Daily Thrifty Tips - May 30, 2007

Last week we notified readers about NFL players recent comments about dog fighting. If you missed it, you can read about it here:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94654940.tip.html

The Humane Society is obviously very concerned about dog fighting and set up a web form where people can send a message to the NFL commisioner and urge him to immediately implement a zero-tolerance policy on dogfighting and animal cruelty in the NFL and to hold all players accountable for their support of criminal dogfighting. The Human Society's form is here:

https://community.hsus.org/campaign/US_2007_dogfighting_nfl

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Tussy Mussy Geranium

Here is a picture of a single geranium flower and leaf. It reminds me of a "Tussy Mussy" Or is it Tussy Mussie?

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

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Shark At The Atlanta Aquarium

Shark overhead at the Atlanta Aquarium. He was one of the smaller ones that we saw. This place is awesome.

By Lou ANN from Bham, AL

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In Memory of BC (Baby Cat)

This post is in memory of BC (Baby Cat), ThriftyFun's office cat. We lost BC on Memorial Day morning, she was 15. She was lovable, adorable and fat and enjoyed eating, petting and stealing our chairs when we weren't looking. She loved it when you would scratch her back, near her tail, and would move her head back and forth like Stevie Wonder to urge you to keep scratching. She was a great cat and she will be missed.

Here's a previous post about BC:

• http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70187271.tip.html

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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

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A Frugal Watch Tale

My watch battery suddenly went out on the weekend, so I looked for cheap watches and they were almost $10 and hideous. So I went to the 99 Cent Store and got myself a Betty Boop watch (They had Lucy ones, too, really cute.) Unfortunately the buckle was flimsy and flew off in the car, I taped it temporarily. Once home, I applied 2 of my 99 Cent Store velcro squares for a closing and now it looks great and fits, too. It will get me through until I can get to the jeweler to change the battery. (We did try to do it ourselves, but there's a trick to it...) Frugality wins again!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Color Palettes

Look up a favorite picture, for example: star wars, here: http://images.google.com/images

and once you choose one, enter the url into the box at the following link! http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette/

You will have custom colors!

By Veronica from Sedalia, MO

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Save Envelopes For Lists

After opening mail, keep envelopes to write shopping list or to do list. Then you can recycle. Also if there is paper inside that is only printed on one side, use this for scrap paper as well.

By Carol from Massachusetts

Editor's Note: This is a great way to re-use junk mail envelopes. Then when you go shopping, put the coupons that correspond to items on your list inside the envelope so you won't forget them.

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Sour Cream Substitute

For low fat or fat free sour cream substitute, take 1 cup low fat or fat free cottage cheese, 1/3 cup low fat or skim milk, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and 1/8 tsp. salt (optional), put into blender and process on medium until smooth. You can add flavoring to this for dips, or chives for a potato topping.

By Roberta from Deltona, FL

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Stress Reducing Tips For A Do-It-Yourself Wedding

The date's been set, reservations made, and mom begins to panic! Keep in mind, it's a one day event, and there's nothing worse than a stressed-out mom. You've heard the old expression, "if mom ain't happy--ain't nobody happy." You can pay a professional and let them do the choosing and purchasing, and drive the family to bankruptcy, or start early, do it yourself, and enjoy a real sense of accomplishment and pride when it's all over. And have money left to give the happy couple the money you've saved to help them make a start. The following are tips for a less-stress wedding both mom and daughter can be proud of (trust me, I've been through it twice and this method works!).

