Just a Thing or Two

 Happy OCTOBER!  My goodness, time flies.    It sure feels like October here this week.  Breezy, cool, cloudy - refreshing!!!

Today I am just going to throw out an idea or two or three that I use.  Maybe they might help someone else out - some may be old ideas - some may be new.

• If you have a rain barrel - of course it needs to be emptied before freezing weather - but don't just dump it.   Fill some old jugs or bottles with it.  It is great for your houseplants, it can be useful reserve water for flushing, etc. that is free.  My favorite hint - is I keep several gallons to use during the winter months on my hair.  I rinse my hair with it and it makes my hair so soft.  Make sure you keep your rain water!
• Conditioner that you don't like or don't use - use it for shaving your legs and under arms.  It helps the razor glide easily and it also softens the skin.  Don't waste it!  SOAP can also be used for shaving - cheap and easy.  Foam it up and shave!  For MEN - Glen had a beard and once a month or so he would put conditioner in and leave it for an hour or two and then rinse out.  It made his skin under the beard soft and not flakey.
• I use my ice cream scoop when measuring out batter for muffin tins.  Perfect amount.  It also works when making BIG drop cookies.  I use it a lot it for super big sugar cookies at the holidays.  I also use the ice cream scoop when scooping watermelon.  Makes a bigger ball than a little melon baller.
• Now that it is pumpkin and winter squash season - don't forget to save the seeds!  Wash well, salt and roast for a free and yummy snack.  IF you don't like them for a treat - clean and put them out for the birds and squirrels.  NOTE:  Check your ads - Our Kroger has pie pumpkins on sale this week 10/$10.  My goodness you can't buy canned pumpkin that cheap - and this is pure and healthy pumpkin.  Look for deals and make your own puree.
• It is baking season again.  If you need to measure honey or molasses or anything very sticky - first measure oil in your cup.  It prevents the sticking - honey rolls right out.  If you don't need to measure oil - spray cup with Pam to prevent sticking
• Leaves will be falling upon us very soon.  Rake those babies and place them on the garden.  You can till this fall or leave till spring.  Snow will help break down leaves.  Great mulch and additive to garden for free (don't use walnut leaves where you might plant tomatoes)
• If you get bananas and they get too brown for your eating pleasure - make sure you freeze them.  I just keep a bag going with bananas in peels.  I pull out what I need for bread or muffins and they thaw in no time.  Cut off the tip and squeeze out banana goo!  Super easy and no mess
• Apple season is here.  That means homemade applesauce and apple butter - pies and cobblers - caramel apples, baked apples, fried apples  - YUM.  I have always kept peels to make apple peel jelly - no waste.  I have been reading a lot lately about people dehydrating the peels till crisp - then they grind up into a powder and use it as a natural sweetener on oatmeal, cereal and on /in all kinds of things.  What a great idea!!!
• ALWAYS keep some bar soap in your house.  I like Ivory or any other sort of plain soap.  You can not only use it to bathe - but also in a pinch use to wash your hair, your dishes, and your clothes.  Many uses and it sure may come in handy some day.  A cheap and easy alternative.

Just a few tips.  Hope you find something you can use.  Do you have a great fall tip that can help us out?  Let us all know.

Have a great day!!

Saving at the Grocery

 Good morning.  It is a blustery cool and cloudy day here.  Sure fills like fall.

I know we have talked about saving at the grocery before, and come up with all kinds of ways to save money while stocking our pantries.  I am going to post some reminders - as I think a lot of people are truly getting worried about things again - and looking for the best ways to stock up on little money.

GARDEN - we all know that helps.  Those that can, have a jump up on saving.  

FARM STANDS - if we can't garden - we can often get deals at farm markets or straight from the farms.  It is good to go at the end of the day, as you MAY get some good deals.  They usually don't  want to take things back home - so sell cheaper.

ORCHARDS - take advantage of getting fresh from the orchards.  Apples, pumpkins, squash, grapes, pears, peaches, etc.  Get what you can.  

Buying local is great for you, the farmer and the community.

Shop the SALES - most items regularly go on sale at 6 - 9 week intervals.  Keep an eye open for those specials and always stock up.  IF you can utilize a coupon with a sale - all the better.

CLEARANCE - is our friend!!!!  Keep an eye open for marked down meats and all forms of other clearance at the grocery.  Just because things are on clearance (other than meat) doesn't mean they are close to 'best' by date.  I recently found pasta on clearance for .49/lb. dated 2023!  ALWAYS  look for markdowns.  Many stores have a produce clearance section - that is great for getting items to freeze and can for pennies.

