What do you do when you are cooking and you realize you are out of an ingredient needed for the recipe? Instead of running out to the store (and sometimes paying more than you normally would), check out these handy substitutions. I combined lists from two different sources, so the list is quite large. Click... Continue Reading →
Beans and barley are not just for cholent
Buying kosher canned beans can be expensive (if you can find them), especially if you have a large family. The same is true if you buy prepared mixes for rice, noodles, other grains, etc. In our house, we use a lot of dry ingredients and we eat vegetarian most weekdays. Bulk ingredients can sometimes take... Continue Reading →
Here a recipe, there a recipe
We love to find new recipes in our cookbooks or magazines. The trouble is where to put all those cutouts and how to remember where you got that great recipe that you want to make again. I am sure you have all had this experience. I have created a two-part system to organize our recipes. 1) Recipe... Continue Reading →
To cover or not to cover?
Since we moved into our home about seven years ago, we have always used plastic tablecovers to cover our tablecloths for Shabbat meals. We did try out the non-disposable kind that you can buy at fabric stores. I hated having one more thing to throw out each week. However, they never seemed to get clean.... Continue Reading →
Learn a new skill
Many articles and tips about saving money expect that you will have all the time in the world to make everything yourself, fix everything yourself, reuse every item you find, and shop around at a million garage sales and stores. My goal is to provide manageable tips that can be accessible to people who work,... Continue Reading →
Perpetual address book
Over the years I have had many different address books. Every few years the scratch marks and strike-throughs would get to me and I would buy another one. I would then have to go through the work of rewriting all of my addresses into the new book. Well, I figured out something better. I now... Continue Reading →
Decoding kashrut
Keeping kosher is more than just learning the basics, buying kosher food, and not mixing meat and dairy. Just like learning Torah, it is something you must continue to keep up with. Here are some resources we have found helpful in our practice of kashrut: ∞ Weekly alerts – Unfortunately, no one is perfect and... Continue Reading →
Saving money and energy on Shabbos
(updated 1/8/26) This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. How can it be possible to save money on Shabbos when you aren't allowed to spend any? There are actually many things we do that are related to Shabbos that... Continue Reading →
Making your own challah
(Updated 3/5/17; Pictured above - my husband and my oldest son, then 3, making challah.) Making challah can be a very fulfilling mitzvah and is one of the major mitzvot for women. I admit, though, that during the last several years with me working full-time, I barely get to make challah at all. However, every time I do, I... Continue Reading →
Preparing for gift-giving = savings
(updated 1/20/26) This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It seems like whenever I look at the calendar there is another party or event coming up that I need a gift for. I try to do a few... Continue Reading →
Surviving on a tight budget 