Buying Graham Crackers?
If you are in the UK, graham crackers are called digestive biscuits and are usually round in shape. Every supermarket sells them.
Cutting a Microwave Glass Tray to Size?
I had a similar problem when my microwave tray broke - the type that moves round with a turntable. When mine broke I put a plate upside down in the microwave so that the turntable mechanism did not not touch it, and stood the food on the upside-down plate. You...
Thrifty Regrets
I was very moved by this post. Disney World means so much in the popular imagination. To me as a child living on the other side of the world, Disney World was a dream land that was sometimes shown on TV. I used to play at going to Disney World with my toys...
Daily Activities for High School Students?
Perhaps they could play board games: monopoly, scrabble, chess, etc. These take up lots of time and keep people thinking. If you could leave the games set up so that everyone could return to an unfinished game the next day, so much the better.
Card Lost in the Mail?
Everyone, please take note. Dont enclose dollar bills in greetings cards. Dishonest postal workers sometimes open envelopes if they seem to contain greetings cards, as there might be an opportunity to steal cash.
Ella (Mixed)
Thank God you rescued her. What a charmer she is, you can tell from her photographs. Thank you from all of us for doing your bit to help abused animals.
15th Birthday Ideas?
Is there a relative or family friend who would let you hold a party at their house? Or who might help you to persuade your parents that a very small party at your home would be a good idea? I wonder why they wont allow it. Perhaps one of your parents is not...
Recipe for Homemade Liquid Shoe Stretch?
Dampen a bar of soap with water, rub it on the inside of the shoe, then put the shoe on your foot. Repeat as necessary until the shoe has stretched enough.
Adult Child Distancing Himself from Mother?
Always remember that you will soon hear if there is anything wrong. No news is good news. I rarely initiate contact with my adult daughters, waiting for them to call first, which they do when they have time and feel like chatting. Their work is more demanding...
Growing Up an Only Child?
The advantage of growing up in a large family is that you find out early on that life is not fair. (Source: The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford).
Older Child Afraid of the Dark?
First of all, try to find out what has made her frightened. She may not feel able to talk to you, but perhaps another member of the family or her teacher can find out. Thinking back to my own days as a 12 year old, I had heard about all kinds of child abuse...
Use Hairspray as a Fixative for Chalk Drawings
I was warned not to do this by a tutor, because hairspray makes the drawings deteriorate - but I have drawings from 1975 sprayed with hairspray, and they have not deteriorated yet. A fellow student invented a way of layering chalk or pastel with hairspray to...
Finding a Lost Relative?
If your relative went to the US he must have had work there. Could you try to find him through professional organisations and by asking anyone you can find, who is in his line of business? Hope your search goes well.
Favorite Books?
I love: Anywhere but here Mona Simpson The giants house Elizabeth McCracken Green grass of Wyoming Mary OHara The wardens niece (alsoknown as Maria escapes) Gillian Avery The pursuit of love Nancy Mitford Two flamboyant fathers Nicolette Devaux (?) Peachtree...
Quitting Smoking?
Yes this is normal. It is just a side effect of being without the drug. If you explain to your family, friends and colleagues that you might cry at any time, they will understand. Now you are over the worst, make sure that you never have a cigarette again.
Strained Relationship with Brother?
Some people feel that they can be politically incorrect with close friends and family - so when they talk racism, sexism, etc with you it is meant to be a compliment - you are one of the family. You can always just nod and smile, as Vaylmer suggests.
Living Advice for $1000 a Month Budget?
Could they get someone to share with; who would pay rent for a room? This is called having a lodger in the UK. It is better to stay in the same home if they possibly can, because moving costs are so expensive.
Trouble Swallowing Pills?
Often the problem is that your mouth is dry, especially if you feel nervous. Take a sip of water first, put the pill on the back of your tongue, then take another drink of water.
End of the Year Teacher Gift Ideas?
If you find a teacher especially praiseworthy, the most useful gift you can give is a letter to their manager to say so, and why. Otherwise they would like office supplies, or perhaps something to eat. Teachers already have enough bath foam and scented candles...
Activities of Very Elderly Nursing Home Patient?
What did this old lady do for a job in the past? She may be able to get back skills from those days. I have seen a 92 year old blind lady learn to touch type with screen reading software on the computer. Typing is very soothing. She might like to clean her...
My Frugal Life: The Best Things in Life Are Free - or Nearly
Another excellent post from Lucy! Thank you.
Live-in Grandmother No Longer Welcome in Daughter's Home?
