Frugal Living Blog

Aug 30, Make a button bracelet! Recycle buttons with this great kids craft project or ho

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:10:25 GMT

How to make a button bracelet from old or extra buttons for yourself or as a homemade gift idea

Aug 29, Fresh peach crisp recipe: My husband liked this so much he said I was a Superwif

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:24:38 GMT

Easy fresh peach crisp recipe: Anyone can make this delicious homemade dessert

Jul 30, Inside of Tumble Dryer to an Outdoor Fireplace/Barbeque!

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:00:57 GMT

Growing up in a household always a bit strapped for cash and with four boys, we were always coming up with ways to reuse things. And out in South Africa

Jul 29, Reusing Household Items

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:05:20 GMT

Plastic coffee canisters I use to keep flour, sugar, Bisquik mix, cornmeal, pasta and any other pantry item you can think of in. Editor's Note: There

Jul 28, Keep it in front of you!

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:08:53 GMT

Great points all! I find that the reality of out of sight out of mind kicks in with any attempt at changed behavior. We had to develop the budget (with

Jul 28, Recycle with Freecycle

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:03:08 GMT

In the UK we have a website called Freecycle. If you have anything you don't want you can advertise it and someone will come and collect it for you. Of

Jul 28, Find a place for every thing

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:59:42 GMT

Every once in a while I gather up all the clutter I can find that doesn't seem to have a home. I put it in a pile on the living room floor. Then I sort

Jul 19, Stop Clutter by Donating to Charity Thrift Shops

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:03:53 GMT

I find my closet fills up with clothes so easily now, since I started to go to thrift shops. The good thing is I can easily empty it and keep the flow

Jul 17, What to do with Leftover Salsa

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 02:38:36 GMT

Fresh salsa is SOOO much better than the jar kind, but it doesn't keep as long. We seldom are able to finish it before the "best by" date. Today I found a way to use some leftover salsa! Grits and Salsa Puff (kinda like a Souffle but not as puffy!) 1/2 cup uncooked grits
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups water
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup fresh salsa
1 egg, lightly beaten
Heat oven to 350. Boil the water and add salt and grits. Simmer, stirring often, until water is absorbed and grits are thick. Stir butter and salsa into grits until butter is melted. Stir in cheese and then beaten egg until mixed well. Pour into 1 quart buttered or oiled baking dish and bake at 350 for 30 - 40 minutes until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4 I still had some leftover salsa, so I put that in a freezer container and labeled it "salsa for cooking" and put it in the freezer. I may want to make this again!

Jul 16, Family budget vacations: Smart strategies for family vacations on a budget

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:34:33 GMT

Family budget vacations: Best tips for saving on your low budget vacation

Jul 15, Ways to Repurpose Plastic Bottles

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:52:17 GMT

The most multipurpose thing in the household is a plastic bottle. There was even a program on Russian TV where the host was making all sorts of useful

Jul 15, Reusing Junk Mail as Scrap Paper

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:53:47 GMT

Have you noticed how many junk mail fliers and insurance letters etc. are written on one side only? I keep mine for my kids to use as drawing paper,

Jul 15, Reuse paper roll

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:51:09 GMT

After using a roll of toilet paper or paper towels, you can use it to store electrical wires to keep them from getting tangled and in your way. That is

Jul 13, How to repurpose most anything! How to reuse everyday objects in ingenious ways

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:11:50 GMT

Great tips on how to repurpose, recycle and reuse lots of everyday objects instead of throwing them away!

Jun 22, Making Paper Bag Scrapbooks or Kids Scrapbook: Fun, Easy, and Inexpensive!

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:29:29 GMT

How to make paper bag scrapbooks or kids scrapbook: The frugal way to document your memories! Easy enough for kids!

