Money-Saving

20 Frugal Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

January 8, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

whitewash wood board with red felt hearts and title text "20 Frugal Valentine's Date Ideas"

Valentine’s Day can get expensive very quickly. But it doesn’t have to cost a lot. In fact, it doesn’t have to cost you a thing! There are tons of fun things you can do to celebrate the day that are free or incredibly cheap. Here are 20 frugal Valentine’s Day date ideas that you and your special someone will love!

Dress Up for Dinner at Home

If you want to dress up for dinner but you don’t want to pay expensive prices, then dress up for a candlelit dinner at home! You could even use that china you save for special occasions.

Make Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Rather than pay $1 or more per chocolate-covered strawberry, make your own together. You’ll likely see strawberries on sale the week of Valentine’s Day. Pick up a pint and grab a bar of milk or white chocolate. Break the chocolate into small pieces and microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between. Once the chocolate is melted, hold on to the green top of your strawberry and dip it in the chocolate. Lay it in a plate or sheet pan lined with parchment paper and allow to cool completely. Easy-peasy to make a whole batch and it will only cost a few dollars for the ingredients. Feel free to make them fancy with sprinkles or decorating sugar.

Go to an Arcade

Relive your childhood by going to an arcade. Arcade bars are popping up all over in which games are $.25 and you’re just expected to order at least one drink. Bond over old-school games like Frogger or try your hand at some pinball.

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50+ Ways to Save Money on Monthly Expenses

November 11, 2019 by Sarah 1 Comment

This post contains affiliate links. This site earns a small commission from purchases made using these links at no additional cost to you, the reader.

I’m always looking for ways to save money on expenses. Yes, rent is typically a set expense every month, but we can implement some ways to save on the expenses we can control. Some of these money-saving tips may seem like common sense, and some may seem pretty out of the box. Either way, watch your monthly bills shrink by using some (or all) of these tips. Leave me a comment with which tip you are most excited to start doing!

Save Money on Food Expenses

Keep a Freezer and Pantry Inventory

Knowing what you have on hand will make it so much easier to plan meals or know what you need (or don’t need) to buy. Use my free printable freezer and pantry inventory charts to keep organized.

Meal Plan

After double checking what you already have in the pantry and freezer, use your grocery store flyers to plan your weekly meals based on what is on sale. Only buy what you need. – Renee Bolling

Regrow Food Scraps

Green onions are my favorite food scrap to regrow. Just place a 1″ piece from the root end in a cup with an inch of water. Place the cup on a sunny window sill in your kitchen. Change the water every few days and you’ll have a continuous supply of green onion. Simply snip off what you need from the top of the plant. In addition to green onions, you can do this with lettuce, garlic, herbs, and celery to name a few. Checkout Buzzfeed’s post for a more extensive list.

Cut one meal out per week

I’m not going to tell you to never go out to eat, but cutting out one meal out per week can save you $20-50 depending on family size. Have a homemade pizza night at home instead.

Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home

Making cold brew coffee at home is so simple you’ll kick yourself for ever paying for Starbucks. Simply add 1/2-1 Tablespoon of coffee grounds to a french press for every cup of cold water. My french press holds 32 ounces, so I add 4 Tablespoons. I prefer to make the brew pretty strong and then I add non-dairy milk. Allow the coffee grounds to steep in the water for 24 hours. Strain using the press, and you’re done! Pour over ice and mix in your favorite syrups, milk or creamer. You’ve got delicious cold brew for pennies.

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DIY Dry Shampoo

October 28, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Dry Shampoo is a lifesaver when you wake up late for work or you’re trying to make your shampoo last a little while longer. Cans of dry shampoo spray are now available at most retailers. While they are really convenient, those cans are expensive and run out very quickly.

Enter dry shampoo powder! One batch of this dry shampoo will last months depending on your usage and hair type. Even better, it is made from ingredients I bet are already in your kitchen.

Ingredients

Baking Soda: Yes, that orange box sitting in your pantry can be used to absorb excess oil from your scalp and hair in a pinch.

Cornstarch: Yet another pantry ingredient, cornstarch also absorbs oil from your roots. It is a finer texture than baking soda and the combination of the two helps prevent your powder from clumping.

If you are allergic to corn, feel free to substitute arrowroot powder for cornstarch.

Cocoa Powder: This ingredient is specific for those with darker colored hair. It will work for brunettes and red-heads. The brown powder helps darken the dry shampoo so that it is not as obvious for those with darker hair.

There you have it. Two (or three) ingredients that are probably already in your pantry. Mix all the ingredients together and store them in an airtight container.

