In today’s economy, saving money at the grocery store is more crucial than ever. With prices fluctuating and budgets tightening, smart shopping has become an essential skill. One effective way to cut costs is by avoiding certain high-priced items that can sneakily increase your grocery bill. Here are 12 foods you might skip on your next shopping trip to keep more money in your pocket.

1. Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables

While pre-cut fruits and vegetables offer convenience, they come at a premium. These items are often marked up significantly compared to their whole counterparts. By investing a few extra minutes in chopping and preparing these foods at home, you can save a considerable amount each month. Plus, whole produce stays fresh longer, providing better value for your money and less food waste.

2. Gourmet Cheeses

Cheese lovers might be tempted by the array of gourmet cheeses available at specialty counters, but these selections can be pricey. Opt for standard varieties or purchase larger blocks that you can slice or shred yourself to save money. Many store brands offer quality cheese at a fraction of the cost of gourmet labels without significantly sacrificing taste or quality.

3. Spices and Seasonings

Spice racks at grocery stores are filled with small, expensive bottles. However, buying spices in bulk or from discount stores can lead to significant savings. You often pay more for brand-name packaging than for the spices themselves. Consider refilling your spice jars at bulk food stores where spices cost less than half as much per ounce.

4. Bottled Water

Purchasing bottled water is not only costly over time, but it also contributes to environmental waste. Investing in a reusable water bottle and a good-quality water filter can drastically reduce your grocery costs. Tap water in many areas is perfectly safe and can be enhanced with filtering, making this a smart financial and environmental move.

5. Pre-Packaged Meals and Snacks

Convenience comes at a cost when it comes to pre-packaged meals and snacks. Not only are these items more expensive per serving, but they also often contain unhealthy preservatives and additives. By preparing homemade meals and snacks, you not only save money but also control the ingredients, tailoring your diet to be healthier.

6. Name Brand Cereals

Cereals can be expensive grocery store items, especially name-brand boxes. Store brands often contain the same ingredients and taste as their branded counterparts but at a lower price. Look for generic versions or buy cereals in bulk to save money without compromising breakfast quality.

7. Coffee Pods

Single-serve coffee pods are convenient but costly. If coffee is a daily necessity, consider switching to a traditional coffee maker or a French press. Buying coffee beans in bulk and grinding them yourself can significantly reduce your cost per cup. Not only will this practice save money, but many also find that freshly ground coffee tastes better.

8. Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are another grocery item with a high markup, especially specialty and organic brands. Buying loose-leaf teas or larger, value-sized packages can cut costs. Additionally, consider blending your own teas using bulk herbs and spices for a more personalized and cost-effective option.

9. Fresh Herbs

While fresh herbs add a significant flavor boost to dishes, they can be expensive and often go to waste due to their short shelf life. Growing herbs in a small kitchen garden or on a windowsill is a fun and easy alternative. This not only saves money but ensures you always have fresh herbs on hand.

10. Nut Butters

Nut butters are delicious and nutritious but can be pricey, particularly the organic or specialty types. Making your own nut butter at home with a food processor allows for customization in terms of added ingredients and texture, and can be more cost-effective. Bulk nuts purchased during sales can be used for this purpose, providing further savings.

11. Organic Produce

While organic produce is beneficial for health and the environment, it can also be double the price of conventional counterparts. To save money, prioritize your organic purchases using the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list to buy the most pesticide-heavy fruits and vegetables organically while opting for non-organic for the “Clean Fifteen.”

12. Exotic or Out-of-Season Produce

Exotic and out-of-season produce can significantly bump up your grocery bill. These items have often traveled long distances, adding to their cost. Opting for seasonal, locally sourced produce not only supports local farmers but also costs less. Plus, local produce is often fresher and packed with more nutrients.

Save Money at Any Grocery Store by Shopping Wisely

Being mindful of what you put in your cart at the grocery store is crucial for keeping your spending in check. By avoiding certain high-cost items and opting for more economical alternatives, you can significantly reduce your monthly grocery bill. Remember, every little bit adds up, and with these smart shopping tips, you can enjoy a full pantry without emptying your wallet.

