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One way to lower costs for a bridal shower is to invite the guests to bring a favorite dish complete with recipe for the bride to sample and include in her recipe box. Of course, all the guests get to sample it. You end up with a potluck. To make it extra special have the guests include some "spice" on the recipe card with ingredients for a happy marriage.
Kimberly
editor's note: For more on a Fun, Yet Frugal Bridal Shower, please click here.
I wanted to buy pecans for special holiday foods, but they were so expensive, anywhere between $10 and $14 a pound in bulk bins. I kept waiting for them to go on sale, as usual in the winter, but they never did. I heard that the crop was smaller this year, and that would explain the price.
Then, just to compare, I went to the baking aisle where small bags of nuts are sold, usually much more expensive, and was astonished to find a one-pound bag of pecan halves (Diamond brand) for $6.99! I have since discovered that this is the usual price for this brand, at least at my big local grocery store.
Bulk bins are usually cheaper but not always. You really have to keep comparing prices! Seems I've learned that lesson several times now. I was delighted to buy and cook with pecans for the holidays at this price!
Anne W.
I own three saltwater aquariums and am working on a fourth one with a refuge. Believe me, I know it can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be. I have saved thousands of dollars by trading or by buying on cents on the dollar on PetSolutions.com or on eBay.
Buy the book The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists by Robert M. Fenner. This is considered the "bible" by saltwater hobbyists and will explain to you anything and everything about the hobby. Read it several times before you start buying anything more as you want to make wise investments on products.
Secondly, buy the biggest aquarium you can afford. As the saying in the saltwater world goes, "Dilution is the solution to pollution." This is going to save you a ton on money in the end, and your finned friends will love you for thinking ahead and buying big. The bigger the tank, the more types of fish you can keep, and the less pollution problems you will have.
Denise M.
Additional Dollar Stretcher Resource: More on starting an affordable saltwater aquarium.
This is for those who are a household of one that think cooking is more expensive than eating fast food. If you have specific recipes/items that you enjoy, even though the recipe makes six to eight servings, make it as well as side dishes that you like and divide into individual portions and freeze. On the container, write the contents and instructions on how to reheat.
Do the same with desserts, such as pies or cakes. Cut into serving sizes and wrap in plastic wrap and then foil. Place into a lidded container and label each serving as to its contents. By doing this, you can use a larger outer container to hold several types of desserts, and you won't get bored with eating apple pie for eight days in a row!
Save plastic containers from take-out meals or use empty margarine containers, jars, etc. to hold your meal portions. Or purchase a few disposable pie/cake pans and make your own foil dividers to keep the different foods separate. Cover these with plastic wrap and foil and label for contents and reheating instructions also. Just pull out of the freezer in the morning or night before and heat and eat in the evening.
You should enjoy all the same foods that you would eat if there were additional people in your household.
Nancy
Additional Dollar Stretcher Resource: More ideas when you're cooking for one
While talking to parents of younger children, the topic of wet/misplaced gloves came up. I shared this tip with them. Every year, I purchased ten pairs of all one color "stretch" gloves. Each one of these gloves fit on either hand. The key is buying in all one color. I would put two pairs of gloves on my daughter to go out and play. When those gloves got wet, she would come in and put on more gloves. As the season went on and gloves were lost or damaged, she never ran out as there were always enough gloves to replace those lost or in disrepair.
Roxanne in Georgetown, DE
After grocery shopping, I write out a list of all the meals I can make with the groceries I have on hand and post it to the side of the refrigerator. When I make a meal, I cross it off my list. This is a visual reminder to use up what I have on hand. Before I started doing this, I would forget about a lot of the things I had in my pantry and freezer and feel that I had to run to the store and spend more money to make dinner. Now I really try to use up what I have.
Becky M. in Searcy, AR
The cars at a junkyard may be "totaled," but the tires are often excellent. By shopping there, you save 50-80%.
Alisha
I love to shop, but I rarely buy anything without first reading its reviews. There are countless product review sites for every kind of product on the market. Whether it's a beauty product, appliance, household item, etc., it is best to review before you buy. To me, it is all about comparing prices, as well as quality.
I have been tempted to buy things on numerous occasions, but held back because I did not have enough background information on the product or company. More often than not, I did not end up buying those products because of reviews that indicated they were not right for me.