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DIY Household Cleaner: Hydrogen Peroxide

August 12, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Hydrogen Peroxide is something almost every household has stashed in their bathroom cabinet. Let me share how to clean with it. That’s right! That brown bottle will tackle all areas of your home and get it sparkling clean.

Hydrogen peroxide is very affordable and highly effective when it comes to tackling messes and disinfecting. Plus, it isn’t filled with harsh chemicals so you can feel good about using it. Check out my 11 ideas for cleaning with hydrogen peroxide. Leave me a comment with your recommendations for uses, too!

11 Ways to Clean Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Boost Dish Soap and Detergent

Add 2 ounces of hydrogen peroxide to your sink or dishwasher when doing dishes. This will help to sanitize while washing them.

Soft Scrub Cleaner

Mix together 2 ounces of castile soap (like Dr. Bonner’s), 1 cup of baking soda and 1 Tablespoon of peroxide to form a paste. Apply the paste to surfaces, allowing to sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse and wipe clean. Your soft scrub paste will last in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for one month.

Sanitize Your Fridge

Get rid of sticky fingerprints by filling your sink with warm water. Add 2 ounces of peroxide and a drop of dish soap. Use this to wipe down your fridge with a sponge or rag. There is no need to rinse. It will remove sticky stains and also sanitize.

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How to Save Money on a Road Trip

July 3, 2019 by Sarah 2 Comments

title text over a picture of a road and trees

There are many reasons people take road trips, from being able to enjoy the scenery to simply saving money on transportation. Although it may be cheaper to drive the family to Disneyland instead of flying, little costs here and there can add up. You can save money with your road trip if you take into account several different things.

Here are some things you can do to save money on your next road trip.

Plan Ahead

Check out where you are going and what is along the way. Will you want to stop at certain restaurants or scenic spots? Plan those out so you can plan your meals and stops accordingly.

Visit Family Along the Way

If you have family en route to your destination, see if you can spend the night with them to avoid having to stay in a hotel. This will save major bucks on your road trip.

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10 Uses for Apple Scraps

July 1, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

bucket of apples on a wooden cutting board with a knife

I love apples! They are the perfect snack. And my daughter will agree, but she absolutely will not eat her apple unless it is peeled and sliced. I’m sure there are a lot of you who feel my pain. I don’t mind doing it, but I do wind up with a lot of apple scraps over time.

I hated the idea of throwing these scraps away, so I went on the hunt to find alternative uses for them. Of course you can throw the peels and cores in your compost, but I was looking for something more.

If you’re peeling apples every once in a while, place the peels in a freezer bag and keep in your freezer until you have enough for a full recipe. I love to stock up on apples in the fall because they are such a good price. Depending on how I use them, whether prepping apple pie filling or making applesauce, I wind up with a LOT of scraps. (PS – I can’t wait to jump into canning with all of you!)

I’ve compiled 10 recipes for bringing new life to those apple scraps. Do you have any other suggestions? I would love to hear them. Just comment below!

10 Uses for Apple Scraps

Apple Scrap Jelly

Photo Credit: www.thespruceeats.com

Apple Scrap Vinegar

Photo Credit: commonsensehome.com

Apple Peel Bourbon

Photo Credit: food52.com

Apple Peel Pancake Syrup

Photo Credit: www.littlehouseliving.com

Apple Peel Potpourri

Photo Credit: sixdollarfamily.com

Apple Juice From Leftover Peel + Cores

Photo Credit: www.thefrugalcottage.com

Apple Peel Chips

Photo Credit: www.joyofkosher.com

Apple Peel Tea

Photo Credit: emmycooks.com

Make Pectin From Apple Peels

Photo Credit: thesurvivalmom.com

Apple Peel Orange Smoothie

Photo Credit: blenderrecipereviews.com

Try these Apple Blondies, and don’t forget to save the scraps. 😉

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DIY Clove Mouthwash

June 27, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

My life-long philosophy has been: Why pay for something when I can make it myself? Anyone else out there feel the same way? I’ve been looking into ways to make my own dental products to see if it can be another area to save money. Guess what? It is! This DIY Clove Mouthwash costs under $1 to make!

Benefits of Cloves

I’m sure we’ve all used whole cloves to stud an orange for holiday decorations. It smells amazing and adds to the warm feeling of the holidays. Cloves, however, pack a way more powerful punch than I have been giving them credit for.

Cloves have antiseptic, anti-fungal, antibacterial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. What does that mean? Basically, cloves can reduce gum swelling and irritation, stimulate circulation, enhancing gum tissue health, help soothe toothache pain, fight bad breath and kill bacteria in the mouth.

Phew, like I said. They pack a punch. So, why not use whole dried cloves to brew some homemade, budget-friendly mouthwash! Healthline has a helpful article on even more benefits of cloves beyond dental care.