Read More:

Financial Freedom Through Foliage: 8 Plants That Can Slash Your Grocery Bills

9 Buffet Foods You Should Skip (and Why)

In today’s fluctuating economy, many find themselves in a never-ending cycle of financial instability. Being perpetually broke isn’t just a personal crisis; it’s a harsh reality that teaches invaluable life lessons. Here are 15 hard truths learned from the trenches of constant financial struggle, each shedding light on the deeper implications of what it means to live paycheck to paycheck.

1. The Value of Money is Relative

When you’re perpetually broke, every dollar holds immense value. This state of constant financial strain teaches you that money’s worth is not constant but varies greatly depending on your circumstances. A single dollar can mean the difference between going to bed hungry and having a meal. This harsh reality instills a profound appreciation for financial resources, emphasizing the importance of judicious spending and investment.

2. Financial Literacy is Crucial

One of the most significant lessons learned from being continually broke is the importance of financial literacy. Understanding how to manage money, save, budget, and invest are skills often learned out of necessity. Many find that their financial woes stem from a lack of knowledge about basic financial management, highlighting the need for education in personal finance as a fundamental life skill.

3. The Stigma of Poverty is Real

The experience of perpetual broke-ness brings to light the harsh stigma associated with poverty. Society often views financial struggle through a lens of personal failure, ignoring the systemic issues that contribute to economic disparity. This perspective can lead to isolation, shame, and a decreased willingness to seek help, exacerbating the problem and hindering potential solutions.

4. Emergency Funds are Not a Luxury but a Necessity

Living from one financial crisis to the next teaches the critical importance of having an emergency fund. Unforeseen expenses – such as medical emergencies or unexpected job loss – can devastate those without a financial safety net. The hard truth is that building and maintaining an emergency fund is not just prudent; it’s essential for surviving the unpredictability of life.

5. The Cost of Being Poor is High

Ironically, being broke is expensive. Higher costs for basic services, inability to buy in bulk, reliance on high-interest credit options, and penalties for late payments contribute to what’s known as the “poverty tax.” This cycle of financial penalties exacerbates the difficulty of escaping poverty, underscoring the systemic barriers faced by those struggling financially.

6. Relationships Can Suffer

Financial stress is a significant strain on personal relationships. The constant worry over money can lead to friction, misunderstandings, and a communication breakdown. Being perpetually broke can strain friendships and family bonds as financial dependencies or resentments build up over time, highlighting the need for open communication and mutual support in times of hardship.

7. Mental Health Cannot Be Ignored

The psychological toll of constant financial stress is profound. Anxiety, depression, and a sense of hopelessness can become constant companions for those struggling to make ends meet. This reality emphasizes the importance of mental health support and resources for those facing financial hardships, underscoring the need for holistic approaches to poverty alleviation.

8. The Importance of Networking and Community

In times of financial distress, the value of a strong network and community becomes evident. Support from friends, family, and community organizations can provide not just emotional sustenance but also practical assistance, such as job leads, financial advice, or temporary relief. This lesson highlights the importance of building and maintaining relationships, not just for personal gain but for mutual support and resilience.

9. Simple Living Can Be Rewarding

Perpetual financial struggle often forces a minimalist lifestyle, stripping life down to the essentials. This enforced simplicity can lead to unexpected discoveries about what truly brings joy and satisfaction. Many find that experiences, relationships, and personal growth hold more value than material possessions, offering a perspective shift on what constitutes a fulfilling life.

10. Adaptability is Key

Living on the financial edge teaches the importance of adaptability. The ability to adjust to changing circumstances, whether it’s a sudden expense or a shift in income, is crucial for survival. This constant state of flux fosters a resilience and resourcefulness that can be applied to all areas of life, demonstrating the strength and adaptability of the human spirit.

11. The Gig Economy is a Double-Edged Sword

For many perpetually broke individuals, the gig economy offers a lifeline. However, this sector’s lack of stability, benefits, and protections can also perpetuate financial insecurity. This dichotomy reveals the gig economy’s complex role in the modern workforce, highlighting the need for reforms that provide greater security for those who rely on it.

