I just received an email from our reader, Mary. She needs your help with food preservation: I have been building up my stock of items over the last year and a half. We had a catastrophe happen. We had a bag of basamati rice that evidently had worms in it. We didn’t realize it and put it in the pantry with the rest of the stock. We have lost about 50% of our food stock. Do you have any suggestions on protecting from this happening again? If you have any advice for Mary, please leave a comment! Go here for step-by-step instructions on how to leave a comment. photo credit Keep Reading
Ask the FLNW Community: How to protect your stockpile from pests
What to Wear for the Holidays
image credit Guest Post by Kari Patterson One fabulous holiday outfit is really all you need. That is, that one thing that always looks right. That always makes you feel like a million bucks, that makes you stand a little taller, walk a little surer, the one that gives you the confidence to enter a room and handle whatever it brings. Because what we wear really does matter, doesn't it? And sometimes something that seemed like a good idea at the time can later make us want to burn all the holiday photos of that year: The year we wore more ornaments than the Christmas tree. The truth is, we don't want to look like Christmas trees, but we do Keep Reading
Saving Money Online 101: Cash back sites
Now that you have a written list of items you are hunting for over the Christmas shopping season and you know how to earn gift cards with Swagbucks, it's time to start strategizing! Did you know that almost every single website out there offers a commission to other sites for bringing them a sale? It's called affiliate marketing. This is why there are random and sometimes intentional links and graphics to other sites all over the web (including on Frugal Living NW -- go here if I've piqued your curiosity). Every time you make a purchase through one of these links, the site that sent you there gets a cut of the sale. Cash back sites have come up Keep Reading
Saving Money Online 101: Earn gift cards by searching the web
The very best way I know to save money on the internet is to actually earn money by using the internet. And the best way to earn on the internet without adding much to your daily routine is to use a site called Swagbucks. Swagbucks allows you to earn virtual currency, called Swag Bucks, by doing the things you do every day -- searching the web, shopping at your favorite sites and completing special offers. Redeem these Swag Bucks for gift cards to places you already shop -- Amazon, Starbucks, Lands' End, Fandango, The Home Depot, Lowes, The Macaroni Grill, Southwest Airlines and more! Here's how you can earn Swag Bucks: :: Searching the web Keep Reading
What’s for dinner?: This week’s menu plan (11/14)
Before I start on dinner, while I was making my menu plan I found this Nutty Pumpkin Spice Granola recipe. It's amazing. I made a half batch to make sure I would like it. I love it! Okay, now onto dinner plans. Here's what's for dinner at my house this week: Monday -- White Chicken Chili Tuesday -- Pad Thai with Shrimp (I read through the comments and I'm going to make a few changes) Wednesday -- Chicken sausage brown rice stuffing Thursday -- I have dinner club this week (10 adults, 13 children until 9) Chicken Tacos with all the fixin's. Friday -- Italian Meatballs, noodles and broccoli Saturday -- Whole Chicken with broccoli and bread Sunday -- Keep Reading
Saving Money Online 101: Make a plan
As we move quickly into the Christmas shopping season, I am becoming more and more convinced that the fantastic deals will not be in the traditional brick & mortar store but online. I just love that retailers are encouraging me to stay home and sip a homemade mocha while taking advantage of their fantastic online offers. Over the next five days, I am going to discuss several ways to save money on your online shopping. Just like shopping in the grocery or drug stores, the more strategies you employ, the more money you can save. But before discussing the practical aspects of saving online, the most important thing you can to save money is to make Keep Reading
Frugal Trick: Use half dryer sheets
Frugal Trick from reader, Jessica: I always cut our dryer sheets in half when I open the new box. We can never tell the difference and they last twice as long :) You can also save money by making your own dryer sheets. Do you have a household remedy, quick fix or money-saving method up your sleeve? Head here to share your frugal trick with the rest of the Frugal Living NW community! Keep Reading