By Sara Noel | Posted: Saturday, May 23, 2009 12:00 am
In previous columns, I've mentioned organizing recipes and coupons, creating a price book to track product prices, a garden journal and menu planning. A frugal notebook is a place to organize all these useful tools. It's easy to put together and cheap, too. All you need is a binder, page protectors, dividers, index cards and a few printable forms, such as a calendar and checklists to get started. One reader, Jean in Canada, shares: "I keep my home-organization notebook in a big zippered binder with lots of pockets and some files. I also have stamps, address labels, stationery, cards and a calculator." Many people store their information on their computer, but it's nice to have a portable binder or index cards to slip into your wallet or pocket and a hard copy as a backup. Not only will this help you manage your time and home; it can be a great gift, too.
These notebooks are so popular that my Web site (http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums) has an entire forum dedicated to them that includes free printable forms and helpful tips to customize your personal planner. You can start with building categories. Each person will have their own preference on what they'd like to have in their notebook. Some people even have more than one notebook.
Category sections can include:
CALENDAR: For family member's schedules, special occasions and meal planning.
FAMILY: This can include gift ideas and gift-closet inventory, clothing sizes and clothes inventory, recent photos and library-card information. You can also include school information such as progress reports, lunch menus and school-contact information. Organize your holiday planning, such as addresses to send cards, wish lists and decorating ideas, too.
HOME: Include information such as chore charts, home-maintenance schedule, cleaning routines, stain guides, homemade cleaner recipes, contact information for bills such as utilities, loans, cable, cell phones, Internet and waste management.
Another reader, Margerie in Canada, shares: "I have a few pages of notes that I've scribbled about the overall plan I'm working toward, so that I stay focused and my decor reflects a thought-out plan, not a mishmash. When you are on a budget and can't afford to rebuy something, it pays to keep the overall plan in mind. You can recognize your bargains when they come along."
You can have a section for your home budget, too. Save any account statements, warranties, appliance manuals and receipts. You can add store hours, phone numbers and policies, too. Your garden journal can be added to this section. It can contain information such as plant care, seed starting, layouts and design, chores and frost dates.
HEALTH: Add information such as immunization records, fitness journals, insurance information, prescription information and doctor and emergency-contact numbers, such as closest contact if you're unavailable, local hospital or poison control. If you have pets, you can add their medical records, too.
FOOD: Create and store your meal plans, recipes, cooking substitutions and kitchen tips such as conversions, homemade mixes, food storage and freezer- and pantry-inventory lists, your price book, coupons, rebate information, seasonal foods, takeout menus and master grocery list.
FUN: This can be a running list of activities to do on weekends, breaks and vacations. It can include free local entertainment, crafts and homemade craft recipes and projects, and movie and reading lists, too.
Perfect pasta salads for spring gatherings
Pasta salads are classic dishes for spring and summer. Their vibrant colors, numerous flavor combinations and scalability make them a hit for family and friends. They're easy to make ahead of time and with ingredients you have on hand.
To give your pasta salad added appeal, experiment with fresh herbs, cheeses, interesting pasta shapes and roasted vegetables. And don't overcook the pasta. Cook it al dente, and give it a cold-water rinse so it doesn't get mushy.
Garden-Party Pasta Salad
8 ounces of your favorite pasta
4 large ripe tomatoes, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced
¼ cup black olives
pepperoni, diced or sliced, optional
4 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup fresh chopped basil
pine nuts, optional
salt and pepper, to taste
Boil the pasta until al dente. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, mozzarella cheese, olives, pepperoni and olive oil. Drain the pasta, and add to the tomato mixture. Toss gently, and garnish with fresh basil leaves and pine nuts. Salt and pepper to taste. - Brook, California
Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (http://www.frugalvillage.com), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or e-mail sara@frugalvillage.com