Ask the Frugal Counselor a question and win her recipe book!

[Will]

Mary Webber was the Family Thrift Counselor for Maine Savings Bank for over fourteen years, during which time she hosted a weekly radio show and weekly television segments, both broadcast statewide in Maine.

Now she is here to answer your frugal living questions between July 7th to July 20th!

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Win her book by asking her a question

Win a copy of Mary's Frugal Family Kitchen Book simply by asking a question in this thread between July 7th to July 20th, 2008. We'll randomly select six lucky winners on July 21st.

Mary's book provides wonderful advice on saving time and money, buying good nutrition, and watching your weight, all while feeding your family for less!

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[jdp]

I'm all over the frugal thing. I really enjoy finding old sources of wisdom and applying them to today. I'm a super re-user and frugal fanatic. Most of the time just because its not cheaper but EASIER (getting to the store for some greens because mine went to mush is more of a pita to me than grabbing some from a growing trayful in the yard). But I have to admit I seriously lack any 'style'.

I recently received the most wonderful housewarming gift - a jar of strawberry freezer jam. My strawberry freezer jam is blah. This little jar of strawberry freezer jam had a cute little piece of scrap fabric twined on the lid with a little note tied to the twine.

That gift-giver is frugal-with-style. Would i have thought to add those still frugal little touches? Probably not. I'm a bumbling frugal person I suspect.

Do you have any resources or recommendations for sprucing up one's frugalness?

There's the question but may I also add - I'm so excited you're going to be here!

[Myscha Theriault]

Hi Mary!

So thrilled to see you as a forum guest. You go, girl! I can't join the contest, but I would love it if you could sound off on the canning process a bit. I've yet to delve into it as much as I should . . .

[DistilledRose]

Hi Mary!
Do you have any advice on finding good quality kitchen tools frugally? I really want a decent knife set and some good pans, but don't have the budget to purchase hundreds of dollars worth of items.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Will]

One of our readers asked this question anonymously:

What is the best piece of advice you can give a newly married couple on meal planning and shopping?

[KelR1]

Hi Mary!

Thank you so much for coming to the board to answer questions!

I'm moving into my first home next month, and I'm wondering what you think are the essential kitchen tools for someone on a budget? I'm pretty much starting over at zero, and I'd like to have what I need on hand without overspending and creating a bunch of unnecessary clutter in my new home.

[Sabrina]

Hi, Mary,

I have lots of questions. My biggest concerns are food, heating costs, and general cost cutting.

I've always watched pennies to some degree... always taking advantage of the opportunity to save ... but today's economy requires a less passive approach. How does a family approach seriously proactive frugality?

We have a small hobby garden, which is usually consumed as the veggies are ready. Should we be thinking more long-term? Freezing or canning? Our garden won't address that problem this year, but would looking into larger purchases from local farmers or groceries be an idea?

I live in New England, which is not going to be a fun place come winter. Do you have suggestions for getting the biggest bang for the buck? Is there something we can do to maximize our heating efforts? To be more efficient?

Finally, it's summer now, and although winter is closer than we'd like, letting summer pass without some fun is not really a good idea. Do you have inexpensive ideas for 'getting away' without going far?

[martha in mobile]

Hi Mary!

I'm a new poster with a bit of a problem. My preteen has just started noticing that our family is "different" in how we live (we raise chickens for eggs, we recycle [most people here don't], most of my clothes are from the last century, etc.). When she mentions the differences, I don't want to disparage her friends' families, yet I do want to impress upon her the benefits of (and our preference for) the way that we live. I also don't want her to feel a total freak amongst her peers. Do you have any suggestions for reconciling the conservative status quo with our somewhat tree-hugging lifestyle?

Signed -- a Left Coaster living in the Deep South

[femmeknitzi]

Hello Mary!

I'm delving into the wide-world of coupon clipping! Yay! However, I tend to stay away from a lot of boxed meals and processed foods. I'm a "perimeter" grocery shopper--fruits, veggies, meats, dairy and bread with a quick stop in the canned aisle for tomato paste for my famous spaghetti sauce!

The Sunday paper is brimming with coupons for all sorts of fancy products. But I'm lucky to find a single butter coupon or a meat coupon in there. Sure, the coupon for Hamburger Helper looks appealing but I'd never ordinarily buy it, so its not really a deal.

Any tips or advice for finding coupons for what you really need?

[amyschiff]

Hi Mary,

Another question about kitchen tools, but a tad more specific. Is a food processor a valuable tool to have in one's kitchen arsenal--is it worth the investment?

I don't have one currently and try to use my blender in food processing situations when possible, but there are just some things I'm reluctant to use it for because it is just not that powerful.

Thanks!