Daily Thrifty Tips - April 25, 2006

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Boris is my 9 year old Russian Blue. I adopted him from Petsmart 7 years ago.

He loves to tear all kinds of paper, loves to be cuddled at anytime and demands my attention a lot of time, especially when I am on the computer.

By Joanne

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Funnel Cloud taken just seconds before the tornado touched down in Gallatin TN, April 7, 2006.

By windycitywitch

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This adorable dog with his/her bone is unidentified. I've looked and looked for the entry that went with it. If it is your dog, let me know so we can fill in the details.

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You can wall paper a small area with maps or even foreign language newspapers. When I was a kid I just LOVED a hallway of some friends of my parents which was papered in National Geographic maps!

By Pam from L.A., CA

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I have just experienced the best thing in my life--the family closet. I turned my laundry room into a laundry room/family closet. Now, I can wash, dry, fold and put away all in one room. No more lugging laundry baskets or keeping kids closets organized. A winter hanging closet and a summer hanging closet and a cubby for each person in the family. I have now converted the kids closets into shelves for all their toys, games, etc. This keeps it up off of their floor. My laundry time has decreased by more than half.

By BarwickJ from Ottumwa, IA

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For making your dishwashing soap last longer: Take a separate plastic bottle with a pump and fill about one third of dishwashing liquid of your choice. Then add 1 tablespoon of Borax and fill the rest with white vinegar. Shake gently to mix. 2 or 3 pumps will make nice smelling suds and cleans the dishes, silverware and glasses, works great removing grease, and makes your dish detergent last a long time.

By Susan from Bremen, Georgia

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This is what I did last Mother's Day and have been asked by my mother to do again. I love scrapbooking and had done some pages for my mother, but last Mother's Day, I decided to let her be the one to do it. So I made up a tote of scrapbooking supplies and took them to her house.

She gathered up pictures of us kids as babies and as adults and made a page of before and after pics with a message and poem for each of us. She loves this page and it is something she can show off.

This year she wants to do another one for her four grandchildren. Also she loves to paint, so I have a surprise for her, after the Christmas holiday, I went to the after Christmas sales and bought up a lot of paints and shadow boxes that could be used all year round.

By Christi from Paducah, KY

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I love to do crafts, but on a tight income it is often too expensive. Then I hit on the idea of entering them in the county fair. I use the premium money for more craft materials to enter the next year. I make my Christmas gifts early, enter them in the fair, then send them away at the holidays. Since I also enter dried herbs from my flower beds, the premium money gets extended a little further, and we have yummy perennial herbs at no cost!

By Coreen from Rupert, ID

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I wanted to tell you about how my mother was taught to be frugal. After graduating from high school during the Depression, she learned "make do, or do without".

When she'd purchase a new garment, if it had a loose thread, she'd thread a needle and save it on a bit of cloth. That way, if the item needed repair later, she had matching thread.

As a child, I always wondered why she did this. Her explanation was that she couldn't help herself, something inside was making her do this even though we were not poor by any means.

Her mother would give her the job of finding loose threads in clothing for the family. If none were available when needed. she learned to cut a strip off the hem, re-hem and use the thread from the strip for the repair.

Seems like a good idea, but very painstaking.

My version of this is to sew on extra buttons onto the side hem in an inconspicuous place so that if I ever need them, they are readily available. And after multiple washings, they are the same color as the rest of the buttons.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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My husband's favorite ball cap is pure white with green lettering on it, and it got so disreputable that even he wouldn't wear it any longer. Machine washing did nothing so I ran it through the washer one more time to make sure it was as clean as it could get (the set-in sweat stains were hopeless!), then put it into the dishwasher on the top rack with Cascade dishwashing powder in the dispenser cups and ran it through both wash and rinse cycles. (Do not let the dry cycle begin!) It came out spotlessly clean! Even the green lettering on it was fully intact - it looked as good as new. I then ran the dishwasher through another "cleaning cycle" to make sure nothing remained of the hat before I loaded the dishes.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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How can I get crayon off clothes after they have been in the dryer with the crayon?

Connie from Richmond, VA

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Thank you for any response first of all. I live in a condo. A stray cat has found her way here. I am highly allergic and so therefore have never been able to appreciate cats. But this little one is so sweet. She really likes me. All the cat people that have come say they want her until she meets them and she GROWLS. Her back goes up and she is not happy. Then she wraps herself around my legs. I have contacted all the shelters in my area and everyone is full. The SPCA is pretty far for me to go after work, I may not even make it there. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have listed her in the local newspapers and on craigslist and nothing.

Sandy from Baltimore, MD

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For the plant doctor. What plant soil should I use for potting my avocado seed. It has grown and is starting to loose leaves. Please also discuss watering the plant.

Sharon Walters from St. Louis, MO

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What is corn gluten, and where can I purchase it?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Tina from IN

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I am interested in making and hanging a crochet doily in my large front window. Does anyone know a good way to hang it?

Thanks a bunch!
joynchocolate

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Yesterday I got nail polish on a white blouse. I've now taken it to the cleaners, but I was wondering if anyone knows how I could have gotten the nail polish out of my blouse without paying the cleaners to do it?

ME from sanford, NC

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In an effort to save money I am asking for recipes and any websites visited by members that feature DIY recipes for bath oils/gels, bath salts, scented candles, and soap, as these pampering treats are very expensive here. All help is greatly appreciated.

