The word "Frugalista" almost made it into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2008. It was beat out by "hypermiling". No matter though -- we like it enough to use it anyway. What is a Frugalista? A person who leads a frugal lifestyle, but stays fashionable and healthy by swapping clothes, buying second-hand, growing own produce, etc.
Amrita Singh is Ottawa Morning's Frugalista wannabe. Over the summer she'll put frugal living practices to the test and share her results with listeners. You can listen to her Frugalista adventures every Tuesday on Ottawa Morning.
If you have suggestions, comments, or frugal tips you live by -- please get in touch and share at amrita.singh@cbc.ca. You can also follow Amrita on twitter at www.twitter.com/frugalottawa
Useful Links:
Carpool Group to Black Sheep Inn (need Facebook account)
ITINERARY
Friday Trip to Wakefield for a concert at the Black Sheep Inn 7 PM to 11:30 PM
Saturday Day trip to Montreal 10 AM to midnight
Sunday Trip to Lansdowne Farmers' Market + Loblaws at Billings Bridge / Dinner at Ishina's in Bells Corners
TOTALS
Public Transit = $119
VrtuCar = $129
Rental Car = $169 (including gas, excluding insurance)
Big thanks to Jith Paul and Gillian Walker for taking time to do the math! I must admit that Jith and I left the meeting ready to take a close look at what VrtuCar has to offer. But I've also heard from people who use VrtuCar and fall into the trap of using it too often for too short trips. These short trips end up costing quite a bit on a monthly basis so watch out. Thanks for listening!
As seen on CBC News Ottawa on Thursday, October 22nd.
Guest: Rebecca Page
Owner, Concierge Home Services
RECIPES
For glass, mirrors, wooden floors, and all-purpose.
-One part water
-One part vinegar
The smell of vinegar will disappear in seconds. Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth for best results.
For stainless steel appliances.
-Can of club soda in spray bottle
The ingredients in club soda dissolve grease left by grimy hands. Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth for best results.
Air freshener spray.
-1/4 cup baking soda
-4 cups warm water
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-4 drops peppermint oil
Start with the water, add the baking soda, stir/shake until dissolved, then add scents (vanilla and peppermint oil). Put everything into a spray bottle and store in the fridge when done using. Heat up in the microwave for a few seconds when needed again...shake up...and spray!
You can hear other frugal home solutions by listening to Mish Mash featured on CBC's Ottawa Morning.
Useful Links:
Raymond Belisle
Infinity Home Inspection Service Ottawa
NRCan's EcoEnergy Retrofit Program
It's $350 for a home energy audit. You get $150 back from the provincial governement. So...is $200 worth it? I think yes, if you want to discover the sneaky leaks throughout your home. Once you patch them up you could save that $200 on your hydro bill in just one season!
Many of you have written in asking how to save on utilities and I think this could be one step in the right direction. You can also follow these common tips.
(1) Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
(2) Get a programmable thremostat.
(3) Put a brick sealed jar or jug of water in your toilet tank.
(4) Install low-flow shower heads.
(5) Install aerator screens on all of your faucets.
(6) Get a separate water meter for your exterior hose bibbs and/or irrigation system.
(7) Balance your vents to achieve an even, comfortable temperature throughout your house.
(8) Weather strip your doors and windows.
(9) Insulate your garage door.
(10) Plant trees in strategic locations around your house.
Play video [runs 2:06}
Big thanks to Krystal Taylor from the Somerset West Community Health Centre. It was fun shopping with her and I did learn a few new tricks to keep my grocery bill in check. The Centre offers a whole slew of classes geared towards people on a shoestring budget.
Also, the City of Ottawa has a long list of frugal tips to follow when grocery shopping. Check it out! Find out the best buys in grain, veggies, and more.
