Cranberry Apple Oat and Quinoa Breakfast BakeThis is a very filling dish. The cranberries and apples complement each other nicely. Quinoa is on sale at my supermarket, so this was economical as well. I did not use nuts and substituted powdered ginger for the crystallized ginger.
How to Wash a Cashmere SweaterFor years I dry-cleaned my wool and cashmere sweaters, paying $3.50 each time. I saw a TV segment that convinced me to try it at home. Not only is it cheaper, but there are no chemicals in your sweater, and it comes out so much softer. This will work for merino, cashmere, and all fine sweaters.
Homemade Bracelet BuddyIf you open a paper clip, it will act as a third hand to help you put on your bracelet easily.
Freezing Corn in a PillowcaseDo not hesitate to stock up on corn when there is a sale. Corn can be frozen, in the husks, in a pillowcase. Load up the pillowcase, fold the top over so it is closed, and place in the freezer. It will stay as fresh as the day it was picked.
No-Car DayThis summer, I decided to do an experiment. I decided to see what would happen if I didn't use my car one day a week. I have discovered that this is a really good idea for many reasons.
Make a Bottle of Fabric Softener Last for 8 YearsI got this tip from the Mary Hunt website. Get a spray bottle and fill 1/3 with fabric softener. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Spray a few times on both sides of an old washcloth, and throw it in the dryer. Turn the bottle gently before each use to mix up the contents well. I don't shake the bottle.
Gratitude Not AttitudeGratitude, not attitude. Last week Lowes was giving away gift cards in denominations from $5 to $1500. As to be expected, most cards were $5, which is what I got. I saw some posts from people saying they "only" got $5. I felt it was $5 that I did not have before.
Replacing Your Watch BatteryI always took my watches to the jeweler to have them replace the battery, at a cost of $8-$15. I saw watch batteries for the first time at Dollar Tree, and decided that I would try to replace them myself. Dollar Tree sold them 4 to a pack, which ends up being 25 cents to fix a watch.
Sprouting BeansEveryone can do this. You only need a container with a cover. You may use many kinds of beans. I used lentils this time.
Why Doing Things Yourself is More than FrugalMost people I know have someone else to clean their homes and wash their cars. They bring in food a lot and go out to eat often. They tell me that since I work full-time, I am wasting my precious free time. They also think I'm cheap.
Crunchy Chickpea SnacksThis snack is high in fiber and protein. You can flavor with any spices you want, so you can make it sweet or savory.
Game Shows Imitate LifeMy husband discovered a TV channel that has game shows 24 hours a day. We had a good laugh looking at the outdated hairdos, clothing, and products featured. After the novelty wore off, I discovered a lot of things just by watching the shows.
Tiger DaylilyThese beautiful flowers come back every year. They have three tiers, which make them more unusual than others. I never tire of looking at them.
Preparing for a Life with Less IncomeI am planning to retire in the next three to five years. I have been thinking a lot about making sure I am in the best financial situation possible. I realized that it is really my second time planning to live on less income. 35 years ago I left the workforce to raise my family. That was temporary; this is probably going to be permanent. A lot of the things I did then to prepare for less income I am doing now.
Go-Go BootsWhen I was in the sixth grade, short white leather boots, called go-go boots, were all the rage. All the cool girls got them immediately. Not-so-cool girls got them in rapid succession. In a short period of time, anybody who was anybody had a pair, except for me.
TV: The Thief of TimeA few months ago, our cable TV stopped working. We had to wait a few weeks for an appointment, as we work full-time and weekend appointments book quickly. My husband loves TV, and was pretty upset. I didn't care too much, since I hardly watch TV, or so I thought.
Gedempte ChickenGedempte means "well-cooked." It is a flavorful, braised chicken that is economical and great for the winter. The chicken, potatoes and onions were all on sale. Use one potato and one piece of chicken for each serving
