Kitten Peeing on Clothing?
She/He may be marking you. Get the cat fixed. If it is a female, she will be going into heat and will spray everything. My kitten started peeing on our clothes and all over the house. We got her fixed and she stopped marking her scent. Hope this helps.
Request Movies from the Library
My kids do this all the time. Once a movie is available on DVD, they request it from the library. Sometimes they need to wait a little to get the movie but its FREE. We dont have cable TV, so my kids watch a lot of movies.
Freezing Green Peppers?
About a month ago, I bought a bag of sliced red peppers for $1.00 from a local restaurant food supply fruit market. I think it was about 3 pounds. I could not believe my luck. I rinsed them and put them in a bag in the freezer. I have been using them in my...
Late Night Light Dinner Ideas?
Make soup and assemble salad fixings on the weekend. This will make a quick meal during the week. Also, this will be a healthy, light meal before you go to bed.
Soap Making Information?
I just happen to be picking up soap making supplies today from an all natural store which is going out of business. I am splitting some of the equipment and supplies with a friend. I think you can buy some of the supplies in smaller quantities online. I have...
Frugal Hawaii Vacation
My husband and I went to the big Island of Hawaii about 7 years ago. It was a company sponsored vacation, so we did not have to pay for our room or flight but we had to pay for all our meals and entertainment. We rented a car because we knew we wanted to see...
Having Dental Work Done in Mexico?
Have you ever thought of going to a dental school? My husbands cousin is a dentist and when he was in school my mother-in-law went to the dental school to have him work on her teeth. All she paid for was the supplies. It was supervised by the teachers and she...
Eating Healthy on a Budget
Find inexpensive sources for your food. I routinely go to a fruit market who receives their produce from a restaurant supply company. If I go into the Gourmet Outlet side, I pay at least 4 times the price. If I go into the Friendly Fruit market (discount) I...
Make Sauce With Your Garden Tomatoes
When I use fresh tomatoes for my sauce, I put them in the food processor and puree them. The seeds and skins end up getting ground up into the sauce. It comes out great.
How to Save on Your Pets Shots
My town has an annual rabies clinic. You can bring your cat or dog to the local Grange hall and get your pet vaccinated for $10. We brought my cat there for her shot. It took 10 minutes to fill out the paperwork and have her vaccinated.
Packing for Traveling Families
I used to pack for my 2 girls the same way. The bags made everything easier. This also taught them how to pack and now at 13 and 16, they pack for themselves. I have never had a problem with them doing this themselves, once they saw how to pack the right way...
Eating on $300 a Month?
Find the discount stores in your area. I live in Massachusetts and we have several (Aldis, PriceRite and Save-a-Lot). Know your prices for meats and items that you use often. Buy at the lowest price. When meat goes on sale, buy enough for the next sale. I have...
My Frugal Life: Making Ends Meet
To add: use half the amount of shampoo and conditioner too. Use half the amount of ground beef and ground turkey in recipes. You and your family probably will not miss the extra meat. Also, using the dishwasher actually saves water. Less water is used by using...
Freezing Pampered Chef Casserole Dishes?
Pampered Chef stoneware is fabulous. I have been using (and selling) it for 12 years and love it! One thing not mentioned before, is you can freeze it BUT, you need to make sure the casserole is not frozen when you put it in the oven. Hot oven, very cold stone...
Boil the Bones for Soup Stock
Everyone should do this! When I make a chicken, I make at least 3 meals from it. I roast it one night with roasted potatoes, carrots and onions. My family only likes the dark meat, so the 4 of us eat the dark meat with some of the roasted vegetables. After...
Buying a Stand Electric Mixer?
When I got married 22 years ago, my sisters bought me an Oster Stand Mixer with shredding blades, blender and a small food processer unit. It was an all in one unit. It is still working. I have always wanted a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer but could not justify the...
Buying Flip Flops in Bulk?
I have a pool and I have found that people sometimes forget their flip flops. I have a container of flip flops by the door going out to my pooling during the season. I purchased these at the end of summer or early fall for about $.30 each.
Save Change Throughout The Year
I do something similar. I have a set amount of money I give myself each week for food and other items. All the ones, fives and change I have left, goes into a can for when my husband needs a little extra money at the end of the week. If I have any $10 or $20...
When Making Cookies, Cook Half and Freeze Half
I do this also! I put the balls of dough on a cookie sheet and then freeze them. After they are frozen, I put the balls of dough in a container in the freezer. When my husband and kids want cookies, they heat up the toaster oven and just cook what they want...
Packing Meals for a Trip?
My family drives down to Florida each year. I always pack enough food for two days. One thing that I always pack is a calzone. I just take some pizza dough stretch it out, put ham (or any other meat) and then cheese. Roll it up and bake it at 400 degrees for...
Backyard Pond
Karen, your pond is beautiful! I am thinking of adding a pond to my yard. I have a spot in my yard that I call the jungle. Lots of native plants (weeds). I think the wildlife will love it and I think my family will also. Was there a website/book that helped...
Recipes Using All Purpose Flour in Bread Machine?
I have always used All-Purpose Unbleached Flour in my bread machine. I use the recipes from my bread machine cookbook but substitute the regular flour for the bread flour. I have had great results most of the time. I do like to check on the bread machine while...
Buying Furniture at Yard Sales
If you are looking for specific stuff, definately go early. I have had really good luck going later to the yard sales. I recently bought a 1 year old microwave for $20. This summer I bought what seemed like the perfect desk/table to be put in my front window...
Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas for Pre-Teens?
