photo by jaye_elle DEAR SARA: What is a good place to find a used iPod Nano? I am looking for a 4-gigabyte one for my teen for Christmas. I just can’t see paying $140 for one gift. — Oct2667us, Maine Article continues below ↓ advertisement | your ad here DEAR OCT2667US: If you visit www.apple.com, [...]
Article continues below ↓ advertisement | your ad here photo by matt_gibson Before you discard common household items, think about whether they can be reused. Recycling is great, but preventing waste is always your best option — and often your most frugal one. Today, readers share multiple uses for a simple empty margarine tub. Consider [...]
photo by tanakawho “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” — Ferris Bueller Article continues below ↓ advertisement | your ad here Frugality is often the catalyst for creating new habits in other areas of your life, such as time management. You look [...]
photo by sallypics Carpeting is cozy, inviting and adds value to your home, but it’s expensive. Whether you’re making do with older carpeting or have new carpeting installed, you’ll want to preserve, protect and extend the life of this home investment. Carpet that is well cared for should have a lifespan of about 10 years. [...]
photo by jarrodlombardo DEAR SARA: I teach at a middle school, and every year, we all give gifts to the other people on our team. When I first started there, the team consisted of seven teachers, including me. This year there are 14 of us — a frugal gift-giver’s nightmare! Anyway, I feel strongly about [...]
photo by roytsaplinjr DEAR SARA: We eat a lot of chicken, but sometimes it can be expensive. I usually buy the boneless, skinless breasts when they’re on sale. I came across a sale on chicken with skin and bone in on for only 99 cents a pound. I always figured that wasn’t a great deal, [...]
I’m sick of it! Yes. I’m completely sick and tired of manufacturers overpackaging toys. It seems everywhere I look, there’s a child or parent struggling to open a toy. It’s become dangerous. You’ve been there, or maybe you’ve heard me screaming for the toolbox to get my daughter’s doll out of the packaging. This was [...]
photo by sassy gardener First impressions are important when trying to sell your home. Extreme changes aren’t always necessary. There are simple steps you can take to prepare your house for the market while staying within a reasonable budget. The interior plays a big role, but don’t ignore exterior modifications, such as fresh lightbulbs, an [...]
photo by beggs DEAR SARA: My family and I are supposed to go to Florida for Christmas. We have a friend who is getting married close to the holiday, and the remaining time would be spent with family. My problem is that the airfare will cost almost $1,600! I know we could have gotten it [...]
photo by pilax Whoever said getting there is half the fun hasn’t met my crew. “Fasten your seat belts, folks. It’s going to be a bumpy ride” is my motto whenever we drive long distance. My husband is obsessed with our turn-by-turn navigational system, and someone obviously never informed him that the co-pilot controls the [...]
photo by jspatchwork Muffins are perfect for every season. They freeze well, and they whip together in minutes, so you can enjoy the old-fashioned Muffin Man goodness whenever the craving hits. They’re scrumptious plain but are amazing with spreads, compound butters, jams and jellies.
photo by squirrel_cottage DEAR SARA: When you started down the frugal road, are there tips that you said you would never do but are doing now? — Michelle, Texas DEAR MICHELLE: I never thought I’d be the one to encourage eating at home. I enjoy eating out and was accustomed to it. Now I’m the [...]
photo by jaye_elle DEAR SARA: What is a good place to find a used iPod Nano? I am looking for a 4-gigabyte one for my teen for Christmas. I just can’t see paying $140 for one gift. — Oct2667us, Maine DEAR OCT2667US: If you visit www.apple.com, you can often find refurbished iPods. The model you’re [...]
photo by jslander Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but with the price of boxed cereals and milk so out of control, it can become the most expensive meal of the day, too. Plenty of simple, frugal breakfast options are available, even for families in a hurry. Shifting your morning routine [...]
Personal care and beauty products can help you feel your best, but their cost can make them one of the first things to be cut when living on a budget. Instead of sacrificing completely, you can make every dollar count by seeking out lower-cost options. And don’t forget the benefits from being well rested, exercising [...]
DEAR SARA: Thank you for your column, what great info. Problem: I forgot a pan on the stove and burned the pan black on the inside. How can I remove this black? Thanks for your help. — Elaine S., e-mail DEAR ELAINE: Add a couple of squirts of dish liquid and water to the pan [...]
photo by seriously photographic Tips are sent to me from all over the world. I love the first tip because I’ve never considered getting my hair cut by a barber. I like the whole wash, cut and style I get at the salon. If my hairstyle required clippers, I’d give it a try on a [...]
