TIP OF THE MONTH. I bought a large mesh pencil can/holder at a discount store. I keep it in one of the cup holders in my car. It holds pens, sticky notes, gum, antacids, spare change and other items I always am looking for in my car but never can find. It looks like a neat and tidy organizer, not a leftover cup filled with junk. -- Gale E., e-mail

CHEAP CHIC. Instead of buying a fireplace screen to close the opening during the summer, I found a picture frame that fits the fireplace opening perfectly. At a local art store, I bought a lovely Paris street-scene print that fits the frame, and now this framed art covers the opening. Guests comment on what a great idea it is. -- Audrey B., e-mail

LUNCH BUNCH. In trying to cut our costs for daily lunches (between $5 and $10 per day each), a co-worker and I decided to bring the makings for salads. Each week, we take turns bringing in ingredients, such as lettuce, shredded cheese, cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, fresh mushrooms and light dressing -- whatever is on sale. Each lunch costs about $1. We figure by eating in, we not only are saving money on food but also gas. -- Sharon C., e-mail

JUICY CHICKEN TRICK. Is your baked chicken always dry -- especially the white meat? Try this: Coat the pieces with a small amount of olive oil before baking. Use this technique once and you'll be hooked on the moistest chicken you ever have eaten! -- Sheri R., e-mail

CODE FINDERS. I find that shopping online often saves me time, travel costs and retail costs. Recently I purchased a book online and found a coupon code for an additional 5 percent discount for that particular online retailer at bradsdeals.com. There are other Web sites, such as RetailMeNot.com, that will provide lots of codes for nearly every retailer out there. If you take a few extra moments, you can save more! -- Ray D., Mississippi

EGG-O-RAMA! With grocery prices skyrocketing, purchasing in bulk during a sale (or at a deep discount at stores such as Costco) has become a necessity. This can be a problem, though, with fresh items such as eggs. One sure way to take advantage of a great deal on eggs is to crack fresh eggs individually into an ice-cube tray and freeze them. Once they are frozen solid, you can pop them out and seal them in freezer baggies. The eggs freeze beautifully, and you'll have a store of them on hand until the next big sale. -- Sandi P., e-mail

Congratulations to Gale E. for submitting the Tip of the Month. Gale will receive a one-year membership to Debt-Proof Living Online (www.DebtProofLiving.com). To enter your tip for this month's contest, send your tips to mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. You just might win a membership next month!

Mary Hunt is the founder of DebtProofLiving.com and author of 17 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.
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