Daily Thrifty Tips - February 24, 2006

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Harley and Bruiser are both 1 year 6 months old. Harley is a Shitzu/Poodle mix. Bruiser is a Rottweiler. We got them both from breeders when they were puppies.

They like to fight....A LOT! They are typical brothers!

By Brandi from Salt Lake City, Utah

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Ms. Jewel is our calico charmer's name. We brought her home from a Animal Rescue when she was six months, as her previous owner passed away. It was funny because of her vibrant colors, we named her Jewel. However, I think she was meant to have this new name.

She is truly "curious" about jewelry. I caught her pushing my jewelry box open with her nose, seeking some "pretty". "Jewel" thief? She likes to "assist" me wherever I am in the house, as the photos show. I am a Grandma and love to make baby afghans or helping if I make pretty dresses. What a littler charmer she is, but also a cozy sweetheart pal.

Thank you for letting me share our "Jewel" with you.

By Linda Sue

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Dakota is my 4 month old Shar-Pei. I got her from a breeder in Portland, Oregon.

She likes to play with a plastic water bottle in the kitchen cause it slides all around when she bats at it.

I am very grateful to have found her. I never thought I would find a Shar-Pei dog. They are a rare dog to find. She has skin problems that can be a high risk to her health if she is not monitored. Oregon weather is not the best for them because of the humidty. But I am taking every pre-caution to make sure she can live a long and healthy life.

By Lonnie from Silverton, OR

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At a restaurant supply store, I purchased a gallon of prepared yellow mustard for nearly $3.00. I bought it only for fill-ups for my regular sized squeeze mustard bottle, for everyday use. By doing this, it saved me lots of money, rather than going and purchasing more of the regular sized squeeze mustards at the grocery. The gallon lasted a long time, too!

By Terri from NV

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I use a portion of my home for business and come tax time I can deduct a portion of my utilites, home improvements and purchases pertaining to the business from my taxes. To keep my records easily accessible throughout the year I use a free wine box with 12 compartments that I pick up in the liquor store. I label each section Jan - Dec and put in the receipts and paid bills for that month. Come tax time, I can easily retrieve everything I need.

By Susie from Hammonton, NJ

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One of my best food tip is to plan meals at least 2 weeks to a month at a time. Make a menu for each day and a dessert. This works well in using what you have and not wasting food.

One example of this is to make meat loaf for dinner and a plain white sheet cake for dessert.

On the following day use the left over meat loaf to make spaghetti and meat sauce. Chop up the meat loaf and add your sauce, there's no need to add extra seasoning. Of course you still need to buy noodles and spaghetti sauce, but it cuts cost by not having to purchase another pack of meat for the spaghetti. Any leftover cake you made the day before can be cut into slices and topped with whip cream and a little fruit (fresh, frozen, or canned you can even use a can fruit cocktail), and you have a totally different dessert. Add to a festive plate and this really looks good.

Two entirely different meals just by using leftovers and planning ahead of time.

Another example would be to make chili beans for dinner one night and the following day you can use that same chili to make burritos for lunch. All you need to do is drain some juice from the chili beans, heat in a skillet and smash the beans with a fork. Add chili mixture to a flour tortilla that has been slightly warmed (to make easy to roll) and pin closd with a tooth pick. Deep fry until brown, drain on a paper towel (or as I do on extra napkins I've picked up from trips to restaurants/fast food outings.) You can also add any cheese, onions, or other things to the burrito before frying.

I've found that this works well because your family doesn't see the same old left overs you had the night before, they see a whole new meal.

By VERONICA1 from LODI, CA

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When you have pork and beans and there is too much liquid, just toss in a cut up potato or two. No waste and more food for all.

By virginia from andover, NJ

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Some chores I really don't like to do, but they have to be done so I break them into small chunks and then intersperse with something I do like to do. For example, if I have yet to clean off and disinfect all the kitchen counter tops after baking and doing the dishes, I get a book I am reading before I begin. I spray one countertop, read two pages, then wipe down the counter top thoroughly, replace whatever items I had to move in the process and then spray another, before going back to reading another two pages, and so on. Before I know it, the counter tops are cleaned and I haven't minded the task because I was engrossed in doing something I wanted to do, too.


By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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I try to save about 6 heavy-duty self closing boxes each year that measure around 10-1/2 x 11 x 2-1/2 inches or even slightly larger. I use these to store "works in progress" such as preparing for a large church project, tax preparation, special yearly projects which I am chairwoman of, etc.

For example, as I was compiling and preparing all the various bits of data and supporting materials for our tax preparation, I used this type of box with larger Ziploc-type bags inside the box to separate the materials and keep them organized. The tax compilation process takes quite a few sessions and rather than just dump all the contents back into the box, by keeping the contents organized and separated, I know exactly where I am. Most important, all the materials (especially W-2s and important papers disclosing interest paid through your mortgage as well as canceled checks and registers, etc.) are in this box. Nothing gets lost!

