Daily Thrifty Tips - May 28, 2008

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Garden: Spectacular Pink Rose

Here in Davis, CA the roses are now past their prime. I caught a shot of this beautiful rose right outside my door. It is a climbing variety and I have never seen anything like it. It seemed to be 3 roses in one; just spectacular. Out here in Zone 9, I do nothing special with my roses. I let the aphids have their share because something will definitely have a feast on the aphids. We garden pretty naturally here and everything balances out beautifully.

By Karen from Davis, CA

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Scenery: Utah Lake

I just wanted to share this picture that I snapped at Utah Lake in February, I loved how it turned out! I love lake scenes!

By Stacey from Eagle Mountain, UT

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Little Boy (American Shorthair)

Little Boy is 4 years old and an American Shorthair. He was found orphaned at 2 weeks behind our barn. My husband found 2 little kittens while he was weed whacking. He brought them to me. Then 2 hours later something made him go back and check for more under some boards and he found Little Boy. He couldn't even raise his head. We didn't think he would make it through the night, but with a lot of attention he did.

He is the best cat in the world to us. He kneads and sucks on my shirt. We love Little Boy and are very glad that he survived.

By Amy from Ashville, OH

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Rocky (Husky/Lab)

Rocky is 5 months old. He is a Husky/Lab mix. I got him as a Valentine's Day present.

He likes to chase after my cat. He likes to go and look for bottles and carry them around.l ol

By Debra from Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

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Plan Summer Activities With School Curriculum In Mind

Every year before the last day of school, I obtain a copy of the coming year curriculum. I evaluate it and note any summer activities that will help my kids gain a healthy headstart. Last year, we discovered that my upcoming first grader would be studying George Washington and the Revolutionary War. Over that summer, we checked out books and age appropriate videotapes on our first President. We also visited a historical home in Maryland which conducted Revolutionary War reenacting and participated in hands-on activities such as firing a musket and starting a fire using flint and steel. He got to see first hand the types of tents and clothes and conditions our nation's patriots fought under.

Matching the curriculum to museum exhibits and community activities is a fun and easy way to incorporate learning during the long summer months.

Many school districts post their curriculum by grade on their website. I've also asked the principal to allow us to borrow next year's textbook which also helps in planning activities.

By Pearl from Gaithersburg, MD

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Use a Bath Mat in Your Golf Cart

This is a tip for all the golfers out there. Try using a bath mat to sit on when you are riding a golf power cart. The rubber backing will keep the mat in place and stop the mat from sliding around/off the seat. If you are playing in the rain, the bath mat stays drier than using a towel to sit on.

By Linda from Victoria, British Columbia

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Use Purell on Acne Breakouts

I am so excited to share this tip! I had an unwelcome middle aged pimple and wanted to cover it up before I went out. Usually when this happens I use an acne treatment, but it usually dries a little weird and plus I have sensitive skin. As I was pondering this at my vanity, my eyes fell upon the little travel size generic Purell on my table. Eureka! A clear antibacterial gel! Well, I dabbed it on that zit, it dried clear almost immediately and I was able to put concealer on it. And not only that it healed the pimple!! I have since been using this on blackheads that I find when I am brave enough to use the magnifying side of my mirror! It works great and soooo cheap!

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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Tips For Storing Crystal

When storing crystal dishes and glasses, never wrap them in newspaper. The newspaper will take the moisture out of them and make them break when handled. If you are going to store them for a long time, take them out at least once a year and wash them, this helps to replenish any lost moisture and extents the life.

By June from Montrose, GA

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Bring a Spool of Thread When Shopping

This tip is for any one wanting to match an item of clothing. Take a spool of thread in the color you are looking for when you go shopping. It's much easier than taking the item of clothing with you to the store. You can stick a spool of thread in your purse or pocket. It makes it a lot easier to shop.

By Judy from Birmingham AL

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Change Your HVAC Filter Monthly

The best thing you can do to reduce your cooling costs and protect your HVAC system is change your filter monthly. A dirty filter increases the energy needed to cool air, and it can damage equipment. Make it a point to change the filter when the month changes. Buy filters in bulk and label them by month to keep track, or buy one that is washable and reuse.

Source: My local TV Guide.