• Decide on the date, place , colors to be used. Also, amounts needed for wedding attendants, parents, servers, window decorations, and reception tables. Once you've made the initial decision, stick to your guns! Otherwise you'll be buying and returning over and over again!
• Start early! If plans allow several months until the wedding, take in end of season clearance sales. Proms are basically over now and nice formal dresses are probably in abundance at markdown prices. If you're a real do-it-yourselfer, make bridesmaids dresses. Walmart has inexpensive and really simple patterns. I made four for my son's wedding and, by finding a good sale on fabric, they cost less than $20 each. (Remember mom, this isn't really an expense you are obligated to). By keeping the cost down, your daughter can have as many bridesmaids as she wants. You are only obligated to provide flowers!
• Prepare an "items needed" list and potential stores to find them. For example: bouquet holders: Walmart, Garden Ridge, Carolina Pottery, Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Family Dollar stores. Just about any item you need for your wedding can be found at these stores. I purchased a $40 damaged cake topper at Garden Ridge for $4--removed the broken bride and groom and custom made a small flower arrangement in the wedding colors and no one but myself and the bride knew it had come from a damaged merchandise rack.There are lots of bargains to be found if you look--with the mindset of saving money!!
• Make your own invitations, programs, and scrolls: most department stores sell print-your-own invitations and, even though you may need to purchase an extra ink cartridge, you still come out money ahead by not ordering pre-printed items.
• Check out yard sales and thrift stores: many times you can find exactly the baskets, glassware and votive cups you need. Melt down any wax in a barely warm oven, wash and it's good as new for use.
• Customize your own design using a cheap guest book, ring bearer's pillow and basket for the flower girl. These and the ribbon you will need can be found at Dollar Tree stores.
• Napkins: inexpensive $1 a pack napkins will work fine. If you want them printed, most book stores will engrave them for a fraction of the cost of ordered napkins. I paid $6 for 100 to be engraved.
• Candles: cheap candles will work fine. The secret is to place them in the freezer overnight before using to help them burn longer.
• Cake: borrow pans if possible and bake early in the week before the wedding. For less problems, use a plain white simply decorated design and put small clusters of silk flowers between the layers. Cupcakes go a long way! That was a time-saver I chose and it's a lot less mess! Place them on a pretty 2-3 tiered glass plate. (Borrow if you can).
• Flowers: shop around for the best prices on the most realistic looking flowers for bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages and table decorations. Silk is always better because so much can be done in advance and stored in plastic to prevent crushing or wrinkling the ribbon.
• A week before: check out grocery sales ads for the items you need for the reception and recruit plenty of help. You'll be surprised how many friends and family are flattered to be asked to help get food ready for the reception. Trust me, no matter how independent you think you are, no one can pull off a reception by themselves, it's impossible!
• Follow this advice: get an early start and remember, save money! You'll have champagne taste on a beer pocketbook!

Good luck!

I have a newsletter which I go into detail on how to make different items suggested in this tip. With cost of printing and mailing, I will sell them to interested readers for $3.00 a copy. If interested, please send $3 with your mailing address to:

Sharon Shearer
524 Main Street, Apt. 1
Ravenna, KY 40472

By Sharon Shearer from Ravenna, KY

About the Author: Sharon is a long time contributer and reader of ThriftyFun.

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Save Hardware From Old Purses

Before you throw out your worn or dated purse, remove and save the handles, zippers, leather and other hardware to use again on a home made purse. These parts are expensive to buy new. I search yard sales and second hand stores for cheap purses with really great handles and the nice hardware that comes with it, for about $2.00 per purse.

But, I don't stop there! If I have a favorite but older purse that is on it's way out, I take a photo, then take it apart and use the parts to make pattern pieces, I tend to like the same comfy shape in a bag.

The handles will work on any bag, felted, crochet, fabric, or plastic, and I add embellishments in coordinating colors to tie it all together, you get the idea! :-)

Hope this helps you get started on your first purse or helps you to add something new to your next purse.

I'm not just fickle, I'm thrifty too!

By ficklephonebug from Bakersfield, CA

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Homemade Spray for Rose Bushes

Mix a capful of ammonia in a gallon of water then put into a spray bottle. This will kill the bugs on your rose bushes and make the roses bloom more healthily.

By Kelly from Bend, OR

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Ideas for Full House Party

My sister is having a Full house party. Everyone has run out of ideas for food and stuff to do. I would really love everyone's help

Bayley

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Need Creamy Curried Rice Salad Recipe

I would love a recipe for a creamy curried rice salad. Jules from Sydney

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Permanent Marker on Tile Grout

How do you clean permanent marker off of tile grout?

Juanita from Stockton, CA

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Sunblock on Plants

My child sprayed my petunias and mums with Sunblock, what should I do?

Vickie

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Candle Wax on a Down Comforter

How do you get wax off fabric? It is down comforter and it is pink wax.

nicole from sierra vista, az

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Spindly Rhododendrons

Last year in early April, we bought a large ranch style home in the countryside outside Molalla in Oregon. It has 40 acres and the area around the house is wooded. We have a horseshoe drive in front of the house which is lined with very old large beautiful rhodies (rhododendrons).

This year (with nothing being done to them last year.) their blooms were much later with very spindly branches and the small leaf rhodies, none at all. The small leaf ones have a leaf blight of some kind. The two spindly one are alone in the yard separate. The ones in the drive kind of all run together. I have no way to send a photo. Please HELP! What do I do to save my once lovely drive?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

katyinyoder56 from Molalla OR

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What is this plant?

A friend of mine just bought a house and was wondering what this plant is?

Thanks in advanced,
Libby from Canada

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What type of flower is this?

I was wondering the name of this flower. Thanks in advance.

Libby from Canada

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Washing Machine Not Draining

I need a washing machine opinion. It washes and rinses just fine. At the very end, when the rinse water is supposed to drain (and at this point the pointer on the dial has signaled OFF), nothing happens. Then we have to manually turn the dial to a spin/drain cycle, and then it empties and spins as it is supposed to.

