Daily Thrifty Tips - September 7, 2006

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This photo was shot on program with the flash over-exposed by one third. This highlights the flowers.

By Gene Mitchell from Las Vegas, NV

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My family has been deeply saddened by the death of Steve. We would like to express our sympathy to our Aussie friends and to all of the people who loved him....worldwide. He truly was "one of a kind".

Grandma Margie from Missouri USA

Feel free to share your throughts and memories about Steve below.

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Keep a few cans of tuna or chicken in the fridge, for in those times when you need a quick meal. They'll be great to either drain and toss on top of a green salad or a quickie dish of tuna or chicken salad. Also, other canned goods I keep in the fridge from time to time are: pork and beans, German style potato salad, pickled beats. Living here in the desert, anything cold is greatly appreciated and especially if it can shorten my time in the kitchen!

By Terri from NV

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A fun craft and garden decor idea is to take old light bulbs and paint them. Glass paint is the best option but you can use spray paint as well. Once painted in a design or color of your choice take a high gage wire, I use 20 gauge copper, and wrap around the base. You can wrap some around the bulb as well, if wanted. Then you can hot glue glass stones or little trinkets on the wire. Attach to your average garden stake with wire and a bit of hot glue and plant!

I make mine with wire leaves to look like flowers and even bugs. Its really just what ever you want. Beware of children though or you may have one trying to smell your table lamps!

By lifewithmadman from Little Rock, AR

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Laziness is the mother of invention. I needed some coarsely chopped onions for chili I was making. rather than drag out a knife and cutting board, etc, I peeled the onion, put it on a paper towel and pressed my apple slicer down and cut it into wedges, which I dumped into the chili. As it cooked, the wedges separated into pieces, coarsely chopped. No mess and about 15 seconds of work!

By Linda from Vista, CA

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To stop COLD SORES from coming dab some tincture of Myrrh on the area often. It will stop the cold sore from forming. The earlier you can catch it is best, like when you feel the tingling feeling.

By Glenda from Escondido, CA

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When I need to buy a toilet seal, jigsaw blade or something I need to for a home improvement project, I often buy two, even though I should only need one. If there is a problem installing a toilet seal or a blade breaks, I don't have to run to the store in the middle of my project to replace it. When the project is done, I take back the extra materials. As long as they are unopened and in their original packages, the hardware store will take them back. Just be sure to save your receipt!

By Fisher

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You can repair the chips on the rims of plates/bowls, etc by filling in the color - if necessary - with marker and then covering with clear nail polish!

By Pam from L.A., CA

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Looking for cheaper public transportation options? I don't have a car and am a non driver, so I depend a lot on public transport. Up till the end of February this year, I had part-time paid work, which included a monthly travel card for the public transport system. Now I no longer have the job or the monthly card!

A 2 hour concession ticket costs me $1.90, so I found that fares were really eating into my pension payment, seeing I need to use PT for getting to the shops, library, etc. Then by asking, I found that I can get a 10 trip ticket for under $14. This can be used every day for 10 days, or as many times in one day as you need to use it. The cost of the 10 trip ticket works out to $1.30 a ticket, compared to $1.90 for a single ticket, a saving of 60 cents on each ticket!

As I live in Australia, I know conditions and fare prices will be different in other countries, but wherever you live, if you need to use public transport regularly, ask around for a better deal!

Elliecat from Melbourne, Australia

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Anyone here think of using household brands and products NOT tested on animals? Most products for bath, body and household are tested on animals by having the animals drink these concoctions, everything from cleaners to perfumes, lotions and more which are literally poured down the animal's throat and/or poured in their eyes, all so the manufacturer can attest whether or not they are "harmful to humans"!

This testing is done mostly on unwanted cats and dogs, either from pounds and shelters or kidnapped from our homes. It's just horrible, disgraceful and it goes on continuously! I wish more folks would use products NOT tested on animals. Even "Bath and Body Works" products claim on their products: "finished product not tested on animals" What does this mean? It means that some or most of the ingredients are still tested on animals?

I am currently researching companies and products that absolutely DO NOT animal test. One of them is "Seventh Generation", who, for years, has come through for those of us who are truly concerned about animal welfare. I will inform everyone of other companies when I come across them.

BUT, Be aware: Just because a company CLAIMS their products are NOT tested on animals does not mean this is the case. Many companies have lied about this, claiming no animal testing is done because the fact is, at present there is simply no law in effect which requires these companies to back up their statements to the public. It is something that must be acknowledged and if all of you ladies and gents love your pets and ANY animals, then you must realize the heavy price THEY are paying for OUR selfish vanity and convenience!

