The Frugal Times - Issue #1

Welcome to the very first issue of The Frugal Times. I'm so very excited to be able to bring this to you.

We all know that things aren't looking all that great on the economic front. But, no matter what happens, whether things get better or worse on the markets, learning to live a frugal life is a good idea. So, to that end, I've decided to start this weekly article with ideas, recipes, tips and hints to help you achieve that frugal lifestyle we're all looking for.

If you have anything you would like to contribute to The Frugal Times, email me and I will be sure to add it in for you.

Now, on to the fun stuff!

Frugal Decorating

Ok, I'll admit, this isn't exactly a decorating tip, but it will save you money. ;)

Burning scented candles and potpourri is a great way to give your home a wonderful, welcoming smell. It can get a bit expensive though as we can go through candles at an alarming rate. It's frustrating when they don't burn evenly too. It seems like such a waste to throw away that unburned portion. So, don't do it! Save all the unused bits of wax in a baggie. Then, using a potpourri burner you can use up those last little bits. Just place a small amount in the top and burn like normal. The candle wax will melt and you'll be able to use up every last little bit of your favourite scent!

This also works well if you spill the melted wax. Just let it harden, scrape it up and put it in a baggie.

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Frugal Recipes

This is a recipe that I make fairly often for my family. Everyone likes it and it costs about $5.00 to make if you get the meat on sale. It doesn't have a name, though. I just haven't taken the time to come up with one!


1 lb hamburger
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/3 cup parmesan cheese (you can use more or less according to your family's tastes)
1 onion, chopped.
Salt and pepper to taste
1 small can corn
1 cup Bisquick mix
1/2 cup milk
1 egg.

Preheat oven to 400 F

Cook hamburger, salt, pepper and onion together until fully cooked. Stir in soup, parmesan cheese and corn until fully mixed. Pour mixture into lightly greased casserole dish.

Mix Bisquick, milk and egg until blended. Pour over hamburger mixture.

Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

This is also a good way to use up leftover corn or another vegetable. Rather than using a new can, just use up what's in the fridge. Because we are saving what we don't eat, right? ;)


Wacky Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift flour, sugar, salt, soda, and cocoa together into an 8x8 inch ungreased cake pan. Make three depressions. Pour oil into one well, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third well. Pour water over all, and stir well with fork. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Frost with your favorite icing.

From the wonderful blog Pregnant With Cancer

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Money Saver Tip

Why waste money on sandwich bags? Just save your milk bags! When you empty one, open the top, wash it out really well and let it dry. Now you have a free sandwich bag that you can use. And because it's heavier plastic, you can use it over and over again!

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Interested in advertising in The Frugal Times? Email me for accepted sizes and costs!

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That's it for this issue. Be sure to stop by on Monday for more!

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Luke 16:10-12 - “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

Introducing The Frugal Times!

In these uncertain times, we're all looking for ways to cut costs and live a more simple, frugal life. In fact, that is what this blog is all about, my family's journey towards living that kind of life.

I ran a poll on the first My New Homestead blog. The question was "With the economy in the shape it is, are you trying to live a more simple, frugal life?" or something along those lines. Quite a few people answered yes, but what I found mostly was that more people wanted to, but didn't know how.

I'm learning as I go. There is still a lot I don't know about living a simple, frugal lifestyle. But, I realized I'm not alone! Isn't that great? That means that you're not either!

So, to help myself and all of you, I've decided to put out a weekly newsletter entitled The Frugal Times. I'll be posting it here and it will have tips and hints, frugal recipes, cleaning tips, organizing tips, money saving ideas, frugal craft ideas, frugal decorating ideas, whatever I happen to have handy when I'm writing it. ;)

I'll be looking for contributors too. So, if you have something to share for The Frugal Times, email me and I'll be sure to add it in!

I hope this will be helpful to someone other than myself. But if nothing else, I will have fun doing it!

I'm working on the first issue right now. It should be up later today or tomorrow, then will run every Monday from there.

I hope you enjoy it!