August 12, 2005

Daily Thrifty Tips - August 12 2005


Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 195 August 12 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com

Hello,

We recently added a Green Living section to ThriftyFun. We are still working on adding content to it but hope to make it a valuable resource. Our Gardening Expert, Ellen Brown, has also agreed to answer Green Living questions. So if you have any green living questions, feel free to submit them here:

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You can find the new Green Living section here:

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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MyBudgetPlanner

Manage your money simply and quickly. Inexpensive budget planning software.

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Today's Photos


Rusty and Sam (Terrier ?)

This is Rusty a mix of terrier and ?. He and his brother Sam were dropped on a road leading to our house which is on a dead end. He and his brother are the best. Rusty especially guards he will scan the whole front yard all day from this bench on the front porch.

rustyandsam.jpg

rustyonporch.jpg

By Joyce Barker

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Buchart Gardens

From the beautiful Buchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia.

buchartgarden.jpg

Editor's Note: They are Beautiful! To find out more about Buchart Gardens go to:

By Sheri

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Juli and Callie

Pet's name is Callie, she is 2 year old tricolored calico. Our daughter was wanting a cat for a very long time. Then one day I went to PETCO and they were having a cat adoption day. Callie was the only one that was tricolored. Callie likes to chase flys and paper balls. She also likes to be next to you if you're sick and like most other cats she LOVES to be petted!

julicallie.jpg

By Donna

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Today's Tips


Parental Visitations - Easing a Child's Stress
By Sharon Shearer

My oldest child was 9 years old before he began a relationship with his biological father. It could have been a very stressful situation for everyone involved, but from day one ground rules were laid out and a healthy relationship began.

I offer the following tips to Mothers and Fathers facing this situation:

Make it CLEARLY understood that this is not a "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" situation. A child's emotions are involved and they have already felt the pain of rejection. As a parent make it clearly understood that your child will not be tossed around at the other parent's convenience and stand your ground in this decision.

Work as a "TEAM". My son could never have asked for a better step mother than he has. She accepted him and freely gave of her time and resources so that he felt love from both sides. That is unfortunately, not always the case in visitations. But I did my part by not interfering in their family life. She felt no threat to their marriage and I tried to encourage a "no foolishness" policy. This was HER husband and I had no right to interfere. Negative feelings were not expressed to my child, and we all worked as a TEAM for his sake, and with God's help and provision, it worked!

Years ago, no one could have told me it could have been done, but over the last two years we have celebrated his marriage and the birth of our first grandchild TOGETHER, and this all came about because we all worked towards one common goal--making our son feel love and acceptance from both sides of his family.

My heart goes out to children of separated families. But by working together for the child's sake it CAN be done successfully.

By Sharon,Ky

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Parmesan Cheese on Spaghetti

If you like to add Parmesan cheese to your spaghetti or other pasta dishes, add the cheese to the pasta and mix well before adding sauce. The sauce will cling better to the pasta that way.

By Robin

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Keeping Pies from Spilling Over

If you have trouble with pies going over while they bake and making a big mess in your oven all you have to do is sprinkle a little powdered lemon-flavored gelatin on the top crust. It helps it not to bubble over that way.

By Robin

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Adding Frozen Peas and Vegetables to Spaghetti

Getting my toddlers (and my husband) to eat their peas is always a hassle. Getting my ravenous son to wait two seconds for his spaghetti to cool so he doesn't scorch his mouth is even harder.

So I came up with a basic spaghetti standard in our house. Just as soon as I turn off the stove I reach for my handy-dandy frozen peas. When the spaghetti goes into the serving dish I add about 1/2 cup of the frozen peas. The spaghetti cools as the peas get warm, so no need to cook the peas or ruin another toddler's spaghetti dinner with an ice cube!

And even better, the kids won't even know their eating veggies, since their so covered with sauce they'll never know! Also works well with other frozen veggies such as spinach, broccoli, zucchini, etc. Plus, make sure you either freeze your own veggies or wash them thoroughly in cold water first, to be sure their's no contaminants.

By Kryssie Salvadalena

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Inspect Your Roof Without A Ladder

Inspect your roof for loose shingles and remove any large branches. Its good to do a thorough cleaning before summer and you will want to repair any broken tiles or shingles as soon as possible. If you are inspecting from the ground, use a pair of binoculars to get a better view.

If you have any more tips for inspecting a roof, please post them below.

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Keeping Tote Bags in the Car

Keep linen tote bags in your car/vehicle. They can fold up nicely and can be stashed in a console or under a seat. Instead of having arm loads of things to carry in and making several trips to the car to clear it out. Put everything in the tote bags. This will save time and your energy.

By Terri

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Inspecting Your Foundation

Check the grading around your house and make sure that the ground is sloping away from your house. Make sure that no plants or dirt comes into contact with the wood siding of your house. Inspect your foundation for cracks and patch any that you find. Also, check the siding of your home for mildew. It can be removed with a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 3 parts water. If any of the bleach water gets on to your plants, make sure you rinse them well as soon as possible.

If you have any more tips for inspecting a foundation, please post them.

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Buying Shelf Brackets

If you need to hang a shelf, weigh it first and then buy brackets that will hold at least twice the weight of that particular shelf to hang it from. You will never have to worry about it falling off the wall.

By Robin

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Olive Oil for Fleas

I had feral kittens dying from FLEA Infestation. They were too young for treatment with commercial remedies and tea tree oil can KILL cats at any age. As a nurse we once had a patient who had head lice infestation that we couldn't rid of with prescription treatments, the CDC recommended olive oil left in for 4 hours and then washed out, so I decided to try it for these little (less than 3 week old) kits.