Being patient and understanding as much as you can about the product before you buy it is essential to not wasting money on items that are not a good fit for you or that are just plain poor quality. Plus, if you plan to purchase ahead of time, you may be able to find discounts and coupons online to use towards your purchase later.
Emily
Here is a great recipe:
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups soy flour
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 cup brewer's yeast
1 (15 ounce) can mackerel
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cod liver oil
2 cups of water or as needed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. In another bowl, mash the mackerel into small pieces. Mix in the oil and water. Add the mackerel mixture to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. The dough is tough, so use your hands. Roll dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 1/4-inch bits, using a knife or pizza cutter. Mound the bits onto greased cookie sheets and bake for 25 minutes. During baking, occasionally toss the bits with two wooden spoons, so they brown evenly. Turn the heat off and allow the treats to cool thoroughly before removing. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This recipe freezes very well for longer storage.
John
Additional Dollar Stretcher Resource: More on homemade cat food
How much money do we spend every time we head into the local Walmart? If you're like me, you most likely end up buying a bunch of stuff you didn't really need and could have done without. Multiply that by how many times you visit all those stores, and you've shelled out a load of extra dough.
This year, if you're lucky enough to be getting a tax refund, take a fair portion of that refund and spend about two weeks stocking up. That two weeks will give you a chance to catch things on sale. If you can buy a year's worth of the necessities, enough to carry you until next year's refund, you'd be surprised what it will save by removing the temptation to purchase all the unnecessary stuff over a year's time.
Lezlie
In college, I worked weekends for an egg packing company. When you go to the grocery store shopping for eggs, you will typically see a store brand for the lowest price, followed by one or more other brands. The eggs are exactly the same, regardless of the name on the carton. (This may not apply to those labeled "organic.")
When we packed the eggs, we would fill an order, and when we used up all the cartons for that order, we just grabbed the cartons for the next order with whoever's name was on it. They are the same eggs sold with your local grocery store's name, dairy's name or national chain name, and they are the same eggs that are sold to restaurants and fast food places like McDonald's.
Don't be fooled into paying extra just because there is a different name on the carton.
David B.
At the end of the day, my husband and I have made it a habit to update our Quicken financial software before we check email. It helps us have a 5-10 minute financial discussion before connecting online. The daily update prevents over-spending the next day, gives us action items for the next day like following up on uncleared checks, and lets us know how much there is available for other bills. It's a habit that prevents double-payment of bills or missed payments and helps keep the budget and family communication about money on track.
Tamara W.
Having cash on hand is an excellent idea in case ATMs and credit card services are unavailable. Just make sure the cash value for bills is not over $5 and keep a supply of coins available as well. Cash registers may not be working or merchants may not be able to cash the larger bills or make change.
Pat G.
If you put a little white vinegar (about 1/4 cup) in a bowl on the counter while cooking fish, it will keep the room from smelling like fish. We have used this tip for about six months now, and it works great.
Pat
A number of years ago, my husband and I went on a Treasure Hunt for our anniversary. We were on a budget, and we each only had $20 to spend. Being frugal was half of the fun, and with dollar stores, you can still do it reasonably. It works well for the husband who needs direction as to what you might like for Valentine's Day. It also lets you know just how much your partner pays attention to you. You can make a treasure map and hide the gifts for each to find.
The ideas are endless, but this is a good game to keep in touch with each other. Also you can make it as romantic or as sexy as you dare. By the way, this spring will be our 30th wedding anniversary. We are proof that keeping in touch with each other makes it work.
Carol C.
Additional Dollar Stretcher Resource: More on frugal Valentine's ideas
I love to keep a few herbs growing in my kitchen, but the cost of those cute little pots is not in my budget. I cut clear plastic bottles in half, punched several holes in the bottom for drainage with an ice pick, and planted my herbs. I even scalloped the cut edges for a different look. I tied a cute bow around the bottle. Plastic drink bottles as well as many juice bottles are excellent choices for growing herbs or small plants, such as African Violets.
The bottle containers are very portable, don't take up much space, come in different colors, and are free as you are recycling them into something useful. Grouping several together of different heights makes a stunning display. A plate can be used to catch any drainage occurring. I've also used styrofoam meat trays as saucers for drainage.
Saga
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