If my mail is any indicator, wedding season is upon us. Brides everywhere and the people who are paying the bills are looking for tips and tricks for how to have the wedding of their dreams on a shoestring. While today's first great reader tip might not save a lot of cash, it's sure to save a ton of stress and frustration!

WEDDING TIP. For all you engaged readers, go to your local hardware store and pick out paint samples of the colors that you want for your wedding. They are small enough to keep with you as you shop for wedding things. I don't know how many times I pulled them out to see whether favors, napkins, flowers, shoes, etc., would match my color scheme. I also gave them to my baker to decorate my cake. The flowers on the cake matched the flowers on my dress perfectly! -- Diane T., e-mail

EGG SCOOP. I've been frustrated for years trying to drain the hot water off my newly hard-boiled eggs until I discovered that I could fish out the individual eggs easily using my spaghetti grabber! -- Denise C., e-mail

TRAVEL-SIZED. When my toiletries (such as shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant) run low but I still have a few days' worth of supply, I put them aside for use when I travel. That way, I don't waste money buying travel-sized items, and I don't waste time trying to squeeze things into smaller containers.

-- Ann F., e-mail

MASCARA REMOVER. You can make your own mascara remover with one part tear-free baby shampoo to three parts water. I just dip a cotton swab into the solution and wipe off any mascara around my eyes. It isn't greasy like some eye-makeup removers, so my eye makeup doesn't smudge when I reapply. -- Trista, Minnesota

AVOCADO STORAGE. If you only use half an avocado and want to save the rest for later, rub the cut end lightly with lemon juice and wrap it with plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator. The avocado will be good to use for the next few days. -- John T., California

STAIN PREVENTION. To prevent sweat stains on your white T-shirts, sprinkle a little baby powder on the underarm areas and the collar. Then iron the area carefully. The powder will prevent oils from absorbing into the white fabric. -- Jasmine R., Arizona

Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can e-mail 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 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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