Jun 11, Chicken Taco Recipe: Easy chicken breast recipe for low cost meals

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:27:14 GMT

Easy Chicken Taco Recipe: Low cost meal - How to feed three with one chicken breast half

Jun 2, Frugal recipes that make use of lower-cost ingredients such as beans, canned fi

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:02:11 GMT

Quick and easy frugal recipes that save time and money

May 26, Frugal wedding ideas: how to afford the day of your dreams!

Wed, 26 May 2010 18:18:42 GMT

Lots of frugal wedding ideas for saving on the food, flowers, favors, and everything else.

May 23, Interview with Emi Stapler of The Cloth Diaper Report

Sun, 23 May 2010 16:36:53 GMT

Emi Stapler of The Cloth Diaper Report: Making sense of the cloth diapers vs disposable diapers dilemma

May 23, Should I use cloth diapers? Comparison of cloth diapers vs disposable diapers

Sun, 23 May 2010 01:30:03 GMT

Helpful Information Cloth Diapers vs Disposable Diapers for the Frugal Mom: How much can you save?

May 19, Frugal Fashion: How to look great without spending a fortune!

Wed, 19 May 2010 17:59:35 GMT

Tips and Frugal Fashion ideas to help you stretch your clothing budget

May 16, Beauty Products: Splurge or Save?

Sun, 16 May 2010 16:38:59 GMT

How much do you spend on beauty products? Cosmetics are available in an amazingly wide range of prices - how do you know how much you need to spend to get a reasonably good product? I came across a list in Real Simple Magazine a while back that broke common beauty products into those that you should splurge on and spend a bit more, and those that are basically the same whether you spend a lot or not (so save your money!). Here is their advice: Save on:

Day Cream - According to dermatologists, the most important ingredient in a daytime facial cream is sunscreen. As long as you use a good daily sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), you are covered. You don't need to spend a lot.

Mascara - There is very little difference in mascara formulas from one brand to another, so find one that is easy for you to work with and go with that. The brush can make a difference, so if you particularly like an expensive mascara, try cleaning the brush after it is gone and using it with a less expensive brand. You may find that it works just as well!

Lip Liner - Unlike eye liner, lip liner doesn't require such careful application. You can get the look you want with a cheaper liner.

Shampoo - Shampoo is on your hair for just a minute or two. If yours removes dirt and excess oil from your hair and scalp, it is doing its job. Any expensive extra ingredients will just be washed down the drain.

Quality matters - spend more:

Foundation - If your skin doesn't look good, nothing else will. It is important to find the foundation in the right shade and finish for your skin. It is best to buy from a trained makeup consultant that can help you choose the right one.

Face Powder - A well-made powder with higher-quality ingredients will be better at staying on and making your skin look flawless. Also, it can be difficult to match your shade at a drugstore.

Eyeliner - More expensive liners are generally softer and provide a smoother application. This is important to get a clean line in the delicate eye area.

Conditioner - Conditioner is the main way to protect and your repair hair. Even though you rinse conditioner out, the active ingredients contain oil or a wax that adhere to the hair and don't rinse away. High-end conditioners sold in salons tend to have more advanced delivery systems for ingredients, meaning they penetrate the hair shafts rather than simply coating them.

Night Cream - If you are going to splurge on face care, buy a good night cream. Your body repairs itself during sleep, and the more expensive night creams often contain active ingredients of higher quality and concentration.

See more frugal beauty tips, see

May 11, Summer Job Tips for Teens

Tue, 11 May 2010 16:38:20 GMT

Does your teen need (or want) a summer job this year? Part time summer jobs are a great way for kids to learn about pros and cons of various career paths and basic money management and bill-paying lessons.
With a high rate of unemployment, teens may have a tougher time finding summer jobs this year. Here are some tips that will set your child apart from other applicants:

Make Your Age an Asset Focus on youth-centered programs that expect to hire teens. Your child will have a better chance at these places where there is no competition from unemployed adults. Some ideas are: city-run youth programs, amusement parks, community pools, and summer camps.

It's Who You Know Employers may be more willing to hire teens that they are familiar with. Advise your child to look for "Help Wanted" or "Hiring" signs in shops that they frequent (candy stores, game shops, teen clothing boutiques, etc.). And if there are no signs, it never hurts to ask!

