Weekly Wrap Up 10/27

Good morning to everyone.  I hope you have all had a blessed week.
The weather is a changing here.  We have had warm and sunny and we have had wind, wind, wind and rain and more rain!!!!  I am so done with the windy stuff - it just makes it feel so cold.
Yesterday was some nasty day.  We had pouring rain all day and evening (we did need it) and the wind was just crazy.  There are many a limb to pick up today.
Lots of leaves came down as well.
It appears that this week is going to get chillier too.  Looks like maybe flurries Halloween night.
The squirrels and birdies are back with a vengeance.  Those babies are hungry!  I looked out back the other day and counted 22 mourning doves.  I have never seen that many here in all the years I have lived here.  It was incredible and listening to them coo was soothing music.

This is going to be probably the first year in my life that I will not be doing Halloween.  I used to go out and get goodies as a child and had so much fun.  Treats were much better then, as many were homemade!!!!  Then as an adult - I wanted the kids in the neighborhood to have as much fun as I did.  It gets more worrisome every year.  You truly don't know if children or adults are dressed up.  I have always bundled up and set outside (so I can keep house locked).
This year, I just don't have it in me and I don't feel nearly as safe being alone.  I know my neighbor would come over - but there just aren't the kids around that there used to be.  Most in the neighborhood quit handing out candy a few years ago and the weather is going to be nasty.  So I will snuggle inside.

                                   Isn't that the cutest picture?  Halloween fat cat the day after.

My frugal week:

• Put together new bottles of dish soap. shampoo and foaming hand soap
• Found out that I had a 53.70 credit on my light bill.  I am on the budget plan (pay the same every month) and I had this much credit for end of cycle.  I get to pay less this month.
• Trimmed my hair and did a color touch up (at home)
• Only used the heat a couple times
• Went to bank to take  care of more business - boy what hoops I have had to jump through.  I have an appointment to go back Tuesday with more info.  I HOPE this will take care of things.  They keep adding stuff they need.
• Fried a pound of sausage patties up - freezing most for future
• FINALLY started getting G's retirement pay.  Again jumping through hoops for months!  I have been living on savings/life insurance until now.  So now I get a paycheck!!!  Never did it enter my mind that they would go back and pay me back pay - BUT they DID!!!  What a relief and surprise. 
• Continue to work on big clean - never ends
• Doing all the normal things 
• Went out to lunch on Saturday with my sister.  We went to the 50's Diner - which was fun.  She treated for my birthday.
• I did run to Kroger to get eggs and some salad fixings.  They also had chocolate milk for $1/half gallon and cheese on sale (I always get cheese).  I found 2 bottles of Dawn anti-bacterial dish soap on clearance and got those for the pantry.

My weekly menu last week:
Hamburger hash and salad
Leftover hash, sliced tomatoes and garlic toast
Homemade mix of Rice a Roni (beef) and a small cooked burger from freezer
Soup using leftover rice and a can of condensed vegetable beef soup
Sausage and egg sandwiches (used 2 toasted hamburger buns)
Chili mac (used chili from freezer)
Lunch with sister

Hamburger hash.  An old time favorite - just simple old fashioned and frugal comfort food.  Hamburger, potatoes, carrots and onion.

What have you been up to?  Any frugal finds this week?  How is the weather in your area?

I look forward to hearing from you all.  

Thank you for all your lovely comments this week - I do look forward to hearing from 'my friends' each week.

May you all have a wonderful, healthy, safe and frugal week.  Blessing to you and yours from my humble little home to yours.

A New Era of Frugality

Have you always been frugal?  Did something happen to get you started on the frugal pathway?  Did you learn this way of life from your parents?

We all know that things happen in life to make us need to watch our funds.   Things happen in society to scare the beejeebies out of us.  Stuff happens in life.
I know my parents and grandparents went through the great depression and they HAD to be as frugal as possible.
Regardless of the depression - Momma and Daddy needed to be frugal and wise with everything.  They had little money and many children to take care of.  Neither came from money, so there wasn't a base to fall back on - they had to do the best they could with what they had.
WE ALL DO!

