photo by fooey DEAR SARA: When I was young, my mother used to bake Depression Chocolate Cake. Mom remembers making it, but not the amounts or the exact ingredients. It was my grandma’s recipe and didn’t have any eggs or butter. Instead, it used vinegar and baking soda to rise. I think the ingredients were [...]
photo by daBinsi The first tip is interesting because it offers a monetary incentive for kids to conserve energy. Most kids will follow your lead and want to do the right thing. If they see you’re respectful and responsible about energy, it becomes simply a way of life. But kids can be unaware of their [...]
photo by Bill Robertson Be smart when you’re in the market for new appliances. You don’t get much advance notice when a major appliance breaks. This leaves you in a vulnerable situation because you rely on these appliances on a daily basis. These big-ticket items can cost you a lot more if you’re not prepared. [...]
photo by ClevelandSGS Frugality often seems like a lot of effort for a few cents. But it’s about making better choices that save larger amounts, too. Maybe you have a goal to pay down debt, such as your mortgage. One extra payment per year can shave a few years off your loan. But it’s tough [...]
photo by Didts Move over, meatloaf. For a change, you can make these budget-friendly ground-beef meals. Some people stretch their ground beef by adding rice, breadcrumbs, ground turkey, textured vegetable protein (TVP), oats or beans. You can mix in grated vegetables such as potatoes, carrots or zucchini, too. Enjoy! Hamburger Calzones 1/2 pound ground beef [...]
photo by dayataglance DEAR SARA: How would you use up oranges? I bought a big bag of oranges, and a few have gone bad on me. What can I do with the rest of them so they don’t totally go to waste? — Kimberly, Oklahoma DEAR KIMBERLY: First of all, remove any spoiled or moldy [...]
photo by ronnie liew You can remove pilling on clothing to make them look new again. This can be especially helpful when buying secondhand sweaters. There are various ways to remove pilling, such as using fabric combs, pumice/sweater stones, duct tape or electric beard trimmers. I like the first tip, too. It works like a [...]
photo by Natalie Maynor Eco-frugality can be confusing. Maybe there are things you’d like to change to do your part, but it seems complicated, time-consuming or too expensive to start. One example is switching to organic food or vegetarianism. It can sometimes cost more, so it doesn’t seem frugal. The key is to take it [...]
photo by mel b Grocery prices are going up, and it makes sense to focus on your food budget. One way is to make an organized menu plan. For some people, it’s easy to do. You simply list your family favorites and organize them week to week. Keep the list handy in a notebook, on [...]
Packaged cookies are expensive. They taste inferior to homemade, too. Healthy snacks such as cut fruit and vegetables are tasty, but your family might want an occasional treat. For the days you don’t want to fuss with drop cookies, bars are quick, easy and foolproof. Keep them in your recipe box for holiday time, too. [...]
photo by oskay (click for LED garden light tutorial, too) DEAR SARA: What can I use in place of English-muffin molds? I have found a recipe to make homemade English muffins. I have the griddle but not English-muffin molds. They sell them on Amazon.com for $3.99 for four, but I really don’t want to buy [...]
photo by sciondriver Pots or pans are often used to soak dirty utensils. But you risk getting cut when reaching in to grab a fork or knife. The first tip solves that problem. Utensils can stand up, and you can see what you’re grabbing. And putting them away will be a breeze, too. PRE-SOAK AND [...]
photo by miguelb Found money adds up. Approach it as a game and not a serious way to supplement your income. Many people don’t find it worth their time to pick a penny off the ground. How long does it take? One second. Maybe two. Do you enjoy the “feelin’ lucky” factor of stumbling across [...]
photo by Torll When I was a kid, I never paid attention to how my family made burgers. Some were burned on the outside and pink on the inside. Some ended up as charred UFOs, and all the toppings invariably oozed out when I tried to eat. I remember cutting open and inspecting the hard-as-rock [...]
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 [...]
D ear Sara: I froze corn today and am wondering what I can make with the broth. It smells too good to throw away. — B.F., Pennsylvania Dear B.F.: I’d use corn stock in soup, chowder or risotto. You can use it in most recipes that call for chicken or vegetable broth. Freeze the stock [...]
photo by lucy The first tip is a great frugal idea. Some people use dryer sheets, mesh onion bags, a loofah or a balled-up piece of aluminum foil to scrub pots and pans. Add tulle to the list. POT SCRUBBER: My grandma gave me a mixer, and stuffed in the bowl was a piece of [...]