I soaked them, taking care to avoid eye and mouth areas) with the olive oil and LEFT IT ON. Their mom licked them clean and not a flea since. I recommend treating moms with worming medication after treatment since fleas ingested result in worms. And I would re-treat in 7 days or any time the fleas reappear. I don't recommend ANY essential oils (tea tree, cedar, peppermint, etc.) as they can kill any small critter.

By Creeksend

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Saving Money on Gas

Tips for saving money on gas. Post your ideas.

Tips for Cruise Control

Using your cruise control on your car on flat roads is probably a good idea, but if the roads become very "hilly," the cruise can sometimes cause your vehicle to speed up faster than necessary thus using more gas.

By Robin

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New Contest - More Prizes


We are giving away 16 $25 prizes in a variety of categories.

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Contest ends August 31, 2005


Syndication Spotlight:


Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!

Dear Webby's Humor Letter
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New Requests


Yellow Spots From a Bleach Stick

I have a pair of white cotton capri's that have a few stains on them. I used a "bleach stick" on the stains and threw them in the hamper to be washed. At the end of the week, upon washing the capris, I found that they had yellowed wherever I had put the "bleach stick" on the stains. Does anyone have any ideas on how to remove the yellowed spots from my white cotton capris?

Thanks

Tracy from Overland Park, KS

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Training an American Bulldog

I just got an american bulldog last week. He's a male 2 month old brindle puppy. Does anyone have any tips to help me? He needs to be trained fast. He is a play biter but bites pretty hard.

Jimmy from Illinois

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White Haze on Colored Plastic Chairs

My dark green adirondack plastic resin chairs have developed a white haze on them this season. They are not faded, and this haze seems to be from exposure to the elements, since they are not located under any type of rooftop. What is the best cleaner to get rid of the haze and restore these chairs?

Thanks for your responses!

Victoria

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Candy Wrapper Purse

I have been looking for hours, Does anyone know how to make a candy wrapper purse.

Thank you,
Candi

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Credit Card Offers

How do I find out which credit cards I have offered me so I can reconsider?

Abdul Najjar

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Bring The New Look Back To Cypress Mulch

Thrifty people unite! I have used more than a handful of thrifty tips
and have never been disappointed. Does anybody have a tip on how to bring that 'new look' back to cypress mulch? After a couple of Florida summers it goes from orange-like to a grayish. YUCK! Please only send proven tips as the foliage would be too expensive to replace.

Thanks folks,
Jim in FL

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Supporting Yourself While Acting

Are there any work at home jobs that pay well? I don't mean some get rich quick rip offs or "start your own business at home" job. I mean something that pays you to work from the internet at home. Or maybe even some other kind of honest work at home job whether it be a simple task or a job where they train you.

I'm an actor and for me it's been a struggle finding a job that allows me to make some necessary income while practicing my craft. I'm not lazy and if I need to I will do nine to five work, but it would mean leaving the field I love because I'm too old to do both.

I'm sure this is a problem that other members of Thrifty Fun who are in the acting field have faced or are facing. I'm not a dreamer. I have succeeded in my craft. I've done stage, film and Television, but despite popular belief we don't all make as much as Tom Cruise. Any feedback from actors or non-actors with incite?

Victor

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Laptop Bag and Backpack Reviews

I'm going back to school and need some ideas on a good bag to get.
Also, is it a good idea to get a laptop backpack instead of carrying a laptop bag around? I'm just worried that it will damage my laptop.

Reena

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Chewing Gum in Pocket

My grandson Scotty has gotten chewing gum stuck in his denim shorts pocket, I don't know how to get it out! p

Please help!
Judi

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Fat Free Mayonnaise Recipe

Looking for a mayonnaise recipe that does not use oil or any fat.

Annette from Maine







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Cleaning Dirty White Socks

How can I keep white socks white? My children get them so dirty and even soaking in bleach doesn't work! Please help.

Thanks,
Kerry

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Aunt Martha's Flour Sack Towels

I am doing lots of hand embroidery for friends, gifts both baby and weddings. I am in search of the Aunt Martha's Flour Sack Towels that can be embroidered.

I live in a very small town in Central Louisiana and can't find any such item here. We have no Walmart any longer. I did visit several Walmarts in the near by area but to no avail.

Does anyone have any idea where I might obtain some of the flour sack tea towels?

Sincerely,
Nelwyn

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Beer Doughnuts

I have been asked to make doughnuts by my husband. I have made doughnuts in the past but he wants "beer" doughnuts this time. I have never heard of them. My mother-in-law used to have a recipe her mother had given her but can not find it. Can anyone help me with this special request?

Thanks,
Bonnie from Vermont

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Whiskey Rebellion Float Ideas

We have a parade and need to make a float for a Whiskey Rebellion (america freedom thing) we hvae a lot of room but dont have much money.

Lindsey

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Removing Hair Without Shaving or Waxing

Every girl at my school shaves their legs and I'm not allowed to! I've asked my mom, tried to make a deal, even asked my dad! I have alot of hair on my legs! Is there a way to keep the hair from growing on my legs or to get rid of the hair without shaving or waxing?

Thanks,
Ana

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Today's Sponsors


MyBudgetPlanner

Manage your money simply and quickly. Inexpensive budget planning software.

http://www.mybudgetplanner.com/partner/thf/mbpmain.htm


More Reading:


Mother Earth News Chicken and Egg Page

Mother Earth News has done testing on free range chicken eggs vs. the normal store bought eggs and the differences are remarkable. Their new chicken and egg page has test results and information on raising chickens. Basically free range chickens are chickens that are allowed to walk around, peck, eat grass, weeds and insects plus chicken feed as opposed to those that spend their lives in a tiny pen. How many of you out there have your own chickens?

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