Daily Thrifty Tips - March 15, 2006

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This is my own design Packers Doily, I crocheted it myself. I do enjoy crocheting. I've been doing it for years since I was a teen. I do sell lots of them for my friends. We all love the Green Bay Packers here in Wisconsin.

Spoiledbrats from Fond du Lac, wisconsin

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Peep just turned 8 on March 7th. He's a common but uncommon cat, :) beautiful face, short legs. His siblings were all different with even one looking part main coon.

He was born into the palm of my hands from a stray. I am the only human to hold him, touch him, love him or even get near him. No one has ever gotten within ten feet of him besides me of course.

Peep is an outdoor kitty and considered feral except that he is mine in every way. I feed him and love him and I massage his short little legs that he just loves. Tuxy is a black and white female I have outside also, they have a love/hate relationship but only each other, at least in the cat world besides me.

Peep being born right into my hands has bonded with my soul. He is truly my soul kitty. I have been renting a place for 15 years and now need to move as it is being sold so I am burdened by the pain in my heart what to do with MY kitties.

I just lost my father a couple of months ago so it has been all so much. But in so many ways I have been blessed. OH and the two of them have never even had a simple cold due to the fact that I also feed them raw :)

By Tone from Lodi, NJ

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My frugal tip is that I often bring part of my breakfast and lunch to work and buy the remainder from the cafeteria. This way, I can still socialize with my coworkers and also feel good about saving money at the same time. It's a simple idea, but one that many people do not seem to think about.

By Clair from Teaneck, NJ

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A man went into the pet shop to purchase something for his mother's birthday. His mother was alone and he thought it would be a good idea if she had a nice companion with her. He couldn't decide what kind of a pet to get so the shop owner showed him a parrot. He said, "This parrot can speak in 5 different languages." The man said, "Wow, that'll give her someone to talk to, it should be a nice pet. I'll take it." About a week later, the man received a letter from his mother that said the usual things, "Today I went shopping and found a great deal on peaches...my friend and I played bingo and I won $15.00 and a t-shirt...and thank you, son, for the wonderful chicken you sent me, it was absolutely delicious..." The man was horrified. Surely his mother couldn't be talking about the parrot! He called his mother up immediately. "What do you mean, 'chicken'?" he asked. "That was a parrot that could speak in five different languages!" The mother replied, "Well then it should have said something!" By Stacey from Orem, UT

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Easter is coming up and that means the 'pastels' and other good candy is out on the shelf. Here's a way to hide a secret stash; put some of your Easter favorites into a brown paper bag and stick it in the freezer labeled "Fish". (Or something else the family doesn't like.) Enjoy! What's better than frozen chocolate?! lol

By Stacey from Orem, UT

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When knitting or crocheting a pattern that has different instructions for each row I copied the pattern and cut out each row and put 1 row on a 3X5 blank index card and put it into the binder that comes with index cards. (I bought mine at Wal-Mart). The binder has 2 rings and comes with some of the cards. I put the cut out name on the top card, materials on the next using 1 card for each different section (gauge, etc.) then I start with putting the rows individually on a card. ONLY one side of a card. After the pattern rows are on the cards; I take a large paper clip and put it on the row that I am currently working on. That way if I lose my place I can find where I was. This is an efficient way of doing a particularly difficult or easy project.

By Sheila S from Leominster, MA

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Many festivals and organizations print out their own posters and give them away - free. Keep on the look out for them for your decorating.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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This weekend I had a craft day with my five year old nephew. I was having trouble with my words getting through to him. He kept doing the doing the opposite of everything I asked (typical kid stuff, too busy with what they were doing to hear that you were telling them to stop) so I said " You are driving me crazy." and he replied "How can I be driving you crazy when I don't even have a drivers license." Of course it made me laugh and stopped me from going crazy at the moment. Kids say the darndest things.

By Stella from Port Orchard, WA

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When making meatloaf, I always add fresh cut up vegetables; spinach, broccoli, peas, onions. This makes for a special treat!

By Marilyn Wons from Destin, Fl

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If you plan on making a shirt that has buttons on it into a rag, be sure to the take buttons off. Buttons serve no purpose on a rag and you can use the buttons for something else. Once you have taken all the buttons off, sew them all together so that you will have a matching set. This is much better than tossing them into a jar and having to sift through buttons for a matching set.

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Does anyone have any suggestions for some recipes for people who are trying to lower their cholesterol? I have hundreds, maybe even thousands of recipes, but of the ones I have, I seem to have a real shortage of recipes that would fit that bill. My husband has high cholesterol and I'm sure I have, too, since I eat the same things that he does.

Also, can anyone tell me of a good place to go for some cholesterol and sugar lowering guidelines? We both want desperately to lose weight, too. Thanks ahead of time for the advice!

Robin from Washington, IA

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I am captain of a Relay for Life team that raises money for American Cancer Society. For fundraisers, we enjoy making and selling things for each holiday (such as crafts or food items). For example, we are making and selling large candy Easter eggs for $5 each for Easter. I wondered if anyone had any suggestions for foods or crafts for Mother's Day and Father's Day. Thanks in advance for your help.

Angela from North Carolina

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I have a few packages of Dry Milk that my Mom gave me, and I have no clue what to do with them. Any ideas for usage? I'd hate to just pitch them. And if a recipe calls for milk, can I use this (already made) instead of regular milk?

Thanks!

katieandjeffy from Pennsylvania

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Hello Everyone,

I have tried several of the recipe that are in my the recipe newsletter. My question is the following. A family member had a small restaurant for a few years and due to a family illness she had to close her restaurant. There were several large packages of mixes that she used, for example: pancake mixes, biscuits, etc. These are restaurant size bags. How can I cut them down to use for a family of four?