Many people are getting "into" being frugal again and trying to live a more simplistic life.  It is becoming the THING to do.  That is good, but some of us have spent our lives being this way.  I know it wasn't always fun - but then it just became a way of life and made so much sense.  Being a GOOD STEWARD of what you have should never go out of style or be a trend.  It should be a way of life.

Life changes and we must adapt or we get left behind.  

Challenges will come and we may fail - that is natural.  Failure is just an opportunity to grow and learn.  So many people just give up too soon, because that is easy.  You have to commit to living the best possible life you can with what you have - even if it isn't a much.

ATTITUDE will determine success or failure.  

A big thing to remember is DON'T PANIC!  Panic can send you into a tailspin that takes ages to come out of. Remember those people back in the depression (or the 80's) who went ballistic when the stock market fell?  Had they kept calm and steady - things would have leveled out.  Life has a way of recovering for you if you just stay calm and give it a chance.  "Slow and steady wins the race" is  absolutely true.

I think that being creative with finances and things is what makes this whole frugal journey fun.  I like seeing what I can do with what I have.  I like seeing how far I can stretch my funds.  I like that feeling of "hey, I did it".
Now don't think for a moment that I condone being CHEAP.  That is a whole other thing than frugal.  I would never cheat, steal or harm another - I would never resort to doing gross/nasty things to save money.  However, I DO believe in being resourceful and responsible.

I had a younger family member say something the other day, that seems so fitting in this regard.
She was talking about how life is basically like the colors of fall.  All the colors are mixed together and often even distorted - but if you keep your eye on your goal or prize you can single in on one color or the greener grass that is still there.
That seems so fitting.

My advice is keep your family and friends close, be mindful of your money and things, be a good steward of all that is put in front of you on this earth and look towards the spiritual.  Whether your spiritual side comes from nature or from a higher power - look to the greater good.
We are part of a huge system and we are but a speck of sand on a beach.
SO the next time you get your panties in a fluff thinking the world is conspiring to "get you", just remember there are so many things out there that we can't understand or control.

You can't always choose what happens around you - BUT you CAN choose how you respond to it!
Choose to be happy with what you have.
Give up the pity party to get back the power.

Live the best life you can and TEACH others how it's done!  That is CHOOSING a good life.
THAT is the new Era of Frugality.

What Say You?

Good morning all.
Some days I just can't decide what to post about.  Days turn into weeks and those into months and those into years - and my mind goes blank!

I have lists of ideas to post about, but somedays I just wing it.  Funny, those seems to be the posts that I get the most comments on!  So I never really know.
I get bored and wonder if you do as well.  I sure don't want you do get bored while visiting.  I don't want the blog to become stale.

I do have some ideas for future posts that I think many will find informative.
**I plan on posting about more "jar" recipes for your pantry and  for gifting.
**I do plan on writing soon about preemptive measures that need to take to insure your survivors are covered and taken care of.
**I plan on giving tips on things to do AFTER the worst has happened in life
**Of course recipes here and there
**I keep trying to come up with and find new ideas on saving and being resourceful
**Frugal gift ideas and tips for the holidays

I know a request in the past has been for the blog to have and index - to find things quicker and easily.  I have tried to figure this out - quite unsuccessfully I might ad.  I won't stop trying.

I don't want to do ALL the posts about me.   My life is not exciting and that for sure would bore people.  I do the Weekly Wrap-Up and I think that is a big enough dose of me!!  LOL
Now I do like to post about memories and the old days and ways of my family.  They taught me about life - and that is worth sharing.  Memories can take us to a different, lovely and simple time and those are just fun - hopefully not just for me.

So what say you?  What do you want to see?  What are your interests?
Let me know your ideas.  I want to keep you happy and interactive and that means I need a boost of brain power!

Weekly Wrap-Up 10/20

Good morning all.  Hope this Sunday finds you well.
We have had warm and cold this week.  A little rain and wind.  It appears a storm is coming through tomorrow and temps this week should be about normal for this time of the year.  It looks like it will stay in the 50's and 60's as high this week.
The leaves are changing color a bit more - but I am afraid after tomorrow's storm - there may not be much left to see.  The wind is supposed to be pretty gusty.

