Everyday Cheapskate from Creators Syndicate

The Infamous Mystery Means for 05/24/2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear Mary: My husband has two jobs — he is an artist and a salesman. He earns commissions from both jobs, so we never know what our income will be. I work part-time and am paid hourly. How do we go about setting up a budget? — Carol, Maine

Dear Carol: Having been self-employed most of my working years, I know all the excuses for being unable to plan ahead, create a budget or ...

Updated: Thu May 24, 2012

Handy Tools Ease the Pain for 05/23/2012

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Manufactures have been making a name — and a profit — for themselves creating tools and gadgets to help consumers get a "better grip" on countless household tasks. And I'm not knocking it. But I love it when I don't have to purchase something when I already have something that will work just as well. I think you'll agree when you read our first reader tip. And if you have ...

Updated: Wed May 23, 2012

Let the Decluttering Begin for 05/22/2012

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

I know it's time. It's been time for at least five years, possibly longer. I need to clean my kitchen. Now, before you send the Health Department to my address, let me explain. What I mean by "clean" is that I need to clean out and organize my kitchen pantry, cupboards and drawers.

If you walked into my kitchen, you'd see a tidy and sanitary place. But don't walk into the pant ...

Updated: Tue May 22, 2012

A Glimmer of Hope to Cling To for 05/21/2012

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Think back to a low point in your life. Don't struggle with this, just try to recall when you were going through a difficult season and life seemed bleak. Now recall that first glimmer of hope you clung to as you could see that things were beginning to turn around.

Sometimes, it's good to look back to see how things worked out. It's encouraging to recall the results of the difficult deci ...

Updated: Mon May 21, 2012

Homemade Solutions Are Budget-friendly for 05/17/2012

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear Mary: Do you have a homemade recipe for bathroom air freshener refills? I have Air Wick brand, and I'm wondering if there is an easier and cheaper way to refill it when it runs dry. — D.R., California

Dear D.R.: Four to eight drops of essential oil (lavender, for example) in 1 quart of water makes a wonderful air freshener when sprayed lightly into the air. If your Air Wick di ...

Updated: Thu May 17, 2012

Creativity Saves Time and Money for 05/16/2012

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

I should add Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to the list of products that Everyday Cheapskate readers use creatively. Magic Erasers will join such amazing products as Original Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid, baking soda and vinegar, to name a few. If you have a trick for using a common household product in a slightly different way than its intended use, I'd love to hear about it. Email me at Mary@Everyda ...

Updated: Wed May 16, 2012

An Hour and Ten Bucks to Give Your Home a New Look for 05/15/2012

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Been putting off updating a room in your home until you can figure out where to get thousands of dollars to redecorate? Look, if you've got $10 and a little time, you can get started right now. Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks for how to decorate on a shoestring.

Wall Art. Take pretty sheets of scrapbooking paper, mat them, frame them and then hang them as a grouping. You'll ...

Updated: Tue May 15, 2012

Dear Graduating Class of 2012 for 05/14/2012

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

I wasn't invited to give a graduation speech this spring. Still, I was prepared. And since a good speech is a terrible thing to waste, I offer it to you now.

To the Class of 2012: You did it. You worked hard; you stuck it out even when you wanted to quit. You persevered, and for that I offer my sincerest congratulations. Lest you conclude you've just crossed the finish line, let me point ...

Updated: Mon May 14, 2012

Are store ATMs safe? for 05/10/2012

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear Mary: After years of arguing about it, my tech-savvy daughter finally convinced me to get an ATM card. The other day, we were at a local delicatessen, and she wanted me to use the machine there. I'm wary of store ATMs. Are they as safe as the ones at banks? — Vivian, New York

Dear Vivian: According to the FDIC, it's more of a risk. They say that if you choose to use a privatel ...

Updated: Thu May 10, 2012

Being Creative Saves Money for 05/09/2012

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

One of my favorite activities is reading through the tips I receive from my Everyday Cheapskate readers. I learn so much. Here is another great batch of creative ideas from your fellow cheapskates.

DEODORIZE THE VACUUM. I have a couple of bottles of the plug-in room deodorizers, but the scent is too overpowering. My vacuum cleaner is a Rainbow, which sucks the dirt into a basin of water ...

