May 15, 2011 | ThriftyFun

Spaghetti Instead of ToothpicksAll five of my children love when I make homemade flautas for dinner. As I was preparing to fill the tortillas for frying, I found that someone had used the last of my toothpicks for a school project! Oh no!

Frozen Chocolate Banana PopsPeel bananas and cut in half lengthwise. Put Popsicle stick in each half and freeze. Melt chocolate in double boiler; add oil. Do not boil, just barely keep melted.

Easy Baked LasagnaSaute ground meat and drain fat. Mix with spaghetti sauce; mix together sour cream, mozzarella cheese and spread cheese mixture on top of meat mixture.

Keeping Indoor Cats from FightingMy wife and I have four indoor cats that fight with each other or pick on each other constantly. What can we do to keep our babies from attacking each other?

Removing Urine Odor from CarpetMy carpet does not have stains it has been cleaned twice, but the urine smell keeps coming back.

Buttermilk Ranch DressingThese are approximate measurements; the recipe can be tweaked to your own taste. It can also be used as the base to make chip/vegetable dip by adding it to sour cream.

Buying Quick Fix Electrical SpacersA while ago, actually probably years ago, I saw a product advertised and thought, "Oh, that sounds like it might be a needful thing to some people." and then promptly forgot what it was called.

Loaded Tossed SaladBesides loving all of the ingredients in this salad, I like it because you can put it together a day ahead, and it will remain fresh and crispy as long as you don't add the dressing until just before serving.

The Colonel's Favorite Babyback RibsEasy to prepare, better than grilled! Always gets raves from guests.

Indian War Bonnet Quilt PatternI would like to know if anyone has the Indian War Bonnet Quilt pattern that I could have or purchase, or if you know where I can find this pattern. My husband's birthday is in two weeks and I know he would love to have this. Please help. Thanks.

Sealing Home-printed Photo MagnetsI got the cutest magnets for Mother's Day! They are photos of my grandsons that my daughter turned into magnets using her printer and magnetic paper. I'm trying to figure out how to seal them so they are protected.

Growing Cherry TomatoesI have a single cherry tomato plant in a container on my balcony. I was told to purchase a 2nd plant for maximum tomato growth. Is there any truth to this?

Decoration Ideas for School ReunionI am in charge of decorations for my school reunion. The colors are orange and black tigers. I want to do something with candles. I want to make make tiger outlines and have candles show thru. Any ideas?

Controlling the Odor of Rabbit Droppings Used as FertilizerWe have our rabbits in a shed and want to use the droppings for our garden. Is baking soda the best solution to keep the smell down and would it be OK to use on our garden? We also have wild ones that come over, is it safe for them also?

1980s Weight Watchers Exchange PlanCan anyone out there help me find a copy of the old 1980s Weight Watchers Exchange plan? I need information on food exchanges, amount of a serving, the breakdown of allowed exchanges per day, etc. In other words just about everything concerning this plan. Thank you very much.

What Breed is My Dog?What mixed breed is my dog? Cassie was adopted from the shelter. Her medical records are spotty, but what I have describes her as any one of the following: a large breed puppy, a Labrador Retriever mix, a Pit Bull Terrier mix, a Boxer mix, or a Staffordshire Terrier mix.

Ratio of Red Pepper to Bird Seed for Deterring SquirrelsHow much red pepper do you use mixed with how much bird seed to deter squirrels from emptying your bird feeders? I need the correct or most effective ratio, as our back yard is full of squirrels!

My Frugal Life: Being Mentally ThriftyI have always mentally been a thrifty person. As a child, I was confused by the other kids who would spend all their money on candy, toys, or other little things.

What Breed is My Dog?What breed do you think my dog is? I know for sure she is part Boxer, but what is she mixed with? She is a wonderful dog.

Growing Lilacs from CuttingsHow do I root a piece of lilac tree from another branch? I was told not to take any cuttings while the trees are in bloom! Does it matter? I am getting impatient.

Collar Points on Dress Shirts Come Out of Washer BlackWhen I put dress shirts in my washing machine the collar point comes out black. It was not put in this way. I am not over loading or using poor quality soap.

Kenmore Water Dispenser Works Ice Dispenser Does NotI have a 1997 Kenmore side by side refrigerator. I have water, but the ice maker is not working. I can hear it trying to work, but there is no ice.

