These Frugal Tips are all things that I have done in my own home
to save money or time and to make use of things that I already have on hand.
I hope some of these ideas are helpful to you.
If you have any Frugal Tips that have worked for you, please be sure
to share your ideas with You Can Make That readers!
Frugal Tip # 46 - Don’t pour the juice from canned fruit down the drain. My girls both love to drink the mandarin orange juice, and other canned fruit juices can be saved to make oatmeal instead of using milk or water.
Frugal Tip # 45 - Farmer’s Markets often have incredibly low prices on in-season produce like zucchini. Be sure
to take advantage of the savings and learn how to prepare these fruits and
vegetables. And, if you have time, preserve some by canning or freezing for the
future.
Frugal Tip # 44 - When your bread turns stale, use it to make Homemade Croutons.
Frugal Tip # 43 - Gravy adds variety to your dinner without going over budget.
Frugal Tip # 42 - Although you can use purchased frozen fruit for smoothies, you can also buy in-season fruit for rock bottom prices and freeze it yourself for the future. To do so, wash and slice (if necessary) and lay out in a single layer on a sheet pan. Freeze for several hours, and then store it in zippy bags for later.
Frugal Tip # 41 - This Chocolate Oatmeal is a great alternative to pricey individual oatmeal packets.
Frugal Tip # 40 - Stockpile frozen veggies when they go on sale. This way you will always have what you need to make healthy side dishes like "The Good Green Beans."
Frugal Tip # 39 - Instead of using packaged pancake mix, try this simple Pancake recipe. It only costs pennies to make and it is much tastier.
Frugal Tip # 38 - If you are trying to get away from packaged breakfast foods, this recipe for Oatmeal Cookie Pie is a great place to start.
Frugal Tip # 37 - Store your homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice in an old jelly jar or in an old cinnamon container. And, be sure to label it with the contents.
Frugal Tip # 36 - Making your own chicken broth is practically free! One 12 cup batch saves me $6.81 over store bought broth.
Frugal Tip # 35 - Be intentional about using up what you have in your pantry and fridge instead of letting food go to waste. Make plans to eat up leftovers, nearly expired food, or wrongly purchased ingredients.
Frugal Tip #35 - Be sure to save your old jam jars. They are perfect for storing seasoning mixes like this BBQ Rub.
Frugal Tip #34 - Use dried chickpeas instead of the canned for Roasted Chickpeas, it is definitely cheaper. A one pound bag of dried chickpeas costs $.84 at my grocery store. The canned equivalent costs $3.36.
Frugal Tip #33 - This BBQ Sauce recipe is a simple and inexpensive alternative to store bought sauce.
Frugal Tip #32 - Don't let leftover flour tortillas go to waste. Try these Cinnamon Tortilla Chips for a simple after school snack.
Frugal Tip #31 - Homemade marinades and dressings are a great way to save money at the grocery store and make use of what you already have on hand. Try this recipe for Honey Mustard Marinade and Dressing.
Frugal Tip #30 - Is your spinach limp? Refresh it!
Frugal Tip #29 - One of these Cookie Mixes would make a great gift when packaged in a pretty jar and tied with a ribbon.
Frugal Tip #28 - Don't toss the ends of your green onions, re-grow them!
Frugal Tip #27 - Save your leftover ham bone for Ham and Bean Soup.
Frugal Tip #26 - This Tomato Soup recipe is a good substitute for Campbell's Tomato Soup. And, you are in control of the ingredients.
Frugal Tip #25 - This recipe for Peanut Butter Granola is perfect for breakfast or as an after school snack. And, it is a great alternative to packaged breakfast cereal.
Frugal Tip #24 - Over Night Oatmeal is a great substitute for those individual packets of oatmeal that are marketed to kids. And, cheaper too!
Frugal Tip # 23 - Try this recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing & Dip Mix. Chances are you already have all of the ingredients on hand.
Frugal Tip #22 - This recipe for Seasoned Brown Rice is a perfect substitution for boxed rice mixes. It is more economical and healthier for your family.
Frugal Tip #21 - A variety of leftovers can be used as pizza toppings. So, use what you have on hand to keep valuable food from going to waste.
Frugal Tip #10 - Make up Italian Seasoning Mix in bulk and package into small glass jars to give as Hostess gifts or to use as stocking stuffers.
Frugal Tip #27 - Save your leftover ham bone for Ham and Bean Soup.
Frugal Tip #26 - This Tomato Soup recipe is a good substitute for Campbell's Tomato Soup. And, you are in control of the ingredients.
Frugal Tip #25 - This recipe for Peanut Butter Granola is perfect for breakfast or as an after school snack. And, it is a great alternative to packaged breakfast cereal.
Frugal Tip #24 - Over Night Oatmeal is a great substitute for those individual packets of oatmeal that are marketed to kids. And, cheaper too!
