Daily Thrifty Tips - Daily Thrifty Tips

Father's Day is coming soon. Do you have any Father's Day crafts or gift ideas to share? Feel free to submit them on one of the contest pages.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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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.

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Welcoming Daddy Home From Iraq

I captured this photo of my granddaughter Savannah at the Greensboro NC airport. She was waiting on her daddy to come home from Iraq. She was an infant when he was deployed and did not know him. I thought she was so beautiful waving her little flag.

By Karen from Thomasville, NC

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Apple Orchard in Bloom

This picture is just one of series I photographed in an abandoned apple orchard at the very top of our bluff. It is the most beautiful, peaceful place and full of wonderful photo opportunities! It is worth the hike!

By Lisa from Soldiers Grove, WI

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Jewelz (American Pitbull?)

This is Jewelz. I think she is a lil under 6 months. I am trying to find out her breed, she might be a pure breed American Pitbull Terrier. We got her from a friend who rescued her from someone who was abusing her.

She likes to Chew! Chew! Chew!...lol. She is a GREAT dog with a GREAT laid back temperment. Still learning a lot about her.

By Unique from Bronx NY

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Arrange Plants By Height When Landscaping

When planting perennials around buildings, pools, decks, etc., always place the taller of the plants towards the rear where they will display their beauty against the object such as the deck, a stone wall, etc.

Then gradually place plants that are an inch or two shorter, in front of them and on right down to maybe some pretty ground cover if desired along the very edge at the front. This will allow each and every plant to shine through their beauty, get enough sun and make for a beautifully landscaped area. Picture contest ready!

By BJ from Ledyard, CT

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Tips For Feeding Cats Soft Food

For those of us who have cats, you know how cat food sticks to their feeding dish and is hard to scrub away. My tip is to cut the top off an empty laundry jug but leave the jug handle. Once done, use the jug to soak the small cat food dishes. I suggest you use more than one small cat food dish so that when one dish is on the floor feeding fussy-the- feline, the other dish is soaking in the jug. Do not over feed your cat. One or two spoonfuls of canned food at a feeding is enough. Store the rest in a plastic container in the fridge. Your cat will ask for more food later in the day. You will actually save money on cat food!

Why? Because when given too much food, the little fur balls tend to eat only a certain amount and then they leave the rest to dry up in the dish. At least with the Jug method of cleaning, you won't have to wast time scrubbing dried cat food out of cat food dishes. Bye for now

By Joseph from Laval Quebec, Canada

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Baby Wipes For Quick Bathroom Cleanup

I keep a box of inexpensive baby wipes (odor free) in my bathroom. I not only use them for quick cleaning of my face or hands, but I use them often to quickly wipe up a dirty sink or bathtub, around my toilet, on the lid or toilet seat and even use them to wipe up chrome faucets. If I use one on the bathroom sink I use it on the chrome too and if it isn't 'used-up' yet I will keep it handy throughout the day to use again for quick wipe-ups. I find they are good throughout the house to wipe around windows, use on window blinds, etc. The uses are endless. The only problem I have is if they are used on a mirror they might leave streaks. If reused they will last forever and their strength is sufficient for most quick cleaning jobs. If they dry out throughout the day just rinse them under warm water.

By Karen from Davis, CA

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Mention Disappointments When Eating Out

Don't be too bashful to bring up your disappointments when eating out! List things that you feel are wrong on the back of your dinner ticket and mention it when you cash out to the cashier. Writing it on the form that is often supplied doesn't always get you somewhere. The forms can "disappear" and no one who will actually do anything will ever see them. (Unfortunately, that is often left in the hands of waiters or waitresses and they don't want their boss to know they didn't do a very good job so the cards get thrown away!) The receipts on the other hand have to be kept!

I did this recently and was rewarded not only by not having to pay for my meal,but I was given a $25 gift certificate as an incentive to come back and give them another try at better service! Make sure your complaint doesn't get stifled before it reaches a supervisor or manager!

My list included:

1. Waited 5 minutes for a table when there were 5 tables empty in the section we wanted to be in.

2. Iced tea was delivered room temperature with only a couple pieces of ice.

3. Waited 5 minutes for a coffee cup.

4. There was no sugar on the table. Had to get it from another table.

5. Was slighted on the gravy with only a couple tablespoons on potatoes and open face roast beef sandwich and was charged for it as a side item.

6. Was offered cottage cheese as a side item but they don't even serve it anymore and haven't for quite some time.

All these things made for an uncomfortable dinner. Listing them and quietly pointing them out rather than getting irate in public paid off!

By melody_yesterday from Sedalia, MO

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Getting Cigarette Smell out of Books

Cigarette smoke in books? Here's what I do to get rid of it. I take a large ziplock and depending on the severity and size of the books maybe 4 or 5 dryer sheets. I put some of the dryer sheets inside the books in various pages and two just inside the ziplock. Put the book in with the dryer sheets and seal. I check on the book once a week to see if the smoke smell is gone. I leave some of the sheets in the book so it stays dryer fresh.

By debradj from Illinois

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One Saved Kitty!

My son saved our kitty and I'd like to share how he did it. We had her spayed on Wednesday and she panicked when let out of the carrier and leaped to the loft area in our condo and disappeared into an attic area. We could not see her, and heard nothing until almost 24 hours later.

We found her in a slot about 12 feet down between the studs. My son ripped up an old beach towel and tied the ends together (4 inches X 15 feet towel rope) and dangled it down. She was quite week and undoubtedly dehydrated. My son decided out of pity to pour some water on her so she would lick herself. She was so mad she scrambled to get out of the way and he poured water on her 2 more times. Each time she scrambled further up the 'rope' to get away. Finally she got close enough for him to grab a paw and then the scruff of her neck. One saved kitty!

