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Erin's Frugal Living Blog March 2009 Archive

By Erin Huffstetler, About.com Guide to Frugal Living

Dye Easter Eggs without a Kit

Tuesday March 31, 2009
Planning to dye Easter eggs with the kids? Grab some vinegar and food coloring from the pantry, and you won’t need to spring for a kit. Stephanie Gallagher, our guide ... Read More

The Cost of Ownership

Monday March 30, 2009
Take a tour of my house and you'll find a lot of space, but not a lot of stuff. Why? Because I've decided that if I don't love something and ... Read More

Gardening on a Budget

Friday March 27, 2009
Itching to get out and get your hands dirty this weekend? Here are several resources to help you get your garden going on the cheap: Make a Soaker Hose Make Your Own ... Read More

New Ingredient Substitutions

Thursday March 26, 2009
When you're trying to watch your grocery spending, substituting an ingredient that you don't have for one that you do have can be a big source of savings. Here are ... Read More

Featured Reader: Susan, NY

Wednesday March 25, 2009
Name: Susan from New York Your Favorite Source for Bargains: The Salvation Army Thrift Store and the "rotten cart" in the produce section of the supermarket. Your Best Bargain of All Time: Right now I'd ... Read More

Spring Clean on the Cheap

Tuesday March 24, 2009
Gearing up to do your spring cleaning? Make your own cleaners, and you won't have make a supply run: Cleaning with Vinegar Cleaning with Baking Soda Be Sure to Try: All-Purpose Cleaner Carpet Cleaner Recipes Microwave ... Read More

Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

Monday March 23, 2009
Turned off by the taste of imitation vanilla extract, but even more turned off by the price of real vanilla extract? Invest in three vanilla beans, and you can make enough ... Read More

Anti-Static Dryer Balls: Tried 'Em?

Friday March 20, 2009
While sorting through the junk mail the other day, I was surprised to see a new version of Dryer Balls pictured in the Bed Bath and Beyond ad. These have ... Read More

Printable Pet Coupons

Thursday March 19, 2009
Looking for more coupons to cut down on the cost of pet food and supplies? Janet Tobiassen Crosby, our guide to Veterinary Medicine, has compiled a list of websites that ... Read More

Featured Reader: Sonja, LA

Wednesday March 18, 2009
Name: Sonja from Louisiana Your Favorite Source for Bargains: Goodwill, Salvation Army and Freecycle Your Best Bargain of All Time: A leather sofa on eBay. The original cost was $3,800. I paid $150, and it ... Read More

Can I Get a Rain Check?

Tuesday March 17, 2009
I often hear people grumbling about stores that never seem to have the advertised specials in stock. Frustrating? Most definitely, but that doesn't mean you have to leave the store ... Read More

Can It be Frozen?

Monday March 16, 2009
As a stockpiler I've experimented with freezing all sorts of things. Some have worked out well, some haven't. If you've ever wondered if something can be frozen, here's your answer: Can ... Read More

Make Your Own Car Cleaners

Friday March 13, 2009
Planning to wash your car this weekend? Here are some homemade car cleaners to try: Car Cleaner Recipes Related Reading: How to Change Your Own Oil Photo © Flickr user wharman

DIY Soil Test

Thursday March 12, 2009
Getting your garden ready for planting, and wondering if your soil is too acidic or alkaline? Grab some vinegar and baking soda from your pantry, and find out in a ... Read More

Featured Reader: Molly, KY

Wednesday March 11, 2009
Name: Molly from Kentucky Your Favorite Source for Bargains: Friends and relatives Your Best Bargain of All Time: My husband! Your Best Money-Saving Tip: Do it yourself. Nobody is born knowing how to ... Read More

The "I Didn't Buy It" Challenge

Tuesday March 10, 2009
Resisting the urge to spend has got to be the hardest part of the frugal life ... Something catches your eye while you're at the store, so you buy it. You ... Read More

Keep Foods Fresh Longer

Monday March 9, 2009
Tired of buying foods, only to have them go bad before you manage to get them eaten? A few simple tricks could put an end to the waste: How to Keep ... Read More

Pay-As-You-Drive Car Insurance

Friday March 6, 2009
You've probably heard of pay-as-you-go cell phone service, but have you heard of pay-as-you-drive car insurance? According to an article on bankrate.com, it's the newest way for low-mileage drivers to ... Read More

Grow Your Own Food

Thursday March 5, 2009
The first nursery catalog of the season arrived at my house last week, and since then there's been a lot of talk about what we should grow this year. Blueberries, ... Read More

Featured Reader: Karen, MN

Wednesday March 4, 2009
Name: Karen from Minnesota Your Favorite Source for Bargains: I shop at Savers once a week on Tuesdays when they give anyone over 55 40% off the already low prices. I ... Read More

Redbox: Get Two Free Rentals a Week

Tuesday March 3, 2009
Have you been taking advantage of Redbox's Free Movie Mondays? If so, you're going to love this: for the month of March, Redbox is offering a second free movie rental ... Read More

Entertainment Books 50% Off

Monday March 2, 2009
If you've ever thought about giving Entertainment Book a try, now's the time to do it. Starting today and running through the end of the month, all 2009 books are ... Read More
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