I am very sympathetic. In many families, the grandmother is welcomed into the home with open arms when the children are small. Mother works full time and congratulates herself on doing it all, forgetting that grandmother is actually keeping house, cleaning...
Hiding Valuables Safely
Thank you for some good ideas. My sister used to keep a decoy wallet with a small amount of money in the kitchen. The idea was that thieves would take that and run away. My great aunt kept a handbag in her house. It rattled because it was full of buttons, she...
Dealing With Loneliness and Self Doubt After Death of Parents?
I am so sorry that you have had such a hard time. You must miss your parents very much. You have valuable experience as a care giver. If there are any support for caregivers organisations in your area, they would be really grateful for your help, if you would...
Finding the Title of a Children's Book?
It sounds vaguely like a story from Alexander Cordell, a popular British adult and childrens novellist from the 1970s. There was a gypsy woman and her husband from a wealthy family in some of his novels.
Finding a Lost Relative?
Try to find your relative through their profession. If, for example, she was a nurse, you might not have to ask many nurses before someone remembered where your sister lived. Also they might help you to place an advertisement in a trade ot professional magazine...
Boosting My Energy Level?
Are you sure you want to do all the tasks you are setting yourself each day? People hire Life Coaches who tell them to stop doing things. You could save yourself the expense of a Life Coach and stop doing whatever is dragging you down. Hope you find the answer...
My Frugal Life: Find Out How Great You Are
What great advice. Older sisters can put you down so much when you are a young girl. I experienced this too. And often in a family of girls there is the constant echo in the background, of the parents, saying Really we were hoping each time that we would have...
Aspirin and Lemon for Acne
If you have trouble with blackheads and / or pimples, dont wash with soap. This made a big difference to my skin.
Remedy for Puffy Eyes?
You have to wash the salt that comes from the tears, away from the eyes and skin. You get better results washing with warm water rather than cold water. Then you could try slices of raw potato on the skin. If you have got any gel type skin treatments, they...
What Can I Use as a Bed for a Visiting Infant?
My mother was born in 1919 and she said that in the days when she was small, people pulled out a big drawer and lined it for their baby to sleep in. Everyone did it: nobody except for the very rich bought special baby cots. You would need to pad the drawer...
Our Little Trailer On the Prairie
What a wonderful story. The Little House books really bring you down to earth, all the illnesses, hardships and accidents the Ingalls family lived with. I live in the UK and would like to point out though, that to own 12 acres of any land puts you in the seriously...
Chafing Cream as Makeup Primer
What a great idea. Now I need to find an equivalent that is available in the UK, does anyone have any ideas?
How Can I Lose Belly Fat?
Pull in your tummy as if you are pulling up and under the ribs. Hold. Let go. Keep doing it at odd moments during the day. Build up to doing it quickly, tummy in then tummy out. Heave your tummy in and up and hold while making little flapping movements. Invent...
Concerns For Daughter Who Recently Has Been Depressed?
Could she be wearing long sleeves because she has got herself tattooed and does not want you to know? (My brother did this to hide the tattoos from our mother).
Caring for an Aging Parent?
You are an angel and your husband is being very kind too, in saying that your mother should move in with you. Would he come along with you to ask her to live with you? She may be afraid of being sent to a care home. To her way of thinking, this would mean losing...
Tips for Avoiding Office Illnesses
Other problem areas: Infections are circulated by air conditioning systems If you take public transport you will be exposed to more illnesses than if you travel alone. However, keep washing your hands. It makes a big difference.
Re-read The Books You Have
The test of a good book is - do you enjoy it even more the second time around? It is especially comforting to re-read an old favourite when feeling unwell. Most of my old favourites are supposed to be childrens books, for example, Laura Ingalls Wilder, C.S...
Should Parents Share Their Financial Circumstances with Adult Children?
No, do not tell them anything. If you do, you will hear all kinds of sob stories about their finances. You paid out a lot of cash for that insurance policy and it is your own money. They are not children any more.
Protecting Family Finances After a Divorce?
As you are in the UK, some of the advice you receive here may not be appropriate, as the law is different in different countries. Your first step should be to consult the Citizens Advice Bureau. Remember that your ex may just be trying to frighten you.
My Frugal Life: Craft Fair Birthday Party
What a good idea for a party. I almost wish my girls were little again so we could try this out.
What Could Cause a Phone to Ring Once Every Night?
If you have overhead cables, a tree branch might be rubbing against your telephone cable.
My Frugal Life: Starting Over
Thank you for your story which is very sad but comforting to read. Remember to let us all know when your book is published.
Wardrobe Advice?
