I think most people that are here reading, know a great deal about gardening and preserving, or have places that they can get fresh produce at a deal. We also know how to cook from scratch and use our pantries.
There is so much more that we can do.
Today inflation is hitting everyone. Budgets are being strained. Shrinkflation is happening with all products. It seems we need to maybe go back to the ways of old to stretch those dollars and those goods we have.
Using your pantry, cooking from home and scratch, and getting creative is number one.
Learn how to stretch those dollars in every way possible.
Everything - can pretty much be made at home and for cheaper than buying!!!!!
It is time to get busy and learn! Get the books, read the articles, watch the videos, etc. on how to stretch things. Learn how Grandma did it! This is going to be necessary for a while as we traverse through this recession (which we have done before) and have a need to stretch those dollars.
We all know we can cook anything we want from scratch. Read recipes, share recipes and get creative.
We can make most household items ourselves from basic ingredients.
- We can make health and beauty items. Shampoos, conditioners, skin softeners, natural herbs for health, toothpaste, mouth wash, deodorants, body scrubs, etc.
- Household cleaners can be made from simple ingredients you probably have in the pantry. Vinegar, peroxide, water, baking soda, salt, dish soap, etc. Keep it simple and chemical free - this saves a lot of money
- Make your own potpourri - using citrus peels, apple peels, cinnamon, other herbs - can be used for fall or spring scents. (Lavender, peonies, lilacs, etc. for spring)
- Crafty items for kids can easily be made. Finger paints, homemade play dough and clays, salt doughs, etc. Blank paper or comics, or used printer pages can be used for coloring and creating
- Keep seeds from flowers and plants for planting next year. If you have heirloom garden plants - you can keep and dry seeds for next year's garden. If not heirloom, they will probably still grow plants - you just won't know exactly what you will get.
- Jewelry cleaners and eye glass cleaners can be simple ingredients.
- Soaps and laundry soap can be made at home. Use vinegar for softener. Peroxide can be used instead of bleach. Wool drier balls can be used to reduce static. Air dry clothes.
- Use nature as craft items or for decorating
- Compost for good soil - or use eggshells, coffee grounds, banana peels, etc. for fertilizers
- Ferment just about any veggie out there. Yes, most things can be fermented with some salt and a little water. Makes veggies last longer
- Use old clothes for rags for cleaning or drying hands. Use old clothes for material to create new things.
- Use less and water things down (you don't need to use as much as most things say)
- Keep jar mixes on your pantry shelves - natural, few ingredients and ready to use (cheaper as well)
It just takes a little research and being willing to DO IT yourself, and we can have a wonderfully abundant home and life with little money. Using what we have not only saves money, it saves on waste and just makes sense.
We live in a world that is full of technology, easy ways, non-work ideas - yet it seems like so little to me. I want to be able to survive when those things fail (I believe they will) and I just want to have a nice life. I think that is what we all want.
Sometimes taking a step back is a huge way to move forward!!!
I read my horoscope this morning (for fun) and I think it applies to each and every one of us!!!
"It is rarer to be wise than it is to be smart. You may be among the wise minority now as you focus on what's truly important."
WOW - isn't that the truth? You can have all the book smarts in the world and not be the slightest bit wise.
So friends, be wise and look outside the box and prepare and stock and learn. It is the way of the world and something that just may help or save you and your family!!!!!
Mom and grandma did it - so can we!!!!!!
Excellent post! It's sad to think that so many folks have no clue how to do things for themselves. I think common sense goes along with being wise.
ReplyDeleteCommon sense doesn't grow in every garden! TRUTH!
DeleteThanks - yes, people may have a rude awakening one of these days!
I gotta tell you Cheryl, this situation is pretty hard when one is already a card-carrying tightwad!! After seeing the bills from the market, I jokingly asked hubs which days he'd prefer skipping meals. While I was joking about him- he's a big man, not fat at all, but rather tall with a dream metabolism - I'm not really joking about me. I'm seriously considering giving up a couple of meals that he wouldn't notice. I certainly have the weight to lose, but I've run out of ways to save money. No whining, but I know that we're coming close to uncomfortable decisions.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of tough tightwadding, isn't it funny how different we look at common expenditures? My friend was telling me that they had an errand to run and decided to grab a quick bite. To me, that's a $5-10 thing. Stopping for a pretzel and drink to share. She told me where they ate and that's more expensive than our *treat* meal for our anniversary!! Of course, their anniversary dinner is as much as our weekend getaway, including gas, a hotel, and meals lol. It made me think back to a huge bond issue in our California days. The polis we're hyping it by saying the cost was very little on our property tax, like about $75 per month, "what most people spend on a dinner and movie on Friday night.". I clearly remember hubs and I looking at each other and saying, "Seriously?!?! People spend that much?!". This was the mid 90s. I asked a couple of closer friends if that was true and they agreed that it was. $25 at the movies and about $50 for a "cheap" meal at Applebee's or Chili's! That's when I realized just how ordinary we AREN'T!!!😂🤣😂
Yeah, I am not ordinary either. I eat one meal a day. I have a nutritious snack later and I have a homemade morning drink. I am always full! I have lost a bit of weight this summer, but that comes with being more active.
