Tips for the Newly Unemployed
A reader contacted me recently asking for tips because her husband recently lost his job. Unfortunately, I have experience with this situation since this month marks 5-years since my husband lost his job. His last full-time job was with a start-up company that was equity funded and in 2008, with the economy coming to a {Tips for the Newly Unemployed}
How to Organize Recipes and Cookbooks
I received this desperate email from a reader recently about organizing recipes and cookbooks: I have collected recipes for over 40 years and have quite a few!! Also cookbooks!! They are overwhelming my kitchen and book cases!! Help!! Please before my hubby starts to burn them!! Oh my do I feel your pain! I share {How to Organize Recipes and Cookbooks}
6 Tips for Returning Holiday Gifts
At this time of year, everyone wants to know what to do with gifts they’ve received but don’t need or want. Here are some handy suggestions about what to do with unwanted or not needed holiday gifts. Regardless of which of the 6 tips for returning holiday gifts you choose, a thank you note is {6 Tips for Returning Holiday Gifts}
Cleaning Products That Do Double Duty
Want to know the cleaning products that I use regularly around my home? You may even have several of these products in your cleaning supply tool belt right now. The best part about these cleaning products? They’re cleaning products that do double-duty. No, they aren’t cleaning services (that’s what kids are for!) but they will {Cleaning Products That Do Double Duty}
Home Exchange Holidays
My favorite way to travel is to home swap and after 8 home exchanges in 8 years (4 in the U.S. and 4 in Europe), I’m ready to go again! When you home exchange, you get to stay in a home with a kitchen, live like a local in a non-tourist area, and skip having {Home Exchange Holidays}
Sewing Machine Tune-Up
My longtime friend and fellow sewer, Lisa, e-mailed me recently with a question. Lisa wrote, “I’m wondering with all the sewing you do, do you do your own sewing machine tune-ups? Or is there a good deal around town?” Short answer: I do my own now but I’m not allowed to disassemble items that have {Sewing Machine Tune-Up}
Why I Cook with Pork
When Ruthie asked me about our use of ground pork in our weekly meal plan, I was going to reply back to her in a comment but then realized I had too much to say on the topic. Ruthie writes, “I notice you cook with a lot of ground pork. Does your family just prefer {Why I Cook with Pork}
Composting, Chickens and Rats: Oh My!
This reader’s question is from Bobbi, who recently became a faithful reader of Go Gingham. Bobbi shared with me that she’s ready to get disciplined about being frugal and is on a financial cleanse. Love it, Bobbi, congratulations and great job! Bobbi writes, “We started chicks this year and we are having fun. Here are {Composting, Chickens and Rats: Oh My!}
Home Renovation Ideas for Summer Cottage
image credit: Carolyn Collins One of things I love most about having a blog, is that I’ve heard from lots of people who I had lost contact with. This “Ask Sara” question is from Carolyn Collins, who worked for Hecht’s Department Stores when I worked for Ralph Lauren. We always enjoyed our work time together. {Home Renovation Ideas for Summer Cottage}
Kid’s Birthday Party Gifts
This reader’s question came to me from, Carrie, and she writes: “I was talking with a friend, and mother of three, today and she told me that due to budget constraints her children are only allowed to go to 1-2 birthday parties a year. She limits their spending to $10-15 per gift as well. They {Kid’s Birthday Party Gifts}
Travel Tips to Northwest
My blogger friend, Sheila from Eat to Gather, is traveling with her family from Seattle, Washington to Grants Pass, Oregon after the BlogHer Food 2012 conference that we’re both attending next month. Shelia, her husband, and their 4 kids live in Michigan and love a good family road trip. She asked for some family friendly {Travel Tips to Northwest}
Bathtubs in Old Bathrooms
I’ve gotten several questions from readers about our claw-foot bathtub in our old bathroom so, I thought I’d address them here. The first question is about our tub surround that we have in our bathroom. Our tub surround is not a new-fangled “all in one tub/shower combo” that you might purchase at a large warehouse {Bathtubs in Old Bathrooms}
How to Hard Boil Eggs
This “Ask Sara” question comes from my sister, Mary. She asks, “What are the tricks to hard boiled eggs? I boil them for about 20 minutes, dunk them in cold water and peel, and always some egg gets left on the shell. Any suggestions?” Why, Mary, yes I have some very simple steps for you {How to Hard Boil Eggs}
Shower Curtains
Ask Sara question: This question comes from a very stylishly, frugal friend. Bridget asks, “What do you suggest for a shower curtain that lasts? Do you use a cloth one so it can be washed? I despise the plastic ones that you have to throw away after a while!” For shower curtains, I use both {Shower Curtains}
Teacher Gift Ideas
Question: “Just wondering how you handle teacher gift ideas. At our school, parents are sort of expected to contribute to a to a joint gift for the teacher. The suggested amount is about $15. This gift is usually an American Express gift card. It is a little tricky navigating the social aspect of group gifts. {Teacher Gift Ideas}
