How to Store Nuts
If you were to look in my basement right now, you'd probably think a squirrel had moved in for the winter. There are heaps of black walnuts drying on racks, and heaps more waiting to be husked. (What can I say; I like free food).
But those nuts won't be there long because I'll soon be storing them away to ensure that they stay fresh all winter long. My plans for chocolate chip walnut cookies, candied walnuts and apple walnut muffins;depend on it.
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Photo Credit: law_Keven
Save on Meat
Are the current meat prices butchering your grocery budget. If so, there's plenty you can do about it. Consider this idea:
Buy Bones
Did you know that Honeybaked Ham sells their ham bones for $5 a piece (the price may vary in your area), and often runs a two for one special. With a full two to three pounds of meat left on each bone, that's a great deal.
Photo Credit: Michael_Berch
Have You RedBoxed?
Like to rent DVDs, but hate to fork over $4 for each one? Then, give RedBoxing a try. DVDs rent for $1 a piece, and you don't have to make a special trip to the video store to get them. I think I'll try it this weekend.
Check out Donna Montaldo's explanation of RedBox, and you may decide to try it too:
Poll:
What are Your Favorite Products?
- Method hand soap and all-purpose cleaner
- King Arthur flour
- Arm and Hammer Essentials laundry detergent
- Bert's Bees lip balm (in the tin)
- Kiss My Face lip balm w/ SPF (for the summer)
- Real Lemon lemon juice (the store brand just isn't the same)
- White vinegar and baking soda (any brand will do)
- KitchenAid cooking gadgets
See what Other Frugalites are Saying:
Uses for Newspaper Sleeves
Plastic newspaper sleeves – most people look at them and see trash, but the frugal person looks at them and sees possibilities. Have you found a great use for them? I know I have. Here's one of my favorites:
Travel Bags
Protect the contents of your suitcase from shampoo and lotion spills by sliding the bottles into plastic newspaper sleeves, and tying the bags shut. Do the same with shoes, to protect your clothes from dirty soles.
More Plastic Bag Uses from Around the Web:
Soup Season has Arrived
Chicken soup, minestrone, chili, beef stew -- there's no end to the frugal magic that you can create with a soup pot and a handful of ingredients. What will your first pot of fall goodness hold?
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Photo Credit: rusvaplauke
Frugal Friday Challenge
Have you taken part in one of the Frugal Friday Challenges yet? If not, now's a great time to start.
Today's challenge:
Spend some time looking around for loose change to add to your change jar. Check under the couch cushions; dig through purses and pockets; look in your car; search inside the dryer and the junk drawer. If it's a spot where money is likely to hide, it needs to be explored.
Go find that hidden coinage. Then, report how much you found over at the forum. Are you in?
Get Maximum Cash for Unwanted Stuff
Selling things that you no longer need is a great way to free up some cash, but what's the best way to go about doing it? Should you have a yard sale? Sell things online? Take out a classified ad?
Answer: Whichever one makes you the most money.
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Photo Credit: Lili_Vieira_de_Carvalho
Feeling Nickel and Dimed?
Food costs more. Gas costs more. Utilities cost more. Is there anything that hasn't gone up in price recently? It sure doesn't seem like it. Fortunately, inflated prices don't have to leave you and your bank account feeling deflated.
Set aside some time this week to bring your budget up to date (yes, that means adding in those newer, uglier figures that you don't want to think about). Then, brainstorm ways to cover them. Are there budget items that you can eliminate or scale back on? Is it time to shop around for a better deal on car insurance/phone service/cable? Can you think of ways to bring in extra money?
Keeping working on those numbers until they crunch in your favor. Then, get back to banking those nickels, dimes and dollars too.
Budgeting Resources:
- Build-a-Budget Worksheet
- Monthly Spending Worksheet
- Develop a Monthly Spending Plan
- Cut Back on Extras
Inflation Fighters:
Network Your Way to Free Food
You can network your way to a better job, but did you know that you can also network your way to a lower grocery bill? You can indeed.
Over the past couple of weeks, my husband and I have received an offer for free pears and an offer for free nuts – simply because we mentioned that we enjoyed canning and harvesting our own foods. Easy.
So easy in fact, that it has me thinking about all of the other ways networking could result in free food. Why not offer to help someone with their harvest in exchange for some of the bounty, for example? Or post a notice on Craigslist saying that you'd be happy to remove all those "nuisance" nuts that are cluttering people's lawns? You could even exchange canning services for a share in the finished product. Lots of possibilities, and they all result in free food.
Put those career networking skills to work on your grocery bill, and see what happens.
Share Your Experiences:
Do you already network your way to free food? Have you come up with networking strategies that go beyond the ones I've mentioned? Share your successes, and wow us all with your frugal prowess.
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