12. Access to Credit is a Mixed Blessing

Credit can seem like a lifeline when funds are low, but reliance on credit cards and loans can lead to a dangerous debt cycle. High interest rates and the temptation to spend beyond one’s means can turn credit from a tool into a trap, underscoring the need for cautious and informed use of credit facilities.

13. Health Cannot Be Taken for Granted

When money is tight, health often takes a backseat, as medical care, healthy food, and even basic preventive measures can become unaffordable luxuries. The stark reality of choosing between healthcare and other essentials like rent or food highlights the critical link between financial stability and health, emphasizing the need for accessible healthcare solutions.

14. Education Offers a Way Out but is Not Easily Accessible

Education is often touted as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, yet the barriers to accessing quality education are significant for those struggling financially. High costs, time constraints, and the immediate need to earn a living can make further education seem out of reach, underscoring the need for more accessible educational pathways.

15. Persistence and Hope are Vital

Perhaps the most crucial lesson learned from being perpetually broke is the importance of persistence and hope. Despite the many challenges and setbacks, the determination to improve one’s situation can be a powerful force. Maintaining hope amidst adversity is not only a testament to human resilience but also a crucial factor in eventually overcoming the cycle of financial struggle.

The Value of Hard Lessons Learned from Being Perpetually Broke

The hard lessons learned from being perpetually broke offer valuable insights into the complexities of financial instability. These truths underscore the importance of financial literacy, community support, mental health awareness, and systemic change. By acknowledging and addressing these issues, we can work towards a future where financial security is not just a privilege for the few but a reality for all.

In an era where quick fixes and natural remedies are more popular than ever, the allure of home treatments for common illnesses is understandable. However, not all home remedies are safe or effective, and some can be downright dangerous. While the internet is a treasure trove of health hacks and wellness tips, it’s crucial to approach self-treatment with caution. Here are 11 home remedies you should steer clear of when you’re feeling under the weather.

1. Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver has been touted as a cure-all for various ailments, from colds to bacterial infections. Despite its popularity in some circles, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is scant. Worse, colloidal silver can lead to argyria, a condition that turns your skin a permanent shade of blue-gray. The risks far outweigh any unproven benefits, making this remedy one to avoid.

2. High Doses of Vitamin C

While vitamin C is essential for overall health and immune function, the myth that megadoses can cure the common cold is unfounded. Excessive intake of vitamin C can lead to digestive distress, including severe diarrhea and stomach cramps. Sticking to the recommended daily allowance is the best way to harness this vitamin’s benefits without risking adverse effects.

3. Raw Garlic Consumption

Garlic is known for its antimicrobial properties, but eating raw garlic in hopes of blasting away a cold can cause more harm than good. Raw garlic can irritate the digestive tract, leading to heartburn and indigestion, especially when consumed in large quantities. While it can be a healthy addition to your diet in moderation, relying on it as a cure is ill-advised.

4. Essential Oils Ingestion

Essential oils have gained immense popularity for their aromatic and therapeutic properties. However, ingesting these potent oils can be hazardous. Many essential oils are toxic when swallowed, potentially leading to serious health issues like liver damage and seizures. Always use essential oils according to safe guidelines, which typically exclude ingestion.

5. Alcoholic Beverages

Some old wives’ tales suggest that a stiff drink can fend off a cold or the flu. Not only does alcohol dehydrate the body, but it can also weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. It’s best to keep alcohol consumption to a minimum when you’re sick and focus on staying hydrated with water and herbal teas.

6. Starve a Fever, Feed a Cold

The saying “starve a fever, feed a cold” has no scientific backing and can be detrimental to your health. When you’re sick, your body needs more energy to fight off the illness, and depriving it of nutrients can hinder recovery. It’s essential to maintain a balanced diet and listen to your body’s needs, whether you have a fever or a cold.

7. Hydrogen Peroxide Ear Drops

Using hydrogen peroxide as ear drops to treat infections might seem like a harmless home remedy. However, this can lead to ear canal irritation and, in some cases, damage the delicate structures inside the ear. If you suspect an ear infection, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment.

8. Toothpaste on Pimples

Applying toothpaste to a pimple is a common quick fix, but it can cause skin irritation and even chemical burns. Toothpaste contains ingredients not intended for skin application and can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier. Opt for acne treatments specifically designed for skin application instead.

