Daily Thrifty Tips - April 4, 2007

Making Whipped Butter

Is there a way to whip real butter so that you can keep it in the refrigerator but it still stays pretty soft? My DH won't eat any brand of margarine (says it's got plastic in it); and where we live is too warm (even in the winter!) to keep the butter anywhere but in the refrigerator and that means it's always hard.

I tried one of those special butter keepers that use icy, cold water in an outer container to keep the butter from spoiling at room temperature, but it didn't work; it's just too warm where we live. I tried whipping the butter with my electric mixer and then putting it back in the fridge, but it was still pretty hard. Do I need to add a little water or oil when I whip it maybe?

Lynn from Chico, CA

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Living Room Design That Flows Together

Here is a design that flows that together.

By Laura from Orlando, Florida

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Gracie and the Piano

Here is a picture of Gracie and the piano we got 3-26-07 She is 2 and really likes to play and sing.

By Misti

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Fun at the Dog Park (Howe Farm)

Here is ThriftyFun's Maggie (Chow Mix) with her buddy Shadow (he's a flat coated retriever/border collie mix) who love to have play dates at Howe Farm (Port Orchard, WA).

Howe Farm is a piece of property obtained by our county which will be the home of a multi purpose park. Little has been done to develop it at this point except planning. There will be an Off Leash Dog Park section but it will be much smaller. At present the dogs have 80 acres of meadows to run.

When I take the turn off for the "dog park", Maggie starts whimpering and wagging her tail like crazy. She knows where we are going. She loves it there and weather permitting we try to go as often as possible.

Susan from ThriftyFun

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My $150.00 Wedding

My wedding to my new hubby was a blessed event. It cost us a total of $150.00, not including the marriage license cost. We held it in our apartment. We had the reception at a local park in my new hometown with food bought by us at the local supermarket, and we used the bags from the groceries, that totaled $35.58, for garbage bags.

We had a lot of help including, surprise, his ex-wife, who was still friends with him. His children helped too. I sewed the dresses that the bridesmaids wore. We had no flower girl, but we had a ring bearer. I wore my mother's wedding dress, and I am 38. My hubby wore his Sunday tux. We both wore our Sunday church shoes.

We had no flowers as guests were highly allergic to bees. Our reception and wedding were held in the spring, in May. We had immediate family only as guests. People snapped pictures with disposable cameras that we bought specifically for the wedding. It was a day to be glorified before my Lord God himself.

I am friends with his ex. She and I are good friends now. It's hard to believe, but when you have children in the picture you either accept or cause friction. I chose to accept her and she me. We live all on the same block. People couldn't believe I would stand for her help, but I did stand for her help with as much grace as I could muster. The gifts were received well by our family.

I will always remember it as the best day of my life. I am happy with my life. A loving husband, wonderful children, and new good friend whom I can share everyday news.

Well good day.

Tanya from Phoenix, AZ

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Let Your Vacuum Cleaner Do The Work!

I used to hate to wipe down the surfaces in the bathrooms in our house because I have two daughters with long hair. Seems like that hair gets everywhere, and all I ended up doing was dragging it around on my cleaning cloths and mop. Finally I got the bright idea to bring my vacuum cleaner into the bathroom and let it suck up all of that excess hair BEFORE I do the "wet" cleaning. I even vacuum out the (dry) tub before I clean it. When all the hair and dust are vacuumed up, all it takes is a quick wipe down and tub, fixtures and floor are sparkling clean!

I also use my vacuum attachments for dusting as much as possible. Why not suck that dust up instead of just spreading it around with a dustcloth? We all NEED to clean, but I'm much more motivated to actually DO it when I get good results with the minimum of effort. Clean smart, not hard!

By Susie from Papillion, Nebraska

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Check For Library Fines Before Moving

If you are moving and you and/or your children use the public library, check to see all your fines are paid. The public libraries are strapped for $ and are sending people with overdue accounts to collections! So don't damage your credit with something as silly as unpaid library fines!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Fat Free Microwave Popcorn

Simply place 1/4 cup of regular popcorn kernels in a paper lunch bag. Fold the end over a couple of times to seal and place in microwave for approximately 2 minutes. All microwaves are different, so watch and listen carefully! When it's done, carefully open the bag, sprinkle salt if desired and shake it down. No oil or butter is needed for the popping. This method is so much healthier and a lot cheaper than buying regular microwave popcorn.

