If you don't smoke or allow others to smoke in your automobile, be certain to specify that fact when trading cars. Many dealers now allow extra on trade-in for a smoke-free vehicle.
Sharon T. W. in Amherst County, Virginia

Are You Sure?

I have a cellular phone and the bills have been outstanding lately. My talk time was not any more than normal, so I couldn't figure out what was going on. I found out that if you call and ask them to look at your bill, they can usually find a discrepancy. I tried to be nice and considerate, not rude and mad. My phone company found a $25 fee that was added. He took it off and gave me a credit and then just because I called and basically complained, he gave me a courtesy credit of $50. This made my whole day! I just saved myself $75!
Janel B.

A Year of Gifts

Your tip about the Christmas Treasure Hunt has prompted me to tell about a way of giving presents I once used. After a year of terrible financial hardship, I couldn't afford to spend very much on Christmas for my two daughters. I overcame the problem by printing out the next year's calendar and in the middle of each month I printed a voucher for a gift to the value of $10. One month it was for clothing, the next month it would be a trip to the movies (their choice which movie) and the following month it would be a book for them to choose each. Then I repeated the sequence all through the rest of the year. That way they received a dozen presents and we were able to spread the cost over a full year. Turned out to be an inexpensive Christmas that both my daughters enjoyed.
Vic H.

Organic Stain Removal

Many organic stains may be drawn out of fabric by using a little water and a high concentration of salt. Salt works on stains in the same way that dialysis works in the body; drawing blood from an area of low sodium concentration to an area of high sodium concentration. (One of the few things I learned in chemistry.) Additionally, using a mix of salt with your clothing detergent and baking soda will get whites much brighter without using bleach, which leaves a chlorine scent and slowly destroys your clothing.
Jennifer G.

Portion Control

Since I love more expensive shampoos and conditioners, I find that transporting them into bottles that have smaller openings to be very helpful for saving money. You really don't need to use as much as what comes out of the bottles with larger holes.
Patricia in N.Y.

Heirloom Ornament

Every year we take a family picture at Christmas time in front of the tree or decorations. Take the photo down to Kinko's or some other copy place and have it color copied (to get it on thinner paper). Paint or decorate a wood shape (heart, tree, or whatever) and decoupage the photo onto the wood shape (which you can get at any hobby and craft store). Write the year on the back, and you have a heirloom ornament for your Christmas tree.
Charlotte

Inexpensive Fabric Softener Sheets

I have found that using a damp white washcloth with a dime size dab of inexpensive hair conditioner on it works as well as a fabric softener sheet to throw into the dryer with your wet clothes. This keeps the static electricity from developing in your clothing and makes them smell nice too. For a $1.00 bottle of conditioner (from the dollar store) you can make 100's of homemade softener sheets using the same washcloth over and over again by just rinsing and re-applying a spot of conditioner.
C.

Shake-It-Yourself

I would like to add a comment to the Shake and bake comment. The reader liked to stretch the product by adding Bread crumbs. It's even cheaper to make your own from scratch. Start with either flour or bread crumbs and add your own choice of seasonings such as garlic and/or onion powder paprika, seasoned salt, powdered chicken bouillon, or anything else that your heart desires and any old bag that you have recycled from something else will do the shaking for you. I vary spices all the time. I add Italian seasoning for something different. Try it you may find that you will come up with something that is even better than the store bought!
CGP

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