Simple ways to limit your clutter

Whether you're new or an old hat to frugality, you might face issues with clutter.

Plan a fresh start for the new year

The new year offers a fresh start. It's often the starting point to make changes.

Crowd-pleasing casseroles

Cooking a one-dish meal is the perfect way to escape the kitchen quickly.

Know when to step away from the table

A common misconception is that frugality is voluntary poverty, deprivation or selfishness.

A promise worth keeping

Time passes quickly. The days become weeks, and the weeks become years.

Combat the winter doldrums

Before you go stircrazy for spring, prepare yourself with a few blah-busting tips.

How to mix love and money

Some people can talk about their hemorrhoids with total strangers, but they clam up when it comes to money talks with their spouse.

‘Souper’ ways to save

When it's cold outside, a hot mug of delicious soup is the perfect comfort food.

Plan a cheap date night

Frugal folks are finding cheap entertainment solutions right at or close to home.

Waffle back-and-forth this winter

Cold temperatures are upon us. We have heartier appetites and long for comfort foods.

Use up holiday baking supplies

For many, the new year means forming new habits. You might plan to bake more often in the upcoming year to save on the cost of snacks.

Ways to ease a mild sore throat

Tried-and-true home remedies for sore throats.

Beat the winter blahs

Here are a few blah-busting tips to help you feel alive. Before you know it, it'll be spring.

Baby, it’s cold outside

Young kids can get bored during winter breaks and snow days.

Keep warm without turning up the heat

How do you keep the cold out?

Warm the bones and the heart

With winter upon us, it seems only fitting to share a few simple hot-beverage recipes.

Recipes for romance

Chocolate is the perfect way to end a romantic dinner on a sweet note.

What not to do for Valentine’s Day

Are you ready for Valentine's Day? Don't wait until the last minute.

Show her the love, not the money

Valentine's Day can be the most frustrating holiday.

Fondue Cooking

This dipping pot of bubbling goodness is back in style.

Romance on a Budget

Expressing your love can be shown with frugal abundance and still create heartfelt memories.


Contest sponsors »

[5 Feb 2010 | One Comment]
Starbucks contest winners

Congratulations and thank you to everyone that entered.

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Frugal Cooking »

[3 Feb 2010 | No Comment]
Quick meals with few ingredients

photo by colinandangie
Recipes with just a few ingredients are often cheaper, but they don’t have to lack in flavor. They don’t have a lot of steps and measurements so they are simple to prepare. You’ll have most everything you need already in your kitchen, too. The following recipes can be jazzed up with additional ingredients or left basic and hassle-free.
Apricot Chicken
1 whole chicken, cut up
1 cup French dressing
1 packet …

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Question & Answer »

[31 Jan 2010 | One Comment]
Have a plan for ham

photo by Tama Leaver
DEAR SARA: I made a ham and just froze the bone and some ham for soup later, but what can I do with the drippings? Seems a shame to waste them. I’ve never done anything with ham drippings. At the very least, I could make some suet for the birdies. Any other suggestions? Could I perhaps use them to make soup broth? — Leslie, Illinois
DEAR LESLIE: You …

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Reader Frugal Tips »

[30 Jan 2010 | No Comment]
Prepare with a spare

photo by Bohman
It’s always useful to have a spare set of keys. Don’t try to hide keys on a doorframe or underneath a doormat, garden rock or the body of your car. These are obvious spots that thieves look first. The first tip has a good suggestion for spare keys.
SPARE KEYS: My husband and I each have one to my van and an extra key to his truck in …

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Frugal & simple living »

[29 Jan 2010 | 2 Comments]
Looking back on frugality 2009

photo by Nick Bramhall
It’s time for a frugal year in review. Financial gurus always encourage you to pay yourself first. This is important. All of the debt-reducing, money-saving strategies and ways to increase your income won’t mean much if you don’t take care of yourself first. When you reflect upon the past year, what’s the most frugal thing you learned?
Here are a few frugal-living highlights to keep in mind.
MOOD …

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