Daily Thrifty Tips - August 22, 2007

This week's Saving Money On... newsletter is about Saving Money on Appliances. Do you have any tips to share?

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Ready For The Wedding Photo

The second the photographer says ''Ready'' make sure that you and your new husband/wife are looking at each other OR sharing that special kiss so that in the future you both will always cherish the moment.

By Priscilla from Texas

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Bubba's Birthday Tablescape

My husband's 61st birthday (his nickname is Bubba) was in July and I wanted to decorate the table for the occasion.

I began with covering the dining room table with a white lace tablecloth; with an overlay of a red checked tablecloth, a round blue glass platter was placed in the center of the table; a lighthouse teapot was positioned; it has a cascade of artificial cherries in it with the teapot top ajar. A blue candle was placed nearby; I scattered red, white and blue stars around the blue platter plus Bazooka bubblegum; a small popcorn box tag holder held a tag with Happy Birthday Bubba on it; a Bubba Cola can held 3 watermelon slice candles; on a Coca-Cola plate I placed a 1957 model Chevrolet; I opened the doors and the hood on the car. The salt and pepper shaker and toothpick holder were placed on an oval blue bowl; I placed 3 strawberry candles to give it a festive effect.

On the breakfast bar near the dining room table I had a patriotic ice cream bouquet, a vintage Charlie Brown glass and a Coca-Cola plate with Bazooka bubblegum on it.

It was a fun-filled day for my husband and family.

By WandaJo from Tennessee

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Wills And Pearl (Jack Russell Terrier)

Wills and Pearl for short - Brave Sweet William and Pearl Girl. He isn't brave and/or sweet but is very willful. Pearl is 100% girl! Wills is almost seven and Pearl just turned six - they have the same sire. Wills is "store bought" from a breeder in MS; Pearl was free because her ears are off color. She came to us at 4 weeks from the same breeder. They are Jack Russell Terriers.

They love to romp and wrestle with each other. They go to "play day" - Wills is in with the big dogs and Pearl prefers the small ones. They love a walk and a ride in the car - often into mischief if you don't pay them enough attention. They have both been to obedience class but have selective memory particularly when you give the "Come" command.

If you want some fun in your life, just look at my two Jack Russells. Wills is in the cowboy hat and Pearl is chilling as usual. They are "running rabbits", always clowning - very high energy and fiercely loyal. They have a somewhat low tolerance for children they don't know, typical terrier. Bred to hunt; Pearl is quite adept at reducing the varmint population. Wills would just "bark them to death!". I will always have a Jack as long as I have a lap. My beloved Max lived for 17 1/2 years. When he had to leave me, he had already trained these two pups to be my faithful companions.

By CJ from Camas, WA

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How to Know When a Cake is Done

When baking cakes, to test for doneness, I insert the blade of a paring knife. If it comes out all gooey with wet dough on it, I know it needs to bake for a few minutes longer. If the knife blade comes out as clean as it was when I inserted it, then I know the cake is done.

By Terri H. from NV

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Frugal School Lunch Ideas

Create your own pizza lunch kits. Toast bread and cutout little circles with a biscuit cutter or use English muffins. Add small containers of pizza sauce, cheese, and other toppings. You can also make your own brownie bites. Bake brownie mix in mini-muffin pans and put three "brownie bites" in a sandwich bag for each child's lunch. They freeze well too! These are much cheaper than the lunch kits and brownie bites you buy in the store.

By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Saving By the "Windfall" Method

For years, we have had a leaky roof. Every summer my husband puts another coat of sealer on it (it's a mobile home) and every winter we put buckets under the leaks. I have determined that we will have a good roof before the snow flies! We have been saving with the "windfall" method.

I bought a heifer 18 months ago. By September she will be ready to calve, and we will hopefully sell her for about $1500. We are also selling our food concession.

Today I received a gift card to Walmart, earned on a website that has me look at ads and take surveys. It's for $50. I could just spend it on fun stuff, but this time I will use it on my grocery bill. Then I will take the $50 from my grocery money envelope and put it into savings.

Last week there was a great sale at Albertson's. Buy 5 Oscar Mayer products and get $4.00 back. The regularly $2.99 packages were marked $1.00 or 10 for $10.00. I bought twenty packages, five at a time. I spent $21.20, but I got back $16.00 to use on next orders. Naturally, I used my $4.00 off on the second order of $5.00. Ditto for the third and fourth orders. There was no limit. Our freezer has a good supply of deli ham for sandwiches and casseroles. I put my grocery money in an envelope. When I run out of money, I quit. BUT if I have some left over, I put it in savings for our new roof.

With opportunities like this, there will be money for savings. Two friends in construction have offered to give us bids and possibly trade their labor for our food concession. There are lots of possibilities. If we get our new roof this year, next year we hope to add solar panels! Wahoo!

By Coreen from Rupert, ID

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Buy Seasonal Toys on Clearance

Don't you hate paying the crazy prices they charge for kids toys - and doesn't it seem like the only ones that go on sale are the ones that are really expensive to begin with?

I noticed though that a lot of seasonal toys get put on clearance - and was able to stock up on some fun bathtub toys for my son by purchasing summer "gardening" and "sandbox" toys at incredibly low prices.

For 25 cents, I got a small plastic watering can which works great for rinsing shampoo out of his hair, and then is fun for him to fill and pour. (one store wanted $9 for a hair rinsing cup!) Sand sifters are fun for scooping bubbles or "sifting" water, and buckets, sand molds, and even shovels are easy to use, easy to clean, and can even double as snow toys when the season changes.

