Outgrown or worn jeans can be used to make something new. Rather than throw them away, create a gift or two for the holidays, or donate them for others to reuse. Here are a few ideas: Purse: Make a purse from the pockets. This doesn’t have to require sewing. You simply cut the back pocket [...]
There’s no need to buy ice packs. You can make them yourself. To make a gel ice pack, you’ll need two zip-enclosure freezer bags and some Dawn dishwashing liquid. Partially fill one bag, seal it and encase it in a second freezer bag. Place it in the freezer. Wrap it with a cloth before applying [...]
D ear Sara: Do you wash bagged lettuce? At a recent dinner, the host poured lettuce from a bag and served it with salad dressing. Is this normal practice, or should people be concerned about the possibility of germs or worse? — Shoiji, email Dear Shoiji: I wash bagged lettuce, not really from fear of [...]
This week, I’ve compiled reader tips that will help you hide gifts, have frugal holiday fun, make a couple of gifts for kids and pets and chase away winter chills with seasonal hot drinks you can mix yourself. Hide Christmas gifts: When the kids were little, I hid everything in the artificial tree box. Everyone [...]
Wrapping gifts can be as expensive as the gift itself. I reuse materials I have on hand, give gift wrap that can be reused or wrap as inexpensively as possible so I can spend more money on the actual gift. An easy way to wrap inexpensively without resorting to using newspaper, brown-paper bags or reused [...]
photo by southernpixel Apple season will peak soon. With a couple thousand varieties, it can be tough to sort out which apples are best for baking, snacking or freezing. Here’s a handy chart to help: www.usapple.org/consumers/appleguide/variety.cfm. Apple desserts are often requested, so I’m sharing three that you’re going to love baking this autumn. Enjoy! Apple [...]
photo by paul swansen When you’re living lean, it seems like you can’t cut any more corners. Often, there are things you simply don’t want to give up. You get used to modern conveniences and want to enjoy life. But if you think about, there’s quite a bit you could cut back on if you [...]
DEAR SARA: I need ideas for storing foil. How do you store saved foil to reuse? I don’t have any extra space in the drawers in my kitchen, so I keep the foil in a plastic zipper bag in the cupboard. The bag falls out nearly every time I open the cupboard. It is so [...]
Shower-curtain liners are fairly cheap. They can be washed and last quite a while before needing to be replaced. When ready to replace it, you can look into buying a cloth/fabric curtain that repels water and eliminate the need for a vinyl liner. You can reuse your old liner, too. Visit www.frugalvillage.com/2009/10/31/four-ways-to-reuse-an-old-shower-curtain/ for some ideas [...]
