Monday Message

"A cardinal principle of the gospel is to prepare for the day of scarcity. Work, industry, frugality are part of the royal order of life." (Bishop Keith B. McMullin)

Preparing for a day of scarcity is what people for generations have done. We would do well to study them to see how they coped with hardships.  

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!"

These are words to live by for sure.  

Don't be so fast to throw things away. We have a recycle type place near us that people drop off things and they are then set out to let other people take what they need or want. It saves landfills and people can use the items. It's better than going to a thrift store as they don't have to pay. I really like this.

But before you get rid of something, can you fix it up and use it in a different way. Give yourself a few days to mull it over before tossing it. Jars that you had from the store with food in them, for example. You can wash and vacuum seal food back into them like choc chips or pasta, dried fruit and nuts. Doing this I use the canister method, so any jar that fits in the canister will work.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/08/monday-message_24.html - this blog post will show how I use the canister to vacuum seal with different jars.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/06/monday-message_24.html - here I show how I fixed my husband's favorite shoe. So think how you can fix something. Be daring in trying. I had a vacuum sealer stop working. I had nothing to lose so we opened it up and found a little hose had fallen down. We fixed it and still it works. This might not work on everything but it is worth it to try.

But if you still have jars, you can use them to sort out buttons, screws and nails, etc.

Here I used this candy dish for some buttons. So look at what you have and think of a different use.

When you open a can of veggies, don't throw out the can. Punch holes in the bottom and use as a seed starting pot. Save them to use every year.

Don't be so quick to toss things out.

https://susiefinkbeiner.com/2017/03/20/the-rules-of-the-great-depression-use-it-up-wear-it-out/ 

Missy and Tippy Longstockings say we need to work very hard on our skill building and stocking our pantry as prices are going up. We need to pad the effect of higher prices by being more frugal as well.

I think knowing how to make bread and storing the ingredients are so helpful. Use these recipes even if you do not have a bread machine, just stir it up by hand. Get the recipes HERE.

I watched a news video where people were lined up at a Costco to get eggs. They were getting cases of them and emptying shelves just like with Covid and toilet paper. This morning I heard of thieves stealing tons of eggs. We don't need to be doing this. The people getting cases of them need to know they won't keep forever. They would need to be frozen to keep for any length of time and even that has a limit.  

Yes, you can freeze eggs. Crack them into a container and scramble them, then put them into freezer bags - two per bag - and freeze. Now when you thaw them, do it in the refrigerator. The thing is they will have the most off-putting orange color but will still cook up like normal.

I have some favorite storage items... I like to store pancake mix complete - all you need is water. No eggs or anything. I like to have angel food cake mix - again only water is needed. Jell-O only needs water too. So think of things you get for storage that don't need eggs.

I use the pancake complete mix to make waffles as well.

https://www.allrecipes.com/article/soda-cake-mix/ - I did try this and yes, it does a fantastic job. Amazing!

https://stressbaking.com/the-best-chocolate-mug-cake/ - I bet if you look around you will find many things you can make.

So panic buying is not good. Chickens can be grown fast and eggs will be back on the shelf, we have been through this before. It was not the end of the world.

You can even get cheap muffin mixes from Walmart. All you add is half a cup of milk and you have muffins.

So we just need to not let the scarcity monster get a hold of us, it will be okay. Reminds of a winter storm coming. People flock to the stores and get eight gallons of milk and ten loaves of bread...pure nonsense.

Being prepared and having storage makes it so you are not panic buying as well.

Look around your house, I bet you will find things that you already have thought outside the box on. Share those ideas with us. 

Here is one I will share - this is a shower caddy type shelf thing that I repurposed into a cart by my loom for weaving tools..

Missy says reusing things is a great frugal thing to do. This dress was a dogs and was repurposed for this cute photo shoot.

Tippy Longstockings says, seriously, be working on all the things and you will be blessed.