What do you look forward to about weekends? For me it’s pancakes. Every Saturday is “pancake day” and on Sundays we use our griddle to make bacon-potato-red pepper hash. YUM! Our Presto Griddle is a workhorse. I’m buried in snow here in New England, so what better way to cheer up than share my love of pancakes. Plus, tomorrow is the start of Lent! (When folks often give
17 Surprising Uses for Lemon Peels
Lemon peels smell great and have so many household uses – some of which I found quite surprising. Even Martha Stewart likes to repurpose them. While the peels are great for cooking, there are so many other ways they can be useful around the house. Here are 17 ways to use lemon peels. Add to ice cubes. Add lemon peel twists to your ice cube
14 Unusual Uses for Olive Oil
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to start avoiding processed foods and products, like lotions and eye make-up removers. I am going back to basics and sticking with what’s simple and pure – to benefit my health and my wallet. Which is why I’ve been buying a ton of olive oil. Olive oil is great for cooking, but it has many other household uses, too.
6 Secrets to Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions
Part of the reason that so many New Year’s Resolutions fail – whether they’re diet, career, or money-related – is because we often have an “all-or-nothing” mentality. Never eat sugar again, or else! The key is praising yourself for small victories and yes, allowing yourself to “cheat” once in awhile. If you want to stick to your resolutions, here are my secrets. 6 Secrets to Keeping Your New
9 Mistakes You’re Making at the Grocery Store
I won’t pretend I’m perfect. I’ve made ALL 9 of these grocery mistakes, causing my bill to skyrocket. And I’m guessing you have, too. Which is why I made this list – to help us both remember to be a savvy shopper and save money in the long run. How much money? Committing just two or three mistakes on one trip will cost you $25
18 Droolworthy Discounts for Dog Owners
This past Tuesday was National Dog Day, but we’ve decided to make it National Dog Week! I love my pets, but I don’t love shelling out large amounts of money on them. So I’m always looking for ways to continue to give them the best and highest quality care and food… but at lower prices. 18 tips to save money on your dogs
50 Ways You’re Not Using Baking Soda
Baking soda is cheap, versatile, and natural. What more could you ask for? We all know that if you stick a box in your fridge, that it can eliminate odors. That it can be used in cat boxes. Or to soothe an acidic stomach. But what about the ways you’ve never used baking soda? Baking soda: What is it good for?
$1,730 Beef Bill: How Much Do You Spend on Meat?
Have you ever bought a side of beef? Or bought meat directly from the farmer? (Like we do in our CSA). It’s cheaper than buying meat from the grocery store or butcher – cut out the middleman – and if you buy a side of beef that comes from a grass fed cow, the savings are even greater. All you need is a spare freezer and
5 Tips for Avoiding Supermarket Traps
It happened again – I overspent at the grocery store. I went in to Trader Joe’s for toilet paper and came out with 3 bags filled with grapes, cheese, Brussels sprouts, Cookie Batter (Oh. Em. Gee.), vodka, coconut water and a bill for $87. What happened?! Supermarket traps is what happened. I looked it up and according to a recently article by MSN Money, it’s a
Grocery Stockpile: How To Build It And Save Money
Building a grocery stockpile is one of those topics that divides money-conscious shoppers. Some shoppers feel that a grocery stockpile is a use of time and money that could be better spent or saved elsewhere. Others feel that having one is a hedge against rising prices or last-minute emergencies. I’m on the side of the “others” because I stockpile, but I do it well. Eight steps to
5 Best and Worst Buys at Trader Joe’s
I do most of my grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s because they offer crazy low prices on everything from coffee and organic yogurt, to a large selection of meat-free entrees, and wacky tastebud tinglers like Guacamame Spicy Edamame Dip, Thai Lime and Chili Almonds, and Cookie Butter. But there are a few items I will not buy there simply because they are overpriced. So when
45 Ways to Save Money By Saying No To Your Kids
My daughter is two and already, I dread grocery shopping with her. She can recognize candy and sweets just by the packaging (how DOES she do that?) She asks for many, many things we don’t need and so I’m constantly coming up with new ways to say no to her. But it’s so freaking hard! Anytime I’m tired, hungry, or have already said no so many
Splitting the bill: Fair or Unfair?
Last week I went on vacation with two friends, and we agreed that splitting the bill for everything was the best choice for airfare, condo, rental car, food and drinks. Meals out were our individual responsibilities. I put all expenses on my credit card – I volunteered, so I could get the points – and the ladies reimbursed me for all pre-paid costs. Throughout the
Charity Bake Sale Bliss: Make Money For A Cause
I’ve just completed my eighth bake sale for charity. It’s an annual event that benefits a local animal shelter. This year’s sale made $500! And no matter how much money the bake sale brings in, it’s always worth it, because aside from the time spent planning and baking, very little is spent on ingredients. Many of us have cherished causes deserving of cash. If you
16 Tips For Cheap Fresh Produce in Spring
It’s been a long, cold winter with record snowfall, which has stretch many family finances beyond comfort. The good news is that spring means fresh cheap produce. Cooking and eating healthy cheap meals is going to get easier (at least for several months). Here are 16 easy steps to scoring cheap, fresh produce.