DeleteI could do even simpler than I do. Luckily I love pasta, rice, beans and potatoes.
I don't understand how people do out to eat so much. Especially with a family - how in the world could you do movies and treats?
It all amazes me.
Debby, I always remind myself that "normal" is just a setting on the dryer. During the last recession, feeding a family that included 2 growing boys and our elderly next door neighbors (the wife had a stroke), I skipped meals a lot. While I lost weight, I also messed up my metabolism and wound up with type 2 diabetes. As we get older, our organs don't function as they did in younger years. Maybe just eating a little less of the costly food items? Adding in low cost fillers? I make a ground beef and lentil base that for things like spaghetti sauce is nearly indiscernible.
DeleteWe made huge--for us--adjustments in retirement this year. No land line or cable for starters. I'm a bookaholic, and that was hard to curb, but just about everywhere has libraries, and Amazon has free e-books. We expected to eat out more often and travel. The pallet of wood pellets and filling the chest freezer and pantry with sales became a bigger priority. Mitigating erosion around the foundation of our house with landscape fabric and cinder (lava rock) was an essential. Eating out? Not so much. Ditto any road trips. Life is what it is, and it isn't all bad. I expect next year will be more challenging when it comes to the economy. Hard choices ahead? Probably. Yet I'm a firm believer God can and does make beauty out of whatever struggles we have. Hang in there!
--Elise
Excellent points Elise. I love your line - God makes beauty out of whatever struggles we have. Amen
DeleteElise, that's what I mean about already tightwadding for nearly 30 yrs!! You run out of ideas for cutting back lol! I get so tired of hearing all the *great* ideas on the news like brown bagging, giving up your daily coffee, and taking the bus instead of a cab! That's hilarious to me! Wouldn't it be fun to introduce them to catching shower water, saving breadcrumbs, and double using coffee grounds? Hee hee! I am actually experimenting in using less electricity by moving my daily morning activities with the sun so as to use even less lighting. Probably mere pennies, but the challenge is rather fun. I'm also working on maximum oven usage, but that'll take more time and organization. My old college roommate and I are always tossing around ideas.
DeleteDebby - I have a couple night lights placed in the house and after dark - the only thing I have on other than those is one TV. I turn on one light in the morning, just for an hour or so. Heat stays way down. I use the air frier more now, than an oven.
DeleteDoes it save anything? Who knows - but it is a challenge and fun to me! I think that is it now - I like a challenge.
Yes, Debby, I laugh, too, at news media suggestions. They haven't a clue. I can't remember the last time I paid for those kinds of things, and they'd likely be horrified by true frugality.
Delete--Elise
Such an important topic, and I'm doing the best as I can at educating my daughter on the ways of my grandparents, if only for the nutritional value (reduced sodium) in home canned produce. Menu planning that includes using up leftovers in creative ways, making homemade spice mixes and salad dressings ... it's a gift to yourself and those you love, and it comes from the heart.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!!!!!!! It is a gift! We need to enlighten younger folks for sure. I am glad you are trying to educate your daughter.
DeleteIt is soooooo important!
Lori, our youngest son is totally on board. The oldest? Not so much. He emailed me last night about what he'd picked up at the grocery store. It wasn't bad or anything, just an awful lot of convenience food and frozen meals. Any suggestions about how to encourage adult kids? They both saw how I did things all their lives. I'm at a loss. --Elise
DeleteElise, I think the best is to talk about what you're doing, how you're saving at the grocery store, about all the chemicals that are in the food that is commercially canned, and the health benefits from preparing your own. Also, cost comparisons for those convenience meals / eating out vs. home prepared. I'd make sure to send some home-canned goods home with my daughter and add "maybe next time I make some, you can give me a hand." Next thing I know, her hubs is asking me to make him more pickles, cuz he went thru 4 jars in about 3 months!