By Regina from Rochester, NY

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Use Hair Bands to Secure Electrical Cords

Wrap up excess electrical cord and use a hair band (thread covered rubber band) to keep in place. It keeps it neat and out of the way.

By Jamish from Ransom, KS

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Reuse Old Carpet and Area Rugs

Old carpet and rugs that are still in decent condition make a nice addition to a porch, laundry room, or even in the garage in front of a tool bench. If you can't use it, maybe you know someone who can.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Vinegar for Dishwasher Rinse Agent

Instead of buying those expensive rinse agents for dishwasher which cost about $3.00 to $4.00 a bottle, try using white vinegar it works great and is so much cheaper.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Starting an Email Recipe Exchange

Can a recipe exchange via email be a good idea? If so can a recipe exchange begin amongst members?

Birthaleen from Burbank, CA

Editor's Note: I think that's a great idea. We kind of already have it with our recipe newsletter. People post recipes and requests and we compile the newsletter. It's not as quick as email exchange but the formatting ends up being nice. But it's a good idea, we'll look into it.

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Making A Bridal Show Gift Cake

How do you make a bridal shower gift cake?

tmhisw from Sharing, KY

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What Breed Of Dog Is In "As Good As It Gets"?

Can anyone advise me of the breed of dog that was in the movie As Good As It Gets with Jack Nicholson. Many Thanks.

Dale from Central Coast, NSW Australia

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Removing Blue Ice Stains From Clothing

How do I remove blue ice stains from clothing?

Joe

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Table Centerpiece Suggestions For Navy Graduation Party

Navy theme centerpieces. My cousin is graduating from Annapolis Naval Academy in 2008. Colors are Navy Blue and Gold and the mascot is a ram. We are from Hawaii and I wanted to incorporate that into the centerpiece. The only thing that pops to my mind is Pearl Harbor.

Corrina from Honolulu, HI

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Leukemia Positive Kitten Needs Good Home

I need to find a home for a leukemia positive kitten about 6 - 8 mos old. Found her at local dumpsters and I cannot keep her with my other cats who are negative. She is very sweet, a bit cross-eyed and desperately needs a new home asap. She's a dark tiger.tabby with white bib and feet. Please email me if anyone out there can give her a loving home.

Thanks,
Karyn from Natural Bridge, VA

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Cleaning a Wedding Dress at Home

I recently bought an Alfred Angelo wedding dress at a thrift store. It is very pretty, with sequins and such on the top. It has a detachable train but I don't really have enough money to go to the cleaners. It is in very good shape, actually and only needs to be cleaned at the bottom of the dress, as well as the bottom of the train. I got some price quotes to get it cleaned and the cheapest I got was $120, which is more than I paid for the dress! My wedding is next month and I would really like to know if there is a way I could hand wash it myself. If so, how do I go about doing this? Thanks!

Crystal from California

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Removing Sharpie From Back of TV

How to remove sharpie marker off the back of a TV?

Sakeitha from Texas

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White Residue in Baby Bottles

How do you remove the white residue stains from baby bottles?

Jody from El Paso, TX

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Roman Columns for a Wedding

Where can I find how to make roman columns for a wedding?

Beverley

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Scars on My Legs

Can anyone help me get rid of my scars on my legs. It makes me feel so uncomfortable and don't have much confidence to face the world. I'm just a poor person I can't afford those expensive products. If only there's a total makeover here for free I'll surely grab it. It's only in the U.S. Where there is free make over.

Thanks,
Jole from Philippines

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Removing Dog Smell

How do you remove dog smell from house and dog?

Mary from Miami, FL

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Cleaning Fake Plants

I am looking for tips for cleaning fake plants.

Thanks,
Debbie

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Don't Waste Your Yarn

I just now read this article from www.crochetme.com about saving your yarn:

Don't waste your yarn - use it!

You think that you don't have enough - not enough of the same colour or the same yarn to make anything. Mix your odds and ends, and you'll realize that you have more than enough for a new project.

It might not seem very straightforward at first, when you pull out your bag/box of various odd balls and leftovers. But it will be a lot of fun, I promise.

Please take some time to think about this and please DON'T WASTE YOUR YARN! Thank you so much!

Mackenzie from Millington, TN

Editor's Note: If you would like to read the whole article, here it is.

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What Color Should I Paint My Kitchen Walls?

My cabinets are white, stove and refrigerator are stainless steel with a shade of black and my counter top is black, gray and a speck of orange; my floor is light gray tile. What color should I paint my kitchen walls?

deloisedel from

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Getting Red Dye Out of Clothes

Some nice shirts were washed with an item that leaked red dye.

The shirts have been kept moist by soaking in cool water, not dried, while we search for a solution. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Gnats on Houseplants

How do I get rid of house plant gnats?

Hardiness Zone: 5b


Kari from Libertyville, IL

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Preventing Fires in College Dorms

As students go off to college and leave the comforts of home, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning about the dangers of fires in college housing such as dormitories, fraternities, sororities and barracks. According to National Fire Protection Association data, the estimated number of fires in campus housing has risen dramatically in recent years, from a low of 1,800 fires in 1998 to 3,300 fires in 2005. From 2000 through 2005 there were 39 deaths and nearly 400 injuries.

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Bird Feeder Suet Recipe

Bird feeder suet recipes and tips from the ThriftyFun community.

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