From barber shops to fine print — and a lot between — my EC readers are really smart. I love it when they share their time and money-saving tips with us. I think you're going to love today's great reader tips, too!

STRAIGHT CUT. Every couple of months, when I need only the bottom of my long hair trimmed, I've discovered that a barber can cut just as straight as a beautician. And the cost? Less than half the salon price. — Molly

READ THE FINE PRINT. It sounded good, and I was tempted to take the store up on its offer of tremendous sale prices, plus nothing down and no payments until next year. But after a closer look at the fine print in the store's ad I read: "Buyers using the No Money Down; No Payments for xxx months do not qualify for Sale Prices on furniture." When you walk in the door, it's best to have saved enough to pay cash, even at the high-end furniture stores. Money talks, and it is a great tool to bargain the price down. — Judy

SNACKS TO GO. For those who like to take snacks with them, (nuts, seeds, trail mix, etc.), first wash out an empty Parmesan cheese container (the type with the twin serving top for shaking or spooning) with soap and water and let dry. Remove the label so you can see what's inside and fill with your desired snack. Depending on the size of the snack, you can use either side to dispense your snack, plus a number of persons can share this dispenser by pouring or shaking the snack without everyone placing their hand inside a bowl. Once the snack has been finished, refill and use again. The 8-ounce container is perfect for travel and general use. — Helen

PERFECT PRINTS. I love your column and look forward to reading it every day (I have for years!) I find recipes and hints that I love and want to keep, but don't always have the time or materials handy to write or copy them. I have started taking pictures of them with my mobile phone. Then when my local drug store runs a special on printing 4x6 pictures for ten cents each, I print them all. Because the prints are 4x6, they fit perfectly in my recipe box — and many of them have beautiful color pictures of the dish included. While I am waiting for the ten cent special, I can always go to my phone to get the recipe, which I delete once printed. — Patti

PINECONE FIRE STARTERS. To make pinecone fire starters, melt paraffin (available in supermarkets with the home canning supplies) in a large coffee can placed in a pan of water set over medium heat on the stove. Add cinnamon, nutmeg or other scents to the paraffin (you can purchase scented paraffin if you prefer, but it's more expensive). You can also add colored wax or drops of oil to the melted paraffin. Tie a piece of candlewick or string to the top of the pinecone. Dip dried pinecones into the paraffin. Allow paraffin to harden, then dip again, allowing paraffin to harden after each dip. Package for gifts as desired and add a tag reading "Place pinecones under logs before lighting." They're as pretty as they are useful. — Perry

Would you like more information? Log on to EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. 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 Web page at www.creators.com.