Useful Links:
Ottawa Flyers at Flyerland
Supermarket Specials by Ron Eade
ASHTON NATURALS Organic chicken, turkey and veg 613-253-0421 info@ashtonnaturals.ca
Happy Thanksgiving! I want to thank all the random strangers who stopped to talk to me about their turkey plans over the weekend. FYI. The farm in Ashton is run by Jo'Anne Cassidy -- if you're looking for a locally raised, organic, free-range bird, she has five available that have to be picked up this Wednesday after 5 PM. Another shout-out to Alan McKay. He gave me lots of ideas for this story and also wanted to share his brining technique with anyone who's interested in spicing up their turkey. You can find instructions here.
Just for fun...look at these retro Jello Salads! They could win awards! Look at the height and colour!
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Simple Solution for Diarrhea -- according to the World Health Organization
one teaspoon salt
half teaspoon baking soda
eight teaspoons sugar
one litre water
Mix all ingredients together and store in fridge or on counter. Drink one cup when watery diarrhea strikes. Follow up with the BRAT diet. Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast.
Try sucking on a garlic clove the next time you have a sore throat! It may not taste great...but it's a frugal solution!
Useful Links:
SEARCH the web and receive results from Google and Ask.com
EARN swag bucks periodically when you search the web.
REDEEM your swag bucks for products through the Swag Store.
Catherine DiCesare's Swag Bucks Referral Link
Air Miles Toolbar Application
FREE Stuff plus the Coupon Train!
Fabulous Canadian Freebies
My guest, Catherine DiCesare, is an amazing wealth of knowledge when it comes to maximizing points plans using the Internet. I had never heard of swag bucks before but can see how they would pay off! What purchase would you make with your digital money? Hope you have fun exploring and using these toolbars.
Catherine's unbelievably organized coupon binder! It's the thing of legends...
Useful LInks:
Building a kite from a plastic bag. And yes, it will fly! Instructions here.
Homemade laundry detergent. And yes, it does work! Recipes here.
Eco-friendly earwig trap. And yes, they will like it! Details here.
If you're reading this and if you have some frugal ideas you want to share -- please get in touch! Tell me. What money-saving tips do you want to hear? Do you practice frugal living at your home? Is there a concoction you assemble that helps you save tons of money? Thanks for listening. My email address is here.
Supplies for do-it-yourself laundry detergent.
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Okay, so I'm late to the game when it comes to making popcorn at home, in the microwave, without the commercial microwave popcorn packages. But - better late than never. I'm excited to experiment with flavours and have already tried melted butter with a touch of garam masala on top of the popped kernels - delicious!
When it comes to homemade yogurt I'm a bit of a wimp. My Mom has taught me how to do it umpteen times but I just never take the leap. I think the time has come though. Could there be anything more satisfying than making yogurt from scratch? Don't answer that....let's just all give it a try!
MRS. SINGH'S HOMEMADE YOGURT RECIPE
4 cups 2% milk
1 teaspoon live yogurt/culture*
Glass measuring cup
Plastic recycled yogurt container -- or something else for your completed yogurt
*use the most natural plain yogurt you can find - my Mom always goes to Astro brand if she's stuck...look at the ingredient list...never use something with gum or flavour
Method:
Turn your oven to its lowest setting (100 degrees?). Pour milk into glass measuring cup and bring to a boil in the microwave. This should take about 10 minutes. It's important to bring the milk to a boil. Remove from the microwave and let the milk cool to a lukewarm temperature. Add the teaspoon of live culture and stir well. Pour milk into your "setting container". Put a lid on the container loosely. Wrap the container with a thick towel/cloth or use a teacosy. Place the wrapped container into the oven. DO NOT TOUCH IT AGAIN FOR SIX HOURS. After six hours has passed, remove the container, unwrap it carefully and put the container into the fridge. Let one night pass and your should wake up to thick, delicious, homemade yogurt that is prime for fruit and granola.
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Spending time with Karen Donaldson was completely eye-opening. Just like the little engine that could...she showed me that I CAN do home improvements on my own to save some money. As a sidenote -- I also now know what to buy people for a housewarming gift. The Tomboy Tool Travelling kit is perfect! If you decide to throw a Tomboy Tool party I hope you'll get in touch and let me know how it turns out. They sound like fun!