Updated: Wed May 09, 2012

Master Mix Helps Lower Your Food Bill for 05/08/2012

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

A central theme of my member-newsletter, Debt-Proof Living, is to help DPL members be prepared. And in today's economy, it's important to think through just how prepared your family is should an economic or natural emergency occur.

In my newsletter series, "Don't Be Scared, Be Prepared," I've covered many topics, including how to build and store a food supply, plus how to rescu ...

Updated: Tue May 08, 2012

Compulsive Shopping, Disorders and Tractors, Oh My! for 05/07/2012

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

If you're anything like me, which is to say compulsive and good at denial, then you had to be happy with the news awhile back from a study done by doctors in the health sciences field.

The findings? It is not our fault. We can't help ourselves from binge shopping and overspending because our brain chemicals are out of balance.

Dr. James Mitchell of the University of North Dakota S ...

Updated: Mon May 07, 2012

Get the Grease out of the Trex for 05/03/2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear Mary: Somehow bacon grease spilled onto my Trex board patio. It seeped in and has spread inside the board. It's extremely noticeable. Is there anything I can do to get the grease out, or at least help the stain? — Anna, email

Dear Anna: Trex, a popular brand of durable wood-plastic composite material lumber, does not require specific stains or sealants for protection, but shou ...

Updated: Thu May 03, 2012

Make Healthy Popsicles the Kids Will Love! for 05/02/2012

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

When my little grandson Eli asked me for a popsicle last summer, I got away with giving him an ice cube on a stick. Somehow, I don't think that's going to work any longer now that he's a year older. But you can be sure I won't be buying frozen sugar water from the store since receiving the following fabulous recipe for healthy popsicles from one more of our clever EC readers.

REFRESHING ...

Updated: Wed May 02, 2012

Get Rid of That Awful Smell, Once and for All for 05/01/2012

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

There are times when I write this column that I feel like I need to step into the confessional booth. Today would be one. It's not easy for me to tell you all of the things I've thrown away — not because they were worn out or I no longer needed them, but for one simple reason: The smell. I'm talking about stinky, foul odors that would not go away.

There was the original case for my ...

Updated: Tue May 01, 2012

Money Secrets Destroy Trust for 04/30/2012

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Money secrets destroy trust. It's not what you're thinking, although being sexually unfaithful to your spouse could certainly create one industrial-strength barrier to financial harmony in a relationship. I'm talking about financial infidelity, which is the subject of many letters I receive.

"Is there any hope for my situation? I have run up more than $75,000 of unsecured debt. My h ...

Updated: Mon Apr 30, 2012

The Best Investment Is a Repaid Debt for 04/26/2012

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear Mary: My IRA has been steadily losing money. I'm thinking of stopping my contributions until the economy picks up and using the extra money to pay off the credit card debt I've accumulated. My parents flipped when I told them my plan. Although I'm only 32, they're afraid I'll be putting my retirement in jeopardy. Are they right? — Molly, New York

Dear Molly: Your parents proba ...

Updated: Thu Apr 26, 2012

Why Buy When You Can Borrow? for 04/25/2012

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

There are a ton of books in my local library. They even have newly released books, too. So why, instead of borrowing, do we buy books? By waiting just a little while, we can read that bestseller from our favorite author. Our first tipster has a great way to stay current — and save money, too.

KEEP BESTSELLER LISTS. I keep the bestseller lists from the New York Times book section; m ...

Updated: Wed Apr 25, 2012

A Badge of Thrifty Honor for 04/24/2012

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

On the same day that our water-softening system blew a pressure valve and filled the pipes in our home with resin (followed quickly by a $1,300 repair bill), my washing machine started making those sounds that signal impending death.

It, and its twin Whirlpool dryer, are going on 16 years old. Seems like only yesterday we bought them at a local warehouse club for the bargain price of $1, ...

Updated: Tue Apr 24, 2012

Stop Spending Everything You Make for 04/23/2012

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Affluence is not measured by your annual income. Affluence is determined by how many of your resources you manage not to spend — the amount of income you keep.

The idea that you should live below your means is obvious, isn't it? It's not like this is the first time you've ever heard of the concept. You know that cutting spending is hard work. But living paycheck to paycheck is much ...

Updated: Mon Apr 23, 2012