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Hello,
What do you plan to do to save money next year? Please send in your tips and we will publish them next week.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Photos
BettyBoots is 2 1/2 months old and is a Potbelly pig. I got her on 11-1-2005.
When it is meal time for her she squeals and cries out "mama" and "num num".
By Pam from Clinton, TN
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Sleeping Beauty and isn't she beautiful!
By Tati from Atlanta, Ga
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Improving an Unfinished Stairway
I was feeling frustrated with our laundry room and stairs going down to our basement. Their were pine coloured boards on the walls and the dust would really show there and it just was so yucky looking. I prayed about it and then started thinking about what paint we had stored downstairs.
Well, I found 3 gallons of white/beige and took it to a hardware store and had it tinted a sand colour. My daughters and I painted the stair way and laundry room. I then picked up some discounted wallpaper and we took off some of the boards on the stairway and put wallpaper there. It looks so nice. I was thrilled with it and it only cost us a total of 20.00.
Oh I almost forgot. We had some leftover carpet from our living room that we had been storing for years and it matched beautifully and so I prayfully tried my first attempt at installing it myself. We have had a lot of compliments on our home improvement. Best of all it did not break the budget and we were able to use things we already had. Hope you like it. Mrs Huyben and daughters.
By Francine from Granton Ontario
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Howler is 7 weeks old and his Daddy is 1 1/2 years old. They are both Rottweilers. My dog had puppies.
Howler likes to eat, sleep, play. Daddy likes to guard the house and yard.
Howler is one of 10 pups in this litter. He is so cute and loves it when his Daddy visits him!
By Brenda Chavis from Fairmont, NC
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Today's Tips
My husband loves Auto Zone because they not only have reasonable prices on everything they carry, but they also have a "Rent-a-Tool" program where they will let you borrow tools from them for a deposit which you get back when the tool is returned. Big savings!
By Robin from Washington, IA
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Buying Magazines at the Newsstand
Do you find yourself buying the same magazine at the newsstand or supermarket checkout line every month? Go ahead and subscribe to it. Most subscriptions save you at least 50% off the cover price. On the other hand, don't renew magazine subscriptions that you rarely find time to read.
By ThriftyFun
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Even if you didn't save all your receipts from last year, you still can analyze your expenses and use that information to help save money next year. For example, did you buy a latte every day before work? The average latte costs about three dollars. That works out to $15 per week for a grand total of $780 a year. Switching to drip coffee could save you $390. Even if you can't live without your lattes, maybe there is something else you can forgo next year?
By ThriftyFun
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Spend Less for Convenience Meals
With the new year approaching, it's good to evaluate where you are spending your money and look for ways to save. If you find you eat fast food regularly because you don't have time to cook, try to find some TV dinners that you like and keep them stocked in the freezer. The quality of TV dinners has improved remarkably since they became popular in the fifties. They tend to cost half what a meal at a fast food restaurant and can be even cheaper if you use a coupon. If you have the time, an even better approach is to spend a weekend in your kitchen making meals for your freezer.
By ThriftyFun
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Did you hear about the guy in Paris who almost got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre? After planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only two blocks away when his Econoline ran out of gas. When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied: "Monsieur, I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh."
By Chell from Missouri
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Keeping Measuring Spoons Handy
To keep measuring spoons handy, I placed a magnet with a hook on the side of my stove and on the side of my refrigerator. I hang a pair of measuring spoons on the hook and I always know where they are and I don't have to rummage through the kitchen drawers when I needed measuring spoons.
By WandaJo from Tennessee
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Leftover Peels from Citrus Fruits
Freeze the peel from oranges or lemon and later you can use it to flavor tea, coffee or cider.
By Robin from Washington, IA
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If you have children in a wedding, plan a rehearsal dinner children's table! It can be elegantly decorated with the colors of the wedding - example - use bubble gum scattered around the center of the table instead of marbles. Hang a sand bucket on the back of each child's chair with satin ribbon; fill the bucket with coloring book, crayons, small games and treats.
A paper place mat with the bride and groom's name, date and the child's name could be imprinted on the paper place mat; the middle of the paper place mat can be a place that the child draws a special picture for the happy bride and groom; the place mats can be presented to the couple or kept by the child as a memento of the wedding. The place mats could be laminated and dry erase markers could be used; a small dry erase marker eraser could be available for the child to use when drawing on the place mat.
The parents of the children are seated near the child's table so the children would feel secure and the parents could take care of them.
I used this idea at my son's wedding rehearsal dinner; we had a buffet and the children's parents were able to prepare their child's dinner plates with food and the children had their own space. It was an elegant affair even with the child's table.
I made ice cream bouquets as the centerpiece for the children's tables (one large one and four small ones that were placed at each child's place setting). There were no candles at the children's table; bubble gum was scattered around the center of the table instead of marbles that were used on the adult's table. You could use M&M's or skittles candies.
By WandaJo from Tennessee
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New Contest
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Photo Contest!
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Contest ends December 31, 2005
Syndication Spotlight:
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New Requests
Which is Safer: A Candle or a Candle Warmer?
