photo by mike burns
It’s easy to keep or toss some items. You might have an idea for ways to reuse something and, if you don’t, out it goes. But it can be tough to decide what to do with some items, such as vinyl shower curtains or liners. They’re cheap to replace, so many people opt to throw them away and replace with a new liner (consider replacing with cloth). …

photo by tiffanywashko
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 baby tips? — Rachel, e-mail
DEAR RACHEL: Congratulations! There are many decisions to make when it comes to …

photo by aimai
Halloween is almost here. There are a lot of great deals to be discovered after the holiday. Not everything on sale is orange and black. A lot of autumn merchandise will be cleared out, too. A rule of thumb for bargain shopping is not to purchase items you don’t need simply because they’re cheap. It’s easier said than done. For years, I was a sucker for Black Friday …

photo by modmami
Many new parents buy baby wipes, and, when the wipes are gone, they’re left with a sturdy plastic container. Rather than throwing it away, reuse it as a storage container or turn it into a fun toy. Not only are you reducing waste; you’re saving yourself money that you would spend on purchasing new storage containers. Many of these types of storage containers are rarely seen by guests …