photo by Joe Shlabotnik You try to get a lot done in a day. Maybe you make lists, label, set reminders, or create shortcuts to save some time or make the best use of it. Often, you do some tasks so frequently that you start to perfect them. It gets to where you can streamline [...]
photo by Rubbermaid Products Transitioning to one income can be tough. The more time you have to plan, the easier it can be. It may seem impossible to make ends meet, but often, there are added costs to being a two-income family. Try this handy “how much does that lifestyle of hard work REALLY benefit [...]
photo by hawkshop Stores are flooded with seasonal merchandise. Decorations are bright and shiny, music is playing, and there’s bound to be something that you’re tempted to buy. It takes discipline to walk away without tossing things into your cart. Being aware of your spending means you can enjoy a debt-free holiday. Choosing cheaper alternatives [...]
The holidays can be stressful. If you’re not careful, you can overspend easily. But maybe this year is worse because you don’t think your budget will allow for many gifts. It can be especially tough if you have kids. Instead of being depressed, get creative. What types of low-cost gifts have you given? Here are [...]
photo by jo-h Gym memberships are a luxury not everyone can afford. And over the holidays, you might pack on a few extra pounds. Fortunately, you can still enjoy the health benefits of exercise without the costly fees, and many can be done in the comfort of your home or while doing day-to-day activities, such [...]
photo by synaptic happenings The winter months can drag on. Holidays and utilities increase your expenses. Add that it’s cold and flu season, and it’s not uncommon to get the winter blahs. Before you go stircrazy for spring, prepare yourself with a few blah-busting tips. What frugal activities do you do during winter months? Here [...]
photo by Lisa Sanderson Spending the holidays without family can be lonely. Festivities tend to focus on families being together. Maybe you’re alone for the holidays or are divorced and divide time with your ex-spouse. If you know you’ll be alone or with just your spouse and no other family, start planning now. If you’ve [...]
photo by Le petit poulailler With the holidays approaching, there are a lot of people carrying cash and valuables when out shopping. Often, people are dressed up, in a hurry and not paying attention. This offers increased opportunities for thieves, so it’s important to take some precautions. If someone is determined to take your purse [...]
photo by iowa spirit walker Paper is often wasted. Maybe you use both sides of a sheet of paper, use the backs of your mail envelopes for grocery lists or reuse newspaper to wrap gifts. All are good ways to waste less paper. Many households put their mail and paper through a shredder to protect [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
photo by aimai 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 [...]
photo by Mike Licht During your quest for frugality, you can overdo it. Extreme frugal living that negatively impacts someone else is one way. But another way is when you get so consumed by saving that you actually waste money in the process. Have you ever had a frugal flop or had good intentions to [...]
photo by shell s One way to save on food costs is to create a meal plan. You don’t want to face the same old chicken every week, but it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. I tend to plan a week’s worth of meals at a time. Sometimes, I’ll have free time and [...]
photo by tale kinker DEAR SARA: How long will chicken last in the fridge after it has been cooked? I pressure-cooked a package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts five nights ago and used some of them. I planned to use the rest the next night, so I put the leftovers and the chicken broth from [...]
DEAR SARA: Do you have a recipe for making an outdoor window cleaner? I love using Windex Outdoor Multi-Surface cleaner, which attaches to a hose, but I go through one bottle every time I clean my outside windows, which is very often here in Florida. I have some empty hose-attached bottles. I wondered whether there [...]
photo by aka_kath Curious what the going rate is for a lost tooth? Fortunately, she’s not giving cars yet, but I’ve discovered the tooth fairy I know is pretty frugal compared to most. She’s been known to give loose change and even small snacks to my kids. Readers share creative ways to celebrate the tooth-fairy [...]