I don't want to throw them away because it is really a waste and due to my budget it would help to feed our family. Is there a way to divide the packages into family size servings? These bags are 5lb to 10lb each and they are only the dry ingredients. Is there a certain book on how to do this? Your help would really be great for me.

Thank you,
Norma from San Antonio, Texas

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I had my ears pierced a few months ago and will be purchasing earrings. I was wondering what the term "fashion earrings" means? Are these made by designers, or does it mean what is in fashion today? I will not be buying expensive earrings, any suggestions on where to buy (department stores, Avon, etc.)?

Thanks,
P.J. from Delaware

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My church is having a Rainbow Tea and I have the white table. I need ideas for decorating the white table. Three years ago, I did clouds with angels on top, angel food cake with white icing and boiled eggs, white grape juice with ginger ale. This year, I need some more ideas.

granny9x from Montgomery, AL

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My 2 year old son occasionally urinates through his diaper and the urine gets on his onesie and pajamas. What I've begun to notice is that even though I wash these items, the urine smell remains. Is there anything I can add to the wash load to help with the smell. I've tried Oxiclean but that hasn't worked.

Thank you so much in advance.
keligator from Bensalem, PA

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I have black bugs that look and act like lightning bugs (but without lights) coming into my house. They can get through the smallest opening in my new windows. They fly but not much, they are easy to catch, but there are about 50 a day getting in. They definitely aren't roaches, not nearly as fast or ugly. They are black with red stripes. Any suggestions?

My garden is just outside this window, but these bugs come in from January to April, and I don't see them in the garden. My neighbor doesn't have them, but my son does and he is 20 minutes from here. His garden is far from his house. I don't want to use poisons but what can I do?

Jeneene from Cincinnati, OH

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Does anyone have a recipe for Don Pablo's corn cake?

Rob from Dayton, KY

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I have a young (3') Loquat Tree planted in my backyard. Its leaves are turning dry and brown despite sufficient watering, and may have some "munch markings" on the edges. I have 2 other Loquats in my front yard receiving similar sun, shade, and water and they are doing fine. Might something be munching on my tree, and if so, what can I treat it with to stop it?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Thanks!
Tripleb from Greenville, AL

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My dishwasher doesn't work. It still sounds like it's working, but despite turning the tap, no water comes through. I thought maybe the pipe was clogged, but didn't want to pay for a plumber if it's easily fixable myself. Has anyone had this problem and fixed it themselves, or can offer any suggestions?

Cathy from Townsville, Australia

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I want to highlight my hair at home but I have very Jet black hair. Should I use hair bleach before hair highlight for better result? Can you please tell me the procedure of bleaching before highlighting?

Ipsun from Detroit, MI

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Does anyone have easy to follow plans to build steps for "Buddy" to use to get to the top of the bed and down again? We don't know how old he is or what injuries he might have had before we got him. He limps sometimes (maybe arthritis?). Our vet couldn't find anything wrong. I don't want him hurting himself by jumping down from the bed.

Thanks,
Great Granny VI from Moorpark, CA

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I am interested in purchasing a "hard surface cleaner" and am considering the HOOVER FLOORMATE. Apparently it vacuums but also scrubs, washes and dries like a wet-vac. If you have had any experience with this product, I'd appreciate hearing from you. (the Good, the Bad and the Ugly). Is it effective and is it easy to use? I am wanting to use it on vinyl flooring.

Diana from Prospect, KY

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Can I use Creosote logs for a flower bed or will the Creosote harm the plants?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Sandra from Mississippi

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I need a candle making kit. I have no supplies right now. I will need everything it takes to make candles. I am also interested in making pillows, sewing, flower arrangements, etc.

James From Middlesboro, KY

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I'm wanting to start my own cleaning service but i'm not sure of the name I picked out for the business. I need help in picking out a better name or tell me if you think its a good name to use. The name is: "T & S Sparkling Cleaning Service". If you have better ideas, I would love to hear them.

Thanks,
Serena from Manteca, CA

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My husband has been diagnosed with caner of his prostate. He starts radiotherapy next week for 7 weeks. He has been warned about side effects for his skin, bladder and; bowel. Please can anyone who has been in this situation tell us how to minimize the side effects. It would be good to hear success stories.

Janny from New Zealand

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I would like suggestions on how to cut sea shells. I have some small conch shells I want to cut like coins. I have a craft project in mind for them. I have seen it already done in stores so I know it is possible. Thanks for any suggestions.

Taxicab from Raymond, WI

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I have a pool, and it doesn't matter how much chlorine I dump in it, or how much I scrub it, the bottom is stained in places with a greenish algae-looking growth. Even a wire brush won't remove it. It's driving me nuts, and despite being clean, no one wants to go swimming. Any ideas?

Cathy from Townsville, Australia

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Have a little "green" fun with the following activities.

Make Irish Toast - Simply get a piece of sliced bread and paint shamrocks on it using a new, clean small tipped paintbrush and water mixed with green food coloring. Then pop it in the toaster and serve when lightly browned.

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The Audubon Society estimates that in the United States and Canada, as many as 1 billion birds die each year due to collisions with glass. Collisions that don't end in fatalities often leave birds temporarily stunned and vulnerable to predators, or worse, seriously injured and subject to a slow, painful death. To help keep your backyard birds safe, follow these tips for minimizing the risk of bird strikes to your doors and windows.

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