Daily Thrifty Tips - June 9, 2006

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This is Hannah, our 11 month old granddaughter; she is standing in a 1977 Chevrolet Pick-up. We call this truck "The Beast" because it is old and ugly now but it keeps running when the other cars do not run! All three of our children have driven this vehicle when their vehicles were not running! Hannah is the third generation to "drive" the beast!

Beauty and the Beast!

By WanJoy from Collierville, Tennessee

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Elvis is a 15 month old Chihuahua/Yorky = Chorky. I got him as a puppy from a breeder.

He never stops playing. Has to carry a toy in his mouth every time he goes into another room. He's just a ball of energy 18 hours a day.

By Janet from Cave Creek Az.

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Rascal is a 7 month old Tabby. I rescued her from the Humane Society. I walked in, spotted her and fell in love.

She loves to sit on my computer desk and watch me. She loves to run through her tunnels. She likes to retrieve her mice when you throw them and brings them back.

She thinks I am her mommy. She will cuddle in my arms and then start sucking on my neck. I asked the vet about it and he said she was taken from her mother too soon and she has adopted me. Funny, I thought I adopted her.

By Lil from Jacksonville, FL

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Remove lime deposits from your teakettle by filling the kettle with equal parts vinegar and water. Then bring the water to a boil and let it sit over night.

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My kids never turn down a chance to run through the sprinkler on a hot sunny day! They often invite their friends. With ice water on the deck to drink, veggies and dip to eat (served on ice), they are entertained for hours!

By Debbie from Pembroke, Ontario Canada

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I use the smaller mesh bags that fruit and vegetables come in to hold the balls of wool when I am knitting. I do not have wool unraveling any more and I find the wool easier to work with when I am traveling. It works very well if you knit using the wool from the outside of ball as well. Enjoy this tip.

By Marie Rose from Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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Tips for saving money on wrapping paper.

If you save some money for after Christmas sales, you can get all the wrapping paper and supplies you need for the following year at 90% off. Don't buy the expensive paper (it just gets ripped apart).

By Chris A from Syracuse, NY

Post your ideas.

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I was looking for an easy, economical, and nutritious snack for my toddler. I found a jar of roasted red peppers with garlic at my local Dollar Tree. I chopped up enough of the pepper strips to make about one whole red pepper, then I combined it with 8 oz of cream cheese in my food processor. It makes a really good spread for crackers and bagels, and a good dip for veggie strips! (It also works well to add a little chopped tomato along with the peppers and cream cheese.)

By Lisa from Tifton, GA

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When I got married, I priced guest wedding favors but they were very expensive. Most of the items I looked at were $2 - $6 each and that was not even including the cost of the candy. With over 200 people attending the wedding, this would have been extremely expensive.

I decided to go to the dollar store and found sets of 2 crystal candle stick holders (50 cents each!) and bought over 100 sets. We decided to insert tulle wrapped candy into each unit. When we priced the cost of having a party store do this for us, it was another $1 -$2 for each unit, depending on the colors and layers of tulle and the machinery that "puffed up" the tulle. This would have added another hefty amount to the price tag.

Instead, we decided to buy the candy in bulk along with tulle, and ribbon and put together the candy inserts ourselves. It only took a couple hours to put everything together. We ended up with a gorgeous wedding favor for a fraction of the cost. It pays to shop around and do some of the work yourself!

By Mary Beth

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You don't have to throw away those broccoli stems. They can be cooked with broccoli flowers if you cut them into bite size pieces and cut an "x" in each end.

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A pal and her hubby prefer to book their cruises at end of season. She said the cruise staff are more at ease, as they're about to have some time off, making the cruise more like a party for all on board, more so than normally. She said another reason is they can get items in the cruise ship gift shop at drastically reduced prices (thus making some wonderful quality, inexpensive Christmas gifts!)

By Terri from NV

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It's the time of year for straw hats - which need a special sort of care to live long and prosper. If they have become creased, you can restore them to their original shape (or tweak it a little) by spraying it with water and easing it back into shape with your hands and then letting it dry. It's also probably good to keep them from getting too dry - in which case they can split. If splits do occur - as they do especially in the finer Panama's - some of them CAN be mended with either clear surgical tape or white medical adhesive IF the split is inside the crown or in some other less conspicuous area. Put the tape inside and gently ease the split closed. That way your panama will last several more seasons as your less-then-Sunday-go-to-meeting straw - My hats tend to recycle downwards season to season until they become boat hats!

By Pam from L.A., CA

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Here's a milk bath recipe that will smooth and moisturize your skin. It's a spa treatment at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 c. cream
• 1/2 c. honey
• 6 drops essential oils (any scent)

Directions:

Thoroughly mix together the above ingredients. Store in airtight container up to 2 weeks in refrigerator. Add a few tablespoons to your bath water.

