How to get more for your money from the dry cleaners – Part 2

CONTINUED FROM WENESDAY 13-4-2016

10 things your dry cleaner won’t tell you

A trip to the dry cleaner is just a quick errand for you. But the people behind the counter take a great amount of pride in the time they spend on your priciest garments. You could easily extend the life of your wardrobe if you heed their advice. The problem? Most customers are in too much of a hurry to ask for it. Hear what dry cleaners across the country would like to yell as you’re dashing out the door.

Stop trying to spot-treat your dry-clean-only clothes
Regardless of what you’ve spilled, commercial treatments, water, hairspray or soap will not help get the stain out in fact; they’ll probably do more harm than good. The best way to ensure a stain will be removed is to get it to the dry cleaner as quickly as possible.

Be honest about stains
Your dry cleaner will treat a spot with any number of solutions depending on what was spilled. He’ll have a better chance of removing a stain if you tell him what caused it. You’re not doing yourself or your clothes any favors if you fib.

Your beauty products are ruining your clothes
Don’t get dressed until you’re ready to go out the door. Antiperspirants, deodorants, hair products, lotions, perfume and teeth whiteners are “disastrous” on fabric, depending on the product, it may contain alcohol, acid or bleaching agents. If you accidentally spray or spill toiletries, head to the dry cleaner as quickly as possible.

Always clean both pieces of a suit at the same time
Sure, you take off your suit jacket as soon as you reach the office. But you still need to have it cleaned every time you bring the bottom half in, if you repeatedly send in slacks without the jacket, over time, the shades may age differently.

Don’t treat dry cleaners like your second closet
When you drop off a bunch of items, come back for everything at once-don’t retrieve an order item by item. Dry cleaners have heard it all: “I only want my white pants and green sweater today. I’ll come back for the rest some other time.” Or, “I don’t have enough money to pick it all up today. I only want one thing.” A good dry cleaner won’t have room in his racks for long-term storage.

Never store your clothes in the dry cleaner’s bags
Dry cleaners send your clothes home in plastic to ensure everything stays clean and dry in transit. Get rid of the bags before you hang your clothes, if you don’t moisture from the air can get trapped inside and cause considerable damage. On a similar note, leave paper covers in place; they protect garments from dust but still let them breathe.

Check your pockets before you drop off your clothes
It’s easier for everyone if you retrieve your debit cards and money before handing over your clothing. Items that get left behind might be dropped on the floor, damaged in the cleaning process or even become the cause of a major problem.
Don’t blame dry cleaners for every misplaced item of clothing Yes, dry cleaners occasionally lose clothes. But don’t make yours turn his shop upside down when you can’t find something. “Check all of your closets-including your husband’s and kids’ – before you call us to look for your missing blouse,” requests a dry cleaner.

Store garments clean
That dress you wore to a wedding probably looks clean, but don’t shove it in the back of your closet until your next black-tie affair. Perspiration and body oil can attract moths and other insects, over time; stains that are invisible to the naked eye (usually from a spilled drink or a splatter of sauce) can oxidize and turn brown.

Some spots are permanent
If you’ve ironed over a deodorant streak, you may have permanently damaged the fabric, there’s also little hope for oil stains-especially when the oil in question is suntan oil. And garments that have been sprayed with cat urine probably belong in the trash; even if the spot comes out, the scent will linger forever.

Money mindset myths that are keeping you poor
Budgeting and managing your money is never a happy experience- If you’re in the red. Yet if you’re like most people, there are seven common money mindset myths that are keeping you that way.
Change your mind and change your numbers. This sounds simple, but it works.

Money mindset myth 1 – A Naira saved is a Naira earned
Not losing that Naira by saving it is helpful, but it takes so much more than not giving that Naira to the cashier to create meaningful wealth. In addition to saving, you must also multiply that Naira that you are saving to truly feel the effects. Even if the adage is accurate, it is also incomplete, and certainly not something you can base your future fortune around. Saving Naira is good, but you also need to earn more.

Money mindset myth 2- I don’t need money help Paying for people to coach you in exercise is a want, but if you have zero experience straightening your finances, then shooting from the hip while going solo will likely only set you right back where you started from.
Investing in a money coach will lead you down a safer road lined with superior choices, better decisions, and ultimately a finish line you’ ll likely never reach alone.
Invest in a coach and train for financial success (get a key person in your bank).

Money mindset myth 3-Budgeting saves me money
As noble as that might be, it isn’t accurate. Write everything you earn, subtract everything you spend, and allot a certain amount toward your saving. Then you’re good, right?
No, not really. You can record your pluses and minuses all day, but if you’re not acting on what you wrote, your budget means nothing.
Carefully plot and plan, then follow through by making improvements to see optimum success.

Money mindset myth 4-If I earn more, I can spend more
You worked long hours last month. Dog tired, you came home and collapsed into bed. The exhaustion is fine, at least your paycheck will be fat.
When it’s time to reap the rewards, you happily head out, paycheck in hand to shop.
“Look at all this overtime! I deserve a “little’ something for working so hard” That’s why you’ll stay right where you are in your finances.
That” little” something extra is called overtime pay, and THAT is your reward. Stick all your “extra” earnings in a special fund then leave it there so you can watch it grow, rather that disappear.

Money mindset myth 5-If don’t risk it , I can’t lose it
Playing a smart financial game means taking intelligent risks. You will never make a mint if you don’t make smart investments. Fail to take SMART risks with your money, and you will keep the blooms from blossoming on the branches of your money tree.
Stock valuations are volatile, but individual investors can still profit on the expansion of the economy by buying into a broadly diversified index fund that tracks the total market as long as they have a long term vision.
Know a good investment when you see it, and be smart enough to make it.

Money mindset myth 6-I make enough
You bring home your check every month. Your house payment is always made on time. And your bills are current. Yet you have nothing left for savings, and little if any for life’s extras. You might make enough, but you’ll never reach financial independence if you can’t get ahead.
Assets determine your worth, and if you want to grow your financial portfolio, you must find a way to start saving while you invest to increase your assets as the same time.

Money mindset myth 7-My today is taken care of
Too many people live in the moment. In today’s economy, it’s difficult to look past now to see the promise of tomorrow. Yet, right now is when it’s essential to plan ahead. What will your reserves be like as you head into retirement? Not putting away what you can now is a near guarantee that you’ll not have enough when you need it in the future.
Start saving into a retirement fund today so you can start planning for future success.
What money mindsets are holding you back?