We are typically a two-car family. My husband drives a small sedan to work daily, and I’m a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom who drives a small SUV for errands and to get my kids to extracurricular activities. A few years ago, a maintenance truck hit my husband’s sedan while he was leaving his employer’s parking lot at…
Most people know that eating right, getting enough exercise, and reducing stress are all good for them. Most people also have some vague idea that getting enough sleep is also good for them. What people don’t always fully appreciate is how important sleep is for the other things. Inadequate sleep is associated with all kinds…
I’m all about using what you’ve got and taking advantage of all resources available. This includes certain “hidden” resources such as services your tax dollars pay for. In my family’s case, last year we had part of our lateral sewer line repaired, and our city paid for 90% of the work. In the fall…
Don’t throw away that bony turkey carcass after Thanksgiving dinner! Get to work making homemade turkey stock or broth. Using all of the turkey — even the bones — reduces waste and saves money. Homemade turkey stock tastes better than anything you buy in stores, and you can use it to make soup or use…
I found this tetrazzini recipe in a free insert in my local newspaper a few years ago, and I’m glad I clipped it out and saved it. This Skillet Tetrazzini is always well received by even the pickier eaters in my family. Tetrazzini usually is baked and not prepared in a skillet. The advantage to…
You may find an abundance of leftover Thanksgiving turkey on your hands this week. Here’s what you can do with it. 1. Freeze it. Package it in freezer-safe plastic containers or wrap in foil, label, and store in the freezer. Rather than storing all your leftover turkey in one large container, store it in small…
This recipe is great any time, but it’s especially ideal when you have leftover Thanksgiving turkey. My mom has been making this shepherd’s pie for years, and it’s the only recipe I use. If you don’t have turkey, feel free to substitute shredded chicken, or use ground beef or ground turkey. You can also use…
My husband and I are accustomed to living frugally. We are primarily a one-income home living on his teacher’s salary, and I provide supplemental income through freelance writing and editing. My flexible work schedule makes it easier to raise our kids, but we forgo a lot of things in order to live within our more-limited…
A wise man once said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” And, in life, this is true. While receiving things from others is a nice feeling, there is something truly meaningful about helping another person in their hour of need. In fact, one of the reasons that helping others is meaningful is…
There are two good reasons to make your own compost: It reduces landfill waste. It creates a healthy and natural fertilizer product that you can add to flower gardens, vegetable plots, landscaping beds, lawns, and even container gardens and potted plants. If you garden — whether successfully or not — you should learn how to…