Occasionally, when doing a heavy load that is composed of some towels and some light weight stuff, water remains in the bottom and it requires the additional spin/drain again - but this is because my daughter didn't do a load with like contents).

My question is the following: Is this an indication of something expensive gone wrong? Is it worth repairing? I can certainly live with it acting up, but should I expect something else to follow based on this non-performance? The machine has a Maytag label (but was not made by Maytag because they subcontracted out to a different company - this info is based on the opinion of the installer who indicated something about the location of the drain hose being on one side instead of being in the middle), approx. 10 years old, no warranty, the dial is manual, not push button electronic.

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Controlling "Snow on the Mountain" Ground Cover

I purchased a home that was professionally landscaped about 18 years ago but the previous owners did not maintain the beds. A ground cover called "Snow on the Mountain" was used in the largest bed and has taken over. I pulled so much of it out in the fall (including roots) that I thought I'd at least have one spot that was clear but it's back and taking over again! Does anyone have any idea how I can tame this creature? It's a beautiful ground cover so I don't want to kill it entirely but I need to control it.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Joanne H. from Weare, NH

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Teaching Children About Religion

I'm not a parent yet, I'm pregnant, but I do spend a great deal of time with my nephew. He is 5 years old and has just started showing an interest in God. I need advice on how to teach him about the subject.

His mother isn't around and his father isn't a believer, but doesn't mind if I take him to church with me. He seems to really be interested but doesn't really know much about it yet. I think it's important that I give him every opportunity I can to learn about God and the bible since his parents won't do it.

Any advice on how to do this and make it interesting for him would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance! By the way, he can't read yet.

April from Centre, AL

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A Cool Surface for Dogs

Any ideas on what works as a cool mat/surface for them? I have been pondering this problem for a while now. We have four dogs and the carpeted floors get quite hot in the summer. They love the slippery sleeping bags to lay on in the colder months...

Thank you... Have a Happy Memorial Day!

Christie from Vincentown, NJ

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Removing Pine Tar from Baseball Pants

What will remove pine tar from white baseball pants?

Daine from Midland, MI

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Wine Opener for Waitresses

Do you know where I can purchase a no fail wine opener for waitresses?

Wendy from Albany, NY

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Need Help For My Bromeliad

Need help for my Bromeliad. We have several beautiful green and red bromeliads (indoor) at my house and recently one of them has molded in the center. I am not sure what to do or how to fix it or how it even happened. This bromelaid has another big off shoot in the same pot with little lilac flowers in the middle. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any help! The picture attached is similar to mine but red instead of the pink.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Angela from Painesville, Ohio

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Red Bugs Eating My Lilies

My Stargazer lilies are beginning to come up but already those red bugs are attacking them. They ate all of the foliage last year. Whenever I see them I knock them off the plant but they are right back on there the next time I walk by.

What can I do to protect my lilies from this damage?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Roberta from China, ME

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Picky Bernese Mountain Dog

I am new here and I hope you can help me get some answers, before I tell you about my problem, I will give you my Dog's description:

Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog
Age: 16 months
Weight: 77 lbs (according to the vet, after feeling his ribs he should be at least 10 lbs heavier)
Health: Did any and ALL blood work possible, clean bill of health.
Mood: Active, no stool problems, no mouth problems, a happy go lucky type of dog, as 99% of Berneses are.

So here is my dilema: He is extremely picky. I started giving him as a pup BRIGHTLIFE. then he wouldn't eat that, so after a while slowly we switch him to NATURAL BALANCE. Both foods are very good, the problem is that now he just refuses to eat. People say, well stop giving him treats, and after all he is a dog, after a day or two he will eat but that's not really truth. He will skip 2 or 3 meals, eat maybe a cup and then stop, so he is actually losing weight.

We even bought liver and boiled it, put in the food processor and sprinkle it in his food and he may eat a 1/2 cup and then that's it. If i try to put chicken chunks, he will dig through it and only eat the chicken. Canned food? He will eat about half of can and walk away. If I mix it, he just walks away. S my last attempt now is I went to the pet store and they told me about NATURE'S VARIETY. It is better food than NATURAL BALANCE and they make different flavors, so its good for picky eaters because I can buy different flavors like every other month or so. On top I bought something that I thought any living dog would love and it is a RAW FOOD from BRAVO to mix with it, he still will not eat it.

I have a female 5 month same breed and she eats anything in sight. What do I do? I am sorry about the length, but not even the Vet can help me anymore. Medically the only option is steroids and I don't want to go that route... any pointers please?

Alex from CT

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How deep do peonies have to be planted?

How deep do peonies have to be planted? I have them in pots.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Thank you,
Sherry from Silverdale WA

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Mineral Deposits in a Tea Kettle

What is the best way to clean lime off of a tea kettle?

Wendy from Apple River, IL

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Using Leaves in the Garden

Using Fall Leaves In Your Garden

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