DeleteI love this post. My Nan used to use a lot of vinegar to clean. I remember cleaning the windows at home with vinegar and newspaper. She used to make lavender bags with the dried lavender from our garden. My Dad used to make compost in a trench in the garden. We have several 'dalek' shaped containers for our compost. Both my sister and daughter worked with children in nurseries and used to make home made play dough, using colouring. Christmas was often festive shaped with salt dough to the on a tree.
ReplyDeleteWe save seeds. But in our poly tunnel and greenhouse we always have self planted tomatoes. It's a bit of a surprise which variety we get, plum, cherry, beefsteak or other lol, although we do grow a certain variety too each year.
There are lots of good ideas on You Tube or books from boot sales of charity shops.
Regards Heather from the UK.
What a smart way to live. Who cares what kind of tomato pops up? If it is edible - it is all good!!!!!!! We can forage as well. Nuts and berries and knowing our yard weeds. SO much out there that we can utilize.
DeleteEveryone needs to be learning new things. If you don't need it fine - but I would rather like to be prepared in case.
Good job!
I'm not certain I'm quite ready to make my own soaps and shampoos, but I already use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning. It does a better job on water stains and such than any store bought cleaner. One item from the list I have been contemplating is using old sweaters for yarn for my knitting and crocheting. I know I can pick up these items from the thrift stores.
ReplyDeleteHeck yes, you can get those old sweaters cheaper than buying new yarn. Recycling at it's best! I don't make my own soap or shampoo either, but I could. It isn't that hard.
DeleteMaebeme, that was exactly what some women did when times were hard. I've read it in two books set in Europe during WW2.
DeleteWhen a larger item like a sweater would wear out in the elbows, the yarn would be unraveled and used for maybe a smaller child or a scarf and mittens, etc. They used every inch of that yarn. They also pulled thread from flour sacks!
My mum (a war baby) remembered all her cardigans as a small child were fair isle on a grey background, the grey came from socks when the foot could no longer be darned! She had a great aunt who 'vetted' every scrap of yarn or material and determined it's outcome!
DeleteI love this. Just like grandma kept every scrap of material and every old worn item - to make quilts. Yarn is expensive and it great to be able to find a cheap outlet and recycle it too.
DeleteCheryl, this reminded of my grandmother. So many times I remember her saying "I've seen the times I would have been proud to have that".
DeleteJudy
Judy, I do believe there will be times ahead that many will be saying that!
DeleteExcellent tips, Cheryl. Like Maebeme, I'm not keen on making my own soaps and shampoos, but mainly because (a) I've done it before and the homemade laundry soap used in cold water wash loads can form nasty build up that's expensive to fix, (b) my skin can't handle any scent w/o breaking out in hives, and (c) we have adapted to using less, so store bought lasts us a long time. Even store bought cleaners like window/glass cleaner, which is good for eyeglasses and most jewelry cleaning, and Totally Awesome cleaner for just about everything else.
ReplyDeleteThat said, we all went though a recession 15 years ago. We got through that and we'll get through this, too. The biggest thing to remember is DON'T WASTE. Anything. If you garden, now is the time of year to get serious about composting; bury scraps for in ground composting. Get every drop from your hygiene products. If health allows, set the thermostat lower and wear layers of clothes. If not, contact utility companies about discounts. With Christmas coming, don't shy away from "like new" items at thrift stores, homemade goodies, etc. I (personally) love homemade gifts, but know not everyone does; too bad... you do what you're able to do.
I think that's the biggest hurdle for some when it comes to frugality. They see it as somehow cheap or low class. Miserly even. And the mindset seems to be that they shouldn't have to make changes in their lives. You help encourage folks, Cheryl, to see that those changes can be a GOOD thing. It's not easy at first, but it becomes habit over time. --Elise
P.S. I've been trying out cookie recipes with the mixes. Just out of my oven is a batch of spice cake mix Snickerdoodle cookies, the scooped dough rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking. Which reminds me... how do you freeze and thaw butter?
Well, change is the only constant in our lives!!!!! Nothing to be ashamed about.
DeleteYou made good points - waste nothing. That is huge. Do not expect life tomorrow will be like yesterday.
I am with you on homemade goodies. My favorites. Luckily I have family that is the same way.
