School Break. Spring Break. Summer Break. Fall Break. The terms excite students across the country but also can instill dread in the minds of the parents of school-age children everywhere. Days or weeks in a row with no school. What can you possibly do to prevent hearing "I'm bored" over and over … [Read more...] about 21 fun ideas for kids on summer break
Home & Garden
10 cheap, easy ways to stage your home for sale
You’ve decided to sell your home, and you want to get top dollar for it. That means you need to stage your home for sale — in other words, prep your house so it looks more appealing to potential buyers. You’ve seen the TV shows where homeowners spend thousands of dollars to bring in new furniture … [Read more...] about 10 cheap, easy ways to stage your home for sale
Build a salad table to grow your greens
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 Build a salad table to grow your greens
12 fixes that will get you a higher price for your house
If you’re looking to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, there are some lesser-known words that match the importance of the famous real estate phrase "location, location, location."Those all-important words? Curb appeal.As the saying goes, "You don’t get a second chance to make a … [Read more...] about 12 fixes that will get you a higher price for your house
What to include in a minimalist wedding registry
One of the things I struggled with the most while planning my wedding was registering for gifts. My fiancée and I are both past 30. We have a stocked kitchen. Our home lacks for nothing, really. Then there is the issue of space. We already live in a small space and don't have much room for more … [Read more...] about What to include in a minimalist wedding registry
How to start a vegetable garden on the cheap
Many people want to start a vegetable garden to save money. It's no wonder, since buying produce at the market can cost eight times more than growing your own.To help you in your quest to grow vegetables, we've compiled the following list of vegetable garden tips and ideas to help you keep the … [Read more...] about How to start a vegetable garden on the cheap
Online yard sales, beyond Craigslist
It's always fun to get new stuff, and even better if you can get what you need for free or at bargain-basement prices. Personally, I also like getting rid of stuff I no longer need. I find I'm more productive and more relaxed in a less-cluttered environment, but I hate creating more … [Read more...] about Online yard sales, beyond Craigslist
Cheap, 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, easy carpet cleaning solutions
14 frugal ways to save money on laundry
Many things about doing laundry have changed over the years, from high-efficiency washers to highly concentrated laundry detergent. What remains the same is that you can waste plenty of money washing your clothes if you’re not paying attention. If you want to save money on laundry, you need to make … [Read more...] about 14 frugal ways to save money on laundry
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 … [Read more...] about Projects to bring your 1950s house into the modern age
Money-saving 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 Money-saving ways to celebrate Earth Day every day
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
How to save money on food without using coupons
Groceries for a family of four with young children cost an average of about $1,000 a month in the summer of 2023, 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 … [Read more...] about How to save money on food without using coupons
Grow lettuce and save money on salad
Don’t let the rising cost of produce keep you from eating salad. Grow your own lettuce and save money. Lettuce is easy to grow, takes up little space and is quick to mature. Get your children involved, and they might eat more salad, too.I’ve had the best luck with leafy lettuce … [Read more...] about Grow lettuce and save money on salad
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? Below are some cost-saving birthday … [Read more...] about How to save money on a kids’ birthday party at home