photo by laurenatclemson This year, you might cut back on gift giving, but there are some people you simply don’t want to cross off the list — for example, the people who have done a great job or provided excellent service throughout the year, such as teachers, your mailman, your child’s school-bus driver, a childcare [...]
Homemade candy makes the perfect heartfelt gift. Sure, you could buy it, but that doesn’t have the same sweet nostalgia. Plus, the recipient knows you spent time making it. Some candy recipes are perfect for novice candy makers. The following recipes are easy. You’ll love them so much that you’ll have to make more to [...]
photo by southern foodways alliance DEAR SARA: I bought a bunch of wooden spoons at the thrift store the other day, but I’m not sure how safe it is to use them. I mean, if I run them through the dishwasher, they should be OK, right? Or should I just toss them? — Nishu, Washington [...]
A reader once shared that she made omelets, hash browns and even brownies in her waffle maker. I thought it was an interesting idea and one that I hadn’t yet tried, so when I read the first tip, I was excited to see another waffle-maker tip. Have you made anything in your waffle iron besides [...]
photo by clairity Do you have a favorite frugal tool? It’s the one item you own that you’ve grown to rely on. It helps you save time and money. These differ from kitchen gadgets because most often these tools don’t cost much, but they’ve become an invaluable part of your home. Do you have a [...]
photo by raneko In a past column, I mentioned spending that saves money. It included products and decisions that seem costly upfront but can help you save money in the long run. At the top of the list were steam cleaners, freezers, wood stoves and reusable containers, to name a few. You can probably think [...]
photo by Collin Anderson Cookies are a popular tradition throughout the holiday season. They’re easy to serve, travel well and make wonderful gifts. Most everyone has a favorite to bake. The most common cookie requests I receive are for cookies that aren’t too sweet and go well with coffee or tea, sugar cookies that hold [...]
photo by adiything DEAR SARA: What’s the difference between a consignment shop and a thrift shop? — C. York, e-mail DEAR C. YORK: Consignment shops sell items that are brought in by individuals. The store helps people sell their unwanted items. In other words, they buy some of their inventory outright from people. They split [...]
photo by thetruthabout DEAR SARA: With the economic downturn, what do you think about taking in boarders? — Julie H., Indiana DEAR JULIE H.: As a young woman in my early 20s, I once took in boarders. It was a nightmare. They charged up the phone bill and were late paying rent. I was lucky [...]
photo by alexdunn I receive countless desperate letters from readers who are experiencing hard times. Many are concerned about not being able to afford Christmas gifts for their young children. Now is a good time to get started preparing for the holidays. One way to plan ahead is to make homemade toys. Many can be [...]
photo by misocrazy Meat and poultry can be a large part of your grocery bill, but there are ways to keep the cost down. Going vegan might not be something you’re interested in pursuing, but you can incorporate meatless dishes once a week or more frequently if you desire. How do you save on the [...]
It’s easy to waste products by using too much. This is especially true with products that are pourable or in squeezable containers. No one wants to feel like there’s a daily audit on product usage, but if at least one person in the household measures only the amount that is needed or makes an effort [...]
photo by house of sims DEAR SARA: My chili is too spicy. Is there anything I can add to take the zing (less like “zing,” more like “fire”) out of it? I can’t imagine young children eating this. Help, please! — Debbie, Texas DEAR DEBBIE: Tone it down by adding more of the initial ingredients, [...]
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 [...]
