One of my favorite kitchen tips showed up in this column several years ago, and it goes like this: To make deviled eggs quickly and easily -- with no cleanup -- drop the hard-cooked egg yolks, condiments of choice and seasonings into a zip-lock bag, and zip it closed. Now squish the contents until they're mixed well. Cut the tip of one of the bottom corners from the bag, and use it like a piping bag to fill the intact egg whites. When you're done, throw the bag in the trash. Isn't that just the best tip ever? Today's first tipster has a similarly great tip using the ever-popular zip-lock bag!

SALAD SHAKE. When bringing salad to a party or work, place the salad in a zip-lock bag. When you are ready to serve, pour in the amount of dressing you want, seal the bag -- leaving the amount of air that it creates naturally -- and shake well. The dressing, no matter how much or how little you use, will be well-distributed, and it will be completely tidy. -- V.F., e-mail

SHOE FRESHENER. After you remove used dryer sheets from your dryer, stuff them in the toes of your shoes (use as many as it takes). They will keep your shoes smelling fresh and help protect their shapes. -- Mary Anne W., Massachusetts

MOVING BOXES. The liquor store is a great place to get boxes for a move. The boxes already have dividers that are perfect for packing glasses and mugs. -- Lauren, Maryland

HERB SAVER. I often buy bunches of fresh herbs, such as cilantro and parsley, from a grocery's produce section. To keep them fresher longer, I store them like cut flowers in my refrigerator. As soon as I get them home, I cut the stems and place them in a drinking glass with water, which I place on the top shelf of the fridge. They last a lot longer, and there is a visible reminder to use them every time I open the door. -- Megan, e-mail

FREE BAG TIE. I often buy frozen vegetables, but the bags usually don't come with zip-lock openings. So when I open the bag to use some of it, if I don't have a twist-tie handy, I cut across the top of the bag and use the strip I cut to tie the bag closed. It works wonderfully. -- Rhonda C., Florida

FRESH LETTUCE. Want to keep a bag of salad fresh after you've opened it? Place paper towels on each side of the bag, and reseal it with a chip clip. -- Liz, 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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