I received a candle warmer for a Christmas present. I feel that it is safer than burning candles. My friend feels the opposite. She said she is afraid that she wouldn't remember to turn off the candle warmer, but would see the flames on burning candles and this would remind her. Curious about opinions on this topic!
P.J. from Delaware
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I'm getting married on May 6th 2006 and my colors are pale yellow and sage. My wedding is in one of the oldest churches in Tennessee, it does not even have electricity and the pews are logs cut in half. If anyone can help with any ideas for CHEAP decorations it would be great.
Hannah from Johnson City, TN
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I have spilt wax on my good trousers. I have since washed them 3 times and tried the paper / iron method and still wont remove the wax. I think the wax is ground into my trousers now. Does anyone know anything else I can try - I love these trousers!
Karen Bain from Scotland
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Do you have instructions for a soda can tab belt?
Phlip Ro from Tucson, AZ
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Making a Scarf with a Knifty Knitter
Does anyone know how to make a scarf with the Knifty Knitter kit? If you do, please leave instructions.
Thanks!
Emma from Los Angles, CA
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Can I Fix Bleached Black Clothing?
I did a load of laundry which consisted of only black blazers and office pants. I, however, was not aware that there was bleach in the washer, not much but enough to turn my blacks into dark maroons. The color was ruined but the fabric wasn't. Is there any advice someone can give me to repair my black clothes? I'm new at this.
Bethany from Long Beach, CA
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Can someone please give some info on how to decorate a bath & body basket and a basket for Valentine's Day. I make candles, lotions, oils, shower gels, etc. but I am fresh of decoration ideas. I am not too crafty but can be with step by step info and pictures. I need it for 2 presentations. I am fresh out of ideas.
Thanks,
La Toya Chaisson from Dallas, Texas
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Removing Candle Color Stain from a Wood Table?
We had candle wax go through a red tablecloth onto the oak table top. How do we get the red dye out of the table top finish?
Dan from East Bethel, MN
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Reducing The Smell From Oil Based Paint
My husband is painting the kitchen trim with an oil base paint. Does anyone know how to help with the smell? Thanks!
Carol from Collierville, TN
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I would like to make my own pocket heaters, the kind you expose to air and they heat up (they are disposable). I know the ingredients are simply carbon and iron oxide. But where do I get large amounts of rust? And what kind of carbon? Regular coal? Charcoal? Activated carbon for fish tank filters?
And how do I treat the ingredients? Do I do something special? Obviously the finished product must go into an airtight container when mixed.
Chuck R. from Kentwood, MI
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Hot Glue Stain on Cotton Shirt
I need suggestions on how to get dried hot glue off of a cotton uniform shirt. As a quick fix I had to hot glue something to my uniform top and now that it's off it left a residue that I can't get out (I've already washed it and that didn't help at all). Any suggestions are much appreciated!
Thanks!
Kathy from South Dakota
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We have carpet stains due to one of our cats throwing up. I have tried nearly every "home remedy" and product on the market, to no avail. The stains appear to go away, but come back within a few days. I would like to avoid replacing expensive Berber carpeting!
Steph from Eastern Iowa
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Steak Grease on Polyester Blouse
I need to know how to remove steak grease on a purple polyester delicate blouse?
Bonnwildcats from Louisville, Kentucky
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My mom used to make a Tomato Soup with canned tomatoes, milk and baking soda. I remember something that the milk had to be just the right temp and before she added the tomatoes. Does anyone know how to make it this way?
Mary from Michigan
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I'm going to have my own bedroom for the first time in ages. It's a big room and I'm starting from scratch with very little money. I want to decorate it pretty but am struggling for ideas.
Right now I have...
I think a big room with the only colored curtains and lots of white will drive me nuts. I don't know what I want the clock to be made from. I was thinking of doing some abstract things in the right colors for the canvas (It's small).
Please share more cheap or free ideas (My total money is $20)
Syele from New Mexico
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I would like to request the article step by step to reupholstering a couch.
Shantrice from Houston, TX
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Removing Beeswax Hair Remover From Skin
How can I remove leftover beeswax hair remover from skin?
NAZ from ITHACA, NY
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Cleaning Plastic (Patent) Shoes
I bought some 'patent' shoes from new look today and I was wondering how I am to clean them or to get rid of scuffs when they happen? I don't know whether I am to use the same tricks that you use with actual leather patent shoes, as from new look, they are most likely plastic! Please reply as soon as you can, if you can.
Thanks!
Joanne from England
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I am looking for directions on how to make sandals from juice pouches. I have made many purses but I am not quite sure where to start with the sandals. Any tips wold be so appreciated!
Craft T from Cameron, MO
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Half Clear Pull-Apart Ornaments
Many years ago I was able to get a dozen of those 1/2 clear, 1/2 pearlized or mirrorized plastic/acrylic pull-apart ball ornaments for making Christmas tree decorations. I need more and now need a source as no one around here carries them anymore. Does anyone know of an online source?
Thank you.
Lorri G. from Hibbing, MN
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