Alison Thomas from Lower Carlton, St. James

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I have reached the age where I will need to start coloring my hair. I am considering using "Just for Men". One of the FAQs mentions that gloves are supplied to avoid staining the hands. I am bald on top. How do I stop the product from staining my scalp? Also, since I have less hair than the average man, can I use the product for two applications?

I have emailed "Just for Men" twice without a reply so if anyone can recommend an alternate product I will be glad for the advice.

Thank you,
Mark from Indianapolis, Indiana

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How do I clean 2 stuffed animals with music boxes inside without risking creating rusty parts? One has the music box in the head and when you pull the ring at the end of the scrunched up body, the music plays as the body scrunches back up toward the head. This one is 14 years old and in great shape except the heavy dust that has settled in the folds.

Delynn Tracy from Wixom, MI

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I need help. I am doing a scrapbook using Elmer's Craft Bond and the paper I am using with this glue is sticking up and bubbly looking. The layouts look horrible. Please help.

loveallcats from Salt Lake City Utah

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I have a 50' x 100' vegetable garden that is about 100' from my pond and I would love ideas on how to use the pond to water the garden. Any ideas appreciated!

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Lauren from Missouri

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I bought a 100% polyester shower curtain. No matter how I iron it, the packing creases will not come out. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Ironing Novice from PA

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My 4 year old threw up a lot on my microfiber sectional. There is no way to take the cushions off! I really need help finding out what are some safe ways to clean it up. I have it cleaned to the point that there is no stain, but how do I get the smell out?

Amy from Mount Vernon, WA

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I recently had Mannington Laminate Floors put in. I went and bought the Orange Glo Laminate Floor Cleaning System (which one of the sales people at the store said they use). It worked great the first time. You must clean and then put the revitalizer on. The revitalizer makes everything shiny and protects from scratches. It is very expensive which is why I switched to Vinegar and water/ammonia, and even tried windex along with the Pergo cleaner. I cannot afford the revitalizer once per week like it says nor do I have the time.

My floor now has this horrible residue that I cannot get off no matter what I try. I called the company (Orange Glo) and they told me to strip the floor. No way will I do that. Any suggestions on how to get the remnants of this Orange Glo off the floor and restore to my natural finish? I have the mop with the removable terry cloth head for laminate floors and I have also tried to scrub on my hands and knees. HELP! I want my floor back.

Jiggysk8 from New Jersey

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How do I clean some ash and burn holes on my microfiber furniture?

Sara from Milwaukee, WI

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It seems like all the lawns around here are infested with grubs this year. Is there an environmentally safe way to control and kill them?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Betty from Middletown, NY

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HELP! I'm an idiot and sprayed weed killer on the flower beds. Needless to say, my girlfriend is REALLY mad and the flowers are not doing so well. Any way to rescue my relationship?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

dadudley2 from Columbus, Ohio

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I have just bought some stainless cookware and anything I cook in the fry pans stick to the bottom and is very hard to clean. Is there sometning needed to prepare the cookware before cooking the first time? Also, how do I remove the burnt stains from the bottom of the pan.

Thanks,
Mike Garwood from Arkansas

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I was given a sewing machine, and there's a problem. When I am sewing the bobbin gets all tangled up, I will get one or two good stitches then nothing. When I turn the material over there is a ton of thread from the bobbin. Has anyone else had this problem? How did you correct it? I checked the tension and tried different bobbin casings from my other sewing machine but it continues to happen. Just wanted to know if there is something I can do and save the repair fee. Thanks!

Mary from Panama City Beach, FL

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The center of my couch frame (front of couch, just above and between the legs) appears to be cracked, broken, or has come loose. When I sit on the couch, the face of the base bows from the center toward he floor. Is there anything I can do o re-enforce the frame?

Jim from Germantown, MD

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Coupons for Brand Name Items

Print brand name coupons and use them at your favorite store! Sign up to take advantage of over 81 money-saving offers inside.

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Breed Description: The good-natured and formidable Rhodesian Ridgeback gets its name from the symmetrical ridge of hair on its spine growing against the grain of its coat. This large muscular dog has a broad, flat skull, strong, deep chest and powerful hind quarters. Originally developed to hunt lions, today the Ridgeback excels as a guard dog and loving family pet.

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It's hard to resist purchasing items at the store, but resisting on-line is even more difficult. High internet sales suggest that consumers are finding it hard to curb their internet spending appetite. Maybe it's because the internet offers so many great desserts.

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Breed Description: Rottweilers are large, powerful dogs with a substantial build and equally great endurance and agility. They have a calm, self-assured expression and give the impression of great power, which they easily back up with their powerfully muscular bodies. Their devotion to family and strong territorial instinct makes them excellent guard dogs. Rottweilers are a loyal dog breed that when trained and handled properly, make good protectors and companions for the family.

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About twelve years ago, I was on a mission to find the easiest and most convenient way to satisfy my children's hungry appetites. At that time, my fourth child was born, and she was only 15 months younger than the next in line. I had a newborn, a toddler, a five year old, and a nine year old. Looking back, I'm sure I would have given my front tooth for the simplest, most convenient way to feed my family. Sure, we took advantage of frozen and fast food; but that became old very quickly. My husband longed for "real" food, and, frankly, it gets expensive eating burgers and fries with a family of our size. Necessity mandated that I find ways to cheaply and quickly feed an army of six!

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Maybe you're celebrating a special occasion in your pup's life. Maybe you love to cook and want to experiment with new recipes! Here are some basic recipes for homemade dog treats -- I'd love to hear about any variations you try.

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