After drying and ironing your duvet cover put one matching pillow and the folded duvet cover inside the remaining pillow case. 

Next time you change your duvet cover, you just take the one pillow case and   
the cover and matching pillow case are inside. No need to look for anywhere else!

Monique  

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 The best way to stay cool is to wet your ear-lobes.

Whether on the beach, in front of an electric or hand-held fan. Wet lobes with water or spittle and then fan yourself cool. You'll be amazed at how quickly you'll cool down.

Monique

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I use Incense in my home but I didn't like it when the ash would spill over the sides of the holders.

I found a solution to this problem.  I have them in decorative bowls filled with sand (free from my local beach) and now when the ash falls it mingles in with the sand.

The sand becomes aromatic and when I walk past the bowls without a stick burning I can still smell the wonderful fragrance.

Monique

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In my airing/linen cupboard I like to roll up my towels into little sausages!

Fold them in half then again then roll them up and stack on top of each other. Makes finding a towel very easy and your cupboard tends to stay neat.

Also I keep my spare bars of soap in between them. Dry soap lasts longer, keeps moths away and smells nice!

Monique :)

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I have read enough about the main ingredient in shampoos to know that I don't want to put the stuff on my head anymore.

People - for thousands of years - managed quite well without these toxic based, chemical filled shampoos we now readily use.

For the time being I am using Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking soda) and plain conditioner.

I used a baby's bottle [without a teat of course] filled with 3 TEASPOONS (=1 Tablespoon) of Bicarb of Soda and filled to the top with warm water.

That was 8 Fluid Ounces [Equivalent to 224 ml, 1 Cup or Half a pint].

Soak over the hair massaging in the mixture. Add a bit at a time. Continue to massage in for about 2 minutes.  I rinsed with cool water.   Then apply your conditioner as normal and rinse and towel dry.

My hair does feel alot silkier and less frizzy, but then it would as it's not been stripped of its natural oils by harsh cleaning agents found in shampoos.

I am told it will take about 2-4 weeks til my hair adjusts properly.

Have you a shampoo substitute you can share with me? I would like to view all possible ideas to try.

THANK YOU

Monique

 EXTRA READING: About Sodium Laureth Sulfate  http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html

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When you get your bananas home from the supermarket, before you put them in the fruit bowl - take them off the 'hand' and put them in seperately.  

If bananas are left together they ripen faster.

Monique

PS: Apparently if you peel your banana upside-down you don't get those stringy bits.  I keep forgetting to do that and only realise when it's too late!

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If chlorine from swimming pools is turning your blonde  
tresses green or just giving your hair an unwanted scent,  
eliminate the problem with a ketchup shampoo. To avoid a  
mess, do it in the shower. Massage ketchup generously into  
your hair and leave it for fifteen minutes, then wash it  
out, using baby shampoo. The odor and color should be gone.

Found this in an Ezine today.

Monique  

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Well, this is a new one on me.

I needed to remove a sticky label from a plastic box and went to search on Thriftyfun for a quick solution. I would normally use Nail Varnish remover but I know that on plastics it leaves the surface a bit rough. (Excellent on glass though).

One fellow Thriftyfun member suggested Mineral Turpentine. Well, I have normal turps so tried that. Wow... it whipped it off quick as you like.  I had previously soaked the label off but was left with all the icky sticky stuff underneath.  Lightning fast!

Wash the item afterwards with hot soapy water.

Icky sticky labels come off in double quick time with good ol' Turpentine!

Monique 

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You won't mind taking out the rubbish so often if you line the bin with three bags at a time - remove rubbish, and your back-up's already there!

Monique 

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No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Monique

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Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup.
Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Monique

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Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth.
It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

Monique

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Have cookies stuck on the cookie sheet? Try sliding a piece  
of dental floss between a stubborn cookie and the baking  
sheet, then gently pull forward to enjoy an unbroken treat.  

One might be able to apply this to other things too, like getting the pizza from the oven tray off in one piece etc.