By Cath from Ottawa, Canada

Editor's Note: Watch carefully to make sure that it doesn't burn. Don't leave your microwave unattended.

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Use A Ladle To Prevent Overflow

When making cupcakes, I pour the batter from the mixing bowl directly into the cupcake pans. I use a ladle to stop the flow between each cupcake. I hold the bowl in my left hand and the ladle in my right. When they are all filled, I use the batter in the ladle to fill up the ones that I didn't put enough batter in.

By Dawn from Longview, TX

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Silverfish Hate Cinnamon

I have a lot of wallpaper in my home and silverfish love the paste! Silverfish also hate cinnamon, mine seem to come down from the attic. I buy that cheap 50 cent a bottle cinnamon and throw it all over my attic. I also sprinkle it in my closets, it's non toxic and makes your house smell good too! If I store books, I cover the books with tissue and sprinkle inside of the box.

By Tracey from Thomasville

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Check Department Outlets and Bridal Stores for Prom Dresses

Another idea about looking for that bargain prom dress. Look for your local Outlet Mall and go to the designer department store outlets. For example: Nordstrom's has one and then there's Saks Fifth Off. They have lovely formal clothes.

Also check out the sale racks of bridal stores. They have lots of bridesmaid dresses you could put to good use. My friend got her dress and the other dresses for her party at a bargain bridal store, they were lovely.

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Vodka For Pet Odors

When my three grand children came to live with me, they each had a kitten. The kittens grew up and started reproducing, all about the same time. Needless to say, one litter box per cat was NOT enough and there were numerous spots that the cats/kittens chose to potty. The smells were very strong and I tried numerous products to eliminate them and nothing seemed to work until, my son accidently spilled a bottle of vodka on one of the 'POTTY" spots. The odor was gone.

I purchased a large bottle of vodka and put it in a spray bottle. When I came upon a potty spot, I immediately cleaned it with a mild detergent, rinsed and then sprayed it with the vodka and the odor was gone. The vodka kills the bacteria that causes the odor. I don't know the difference between vodka and straight alcohol, but straight alcohol does not work. All the cats/kittens are gone now, but I still keep the spray bottle handy for other hard to remove odors.

By Patti from Clever, MO

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Pantyhose Headband

One more use for a old, clean, pantyhose leg: Cut to size and tied in a knot at the ends, they make great headbands; perfect for keeping my hair out of my face when I'm doing housework, etc.

By Denise from FL

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Uses For Water From Boiled Eggs

Ideas to recycle the water from boiling eggs from the ThriftyFun community.

Use To Clear a Drain

By Barbie

Cook Noodles The Same Time

By alobarbear

Water Plants

By walshfarm

Note: Watering your plants with it is fine as long as it does not contain salt. Salt can harm your plants.

Post your own ideas below.

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Putting My Sewing Machine Back Together

The needle wasn't coming up, after going down into the bobbin area, so I removed the lid off the bobbin area and took out the pieces in there. Now I can't figure out how to put (the 3 pieces) back in. It's the bobbin holder, the thing that goes in, and an outer ring. The thing the bobbin holder goes in, doesn't seem to fit anyway I put it.

Is there an ONLINE diagram or photo, showing directions how to put it back in? Or can someone take some photos and post them for me please? I would REALLY appreciate it.

I'm completely lost, and late for a birthday project I was trying to finish. (Photo shows the pieces that won't go back together.)

Thanks,
DJ_DJ

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Making Whipped Butter

Is there a way to whip real butter so that you can keep it in the refrigerator but it still stays pretty soft? My DH won't eat any brand of margarine (says it's got plastic in it); and where we live is too warm (even in the winter!) to keep the butter anywhere but in the refrigerator and that means it's always hard.

