photo by toofarnorth

DEAR SARA: I have started to hang up a couple of loads each week on a clothesline rather than throwing them in the dryer. I was wondering how much money I save by doing this. Do you have any idea how much money it costs per hour to run an electric dryer? I realize that utility rates are higher in different parts of the country, but I’m looking for a rough amount. — Kay, Louisiana

DEAR KAY: Your utility company’s Web site might have a list of how much appliances cost to operate. You can calculate this yourself, too. You need to know the amount of power your dryer consumes. You can find this information either in your manual or on the model tag. It will be reflected in watts. If it’s listed in amps and volts, then remember that amps x volts = watts. You need to know how much your electricity costs, so check a recent bill. You need to know how long (in hours) you use the dryer each week, too. So your math will be: kilowatts x kilowatt-hour price x hours = cost per week.

DEAR SARA: I’ve been living with a bed without a headboard for years. I feel it’s time for a big-girl bedroom, but I don’t have a fortune to spend. Any ideas? — Alana F., Nebraska

DEAR ALANA: Without knowing the style in your room, I’ll share some ideas that lean toward a casual look. Headboards don’t have to be expensive. You can make a padded headboard using plywood, batting and fabric. Use a staple gun to attach the batting and fabric in place. You can use materials like door panels, a trellis or picket fencing as backdrops, too. A great way to decorate is to give the illusion of a headboard by painting a pattern, hanging a quilt, using arranged artwork or window frames, or frame that section with either wallpaper border or molding. You can then paint the framed section a different color than the rest of your room or use a scenic mural. Other options include using a decorative curtain rod and suspending either artwork or decorated grapevine wreaths with ribbon, or try a coronet bed drape.

DEAR SARA: I’m a stay-at-home mom who’s looking for new activities to do with my daughter. She’s preschool age but attends school twice a week. I can handle only so much coloring and painting, and there’s never enough time for my housework. Help! — Liz, Ohio

DEAR LIZ: There are many activities for that age, but I’ll share some that are easy, cheap and fun. My kids love balloons. I cut foam pool noodles in half, and they play hockey inside with the pool noodles and balloons. We’ve played balancing games with pool noodles, too. Place a beanbag on top of a pool noodle that is held upright and see how far she can walk before the beanbag falls. You can play basketball inside with empty plastic coffee cans and nylon bath scrubbies. These scrubbies are great for teaching kids to catch and throw, too. If you need a few minutes to do dishes, you can set her up next to you with a dishpan filled with soapy water and coins. Give her a toothbrush or a nylon scrubbie to scrub with, and that can keep her busy while you’re cleaning, too. If you need a few more minutes, give her a sponge, microfiber cloth or nylon scrubbie and let her “clean” in the kitchen.

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