photo by wordridden
Give flexitarianism (semi-vegetarianism) a try. Once a week, incorporate a meatless dish into your meal rotation. You’ll be surprised that you don’t miss the meat in the following recipes even when these dishes typically include it as a key ingredient. It’s good for your budget, too.
Mushroom-Barley Soup
2 onions
2 stalks of celery
2 to 4 cloves of garlic
1 pound fresh mushrooms
2 carrots
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 cup barley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 …

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 devriesm
The first tip reuses milk cartons. I’ve seen various-sized cartons used for candle or ice molds, building blocks, seed starters, bird feeders, gingerbread houses (graham crackers, frosting and candies) and coin purses. But sometimes I forget the simple ways to reuse them.
How do you reuse them?
CARTON ORGANIZERS: The common milk carton (half gallon or quart) is a great item to reuse. I have used them for years …

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 ccharmon
It’s pumpkin season, and many people have the tradition of visiting the pumpkin patch. Whether selecting the perfect pumpkin for carving jack-o’-lanterns or decorating them uncarved, selecting one is simple. Look for a pumpkin that has good weight, a stem that isn’t cut too short to ensure that it’s not decaying, stands well for display, and doesn’t show any visible softness or bruises.
Although all varieties can be …