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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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May Tip of the Month RevealedI always am searching for great tips from my readers. When I read today's first tip, which is from Sara in Minnesota, I was impressed with her resourcefulness. It is wonderful to hear how readers have thought to take what they already have and make it work for them in a new way without spending a dime. Sara did that, and that's why she has won the Tip of the Month for May. She'll be getting a free one-year membership to my Web site, http://www.DebtProofLiving.com, with access to my monthly newsletter, calculators and online community. Congratulations, Sara! TIP OF THE MONTH. The time between when I leave for work and when I return home can be 10 or more hours, which is too long to start a roast in the slow cooker in the morning. I always have wanted one of those slow cookers with a timer. The other night, I had a roast that needed to be cooked, and I thought, "I bet that timer that turns my lamp on every day at 6 o'clock would also turn my Crock-Pot on at 11 a.m.," and it did! Instead of having to buy a new slow cooker despite the one I have being perfectly fine, I solved the problem using something I had already. — Sara, Minnesota CHOCOLATE DELIGHT. I've discovered mini semisweet chocolate morsels. I've found I can use half a bag per cookie batch and still get chocolate goodness in every bite because they distribute better throughout the dough than the regular-sized morsels. LAST DROP. I always am frustrated by pump spray bottles that don't pump when they get close to empty because the straw doesn't reach the last remaining bit of product. To solve the problem, I take the top off, remove the straw, and let the liquid from the straw drain into the bottle. I throw the straw away and put the lid back on. When I turn the bottle upside down and spray, I get those last drops easily! — Holly W., e-mail SCUFF STOPPER. I use magic sponges (such as Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) all over my house to remove marks on surfaces. When they wear out, I cut the remaining good pieces off and throw them in the glove compartment in my car. Then I use them to remove sap, gunk and bumper scuffs without damaging the paint. — Juli, e-mail SELF-RELIANT WARRANTY. I never buy an extended warranty. Instead, I self-insure all items that I purchase, from cars to electronics to appliances. Anytime a retailer offers an extended warranty or a maintenance agreement for a fee, I decline. Then I put that amount in a savings account for repairs or replacements. I have plenty of money in that account each year to cover the one or two items that go bad or need to be repaired. — Karen, Illinois 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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