Baby, It's Cold Outside

It's getting chillier here in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, keeping warm this autumn doesn’t mean cranking up the heat! Turn down the thermostat, and instead chase the cold away with these frugal, environmentally friendly ideas.

• Dress for the season. I know this sounds obvious, but many people don’t wear winter clothes in the house. In fact, up until last year, we usually kept our home so warm that I could wear tank tops in December. Now, you’re more likely to catch me in cozy sweatpants and fleecy tops. Wearing weather-appropriate clothing around the house will quickly curb your desire to crank up the heat.


• Get cooking. Simmer some beef stew in the crock pot, bake a loaf of crusty bread, or whip up a batch of tasty muffins. Your house will warm right up, and your family will be thrilled!


• Exercise. There’s a reason they call it “burning” calories. Physical activity is not just good for your health; it also warms you right up.


• Brew up steaming beverages and broths. Nothing warms your tummy like a cup of hot cocoa—except, of course, hot tea, hot coffee, and chicken soup!


• Snuggle up. Get cozy on the couch with blankets, pillows, and, of course, your loved ones!


• Be productive. Tackle those big, physical household projects that make you sweat. Winter is the time to move your heavy furniture, paint your living room, or put in that breakfast bar you always wanted.

How do you keep warm when it’s cold outside—without cranking up the heat, that is?

Originally published November 2007.

Fantastic Freebies!

Bertolli's Premium Microwaveable Sauce

Fiber One - Honey Clusters Cereal PLUS an Oats and Chocolate Bar

Bear Naked Fruit and Nut Granola

UnderJams Night Wear for Boys

Soup-er Supper

It’s getting chillier outside, especially at night, which means it’s time to start making soup!

Homemade soup is one of my absolute favorite frugal dinners. It’s tasty, nutritious, and costs practically nothing. Even better, the fragrance of homemade soup simmering away on the stove is just about the coziest, most welcoming smell in the world. A big bowl served with homemade bread, biscuits, or muffins is the perfect hearty dinner for a cold winter’s day!

Thankfully, homemade soup is incredibly easy to make. Fill a large pot with chicken, beef, or turkey bones, plus any vegetable peelings you have on hand. Sprinkle liberally with your favorite spices, and cover with water. Simmer over medium-low to medium heat for at least an hour. Drain through a sieve that has been lined with a cheesecloth (actually any damp piece of cloth will do—I use fabric from an old T-shirt!)

Return the broth to the pot and add whatever you have on hand that sounds good to you. Add vegetables and meat first. After they’ve simmered over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, add your choice of starch (Donnie’s and my favorite is spiral-shaped Rotelle pasta!) If your starch is already cooked, don’t leave the pot on the stovetop too long. Three or four minutes—just enough time to warm your rice, noodles, or potatoes—should be enough. Serve with homemade bread, biscuits, or muffins.

What are your favorite frugal meals for fall?

Originally published December 2007.

Super-Cute Crafts

Yesterday, I realized I need to start planning my Christmas shopping—especially if I want to be frugal this holiday season!

Fortunately, Erin at About.com: Frugal Living always shares the cutest craft ideas with her readers. These projects make wonderful handmade gifts. Today, this Denim Pocket Purse caught my eye. It’s easy to make, and absolutely adorable!

What handmade gifts do you like to give at the holidays?

Photo courtesy of About.com.

Gradual Gains

Over the past year, I’ve saved money and lowered my daily sugar intake by making a simple change to my morning beverage. Up until about ten months ago, I drank chai latte made from a powdered mix with my breakfast every day. It was delicious, but it was pricey, not to mention full of fat, calories, and sugar. I decided to save money—and improve my health—by replacing my latte with a cup of simple chai tea, sweetened to taste.

When I first started drinking plain brewed tea in place of lattes, I added about two teaspoons of sugar to my cup each morning. After a few weeks, I reduced that amount to one teaspoon. Once I had gotten used to drinking my tea that way, I once again halved the amount of sugar I added. Then, after about three months of drinking hot, slightly sweetened tea, I stopped adding sugar entirely.

Now I enjoy my fragrant chai tea without any added sugar. I don’t miss the sweetness at all; instead, I savor the beverage’s enticing aroma and naturally spicy flavor. I've even branched out and begun drinking other varieties of tea. Buying tea bags is significantly less expensive than constantly purchasing powdered chai latte mix, which saves Donnie and me a significant amount on our monthly grocery bill. Plus, I enjoy all the health benefits that come from drinking tea, without filling up on empty calories and sugar.

Small, deliberate changes like this can make a big difference in your life. How have you tweaked your daily routine to save money, improve your health, or reap some other significant benefit?

Originally published January 2008.

Pinchin' Pennies

All frugal homes should have a change jar. I firmly believe this. I made a change jar for Donnie’s and my first apartment eight years ago, and we’ve been using it ever since. It is an absolutely effort-free way to accumulate a nice little stash of “extra” money.

Whenever we pay for something with cash (which is almost always), we toss the change in the jar. When the jar is full, we cash it in. That’s all there is to it. Not exactly rocket science. Yet the cash from the change jar has always been a blessing. Over the past few years, we’ve used the change jar money to make charitable contributions, bolster our savings, and have a little extra spending money on vacation. During our younger, broker days, we often used money from the change jar to buy groceries or pay bills.

Seeing firsthand how much benefit can be reaped from such a miniscule effort is what leads me to believe that even the smallest changes can yield big results. You don’t have to overhaul your entire lifestyle to become more financially secure. It’s possible to save thousands of dollars a year by adopting just a few frugal habits. You can overcome debt, build savings, and consume less of our earth’s precious resources while still having a wonderful, full life. You can get the things you really want, without borrowing against your future. And the best part is, you can start making those small changes today.

There are a million things you can do, right this very minute, to get started on the road to financial freedom. Turn down the heat. Clip a few coupons. Resolve to make dinner at home tonight, and really do it. Or, just put a few coins in a jar. Whatever first frugal change you decide to make, do it today, and don’t ever look back.

Originally published December 2007.