When I am ready to work on it, the entire box comes out and can be put away just as quickly. Once the tax preparation is totally done and filed, the box is ready to be sealed, labeled and put into storage.


By Ronsan from Southweat Missouri

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When buying furniture for a specific room, buy neutral colors. If you ever want to use the same furniture in another room, you'll not have to paint or re-upholster it. It'll go nicely as it is.

By Terri from NV

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We remove carpet from hardwood floors but the backing is really stuck on there, plus there is double face tape on it. Any ideas how to remove this.

Thanks,
Jsileo from Butler, PA

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I am planning an Athletic Banquet at a University and need some ideas for decorations or centerpieces. I will have around 50 tables. I want to make it as nice as possible without spending a lot of money.

Molly from Charleston, SC

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I just received a gift of potted Crocus. Of course, I hope to be able to plant these outside, and I am curious as to the best way to do this. The ground is frozen right now obviously. Do I plant them in spring right from the pot or is there some special care I should take?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Thanks for all help. :)
Leslie from Barrie, Ontario

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I want to make my own wrinkle releaser for clothing like Downy Wrinkle Releaser spray.

Carol from Huntley, Illinois

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My freezer door was ajar for an unkown period of time, can I refreeze the meat, including ground beef again? The meat was still cold.

LS from grindstone, PA

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I was wondering if anyone has a home remedy for removal of skin tags. I read about using iodine for about a week daily and that has not worked, anyone have any other ideas?

Cyndi from Plano, TX

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I am the owner of a mini pincher. He has developed the habit of (for lack of a better word) pooping in my bed. They are only small ones that look like they've slipped out? Frankly, I'm just disgusted with the whole problem. Does anyone know a way I can get him to stop?

Grossed out from Pittsburgh, PA

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I need some ideas for my daughter's 11th birthday party. It will be a sleepover with just 5 girls.

Lorraine from San Jose, CA

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My husband and I just rescuded a border collie/chow mix yesterday. She had a sore on her bottom, I am guessing it was from the wet floor in the kennel at the shelter. We plan to take her to the vet this weekend to see what the sore is about. She has a hard time sitting because obvisously it hurts.

She refuses to go to the bathroom during walks. I'm not sure if she's holding it because of the sore on her bottom or she thinks that walks are for exercise only. She will sniff the grass but won't go. Last night after dinner she went to the door we put the leash on her took her out walked for 45 minutes wouldn't go. My mom took her for a long walk outside for about two hours or so earlier in the afternoon wouldn't go. She hasn't gone since she left the shelter. I started to worry.

When we came back from the walk she urinated on her dog pillow. You could tell she felt bad about it. I am not sure if she is confused as to where to go or is she holding it due to the sore on her bottom? We can't just let her outside due to the fact we are condo owners. I took her out for a walk this morning and she didn't go and my husband tried to take her in the middle of the night as well and nothing either. Please help!

Melissa from HI

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I just received a gift of potted Daffodils. Of course, I hope to be able to plant these outside, and I am curious as to the best way to do this. The ground is frozen right now obviously. Do I plant them in spring right from the pot or is there some special care I should take?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Thanks for all help. :)
Leslie from Barrie, Ontario

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I know this has been on Thrifty Tips but didn't know that I would need them. What is the easiest way to remove wallpaper from a bathroom wall?

Thanks for all the help I can get!
Jo from Cookeville, TN

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I need recipes for ice cream cake.

Thanks,
NAZ from ITHACA, NY

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We recently bought a house and the outside windows have the installation manufacturer's paper labels still glued to the glass. I found out from the neighbor that these labels have been on the windows for a least a year. I've tried Windex and Vaseline (what a mess) and they're not budging. I don't want to use a razor blade. What will remove the labels?

nancymaloney from Schertz, TX

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For V-day I set candles up around the jacuzzi tub, I did place something under the candles but they melted faster than expected and went onto the tub, the wax came up but left stains. Any suggestions on getting those off? Thanks a bunch!

Darlene from Indiana

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I make the homemade laundry detergent all the time now and was wondering if any one has tried the Irish spring soap for it and if it works okay for the laundry cleaning? I think it would spell good on the clothes but, wanted to check here before making it.

Scarlett from Murray, KY

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I have an electric guitar that is in good shape but the paint is worn in several areas. Does anyone know what type of paint to use or have any tips for painting an electric guitar?

Thanks,
Tracy from NC

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Our backyard is covered by oxalis, how can I get ride of them? Any homemade weed killer that would work?

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Thank you very much,
Bobby from San Francisco, CA

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Some one scratched my new table. It has a dark laminate top. I have tried the wax crayons and the marker. Nothing worked. Does anyone have any suggestions on what else I can try? It is a white scratch on dark wood looking.

Thanks!

Oreokitty from Calgary

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My microfiber couch has sticky hair gel on it and I don't know how to get it off. Any suggestions?

Wendy from Oklahoma City, OK

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