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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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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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