Monday Message

Dish towels are a great way to re-purpose those stained tablecloths that are lying around.

Provident living: our next class will be gifts from the kitchen at 9:30 a.m. at the Shooks. Bring any ideas to share that you have given or received....Nov. 19.

President Ezra Taft Benson - "Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account... We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now."

I have been thinking about this weeks message and as we are approaching a tight season of our year I thought of a few things...

http://gogingham.com/2013/01/budgeting-track-expenses/ - this is a wonderful three part on your budget, I think anyone will find it helpful.

http://simply-saving.com/50-tips-for-frugal-living/ lots of frugal ideas here.

http://gracefullittlehoneybee.blogspot.com/ - scroll down, I like how she dried her apples. You can do this too down farther some fun ideas.

http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/09/wham-bam-pie-crust.html#more - if you do not like rolling out pie crust or fussing with it... this looks like an easy alternative especially if you have your kids lined up to do several pies.

A note here I want to add... I know it is tempting to get mixes and frozen meals and all manner of convenience, we are soooooooooooo busy, I get it. But I have been thinking this week as I have been so busy I can hardly think... that I should not be so busy that I need to think of simpler times, how can I get my life into simpler times. For me, it is slow down hard to do, I am wired for high. I need to rethink what I do, I shall try to ease up a bit.

I worked so hard getting Christmas done that now I am set on fast, I need to slow. This is the time of year that I feel like I need to get my house better organized as I will be in it all winter long. Really what I am saying, it is more than knowing how to cook from scratch, it is a money saving thing as well. So rather than get a mix for muffins, get out a favorite recipe or email me for mine. Then before you go to bed put all the dry ingredients in the bowl and if you want a list and amounts of what wet things need to be added yet. So you do that and stir together, you still have saved time in your morning. Only now you also have cooked healthy, have used your storage to rotate and saved money now you are a frugal queen! If you look for ways to do that with all you do, I think you will find it is easy to save on this end. It may mean a bit more time in the kitchen but the savings are worth it.

http://gracefullittlehoneybee.blogspot.com/ - this is a good way to do your apples. Keep in mind if you still have apples on grocery shopping day do this then get fresh ones. I have mentioned before, if I have celery and carrots left or even potatoes, I will dry them then. Get fresh, sometimes I use more sometimes less but what is left is still good, so I dry them.

http://emeals.com/meal-plans/classic-meals/ - make a plan and stick to it. Also I will add, have several things in the freezer that you had either leftovers i.e. huge pot of soup makes great freezer meals, so that when you have a day that is too busy for what you planned pull out the item from the freezer and have the meal you planned for tomorrow.

http://www.sustaincreateandflow.com/frugal-made-easy-part-one/ - more frugal information.

Now this may all seem like work, but it does pay off. Living within your budget will give you no sleepless nights or worry wrinkles, how is that? Seriously, you will find a good peace from living within your means.

http://econobusters.com/guest_post_-_healthy_frugal_eating_tips/

http://www.mommysavers.com/how-to-cut-your-grocery-bill-in-half/

http://oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html - this is something with great information. Not everyone can be the same but we can learn from others and adapt things to fit our family.

Keep working on  your storage keep trying to live providently, you're doing fantastic!