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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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The Case of the Retirement-Fund-Eating MoldDear Mary: We had water damage that affected our kitchen, bathroom and floorboards. We also have mold. Our homeowners insurance won't pay for anything, but they are requiring we get everything fixed in the next three months by a licensed plumber, or they will no longer cover us. We will have to use funds from our retirement account, which allows us $8,000 without penalty. The remainder (up to $20,000) will be charged a 6 percent penalty. This is about half of our retirement. Should we go ahead and get this necessary work done and use our retirement money to pay for it? — Marlene, email Dear Marlene: I wish I had more information, like your age, how many bids you've received, and whether you've considered doing the abatement work yourselves and then having it inspected by a licensed professional approved by your insurance company. It's not child's play, and you want to make sure you know exactly the precautions to take to protect yourself, your family and your home. I assume that since you are looking to your retirement account as your only resource, you have no savings for emergencies. Given what I don't know, and what I have to assume, I do not recommend that you raid your fledgling retirement account until you have exhausted all other possibilities. If it comes down to your retirement account truly being your only option, that will be a shame. In that case, I hope that you have the time it will take to restore those funds and get back on track. Dear Mary: What are good ways to save money on dental care? What do you think about going abroad for medical or dental care? — Ellyn, Florida Dear Ellyn: My dentist assures me that dental and periodontal disease is preventable with daily brushing (I use Oral-B Power Toothbrush, which is very effective), flossing and regular visits with a dental hygienist.
That's not to say I would advise against it, only that I lack good, reliable information. However, I have a feeling that readers will be anxious to weigh in with their experiences, good or bad to, plus recommendations and referrals. When they email me at Mary@EverydayCheapskate.com, I'll report back. Dear Mary: Is there a way to save on the Glade plug-in refills? — Sharon, email Dear Sharon: I have actually done this, and it worked quite well. The trick is finding fragrance oil that is cheaper than a plug-in refill. Check your local dollar stores, or online with a search for "fragrance oil." I've found these oils to be highly concentrated, so mixing them with mineral oil helps stretch the product to make it last longer. You'll need to pry the plastic top from the empty plug-in, using a knife or other object (be careful!). Then slowly and carefully pour the oil into the container, replacing the top. Good luck! Do you have a question for Mary? Email 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, a personal finance member website. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM
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