Puppies, smaller dogs and senior pooches don’t always want to go outside to use the bathroom in cold weather—but you don’t want your canine relieving itself inside on the floor or carpet! Instead of purchasing scented pee pads or an expensive elimination unit, make a portable, indoor potty area for your dog. Place newspaper on a large sheet pan (around 18″ X 26″ X 1″), which you can purchase inexpensively at a discount kitchen supply store. Put the potty area in a place your dog can easily reach that is away from his food and water, possibly in a bathroom or the kitchen. Every day, replace the newspaper and wipe the tray with a wet paper towel and a mild dishwashing detergent. At least once a month, disinfectant the tray with hot water and bleach.

Posted by Charlotte Reed, pet expert and author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette

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Check out 7 surprising ways to save on pet care
What’s the best pest advice you’ve ever received?
Are famous dog breeds right for you (and your wallet)?

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Happy Halloween from All You!

Make sure to stay safe tonight and enjoy all the spooky festivities. For some post-Halloween clean-up, learn how to survive Halloween messes after all the haunting is over. Whether your front yard is covered in toilet paper or the leftover Halloween candy has made a mess of your coffee table, learn the best strategies for getting rid of the gunk.

Posted by Riley Tant, AllYou.com

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Do you love when your cat or dog curls up with you on the couch, but hate the hair she leaves behind? Here’s a simple, low-cost solution: Watch for home sales at department stores, and buy a few inexpensive placemats that match your furniture and décor. Place the mats on your cat or dog’s favorite place to sit (my cat’s most-loved spot: the couch arms). Pet hair and dirt will end up on the placemat, not your couch. (Just throw the mat in the washer when it gets grimy.)

Source: Charlotte Reed, pet expert and author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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Confused by a computer glitch? Interested in setting up a Facebook profile to connect with your kids?  Need to back up your files—but don’t know how? The next time you encounter one of these situations—or hundreds of other technology questions—consider calling the FloH Club.

All You just met with Florence Henderson (America’s favorite TV mom, Carol Brady!) to talk about her new telephone-based technical support service for people who want affordably-priced, patient step-by-step help with their computers—without burying themselves in manuals or waiting lines. Visit flohclub.com to sign up for a one-time ($49.99), monthly ($24.99) or annual service ($249.99) for yourself or as a gift. Plus, whether or not you become a member, we recommend signing up for their free e-newsletter, which will arrive in your inbox chock full of helpful technology how-tos and tips.

Posted by Melissa Fiorenza and Emily Turnier, Associate Editors

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Deal with worst case computer scenario problems

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Get school supplies and gadgets

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As featured in People magazine, Rebecca Romijn loves to use these glittery Super Balls for decorating and as a conversation piece.  We found some similar ones from Pottery Barn Kids for only $6 each. Buy a few and add them in a decorative bowl on your coffee table and guests will be mesmerized by the glittery swirl. Kids will love playing with these, as well, and here’s an accent piece you won’t have to worry about breaking.

Posted by Riley Tant, AllYou.com

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Save with these shopping tricks

Use smart shopping strategies

DIY Weekend: Try 10 affordable do-it-yourself projects

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Chances are, you’ve got a few on hand. In fact,  in every home I’ve been in, I’ve spotted at least one of those ubiquitous catch-alls floating around, often not really being used. Why not put them to work? One of my favorite uses for baskets is to repurpose them as container gardens—just place plants right into the basket in  waterproof containers.  Tuck filler greenery into any empty spaces and  you will have a taste of the outdoors, displayed with style, on the cheap! Don’t have a basket on hand? Check local flower and garden supply shops for inexpensive options, or visit www.jamaligardensupply.com.

I’ve also seen baskets used for filing, as display boxes, holding rolled up blankets in chilly weather… the uses are endless! What are your favorite uses?

Posted by Elizabeth Blake, Senior Style Editor

See also:

DIY Weekend: Try 10 affordable do-it-yourself projects

Give your bedroom an instant boost

Decorate objects with beautiful shells

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Pets offer many rewards, but the furry creatures take their toll on the furniture. Sure Fit has come up with a new solution to protect your sofa from pet hair and other messes. These large throws are attractive, machine washable, and affordable —less than $50! That’s a small price to pay to protect the investment you made in your couch. Now you don’t need to worry when your best friend jumps up and sits beside you to enjoy your favorite TV show.

