If you like brightly colored dishes, then you probably love Fiestaware like I do. We’re in good company, too, since these plates have been around since just before World War Two. Read on to learn the history of the company, discover what Fiestaware actually is and why these dishes make an everyday table look festive…
In my family it’s important to have quality kitchenware, including cooking tools that come with a lifetime guarantee. Why? Because we want products that last. For instance, we have a number of Le Creuset enameled cast iron pots that were handed down to us by Bill’s long-deceased aunt. I’m not sure how long ago she…
My husband and I are accidental Le Creuset collectors. After his aunt died, we inherited everything from her kitchen and that included nearly a dozen pieces of cookware, including a Le Creuset Dutch oven, plus pots and pans in all kinds of colors. I never realized the appeal of enameled cast iron cooking until I…
Nobody wants to deal with unwanted gifts. In fact, no one wants to receive a present that they don’t really want. But sometimes you end up getting a Christmas, birthday or anniversary gift that just isn’t right. So, what do you do? I’ve got some tips on how to handle being on the receiving end…
The closest our family has gotten to wearing funny and cute matching Christmas pajamas is my daughter Jane and me wearing our Elf Christmas PJs while watching our favorite holiday movie, Elf. We haven’t convinced the rest of our family to join us in our matchy-match Elf pajamas. But still — Jane and I get…
Did you know that you can buy plants with EBT? Well not all plants but the kinds that produce food. That’s because the food stamps SNAP program is all about helping low-income people eat. So, it’s food-centric. In fact, you can use SNAP EBT to pay for seeds, too — as long as those seeds…
Before the invention of Corningware in 1957, the simple act of baking, serving and storing food in a ceramic dish was impossible. Remember: this was long before modern baking materials like silicone existed in American kitchens. It’s one of the reasons they appeared in so many kitchens in our childhoods and why people like you…
Did you notice a few years ago that it seemed like every restaurant, bar and special event started serving drinks in mason jars? Me, too. I don’t know what was driving this trend but I was thrilled to see it. You see, Bill and I have been collecting vintage Mason jars for more than three…
Looking to get free food or drink on your anniversary? I can help. There are local restaurants, cafes, or eateries that give you free food or drink on your wedding anniversary. It’s the same with some cash back apps, too. So, I’ve put together this list of national and large regional restaurant chains that will…
It’s so easy to buy organic food at Costco. And, frankly, it’s more affordable than other stores selling organic products. It’s one of the reasons that I renew my Costco membership year after year, even after we moved a few years ago and had to drive 40 minutes to the nearest Costco. Now that there’s…
I’m so excited to report that Planet Fitness has brought back the high school summer pass for 2025. Basically, Planet Fitness locations nationwide have a program that lets teenagers in the United States and Canada work out for free during summer vacation. Here is everything you need to know about the program. What is the…
The first time I asked the question, “What is greige color?” was when we were selling a home a few years ago. This was our house at the New Jersey shore. We knew that the whole interior of the home needed a fresh paint job. The house, built in 1972, probably hadn’t been painted in…
The notion of giving a mom experience gifts, for Mother’s Day or another occasion, is you’re creating a memory through an experience versus something that she will end up putting on a shelf or cluttering up her house. For the person who seemingly has everything or for a mom living in a small space, an…
As the author of 15 books, many on money-saving topics, I’m always trying to find ways to help my readers get the most bang for their buck, including with State Sales Tax Shopping Holidays. For example, in my book about paying for college, I suggest using state sales tax free weekends to shop and legally…
There’s no denying that the price of everything has gone up. However, you still might want to eat well and you’re not quite ready to start a vegetable garden. That’s why I wanted to write this article on cheap healthy foods to stock up on. This advice can help you feed yourself and your family…
What would you say if I told you that there are things in your home that could take centuries or even longer to decompose in the trash? As Earth Day approaches or even at any time during the year, it’s something to consider. And that is what you throw out and how long it takes…
You probably know that Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May, but when is Mother’s Day around the world in different countries? Turns out that Americans are the only ones that celebrate Mother’s Day. However, the one thing that makes the American Mother’s Day celebration different from others around the world is this: the…
If you are a woman who spends most days paralyzed about what to wear, you may need a capsule wardrobe. This kind of clothing collection helps cut down on decision fatigue and makes it easier to get dressed in the morning. Best of all, there are ways to create a closet that makes getting dressed…