Home & Garden

18 cheap and easy DIY home improvement projects

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You bought a new home, and the list of projects that need to be done is larger than your bank account. Or, the home you bought years ago is looking a little dated, and you don’t have the money to hire someone to give it that much-needed face-lift. Many easy do-it-yourself projects that will … [Read more...] about 18 cheap and easy DIY home improvement projects

Plan the perfect summer picnic for less

Use our tips to plan the perfect summer picnic on a budget. Whether you're planning to do a backyard picnic for the family or putting together a picnic in the park for you and your best friends, it doesn't have to be expensive. With a little forethought (and our summer picnic checklist), it’s easy … [Read more...] about Plan the perfect summer picnic for less

26 adaptable recipes and menu ideas for $4-a-day budget meal planning

My experiment with a $4-a-day budget has become a welcome and permanent adjustment to my menu planning and grocery shopping routine. It has saved not only money, but my time as well as some of my sanity. The $4 a day food budget was popularized by Leanne Brown in her free online book, Good and Cheap … [Read more...] about 26 adaptable recipes and menu ideas for $4-a-day budget meal planning

How to save money with a rain garden

Most of the rain that falls on your property is collected by rain gutters or flows from driveways and patios into the street. All of this runoff is diverted into the storm drain system that ultimately empties into the nearest body of water. As urban and suburban areas grow, storm water runoff … [Read more...] about How to save money with a rain garden

Great ways to celebrate Earth Day every day

Earth Day was born in 1970, to help Americans to understand that taking care of the environment was not just a fad invented by hippie culture. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as International Mother Earth Day, and it is now celebrated by nearly 200 countries. Whether you set aside … [Read more...] about Great ways to celebrate Earth Day every day

How to make your own laundry detergent and save

When you find you need to cut back on expenses, or you simply would like to live simply, there are surprising ways to pinch a few pennies. DIY laundry detergent is easy to make and works as well as the store-bought products. Make and store in recycled containers to add to the … [Read more...] about How to make your own laundry detergent and save

7 easy ways to lower your energy bill right now

That utility bill jumped so high this month that it should have won an Olympic medal. You can lower your energy bill right now by being mindful of your electricity consumption. Even the smallest of changes can help reduce energy costs, and keep your utility bills low. Here are seven simple tips for … [Read more...] about 7 easy ways to lower your energy bill right now

5 things to consider when buying a used lawn mower

One of my readers, Amanda, recently moved into her first home with a yard and grass that needs cutting. "It's huge," she told me, "and I don't know what to do. Is it OK to buy a used lawn mower or does it have to be new?" That's a great question. Whether your old lawn mower has finally called it … [Read more...] about 5 things to consider when buying a used lawn mower

Cheap and easy carpet cleaning solutions

If you have an active household, the celebrations, the pitter-patter of little feet and an animal or two can really take a toll on your clean carpets. Different types of cleaning solutions are needed to tackle different kinds of stains, from spilled wine and food to muddy shoes and dirty paws. But … [Read more...] about Cheap and easy carpet cleaning solutions

How to do your own landscaping: DIY landscape design to save money

If you want a garden that turns heads but won't empty your wallet, do your own landscaping. It’s easy to familiarize yourself with the basic principles of landscaping design in order to create the yard of your dreams. Follow our step-by-step guide to DIY landscaping on a budget. With these … [Read more...] about How to do your own landscaping: DIY landscape design to save money

How to save money on a kids’ birthday party at home

You’ve taken the first money-saving step by mustering the courage to host a kids’ birthday party at your home. Now you're wondering, how do I keep this group of kids entertained, make the party memorable and stay within my budget — all at the same time? From princess and pirate parties, to … [Read more...] about How to save money on a kids’ birthday party at home

How to grow herbs and save money all year

Are you tired of paying big bucks for cooking herbs? Grow your own. For less than the price of a jar of dried herbs, you can plant fresh herbs (plants or seeds). Use your fresh herbs during the growing season and dry herbs throughout winter. Most herbs are easy to grow. These tips tell you how to do … [Read more...] about How to grow herbs and save money all year

How to negotiate the best deal when buying a house

The old saying is that in real estate, everything is negotiable. But is it really? When you go to buy a house, you’re certainly hoping to get the best price and terms. To do that, you need to know when to start negotiating and when to stop. That begins with being familiar with the market, down to … [Read more...] about How to negotiate the best deal when buying a house

Make felted wool dryer balls, a cheapskate’s fabric softener

Here's a project that will help you save on electricity from your dryer and eliminate the need for fabric softener, which has harmful chemicals and perfumes. Fabric softener can be expensive, isn’t recommended for certain articles (towels, cloth diapers) because it reduces absorbency, and it can … [Read more...] about Make felted wool dryer balls, a cheapskate’s fabric softener

How to build and grow your own salad table

Do you love vegetables and salad, but can't plant a regular garden? A salad table might be the ideal solution for you. What is a salad table? A salad table is a portable, waist-high table just deep enough to grow salad greens, herbs and other shallow-rooted plants and vegetables. The … [Read more...] about How to build and grow your own salad table