Let's face it: When it comes to finding ways to save money, brown bag lunches usually get a boring rap. But homemade doesn't necessarily have to mean ho-hum.If you're working at a regular full-time job, one way or another you're probably eating lunch away from home five days a week. If you hit the regular soup and sandwich place every day - or worse, if you're eating fast food five times a week - you're going to pack on pounds and drop a lot of cash. The Real Costs of Lunch As an example, imagine that you've found enough coupons and local specials to keep your daily lunch cost to $5. … [Read more...]
Myscha Theriault
9 Creative Ways to Reuse Old Bureaus (Chest of Drawers)
Scan the furniture section of Craigslist, check out a yard or garage sale, or walk through the local flea market - you'll see a plethora of gently (or not so gently) used bureaus (i.e. chest of drawers) to choose from. Instead of paying outrageous prices for high-end, specialty furniture, why not take advantage of these vintage finds?As long as the basic style works with your space, there are a number of great ways to re-purpose an old bureau. Refinish and add new hardware to your second-hand find for a more modern spin, or leave it as is for a shabby sheik look. The sky's the limit when … [Read more...]
How to Make a Gift Basket at Home with Cheap Supplies
Once you've decided to make your own gift baskets, it's easy to get stuck in the trap of spending more on them than you expected to. The last thing you want is for your crafty endeavor to cost more than a store-bought gift. After all, you're doing it to save some dough, right?Having made more gift baskets than I can count over the years, I've learned a thing or two about putting them together affordably, while still giving a gift with style. My main secret? Knowing where to shop for the supplies. Basic packaging and special decorative touches can really add up if you don't know where to … [Read more...]
How to Make a DIY Hanging Pot Rack – 6 Cheap & Easy Methods
Whether you want to create your own pot rack for functional reasons or decorative ones, chances are you're doing it to save money. But heading down the path of days spent sanding, carving, and assembling can not only be tedious, it can take valuable time away from your money-making endeavors.Choosing the right plan is critical to get your new pot rack up and operational as quickly and affordably as possible.Here are six great ways to make a pot rack on the cheap and easy. 6 Types of DIY Pot Racks 1. Towel Bars As long as you pick something neutral enough to work in a kitchen as well … [Read more...]
How to Buy and Enjoy Beef Recipes on a Budget
Do you have a house full of hearty meat eaters? For some families, only beef will do.At our house, we've been reducing our beef intake recently for health and budget reasons. But when we want to splurge on our diet and our wallet, or are having hardcore carnivores over for dinner, I like to have a multitude of ideas ready so that these situations don't disrupt our budget too significantly.Here are several secret weapon strategies to enjoy red meat, while staying within your budget. 4 Ways to Buy & Prepare Beef on the Cheap 1. Buy Cheap Cuts and Cook Slowly Cheap cuts of beef are … [Read more...]
Top 11 Eco-Friendly Green Gift Ideas that Are Unique & Cheap
Green gifts have a great reputation for being clever and unique, and they help you lower your carbon footprint while encouraging others to change their habits too. But they often get a bad rap for being expensive and hard to find, and it's tough to know if your recipients will love green products as much as you do.The good news is that you can see how great these gifts are and dispel the myths about how much going green costs at the same time. With the right advice, you can save money while saving the planet.Ready for some awesome ideas? Let's dive in! Keeping Clean 1. A Drying … [Read more...]
6 Ways to Get that Gourmet Kitchen without the Expensive Appliances & Gadgets
Extreme makeover and home improvement shows have left many people dreaming of having the ultimate gourmet kitchen. Unfortunately, the kitchens you see on TV are far from attainable for those on a budget. Visions of all of the tools and ingredients you need to create an impossible array of delicacies can have you overspending before you know it.While there are many affordable ways to remodel your kitchen, I like to focus on infrastructure and ingredients. By putting practicality first, you can create a gourmet space without blowing your budget.Here are my top six strategies to make that … [Read more...]
6 Tips to Save Money Buying Meat – Beef, Pork, Turkey & Deli Cold Cuts
When you're trimming your budget, you start looking at your grocery store receipts with a lot more scrutiny. And if your family is big on meat and poultry for lunch and dinner, expensive choices add up quickly.Don't assume that your food budget is at the mercy of your butcher's business decisions. With these six quick tips for the deli counter and your kitchen, you'll be able to spend less, get more, and make it last longer.Buy Meat and Save 1. Remember, Size Matters You'll get the most value when you buy in bulk, and stores always have better deals on bigger cuts of meat. Larger … [Read more...]
6 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe Ideas on a Budget
Few things say comfort food, and satisfy the whole family, like chicken.The trouble is, poultry prices fluctuate so much that you'll quickly be uncomfortable with the effect chicken has on your budget.With these six tips for the budget-conscious home cook, you and your family can get better value out of chicken meals. How to Save Money on Chicken 1. Rethink Boneless Sure, boneless chicken is easier to work with, but you pay a serious premium for that convenience. You'll always save money with bone-in poultry, even if you lose a little time.If cooking and cutting apart an entire … [Read more...]
7 Creative Uses for Mason Canning Jars
Recently, my close friend was telling me about a beautiful farm wedding she attended last summer where they served Southern sweet tea in mason jars. It was so quaint, so romantic, and so creative. It then got me thinking - what else could those jars be used for aside from home canning recipes for your fruits and veggies?The answer is: plenty. And this is great, considering the jars, which can be found at most grocery stores and even thrift shops, are super easy on the wallet. Here are my top tips for using canning jars throughout your home.1. Customizable Pantry Storage Because … [Read more...]
8 Cheap Romantic Ideas for Her – Affordable Dates to Help You Save for an Engagement Ring
When you're dating someone, it may be tempting to pull out all the stops. After all, dating in today's world requires fancy dinners, bottles of expensive wine, flowers, and candy - right?If you believe everything you see on TV, that may be the case - but if you're a smart consumer with an eye for experiences that you and your significant other can really bond over, you can still be romantic when you're strapped for cash or are trying to save money. Even better, affordable and fun dates can help you save up enough cash to purchase an engagement ring. If you're ready to reduce costs while … [Read more...]