Using What You Have - NO SPENDING

How long could you go without spending money?  Yes, we all have monthly bills that need to be paid.  Mortgage, rent, utilities, insurance, medical, some groceries, etc..  These are things we just can't always get away from.
I have read many articles about  couples who have gone  months and even a year without any unnecessary spending.  It is possible.  It is an important lesson we can all learn, and it can be a huge money saver and builder of savings and investments.

I have done a few months each year for several years, doing this.  I usually start the year out this way.  The weather is nasty out, so I have no real  urgent need to leave the house.  I have usually added to my stocks watching sales in the fall/winter.  My canning has been done.  Holidays have come and gone, and I have lots of new things I received as gifts.
Summers seem to be easy as there are fresh crops coming on.
Truthfully I think I could do this most any time.

We all need to realize that odds are pretty darn good that we do not NEED new clothes.  We do not NEED to eat out.  We do no NEED to buy new household gadgets.  We do not NEED to go to the movies.  We do not NEED to shop online.  We no not NEED to stop and get an expensive coffee or pop.  We do not NEED most anything that stores sell.  Most of us DO NOT NEED at all!

I would love to see everyone try going a month (or more) without spending!  That means no yard sales, no craft shows, no fabric stores, no binge buying, no books or magazines, nothing extra!!!!!
Use what you have!!!!!!

I find it quite easy most of the time, as there just isn't much at all that I need.  We have to remember WANTS and NEEDS are so very different.

When it comes to your meals, try going to a place like my fridge food.  There are many sites that give you ideas and recipes using ONLY what you have.  You may find some new family favorites.  Use your fresh produce.  Stay home and save money.

Read and discover new worlds.  Watch You-tube and find new tricks and ways of doing things and fixings things.  Make entertainment at home for the kids.  Work on de-cluttering your home and sell or donate (you will discover forgotten items as well).  Cook from scratch.  Barter with neighbors and friends.  Rearrange things in the house to jazz it up a bit (makes it easier to not buy).  Mend your clothing.  No gifts - make something.  Sew and craft.
Just DO IT!  Get creative and save your hard earned money.

I challenge you!  Stop spending and see how freeing it really is.
It may seem difficult at first - but it actually becomes a way of life.  Once you begin this journey - you will realize that much of your spending is unnecessary and it is just habit (bad habit).

That money saved will help with those unexpected bills as well.  Car breaks down.  AC/furnace breaks down.  Help pay down mortgage or pay off medical bills.  Emergency fund.
You can do it.

YOU HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED!
Have you done this regularly or are you willing to try?  Let us know!
Good luck and happy saving.

Weekly Wrap-Up 7/14/19

Good morning all.  Half way through July - oh my.  Time is going by so quickly.
It has been hot this week and dry.  So much rain for so long, now hot and dry.  We are never happy!!  LOL.
We actually had a couple days that the humidity was down a bit and I tried to accomplish as much yard work as possible - EARLY!  The first day I actually came close to heat exhaustion.  I started feeling really light headed and nauseated and knew it was time to stop and go in and cool off.

It is going to be hot again this coming week.  We may get a bit of rain come Tuesday/Wednesday from the remains of the hurricane weather moving northward.  By the end of the week they are calling for upper 90's as a actual temperature.  UGH!

My week:

• Used rain water on my plants - need more rain as barrels are getting low
• Had my AC check done and all checked out fine
• Got my eyes examined this week.  Picked up new glasses Saturday and I don't know if I like them or not.  So far - not!  I will try for a while then may need them realigned.    I have 60 days to make changes at no charge.  They said I am early stages of cataracts!  UGH.  I didn't need to hear that.  They dilated my eyes (hate that) and they still don't seem back to normal after several days.
• Worked on cleaning another closet that was packed!  What a job.
• I took and donated 3 big bags and one box of items to church thrift store.
• Trimmed back bushes, trimmed and pulled weeds on one day.  Hot, hot, hot!!!
• Mowed on the coolest day.  As dry as it is - I may not need to mow again for a couple of weeks.
• Picked a bouquet of flowers
• Picked my first tomato!!!  It wasn't big - but it was a fresh tomato

• Picked a couple more small cucumbers
• Got chicken breast out of freezer and used the crockpot and made a batch of Mexican chicken to use for several meals
• Made tea for the first time in 2 1/2 months.  I drank a lot this week.  Actually made 2 gallons.
• NO shopping at all!

