July 28, 2008

Daily Thrifty Tips - July 28, 2008


Vol. 7, Num. 145, July 28, 2008 (Read It Online)

We have a very interesting pet photo for today, let us know what you think. We also have a great Beijing Summer Olympics party plan by Debra.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Photos:

Today's Tips:

Joke of the Day

New Requests:

More Reading:

Today's Sponsor:

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

Today's Photos:

Ralph (Marimo Ball)

Ralph is maybe two years old and is a Marimo Ball. I got Ralph about two weeks ago from my mom.

He like to move around in his jar and float on the top

I have a Marimo Ball and it's this green living ball. What is it? It's an algae ball. The algae forms itself into a ball and I have it as a pet in my house. I have named him Ralph and have to change his water at least twice a week.

If you have kids, this would be an excellent pet to own as he is very little trouble, very quiet, and you never have to feed him. While in his covered jar of water, he will get water pearls on him and this helps him to float around the jar and helps him to keep his round shape. He is also very good in a fresh water aquarium as it will ensure less algae is formed around the tank and the fish seem to like them.

By Amanda from Ottawa, Canada

Ralph (Marimo Ball)

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Let's Go to the Olympics Party
By Debra Frick

The Olympics only come around every 4 years and there are some of us who like the thrill and the majesty of the whole Olympic experience. Of course there are Sports Fans that also love all the events and love to root for the "Good Old USA". So this year, I am going to throw a party on the opening day of the Olympics. The summer Olympics this year will be held in Beijing, China so I thought this would be a great time to pull out some of my favorite Chinese recipes. The menu I chose will feed between 2-4 couples. What is great about this menu is that if I choose not to cook, I can order all the food from my local Chinese take out and it will be less work for me. An alternate menu would be to have international foods. You could easily make it a potluck by assigning each person a country, and have them bring some food from that country.

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Craft Project: Seaside Board

You could do a lot of different things to make this craft your own. Make a 3-D thank you note, make a journal entry about a vacation or the beach, or just make it decorative. Use seashells and other items you may see along the seaside.

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Recycle Flour Bags For Baked Goods

Recycle your flour bags by reusing them to store your homemade baked goods (cookies, pastries, etc). I carefully open the bags to begin using the flour and when its finished, I reuse the bag. If I need the bag right away, I transfer the remaining flour into a container, tap out any excess flour left inside and refill with my baked goods. If cost effective at the time, I try to buy the small bags of flour when at the market as they work best for me especially when I am sharing cookies with family and friends. They don't have to worry about returning a container, just discard the bag.

By sbb1 from Umm al Quain, UAE

Recycle Flour Bags For Baked Goods

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Sweet Sassy Sue (Black Lab)

Sweet Sassy Sue (Sassy) is a 14 year old Black Lab. My parents gave Sassy to our boys as a gift.

She likes to spend time with her family. Sassy understands Everything we say. She just loves holidays. Her favorite is CHRISTmas. She loves to open presents.

By Susie from Buckhead, Ga

Sweet Sassy Sue (Black Lab)

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Contests:

These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

Today's Tips:

Bed Canopy For A Finished Look

I bought a canopy at a bedding store and it really makes my bed look nicer. I get many compliments on it.

By Bobbi from Scotia, Ca.

Bed Canopy For A Finished Look

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Rusty Nails for African Violets

Your African violets will bloom longer, prettier and more abundantly, if you stick a few rusty nails in the soil alongside them.

By oldtimes from Slaughters, KY

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Save Web Addresses On Index Cards

To save memory space on my computer, I came up with this idea. I took a recipe box with the index tabs A to Z and index cards and turned it into a web site and e-mail buddy address box. To save on index cards, I took one card and labeled it Crafts and put several different craft sites on it, then do the same for other different categories: Knitting sites, Christmas sites, etc., till you have used up the card then start another for that category. This way you don't have a lot of cards for crafts or knitting, you have one card with several sites on it instead of 10 cards for each site. You save index cards and also memory space.

I also keep my internet friends address in there. Then when I need to send a card I know it's in there and they are my new special friends I met in one of my crochet or craft or other club I belong to and don't have to go searching for it in some of the papers I have saved on my desk.

You can decorate it any way you want. Pretty stickers can be used and then cover with clear nail polis to seal it or stencils with acrylic paint then acrylic sealer over the paint which can also be used on the stickers.

