Monday Message

"I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family. None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment may affect any of us. We have a great welfare program with facilities for such things as grain storage in various areas. It is important that we do this. But the best place to have some food set aside is within our homes, together with a little money in savings. The best welfare program is our own welfare program. Five or six cans of wheat in the home are better than a bushel in the welfare granary." (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

I think it seems like each day things get worse economy-wise. To offset this as best we can is to be really frugal. That will take research and a bit of sacrifice and a lot of elbow grease.

It is easy to say I am tired and give in to eating out or convenience foods at the store but doing this will really take a bite out of your funds. To combat this is to plan, plan, plan.... When you are planning out your meals, make sure you have easier meals on that list so if unexpected things come up you can use one of those. Also, do double batches at once. Make your casserole two times everything and pop one into the freezer. For a really desperate day, then pull out and make that the meal, kind of like your future self knows you will need a meal instead of bringing you a casserole which she can't - this is a way that works.

Do that with a lot of things you make. Chili is great - actually any soup is great but just double the batch. We make burritos so here is how I do this.

My Burritos

Larger can of refried beans

Can of enchilada sauce

Cooked hamburger

I mix this all together and put into small crockpot.

If you doubled this, use a bigger crockpot then freeze half. It's the same amount of work but now you have a meal in the freezer that you could zap in the microwave in minutes to give you supper.

I keep flour shells and cheese and lettuce on hand.

You don't have to put this in the crockpot. You could just heat this up on the stove. The reason I do it in the crockpot is because I have more energy in the morning then by supper I have to work around fibromyalgia.

I use this as an example.

Also, if I know I want to make pancakes or muffins in the morning, I will mix the dry ingredients in a bowl cover and in the morning add the wet ingredients and make them.

One thing I emphasize is to make your own mixes - this saves a lot of money over their counterparts. 

https://heart-hands-home.blogspot.com/2012/02/all-purpose-quick-mix.html

https://tipnut.com/baking-mixes-seasonings/ - This one gives you how to make cake flour, self-rising flour, how to make your own brown sugar, how to make your own pan release - no more buying canned sprays, and lots more.

https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2018/04/17/dry-brownie-mix-recipe/ - brownie.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/scone-mix-recipe.html - this is my favorite plus she has other mixes in this. I write the recipes right on the jar.

https://thestayathomechef.com/waffle-mix/ just add water and butter.

https://thestayathomechef.com/pancake-mix/ just add water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=96L_ljjz0Ko these are good.

There are no eggs in these so if you have egg allergies these are great. Plus, with the price of eggs so high this is a good thing to have.

https://chickensintheroad.com/classic/cooking/homemade-hamburger-helper/ - I put this in often.

https://extension.usu.edu/sanpete/files/Soup_or_Sauce_SOS_Mix.pdf - this one as well.

These last two I keep together in a binder so print off and keep handy.

Making your own mixes means most of the work is already done for you so when you are tired or busy you can have it tended faster.

The other two jars are the chicken and beef gravy mixes that I posted a few weeks ago.

I encourage you to find more ways to save and then share with us what you've done in the comments below.

Remember, soon in my neck of the woods it will be time to plant the garden. I encourage you to plant something, even if it's one tomato in a pot.  

I have cleared off the garden in preparation to plant which is weeks away at the time I'm writing this.

Remember, haunt thrift stores for dehydrators, canners pressure, canners, jars, vacuum sealer items that will help you to put up food.

Missy says keep your eyes open for the sales, this too will help with being frugal.

Tippy Longstockings says keep on your toes looking for ways to be more frugal.

Monday Message

"Today, I emphasize a most basic principle: home production and storage. Have you ever paused to realize what would happen to your community or nation if transportation were paralyzed or if we had a war or depression? How would you and your neighbors obtain food? How long would the corner grocery store—or supermarket—sustain the needs of the community?" (President Ezra Taft Benson)

The tariffs are about to be felt by all about the time you read this, since I am two weeks ago at the time of this writing.

They say the shelves will start to empty and prices will go up. I have already seen people who need to replace a furnace - it will be three thousand more than usual. I imagine it will be like when Covid hit when there was runs on items.

We need to keep our cool. Don't panic. Remember your skills.

I can't imagine this will last too long... this was not what we brought on but we will have to deal with it nevertheless. 

Remember, the frugal things we have been talking about and now we will keep working on the frugal things and implementing what we have learned.

https://zenhabits.net/the-cheapskate-guide-50-tips-for-frugal-living/ - this has a list. I want everyone to think ahead. Do thrift stores and yard sales. They are saying this could affect school clothes and supplies so try to get used school clothes ahead because if this goes on everyone will try to get clothing then so it might be a good idea to have some ahead. Same with some school supplies. I will add be keeping your eye out for items that could make good gifts for Christmas in case this does not get resolved in time.  You might already do these things, if not, you might find you like doing these things.  