Copied from an eZine.

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Before I throw out the junk mail that comes through the post (in the recycling bin of course) I cut out the address.

I save them to use as returns labels when I send out parcels (for eBay etc). Now I don't dread the junk mail coming any more!

Monique

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I store my food tins upside down.

I started storing my cat food upside down because my cat prefers the jelly/gravy more than the meat.    I found it makes the contents come out easier.  Now I do it with all my food tins in the pantry.

Anything for a simpler life!

Monique

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I like to have some tinned peaches sometimes but need to cut down my sugar intake so once the tin is opened I WAS tipping the juice down the drain and washing the peaches in water.

I hate any waste so thought to save it. I bought a lollipop maker from a cheap shop last summer. It is a mould for four lolly's and each one has a lid that acts as a stick once frozen.

Yes, you guessed it, I saved the light syrup from the peaches and froze them. I can't eat them but my visiting nephews and nieces can!

Monique

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I sometimes buy packets of rice (the flavoured ones with dried veggies inside - this is as close to a ready meal as I get!)

I store them in the freezer. I know that rice sometimes harbour nasty bugs inside so if I store them in the freezer it kills them off and I can rest easy.

I also store my brown rice and easy cook rice inside the freezer too in plastic boxes.

Monique

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I just posted a reply to someone looking for ideas for her special cousin's birthday. I suggested making a memory box for her.  I wanted to share the tip so I am copying my reply here for you to see. This could be done for any occasion; Weddings, birthdays or a Get Well soon box for someone in Hospital.

This was my reply:

I did this for my parents one New Year's Eve but thought that you could very well do this for anybody.

I bought a heart-shaped box in a thrift shop. It was filled with heart shaped notepaper and some envelopes.
Over the course of a week I got each member of our family to write a short note to our parents. How much we love them and appreciate all they have done for us. The grandchildren old enough to write something did so, the smaller children drew some pictures.

For your friend you could ask anyone you know that is close to her or even those that just know her and think she's lovely, to write a few lines about how wonderful they think she is.
When I gave this to my parents I was told later it moved them both to tears and it's one of their most treaured items.

You could, of course, use any box and decorate it. Simple with plain paper and a bow perhaps or personalise it with pictures, buttons, decoupagé or ribbon etc.


Monique

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Just a quickie tip here.

I use a old CD to cover my cup of tea keeping it nice and hot.

In the summer it reduces the risk of flies getting in my drink too!

Monique

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Use egg whites. Apply it on with a paint brush.

Suitable for paper and light card.

It's helped out my niece in many an art project!

Monique

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Use Toothpaste!

Dab a little on your silver items them buff off...believe me - it REALLY works!

Monique

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To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge,  
add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to  
your vacumn. It can be bent or flattened to get into narrow  
openings.  

I copied this from a site for handy hints. I love ideas like this. Simple ideas yet very effective!

Another vacuum cleaner tip I use is to pop a cotton wool ball inside the cleaner ( I have a bagless Hoover so I pop it inside) and I add a drop or two of perfume oil on it. The house smells lovely and fresh after I have vacuumed!

Monique

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I live within a budget and a certain amount is allocated to food for the week.

I used to push my trolley around the supermarket with my calculator but so MANY times I would press the wrong button and delete the whole lot and have to start again :(

Well, there's a calculator function on my old mobile phone and once I have pressed in the amount of each item it stays plugged into it-even if I hit a wrong button I can just delete it and plug in the correct amount - without wiping out the whole total.

Why did I not think of this sooner? It has made my life and my shopping trips a whole bunch easier that's for sure!

Monique

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I have found a way to reduce the amount of cabbage smell that eminates in a kitchen when it's cooking!

Wanna know the secret? Freeze it!

Cut up your freshly bought cabbage, wash it, pat it dry with kitchen paper and portion it into ziploc bags -press out the air and seal. Then pop in your freezer.