Source: This is my own idea I came up with after losing site addresses and friends addresses.

By Emma from Huddleston, VA

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Get A Reduction In Rent By Being A Handyman

To get a good deal on an apartment. Offer to do either simple handyman's work or some janitorial work in the evenings or weekends for a reduction in the rent and possibly free rent. My relatives did this for a few years and saved enough for a down payment to buy a four family home.

By Gigi from Florida

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Place A Rubber Band Around the Shampoo

I don't know if this happens to you, but I get so frustrated when I am in the shower (without my glasses, of course) and I cannot tell which bottle is the shampoo and which is the conditioner! They make many of the bottles look identical and even if I held it at arms length I couldn't read it :-) Desperation led me to a solution. Now, I put a rubber band around the shampoo (since that is what I use first). Boy, does that make things easier.

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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Feeding Rescue Cats And Dogs Cheaply

I have several dogs and cats that I have rescued, to save money on dog food I cook a lot for them, Kidney is cheap and they love it with rice and some veggies. I buy chicken when it is on sale. I save all the bones in the freezer all summer. I crush them with a big hammer and stew them on the wood stove in the winter. I use the nutritious broth when I have to resort to storebought dog food. If you cook the bones for 2 days, they become soft as rubber and then can be fed also. There are a lot of minerals in the bones and they should not be discarded.

By C from North Carolina

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Keeping a Grasshopper

I found a grasshopper and I put him in a little glass container. He likes to hide so I put soil in half of the container and his favorite hideout is a cup and I set that on a paper towel. I put a flower pot holder a food bowl to hold his grass and lettuce and carrots.

By Baylee from Dublin, Ireland

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Dryer Sheets for Dusting

Buy dryer sheets at your local dollar store. Attach them to the end of your broom and will pick up dust, pet hair, misc. Also, use for dusting furniture.

By Anne from Fernley, Nv.

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Make Your Own Seasoning Salt

Make your own seasoning salt by refilling the now finished container with one 1/2 parts salt, and one teaspoon of the following: paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Reseal the top and give a shake before each use.

NOTE: You can even add any extra spices of your choice like poultry seasoning for example. I discovered this when I ran out of this condiment. They do sell it on this side of the globe, but its considered an imported item so its price is more than I wish to spend. I just read the ingredients labeled on the back and realized I had all the spices separately right in my kitchen cabinets.

By sbb1 from Umm al Quain, UAE

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Use Seasonal Veggies For Baby Food

Since vegetables are in abundance right now, it's a great time to prepare homecooked food for your little ones. Prepare and cook whatever vegetables you have available, keeping in mind that additives are best not added to baby food. When cooking is done, puree the vegetables and pour them into ice cube trays. Freeze. Remove the veggie cubes and store them in sealed bags in the freezer. When preparing lunch or dinner for your little one, all you need to do is pop out a cube or two and heat it up. The bonus for you is knowing what went into the food as well as the savings at the grocery store.

By Sandy from Elon, NC

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

New Requests:

Growing Mushrooms

How do I grow Mushrooms?

Martha C from Baker City, Oregon

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Using an Infrared Light to Keep a Dog Warm

How do you safely use an infrared light to keep dog warm in cold weather.

Mary from North Florida

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LTD Commodities Account Blocked

I got an email back today from LTD Commodities saying that my account has been blocked. It also said several orders have been placed on my account and it said all remaining orders have been canceled. I kept trying to order because I didn't know why my orders were being canceled. I just don't understand that company. I even tried to place a small order but no luck. I only received a handbag from Ltd and the other stuff was canceled from my order.

Sherry

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Looking for Moving Help in Dallas

I live in far north Dallas, TX and need some advice. I am not moving, but I want to move several pieces of big furniture from upstairs to downstairs and vice versa. There will also be a bed to unassemble and reassemble. Can anyone in this area recommend a specific person or a group like "off duty fire fighters" that are careful and honest, but not as expensive as a moving company? Thank you .

Lola M from Dallas, Tx

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Need Advice on Redoing Floors, Cabinets and Bathroom

Me and my future wife will be moving into a two family house after we are married owned by her grandparents. It is an older house but looks great. I would be living in the bottom floor. I was thinking of redoing the floor with a rosewood pergo floor from Lowes - Link to Floor

Any suggestions about to do or not to do that? The house is set up that as soon as you walk down the stairs you are in a pretty large living room longer than it is wide with two support poles towards the left side and at the end a huge bar spanning the width of the room. My question is what color should I paint this room if I stick with rosewood floor. It has to be a good living room color but also compliment the bar scene.

