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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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You Need a Vacation!I am not sure exactly when it happened. It's been a gradual thing, but there is no doubt that I've fallen for a place so beautiful and so serene that it takes my breath away. It's a place called Michigan. I met Michigan through a series of television commercials, which is not like me because I have developed an auto response to hit the mute button at the very hint that a commercial is about to start. I'm not sure whether it's the background music, the beautiful photography or the poetic narrative by actor Tim Allen, but one thing is certain: Michigan has stolen my heart. The series of "Pure Michigan" ads are so well-done and so compelling that they've become my own personal one-minute vacations. Nearly half the respondents to a recent USA Today/Gallup Poll say they won't be traveling much this summer, up from 40 percent a year ago, when gas prices were near record highs. Those who will be traveling say they plan to take more day and weekend trips than longer, more exotic vacations. Many families will be taking stay-at-home vacations, opting to explore their own communities. Even in these economically challenging times, everyone deserves to have fun in the sun, and we can because there are so many things we can do that are completely free. To find out what's going on in your area, do an Internet search using your city's name plus the word "tourist." Prepare to be amazed at what's right under your nose. While you're there, look for coupons and other special offers from local merchants designed with tourists (including you!) in mind. For those wishing to get away for a budget vacation this summer, the new Web site http://www.DiscoverAmerica.com should come in handy. If you have the ability to control your attitude and choose your thoughts, spending time on http://www.DiscoverAmerica.com will be like a vacation in itself. You will be transported to many beautiful places through photography and glowing descriptions. There's something for everyone, no matter the amount of time or money one has to spend. I hope that you can get away from the cares of life this summer, if but for one minute at a time. It'll do you a lot of good. And when you figure out where you'll go, let us all know by commenting on my blog, at http://www.MoneyRulesDebtStinks.com. We'd like to enjoy your trip right along with you, whether yours is a virtual vacation this year or a real opportunity to vacate your normal routine for something altogether new. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take a little break. Because I've found my favorite commercials online, at http://www.PureMichigan.org, I can schedule my own short vacation whenever I want. Like now. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including her latest, "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt 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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