When you come to cook it it takes about 1-2 minutes in a pan of boiling water OR alternatively stir-fry it in a little olive oil which I like to do. Delicious!

And, quite by accident, I found there's no lingering cabbage smell in the kitchen so now I get to eat cabbage more often in my diet and we all know it's very good for you!

Monique

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I recently dyed my hair for the first time in a long time and I used peroxide to bleach out my natural colour then applied a brunette dye two days later.  Boy, did I notice the difference in condition.

Like straw!

I recently read a handy hint - which could well have been here on thriftyfun. Here's what I did just now.

I put a handful of my shampoo in my hand and then mixed in approx. 2 teaspoons of Bicarbonate of Soda [Baking Soda] mixed together then applied to my wet hair. 

Lathering like normal shampoo. Then rinsed. I used conditioner only on the ends of my hair and rinsed again, then I tipped about 4 capfuls of White vinegar on my hair and waited for it to saturate most of my long hair.

One more quick rinse with cool water. Squeezed out the excess and towel dried.

My hair feels silky soft and lovely and light. There seems to be a marked difference. I will keep doing this from now on.

I just thought to share my experience with this tip.

Monique

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Emergency Bread.  I have used this for over 10 years now after finding the recipe in an antiquarian cook book. It has served me well and it's tasty too.

1lb Flour (Plain)   

1 Teaspoon of Salt 

2 Teaspoons of Baking Powder  

Water or milk to mix.

Sift the flour in a bowl, add salt and baking powder, mix to a soft dough with water or milk; knead lightly on a floured board; form into rolls (don't overwork the flour, when not shaped into perfect rounds the rolls take on a rustic look and you get lovely cripsy top).  [Pre-heat] Bake in a hot oven....check after 10 minutes should take between 15-20.

Remember to grease the oven tray before adding the dough rolls.   At the end i dampen the tops with water and sprinkle with sesame or Poppy seeds.

This recipe can be reworked too. In the past I have added herbs to the recipe and cheese.

These are lovely warm slathered with butter or plain for dipping in soup.

One thing I have found though is these must be eaten on the day they are made, they don't keep. But it only takes a few minutes to prepare and make these so it's not a great inconvenience.

Perfect for when you have no bread in the house and you can't get to a shop, and I tell you these are tasty too.

Monique

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This is a way of keeping Mushrooms dry. If they touch each other in storage they tend to go off quicker.

I store mine in an egg box.  I live alone and this works for me.

Yesterday though I bought a big punnet of mushrooms and just cut them into slices and then popped them into ziploc bags and froze about 5 or 6 portions.

It all depends on the amount of mushrooms you buy or need.

Monique

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Light a long piece of dry Spaghetti when lighting the gas hob or more than one candle. You won't burn your fingers like you would if you were using a match.

Good for an emergency too- when you only have ONE match left!

Monique

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When I go away at Xmas for two weeks to visit family I make sure to completely defrost my freezer. The food is given away to someone in my local Freecycle and the freezer is completely turned off for two of those weeks.

When I come home it's time to give my freezer a good wash through then back on with the electric and a 'big shop' at my freezer food store.

But here's my little trick. To save the build up of ice, after I have washed and dried the insides of my freezer I coat the walls and shelving runners with a good smearing of Glycerin.  Glycerin is available cheaply in your local pharmacy.

No ice build up and I extend the life of my freezer as it's not working so hard.   It purrs like a kitten all year long! =^..^=

Monique

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Every month I keep a log of all money that comes in and all the money that goes out in a book. That way I can keep track of everything.

I purchase a cheap blank paged book (£1) and write the date at the top. Then I list all my outgoings. Water, Gas, Electric, food shopping etc. I keep a note of all other expenses too......the odd pint of milk, bread, stamps etc til the next paypay. This way I can see in black and white where the money has gone.

I also make sure I have a small amount saved each week - no matter how little. This will go towards any unexpected bill or for that rainy day.

Hope this tip helps someone else :)

Monique

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