Presentation is Everything! Make sure that when applying, interviewing, or even inquiring about a job opening your teen is polite and looks presentable: Modest clothing, clean hair and nails, etc. You know how to dress for a job interview; don't assume that your first-time job seeking son or daughter does!

Be Professional While employers may not expect to see a well-written resume for a babysitting or lifeguard job, they will be impressed when one is offered. Help your teen to write a professional resume outlining her qualifications and any previous experience that shows responsibility - even if it is not related to the job at hand. Include school honors and extra-curricular activities - these can set her apart from the competition in a positive way.

Be Creative If there don't seem to be any traditional jobs available, have your teen think about his hobbies and passions. Kids can work for wages that adults don't and may be able to use their skills to help friends or neighbors with pets, lawn care, or even computer support to earn a bit of money.

Click on the link below for more on teaching money skills to kids.

Apr 30, Frugal Tip: Do You Use Foaming Soap?

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:22:33 GMT

If you like to use foaming hand soap (liquid soap that comes out of the dispenser as foam), don't buy the refills made specifically for the foaming pumps. You can use the regular liquid soap refills which sell for LESS and use a lot less of it. Simply fill your dispenser 1/4 - 1/3 full of regular liquid soap and then fill the rest of the way with water. Shake it up and it will work just as well as the "foaming soap". What makes it foam is the pump, and the regular liquid soap is too thick to go through the pump unless it is highly diluted. A refill will last much longer when you are only using 2 or 3 ounces every time you refill the dispenser as opposed to 8 or 10!

Apr 29, Laundry Tips: ways to cut your laundry expenses and still have dazzlingly clean

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:32:10 GMT

Laundry tips: money saving ideas for everyone

Apr 18, Starting a scrapbook the frugal way! Ideas for scrapbook lovers on a budget

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:05:44 GMT

The best ideas for starting a scrapbook without going broke. Thrifty ideas for scrapbook lovers old and new

Apr 18, Did you get your FREE reusable shopping bag at Target today?

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:42:36 GMT

To celebrate Earth week, Target is giving away 1.5 million reusable bags free with any purchase. Did you get yours yet? I got mine! They are sharp-looking green and white bags, and larger than I expected - the size of a regular paper grocery bag except shorter. Target takes 5 cents off of your total each time you bring it (or any other reusable bag) in and reuse it. Hurry! They have a limited number of bags. When they're gone, they're gone!

Apr 14, Homemade wedding favors: craft ideas to help the frugal bride save money and exp

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:15:51 GMT

The best homemade wedding favors: express your appreciation to your wedding guests

Apr 13, Save on Wedding Flowers

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:33:17 GMT

If you are planning a wedding and trying to stick to a budget, flowers are going to be one of your main considerations. The prices that couples pay for their wedding flowers is highly variable. See these tips for spending less on flowers you will love!

Apr 12, Make this homemade paper mache planter! Makes a great kids craft project or home

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:18:43 GMT

How to make a homemade paper mache planter for yourself or as a homemade gift idea

Apr 8, Leftover potatoes recipe: Using leftovers to make great breakfast or brunch hash

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:19:55 GMT

Leftover potatoes and hamburgers: The best ideas for using leftovers in delicious meals

Apr 7, Frugal wedding planning: Frugal wedding tips for planning your big day

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:10:23 GMT

Frugal wedding planning: How to plan the day of your dreams for the frugal bride

Apr 3, Author of Jolly Mom: Frugal Living Interview with Piera Jolly

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:20:15 GMT

Interview with Jolly Mom, Piera Jolly; Nielsen Power Mom and editor of Jolly Mom blog

Apr 2, Stop Clutter By Throwing It Away!