SKIP convenience foods.  They are expensive!!!!!  Make your own.  By keeping basic items in the pantry, you can make about anything and save.

COOK from SCRATCH - not only does the food taste better - but it is a great use of simple ingredients.  It is healthier than pre-packaged and saves from convenience food.

USE LESS - meat is an ingredient - not necessarily a major course.  Smaller portions and eating slower - aids in feeling full quicker.  

SOUPS/CASSEROLES - stretches meat and veggies greatly - add a grain or pasta to stretch it out.  Pasta and rice are GREAT extenders.  You can use much less meat and add more extenders and veggies.  Remember carbs are needed in your diet just as protein is.

SHOP BULK - if you have a way to store items.  Many times you get a much greater price buying in bulk.  IF you can't reasonably use all the product - go in with another person and spit the price and product.  Win-win!

Add BREAD - BISCUITS - CRACKERS to a meal.  It is filling and gets you full quicker.  Bread can often be found for pennies on discount - freeze it until needed or bake your own.  Bread can be used in many ways - bread pudding, grilling, garlic toast, French toast, toast, mini pizzas, dried and made into croutons or dressing/stuffing mix......  Biscuits cost virtually nothing to make and they are just so easy.  Crackers are great with soups and stews and chilis.  

Nothing like a hot bowl of soup and a sandwich or warm buttered biscuit.

BASICS  - you need to keep basics that can be used in many, many ways!  Canned beans, dried beans, rice, pasta, flour, sugar, honey, peanut butter and a variety of veggies.  MEAT IS NOT needed for every meal!!!!!  Have some meatless meals to stretch budget.

FROZEN - look for frozen veggies or fruit IF you have the room.  Frozen is picked and generally flash frozen immediately.  Therefore they are just fresher tasting than professionally canned.

STOCK UP - I keep seeing people ask on FB "what should I stock?".  You stock what YOU USE!  ALWAYS.  Figure what you use a week - times that per month and then times that per 52 weeks (or time frame you want) - that is what you STOCK.  For every item you have on hand - the less you have to worry about going out.

If you know how to glean from fields or nature - do so.  If you are in need and have an abundance of something else - think about bartering.

Just remember - if you get a "deal" and then don't use it or waste - it was NOT a deal!!!!!!!  Be mindful and use what you have.

IF you need to - keep an inventory - don't be wasteful.

ROTATE - and use the oldest product first.

Get CREATIVE with your pantry.

And remember - ANYTHING can be a meal - if it fills you up and you are satisfied - that is ALL that matters.

REMEMBER there are NO EXPIRATIONS DATES!!!!!!  I truly can't reiterate that enough.  The dates  are "best if used by" meaning peak of taste.  Or "sell by: which is strictly for store use.

Products are good for months and often times years past 'best' dates.  The stuff in the can has NO IDEA what the date is!!!!!  LOL

If you ever get hungry  - you will be glad you didn't waste food and throw it out.

I am a firm believer that every item I get ahead and I get cheaply or grow IS money in the bank!  Money that can be used for other things.

Hope these reminders help you get organized and hope they save you a little money and frustration in the future.

***************************************

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want.

Proverbs 21:5

I Wonder What our Ancestors Would Think

 We live in a time of instant gratification.  We can do about anything today with little effort.  We have fancy phones that also entertain with TV, movies and the Internet.  We have cars that can get us anywhere in no time at all.  We have appliances that do absolutely everything - cook, clean, sweep, mix, chop, blend, wash and dry.......... you name it.

We can buy a fancy home pre-made and fill it with furniture with little effort.  We have our grocery stores that sell food and other items from all over the world.  We buy clothes and household items and linens in beautiful colors. 

We have access to EVERYTHING!

Voo-Doo or magic is what some distant ancestors would think!!!!

Remember - there was a time when there were no towns, cities or commercial areas.  Someone had to come through an area and clear the land just to make a hap-hazard road.  Someone had to build that rural village.

I think about how life had to be - and honestly I can't even imagine.

They cleared the way for roads - they cut trees to clear land to build.  They looked for areas with a water source.  They built their  own homes from the trees that were cut.  They made furniture.  

They used wood for heat and cooking.  

They had to create everything!!!!

