The Frugal Hen

Close-up of a computer keyboard with a red “CANCEL” key being pressed by a finger

How to Cancel Subscriptions Without Missing What You Love

Ever look at your bank statement and wonder where your money actually went? I started looking into how to cancel subscriptions to save more without giving everything up. Trimming the "fat" made sense, but canceling isn't always simple.

FrugalHen May 19, 2026No Comments

Money

How to Create a Budget That Actually Works

If you've been trying to figure out how to create a budget that actually works, you're not alone. I thought I was budgeting for a long time. In reality, I was checking my balance, doing mental math, and hoping for the best.

FrugalHen May 12, 2026No Comments

Money

How To Build An Emergency Fund When Money’s Tight

Building an emergency fund when money's tight used to feel impossible. There was always something that needed the money more, and most months, I was trying to keep our heads above water and things from falling apart.

FrugalHen May 5, 2026No Comments

A tapped maple tree with collection buckets near the base while snow dusts the ground in the backdrop at Swain Family Farm in Bethel, Maine.

Travel

Our Free Maple Weekend Sugar House Field Trip

Yesterday, I took my son on a field trip to a local sugar house for Maine Maple Weekend, and it…

FrugalHen March 24, 2026No Comments

Hand holding purple scissors cutting paper grocery coupons on a white table

Living

How to Save Money on Groceries Without Clipping Coupons

If you’ve ever wondered how to save money on groceries without turning into a full‑time coupon clipper, you’re in the right place.

FrugalHen February 14, 20261

Rinsed mixed beans and lentils in a metal colander on a kitchen counter, representing simple, intentional frugal cooking at home.

Living

How I Learned to Live Frugally Without Deprivation

I once thought frugal living meant pinching every penny and saying no to anything that looked or felt nice. I…

FrugalHen January 15, 2026No Comments

Two dairy cartons on a kitchen counter showing heavy cream beside half and half to compare cost and everyday cooking uses.

Living

Can Half and Half Replace Heavy Cream in a Pinch?

I use milk and half-and-half far more often than I use heavy cream. Heavy cream tastes great in all your…

FrugalHen January 6, 2026No Comments

Close-up of a very dry, cracked elbow being held for inspection.

Beauty

How to Heal Dry Elbows Without Overspending

Dry elbows love to show up the second winter gets cocky. Here’s why they happen, what helps soften them, and how to keep the sandpaper situation under control.

FrugalHen December 16, 2025No Comments

Overhead view of an Instant Pot filled with chicken bones, carrots, celery, onions, bay leaves, and peppercorns simmering in water to make homemade broth.

Guides

Why My Instant Pot Earns Its Keep (and Then Some)

I've owned an Instant Pot for a few years now, and it works harder than half the gadgets in my kitchen. Not joking. Yes, there's an upfront investment, but I've found it's well worth it. And the more I use it, the more I realize it's one of those rare appliances that actually pulls its weight and saves me money!

FrugalHen December 9, 2025No Comments

Graphic with the text “How do I create a budget that works” displayed above a pile of U.S. dollar bills.

Money

How Do I Create a Budget That Actually Works

I remember typing how do I create a budget that actually works into Google and feeling totally overwhelmed — but…

FrugalHen November 25, 2025No Comments