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  • Cut back or do without

    photo by paul swansen When you’re living lean, it seems like you can’t cut any more corners. Often, there are things you simply don’t want to give up. You get used to modern conveniences and want to...

  • foodshopping
    Know when frugality can cost you

      During your quest for frugality, you can overdo it. Extreme frugal living that negatively impacts someone else is one way. But another way is when you get so consumed by saving that you actually waste money...

  • Use a favorite frugal ingredient

    photo by erin.kkr Pasta is a frugal staple. It’s economical and easy to prepare, and its versatility makes it a budget-friendly favorite. You can serve it hot or cold, make a meal for one or a big...

  • Enjoy a cup of rose-hip tea

    photo by Fort Greene Clinton Hill DEAR SARA: I have three or four rose hips. How many rose hips would it take to make a pot of tea? — Juju, Virginia DEAR JUJU: You could get a...

  • Free (or inexpensive) and frugal iPhone applications

    photo by visual dichotomy If you have an iPhone, you’ve looked over the iTunes.com app store. There are a lot of free and low-cost apps available — for the iPhone and other smart phones — to help...

  • Bake a cake for breakfast

    photo by jenigma Pancakes are a frugal breakfast. They can be made ahead and frozen for the upcoming week. Instead of making them on a griddle, you can use baking pans. Previously, I shared a recipe for...

  • How to cope with setbacks

    photo by wheany We all have bad days. Murphy comes to visit and stays for a while. One bad financial setback happens and you might handle it fine, but then, by the second or third problem, you...

  • 4 ways to use your bean

    photo by crabchick Beans are a frugal pantry staple. Dried beans are usually cheaper than canned, and you can season them yourself. For greater savings when using dried beans, cook them using a slow cooker or thermos....

  • Reduce salt in your diet

    photo by somegeekintn DEAR SARA: No salt for five days. Help me! I am kicking the salt habit. I love salt more than anything else on earth. I carry salt packets with me, can’t eat without salt,...

  • Save money at golf pro shops

    photo by andrea pacelli You’re probably used to seasonal clearance sales in mass retail stores. Golf pro shops are no exception. You’ll want to compare prices to off-course discount stores, but you’re sure to find a few...

  • Re-evaluate your budget

    photo by Briebeest We all have budget busters. Maybe your budget is nickeled-and-dimed away by daily coffee, lunches with co-workers or movie rentals, to name a few. But sometimes you relax with your finances, and it’s bigger...

  • Plan ahead for houseguests

    photo by Justin Day to day, frugality is simply a way of life. Maybe you splurge occasionally, but then you dust yourself off, regroup and return to your thrifty ways. It can be particularly challenging to stay...

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