Useful Hints and Tips

With the cost of nearly everything going up and up, it is more important than ever to do all that we can to get the most out of our money.

Naturally, I thought this would be a good time to start a series of posts on ways to save some extra money.

According to previous research, nearly 42% of the money households spent on food went toward snacks and meals away from home. Here are a few tips that can help you save in that department.

Try dining at restaurants that have daily specials and bargains such as bar only menus. Applebee’s offers half-price appetizers during certain hours in the afternoon and then again later on in the evening after dinnertime hours. Check your location to get exact times. You can also go to www.hotcoupons.com to find deals at Subway and many other places.

Another way you can save big is at the grocery store. Make a list and map your route before you ever go. You are more likely to make impulse purchases if you wander up and down every aisle. You can also avoid temptation by taking your spouse or kids with you and dividing the list. Not only do you get the shopping done faster, but you are more likely to pick up only what you need.

It is hard to keep your white leather tennis shoes looking new. The good news is that there is a way.

Spray them with window cleaner and wipe with a damp cloth. Window cleaner works faster than products made specifically for cleaning sneakers. Using this technique, you can get them clean quicker and faster than soaking or scrubbing.

The best window cleaners for this project come in a spray can and foam when used. You can find these window cleaners for $1 at your local Family Dollar or Dollar General Stores. Places like Wal-Mart carry a similar product, but it is now over $3 a can. I opt for the cheaper version because it works just as well.

If you do not access to purchase these type of window cleaners, regular Windex and spinoffs of the product will work just as well.

You can also scrub your leather sneakers with a paste of baking soda and water. Just mix enough of each to make a paste, wipe on and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

It’s summertime and the season for fresh flowers. Preserving fresh cut flowers is sometimes difficult. After all, you want the blooms to last as long as possible. The next time you cut a fresh bouquet, try any of the tips below to extend the life of the blooms.

• Flowers with hollow stems output a milky type of substance after they are cut. In order to make them last longer, these stems need to be seared. To do this, hold the end of the stem over the flame of a candle or lighter. They will last even longer if you put the stems in warm or lukewarm water instead of cold after they have been seared.
• Add a teaspoon of vodka or gin to the water in your vase.
• Another method to help them last longer is to use the following solution - 2 drops of household bleach, 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 quart of water

Here are a couple of hints to perk up flowers that are starting to droop

• Add equal parts of water and a citrus flavored soft drink that contains both carbonation and sugar (like Sprite). Flowers will perk up in a matter of hours.
• You can also try a solution of 2 Tablespoons of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 quart of water.

Enjoy those fresh cut flowers of summer and if you have a tip you would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment.

Are flies invading your kitchen and home? Try this trap you can make with common items in your kitchen.

Take a wide mouth jar, such as a canning jar or empty mayonnaise container, and place a piece of bait such as a piece of bread, fruit or any solid sugary substance in it. Then insert a funnel into the jar.

Next place a couple of pieces of wood or something to elevate the jar on the counter. Now turn the jar with the funnel upside down and set it on whatever you are using to elevate it.

The flies will be drawn into the jar because of the bait but will not be able to find their way out. Then to get rid of the flies, simply turn the jar right side up and fill it with water through the funnel. Then pour the drowned flies outside of the house. Quick, simple and easy.

Of course, there are also products you can buy, however there is really no need when a simple solution such as this is available. Go ahead and give it a try, it works.

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While many think it is a joking matter, hemorrhoids are never funny when you are the one that has them.

Hemorrhoids are basically distended blood vessels that form either outside or the inside of the rectum due to strain or pressure. Then end result is a combination of pain, itching and bleeding. They are quite common among adults, especially pregnanat women or new mothers.

It is also said that over half of all people over the age of 30 will get hemorrhoids at at some point and most are too embarrasssed to talk about it. If and when this condition bothers you, here are a few steps you can take to help get quick and significant relief.

* Beef up your fiber intake. Fiber is considered an ideal way to prevent as well as treat hemorrhoids. Fiber works by softening and bulking up the stool which often helps to reduce irritation. Several recent studies have shown that people who used a fiber supplement were able to reduce their symptoms.

* Drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. It is healthiest drink for you anyway, but aim for six to eight glasses of water a day. When combined with a fiber rich diet, water helps keep you regular which in turn helps to avoid straining from constipation. It is also good to steer clear of foods that can cause constipation, especially during flare-ups, like bananas, dairy foods and fatty, sugary snacks.

* Avoid lifting heavy objects. Another cause of hemorrhoids that many do not think about is straining to lift extremely heavy objects. Depending on how you lift, it can put too much pressure on the rectal area. If you are prone to getting hemorrhoids, you should avoid lifting heavy objects unless you have ample help.

* Make yourself comfortable. The majority of hemorrhoids go away after a week although some severe cases may require surgery. You can help decrease pain by sitting in a warm water bath for 10 to 15 minutes anywhere from one to three times a day. If you use a warm washcloth or Tucks pads that contain witch hazel, it will help soothe soreness. Other remedies include steroid suppositories, topical anesthetics and over the counter pain meds.

* Learn to sit smarter. If you are on your bottom all day, try sitting on a cushion instead of a hard surface. This will help reduce the swelling of existing hemorrhoids and just might even prevent new ones.

When should you see your doctor? Most cases of rectal pain, itching or bleeding are due to hemorrhoids and will possibly go away on their own. However, it is important to rule out other possible causes of these symptoms such as colon polyps and anal fissures.

Do you have a cure for hemorrhoids you would like to share? Leave us a comment and let us know.