photo by Tama Leaver DEAR SARA: I made a ham and just froze the bone and some ham for soup later, but what can I do with the drippings? Seems a shame to waste them. I’ve never done anything with ham drippings. At the very least, I could make some suet for the birdies. Any [...]
photo by Bohman It’s always useful to have a spare set of keys. Don’t try to hide keys on a doorframe or underneath a doormat, garden rock or the body of your car. These are obvious spots that thieves look first. The first tip has a good suggestion for spare keys. SPARE KEYS: My husband [...]
photo by Nick Bramhall It’s time for a frugal year in review. Financial gurus always encourage you to pay yourself first. This is important. All of the debt-reducing, money-saving strategies and ways to increase your income won’t mean much if you don’t take care of yourself first. When you reflect upon the past year, what’s [...]
photo by LizMarie The new year gives a fresh start for frugality. It’s the perfect time to start planning, organizing, learning and challenging yourself. Some frugal strategies are harder than others. Master one tough area, and slowly add easier methods throughout the year to avoid burning out. But which strategies tend to be the hardest? [...]
photo by Rubber slippers in Italy Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for chocolate, and it’s never too early to plan for the sweet stuff. These recipes are all quick and easy to prepare. The first two make a single serving, so they’ll work well whether you celebrate with someone else or alone. Simply double [...]
photo by Lel4nd Being frugal can be difficult when you’re just starting out as a young couple. Newlyweds are filled with hopes, dreams and challenges. To help young couples get off on the right foot, readers share their advice. COMMUNICATE: You have to be on the same page with finances, or it can cause huge [...]
photo by LeifheitUSA DEAR SARA: How often do you vacuum your home? My friends and family think I am insane because I vacuum darn near every day. It just got me wondering, how often is normal? — Lisa, Virginia DEAR LISA: Although I’m frugal, I want my home to be tidy. I typically vacuum daily. [...]
photo by jules:stonesoup Pantry stockpiling and purchasing food in bulk are popular among frugal people. But it’s common for larvae or Indianmeal moths to be carried in with bulk purchases such as flour, cereal, dog food, powdered milk, spices and birdseed. If there are females, you’re bound to have an infestation. Within a couple of [...]
photo by LizMarie One of the best appliances I’ve ever purchased is a Crock-Pot. I use it throughout the year, but I especially like to use it in the summer so I don’t heat up the kitchen by using the oven. I enjoy the freedom of prepping a meal early in the day and not [...]
photo by quinn anya DEAR SARA: Help. Do I take a gift? One of the ladies on my block invited me to a brunch that she has invited all the other ladies on the street to. They did it last year (I wasn’t able to attend), and, from what I understand, it is an informal [...]
photo by house of sims Trim your candlewicks each time you use them. You’ll save money because they’ll last longer and will prevent your candles from smoking. The first tip shares a simple household tool you can use. TRIM CANDLEWICK: Just thought I’d pass along a solution I’ve discovered for trimming candlewicks so the burned [...]
photo by ktylerconk You don’t have to sacrifice happiness if you’re frugal. Small pick-me-ups or indulgences can help you maintain your frugality without completely blowing your budget. You simply need to redefine luxuries. If you think about it, there are plenty of enjoyable low-cost splurges. Some can be impulsive, and others can be worked into [...]
photo by erix Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? Don’t wait until the last minute. Desperation leads to cliche gifts gone wrong, like a half-dead rose or driving all over town trying to find a table at a restaurant. If you goofed on Christmas, you’ve got a golden opportunity to make up for it. Don’t [...]
photo by jspatchwork Muffins are perfect for every season. They freeze well, and they whip together in minutes, so you can enjoy the old-fashioned Muffin Man goodness whenever the craving hits. They’re scrumptious plain but are amazing with spreads, compound butters, jams and jellies.
Moving can be exciting and stressful. Whether it’s your first apartment or a move into a new-to-you home, you’ll be tempted to buy new furnishings and home decor. Many interior decorating accents and solutions can be either handmade projects or purchased secondhand. Maybe your budget has room to splurge a bit. You can combine and [...]
photo by kwankwan DEAR SARA: I want to lighten my purse load. I got a backache from my purse this week. So I am trying to think of ways to streamline what I am carrying. What do you carry that is light? — Mumzy, via forums
photo by oskay Some produce comes wrapped on foam trays. Rather than throwing them away, they can be reused as paint palettes, crafts or packing material. You can place them in your pantry under items such as oil or honey that might drip or leak on your shelves or make a compass, too. The first [...]