I am a huge fan of everything that's automatic, such as automatic sprinklers, programmable thermostats, auto bill pay and anything else that helps me get things done without a lot of effort or even the need to remember. Maybe that's why today's first reader tip made me smile. Imagine turning an otherwise laborious task, such as addressing envelopes, into something almost automatic.

THANK YOU NOTE MACHINES. When my husband and I addressed the invitations to our wedding, we automatically addressed envelopes for the thank you notes. The addresses were right in front of us, so we did not have to search for them after the honeymoon. We were able to get all of our thank you notes mailed within two weeks of our wedding because the hard part was done. We later instilled a thank you note policy for our children: You don't get to play with your gift until you have written the thank you note! -- Linda N., Michigan

FRAGRANCE OIL EXPERIMENT. To add a scent to homemade laundry detergent, I add several drops of any fragrance oil to the rinse water. If you don't like the idea of baby-sitting the laundry to catch that last rinse, try adding the oil to the detergent itself or filling the fabric softener cup with water and adding the drops of fragrance oil to that. -- Holly W., Arizona

ARTFUL EXTRAS. I have an idea for how Mary can use her extra coffee filters. I am a preschool teacher, and I always need coffee filters to make beautiful watercolor art projects. The colors blend and bleed so beautifully on filters! We make "stained-glass windows" or butterflies. Please, if you can't use all of your extra filters, rush them to your favorite preschool. -- Shirley B., e-mail

CITRUS SOLUTION. I had cauliflower in my fridge, and it really left an odor. I tried everything. Finally, I called the manufacturer, and they said just slice some grapefruit or any citrus fruit and lay it open in the fridge. -- Judy, e-mail

FAVORITE FLAVOR. I buy packets of flavored and unsweetened Kool-Aid Invisible soft drink mix and use one-eighth of a teaspoon in my one-quart water bottle. It tastes so good and helps me stay hydrated all day! -- Candace D., Maryland

RUST REMOVAL. To remove a rust stain from the sidewalk, use a product with oxalic acid. I live in Florida, and rust is a problem we deal with from our wells. Bar Keepers Friend contains oxalic acid, but for big jobs, such as sidewalks, I use Snowcap. I get it at Ace Hardware, and it comes in a tub. I dilute it with water and spray or brush it on. It can be used on a variety of surfaces, and I even have used it on fabric. It has been a "miracle" cleaner around my home. -- Jeanie, e-mail

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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