Ashley Marcin's blog

These At-Home Exercises Will Give You a Gym-Quality Workout for Free

If the gym membership was a casualty of your war on spending, you don't have to suffer flabby abs. Get fit at home with these great routines.

50 Ways to Update Your Wardrobe for Cheap

If you get creative with shopping strategies and fashion choices, it's easy to control your wardrobe spending. Follow these tips to start dressing for less!

10 Easy Exotic Meals You Should Be Making

If you've been stuck in an evening meal time rut, expand your culinary horizons with these easy and delicious meals from around the globe.

20 Free and Fun Ways to Reward Yourself

Reaching goals is often its own reward, but when it isn't, go ahead, do something nice and frugal for yourself.

35 Grocery Items You Should Make at Home (and 5 to Buy)

Homemade protein powder? Yep, you can make that and 34 other grocery staples cheaply and easily at home. (And discover the five you should DEFINITELY skip.)

This Is How to Pick the Best Cookware for Your Needs

With so many cookware choices it's hard to know what's best for each style, recipe, or method. Here's how to decide between cast iron, copper, aluminum, and more.

Cheaper and Healthier: 20 Tasty Energy Bars You Can Make at Home

Store bought energy bars are handy snacks, but they're pricey and not always healthful. Make your own instead to save money and calories!

Here's the Best Reason to Eat More Chocolate

Learn why chocolate can be a "Super Food," and how to get the most healthy goodness you can with every delicious bite.

10 No-Sweat Workouts Perfect for the Workplace

These workplace workouts will keep you fit (and energized), despite all the long hours at the office.

15 Fun Nights Out for $5 or Less

A fun night out doesn't have to cost a lot. In fact, with these creative and fun ideas, it doesn't have to cost more than five bucks.

4 Ways to Eat Less Salt Without Losing Flavor

Americans consume far more sodium than they should (blame processed foods). Reduce your intake with some simple steps that don't sacrifice flavor.

25 New Ways to Spice Up Rice

Make delicious and frugal rice even more delicious with a few additions — many of which you already have in your pantry.

2 Juices That Are Surprisingly Bad for You (and 5 to Drink Instead)

Fruit juice has all the sugar of real fruit, but little of the fiber, which makes it not so healthy. But these lower-sugar, high-nutrient juices really are good for you.

10 Budget-Friendly Meals Everyone Should Know How to Make

Everyone wants to eat well and spend less money. These delicious, easy-to-prepare meals let you do both.

Fridge or Counter: Where to Store Fruit for Best Flavor?

From apples to avocados, ensure that the fruit you're eating is the freshest and most delicious it can be with these storage tips.

25 Simple Recipes for 25 Delicious Veggies

Maybe your CSA box is overflowing, or maybe you're just mixing up your meal routine. Either way, find delicious preparations for your veggies right here.

15 Reasons You Should Eat More Chocolate

Go ahead and reach for the chocolate. It's delicious, and even better, it's good for a better mind, a better body — and even better sex.

10 Tricks to Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While You Cook

Keeping tidy while cooking makes for better meals and easier clean-up, and it doesn't take a lot of effort with these labor-saving shortcuts.

25 Easy 5-Ingredient Recipes That Save Time and Money

You don't need a lot of fancy ingredients to put a flavorful meal on the table. Make dinner easy with short grocery lists and basic preparations.

Shopping at Whole Foods: 12 Smart Ways to Save

Yes, you really can shop at Whole Foods without spending your whole paycheck. Here's how to save on your next trip to the luxe nature foodmart.