Q. Do you have any money-saving tips and tricks you can share? —Illinois Farrier

A: When I lived and worked in Montana, I’d buy all of my horseshoes for the year at one time. I’d save a bundle by buying in volume. It’s a good way to save money.

Something I’m doing now is rearranging my clients’ appointments by geographic area. When they rebook an appointment, either 6 or 8 weeks out, I’ll move that appointment 2 or 3 days so I can book customers located in one area at the same time. That saves lots of money on fuel for the truck.

I also send my rasps to a tool processor to have them sharpened once or twice before I buy new ones. It costs only $4 or $4.50 per rasp, and they come back as good as or even better than new. That sure beats spending $17 or $18 for a new rasp every time.

I do the same thing with my nippers. I send them out to be rebuilt for half-price compared to the cost of new nippers. You can have that done only once or twice with each pair. It depends on how much good quality steel you have left on them. But I recommend you do it if you can. 

—Steve Eastman, Kenwood, Calif.

A: One thing that has saved me money is finally getting a buffing wheel for sharpening hoof knives. Not only does it make my job easier, but it saves money on…