My week:

• Got the furnace all checked out for this season and it is good to go.  No charge for this check
• Did a lot more paperwork - UGH
• Cleaned the ceiling fans and have been working on more deep cleaning
• I told you I went to Dollar Tree and Kroger this week.  A few goodies had - not much.  While out that day I also stopped at the hardware and used the $5/$25 card I had.  I got enough furnace filters to last through next summer and some bird seed
• Put 4 - 2C bowls of potato soup in the freezer
• Froze 1/2 of the cake I made last week
• I ran to a church sale yesterday and got a few goodies.  I was surprised to find anything.

 I got this BRAND NEW - never used - iced tea pot for .50!!!!!!!!  DEAL OF THE YEAR!!  I love making tea this way (have for 20 years or so) and mine quit several months ago.

 This fleece throw to put on the love seat cushions.  Kitties love to sit here - so this keeps fur off couch and easy to wash.  .75

 2 Ideals books.  I love these old books/magazines.  One is from 1956 and the other 1967.  I love the poems and pictures for making cards.  .50 each.

BRAND NEW (never used) handbag in a tapestry type material.  3 separate compartments and a zipper section.  .50

I also found a pair of wrap around sun glasses (goes over your glasses) for $1.  I got those for driving until I decide about prescription sun glasses again.

• FINALLY got the bathroom sink taken care of.  Of course nothing is simple!  Little leak became replacing all drain pipes and water lines on the sink.  Faucet was also leaking, so that got replaced as well.  Drain, water lines and faucet were over 30 years old and were stubborn about coming out!  Also the sink is a pedestal and sits between tub and toilet with very little room to move.  My goodness it was a process.  My neighbor did most of the work and I was the assistant and gopher.  JOB DONE - so happy.  Now I can feel confident about replacing paper and flooring.  (Also get to return some items for a refund - as got everything we thought of that we might need).
• Went to my brothers for a cook-out last night and got to see several of the nieces and nephews.  Brought home a couple cupcakes to eat today!

Meals this past week:

Potato soup

Cheeseburger and salad

Burrito supreme

Cheesy/beef spread (with leftover beans from burrito) on buns (open face)

BLT and a bowl of Ramen soup

Mashed potatoes w/chives and chicken breast

Cookout at brothers - hot dogs, chips, cider and chili (all by a fire)!!!!  Oh, Smores too!

Cheesy/beef spread (with beans added) over buns - so yummy!  Used a packet of the Velveeta with seasoned ground beef.  Buns have been if frig for a while and needed to be used (toasted first).

So there you have my week.  Nothing exciting, but did get some things accomplished.  

I have laundry going this morning and I plan on doing a deep clean in the bathroom today (after yesterdays mess).  It is cloudy today, but decent temps.

What did you do this week?  Did you get any great deals?  Are you working on Christmas projects yet?  I look forward to hearing from you all.

Stay safe and frugal this week.  Prayers for health for you and your families.

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.  

A Couple Simple Solutions

I do believe we all like simple solutions and creative ways to make life easier and to be frugal as well.  Easy-peasy is for me!!!!!
I am one of those people that like Velveeta.  Yes, I know it really isn't cheese - but I like the taste and LOVE the creamy consistency.
It is very expensive for the brand name (in my opinion).  I have purchased Aldi brand, which costs about half as much (and it is good).  It seems that I don't use often enough to justify buying a big box of it (and the smaller ones are expensive too).  I do have a 'keeper' for the frig that is Tupperware, but after time the cheese still gets dry and much of it gets wasted.
I found just the thing for me to satisfy my FIX!

I get these at the Dollar Tree for $1 a packet.  It comes in original flavor and jalapeno.  It is already creamy and soft - not the hard chunk of the boxed cheese.  Ready to use.  This is just the right amount to add to a batch of rice, potatoes,  macaroni, meat, etc.  It sure works for me.  It still has the same taste.  You might want to give it a try.  Great for that occasional 'need' for Velveeta!

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

I know I have listed my Rice-A Roni recipe a couple of time.  I will list again today - since we are all thinking about 'jar' recipes for gift baskets.  I will be adding this to the brother/sister baskets.