9. Urine Therapy

The practice of using urine for medicinal purposes, known as urine therapy, is a highly controversial and largely debunked remedy. There is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness, and it poses significant health risks, including the introduction of harmful bacteria into the body’s system. It’s crucial to seek evidence-based treatments for health issues rather than resorting to such extreme measures.

10. Detox Teas and Fasts

The trend of detox teas and fasting for health improvement and illness recovery lacks substantial scientific support. These practices can lead to dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic disruptions. It’s important to maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated, especially when your body is fighting an illness.

11. Coffee Enemas

Coffee enemas, often promoted for detoxification and health benefits, carry significant risks, including bowel perforation, electrolyte imbalance, and infections. The purported health benefits of coffee enemas are not supported by scientific evidence, making them a risky and unnecessary practice.

Home Remedies Aren’t Always Safe

In conclusion, while the desire to use natural and accessible remedies is understandable, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and efficacy. Many home remedies lack scientific support and can even pose serious health risks. Always consult healthcare professionals before trying new treatments, especially when you’re sick. Trusting in evidence-based medicine and professional advice is the safest way to ensure your health and well-being.

I am exhausted to the bone. Normally, at this time of year, I get excited about seed starting. I take stock of my seed supplies, order seeds I’m missing, and start planning out my garden. This year, I’ve yet to do any of that. I’m too overwhelmed and tired, so I’ve decided to forego starting seeds indoors. Instead, I’m planning on buying seedlings. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly. But I just couldn’t burden myself with yet another task. I’ll still be gardening this year, just a little differently. I’ll stick to quick-growing crops for the most part, and I’ll be grabbing seedlings from my local nursery—here’s hoping they offer contactless delivery this spring!

I figured some people might be in the same boat as me. Tired. Unmotivated. There are also plenty of gardeners who don’t have room or time to start seedlings indoors. Buying seedlings is totally fine! Unfortunately, it can get expensive if you don’t plan correctly. Here are a few tips to getting the most out of your money when shopping for seedlings.

Shopping for Seedlings on a Budget

Here’s how to get the biggest bang for your buck when buying seedlings for your garden this year.

• Set a budget. It’s really easy to go overboard when shopping for plants in the spring. The nursery is full of beautiful lush plants, and the temptation can be overwhelming. Have a budget in mind before you head out and be strict with keeping to it. You can always go back and get more plants if you need to!
• Make a plan. Don’t go to your local nursery without a plan. Sketch out your garden and figure out what you plan to put where. Are you growing square-foot-style? Know how many varieties of each plant you need per square.
• Stick to slow-growing plants. Unless you have the budget, stick to buying slow-growing plants like tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. Lettuce and other greens are easy to grow from seed, so don’t bother wasting money on those.
• Cap the number of new-to-you plants. Don’t blow your budget on exotic plants or varieties you’ve never grown before. Buy one or two new options but overall, stick to tried-and-true stuff.
• Avoid large plants. You’ll pay a premium for very large plants, but you don’t need to start with a giant tomato plant to get a decent crop. The advantage to buying an oversized plant is that you can harvest earlier, but that privilege will cost you.
• Prepare in advance. Prep your garden before you head out to the nursery. Have everything ready so you can bring your plants home and transplant them straight away. Amend your beds with compost, get some mulch ready, and make sure the soil is moist. If it’s still early in the spring, prepare space for your new plants inside your home.

Don’t forget that you can also find seedlings for a steal around your neighborhood. Check Facebook Marketplace listings for gardeners who are selling (or giving away!) their extra seedlings. Ask gardener friends to share their extra seedlings with you. Inquire with local gardening clubs to find out if they have any upcoming seed swaps or seedling sales.

Or alternatively if you need to raise some extra money to buy seeds, you have lots of options. Seeds cost less than $10, so you can always sell some of your old stuff on Facebook Marketplace, Offer up Craigslist. Old toys, comic books stored in bins or tools you arent using usually do pretty well.

With more people seeing the benefits of having a garden at home, the demand for professional services for gardening and landscaping grows. This is why you’ll be making a good call by starting a garden and landscaping company. If you’d like to know how you can do this with a good chance of success, read on for five great tips.

