You could make a lot of horses talk with that.

Should you clear a space on your storm/earthquake shelter shelf for tubs and tubs of peanut butter? Maybe. The lovable spreadable nut butter has been a staple of the broke person’s diet throughout time (sometimes, when there’s no carb on hand, don’t feel bad just dipping that spoon right in there). But now thanks to the worst peanut crop in recent history, peanut prices have skyrocketed almost 300 percent. The Chicago Tribune reports Kraft this month already raised prices for its Planters peanut butter by 40 percent; while Peter Pan maker ConAgra is increasing prices 20 percent and J.M. Smucker started hiking prices on Jif Nov. 8, according to The Street. Have you noticed any increases at your local stores?

Coffee can grill: yay or nay?

What self-respecting Brokelynite hasn’t—at some point—gone for conditioner instead of shaving cream, or for baby powder in a deodorant-less pinch? Sometimes, in a moment of need, we make do with what we have. Or we just can’t bring ourselves to pay full price for… anything. Enter AltUse, a Website of home-grown DIY wisdom and thrifty tricks turned into an enormous list of alternative uses for everyday household items. The clear, user-friendly site lets you search by item or need—by “vodka” or by “keep flowers fresh.” Old standards like baking soda, rubbing alcohol and vinegar are recurring elements, but then there’s how to make a spiffy new bulletin board from a year’s worth of cork collecting. That starts to get exciting. (more…)

Photo by Roadsidepictures

In addition to kicking off another season of weight gain, family drama and perpetual holiday jingles, November also happens to be the month for everyone’s favorite spreadable legume. With all the bad press about peanuts these days, National Peanut Butter Lovers Month delivers a much-needed star turn to the increasingly outré sandwich ingredient. Did you know that you can also use peanut butter to lube up a lawnmower and remove price-tag residue?   (more…)