Frugality includes reusing items. Maybe you have an abundance of T-shirts that you can’t bring yourself to throw away. Some were probably free, and others might be mementos from school, vacations or sports. Instead of purging them or letting them take up precious storage space, you can reuse them in more practical ways. How have [...]
DEAR SARA: I hate packing lunches. It is my absolute most despised chore. I will have to pack four a day, and only one kid can reheat leftovers. I’m thinking of setting up a sort of lunch-packing station — a hidden place stocked with individual portions of snacks and lunch stuff that I can just [...]
Ice cube trays are perfect little organizers. They can be used to freeze herbs, coffee/tea and baby food. They stack easily, so use them to organize jewelry, loose change, tacks, paper clips, small screws and bolts or buttons. They’re great to hold different-colored paints for kids or candies, a variety of dips, to grow seeds [...]
How many shopping days until Christmas? Don’t blow your budget this year. You have plenty of time to make some gifts for the young kids on your list. Odds are that you have some of the supplies already. Here are a few ideas. DRESS-UP BOX: After Halloween, scout out discount costumes, wigs and accessories. To [...]
Sears has provided me with 1 $200 Sears gift card for a reader giveaway and and 1 $100 Sears gift card for myself as part of a promotional offer. Images and information are provided by Sears. Sears’ Salute to Heroes Sale This Saturday, September 25 Sears is celebrating America’s service people (Police, Military, Veterans, Firefighters, Teachers, and Hospital Staff) with [...]
DEAR SARA: I have a friend who is due in a month and she asked me if I knew of any foods that freeze well. — Daphne, Virginia DEAR DAPHNE: Foods such as spaghetti sauce, soups, casseroles, pizza, lasagna, meatloaf/meatballs, chili, sloppy Joe’s, breakfast foods such as waffles, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and muffins all freeze [...]
You might need to substitute eggs in your baking. Maybe you’re out of them, are changing your diet or a family member has an allergy. There are quite a few substitutions available, but you shouldn’t attempt to replace more than two eggs in a recipe. For example, you can substitute 1 banana for 1 egg, [...]
Eating out is a common way to overspend. The tip can cost more than an entire meal cooked at home. It’s easy to rely on grabbing takeout or dining at a restaurant as a quick solution. Homemade meals aren’t always cheaper. You need to do some work and be a smart shopper. But even if [...]
DEAR SARA: What are some good ideas for keeping things tidy and attractive in a bedroom without a closet? This is a teenage girl’s room, so there is a lot of clothing and other random stuff. Do you have frugal storage ideas? — Carla, Canada DEAR CARLA: Use free-standing shelves or a book case (use [...]
Curtains can be made by using pillowcases, flat sheets, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, cloth napkins, place mats or scarves. But some of these options can be a bit much to undertake if you don’t sew. The first reader shares her tip for making no-sew curtains. A CHEAP ALTERNATIVE TO CURTAINS: If you’re looking for cheap options for [...]
If your signature dish is spaghetti with jarred sauce, it’s time to expand your cooking repertoire to include lasagna, chili, stew, gravy, salad dressing, pancakes, waffles, bread, chocolate chip cookies, biscuits and muffins. What recipes do you think any beginner cook should master? Here are a few more suggestions. FLUFFY RICE: Use the index-finger method [...]
DEAR SARA: My daughter just called and said she is cleaning out her dish cupboard and asked me if I wanted the stuff she is getting rid of. Of course I said yes. I’m not too proud. She has newer, nicer stuff. One of the things is a nice cheese grater. My question is: Is [...]
Frugality often leads to simplicity. For some people it comes naturally, but others struggle with small details, redefining luxuries and shiny-object syndrome. I was in a “make it pretty” industry as a career, so that really stuck with me at home, too. But when it came down to prioritizing, many details were sucking the life [...]
photo by merelymel13 Revive Sunday dinners, and serve a hearty meal. While quick meals have their place, Sunday can be reserved as a day to bring everyone to the table. You don’t have to do the traditional Sunday roast to add a perfect end to the weekend. The following meal is simple enough that you [...]
photo by RogerBarker2 Did I miss something? Is it some sort of rite of passage to visit Disney World? I went when I was 10 years old, and I don’t remember it being magical. Not that it wasn’t: I just don’t remember. My trip to Washington, D.C., left a more lasting impression. Yet many parents [...]
D EAR SARA: I got some Berber carpet a few months ago. A jar of homemade pickles broke on it, and I can’t get the stain out. I have tried Resolve and dish soap. The pickles were made from cucumbers, green peppers, onions, white vinegar, sugar and celery seeds. They didn’t contain any oil. I [...]
photo by sciondriver We had our gas meter moved from inside the garage to outside, so the service technician checked for leaks. If our meter hadn’t been moved, I probably wouldn’t have thought to have anyone check it. It’s one of those things I take for granted. The service technician told me to keep ice [...]
