Readers' Tips

Surprise Party

I just threw a surprise 50th birthday party for my mom, so I've got a few suggestions for Lois' friend. If she has started planning far enough in advance, she could consider: Creating a timeline of local, national, and world events that correspond with major events in the birthday person's life (ex. JFK's assassination, moon landing, etc.). Also consider including special songs, pictures of famous TV and movie stars, etc. Sending a "memory book" page to each of the guests. Have them write down a special story about themselves and the birthday person (and include a picture if they have one). Assemble this and have it on a special table at the party. (This fits in well with a "This is Your Life" type party)<
Jennifer

It's 50, Right?

Ask everyone to bring 50 of something. When I turned 30, a friend had a party for me and asked everyone to bring 30 of something. It was a hoot. Not only did I enjoy opening the presents, but everyone enjoyed seeing what others brought. I got things like: 30 blow pops, a homemade card that had "30" written with nickels, 30 Band-Aids, 30 cheap razors, 30 half dollars, 30 black candles, 30 paper doilies, 30 bottles of hotel shampoo, 30 pieces of gum.
Nancy

editor's note: more surprise party ideas at 50th Surprise Birthday Party Ideas

Easy Festive Fruit Cocktail Roll

A single batch of this recipe can be formed into a log or ball and used for normal occasions or you can make a double batch, form it into a wreath shape and put on a festive holiday bow for a different Christmas munchie. Mix very well.

• 1 - 8 oz. bar of creamed cheese softened
  
  
• 1 - can of fruit cocktail well drained with larger pieces cut in half
  
  
• 1 - regular small box of instant vanilla pudding (dry)

Form into a log or ball shape or if you are making it for Christmas use a double recipe and form it into a wreath shape. Sprinkle all over with small chopped walnuts. Garnish with cherries (either Maraschino or you can remove the cherry halves from the fruit cocktail before mixing it in and use them). Chill, serve and enjoy.

If you are making the wreath, add a bow. The best thing that we have found to serve this with are Bugles corn chips however you can serve it with crackers, graham crackers, pretzels or a vanilla wafer or shortbread type of cookie.
AG

House or Duplex?

The better you know yourself and your family, the easier it will be to make the single family vs. two-family decision. Financially, it is wonderful to have help with your mortgage and have additional tax deductions as well. A double is a good first home because you can eventually save enough to buy a single and keep the double for income. But, you have to learn landlord/tenant laws, screening processes and be willing to be bothered when you are busy. Also, you should not set yourself up to have to rely on the rent to make your payment, because in the event of default of the tenant, you do not want to be affected.

You need to understand your market to know what to pay. A trip to your library should reveal what sold for how much in the recent past, including size, etc. Start driving around and check out the comps. A Realtor can print out a price comp for you as well. In many places, in order to work with a Realtor you have to sign agreements, but they are not binding if you decide you would rather work with someone else. Besides checking out the library, you need to start attending some open houses to get an idea of what is out there.

Most importantly, you need to start with at least two lenders to see what they will allow you to purchase and the best thing you can do is get yourself pre- approved. It is not usually necessary to pay any fees at all for this service. Always remember the lenders make money from you. You are the customer. Once you see the financial options you can use simple financial programs to determine the best amount of down payment etc. in your individual situation.
Judy C
real estate broker, Certified Property Manager

editor's note: you'll find more Duplex vs. Home and first time buying advice at First Time Buyers: House or Duplex

Eek!! Mice!!

This trick works great and won't kill the mice: sprinkle ground cayenne around the garage (inside & out), and especially near entry holes. The critters can't stand the stuff!
DJM

More Mice Advice

We too had mice and the first line of defense is to seal up their entryways into the garage/house. I used steel wool because they can't chew through it. Also, remove any food sources that could be attracting them to that particular site. Believe it or not, those commercial rodent bait/poisons DO work. Also, you can use the sticky glue traps with a tiny dab of peanut butter in the middle to stick and trap them as well. It took four months to finally get rid of our mice problem but as long as you are consistent and don't give up you will get rid of those pests!
Mrs. V. W. in Phoenix, AZ

editor's note: more suggestions on getting rid of mice at Humane Mouse Removal

Halloween Costumes

A few years ago, I made my daughter into a Tootsie Roll. Use cardboard for the middle and two paper bags for the ends. Paint the Tootsie roll name in white on two sides of the cardboard and the orange stripe around the bags. Glue the bags to the ends of the cardboard tube and tie them with tape to look like they are twisted. I cut a hole in the middle of the cardboard and painted my daughter's face brown with face paint.
Shellie F. in Geneva, OH

Kids and Adult Costumes

There is always the tried and true "bunch of grapes", purple balloons attached to a purple sweat suit or leotard with a stem hat made from green felt leaves attached to a green toboggan. But a "bubble bath" costume can be made the same way using white balloons over a white leotard or sweat suit with a few more attached to a white toboggan, but you might want to carry a bottle of Mr. Bubble or a bath brush. Adult costumes can be fun to make also. The best one I've ever done cost me nearly nothing. Over a leotard I wore a full length slip (a cheap one from my own drawer). On the slip I used markers and wrote ID, Ego, superego, etc. I was a Freudian Slip. Don't wear this to the office Halloween party unless you work at a psychiatrists office. I wore this when I was in college and taking abnormal psych.!
Mary Beth

Simple Halloween Costume

My dad's frugal Halloween costume consisted of a butcher knife shoved through an empty cereal box, which he carried around with him. He was a Cereal Killer.
Alicia

Make-Up Comments

Your "Frugal Face" writer mentioned how she doubles up on some of her make-up products to use in different capacities such as a blush to be used as an eyeshadow. What she neglected to mention was that many makeup products (blush included) are not intended to be used around the eyes. Some makeup products contain ingredients that are not safe and should not be used in or around the eye area.
Jennifer

Christmas Crafts

Here are a couple crafty Christmas ideas that I use regularly that look fantastic. I buy a teracotta pot it depends what size you wish to buy. They range from about 70cents. I then go to the markets as they are usually cheaper than the garden centres and purchase either a plant ie: lavendar for about $2.50 or alternatively some punnets of flowers usually 99cents for 6 plants and fill the pot up. I then put ribbon around the top of the pot and do heaps of squiggly ribbon from it. Looks fantastic and it looks expensive. I find people love receiving this gift. They then have the choice of keeping it in the pot or planting in their gardens. You could always give them a couple of extra punnets if you like to go with the pot & plant. I have just done a lavendar with a big pot for $8.50.

Teracotta pots painted with stencils or just handpainted look great as well. Its cheaper to just buy tester pots from the paint shop than craft paints and the paint works alot better. It does not bubble when it gets wet. You can do one of these pots for under $2.00. My prices are in New Zealand dollars so would probably be cheaper in the States.
Amanda

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