My friend made me a felted purse last year. Whenever I use the purse, people always say they love it. This year she made me a sweater that I wear all the time. I think homemade gifts are the best! Starting now is a great idea to get all of them done in time...
Frugal Cooking for Two Recipes?
Buy oatmeal for breakfast. It is a great, healthy breakfast alternative. I buy a large container of generic brand for about $1.40. This will last you a few weeks for two people. Eggs are a great inexpensive protein. I make egg salad for my husbands lunch. I...
Cooking for 8?
Pasta is a great thing to make for a large family. I grew up in a family of 7 with an at home Mom. We had pasta at least once each week. Its fast, easy and everyone tends to like it. I make mine with either a linguica sauce or turkey meatballs. If I have leftover...
My Frugal Life: Saving Money and Water
My husband does the same thing. We have a decorative pitcher next to the shower. When he puts the shower on to warm the water, he fills the jug and waters the plants. When he is done, he fills it up again. Now we have a cat who does not drink out of a water...
Keep a Phone Book in the Car
I put last years phone book in my car. This really comes in handy, since my cell phone charges me $1.00 if I call information. This also helps with addresses for my GPS.
Save Time and Money With Home Cooked Meals
I have often talked to my family and friends about this. It really does take more time to buy take-out than the cook something at home. The key is to have a well stocked pantry to get dinner on the table fast.
Tips for Price Matching
I have found that the Super Walmart near me will match. I have had flyers for a competitors store brand chicken which Walmart matched for the Purdue brand. The Super Walmart near me only has Purdue chicken and the organic chicken, so they matched the price...
Weight Loss Tips?
I find a food journal helps. If you have to write it down, most likely you will think about it before you eat it!
Do You Really Need New Clothes?
I agree with you. I have so many items of clothing that I do not wear. I get most of my clothes on clearance, thrift shops or at yardsales. I tend to get classic clothes. I find trendy clothes are only for one season but classics can be worn for years. Each...
Give to Food Banks in Lieu of Christmas Gifts
This is a great idea! I am not a rich person but my frugal ways have been good for my family. We have so much, we dont need any presents for the holidays. I would be very thankful if someone donated to a shelter, food bank or another organization instead of...
Cheap Quilting Materials?
You can post your need for fabric on freecycle.org. Someone may want to donate their unused fabric to you.
Keep No More Than 30 Tops
Of course, you can find top quality clothing at consignment stores for significantly less money. I am amazed at the quality/name brand clothing I find at bargain prices. If you dont like consignment and thrift stores you can also find really great clothes at...
Recipes on a Budget?
Wow! $200/month for 2 people. Thats not bad. I spend about $240 for 4 people. Shop the sales. I never buy meat unless it is on sale. I only buy chicken with bones for under $1.00/lb...boneless at under $2.00/lb. I use up all my leftovers. When I make a whole...
Advice for Vacationing in Chicago?
I go to Chicago every year for a convention. I love Chicago. This summer I stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites. It is right on Michigan Avenue and I think it was only $89 each night. It has a full kitchen, breakfast each morning and is newly renovated. I thought...
Cleaning Shower Curtain Liner?
I have a white fabric shower liner which can be washed in the machine and comes out looking great! It never ripes and can be washed as many times as I need. It costs a little more but is well worth it.
Looking for a Good Non-Stick Skillet?
I am partial to The Pampered Chef non-stick cookware. I do sell the productline so I am a little prejudice. It has a lifetime against manufacturer defects and goes into the oven. It costs about $148 for the 12 skillet. I have had my original cookware for 10...
Driving from Massachusetts to North Carolina?
We drove to Florida during April vacation for the past 2 years. We noticed more traffic when we left Friday night after work. We had long delays through New York, Delaware and Washington. Even at 2:00 am we hit traffic over the Delaware bridge. This year we...
Canning Upside Down
Does the hobo stew contain meat? It only takes 50 minutes to can? I thought meat would take longer. I never thought about canning leftovers. Can you give more information? Thanks so much.
Recipe Ideas for a Wedding Reception?
If it will be a buffet, I normally cook lasagna or baked ziti and some type of meat like ham or turkey. Maybe round out with a salad. If you do not have alot of oven space, you could start with a veggie and cheese platters. Then put out the meat (ham or turkey...
Leaving Cat Alone While on Vacation?
I have left my cat home for a 10 day vacation. I had someone come into the house each day to check on her. They made sure she had food and water and also cleaned the litter box. Although they never saw her when they came to the house to check on her food/water...
Packing Light When Traveling?
If you have access to a washing machine, you can pack very light and just wash the clothes every couple of days. My family always packs carry-on luggage when we travel, whether we are going for a few days or 10 days. The key is packing the same color scheme...
Meatballs for 100 Guests?
You can go to allrecipes.com and look for a meatball recipe. They have a feature that will adjust the recipe for the number of people you want to feed. That will give you an idea of what you will need. Good luck.
Inexpensive Finger Sandwich Recipes?
I always make the standard chicken salad, seafood salad, tuna salad, egg salad sandwiches. All are inexpensive when made from scratch. There is a really great chicken salad recipe on allrecipes.com. It has dried cranberries and pecans. I made it for my daughters...
What Brand of Washing Machine Do You Have?
I have a HotPoint washer and dryer. They are both 19 years old and still going strong. I dont use the dryer much because I hang my clothes out on the line most of the year.
Tips for Hang Drying Clothing
I live in Massachusetts where temperatures can dip well below zero. I hang my clothes out on the line most of the year. In cold climates, you need to watch the weather and get them out early on good days. They may take all day to dry. When I worked full-time...
