FAQ Archives

Crispy homemade seasoned potato chips made from thinly sliced red potatoes, lightly seasoned and cooked in the microwave in just 7 minutes.

7-minute Potato Chips

by Melissa Burnell | 4 Comments July 15, 2026April 19, 2021

Skip the deep fryer and the store-bought bag. These microwave potato chips come out crisp, grease-free, and ready in 7 minutes flat for pennies.

Clear Rubbermaid Brilliance container filled with homemade ice cream base mix on a white marble countertop in a bright modern kitchen with natural daylight.

Homemade Ice Cream Base Mix (Makes 7 Batches for $4.29)

by Melissa Burnell | Leave a comment July 15, 2026July 15, 2026

A shelf-stable powdered ice cream base that makes 7 batches for under $5. No ice cream maker required, and every batch is a different flavor if you want it to be.

Banana Split Trifle layered with vanilla pudding, whipped topping, fresh banana slices, maraschino cherries, chocolate brownie chunks, chopped walnuts, and chocolate syrup in a glass trifle bowl on a bright kitchen counter.

Banana Split Trifle: Easy Layered Dessert That Feeds 16 for $12

by Melissa Burnell | 1 Comment July 15, 2026May 4, 2020

Banana Split Trifle A banana split trifle takes everything you love about the classic sundae …

Overnight Blueberry French Toast

by Melissa Burnell | 2 Comments July 15, 2026May 6, 2021

Plump juicy blueberries tangled amidst a blend of cream cheese and french toast morsels with …

delicious homemade honey mustard dressing poured over a crispy chicken topped salad

Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing (5-Star, Ready in 5 Minutes)

by Melissa Burnell | 3 Comments July 14, 2026August 5, 2018

Creamy, tangy-sweet honey mustard dressing made with 4 pantry staples in 5 minutes flat. No oil to emulsify, no garlic to mince, and it costs about 17 cents a serving.

Homemade Thousand Island Dressing (Fresh, From Scratch)

by Melissa Burnell | Leave a comment July 14, 2026July 14, 2026

Homemade Thousand Island Dressing (Fresh, From Scratch) A bottle of Ken’s Thousand Island runs $3.48 …

Glass mason jar filled with homemade Super Dishwasher Sauce beside baking soda, glycerin, castile soap, and a clean dishwasher, demonstrating an easy DIY dishwasher detergent recipe.

Mom’s Automatic Dishwasher Supreme Sauce

by Melissa Burnell | 261 Comments July 14, 2026July 7, 2019

Stop paying $6 to $15 a month for chemical-laden dishwasher detergent. Mom’s Dishwasher Supreme Sauce is a super concentrated, Borax-free homemade liquid that handles 64 loads for about 4 cents each and leaves zero film on your dishes. It took 13 test batches to perfect, so follow the directions exactly and skip the trial and error.

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Super Laundry Sauce for Dummies 7-minute Detergent 3¢ a Load

by Melissa Burnell | 609 Comments July 14, 2026October 29, 2020

No-cook homemade laundry detergent that whips up in 10 minutes flat. Two Mason jars wash 128 loads for about $3.30, roughly 3 cents a load.

MYO Lemonade Popsicles

by Melissa Burnell | 2 Comments July 14, 2026June 13, 2020

Skip the pricey freezer aisle and make real lemonade popsicles from scratch for about $0.39 each, plus a creamy Greek yogurt version.

Frozen Pudding Pop Sandwiches

by Melissa Burnell | 4 Comments July 13, 2026July 8, 2019

An oh so simple frozen treat that’s part ice cream sandwich, part fudgesicle. Instant pudding, milk, a mix-in of your choice, and graham crackers freeze into a creamy sandwich you’ll never buy the boxed version again after trying!

Harry Potter Butterbeer Popcorn Recipe

by Melissa Burnell | 1 Comment July 13, 2026July 10, 2020

Sweet, crunchy butterscotch popcorn finished with a white chocolate drizzle, made for way less than the specialty tins online. One saucepan, a two-minute boil, and $0.56 a serving.

Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl Popsicles

by Melissa Burnell | 6 Comments July 13, 2026March 24, 2018

Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl Popsicles Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl popsicles combine sweet juice strawberries with creamy smooth …

unhinged ways to save money budget101 featured

100 Unhinged Ways to Save Money (That Actually Work)

by Melissa Burnell | Leave a comment July 13, 2026

100 Unhinged Ways to Save Money Forget “brew your coffee at home.” Everyone’s already heard …

Pool Noodle Dog Cone: The $2 DIY Alternative to the Cone of Shame

by Melissa Burnell | 2 Comments July 13, 2026July 17, 2019

Pool Noodle Dog Cone: The $2 DIY Alternative to the Cone of Shame There are …

Where to Watch Disney Movies for Free: 9 Totally Legit Ways (2026)

by Melissa Burnell | Leave a comment July 13, 2026

Where to Watch Disney Movies for Free (Without the Sketchy Sites) Every time I search …

Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) – Easy Elote Off the Cob

by Melissa Burnell | 2 Comments July 13, 2026May 4, 2021

Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) – smoky charred corn, tangy lime, cotija cheese, and a kick of jalapeño in one easy bowl. Ready in 20 minutes for about $0.97 a serving.