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 …

photo by jagwired
DEAR SARA: I have been elected by my friends and neighbors to host a cookie-exchange party at Christmas. We were looking for something new and cheap to do this year. But I haven’t a clue on how to do this. How many cookies do you make? Do you have something playing in the background, such as a movie? What should I have ready for everyone to take their …

photo by foooooey
Some activities can make you feel frugal. You might pause and smile because you know you’re doing something that is aligned with your values. That’s the frugal fuzzies, aka the frugal feel-goods. Have you ever had a moment of cheerful frugality? Maybe it’s when you mend an item, creatively use up leftovers, or meet another frugalista while shopping (she’s easy to spot with her frugal binder) and you …

photo by modmami
Many new parents buy baby wipes, and, when the wipes are gone, they’re left with a sturdy plastic container. Rather than throwing it away, reuse it as a storage container or turn it into a fun toy. Not only are you reducing waste; you’re saving yourself money that you would spend on purchasing new storage containers. Many of these types of storage containers are rarely seen by guests …