1. Clean your microwave with vinegar. I’m not going to tell you how often to do this, just how I’ve done it in the past. Wipe all the crumbs out of your microwave first, then heat 3/4 cup white vinegar to boiing. Trun off microwave at that point, but keep door closed. Let vinegar stand for 3-5 minutes, then wipe clean. Repeat for stubborn stuck on spots.

2. Clean windows with vinegar and water for a streak-free shine. To be really frugal, I have heard you can then wipe this with newspaper, but I prefer papertowels. This same solution can be used to clean bathroom mirrors as well.

3. Spot clean your tile floors. Mix equal parts white vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle, then spray dried food, or other larger dirty spots on your tiles. Leave it set there for a couple minutes before you wipe it clean. This works as an excellent pre-treatment before mopping to take care of all the trouble spots ahead of time.

4. Remove hard water stains from the inside of vases, jars, glasses. Fill the container with a warm water and vinegar combination and let soak overnight. In the morning you may have to wipe it some, but then handwash it clean.

5. Clean and polish stainless steel or chrome fixtures using a cloth dampened with vinegar. I keep my spray bottle of vinegar and water close by to spry as needed, but I find if I stay on top of my cleaning a quick spray and wipe is all I need to get the bathroom and kitchen fixtures clean.

So, add a gallon of white vinegar to your shopping list, and invest in a good spray bottle. Then go to work on your household glass, mirrors, countertops, fixtures, tile floors and shower doors. Not only will you be saving time and money by using one product, but vinegar also eliminates the need for many chemical cleaners, thus it is good for our kids and the environment in general.

1. Pre-camping preparation. If you have small children, you may want to select a tent that will accommodate all if you comfortably. On the other hand, if you are camping with older children, it may be a good idea to purchase additional pup tents to give them some sense of independence. Either way, practice assembling the tents in your backyard beforehand to avoid wasting time at the camp site. You never know what time, or what the weather conditions might be when you get to setting up camp.

2. Selecting a campsite. Depending upon whether you decide to “rough it” or choose a campsite that is close to amenities, you can research the many campsites online that offer comprehensive information on the area. This will enable you to decide not only what equipment, clothing, and food you need to take, but the available hiking areas and points of interest as well.

Ensure that the campsite you select is an official campsite area. Moreover, when researching camping sites it’s a good idea to look for those areas that are on the high ground. Thus, if it rains, your tent and equipment will not become water logged.

3. Make a checklist. In our family, we call this our “TACAMO” (Take ACtion And Move Out) sheet. This is very important to ensure you do not forget anything on your camping trip. Among the items on your checklist, some of the more important items you will need are:

* Cooking gear such as a frying pan, a few pots, a bucket, barbecue grill or stove, bags with a Ziploc, and cooking utensils. In addition, food containers and canned goods are best. It is also recommended that you prepare meals at home and package them in containers for the trip. Also bring water, a can opener, hot water kettle and coffee pot, and a cooler with a block of ice. You might want to pack two coolers – one for refrigerated foods, and one for dry goods.

* Packing the appropriate clothing is also essential. Depending upon the location, wearing light layers is a good idea as well as packing some sweats and jackets for the evening hours. Extra socks, hats, and gloves may also be warranted. If you intend to engage in some hiking, proper hiking boots are necessary. Bring a lundry bag and maybe one to store wet gear that might not be dry when it’s time to go home.

* Sleeping gear, first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, cell phone, garbage bags, toiletries, sunscreen, ointments, a map of the area, insect repellent, games for the kids, and rain gear.

4. When you reach the camp site, choose a flat area to set up the tents. Ensure there are no rocks or debris where the tent will be set up. Most campgrounds will post warning signs or instructions regarding specific animals and vegetation.

5. When preparing a campfire, if appropriate, ensure that it is set up further away from the tents. After you have roasted the marshmallows, sang songs, and told ghost stories; douse the fire before going to bed.

Finally, enjoy the entire camping experience. Sleeping “under the stars”, communing with nature, and relishing the time spent with family will not only bring a family closer together, but the memories of this experience will last forever.

1. Let the children make him a T-shirt with their handprints on it. The craft is very simple and your children will love the opportunity to create something special just for Dad. Find fabric paints in Dad’s favorite colors and purchase a 100% cotton T-shirt for each child to decorate. Put the fabric paint on a disposable plate and then have the children place their hands on the shirt. Follow washing instructions after the paint has dried. You may want to have the children sign and date the shirt so Dad can see how much the children have grown.