Second what color should I paint the kitchen, which would have the same flooring? But the cabinets are a lighter yellow wood almost like this flooring - Cabinet Color Link

Should I sand them down and restain them or just do the flooring in that color? but then what colors should I paint the walls with that floor? Also the bar's front side is like that wood paneling, can I paint on that?

If you can also give some tips on the bedroom, which would have a carpet of my choice in it and the bathroom now is pink with pink tiles, sink, and toilet. Thanks for all your time and thoughts everyone. Please respond!

Sal from Totowa, NJ

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11 Year Old Cat Losing Weight

I have a 11 year old tabby cat (tuxedo black and white) that now lives with my parents. For the past few months he has been barely eating. He's lost a lot of weight that when you pet him he is mostly bones. We have tried different foods, to not much avail. He is a very happy cat, I went to see him, and his mood or behavior isn't any different and there has been no changes in his life. I did get the suggestion to try feeding him tuna to fatten him up, and it seems to be working for now. He has always been a picky cat - he prefers filtered water and such.

If anyone has any other suggestions or advice, I'd love to hear it. Thanks! I don't have a pic of him to show but I can provide one of my OTHER cat dressed up like Ray Charles. :)

schubunny from New Brunswick, Canada

11 Year Old Cat Losing Weight

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Dog's Eating Patterns Have Changed

I am hoping for some advise, as I just might be worrying. I have a 7-8 month old Husky/Shepherd. He always used to eat on schedule -we'd put down a cup of food in the morning and he'd eat, then afternoon, night, etc.

Now suddenly, in the past two weeks, he will not eat when we put down food. We try to coax him, we bought different food even, and nothing changes. Keep in mind he is still eating, but he will go to it later on and take some bites and leave maybe half, then come back for more.

is it normal for a dog to do this? Nothing in his life has changed. We got a new kitten but he adores him and it's been at least a month since that has occurred. The only thing I could see is the heat, since it's been super-hott lately and he is mostly just lying around. I know this type of mix doesn't like this temperature much.

Thanks!

schubunny from New Brunswick, Canada

Dog's Eating Patterns Have Changed

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Black Spots On Mirror

My bathroom mirror's edges are fading. It has black splotches on the edges. What I can do to hide those splotches, maybe frame it? Any suggestions, please.

Erica from Tennessee

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Keeping Bugs Out of a Camper

What is the best way to keeps bugs and insects out of my camper for the winter?

Eric from Lowell, MA

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How do I overwinter Dogwood seedlings?

I started some dogwood seeds this past spring, and I now have 39 seedlings. Most of them have 5 or 6 sets of true leaves, and are approx. 6 - 7 inches tall. They are in 4" peat pots right now, and are situated to get morning sun with afternoon shade. With Fall quickly approaching, I wanted to find out now how to care for them during the cold Ohio winter.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Lisa from Rushville, OH

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Meals That Reheat Well

I am looking for meal ideas that re-heat well. My husband and I work opposite hours on the weekends and I need some meal ideas that I can cook the night before and he can re-heat the next day. A lot of the time-the foods I make (for instance- meat and vegetable plate which he loves) don't re-heat well. Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

Erin from Tennessee

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Dog Digging in Carpet

I have a Dachsund-Beagle Mix, about 3 years old, we rescued him as a puppy. His mother was found abandoned. Hands down, one of the best dogs I've ever had, and he's my first small dog - and he and our Golden Retriever are the best of friends. (This picture is about 2 years old.)

My question is - He loves to rub his face and ears on the carpet and then he AGGRESSIVELY digs into the carpet. We refer to it as 'digging to china'. He is definitely a burrower as to the breed. Just curious about the 'carpet digging' and also why he stands or sits with his one paw lifted. If anyone has a clue - let me know. Thanks!

Nancy from Chicago IL

Dog Digging in Carpet

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Sunscreen Residue on a Wood Floor

I sprayed my daughter with Banana Boat sunscreen and it left a sticky residue on my wood floor. What will take it off without removing the finish? Thanks for any ideas!

Shelley

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Wet/Dry Mop Reviews

Has anyone had any luck with any of the new wet/dry mops. If so, what brand do you recommend? I have a swiffer sweep and vac (and I love it), but I need a quick wet mop to clean up after 2 messy boys. The rag mop and bucket just takes too long!

