Home

Avoiding Mosquito Bites & Preventing West Nile

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 09:00:00 +0000

We’ve already shared a number of natural remedies for relieving the itch and sting of bug bites. But, with all of the talk of West Nile virus lately, we thought it would be a better idea to share an effective way to keep mosquitoes away.

In addition to wearing long clothing and using bug repellents, you can burn coffee grounds in a small dish or saucer. This way, you can enjoy the last days of summer without being swarmed by the virus-carrying pests that we wish were long gone by now.

While natural remedies are conducive to frugal living, prevention is just that much better.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of aussiegall

*We will soon be taking a short break from posting daily thrifty tips in an effort to discover new ways for you to save money. Visit our archives for hundreds of money saving tips and stay tuned!

Save Power When Using the Self-Cleaning Function on Your Oven

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 09:00:00 +0000

That self-cleaning function on your oven sure is handy, isn’t it? The only problem is that it requires a large amount of energy to get the temperature of the oven high enough for the cleaning function to work.

To make this tool a little more frugal living friendly, consider planning to clean your oven after you’ve used it and, preferably, the broiler. This way, the temperature of the oven will already be warmer than if the self-cleaner had to bring the temperature all the way up from zero. If the broiler has been used, the oven is more than half way there!

It’s easy to save power. Just learn to adapt aspects of your daily routines to make them a little more conducive to frugal living.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of dpstyles™

*We will soon be taking a short break from posting daily thrifty tips in an effort to discover new ways for you to save money. Visit our archives for hundreds of money saving tips and stay tuned!

Wash Produce When You Need it & Reduce Food Cost

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Do you find you’re tossing foods from your fridge before you even get to use them? One of the reasons this could be happening is if you often wash produce before putting it in the fridge.

Sure, it’s convenient to have a bowl of grapes or berries already washed and ready to go in the fridge, but the excess water that stays on produce can cause it to spoil. The same goes for choosing produce at the grocery store that hasn’t been doused in water by the store’s misters.

For frugal living and the sake of your grocery bills, only wash produce when you need it and as you use it.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of *clairity*

Prevent Dust with this Frugal Living Tip

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:00:00 +0000

I don’t know too many people that love to spend their time dusting, so if you’re like me, you would love to learn new ways of preventing the need for this household chore altogether. Okay, today’s frugal living tip may not get you out of your dusting duties forever, but it will reduce their frequency.

One of the most effective ways to decrease the amount of dust in your home is to ensure that your air conditioner and furnace filters are cleaned on a regular basis. Not only will this keep the amount of dust down, but it will also allow these units to run more efficiently, saving you more money.

Make it a habit of checking and cleaning these filters every other month and pick up a new hobby to fill the time you used to spend dusting.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of Collin Anderson

Paved Roads are Best for Frugal Living

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:00:00 +0000

If you’ve been working hard to get the best gas mileage possible, there’s good reason to come up with new routes that only include flat, paved roads.

Sure, it’s often the dirt or gravel roads that are the most scenic and that give us a nice break from the hustle and bustle of street lights and stop signs. But, when you drive on these unpaved surfaces, your vehicle’s engine works that much harder to turn your wheels. Driving on surfaces where it’s hard to get traction will always cost you more in gas.

So, while you don’t have to forever swear-off the scenic route for frugal living, just don’t make it a habit of driving on these rough roads every day if you can.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of Robin Taylor

Natural Remedies for Restless Legs Syndrome

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

You’d know it if you suffered from restless legs syndrome. For people with this condition, going to sleep at night can be a challenge because while the rest of their body may be ready for sleep, their legs want to keep moving.

The good news is that there are some natural remedies or things you can do to keep your legs from wanting to move while you sleep. The first is to boost the amount of iron-rich foods you eat. Green leafy vegetables and red meat are great sources of iron and it’s these that will prevent muscle problems that cause your restless legs. If you’re having difficulty getting enough iron from your diet, consider taking an iron supplement.

Avoiding caffeine and alcohol at night is also a must if you don’t want your legs moving while you try to sleep.

If you feel your legs starting or wanting to move, simply stretch them and point your toes. By intentionally moving and stretching your legs, you send a signal to your brain that can help to override the sensations from restless legs syndrome.

Start with these and see if you can’t get a better night’s sleep.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of rileyroxx

Own a Business? Learn how to Save Water in a Big Way

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

If you’re a business owner, you’re likely familiar with doing what you can to reduce overhead costs. But have you thought about all of the ways that your company could save water?