By Cinnamon from British Columbia

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Clean Windows With Dawn Dishsoap

I have found the easiest way to clean your windows is not with vinegar, or any store brought window cleaner. Take Dawn in the pump bottle and pump three times into a small bucket of water. Using a paper towel, wash the windows with the mixture of Dawn and water and use a squeegee to clean off the water. You will have the most perfect, clean windows without streaks every time. Try it, it works fantastic.

By Donna from Belle Vernon, PA

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Water Plants With Leftover Ice

Have extra ice cubes left in your glass? Use them to water your household plants.

By Gary from NJ

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Link: Dover Publishing Free Sample Images

If you ever look at my blog here at myfrugal life (Pamela's Penny pinching with Style) you will see that I often use vintage clip art from http://www.doverpublishing.com to illustrate my blog posts. I love their samples, which come to me via email almost weekly.

They also have a children's sampler - which has lots of coloring pages and even puzzles. I am collecting them for my husband, the teacher, as his students love them! Check them out for your children and students. Dover has great stuff and the samples are FREE.

By pamphyila from L.A., CA

Editor's Note: Pam is one of our most prolific bloggers. Here is a link directly to her blog on My Frugal Life. There are great tips scattered throughout.

• Blog: Pam's Pennypinching With STYLE

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Heath Risks When Reusing Food Cans

I would just like to have you post the following in response to the recipes I have seen here that call for using empty food cans that are on this site:

Please don't re-use empty cans to cook or heat anything in. Most cans nowadays have a toxic plastic material called Bisphenol A (BPA) inside them to keep the metal from affecting the taste of the food. Unfortunately the BPA is the same as has been used to make baby bottles and many other hard plastic water bottles. BPA has been linked to breast cancer and early puberty in women and when they tested very low doses on mice and rats they found the same plus diabetes, enlarged prostate and prostate cells prone to cancerous changes among the many health problems it can cause. The food that is in these cans is also contaminated by the BPA but then if you reuse the container by cooking or heating anything in them you release up to 50 times more of the BPA into the food.

Google BPA or check out Wikipedia's BPA page and it will make you not want to eat anything in cans anymore, period. Of course the chemical companies all say that the fears are unjustified just because a few rats and mice get sick doesn't mean anything. Sound like Big Tobacco some 20-30 years ago, huh? My sis-in-law who is a real pessimist says "Oh, well, these days everything is being found to give us cancer so why fight it?" I choose to fight it however and whenever I can, thank you very much.

Evey from Houston, TX

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Grow Potatoes For Patio Greenery

To dress up my front porch inexpensively, I take a potato and cut out the sections where "eyes" start growing. (The shoot that forms when they are getting too old). I place these in just enough water to keep the bottom of the section wet. Soon it will root and I then plant them in terra cotta pots with potting soil. They are cheap "plants" and produce very pretty greenery. My children loved this project.

By Tanya D from Winchester, Tn

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Ink on a Leather Wallet

I just got a purple leather wallet from my grandma for my birthday. I put it in my school bag and it had a tissue that some one had been scribbling on with texta! The in soaked though onto the wallet and now I can't get it off. I tried hairspray, even BEER but it has not came out!

Gemma from Australia

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Rat Urine Odor

I have an odor from rat urine in the trunk of my car. How do I get rid of it?

Brittany

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How to Control Deer in Your Garden

How can you get rid of deer coming to your garden?

Sherrie from Greenville, KY

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Cleaning Fabric Window Blinds

What is the best way to clean vertical, fabric blinds without taking them down from the window?

Eller from Florida

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Making Beer and Pop Box Purses

I am looking for instructions on how to make a beer box purse. I have searched and searched the web, but I have had no luck finding anything. Help please.

Nikki from Tennessee

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Can I Clean Life Jackets in the Washing Machine?

We just got our boat in the water yesterday, and I noticed the life vests are really dirty. Can they be machine laundered?

Sandy

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Candle Wax on Carpet

How do you get candle wax out of carpet and clothing?

Sheila from Flint, Michigan

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Removing Grease from a Ceramic Grill

What can I do to remove grease from ceramic grills on the BBQ?

Joan C. from Tichborne, Ontario

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Can I Remove Abrasions on a Granite Countertop?

