2020 Update: This post on stocking the emergency pantry was written in July of 2010. Ten years have passed and it’s more relevant than ever. I want to emphasize that I am not saying hoard all of the toilet paper. As you make your trips to the grocery store just set a little aside each …
I was once asked how I could call Home-Ec 101 a frugal site when overall money isn’t mentioned. The short answer? I believe life skills are some of the most underutilized assets of the general population. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. This is the mantra of the frugal …
Heather says: The short answer? Door mats, welcome mats, and runners can extend the life of your flooring. Don’t believe me? It takes an average of six to ten steps for all of the dirt on shoes to fall away and let’s face it, not everyone is diligent about wiping their feet. All but the …
Dear Home Ec 101, Do you know how to reduce lint in the laundry? My husband just started a new job that has him wearing dress slacks—like Dockers—and dress shirts instead of the jeans and t-shirts he’s always worn. Even though I wash and dry them separately (to avoid any ironing!) they still come out …
Dear Home-Ec 101, My husband was recently laid off -sound familiar?- and we really need to cut our food budget while he looks for a new job. In your opinion, what’s the most economical cut of meat or poultry I can get to feed our family? I pretty much stuck to boneless skinless chicken breasts …
Dear Home-Ec 101, I have a dilemma. I find my bedroom becoming cluttered very quickly with clothes that are “too clean to wash” yet “not clean enough to put away”. I was a single mom for many years, going to school or working, sometimes more than one job, and as a result, I didn’t want …
This hearty winter skillet is perfect for cold weather and is a budget-friendly meal that is weeknight-friendly,
Rubbing alcohol is a green and cheap cleaning agent. However, you need to use some precautions when using it as a cleaning agent. Here’s how to safely use isoproponal safely in your home
Heather says: Yesterday a reader commented on Beet Sugar vs Cane Sugar: Where do you purchase organic beet sugar? Have you found it in powdered form? I have only found it on an Austrian site so far and would prefer to buy US grown if it exists. As I am not, nor was I ever, …
Dear Home Ec 101You mentioned using vinegar or borax to remove detergent build-up from towels. We have hard water in our area and I believe this could be a problem for us, even though I haven’t had a problem with odor. I have a few questions: How much vinegar or borax should I use in my …