Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

We do put up decorations (ones I buy at garage sales or thrift stores and reuse each year). Search the attic, the backs of the closets, the garage and see what inspiration presents. Dad’s old cowboy hat and a rope from the garage can be the start of a cowboy get up. No kids = no parties or haunted houses = money saved.

Halloween 138

Halloween Green Reuse Garage 138

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 14, 2019

Every couponer’s dream is to have a stockpile of food, household essentials, and non-perishables stored safely in their home. And if you go a step further by canning, freeze drying, and jarring your own foods, it is vital that you have a safe place to keep everything. The sun can make foods expire prematurely.

Expiration Date 113

Expiration Date Growing Building Canning 113

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 2, 2016

Today is Day 2 of the challenge and we are going to clean and organize our food pantry. When your pantry is in chaos, food will be forgotten about and go uneaten, and you will end up buying duplicate ingredients. Put the food back into the pantry by category, but place the food close to where you’ll use it.

Grocery Spending 100

Grocery Spending Groceries Grocery Organic 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Use up your food. No one likes second hand food, but if you fix it differently the second time around it can still be appetizing. With fresh food – buy only what you can eat before it goes bad. Pay attention to expiration dates by organizing your pantry and freezer so that the oldest food is in front.

Making Do 219

Making Do Making Green And Frugal Friends And Family Sale 219

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 15, 2012

Never try to use non-canning jars to preserve your food – doing so could lead to dangerous (invisible) bacteria growing in your food. I have found that garage sales , flea markets , estate sales or Mom/Grandma’s basement are the best places to score a great deal on used canning jars.

Canning 185

Canning Cheap Garage Sale Garage 185

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 23, 2014

riding lawn mowers, garage door openers and many, many more things we take for granted today. Ours was smaller (about 700 square feet) – 2 bedrooms (my brother and I shared one and my parents the other), a kitchen and a living room, No basement or garage. There were no garage door openers. Food/shopping.

Growing 180

Growing Home and Garden Radios Kids and Family 180

For the Mommas

APRIL 16, 2016

Win a New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Vacation. Enter the Southwest Vacations New Orleans Sweepstakes for a chance to Win a New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Feast Trip for two. Win a Garage Makeover from Proslat & Barrett-Jackson. Enter by April 28, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. Enter by July 1st 2016 at 11:59 PM (ET).

Gift Cards 40

Gift Cards Vacation Win Food and Wine 40

Saving Everyday

MARCH 21, 2012

Sokenbicha is available at Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Bristol Farms, Pharmaca, New Leaf Markets, Plum Market, Wegmans, Earth Fare, Fairway Market, Hiller’s Markets and Gourmet Garage. This runs about $1.50 (regular price), so you should be able to get a decent deal ~. Check out the Organic Coupons and Deals Page for more!

Bristol Farms 65

Bristol Farms Garage Whole Foods Organic 65

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 17, 2012

Since the 2008 recession, many people have rediscovered the savings, joys and health benefits of locally grown food – whether you have a backyard garden, participate in a community garden or shop at the local farmer’s market. In good years our gardens can be bountiful, throwing off much more food than we can consume before it goes bad.

Advantage 210

Advantage Home and Garden Canning Gardening 210

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 18, 2012

We don't have a pantry closet, so I use several cupboards in my kitchen for food storage and some shelves in my garage for any overflow. When my cupboards are in disarray, I wind up with duplicates, out of date food, and wasted time. Place your foods near the spot where they are used. Discard any outdated food.

Economical 113

Economical Kitchen Organic Organization 113

Couponing 101

MARCH 23, 2020

Donate to Food Banks. Since so many schools are canceled, many children who received free or reduced lunches at school may not be getting the food they need. This leads to an increased need for food banks. Donating food or money can help members of your community who are struggling. Foster a Pet.

Donation 71

Donation Bank Banking Giving 71

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

We have accumulated a lot of stuff – lose screws, highly prized collectibles, everyday essentials, clothes that ‘might fit again someday’, tools, children’s artwork, food stuffs and more. Store food in the kitchen or as close to it as possible. I carried this idea to our garage.

Organic 177

Organic Organization Home Painting 177

For the Mommas

AUGUST 26, 2011

Get an Emergency Supply Kit , which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage, it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage. Install a generator for emergencies.