Water Heater Keeps Tripping the BreakerI have an old water heater. The tank is solid stainless steel, with no leaking. We have replaced the heating elements (because of the age we could not get the exact factory elements.)

Finding Help After House FireMy house burnt down to the ground. Luckily it was daytime and nobody was home, but we lost it all. The local Red Cross gave us $500, but with paying for a hotel, toiletries, and few items of clothing on day 2 it is gone. Please we need advice where we can get help.

Finding a Lost RelativeI am trying to find my sister I have not seen for 20 years and am having trouble. How can I locate her current address and phone number?

Gift Ideas for Little Girl's First CommunionWhat gift is appropriate at first communion?

Determining the Age of an Afga 4 oz. Measuring CupI have a small 4oz clear glass measuring cup, with a spout. It has no handle and says Afga inside a diamond shape and made in America underneath. Anyone seen one of these or know how old it is?Thanks!

Thread Keeps Breaking on Sewing Machine and Needle Stops WorkingWhy does my sewing machine keep snapping the needle thread? It is good quality thread, the machine is threaded correctly, and the tension is correct. Also, for no apparent reason, the needle function will suddenly seize up and foot pedal won't move it. I have to turn it manually.

Year Old Puppy is Chewing EverythingA part German Shepherd puppy (about 1 year old, he is pretty big) has shown up and decided he lives with us. The only problem is that he is chewing up everything! I can't stay home and watch him 24/7. We live in the country, so he is free to roam.

Will Brushing My Hair a Certain Way Make It Healthier?My diet is full of vitamins and minerals that are needed for my hair growing, but it's still not growing well. I don't lose my hair; my problem is that it's dry and tired and it's not growing well!

Natural or Less Toxic DeodorantsWith all the cancer scares and links to our own man made products, I would like to know what deodorant one can use that is less toxic, more natural, and that I can recommend to my teenage daughters.

Natural Snail ControlWhat's a natural way to get rid of snails in my garden?

Shih Tzu Peeing in the House When left AloneI have a 2 year old Shih Tzu who will not stop peeing in the house. Please help; how do I get her to stop? We have 2 older dogs that do not go in the house, but we need to teach the small dog to stop peeing in the house when we are not home.

Inexpensive Decorating Ideas for Child's Graduation PartyI am having my 6 year old daughter's graduation in the back yard. The theme will be sheik Arabian nights. I don't know how to decorate? How can I decorate on a budget?

George Foreman Grill Instruction ManualI got a George Foreman at a yard sale and it didn't have instructions on how to use it. It has a grill on top, rotisserie, and I believe it is a convection oven also.

Female Duck Does Not Sit on Eggs All of the TimeI bought a brown speckled female Mallard at an auction, and she has laid 12 eggs but does not sit on them all the time. Are they still good, and will she sit on them to hatch them, or should I take them out? There is a male mallard duck with her.

How Hazardous is Wet Mildew Smelling Carpet?How hazardous is it to be confined to a office that has half of the carpet still partially wet and smelling like mildew? It has been wet for 48 hours now from a rain flood?

Cat DeterrentWhat household products can I use to keep cats off my property?

Shelf Life of Previously Frozen MilkI know it is possible to freeze milk, but how long is it good after thawing?

Incorporating Potted Calla Lilies into a Water FeatureCan I sit potted calla lilies in water for the summer, in a small plastic pool with rocks and a small water fall?

Removing Sticky Label Residue on Plastic JarsHow does one remove the sticky residue left after removing labels from plastic jars?

Craft: Clay SculptureIt has been over a year now that I have been struggling without a full-time job. I have learned that it is not necessary to buy the greatest gift at the trendiest shops to please somebody for their birthday, Christmas, or any occasion.

Garden: BlueberriesBlueberry season is just around the corner. With just a little more water and sunshine, we will be able to smell the blueberry pies baking in the oven.

Garden: FoxglovesI love my foxgloves. They are very easy biennials to grow. The deer never bother them. They grow upright on a slope and don't fall over. The blooms last for quite a long time.

Garden: Tiny DaffodilsThis was the first of my flowers to poke through the cold ground this spring. These daffodils are only 6 inches high. They look so sweet with their little bright trumpets.