Reminder bracelets can be made cheaply. A beaded bracelet can help you remember to drink enough glasses of water or help kids to remember their homework, an early dismissal for an appointment, to return library books, or for daily tasks such as brushing their teeth or making their bed without being told. They work well [...]
Summer is a great time to start frugal goals. Arm yourself with a game plan for budget busters such as summer school break, back-to-school costs, increased utilities and the holidays that will be here before you know it. Here are a few suggestions for summer savings: Garage sale: Declutter your home and gather potential garage [...]
DEAR SARA: What is a fair price for canning jars? I’m going to try dry-pack canning, and I want to buy brand new jars, seals and lids. Online, I see 8-ounce and quart jars, and some have wide mouths. I’ve got a chance to buy 5 pounds of King Arthur Bread Flour for $2.50. Their [...]
Don’t buy new if you have something that works just as well. Often, you can repurpose an item and produce a unique and stylish piece to add to your wardrobe or decor. What have you turned from trash to treasure in your home? What do you have that you’re using differently than was originally intended? [...]
Behind every frugal person is an item or two that boosts their frugality. Spending money to enhance frugal living might seem like backward thinking, but there are many free or low-cost items that can help you save time or money. Many pay for themselves in very little time, too. Some items that top the list [...]
Anyone who works in an office needs healthy food to give them energy and to provide the fuel for their creativity. Though the temptations are many. They come in the form of Kentucky Fried chicken, Starbucks and other food franchises. But eat frugally and healthily, and both your body and bank account will thank you. [...]
Many moms are always looking for new ideas for what to make for dinner – and lunch, and breakfast, and snacks, and party foods, ect. It is nice that there are so many resources where moms can draw on new ideas but for most moms the amount of information out there can be overwhelming. We [...]
D EAR SARA: I have a question about plants. I guess I should not complain. I had great germination, so what do I do with too many broccoli plants? Same with tomato plants. I can’t bear to toss them. — Meg, Missouri DEAR MEG: I sure hope you don’t toss them. You can plant them. [...]
Baking can be quick and easy. Some recipes you can make ahead and keep handy to have fresh baked goods within minutes. This is wonderful for busy families. One example is keeping Amish friendship bread starter. Visit http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/06/28/make-it-yourself-to-save-money/ for the recipe. The first reader tip shares another wonderful recipe that can be mixed and stored [...]
Practicing frugality is different for everyone. What might seem extreme or petty to you is everyday life for someone else. Each person decides what they’re comfortable doing to save a buck. However, there are times it’s not simply about saving money. Sometimes it’s about being less wasteful. Frugality can be a split-second decision. Keep or [...]
This contest was sponsored by Charlie’s Soap (http://www.charliesoap.com/). Congratulations to Nodmicks! Nodmicks has won: A 17 oz bottle of all-purpose cleaner and an 80 load container of laundry powder. Thank you to everyone who entered!
D EAR SARA: Help! A candle dripped on my pants. I put them in freezer and can’t get all the wax off. The pants are 95 percent acetate and 5 percent spandex. I would appreciate any help. Thanks. — Marno, email DEAR MARNO: Freezing the pants was a good idea. This lets you scrape off [...]
photo by wordridden It’s hard to believe that years ago, I actually requested mail-order catalogs and subscribed to many magazines. I’d open the mailbox, and on the glossy pages were the latest, greatest items to covet. I have never been a clotheshorse, so I wasn’t tempted by the fashions; but housewares and decor — well, [...]
photo by swanksalot Pineapple offers a sweet, tropical flair for summer dishes. It’s a good source of vitamin C, and when using canned pineapple, the juice can be reserved for drinking, cooking or baking. To cut fresh pineapple, place the fruit on its side. Use an electric knife, and cut a 1/2 inch to 1 [...]
photo by mangpages DEAR SARA: My son has denim jeans that are torn in both knees and a pocket here and there. What do you do with the denim material once they are no longer wearable? Dust rags? I need ideas. I have five pairs that I need to do something with. I hate just [...]
Photo by daxiang stef DEAR SARA: I have half a small pan (three wedges) of leftover cornbread from last night. It wasn’t that great so I doubt it’s going anywhere unless I can think of some creative way to revamp it. I’m trying so hard not to toss food! Any ideas? — Lukesmama, via forums [...]
photo by ned raggett Once your child is home on summer break, you can take inventory of what supplies are left that are still in good condition. Often, binders, backpacks, lunchboxes and clothes can be used again in the fall. The first reader tip is great because the kids can have a “new” backpack and [...]
