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Tips That Make You Feel Like a Genius
Secretly, I feel like a genius when I discover a secondary use for this or that — in case I run out of this, but have plenty of that! Like using a paper coffee filter to wash a glass top or mirror when I'm in a pinch for paper towels. Or using …Read more.
Supermarket Tricks That Makes Us Spend More
I've always thought of myself as pretty sharp when it comes to spotting supermarket trickery. I'm not even fazed by an end-cap display announcing, "Special." I know their ways. They hope we'll just assume that "special" means …Read more.
The Struggle to Actually Use up Gift Cards
My love-hate relationship with gift cards has intensified. What a pain, really. I'm one who just forgets to use them, and when I remember, I try to figure out how to use each one to the last cent. I was reminded of my situation recently when I …Read more.
Commingle Personal and Business Finances? Never!
Dear Mary: I am reading your book, "Debt-Proof Living," and have begun tracking my expenses. I have a home-based business. Should I include business expenses or just personal expenses in the tracking? — Lucy, Vermont
Dear Lucy: You …Read more.
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One Woman's TrashRecently, I spoke with Michael Bluejay, who is known as Mr. Electricity for his expertise in reducing home electricity costs. In that conversation, I discovered that Bluejay prides himself on producing hardly any trash. I'm not proud to admit it, but I'm sure I make up for all that he saves plus more. That got me thinking: What am I throwing away that I could reasonably reuse for another purpose? Riffling through my inbox gave me some great ideas. RUSTIC GLAM. I recycle old sheets by tearing them into strips and converting them into rag rugs using a method similar to crocheting. I make the rugs in various shapes and sizes, and smaller versions serve as coasters, potholders and hot pads. These rugs are machine-washable, and they won't come apart like crocheted rugs. As a bonus, the strings from the strips fit in with the rustic appearance of the rag rug. — Stephanie, Missouri RESOURCEFUL SCRAPBOOKING. Scrapbooking is expensive if you are a die-hard. Why not use the pages from discarded wallpaper books as scrapbook page backgrounds? They're free or very cheap from your local paint and wallpaper store, and they have many backgrounds and borders. They even come pre-pasted. Wallpaper books that showcase the latest wallpaper offerings come out every season. Stop into a store near you and ask to get on the list for the books they will discard. — Tammy W., New Jersey STORAGE SOLUTION. I reuse oatmeal and formula canisters to store art supplies for my young children. I wrap them with old wrapping paper and add clip art pictures on top to show what is inside because they are not yet readers.
FREE FIRE STARTERS. I make homemade fire starters from empty toilet paper rolls, used dryer sheets and lint from the dryer's lint trap. First, I tape shut one end of the empty toilet paper roll. Wide packing tape works best. I keep the roll with the laundry supplies and stuff the lint from the filter into the roll, along with the dryer sheet. I add to the roll until it is filled tightly. Then I cover the end with another piece of tape. I make these all winter so I have enough to start lots of campfires all summer. These starters work better than newspaper and kindling! — Karen T., Massachusetts MORNING MADNESS. To help my kids be more independent but still make sure everything gets done, I write to-do lists on large colored Popsicle sticks and place them in dollar-store art organizers with pockets. Each child has his or her own color, and the items listed include "brush teeth," "make lunch," "make bed" and "take vitamins." As they complete their tasks, they move the corresponding Popsicle sticks to another pocket. When the first pocket is empty, they're all done! — Crystal S., New Jersey 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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