Thrifty Tip Contest (July 30 - August 5, 2011)

Duration	Entries
July 30 - August 5, 2011	104

3 black and white Boston Terriers on the lawn

Adopting a Rescue Pet2 of our 3 Boston Terriers are rescue dogs. The one on Freecycle was on a short leash and left in a plastic barrel outside. They are the most amazing animals. Our third Boston Terrier came from a female Boston Terrier, who died during birth.

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Dealing with Dry HairTo help with dry hair, use a regular conditioner followed by 1/4 cup of vinegar to one cup of water; rinse and your hair will feel amazing. Also air dry when you can, and leave off the flat iron.

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Homemade ToothpasteI make my own toothpaste with 3 parts baking soda, 1 part sea salt or Himalayan Salt and enough glycerin to make it flow. I put it back into the glycerin bottle because it has a spout that opens.

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Maple Syrup to Sweeten CerealI ran out of sugar and didn't have time to get to the store, so I decided to try something new. Instead of sugar I put maple syrup on it. It added a nice sweet but not too sugary taste.

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Preserving Cherries In DehydratorI wash, pit and halve the cherries. Then place them cut side up on a dehydrator; close but not on top of each other. Dry for about 2 days until leathery. Put on a cookie sheet for about 15 minutes to cool down.

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Removing Red Wine Stains With White WineWhen I was in my 20s, I seemed to spill a lot of red wine on myself. I had a long, white, cardigan sweater I wore all the time, and sometimes I would end up with red wine on it. One day an elderly woman I worked with told me to put white wine on the red wine stain.

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Reusing Greeting CardsAny card you receive, that has not been written on the back of the front side, can be reused. It can be turned into a postcard or or used as a note stuck on a gift or in a gift bag!

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Storing Pet FoodI have a variety of pets and needed ideas to keep the food clean and out of the way. For the dogs and cats, I use a big Rubbermaid box with a tight fitting lid. It holds a big bag of food and keeps pests out.

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Update on the GE Self Cleaning OvenA few months ago, I posted a warning about my new GE range with self cleaning oven. A few nights ago, my neighbor is frantically knocking at my patio door. She had meat in the oven and couldn't get the door open to get it out.

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Use Alcohol Wipes On KeyboardI use alcohol wipes, such as those used for wiping skin before giving oneself an injection for diabetes. They clean the keys and spaces between them really well. They leave no residue, and are economical. Keep away from pets and children.

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Wear Nickle Free EarringsI had a problem wearing any kind of earrings, no matter if they were silver, gold, etc. Then I tried what is called "nickle free" earrings. Now I can wear mine all day long without any itching or infections.

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Barter For Music LessonsMy oldest son took clarinet lessons in grade school, to be part of the band. Years later, I had two more boys who wanted to play the guitar but we did not have the money for them. I asked if I could trade the clarinet in for two basic guitars.

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Buy Sale Clothes Year RoundWhen I come across a SUPER Clearance Sale, I purchase clothing for my son in larger sizes for the following year, usually for cents on the dollar. When summer/school season arrives, I inventory the clothes and then pick up items that he may require.

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Carpet Cleaning SolutionWhenever my carpet is looking a little dingy from dirt spots and/or those darkened paths that go from room to room, I use a solution of 1/2 cup household ammonia, 2 cups rubbing alcohol, and 1 teaspoon liquid Dawn.

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Cleaning a KeyboardYou can purchase keyboards that will go through the dishwasher, or wash by hand. I don't have one, but you can also purchase a can of pressurized air with a long thin straw attachment to shoot a blast of air into the small spaces between the keys.

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Garbage Can for Storing Pet FoodI use a new stainless garbage can. Since he has his own corner with elevated bowls, I keep the can right next to them with a scoop inside. It matches my kitchen and keeps his food fresh.

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Iodine to Prevent Lyme and West NileIodine put onto a mosquito bite will kill all bacteria and viruses at the site of the bite within ten to thirty seconds, making it impossible for any virus or bacteria to multiply and get started - such as in West Nile Fever.

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Keeping Squirrels (and Raccoons) Out of Your...If you have a feeder that is on a pole, measure from the ground to the bird-feeder at the top of the pole. Use 6 inch PVC pipe the same length and slip the bird-feeder pole inside before you pound it into the ground.

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Newspaper Bags For Dog Clean UpOur daily newspapers and pennysavers are delivered in long, narrow plastic bags. I tie a couple of these to my dog's leash handle, so I always have one when needed.