She is fine but still hissing a little. The attic closed off completely.

By Pikka from Westminster, CO

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Removing Candle Wax from Carpet

Candle Wax on Carpet or clothes. Tear open a brown paper bag from the grocery store. heat a iron on medium setting. Place the bag on the item with the wax and BLOT with the iron. The bag will soak up the wax and oils. Move the bag often to keep BLOTING until nothing more will soak on it.

By Karen from Michigan

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Tips For Coupon Trading Sites

I'm into coupons and refund offers (some call it rebates). I'm on several trading lists. When I'm reading the trading posts/lists, if I see something (coupons, upc's, etc.) that I think I might have on hand, but not for sure how many, I'll make a note of it to check later. I make more trades that way than from the actual posting of what I have available to trade.

When I post something in particular, that's what I'm wanting and would prefer, but I'm open to suggestions. Someone else might have a better idea than what I'd first thought of, or maybe they might have something to trade that I could use and didn't know even existed. We all have the prerogative to trade or not to trade.

By Terri from NV

Editor's Note: Do you have any tips for trading coupons online? Post them below.

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Make Tea Sandwiches For Your Bridal Shower

To save money on an engagement brunch or bridal shower, make tea sandwiches instead of hiring a caterer. Invest in an electric knife and toothpicks, and simple lunchmeat sandwiches can look very professional.

By Julie from San Francisco, CA

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Harvesting Cattail As Food

Cattail is wonderful as a fresh vegetable! To harvest, pull straight up and out of its sheath as you would a blade of grass to chew - only with more muscle! The white bit at the bottom is your prize. It tastes like a cross of cucumber/asparagus. Cut or snap it off where it starts getting woody.

If you are really hungry or energetic, you can dig up the bulb. Scrub it vigorously and cook it as you would potato - or let the bulb dry out on the inside and the powder inside can be used as a starch/flour.
But the white bit at the bottom and the bulb are more immediate and rewarding, YUM!

Source: This was taught to me by Native Canadians in the Northern British Columbia region. Our family used them in our regular diet along with other wild foods shown to us in the area.

By Joanna from Eastern Montana

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Accessorizing Straw Hats

I have two straw hats for the summer, one white and one tan. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding how to accessorize these hats easily?

Thanks so much,
Anjeena from New York

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Craft Uses for Wedding Veils

I would like to know if anybody has ever done something crafty with there wedding veil with all of the lace, etc. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Linda from Hartley, Iowa

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Cowboy Craft Ideas

I am in charge of crafts this year for VBS (Vacation Bible School) for kids Pre-K through 6th grade. We have a cowboy theme, so I need some cowboy craft ideas that are very inexpensive and can be adapted for all age groups.

Thank you!
April from NW Missouri

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Making Rock Crafts

I saw on here someone was making rock crafts. I would like too get that again as I want too make some.

Thanks,
Sue from Shoals, IN

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Do dehumidifiers help with allergies?

I have extreme allergies,and I've heard that dehumidifiers help. I have tried everything and then some. Have any of you had any experience with dehumidifiers? If so I would love your comments. Thank you and God bless.

Betty R.Bazzle from Summerville,S.C

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Skydiving Birthday Party Ideas

I need some ideas on throwing a skydiving/golf birthday party for a 60 year old male.

Thanks,
Laurabelle from Braintree, MA

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Little Green Bugs That Bite

I love leaving my windows up at night but hate the little green biting bugs that come through my screens when the lights are on. It's especially bad when I try and read at night. There use to be a spray for screens I would buy but I can't find it any more. Any ideas what I could do?

Thanks,
Sandy from Mountain View, AR

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What breed is my dog?

Can anyone tell me what my dog is mixed with?

Angie from Florida

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Lasagna Stain

How do I get a lasagna stain out my nice pick duvet cover that my dear darling daughter managed to do.

Theresa from Scotland

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Watermelon Party Decoration

I'm looking for a great recipe for a watermelon decoration for my daughters graduation party.

Ruth from Albany, Oregon

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Painting a Chrome Bike

I just bought a bike from a friend and it is chrome. I want to know the best way to prep the chrome to paint over it.

Charlie from Staunton, IL

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Help Redecorating My Living Room

My whole house has burgundy carpet and all my walls are white with white borders. For my room I am going to do tan walls, but for the living room I have n o idea what color would look good. I really wanted an orange living room but that would look awful with the carpet. Can anyone think of any other fun yet relaxed color to go with burgundy?

Thanks,
catsontag from Houston, TV

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Getting Rid Of Bugs On Tomato Plant

I would like to know how to get rid of stink bugs and these red and black bugs on my tomato plants without using a lot of chemicals

Hardiness Zone: 8b


Karen from Pensacola, FL

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Removing Ironed On Patch From Denim

I need to remove a glued on embroidered patch from denim. The patch was ironed on recently. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Sukira from Mt Laurel

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Burning Bushes Not Changing Color

Years ago I planted 6 Burning Bush's. Three have grown up really nice but for the fact that they have never (Burned) changed colors, they are a pretty green color. Any ideas why? The other three just won't grow any bigger.

Hardiness Zone: 7b


Sandy from Mountain View, Ark

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Cat Doesn't Use Cat Condo

My son has a cat that is only interested in the bottom floor of the cat condo (he climbs, but not the condo). No other pets in the apt. Suggestions to help the cat make full use of the condo, please. Thanks.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Rooting A Cutting From A Lilac Bush

How do I root and/or transplant a cutting from a lilac bush?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Deb from Skowhegan, Maine

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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

Save Money on Prescriptions
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

Even with a prescription plan, prescription medicines can be expensive. It's hard to save money on something that is controlled by insurance. Yet, there are ways to cut some costs.

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