photo by grongar DEAR SARA: Can you make cinnamon buns from pizza dough? — Kelly J., California DEAR KELLY: Yes, you can. Here’s a recipe to try. 1-pound bag prepared pizza dough (or homemade) Filling 6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cubed and thawed to room temperature 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup finely [...]
photo by n1nj4 If you have a cat or dog, you’ve probably encountered water spills whenever it drinks from its bowl. Or maybe your pet tips the entire bowl over. Small spills are easy to wipe up with a towel. But maybe you want to keep the floor dry. You can place the bowl on [...]
photo by house of sims Frugality involves reducing waste. This includes saving useful items to reuse. But you don’t want to accumulate a bunch of clutter because — let’s face it — you can have the best of intentions, but that doesn’t mean you will use hundreds of saved items. In other words, saving a [...]
Your home can influence your mood. When it seems upside down or outdated, you might feel overwhelmed, stressed, frustrated or dissatisfied. Maybe you wish you could remodel a room or move into a new and improved house. You don’t need a high-cost solution. A few small tweaks can change your entire perspective, lift your spirits, [...]
May is national salad month. To celebrate, Red Gold® has generously sponsored this contest giveaway. Deadline to enter is 11:59 pm May 22.
Congratulations to the winner. Paul, you’ve won a BISSELL Pet Hair Broom. Enjoy!
Thanks to everyone that entered.
photo by gingerbydesign DEAR SARA: Freeze cole slaw? Can it be done? I made way too much and I would hate to waste it. The slaw itself is already made. I’m not thinking of making freezer slaw. How long will slaw keep in the fridge? — Kettel, Ohio DEAR KETTEL: Cole slaw made with mayonnaise [...]
photo by mokeneco Do you throw away your orange peels? They can be used in a simmering potpourri, as zest in cooking, rubbed onto your skin as an insect repellent and used in compost. The first three reader tips share additional ways to use them. ORANGE PEEL BATH: Create a wonderfully thrifty, immune-boosting bath. Vitamin [...]
photo by clairity Some frugal tips aren’t practical for everyone. There are some that you probably think you’d never want to do. You might think they’re not worth your time or you’re simply not interested in doing them. Or maybe you might think they’re downright gross. As you master money-saving strategies and progress in your [...]
Fels-Naptha soap is a multi-use product that’s been around for over 100 years. It’s manufactured by Henkel Consumer Goods Inc. I’ve mentioned it a couple of times as an ingredient to make homemade laundry soap (www.frugalvillage.com/2009/04/03/have-a-clean-and-green-home). But it can be used in many other ways in your home and garden, too. If you’re unable to [...]
Eating seasonal produce gives you the best taste and nutrition at the least cost to you and the environment. I’ve included three seasonal favorites for the upcoming months. You can pick one recipe per month to try as each fruit or vegetable comes into season. Eat local and find what’s fresh near you by visiting [...]
DEAR SARA: Do those steam mop things work? And are they OK for hardwood? I don’t know a specific model, but they are usually about $100 and have pads at the bottom that wipe the floor while spraying steam at it. Spraying hot water at wood seems counter-intuitive to me, but the people in the [...]
There’s frugal mania out there. The problem is that some of the tips are the same suggestions being mentioned over and over. While they might be new for some people, seasoned frugalitarians think they’re disappointing and obvious. Tips seem repetitious because they’re designed to become habitual. You’re supposed to feel as if you can do [...]
photo by lissalou66 Raspberries are expensive to buy at the grocery store. It’s cheaper to pick them yourself at a U-pick farm, buy them at your local farmers’ market or grow your own. They mold quickly, so you’ll want to use them up or freeze them as soon as possible. They’re healthy for you and [...]
photo by powerbooktrance A relationship needs glue to make the long haul. Bickering over household chores or being resentful over the little things can make us forget why we got into it in the first place. Apart from the unforgivable, many people simply need time to reconnect. Shared love is an investment. And much like [...]
photo by Ricky Irvine DEAR SARA: How do you store your bread? It seems that many people have breadboxes. Do they serve a purpose? — Michele, Kentucky
Clothes are expensive. The first reader tip shares a way to make them last longer. Follow the fabric labels for proper care instructions.
I also suggest:
– Use the gentle cycle when possible.
– Put on an apron or older clothes when cooking to prevent stains. And if you do get a stain, address it as soon as possible.
– Change out of work clothes when you get home so there’s less wear on your good clothes.
– Zip up zippers, and close any Velcro fasteners to prevent snags and pulls.
– Entirely or partially air-dry clothes.
