I think I finally have everything on my blog back to normal from when the site was hacked last weekend.  Thank you for your patience since the posts this past week were not up to what I consider my usual standard.  hope you Saturday is grand and here are a few Thrifty Tips.

Use Soda In Your Flower Arrangements

To make fresh cut flowers last longer, use 1/2 water and 1/2 soda, such as Sprite or any clear color soda. Your flowers will last for weeks and weeks and they will remain beautiful.
–By Dawn from Newburgh, NY

Donate Extra Cards To Schools

Have leftover holiday cards (Valentines, Christmas, birthday, etc.)?  Don’t throw them away, ask your local school if they want them.  They can use them in the lower grades to make great “cards” for mom and dad for future holidays and you’ll recycle too!
–By Debradj from Illinois

Tips for Long Lasting Carpet

When my husband and I purchased first purchased carpet for our home. The store that we bought it at had us attend a carpet seminar to see a movie about how carpet was made and to discuss the best carpet for our purpose. It really made it easier to decide what to buy.

The most beneficial thing that we learned was not to run around the house barefooted or in our stocking feet, there is salt in your body and it comes out through the feet and will stain your carpet quicker.

Also when you see a spot, clean it right away. This has worked for us over 31  years. We have only replaced the carpeting once, only because we were tired of the color. Keep a pair of slippers handy, so when you come into the house, you can take your shoes off and put on your slippers.
–By Lillian from Beaver Falls, PA

Walmart Will “Price Match” On Sale Patterns

If you live closer to a Walmart than to your local fabric store that is having a great sale on patterns (like JoAnn’s fabrics)… OR, if your local fabric store is “picked over” and doesn’t have many patterns left in your size, simply take the ad up to the register with you (after you’ve shopped) and Walmart will honor other stores ads for Simplicity or McCalls brand patterns (and other things too!)  Just be sure to bring the ad in with you and make sure the sale is STILL going on.
–By Cyinda from near Seattle

Beautifully Peeled Oranges

Place oranges in hot water for about 45 minutes – 1 hour; remove from water and let cool until you are comfortable handling them by hand. Take a tablespoon (or teaspoon) and begin peeling the orange from the navel, the skin should peel leaving all the white on the peal and virtually none on the orange. This is an old restaurant trick I learned long ago.
–By Cajun from Collinsville, IL