If you ever have ordered something you saw on television in a fit of compulsivity and then wondered what on earth you were thinking when it finally showed up, you're going to love today's first reader tip. It probably will make you smile, as well.

IMPULSE CHECK. I curb my TV shopping by writing down the contact number or Web address for the product I want. Then I put it aside. If I still can remember what the item is a week later, I decide whether it is a need or a want. I can't tell you how many times I couldn't even remember the item! -- Dianne C., Indiana

BREADCRUMB WONDER. My family does not like the crusts of store-bought bread. I cut off the crusts and allow them to become stale. Then I put them in plastic zip-lock bags. When I have enough, I put them through my food processor and flavor them with herbs to make Italian-style breadcrumbs. I store them in airtight containers until I need them. I haven't bought breadcrumbs in years! -- Patty M., New Jersey

STICKY BUSINESS. To clean a pan with food stuck to the bottom, fill it with hot water, and drop in half a used dryer sheet. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, and swish out the cooked-on food. It comes off like a dream, and this costs less than using soap or energy for boiling water. -- Lynda A., e-mail

DRAIN CLEANER. After running white vinegar through the coffee maker, I wondered what to do with the hot vinegar. Why not add some baking soda to the bathroom sink and pour the vinegar down there? It went through in a flash. No waiting for the room-temperature vinegar to work its way through the baking soda. I even could hear the drain being cleaned. -- A.Y., Connecticut

MONEY MATTERS. We save for vacations by taking $18 out of every paycheck that my husband receives and putting it into a special savings account. It may not sound like a lot of money, but it adds up, and the amount is not missed. There are 26 paychecks in a year. Twenty-six paychecks times $18 equals $468. We have been doing this for four years. That's $1,872 for our next vacation so far. -- Susan P., e-mail

SWEATER SAVER. Wool sweaters lose their softness with expensive dry cleaning. I wash them by putting each sweater in a separate mesh laundry bag. Then I wash three or four sweaters at a time in cold water using the gentle cycle and a mild soap recommended for fine yarns or washable silks. I give them an extra rinse cycle and add 1 ounce of hair conditioner. I dry them by laying them flat on towels. They feel warm and luxurious afterward. This works well for cashmere and any other yarn or fiber. -- A.O.G., Minnesota

Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Mary Hunt is the founder of DebtProofLiving.com and author of 17 books, including "Debt-Proof Living" and "Tiptionary 2." To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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