photo by nutmeg
Use it up. Wear it out. Make do. Do without. It’s a sign of the times. Unless of course, you’ve been a smart, frugal cookie all along. But if this is all new to you, you might be able to use a few tips on how to take care of what you have so you can avoid rushing out to buy something new. No. 1 tip: Stay home. …

photo by crystl
Frugal folks cook from scratch. But is it cheaper? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. If you’re not a savvy shopper, have time constraints or don’t have health restrictions, then there’s increased value placed on ready-made and convenience foods. For example, boxed pasta and sauce in a jar is often going to win the cost-calculation comparison because not everyone has the time or desire to make homemade …

photo by jgodsey
When it’s cold outside, a hot mug of delicious soup is the perfect comfort food. It’s easy to prepare, and it’s affordable. To serve it as a hearty meal, ladle soup into a bread bowl. Simply cut out a circle on the top of a round loaf of bread, and hollow it out. For thinner soups, you can brush olive oil on the inside of the bread. Bake …

photo by House of Sims
DEAR SARA: I need help with couscous. I’d never had it before in my life. I basically just did the microwave version and added salt, pepper and butter. It was OK, almost like grits but way grainier. It didn’t do anything for me. Any idea on how to make it better? After all, I did buy one container to try new things, and I can’t waste …