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The Dollar Stretcher

Cheaper & Better
by Nancy Birnes

Reviewed by Margaret A.

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Cheaper & Better is a 1987 book that you may only be able to get through interlibrary loan. Depending on your dollar stretching style, getting the book may be worth the effort. As you know, making from scratch is often much cheaper than buying. And Birnes' book has recipes for everything from pancake syrup to leather upholstery cleaner to deer repellent. She has a chapter of children's play items that look very interesting (yes, you apparently *can* whip up a homemade ant farm).

Some of the recipes were very practical. I put a few to immediate use, like making cocoa mix from scratch, for instance. Others, such as a shampoo recipe requiring fourteen ingredients, hardly seemed worth the effort. After all, you can get a bottle of generic on sale for a buck. Some of the personal care recipes, like the ones for bath salts and lip balm, would make fun and frugal gifts.

Birnes' book will provide dollar stretchers with *some* useful ideas, and those who love to putter in the kitchen will have a great time. Anyone for homemade dandelion wine?

Margaret A. is a library information specialist and freelance writer living in Illinois.

Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips @stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!

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