photo used by permission from Jen at BeantownBaker.com Don’t toss overripe bananas away. They’re great in smoothies, pancakes, mixed into oatmeal or combined with yogurt and frozen for a refreshing treat. What is your favorite way to use them up? Here are four easy desserts. Banana Bars 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 2 cups [...]
photo by tiffanywashko DEAR SARA: Have you tried almond milk? I had read quite a few articles stating this was the new “in” thing and how beneficial it is to your health, blah blah blah. While I was walking through the grocery store, I stumbled upon this product — at eye level no less — [...]
photo by Lisa Brewster One way to save money is to start using less stuff. This is especially true when it comes to pourable products. For example, you could be using more dish soap, shampoo or condiments than you actually need. Monitoring your usage is important, but accurately measuring helps you to avoid waste, too. [...]
photo by Rubbermaid Products Frugal people can’t be frugal at everything. There’s always an area where you can make improvements. Sometimes there’s a strategy that you were really focused on at one time, but then you set it aside or eased off for one reason or another. Have you been a frugal slacker? We all [...]
photo by redspotted Frugality teaches you that you have options. Everyone has their own idea of what is essential for comfortable daily living. Many of these items have cheaper alternatives, and some items you can completely eliminate buying. What frugal replacements have you made? Here are a few easy ideas. PAPER NAPKINS: Maybe you don’t [...]
photo by Robert Banh Many fruits and vegetables are available all year. But you can buy seasonal produce to save money and for the best taste. Here’s a handy guide to check the seasonal availability of produce in your area: http://www.fieldtoplate.com/guide.php. March is a good time to buy broccoli and cabbage cheaply. When selecting broccoli, [...]
photo by jerine DEAR SARA: I’m looking for the best heavy-cream substitute for a tomato cream sauce. (It is for Chicken Tikka Masala.) I am really just not a fan of the price and fat content of heavy cream. Plus, I don’t think I would ever end up using a whole pint before it would [...]
photo by LeifheitUSA Manual tools are often preferred over their electric counterparts. Electric tools tend to take up more space, cost more money to buy and run, and they’re noisy. They make some jobs a cinch, but there are tasks in which manual tools make more sense. For example, I’ll grab my manual can opener [...]
photo by lejoe Buying refurbished products can help you save money; it’s really an opportunity to buy quality products at a great price. Some people shy away from buying these products because they think they are flawed. Have you ever bought a refurbished item? While it’s common to find refurbished electronics, there are many other [...]
photo by RichinMN Hope chests are making a comeback. Parents want to plan ahead for their kids and save money. If you want to do the same, you can buy a quality cedar chest that can become a family heirloom, or simply start out with a box or use extra space in a closet. If [...]
photo by eljay Homemade snacks can be a challenge. You might not have time to bake cookies, breads or muffins. You can offer snacks with minimal prep work, such as fresh fruits and raw vegetables, string cheese, yogurt or cream cheese on raisin toast, but these get boring if you use them too often. The [...]
photo by laurenatclemson This year, you might cut back on gift giving, but there are some people you simply don’t want to cross off the list — for example, the people who have done a great job or provided excellent service throughout the year, such as teachers, your mailman, your child’s school-bus driver, a childcare [...]
photo by claireb707 Once regarded as turning meals into gray mush, slow cookers have made a comeback as a frugal cook’s appliance of choice. And for good reason: They offer hands-off cooking, which can free up time for you to do other things while still serving a nutritious meal. Slow cookers are in such high [...]
photos by twelve paws DEAR SARA: I just found out that I’m pregnant, and I want to be prepared for baby expenses. I don’t see the need to spend a lot of money, but it’s difficult to pinpoint where frugality stops and excess begins. It’s such an exciting time. Can you offer a few frugal [...]
photo by tale kinker DEAR SARA: How long will chicken last in the fridge after it has been cooked? I pressure-cooked a package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts five nights ago and used some of them. I planned to use the rest the next night, so I put the leftovers and the chicken broth from [...]
photo by didbygraham One challenge for moms of young children is finding the time to exercise. Nap times can be unpredictable, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the discipline to wake up for a 4 a.m. jog. I applaud women who can. If you wait for the perfect workout situation, you’ll [...]
