TOYS FOR TOTS

Here is a tip that has worked well for me in the past. When traveling to see family, it is hard to take toys along for small children, especially when flying. After you arrive at your destination, visit the local thrift shop. You can buy many inexpensive toys, books, puzzles, etc. When it is time to leave, return the items to the thrift shop and get a receipt for a charitable gift that you can deduct on your taxes.

Sally

OLD BUNS?

Use old buns to make cheesy bread sticks. Butter the buns of any size, sprinkle with garlic powder and shredded cheese to taste, and toast until the cheese melts. This is great with spaghetti, lasagna, etc.

Mary A.

TRAPPING FRUIT

FLIES

I got fruit flies from my plants. I used a coffee mug with a half-inch of orange juice in it and put a coffee filter over the top with a small slit in the bottom of it. They flew in but not out.

Anne FRUGAL SOLUTION

TO DRY HAIR

I have thick, long hair, which used to get super dry and brittle. I stopped using the expensive conditioners and started rinsing my hair (after washing) in one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed into about two to three cups of water. My hair became soft and tangle free within a week! When I used conditioner again, it was back to dry straw with all the curl gone, so now I stick to the vinegar rinse. Sometimes I even add a drop of essential oil to the rinse as a treat. You need not worry that you will smell of vinegar. It is very dilute and evaporates quickly. The best part is that my hair is lovely, shiny, and soft now. I can't remember ever having such soft hair.

Bernice

RESTAURANT NIGHT

We are really trying to save money and eat healthy at the same time, so we are steering clear of eating out. Along that line, our family sometimes has "restaurant night." The kids help decide the main course and then draw up a menu based on the selection. We work together to cook the meal. Then we have a lit candle on the table during dinner. They "take orders" and serve us (their parents). At the end, they hand us a bill and the amount we "pay" goes into their savings account. The kids love it! A favorite is Italian with lasagna, salad, bread, and dessert.

Kim ABOVE GROUND

POOLS

Always have a pool patch kit and know where it is! We were swimming one day and a heel went through a weak spot. I saw the water lowering. The hole was less than an inch, but the water was running out fast. I ran inside and got the repair kit (a plastic patch that comes with water epoxy). The kit was about $6 at Wal-Mart but well worth it! If I had to run to the pool store that is near our home, the pool would have lost a lot of water, and the kit would've been double that price!

S. in Rochester, NY