Has anyone tried David Burke’s flavor sprays? I have heard a lot about them lately – it is probably just a media blitz from the company, but I am a little bit intrigued, as David Burke is a pretty well known chef and I cannot imagine he would put his name to something that wasn’t at least a little tasty. Cheesecake and Chocolate Raspberry Truffle sound good, but I am not so sure about Smoked Bacon. I could surely see how this could not only help out in the calorie department, but might be a little less expensive in the household budget as well. From cbs2chicago.com: David Burke’s flavor sprays ($5.95; 888-779-7177; www.flavor-spray.com) — all zero-calorie, nonfat and cholesterol free — let you savor your favorite... [Read more]

Now that tax season is over, and you have your big refund (I hope!), and the pain and agony of gathering that stuff together for the tax preparer (or you, as the case may be) has subsided, wouldn’t you like to make things just a smidge easier on yourself for next year? I have one file, called TAXES, that I keep in the desk drawer, and I throw everything in it that I think will be useful for my taxes next year, but Sarah, the houskeeping guide at About.com, suggests these files for a good tax preparation filing system: Income- Include pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, interest statements, and dividend statements. Medical- File receipts for medical expenses, and health insurance out-of-pocket expenses. Donations-Include receipts for both cash... [Read more]

As you are pondering your summer vacation plans, consider the pros and cons of the Boodle, the pet name of columnist Peter McKay’s cartop luggage carrier: I bring a bathing suit, a couple of T-shirts and one pair of boxer shorts for each day (fewer if the house has a laundry room). She brings 11 pairs of shoes, 14 different outfits and enough earrings to open up a pawn shop. If our house burned down while we were gone, she could comfortably start a new life just on the contents of her bag. After throwing my yearly pointless fit, I pack every square inch of the Boodle, working toward that magic point where it just barely closes but isn’t so packed that it’s impossible to latch. Anything that can’t fit in the Boodle goes... [Read more]

I have a new obsession – and I am not going to be happy until it is mine! I was really tempted by the Roomba, the robotic vacuum I am sure you have heard about by now – but iRobot has now released the Scooba – the robotic mop! Now THIS, I can USE. Check out this video from GoRobotics.net: Here is the listing on Amazon.com, there are a lot of good testimonials to read here – let’s just say they did NOT discourage me: Scooba Floor Washing Robot The list price of the Scooba is $399, but it is available many places (including Amazon) for $299, and I saw it at Sams Club over the weekend for the same price. It is safe to use on all hard floors except UNsealed wood. The one potential downside is that you must use... [Read more]

You have possibly received these in your email box several times over the years, like I have, but in case you haven’t here are 21 uses for Bounce fabric softener sheets besides fabric softening. 1. All this time you’ve just been putting Bounce in the dryer! It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice. 2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle. 3. It takes the odor out of books and p hoto albums that don’t get opened too often. 4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season. [Read more] [Read more]