“I believe it is time, and perhaps with some urgency, to review the counsel we have received in dealing with our personal and family preparedness…We have been instructed to follow at least four requirements in preparing for that which is to come. Gain an adequate education, Live within your income, Avoid unnecessary debt, Store a reserve of food supplies…As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year supply of necessities. I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness.”
(L. Tom Perry, General Conference, Oct 1995)
http://www.housingaforest.com/healthy-dehydrated-fruit/ this site shows you drying fruits. I mostly wanted you to see that drying fruit and veggies is a good way to save dollars and space. You know there is sometimes a few grapes no one will eat (the ones that are starting to brown a bit), those are just starting the process of drying into raisins. If you have one apple that is not as crunchy as it had been, chop it up and put it in some water with a little lemon juice and dry it. Rather than throw it out, next time you make oatmeal, throw it in with some cinnamon and cook away! It will be wonderful.
Yes, saving money doing things different takes a fair amount of work and a different way of thinking. Even if you are doing well at the time and figure it is a waste of your time, it all adds up - even if you use it for a snack. One of my favorite ways to dry apples is to chop your peeled apple and shake it in jello powder and put on dehydrator... yeah, mine never made it out of the dehydrator - kids loved them so!
I have been studying some books on being frugal... several mentioned that if you have that little bit of green beans left over do not toss it, but put it in a bag or container in the freezer. Then keep adding to it and then when it is full you make a really yummy soup, serve bread with it and it will be a mostly free meal.
And I was surprised to see mentioned the cooking and freezing of hamburger, only this woman does it on a larger scale. She puts 5 lbs in her crock pot and lets it cook all night long, then packages it for the freezer so that she could use in spaghetti, shepherds pie, lasagna, in many casseroles like the one I do:
Hamburger casserole
Take out a packages of already cooked and frozen hamburger or leftover taco meat or you can cook hamburger and drain
To this, add two cans drained green beans and two cans tomato soup and a tbsp dried onion flakes, stir well, top with mashed potatoes and I like a sprinkle of cheese over the top.
Bake at 350 for 45 min
This is a favorite! The missionaries love it everytime we make it and it is a comfort meal for sure.
http://smithlive.blogspot.com/2011/12/monthly-meal-planning.html this is an interesting way to plan meals for the month. She shows her recipes, you may find something there that's helpful.
Planning is your best friend! Doing it this way will make it so you do not have to run to the stores and spend more then you planned. Some spend there whole budgeted amount on two meals and worry about the rest later (not a good plan)
http://baconinmypocket.blogspot.com/2011/08/no-we-dont-eat-dog-food-around-here.html?showComment=1314119489048 this too gives you some ideas and recipes
Just because I give these sites does not mean you have to follow them, you might be okay on the menu planning or grocery getting - these are just ideas to help spur more ideas and who doesn't want a new recipe to try here or there?
http://www.mommysavers.com/c/t/131792/frugal-meals-for-kids-cheap-snack-and-lunch-ideas some cute ideas here and who does not need an idea?
Take some sponges from the dollar store, let water soak in and then put each one in a ziploc type bag, freeze them - this will give you a lunch bag ice pack!
Reading this reminded me of a tip... when you roll out biscuits, when you get out your cutter instead of twisting back and forth, go straight down and up this will give a loftier biscuit....
http://ifyoudostuff.blogspot.com/2013/07/frugal-breakfasts-eat-some-and-freeze.html could do for waffles too and then freeze and use in toaster, easy to do!
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/2013/04/the-cupcake-nightie.html how to make a girls night gown from a pillowcase... great idea!
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/p/create.html here are more refashion and ideas that you will be glad to know of
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/2012/06/how-does-she-live-on-budget.html this is a good thing to read, when she suggests books she has read, ask your library to get it for you. Inter-library loan if they don't already have it.
http://www.blissfulanddomesticrecipes.com/ great recipes to look through, she has great ideas!
http://www.blissfulanddomesticrecipes.com/p/bread-recipes.html bread recipes
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/p/ready-made-mixes.html mixes! It is really handy to have mixes on hand. Goes hand-in-hand with the class on the 18th.
I hope that there is something in this message that will help you and your family. Keep working on your storage. Watch your flyers and shop sales, when you can share with other sisters who might not have noticed the deals.
I am proud of all that I hear you doing!
Do what you can. Look at how you do things... can you do more to save money? Can you live more frugally? We all are doing the best we can - this is to help you get ideas :)
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| Missy says to do what you can and have fun dreaming up new ideas! |
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