Garage 89

Garage Outdoors Communications Radios 89

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 26, 2012

We also used the 40 year old burnt orange coffee pot to make coffee that day as well as the 20 year old ice chest and 25 year old rain ponchos from the local amusement park, old plastic forks and spoons, unused condiment packages from fast food restaurant stops and plastic tablecloths used at last years wedding shower. Small Utility Items.

Re-use 235

Re-use Used Reuse Amusement Park 235

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 7, 2013

Even re-organizing the garage can leave you with a chill. To the same effect of cleaning out your closet, having less food will help make this job easier. However, I find that when I start spring cleaning, I am usually surprised by how much work it is. Of course, there are some tasks that you should leave for the spring.

Cleaning 221

Cleaning Appliances Donation Organic 221

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

If so, give the gift of organizing a closet (or 2), kitchen cupboards, a basement, garage, etc. Offer these cooking lessons and send the food home with the recipient. What a delicious gift of food! I keep a moderate stockpile of food and cleaning supplies. Give your Gift of Organization. Give your Perennials.

Christmas 130

Christmas Gifts Home and Garden Flowers and Gifts 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 28, 2012

The American culture is wrought with excessive spending so it is no surprise that the typical household overspends on necessities such as food, gas, utilities, and phone usage. How to Save Money on Food. You cannot avoid spending money on food. Most importantly, reduce food waste. And, be sure to eat your leftovers!

Phones 202

Phones Bills Money Saving Money 202

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 22, 2011

As we started unloading our van, we noticed a really bad odor in our garage. It was two packs of chicken breasts that I put in the garage refrigerator and FORGOT about. I was too busy scrubbing the refrigerator to be upset about the food loss. Yuck, what was it? The recycle bins? A musty washing machine?

Ice Cream 113

Ice Cream Garage Kids and Family Refrigerators 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 14, 2011

I did have to move them into the garage with a grow light in order for them to ripen since it had started getting cold here, but the patience paid off because they are delicious. Boy does food taste better when you know where it comes from and you make it yourself. Peppers are one of my favourite vegetables.

2011 180

2011 Plants Gardening Garden 180

Saving Everyday

APRIL 7, 2011

One for pet products, one for food and one for cleaning/laundry supplies. I am weird about keeping things in the garage and prefer to keep my stockpile indoors. Everyone that comes to my house knows where the bowl is and helps themselves, so it is constantly being refilled. I’ll post pics when it’s done.

Freebies 91

Freebies Health and Beauty Garage Photos 91

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 30, 2013

Starting a direct selling business, like Thirty-One or Tastefully Simple, isn’t for everyone, but I have friends who have been very successful selling things like jewelry and food. Do you have an extra bedroom or is there an unused room above your garage? Are you an amazing baker? Rent Out Your Extra Space.

Finds 113

Finds Part Time Hobby October 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 23, 2017

If you don’t have enough money to put food on the table, you are going to do something about it. As a young mom, I saved like mad – going to garage sales, thrift stores and accepting hand me downs on toys and clothing. In its simplest form, the thing that makes a person a saver is the act of saving.

Making 124

Making Recession College 401K 124

Saving Cents With Sense

MARCH 5, 2014

Laundry Detergent: Grate a bar of soap (natural or regular, it all works the same) in a food processor. If you have oil stains in your garage, you can try using the old tried-and-true kitty litter approach. Leave it in for 10 minutes and let the steam penetrate the dirt and grime. Laundry Room. Let it agitate and sit for an hour.

DIY 89

DIY Cleaning Cycle Garage 89

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 13, 2016

All those yummy food commercials use all kinds of methods to make the food look salivatingly good – from glued on seeds on the hamburger buns to soda loaded with antacid to make it bubbly. Last week I visited a garage sale. The kids reported what they liked and what they didn’t. Reciprocity. Illusion of demand.

Buy 100

Buy Buying Coke Garage Sale 100

Couponing 101

FEBRUARY 7, 2019

There is a myth that there are no coupons for healthy foods and it is simply not true. We have an extra shelf in the garage to store our stockpile (I could probably eliminate this too if I were more organized), but everything else is just stored regularly in the pantry or cabinets. I do think that everyone can use coupons though.