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:05:21 GMT

Clutter has been the one thing that my husband and I have a difference of opinion about. He grew up with the mindset of Keep it, you never know when you

Mar 25, Stop clutter: smart solutions and organizing tips help achieve a clutter free h

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:11:57 GMT

How to stop clutter build up and take charge of your home with these organizing tips

Mar 23, Campbell's Soup Coupons

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:56:20 GMT

Condensed soups are a good thing to keep on hand for quick recipes. Print out this $1 off 2 Campbell's Soups Coupon to have ready for when your store has a sale on soup! (You can print two per computer by using the 'back' button to re-load the printing page.)

Mar 21, Teaching money skills to kids: why teaching kids about money is important, and h

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:35:09 GMT

Teaching money skills to your kids: Most important things to consider

Mar 11, Leftover Taco Shells

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:12:52 GMT

Do you have this problem? We always seem to have 2 or 3 leftover taco shells when we have tacos. Then, being the frugal person that I am and not wanting to waste food, I put them in a Ziplock bag or a Tupperware container and put them in the pantry. Six months later when I am looking for something in the pantry I find three or four packages of 2 or 3 taco shells in them - hopelessly stale. Then I throw them away. Today I found an answer for the leftover taco shell! I was looking for something for lunch and found nothing but a very small serving of a leftover vegetable dish. I was heating it up in a pan and wondering what I could eat with it when I spotted a Ziplock bag holding a single leftover taco shell sitting in the fruit basket. Feeling creative, I warmed the taco shell up in the toaster oven, spooned the warmed veggies into it and topped it with some salad sprouts and a little ranch dressing. It was surprisingly good! So, there you have it - my new idea for using leftover taco shells! Fill them with some leftover vegetables or beans or meat if you have that; top with some lettuce or sprouts (or both) and a little dressing and you have a light and frugal lunch! And you will feel good about using all those leftover foods - I did!

Mar 9, Paying off mortgage early can save you thousands of dollars! See how one couple

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:44:35 GMT

Great tips for paying off mortgage early so you can be debt free!

Mar 9, Easy mortgage pay off calculator: Calculate your mortgage payment here!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:42:08 GMT

Mortgage pay off calculator: learn how to payoff mortgage early

Mar 9, A Wonderful Wedding

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:09:05 GMT

I've been married happily to my first husband for twenty six years. When you meet the right one you shouldn't be concerned about lack of finances. You'll

Mar 8, Saving with coupons: Making the most of your time and money

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:15:05 GMT

Saving with coupons: how to use manufacturer coupons to your benefit

Mar 7, Using Leftovers - Love Food Not Waste

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:54:06 GMT

In the UK, we have a dish called Bubble and Squeak. I don't know where the name comes from, but it's a Monday night special in our house. After the traditional

Mar 2, Cheap decorating ideas for decorating on a budget

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:17:27 GMT

Cheap decorating ideas: Transform your space by using what you have and finding the best deals possible

Mar 2, Talking with The Frugal Yankee, Garen Daly about enjoying life and spending less

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:33:42 GMT

The Frugal Yankee: Living a frugal life the Yankee way!

Feb 26, Preserving herbs: Fresh herbs are the best, but it is possible to retain some qu

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:18:29 GMT

Ways of preserving herbs for use later to prevent waste and save money

Feb 23, Hobby income: Turn your hobby into a source of extra cash and make money doing

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:54:20 GMT

Hobby income: Great ideas for ways to make extra cash from your hobby

Feb 23, Leftovers Can Be Gourmet Dinners!

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:12:44 GMT

After years and years... and years of cooking, you get pretty good at it, I guess, and creative too. This meal is not really a recipe as it is an attempt

Feb 22, How-to-Catch-a-Husband Hamburger Stroganoff

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:44:13 GMT

This meal reeled my husband in like a fish. The kids all love it now too, and it is so simple, so cheap and I always make more than I need to freeze

Feb 21, Wedding Consignment: Don't get sentimental - Sell your wedding dress

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:19:51 GMT

When I got married my budget for my wedding dress was $1000. When I started to go out and look for something I couldn't find anything I liked. I didn't