I just throw my butter in the freezer boxed. I take out and place in frig and it thaws in no time.
Like you I can't do perfumes in anything. I use free and clear stuff. I have been using the same bottle of laundry detergent for 2 years plus! It doesn't take much.
Thanks for more suggestions.
Very good point. Barter - what you can do or have for something someone else can do or has.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Small children are easily entertained with a large cardboard box, they don't need electronic gadgets, indeed I don't believe they do them any good. A blanket fort, a carpet picnic or tea party are all easy and cheap, as is a dressing up box, especially if you go to charity shops.
ReplyDeleteI discovered, only a day or two ago that it's possible to buy melt and pour shampoo bars as well as soap. It costs little more than a single bar and makes a good quantity and of course you can make them in a size that suits. I intend purchasing a couple of these and thought it might be useful for those who don't want to make soap (me included), they come in various types.
Many people are not prepared to compromise, on anything, these people are going to fail, we all have to make adjustments. I am looking on it as another challenge, I am already frugal but there are areas I could cut back on, some more easily than others.
Interesting, thought provoking post as usual.
That was me, my name didn't show, sorry!
DeleteHi Su - yes, there is always room for improvement, no matter how frugal you are. You are 100% right, that many will fail - and fail miserably. Some people will not budge on their beliefs or WANTS - and they are just doomed. We know the difference between wants and needs - most don't.
DeleteThose are things I did as a kid and a few on my nieces and nephews play this way
I find it a challenge as well.
I have heard many using shampoo bars. If worse comes to worse - I can use the same bar soap or soft soap for a whole lot of uses.
Thank you!
I like to joke anybody can buy what they want but it takes effort to be frugal! Some people get it & some don't!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that my husband is not 100% on board but he's learning! He went to the grocery for a certain cut of meat he wanted to grill and proudly came back with a purchase he found in the manager's discount case! I was proud of him. Of course, I wouldn't have made a special trip out & would've used what was in the freezer but at least it wasn't like the $50 package of meat he bought a few years ago that had me clutching my chest and biting my tongue! I figured I made it up by making his lunches cost out to 50 cents or less!
Plus I figure we'd really be bad off if I wasn't saving/ doing as much as I am.
For years I've purchased books on being thrifty or cooking frugally at thrift sales, etc. Even old cookbooks are a great source of thrifty meals as they often used common, inexpensive items as ingredients. I guess after the 70s & early 80s people got rid of them because I found plenty in the 90s. Interestingly, after the 90s those old books have gotten harder to find.
I found plain old water is a great cleaner. I wipe things down and don't feel the need to spritz with something everytime I wipe something off. I will wear outer clothes (pants, shirts) more than once if they're not dirty or stinky. When I'm cooking I rinse off some things rather than washing with soap like measuring spoons used for dry ingredients or a bowl or plate that held a dry ingredient. It's not contaminated because it held sugar for 5 minutes! I do have a supply of stain removers as it seems like a good idea to make clothes last longer by making them stain free.
I also believe an organized home is frugal because I'm less likely to buy duplicates. And an attractive & functional home is frugal because people want to be there and not out spending money!
~~margaret
Sometimes it takes partners a while to get it. He is learning and that was great he brought home a discount package. A lot of being frugal is to be able to splurge now and then - take those trips - buy that gadget - whatever. It really helps to be able to save up for those things and not feel deprived.
DeleteI use Dawn dish soap for stain remover 99% of the time. It removes grease from dishes - same with clothes. I only wash when dirty mine when dirty as well.
Your last point is very significant. Organization helps us stay on top of things and know what we have and what we need.
Thanks
Hi Cheryl~ You are so right, we need to do all we can to pinch our pennies and change the way we do things. I bought everything I need to make my own laundry detergent the other day...maybe cost me 10.00. Laundry detergent would have cost me almost 20.00 for half of the amount that I can make, and it's so easy! Today, I took down an old cookbook that my mother used when I was a girl and made her famous, Oven Stew. Cheap and delicious! Yes, we have been here before and we can do this. Your ideas were very inspiring, thanks so much! Hugs, Barb
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I love hearing all the ideas, you all have. This is fun.
DeleteHomemade on about anything is cheaper than store bought. I love the old cookbooks. Those are many of my favorites. Lots of depression era recipes - that were tasty and creative. That is what we need to strive for.
Thanks!!
UPDATE!!! Husband found salsa at the other Aldi!!!!! Hurray!!
