photo by Mike Licht If you clip coupons, you’ll want to organize them. You want to find the coupons you need quickly so you don’t miss out on any money-saving opportunities. Creating the best system depends largely on how many coupons you clip and use. For some people, a paper clip will suffice, and for [...]
photo by René Ehrhardt Finding money to save for an emergency can be a challenge. But even if you work with a tight budget, you can start out by saving even a mere $10 a month. Something is better than nothing. Once you see your savings start to accumulate, you’ll be motivated to look for [...]
photo by biskuit Every cook needs a few budget recipes she feels comfortable serving to guests. These south-of-the-border-inspired recipes will satisfy your spicy-food cravings. They are based on familiar recipes and will be well received. Enjoy! Taco Cups 2 medium bell peppers 1/2 pound ground beef 2 tablespoons chopped onion 1 (16-ounce) can kidney or [...]
photo by Rex Roof DEAR SARA: I’m searching for pies that use half-and-half. I was given five quarts of half-and-half yesterday. I’ve got some piecrust dough to use up. Do you have a pie recipe that uses half-and-half? — Laurie, Florida DEAR LAURIE: You can use some of the half-and-half in French toast, cream soup, [...]
photo by timlewisnm The first tip is a good way to waste less apples. To prevent browning, soak the cores in saltwater. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per half gallon of water. Then freeze in an airtight container or a freezer bag. FRUGAL APPLESAUCE: A couple of months ago, I got annoyed at the [...]
photo by purpleslog You’ve probably made a financial mistake or two. Some money mistakes are fairly common. Most people learn from them and make changes for the better. Consistent decisions (both large and small) can have a big impact on your financial future. If you’re starting out, you’ll be ahead of the game if you [...]
photo by lissalou66 Ice-cube trays are versatile. You can use them the obvious way to make ice cubes. But they’re perfect to use as mini freezer containers for various foods, such as homemade pureed baby foods and storage for small items in your home, too. They stack easily, so use them to organize jewelry, loose [...]
Foil-packet meals are ideal for camping and open-fire cooking. But they can be made at home and cooked in the oven or on the grill, too. You can make sides such as potatoes or vegetables or entire meals. Grease your foil with nonstick cooking spray. Stack the ingredients in the middle of the foil, and [...]
photo by corrieb DEAR SARA: What requires more water, a bath or a shower? — G.V., forums DEAR G.V.: It depends. A short shower with a low-flow showerhead will use less water than a bath. If you limit the shower to less than five minutes, you’ll use less water, too. With a bath, you can [...]
photo by merelymel13 Organizing your storage containers can be a pain. If you don’t have a system for the lids, mealtime can become one additional frustration of the day. You can invest in storage containers with interlocking lids or simply designate a shoebox or drawer to hold them all. Nesting helps if you have round [...]
photo by talekinker Homemade gravy is far superior to what you can buy in the store. It’s cheaper, too. It’s oil, liquid, such as stock, and a thickener. Seems simple enough. Yet how often have you bought a can, jar or packet? The trick to making gravy without lumps is to make a slurry by [...]
photo by crd Maybe, for a wee bit o’ fun, you wear something green, buy a shamrock shake, or drink green brewskies or Irish coffees on St. Patrick’s Day. This year, serve your family more than last-minute green vegetables. Put on a leprechaun hat, and cook a hearty feast. These recipes are deliciously festive, but, [...]
Mismatched socks can pile up quickly. You hang onto them hoping to find their mates. Sometimes you do, so you might create a home for them made out of a basket, bag or a spare drawer. If you get new socks, you tend to toss out the old pairs, too. Clean but lone or used, [...]
DEAR SARA: What are some good ideas for keeping things tidy and attractive in a bedroom without a closet? This is a teenage girl’s room, so there is a lot of clothing and other random stuff. Do you have frugal storage ideas? — Carla, Canada DEAR CARLA: Use free-standing shelves or a book case (use [...]
photo by uzvards The first tip is a great idea during school vacations or whenever kids get bored. The same concept can be used to create tasks for chores (pick a chore a day) or for journal prompts. If you’re making a journal jar, you can write prompts on slips of paper and have your [...]