Any ideas?

StephB from Missouri

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When Are Bell Peppers Ready to Pick?

This is my first time for growing bell peppers (a/k/a green peppers). I have several that will be ready to be picked soon. How do I know when they are ready to be picked?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

Linda from Alabama

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Soup Can Bread

Does any one have a recipe for making bread in soup cans. I use to have this recipe but lost it. Thank you so much.

NICHOLAS from SALINAS, CA

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Pruning Tomato Plants

I'm not sure about our hardiness zone, but I keep reading here and there about a way to prune a tomato plant to help it produce twice as many fruit, something to do with only three leaves, or three branches. Also, I was wondering about whether or not this would work with a bell pepper plant?

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Holly from Spiro, OK

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Knifty Knitter Hat Is Too Large

I purchased the Knifty Knitter, with the instructions for knitted hat. I am just finishing making a hat and the hat is so large, it will not fit any of the grown up people, much less children. What did I do wrong?

There are 41 pegs on the loom. On the bottom of the instructions it talks about making a baby hat. So I assume I could use this loom.

Barb

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Growing Lemon Trees in Containers

I need help with my lemon tree. It is small, about 3 ft tall and in a container. It does have about 5 baby lemons growing. The leaves look like they are wilting.. I do give it citrus fertilizer once a month. I read online that I need to spray it with minor element spray. I can not find this at my local store. Where can I get the spray or is there a homemade version I can make? Is this why the leaves look droopy now? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 10b


Irene from South Florida

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Refrigerator Fan Blowing Bad Smell

I have a Kitchen Aid Fridge (side by side) and the fan below is blowing a funky smell. In addition to that I don't know how to empty the drip pan. No one in the house seems to smell this except for me and I about ready to move out.

Debora from Mpls

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Using Shredded Flake Board For Mulch

Any one have information on using shredded flake board for mulch? I know that flake board has urea formaldehyde based glue but I haven't found any information concerning the toxicity. I know it isn't pressure treated so there is no CCA preservative. Thanks.

Steve from Dorr, MI

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Cleaning New Wood Floors To Avoid Residue Build Up

What is the best way to clean new wood floors? I want to avoid soap and wax residue build up.

MK from Downingtown, PA

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Painting Walls In A Beauty Salon

I have a beauty salon. I have mauve and black and gray equipment, with blue gray carpet. I am wanting to change the wall color. What color should I use? I also have some green in the chairs and one burgundy wall. I would like that one wall to stay the same.

Donna from Snow Camp, NC

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Keeping Blackbirds Out Of Bird Feeders

How do you keep blackbirds from invading my bird feeders?

Kathy from Gouverneur, New York

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Peach Cobbler With Pie Crust

I am looking for the best peach cobbler recipe with the crust pie, not crumbs like an apple crisp? Anyone have something like that?

Ann from Sac,CA

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Removing Dried Blood From White Top

How do I get dried blood off of a white top? I don't have any peroxide handy either. I need to clean it asap. I got blood on one of my favorite shirts when I went for a tattoo two months ago and I can't get the stain off. Someone help please.

Sako from England

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What Breed Is My Dog?

My dog is Shi Tzu. What is it mixed with? Please help.

Christina from Tilbury, Ontario

What Breed Is My Dog?

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Gift Ideas For Boyfriend's Daughter

I need gift ideas for my boyfriend's daughter who is turning 21. I am searching for a special gift to give my boyfriend's daughter. I have not met her yet since she lives in another state. I only know her from what her dad tells me and from reading her travel blogs. She has traveled the world, comes from wealth, and has pretty much been raised as an only child. So, she doesn't want/need for too much.

What I do know about her is that she really loves traveling, art, and music. She is bright and literate. She has spent the summer studying abroad (I have read her travel blogs and seen the pictures she has taken there). She seems to be more of a "natural girl" not really a "girlie-girl" like my daughter. She surfs, sings in the church choir, and is nearly finished with college.

Since I don't know her all that well and I don't want to overstep my situation, I want something special but not overdone. Make sense? Even though I am usually all about sentimental and heartfelt treasures, I think I have to tread easily here. But, I was hoping to give her a little something more special than a gift card. Any ideas?