1. Consider Financing

Financing plays a major role in any business, so you need to secure financing for your company from the start. Look into different options to find out where you can get this to keep your company running. While at it, you should think about enlisting the help of an expert to make sure that you’re aware of all your financial obligations from a legal point. You should also learn about things like invoice factoring. This is a type of accounts receivable financing that converts all outstanding invoices that are due in 90 days into immediate cash that you can use in your small business. When you use such a service, you can focus on other aspects of your garden business!

2. Think About the Services You’ll Offer

You also need to know the specific services that your garden and landscaping company will offer. This will enable you to plan for the future and you can understand the risks and other details that you need to plan for. At the start, you can offer minimal services, which you’ll be able to comfortably and efficiently work on with the best outcome. Don’t be tempted to bite off more than you can chew because you may end up ruining your reputation when you fail at a task that you have on your list of services. Clients are not likely to give you a second chance if you disappoint them the first time, so make sure to only provide services you’re capable of offering well and profitably.

3. Build a Great Website

Every single company in this digital age needs to have a solid online presence. This is because many people head online to find products and services that they need, so not having a website is leaving money on the table. You’ll miss out on potential clients if you don’t have a digital presence, so invest in one and ensure that it’s of good quality. Note that 50% of consumers believe that the design of a website is crucial to the overall brand of a business. This means that you should hire a professional marketing agency to create and optimize a website for your business.

4. Research the Equipment You’ll Need

It’s important for you to also start with a good idea of the equipment that you’ll need to keep your business running. This will be dictated by the services that you intend to offer so you can see the importance of planning such details from the start. When you know the equipment you need to get, it’ll also be possible to come up with a reasonable budget and seek financing the right way.

5. Consider the Team You’ll Hire

Finally, you should know the positions for which you’ll need to hire so that you can start searching for the best employees for your company. This will entail determining the skills and qualifications they need and putting up advertisements to find them. You could also network and rely on word of mouth to help you get good candidates for your open positions. Note that employees who are engaged are about 87% less likely to quit, so be sure you keep this in mind as you onboard and start taking on clients.

With these five tips, you can start a successful landscaping company and scale up over time. Make consistent efforts so that you can get a better outcome in good time.

August is officially here, which means autumn is right around the corner. While the idea of getting your garden ready for the cooler season might seem overwhelming, you don’t need to worry! Here’s how you can revamp your garden for fall without breaking your budget.

1. Compare Prices of Tools Online

If you’ve been using your tools throughout the spring and summer, you probably know if they need to be replaced by now. Prepare for the fall by deciding which tools you need to buy. Once you know what you need, compare the prices online so that you can buy it at the best rate. However, when you shop online, it is important to know what you are doing. Server attacks can leave you vulnerable to identity and credit card theft. Even Amazon recently had to guard itself against a massive DDoS attack on its server, with a peak volume of 2.3 Tbsp, which is the largest ever recorded. However, if you are careful with your information as you shop online, you can get some really great deals on necessary garden tools.

2. Buy Perennials When They’re On Sale

Unlike annuals, perennial plants will grow back on their own in the spring. This means that if you buy it once, you don’t need to keep buying the same plant in order to enjoy its presence in your garden. Perennials can be expensive when the season is just beginning. However, as fall arrives, garden centers will want to get rid of the perennials they have in stock. This means you’re likely to find some great sale prices for these plants. While this might not serve you so well this year, it will allow you to have the beautiful plants you want next year without paying full price for them.

3. Recycle Old Fall Decor

If you’ve lived in your home for a while, you likely have some fall decor already. However, it can get worn out over the years. This is especially true when you’re using it outside in your garden. Look at your existing fall decors and see how you can recycle them. Some of it might not be salvageable and you’ll need to dispose of it. Others, however, could be upcycled into something new and fun. This will take a little extra work, but result in an exciting new addition to your fall garden that doesn’t require you to spend a lot of money on it.

4. Consider Planting a Fall Garden

Did you know that some plants thrive in cool fall weather? A fall garden can be a great way to keep getting fresh produce well into the autumn, saving you money on your grocery bills. It can also add some color and decor to your yard as you plan for the fall. Look into what you need to grow things like kale and cabbage. If you plan it during the summer, you’ll be all set for a successful fall garden.

