In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Anytime you feel the need to ask for a loan, be it from a buddy or the bank, first closely consider why you are in that position and if you have other options available to you.  If low cash flow is a regular problem for you, take the time to examine your household budget and track your spending.  There are numerous programs and apps that can help you with this, but a pen and paper can do the job also. Get a clear picture of your financial situation before asking to borrow money.  You may find that you have alternatives available to you; at very least, you will be better informed as to the amount you need to borrow and your ability to repay it in a timely fashion. Can you cancel your cable service and buy an antenna?  Cut coupons?  Start mowing lawns or shoveling snow on the side?  Sell your car and ride your bike or the bus to work?  Consider what you can do for yourself, by yourself before involving another person, especially a friend, in your financial issues.   How to Save Money and related wikiHow articles offer many good ideas on cutting costs, including, for instance, automatically depositing funds into a savings account (akin to tax withholding); eating at home and buying groceries in bulk; saving on utilities by conserving electricity, water, etc.; negotiating your rent payment down or finding more affordable housing; and finding cheap/free entertainment options (hiking, community events, etc.). Likewise, How to Get Money Quickly Without Borrowing It advises options like taking odd jobs, selling non-essential items online or at a yard sale, and participating in surveys and research studies. Rather than your first option, you may find that it is best to make borrowing from a friend your last option.  There are risks involved in any kind of borrowing, but you can at least remove destroying a close friendship as one of them.  You may be concerned by the high interest rates, many restrictions, and lack of flexibility you presume you will find with a financial institution.  Give banks a look, however; they offer many types of loans and lines of credit that may serve your needs quite well.  Also, paying back a bank loan is a good way to build your credit rating.  There are numerous peer-to-peer lending websites out there, which offer you the ability to borrow from (or lend to) other people directly, usually (but not necessarily) anonymously.  Do your homework in choosing your intermediary site and your lender, however.  If you have a specific project, plan, or goal in mind for the money, you can also consider establishing a crowdfunding campaign online. It can be hard to imagine things going sour with a good friend over some money, but it can happen quite easily.  Indeed, some advise that unless you are willing to lose the person as a friend, don’t consider borrowing money from them.  It is estimated that at least 89 billion dollars per year (a 2008 estimate) is borrowed from friends and family in the U.S., and while 95% of Americans say they have lent money to friends or family, 43% of those say they have not been repaid in full.  Money may or may not be the root of all evil, as the old saying goes, but it can easily foster suspicion, jealousy, selfishness, and impulsiveness, among other attitudes that have contributed to the destruction of countless partnerships, marriages, and friendships. Friends want to help friends, which is why they may agree to lend money against their better judgement.  Give them the chance to help you in other ways first, before putting them in the usually-awkward position of having to decide whether or not become a lender.  Odds are, your friend has been in a financial pinch at some point, so ask him/her for tips on cutting costs or saving more efficiently. Alternatively, might your friend be able to offer any job leads or money-making opportunities?  Ask and see. Let your friend see that you value his/her opinions and have explored all options before asking for money.
Summary: Closely examine your financial situation. Look for ways to save or raise funds. Exhaust other loan options first. Open your eyes to the potential pitfalls. Ask for advice or help before money.

Before you clean your memory foam mattress pad, vacuum any dirt or dust from the pad. Use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum, moving across the pad in circular motions. This prevents dirt or dust or other materials from getting ground into your mattress pad when you spot clean it. When vacuuming your mattress pad, it's best to put it on the floor. Place a sheet on the floor below the pad to keep the underside clean and protect your floor as you vacuum. To spot clean your memory foam mattress pad, you can either use an enzymatic cleaner like OxiClean or a homemade solution. To make a homemade solution, mix equal parts water, white distilled vinegar, and lemon juice together. You can use hydrogen peroxide to clean your mattress pad, but it may discolor it. Using a toothbrush, work the cleaner into the stain from the outside of the stain toward the center. Spot cleaning this way prevents the solution from spreading to other areas of the mattress pad. Once you’ve spot cleaned each of the stains on your mattress pad, let the cleaner soak in for ten to fifteen minutes. This will help break up the stain and make it easier to rinse off later. Dip a sponge in cool water, and blot the stains that you’ve spot cleaned. Using a sponge should help soak up the broken-down stains as well as the cleaner that you used. You might need to blot each stain a few times to ensure you get everything up. Work the brush attachment in circular movements across the entire surface of your mattress pad. This helps collect any remaining dirt and debris.  If you want to treat any lingering bad odors, such as cigarette smoke, you can sprinkle baking soda over the mattress pad. Let it sit for at least 8 hours, then vacuum it up. Make sure the mattress pad is completely dry before you vacuum it again.
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One-sentence summary -- Vacuum your mattress pad. Choose your cleaner. Start from outside of the stain. Let the cleaner soak for ten to fifteen minutes. Blot the stains with a sponge. Vacuum your mattress pad again using your brush attachment.

Problem: Article: Plates, tea cups, and other kitchen items are beautiful gifts that can be displayed in the home to demonstrate your love. China come in a variety of styles that can match your kitchen, whether modern or classic.  Take care when using china. Though porcelain dinnerware is very sturdy, it also tends to be more expensive. Consider keeping the dinnerware as display only. You don't want to damage your anniversary gift!  Tchotchkes such as ceramic dolls or piggy banks are great ideas if your home isn’t into dishes and teacups. Vases, urns, and statues bring a sense of elegance to home decoration. Place them in a visible location to remind you of how far your relationship has come. Pottery can also be used in combination with other gift ideas, such as serving as a container for hand made flowers.  Ceramic candle holders come in a variety of styles and make for a great gift. Candle holders are elegant and subtle, and can accentuate your home design without grabbing as much attention as a vase or urn.  Try making your own ceramic pottery and design it just for your loved one. Sign up for a local class through your local art school or community college!  If you both like the aesthetic of ceramics and china, consider collecting them as a hobby! It can be a great activity for you and your partner to explore together. Ceramic bracelets, necklaces, rings, or earrings make for beautiful and delicate gifts that come in a variety of unique designs and colors. Pricing can become quite expensive for some pieces, but you’ll be giving a gift unlike any other.  Purchase or make a ceramic jewelry box to go with any ceramic jewelry you offer as a gift. Ceramic beads allows for customization and creativity in your jewelry gift. Create something on your own, or invite your partner to join you in making matching bracelets or necklaces.  Ceramic jewelry, when made correctly, is actually quite durable. Look for pieces made with a ceramic called titanium carbide.
Summary:
Give your loved one traditional fine china. Purchase pottery for the home. Order custom ceramic jewelry for the occasion.