StBridgit's comments

How to Have a Frugal Garden - Blog Entry

01 Apr 2009 06:24 PM

One of the most frugal things you can do is to have your soil tested. Yes, it will cost you a small amount of money upfront, but getting your soil properly balanced with nutrients and with the right pH will do more to raise your yields than anything else you can do. Most areas have soil deficiencies that require specific amendments, and unless you test your soil, you won't know what it needs.

Also, look for free gardening classes through your county extension office, your county's master gardener program, or local plant nurseries. You will get plenty of local know-how for free (again, increasing your yield), and you can make friends who might have seeds or seedlings to spare which they will share with you.

The last thing is to plan your garden properly. Be aware of the water needs of different plants and group plants with the same watering needs together. Give the plants the right amount of room to spread or climb as necessary, and make sure your shorter plants aren't shaded for half the day by your taller plants (i.e. know which way the sun tracks across your bed through the day).

Tips for Using Less Laundry Detergent - Blog Entry

25 Mar 2009 09:07 PM

I use plain white vinegar as my softener/rinse aid. It's cheap and it doesn't leave any odor--a plus if you're sensitive to scents. I also use Fels Naptha soap as a stain remover. I've found it works better than more expensive stain treatments and it even works on things like grass stains that I've accidentally dried in the dryer.

Coping with No More Coupon Inserts - Blog Entry

23 Mar 2009 12:17 PM

I used to use coupons a lot but I was seeing that most of the coupons were for new products, to try to introduce you to them. And most of them are for pre-made, pre-packaged foods that are still far more expensive than homemade or bulk items, so I wasn't saving any money with the coupons. The things I buy most from regular grocery stores are also items that typically do not have coupons: fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit. I buy all of our dairy and bread products from a warehouse store, and most of our paper products there as well. I don't bother getting the newspaper any more because frankly we don't need it.

Gourmet Food at Home - Blog Entry

19 Mar 2009 09:15 AM

Sometimes the only thing you need to make something gourmet is to use a different spice for a regular recipe. For example, using cardamom instead of cinnamon in apple recipes adds a different twist that seems more exotic than the normal recipe. Or using a bit of saffron in rice will give it a different flavor. Also substituting different grains like quinoa for rice, or using couscous instead of rice, can make a meal seem gourmet. You can buy different grains in bulk, too, so they don't have to be more expensive than their regular counterpart.

Inexpensive Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day - Blog Entry

19 Mar 2009 08:57 AM

I know I'm late here, but one way to celebrate is to make some real Irish foods, such as soda bread or barm brack (a type of fruit bread). Soda bread is sometimes sold in specialty grocery stores now at a price of $4 per small loaf, and it's quite easy to make at home. Have an Irish breakfast for dinner with sausages, toast, eggs, roasted tomatoes, and tea. And you can go on YouTube and show your kids some Irish dancing videos, and let them try to do some Irish dancing themselves!

When There is Not Enough Time to Be Frugal - Blog Entry

01 Mar 2009 12:32 PM

One of the things that really amazes me as a parent of preschoolers is how much I CAN actually get done when they are awake and running about. My time is very fragmented due to their activities and demands for my attention, but I CAN do housework, laundry, gardening, even small home improvement projects with my kids. And I think it's very beneficial for them in several ways: they see that they are not the center of my existence, they see that I work hard to save money & fix things myself, and they see that there is no such thing as a "free lunch"...Mommy had to work hard in the veggie garden to grow those yummy carrots & tomatoes they like to eat! And the older they get, the more curious they are about how I do it, and the more they want to help. Win, win, win!

How to Shop at Outgrown Sales - Blog Entry

19 Feb 2009 09:00 PM

It's very common to find these sales held by local moms' clubs. There are several in our area and I usually hear about them by word of mouth--they are rarely advertised. If you hear about a local moms' club and don't want to join yourself, see if you have a friend who is in the club. Then you will know about the sale ahead of time.

When I Could Have Saved Money but Didn't - Blog Entry

19 Feb 2009 08:52 PM

I have lost money by not keeping track of coupons or keeping them close to hand in my purse. Then I have found myself in the store, knowing I had a coupon at home somewhere, but I also NEEDED to make the purchase then and would not be able to come back later to use the coupon. Of course it's always been for relatively 'spendy' thinigs like boxes of diapers, too, to make it pinch a little more! I try to be diligent now about putting coupons in my coupon organizer, in my purse...but sometimes I still slip up.

How to Win the Competition for Grocery Bargains 3 - Blog Entry

20 Jan 2009 09:15 AM

I have had great luck with asking if there is more stock in back, too. One time I was able to buy some microwaveable soup bowls by the case of eight, because the worker asked how many I wanted and just brought out 3 cases for me. It was a great deal for us, as it all was used up over a few months for my husband's lunches, and we were able to store it easily still in the cases.

Favorite Sources for Frugal Holiday Gifts (They aren't thrift stores) - Blog Entry

23 Oct 2008 04:22 PM

If you plan to shop in stores, check out clearance racks for good deals on clothing. Also now is the time to scour big box stores for clearance toys and other merchandise from summer blockbuster movies. You can get some great deals on toys, and clothing stores like Kohls usually have fantastic clearance racks in all departments that can offer great finds for gifts. The clearance rack of department stores is also a good place to find those little gifts for friends & teachers. They usually have a regular rotation of candles, candleholders, home decor, and bath/body products through the clearance section, which are great gifts and can be found for 70% (or more) off. Just be wise in picking items that are not obviously seasonal and you can use them year-round for birthdays, etc!