Whether you’re a full-fledged frugal living enthusiast or just interested in making more money, pay attention to these water-saving tips:

Make sure staff knows that reporting any leaks or drippy faucets is a top priority

Call your local water utility company and ask if there are any rebates of which you can take advantage. It might be that updating to more efficient fixtures and equipment could help you save money in a big way in the short and long term.

If there are any unused areas in your building, turn off the water to those locations so that leaks, etc. don’t go undetected

This is a great start if you’re looking to save water at your workplace. Keep adding to this list and watch your profits grow!

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of jronaldlee

Bumper Crop of Zucchini? These Frugal Recipes will do the Trick

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Zucchini is a tasty and nutritious food and what’s amazing about it from a frugal living perspective is that it often grows in abundance in people’s backyard gardens.

If, however, you find yourself struggling to use up all of the zucchini, give some of these frugal recipes a try:

Baking: of course, there are the old favourites zucchini bread, muffins, cakes and even brownies

Dips: in a bowl of Greek yogurt or slightly softened cream cheese, add some grated zucchini and garlic for an easy yet tasty veggie dip

Sneak it into other foods: this is a great idea if you have picky eaters and struggle to get them to eat vegetables. Simply grate zucchini into your pasta sauces, soups and stews, add even pancake batter.

Fry it up: zucchini fritters are easy to make and taste divine. Just grate the zucchini, squeeze out the excess water, and add it to one beaten egg, some salt and pepper and either a few tablespoons of flour or cornmeal (add more or less flour/cornmeal, depending on the amount of zucchini—you want a pourable consistency). Mix it all together and fry in oil in tablespoon-sized clusters. Great with dips!

Salads: zucchini can be the star ingredient in simple yet delicious salads. Simply grate and mix with a simple olive oil, lemon and salt and pepper dressing.

Don’t let this summertime delight go to waste. Use it while it’s fresh in some of these frugal living recipes.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of EverJean

How to Clean Cloth Diapers with a DIY Diaper Soak

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Many frugal living enthusiasts choose to use cloth diapers because they’re more economical than the disposable kind, but the long and short of it is that you still have to wash the diapers.

Instead of buying commercial diaper soaking solutions to keep your baby’s diapers stain, odour and bacteria-free, why not learn how to clean them with this amazingly versatile, totally frugal living, solution?

All you need to do is add 4-5 drops of tea tree oil to a few litres of water. The tea tree oil is antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal and this solution doesn’t contain any of the harsh chemicals that many other commercial products do.

Just add your dirty diapers and that’s it!

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of simplyla

Do your Own Research on Recalls, Don’t Rely on Dealers

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Most people at all interested in frugal living know that they will pay more for routine maintenance on their vehicles if they go to the dealership. With that being said, many people like to stay on top of factory recalls from manufacturers and this is often the reason so many continue to get their oil changes and other simple servicing done at the dealership.

But, when you can easily hop online and learn about manufacturers’ recalls from a number of reputable sites, why not save your money and opt to take your vehicle to a less expensive local mechanic? The government’s site ‘Safer Car’ is a great place to start.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of dailyinvention

Prevent Sinus Infections from Seasonal Allergies with these Natural Remedies

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

There can be nothing worse than seasonal allergies. Okay, scratch that, a sinus infection caused by your seasonal allergies would certainly be worse. The good news is that there are some effective natural remedies that can be used to ward off a sinus infection. What’s even better is that this home remedy is perfect for frugal living, too.

All you need to do is to start drinking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (raw is best) in a tall glass of water each day, as soon as you sense that allergies are approaching. The apple cider vinegar helps to thin mucus and, for lack of a better explanation, keeps things flowing freely so that serious congestion and infection are avoided.

This is a great tip for frugal living and one to keep in mind. You never know when it will come in handy.

**Photo from Flickr, courtesy of* AndyRob

Save Power & Water by Checking Your Hot Water Heater Valves

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

When it comes to frugal living and saving money around the house, your hot water heater is one appliance you want to ensure is always working properly. A damaged or inefficient hot water heater can literally wipe out all other household efforts to save power, as this appliance is one of the biggest energy consumers you own.

The great thing about today’s tip is that it will not only help you to save power, but also to save water. By doing quick, routine checks of the valves on your hot water tank, you can avoid costly leaks and malfunctions. If any of the valves on your tank are leaking or are not working as they should, it’s best to replace or repair them immediately; failure to do so will mean your tank isn’t working efficiently and you could be at risk of much greater property damage.