Meals this week:

Waffles and sausage patties (all precooked from freezer)

Tuna cheesy mac

Pickle loaf sandwich supreme and an orange creamy shake

Leftover cheesy mac and steamed veggies

Fried diced potatoes and smoked sausage topped with diced tomatoes and cheese

Smoked sausage sandwich topped with tomatoes and cheese

Mexican chicken on tostadas with cheese & sour cream

Nothing exciting here.  How was your week?  Did you get any deals?  Hope everyone's garden are doing well.

Has any one been going to the farm markets?  

I pray for health and safety for each of you and your families in this coming week.  Prayers for healing for those in need.  Stay cool and hydrated and have a lovely week.

I know that a few of our readers have been moving and in the process of selling homes and I pray for relief, good quick sales, and rest for you all.  What a job!

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

A Stroll Into the Past

The other day I was going through another closet and cleaning out.  I came across a bag that had what looked like a lot of paper items in it.  I set it aside and went back later to see what I had hidden away!
It was items I had saved from my folks home when we cleaned it out in 2001!!!  Oh my.
I had forgotten all about these items.  I thought you might enjoy a little look back in time as well.

The Lustre  Craft stainless steel cookware was something that my Dad sold part time in the evenings and weekends when I was 5.  His kit included an entire set of SS cookware.  When he quit selling it, my Mom got the entire set.  It was willed to me after her passing.  I am still using that stainless cookware today and it looks just like brand new.  I have cake pans, pie pans, muffins tins, stove top cookware, a double boiler, and egg pans.  

The Admiral refrigerator was purchased by my folks in 1955.  They used it and passed it on to me in 1975 when I purchased my first home.  I used it for several years and then when I moved, my renters used it as well.  It even still had the old metal ice cube trays.  I loved that refrigerator!  They sure don't make things like they used to.

Years ago our newspaper used to put out 'cookbooks' from local citizens a few times a year - mainly at different holidays.  My Mom kept many of them.  This is old, brittle and yellow - but still intact.  There are a lot of yummy recipes in it.

                               Click on the picture to enlarge - look at that date!!!!!!  1958!!!!!

Came across these old cookbooks as well.  Can you see the price of that Ball book?  35 cents!!!!!!!  I just love the old books - there are so many things that just aren't in books today.

My goodness they kept everything (I guess I do too)!  This is the book to their first chest freezer.  I remember that thing was huge!  Mom always had it full of all the summer goodness that Daddy grew in the garden.   We had that chest freezer from the time I was a kid until I was grown.  Then they eventually went with an upright - so that it would be easier for Mom.

I also ran across this church cookbook.  This was our church while I was growing up and the church that my ex and I married in.  It was one block down the street from my childhood  home.  How many times I walked to church as a kid.  Church cookbooks always have some pretty neat recipes in them.  This one was like walking down memory lane.  Each recipe had a name with it of the person who submitted it.  It was basically the entire neighborhood that I grew up in and most all of those people are no longer alive.  Their recipes live on!

I also found the yellowed copy of my Mom's persimmon pudding recipe.  It was not one of my favorites - but many of the family have wanted it for years.  I found it!!!!

I also found Mom's recipe for a cookie called Hermits which I absolutely loved as a kid.  They were made with raisins and nuts and cake like.  I will definitely be making them this year.

I had found recipes before - but they weren't the same as Mom's.  Now I have them.  Better late than never!!!

It sure was fun sitting here one afternoon and going through items of the past.  I will continue to treasure these items and use them.
If you are ever looking for an old recipe from back in the day - ask - you never know I may have it in my stash of oldies but goodies.

I hope you enjoyed looking at these little treasures.
Our past is our history and part of who we are today.  I just love looking back once in a while!  

Speedy Summer Meals A Must!

Summer seems to be that time of the year that everyone has so much to do.  Whether you are doing yard work, gardening, playing, vacationing, kids sports, whatever - there are times that we just aren't in the mood to plan and cook a big meal.
You may even have the occasion that unplanned company stops by, and you need to throw something together fast.
I have a few tips on what to keep on hand and AVOID the trap of spending money on going out to eat.

