Home / Dear Mary ... / Ask Me Anything: Fair Market Values, Dump Dinners, Hardwood Floors, Wadded Up Sheets, and MORE!
ask me anything donations dump chicken dinners washer dryer ec search function collage

Ask Me Anything: Fair Market Values, Dump Dinners, Hardwood Floors, Wadded Up Sheets, and MORE!

/3 Comments/in , , /by Mary Hunt

Welcome back to another edition of Ask Me Anything! Today, I’m diving into your most pressing questions, from understanding fair market value donations to whipping up delicious dump dinner recipes. Plus, I’ll share my secrets on how to dry sheets without tangling, choosing whether a high-efficiency washer and dryer is worth it, and the best hydrogen peroxide uses. You’ll also learn how to utilize the search function on Everyday Cheapskate, how to clean hardwood floors effectively, and save money with generic OTC meds. Let’s get started and make your life a bit easier!

ask me anything donations dump chicken dinners washer dryer ec search function collage

Today’s the day that, once again, I reach into my virtual mailbag and pull out some of your questions. This can be challenging, but I want you to feel free to ask me anything.

Contents

Here is a quick summary of the questions I’ll answer in today’s post. You can click on one to go straight to it or scroll down to read all.

  1. Understanding Fair Market Values for Donations
  2. Easy and Delicious Dump Dinner Recipes
  3. How to Dry Sheets Without Tangling
  4. Are High-Efficiency Washers and Dryers Worth It?
  5. Using Hydrogen Peroxide: Tips and Cautions
  6. Making the Most of Everyday Cheapskate’s Search Function
  7. Restore the Shine to Your Hardwood Floors
  8. Save Money with Generic OTC Meds

Understanding Fair Market Values for Donations

fair market value donations cardboard box of clothing and tennis shoes

Dear Mary: Your posts on decluttering and simplifying our lives have been so helpful in keeping me on my toes with routine cleaning out and paring down. This brings up the tax benefit for those of us who itemize to get a tax deduction for charitable donations. Every year, I struggle to find reliable “fair market values” that the IRS will accept. I’m looking for a resource or two to help me out. Thank you. Loren

Dear Loren: I’m so glad my posts on decluttering have been helpful to you! When it comes to understanding fair market value donations for tax deductions, I recommend The Salvation Army’s online guide. It’s updated routinely, ensuring that the values are IRS compliant.

My CPA suggests this simple rule: the fair market value of charitable donations in good or better condition is generally 20% of the item’s new price. Of course, this works best if you have receipts or can remember the original prices. Otherwise, relying on a guide like the one from the Salvation Army is your best bet.

I hope this helps! This is a fantastic question, and I’m sure many in our EC community will benefit from these resources.

Easy and Delicious Dump Dinner Recipes

dump dinner recipes chicken cacciatore in skillet

Dear Mary: Thanks for all the easy, tasty, and quick chicken entree recipes! Such a help when chicken is on sale, and my husband comes home with 10+ pounds. Now he will see my smiling face rather than my look of “what do I do with all this chicken?” other than freeze it. You are a blessing every day to me and all your readers. So, a big THANK YOU! Melanie

Dear Melanie: Thank you for the great feedback! I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying the dump dinner recipes. As you may have discovered by now, this dump dinner technique is nothing close to an exact science. I’m certain that as you get into dump dinners (such a funny name), you’ll come up with your own recipes, tweak those I’ve suggested—and maybe even branch out from chicken! And when you hit on a winner, let us know! It was great to hear from you, Melanie.

Dear Mary: Referring to the dump chicken recipe for Chicken Cacciatore, how much chicken will this recipe cover? Thanks! Elaine

Dear Elaine: For the Chicken Cacciatore dump dinner recipe, refer to the general instructions in the post:

“… The following recipes are to be made with about two pounds of raw chicken—four to eight pieces bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless, even whole. Experiment to see what you prefer.”

I usually use about 2 pounds of bone-in chicken—the parts you prefer, or, in my case, the parts that are on sale! Hope that helps!

