photo by Martin Bravenboer Frugality topics are often about small ways to save. But what about the bigger ways? Many people voluntarily choose to make extreme changes to their lifestyles to live more simply. Have you ever felt like a slave to your own life? I’m not suggesting you live off the grid. But we’re [...]
photo by Thomas Pix Are you prepared for the holiday season? Yes, I’m going there. What’s the matter? Too early for you to think about the holidays? If you’re always kicking yourself for waiting until the last minute, this nudge is for you. This year, it’s going to different. You have plenty of time to [...]
photo by ChezDeniseetLaudalino Article continues below ↓ advertisement | your ad here Small kitchen appliances can be an obsession. You don’t realize how many you own until you try to list them all. Some collect dust and serve as a reminder of your good intentions. One underutilized appliance is a conventional countertop blender. It’s often [...]
photo by adactio DEAR SARA: Can I freeze deli-style sliced ham? The ham that we like to take in our lunch is on sale half price this week, so I want to stock up. Can I freeze it if I put it in freezer bags? Will it taste OK thawed? — champagnium, Nova Scotia
photo by amazing podgirl Frugalitarians are disciplined consumers. While they might be tempted by savvy marketing, they don’t fall prey to it. I’ve discovered that I’m happy to admire merchandise without having to own it. I’m not anti-consumer, but I do believe in spending my money wisely. Today, my readers share their own frugal rules. [...]
photo by PetitPoulailler Buying preowned merchandise is often frugal — unless you buy something you don’t need or can’t use. When you come across what appears to be a good bargain, it’s tough to decide whether to grab it or walk away. Ask yourself the following before buying: – Can I afford this? – Does [...]
photo by mar mar Many parents have plans for their younger kids during summer break, but don’t feel bad if you can’t afford summer camp, community centers or sports. There are tons of frugal options. Get organized now so you have a game plan. It can be fun going to the public pool, local library, [...]
photo by dreamsister Food prices are soaring. To keep costs down, add meatless meals to your regular menu plan. You’ve probably made spaghetti and sauce or a big salad for dinner without anyone noticing or complaining that it didn’t contain meat. You don’t have to mention that you’re making any changes at all. Meatless Mondays [...]
photo by how can i recycle this DEAR SARA: Do you have any ideas on how to make space-saving items from everyday things that most of us have on hand? My oldest children have jobs now and are buying more for themselves, which equals more clutter and nowhere to put it. I don’t have a [...]
photo by roadsidepictures Many times, I read a frugal tip and smile because I’m not alone. It’s comforting to know that many people are being less wasteful. I’m happy to pass these tips onto you. My favorite frugal tip this week is a practical way to reuse a laundry-detergent container. I’ll be using that tip [...]
photo by benkataro Inflation is causing many people to rethink their priorities. I can’t predict the future, but I don’t have to wait for an official newsflash to know my money isn’t going as far as it used to. Many of my readers seem confident because they’ve been frugal and prepared for years. But what [...]
Plastic ice-cream containers are one of many items that seem too good to throw away. But they’re bulky, so you want them to serve a purpose. Luckily, there are tons of practical ways to put them to use. They’re a good excuse for buying yummy ice cream, too.
photo by Ethan Bloch You see tips all the time to help build a successful savings — or, at the very least, ways to pare down your spending. Ever wonder what decisions will lead to financial failure? Identifying negative behaviors, thoughts or habits is important in order to work on changing them. Here’s a list [...]
photo by Lisa MN Many convenience foods are timesavers and often cheaper than their homemade counterparts. While many people rely on packaged foods, frugal folks know how to make their own. Some of the top convenience foods include condiments, cream-of-mushroom soup, syrup and box-mix brownies. The homemade versions can’t be beat in a taste test, [...]
photo by laffy4k I have a confession. It’s my homekeeping weak spot. I can’t throw away my kids’ art projects. I save more than the typical handprint art. I cherish the stick-figure drawings the most. I have them organized in near perfect evolution. The drawings started out as crooked circle heads with dots for eyes, [...]
photo by blair christensen DEAR SARA: I melted a plastic spoon onto a hard, anodized fry pan. Before I noticed it was melted, I kind of swirled it around the pan, leaving several streaks of it on the bottom. Is there a way to clean it off, or should I just toss it? It’s a [...]
Ice cream scoops are an easy way to portion and serve foods. Think: rice, macaroni dishes, mashed potatoes or Rice Krispies treats. Larger scoops can be used by kids in the sandbox or at the beach or use one to scoop soil or the pulp from inside a pumpkin. The first reader tip shares a [...]
