Keep or toss? You make this decision many times each week with a wide variety of items. Clearly, you can’t and shouldn’t save everything simply because it can be reused sometime later. A handful of bread bag twist-ties neatly contained with an intended purpose? Good. Dozens of plastic milk jugs shoved in the garage and [...]
Candy canes are popular during the Christmas season. But once the holiday is over, these festively striped candy leftovers tend to get thrown away or sit untouched. With candy canes now being made available in a wide variety of flavors, rather than pitching them in the trash, put them to good use throughout the winter [...]
Lean toward buying products that offer alternate and multiple purposes. A few examples include vinegar, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, baking soda and Fels-Naptha. This mindset can help you consider other household items that have alternative uses, so you can save money and be less wasteful. The first three reader tips share ideas for another multi-use [...]
D ear Sara: What are your thoughts on giving secondhand gifts? I see many things my friends and family would like at thrift stores and I’m tempted to give some as gifts, but I’m afraid I’ll appear tacky or cheap. — Paula H., New York Dear Paula: It depends on what you’re giving and the [...]
Egg cartons are sturdy containers. If you’re used to throwing them away, save one or two and put them to use in your home, use them for gifts or donate them. Here’s how: Gift: Money can be placed in an empty egg carton (you can reuse plastic Easter eggs, too). You can use an egg [...]
D ear Sara: How do you store your baking pans and cookie sheets? — Karen, Texas Dear Karen: I have a double wall oven with a deep drawer underneath it. I place some in there and I keep others in the lower oven that I don’t use daily. If you don’t have a deep drawer, [...]
Drawers are a common catch-all area. Even though they’re hidden from view when shut, they can be extremely frustrating when you need to access anything inside them. Stores sell all types of solutions, but you can get creative and reuse what you already have on hand rather than spend money. Here are a few suggestions: [...]
During the cold months, your utility bills can be considerably higher. You can combat this by scheduling an energy audit through your utility company. They’ll give you tips such as insulating your water heater, attic and pipes, installing a programmable thermostat or switching to lower-wattage bulbs. Or you can do an assessment yourself. Visit energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic_170 [...]
D ear Sara: Any tips for wrapping large gift items? — Kelly, Illinois Dear Kelly: The dollar stores sell cheap tablecloths. I’d use that to wrap a large gift item. You could make reusable, draw-string fabric gift bags, too. If the recipient is an immediate family member, you could reuse the fabric bags year-to-year; if [...]
Frugal families use their freezers to stock-up on food. While some foods don’t freeze well, such as mayonnaise, lettuce or cucumbers, there are quite a few foods that you might not think would freeze well that actually freeze wonderfully. One example is cookie dough. Visit frugalvillage.com/2009/10/04/be-thoughtful-with-secondhand-gifts/ to learn to make cookie dough logs. What foods [...]
You can replace some store-bought cleaning products with safer alternatives that are easy to make and economical. The basic ingredients are items that are either readily available in your home or easy to find at your local grocery store. Homemade cleaners are versatile, so they require less storage space than conventional products manufactured for specific [...]
D ear Sara: I have made cake in a mug and coffee cup scrambled eggs. Do you have any similar recipes? Love your column in the local newspaper. Keep up the good work. — Carolyn H., email Dear Carolyn: Try meatloaf in a mug. Scale down your usual meatloaf recipe by using only 1/4 lb. [...]
photo by net_efekt Personal-finance experts often say to pay yourself first, and to not spend money you don’t have. Some people use small reminders, such as Post-it notes or stickers in their purses or wallets, to make them think before making an impulse purchase, while others simply ask themselves whether they can afford it. Ask [...]
The first tip offers a creative twist on homemade Popsicles. I’m sure it would work with Crystal Light or fruit juice, too. If you’re not a Popsicle fan, try homemade pudding pops by combining a 3.4-ounce box of chocolate pudding, 2 cups milk and 1/2 cup whipped topping. Spoon into Dixie cups (3/4 full), and insert a Popsicle stick. Freeze until frozen through. Peel off cup before eating. Enjoy!
photo by jspatchwork Muffins are perfect for every season. They freeze well, and they whip together in minutes, so you can enjoy the old-fashioned Muffin Man goodness whenever the craving hits. They’re scrumptious plain but are amazing with spreads, compound butters, jams and jellies.
photo by Ricky Irvine DEAR SARA: How do you store your bread? It seems that many people have breadboxes. Do they serve a purpose? — Michele, Kentucky
photo by timlewisnm The first tip is a good way to waste less apples. To prevent browning, soak the cores in saltwater. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per half gallon of water. Then freeze in an airtight container or a freezer bag. FRUGAL APPLESAUCE: A couple of months ago, I got annoyed at the [...]
