November 22, 2004 | ThriftyFun

Seam Repair On Loveseat CushionsOur living room set is 6 years old, the cushions on the lovseat and chair is pulling apart at the seams. If I just try to hand sew them they will just pull apart. Can anyone please help on how I can repair them. Thank You, Dave from IL.

Softening Suede?I have a suede shirt I got at a thrift store. It's a beautiful blue color but stiff as a board. Any ideas about how to soften the suede? Flora from Boston

COBRA Plan Running Out - Need Health Insurance AdviceHelp! Our COBRA is about to run out. I would like some advice as to where I can get info on some "reputable" private health companies or alternatives. Thanks. - pbcml

Blackberry Vines are Consuming my BackyardI'm from Oregon and we have thousands and thousands of blackberry bushes. However the ones that keep coming up year after year are threatening to take over my yard and my sanity...

Meatless Recipes under $1.50

As part of my ongoing research to find more money saving tips for the Simple Debt Free Living plan, I came across these super low cost recipes at Easy Veggie Meals Under $1.50 - Cheryl Johnson

Good as NewIf I've learned anything from my husband, it's to take care of what you've got. It's so easy to let things go--to let everyday household items deteriorate to the point where they just aren't useful anymore and you end up just throwing them away. My wedding ring is a perfect example.

Overcoming the Anytime BluesFeeling down in the dumps and having the blues is not reserved just for big holidays like Christmas, Easter and the Fourth of July. There are many anniversary dates that remind us of something or sometime in our life that made us feel depressed.

Frugal living. More than a lifestyle. It's a passion.

Call Me Crazy! I love It! Why, who wouldn't love getting paid to buy products that they use everyday?

Restructuring Your LifeYou know it is possible to set aside a year in which you will observe no holidays. It can be a year of rest, to see if you would benefit from restructuring your life in a different way, a way which does not include holidays that make you sad or nervous. Sometimes we outgrow old traditions and need to start new ones such as planting a tree, reading a book in a day, studying a new textbook that whole day on something that interests you. - Racer

Furniture Repair From ScratchUse shoe polish (paste or wax-based) to touch up nicks and scratches on door frames and furniture. It's quick and easy to use, and when rubbed in really makes the scratch seem to disappear. By Kathy

Slice Up SausageIt is easy to cut bulk sausage into slices with an electric knife. Even if it is partially frozen, the knife slices through the plastic packaging and the sausage with ease.

Keeping Children's Art from FadingSpray your child's art work with hairspray to keep it from fading or getting dusty. By ElectricChameleon

Making a Climbing Plant Trellis With a Clothes HangerMake a trellis for your climbing plant (indoor or out). Shape the triangular part of a clothes hanger into any shape you like, then straighten the hook. Stick the straightened hook into the soil then train your plant around the the wire.

Be A Savvy ShopperPlan your trip route. Make a list and stick to it. Never shop aisles which have no items on your list. Think those end displays are just there on accident? Nope, they are planned to get you to buy items you don't really need on impulse. You would be surprised how well this works in favor of the store. Never buy on impulse and you will save big time. Before checking out, stop and recheck your cart, See if there is something you don't really need. By Gladys Hill

Filling Holes in Old ScreensI learned this tip or hint out of desperation. We live in an old house and it has old screens that have developed holes. I tried cotton balls and duct tape but they didn't stay on for long.

Holiday Fire StartersI found this tip at make-stuff.com, it is a great site. "Fill an empty roll with dried leaves in the fall. Wrap it with newspaper, 4 inches longer than the roll, and twist the ends of the paper, for easy lighting. If you wrap them with decorative paper and put them in a basket they make a nice accessory to a fire place. They can also be covered with Christmas wrapping paper for the holidays." By Racer

Consider Moving to a Less Costly AreaMove to a lower cost of living area. My family moved recently and we are saving at least $15,000 a year on our budget. By selling a small house in a big city at a good profit, we were able to buy a bigger and nicer house for cash in a rural town in the next state. By Genny H

Work Next to the StoveAlways work next to the stove. You can chop and drop items in pots as you cook them. Saves time and steps. By Robin

Recipe Book for a GiftThis year I haven't worked very much so I've been trying to get creative. One idea is for my granddaughter Bailey, a recipe book. She just got married this year so I'm going to get a photo album and some clear protective pages at the Dollar store. I am going to go through my recipes, picking out a bunch of good ones, I will make copies on the computer. Then I will punch holes and use dividers for "sections" like casseroles, desserts, soups, etc. By Pat S.

Frugal Dog BedMy dogs are very destructive and manage to tear blanket, cushions, and conventional dog beds by 'digging' to make themselves more comfortable. They have also destroyed 2 lounges, (sofas/settees), and 3 single mattresses I gave them as beds.

Maximising Food Storage SpaceConventional storage in many cupboards in the home leaves a lot of wasted space. To maximise this space I have added 'intermediate' shelving.

Frugal Taco BakeThis is a quick, cheap, adaptable recipe. You can add in extras (corn, etc) or make substitutions (ex: corn chips instead of crackers). Amounts of ingredients and cooking time will depend on size of casserole dish.