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
Home & Garden
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
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
12 tips to avoid DIY repair disasters
The idea of saving hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of dollars when making home repairs is enticing. Surely you can repair those cracks in the wall, caulk around the bathtub, install a new toilet or change a light fixture. Maybe you can handle all these do-it-yourself projects – but, then … [Read more...] about 12 tips to avoid DIY repair disasters
4 must-have cleaning products that really work
I don’t blindly squeeze into a narrow parking spot scraping adjacent vehicles or throw wild cocktail parties. Nevertheless, in the past year I’ve had red wine splashed across my beige carpet (twice), had someone “kiss” my car's bumper with their vehicle (twice) and discovered the bottom of my nice … [Read more...] about 4 must-have cleaning products that really work
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
17 home renovations that add value to your house
Even if you’re not planning to sell your home any time soon, when you consider remodeling, you face this inevitable question: How much will this improvement add to the value of my home?Surprisingly, much of the time the answer is not as much as it costs to make the improvement.But some … [Read more...] about 17 home renovations that add value to your house
How to organize your life with pegboard
I recently decided to organize my garage using pegboard. Before I began, I looked at pegboard organization ideas and wow, was I surprised at how much can be done with some simple, inexpensive pegboard.No matter what room you want to get into shape, pegboard can help, and it’s cheap. We’ve found … [Read more...] about How to organize your life with pegboard
Upcycled home decor: How to decorate with things you already have
If you’re trying to redecorate your bedroom, study or other living space, don't buy anything new until you've assessed what you already own. With a little bit of imagination and some effort, you can repurpose things you already have to create new upcycled home décor for a fraction of the price. … [Read more...] about Upcycled home decor: How to decorate with things you already have