I tried one of those special butter keepers that use icy, cold water in an outer container to keep the butter from spoiling at room temperature, but it didn't work; it's just too warm where we live. I tried whipping the butter with my electric mixer and then putting it back in the fridge, but it was still pretty hard. Do I need to add a little water or oil when I whip it maybe?

Lynn from Chico, CA

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Foxtail Palms Damaged By Cold

I have two foxtail palms that have suffered from this year's rough winter. All the fronds have died and I have cut them off. I then cut about 6" from the top of the stalk to see what it looked like inside. When I peel back the previous year's frond shaft, it's still fresh and fuzzy like it's alive, but I'm not sure. How do I know if my palms are going to recover or when it's time to remove them?

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Jasmine from Mobile, AL

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Sewing Zippers

Please tell me how to sew a zipper in my kool aid pouch purse.

Bonnie from St. Pete. FL

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Remembering To Use Coupons

My husband and I dutifully cut coupons every Sunday. Problem is, we usually have to go back and get them at the house once we get to the grocery store! Does anyone have suggestions for a good organizer to make them easier to remember to take with us?

Thanks,
Concetta from Westmont, IL

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Marbleized Easter Eggs

Years ago my mom made marbleized Easter eggs. They didn't just look like them they really were the real thing. Does anyone know how to do this? I do know they wrapped silk cloth around them to make a pattern and boiled them for a long time. Anyone know how to do this? Thank you in advance for your help!

Karen from Clemmons, NC

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Washing a Satin-Backed Crepe

Is it possible to wash satin-backed crepe in cold water with Surf? I recently found one of my bridesmaids' dresses - 32 years old! - in a wardrobe. The dress is in perfect condition, but I would like to have it clean as well.

Thank you!
Kind regards
Carol from Republic of South Africa

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Removing Masking Tape from Hardwood Floors

I taped the hardwood floor with masking tape a long time ago to paint the moldings. I'm just getting around to removing it and having an awful battle! Anyone have any solutions to try? Thanks!

Pattie from Bridgton, Maine

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Checkbook Didn't Come With a Duplicate Flap

I bought a checkbook wallet and it does not have a duplicate flap. You know the little plastic flap that goes between the duplicate checks so that when you are writing a check, the writing wont go thru to the next check. Do you have any ideas on what else I can use instead of this plastic flap protector?

Onesummer

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Fabric Book Covers

I would like to make fabric book cover/carriers with straps for gifts. Does anyone have a pattern or directions?

Bobbye from Homosassa, FL

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Numb Spot On My Thigh

I have a numb spot on my thigh, I can't feel anything in that one spot but sometimes little pains go through it and it really hurts! (Especially if something touches the spot.) My doctor said it was "nerve damage" and that I could take Vitamin B6 to restore some feeling but it hasn't done a thing. My question is, would I have to get some kind of surgery to fix this - IS there even any way to fix it? Thanks for any advice!

Stacey from Orem, UT

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Apple Crisp Recipe

Does anyone have an apple crisp recipe that they just LOVE? This is one dish that I crave, but can't seem to make well.

Ginger

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Keeping Dogs From Pooping on Grass

What can I get to keep dogs from pooping on my grass?

Bridget

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Removing a Tick from a Dogs

I found a tick on my dog. How do I safely remove it?

Thanks,
Lewis

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Cleaning Soot From Bricks

What type of chemical can be used to remove soot from the outer bricks of a home that had a bad fire?

Lee from Dickinson, TX

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When you subscribe to my newsletter "The Budget Stretcher" you will receive this easy guide to effectively organizing and managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click the below link to learn more:

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Rain Garden Basics
By Ellen Brown

Anyone with a roof, sidewalk or driveway has storm water runoff from rain and snow. And if you have any runoff at all, you're contributing to water pollution. Most water pollution falls under the category of 'nonpoint' source pollution (pollution that comes from several sources, including industry and individuals. Planting a rain garden is one way gardeners can help improve water quality. It's also attractive and it's an easy do-it-yourself project. Here are some basics on how to get started.

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Recipes Using Hard Boiled Eggs

Here are some creative ideas of what to do with leftover hard boiled eggs that are more unusual than egg salad or deviled eggs.

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