photo credit DEAR SARA: I was canning peaches today, and I was supposed to cut them into halves and remove the pit. I can’t figure out how to do that without ending up with a ball of mush. How do you cut it in half when it has a giant hard pit in the middle? [...]
photo by inkynobaka Say goodbye to ugly, messy gravy globs. If you don’t have a thermos, you can use a fondue pot or slow cooker to keep it hot. KEEP GRAVY HOT: During the holidays, if you want to keep your gravy hot and prevent a skin from forming on top, use an insulated coffee [...]
photo by jonboy mitchell People who practice frugality are often at different ends of the spectrum. Some people are in total guerrilla frugality mode to survive, while others simply enjoy getting a good deal. Some readers comment that what I share is too frugal, and others say it’s not frugal enough. For me, you’ve gone [...]
Are you preserving your garden harvest? Maybe you’ve already “put up” dozens of jars this year. Whether you’re looking to add to your canning supplies or are just starting out, now is a good time to buy them. Check garage sales, thrift stores and clearance shelves at your local discount and grocery stores. Remember to [...]
DEAR SARA: Do you have any suggestions for dining-room table accessories on a shoestring budget? — Amanda, e-mail DEAR AMANDA: I’m fond of simple table accessories. Keep in mind that table decor isn’t as limited in height as some believe. It used to be that no one wanted to use anything with too much height [...]
photo by tgbdad My favorite tips from readers are practical ways they reuse and repurpose items in their homes. From linens to kitchen gadgets, these creative people are reducing waste. I love the manicure-kit tip and think it would make a great gift. I remember when I thought I was an oddball for finding a [...]
photo by abductos When asked what items they won’t compromise for the sake of frugality, many of my readers state their brand loyalty to certain products. They are willing to pay more, yet many have not even tried the lower-cost store-brand counterparts available to them. Granted, some have tried store brands and consider their favorite [...]
photo by cottagetocastlechic I have to stay out of craft, fabric and quilt stores. I can walk in needing one item and be tempted by dozens of others. I have considerable restraint and can talk myself down, but not everyone can. Have you ever overspent on quilting material? You get home, maybe still on a [...]
photo by orsorama There are some convenience foods that I have grown dependent on, so I don’t frequently make them from scratch. It’s not that I prefer the prepared foods. It’s simply that I’ve grown accustomed to saving time and money. For example, I can buy a loaf of bread. It’s not expensive, and it’s [...]
photo by mmarchin DEAR SARA: Do you ever use cracked eggs, or do you always toss them? — Becky, Texas DEAR BECKY: I inspect them at the store before buying them. If an egg is cracked, I crush the shell and toss it into the garden. One could argue, if I check them at the [...]
photo by decor8 Some tips aren’t a good match for my home, but they often inspire me to expand on the idea. The first tip wouldn’t work for me in the kitchen, but it could be great conversation piece on my seasonal porch for hanging plants. If you see tips in my column that are [...]
photo by Jeff Keen People read my column because they want to save money. Some want to save for a goal, such as investing or retirement, while others want to eliminate debt. Readers are always helpful and encouraging. Typically, new readers are pointed in the direction of tracking their spending and creating a budget. It’s [...]
photo by osbock My husband and I grocery shopped together for years. We weren’t the happy, hand-holding-while-shopping couple. No. We were more likely to be the couple circling the parking lot forever to find a close spot and having the great debate in Aisle 4 over which cereal to buy. Sometimes he even went as [...]
Spinach is tasty raw or cooked. It’s a nutritious vegetable that can be served in a salad with strawberries or as a lettuce replacement on a sandwich. Incorporate spinach into an omelet, rice dish or homemade macaroni and cheese, or use it as a pizza topping. Warm up the chilly days of spring by trying [...]
photo by roadsidepictures Part of being frugal is finding ways to use things that most people would throw away. Not only are you less wasteful; you end up saving money by not buying new products that serve the same purpose. One item you might throw away is the plastic-bag liner from cereal boxes. They’re durable [...]
DEAR SARA: I went into a local salon this evening to donate 12 inches of my hair. When I was talking to my mom, she told me that when my sister donated her hair, they didn’t charge her for the haircut. I’m mad that I was charged. Is this normal? I’d do it again in [...]
Freezer organization can be a challenge. It can be more difficult with a chest freezer. Ideally, you want the older food toward the top so it gets used sooner. You can remove food from bulky packaging and repackage into labeled freezer storage bags to save space or organize into plastic bins. The first reader offers [...]
