The water use of an average American household might serve an entire small village in the desert.  Over-use of water is environmentally unfriendly, and also can put a dent in your budget.  Here's some ideas to save money:  Water Woes.

Beans are a valuable addition to the diet - they have many nutrients, a cheap source of protein, and lots of fiber.  While canned beans are a valuable resource, for big families, economy's sake in tight economic times, or for an emergency stock, dried beans are a great choice too.  See how to store and cook frugally.

I love Dole mixed greens salads, but was experiencing a significant loss and losing time sorting them over, until I hit upon a solution for a better and safer salad! 

Never, never waste tomato!  Keep a sturdy pint freezer bag in the freezer door labeled "tomato".  Dump in leftover spaghetti sauce or pizza topping, tomato sauce, soup or paste, salsa, rinsings from ketchup or chili sauce bottles, even chopped bits, scoopings and trimming from fresh tomato.  When you need a little color or flavor in a dish you are cooking, just break off a piece!

With gas prices going so high, we have to make every trip count.  I have several 5" x 8" yellow pads on little clipboards hanging in various places; any memo pad that hangs will do.  One is for groceries; any time someone opens the last of anything, they must write it down on the pad to avoid multiple trips to the grocery.  Another is for things that need to be done while you're out there: pick up dry cleaning, stops at library, grocery, hardware, etc.  Plan your route for the least mileage and maximum items accomplished.

Make a package of bacon last longer, without spoilage, yet be right at hand when you need it. Cut in half, and place the amount you usually use at each meal (or should use!) and place in cheap zip seal sandwich bags.  Put all bags into a larger freezer bag and put in freezer.  To use, just place a packet in very warm water for a few minutes.

In my freezer door I have pint size freezer bags labeled "peppers", "onion", "mushroom" and "tomato".  When I use part of a pepper, onion or tomato, or part of a package of mushrooms that will soon be over the hill, I chop the rest and toss it in the correct bag.  Then when I'm in a hurry I can use them for stir fry, soup, salsa, or whatever else I need it for.  If you want just little, it will break off or separate easily.

At the current price of food, nothing should be wasted.  Store celery by leaving it whole and alive! Pulling the stalks apart starts the dying process. Use a produce container such as the Fridgesmart Large (great for carrots, celery, green onions and leeks), or if using another container, leave the lid slightly open so the veggies can breathe. If you can't afford a container, leave it in the plastic wrap in which it was sold so it won't wilt.  Whenever you use some, remove any dying leaves.

See our new feature, Freeze-It! for money saving ideas.

Times may be getting hard in the near future - at some point the cost of the storms, terrorism, the wars and other disasters will have to be paid for.   Take action now to be prepared - just in case.  You'll help the environment and put money in your pocket.  See Ten Commandments for Saving Electricity.  Send in your own tips, too.

With cost of living still rising, it's more important that ever to save pennies.  If you use any specific spice or seasoning on a regular basis, compare prices in bulk.  Refill small bottles, keep balance in freezer in air-tight containers.

Ever dump a half bottle of spice or seasoning into a dish, wasting the condiment and ruining the dish?  Here's a fix.  When you have a bottle without a dispenser or spice bottle with no shaker top, put a red or black "X" on the top as a warning.  If the top is black, put a white "X" on it with White-Out".

A customer enjoyed our Fridgesmart chart for storing produce, and wants to know if we have more charts.  An even more useful one is the Modular Mates storage chart which shows the various Tupperware containers and how much of different kinds of food they protect from humidity, mold and bugs.