When my sons were teenagers, they wanted to have a Halloween party at home. I made this cake that looks like a jack-o’-lantern but is pretty delicious to cut up and eat. The best part: You don't have to contend with seeds or pumpkin pulp! Start with the cake--you can do a pumpkin cake from … [Read more...] about How to make an easy pumpkin cake for Halloween
Recipes
Green Beans: More than just a side dish
Most of us think of vegetables as just an accompaniment to meat loaf, a broiled steak, grilled fish or roast chicken. But green beans – cheap and bountiful this time of year in both supermarkets and at farmer’s markets – can be the star of the meal. Green beans, also called string beans or snap … [Read more...] about Green Beans: More than just a side dish
Cheap recipes for your barbecue
Are you starting to panic because you have a big crowd coming over for a barbecue? Here is our guide to cooking on the cheap for a crowd. Find guidelines for cooking for a crowd on one of our favorite free recipe sites, allrecipes.com. Where to buy bulk meats at big savings Use your club … [Read more...] about Cheap recipes for your barbecue
Preserve food with cheap canning equipment and free recipes
Some of the links in this post are special! When you make a purchase through our links, we might earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
This article is part of a Don't Throw It Out! series on how to preserve fresh foods and avoid food waste. Do you want to can food at home, but are put off by the cost? For around $15, you pull together most of the essential equipment by using equipment you probably already own. Below we list a … [Read more...] about Preserve food with cheap canning equipment and free recipes
Save money with these 18 popular salad dressing recipes (and 1 secret)
Bottled salad dressing is common on the dinner table in households across America. While convenient, these prepared salad dressings are much more expensive than those you prepare from scratch. None of the most popular salad dressings are hard to make and many can be prepared using common ingredients … [Read more...] about Save money with these 18 popular salad dressing recipes (and 1 secret)
Make your Greek yogurt multitask
Greek yogurt has grown in popularity in recent years. It can be more expensive than regular yogurt, but with at least double the protein and less than half the sugar, in my opinion, the health benefits outweigh the cost. You can also save by purchasing in bulk from stores such as Costco and BJ's. … [Read more...] about Make your Greek yogurt multitask
Eggs: Good for Easter, better for your body and budget
Eggs and Easter go hand in hand, but there’s more to these tiny bundles of protein-packed goodness than you might think. According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, “The incredible edible egg packs a lot of nutrition in a small package. One egg has 13 essential vitamins and minerals, … [Read more...] about Eggs: Good for Easter, better for your body and budget
How to serve cabbage without alienating your family
When the budget is tight, I try to stretch meals and use seasonal foods. Cabbage is a great deal any time of the year, but particularly during the St. Patrick’s Day sales in March. But poor cabbage has a bad rap – it has been described as tasteless and gas-inducing, and downright smelly when cooked. … [Read more...] about How to serve cabbage without alienating your family
8 easy ways to use stale bread
This article is part of a Don't Throw It Out! series on how to preserve fresh foods and avoid food waste. Don't toss out that stale French bread, croissant, biscuit or even common sandwich bread that has seen better days. As long as it’s not moldy, there are lots of ways to use stale bread. You … [Read more...] about 8 easy ways to use stale bread
5 easy, cheap, healthy lunches for the work week
Eating out for your workday lunch is a quick way to bust your budget. If your daily lunch costs $10 (and it will, including a drink and taxes), a 5-day workweek will use up $2600 of your hard-earned money annually. But many claim there just isn't time to pack a sack before leaving for work -- or … [Read more...] about 5 easy, cheap, healthy lunches for the work week
Frugal, easy Valentine’s dinner menu
I’m here today to help the economically and experientially disadvantaged among you to prepare a Valentine’s Feast. Hopefully you can impress that special someone with whom you are in love, lust, or want to woo just because. I selected this menu for its ease, affordability, colorful presentation and … [Read more...] about Frugal, easy Valentine’s dinner menu
Easy recipes for homemade food gifts
We’ve pulled together several easy recipes (and many variations) for food gifts that make especially thoughtful hostess and teacher holiday gifts, or for anyone on your Christmas list who enjoys something homemade. Most of these homemade food gifts are fairly easy to make (some much easier than … [Read more...] about Easy recipes for homemade food gifts
