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The Infamous Mystery Means
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, …Read more.
Handy Tools Ease the Pain
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 …Read more.
Let the Decluttering Begin
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 …Read more.
A Glimmer of Hope to Cling To
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 …Read more.
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Quick and Easy Last-Minute Gift IdeasCould you use some inexpensive ideas for last-minute gifts? Today's batch of time- and money-saving tips sent in by your fellow readers of this column are sure to hit the mark. FANCY LUNCH BAGS. When my girls were little, my mother took her lunch to work each day. I bought a supply of white lunch sacks and had the girls decorate them as a gift for Grandma. Not only did she use them over and over again, but her co-workers always looked forward to seeing the new bag. This was a very inexpensive, usable gift-giving at its finest. — Janet, Oregon TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS. Since we were first married, my husband and I have exchanged simple gifts, one each for the 12 Days of Christmas. We've continued the tradition with our children. In the 12 days leading up to Christmas Day, all of us exchange small services like washing the car, giving Mom a day off or just simple love notes. One of our children may wrap up a piece of artwork or make a card for us. This has really taught our kids that Christmas is more about giving than receiving. — Susan, email PERSONALIZED GIFT CERTIFICATES. Short on cash for Christmas but faced with the eager and expectant eyes of a child? Try personalized gift certificates appropriate to the age of the child. Examples: good for one extra bedtime story; Mom doing one of your chores; a chance to stay up one hour later on Friday night; be let off from one session of piano practice; a foot massage — whatever your child would really value.
NON-STICKY PINE CONES. I picked up pine cones in the woods to use for crafts and holiday decorations. They were so sticky with sap there was no way I could have used them. Solution: I put them on a cookie sheet and into a 300-degree oven for 10 minutes. The whole house smelled "piney fresh" (bonus!) right away. The sap that didn't melt hardened in just a few minutes as it cooled. I ended up with perfectly beautiful pine cones ready to accept glitter, paint and ribbons. — Erin, Ohio SIDE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING. To achieve two of my New Year's resolutions — to get more exercise and do more volunteer work — I've signed up to walk dogs at my local animal shelter. — Cathy, California WHIPPED FROSTING. When you buy a container of cake frosting, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size and frost more cakes or cupcakes with the same amount. A nutritional benefit to this is that you'll also eat less sugar and fewer calories per serving. — Sue, North Carolina Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Include your first and last name and state. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 19 books, including her January 2012 release "7 Money Rules for Life." To find out more about Mary and her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM
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