Monday Message

“From President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor, we hear: "Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year's supply of food . . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food-free."
  
“We call upon priesthood bearers to store sufficient so that you and your family can weather the vicissitudes of life.”

Do you have what you need to be a bit more self-reliant?? Such as canning jars, water bath canner, pressure canner, lids and rings, dehydrator, and perhaps a food saver and the canisters. Of course, there are other items one could get as well but this is a list to start you thinking. Many can be found at yard sales and even Goodwill. You just have to keep looking. If your funds are low, I know you can find these things at yard sales as that is where I got mine, yep, I did. 

You might say I don’t can food or I don’t like to can, or some other reason, but I say it is a skill that you should know how to do and have supplies to do so.

I am sure you don’t like many tasks but we still need these skills, I have not heard we shouldn’t.

Yes, it is work but really who would turn down a homemade slice of bread with homemade jam on it?? Even those who need gluten-free can make bread the way required for them.

There are free canning classes offered around the area see if you can find one, if not, ask someone you know who cans to help you learn.

Skills are what we need to be working on…

http://www.vanillajoy.com/boys-neck-tie-tutorial-free-printable-tie-patterns.html

This would be a great item to practice and to learn basic sewing, and could be useful.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpCakyrVurw - this is a good idea, can’t you see all the guys wearing matching ties.

http://www.makermama.com/2010/03/tutorial-how-to-sew-simple-skirt.html - This too would be a good item to sew.

http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingpatterns/p/garterscarf.htm
knit this pattern easy, will perfect this skill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxrjkNTgbAA  good thrifting tips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUo_AFLpAJM great redo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hH2-rsaoPo  easy apron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9JqHYPYA1M  cosmetic bag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dr7nnONsUM  a vest jacket

I threw these in to show you how easy it is to refurbish clothing, so go through your closets and see what you can come up with.

One thing I have tried to do is get basic patterns when on really good sales, like a dollar a piece things I like but are classic so they won’t go out of style fast, so I got from sales and yard sales. Next I needed fabric so again sale fabric, or freecycle or yardsales or craigslist or those people who are downsizing. Then I always had collected buttons and the other week I mentioned sewing notions, these always are cheap.

Build your store is all hand in hand with building skills.

I make baskets and got enough supplies on sale to get started then freecycle or yard sales then others got out of it and gifted their supplies to me.

 Same with yarns which I weave and knit with, some were bought used, some from yard sales but lots were from an auction house. I got a pick-up load for $100.00 coned yarn, two had price tags that equaled that.

Having the things on hand in your own store helps save money. When I need a gift I can go to myself to gather supplies. I am not saying to be a hoarder, just letting you know how this has helped me.

Though I can’t afford new, buying used or gotten free has been wonderful.

So give this some thought.