The hunted and fished.  They grew what they could.  

At some point in time - everyone lived only with what they and the land could provide.

Slowly areas grew and small towns started.  Some items began to get traded, bartered and bought.  Even today, some folks live very far off the beaten track and live off the grid and very simply.

I have tremendous respect for all my ancestors.  If they had not persisted and worked hard - I wouldn't be here today - nor YOU!

Just think about it.  They built their homes with the wood of the land.  They chopped wood for heat and cooking.  They used wash boards and the creek to launder clothes (and body).

They had to raise grain for feed for livestock and to grind for themselves.  

They had to grind their own corn.

The gardened and canned, preserved, smoked and salted whatever they could.

They had to make everything.  Clothes and bedding.  Soap to clean themselves and their laundry.  They cooked over fire.  

They churned butter.  They tapped trees for syrup (sugar).    They spun wool.  They wasted absolutely nothing!!!!!!  They couldn't - everything was needed to survive or for their animals to survive.

Ever heard of fish head soup?  Head cheese?  They ate every part of an animal (including all organs).  They used the hides for warmth, clothing, shoes, etc.

People died - they had to make coffins (if used), dig graves and make markers.

Women and children had to work just as hard as men.  No one was exempt.  Children learned to hunt and fish and trap at an early age.  They learned to help with gardens.  Women did a bunch of of the gardening, the preserving and even dispatching of farm animals (to ready to eat).  Women often took care of everything at the home while men went on long hunts or worked in mines or logged for a living.

Gardens were often terraced on hill/mountain sides - as folks lived in the valleys for protection and water.  Many still do this today in the Appalachia area.

They learned to glean the land - hunting for nuts, berries, mushrooms, animals, fruit......

For entertainment the sang and played instruments.  They read their Bibles.  They grew tobacco and learned to make moonshine!  Heck, everyone in this world has had vices - and these ventures often provided good income!

I just can't imagine what they would think today.  The first settlors were so primitive (in all countries) and had a work ethic that didn't stop.  They couldn't stop or they would die.

They had tremendous faith.  They had to - to set off on such adventures and not know what was ahead.

Today we are soft.  Life is truly easy.  We are spoiled.  Yes, there are still poor people and people who live in areas that are not modernized - but for most of us - we truly want for nothing.

We complain when an item is out of stock at the store.  Oh no, no pumpkin!  Oh no, no TP!  Oh no, no tomatoes!  It seems most people don't take the time to think of an alternative to situations.

If the car breaks down - what will we do?  My goodness, we have so many alternatives and none that those folks could even imagine.  They walked or rode a horse for miles and miles.

I don't want to cook - run to the fast food joint.

I can buy anything - furniture, clothes, pretties, food, medicine, animal feed, etc.

I have had this all on my mind for a few days.  I heard someone belly aching about absolutely everything in their life and how unfair it all was - and the truth be known - they are just flipping lazy and want it all handed to them. (the situation I heard).

Ticks me off to no end.

Self and instant gratification seems to be the way of the world today.  I find this so sad.

I am guilty too.  We all like our luxury and ease of getting things.

I have such great admiration for the first settlers who learned everything the hard way and yet survived.  Life was never easy and the work was difficult and never ending. (could be why no one smiled in pictures!).  Sacrifice was made daily - just to survive.

Thanks to them - we are here today - living a wildly good life!!!!

Thanks for reading.  Just have had these wonderful people on my mind lately.  This is my way of celebrating them!

(pictures are not mine - stock pictures)

Weekly Wrap-Up 9/27

 Hello to all.  Happy Sunday and last weekend of September.  The time is just flying by this year.

We have had really nice weather this week.  Pretty much perfect in my opinion.  70's during the day and 50's at night.  Still absolutely no rain!  Driest September in decades.  The weather folks are saying perhaps we will get some rain later tonight.

It seems this will be what happens here this coming week.  High's are supposed to be only in the 60's and lows in the 40's.  It appears fall has come around.  There is still a lot of green to be seen on the trees around here.  No bright colors yet.  I imagine after some rain and colder temps that colors will appear.

I accomplished some this week, but I was just in a very reflective mood.  This would have been the week of Glen's 65th birthday (the 24th).  Instead of getting to give him grief about 65 (LOL) - he had his 2nd heavenly birthday.  I sure do miss him, but I know he is enjoying the bliss and wonderments of heaven - something we can only try to imagine.  

