I, too, was almost lured into buying these ceramic laundry discs. After much research, I found information on the web about them. Although the discs are still very widely available, mainly through various catalogs, **they are a scam**. Their inventor, Paul Adams--a.k.a. Paul Jackson, Paul Rabbett, and Paul Johnson, pled guilty to related charges in New Zealand, and was fined $22,500 (source: The Press On-Line, Wed. Sept. 25, 1996). My personal tips for laundry are: 1. Use about 1/4 the detergent recommended; and 2. Don't use fabric softener every time--only use it occasionally. Instead, use a little white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Your clothes will be cleaner and you will save money too!
--Mrs. TW
I've used a laundry disk that works on the same principle. It works just fine. Took out stains, eliminated odors and best of all, I didn't have to worry about spilling any. I would recommend this to everyone but most especially for people that are allergic to detergent or just have sensitive skin. Not to mention it keeps from polluting the water supply.
--Candy
editor's note: these two responses are only a sample of what came in. Lots of people on both sides. We even had a few that talked about automatic dispensers. One reader even cited a test that showed that detergent didn't really do any good, either. You'll need to make up your own mind on this one. All the responses that came in are posted at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/971106a.htm.
I experienced a similar situation with my parents. My parents worked hard and struggled for many years and now live very comfortably. They did not want me or my children to experience the struggle and hardships they had endured. They wanted us to have everything and could not understand when I chose to lead a very simple and frugal lifestyle. I tried several everything to make them understand but nothing worked. They made me feel guilty and tried to pressure me into placing my sons in private schools, etc. In the end I sat them down and explained that I loved them for trying to protect my sons and I but that I wanted my sons to have everything I had been given. I also explained to them that when I had experienced those struggles with them I felt very close to them and I appreciated the little extras that much more. They no longer pressure me and just the other day my mother told me she is proud of the way I am raising my children and how much they appreciate what they have.
--P.
I'm writing in response to the "here's a switch" dilemma... my parents still suffer through this. They think our children are going without too much... they had the same ideas about our oldest needing pre-school (which isn't cheap)... I simply told them that I did lots of things with the children at home, but if THEY felt it was really needed (and the parents don't mind) then suggest they pay for it. That's exactly what my parents did... my son enjoyed it, however, they didn't see the same need for my following 2 sons... they learned their own lesson! Now, when they make me feel guilty about having wants (since they aren't really needs) I let them know that they are free to contribute and that I'm sure the kids won't mind.
Hope this helps!
Marja
editor's note: other neat answers to this question can be found at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/971106b.htm. Thanks to everyone who helped!
My favorite pressure cooker cookbook is Great Vegetarian Cooking Under Pressure by Lorna Sass. The recipes are quick, economical, and delicious. If you can't find a copy at a used bookstore or a yardsale (I know that I would never part with my copy) you might be interested to know that it is available at Amazon.com for 30% off.
--Kimberly
A number of years ago, I came across the only copy I have ever seen on this subject. The title of this book is "Cooking Under Pressure" by Lorna J. Sass. The publisher is William Morrow and Company, Inc. New York. This book was first published in 1989.
Hope this helps your readers.
Peace
Linda E. D.
I just have a suggestion here for obtaining cheap health insurance. I am a student at the University of Wisconsin, and here at least students are eligible for very cheap health insurance. As a grad student, one only has to take (I think) 3 credits per semester. Often, night classes will meet for 3 hours, one night a week, which means that one can take one class and be eligible. Currently, I am in law school and will graduate in May, but am considering being a career part-time grad student in other departments in order to live in cheap graduate family housing (the limit for that is 8 years) and obtain cheap health insurance (I want to be a solo practitioner and with preexisting conditions insurance will otherwise be very expensive for me). Of course, the extra education won't hurt me, either!
Readers of Dollar Stretcher could contact their local college or university to get the low-down on insurance costs, minimum credits, night courses offered, and so on.
--Andrea B
There is an enormous demand for part time at-home word/data processors. Many large companies are building web sites for inter-company use; this involves the scanning and proofing of file cabinets full of documents, and sometimes the rather simple process of HTML (see aolpress site for information on HTML). Stay-at-home, part-time, temporary workers cost an employer ZERO overhead, so we are a great investment for a company. Start by searching through the phone book of a large city near you and call companies that advertise "Data Conversion" services. See if they could use your help.
--J.
A while back I read that Ivory Flakes could be used to cold wash items that are labeled dry clean. I tried this method and to my horror shrunk a wool jacket and a rayon blend jacket. Though the rayon blend is back to its proper size thanks to our local cleaners, the wool jacket is now a bit small. This is just a warning to your readers to be careful of home washing items that have a dry clean label. At least I got the wool jacket at a garage sale and don't feel like too much was lost...
--Ann
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