MDKat from Boise, ID

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TV Keeps Shutting Off

We have a SONY big screen TV that we bought new 8 years ago. We are having some trouble with it now, and wondered if anyone else has had the problem, or knows what it might be. If you watch TV for awhile and then turn it off, and then in a few minutes turn it back on, it shuts off all by itself. Before it shuts itself off, the screen will flash bright green several times, then power right down on its' own.

It is still doing this, but before it powers down, the screen will go black and we may get sound. Now it doesn't want to stay on at all, even if we wait overnight to turn it on. Any thoughts, comments, help? Thanks!

Shirley from Southwest Michigan

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Today's Sponsor:

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

More Reading:

Saving Money on an Apartment

With all the problems with getting a mortgage these days, here are tips and advice for saving money when renting an apartment. Do you have any tips to share? Feel free to post them below.

Downsize

Where you live depends on the size of your family and your needs. Downsizing is the solution for many. Downsize possessions and rent the smallest apartment that will accommodate you. Consider renting apartments from private landlords instead of pricey apartment complexes that offer and charge for a variety of amenities.

Consider renting an apartment on a bus line so that you have an alternate means of transportation if your car breaks down or gas prices rise beyond your monthly budget. Consider renting an apartment within walking distance of places you must go- like to work or the grocery store. This savings could make up for paying a bit more for rent. You have to look at the budget as a whole.

Don't save money by renting an apartment in an area where you are not safe.

Use The Laundromat

I recently sold a 3-bedroom ranch-style home (including major appliances) and have moved into a 2-bedroom apartment.

We didn't want to go through the expense of having to purchase a brand new washer and electric dryer, so we are using the laundromat at the apartment complex. It's only costing us $4.25 per week to do our laundry. We are saving money on both the water and electric bill.

Also when we leave the apartment we turn off the Central A/C to save on electricity.

By MCW

Check Newly Built Complexes

So many people are having trouble either buying homes or renting homes or apartments, but the fact is that the builders are also having trouble getting rid of what they have. In my area of Florida one very new apartment complex is desperate enough to offer renters an apartment with just the first month's rent (no last or security). So, when hunting for an apartment check out the brand new ones as well - you may be pleasantly surprised! This complex doesn't advertise this fact so don't be shy... go ahead and ask! The beauty of it is that you not only get a new dwelling but all the appliances are also new so no repairs, lower electric bill from efficient appliances etc.

By Capucino

Rent In A Nice Location

Location, Location, Location! I agree with the last poster on all points. I live within 4 blocks of 3 buses, my post office, my bank, an Office Max, a Mall, a grocery store and 2 thrift shops! I chose a small complex from people I knew, only 6 units. If I could, I would be on the top floor so my heat doesn't help them, so that is something to consider. Your windows are safer upstairs, too.

Try and stay away from apartments that have west facing windows, but if you can't, don't let anyone tell you you can't put up foil in the summer. Disposals save you trash but cost a little extra, so that is a toss up. Sometimes, you can find "daylight basement" apartments that are lovely, and most people don't even know you are there. Spend a little for a post office box if your mail boxes aren't locking, especially if you have important bills there. I have all my bills sent online now, to save paper and stamps. Never send a bill with money or checks inside from an old fashioned mail box. When someone is checking theirs, they can be checking and stealing from yours, too.

Make sure you are renting from someone who cares about maintenance. Ask your potential neighbors how long it takes to get things fixed, etc. If your landlord is out of town or out of state and has no manager, avoid it at all costs. If you are a light sleeper, don't get a place close to the freeway or a busy street, or with a bunch of hotrods and noisy, unsupervised kids. If you have kids and there is no place for them to play, you won't be happy, unless you are very close to a park.

Once you find a cool place, here are some things to do inside to keep your costs down. Florescent lights are now .98 at Walmart. A 60 watt bulb produces as much heat as the human body, but it's also costing you 90% heat and 10% light. The florescent bulbs are cooler to the touch and better inside closed globes.

Buy 8/1.00 Handiwipes instead of paper towels. I go to the dollar stores about once a month and get things from aspirin to wastebaskets, including packaged, canned, and frozen food and milk! You can find hollow core/bi-fold doors and use old popcorn tins for supports either inside your closet or outside in the rooms. They are cute! If it's just the two of you, find a smaller place like mine with the island/bar in the kitchen/living room combo. With two or three nice bar stools, you don't need a table and chairs!

To save room, get the remote controlled window fans that slide in and have two fans. They are reversible, so you can suck out the hot air during the day when you are not home (put some good dowels in the slider for security, again the top floor is nicer for this).

