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 [...]
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 [...]
Cupcakes aren’t simply for children’s school parties anymore. They now have a prominent place among desserts and are served for most any occasion. The following are tips to improve your cupcakes, so you don’t waste ingredients: DAZZLE THEM: Cupcake decorations can mean the difference between a simple “thank you” from others and raves and requests [...]
D ear Sara: I’m looking for a French toast casserole recipe. Do you know of one you prepare the night before and bake in the morning? — S.B., Idaho S.B.: Paula Deen has an excellent French toast casserole recipe. Visit www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/baked-french-toast-casserole-with-maple-syrup-recipe2/index.html. Or how about French toast made in a muffin tin? Visit www.bakedperfection.com/2010/10/french-toast-muffins.html. I have [...]
While convenience products provide tasty shortcuts, it’s good to know how to make things yourself. This time of year, families tend to buy more boxed, flavored instant oatmeal and canned cream soups. I’m sharing two recipes you can make at home. Instant Oatmeal 3 cups quick-cooking oats salt 8 small zip baggies In a blender, [...]
Packing a lunch can help you save money at work. Keep foods at your desk or in an emergency snack box in your car with items such as granola bars, peanut butter, crackers, microwave popcorn, applesauce or fruit cups, soup, oatmeal, nuts, sunflower seeds, dry cereal or dried fruit. This helps in case you are [...]
Add peanut butter to your list of things to make yourself. It’s natural, quick and easy. If you make your own fruit preserves and bread, the homemade peanut butter will complete a sandwich taste sensation. You can also bundle the trio to give as a homemade gift during the holiday season. Don’t make jam or [...]
It’s back-to-school time. Kids often come home from school and go directly to the kitchen in search of a snack. Finding an after-school snack that won’t ruin their appetite for dinner can be a challenge. Fresh fruit and raw cut vegetables are healthy, but can become boring. Try including hummus with cut vegetables or dip [...]
You’d rather have too many hamburger buns than not enough. But when there are some leftover buns, you’re faced with a keep-or-toss decision. Don’t let them sit on the counter until they mold or hide them in the back of the freezer until ice crystals form. Don’t throw them away, either. They can be used [...]
Summer brings people together for casual backyard barbecues. Some parties are potlucks and you simply bring a dish to pass. But there are occasions when you want to bring a hostess gift. Maybe you usually bring wine, flowers or a dessert. Another gift idea is to bring a few homemade dry dip mixes. The dry [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
photos by twelve paws DEAR SARA: I just found out that I’m pregnant, and I want to be prepared for baby expenses. I don’t see the need to spend a lot of money, but it’s difficult to pinpoint where frugality stops and excess begins. It’s such an exciting time. Can you offer a few frugal [...]
photo by alibree No-bake recipes are quick and easy. Their simplicity makes them ideal for kids to create (very little wait time) or on days you’re in a hurry or don’t feel like turning on the oven. Best of all, there’s minimal cleanup. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 2 cups sugar [...]
photo by ClevelandSGS Frugality often seems like a lot of effort for a few cents. But it’s about making better choices that save larger amounts, too. Maybe you have a goal to pay down debt, such as your mortgage. One extra payment per year can shave a few years off your loan. But it’s tough [...]
D ear Sara: We grow our own corn in the garden. Two years ago, I blanched the corn, then froze it. But it was so bad that I threw all the corn out that winter, when we wanted to eat it. Last year, I kept the husks on and sealed them in airtight packages before [...]
Pizza is a family favorite. Making it at home is easy enough, but you might not have time to prepare the dough. Luckily, there are plenty of options to use for a crust. You can use English muffins, bagels, French bread or tortillas to name a few. You can substitute a traditional crust, too. Visit [...]