Posted by Dwyer Paulsen, Associate Style Editor

See also:

Find a cute halloween costume for your pet

What’s the best pet care advice you’ve ever received?

Surprising ways to save on pet care

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For every Sunnan lamp purchased in IKEA stores, IKEA will donate a Sunnan lamp to children in developing countries in conjunction with a UNICEF program. The lamp, which runs on solar cells, provides light for children who were previously unable to read, write and draw after sundown due to lack of electricity. The lamp retails for $19.99 and comes in five fun colors. Your whole family can not only enjoy this affordable, eco-friendly lamp, but also know that it supports children.

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Give your home a budget-friendly makeover
Conquer living room clutter

Posted by Dwyer Paulsen, Associate Home Editor

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I just saw this bakeware set for kids, and thought it was perfectly adorable—and it’s on sale! The 10-piece set comes with 4 different colorful silicone baking dishes, 4 cookie cutters, a rolling pin, a wooden spoon, all kid-sized , plus a recipe book! It costs $17, down from $25  (less than the price of two movie tickets). Perfect for those rainy-day “Mom, I’m bored!” moments. Log on here to get yours.

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Plan meals on the cheap with a little help

Posted by Beth Lipton, Food Editor

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Summertime is a time for barbecues, picnics and outdoor fun, but for me that fun comes at a price—blotches and spills all over my clothes. I always seem to get a glob of ketchup, a splatter of hamburger grease or dirt on my white shorts. But now Clorox has created a summer stain hotline for people like me. You call in 1-877-STAIN-411, press a number corresponding to  type of stain (ranging from berries to sunscreen) and you’ll hear pre-recorded expert advice on how to banish it. For tougher laundry dilemmas, check out drlaundryblog.com. With all this terrific information, maybe my white shorts will last another season!

SEE ALSO:
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Conquer living room clutter
Organize: Your recipes | Closet

Posted by Dwyer Paulsen, Associate Home Editor

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Have you checked out allyou.com lately?  We’ve been working tirelessly to bring you a new and improved experience on the site. Yes, the design looks different and the site is easier to navigate, but what we’re most excited about is our new coupons.

We know you love clipping the coupons in All You magazine, so we’re giving you even more opportunity to save on our allyou.com. We’re now offering coupons that you’ll only find on allyou.com, such as high-value offerings from Snapple and Success Rice. In addition to these exclusives, you’ll find dozens of other coupons, just one click away from our home page. 

Aside from our valuable coupons, the site is full of terrific tips and articles that help you save money, from inexpensive recipes to budget beauty ideas. Get started on our new site by checking out the Coupons and Deals page, watching some Supermarket Smarts videos and reading our guide to staying cool on the cheap this summer. Enjoy life for less, and enjoy the new allyou.com!

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Barbecue? Nope, the first thing I did this past weekend was tackle a project I’ve wanted to accomplish for a long time: paint my living room bookcases. I got them super cheap at a local Salvation Army, but they were a little blah and needed a coat of paint to brighten them up and give the living room a lighter look for summer. The best part is that it’s such an easy and affordable way to give furniture a new look: I spent just $32.57 buying supplies: a drop cloth, paint tray, paintbrush and two quarts of oil-based ivory paint. It took a lot of elbow grease (consider it your workout for the day!) but in the end, I think it was time and money very well spent! The room looks so much airier. See the after photo after the jump!  

Posted by Elizabeth Blake, Senior Style Editor 

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Kmart has inspired me to host a summertime tea party this summer, with these great new home décor items that are on sale right now. Instead of doing hot tea, I’ll be serving an array of flavored iced teas (my favorite is peach!), accompanied with some cucumber sandwiches, deviled eggs, and biscuits with clotted cream. It’s hard to pass up a $4.99 tablecloth, $6.99 egg platter,and a $9.99 cake stand. Now I have a excuse to invite my girlfriends over to catch up and enjoy the warm weather.

