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
Home & Garden
How to save money on food without using coupons
Groceries for a family of four cost an average of $679 to $1,350 a month, not including takeout and restaurant meals, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s a big chunk of change. But there are ways to spend less on food and still eat a healthy, nutritious diet. And you may … [Read more...] about How to save money on food without using coupons
How to organize your life with peg board
I recently decided to organize my garage using peg board. Before began, I did a little recon work and wow, was I surprised at how much can be done with some simple, inexpensive peg board. No matter what room you want to get into shape, peg board can help, and it's cheap. For less than $30, you … [Read more...] about How to organize your life with peg board
How to save money on a summer party
You like to entertain, but you can't afford to spend a fortune every time you invite people over for a party. Here is our guide to saving money when planning for a summer party or barbecue. Decorate with items from around the house and yard. Arrange them casually down the center of the table, or … [Read more...] about How to save money on a summer party
Projects to bring your 1950s house into the modern age
Perhaps you’ve inherited your grandparents’ house. Or, maybe the best house you could find was a 1950s place that looked like your grandparents’ house. You may actually be lucky. A house built in the 1950s can be easily and fairly inexpensively remodeled into a home that looks like … [Read more...] about Projects to bring your 1950s house into the modern age
Cheap recipes for your backyard barbecue
Now that summer is here, you are excited about firing up the backyard grill and sharing a meal with loved ones. Whether you are entertaining a smaller crowd and following distancing guidelines, or the restrictions have lifted a bit more and you can call in a larger crowd, you can still stay on … [Read more...] about Cheap recipes for your backyard barbecue
Giant backyard games you can build yourself
Game time is fun, but for bigger fun, you need bigger games. You may have seen those giant outdoor games made from ordinary board games. These are perfect for the kids to play with all summer or for pulling out for a summer party. But buying them can cost hundreds. Fortunately, you can … [Read more...] about Giant backyard games you can build yourself
Free or low-cost home security strategies
You want to keep your home safe from thieves, but you don't want to spend a fortune doing so because, frankly, you don't have a fortune worth stealing. Technology has significantly brought down the cost of home security systems and home surveillance cameras, many of which you can install … [Read more...] about Free or low-cost home security strategies
How to easily reduce your energy costs
That utility bill jumped so high this month that it should have won an Olympic medal. You can bring it down by being mindful of your consumption. Your results will vary, but even the smallest of changes can help the bottom line: Chimney talk. Do you have a working fireplace? Make sure you turn … [Read more...] about How to easily reduce your energy costs
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 the hippie culture. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as International Mother Earth Day, and it is now celebrated by nearly 200 countries. Now in 2020, … [Read more...] about Great ways to celebrate Earth Day every day
How to organize your home office
If you have recently transitioned into a work from home job, you will need to establish a few guidelines for you and for those who live with you. Your needs will vary depending on the work you need to do, but let's start with these tips: Carve out a place to call your cubicle No matter how … [Read more...] about How to organize your home office
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 is a portable, waist-high table just deep enough to grow salad greens, herbs and other shallow-rooted plants and vegetables. The shallow wooden box frame has a large surface area and a mesh bottom that … [Read more...] about How to build and grow your own salad table
