Daily Thrifty Tips - April 18, 2006

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You and children of any age can make these simple collages with just some construction paper, scissors, glue, old magazines and newspaper ads.

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Great tip for whenever those birds flying over deposit bird droppings on your car, you want to remove them as soon as possible to save damage to the paint. When you get home, grab a bottle of sodium free seltzer. Shake up the bottle, point the opening at the spot, letting the stream of bubbles soak up and remove the grime! Honest, it works.

By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX

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I wanted to share a game idea that's great for family reunions, neighbor game-nights or whatever, it's so fun and hilarious! I've never heard of it before, perhaps some of you have. It's called "How's Yours?" and everyone is sitting either in the living room or kitchen, wherever. The object is to come up with something that everyone has in common, like 'family' or 'house' - anything that's common with everyone. One person is chosen to leave the room, somewhere they can't hear, then the rest of the people gathered around decide what "thing" the one who left will have to guess this time.

For instance, the person in our group left the room and we decided on 'house'. The person is called back into the room and he or she ask each person around the room, "How's yours?" and you can just say one word clues, like, "clean," "big," "blue," etc. and the person has to guess what it is. After the person guessing has asked everyone in the room and still can't figure it out, they can ask each person again and everyone will have to say something different. A funny example of our clue "house" was the person guessing asked me "How's yours?" and I said, "Filthy," and everyone laughed because the person guessing thought it was 'music'. When he finally guessed it was 'house', I joked, "Yes, I listen to filthy music," lol.

Anyway, it's really fun, and it can get hilarious. The clue can be anything that is common with everyone. Just wanted to share the idea, does anyone have any other fun 'vocal' game ideas like that? I'd love to hear them! :)

By Stacey from Orem, UT

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For those who dread the job of making bread from scratch, start with a small batch. I do only 4 loaves at a time. It is easier to raise, when the quantity is smaller. I raise mine only 2 times, not 3.....For 35 years now.

By Barb Allsopp from Summerhill, Pa.

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When I was about twelve I had a talk with my Dad about money. He looked at me and said. "You can have anything you want as long as you pay for it." Wow the possibilities! I was going away to nursing school, going to graduate and buy a fire engine red Jaguar and live in a cabin on a lake.

When the time came to go to school my Dad said, "I can't send you to school, there's no money". So I got a loan, baby-sat, washed dishes, worked in a nursing home and sewed many of my own clothes. I got my degree and paid off my loans by pinching pennies. I drove an old Volkswagen and dreamed of that Jag. Then I got married and paid for most of my own wedding. I made my own gown.

My first apartment was full of hand-me-downs, homemade curtains and self made clothes. I sewed patches on top of patches on my husbands work clothes. When the kids came, I washed those diapers, made baby clothes, worked nights and slept very little. Yard sales supplied much of our belongings.

We bought an old run down house and fixed it up ourselves. We did lots of painting and scraping. When the kids were grown they went into the service, one is going to College with the GI bill the other has a great job after getting get out. Neither child has asked us for a cent. I'm now sewing clothes for my grandchild.

I have a newer Volkswagen now. Our home is paid off. It's not on a lake but in a pleasant neighborhood. We saved and worked hard. My heart still skips a beat when I see a 60s Jag but I'm content. I have everything I worked for.

Pat from Stroudsburg, PA

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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When packing dishes and glassware for a move, wrap these items in your clean linens. You can put the dishes straight away without having to wash yucky newsprint off them.

By Jaimi from Palm Springs, CA

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A salesman knocked on the door of a house in a new housing development and a lady answered the door. He began, "Ma'am, I'm selling the newest innovation in vacuums, this is the greatest little machine I have seen in a long time," and with that, he proceeded to dump on her new carpet a mixture of ketchup, salsa, mud, grape juice, etc. as she watched, horrified. He said, "If this vacuum doesn't clean up that mess, I will eat it!" She said, "Would you like a fork?! We haven't got the power on yet!"

By Stacey from Orem, UT

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Any good products for soap scum on shower doors and in shower? What about ring around the toilet?

Kate from Maryland

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How can I make a long-lasting vegetation killer for use on rock gardens, driveway cracks, etc.? I'm trying to get control for around 1 year per application, similar to that provided by Roundup, but hopefully at a much lower cost.

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Mark from Denver, Colorado

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My white curtains have yellowed from cigarette smoke. How do I make them white again?

ycp0623 from Johnston, RI

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How do you use eyebrow stencils? Any ideas on how to correctly apply eyebrow stencils? I have very thin eyebrows and would like for them to look thicker. I've filled them in with eyebrow pencil but they look uneven, each brow has a different shape.

Thanks,
dixie35481 from Alabama

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I recently acquired several cloth napkins, does anyone have any craft ideas to use these? I have white and many colorful ones. Too many to use for meals.

