ArcaMax

My heart was pounding. The smoke alarm was screaming, and I was in full-on panic mode. Flames were reaching toward the upper cabinets. It happened so fast! I didn't have time to run to the pantry to search for baking soda.

I had a rip-roaring fire on my hands, and I was moving in slow motion.

I'd turned my back for a few seconds to find a ...Read more

For years, I tried to grow a decent vegetable garden. It was the high cost of fresh produce -- $3.50 for a few measly, wilted basil leaves; ditto for a pound of somewhat reddish tomatoes or mostly pink strawberries -- that prompted me to try.

I started with tomatoes, basil and peppers (a salsa garden!). In no time, I added zucchini and ...Read more

With the price of beef skyrocketing, chicken is becoming the backbone of the frugal kitchen. And why not? Chicken is much less expensive than beef or pork and useful down to the bones.

DON'T PAY FULL PRICE

Chicken is always on sale somewhere. If you don't want to store-hop, you can always find some cut of meat, fish or poultry on sale in your ...Read more

You're worried the washing machine may be on its last spin cycle. It makes a horrible screeching sound and needs a lot of coaxing to make it all the way through a full cycle. Should you spend $319 to fix this inefficient appliance or replace it with a $999 new model that will use less electricity and water?

Deciding whether to repair or replace...Read more

Assuming I'm not the only one who fails to do a deep clean on the outdoor grill after every use, today, I have lots of tips and tricks for cleaning and cooking on a grill.

Let's hear it for summer; let the grilling begin!

ALL-PURPOSE DEGREASER

Pour these ingredients into a 16-ounce spray bottle, and shake to mix well:

2 cups hot tap water

2...Read more

Sometimes, I wonder how "Everyday Cheapskate" readers discover their handy ideas. I mean, who would have thought something that cleans brake parts would also remove stains from clothes?

CLEANS MORE THAN BRAKES

I have found that using my husband's brake parts spray cleaner, Brakleen, works really well for getting out grease stains. It doesn't ...Read more

According to the World Resources Institute, the average U.S. household of four people throws out about $1,600 in rotten food every year. Wow. That makes my head spin! Even if that number is far less in your home, consider these simple ways all of us can stop throwing our food dollars into the garbage.

FRESHNESS GUIDE

Fresh produce is not cheap...Read more

A recent letter from a reader who used borax to solve her dishwasher woes got me thinking about all the ways I use this handy product to clean and fix problems around the house.

WHAT IS BORAX?

Borax is actually a salt that is found naturally in evaporation lakes. It is used as an ingredient in many detergents, cosmetics and enamel glazes. You ...Read more

Changing your environment can greatly improve your outlook. And that doesn't have to cost a fortune. The key to great decor isn't how much money you spend. It's about seeing the possibilities in what you have already. You'll be surprised at what you can do for little or no cost.

USE WHAT YOU'VE GOT

I have a friend who calls herself a ...Read more

Body scrubs are an effective way to exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical, granular substance or an exfoliation tool.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells every 30 days or so to make room for new cells. ...Read more

If soaring food prices are getting you down, help is on the way! Here are some basic saving strategies, practical solutions and novel ideas to stretch your food budget and make your life easier.

Granted, one of these strategies on its own is not likely to make a huge difference in your bottom line. But lots of small strategies working together ...Read more

Homemade window cleaners are easy to make using common household ingredients you probably have already.

Whether cleaning windows inside or outside, each of these cleaning solutions work to polish and remove debris from the surfaces. Homemade solutions are also safer than commercial cleaners that contain harmful chemicals with toxic fumes.

...Read more

For a good deal of my life, I lived under a dark cloud of fear that I would end up financially destitute -- a bag lady. Studies reveal that I'm not the only one. Most of us have felt that way, not because we're broke but because we lack confidence. That makes us timid, worried and financially insecure.

Look, we don't have to accept financial ...Read more

Dear Mary: In a past column, a reader wrote saying it didn't work to call her credit card company to ask them to lower her credit card's interest rate. Your response reminded me that I had a 14.99% interest rate on a Visa card with a credit union that I have belonged to for 32 years.

I made the call and simply asked for a review of my account. ...Read more

I love my Instant Pot. It's the greatest time-saving, magic-producing, easy-to-use kitchen appliance known to (wo)mankind. I use it almost every day to make everything from eggs to pot roast and -- wait for it -- cheesecake! Yes, the BEST cheesecake.

But I have to admit the idea of making spaghetti with meat sauce in a single pot, all at the ...Read more

Whether it's anticipating a back-seat disaster, coming up with a quick dinner solution or keeping memories alive, my wonderful readers always have the perfect solutions. Oh, how I love to open my virtual mailbag (otherwise known as email) to find all of your fun tips, tricks and life hacks.

TRAVEL KIT

I have a little kit I keep in the car. It ...Read more

TIDY UP WITH LINT ROLLER

I use a lint roller on my bathroom rugs to remove hair before I put the rugs in the washer and also between washings. Works wonderfully well. -- Susan

JOIN A CSA

It's not too late to research and join a community-supported agriculture, or CSA, program in your area. As a member, you'll receive farm-fresh organic ...Read more

We cannot declare apple cider vinegar to be a modern-day miracle cure. Vinegar has been used as a remedy since the days of Hippocrates. The ancient Greek doctor treated wounds with it. In recent years, people have explored apple cider vinegar as a way to lose weight, improve heart health and even treat dandruff.

THE RIGHT CHOICE

When choosing ...Read more

Dear Mary: I recently inherited a certificate of deposit that came with a good interest rate. I left it alone until it matured, thinking I would renew it.

Rates are much lower now, and I'm wondering if I should use these funds to pay off the home equity loan we got when we did major work on our home. That would leave us debt-free, including our...Read more

It was a weird request. My friend Mary Ann asked if she could borrow some pickle juice. Huh? Who keeps pickle juice?

The purpose of pickle juice is to keep the pickles fresh and flavorful. And when the pickles are gone, out goes the juice, right? That practice makes Mary Ann cringe.

Here's the deal: Mary Ann is famous for her potato salad. She...Read more