Trying to get the clutter in your home under control? Don't forget to take a look at your spice rack. When you buy a spice for this recipe and a spice for that recipe, it doesn't take long for your collection to get out of control.

Eliminate some of the excess by finding recipes that use the spices that you have. Then, try to limit new additions to your collection.

Many of the most commonly used spice and seasoning blends can be made from a few basic spices. Stock those, and you'll have everything that you need to whip up a great meal, and none of the clutter that you don't.

Spice and Seasoning Recipes:

• Italian Seasoning
• Garlic Salt
• Onion Salt
• Poultry Seasoning
• More Spice and Seasoning Recipes

Photo© Flickr user mckaysavage

Name:

Linda from Georgia

Your Favorite Source for Bargains:

Yard sales (neighborhood sales are great), charity sales and church bazaars. Church members never turn in damaged or soiled goods, so selections are always clean and in working order, and I feel good having helped out a worthy cause.

Your Best Bargain of All Times:

My daughters name brand French Provincial bedroom set. I got a full size bed; headboard; footboard; rails; mattresses; a tall, five-drawer dresser; a full-size dresser with mirror and two nightstands, all in excellent condition, for $50.

Your Best Money-Saving Tips:

• Keep a tape measure with you and a snapshot of furniture, colors or other reference needs on your cell phone
• Work any fresh groceries that you're able to get on clearance into your weekly menu. Then, store the canned, shelf-stable or frozen foods that you originally planned to use for a later date

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Worried the record-setting cold will lead to a record-setting heating bill? Minimize the damage by cranking up your internal furnace with a hot meal:

• Soup Recipes
• Oatmeal Recipes
• Herbal Tea Recipes
• More Recipes to Warm You Up

Photo © Flickr user Average_Jane

My New Year's resolutions may not be typical, but they work for me. This year I've resolved to:

• expand my cheesemaking skills (I made my first batch of mozzarella last week)
• organize all of my recipes into a single, indexed binder
• try my hand at sour dough breads

What are your New Year's resolutions?

Kick Off the Year with an FL Challenge:

• Declutter Challenge
• Emergency Fund Challenge
• Use-It-Up Challenge