photo by gemsling Are you making a new budget? Now is a good time to start fresh and buckle down on your spending. Look over last year’s numbers. Decide what worked and what didn’t. Renew any frugal strategies that may have gone by the wayside, too. Refocus your frugal objectives, and identify wasteful areas by [...]
photo by Darcy Norman Sometimes it can be depressing to read and watch the news. Add dreary weather or fears of an impending job loss, and it can be a recipe for disaster. Some people take it in stride, but others feel the weight of the economy and their personal finances on their shoulders. Their [...]
photo by cote DEAR SARA: I warmed some smoked meat a couple of weeks ago, and the microwave still smells like smoke every time we use it. The inside has been wiped clean with kitchen cleaner, which helped some, but it is still a strong, noticeable smell. Any suggestions for removing the odor? — Dawn, [...]
Frugal folks are finding cheap entertainment solutions right at or close to home. Some opt for frugal date nights instead of more costly options, such as dining out or going to a movie theater. Cheap? Sure it is. But it’s also a smart way to save some money when it’s tough to justify frivolous spending. [...]
photo by webby0101 Christmas is over, and the tree and decorations are put away. Phew. But frugalistas are already getting a jump-start on Christmas 2009. Maybe you picked up a few clearance items such as gift wrap, cards or bows. Some of my readers take it to a whole new level of planning. I’ve compiled [...]
Chocolate is the perfect way to end a romantic dinner on a sweet note. Instead of buying dessert for Valentine’s Day, bake it yourself. Here are three decadent chocolate recipes that are better than a box of chocolates and are sure to warm hearts. They’re impressive enough for a special occasion but simple and delicious [...]
photo by kai hendry DEAR SARA: I found a small, two-bedroom apartment at a great price. The rent is $450. It’s older and has dark paneling. How can I brighten it up on a budget? Painting isn’t an option. Thanks! — Jilly, Texas DEAR JILLY: You can buy a quilt hanger, or Ikea sells curtain [...]
photo by wordridden I don’t mind sometimes using disposable baking pans. It’s a handy way to do a large baking session and not have to continue washing pans. You can pop them in the freezer or bring food to someone without worrying about getting your pan back, too. Often times, you can wash them with [...]
Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? Don’t wait until the last minute. Desperation leads to cliche gifts gone wrong, like a half-dead rose or driving all over town trying to find a table at a restaurant. If you goofed on Christmas, you’ve got a golden opportunity to make up for it. Don’t blow it! The [...]
photo by ebby Young kids can get bored during winter breaks and snow days. They can play outside for only so long if it’s cold outside. Some days it rains or sleets, so even limited outdoor fun isn’t possible. Puzzle books, baking, snuggling and watching movies are great, but it doesn’t take long before kids [...]
For many, the new year means forming new habits. You might plan to bake more often in the upcoming year to save on the cost of snacks. If you have leftover holiday baking supplies, such as food coloring, chips, nuts or candy, you can use them for other holidays, such as Valentine’s Day or St. [...]
photo by rkimpeljr DEAR SARA: In your opinion, what are some of the least useful baby items you received? — Jilly, New Jersey DEAR JILLY: Parents are different in what they think are practical. I didn’t have much use for a changing table, Diaper Genie, newborn shoes, stuffed animals and toys, baby lotion and powder, [...]
Frugal folks are smart shoppers. Some keep price books to help them shop. It’s a notebook that contains item names, prices, unit sizes, unit prices, store names and dates. It helps shoppers compare prices on frequently bought items so they can identify what prices are a good deal. It’s better to rely on your own [...]
photo by Athenamama DEAR SARA: What supplies do I need to freeze meals? I would like to make a bunch of meals on the weekend and freeze them for the week. What type of containers are the best and cheapest for doing this? — M.C., Minnesota DEAR M.C.: You can find food-grade plastic and quality [...]
photo by orangeacid We’ve all been there. You’ve got too many bananas, mashed potatoes, eggs or zucchini, and the excess is threatening to rot in your kitchen. While some families are used to a week of turkey after Thanksgiving, they might not appreciate a week of scrambled eggs. Often, the food can be frozen and [...]
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, [...]
photo by LeifheitUSA Manual tools are often preferred over their electric counterparts. Electric tools tend to take up more space, cost more money to buy and run, and they’re noisy. They make some jobs a cinch, but there are tasks in which manual tools make more sense. For example, I’ll grab my manual can opener [...]