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A red wire heart basket for displaying earrings.

Organizing Your EarringsI often see questions on how to display or organize your earrings. When I have a chain, I often string it from one push pin to another and hang the hook kind from them.

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Raise Food and Water For Tall DogsBecause a Greyhound finds it difficult to reach to the ground for food, water, etc., place his water and feeding bowl on a bucket so he does not have to struggle. They appreciate this especially when they are reaching the 'winter of their years'.

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Remembering Where You ParkI always park in the same general location no matter what store. To sneak in a little exercise, I park in very back of the parking lot to the right of the door I intend to go into.

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Reuse Food Containers For Pet FoodI found this old Frito Lay tin at a garage sale, and since I collect tins I grabbed it up. When I got back home, I found that it was perfect to put my dog or cat food inside, where it stays fresh and the mice and insects cannot get into it.

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Save Money and Time by Cooking ExtraI use propane to cook with. Like all fuels the price continues to rise. I started looking for ways to cut costs for cooking. I found a great one! Use a pressure cooker! It is so easy to use.

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Saving Newspaper CuttingsTo save newspaper cuttings, try using acid free tissue paper. Layer items that you want to keep between sheets of the paper, then put into a clear plastic wallet and store in a folder.

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Texas Toast For CasserolesI use Texas toast with 5 cheese on it for my squash casseroles. Just put in food processor and mix, then put on top of the casserole to brown. This saves on buying cheese.

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Use Frozen Bananas For SmoothiesFrozen bananas make the best smoothies. Blend together bananas, lemon juice, and honey or sugar. Add water, milk, soya milk, or yogurt.

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Bamboo or Metal Kabob Skewers?I was watching a neighbor grill assorted types of meat kabobs on our shared apartment community gas grill, and noticed that he was using metal skewers for some and bamboo skewers for others.

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Bissell Carpet CleanerI highly recommend the Bissell Pro Heat carpet cleaner. You can buy this machine for the price of commercial carpet cleaning with similar results. It will pay for itself over time. The brushes lift the carpet the same way as your vacuum cleaner does.

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Buy Honey Locally And Other TipsMost people think honey is honey, but not all honey is created equal. Store bought honey most of the time is not all USA honey. A computer will print the place of origin of honey on the container.

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Cooking Fish RoeWhen steaming or boiling fish roes, put it in food bags and seal. Put the bag in a pot of boiling water and remove after 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from bag, cool, and fry or add to chutney. The fish roes are intact when adding to the chutney.

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Craft: Memory Tree For 25th Anniversary PartyFor a 25th anniversary party, I made a memory tree. To make it, I took a few branches from a limb my husband cut, attached them together with Elmer's and hot glue, then wrapped the bottom with white ribbon.

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Crochet Pattern OrganizerI am a crochet patternaholic. I am constantly printing out patterns and buying pattern books and was having trouble organizing the stacks.

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Don't Use Your Linen Closet For Your SheetsI haven't stored my sheets in my linen closet for years! Every bed has 2 sets of sheets. I fold the sheets as most everyone else seems to do, and fold the pillowcase around it .

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Dryer Sheets to Deter Bed BugsWhile traveling, I bring fabric softener sheets to put under the four corners of mattress under my sheets. 4 to 8 should do the job.

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Used Book (New Day) with pink polkadot paper "ribbon" wrapped around the cover, with a pink ribbon tied in a bow and flower on top of it.

Embellish Used BooksEmbellish a used book when passing it along to someone else. Here, I wrapped the book with a scrap of patterned paper and satin ribbon with silk flower on top.

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Keeping Pet Food Away From MiceWe have always used dry pet food for our dogs, but find that mice like feasting on it as well. To avoid the mice and keep the food from getting stale we store it in a plastic garbage can with a snug lid.

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Live Like No One ElseListen to Dave Ramsey, and take his advice. Save as much as you can; Invest, but only in something decent. Never try to live beyond your means or try to impress someone.

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Magnadoodle drawing of a rooster playing dueling guitars with a deer

Magnadoodle As TherapyThis was done on a Magnadoodle, which is a toy you draw on. I used to have to buy one each month because my daughter, who loved them so much, would tear them up. She has Asperger's, which is on the Autism Spectrum.

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Marking Hard Boiled EggsHere's a tip I learned from my mom way back when I was a kid. She simply marked both ends of the hard boiled egg with pencil scribbles! That's it. Then she could tell the boiled ones from the raw ones.

