Links Worth Sharing: Week of March 7, 2020

Here are the interesting links I came across on my travels around the web this week!  Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Here are some posts you may have missed from Simply Frugal:

5 Ways to Grow a Garden in Small Spaces

garden in small spaces

5 Ways to Grow a Garden in Small Spaces

It’s that time of year again when the grass is green, flowers are nearly blooming and people are starting to think about or prepare their gardens. It can be tough for some who wish to plant, but feel they don’t have the room or ability to plant anything where they currently live.

Here are 5 Ways To Grow A Garden In Small Spaces that will help anyone, no matter the size of their living space or yard, to be able to grow some type of garden that will supplement their groceries as well as bring the joy of watching a garden grow.

Create Window Boxes

Using ready made window boxes is a great way to go when trying to garden in tight spaces. There are many to choose from or you can create your own with a long narrow basket lined with plastic. (Make sure to poke a few small holes in the plastic to allow for drainage.) Windows are great for the sunlight plants need while using space that is otherwise typically empty in your home.

Container GardensHere are 5 Ways To Grow A Garden In Small Spaces so that you will be able to supplement your groceries as well as bring you the joy of watching a garden grow!

Whether you use traditional pots or the empty containers and baskets you have around the house container gardens are an excellent way to grow vegetables in a small space.

Herbs and tall plants do best in container gardens as they can grow up instead of out. Tomatoes, Peas, Green Beans and Corn are all great for containers, just make sure you also have plenty of room for them to grow upward and proper support to hold them up.

Related: The Best Vegetables for Container Gardening

Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets or a great way to grow vegetables that tend to create longer vines. Cucumbers, Squash and Zucchini grow nicely in hanging baskets as long as you don’t crowd too many in one basket.

Repurpose regular baskets with some plastic sheeting in the bottom and some small chain woven through the sides to create a “hanger”. Make sure to invest in sturdy material so you don’t wake up to a basket of vegetables and soil all over your floor.

Turn a Flower Bed into a Vegetable Garden

Sure we love the tulips, lilies and roses around the front of the house, but would it be better for you to use that space for vegetables instead? You can also leave the bulk of your flowers in place and grow only a few vegetables in between. Weeding back what you currently grow as flowers and filling in empty space with herbs, lettuce, cucumber, squash and more will help to create food and beauty at the same time.

Use a Trellis on the Side of Your House

Many vegetables actually grow on vines that will easily trail upwards on a trellis if trained. Planting in the ground beneath or in a sufficient container beneath a trellis and training the vines for peas, green beans, and more to grow up the trellis is a great way to use otherwise wasted space. It also creates a bright visual attraction for  your home.

Just because you live in a small space doesn’t mean you can’t easily grow a garden to help supplement your grocery budget.

These 5 ways to grow a garden in small spaces are just the beginning of many ideas available for creating small gardens in any space. Thinking outside the box is the best way to go when trying to create great gardens in a small home or small yard.

Simple Strategies for the Frugal Home Remodel

Whether you’ve recently purchased a home or you’ve been living in it for years, you want it to be a space that is not only functional for your family, but also reflects your style. But remodeling your home can be a pricey thing to do. Luckily, there are several strategies you can implement to make sure your home remodel fits your budget and delivers the best return on investment.

Here are several strategies you can implement to make sure your home remodel fits your budget and delivers the best return on investment!

Chose wisely.

It’s tempting to redo every room, but you’re better off focusing on the essentials. Kitchens and bathrooms can be expensive, but they’re also the best bet to ensure you see a return at the time of sale. (If you are selling.) However, if you have any glaring problems (like water stains on the ceiling) or out-of-place extras (like disco-era wallpaper or a stainless-steel counter top in a cottage-style home), deal with them first.

Keep what works.

You may hate the look of your cabinets, but if they are soundly constructed and meet your spatial needs, give them a cheap facelift with a coat of paint or some new fronts and handles to save hundreds of dollars on custom cabinets.

Go green.

Recycled and reclaimed products (like flooring, cabinets, sinks, and tile) can be purchased for a fraction of the cost, so keep them in use and out of the landfill.

A little hardware goes a long way.

If your house came equipped with copper fittings and the look you crave for your faucets and drawer pulls is brushed nickel, you don’t necessarily have to toss the old ones and start from scratch.  For some items, you can try spray-paint made specifically for use on metal.  Otherwise, consider a swap.  Take your older items (if the condition is good) to a local second hand store like ReStore and see if you can find something you like better. You could always try selling your old hardware to recoup some of the cost of brand new hardware, if you go that route.

Design on a dime.

Any fashion you see in a magazine has a cheap counterpart somewhere in the world, so before you buy a designer brand, look at discount stores and shop around online. You may even find the exact piece you’re wanting for less by checking sites like Craig’s List, eBay or even Facebook Marketplace.

A little common sense can go a long way towards cutting your home remodeling costs, so shop sales, do comparisons, and take time to find the right materials at a better cost. And don’t be afraid to request price-matching or haggle to get the price you want.  After all, it is a vendor’s job to get the maximum amount of profit while you are solely responsible for sticking to your bottom line. It is possible to create your dream home for a lot less cash, and capitalize on your resourcefulness when it comes time to sell, if you follow these simple steps for frugal home remodeling.

KitchenAid 300 Watt 4.5qt Tilt Head Stand Mixer Deal

I never hesitate when I see a deal for a KitchenAid stand mixer. I have owned one since our wedding nearly 13 years ago and it's still amazing. I use it often and haven't had one problem with it yet! Right now, you can get the silver metallic KitchenAid 300 Watt 4.5qt Tilt Head Stand Mixer from Amazon.ca for $279.99. (reg. $449.99). Here are some details:

  • 325-Watt heavy-duty motor
  • Tilt-head design allows clear access to the beater and bowl
  • 4. 5 quart stainless steel bowl yields 6 dozen cookies
  • Includes flat beater, dough hook and wire whip

Shop online at Amazon.ca here.

Adjustable Outdoor Folding Camping Kitchen Deal

This outdoor kitchen looks like a great way to stay organized if you enjoy camping! Get the Outsunny Adjustable Outdoor Folding Camping Kitchen from Amazon.ca for $89.99. It's on sale for $99.99, but clip the orange $10 off coupon from Amazon to make the price $89.99. Here are some details:

  • Smooth table surface made of durable MDF board, can be folded to save space.
  • Ideal for BBQ, camping, party and other outdoor activities use, easy to assemble.
  • High quality aluminum alloy in exquisite workmanship for premium strength
  • Top with hook for hanging sundries and camping lamp
  • Overall Dimension: 60.83"L x 16"W x 32.3"H

Shop online at Amazon.ca here.