Lean toward buying products that offer alternate and multiple purposes. A few examples include vinegar, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, baking soda and Fels-Naptha. This mindset can help you consider other household items that have alternative uses, so you can save money and be less wasteful. The first three reader tips share ideas for another multi-use [...]
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 [...]
You can replace some store-bought cleaning products with safer alternatives that are easy to make and economical. The basic ingredients are items that are either readily available in your home or easy to find at your local grocery store. Homemade cleaners are versatile, so they require less storage space than conventional products manufactured for specific [...]
There’s no need to buy ice packs. You can make them yourself. To make a gel ice pack, you’ll need two zip-enclosure freezer bags and some Dawn dishwashing liquid. Partially fill one bag, seal it and encase it in a second freezer bag. Place it in the freezer. Wrap it with a cloth before applying [...]
This week, I’ve compiled reader tips that will help you hide gifts, have frugal holiday fun, make a couple of gifts for kids and pets and chase away winter chills with seasonal hot drinks you can mix yourself. Hide Christmas gifts: When the kids were little, I hid everything in the artificial tree box. Everyone [...]
Money is a great gift because you know the recipient will put it to use. But much like lottery tickets, concert tickets and gift cards, sometimes simply giving it in a plain envelope seems unimaginative. The first two reader tips share a couple of creative ways to give cash gifts: A way to give money [...]
It can be cheaper to buy food at stores other than the grocery store. You can shop ethnic markets, bread stores, dollar stores, pharmacies such as Walgreens, warehouse clubs or discount grocery stores such as Aldi. For state-by-state listings of salvage grocery stores, visit www.frugalvillage.com/forums/discount-stores/97055-salvage-grocery-list-state.html. The first reader offers another way to find lower-cost food [...]
Coffee filters can be used for more than simply brewing coffee. If you’ve recently switched to a reusable filter or cut out your daily java, those spare paper filters can be used for many of the same purposes as paper towels. Visit www.frugalvillage.com/2007/09/19/alternative-uses-for-an-every-day-item-coffee-filters/ for a list of alternative uses. The first reader tip shares another [...]
Plastic cereal bags are great liners that can be reused. You can use them to store baked goods or a sandwich, apply breadcrumb coatings to meat, fish and poultry, roll up cookie dough logs, contain ingredients to be crushed with a rolling pin, or as a trash container in your car. The first reader tip [...]
When teaching young children how to tie, you can buy two different colored laces. Either cut each lace in half and sew them to make a bi-colored lace or simply tie a knot and re-lace the shoe. It’s much easier for a child to learn how to tie when the laces are two colors and [...]
Cones are a practical, edible and portable container to hold snacks for kids. You can pour snacks such as trail mix, goldfish or animal crackers, fresh or dried fruit, mini marshmallows, popcorn or pretzels into a waffle or sugar cone. Or, when you make Rice Krispies treats, mold individual portions into cones to prevent sticky [...]
Don’t toss out leftover mashed potatoes. Add them to soups, stews, pancakes, bread, biscuits, meatloaf, meatballs, or make gnocchi. You can make potato patties from leftover mashed potatoes, too. Simply add an egg to 2 cups mashed potatoes, form into patties and fry in a pan with a little oil. You can add meat, seasoned [...]
photo by Taylor Flannagan Being frugal doesn’t have to be anyone else’s business. Some frugal people don’t have like-minded friends and family, so they keep their frugality to themselves. But even if you enjoy talking about your money-saving ways with others, there’s probably at least one thing that you don’t care to share. Maybe you [...]
Homemade candy makes the perfect heartfelt gift. Sure, you could buy it, but that doesn’t have the same sweet nostalgia. Plus, the recipient knows you spent time making it. Some candy recipes are perfect for novice candy makers. The following recipes are easy. You’ll love them so much that you’ll have to make more to [...]
Reuse it instead of throwing it away. You hear this often, but you don’t want to save too many containers and create clutter. This is why it’s important to reduce the amount of packaging you buy in the first place. You pay more for items with excessive packaging, and you create more waste.
DEAR SARA: Is there a way to make white sheets white again? My husband and I got some white sheets after we received a duvet and duvet cover for free (air miles reward item). I’ve been washing the sheets in hot water and bleach, followed by a cold water and Tide wash. The bleach smell [...]
photo by house of sims Trim your candlewicks each time you use them. You’ll save money because they’ll last longer and will prevent your candles from smoking. The first tip shares a simple household tool you can use. TRIM CANDLEWICK: Just thought I’d pass along a solution I’ve discovered for trimming candlewicks so the burned [...]
