Daily Thrifty Tips - February 3, 2006

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My daughter and I have gone a little crazy over duct tape :) This is a purse and clutch we made out of some, and the best part is that if one rips I can patch it up and make it look even more original!

By princessgrace from Austin, TX

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Reba is a year old German Shorthair mix and Ruby is a 3 year old Norwich Terrier. Reba was headed to a shelter when we adopted her and Ruby I purchased from a breeder.

Reba loves to run, run, run, catch snowballs, wrestle, kiss and hug. Ruby likes to chase squirrels and chipmunks and eat. They both love to ride on the four-wheeler.

They are not just pets, they are my furbabies! Life would not be the same without their kisses.

By Paula from Christmas, MI

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Buddy has long hair that really gets static on windy days, I rub his coat with a dryer sheet to help keep him from "shocking" us and him.

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark,Ca.

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My name is Rebecca Kennedy, and I've just started a new simplicity blog called Everyday Simplicity and located at http://everydaysimplicity.blogspot.com/. I'm also starting a local simplicity group here in San Antonio, Texas.

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Having cracked or dry feet. At bedtime, rub feet down with vaseline petroleum jelly. Cover with plastic wrap and put socks on. In the morning you will have softer feet.

By Harriett from Lancaster, SC

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I use toilet paper rolls to slide in electrical cords so they aren't messy in my junk drawer. Everyone has a junk drawer so why not make it a tidy drawer!

By Glenda from Coldwater Michigan

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A cute valentine dessert is to make Krispy Rice Kisses. Make the cereal and marshmallow treats as usual but form them in a funnel to shape them like candy kisses. Wrap in foil and add a love message. This is great idea for class parties.

By Cheryl from Missouri

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You know how coffee doesn't taste so good after you've had it hot, and it's been on too long? Use the left over coffee from the morning to make a hot chocolate. It tastes better then using plain water and uses up the left over coffee.

By Amanda Barcon from Jackson, TN

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Savings Container

A great way to save! I take a large container, any type will do. I cut a hole in the top about the size of a quarter and super glue the top on. What goes in the container, stays in the container. I put my pocket change in this container all year. I also might put in money from rebates, part of any mad money I come across. Sometimes, I just make a small donation. My husband contributes as well. We cut open the container once a year and take a small holiday. We usually have between $300 - $500 saved. One year we had $1500 and treated ourselves to a trip to Atlantic City. You could use this for a Christmas fund or whatever.

By Jayne from Bristow, VA

Spare Change Adds Up

Actually this is very simple but has really helped me with finances. I have a large jar that animal cookies came in. Over the past several years I have kept change in it. Every year on New Year's Eve I roll all of my change and then it goes into my savings account. I have saved anywhere from $150 to $250 in a year. In the last two years I have saved enough money to buy a new couch. Not too bad for spare change. It really does add up.

By Tonya from Tyler, Texas

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I am only 42 but for 10 years I have been disabled with Multiple Sclerosis which can cause high fatigue, even when it comes to drying your hair. I use a car shammy (chamois) instead of a towel to absorb the moisture from my hair so I don't tire out by blow drying a long time. The elderly will benefit from this as well.

By Katherine from Port Hope, Ontario, Canada

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When using the toilet, put a small amount of toilet paper in the bowl beforehand to avoid splash-ups.

By Andrew from Leesport, PA

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Fresh fruit, like strawberries, grapes, etc, stay fresher if they are stored in the fridge unwashed. Only rinse what you are going to immediately eat and restore the rest unwashed.

By Carrol from Monroe

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Instead of throwing kitchen sponges away (everyone knows how fast they are loaded with germs)..try this. Wash them in the dishwasher, and then let them zap in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, it will kill 99% of the germs. You will save money, and have a clean healthy kitchen

By Sandra Hummel from Texas

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I have a cat who is 2 years old, he was neutered when he was 6 months old. In the last year he has started peeing on the floor. Sometimes next to his litter box even. I have to remind him to go to his litter box. Do you have any solutions for this problem or a way explain the change in behavior?

Cecile from Canada

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After I wash my towels and wash and dry my hands one time the towels get stiff after one use! What is the problem? I have a water softener and it still hasn't helped. What can I do?

Jim Jackson from Phoenix, AZ

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I have had parties for my childrens B-days, girlscouts, boy scouts ect. but I have never had a good turn out of guests coming. Example: if I invite 25, maybe 3 will show up. This includes my own slibbings. Does anyone have an idea of a way to write the inviteion so more will come or atleast RSVP. We can not afford to purchase food, plates, ect., for guests that don't show. This is such a speical party this year that I want as many guests as posible.

Craftmom from Martindale, TX

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I just "inherited" a box of canned Ravioli. If I just keep serving them, as is, straight out of the can, peoples eyes will become crossed! Does anyone have ideas of preparing and serving these goodies without leaving people groaning? =)

I thank you, and the kids thank you!

Amyscrafts68 from Walnut Creek, CA

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I am sending my sister our late mother's good 8-place setting silverware and silverware chest cross country. Does anyone have any tips for making this process safe for the contents and as inexpensive as possible? I am thinking of separating the silverware from the chest and shipping them separately. Can you safely stack like items (such as spoons), then bundle with bubble wrap, and then nestle each bundle in packing peanuts in a heavy shipping crate or box? The chest I think I can handle, but the how-tos on the silverware have me a bit perplexed so I need some knowledgeable advice here. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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I've just ripped off all of the 15 year old wallpaper off my toddlers' bathroom. The tile on the floor is tan (280E-3 Toasted Wheat on Behr pallette). The backsplash around tub is same cream with tan. I'm trying to incorporate a yellow and blue color scheme to complement the ducky decor but need some ideas since those two colors don't go naturally too well with the tan. Any faux ideas? Any other suggestions on how to work it in?

Thanks.

Tina from Atlanta, GA

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I need help in getting my work shirts clean! I work in a snack bar and all of my shirts have fryer grease on them. I've tried soaking them in Pine Sol, spraying them with 'Greased Lightning', Shampoo, 'Grease Relief', Dawn dish soap, etc. I've even tried ammonia, but nothing seems to take the grease out of them. They are red in color, and 50% polyester/50% cotton. They are repulsive to look at, but I have to wear them every night. Can someone help me out here?

Thanks,
Jackie S. from Riverdale, GA

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Does anyone have good or bad experience with any household battery chargers, or can you reccommend a brand? How long does the charge last compared to buying new batteries, and is it really cost effective? I am new to this, but my two sons have so many educational toys that require batteries, and between one learning to walk/talk and the other learning math and reading, they are running up our grocery budget having to buy AA batteries all the time!

Kelly from Willamina, OR

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I've heard that Epsom salts are good for roses. How much of it should I use and how often? Do you have any other suggestions for care of roses?

Thank you.

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Mary from Redding, CA

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Does anyone know where I can get Brown Boronia (B.megastigma) Seeds or plants? It is listed in the Western Sunset Garden Book. Thanks for any information.

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

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Please tell me how and when to grow "Sparkler" Cleomes from seed in Louisiana. These are the shorter and bushier Cleomes. Do I plant seeds outdoors in the fall or spring in zone 8b? What month? How much sun and water? Any pest problems?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

Pam from Baton Rouge, LA

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Does anyone in have any idea where to take a large amount of used tires in northern indiana? I have a couple thousand to get rid of!

Mlhayden from Northern, Indiana

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Desperately need small-space indoor game ideas ASAP! It's going to rain and I have a 12x15 living room, with furniture taking up some of that space. It's a 9 year old boy's Knight Themed birthday party.

GnCsMOM from Philadelphia

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