakes; however, reduce the liquid called for by one-fourth cup for every cup of honey used.

By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX

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When paying off credit cards, always round up payments as much as you can. If the minimum payment is $25, try to pay $30. Credit card companies set minimum payments to maximize the amount of interest they can earn from you over the life of the debt. Paying more, even a small amount, significantly decreases how much interest you will end up paying.

By ThriftyFun

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Q. Where do tough chickens come from?

A. From hard-boiled eggs! Tee Hee

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

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I am notorious around my house for forgetting to make certain meals after a while. Since I try so many recipes, sometimes I lose track of some winners that my family loves. I came up with a great idea. Whenever we have a meal that is a real hit, I write out the menu on a recipe card. I file these in their own recipe box.

What's great about this is that it helps me remember great meals, PLUS I don't have to come up with side dishes that go with it since I list the entire meal (including dessert). I also write next to each item where the recipe is found. Now when I am making up a shopping list I pull a couple of my "winning dinners" and half the work is done!

By Carol Young from Landisville, PA

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You can keep marshmallows from sticking together in the bag by putting a little powdered sugar into the bag.

By ThriftyFun

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Set your jar of honey in a pot of boiling water, lid off and up to crystallization point. Soon the honey will return to its original consistency. How to stop this I have not been completely successful but, I graduate the jar down to the amount of honey and this seems to help.

By Jane Young from Richmond, B.C. Canada

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Hubby noticed that the coffee we had been buying seemed bitter. We use filtered water. ( And a new coffee maker ) So I told him to do what my mom used to do. Add a little pinch of salt to the grounds before turning on the coffee maker. It does work! We have tried several brands of coffee with and without the salt. SALT WINS ! I know people will say to cut down on salt, but the little dab it takes to make the coffee better is worth it.

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark,Ca.

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As soon as I open a bill, I put it on my computer keyboard. Next time I'm online, I schedule the payment to be made 2 days before it is due. That feature allows me to pay when the bill is due without any fear of forgetting it.

Making contributions this way gives you an easy way to keep track of when you last donated.

By Jen from Cincinnati, OH

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How do we clean up a beer spill, that some one cleaned up with a kleenex by rubbing it, on a pool table?

Stef from Canada

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I am looking for a simple pattern or diagram for a sleeveless jerkin/waistcoat with pockets. I'm not great at sewing but think I could mange this if I had an easy basic pattern or design. Can anyone recommend a website for something like this?

Mary from UK

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I am looking for ideas for Edible Jewelry. I have approximately 150 kids from toddlers to 12 years for my company Christmas party. I'm not sure how much to buy for this size group. I do have some ideas of what to buy but I guess I am looking for some unique ideas or other items that I may not have thought of.

Thank you for your feedback.

ENZA from Ontario, Canada

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How do you make belts out of pop tabs?

Jade from Chicago, IL

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I have a couch that sags badly. It looks like there are "S" shaped springs that are connected by a cord that feels like twisted cardboard. The cords are broken in multiple places. Does anyone know where to get replacement cords and the clips or even what this cord is called so I can do a search?

Thanks,
slicef96 from Charlotte, NC

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I would like to know of uses or recipes using boiled egg yolks.

Carolyn from Princeton, WV

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Any suggestions on how to keep birds from eating the cherries before they are ripe? We have a HUGE cherry tree and have never had any ripe cherries left to pick. I tried pie plates and streamers when it was smaller to no avail. It is too big to net.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Thanks,
Betty from Middletown, NY

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Does anyone know an organic way to get rid of voles/moles aside from cats?

Hardiness Zone: 4b

Thank you!
Anni-b from Victor, Idaho

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How can you make oil for diffuser lamps?

Sad7

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I need to repair a cigarette burn in a micro suede couch. Any suggestions?

Aoibhell

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My husband's new leather belt rubbed off on his new light colored pants. The pants are 100% cotton, washable and are a heavy canvas material. The stains are all around the waist band. Any suggestions as how to remove stains without ruining the pants? I haven't tried to do anything with them yet and I've only washed them once or twice.

jencarn from Gurnee, IL

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I have heard that you can put your cookie sheets in your self-cleaning oven with no problem and they come out as good as new. Is this really safe? My pans have a lot of black residue on them from constant use and my new oven gets really hot when it cleans. I do not want a flash fire in my oven when I clean!

Thanks for your help,
Marion from Ontario, Canada

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I am currently in Saint Petersburg (TREASURE ISLAND) and would like to go to Key West asap. What are my budget options for getting there? I'm told that there is a boat that leaves Ft. Myers Beach to Key West, how would I get to Ft, Myers from my current location? Also, can anyone recommend budget accommodations in Key West?

Thank you,
Ed from St. Pete, Florida

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What is the best method for removing mascara form sheets and pillowcases?

Apdow from France

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I am restoring a rear porch on a 100-year-old home that had painted heart pine tongue-in-groove flooring. To repair beam rot, part of the floor has been replaced with 3/4 PT plywood.

What type of leveling compound should I use to eliminate joint discrepancies and to maintain a drainage slope between the old floor and the PT plywood?

I will use cypress tongue-in-groove planks for the new floor. Should I use wood glue before I screw or nail these in place?

What is the best way to seal the joints and ends to minimize seepage from water exposure, stain and seal or Seal and paint?

If paint, what type is most durable, repaintable, and compatible with the sealer, e.g., Thompson's Water Sealer and epoxy paint or sealer and exterior enamel?

Ken from Newberry, Florida

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I am looking for a source for large glass jars to use for storage canisters. The kind that restaurants get stuff in. I have asked at a couple of fast food places but they don't use them. Does anyone know of a source? I guess they could be plastic as well, but they would need to be sturdy.

Thanks,
TC from St. Louis, MO

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I recently acquired a mahogany leaf table and It needs to be restored. It has surface scratches and gouges through to the surface wood and shows light beige binder tracking along the edges. I would like to sand or strip but don't know if I have enough surface to work with. Should I sand or chemical strip? And what procedure should I follow to bring the table back toward its original display. Any assistance is welcomed.

William from New Jersey

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For our Girl Scout dinner we are having a quilting theme. I am in charge of making the centerpieces and really need some ideas. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
April from Indiana

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Does anyone know how to remove fruit punch stain from clothing?

Laura from Santa Barbara, CA

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Breed Description: French Bulldogs have broad skulls, pug noses and a compact muscular, barrel-shaped body. One distinguishing characteristic is their large bat-like ears. This breed has a sensitive and affectionate nature. They are alert and willing watch dogs and wonderful family companions.

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Breed Description: The Chinese Shar-Pei is a medium-sized, muscular dog, easily distinguished by its harsh coat and the wrinkles and folds that cover its face and body These wrinkles once served to keep the breed from being pinned down during dogfights. Today the Shar-Pei is prized for its friendly nature and independent spirit.

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For anyone who files the family taxes, finding deductions is an effort which gives great rewards. One of the easiest places to find deductions is in tax deductible donations to charities. Any donation made to a non-profit charity can be claimed on income tax as a deduction.

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Breed Description: Cardigan Welsh Corgis are long, low-set little dogs with a wide skull and fox-like head. They have large erect ears and an acute sense of hearing. Cardigan Welsh Corgis are sturdy and powerful, and are easily distinguished from the Pemboke Welsh Corgi by their "fox's" brush tail.

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Travel By Car

It just isn't safe for your dog or cat to be roaming all over the car while you are trying to drive. My German Shepherd/Husky mix used to always knock the car out of gear while he was switching from the front seat to the back seat - not good!

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