If you ever have purchased a household item that comes with "some assembly required," you may know the frustration of getting the item nearly completed, only to discover you're missing some parts. Or you spend so much time digging through piles of parts and hardware trying to find what you need you want to pull your hair out. Today's first tipster has a great idea for taking the angst out of do-it-yourself assembly.

SORTING TRAY. During the past few years, I have purchased several pieces of inexpensive furniture that you must assemble yourself. It can be a nightmare when you open that one bag of hardware. Before I do anything else, I get out my cupcake tin and quickly sort the nuts, screws and washers into separate cups. Now all the pieces are just an arm's length away when I need them yet remain organized. -- L.B., New Jersey

CUTTING BROWNIES. I use a plastic knife to cut brownies instead of a metal one because it makes a neat, straight cut, and the brownies don't stick to the plastic knife. I don't know why, but it does work. -- Tina B., Missouri

CHEAP FREEZER WRAP. When I buy boxed cereal, I save the interior waxy plastic bags. These can be used as inner wrappers to freeze meat you buy in bulk and separate it into smaller portions. You also can use the bags to wrap and freeze bagels, homemade waffles and pancakes for fast morning meals.

For me, those inner bags keep the goods fresher than plastic freezer bags. -- Jennifer N., e-mail

ICE-CREAM CUPS. Serving up ice cream to a big crowd is sticky, messy and time-consuming. Before the party (even a day ahead), I pre-scoop ice cream into paper-lined muffin tins and put them back into the freezer. When it's time to serve the cake, I just put one of the paper cups of ice cream on the serving plate with the cake -- no mess, no fuss! -- Pam B., California

EXTRA BAGS. When I remove the plastic from my dry-cleaned clothes, I do it carefully by lifting them up over the hanger instead of just tearing the plastic off. I tie the end with the hole and use the bags to hold my recyclables. They fit in my recycle bins and can be lifted off easily with the cans and bottles, tied again and taken to our recycling center. -- Meg P., e-mail

FRIDGE LINERS. I line the drawers of my refrigerator with wax paper to protect them against spills or sticky stuff. Instead of pulling out a huge drawer and trying to wash it in the sink, I just throw the sheet away and lay down a new one. -- Janice G., California

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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