It’s easy to waste products by using too much. This is especially true with products that are pourable or in squeezable containers. No one wants to feel like there’s a daily audit on product usage, but if at least one person in the household measures only the amount that is needed or makes an effort [...]
Moving can be exciting and stressful. Whether it’s your first apartment or a move into a new-to-you home, you’ll be tempted to buy new furnishings and home decor. Many interior decorating accents and solutions can be either handmade projects or purchased secondhand. Maybe your budget has room to splurge a bit. You can combine and [...]
When living on a tight budget, you realize quickly which skills are important. Often, basic skills can be the difference between a small bump in the road and a financial crisis. You can give the next generation a huge gift by teaching them skills that can help them as adults. There are plenty of skills [...]
When you think frugal family vacations, camping comes to mind. How much can a tent and some bug spray cost compared to airfare and hotel accommodations, right? Unfortunately, if you’re a novice camper and don’t plan ahead, it can be far more expensive than you anticipated. How have you camped on a budget? Do you [...]
Buying in bulk at warehouse clubs can help lower your budget, but it’s not the best money-saving option for everyone. You won’t save much, if anything at all, if you have to travel far to get to the store, are single and won’t consume products before they go bad or if you aren’t disciplined and [...]
Personal care and beauty products can help you feel your best, but their cost can make them one of the first things to be cut when living on a budget. Instead of sacrificing completely, you can make every dollar count by seeking out lower-cost options. And don’t forget the benefits from being well rested, exercising [...]
Money can be a great gift: You know the recipient will use it. But you can be more thoughtful and creative than simply sticking it in a card or stuffing it in a plain envelope. Jazz it up by wrapping it in a more personalized and fun way. How have you given cash as a [...]
Coffee cans are great storage containers. They have a tight-fitting lid, come in different sizes, are portable, and some even have a wide-grip handle. Their durability makes them a smarter choice than glass jars for many storage solutions. How have you reused them? Here are a few ideas. KITCHEN USE: Organize your pantry. Store kitchen [...]
What do you do for fun? Don’t you love that question? For some people such as sports enthusiasts or hobbyists, it’s easier to answer. You’ve probably noticed that as you get older, activities that are fun for some people are no longer what you consider to be fun. Redefining fun is a vital part of [...]
Choosing a gift can be tough. It’s even worse if you wait until the last minute. Don’t waste your time and money on a trinket that will be regifted or collect dust. Sure, not everyone wants a practical gift, but sometimes it’s getting what you need that matters. There are plenty of useful gifts to [...]
Cleaning your home can be time consuming. You can make it easier by cleaning in five- to 15-minute bursts of time. It’s easy to get carried away watching television or surfing online. Set a timer to limit your time so you don’t get sucked into wasting it. Idle time isn’t the same as leisure time. [...]
Change affects people differently. Some people thrive on it, while others absolutely hate it. A little self improvement goes a long way toward personal happiness and growth, so some purposeful changes are worth making. When you think about self improvement, you might think of an expensive endeavor such as going back to school. But there [...]
photo by bcmom I’ll admit, I haven’t tried reusing dryer lint, so the first tip is on my must-try list. I hope there’s a new frugal tip for you, too. DRYER-LINT FIRE STARTER: I stuff my dryer lint into an empty toilet-paper cardboard tube. I melt my leftover candle wax and pour it into both [...]
Enhance your meals by making and serving compound butters. It’s an unexpected addition to offer at mealtime, and makes a wonderful gift to give too. It’s quick to prepare with what you already have on hand, in the kitchen, such as fruit, cheese, herbs, spices, and vegetables.
photo by ingamun DEAR SARA: I cleaned out my basement and have a lot of baby gear to sell. I want to sell this stuff quickly, so I will price it pretty low, but I’d still like to get about $100. Should I list the items together as a large “lot” or separately? — Diana [...]
photo by roytsaplinjr DEAR SARA: We eat a lot of chicken, but sometimes it can be expensive. I usually buy the boneless, skinless breasts when they’re on sale. I came across a sale on chicken with skin and bone in on for only 99 cents a pound. I always figured that wasn’t a great deal, [...]
photo by Dru Bloomfield Ever crack an egg and the shell falls into the bowl? The first tip is an easy solution to that problem. You won’t have to fish the shell out with a spoon or your finger. Add eggshells to your kitchen compost, too. They can be used in the garden. EGG TIPS: [...]