Marna Goodyear | ThriftyFun

Tea Tree Oil For Toothaches
I have to disagree with this post. Tea tree oil is a wonderful topical antiseptic; however, it is toxic and should never be taking internally.

Brown Spot on the Base of Ripening Tomatoes
Blossom end rot and it's caused by a calcium deficiency. You can buy stuff but a cheap and easy way to prevent it is to put a handful of crushed eggshells in the hole before you plant the tomato. The calcium feeds the plant all season and it doesn't cost a...

Problems Making Yogurt
Add about a half cup of dry milk powder when you're warming it. That works every time. I always do it and it never fails.

Cleaning Your Silver
How much of each please? Sounds great; I hate polishing silver.

Water Heater Keeps Tripping the Breaker
Sounds like you've got an electrical short somewhere. I'd call an electrician first.

How Hazardous is Wet Mildew Smelling Carpet?
Not only are you at risk for bacteria and mold, you're also at risk of an electrical shock if you're using any kind of plugged-in equipment! If this is an office in your home, you'll need to get someone like Servpro to clean it up; if it's a regular office...

My Dog is a Picky Eater
Your dog is picky because he's allowed to be. I'm a trainer and I've never seen a dog skeleton next to a full dinner dish! Being allowed to dictate what he will and won't eat gives him the upper hand in your relationship as well as being unhealthy physically...

Color Advice for Decorating Around a Black Leather Couch
Black and white is always a modern look and very attractive. Offset it with primary colored accessories like bright red throw pillows, yellow coffee table, etc. Sounds like great furniture!

Color Advice for Decorating Around a Black Leather Couch
PS: Check IKEA's web site for great ideas with black and white. And don't forget the black and white zebra striped rug!

Color Advice for Decorating Around a Black Leather Couch
PS: Check IKEA's web site for great ideas with black and white. And don't forget the black and white zebra striped rug!!!

Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
Short of running 10,000 volts through it, there's no such thing as a squirrel-proof feeder. Trust me, I've tried them all. The only one that comes close, and even then a couple of the squirrels figured out how to get around it, is the Droll Yankee Flipper. And...

Making Coffee In a Percolator
Wow, that's gonna be some strong, expensive coffee! Start with 1 Tbl. per cup. Percolator coffee is stronger than drip coffee because the hot water is run over the grounds more than once by bubbling up through the tub unlike a drip which only drips hot water...

A Snake In My Garden!
We had a baby garter snake in the garden last year with a very distinctive marking. This year, he's all grown up and living in the garden happy as anything. We make sure we watch for him while mowing!

Planning for a Renewal of Vows
This may sound cynical but unless vows have been broken, I don't believe they need to be renewed. And as far as frugal, you really only need the two of you if it's truly about renewing your vows. Not being unkind; just my two cents.

Signs That a Dog is Pregnant
Vet immediately. If she's a sickly dog as you mentioned, you need to have her checked out. She may not even be pregnant, but if she is and is ill, she may not be able to carry pups. Also, do you know who the father is? She looks like a small dog so if it's...

Steam Cleaners and Soap Scum on Shower Doors
I adore my steam cleaner. However, I think you need to clean the doors first and then use the steamer after to keep the doors clean. The best product I've ever found is Don Aslett's Showers 'N Stuff. I buy a gallon at a time and use it in a spray bottle. Nothing...

Financial Responsibility for Funeral Costs
Whoever signed the contract with the funeral home is who they will go after for payment. That's the problem with relatives: Can't live with 'em, can't shoot 'em!

Home Remedies for Psoriasis
There was an article in our local newspaper a month or so back talking about skin issues such as this. A doctor recommends this to his patients and apparently it has worked quite well. Put a 1/4 cup bleach (yes, bleach) into a bathtub of warm water. It's dilute...

Cleaning Farm Eggs
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

50th Wedding Anniversary Party Ideas
First, make sure your parents actually want a big party. It's their anniversary, and it should be up to them as to how they want to celebrate it. And as for those family members "expecting" a big party, have them help!

Removing Tree Sap from a Tombstone
Granite is a porous stone. I would contact a monument company and have them clean it and see if there's something they can seal it with.

How Do I Cook a Roast on a Gas Grill?
It's easiest if you have two or more burners. With a two-burner grill, you'll use one burner; with a three-burner grill, you'll use two burners. Heat the grill to 400 degrees and turn off one or two burners, leaving the other one or two on high. Place your...