2 C uncooked rice

1 C broken thin spaghetti pieces

6 Tbsp. instant chicken or beef bouillon powder

2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. dry thyme

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.  

TO USE:  Shake up to distribute all ingredients.  Mix 1 cup mix and 2 Tbsp. butter and 2 cups of water.  Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat.  Cook until rice is tender.

Now with this recipe you have 3 cups of mix (equivalent to 3 boxes of mix).  

I have always just broken up spaghetti for this (by placing in a baggie and hitting with a hard object) - but I found a quick and simple solution which if frugal and makes this recipe even more like original Rice-A-Roni.

I purchased this very thin vermicelli that is already in tiny pieces just like those in Rice-A-Roni. It was at Kroger and was .45 a bag.  This bag will do 2 batches when measured out.  It doesn't pack into a cup - so a loose cup of pasta is what you get.  Give or take a little in each batch. 

It doesn't have to be precisely a cup - you can divide the proportions of rice/pasta out any way you choose.

This is a handy mix to keep on hand.  Makes a great side dish for any meal.

So there you have a couple easy solutions to your cooking/pantry needs.

I hope this gives you some ideas that maybe you might use.  

Simple solutions are always nice to have on hand.  

Keep these simple solutions in the pantry!!!!!

Gift Ideas for Preppers, Campers, Etc.

Today I am going to give some ideas for those hard to buy for people!  We all know them.
These ideas can be used for campers, hikers, new preppers or hard core preppers.  I like to think many can be used for new homeowners and students as well.
There are just many things that we never think about - UNTIL they are needed.

HEALTH - MEDICAL - BEAUTY
Tooth brushes... wipes... antihistamines... aspirin... ace bandages... calamine lotion... aloe... cayenne pepper (can be used for blood clotting on cuts)… tweezers... facial masks... medical gloves... thermometer... cotton balls... gauze... tape... band-aids... antiseptic cream... peroxide... Listerine (antiseptic)… honey (many uses)… duct tape... super glue (good for small wound closure)… skin lotion… Vasoline (so many uses from health to fire starter)… life straws... Mylar blankets

So many of these items have many, many uses.

LIGHTING - CHORES
Flashlights... candles... fire starters... batteries... lighters... stick matches... head lamps... solar lights... rope... twine... wire... clothespins... zip ties... super glue... duct tape (good for everything!)… garbage bags... pocket knives... long knives... sharpeners... fishing line… baggies... screwdriver (multi-size)... pliers… bungee cords... utility knife
My goodness the list could go on and on.   So many little things that could be so beneficial!

That little silver gadget is in my handbag at all times.  It does all kinds of things.  There is a screwdriver or 2, it is pliers, has a tiny knife, etc.  Folds up tiny.  A Swiss army knife is a great gift, but may be a bit expensive.  I have knives of all types - for all uses - Glen collected.

FOOD - COOKING

Freeze dried fruit... MRE's... #10 size cans of foods (long term prep)… jerky... Himalayan salt (good for seasoning, canning, drying & preserving & even health)… rice... instant potatoes... honey... dried beans… baking soda (baking, cleaning, deodorant, toothpaste, antacid, deodorizer)… hand can opener... foil... tea bags or instant coffee (lasts for years unopened)… powdered milk... protein powders... powdered drink mixes... canned meats... garden seeds... Epsom salts (many uses)… dehydrator... canning jars... lids... small grill... coffee filters (use for draining, food handling, filter water/drinks, etc.)

MISC

Bandanas... battery weather radio (also any battery radio)… warm socks... ski caps... mittens... hand warmers... Mylar blankets... water repellant for shoes, jackets, tents... tarps... buckets with lids (oh so many uses from storage to potties)… wordbooks... decks of cards... pens, pencils, paper... BOOKS, both self-help and entertainment... shop cloths (many uses)… mortise & pestle (herbs, medications, berries, etc.)… baggies of different sizes

There are tons of items that can be purchased for very little money and could possibly help or save a life.
Think about looking at places like farm stores (Rural King or Tractor Supply), places like Harbor Freight (they have lots of cheaper and sometimes FREE items), and YES even the Dollar Tree!  Many bandages, gauze, antiseptic creams, twine, rope, clothespins, and other items can be had for a dollar.