When I get all my food at home for the month, I make all my recipes the first couple of days, then freeze everything. I don't have to do much more than nuke and make a salad from then on. All the things you do monthly to save money can make it possible to have a little bit nicer place. The last poster was right. Saving money to sacrifice security and a feeling you are glad to be home are not worth it. Good luck!!

By Poor But Proud

Get a Roommate

Share with a roomie. You can live in a better location of town. Pick out an apartment that has a kitchen or back entry that has a bedroom and bath off it. Keep your bedroom and living room separate with the front entry. Put up a door or curtain that can be removed when you leave. Having a separate area that no else passes through gives you a feeling of having your own place. I did this once and we both got along great because of the separate areas.

By Dee

Avoid High Ceilings

Try to avoid apartments with high ceilings, especially those with lofts. Heating and cooling vertical spaces can be very costly.

By U*u*U

Rent a House Instead

ANY amount of money spent on an Apartment is money wasted UNLESS you can get an older, large one, updated, in a safe community AND with all bills paid. Now, wake up from that DREAM! IF you can afford one of those sorts of apartments, with the housing industry suffering so many foreclosures nowadays, why not look for a house to rent for cheap, especially if you have children, and especially if it's in a good neighborhood close to schools, and especially if it's fenced and not run down. If not in the country, you can find lawn mowers being placed on the curbs often that still work fine, and buy yourself a used edger at the local lawnmower repair place. People replace these often because they don't have the time to do simple repairs to them, or because they are moving out of state and don't want to move the lawn equipment.

I've been a Real Estate Broker and an Apartment Leasing Agent for over 44 Complexes through temporary services, and I've seen all aspects of both. If you are childless, don't like the outdoors and fresh air, don't have pets, are extra-fearful about security, are single, an apartment might be best for you. However, if none of these fit you, you can now find landlord/home owners who are anxious to keep those properties full, and are renting at great prices. That may not always be the case, however. As the economy gets worse and worse, anything could happen.

Suggestion: Regardless, do NOT rent on a "month-to-month" basis unless you have very few belongings, BECAUSE it works both ways: If you want to move out quickly for any reason, you need only give a few days notice, and if the landlord SELLS or MOVES and wants YOU out, you will be given only a couple of days' notice, as well. Think about it from all angles.

Also, "free rent for first month" can be legitimate or a warning that something is wrong with the apartment, apartment staff, especially maintenance issues, or possibly a rash of burglaries. So go back after hours to a prospective complex offering a bargain to move in, and ask tenants what they think. Most will simply tell you if there are problems and save you a lot of hassle.

I've seen the best and the worst. There are a LOT of problems with "HIGH DENSITY" complexes, meaning that where there are more than two story apartments and lots of apartment units in the complex, people get irritable a lot and life is not so pleasant as lower density apartments.

Look at the grounds. If little grass, cracked cement, poor landscaping, too many cars, too much traffic, poor parking/lighting, and too much noise at night, look elsewhere.

Before signing a lease for a property you believe you like, sleep on it and walk the grounds well, talk to the tenants, see how the children get along with each other. Is it family friendly or "Party animal" friendly, pet friendly or restrictive with huge pet deposits(can be an advantage and higher standard, but usually an indication of higher rents, too).

If you are single, you may not want the shrill of sweet screams just outside your window on Sat. mornings, so either ask for a unit away from children, or lease in an all adult complex.

Exterior: If the complex has lots of wood siding or shingles on the walls, that could cost you in higher utilities due to a likely sign of poor insulation. Look at the A/C units to see if they are old/newer, poorly or better maintained, leaking, out of balance, noisy, near windows, clean? All signs need to be considered, because once you sign the lease, you have only three days, in most states, to change your mind and get your deposit back. Otherwise, you'd better keep your half of the rules.

Word to the wise: IMMEDIATELY upon entering on the very first day, try to get your landlord to walk the entire apt or house with you to see if there are any dings, scrapes, damage, missing things or anything broken. Mark EVERY single thing down with perfect description AND location. Why so important? Because, I SAW some unscrupulous apartment staff not emphasizing this and then when something was discovered a month or so later when the dust settles from your hard work of moving in, the staff will say, "did you turn in your move-in sheet on time and mark every single item that was wrong? If you did, what you are complaining about should be on there, right?" You'll kick yourself for not doing it, especially when they charge you, BY THE HOUR, with a one hour minimum for their minimum wage maintenance guy to rub a dab of caulk into a hole in the back of a door you missed! And you will be outright ANGRY if you get charged $50 for the same guy to run his worn out steamer down the traffic pattern of your carpet to "try" to get a bad stain out you did see right away and then NOT be able to do it, a favorite way to get extra money for the manager's budget!