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Melt Marshmallows For Rice Krispies OutsideTemperature at 4 this afternoon was 102 degrees F. It has been hot today. Too hot for our area. I wanted to make a batch of Rice Krispie treats, and just for curiosity I decided to see if the marshmallows would melt in the sun.

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Removing Blood Stains from White ClothesMy husband went fishing the other day, and came home with fish blood stained through his jeans to his underwear and on his white T-shirt. I washed the whites in bleach and dried them, but the stains were still there.

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Repair Your Dryer Instead Of ReplacingYou don't need to buy a new dryer, repair it. I got a very high estimate on repair of the drum of our 30+ year old Kenmore dryer. The part was $33, a belt. The new dryers we looked at were too wide to get through our doors.

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Saving PaperWhen I make a mistake when I copy something, I cut out the part of the paper that is blank. Any mail I get that has parts that have blank areas, I cut it out. I now have a drawer full of paper that I use for notes, shopping list etc.

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Group of Seven Various Orange Flameless Candles

Solar and Battery Lights Inside and OutsideOur dog Buddy was blinded in one eye, so we try to keep the floor lighted enough for him to find his way around easier. They also help us to see him, if we have to get up during the night. We bought small LED lights at the $.99 store.

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Storing Pet FoodI save all the cat litter buckets to store my dog and cat food. The flip up lid makes it convenient to get the food and they seal well to keep out ants. The handle comes in handy too.

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Completed tile back splash made up of small tiles and 7 large tiles

Take Photo of Tile Design to Assist InstallerI recently hired a professional tile layer to install the tile back splash in my kitchen. I decided to lay out my tiles on the floor in the design that I wanted. I then took a photo of the layout to show to the installer.

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Ziploc as Lid AlternativeIf the lid for your bowl is broken or lost, put the bowl in gallon Ziploc. This keeps it airtight, just like a lid. Maybe better.

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Choose Site Carefully For BlackberriesThis is just a warning to those of you who are interested in planting blackberries. Choose your site carefully. They are terrible to get rid of if you don't want them in a particular place in your yard or garden.

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Foaming Bathroom Cleaner For Fabric LampshadesI have used Kaboom foaming bathroom cleaner on my fabric lampshades with outstanding results. I took the lampshades into the bathroom over the tub and sprayed them down good.

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Frugal Clothes ShoppingI'm a very big penny pincher; especially right now since we have only one person working full time. What I do is during the summer is go to garage sales, and discounted days at different thrift and consignment shops.

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Closeup of tub garden wtih lettuce and tomato plant

Galvanized Tub GardeningMy yard is mostly shade with the gravel driveway being the sunniest spot on the property. I refused to give up vegetable gardening when we bought the place, so I gathered up my galvanized tub collection.

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Garden: Angel Trumpet and Seed PodThis is just one of many Angel Trumpets blooming in my garden. The flower will only last one day and then forms a large seed pod.

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Bags of pet food in a plastic tub behind the pet food bowls.

Keep Dog Food In Gallon BagsWhen I buy a big bag of food, I separate it into 1 gallon zip type bags and keep them in a tub. It's easier for me to carry one of these bags to fill bowls as I feed inside and outside. Treats are kept in a mason type jar.

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Keeping Dog Food FreshI bought a 5 gallon bucket with a screw-on lid from a local feed supply store. I can put a large bag of dog food in it. We have had racoons come in the dog door and get into dog food bags. This keeps the little devils out.

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Make Sure Your Pet Needs VaccinationsThe best way to save money on vaccinations is to make sure your pet really requires a particular shot. Pets' immune systems may not need booster shots every couple of years. How can you tell? Ask your vet about the serology test called the "Titer."

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Paint Old Picture Frames BlackI needed a new look in my living room and hall, so I swapped the frames around the house that were all different sizes and colours which cost nothing as I have already purchased them over many years from local charity shops.

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Plastic Shower Curtain As Mattress CoverInstead of paying big bucks for mattress cover for your kids that will get ripped or so nasty it is easier to trash than to save, try this. Go to your local dollar store and purchase a dollar shower curtain liner. Just stretch it over the mattress and tuck under.

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Plastic Tubs For Pet FoodThe plastic containers meant for pet food were too small for my use, and they are over priced. I bought a large (one that holds 35 -50 lbs. dog food) plastic tub with a snap on cover years ago, and this has worked for me quite well.

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Two black, brown, and white dogs looking up at a person to the left outside the frame of the photo.

