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 [...]
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 [...]
Staying motivated and focused on long-term money-saving goals is a common challenge. The daily grind of making positive choices that work toward your goals can be frustrating, especially if your goals aren’t recreational or fun. The thrill of spending money you don’t have or splurging senselessly can seem more fulfilling than experiencing a sense of [...]
Plastic ice cream containers seem too good to throw away. They’re bulky, so you don’t want to save them without having a purpose for them. Some are now available as a square container. This makes them great space-saving storage or gift containers. Here are a few ways to use them. KITCHEN COMPOST: Keep them on [...]
Shampoo can be used in a variety of ways in your household. This is helpful when you have an accumulation of free samples, or when you clean out your closet and find older, partially used bottles. Samples are wonderful to use when traveling, to tuck into gift baskets, or to use as stocking stuffers. You [...]
Frugal people sometimes get teased for reusing items. For example, you might save aluminum foil to reuse later. While some may find that idea silly, frugal people know there are plenty of ways to put foil to good use. How have you reused aluminum foil? Here are a few suggestions. DRYER BALLS: Wad foil into [...]
It can be tough to find more ways to save money. Members on my community forums shared ways to save at least $5 a month. Here are some of the highlights to help reach your savings goals. MAKE YOUR OWN BREAD: Making your own bread usually costs less than buying it from your local grocery [...]
Frugal strategies can cost you. They don’t always work equally as well for everyone. It’s easy to justify buying or doing things when you believe it’s going to help you to save money later. You can fall into a trap and make poor decisions all in the name of frugality. Frugality isn’t an all-or-nothing lifestyle. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
There’s frugal mania out there. The problem is that some of the tips are the same suggestions being mentioned over and over. While they might be new for some people, seasoned frugalitarians think they’re disappointing and obvious. Tips seem repetitious because they’re designed to become habitual. You’re supposed to feel as if you can do [...]
You want to make every penny count. This can include never or rarely spending money on certain items. Sometimes you can substitute with a cheaper alternative, make it yourself or simply go without. Are there things you’ve stopped spending money on for the sake of frugality? For frugal families, paper towels and plastic wrap top [...]
Frugal families cut their budgets to the bone. Many budget busters, such as eating out too often or being wasteful with electricity, are easy to identify. Sometimes it might seem like you can’t find any new ways to save. Readers on my forums share updates with an ongoing discussion on their most recent ways they’ve [...]
photo by D’arcy Norman Say goodbye to bottled marinades, and make your own. Marinades add a kick of flavor to meat, seafood and poultry. Don’t let the season stop you. You can fire up your grill any time of the year. When you bring your fresh, packaged meat home, you can repackage it into a [...]
photo by ms.Tea Organizing papers and incoming mail is a common household problem. Maybe your system is that you don’t have a system, or, if you have one, it’s not practical. Welcome to Mount Paper Piles. Luckily, readers share their methods to help control paper, so you can climb that mountain and conquer it once [...]
D EAR SARA: Can onions be frozen? I’ve never frozen them, but was afraid they’d turn brown or mushy. — Kelly H., e-mail DEAR KELLY: Yes, they can be frozen. Once frozen, they aren’t very good to use raw in salads. But they’re perfectly fine for cooking. You can peel and chop your onions, place [...]
photo by donut The mismatch amount of hot dogs to a package of buns often leaves you with leftovers. If you overplan a party, you’ll have extra, too. Don’t waste them. I like to call the following “reucipes” (ri-yoos-uh-pees), which are tips for reusing food and common household items. My readers share their tasty ways [...]