5. Clean Your Tools

Before you put your gardening tools away for the winter, make sure that they are clean. The last thing you want to do in the spring is to pull out your tools to find them rusted or caked with dirt. If you’re unsure of the best way to clean and store your tools, look for a website or server that can help you. If you take the time to do this now, you’ll be in better shape for spring.

Getting your garden ready for fall does not need to be expensive. Whether you’re planning another round of gardening or putting things to bed for the winter, you can do so cheaply. Then, you’ll be ready to start it all over again in the spring.

If you grow your plants from seeds then you probably know what a humidity dome is. (If not, don’t worry, we’ll go over it briefly below.) Just like with all of your other gardening supplies, you can buy humidity domes from a variety of different sources. However, you can also DIY them. Here are some cheap and economical humidity dome alternatives.

What Is a Humidity Dome?

A humidity dome sounds like really fancy device, doesn’t it? Bootstrap Farmer says that they’re an important part of your seed starting tool kit. But what are they? Basically, they’re just plastic lids for your seed trays. Very important, very helpful, but not necessarily fancy at all.

Why Use a Humidity Dome For Seed Starting?

Humidity domes help retain moisture in the soil. Instead of evaporating into the air, the plastic lid catches the moisture and keeps it there with the seeds. Additionally, the lid helps maintain an even temperature for the seeds in the tray. Benefits of using a humidity dome include:

• Less time spent watering
• Less time spent checking and maintaining temperature
• Improved germination rates
• Faster germination
• Protection for delicate, expensive, favorite seeds

Are they necessary? Some say yes, some say no. But as long as you can find cheap and economical humidity dome alternatives then there’s really no harm in at least seeing if they improve your seed growing process.

Cheap and Economical Humidity Dome Alternatives

So, you can obviously shop around and purchase a variety of humidity domes for your gardening. And you can purchase seed trays that come with their own domes. But you can also come up with your own cheap and economical humidity dome alternatives. For example, alternatives offered in a National Gardening Association forum and over on the Green Upside website include:

Living Lettuce Containers

Obviously, these are already designed to grow plants – you buy them with lettuce growing inside. When you’re done with the lettuce, use the container. It’s roomy, about the same width as height, and it’s a great option for starting your seeds in at home.

Plastic Wrap

Green Upside explains that you can use plastic wrap around an egg carton seed starting tray or almost any other container to create the humidity dome.

Plastic Bag

Alternatively, you can use a plastic bag the same way. Specifically, Green Upside notes that you can use a wet paper towel inside of a plastic bag to start your seeds … no other containers needed!

Ready-To-Eat Chicken Containers

You know those chickens that you buy whole, ready to eat, from Costco or the supermarket? They usually come on a plastic tray with a plastic dome over it. If you’re a gardener, you might look at that container and think, “that would be perfect for my garden.” If you have plants that need room for leaves to grow, these can be great humidity dome alternatives.

Plastic Bottle

Cut the bottom out of a large plastic bottle, such as a gallon milk bottle. Use that as your humidity dome over your seed tray.

Plastic Containers for Berries

These are an interesting choice. They’re shallow, so you have to choose what you’re growing in there carefully. Moreover, they’re vented with air holes. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it defeats the purpose of your humidity dome. Sometimes too much humidity leads to mold so the venting is good. It depends on varied factors. So, consider this as a potential option but maybe not the best one.

Old Food Containers

Do you have a bunch of food containers that you keep to store your leftovers? Do you have too many of them? Green Upside suggests using any food container with a lid to create your seed tray with its own humidity dome.

In other words, look around for plastic that you can recycle/upcycle to create a humidity home!

Read More:

• 5 Cheap Substitutes for Seedling Trays
• 10 Techniques To Increase Germination Rate of Seeds
• Seed Starting on a Budget: DIY Containers

Every garden’s soil has a pH level. You can work with different pH levels using different plants. However, you have to know where you’re starting. And in some instances, you might want to change the pH level. For example, if your soil is too alkaline for the plants you want to grow, then you need to add acid. Luckily, there are cheap ways to make soil more acidic.

