photo by Brian Carlock Frugal living includes many strategies for saving money. Sure, it’s penny-pinching, but it adds up to a considerable amount annually. There are a lot of tips and tricks that you can use that others might not. They’re not over the top, extreme or bizarre. They’re simple choices you can make that [...]
photo by barkdog Frugal living is fun. When practicing frugality, you’ll have stories to tell that are especially funny to fellow frugalitarians. These stories are validation that money-saving strategies can be applied to your life seamlessly. If you have a funny frugal story, share it with me. Here are a few that have been shared. [...]
photo by lissalou66 Raspberries are expensive to buy at the grocery store. It’s cheaper to pick them yourself at a U-pick farm, buy them at your local farmers’ market or grow your own. They mold quickly, so you’ll want to use them up or freeze them as soon as possible. They’re healthy for you and [...]
photo by erix! DEAR SARA: My husband has a great recipe for homemade sausage. Last time, he made it in cornhusks, but he asked if I could ask where he might be able to find sausage tubes (or wrap, whatever it is called). — Chrissy, Florida DEAR CHRISSY: Natural casings can be found at a [...]
photo by DeclanTM An Internet connection is frugal. When given the choice between cable television and an Internet connection, frugalitarians choose being online hands down. They’ll give up their landline phone, dryer, dishwasher, going to the movies and eating out, but don’t mess with their computer — and who can blame them when it pays [...]
photo by ned raggett Once your child is home on summer break, you can take inventory of what supplies are left that are still in good condition. Often, binders, backpacks, lunchboxes and clothes can be used again in the fall. The first reader tip is great because the kids can have a “new” backpack and [...]
photo by sa_ku_ra Frugality should be peaceful. But there are times when frugal living might cause you to be unhappy or stressed. It’s usually when you take on too much or when you try strategies that work well for some families but are a bad match for yours. You have to sort out what works [...]
photo by Durgan Rhubarb is an old-fashioned favorite from the garden. It gives so much and asks for so little in return. The leaves are toxic, but the tart stalks lend themselves well to simple desserts. Fruits and sugar tame the zing. It can be chopped and frozen in an airtight container or wrapped in [...]
DEAR SARA: I read an article, and it discussed “shampoo bars.” What is this? — Christine B., e-mail DEAR CHRISTINE: It’s shampoo in bar form instead of liquid. Many people who make soaps make shampoo bars, too. They consist of natural ingredients — typically, glycerin, essential oils, fruit extracts and a vegetable protein. I recommend [...]
Summer is a good time to set some frugal goals. It’s easy to get trapped into overspending, but if you arm yourself with a game plan, you can save some money or at least avoid adding to your debt. How do you save money during summer? Here are a few tips for putting your best [...]
photo by lissalou66 Raspberries are expensive to buy at the grocery store. It’s cheaper to pick them yourself at a U-pick farm, buy them at your local farmers’ market or grow your own. They mold quickly, so you’ll want to use them up or freeze them as soon as possible. They’re healthy for you and [...]
Gift cards are practical gifts, but they have a reputation as last-minute gifts or an easy way out. While it’s true that a plain, unwrapped gift card can be a bit awkward to give and receive by itself, you can make your gift more unique and thoughtful by jazzing up the presentation to personalize it [...]
DEAR SARA: How do I get dry paint off a Pergo floor? We painted our son’s room, and there are dry paint spots on the floor. I know some of them can be scraped up, but some look like they were stepped in and spread around the room. Those won’t come up with a scrapper. [...]
There’s no need to buy ice packs. You can make them yourself. To make a gel ice pack, you’ll need two zip-enclosure freezer bags and some Dawn dishwashing liquid. Partially fill one bag, seal it and encase it in a second freezer bag. Place it in the freezer. Wrap it with a cloth before applying [...]