**Photo from Flickr, courtesy of* mrwynd

Simple, Frugal Living Summer Cooking: Bean Dips

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

If you’re like most families, busy summer schedules make it just that much more important to have easy, inexpensive meal ideas on hand. There are tons of frugal recipes for bean dips on the net and these tasty, nutritious dips can be used in a multitude of different ways.

Change up your veggie and dip tray with a Mexican-inspired pinto bean dip, or spread a thick layer of a yummy black bean dip on grilled veggie sandwiches for protein and flavour. Use bean dips on grilled flatbreads, crackers or pita for snacks, enjoy with tortilla chips for a salsa or guacamole alternative.

With virtually any type of bean (great for frugal living and totally nutritious), a few flavour ingredients (think garlic, fresh or dried herbs, lime or lemon juice, chillies, etc.) and a blender, you could have a dip your whole family will love in no time.

**Photo from Flickr, courtesy of* Gudlyf

How to Clean Dried Greasy Messes the Frugal Living Way

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

There are loads of commercial cleaners on the market that claim to cut through grease instantly and most of them do a great job of it. The thing about these cleaners is that they are often full of chemicals and aren’t always exactly cheap.

So for those of us who aren’t crazy about dousing our kitchen in chemicals or continuously having to buy these products, are we destined to have permanent, dried-on, greasy messes in our kitchens or to spend way too much of our precious time scrubbing? Most certainly not.

A great, more frugal living friendly alternative cleaner is baking soda. Simply sprinkle some baking soda onto a damp sponge and use this non-abrasive, natural cleaner to easily and quickly remove dried-on grease.

By learning how to clean with baking soda, which can be used in countless ways around the house, you’re bound to save money.

**Photo from Flickr, courtesy of* The Consumerist

It’s Hot Outside: Check Car Fluid Levels to Avoid Serious Auto Repairs

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

With the summer temperatures being on the up and up in these parts, frugal living drivers have got to remember that, just like our bodies, our cars need the right amount of fluids when it’s hot.

Taking the time to check all fluid levels—engine coolant, radiator fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid—and making sure they’re where they should be could save you from a number of costly auto repairs.

For frugal living, 9 times out of 10 the best way to save money is through prevention. Check under the hood today!

**Photo from Flickr, courtesy of* schwartz.mark

Moisturize Parched Skin with this Frugal Living Friendly Ingredient

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Dry skin isn’t just something that we get in the winter time. Swimming in chlorinated pools or salt water and being exposed to the sun can all leave our skin dry and in much need of some hydration.

One of the easiest and most frugal living friendly natural remedies to relieve parched skin is to take an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal has natural fats that help lubricate and soften skin and will leave a protective film on the skin to help prevent dryness in the future.

For best results, use finer flake oatmeal or simply whiz some large flake oats in the blender and add to a cool bath.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of Katie Tegtmeyer

Save Power with Regular Checks on your Hot Water Heater Storage Tank

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

In our efforts to help you save power in the biggest ways possible, one aspect of your household that seems to get constant attention is the hot water heater. That’s because, to put it simply, the hot water heater is an energy hog and doing whatever you can to make it a little more frugal living friendly in how it operates will undoubtedly save you money.

Today’s tip is all about removing the sediment (or mineral deposits like calcium) that get left behind in the hot water heater’s storage tank. These deposits can form a layer along the heating element which makes the transfer of heat to the water less efficient and costs you more money.

Then, the sediment can also cause your tank to overheat and, over time, the protective lining that’s meant to extend the life of your tank can be destroyed.

All you need to do to make the tank a little more conducive to frugal living is to drain the hot water heater occasionally. This will remove the sediment and keep your tank in good working order.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of johncarljohnso

A Frugal Recipe for a Great, Greek Food Staple

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

If you love souvlaki, I hope you’ve been treating your family to homemade meals with fresh pitas stuffed with souvlaki, Greek salad and tasty tzatziki. I love tzatziki and find that it goes so well with a variety of things, Greek or not. The only thing about this yummy spread is that a small container will set you back about $4 in these parts, so it isn’t very frugal living friendly, to say the least.

The good news is that tzatziki can be frugal living friendly and whipped up in a pinch using a few simple ingredients: plain yogurt, cucumber and minced garlic. That’s it. Just combine the ingredients and chill.

For best results, grate your cucumber and then set it in a strainer so that you can remove the excess water. Also, use full fat plain yogurt for a thick and creamy spread your family will love.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of jrodenbiker

How to Clean a Kitchen & Kill Dangerous Bacteria

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Salmonella, E. coli and the like aren’t something you want to mess around with, but just because you don’t want dangerous bacteria lurking in your kitchen doesn’t mean you have to spend money on chemical-laden commercial cleaners. There are more frugal living friendly and, get this, effective ways to kill this bacteria.