Why You Might Make Soil More Acidic

Your garden soil might be alkaline, neutral, or acidic. None is necessarily better than the other overall. However, different plants have different needs. Therefore, you might need to make your soil more acidic in order to best grow the plants that you want to grow in your garden.

Rural Sprout notes that you might add acidity in order to:

• Improve nutrient consumption by your plants, making them healthier
• To change a specific plant’s color; for example, to turn hydrangea plants blue
• To grow specific plants that only grow well in more acidic soil

Cheap Ways To Make Soil More Acidic

Rural Sprout also notes that it’s easier to choose the right plants for your soil than to change your soil. In other words, if you have alkaline soil, then choose plants that love that. However, you don’t have to settle for this if you don’t want to. You can, instead, find cheap ways to make soil more acidic.

Use Diluted White Vinegar to Acidify Soil

YardKidz notes that vinegar is one of the fastest cheap ways to make soil more acidic. You use distilled white vinegar to increase the acid in your garden soil. You can add it to the water that you use to water your garden, whether that’s through an irrigation system or a watering jug. In addition to acidifying the soil, adding vinegar has other benefits. For example, it is a great form of natural pest control.

Add Coffee Grounds to Soil

YardKidz adds that coffee grounds are another cheap and quick way to acidify your garden soil. Note, though, that you have to use fresh coffee grounds. Ones you’ve already used to make coffee don’t have an extreme enough pH level to acidify your garden. So, yes, this is a cheap option, but it’s not the same as recycling your used coffee grounds for free.

Add Compost to Garden Soil

Rural Sprout points out, however, that adding compost to your soil can help acidify it over time. Therefore, if you add your used coffee grounds to your compost, then they do work in this way. This method is slower and less effective than the vinegar or fresh coffee grounds. Often, it’s used to make an alkaline soil more neutral rather than specifically acidic.

However, you can increase the acidity of your compost by being selective about what you add to it. Choose acidic ingredients including citrus rinds, oak leaves, or pine needles.

Pine Needle Mulch

Speaking of pine needles, Rural Sprout also notes that you can use these, oak leaves, and other acidic leaves to create your own mulch. Add this over your soil to acidify it.

Citrus Watering Your Soil

And speaking of citrus rinds, use them liberally in your garden to acidify the soil. You can also add citrus to your watering process. For example, add lemon juice to your watering can to improve soil acidity.

More Ways to Acidify Soil

Happy DIY Home explores some of the pros and cons of some of the above methods as well as other ways to acidify soil including:

• Sphagnum Peat Moss
• Elemental Sulfur
• Acidifying Fertilizers
• Iron Sulfate
• Aluminum Sulfate
• Natural Liquid Plant Feeds

Read More:

• 5 Reasons to Use Fish Amino Acid on Your Plants
• 8 Uses of Baking Soda in Garden
• What Is The Best Growing Medium for Basil?

I have a confession to make: I have a bit of a brown thumb. In other words, I’m not that great at gardening. I have let more plants die than I’d like to admit. And yet, I keep trying to grow them and learning from my mistakes. Does this mean that gardening is a waste of my money? I don’t think so. Here’s why:

I Keep Gardening Costs Minimal

First of all, I don’t spend a lot of money on gardening costs. I live in a small apartment, so my options are limited anyway. I have indoor plants and windowsill plants. Obviously, I could still spend a lot of money getting really expensive plants and supplies. However, as a general rule of thumb, I stick to frugal gardening. Therefore, I don’t spend a lot of on gardening.

Re-Using Supplies Saves Money

Initially, I probably spent more money on gardening than I needed to. I didn’t fully understand how to reduce costs with DIY planters, etc. However, once I got the pots, the soil, the supplies, I didn’t need to keep buying most of them. I can re-use what I have. Therefore, ongoing costs are particularly minimal.

I Tend to Grow Plants I Can Use

For the most part, I grow edible plants. Sure, I’m imperfect at it. Nevertheless, I do tend to get some use out of the plant even if eventually the plant succumbs to my brown thumb. For example, I’m growing rosemary right now. I’ve successfully grown mushrooms. And I can usually grow herbs and lettuces fairly well. So, I spend money on the plant but then I consume the plant, so I usually at least break even, typically.