Popcorn Tins for Pet FoodI use large popcorn tins I receive at Christmas to store my large bag of dog food. They keep the food fresh and away from unwanted critters.

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Product Review: Pledge Multi Surface Everyday CleanerI have tried many multi-purpose cleaners, but this is the one that beat all! It cleans absolutely everything and smells amazing. My favorite thing beyond cleaning wood surfaces, is the glass cleaning.

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Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad box with bowl of mixed salad and bowl of dressing

Product Review: Suddenly SaladI love salads. Any kind, every kind; but especially the ones I make myself. However, I am not above getting a little help. This product is too cool. I love all their flavors, but the newest and "limited edition" Greek Salad is amazing!

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Renewing Bar Hand SoapEven an old 'used' scented soap looks inviting at a party when you shave it with a cheese slicer or veggie peeler then place it a nice bowl. How pretty!

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Reuse Kitty Litter BucketsWe buy kitty litter that comes in buckets with handles. After using the kitty litter, wash out the resealable bucket and store pet food in bucket. Make sure the bucket is dry before putting the pet food in. Store in a cool place.

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Save on Textured SnowAs an avid crafter, I am always looking for ways to save money on supplies. I often experiment with ideas in hopes that I can recreate an item that will last longer and cost less.

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Saving Paper Towels When Frying FoodI save a bit on paper towels and the trash they create when I am draining fried foods. Rather than using several layers of paper towels, I first place a few pages of an expired telephone book on the plate, then only one or two towels.

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Separate Small And Large ProjectsI've developed this over time for de-stressing, and just to keep my hands busy. I also like to sit and people watch while getting something done. I break my crochet projects into 2 categories: at home projects and anything I can stuff in a small bag, and take anywhere.

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Store Stuffed Animals In TotesMy two kids are stuffed animal fans. What I do to keep the zoo under control, is to use a colorful 15/20 gallon tote to put all the animals in. If the pile starts to overflow, I tell my kids it is time to give some of the stuffies to a new home.

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Storing Large Bags of Dry Dog FoodWe buy large bags of dry dog food. Ants would get in it and sometimes mice would, too. My husband bought a large trash can with a tight fitting lid and we keep it on the carport next to the feeding area for the dogs.

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Storing Pet Food By ServingsI am a foster parent for my local no-kill animal shelter. I usually have about 10 cats and the occasional dog in my care. I buy dry kibble pet food in bulk. I divide it into one day servings and store it in the zip lock freezer bags.

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Substitute Hamburger for SausageIf you have a recipe that calls for sausage, and you don't have sausage, but do have hamburger, try this: Add 1 pkg. of Italian seasoning dressing mix. You will have it close to tasting like sausage.

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Three Meals in OneI have purchased chicken at the deli, it is usually a whole one roasted on the spit. Our first meal is to eat the roasted meat. Then I cut the meat from the bone and use it in two other meals.

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Use Electric Knife To Cut PineappleCutting a fresh pineapple is not nearly as daunting as most people think. One day it just occurred to me to use my electric knife instead of a chef's knife. I buzzed through it in no time with very little waste. Oh so easy!

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"Shop" In Catalogs First, Then Visit Thrift StoresWe go through catalogs, ad flyers, and find the latest "styles". Then with favorite colors and sizes written down, we go to our local thrift store or goodwill. My kids love doing this, knowing they are helping mom save money, and it's fun!

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Crochet On Road TripsWhenever we travel, should it be a short distance or a vacation, I crochet while my husband drives. Believe me, crocheting goes really fast. There are not as many interruptions such as a TV or excessive talking, because my husband must concentrate on driving.

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Dust with Used Pillow CasesHaving pets in the house causes me to need to dust more often, but not with polish. So, the other day, I was stripping the sheets off the bed, and I took one pillowcase and used it to dust the bedroom.

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Hanging Stuffed Animals In A HammockI have put two cup hooks in the corner of the room, as far apart as you want your hammock to stretch. I then hung a pretty color of nylon net (about 2 yards) to make a hammock. All the animals sleep there!

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How to Keep Lemons FreshI have my best results keeping lemons fresh (even halved) by wrapping first in good paper toweling, and then in wax paper, and keeping them in my fruit bin.

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Inexpensive Gifts From The HeartWe have thirteen grandchildren and four other small children that we are very close to. Birthdays get really expensive! However, children don't really understand why they don't get a gift from us. So I found a way they get something from the heart and doesn't cost much.