Puppy Won't Stop Biting People
Your pup is still at the chewing teething stage and is exhibiting normal puppy behavior. Couple of things: when the dog bites, say "no" and hand him something that it is acceptable for him to chew on. Since he's teething, his mouth is probably a little bit...

Roaches in an Apartment
I think now you know why it's affordable. I wouldn't move there. Unless whatever it is that drew the roaches in the first place has been alleviated, they'll be back. I'm sure the exterminators can get rid of them and come back again and get rid of them again...

Dog is Tearing Up the Carpet
Several options: Lots of exercise when you're home -- and this means everyday; Crate training - all my dogs are crate trained from puppies; The peanut butter idea is good as are the plastic cube toys that have a maze in them. You put dry dog food pieces in...

Replacing Liner on a Fur Coat
Any good seamstress/tailor should be able to hang a new liner in the coat for you.

Hair Color for Sensitive Skin
If you're allergic to one, you'll probably react to most of them. Henna can turn your hair a weird orange and it doesn't wash out well. You might check with your local health food store; they may have something without the harsh ingredients. I'd go to a reputable...

Ink Remover Pan Nip
I don't know but I know isopropyl alcohol is what removes ballpoint pen ink so maybe alcohol?

Removing Buckles from Carpet Runner
I think I would try a steam iron. Lay a towel over the area, give it a good steam and let dry.

Treating a Dog with Yeast Infection
Yup, yogurt.

Removing Unknown Stains on Towels
If they're white and cotton, you can bleach them.

Female Cat Marking on Walls
Female cats don't generally spray unless they have a urinary tract infection. So a vet visit is advised.

Starting Sunflowers from Seeds
I've found that they all grow. Sunflowers are so easy, that's why little kids plant them in paper cups to grow. I get them sprouting up from where the birds have dropped them, and I take a few out of a bag of bird seed to plant around my garden in the summer...

Easy Foot Scrub
I've used variations of this. It is wonderful but a word of caution: The oil makes the bathtub incredibly slippery and doesn't rinse out easily. So when I use it, I do it on a towel and wipe my feet first.

Cleaning Thermal Blackout Curtains
If you've got mold, cleaning the curtains is the least of your problems. You need to find out why and how the mold got there in the first place and remedy that problem. Mold spores can cause all kinds of illnesses and reactions and spread into your walls. It...

Crafts for Mentally Challenged Individuals
Check Carewear.com. It's an org that volunteers provide baby things for hospitals including stuffed animals. They have a very simple pattern for a rabbit and a dog which you cut out two pieces and sew together and stuff. I know there are some groups that have...

Purell Stains on Leather Purse
I would take it to my shoe repair guy. Nobody knows leather better.

Stringy Rhubarb
Rhubarb does have a lot of strings naturally. But as your plants get older, you may find that the stalks are thinner and stringier. This is a sign the plant needs to be split into smaller plants and given more room. You need to do this every two or three years...

Aloe Vera for Dry Hands
I've found pure olive oil to be wonderful on my hands. It's always available and you don't have to use much at all. I don't see why you couldn't combine the two by putting on the aloe then using a little olive oil. Wipe your hands off on a paper towel and you...

Picking a Baby's Name
On a previous comment, I like River. But Meadow? For a boy?

Use Egg Cartons to Keep Squash Off the Ground
I use regular tomato cages around my squash, eggplants, cukes, etc. and the cage holds the plant and fruit off the ground. Better air flow too.

Does Estroven Reduce Hot Flashes?
Estrovan worked great for me!

Lettuce Soup
I think romaine is underrated. One of the best things I've found to do with it is split the head in half the long way with the bottom still attached so it doesn't fall apart, sprinkly with olive oil, sea salt, and fresh pepper. Put it on a hot grill for 2 or...

Diet Plan After Gallbladder Surgery
I think this is a question for your surgeon or a dietician; however, staying with healthy low-fat, high-fiber foods should do it. I still have my gallbladder as I refused to have it taken out. This kind of diet serves me well and has allowed me to lose a significant...

Relearning a Frugal Upbringing
Unfortunately a lot of the lessons learned growing up - cooking, sewing, mending, etc. - are not taught anymore. It easier to be frugal on a food budget when you can stretch it using learned kitchen magic (like cutting up whole chickens) instead of buying pre...

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