How to Dry Sheets Without Tangling

Dear Mary: Every time I put sheets in the dryer, they wrap up and stay wet! Suggestions? Thanks, Sam

Product Image - Wad-Free Bed Sheet Detangler

Wad-Free Bed Sheet Detangler

Dear Sam: I hear you! Tangled, wadded-up sheets are a common headache. Luckily, I have a simple solution: Wad-Free Bed Sheet Detangler. This handy tool prevents sheets from tangling, twisting, and balling up in both the washing machine and the dryer. With Wad-Free, your loads come out cleaner, the washer stays balanced, and everything dries up to 75% faster with fewer wrinkles. Give it a try and say goodbye to wadded-up sheets forever!

Wad-Free Bed Sheet Detangler
Wad-Free Bed Sheet Detangler
    $19.99
    Buy on Amazon

    Are High-Efficiency Washers and Dryers Worth It?

    high-efficiency washer and dryer worth it side by side laundry room

    Dear Mary: Our washer broke down recently, so we’re thinking about replacing both the washer and dryer. Are HE (high-efficiency) models worth it? Ben

    Dear Ben: First off, you don’t need to replace your dryer just because the washer quit. Unless you’re after a matching set for aesthetic reasons or your new washer has a much higher capacity, your old dryer should be just fine with proper maintenance.

    However, if you’re set on replacing both, high-efficiency (HE) models are a great option. They handle typical home laundry—everyday clothes, gym wear, and household items—efficiently while saving a lot on the water bill. HE washers are just as effective as non-HE washers for tackling stains, especially if you pre-treat and add 1/2 cup of borax to each load with your regular detergent.

    For those who frequently wash super-greasy, muddy, or heavily-stained clothes or large, thick items like big blankets, you might need something more heavy-duty and high-capacity.

    Personally, I’m super happy with my Electrolux HE washer and dryer. Based on my experience over the past year, I’d make that purchase again in a heartbeat.

    Using Hydrogen Peroxide: Tips and Cautions

    hydrogen peroxide uses

    Dear Mary: I am addicted to your articles. I was wondering if you know (I’m sure you do) that there is a 6% and 12% hydrogen peroxide option. Can either of these products be substituted for the 3% hydrogen peroxide? Thanks, Walter

    Dear Walter: Addicted, you say! I’ll take that compliment gladly.

    Yes, hydrogen peroxide comes in various concentrations, including 6% and 12%, often used in laboratories and other specialty applications. However, the 3% hydrogen peroxide is what you’ll commonly find for general household use. Higher concentrations are typically restricted and require a prescription or certification due to their potential dangers.

    While you could technically dilute higher concentrations to achieve 3%, it must be done with extreme caution. Always remember, hydrogen peroxide in any concentration should never be left where children or pets can access it, as ingestion can be life-threatening.

    Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile tool in household cleaning. Here are a few tips on how to use it safely and effectively:

    • Disinfecting Surfaces: 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect countertops, cutting boards, and other surfaces. Simply spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it clean.
    • Laundry Booster: Add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to your laundry to whiten whites and remove stains.
    • Mouth Rinse: A diluted mixture of hydrogen peroxide can act as a mouth rinse to kill bacteria, but ensure you follow the recommended dilution instructions and never swallow.
    • Plant Fungus Treatment: Mix a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water to treat fungal infections on plants.

    Hope that helps. It was fun to hear from you!

    Making the Most of the EC Search Function

    ec search function

    Dear Mary: Some time back, you printed a recipe for cleaning our vegetables and fruit. Could you publish that again? I made it, but I’m out and can’t remember exactly how to do it.

    I love your blog. I have learned so many money-saving tips from you. God bless! Terri

    Dear Terri: Sure thing! Here it is again: How to Make Highly Effective Fruit and Vegetable Wash.

    You can always find past posts on EverydayCheapskate.com using the search function. On mobile and desktop, just look to the lower right corner of any page and you’ll see a blue magnifying glass icon. Click on it to open the search bar, then type in a keyword or phrase, like “fruit,” “vegetable,” or “wash,” and hit enter. You’ll get a list of every post that matches your search. Does that help?