ReplyDeleteWell, you made me smile BIG, Debby. Hurray!!
DeleteWhen we went to drop off a few more donations today, the thrift shop had 1/2 off everything in the store. I bought a beautiful, collectible plate for my sis for her b'day and a name brand glass pie dish for our youngest son (both like new) for $3 total. Call me happy!! --Elise
YAY to you both!!!! Glad Debby got her salsa. Elise what deals - fantastic!
DeleteI let out such a whoop when he came home that the neighbors probably thought I'd won Lotto! If they knew me, they'd know that will never happen cuz I don't buy tickets!
DeleteAnother excellent post, Cheryl! I think the main reason most people are not frugal is because they do not have to be. Pain, however, is a powerful motivator, and financial pain is coming soon to many who have never felt it before. I see our role as being the example of how to live a full and contented life with less money and fewer possessions. We who have been doing this most or all of our lives are valuable resources for those who will have to learn.
ReplyDeleteYou, Frances, as well as Cheryl have been valuable resources to me. My heartfelt thanks to you both. Cindy in WV
DeleteThanks Frances and Cindy!
DeleteIt generally takes something drastic to happen to make most people change. I know I hate change - and resist is often.
I live on such a small budget and I live very well. I own everything I have and life is good. I never feel like I go without. I hope we can educate many others before they have a disaster in life.
Thank you, Cindy!
DeleteSuch a great post, Cheryl. My daughter just made a simple syrup wax today to remove hair from her legs. She was thinking about whether she could sell it to make money.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I’ve been watching old your videos on how to save money in the kitchen just to refresh what I already know. My grandparents worked hard on building multiple gardens every year and processing that food to make it last. We need to go back to those old ways as there is a lot of wisdom there.
Thank you. That is pretty neat that she experimented and found something she could make that works!
DeleteOur ancestors had to work hard, but they had so much knowledge that has been lost over the years. We would be lucky to have half of their knowledge! Yep, it is time to take a step back and start getting comfortable with doing things ourselves.
I do many of those things each and every day. Now old sheets if they are decent are used for quilt backs and the quilts themselves are made from scraps or old clothing I have cut up into fabric for that purpose.
ReplyDeleteI save all my small balls of yarn are being used to knit striped blankets, which I gave to the sons to use in their vehicles this winter.
Youngest son is now asking how he can save cash on bills, and I have been giving him a few ideas. He dehydrated some peppers while home, and we went over how to make chicken stock.
I am wearing an apron more often so my clothing stays cleaner and can be worn for longer. After all, unless you are really sweaty clothing does not need to be changed every day (well there are a couple of items that should be).
God bless.
Jackie, I used to wear aprons all the time and just pulled mine out again. Love all the ideas and reminders here. --Elise
DeleteJackie I have one of those afghans in my bedroom right now - that mom made years ago with bits and pieces of yarn. An afghan of many stripes and colors!
DeleteI love that your son is asking and wanting to learn new ways. That means you have done a good job. Glad you are teaching him new things.
It is a good idea to wear an apron more often. I think maybe I need to make myself a new one or two.
Great tips.
I've tried to unravel an old sweater for yarn to be used on another project. After that disaster, I truly hope it doesn't come to that to keep us clothed. First, knitted items from a machine are not the same as hand knitted. Look this up before you start to unravel. Second, the truly valuable yarn made from wool has a tendency to meld together, which of course, makes it warm, but makes it hard if not impossible to unravel. You end up with bits and pieces of yarn. Save this idea until you are down to the last chicken in the pot and last sock in the drawer.
ReplyDeleteJust my thoughts
Ellie
Central Az
Ps. LOVE the apron idea
ReplyDeleteEllie
Ellie - that is a great tip for those thinking of doing this. I guess one would have to really watch the weave and texture of what they are buying and hoping to recycle. I never thought of that - but it makes sense.
DeleteThank you!!!
One of my best cleaners is elbow grease! I'm onside with those who recommend an organized home. Our homes should rise up to greet us. Create a home that you don't need to take a vacation from. I'm also in agreement with not changing clothes daily and personal towels can certainly be used more than once. I will continue to wash & reuse plastic bags & tin foil. Frugality does become a fun challenge. I'm always grateful to have adequate funds when an unexpected expense shows up.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! We have a lot to learn to change our ways. Old ways are truly best!
ReplyDeleteThanks - yes, but we have to start somewhere! Here is to learning!!
Delete