Optional: You can add dry flowers to mixture and/or food coloring

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When I was raising our children my mother-in-law told me one day as I too was complaining about food prices. "groceries are a lot cheaper then doctor bills" and I never forget that and raised four healthy beautiful adults.

By havanagirl

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I've found a great product at Dollar Tree called "Mist and Go!" It's sold as an everyday shower cleaner, but, this morning, when I'd run out of my regular stovetop cleaner, I read the precautions, then used this product, and the burned-on food that I normally have to scrape, after about two minutes, wiped up with a sponge! I haven't tried this yet, but I'll bet it will take burned-on food off pots and pans, too. The only precaution listed is that it's an eye irritant, and the ingredients listed are Isopropyl, chelating agent, surfactants and solvents. It is not to be used on natural marble, natural stone, brass, polyvinyl chloride refinished bathtubs or varnished wood. The number to call with questions is: 1-800-940-6688 between 8 and 5 EST or go to the website www.ameriplus.com. The product is biodegradable and "earth friendly".

PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT WITHOUT CALLING THE 800 NUMBER.

I'm only stating the success I've had with it in cleaning my stovetop. But, at only $1.00 plus tax for 32 ozs., I couldn't resist passing this on.

By Janet45101 from Aberdeen, OH

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

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I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find printable wallet sized versions of The Lords Prayer? I would like to make several for my children and family to carry with them. I would love to find them and laminate them. And also the Serenity Prayer?

Thank You,

wvqdz from WV

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Does anybody know where I can buy Surprise Lilies? My mother loves them and hers for some reason have stopped blooming.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Thanks,
Zanyzoey from Trenton, Tennessee

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I have a sofa and love seat that the cushions slide off of whenever someone sits on it. Then I have to lift the pillowtop back to slide the cushions up under it and back into place. This becomes very upsetting when it has to be done so often. Any solutions?

Thanks,
Nelwyn from Bunkie, LA

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I have a question about everbearing strawberries. I have tried everything, but they do not produce strawberries all year long. Once they start too throw there chutes they quit producing. I get 1 batch from them and that is it. I have put pine needles around them and water them just about every day. Some of them are in sand with dirt mixed in, but I do have some in just dirt and they do the same. Do I let the chutes go or cut them off. What else can I do?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Thank You,
Joyce wis from Janesville, WI

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Does anyone have a homemade recipe for paraffin baths using canning jar paraffin? My therapist and my orthopedist are adamant that I need to use paraffin heat treatment for an injury incurred when a careless driver T-boned my car recently. I do have a bath but I need more paraffin and it would need to be special ordered since I can't find a local source.

Jeanne from Florida

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I have been trying to find recipes for Milkshakes and Fruit smoothies. Does anyone have any ideas? I would appreciate any feedback.

Thank you,

miraclelady50 from Bucksport, Maine

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Hello, I need low-fat (or no fat) recipes for person with pancreatic cancer. I am looking for home cooking recipes.

Thanks,

M.B.

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How do you remove latex paint from a brick wall?

Randa from Martindale, TX

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I am wondering if it is normal to have flies in my outside plants? These are not little fruit type flies they are normal big black ones. Whenever I water my flower beds flies come out. I do not remember having this problem in past years. Is there something I can do or is this normal?

Brandi from Salt Lake City, UT

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I dye my hair about every 6 weeks or so. I use Clairol 35G and 30 Developer - two ounces of each. I also add 20 drops of Gray Magic. My questions is a mid-dye freshen up with shampoo. I am thinking I could mix 1/4 ounce of the dye, and 1/4 ounce of the developer and shampoo it in. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on this subject?

Thanks a million.

Mitzi from Florida

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My husband would like a recipe for making his own bug killer to use on tomatoes, potatoes and hostas. He would like a spray on pesticide if there is one available. Thank you so much.

Barb Zone: 4a

barbo37 from Fairview, MI

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I have clothes that have a sour smell. I work for a pet groomer, so they get wet, then dry, then wet and dry and by the time I get home they smell sour. It won't come out when washed. I have tried baking soda, Fabreeze, Pine Sol, vinegar, I just can't get the smell out. What can I use?

Krys from Milton, Florida

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Breed Description: The Bull Terrier is a small muscular dog with small, triangular eyes and thin, erect ears. Its most distinct physical characteristic is its long, oval-shaped head that is flat on top, then sloping down to the nose without stopping.

More Information: Bull Terrier Club of America

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Getting Kids to Eat Veggies

Feel free to post feedback below if you have tips on getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables.

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Want to plan a fun, active party? A summer Olympics party will get you and your guests moving!

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