Frugal Village

photo by Mavis

DEAR SARA: I have a question about dry beans. Do they ever expire? My parents have sealed buckets of them that they stocked up on during the Y2K scare. Are they still safe to cook? They’re trying to pass some to me. They say they are still good because of how they stored [...]

photos by twelve paws

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 [...]

photo by startcookingkathy

DEAR SARA: I make bread in my bread machine frequently, but I can’t slice it thin enough to use as sandwich bread. I guess I just don’t know how to slice bread. Thanks for any help. — Tiffany, e-mail
DEAR TIFFANY: I used an electric knife until I bought a decent serrated bread knife. [...]

photo by jurvetson

DEAR SARA: I need an idea for cheap spring party gifts for my daughter’s classroom friends. There are 28 kids in the class, and they are in kindergarten. I want to send in something different from the standard homemade cupcakes. I’m looking for something more fun. Ideas? How can I keep it low [...]

photo by darinhercules

DEAR SARA: I read a tip that suggested strapping your purse’s handle into the shopping cart (the infant belt) when shopping. The idea is that women wouldn’t get their purses stolen. I thought this was a good idea. What do you think? — Sandi, Utah