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Keeping Squirrels Out of Your Bird FeederFirst we hang our feeders far out on the branches away from the trunk of the tree, so that leaping from trunk to feeder won't work. Next we use fishing line to hang our feeders with. It's so fine that they fall off when they are trying to climb down from the branch.

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Organizing MagazinesI recycle my magazines by donating them to local gyms, offices, and salons. I just remove my name and personal information and drop them off. This way I'm not only preserving trees, but I'm also sharing with others information that I have received.

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Store Linens Under The BedAfter organizing the linen closet, I found myself still having to refold and pick up linens after the kids had rooted around looking for the correct linens to fit their beds. In our house we have 3 different size beds, single, full, and queen.

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Take Crochet Wherever You GoI love to crochet and try to squeeze it in everyday, even if it's just for a few minutes. I take it wherever I go! I crochet during my lunch hour, waiting for doctor appointments, waiting in the car for the kids to get out of school, and while watching TV at night.

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Pullilng fabrid through tube with needle nose pliers

Turning Fabric TubesTurning fabric tubes right side out can be very frustrating. I found a way that works great for me and is much safer than the turning tool I purchased, as it makes a hole in some fabrics.

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Crochet While Feeding BabyI found time to crochet when my children were babies, by crocheting while I breastfed them. I was able to make little jute plant pot covers in about 20 minutes; just the same amount of time as the breastfeeding. It worked out well.

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Lift Off the Fat from Soups and StewsYou sage cooks out there already know this. But, we all had to start from scratch when learning to cook, so this tip is for the "newbies"!

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Marking Stains On ClothingBefore you put stained clothes in the hamper to wash, tie a knot if possible or fix so it has to be looked at before putting in the washer. When I find a knot or clothing not the usual way it should be, I know to look for a stain on it.

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Organizing Aquarium SuppliesIf you are like most fish lovers, you have lots of aquarium supplies. Try using the plastic containers that you get from large bulk stores like Costco; their grapes containers for example.

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Peeling ApricotsI have a serrated peeler. I use it for peeling tomatoes and fruits. All you lose is just the peel.

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Ripening an AvocadoThere are 2 ways to ripen an avocado; you can sit it on your windowsill for a few days until it is ripened, or the best way is to place them in a brown paper bag and keep them at room temperature.

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Use Lonely Sock as Powder PuffI searched high and low in every store and could not find a good, old-fashioned poofy powder puff. In the midst of searching another store, my husband suggested I take an old sock and fill it with powder and use that.

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Clean Mini-Blinds OutdoorsI put my mini-blinds on the outdoor table and hose and wash with the car wash brush, then flip and do the other side. I hang them on the clothes line to dry. Kids can do this chore.

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Customize Your Own DietThe only sure way to lose weight is counting calories; it's all about calories in vs. calories out. First, come up with your goal weight. Goal weight x 10 = amount of calories daily you should consume.

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Keep Crochet Projects NearbyWhenever I sit down to watch a movie or anything else on TV, I pick up my latest crochet project. I also keep a project in the car in a tote bag, to take with me to any appointments that I may have to wait more than just a few minutes.

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Keeping Toothbrushes CleanTo keep toothbrushes clean and deodorized, fill a class with one part hydrogen peroxide and one part water (1/2 and 1/2). Make sure there is enough to cover all the bristles, and leave in there when not using.

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Paying Bills On Time Without Auto-PayOrganizing the household bills and making sure they get paid on time shouldn't be a problem. I open all mail immediately upon bringing it into the house. If I cannot do that, at least the bills are pulled out and placed in my bill-paying spot on my desk.

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Store Nuts in the FreezerNuts, both shelled and un-shelled should be kept in the freezer. They last longer and crack easier. Nuts and seeds of all sorts can be served directly from the freezer.

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Wrap Grapefruit In NewspaperI've lived in Florida for most of my almost 77 years, and we've shipped a lot of citrus to friends and family all over the other 49 states. Wrapping each piece of fruit in newspaper was the safest way to insure the fruit was good when it arrived at the other end.

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(July 30 - August 5, 2011)

Tip: It Costs Nothing To Smile

Tip: Use 3 Ring Binder Hardware For Hanging Storage

Tip: Use Furniture Spray To Keep Shower Clean

Tip: Pay Off Your 30 Year Home Mortgage in Only 18 Years

Tip: Deodorizing With Used Coffee Grounds

Tip: Baby Powder For Sandy Kids