It is so easy to feel fat and ugly. Do you realise that the photographs of models in magazines are all airbrushed to make the models look slim and perfect? They are not real. As far as dressing yourself goes, the important points to concentrate on are your...
Preventing Bags Under Your Eyes
Where do you put the yellow books please? Do you use them to raise your feet or your head or what?
My Frugal Life: Take Care of Yourselves
Well said. Mother should not come last, especially when it comes to buying clothes. Remember that an adult can keep on wearing an outfit of good quality clothes for years, but children grow out of their clothes quickly.
Jeans Zipper Won't Stay Up
A school friend of mine used to zip up her jeans , then turn them over at the top and use a safety pin to make a bar under the zip tag at the back. The safety pin did not show much on the right side. The zip could not come down.
Make Purchases Go a Little Further
Good ideas, Robin. Another thing to remember to make your purchases go further is, dont buy concentrated products. Research shows that people forget that they have bought concentrated, and use large amounts.
Save Wear on Your Shredder
Also if you have a fireplace dont forget that you can burn the private information there. I know people who have purchased shredders forgetting that they could simply burn the information.
Trouble Sleeping Since Quitting Smoking?
Well done and keep it up. Giving up smoking is really hard because of side effects like not sleeping. Whatever happens do not have one ciggie ever again or you will be back on a pack a day in no time. Someone told me when you feel you want a smoke, just wait...
Dealing With Mood Changes?
Lots of boyfriends and girlfriends separate after 9 months. When you have been seeing someone for 9 months you reach a point where you have to both decide whether this is going to become a long term relationship or not. Could this have something to do with...
Advice for Quitting Smoking?
The day you realize that all your smoking friends have died young is the day you know you have to quit. I followed a program where you cut out more and more cigarettes over a month until you were down to one a day. Then you quit. It is useful to know that if...
My Frugal Life: Big Savings With Water Heater Timer
I dont think there is danger when you use a timer to heat the water on and off for parts of the day. Everyone in the UK does this as our fuel is many times dearer than in the US. Nobody here can afford to heat the water all day and night.
Activities for Special Needs Seniors?
It is hard work for carers when elderly people dont want to make an effort any more. Perhaps she is content to do less than she used to. Might she respond to a cat or dog or another pet?
My Frugal Life: The Gift Of Time
Your story is terrible. I am so sad for you. It is very kind of you to explain what helped you. Now we can use that information to try and comfort any friend in a similar situation. Thinking of you.
Hiding Places for Cash at Home
Be careful - tell your next of kin about your hiding place. A friend was clearing out his deceased aunts house. Her books did not look very interesting, so they were destined for the bin. He spotted one book that he would like to read and pulled it out. Lots...
Teenage Girl Cries A Lot?
I cried constantly when I was 18. I think it was about making decisions over future training for a career. My parents were encouraging me to take a route I felt was not right for me.
Waterproof Mascara Recommendations?
The only truly waterproof mascara I have found here in the UK is Max Factor Aqualash.
Weight Loss Advice for a Teen
?
As a 15 year old, I changed very quickly to being a slimmer more confident girl when I took up yoga. The breathing exercises calmed me down and everything started to work out for me from that point. I did not spend any money but used a library book to find...
Getting Rid of Acne?
Try using a different cleanser, not soap. It can cause a lot of skin problems, even the most expensive soap can do this.
Use White Paper to Help Thread Needles
It also helps to cut the thread holding the scissors diagonally to it, so you are threading a sharper pointed end through the needle.
Removing Odors from New Leather?
I have had this problem when buying leather goods overseas. The leather smelled like a cow for weeks. My friends son bought her a rug that smelled of meat for months. I think it must just take time for the odor to mellow into that lovely scent of expensive...
Carry an Empty Water Bottle Through Airport Security
I am worried about not being able to get drinks now. Last year I travelled back to the UK from Marrekesh. Water bottles had to be thrown away at the airport. We were not allowed to take local currency out of the country (had to change it before checking in...
Make Your Own Shower Curtain
Thank you. I have had difficulty finding plastic shower curtains recently in the UK. I will buy some big tablecloths instead.
Affordable Dental Work
This is terrible. Somebody please come up with an answer for Lois. Surely there is some public assistance for people in this situation. I thought that she lived in the developing world when I first read her post.
Tips for Singles on Valentine's Day
My work is with learning disabled adults and Valentines Day can make them very unhappy. It reminds many of them that they are never likely to have a romantic relationship. If the occasion is mentioned, I make jokes about sending myself cards. I have been married...
Plastic Bag Rug
Dont use biogradable plastic bags such as the ones we have in the UK for any crafts. After a while they just shred themselves - and your work will have been for nothing.
