Winter is on the way. Now is the time to prepare for the cold. Maybe you stock up on wood to burn, prepare your car, bring out the winter bedding, freeze or can food, or put plastic on your windows. But there are additional ways to get ready for winter. How do you prepare? Here [...]
Cardboard tubes usually get tossed once you get to the end of the roll. Do you ever save them for anything useful? Some people are uncomfortable at the thought of saving toilet paper tubes, so I’ll keep this focused on reusing paper towel, wrapping paper, tin foil, plastic wrap or wax paper tubes. Before you [...]
Lone sheets take up much-needed storage space. You probably have a sheet or two that you rarely use but haven’t thrown away. You know you might need it for something someday, such as a toga party or quick ghost or mummy costume, right? Instead of hanging onto it with the best of intentions, put it [...]
Birthday parties for kids can bust your budget. Planning the party can be stressful, too. You tend to forget basic games and activities can be the most fun. Supplies don’t have to be costly and many can be made with items you already have in your home. Many traditional party games such as musical chairs, [...]
How many shopping days until Christmas? Don’t blow your budget this year. You have plenty of time to make some gifts for the young kids on your list. Odds are that you have some of the supplies already. Here are a few ideas. DRESS-UP BOX: After Halloween, scout out discount costumes, wigs and accessories. To [...]
It’s easy to waste products by using too much. This is especially true with products that are pourable or in squeezable containers. No one wants to feel like there’s a daily audit on product usage, but if at least one person in the household measures only the amount that is needed or makes an effort [...]
Moving can be exciting and stressful. Whether it’s your first apartment or a move into a new-to-you home, you’ll be tempted to buy new furnishings and home decor. Many interior decorating accents and solutions can be either handmade projects or purchased secondhand. Maybe your budget has room to splurge a bit. You can combine and [...]
When living on a tight budget, you realize quickly which skills are important. Often, basic skills can be the difference between a small bump in the road and a financial crisis. You can give the next generation a huge gift by teaching them skills that can help them as adults. There are plenty of skills [...]
When you think frugal family vacations, camping comes to mind. How much can a tent and some bug spray cost compared to airfare and hotel accommodations, right? Unfortunately, if you’re a novice camper and don’t plan ahead, it can be far more expensive than you anticipated. How have you camped on a budget? Do you [...]
Buying in bulk at warehouse clubs can help lower your budget, but it’s not the best money-saving option for everyone. You won’t save much, if anything at all, if you have to travel far to get to the store, are single and won’t consume products before they go bad or if you aren’t disciplined and [...]
Personal care and beauty products can help you feel your best, but their cost can make them one of the first things to be cut when living on a budget. Instead of sacrificing completely, you can make every dollar count by seeking out lower-cost options. And don’t forget the benefits from being well rested, exercising [...]
Money can be a great gift: You know the recipient will use it. But you can be more thoughtful and creative than simply sticking it in a card or stuffing it in a plain envelope. Jazz it up by wrapping it in a more personalized and fun way. How have you given cash as a [...]
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 [...]
photo by kimberlykv Christmas celebrations are the perfect time for pie. You probably have a favorite that you look forward to during the holidays. Making piecrust can be intimidating, but the secret to a good crust is not to overwork the dough. You roll it out once gently. Lard provides a flakier crust and should [...]
photo by wordridden Every little thing, everywhere you look, is going up in price. Have you prepared your family for the fact that this year could be different from last year? Maybe you’ve broken the bad news that your annual trip to the amusement park will be a “staycation” instead. While you’re explaining the many [...]
DEAR SARA: I went into a local salon this evening to donate 12 inches of my hair. When I was talking to my mom, she told me that when my sister donated her hair, they didn’t charge her for the haircut. I’m mad that I was charged. Is this normal? I’d do it again in [...]
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 [...]
