Frugal Village

Frugal cure for poison ivy

Sara Noel — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:32:53 PDT

The first tip might make you feel itchy, but keep it in mind if you ever get a poison-ivy rash. Learn to identify poison ivy so you can avoid it. According to Poison-Ivy.org, the oil from poison ivy is extremely stable and will stay potent essentially forever. So be sure to wear gloves when removing the clothing you wore and wash them immediately. POISON-IVY REMEDY: Every spring/summer, I contract poison ivy, and I've become quite sensitive to it. I woke up with a patch of it on my chin (very unattractive) and a patch behind my knee. In the past, I've let it run its miserable course and remedied the itching/oozing with Caladryl and calamine lotion. I found some apple-cider vinegar in the cupboard and dabbed it on my chin and leg. Within 72 hours, the poison ivy was gone. -- Mckee, Massachusetts

Save money on meat

Sara Noel — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:56:36 PDT

photo by misocrazy Meat and poultry can be a large part of your grocery bill, but there are ways to keep the cost down. Going vegan might not be something you’re interested in pursuing, but you can incorporate meatless dishes once a week or more frequently if you desire. How do you save on the cost of meat? Here are a few suggestions. BUY IN BULK: Buy family packs or larger cuts, ...

Dip into summer cooking

Sara Noel — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:10:51 PDT

photo by Andrea R. Summer dips are delicious to serve at backyard barbecues, parties and potlucks. They’re easy to make, can be served with most anything, transport well and are kid-friendly, too. Hot dips can be kept warm in a slow cooker, and cold dips can be placed on a container of ice. Homemade dip is going to outshine the tub of ranch-style veggie dip. There’s just one rule: No ...

Summer gift-buying on a shoestring

Sara Noel — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:59:44 PDT

photo by myartfullife Summer can cost a fortune. For some families, many weekends are already accounted for. There are baby showers, weddings and anniversaries, reunions, birthdays, work and family picnics, and various other parties to attend. Cha-ching. You don’t want to look like a cheapskate, but affording it all can be tough on your budget. Here are a few gift ideas to help you get through your summer without going broke. HOUSEWARMING: ...

Bulk condiment storage: Stop playing ketchup

Sara Noel — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:13:54 PDT

photo by Lance Fisher DEAR SARA: What is the best way to store opened containers of ketchup? I buy my ketchup in the club pack. I did the math, and the club pack is extremely cheap compared to the regular size. It also helps save the environment because it’s less plastic being sold and put into this household. I am having an issue with ketchup cans, primarily. I bought a club-pack-size ...

Put baking supplies in one place

Sara Noel — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:50:27 PDT

photo by petit hiboux Gathering your baking supplies can be time-consuming. Sometimes measuring cups and spoons get separated or pans get shoved far back into the cabinets. It can end up a real workout before you’ve even started mixing ingredients. You might end up buying replacements for supplies you’ve misplaced. The first tip is a wonderful way to organize your baking supplies. It will create fond memories for children, too. ORGANIZE ...

How to buy cheap produce

Sara Noel — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:06:25 PDT

photo by Ellie Vanhoutte Produce can be expensive. Fortunately, there are frugal ways to keep it low-cost. First, find out what is grown locally at your state department of agriculture Web site. Or visit www.localharvest.org/csa to find community-supported agriculture in your area. CSAs allow you to buy produce directly from a local farmer. You pay to be a subscriber or shareholder and receive produce throughout the season. Here are a few more ...

Prepare with a spare

Sara Noel — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:14:56 PDT

photo by zorilla Frugality and decluttering can sometimes conflict. You don’t want to save everything, but you don’t want to toss a useful item that can be reused or be left without anything when something breaks. You might want a spare item for work, the car, when you travel or if something is lost, too. It’s helpful if you buy your spare items deeply discounted or secondhand, so you don’t pay ...

Beat-the-heat summer cooking

Sara Noel — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:59:25 PDT

photo by special dark Preparing food in a slow cooker works well during the summer months. It’s a hands-free way to cook without heating up your kitchen. You can bring it outside, plug it in and cook with it, so it’s a great alternative to backyard grilling. Cleanup is a snap, too. Here are four easy, tasty meals. Enjoy! Cranberry Pork Chops 6 bone-in pork loin chops 1 (16-ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce 1/2 ...

Remove red stains from counter

Sara Noel — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:01:45 PDT

photo by nutmeg DEAR SARA: How do you get a Crystal Light stain off a kitchen counter? I am going to blame my kitty cat for this. It’s that red color, and I have been cleaning it today, and it is a little lighter but still there. — Palooka, forums DEAR PALOOKA: I use melamine foam, such as Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser. Assuming you don’t have granite countertops, you can use bleach ...