Thank you for allowing me to share.

By Ursula from Arizona

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Make a Bromeliad bloom by putting the entire plant in a plastic bag with an apple for one week, the apple produces ethylene gases and revs up the blooming process. I heard this, but have not tried it as of yet, I need to, mine has not bloomed in the 2 years I've have it.

By Linda from Oceanside, CA

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Just picked up some clever filters for my box fans from the thrift shop - They are shaped like large shower caps and made out of a "pellon" material. You put them on the BACK sides of the fans to use as a filter. (I am going to wash them until they fall apart!) Reminds me that I used to put cheese cloth on my fans to filter them - sewing the sheets together loosely to fit and taping them on. Thinking about what I could put on my round house fans. Something out of panty hose?

Aha! a P.S. to my earlier tip about fan "filters." Inspired, I fiddled around with a round fan and found that by sacrificing a pair of light-colored control top panty hose, cutting off the legs, I could insert the body of the round fan and put the panty hose waistband around the round fan in the back. (The leg holes folded up around the fan's shaft, facing back.) This forms an adequate "filter" for my urban fan - which really gets dirty with greasy city dust. If you want to make it tidier, I suppose you could sew up the edges in the back neatly - but my fan faces a back window, so I didn't bother...

By Pam from L.A., CA

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This is a handy tip if you don't use your luggage regularly. Instead of storing it empty, fill it up with out of season clothing or extra blankets. Attach a tag that lists to contents on the handle so you can see what is in it at a glance.

Post your ideas below.

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I thought I had tripped the circuit breaker after turning on the TV, stereo, Satellite receiver all at the same time. However when I went to check the breaker, it had not tripped but there was no power to any of the outlets on that circuit. Does this sound like a faulty breaker? And if so, can I change it myself?

Thanks,
GD from NY

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My partner just bought a new car and a day later I brought lilies into the car brushed the lilies into the upholstery. I tried hoovering the car it never worked so I used a stain remover. Now it's all wet and looks like curry. Can anyone help me please?

Alana from Scotland Fife

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Do you give a housewarming gift when a person is renting or when they are purchasing a home?

Carol from Abingdon, MD

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My 10 year old daughter has wet the bed for years. Nothing is medically wrong. i have found this is common, so she wears goodnights to bed. But in the AM she'll lay in bed, wide awake and wet her pull-up until it runs out onto the bed. I ask her "why", she says she doesn't know why. I have, in the past, been very patient and understanding... but today i lost it. I made her wear the nasty wet pull-up around the house for punishment.. what is up with this? is it a fetish? Is she mentally ill? I have lost my mind. I told her if she does it again she will have to wear it to school and I will tell all her friends... the parent in me knows this is not the right approach, but I am at the end of the road here. What else is there to try?

Nina from Las Vegas

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Is there any other companies like bill-me-later.com?

Tiffany from IL

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What is the proper way to address a waiter in a restaurant?

Dee from Los Angeles

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Cleaning a plastic bath tub and shower stall. It has a lot of mold and mildew as well as soap scum. I have used Tilex and scrub brushes but it will not budge.

BK From North Carolina

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I have a neighbor who recently completed a quilt she has been working on for 2 years. When she put it in the washing machine on delicate cycle she had some red bleeding. She has made many quilts over the years and never experienced this situation. Any ideas to get out the red bleeding.

Marti from Venice Florida

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When is it ok to take off the tape after painting?

Micaela from Houston, Texas

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How do I clean tubing in a water fountain?

Trisha from Daly City, CA

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Is it customary to ask your son to see a list of the gifts he received from your family members and friends (not the bride's side) at his wedding?

Zimmy from Providence, RI

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I ordered a leather coat, and it smells terrible. I love the smell of leather, but this is not it. Can I fix this?

Marge from Knoxville, IA

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How do you clean lime and hard water stain build up on a porcelain tub.

Suman from McLean, VA

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How do I clean a black range that has many spill overs in one spot? They are all crusty and are impossible to clean even when scrubbing very hard. Nothing seems to work.

Diane52 from Pinehurst, NC

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How do you remove skunk smell from inside a house?

Karen from Farmington, Maine

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I recently bought a 17 inch Toshiba satellite laptop and I was hoping websites would appear bigger. BUT THEY DON'T! They are the same size as my 15 inch computer, it has two white BLANK columns on either side of the website so that it is the same size as my other computer! Why buy a 17 inch if it is only going to be bigger for movies that you watch? Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I can adjust? I really don't want to call customer service because it will be someone who can't speak English.

