Daily Thrifty Tips - August 27, 2006

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Tips and ideas to help you pay your bills on time.

Write The Date and Time Due on the Envelope

By Linda

Online Bill Paying

By QueenBeeCrafts

Paying Bills Right Away

By rabbithorns

Credit Counseling

I mention this only because some of the people who visit this site are coming because they are in the same situation.

If you go to a credit counselor, make sure they are certified and non-profit. Also make sure that they are not trying to get you to sign another loan on your house. Some outfits are simply mortgage companies. The people we work with (GreenPath) are certified, nonprofit and they are also certified HUD counselors. All of this makes it easier to deal with the creditors. The phone calls have stopped. We shop at Aldi's for food and we shop at Thrift stores for over half of our clothing (I rarely find clothes for my tall son at thrift shops, the best I can do is clearance at landsend.com and oldnavy.com. I can never find his size at brick and mortar stores.)

By odeal59

My Three Rules

Rule #1:

Rule #2:

Rule #3:

1st of month House payment
10th of the month insurance payment

This really helps keep track of auto debits because it is easy to screw up your balance if you forget that an auto debit posted. Also, when you pay regularly and get into a rhythm like this it becomes easier to know how much money you are going to need later in the month so you know when to quit spending.

By TabbyCat

Pocket Calendar

By Sandy

Post your ideas below.

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It took me several years, but I finally figured out how to manage my families finances so we never worry about the bills.

First, I used a windfall (could be a tax refund, holiday gift, inheritance, bonus, etc.) to get a month ahead of my bills. This means any money received in January is for February living expenses. Don't use direct deposit unless it goes directly to a savings account. You are likely to use it before you mean to if you put it in your checking account. Otherwise just hang onto those checks until about 4 days before the first of the month. Then deposit the checks or transfer from savings into your checking.

When you make your deposit, get cash back for regular items such as gasoline, allowance for kids or the working person, groceries, and money for things like a night out, movie rental, haircut, etc. We call those incidental expenses. Put the cash into a coupon holder - one slot for groceries for the month, incidentals, gasoline, etc. That's all you should spend for the month on those items.

Write any checks for bills due the first of the month. Then whenever a bill comes in, pay it right away. Part of my going through the mail is writing checks for bills received and getting them ready to go out in the next day's mail.

When you are at the bank (I only go once a month to do all this), transfer into another checking account money used for bills that aren't monthly, like car insurance that you only pay twice a year, or property tax, home insurance and auto registration paid only once a year. Each month you put only a month's portion of the total bill for each item into that second checking. Then when the bill comes, the money is there because you have been saving for it bit by bit all year. You don't have to take it out of savings. You can do the same thing for clothing, school supplies and outings, gardening, home and car maintenance, whatever your categories are.

This way everything that's left STAYS in savings. The bills are always paid right away and there's money earmarked for the big non-monthly bills and other living expenses. You can make it a habit to never go into your savings account to pay bills by using this system.

The next windfall you get after starting this should go directly into savings. You'll soon find you have a good back-up in case of job loss or emergency expense.

Padma in Pima

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Snail mail bill paying may not reach the company on time and they may assess you a late fee. Paying online, you set up a debit account with the company, so only the last numbers of your checking account show when you pay. And you have an instant record that your payment has been received on time and save on postage too!

By Syd

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Sometimes due dates on bills don't align with my paydays. If this happens, I simply call the company and ask if I can change when my account comes due. For example, payday is the 1st and 15th, so I ask for a due date of 8th or 22nd. This gives the mail plenty of time to get there. Most companies, especially credit card companies don't mind at all. This saves a lot of money on late fees and improves my credit rating.

By Shopmeister

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

Can mashed potatoes be frozen without altering taste or texture? Thank you in advance for your help!

jmz2005 from Illinois

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How do I shine up the hardware on my vintage Coach bag?

Joan Wick from Frederick, MD

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How do you clean foam stamps during a stamping party for reuse? Baby wipes?

Melanie from Harrisburg, PA

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I just acquired a new Frigidaire front-load washer. I use homemade laundry detergent (Fels-Naptha, washing soda, Ivory and Borax). These new washers need low suds soap and homemade is. But is it still OK for my front-loader? I'd hate to stop making it and have to pay big money for the recommended Tide HE. Thanks!

Mary from Cleveland, OH

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I washed a package of gum in a shirt and dried the shirt in my dryer. How do I get the gum out? It's melted.

Genevieve from Kansas

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Is there a way to make home made wrinkle free spray for clothes?

Terry from Kitchener, Ont.

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What kids crafts can I make from small rectangular mirrors?

Vickie from Chicago, IL

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I would Like to learn how to print letters on my ribbons using my computer.

Tasha from Newark

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Does anyone know how to dehydrate fruit (especially plums to make prunes) without a dehydrator? We are dry here until mid-october at least! Is there another way for jerky, too?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

camo_angels from Willamina, OR

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Somewhere I saw that you can use used dryer sheets in place of swiffer sheets. I can't seem to find the detail on this, can you help?

Tammy from Utah

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I am throwing my son a train theme birthday party for his 3rd birthday in October. We are on a very limited income so I would like to do as much as I can myself. Any ideas would be appreciated as i am clueless! Thanks in advance!

Kristy from AL

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Do you have a pattern for paper or fabric roses?

Birder from Flint, MI

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Is it possible to change a 15 amp breaker to a 20 to accommodate additional outlets?

William from Pittsburgh, PA

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Does anyone have the recipe for the sauce they put on the salmon from The Cheesecake Factory?

Laurie from Pahrump, NV

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I stored a purse in a closet in Florida, the following year when I brought it out to use and leather strap feels tacky, sticky. I've tried rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, no change. Any suggestions?

Marti from Venice, Florida

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How do you get silly putty out of clothes?

Tammie from Edmonton Alberta Canada

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I've been in my home for almost two years. The house is about 13 years old. But there is a unpleasant odor when I open my kitchen cabinets. I have the same type of cabinets in my bathrooms, but they don't smell. Just the ones in the kitchen at the bottom and top, close to the sink area. How do I get rid of this odor?

Tam from Memphis, TN

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How do you remove hard water spots from windows?

Manette from Park City, UT

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Model: Mini Food Processor

Manufacturer: Russell Hobbs

Request: I have an opportunity to get a Russell Hobbs Mini Food Processor. is it worth it? Does it do more than just nuts and carrots? I have a mini chopper I bought at home depot and the bowl is cracked and on its last leg.

Thanks,
Sandy from Baltimore

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How do I hair dye stains from a cream leather jacket?

Sue from England

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I am wondering if anyone has a house cleaning schedule they would like to share with me. I have tried making my own before, and it just didn't work. I would like a day by day schedule. I have found that on a schedule I get more done rather than just saying "I will clean all day today". If you know of a website with ideas, or if you would rather share your own ideas, I would greatly appreciate it. THANK YOU!

Jennifer from Illinois

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I have a red leather couch and find there is a lot of deep down grim when I wipe it with baby wipes. I would like to find something to clean it without taking off the red dye in the couch.

Karen from England (Peterborough)

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I accidently dyed my husbands pants by washing them with a green blanket. How do I get the green stain out of beige pants?

Susie from Sacramento

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Can you paint laminate flooring?

Crig from Birmingham

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I need to know how you can get white out from a leather couch?

Kelley from Houston, TX

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You've heard it before. "You always have to pay your bills on time or it will hurt your credit rating". The fact is that not paying your bills on time can also cost you a bunch of money.

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How can you decide how much you have for bills and expenses when your paycheck varies from one payday to the next? That's a question a lot of people struggle with.

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