Our granite counter top has some large abrasions. How can we remove them? We haven't been able to hire a pro to do this, as they say it can't be done.

Thanks, Terry

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Disability Discharge for a School Loan

Has anyone been through a Disability Discharge for a school loan? If so, how much time does the education department take until a conditional or final loan discharge is decided? How many in depth medical records are requested and how much privacy is there on what is requested? The law changes on July 1, 2008 with the education department. I am on a deadline. Any help is appreciated.

Sandy from Orange Cty, CA

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Do Marigolds Kill Other Flowers?

If you put marigold flowers in a container with other flowers, will they kill the other flowers, or their blooms? I just planted some marigolds with purple daisies, and all the blooms wilted on the purple daisies. Is it from the aroma that the marigolds put off?

Barb from Charlottte, NC

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Buying A House With Back Owed Taxes

How do I find a house that has back taxes owed on it, to buy it? What are the guidelines on doing that? I live in Enid, OK.

Katie

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Homemade Product Similar To "Garlic Barrier"

Can someone please tell me how to make a spray for my gardening plants that is similar to Garlic Barrier? It is too expensive and I would like to make my own at home. It is a strong liquid garlic extract that mixes with water to keep insects off all vegetable garden plants as well as garden flowers. It is safe to use around pets and children. I would so appreciate your help on this as bugs are coming fast and I want to save my plants. Thank you ahead of time.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Kay from Clyde, TX

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Fixing Sandal Insoles That Are Peeling

I bought a new pair of sandals and after I wore them once the insole has started to peel. They are open sandals with a strap between the toes. I really like them but I can't keep stepping in the sticky mess each time I put them on. Any suggestions on what to do?

Christie from Texas

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Where Can I Recycle Old Trophies?

I have lots of trophies, most of them from bowling. Where can I dispose them?

JoAnn from Minnesota

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Strange Bump On Dachshund's Belly

I have a 4 year old dachshund. For about 2 weeks (or more) she has had this funny looking bump/growth on her belly above her navel. Do you know what it could be and if there is anything I can do for it? It is not draining and is not sore. It started out as a red rashy kind of skin, like she had scratched there. She had a herniated navel at birth just below the bump. Please help!

Lori from Spring Hope, NC

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Does Vinegar Damage Hair?

I use vinegar for dandruff. It makes may hair look great but does it strip the natural protection? I don't want my hair and scalp damaged by the sun.

Jill from Seattle, WA

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Organizing Computer Cords

We just got a new computer desk and I have a terrible mess of computer cords from the existing computer. It looks like an out of control octopus. Does anyone have a simple way of getting the cables and cords behind the desk? I am worried about unplugging everything and then the computer not working again. I am a computer beginner. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Mary from Redmond, WA

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Maytag Oven Not Getting Hot

My Maytag oven doesn't heat above 210 degrees, even in cleaning mode. Is it fixable?

AE from Minneapolis

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Birthday Party With A Pirate Theme

I am having a birthday party for my son on June 21st. He will be turning 7 and wants to have a Pirate party with a treasure hunt. He has invited about 24 kids (hopefully they won't ALL come!). I need help! Can anybody give me ideas for games, food, ect?

I also need some ideas for clues for the treasure hunt. I have come up with 4 myself (riddles) but I am at a loss for any more. I would like to have 8 all together. If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your time!

Mel from Nova Scotia, Canada

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Keeping Drains Clean

I need a solution for keeping drains clean. Thank you.

Carleen from Spring Hill, Florida

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Does My Puppy Have Parvo?

I have a puppy that is almost 5 months old and I think she might have Parvo. I don't know for sure but she is vomiting a lot and her stool is watery but its not bloody. She's very weak and she won't eat or drink anything. We don't have any money to take her to the vet, I'm having a baby within the next week! I'm very concerned and I would love some advise. Please help me.

Krystal from Knoxville, TN

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Camping Food Ideas

I would like to get recipes and storage ideas for camping and RV-ing.

Lynn T from Central Arkansas

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How to Remove Hard Sugar from A Cannister

How can I get hardened sugar out of a cannister?

Rena A

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Saving Money on Wine

Tips for saving money on wine.

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Starting a Pussy Willow Plant from a Branch

Question:

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