Frugal Living by Sara Noel

Type: Text Feature
Categories: Lifestyle & Consumer, NEA.

Get This Feature

Sara Noel knows that being frugal doesn't mean you have to settle. Her Frugal Living column - available three times per week through NEA - emphasizes simplicity, family values and eco-frugality, inspiring women to discover their passions and rekindle their inner spirit. From cutting down the food bill to finding alternative uses for everyday items, Frugal Living examines smart, easy ways to save money. Noel is frugal - not cheap - and applies common sense in cost-cutting endeavors. The primary focus is simplifying busy lives.

Frugal-living

View more samples

You might also like

Sara Noel

Noel_sara

Sara Noel's professional background includes special event planning, floriculture and buying and selling antiques and collectibles. Her degree in business and her entrepreneurial spirit led her to found, edit and publish a network of lifestyle and shelter Web sites more than seven years ago that serve as guides to achieving balanced and gracious living. Noel has served as a columnist for Midland Daily News and has been a contributor to DrLaura.com. She has been recognized in the media by such entities as ABC's "Good Morning America," The Wall Street Journal and CBSNews.com.

You might also like

Meet the Cast of Frugal Living

You might also like

  • Easy to clean granite counter tops

    Dear Sara: About a year ago we remodeled our kitchen and put in a black ground-granite sink. All the cleaners I have used leave a white film on it. Any suggestions? -- Jean, email

    Dear Jean: Use a microfiber cloth and warm water or Dawn dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water on a sponge or dishcloth. Rinse the cloth with water, wring it out and wipe the sink. Then dry with a soft cotton/flannel cloth. Don't use excessive soap or you'll get buildup. Wipe up spills as soon as possible, too. Don't use vinegar. I'd stick with the manufacturer's recommended granite cleaner and alternate for occasional cleaning to keep the cost down.

    Dear Sara: What to do with old National Geographics? I have them going back to the '70s and I really need to clear them out. There was a time when I might have taken them to a school or something, but they're all on CD now and searchable and I can't see today's kids pouring through old magazines. Should I just recycle the lot of them? -- C.H., Missouri

    Dear C.H.: National Geographic has some advice for people with collections, which you can read here: nationalgeographic.com/explorers/support/faqs/#collection.

    They suggest donating to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, etc. But they also share a small list of magazine distribution charities. These organizations send materials overseas. There's a National Geographic collectors corner, too. Visit ngscollectors.ning.com. There are some listings on eBay, so you could take that route, or list them on FreeCycle.

    Dear Sara: I'd like a dip recipe to serve at a casual party. I want a hot dip, but not artichoke or spinach, please. -- Linda, Illinois

    Dear Linda: Try this dip. It can be served hot or cold, but it tastes better hot. You can keep it warm in the slow cooker.

    Buffalo Chicken Dip

    3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

    1/2 cup Red Hot sauce or hot wing sauce

    2 8-ounce packages cold cream cheese, cubed

    1 cup ranch salad dressing

    1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

    1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4-inch pieces

    1 8-ounce box chicken-flavored crackers

    Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well-blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese and transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover and cook on low until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks (or various other cut veggies), tortilla chips and crackers. Optional: Use bleu cheese dressing instead of ranch. -- Theresa S., Pennsylvania

    Dear Sara: Would you please share some of your favorite ideas for a bake sale? -- Lisa, Tennessee

    Dear Lisa: Traditional treats do well at bake sales. Think cookies, brownies, fudge, muffins/quick breads, Rice Krispies treats, flavored popcorn, blondies (or any bars such as lemon bars) and snack mixes.

    (Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage.com), a website that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO, 64106, or email sara@frugalvillage.com.)
    COPYRIGHT 2013 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE

    published Monday, May 06, 2013

    Reuse coffee cans

    Coffee cans are great storage containers. They have a tight-fitting lid, come in different sizes, are portable, and some even have a wide-grip handle. Their durability makes them a smarter choice than glass jars for many storage solutions.

    The first reader shares one way to reuse coffee cans:

    Reuse containers: This summer I was wondering what to do with all of my plastic coffee cans (I hate to throw stuff away), and I came up with a solution. Wash them well and use them to send soups, etc. home with grandkids. You don't have to worry about getting the containers back. -- Jackie H., email

    Wrap cupcakes: For bake sales, place individual cupcakes inside 9-ounce clear plastic cups and wrap in cellophane. -- W.J., Mississippi

    Reuse tires: Other than chipping them up as fake mulch, tires don't have much recycle potential. They do have reuse potential, though. Many a tractor and truck tire has been turned into a flowerbed. They can be stacked and then backfilled/covered to make a retaining wall. Use one as a swing or sandbox. They're good for many types of sports and sports training. Hang one by a rope to practice throwing a baseball or football through. Place a pole in the middle and fill with concrete for portable volleyball nets. My granddad would put a target in the middle of a tire and then roll it across the field for target practice. They can be used as "bumpers" to soften hard edges like loading docks. -- Chris, Alabama

    Fruit salad: Years ago, I would add yogurt to my fruit salad to give it added flavor. Now I make sure my fruit salad includes a can of pineapple (with the juice) and I add a box of dry vanilla pudding mix instead of yogurt. It's delicious. -- Julia, Ohio

    Party cubes: For party punch (in a punch bowl or a large pitcher) that needs ice cubes, use a muffin tin to make your ice. Add lemon or fruit slices and add to your punch. -- Laura, Indiana

    Remove dead skin: Use Cool Whip. Put it on your skin (works on faces, too) and rub in. Let it dry until it is barely moist. Rub again and the dead skin will flake off. I don't suggest buying it for this specific reason, but if you have any leftover, put it to use. -- Cody, Pennsylvania

    Store green onions: Chop and store them in an old Parmesan cheese container or keep intact and store in a jar with a bit of water and leave on the counter (or even window sill) or store in the fridge. -- Melanie, Illinois

    Shout laundry spray: My nephews got into the shower with terribly dirty feet, leaving something black and tarlike all over the sides of my tub. I wanted to clean it and found that I didn't have any of my favorite cleaner on hand. Not wanting to give up without a try, I got the Shout spray bottle and proceeded to clean my tub with it. I was very surprised and pleased when it made short work of the black rings in the tub. -- M.R., Pennsylvania

    (Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage.com), a website that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO, 64106, or email sara@frugalvillage.com.)
    COPYRIGHT 2013 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE

    published Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Contact our sales team: