Specialty schools offer cool deals

•If you are on a budget, check your yellow pages for local specialty schools. You could find yourself on the receiving end of a great deal for dentistry, veterinary care, massages and haircuts, among other things. Check the schools’ Web pages or call to inquire about any programs they have.

•”The baby-oil bandage trick goes back generations in my family. Whenever it’s time to take off a Band-Aid, we use a baby-oil-soaked cotton ball to lubricate the whole area. It comes off in a snap.” — A.T. in Washington

•”My husband constantly forgets to empty the last load of clothes from the dryer. I don’t mind, because he does most of the laundry in the first place. I just throw a damp towel in the dryer with the wrinkly clothes, and they straighten up quickly.” — E.V. in Michigan

•Shop after 6 p.m. the evening before a sale is advertised to begin. According to the National Retail Federation, many retailers program the registers the night before, so the sale price may already come up in the register, even if the store has not signed the selling floor yet.

Ask the associate in advance for any possible upcoming sales, especially on big-ticket items. “Teens (at least mine) tend to get bored with articles of clothing before the item is worn out. I found a great store called Plato’s Closet that has in-style teen and early 20s clothes for a great resale price. I swear, my girls get twice as much clothes for less money. Now if I could just get them to wear less than three outfits a day, I might save money on laundry, too!” — J.J. in Florida