Frugal Tip # 23 - Try this recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing & Dip Mix. Chances are you already have all of the ingredients on hand.
Frugal Tip #22 - This recipe for Seasoned Brown Rice is a perfect substitution for boxed rice mixes. It is more economical and healthier for your family.
Frugal Tip #21 - A variety of leftovers can be used as pizza toppings. So, use what you have on hand to keep valuable food from going to waste.
Frugal Tip #20 - Trail mixes like Christmas Crunch are always good gifts for men and work perfectly as a stocking stuffer. But, if you need a recipe without nuts, check out this Nut Free Trail Mix recipe.
Frugal Tip #19 - Looking for a quick and simple gift idea? Try Decadent Hot Cocoa Mix. With only two ingredients, you can make it up in no time. Be sure to keep some on hand for yourself too for cold winter days.
Frugal Tip #18 - Keep a container in your freezer for odd pieces of leftover bread, rolls, and crusts. Cube the bread before you freeze it, and when you have enough, make Baked French Toast.
Frugal Tip #18 - Keep a container in your freezer for odd pieces of leftover bread, rolls, and crusts. Cube the bread before you freeze it, and when you have enough, make Baked French Toast.
Frugal Tip #17 - When you find sweet potatoes on sale, purchase enough to cook, mash, and freeze in ¾ cup portions for Sweet Potato Muffins.
Frugal Tip #16 - The dry ingredients for Cinnamon Syrup can be mixed up ahead of time and packaged in a pretty jar to be given as a frugal gift.
Frugal Tip #15 - Chocolate Pudding Mix makes a great gift. Package it in a jar and add a bow and the cooking instructions. Simple and inexpensive.
Frugal Tip #14 - Save an old dishwashing liquid bottle for your homemade Chocolate Syrup. It keeps the kids from making such a mess when they stir up their own chocolate milk.
Frugal Tip #13 - When you have bananas that are getting too dark to eat, use one or two in this Basic Muffin Recipe. Or, in this recipe for Chocolate Banana Bread. You can even put your over ripe bananas in a plastic bag, with the skin still on, and place them in the freezer for the future. Then, thaw before using in any baked good recipe calling for bananas.
Frugal Tip #12 - When you grocery shop early in the day, often times you can get chicken (or other meats) that have been “reduced for quick sale.” When you find a good deal, stock up and make Teriyaki Chicken.
Frugal Tip #11 - If your family is used to eating cold cereal on a regular basis for breakfast, this Granola recipe is a great replacement. It is simple and quick to make and you can relax knowing that you are serving your loved ones “real” food for breakfast. And, in comparison to store bought granola, you will be saving lots of money too!
Frugal Tip #10 - Make up Italian Seasoning Mix in bulk and package into small glass jars to give as Hostess gifts or to use as stocking stuffers.
Frugal Tip #9 - Pay close attention to your grocer’s sale flyers. When you find a good sale on meat, be sure to stock up! Then, plan your meals accordingly.
Frugal Tip #8 - Instead of purchasing individual cups of applesauce for school lunches, purchase large jars of natural or unsweetened applesauce and serve in reusable storage containers. Top the individual servings with cinnamon or nutmeg. Or, use it in Applesauce Cake.
Frugal Tip #7 - Homemade salad dressing is more economical and fresher than store bought. Make up a double batch of Poppy Seed Dressing and serve it twice during the week; once on lettuce and again on spinach for variety.
Frugal Tip #6 - If you have room, bake more than one recipe at a time, or double your recipe when baking. This is an efficient way to utilize your oven and to save time and money in the kitchen.
Frugal Tip #5 - Try using this quick homemade seasoning in your favorite Chili recipe or try this Quick Homemade Chili. You probably already have the ingredients on hand.
Frugal Tip #5 - Try using this quick homemade seasoning in your favorite Chili recipe or try this Quick Homemade Chili. You probably already have the ingredients on hand.
Homemade Chili Seasoning
2 tbsp. paprika
2 tsp. oregano
1 ¼ tsp. cumin
1 ¼ tsp. garlic powder
1 ¼ tsp. ground red pepper
¾ tsp. onion powder
Add all ingredients to a jar. Cover tightly and shake to combine. Use in place of Chili Powder.
Frugal Tip #4 - Make Chewy Granola Bars up at the beginning of the week and serve them for snacks or put them in everyone’s lunch boxes. They travel well and stay fresh for several days.
Frugal Tip #3 - Instead of purchasing pricy individual yogurt cups, purchase plain yogurt in large containers and serve topped with homemade Fruit Spread. This helps to cut costs and sugar intake!
Frugal Tip #2 - Save large mayonnaise or apple sauce jars for storing dry foods like popcorn, rice, pasta, dry beans, and Nut Free Trail Mix.
Frugal Tip #1 - Mix up your salad dressing for Mandarin Almond Salad in a creamer pitcher. It is a good use of something you probably already have on hand and it pours easily.
