Monday Message

Christmas isn't that far off! Time to learn those basic skills that can make your holidays more frugal!

"We suggest that members concentrate on essential foods that sustain life" (First Presidency letter, 24 June 1988). 

Learn to Use What You Store 

"Every father and mother are the family’s storekeepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in the case of an emergency. . . . Some have said, “We have followed this counsel in the past and have never had need to use our year’s supply, so we have difficulty keeping this in mind as a major priority.” Perhaps following this counsel could be the reason why they have not needed to use their reserve. By continued rotation of the supply it can be kept usable with no waste" (James E. Faust, in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 26; or Ensign, May 1986, 22). 

"A year's supply of food storage is beneficial in several ways: 

1. It provides peace of mind as we obey the counsel to store. 

2. It helps ensure survival in case of personal or natural disaster. 

3. It strengthens skills in preparing and using basic foods" ("Home Storage: Build on the Basics," Ensign, June 1989, 40).

Building on the basics, I like that. Can you make a list of things that you want to learn? It would look different from others’ lists as we all are different.

Sewing…

http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/05/how-to-make-sew-bias-tape-tutorial/ - this is good to know how to make and if you do not own a device for this make your own using this next link…
http://stitch-n-smile.com/how-to-thursday-create-a-bias-tape-maker/

Tip: Anytime you want something first see if you can make it over half the time you can and save $$ if not checkout thrift stores while you are saving for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAomYjHzUQk make your own pillow cases, I love this gal's way of explaining.

http://www.goodbyehousehellohome.com/2012/09/a-zebra-slipcover.html this knowledge can save much money

Knitting…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Aen1ffHpQ basics how to get started on a scarf

http://www.curioushandmade.com/freebobblehat/ how to knit a hat on straight needles

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE5FBD9B9043D0928 mittens on straight needles

If you know how to knit with circulars or double needles, great! Once beginners master using straight needles then learn on others.

Are you working on your food storage goal?? I love hearing what you are doing.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/35-frugal-recipes-to-make-when-youre-broke/#_a5y_p=4002362  I personally don’t think we have to have hard times to be frugal. When was the last time you made biscuits?

http://www.averiecooks.com/2014/10/cinnamon-sugar-french-toast-sticks.html  slow down and have breakfast http://www.averiecooks.com/2014/10/cinnamon-sugar-french-toast-sticks.html - kids like to dunk things, yum!

http://www.moneywisemoms.com/2014/05/baked-potato-bar/ this could be fun

http://foodstorage5.tripod.com/recipebook2.html - recipes using food storage, scroll down through, after you get going there are some great ones.

http://pgward.org/ep/archives/category/recipes - more cooking with storage

http://www.hashworks.com/foodstorage.htm great things on here as well, there are great ideas to find the money to stock up.

http://histakes-food-storage.blogspot.com/ - this has more recipes, by the way I love the wheat blender pancakes.

This month is fast leaving us, it really is time to buckle down and get ready for winter. Also, be thinking of gifts you can make to have a frugal Christmas.

I was just talking with a friend who was thinking to better prepare for winter now. Last year was horrific, they had so much snow. She said if it is as bad I say prepare as if they all were bad like that. There is nothing wrong being really prepared and if it isn’t that bad it isn’t like you will throw out the extra, you will use it. It is never a good idea to wait till the end. I like to do a little each month.

You don’t want to be the one trying to go for toilet paper with two feet of snow on the ground.

All that great preparing you have been doing will bless your family!

This is preparedness month so give a bit more attention to it if you can.