Fill one spray bottle with white vinegar and another with hydrogen peroxide. To clean your surface, simply spray one solution first and then the other. For whatever reason, this one-after-the-other process has actually been proven to be more effective than commercial kitchen cleaners at killing yucky bacteria.

Give it a shot and save your money.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of Samuel M. Livingston

Avoid the Draft from Big Trucks & Get the Best Gas Mileage

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Many drivers know that large trucks produce a draft when driving on the highway—you’ve probably felt it. One way to get the best gas mileage going is to make sure you stay about 10 car lengths from the back of a truck.

Tailgating a transport isn’t only dangerous but it will also keep you out of the draft and put you in a better position to optimize your car’s fuel efficiency.

Just one way to make your commute to work a little more frugal living friendly.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of didbygraham

Lesser-Known Uses for Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

If you don’t already have some in your pantry, it’s time you purchased some of this frugal living friendly tea that can be used in a large number of different natural remedies. In weeks previous, we mentioned how red raspberry leaf tea is beneficial for women, especially during menstruation, pregnancy and birth. There are, however, a number of lesser-known uses for this tea in thrifty natural remedies:

To help heal a wound, wet red raspberry leaves and apply to the affected area as a poultice. The leaves will not only help reduce inflammation, but they will also help tighten the area, helping to close over the wound.

The tea is rich in absorbable calcium, making it a great tea to drink if you suffer from muscle cramps.

If you have a sore throat, this tea works well as an antiseptic and astringent. Simply gargle the cooled tea 2 to 3 times a day.

Red raspberry leaf tea is rich in vitamins A, E and C and is a great way to help boost the immune system. Feeling a little under the weather? Drink a few cups of this tea!

Just one tea can be used to heal in so many different ways. Buy some today and add it to your arsenal.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of chadao

Keep Appliances Away from the Thermostat to Save Power

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

If you’re finding the heat unbearable and have been forced to use your air conditioning, be sure to make your use of this potentially costly appliance as efficient as possible. While many people know that by bumping up the temperature by one or two degrees they can save a lot of money in the long-term, they may not realize that the placement of their appliances could affect their ability to save power and their money.

If you place an appliance such as a TV next to or near your thermostat, the heat from the appliance can skew the thermostat’s reading of the temperature in your house and cause it to run the air conditioner excessively. This is a waste of money and not conducive to your frugal living efforts to save power.

Moving those appliances over, even by a foot or two, can and will make a difference.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of www.butkaj.com

Yes, There is Such a Thing as a Frugal Living Friendly Phone App

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

There is at least one app you can really justify buying and that’s the iPhone Shopper or BlackBerry’s Smart Shopper. For a mere $1 to $3, depending on which app you buy, you could have a nifty tool that will help you track your spending on groceries. Playing on your phone just got a lot more conducive to frugal living!

With these applications, you can load your list and then check the items off as you go. As you add them to the cart, plug in the price of each item so that you can see a running total. If it looks like you’re going over budget, you may want to consider putting an item or two back or opting for a less expensive version of some foods.

If you’ve been looking for a proven way to stick to your food cost budget, downloading this app could be a big help.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of Plutor

How to Clean Permanent Marker from Household Surfaces

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Despite your best efforts to hide them, your child found a package of permanent markers and proceeded to ‘decorate’ your wood flooring or kitchen table. While they might be the next Picasso, you may not want their art work permanently displayed on these surfaces.

The good news is that there are frugal living friendly ways to remove the marker. Simply apply some rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth or cotton ball and dab at the marker stain. The marker should start to lift off onto the cloth. Then, wipe the surface down with a dry, clean cloth.

By learning how to clean and remove permanent marker yourself, using ingredients already in your home, you could save yourself a bundle.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of Crystal

It’s More Frugal Living Friendly to Shop for a Car in the Fall

rachel_grier@hotmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

The great weather may have you in the mood to finally replace your old clunker but, if you can, resist the urge to buy now and wait until the fall or, for a really great deal, the winter.

You see, you’re not the only one that feels like spending money when the weather is nice and dealerships know this. With more people shopping for cars in the summer, dealerships can get away with charging more for their vehicles. By waiting even a couple of months, you could take advantage of dealership markdowns and sales, saving hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars.

So, take a little more time to shop around and wait until the weather is more conducive to big savings. Be patient, for frugal living’s sake.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of Peter Kaminski