D ear Sara: While on vacation I saw a lady with a rectangular type of flat bread, which she claimed was lower in fat and healthier than regular tortillas. Do you know what this might be? Do you know of any other frugal, healthy alternative to tortillas? — Jean, Canada Dear Jean: There are low-carb [...]
Money is a great gift because you know the recipient will put it to use. But much like lottery tickets, concert tickets and gift cards, sometimes simply giving it in a plain envelope seems unimaginative. The first two reader tips share a couple of creative ways to give cash gifts: A way to give money [...]
Gift cards are practical gifts, but they have a reputation as last-minute gifts or an easy way out. While it’s true that a plain, unwrapped gift card can be a bit awkward to give and receive by itself, you can make your gift more unique and thoughtful by jazzing up the presentation to personalize it [...]
D ear Sara: I’ve been hearing about how vinyl shower curtains contain the “no-no” PVC as well as other not-so-nice chemicals. The recommendation is to replace them with cloth shower curtains. My first thought is that cloth is not waterproof, so I’m imagining water all over my bathroom floor. Would cloth block water like the [...]
It can be cheaper to buy food at stores other than the grocery store. You can shop ethnic markets, bread stores, dollar stores, pharmacies such as Walgreens, warehouse clubs or discount grocery stores such as Aldi. For state-by-state listings of salvage grocery stores, visit www.frugalvillage.com/forums/discount-stores/97055-salvage-grocery-list-state.html. The first reader offers another way to find lower-cost food [...]
How many shopping days until Christmas? You have plenty of time to make some gifts for the children on your list. Odds are you have some of the supplies already. Visit www.frugalvillage.com/2009/08/21/easy-homemade-gifts-for-kids/ for some ideas. Try these fun homemade gifts: Puppet theater: In a child’s room, you can suspend a curtain from a tension rod [...]
D ear Sara: Can cooked rice be frozen? — Kelly H., New York Dear Kelly: Yes, you can freeze rice. I let cooked rice cool, then I package it in freezer storage bags. I flatten the bag (leaving rice in a layer about 3/4-inch thick) and squeeze out any air. To reheat, I use my [...]
Coffee filters can be used for more than simply brewing coffee. If you’ve recently switched to a reusable filter or cut out your daily java, those spare paper filters can be used for many of the same purposes as paper towels. Visit www.frugalvillage.com/2007/09/19/alternative-uses-for-an-every-day-item-coffee-filters/ for a list of alternative uses. The first reader tip shares another [...]
Preparing a large holiday meal can be stressful. It’s not easy to plan, prepare and coordinate cooking times for the entire menu. If you’re smart, you’ll lighten the load by planning a potluck with family and friends. But if you’re the sole cook slaving frantically over the stove, cleaning and trying to get everything perfect, [...]
D ear Sara: How can I clean down pillows without taking them to the dry cleaner? — Jaime, New Jersey Dear Jaime: Fluff down pillows daily. Every few weeks, air them near a window or outside. Keep a cover on your pillows, or doublecase them for extra protection. Consider using the laundromat to wash and [...]
Plastic cereal bags are great liners that can be reused. You can use them to store baked goods or a sandwich, apply breadcrumb coatings to meat, fish and poultry, roll up cookie dough logs, contain ingredients to be crushed with a rolling pin, or as a trash container in your car. The first reader tip [...]
Getting children to school can be stressful. Organization not only makes mornings run more smoothly (which is especially helpful on days when you’re running late), but it teaches young children valuable life skills. Put a few tools and systems in place, and soon your kids will be able to manage effortlessly on their own. COMMUNICATION [...]
photo by Muffet Frugal people sometimes feel discontentment. There are times you might compare yourself to others and feel a twinge of envy. Some people are fortunate and can think about themselves in a confident way and let things go that are draining them. For other people, it takes making something happen or a change [...]
Try something new for the holidays. Whether dinner is at your house or you’ve been asked to bring a dish to pass around, the following side dishes are crowd pleasers. They’re all familiar, so they won’t be avoided and will go well with most menu plans. Mashed Potatoes 5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cooked 1 [...]
photo by Dave Melbourne DEAR SARA: I had a recipe for a plant spray that was comprised of garlic, water and maybe soap or vinegar. I can’t find it. It was very effective and kept the insects away from all my plants that I move outdoors during the summer. Do you know of this recipe? [...]
photo by scholastica_ees DEAR SARA: I bought two large containers of Folgers a while back when the product was on sale. I recently opened one and found it is a very mild flavor. Can I get a stronger coffee and mix with the mild? Will it improve the flavor, or would I be wasting my [...]
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 [...]
