Try using spices instead of salt to enhance the flavor of your food. You can grind your own (bought from a spice retailer) by using a mortar and pestle, an electric spice, coffee or seed mill or, in some cases, a microplane grater. You can adjust the flavor to suit your tastes. To make copycat [...]
DEAR SARA: What essential oils do you use in homemade laundry soap? I have sweet orange and tea tree. I don’t want to smell like tea tree, and I am afraid sweet orange might stain the clothes or cause allergy. What kind of oils do you use? — Leigh, Florida DEAR LEIGH: When I make [...]
This contest is sponsored by Kids ‘N’ Pets. I received a bottle of KIDS ‘N’ PETS INSTANT ALL PURPOSE STAIN & ODOR REMOVER. I have 4 kids, a cat, rabbit and two dogs, so was happy to receive a bottle. So far, I’ve used it to clean the floor around our rabbit cage and it [...]
Flavored coffee can be expensive. You can make your own at home for a fraction of the cost. The first reader tip shares a flavored creamer recipe. You can add flavor to your coffee grounds prior to brewing, too. Simply add 1 teaspoon cocoa and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to your coffee grounds. When it’s [...]
Choosing a gift can be tough. It’s even worse if you wait until the last minute. Don’t waste your time and money on a trinket that will be regifted or collect dust. Sure, not everyone wants a practical gift, but sometimes it’s getting what you need that matters. There are plenty of useful gifts to [...]
Cleaning your home can be time consuming. You can make it easier by cleaning in five- to 15-minute bursts of time. It’s easy to get carried away watching television or surfing online. Set a timer to limit your time so you don’t get sucked into wasting it. Idle time isn’t the same as leisure time. [...]
Congratulations pita1213. You’ve won a 5lb bag of pre-mixed homemade laundry soap. Using only the most trusted brands for cleaning, Soaps Gone Buy combined Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, 20 Mule Team Borax and of course, Fels Naptha Soap to make the best laundry soap! It only takes 2 TABLESPOONS per normal load! 96 Loads [...]
Warm weather means more get-togethers and plenty of meals outdoors. This year, make a few new dishes that are crowd pleasers. The first two recipes are quick side dishes that can be made ahead. The other two take some time and aren’t cooked on the grill, but they are well worth the extra effort for [...]
DEAR SARA: We’re a family of five, with three cats and two dogs, as well. My problem is hair. Our laundry comes out of the washer with bits of critter hair still on it, and it comes off in the dryer. How do I get this stuff to stop sticking to our laundry so that [...]
Look into repairing before replacing. Some repair jobs you can do yourself. A basic repair book, manual, expert advice or a search online can be all that you need to save an item from being discarded or replaced. You can take a small appliance to a service center/appliance repair shop for an estimate to see [...]
Change affects people differently. Some people thrive on it, while others absolutely hate it. A little self improvement goes a long way toward personal happiness and growth, so some purposeful changes are worth making. When you think about self improvement, you might think of an expensive endeavor such as going back to school. But there [...]
Clipping grocery coupons is a popular way to save money. But not everyone can or wants to be a coupon queen. Maybe the coupons you see are for products you don’t use or wouldn’t go out of your way to buy. Or maybe you’re in a hurry to shop. You can still avoid wasting money [...]
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 [...]
Pasta salads are classic dishes for spring and summer. Their vibrant colors, numerous flavor combinations and scalability make them a hit for family and friends. They’re easy to make ahead of time and with ingredients you have on hand. To give your pasta salad added appeal, experiment with fresh herbs, cheeses, interesting pasta shapes and [...]
photo by norriswong “What’s for dinner?” is a common daily question. My readers tell me they sometimes have sandwich night, breakfast for dinner or COTF (“clean out the fridge”) meals. How about trying a “build your own salad” night? It’s a great frugal option for parties, to use up leftovers and introduce a variety of [...]
DEAR SARA: How do I get dry paint off a Pergo floor? We painted our son’s room, and there are dry paint spots on the floor. I know some of them can be scraped up, but some look like they were stepped in and spread around the room. Those won’t come up with a scrapper. [...]
photo by Abri Beluga Frugal living can be a way to reach a financial goal, but it’s also a way to make it through a rough patch. It offers you a way to prepare, conserve resources and survive. The following reader tips can help you plan for tough times.