If you need an idea for 'wrapping' a multiple item gift think about buckets with lids!!!!!!  All campers and preppers need them for all sorts of things.  Throw all you items in a bucket and wahla you are set to gift!  Buckets can be purchased at most hardware/home building stores and you can also often find them for FREE or extremely cheap at any deli or bakery.  Those are food safe and may need a good cleaning - but they can be had for little or no money!  If you are doing a smaller selection of items - just use a plastic/lidded ice cream bucket.  Granted it may not be as sturdy and water tight - but if sure would be handy and FREE.

I hope this gives you some ideas for those hard to buy for people.  Think outside the box folks.  Wouldn't you love to get something useful vs. some knick-knack you would never use?  Wouldn't it be nice if that gift helped you in some odd predicament?
We never know what could happen and we all need to be prepared.

This is a good list of things YOU should have around as well  Get creative and prepared!

Weekly Wrap-Up 10/13

Good morning all.
Well, we are finally in full fledged fall here.  It has been chilly, windy and rainy.  This morning I actually turned the furnace on for one cycle as the house was pretty darn chilly.
Yes I have the sweatshirts out and my socks and slippers!  LOL
Some leaves are starting to change color - but there is also a lot of green out there still.

My week:

• Made up all 3 lbs. of green beans I received.  Ate on them a couple times and put the rest in the freezer for future meals
• Put the balance of the chili I made on last Saturday in the freezer
• Got the garden hoses drained and put away.  Only used them a couple times this year as I had plenty of rain water to use.
• Mowed the yard and did a bunch more yard work
• Brought in a couple houseplants that I had kept on the porch this summer.
• No AC - windows open several days for fresh air
• Picked another bouquet of roses 
• Got flea meds on the kitties (except Fluffy outside - she was having nothing to do with them).  I had the meds here already.
• Picked all the green tomatoes.  Colder nights and also Mr. Groundhog was thinking they were his for the picking!  Fat old thing - UGH!
• Still working on cleaning and doing all the normal things - only left the house on one day
• Used the oven on 2 different days instead of turning on the furnace.  Took the chill off the house.
• Baked 1 1/2 lbs. of bacon - froze much for other meals
• Baked a yellow cake with peaches.  Used a cake mix that needed using and a can of peaches diced with other ingredients called for.  Tasty treat!  Will probably freeze some it.
• I DID go to the grocery this week.  I went for litter, dry cat food (for later), cat treats, milk and fruit.  I found a few other things because I ROAMED the aisles!!!!!!!  I got a deal on egg roll wrappers (one in freezer now), fried rice seasoning on manager's special for .49 pkt. (got 4), Marshmallow cream for .80/7 oz. jar.  I also got 4 cans of canned chicken to add to preps and I saw canned pulled pork for $2 a can.  Never had it, so got 2 cans to try (may use some for egg rolls)

Decent size can.  Sure worth a try - if tasty I will add more to my preps

20 egg roll wrappers for 1.39.  One package in freezer.  I will make/bake some egg rolls soon.  Fried rice seasoning was .49 packet (had never seen this before)

Meals this past week:

Chili topped with cheese & crackers

Burger made in a Portabella mushroom and green beans (burger fried one side then placed in underside of big mushroom and continued frying - both sides.  Mmmmm)

Cold cut/cheese/tomato/cucumber sandwich

Loaded baked potato

Macaroni & cheese and green beans (no meat day)

Grilled mac/cheese, bacon & tomato sandwich (OH YES I DID!!!!!)

Potato soup (from recipe I listed last week)

OH MY GOODNESS - this was good.  I have seen them on cooking/restaurant shows and figured why not!!!!!

Not a lot exciting happening here.  How about your house?  What have you been up to?  Any new frugal ideas?  Did you save money this week or get any great deals?

Prayers be with you all for health and safety and for healing for all of those in need.  Have a great week and enjoy the smallest things as they are all important!

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.