2. Let Dad know you support his dreams by opening up a “dream fund” for him. You don’t have to fill the entire fund up immediately, but you can add a little here and there every year to help him make his dream item a reality. Maybe you could save change in a jar for him to add to his dream fund or put aside as little as $5.00 a month. Before long there will be a good sized amount in the account and he’ll be well on his way to getting that dream tool or bigger ticket item.

3. For those of you who have long distance Father’s Day wishes to send, many newspapers will run special advertisements for major holidays, and that could include Father’s Day. Purchase a small ad in Dad’s local newspaper to let him know how much he means to you and how much you love him. Just remember to put his name on the ad or someone else might think the ad is for them!

4. Gasoline prices change every day. Why not give Dad a gift card specifically for his next fill up? Not only is this gift practical, it will also let him keep that much money in his pocket for the week. He can either put the money into his dream fund or splurge and eat out with the guys at the office one day during the week.

5. If the Dad in your family is like most men, he most likely loves to grill. Why not purchase an inexpensive white barbecue apron and decorate it yourself? You can dye it any color and then use fabric paints to write “Kiss the Cook” or “King of the Grill” He’ll be sure to use the apron the next time he grills.

6. Plan an outing for everyone in the family to enjoy on Father’s Day. This might be something as simple as a picnic in the park to something more elaborate like planning an entire day going fishing with him. Whatever his favorite activity is – golfing, bicycling, playing card games, or just watching TV – do that activity with him. The time spent with him will mean more than any cheesy tie you could ever buy him.

7. Don’t forget to feed Dad on his special day. Many restaurants have special prices for Dads. If you can’t afford an entire meal out, why not treat him to his favorite ice cream? Remember the 5 Father’s Day BBQ Recipes we previously posted too – eat at home, save the gas and the money.

Perhaps these seven frugal ideas for a special Father’s Day have sparked some creative ideas of your own. Remember, whatever you choose to do with Dad on his day, as long as you let him know how much you love him, he’ll probably be happy.

If your children are like most, they probably love pizza. What they may not realize, however, is that children can have a hand in making that pizza even better. Let your children create a pizza herb pot and watch their interest in gardening and cooking soar!

Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow, especially for a beginner. You don’t need a large plot of land to create an herb garden; in fact, you can grow a number of herbs in clay pots. This will enable you to plant related herbs for each different type of cuisine you enjoy. Herb pots can also be grown on patios, porches, or even fire escapes – any place you have a sunny spot will do.

Since pizza is such a mainstay of the American diet, you may want to create an herb pot that grows the herbs you need for pizza. But which herbs would you grow in a pizza herb pot? You may want to plant basil, oregano, thyme, sage, and even cilantro. Here are the steps for making this herb pot -you can choose any other cuisine by changing the herbs being planted:

* Find a spot to place your herb pot that will receive at least five hours of sunlight each day. Place the herb pot on a saucer.

* Pick a large container, one that’s at least 20 inches in diameter. You can choose a plastic or clay pot that has a drainage hole to ensure the herbs don’t remain too wet. Some pots may have been glazed with leaded glaze; it would be best to avoid using this type to ensure you don’t transfer lead to the plants.

* Put a little bit of gravel into the bottom of the pot and covering the drainage hole. Doing this will keep the dirt in and allow the excess water to be released. After you have the gravel in the bottom, you’ll want to fill the container about two thirds of the way full. Sterilized potting soil is best to use.

* Go to your local garden center or home improvement center. Choose the plants you want and then place them in the pot, tallest growing plants in the center, and then placing the shorter plants around it.

* As you plant each individual herb, loosen the dirt around the roots and then put the plant into the soil. Cover the roots with more soil and then continue to the next plant. By the time the planter is full, you should have about two inches of space to the top of the planter. Be sure to water them in by adding plenty of water, although you don’t want water to stand in the planter or the saucer underneath it.

Instead of watering your plants each day, poke your finger into the dirt when you notice the top of the soil looking dry. If the soil is dry up to an inch below the top, it’s time to water your pizza herb garden. In a couple of weeks you can start harvesting your herbs. By carefully cutting the leaves and not pulling the plants out, your herb garden should produce fresh herbs for your home-made pizza all year long.