Feast for a Fraction

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Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

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There are many uses for apple cider vinegar so it is no secret that it is often a staple kitchen item that you will find in many homes. Not only can apple cider vinegar be used for cooking, it can also be used for cleaning, improving health, and as a natural beauty booster.

glass bottle of apple cider vinegar on pink background

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When it comes to apple cider vinegar, you have two options. You can use the pasteurized kind that you find in gallon jugs for just a couple dollars, or you can use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that contains the “mother.”

There are benefits to both. I buy the pasteurized, cheaper version in bulk and use it for all of my cleaning and beauty products. I go through it like crazy and don’t see the point in paying a lot when it is used in these applications.

For those occasions when my family will be eating or drinking the vinegar, I go for the raw version, so really you can choose which one best fits your budget.

Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar in the Kitchen

  • Add apple cider vinegar to the pot when making broth to help release gelatin and minerals from the bones.
  • Use apple cider vinegar in salad dressings and vinaigrettes.
  • It is thought that apple cider vinegar can help aid digestion. Start with a small dose daily of 1 tsp of raw, unfiltered ACV.
  • Apple cider vinegar can be used as a wash for fruits and vegetables. Fill your sink half full of water and add one cup of ACV. Let fruit and vegetables sit in the wash for 5 minutes. Dry completely before storing.
  • Mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar are the base for many salads such as coleslaw and potato salad.
  • Use apple cider vinegar in your pickling solution.
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Container Gardening For Beginners

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potting containers filled with herbs and flowers with title text "container gardening for beginners"

Who doesn’t love the sight of flowers blooming on a summer’s day? What about being able to pick your own ripe red tomatoes? But you say you only have a small porch or terrace? Well, that’s all you need to grow a fabulous flower or vegetable container garden that will make you famous in your neighborhood.

Start with a Plan for your Container Garden

It’s a good idea to plan your terrace garden before you start planting, a good winter project. There are so many possibilities that it might seem overwhelming at first.

Try to notice how much sun each section of your space gets so that you can plan and plant accordingly. Then try to choose flowering plants that will bloom for most of the summer; you don’t want to waste space on plants that will only give you a week or two of blooms. Some of the sun-loving flowering plants that do well in containers include petunias, begonias, geraniums, salvia, nasturtiums, lobelia, marigolds, and lilies. Popular shade plants are impatiens, coleus, and hostas.

This hydroponic indoor garden from AeroGarden is my favorite way to have fresh herbs growing year-round. It sits on my kitchen counter, taking up very little space, and even reminds me when I need to add water or plant food. I have basil, dill, chives and mint growing at all times.

Pots, Planters and Soil

Once you know what you want to plant, start with plastic pots and containers. They’re cheaper, lighter, and water doesn’t evaporate from them as fast as ceramic containers, unless they’re glazed. Use a combination of long planters and various sizes of pots for variety.

Wooden boxes and barrels add interest, but are prone to rot. Make sure that you use untreated wood so that you don’t have chemicals leaching into the soil If you have an overhang, use hanging baskets. You can even get creative and have a vertical garden, growing things up instead of out.

mailboxes repurposed into vertical garden planters

Don’t go cheap with the potting soil. You want the best, so get a soil like Miracle-Gro Moisture Control. It’s specially formulated for container gardening, holds 30% more water, and will feed your plants throughout the summer.

Arrange and Plant your Container Garden

Now that you know generally what to plant and where to plant them, set out your pots and containers in the areas best suited for them. Fill your containers with soil and start planting. Start slowly by purchasing no more than you can plant at a time. This will give you a chance to rearrange your garden if you notice that one plant looks better next to another, something your plan may not have considered.

containers for herbs and salad greens

Place taller plants next to shorter growing varieties for interest, using lilies or tall spikey grasses. You might even want to place a small goldfish pond in a shady place between some flowers. Don’t forget to experiment each year with a new and different flower or vegetable. Now that you’ve planted, all you have to do is keep aware of the watering requirements of your garden and soon your neighbors will be looking up and admiring your blooming creativity.

Tips for Getting Started

  • Start small with just a few plants until you get the hang of how much space they require or how often you need to water them
  • Start your seeds inside in March so that they are strong enough to survive when you move them outside when it gets warmer
  • Make the most of your patio or space by using containers of different heights or place them on different levels of a stand
  • Research what plants grow best in your growing zone. Use this chart to find out what zone you live in

What to Grow in Your Container Garden

Herbs Ideal for Container Gardening

Easy-to-Grow Herbs Ideal for Small Spaces

Photo Credit: savingdollarsandsense.com

How to Plant and Grow your own Microgreens

Photo Credit: natashalh.com

How to Grow Windowsill Herbs

Photo Credit: itsgardenthyme.com

DIY Container Garden Projects

DIY Container Gardening Projects

Easy DIY Garden Markers Spoons

Photo Credit: www.turningclockback.com

Vintage Toddler Potty Blooms into a Flower Potty

Photo Credit: pinkfortitude.com

How To Build a Raised Vegetable Garden Bed

Photo Credit: h2obungalow.com

DIY Vertical Garden with Drip Watering System

Photo Credit: housefulofhandmade.com

DIY Spray Painted Striped Planters

Photo Credit: www.pmqfortwo.com

How To Plant An Herb Garden In A Galvanized Bucket

Photo Credit: ourcraftymom.com

Dresser Drawers to Planter Boxes

Photo Credit: www.foodwinesunshine.com

DIY Pallet Planter Box

Photo Credit: cookeatgo.com

If you like this, you’ll love…

10 Uses for Apple Scraps

50+ Ways to Save Money on Monthly Expenses

15 DIY Valentine’s Decor Crafts

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collage image of DIY Valentine's decor crafts

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Raise your hand if you need a creative outlet in your life. <raises both hands waiving frantically> I LOVE doing DIY crafts because my full-time job has me stuck behind a computer and on the phone all day. I enjoy making pretty things and need that time to be creative in my life. And it’s something that my daughter loves, too, so it is a wonderful excuse for mommy-daughter time!

These DIY Valentine’s decor crafts are so cute and easy to come together. Even more than the fact that they are Valentine’s Day related, these crafts provide a new and interesting way to craft. Swapping out colors can instantly make these crafts perfect home decor all year.

My BEST piece of advice is to stalk your local Dollar Tree for craft supplies. I have at least three stores within 10 miles of me and I make a habit of popping in to see what they have. If you’re going to Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, make sure to pay attention to the weekly sales and ALWAYS use a 40% off coupon. They are always available on their app, in email newsletters and in the newspaper inserts.

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20 Frugal Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

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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

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jar of quarters sitting on counter with yellow sticky note with text "50 ways to save money on monthly expenses"

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

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jar of dry shampoo sitting on wood counter with makeup brush with heading text "DIY Dry Shampoo

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.

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DIY Household Cleaner: Hydrogen Peroxide

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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

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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

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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. 😉

DIY Clove Mouthwash

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jar of DIY clove mouthwash, a wooden spoon of dried whole cloves and a bowl of whole cloves on white wooden background with title text

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!

How is Clove Mouthwash Effective?

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

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