BREADS

• Have biscuit/baking mix on hand - store bought or homemade
• Flour tortillas - so many uses
• Seasoned bread crumbs
• Pizza dough mix or frozen pizza dough (you can make ahead of time)
• Perhaps a can or two of refrigerated biscuits/crescent rolls
• Various types of crackers

BREAKFAST

• Have yogurt on hand - good for many uses
• Frozen bagels, waffles, pancakes, English muffins, etc.  (all can be homemade and frozen for quick meal choices)
• Pre-cooked bacon/sausage
• Quick oats - have many uses
• Cereal - has many uses

FOR DESSERTS

• Keep brownie/cookie/cake mixes on hand - (can be homemade mixes) for a quick fix
• Chips
• Instant pudding and Jello
• Graham cracker pie crust
• A few canned pie fillings (can be home canned)
• Marshmallows
• Preserves/Jams
• Cream Cheese

FLAVOR BOOSTERS

• Bouillon's - different flavors
• A few packs of dry gravy/soup mixes (can be homemade)
• Bottled grated parmesan cheese
• Italian dressing - has many uses including marinating
• Lemon juice
• Garlic in a jar
• Salad dressings
• Shredded cheeses - (always have some in the freezer)
• Dehydrated onions

FRUIT - VEGGIES

• Canned beans - can be home canned
• Canned fruits -    "         "         "
• Canned veggies   "        "         "
• Canned tomatoes          "          "
• Dried fruit
• Frozen juice concentrates
• Canned mushrooms/hot peppers
• Frozen peppers/onions

MEAT

• Canned tuna or chicken
• Cooked frozen chicken, ground beef, sausage
• Cooked frozen shrimp
• Sliced ham/turkey - always keep some on hand from when cooking a ham or turkey - sliced
• Frozen beef patties and/or hotdogs

PASTA

• Assorted dry pasta
• No boil lasagna needles

SAUCES - SOUPS

• BBQ sauce or a quick recipe for homemade
• Canned chicken and beef broth
• A few cream of soups (or dry homemade mix)
• A couple gravy in a jar
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Spaghetti and/or pizza sauce (can be home canned)
• Salsa                                             "       "         "
• Basic condiments - ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish

SIDES

• Frozen veggie blends
• Seasoned rice mixes - store bought or home mixed
• Instant stuffing mix
• Seasoned pasta mixes

SNACKS

• Popcorn
• Tortilla chips - or make your own
• Trail mix
• Mixed nuts
• Cookie/cake mixes

I am not speaking of this being the ONLY things you have in the pantry.  We all know we need that 

'deep' or long term pantry for hard times and the future. 

These are just a few items that we should all have on have that will allow us to throw a quick and tasty meal together in no time.  

Ready made essentials are just a blessing at times - and they are perfectly OK to have!!!!  Not everything has to be from scratch!!

Anything that we can do to minimize the want/need to eat out saves us some change for our piggy banks.  It is just nice to know that no matter how tired you are you can have a decent meal in minutes.

Toss an item from one area with one or two from another and WAHLAH you have a quick meal!!!

Here's to summer and speedy meals!

Weekly Wrap-Up 7/7

Happy Sunday to everyone.  I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday and perhaps a very long weekend.
I, for one, am glad the 4th is over!!!!  Oh my.  I can not even begin to describe the noise and the anxiety.

My flowers are all blooming.  Many are just starting - but things of color are popping up all over.  That is lovely.  So far the garden plants are doing pretty well.
I just haven't been able to get too excited about my yard and garden this summer.  I have left many things go, so unlike me.
I am sure it is all the effect of such a life change.  Many days I just have no gumption - it's like someone let the air out of my balloon!
This week I have been feeling sorry for myself, and I am trying hard to snap out of that.  I am sorry to mention this to you all - I don't mean to dwell.  I just need to get it out somedays.

I am working hard on this.  I know I am very fortunate and I thank God daily (many times a day) for my blessings.  Just feel lonely sometimes.

It has been hot this week.  90* and up all week.  Humidity has been high.  We got 2 little rains (just a few minutes each) - so I have been using rain water from barrels on the plants.

I knew when it was chilly and rainy - this would happen.  One extreme to the other.

This next week they are predicting 80's and less humidity.  YAY!

