DEAR SARA: Do you have your kids do chores for their allowance, or do they get it regardless? –Michelle, Massachusetts Article continues below ↓ advertisement | your ad here DEAR MICHELLE: I don’t give my children an allowance for chores. Our children have chores and responsibilities that they have to do because they should. We [...]
photo by noel zia lee Even small impulse purchases can result in overspending because they add up quickly. It helps to have a list of frugal activities to do when the urge to splurge strikes. Avoiding temptation is an important part of reaching your goals. It’s a powerful feeling to be in control. Simply avoid [...]
Article continues below ↓ advertisement | your ad here photo by kk+ The first step on the frugal path is different for everyone, but a handful of immediate lifestyle changes are popular for people just beginning the journey. These simple changes show quick results and easily become a force of habit. Try one or try [...]
photo by jslander It makes sense to know when to buy and how to store produce so it will last longer and taste fresher. No one wants to find a great deal on fruit and later find a rotten, slimy mess in the refrigerator. Buying marked-down produce is OK if you plan to eat it [...]
photo by Digital Sophia It’s no secret that most kids want stuff, and most of it isn’t anything they need. As a parent, you want your kids to be responsible, grateful and not think they are the center of the universe. You can’t possibly afford to satisfy every whim, either. A common solution to the [...]
photo by crystl DEAR SARA: My 10-year-old daughter wants a hotel birthday party. Last year, I had a great frugal birthday party for her. I used a coupon for free pizza, served soda I already had and purchased a cookie cake. I took my daughter and her cousins and friends to the city pool. It [...]
photo by jbcurio During my most frugal times, I discovered that creating a dinner that made two meals saved time and money. Think of it as planned leftovers or “Planovers”: One large meal doubles as a foundation for a second meal a.k.a. cook once, eat twice. Most people have a few recipes they enjoy after [...]
photo by ookikioo When I began my frugal journey, I was highly motivated to tighten the tightwad belt, but sometimes I felt poor. This feeling was due to the transition from living above my means to living within my means. I was making leaps and bounds with my personal finances, but it took hard work [...]
photo by joeannenah Cut utility costs during the warm months by giving your dryer a break. Instead, line dry your laundry on a clothesline. There’s sometimes a stigma attached to clotheslines, which are often viewed as a sign of poverty or as an eyesore, but the truth is that many people simply don’t want to [...]
photo by Mark Strozier During my first year of marriage, I decided to cancel cable television. My husband and I were busy, and television was an added expense that we couldn’t justify when we had financial goals we wanted to meet. We lived television-free for two years and didn’t miss it. As our family began [...]
DEAR SARA: I can’t believe I’m about to ask this question, but how do you bake potatoes? My mom used to make them, no foil or anything like that. Just poked some holes and popped them in. Quick, easy, no fuss, no muss. — Amy B., via forums DEAR AMY: I don’t use foil on [...]
Photo by daxiang stef DEAR SARA: I have half a small pan (three wedges) of leftover cornbread from last night. It wasn’t that great so I doubt it’s going anywhere unless I can think of some creative way to revamp it. I’m trying so hard not to toss food! Any ideas? — Lukesmama, via forums [...]
photo by Kevinee Pay a membership fee, buy in bulk, and save a ton of money. Not so fast, fellow frugalitarian. Warehouse clubs aren’t always the tightwad utopia they seem to be. I let my membership expire, and I don’t plan on renewing it, mostly because of my distance from the closest store. OK, I [...]
photo by benbengraves Holiday gatherings are often highlighted by signature dishes — favorites that appear year after year. Without that single recipe, the celebration just wouldn’t be the same. Maybe it’s a recipe that has been handed down through the generations and evokes fond memories or a story. Eating it feels like home.
It seems simple: Protect your skin with sunscreen to avoid sunburn. But sometimes you might forget, and it’s hours before it becomes evident you’re burned. For serious burns, seek medical attention. But to get you through the first 24 hours of a mild sunburn (read: no blisters) that stings and causes discomfort, take some ibuprofen [...]
DEAR SARA: I have been elected by my friends and neighbors to host a cookie-exchange party at Christmas. We were looking for something new and cheap to do this year. But I haven’t a clue on how to do this. How many cookies do you make? Do you have something playing in the background, such [...]
Flavored coffee can be expensive. You can make your own at home for a fraction of the cost. The first reader tip shares a flavored creamer recipe. You can add flavor to your coffee grounds prior to brewing, too. Simply add 1 teaspoon cocoa and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to your coffee grounds. When it’s [...]
