There are plenty of frugal storage solutions that can help you organize. Popular examples include baby wipes containers, coffee cans, Clementine crates, jars and shoe boxes. The first two reader tips share a couple of ideas for reusing common food boxes. FRUGAL STORAGE: I use the Velveeta/American cheese boxes for small garden items (ties, balls, [...]
Ice cube trays are perfect little organizers. They can be used to freeze herbs, coffee/tea and baby food. They stack easily, so use them to organize jewelry, loose change, tacks, paper clips, small screws and bolts or buttons. They’re great to hold different-colored paints for kids or candies, a variety of dips, to grow seeds [...]
You might need to substitute eggs in your baking. Maybe you’re out of them, are changing your diet or a family member has an allergy. There are quite a few substitutions available, but you shouldn’t attempt to replace more than two eggs in a recipe. For example, you can substitute 1 banana for 1 egg, [...]
Curtains can be made by using pillowcases, flat sheets, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, cloth napkins, place mats or scarves. But some of these options can be a bit much to undertake if you don’t sew. The first reader shares her tip for making no-sew curtains. A CHEAP ALTERNATIVE TO CURTAINS: If you’re looking for cheap options for [...]
Bleach disinfects your laundry, but not everyone wants to use bleach, or maybe you’re out of it. You can use products such as Lysol, ammonia, vinegar, grapefruit seed oil/extract, sunshine or hydrogen peroxide. (Don’t use it on colored laundry.) The first reader tip has another suggestion. DISINFECT LAUNDRY: When I was a young girl, I [...]
Baby-formula cans are sturdy and durable. You can reuse them as household storage containers. They work well as a gift container, to hold plastic bags, toilet paper, plastic utensils and napkins for a backyard BBQ and in your laundry room to place lone socks. Or, carry one in the car with baby essentials such as [...]
Is your wallet filled with loyalty, rewards or club cards? They get disorganized and you fumble at the cash register to find the card you need. You can organize them into a card-organizer holder, bundled with a rubber band, or try KeyRingThing (www.keyringthing.com) or CardStar (www.mycardstar.com), which puts multiple cards onto a single card. The [...]
Ketchup isn’t terribly expensive to buy, but if you run out and have a few pantry staples on hand or have an abundance of tomatoes, you can make your own at home. Visit www.kissmyspatula.com/2009/05/31/homemade-ketchup for a homemade ketchup recipe that uses whole tomatoes. The first tip below has a simple version using canned tomato paste. [...]
If you have a spaghetti-sauce stain in your plastic bowl, try a vinegar-and-baking-soda paste or salt and lemon juice, and then set the bowl outside in the sun. Avoid stains by applying oil to the bowl prior to pouring in tomato-based soups or sauces. Or simply dedicate the stained bowl to holding sauce. I’m hesitant [...]
Steel-wool soap pads are great for scouring, but they tend to rust. When using soap-filled scrubbing pads like S.O.S., wet the object to be scrubbed instead of the pad. The pad lasts longer and doesn’t rust as quickly. If you place S.O.S. pads in a zip enclosure bag or aluminum foil after use and store [...]
Rubber bands can be reused easily. Use wide produce rubber bands to grip and open jars or hard-to-open plastic soda pop bottles. You could also place one around your TV remote to keep it from sliding off the table and to keep the battery cover attached. If you have young children, you can wrap wide [...]
Drawer carts are great for organizing closets. They contain items and tuck into the closet so they aren’t taking up space in a room. They can be used to store hats, mittens or scarves, as a mini dresser, to organize toys or as a file cabinet. The first reader tip shares another way to use [...]
photo by ms.Tea If you don’t have to be frugal, you probably let some of your penny-pinching strategies slide. But eventually you’ll notice that your budget is taking a hit because you’ve been slacking. You might even start wondering where your money is going. Don’t wait until you absolutely have to buckle down, because when [...]
D ear Sara: I’m looking for a French toast casserole recipe. Do you know of one you prepare the night before and bake in the morning? — S.B., Idaho S.B.: Paula Deen has an excellent French toast casserole recipe. Visit www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/baked-french-toast-casserole-with-maple-syrup-recipe2/index.html. Or how about French toast made in a muffin tin? Visit www.bakedperfection.com/2010/10/french-toast-muffins.html. I have [...]
photo by Justin Day to day, frugality is simply a way of life. Maybe you splurge occasionally, but then you dust yourself off, regroup and return to your thrifty ways. It can be particularly challenging to stay frugal when you have houseguests. They might not understand your frugality, or it could be a shock to [...]
DEAR SARA: Have you tried Disc Doctor or similar Compact Disc/DVD repair kits, or do you have a frugal way to repair a fairly scratched disc? — Denise, Colorado DEAR DENISE: I have tried repair kits and have had success with them, if the scratches are minor. Avoid using toothpaste, alcohol and ammonia because they [...]
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 [...]