I want to thank you all for participating this week and giving so many stories and ideas on budgeting.  I think there were many great ideas - and I can almost guarantee that your answers helped someone who is struggling.  THANK YOU

My week:

• Still picking tomatoes.  I think this week I may pull out the regular plants and harvest everything to ripen inside.
• Did more yard work - here and there.  Just deadheading lots of plants.
• Froze the balance of the chili for another day
• Chopped up some tiny colored peppers I had and froze for future use
• Cleaned out the bedroom closet (again).  I had an added shelf that was moving - so I screwed that in for safety - and just got rid of a lot of stuff
• Dropped 4 boxes and a big bag of stuff at the church thrift store
• Picked up a FREE loaf of thick cut bread at thrift store 
• AC off 95% of the week.  I turned on for one cycle on 2 different late afternoons
• I ran to Kroger when out.  They had ground beef on sale for 1.77/lb.  I needed a few refrigerator items.  GOOD NEWS - ALL shelves were well stocked and full.  There was canned goods galore and lots of tomato products, pumpkin in cans, paper goods and cleaning supplies, soda pop of all kinds (had hardly nothing for well over 2 months - can problem?), lots of variety of meat and no limits on anything,  There were also assorted sizes of canning jars!!  It looked like the good old days!!!!!  (I understand not all areas are so blessed yet).  Just trying to give some encouragement.

Checked clearance area and found this pasta.  Basically bow tie!  .49/lb. box and dated 2023!!!  Got 7 boxes - all that was left.

• Did a decent clean up of the main part of garage.  Looks so much better.  Need to work on de-cluttering out there at some point and work on the shelves.  AT least the floor area is clear!
• Brought in all items that might be freezable - paint and such
• Started working in basement - OH MY GOODNESS!  I did get the craft table cleaned off.  I went through a huge tote and sorted saved jars (not canning).  I cleaned the little hall between laundry room and living area.  I brought up a lot of things to just trash. (at least I started this project)
• I went through what items I have purchased for Christmas baskets.  Not as much as I thought.  I need to get busy with that.
• Used rain barrels to water plants
• Doing all the basics - cooking from home, laundry in cold, line drying, airing house, drinking water - porch sitting!

Meals this past week:

Mushroom/Swiss steak burger and macaroni w/tomatoes

Grilled cheese and tomato soup

Breakfast - waffle (last from freezer), sausage patties and fried egg

Beef/bean/cheese  Frito casserole

Leftover casserole and salad

Pork chops, kraut and fried smashed potato

Broccoli/tuna macaroni with cheese

Now that the weather is cooling I am thinking about all the comfort foods!  

I am proud I finally started working in cleaning the clutter in the basement.  It is a very daunting project - and I usually just go look and walk away.  At least I have started!  Baby steps!!!!!

The kitties are enjoying the cooler temps.  The squirrels are now eating lots more around here.  I still see them running around with walnuts - but they are back to eating corn, sunflower seeds and peanuts!  Birds still seem a bit scarce - but they will be back soon.  My hummies are gone!  Haven't even seen a stray. 😢

So tell us - how was your week?  Gardens, canning, freezing??  Deals??  

Are you doing any fall cleaning?  Look forward to hearing from you all.

May you and yours be safe and healthy in the coming week.

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Budgeting - What Do You Do?

 Good morning.  We all have set budgets and have done budgeting in some form over the years.  I really hate the word!!!  LOL - It sounds so intimidating.  I know there are many methods that people have used.  Maybe you guys can share some of the methods you have used.

I know many have used Dave Ramsey, the envelope method and many other methods.

At my house we kept it pretty darn simple.  We made XX dollars.  10%+ was saved back first.  Bills were paid and then we spent on whatever.  We kept our bills to a level that was manageable.  Most times we tried to keep expenses to a point that ONE of us could cover the basic bills, should the other be out of work.  We both invested the max we could to pre-tax accounts like 401K (it virtually made no difference in our take home pay).

Luckily we didn't have any major medical expenses in our years together and we had decent insurance.  I know that not everyone has that.

Our logic was to always spend less than we made.  If nothing was left over - we didn't play!

As we got ourselves on a good track - then we started stocking up and preparing for emergencies.  I was lucky to have a husband that was onboard with that and even encouraged me.  I gardened a lot and preserved.  We loved yard sales and thrift stores and thought nothing of utilizing them.  I was encouraged when I "FOUND" couponing - back when you could double and triple.  I had a period of time that I spent almost nothing on groceries.

