When it comes to frugal living, knowledge is key; the general rule tends to be the more you know, the more you can save. This couldn’t be more true when it comes to vehicles because your ability to save on auto repairs and get the best gas mileage possible really depends on how well you know your vehicle and whether or not you take advantage of the potentially money saving resources that are available.

DriverSide.com is one of those sites that every vehicle owner should check out. DriverSide will tell you virtually everything you need to know about your specific vehicle and will even keep you up-to-date on recalls. Check out DriverSide the next time you need to have some auto repairs done and it will tell you the amount of money it should cost to repair your car and the price of the parts. Got a question? You can ask mechanics any questions relating to your car, right on the website. You can often find vehicle-related coupons for your local area, too!

Check out DriverSide and bookmark it. Sites like these make frugal living a whole lot easier.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of Axel-D

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Ah, yes, chicken pox. Every parent gasps when the little telltale pox appear on their children’s skin and breathe a sigh of relief once the last pock has disappeared. In the meantime, what natural remedies can you use to soothe the itch?

Here are some that are great for kids and very frugal living friendly:

Simply grate a 4 to 5 inch piece of fresh ginger into a bath filled with cool to lukewarm water. Or, another option is to place about a cup and a half of oats in the tub. Then, have your child sit in the tub for at least 30 minutes and the ginger or oats will help soothe the itch.

You can then follow up by dissolving 4 to 5 tbsp of baking soda in 2 cups of water and sponging this solution over your child’s itchiest areas. The water will dry, leaving the baking soda on the skin to soothe the itch.

At least until the virus passes you will be armed with effective natural remedies to keep the itching to a minimum.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of SuperFantastic

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A furnace is a big purchase and something that definitely requires some shopping around and careful planning. Finding the best priced furnace isn’t the only way to save money, however, because the furnace you choose will determine how much money you can save on heating bills for years to come.

It’s pretty obvious that when shopping for a furnace the rule is whatever furnace will allow you to save power is a great choice for long-term money saving. It can be hard, however, to know exactly what to look for—here are some tips:

*Be sure the furnace has an EnerGuide rating

*You will find a rating for Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE. The AFUE rating is a great way to determine the furnace’s efficiency. Basically, the higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the furnace is and the lower the number, the more fuel it will burn to keep your house warm. Try to find a reasonably priced furnace with an AFUE rating that’s over 90 because this means the furnace meets the Energy Star levels for efficiency and energy saving. The initial price tag might be a little more, but the long-term savings will be well worth your initial investment.

Remember these tips when buying your next furnace and maximize your money saving potential.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of girl_named_fre

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Looking for more easy frugal recipes to add to your winter meals repertoire? Watch this step-by-step video and learn how to cook this flavourful and frugal living friendly meal.

At least in these parts, pork prices have dropped and you can consistently find great cuts of pork for little money at the grocery store or butcher shop. Squash is also inexpensive this time of year and if you can’t find the squash that’s featured in the video, just substitute another.

This dish is nutritious and tasty--definitely something you will want to prepare for your family.

*Photo from Flickr, courtesy of jarrodlombardo

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