Newspaper 96

Newspaper Bills Family Coupons 96

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 9, 2015

If so, give the gift of organizing a closet (or 2), kitchen cupboards, a basement, garage, etc. Offer these cooking lessons and send the food along home with the recipient. Give your Gift of Organization. Do your friends and family call you the most organized person EVER? Give your Perennials. Are you a gardener? Cooking Lessons.

Christmas 100

Christmas Gifts Wall Art Home and Garden 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 13, 2017

We especially need essential stuff, like food, water, shelter, heat, clothing, defensive and offensive protection. Some get stuff from stores, the less financially favored head for thrift stores, garage sales, Mom’s house or the trash pickup routes. I like my stuff and I refuse to acquiesce to the guilt trips imposed by others.

Cycle 113

Cycle Kids and Family Friends And Family Sale Garage Sale 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 19, 2014

Many of the other items I needed like cloth diapers and clothes for the baby in bigger sizes I bought from garage sales. In my children’s first few years of life, food was the biggest expense. All those items got plenty of use as all three of my kids used them. We Love to Spend Money on Our Children.

Friends And Family Sale 176

Friends And Family Sale Clothing and Accessories Kids and Family Clothes 176

Koupon Karen

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Consider hosting a garage sale or listing items online to sell. Don’t forget to include important documents, chargers for your devices, and snacks or a small food kit to tide you over until you can do a proper grocery shop. Not only does this lighten your load, but it can also provide extra funds to help with moving expenses.

Home 52

Home Tucson Furniture Friends And Family Sale 52

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 19, 2014

We sold extra items that we weren’t using through Craigslist and garage sales. We ate at home a lot and watched our food budget carefully. We still allotted a lot of money for food, but we were careful not to go too far over budget. What are the top 3 – 5 ways you found money to put towards debt.

Debt 245

Debt Debt Free Finance Friends And Family Sale 245

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 13, 2012

Plan ahead and hit garage sales, but especially estate sales. If you are providing all of the food, plan your menu to take advantage of less expensive and seasonal foods – and don’t over serve. Heaven knows, not many of us lack for food or sustenance! These make nice gifts too.

Holiday 202

Holiday Friends And Family Sale Kids and Family Christmas 202

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 27, 2011

You no longer have to go to garage sales and flea markets to pick up these items. You can save a lot of money buying organic items at food co-ops and farmers markets. Secondhand products are often just as effective and as attractive as brand new items. Just visit sites like Ebay, Amazon, and Craigslist. This is simply not true.

Saving Money 157

Saving Money Green Money Bulk 157

Nicoles Nickels

OCTOBER 24, 2011

From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug® is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. New members get $3 off this Save with the new member credit, making your final cost $17!

Toys 45

Toys Garage Education October 45

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

Next, figure out how many square feet you have allocated to storage, making sure you remember all closets, spare rooms, garage, basement and attic. Divide the dollars by the square feet and you will get a figure that is the cost of each square foot of space per month. Money Tips'

Saving Money 220

Saving Money Money Saving Storage 220

For the Mommas

JULY 28, 2016

The Complete Air Fryer Cookbook goes beyond fried foods to give you creatively inspired meals that are baked, grilled, roasted and steamed. If your garage, attic, closets, and surfaces are filled with clutter, all that extra stuff can get in the way of a full experience of life as it was meant to be lived.

Fryers 40

Fryers Do It Yourself Fry's Garage 40

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 21, 2013

Walk along the river and peruse the artists'' booths, choose from a wide variety of food vendors and enjoy live music throughout the three days. There is no admission charge, but you might have to pay to park at a nearby parking garage. Tickets are pricey, but discounted ones can usually be found at Giant Food Stores.

Pennsylvania 133

Pennsylvania Museum Home and Garden Ranges 133

Nicoles Nickels

JUNE 9, 2013

The collection, launched last year to tremendous response, was created uniquely for men to be enjoyed in their “man town,” whether that is the den, the basement or even the garage. I enjoy food scented candles though I am used to them being dessert scents! We tried the Bacon and the Popcorn flavors and thought both were really cool.

Giveaway 111

Giveaway Limited Edition Collectibles Fans 111