Keekee from Jackson, TN

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Does anyone know of an effective, safe, and inexpensive ear cleaner that can be used for dog's and cat's ears to clean them? Someone told me to use white vinegar, but I'm afraid that would burn

Brenda from Knoxville, Tennessee

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My apartment is done out in beige-brown 12"x12" 60's-ish linoleum rec. room style tiles. Obviously *not* my choice. They're in pretty good repair (aside from one or two in the bathroom that have come up from a recent leaking toilet) but I hate the colour.

The landlord is happy to let me paint them over and I'd be willing to do that. But I'm not sure what kind of paint or treatment I should use. The kitchen and bathroom get quite a lot of traffic from me - and water splashing. The bedroom I would love to get all white and shiny.

Suggestion would be very helpful. Thanks.

Betty from Vancouver, BC

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I am planning my DS's 10th birthday party which will take place on May 13th. I am in need of some really frugal ideas for this party which I am inviting 36 people. The thing I have to keep in mind though is that my DS is autistic and doesn't enjoy a lot of activities that non-autistic kids enjoy. I'm not sure what price range I should shoot for with this and need some advice. Any help is greatly appreciated! :)

Melissa from West Virginia

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Any ideas or recipes on how to give yourself an instant facelift?

dixie35481 from Alabama

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How do you remove starch from an iron?

Henrietta Bell from Houston, TX

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I am looking for a plain pasta salad recipe. Just with the tri-colored pasta, some type of salad dressing, and some parmesan? Does anyone have a very plain recipe?

Thanks,
Snowbells from New Jersey

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I have 2 large rhododendron bushes in the front of the house that were planted by the previous owners. The flowers are absolutely beautiful but the bushes are growing out of control. Is is possible to prune them back without losing the blooms?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Caviar from Pittsburgh, PA

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My wedding is May 19, 2007 and I am having a simple outdoor wedding (cake, punch, fruit/veggie trays, finger foods, etc) and the colors I chose are blue and white. I am having a white aisle runner. What I am having problems with is coming up with a way to decorate everything such as tables, and what to use for favors and how to decorate for my ceremony. I want to have an elegant wedding but I am on a fixed budget and I am trying to come up with ideas as to how to do this. Can someone help me?

Feliciamdy from Oneonta, AL

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The inside of my car has a mildew smell and I think it could be from the A/C. How can I get rid of the smell?

tzw5kf from Shreveport, LA

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My crocus bulbs are only shooting up leaves. Does this mean the bulb is old and needs to be replanted with new bulbs?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Patti from Ontario Canada

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Does anyone have a good way to get rid of wild strawberries? They're overrunning our yard and I can't possibly pull them all out by hand. I don't want to carpet bomb them with chemicals, but I'd like to get some grass growing instead. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Suzanne from Herndon, VA

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We just got a black range and it is awful to clean! No matter what special cleaners I use it is streaked. It looks really bad when a light shines on it. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Miz Meg from Atlanta, GA

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I have a strange request: I've submitted about a half-dozen tips to the tip contest since I joined ThriftyFun and have never seen a single one of them show up in the newsletter. I usually get the e-mail notification that my tip was received, and almost every request that I've submitted has shown up in the newsletter but never any of my tips. What am I doing wrong, I wonder?

Lynn from Calif. from Chico, CA

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I am looking for a recipe for pagach. My sister-in-law makes it but won't share her recipe. I would love to make it and give her some of mine. Anyone who knows how please tell me, I love the dish.

Thank you,
Joanne from Kingston, PA

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How do you get rid of bad breath? Could it be bacteria or could it be from cavities?

Tamala from Columbia, MO

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Coupons for Brand Name Items

Print brand name coupons and use them at your favorite store! Sign up to take advantage of over 81 money-saving offers inside.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/print_coupons.lasso

Breed Description: The toy-sized Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has long, velvety ear, beautiful round dark eyes and a long silky coat similar to a Golden Retriever. This sweet, good-natured breed excels at what it was developed to do-give companionship.

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Breed Description: The Rough Collie is one of the most recognized dog breeds, easily distinguishable by its spectacular full coat. This breed is loyal and responsive and possesses both speed and agility. The long, tapering muzzle and small-tipped ears give this highly intelligent breed an alert expression.

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You may feel like giving your cat a bath is akin to taking your life in your own hands' but it doesn't have to be a traumatic experience. Really!

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Breed Description: Combining endurance and speed, the Weimaraner is an outstanding hunting dog breed. Alert, graceful, with dignified features and a kind expression, the Weimaraner dog breed is blessed with an excellent sense of smell and an effortless, smooth gait.

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Disaster can strike at any time. When it happens, the pets in your care are going to have to depend on you to take care of their needs. If a disaster strikes your area today, are you prepared to take care your pet for however long it takes to recover? The best time to stock up on the things you'll need for your pet is NOW, before your affected by a disaster.

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So... you've decided to swim with the fishes (so to speak). After you've set up your aquarium, there are some supplies you may want to keep on hand.

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