The only thing I love more than great tips from my readers are the words of love and thanks. Yeah, I'm a sucker for friendship, and I value that more than you know.
Just knowing that so many friends are reading these columns every day keeps me going. So whatever you do, keep those tips, great ideas and questions coming.
NEUTRALIZE BUG BITES
Dear Mary: I read your column every day with much interest. I really enjoy re-affirming the practical life lessons and habits that I have lived by for most of my adult life. We are definitely on the same wavelength. I saw the article today with the many uses of vinegar (acetic acid).
You may not know that a very important use for vinegar is for bites and stings of any kind. Spiders, ants and mosquitoes all have a venom that can be neutralized very effectively if you apply a cotton ball soaked in vinegar to the bite as soon as possible after you notice it. Give the area a good firm rub with the cotton ball. Even squeeze it into the bite so it penetrates.
The venom (PH basic) is the chemical opposite to the vinegar (PH acid), so the itching and swelling can be reduced or eliminated if caught quickly. Love your blog and your work ethic. Keep up the good work. — Robert
FREEZE MILK FOR LATER
Dear Mary: I use whole milk but only occasionally in some of my special recipes. Earlier this last year, instead of purchasing the smaller size milk container for one recipe, I purchased the gallon size whole milk, which is much cheaper per ounce. I froze what I didn't need in 1 cup measurements in freezer bags. I am surprised how many times during the year this saved me from purchasing a smaller size milk container for that one recipe. I am so grateful for your daily emails. They have helped keep me on the right track. Thank you. — Linda
SAFE TAKE-APART
Dear Mary: I am a retired soldier. During my active career, we moved often. That meant my inner do-it-yourselfer needed to come out often. We disassembled many things over the years, and I would like to add to your tips on taking things apart. Once an item is disassembled, always reposition the fasteners, screws or bolts and nuts back into the holes, exactly where they were. You are not putting the item back together but simply inserting the hardware into the specific slots and holes.
Packing all of these items into a zip-type plastic bag sounds like a good idea, but unless you very securely tape the little bag to the back of the item you took apart, the bag always seems to get lost some way or another. Putting the fasteners back where they were means they will always be in the right place when and where you need them! — Colonel T.W.
SHOE POLISH CLEANUP TRICK
Dear Mary: I can never seem to polish shoes without getting polish all over my hands. Recalling how great liquid blue Dawn is for removing grease from dishes — and that wax is a kind of grease — I decided to give that a try. In the past, I have used hand soap and had to rub and rub to get the stain to come off. I was amazed at how quickly the polish came off clean with just a few drops of blue Dawn dishwashing liquid! — Gayle
HOMAGE YES, DUST NO.
Dear Mary: I'm not a fan of artificial flowers, but Aunt Rose was. She passed away in March, at age 99. Among her possessions was a ceramic vase she made and painted, and an assortment of artificial flowers. As an homage to her, I wanted to display it. But the flowers were horribly dusty. I'd read your tip to solve this problem, so I tried it: Put the flowers in a large plastic bag with a few tablespoons of salt. Shake vigorously for a few minutes. All clean! Good tip. Have a beautiful day. — Anne
Mary invites questions, comments and tips at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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