Paula from GA

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How can I remove human urine from silk fabric?

susan.tracy2

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I have hard water build-up and soap scum on the inside of dishwasher and the dishes do not get properly cleaned.

Pat

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I am growing cantaloupes for the first time and every time the melon starts to get big, it cracks and gets invaded with ants. Any suggestions on what I should do to prevent this?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

Gwyn from Foresthill, CA

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I will soon be moving to a location that is deep in a canyon and about 30 miles from the nearest town. It's over 80 miles to a town that would have employment that could be considered substantial. I would like to do something at home. Maybe medical billing, ebay, or whatever is available. How do I cut through the scams, mlm, and home party plans to find information to help me locate something that could earn a little income. It doesn't have to be much, 150-200 per week? Not, that more wouldn't be nice, just trying to be realistic.

Green Wasabi from Oregon

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Thank you to all who helped with my bunny with a scab on his back. It proved to be simply healed with some Betadine and Mercurochrome. My next question is an SOS. We found a little lamb on the farm that had been turned out by her Mom. She is one of twins and was obviously the weaker of the two. She was about a week old, hypothermic and at death's door.

We brought her in, warmed her up and virtually brought her back to life. We fed her with a syringe - this was a week ago. Now, at just over 2 weeks old, we still cannot get her to suck. We have put her milk into a squeeze bottle and literally squeezed the milk into her mouth and she then swallows it. Do I put the teat in the side of her mouth? She will not take it in from the front of her mouth. How do I get her to suck? I am feeding her the special formula for lambs. She has also had a runny nose. I was told to inject her with Penicillin every second day, 3 times. It is still a little runny. Thank you to anyone who is able to advise me.

Carolyn from South Africa

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I have a request for recipes using canned crabmeat.

LRP from LOWELL, MA

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I need help decorating my small living room. I have two colors on my wall. The top portion is cream and the bottom half is sage green. My furniture is black leather and my floors are dark frown hardwood. Please give my suggestions on what color to use for window treatments as well as accessories. Thanks for any help.

Tammy from North Carolina

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My son delivers oil. How do I get rid of the smell on his clothing? What do I use in the washing machine?

Thanks,
Claudette from Woonsocket, RI

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I need some expert advice, please. I have a piece of paper (plain white A4 size office paper) stuck to the carpet in one of my bedrooms. Could someone please advise me as to how to get the paper off the carpet (preferably without wetting it)?

If you're wondering how this happened...

Three nights ago I was investigating a "mould" smell coming from the spare bedroom of my house. This is not an old house and the bedroom carpet is approx. 3 years old. The spare bedroom door is usually closed, so the smell is most notable on entering the room. I live close to the sea and we have had a particularly rainy WINTER this year, so perhaps this explains the mould.

The smell seemed to be coming from under the headboard side of the bed. I moved the bed and found what looked like just a thick layer of dust, close to the wall. On closer inspection I realised it was indeed some kind of mould. I vacuumed the area well and the carpet looked OK. I then sprinkled some bicarbonate of soda on the spot and surrounding area of the carpet, left it for a few hours and then vacuumed the room again.

Today, three days later, the smell is still there, so I decided to steam-iron the affected part of carpet, thinking it would kill off the mould. I couldn't find a suitable cloth to put over the carpet to avoid burning it, so used a piece of paper instead. The ironing part went really well, but then I tried to lift the paper.... it is stuck to the carpet... I THINK THE IRON WAS TOO HOT and has partly smelted the paper into the carpet.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Karpet_Killa

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I've been battling acne scarring for a little while now. I am now acne free but i still have the scars as I have olive skin and I scar easily. Any ideas on what to do to get rid of scarring that doesn't involve surgery?

Taryn from Perth, WA

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How do I get socks white again?

Brandy from Detroit, MI

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I would like to make a greeting card for one of my "bridge playing friends" using some cards from a deck of cards. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Pam from Wilmington, NC

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My friend and I are throwing a halloween party and it has a video game theme. We are trying to find blue overalls like the Mario Brothers wear. Do you know where I can get some?

Paige from Minneapolis, MN

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How do I get the yellow out of my Ivory Piano keys without harming it. It has to be a child and animal safe substance. We have tried fingernail polish remover. Does this damage the keys?

Kiki from SC

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We had water leaking from our roof Swamp cooler and some of the water dripped around the bathroom light fixture. We fixed the leak but when we took off the fixture (the light wouldn't come on) we see a spark and then nothing. What happened and how do we fix this?

Esther from Layton, Utah

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