Surprise! The phone rings and company is dropping by. We’ve all been there. Your home isn’t as tidy as you’d like it to be, and there’s not enough time for it to be “company ready.” You can’t sweep it under the rug and it can be difficult to determine the priority hot spots. Instead of being in a state of panic or barking out orders like a drill sergeant, you can jump into action and make the most of the few minutes you have before they ring the bell. …

Many families are dining out a few times a week and it’s not primarily for social or entertainment reasons. It can often be the family budget buster, so a common piece of money-saving advice is to simply cut back. In most cases, that is easier said than done. The convenience becomes habitual, but a simple look at your waistline or your bank statement can be a real eye opener and catalyst for change.
Today readers offer their tips for eating out less:
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