We had fun - but it was simple fun that didn't cost a fortune.  We camped, got with friends and family, and wondered Indiana.

We drove older vehicles for a big part of our lives together.  Luckily my Glen was a mechanic, and he took care of everything.  We didn't get our FIRST new (to either of us) car until the house was paid in full.  We paid the Blazer off in 2 years. (we got it in 2001 and I still drive it).

We knew that Glen had a great probability of having physical/medical problems and may not be able to work until retirement age.  We worked our butts off to be prepared for that!  That was our goal.

I know we have been blessed.  Not everyone has had the same job and health insurance opportunities we had.

Life can make a lot of detours and success can look like the chart above.  NEVER give up or give in.

Always remember - slow and steady wins the race.  You aren't out to beat anyone else in getting your life and budget together.  Your life is your life.  Do what is important and necessary for you.

Write your goals and plans down.  Keep that somewhere you can see it.  It gives you incentive.  Work hard.  Make a plan with your finances and TRY your darndest to keep on track.

Life will surely place obstacles in front of each of us along the way.  Slowly and methodically dig your way out.

What has been your method of budgeting?  What worked for you?

There are lots of people reading here and many may benefit or get that one idea that works from seeing what someone else has done.

Let us help one another.  Please share your tips and tricks.

Info and Recipes - Misc.

 Today I am just showing a couple things that may come in handy this time of the year.  It is fall and winter will be here before we know it.  I think many are working on making holiday gifts and looking to cook comfort foods.  

YUMMO.  I can imagine this being made with about any canned fruit - fruit cocktail, pears, cherries..... Super easy and dessert is always comforting.

(reminder you can make your own buttermilk and can substitute butter for margarine)  

This is kind of a pantry ready recipe.

Click on picture to easily see the measurements.  This is a great guide to use when making pretty fleece  throws or blankets this season.

Super easy to make and so good.  This is one part of Chinese food that I love.  I like fried rice and lo mein but that is about it.  These are so good.  I have made them.  (I found a little egg wash helps the wrappers stick together when folded up)

Here is a good guide for those who are getting ready to put apples.  Fall is the time!  It is always hard to try to figure what you need.  I always figure a quart of apples for one pie.

Hope this helps someone.  Click on picture to easily read.

Just a thing or two today.  Hope this helps someone with crafting, canning, baking, etc.

Have a blessed day my friends.

It Is All About Perspective

I saw this story on FB and it really resonated with me.  What is poor?  What is rich?  Everyone has their own opinions and truthfully it is all a matter of perspective.

I have had people jokingly (I think) say "if I had your money - I'd...."  - I laugh.  I know we worked hard to have what there is now.  Diligently we worked to pay everything off and be debt free.  We invested some money and we saved.  I am in no way rich financially - but I am so very rich in other ways.  I am comfortable  and I have enough!  Enough is good.  I pay my bills and have some left.  I can help others when need be.  I am good.

I know people who have a ton of money, pay cash for everything and travel the world.  Glad for them - but are they truly happy?  I wonder sometimes.  Some people I know really covet money - and I don't think they are really aware of that.  But their world revolves around money - getting more - and never seeming to have enough. 

We Are So Poor

One day a father and his rich family

took his son to a trip to the country

with the firm purpose to show him

how poor people can be.

They spent a day and a night

in the farm of a very poor family.

When they got back from their trip

the father asked his son,

"How was the trip?"

"Very good Dad!"

"Did you see how poor people can be?"

the father asked.

"Yeah!"

"And what did you learn?"

The son answered,

"I saw that we have a dog at home,

and they have four.

We have a pool that reaches

to the middle of the garden,

they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lamps in the garden,

they have the stars. Our patio reaches

to the front yard, they have a whole horizon."

When the little boy was finishing,

his father was speechless.

His son added,

"Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!"

~Unknown~

I love this. Yes indeed, those country folks were rich. There is so much more to life than money. Health, family, friends, pets, home, food for the table, enough to take care of things, warmth.... all the basics we have come to take for granted.

Take some time to be thankful for your riches. They are far greater than your bank account and investments.

I am thankful for so much. I give my thanks to my creator every morning and every evening and sometimes many times in between. He really has blessed me in so many ways. I am thankful to have you all to share with and to learn with and from. You are part of my blessings.

Take care my friends. YOU ARE BLESSED