I'm not saying that all apartments are scamming, just that many do, unfortunately. Watch the terms to be broken on your lease -vs- their rights, ESPECIALLY if you miss your rent payment on time and then come home to find a double lock on your door AND your large appliances/electronics missing. Where'd they go? Into a "holding tank" until you pay your rent, IF it's not TOO late AND if you pay your LATE FEES AS WELL. SOMETIMES THOSE ITEMS "MYSTERIOUSLY" DISAPPEAR OFF THE PLANET AND NO ONE HAS ANY IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM!

Another advantage to renting a house with good windows, doors, roof, garage/parking; Should you need to supplement your income by baby sitting, child care, working from the home, you can more likely do so in a house rather than an apartment because of the lease AND the noise/traffic factor to neighbors.

One last suggestion: Rarely, but sometimes, one can find someone who is "SUB-leasing" their apt/house, and will allow you to move there by paying them rent. However, insist on a copy of the lease before hand, because it may prohibit sub-leasing, where the original tenant cannot get more than he/she was paying in rent for their pocket. If legitimate, it can be a fast easy way to lease on someone else's deposit money and responsibility. In this case, be a good sub-lessee and take care of the place, paying rents EARLY so the original tenant can get it in on time to the Landlord.

TIP: Make several sets of keys, placing outside of your apt. and watch both the keeping of your job, AND the terms of the lease agreement. Nothing is perfect.

BEWARE OF THE 'CHEAPER RENT - YOU FIX UP' trap. It's only a good deal IF you have a truck and if you are a repairman that has access to the cheap supplies needed.

By Lynda

Do you have any more ideas for saving money on an apartment? Feel free to post them below.

Saving Money on an Apartment

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Saving Money on Tomatoes

Here are suggestions on saving money on tomatoes as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Do you have any tips. Feel free to post them below.

Buy Local

Buy locally grown, they'll taste a lot better than any fresh tomato you'll purchase at the grocery, and cheaper. Or grow your own tomatoes, and other produce and herbs.

By Badwater

Imperfect Tomatoes for Big Savings

I went to the farmer's market on a slow day (Tuesday) and went to my favorite produce stand. I always go straight for the "reduced" tomatoes. They might be a little soft or a bit bruised, but still very edible. I said, "Is this all you have?" I bought 15 pounds of tomatoes for 50¢ a pound. The regular price was $2.00 a pound and the supermarket price can be a high as $2.99 a pound. I went right home and started cooking up the softest and most bruised. When I was done, I had a half dozen containers of tomato sauce. I even keep the watery tomato liquid and use it in soups. I still had about twenty tomatoes to eat. We've had a lot of tomato salads, tomato sandwiches, BLTs, etc, but you can't beat that price!

By Thriftyboo

Local Farmers

Local farmers are always cheaper. I like my local farmers market though, I get tomatoes 3 lbs. for $2, In fact I get good deals on all my produce, we are really lucky to have this particular guy. Don't forget growing them, they are really simple and produce tons with little care.

By Gina

Grow and Preserve Your Own

We grow cherry and Roma tomatoes, wash and freeze them. Adds a fresh taste to all spaghetti sauces. Have done with just fresh, frozen ones, very tasty. Just add your herbs and onions and green peppers, mushrooms, etc. The cherries I dump right in, then squash them because they are very hot in your mouth. The Romas, I put in warm to hot water about a minute then peel the skin off and put in. Try it. Never throw a tomato out again!

By Sharon

Use Canned Tomatoes

Although I love fresh tomatoes, there are a lot of recipes that work better with canned. There have been studies that show that of all vegetables, lycopene actually increases during the canning and cooking process. So that can of tomatoes is actually better for you than eating fresh (as long as there are no additives). I buy large cans at Costco and use them for making spaghetti sauce, chili and soups.

Here is an article about it: http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/10/06/lycopene.cook.light/index.html

By Jess

Do you have any ideas for Saving Money on Tomatoes? Feel free to post them below.

Saving Money on Tomatoes

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