My week:

• I cleaned out the hall closet.  It is medicinal/herbs/vitamins and health & beauty stuff.  I do believe I have enough soft and regular soap to last me for the rest of my life!!  There sure is a lot in there, as well as deodorant and toothpaste.    I have herbs and vitamins to last for ages.
• Been working on getting more donations together - will donate a bit of the H & B stuff to the shelter.
• Using rain water for watering
• Washed up all the cat bedding from the greenhouse.  It is all fresh and clean and folded and ready for this coming winter.
• Colored my hair at home
• Stopped at Goodwill hunting for a specific item and my goodness they are pricey.  I ended up buying brand new for less than prices they were charging.  I needed a few camisole type undies and I found 4 at Shopper's World for $2 ea. on sale.  (There is a story behind this for another day!)  Used ones at GW were 3.99 each!!
• Baked up 1 1/2 lbs. of bacon - some in the freezer now
• Raked leaves (yes leaves) and used them as weed mulch behind the shed.  Tulip poplar always starts shedding in July - sigh!
• Cut & dried basil and mint
• I wanted a watermelon this week.  I had many choices of places to go and decided on Save A  Lot.  I got my melon and walked through the store - and behold there was marked down ground beef - $1 PER POUND!!!!!!  I still have plenty in freezer - but it is so versatile - so I bought 15 lbs.  I came home and repackaged into 1/2 lb. bags (perfect for 1).  If I need more for something I can just thaw extra packs.  Quite the deal!!!!!  I think I was guided to that store for a reason.
• Finally set up an eye doctor appointment (for Monday)
• Finally set up my "spring" AC check (for Tuesday) - better late than never
• Picked 3 more cucumbers (4 now)

Meals this week:

Pasta with buter and parmesan cheese

Chicken strip and coleslaw roll-up  (these are yummy)

BLT

Homemade meat & olive pizza (ended up freezing half for another day)

Fried green tomatoes

Steak burger and cuke/tomato/purslane salad

Soft tacos

Watermelon, salsa/chips or ice cream for snacks

My fried green tomato was wonderful.  I bought a large one at farm market last week.  Mine don't get picked green until after I get some red ones!  Simple and yummy dinner along with a small bowl of melon!

How was your week?  Did you get any good frugal deals?  What's happing in your gardens?

I hope you all had an enjoyable week and enjoyed time with your families and friends.

I did talk to several relatives this week and enjoyed those conversations - but chose to stay home.

May your upcoming week be healthy and happy and frugal.  Prayers being lifted for healing to all that need them.  

I just want to say thank you for being a part of my life - it means a lot to me.

Blessings from my little humble home to yours.

Show and Tell

I had a blog post for today and well, nothing is going as planned today.  Last night (the 4th) was horrible and today has gone off kilter as well.  I am fine - just not real focused.

So today is just a show and tell of the yard.  Enjoy!

I love purples and oranges.  It seems that is the bulk of most of my flowers.  That has always been appealing to me for some reason.

                                               The front walk full of purple and pink.

                

       The phlox is starting to bloom and smells so sweet.  The butterflies love it

                                                                The finches love these

                                                                        Mallow

                                                                   Squirrel planted

Impatients

The potted tomatoes are getting several tomatoes set.  I do believe the volunteer plants growing the garden area have a lot more tomatoes and they are even bigger.  They have the most peculiar blooms on them - they look like little dandelion flowers!  They are strange - but they are producing individual larger type tomatoes.  Most volunteers I have had in the past always seemed to have cherry tomatoes.  So I am happy for what is producing.

This is part of the back feeding station!  See that black tube hanging?  That has sunflower seed for the woodpeckers and the cardinal in it (others eat too).  A couple years ago the bottom got a hole rusted in it and the remainder of the feeder was good.  I took it apart and placed a canning jar lid in the bottom to cover the hole and woohoo it is still working.  The white empty looking hanging basket is also used as a feeder.  I put regular seed in it (on top of dirt) and the birdies love it.  

Squirrels have sun flower seeds, corn and they get peanuts as well.  What a rough life!!!!

That is show and tell for today.  Hope you all enjoy your day and your weekend.

Play in your garden or yard if you get a chance - it will make you smile!

America

Today is the day of celebration for the birth of our nation.  I am very proud to be an American and wouldn't want to live any where else (no offence to my friends in other countries).

Many of my ancestors came here before the Revolutionary War.  I have on my wall, a document from Ellis Island that shows  ancestors came and registered there.  They all worked hard and assimilated into this land, doing whatever was expected of them to become citizens.  I am proud of what they did and what they helped accomplish for this great land.
One of the decedents of these immigrants even went on to become President of the United States.  My distant cousin, President Ronald Reagan.

Happy  birthday American from one grateful and proud American.

Regular weekly post will be tomorrow.