Posted by Dwyer Paulsen, Associate Home Editor 

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In every issue, ALL YOU offers our readers hundreds of ways to save time and money. Check out July’s coupons for a total savings of $70.62! Pick up a copy of the July issue at your local Walmart on Friday, June 26 and catch a sneak peek below:

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Find the cheapest gas in your neighborhood
Win a shopping spree with your best friend!
Do you know the new rules for credit cards
Gear up for Independence Day with crafts

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You’ve heard of plus-size clothing, so it’s kind of amazing that up until now, no one has offered a line of plus-size home items. Brylane Home, a leading home and lifestyle brand, has now filled the gap with a new collection of products geared toward making the lives of larger folks just a bit easier. The debut assortment is divided into four different categories: outdoors, healthy living, indoors, and accessories. Take a look —you’re sure to find something you need, regardless of your size. The outdoor items are so genius, I’m surprised no one has done them before!

By Dwyer Paulsen, Associate Home Editor

SEE ALSO: Win a shopping spree with a pal

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We moved into our house three years ago this month, and were delighted to find then that the perennial garden started by the former owners was blooming beautifully. Lily of the valley, peonies, Siberian iris, Stargazer lilies—all showing off their blossoms, and some filled with buds that promised more summer splendor. Then the deer took notice, and steadily over the course of a few weeks, the garden looked as though a fire had raged through it. A few bare stalks, some yellowing leaves and the tiny gnawed-at trunks of several saplings were left behind.

This year, at the first signs of sprouts and new foliage, we started spraying once a week with Liquid Fence, a deer and rabbit repellant (liquidfence.com). And so far, Bambi and company have stayed away (perhaps two nibbles, but that’s all). The product smells awful when you apply it; after all, it’s made with “putrescent egg solids” and garlic. But the odor subsides quickly and the rain doesn’t seem to diminish its effectiveness. The premixed solution is pricey—about $25 a gallon online, and a little more at our local hardware store—but that amount is enough for over a month of spraying. And it kept over the winter in the garage.

Posted by George Kimmerling, Managing Editor

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In our house, we’d rather get root canals than scour soap scum or scrub shower tiles to stay ahead of mildew. Luckily we found something that makes at least two of those tasks less onerous. We stuck a squeegee to one wall of the tiled shower stall, and faithfully run it down all four walls—and the glass door—every time we finish showering. It takes under than a minute to do. With less water sitting on the surfaces, mildew has less chance to develop, and mineral buildup happens a lot slower. That means we don’t have to scrub as hard or as long to keep the tiles white and the door clear. There are lots of bathroom-suitable squeegees on the market. We use the OXO stainless-steel squeegee ($13; oxo.com); it comes with its own suction-cup holder, which stays firmly in place. Now if only it were small enough to get between teeth!

Posted by George Kimmerling, Managing Editor 

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If you’re like many educators, you probably end up spending some of your own money to organize or decorate your classroom. So why not take advantage of The Container Store’s teacher’s discount? They’re offering K-12 teachers 15 percent off from May 1-Sept. 7. Just click here and fill out the online form. You’ll then receive an e-mail with your discount card—use it online, in the store or on phone orders as many times as you want this summer.

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Save big bucks on major bills
Make $$$ at your next yard sale
See four smart places to put your savings

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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With summer barbecue season approaching, I’m in need of some great evites to send out. Bored with the generic evites, I’ve come across pingg.com, a site that provides stylish evites for free! You can pick from a selection of images from the site’s gallery or upload one of your own photos. Invitations can be sent via email, print, SMS/mobile or you can even upload it to your social network like Facebook. Your event page can then be customized adding music, maps, even a news feed to give guest up-to-the-minute details. At the end of the party upload photos to the site to share with all your attendees. I’ll be using pingg.com for all my summertime celebrations.

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Get music for free, thanks to Coldplay
Want more music? Listen for free here

Posted by Dwyer Paulsen, Associate Style Editor

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Freebies abound today, from sample shampoos (John Frieda!) to complimentary sippy cups (from Juicy Juice!) Thefrugalgirls.com has the 411 on all these free goods.

Over at dealiciousmom.com, check out a great list of giveaways. Enter to win Dove Go Fresh Body Wash, a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms, a Flipper Toothbrush Holder and more!

How about a coupon for a free two-piece meal (with two sides and biscuit) from KFC? Try their new grilled chicken! Details at crazycouponmom.blogspot.com!

Aren’t we all screaming for some chocolate on Fridays? Grab a coupon for a free single-sized package of M&Ms, Milky Ways, Twix bars and more—the offer is valid every Friday from now until September 25! Learn more at budgethelpers.blogspot.com!

SEE ALSO:
Taste summer with root beer
Visit a healthcare clinic for free
Go green for less
Get freebies for your dog

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