    Dear Mary: I have been reading your tips for more years than I can remember and have owned all of your books. You had an email within the last year on how to clean siding with a hose and a gadget to create pressure. Could you please reprint the email so I can be ready to clean my siding? One side has some mildew from this past winter. Thank you in advance. Catherine

    Dear Catherine: Here you go: 14 Best Homemade Cleaners That Really Work. Here’s how I found that post:

    1. Go to EverydayCheapskate.com or any page on the site.
    2. Click on the little blue magnifying glass icon at the lower right of every page.
    3. Type in “vinyl siding” (or any other word or phrase you’re searching for).
    4. Hit enter.

    You can also try searching for just “siding” for a broader search. The search function also allows you to “heart” or favorite posts. Simply sign in to bookmark your favorites and easily access them anytime.

    Hope that helps!

    Restore the Shine to Your Hardwood Floors

    Dear Mary: How do I make my hardwood floors shine again? They are so dull! I’ve used so many different floor cleaners, but nothing brings back the shine. Thank you, and God Bless, Debbie

    Product Image - Scott's Liquid Gold Floor Restore

    Scott’s Liquid Gold Floor Restore

    Dear Debbie: I know how frustrating it can be to see your beautiful hardwood floors looking lackluster. My go-to solution is Scott’s Liquid Gold Floor Restore. This product works wonders and gives a long-lasting shine that endures through multiple cleanings.

    Remember, one key tip is to avoid using vinegar on your hardwood floors, as it can dull the finish. Stick with Scott’s Liquid Gold, and your floors will look stunning again in no time.

    Scott's Liquid Gold Floor Restore
    Scott's Liquid Gold Floor Restore
      $33.97
      Buy on Amazon

      Save Money with Generic OTC Meds

      generic OTC meds white plastic pill bottle with ibuprofen tablets

      Dear Mary: A dear friend of mine introduced me to your blog and free daily email, and I can’t express enough gratitude! Thank you for all these incredibly effective, money-saving tips.

      I wanted to add a brief word about generic substitutes for expensive OTC meds like Advil to your bit. My father and uncle were both chemists, and Dad always told me to read the label of “active ingredients” on the name brand and then compare it to the generic/store brand.

      Nearly 100% of the time, the active ingredients are the same and in the same percentages as the name brand and, as you mentioned, generally 30-50% cheaper.

      A good example of this is Costco’s “Sleep Aid.” It is less than $5 for two bottles—192 tablets—and works just as well or better than the name-brand Unisom. A win/win! (Thanks, Dad!) Catherine

      Dear Catherine: Thanks for this great reminder about the benefits of generic OTC meds. It’s always smart to compare active ingredients on labels, as you’ll often find the same efficacy for a fraction of the cost. I loved hearing from you, and a big thanks to your friend for the referral!

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      3 replies
      1. Patricia Hudson says:

        Mary, I think I got fooled again. Signed on to your site and was taken to a site about a wonderful new cleaner with a lot of pictures and testimonials. I got suckered in and bought and then realized it was not an EC sponsored site. Boy was I mad at myself. How can they do this. Have you know control over it. It almost makes me want to stop using my computer altogether. .

        Reply
        • Mary Hunt says:

          Patricia … ads do appear on this site so that it can remain completely free for my readers. And I have instructed my ad network people to ALWAYS make sure the word ADVERTISEMENT so my readers can distinguish between ads and Mary speak! I have no control over the ad contents nor can I endorse or in anyway guarantee products that show up with that word ADVERTISEMENT. I am sorry you had this experience. If you have any way of recreating or giving specific information for this advertiser as well as specifics on the product, please email that information to me. I will forward it to the proper indiviuals with a strong complaint from you, my loyal fan and reader.

          Reply
      2. georgie says:

        perfect timing! i couldn’t find your vinyl cleaner recipe and you ran it again today. many thanks. now, i am not able to find spic and span anywhere; maybe it’s online, but i can’t order it online because i don’t have a credit card. can i use lestoil instead?
        by the way i am old enough to remember the commercials for it. i can still sing most of the jingle.

        Reply

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