Gardening Is Affordable Entertainment

We all spend money on hobbies and entertainment. If I focus time and energy on learning how to garden, then that cost falls into that category. As far as hobbies go, it’s a very affordable one. If I enjoy frugal gardening and sometimes reap the rewards of food from my plants, then the cost is low for the number of hours that I’ve put into the work.

I’m Learning and Improving As I Go

Gardening doesn’t come naturally to me. Don’t believe me? Let me tell you the story of my first plant.

I was in first or second grade. We were each given a styrofoam cup along with seeds. We were taught how to plant the seeds into soil in the cup. Then we were taught to water the plant and let it grow. I don’t remember if I got anywhere with the plant. What I do remember is that we took our plant home for either winter break or summer break. I promptly stuck mine on a shelf … in a dark closet. I doubt I remembered to water it. Apparently, I hadn’t learned much in the class in gardening.

But when you start at the bottom, the only place to go is up! I have allowed more plants to die than I’d like to admit. However, each time, I get better at this. I’ve learned which plants are sturdier than others, which needs less water than my heavy hand is prone to give them, and how to notice a plant needs something before it’s actually dead so that I can turn things around.

I’m getting better and wasting less. And plants give us a lot in life: they’re calming, they add beauty to our homes, they improve health. So, I might have a brown thumb, but it’s not hopeless. And therefore, I think it’s worth it to keep on gardening.

What’s your worst story of killing a plant? Share in the comments so I feel less alone!

Read More:

• Don’t Throw Those Pots Away
• 5 Factors That Affect Plant Growth
• Troubleshoot The Seed Starting Process

I am a crafter. Mostly, I crochet, although I also knit and weave and collage and enjoy some other crafty activities. As a result of my craft, I have a lot of yarn in my home. Most of it I will use to crochet, of course. However, over the years, I’ve found that yarn can be used in myriad ways. So, I got to thinking, how could I use yarn in the garden? Here are five ways that the frugal material of yarn can add both beauty and function to your gardening:

1. Self-Watering Plants With Yarn

Don’t spend a lot of money on an automatic drip system to water your plants. Instead, use yarn. Real Simple explains that you can place a jar of water near your potted plants. Insert one end of yarn into the jar and the other deep into the soil of the plant. When the plant needs water, it will actually draw what it needs through the yarn from the jar. Amazing, right?!

2. Make Wool Compost

There are many different fiber types when it comes to craft yarn. If you craft with wool, then you have a lot more options in the garden. It’s a natural material that will break down in the environment. It’s safe for your land and your plants. For example, you can actually make a wool compost that works as well as peat does for mulching.

3. Make a Yarn Trellis

There are many different yarn trellis patterns and tutorials. Whether you make a simple yarn grid or a complex crochet trellis, you can use this in your garden to grow your plants vertically. It’s one of the most affordable ways to build up and it’s pretty as well.

4. Decorating the Garden with Yarn

Speaking of pretty, decor is one of the most popular ways to use your yarn in the garden. You can yarnbomb your plants and trees, knit or crochet ornaments to hang in the garden or create an entire little yarn fairy garden. Yarn adds even more color to your garden.

Note that you can also use yarn to label your plants. Assign each plant a specific color of yarn. Tie that color to a plant stake to place in the ground near the seeds for that plant. This is a great way to both decorate your garden with yarn and also remember what you planted where before it starts to grow each season!

5. Plant Holders

You can decorate any of your plant holders, indoor or out, using yarn. You can crochet or macrame hanging baskets to hold pots that you want to keep up off of the floor. Even if you don’t have any specific craft skills, you can wrap yarn around containers or pots of any size to decorate them.

BONUS: Crafting in the Garden

Although I didn’t include it in the main list, I can’t neglect to mention the most obvious way that you can enjoy yarn in your garden. You can take your yarn out into the garden and craft there! Knitting and crochet offer so many health benefits. So does nature. When you combine the two by crafting in the garden, you reap more benefits of each/

Read More:

• DIY Squash Trellis Under $10
• Frugal Container Gardening
• 7 Financial Benefits of Backyard Gardening