Here are some great ways to save money by wasting less food, making your clothes last longer, extending the life of your furniture and making your beauty and your cleaning supplies last longer:

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Just got my new solar oven a week ago and I am loving it! I’ve cooked in it once or twice a day since receiving it. It’s very easy to use and is powered completely by the sun. I save money I would have spent on electricity to run my kitchen oven and again by not having to run the AC to cool the house back down afterward. This means a lot in Texas in August! I’m also saving by not eating out as much or using expensive convenience foods as much since the solar oven is so easy and fun to use. From electricity savings reports from other solar oven users I should recoup my cost for the oven in less than six months. The oven is built to last 15 years or more.

The oven I chose is a Global Sun Oven. It is a little more costly than some other solar ovens but is built to last many years and is very well insulated and seals tightly to reach higher temperatures and keep food warm longer. The oven is very portable and light weight. It weighs 21 pounds and quickly folds down to the size of a small suitcase with a built-in carrying handle.

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A reason to be happy on April 15 Tax Day — businesses are giving away free stuff! Even if you have to pay taxes today the day doesn’t have to be all bad. Here are a few eateries giving away free food:

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Salvage or Discount Grocery Stores can save you a lot of money on your food bill. Hundreds of these stores are scattered across the U.S. Now there is an online directory available listing these stores state by state. These stores sell groceries that may be slightly dented, discontinued or overstocked. Find the directory here – Salvage Grocery Directory Scroll down to find your state and area.

Wondering which businesses offer free stuff for your birthday?  Many businesses give away free food or other items on your birthday or email you a coupon which may be good for up to a month around your birthday.  So sign up early and celebrate all month long!  Here is a list of birthday freebies:

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You don’t have to sacrifice your health to eat frugally.  Save money and get healthy with these cheap foods:

1. Oats – Buy in bulk.  Contain lots of healthy soluble fiber.  Get the old-fashioned or steel cut oats – not the quick-cooking or instant.
2. Brown Rice – Buy in bulk.  High in fiber and vitamin E.
3. Lentils – Buy dry in bulk. Excellent source of fiber and vegetable protein.  Take less time to cook than other dried beans.
4. Split Peas – Buy dry in bulk.  Take less time to cook than most other beans/peas.
5. Raw Carrots – Buy in large bags.  Forget the baby carrots.  Not really “baby” carrots and not worth the extra cost.
6. Canned Salmon – Great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids and protein.  Also a great source source of calcium if you eat the bones.  Wild red salmon is the healthiest.
7. Sweet Potatoes – Great source of vitamin A and high in fiber.
8. Water – It’s free and very healthy.  Drink lots of it.
9. Eggs – Cheap source of protein and can be eaten lots of different ways.  Boiled eggs make a great high-protein portable snack.
10. Whole-grain Pasta – Contains lots of fiber, protein and iron.
11. Apples and Oranges – Cheaper to buy in large bags.  Store in refrigerator to make them last longer.
12. Popcorn – Inexpensive whole-grain snack.  Buy in bulk.  Put 1/3 cup in a brown lunch bag with a little non-stick cooking spray.  Fold over top of bag several times and put a small tear in fold.  Cook in microwave for around 3 minutes or until popping slows down to several seconds between pops.
13. Bananas – Great source of potassium.  Eat them whole or freeze them and make smoothies.
14. Frozen Broccoli or Spinach –  Loaded with vitamins and minerals and frozen at the height of freshness.
15. Canned 100% Pure Pumpkin – Excellent source of vitamin A and fiber.  Low in calories and fat.  Don’t confuse with canned pumpkin pie mix – this is very unhealthy.
16. Sprouts – Sprouts are rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, and fiber.  Grow your own in 3 – 7 days for pennies a serving.

Easily save 15 – 50% off your grocery bill with coupons.  85% of Americans clip coupons.  According to the Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council, consumers save billions of dollars each year with coupons.  Here are a few tips to get the most from your coupon-clipping: Read more »

When you need to cut back, dining out is one of the first luxuries to go.  By utilizing these tips you may not have to completely eliminate eating in restaurants. Read more »

Food expenses can be the easiest place to cut back when money gets tight.  If you don’t already know how to cook, take the time to learn – this one tip will save you a huge amount of money over eating out over the years.  Here are a few cost-cutting strategies: Read more »