Flavor Additions

This recipe is for basic clove mouthwash. It has a tingly, spicy flavor similar to cinnamon. Feel free to add any of the following ingredients to your clove and water mixture and steep together.

Peppermint leaves
Cinnamon sticks
Orange Peel
Rosemary

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7 Tips for Saving on Your Utility Bills

May 21, 2019 by Sarah 1 Comment

woman using calculator with bills on table with title text 7 tips for saving on utility bills

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. This site earns a small commission from Amazon purchases made using these links.

On top of paying a mortgage or rent, your utility costs can add up quickly if you aren’t careful. Electricity, gas and water are a necessity, but can get extremely expensive. There are simple things that can really create a large cost savings when combined.

If you own a home it is much easier to ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible. It may cost a bit in the beginning but you will save money in the long run if you make your home more efficient. Ensuring your windows are free of leaks (and double pane, if possible) will help to cut down on heating and cooling costs. Installing a tankless water heater can cut your water usage in half. You can also ensure that all of your appliances are energy star certified, which means they use less power, water, etc to run.

Even if you are renting or just don’t have the money to invest in these larger upgrades to your home, there are many ways you can save on your utilities.

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DIY Clarifying Shampoo

April 4, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

ingredients and bottle of homemade clarifying shampoo

I’m always looking for ways to reduce my spending on personal care and beauty products. Making my own shampoo was one of my first real steps I took in making the leap to frugal living.

Yes, you can find coupons and rewards for purchasing name brand products and stay on a budget. But, even more than being budget-friendly, I love that this shampoo is made with real ingredients that cleanse your hair without stripping the natural oils.

When making your own shampoo, you may notice that it doesn’t lather as much as regular shampoo. This is perfectly normal. It will work. I promise. You only need about quarter to half-dollar size portion depending on your hair length.

The recipe below is a pretty basic recipe, so feel free to play with it. I love to use Tea Tree Oil or Peppermint Oil in place of the Lemon essential oil. Make sure to let me know what variation you try!

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Best Cookbooks for Eating on a Budget

March 18, 2019 by Sarah 2 Comments

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. This site earns a small commission from Amazon purchases made using these links.

People often believe that cooking from a cookbook is going to be more expensive than a normal meal and in a lot of cases, this is true. It’s very easy to end up spending more money than you normally would when you’re making meals from cookbooks. Thankfully, there are a lot of budget-friendly cookbooks out there to pick from. These are great for students, small families, and big families alike. Here are a few of my favorites.

100 Days of Real Food: On a Budget by Lisa Leake

New York Times Bestselling author and food blogger Lisa Leake has come out with a budget-friendly version of her book and blog 100 Days of Real Food. It has a cost breakdown for every recipe which can be used as a rough estimate for how much your meal will cost. It also has an entire chapter dedicated to slow cookers!

Budget Bytes by Beth Moncel

This is a book that I use frequently for my own family. It’s written by Beth Moncel, a former broke college student turned food blogger and author with a degree in nutritional science and dietetics. She includes the price breakdown for each total recipe and serving, and includes some great instructions on how to stock your panty on a budget.

Family Feasts for $75 a Week by Mary Ostyn

A mother of ten shares how she manages to feed her family on $800 to $900 a month. It has 200 delicious recipes along with expert tips on how to save money while grocery shopping. Even if you aren’t feeding a family of 12 this book is sure to save you money and keep you eating great food.

Frugal Vegan by Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee

Eating vegan on a budget is possible! Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee are here to show you how in Frugal Vegan. The book teaches you how to avoid expensive perishable foods and special ingredients while still enjoying nutritious, filling food.

Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown

This is my absolute favorite cookbook to use on a budget! I find myself reaching for it any time I’m looking for a quick cheap and easy to cook meals. This cookbook was written with those on Food Stamps/SNAP in mind who only have budgets of $4 a day, all without relying on heavily processed foods. It is a New York Times Bestseller and IACP Award winner. It’s full of healthy cheap recipes with a ton of great options for variety. For every copy of this book sold, the publisher also donates a copy to a family in need.

Good Cheap Eats by Jessica Fisher

If you’re looking for a book filled with cheap meals that can be made in a short amount of time Good Cheap Eats is the book for you. It has more than 200 recipes in it that don’t have any artificial ingredients or processed foods. Jessica has also written a number of cookbooks and also maintains two blogs!

The Savvy Shopper’s Cookbook by Amy Sheppard

This book will take you through the process of shopping for groceries, giving you tips and tricks along the way to help you get great tasting food without breaking the bank. In it, you’ll find recipes like Moroccan Chickpea Curry, Steak and Potato Salad, and 15 minute Apple Crumbles.

Try my Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili for another budget-friendly meal.

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