Useful Links:
When you sign up with this yahoo group it will send emails to your account with descriptions of all the FREE items available. It's a great service -- keep in mind your email inbox will be filled up quite quickly. I suggest you sign up under a secondary email account if you want to keep these messages away from your personal ones. Sign up under the "ottawa" group. It has the most activity.
Useful Links:
Members of Barleyment | Canada's Virtual Home Brew Club
I had a great time chatting with Ottawa's Alan McKay. He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to canning, preserving and fermenting! Don't think I'll ever try making my own beer, or wine for that matter, but it sure was fun to hear more about it. If you have an interest in trying to make your own home brew...be sure to join the Members of Barleyment. It's a virtual family that won't let you down!
The Mason Jar o' Homemade Cherry Mead!
Useful Links:
Here's a funny story for all of you blog readers. Recently I've been coming home to a mailbox filled with squirmy gross earwigs! What does this have to do with cleaning supplies - you may ask? Well, since I have very few chemical things in my home I reached for my bottle of water-vinegar out of frustration. I spritzed my entire mailbox and gave the earwings a good bath. Guess what happened next? They fled far away and have not come back to my mailbox since. What's the moral of this story? The uses for water-vinegar seem to be endless.
Now, as teased...here's Rebecca's tip for cleaning stainless steel appliances...the frugal way.
Stainless steel appliances have grown in popularity in the past few years. Many are finding that the fridge which gleamed and shone in the store is looking faded and fingerprinted at home. The oils from our skin leaves marks, so unless you plan to never touch your appliances, this is unavoidable.
A frugal and environmentally friendly way to get the gleam back is a simple can of club soda. Pour in a spray bottle, spritz away, and wipe with a soft dry cloth. Microfibre or old cotton is best. Club soda has sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, or disodium phosphate as an ingredient which works gently to cut the oils left by our hands. No smell, no goopy mess, and no buildup on your favourite appliance!
Rebecca Page Founder, Concierge Home Services
Rebecca, ready for her cleaning attack!
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Had a great time with the ladies (and gentleman!) who showed up for my first ever clothing swap. BIG thanks to Marilyn Champagne for putting everything in place. Be sure to follow Le Garde-Robe Collectif on FB to find out when swaps are happening here in Ottawa. For the record, I contributed a few tops to the mix and they were snatched up quickly!
Useful links:
What can I say? I have time to play around with twitter and have developed a great affection for it. I like it way better than facebook. To me, FB is more about lurking and connecting with friends you have a connection with. On Twitter I can follow random people like Adam Lambert, Jamie Oliver, Elizabeth May, without ever having met them. And guess what? They have interesting things to say! That's what I love about twitter. You can learn so much about what's happening in the world based on what people are interested in posting. Stu Mills sent me a link for http://twitter.com/UniformProject -- here's one girl wearing the same dress for one full year. It's a lesson in sustainable fashion. How interesting! Have fun tweeting and welcome to all new tweeps!
Useful links
Winning Recipe!
CHIPOTLE GLAZED ROAST CHICKEN
with Grilled Corn and Green Beans
1 whole chicken quartered
The Rub:Serve with fresh sweet corn on the cob and seasonal veggies or a nice tossed salad with your favorite dressing.
As promised...here's part two of my conversation with Alia Offman. In this one, she talks about homemade baby products that her little man, Asher, coos over!
And an update for you! Nature Clean does sell scented versions of its dishwashing liquid. So if you want to save even more money just pick up a scented version and use it on hair, hands, body, and dishes.
Useful links:
After this story aired I had many people ask about frugal options for hair conditioner. I have started using coconut oil but it's not for everyone. You can find bottles at natural health food stores like Herb and Spice or Rainbow. After washing my hair I put a teaspoon of the oil into my palms and then massage it into the tips of my hair and work it all the way up to my scalp and roots. Warning! I have extremely long hair so a teaspoon works for me. Most people would need way less than that and the trick is finding the right quantity so you're hair doesn't feel greasy afterwards. One other option is to try a vinegar rinse as a conditioning treatment. I'm a bit skeptical about this but am almost convinced after reading through this website. If anyone tries this method please let me know how it works for you!
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