Know your sales to get best bargains
DEAR READERS: When you go shopping and are, of course, looking for sales, here are some basics that will help you. Be sure to research prices in your area. And be aware that the Federal Trade Commission reports that when a store promotes a sale, it must offer a substantial reduction from the original price.
Here are some of the kinds of sales that stores may offer:
A Storewide Sale: Generally held after holidays, like Easter or Christmas, when everything in the store is reduced.
A White Sale: Features towels, bathmats, bed linens, mattress pads, etc.
A Clearance Sale: Gets rid of the current season’s unsold merchandise.
A Closeout Sale: Features manufacturers offering discontinued lines to retailers at discounts then passed on to consumers.
DEAR READERS: Use these hints for your home-baked desserts, like pies, cakes and cookies, so they won’t get stuck on your knife. Slice them in these ways, and treats will stay intact: A To slice pies, rub the blade
with butter or vegetable oil.
A To cut cakes, soak the blade in hot water for several minutes and dry off right before cutting. A To cut rolled-out cookie
dough, grab a pizza cutter and spritz it with nonstick vegetable spray.
DEAR READERS: Many factors can contribute to a good cup of coffee, including the kind of coffee you love and using the correct amount or grind for your coffee pot. But also take this step:make sure your coffee pot is really clean. Many of us give the pot just a quick rinse with water after using it. However, in time that will cause oil from the coffee to build up, and it will affect the taste. To prevent this, clean the pot with hot, soapy water after every third or fourth use.
DEAR READERS: Vases getting stained with mineral deposits, usually from hard water, is a common thing. To get rid of them, do the following:
Warm household vinegar and pour inside, covering the stains. Shake the vase and allow the vinegar to work overnight. Then use a bottle brush to scrub the sides. Or pour in a small amount of vinegar and add rice to provide scrubbing action. Put your hand over the opening and shake back and forth to loosen the stains. Then rinse and wash well.
DEAR READERS: Need a different hot tea sweetener instead of sugar? You can find alternatives in your kitchen. Give these a try: A spoonful of jelly or marmalade, a peppermint candy or a lemon drop. Or, to really spice it up, add several red-hot cinnamon candies.
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