photo by kudumomo There are various levels of frugality. For some people, it’s as simple as switching from paper to cloth or reducing plastic use. Others consider themselves frugal if they create an organized meal plan and stop eating out or shop secondhand. Each person decides comfortable ways to reduce waste and save money. Income [...]
photo by greencandy8888 There are children’s books that can help teach principles of frugality. Books can be cheap on the wallet and educational yet entertaining for kids. First, you have to put away any negative thoughts about giving kids used books (even as gifts). It gives a pre-owned book a new life. Consider that children [...]
photo by naotakem Pasta is budget-friendly. It’s best stored dry in your pantry and cooked within a year and eaten within three days once cooked and refrigerated. It’s great any season, too. There are thousands of pasta shapes you can experiment with. So set aside the jar sauce and incorporate new pasta dishes into your [...]
photo by house of sims DEAR SARA: I have a question about baking from scratch that is probably a no-brainer, but here goes. I bake everything from scratch. Can I mix the dry ingredients for, say, a chocolate cake and store it in canning jars or some kind of airtight container with a label on [...]
photo by Barb McMahon Trying to declutter your home can be a challenge. It can be tough to decide what to keep. The first reader tip can help you narrow down what you actually use. You can use a similar concept with other rooms in your home. Box up items you’re unsure you want to [...]
photo by simplyrikkles Add something new to your meal rotation. The following recipes are flavorful and budget friendly. Having beef, chicken, pork or pasta will solve your what’s for dinner dilemma, and they’re all excellent as leftovers, too. Incorporate a fish, international cuisine, one-dish meal or leftover night and you’re set for a week. Grilled [...]
photo by Abbybatchelder Hobbies can be expensive. You might want to start one but think you can’t afford to. Before jumping in, consider whether or not a hobby can capture your interest long-term, so you don’t waste any money investing in costly supplies. Many hobbies can pay for themselves, save you money, make great gifts [...]
photo by jsf539 You save money by being frugal. You prioritize and pare down or eliminate your wasteful spending ways. But even in a recession, there are items that are well worth the money. Whether you’re frugal or not, you don’t want to make a cheap, low-quality purchase and then have to replace it or [...]
photo by alibree DEAR SARA: My problem is, when I buy bananas, I have to know where I should store them — either in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter. The bananas ripen too soon, so give me some advice where to store them (temperature, etc.) — Frances V., Pennsylvania DEAR FRANCES: You can [...]
photo by nicubuno The first tip is a good reminder of how easy it is to do some things yourself. The same concept of adding your own mix-ins holds true for foods such as flavored yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese, salad dressings, soups, snacks, etc. You know what you’re adding to your food, so you [...]
photo by Looking glass A streamlined menu plan saves you money. But preparing and serving the same meals can get dull quickly. A few ingredients stored in your pantry will add flair to your dinner rotation. As a bonus, they don’t cost much when you consider how many uses you can get from each item [...]
photo by ifindkarma An organized home doesn’t have to break the bank. You don’t need to buy tons of fancy and expensive supplies, hire a professional or spend hours of your time. But you do need to be disciplined, creative and resourceful. You also need to allow yourself to own some practical tools to make [...]
Limited space can be a challenge. You might think you don’t have room to stock up on essentials when they’re on sale. You have to be creative and find the hidden storage areas in your home. The first thing to do is clear your rooms of clutter. Prioritize and swap out items that you haven’t used for practical, useful items that are helping you save money.
photo by Chris Zabriskie Sour cream is one of those products that tends to expire before you use it up, so I’m sharing a few easy recipes that call for up to 2 cups of sour cream. Keep them handy, and choose one depending on how much sour cream you have left. Sprite Biscuits 1 [...]
DEAR SARA: Do you have your kids do chores for their allowance, or do they get it regardless? –Michelle, Massachusetts DEAR MICHELLE: I don’t give my children an allowance for chores. Our children have chores and responsibilities that they have to do because they should. We give rewards if they go above and beyond their [...]
DEAR SARA: I’m thinking of starting my own small, at-home business. For now, it will be supplemental income. Hopefully, it will turn into something that I can do for extra money when I quit work. I was wondering what type of advertising works best. Also, is there a resource for finding craft fairs to join? [...]
photo by aka_kath Curious what the going rate is for a lost tooth? Fortunately, she’s not giving cars yet, but I’ve discovered the tooth fairy I know is pretty frugal compared to most. She’s been known to give loose change and even small snacks to my kids. Readers share creative ways to celebrate the tooth-fairy [...]
