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6 Ways To Cut Pet Care Costs
As I write, a big, beautiful, brindled English bulldog is underfoot, sleeping soundly, as bulldogs do. I cannot claim ownership, but Newcastle ("Newkie" to his family) visits often. He's my granddog — and as precious as they come. So …Read more.
Fun (Cheap) Birthday Gift Ideas for Kids
Several months ago, I got a message from Elaine G., who recently had joined a moms group. With all of her newly minted friendships, she and her little one are getting invitations to lots of toddlers' birthday parties. Her dilemma took me back to …Read more.
What You Need To Know if Your Bank Fails
If it seems that more banks are closing this year than normal, you are absolutely right. Since January 2009, 106 banks and 19 credit unions have failed in the U.S. That's more than four times the number of closings in 2008. It's the most since the …Read more.
Make Your Own Sanitizing Wipes
Dear Mary: I would like to find a recipe to make hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Do you know of one? — Delores, e-mail
Dear Delores: I have been thinking about the same thing, now that we're learning that products like Purell are …Read more.
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Frugal Brides Share With Future BridesI get a lot of mail on the subject of weddings. I get stories of joy and tales of woe, great ideas and even a blooper from time to time. I cannot recall a single time in the past 17 years when someone wrote wishing he or she had spent more money on his or her wedding. I must say that the best wedding mail comes from frugal brides who are eager to share their fabulous ideas with future brides: FIRE FESTIVITIES. For a wedding reception that is out of the ordinary, have a bonfire rather than a sit-down meal. My husband and I did this, and people still talk about how much fun our wedding was. We changed clothes after pictures and started a big fire at my grandmother's house. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and had side dishes brought by family members. It was the best potluck ever because we requested our favorite family dishes. By shopping in bulk for hot dogs and buns, we only spent about $200 on food. — Rochelle, Maine PHOTO FRUGALITY. I had my guests take pictures at the event, and we sprang for a professional portrait session before the wedding. Instead of spending $1,200-$5,000 on a wedding photographer, it cost us $200 to go to a park to have professional portraits taken in our wedding attire. This also would make a great gift to the couple from a family member who wants to contribute. — Diane, e-mail BIBLIO-BRIDE. The local library has lots of books on weddings, from making your own dress and accessories to wedding cakes, invitations and writing your own vows. BALLOON BEAUTY. I skipped flowers at my wedding and decorated with balloons instead. This allowed me to get creative with shapes, sizes and colors, and it saved me a bundle of cash. Kids had a ball with them at the reception. — Jean K., e-mail DESIGNER DEAL. My wedding dress was actually a bridesmaid dress in ivory. It was a beautiful designer gown, and it only cost $250 including alterations. My guests were surprised when I said it was a bridesmaid dress. When I was shopping for a dress, I found a wider variety of choices for high-end bridesmaid dresses than I did for wedding gowns, and they were all much less expensive. — Elizabeth, e-mail PERFECT TIMING. We saved money by holding our wedding ceremony and reception at lunchtime on a Friday. We rented out a small restaurant for 40 close friends and family members. We arranged to bring in wine, and the restaurant made a batch of sangria to serve with the meal. The total cost of the wedding and reception was about $2,500, far less than it would have been during prime time on a Saturday night. — Elizabeth, e-mail Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including "Debt-Proof Living" and "Tiptionary 2." To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
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