The hard times are now for sure.

I am most concerned at how high our meds will get since they were already high with this president taking off the caps the last president put on. This could be really hard for us. But we have to push on.

Stick seeds in the ground or a pot if you can.

My tip is to always think in "ahead mode" meaning, think of what is ahead of you - kids, back to school, what will be needed for the holidays - do you have time to make items, that sort of thing.

At the same time, keep looking for a dehydrator or canning equipment and a vacuum sealer, etc. at your yard sales and thrift stores.

Mine are all used and have done well for me. They are out there.

Plus, first look used before trying to pay new. With higher prices, can you do without? That could be an option as well.

It might backfire on all of them if we find out we don't want or need bric-a-brac items... you never know.

But we need to keep positive and find joy. Don't let the hard times get to you stress - it's going to be there but try not to let it take over.

Try not to let anything go to waste. Time to do that zero waste thing for sure!

https://www.pinterest.com/zerowastedoc/zero-waste-kitchen/ - here are some ideas.

Tippy Longstockings says this is going to be the time you ask yourself really hard - do I have to have this now? Can I wait? Is there something else I can do or make or come up with from what I have?

Missy says now is not the time to lay down on the job. We need to do the best we can. Some trips to the store will now cost you way more, so stop and try not to do it unless you absolutely have to.  

It is time to bake that bread!

This is our favorite bread recipes if you don't have a bread machine, it is okay. Use the same ingredients and mix by hand. It turns out the same, just don't add more flour. If you don't have bread flour, it is okay. I don't have it, I use vital wheat gluten (one tsp per every cup flour equals one cup of bread flour).  This way I can use the all-purpose flour which is what I store for everything.

https://culturedtable.com/homemade-noodles-recipe/https://www.pinterest.com/zerowastedoc/zero-waste-kitchen/ - making your own is so much better in flavor.

When we first moved here, we did not have a stove. I did have a waffle iron and I made French toast in the waffle iron one day. It was a huge hit, the kids called it eggy waffle. We love it to this day! So you may find that the things you do and make during this hard time turn out to be family favorites.

Curl up with a church type cookbook...

And find some favorite from-scratch recipes. There are peoples' favorite recipes in these books so you have a great shot at finding great things.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2017/05/monday-message_8.html - in this post, you will find a favorite recipe I found for rhubarb cake - everyone wants it at this house!

So I guess you can whack your head against the wall and let this hard time grab you or perhaps look at it as a challenge and you will win.

https://remake.world/stories/style/how-to-mend-your-clothes-during-quarantine-5-easy-stitch-fixes/

Missy says wisely that she knows you can do these things, we are all in this together!

Tippy Longstockings says get a kick on and learn those skills, perhaps start with learning to mend first then bread making or both at the same time, always be learning!

Monday Message

"Today, I emphasize a most basic principle: home production and storage. Have you ever paused to realize what would happen to your community or nation if transportation were paralyzed or if we had a war or depression? How would you and your neighbors obtain food? How long would the corner grocery store—or supermarket—sustain the needs of the community?" (President Ezra Taft Benson)

I think times being what they are, it is not at all hard to imagine.

Just to give you a peek at spring here. I am glad to say goodbye to winter.

Now that I made you happy with that spring picture...

The news keeps saying groceries will continue to go up and by a lot. I am not happy about that for sure.  I don't think anyone is.

They said tomatoes will be high because of the tariffs that then means products that use tomatoes will go up as well. This said, try to grow tomatoes if you can would help offset this - and be a blessing to your family.

Another sign of spring in my yard - rhubarb! I started rhubarb with putting an inquiry in freecycle and a lady wrote back and said she had some roots she tried to kill, threw them in her compost and they wouldn't die and that I could have them. I was thrilled and still so very happy.  

So this is a hardy plant in the northern parts of the country. People love it or hate it so see if you can get a start from someone who has too much. Ask your community page or freecycle or here in our small town you can put a note on the bulletin board at the post office saying you are looking for free rhubarb starts.

Then, if you are able, it is good to try and get fruit trees, berry bushes, things that in time could feed you - edible landscaping.

This was the first time of the season I picked asparagus enough for a meal. So plant things in your yard that come back every year.

Our great grandparents knew how important this was and also did this.

So wherever you live, find what you can grow in your area and go from there.

And I cannot emphasize enough - get the basics into your storage, things that should be a starting point if you have not already done so.

For example...

Flour

Sugar

Brown sugar

Powdered sugar

Salt

Baking soda

Baking powder

Yeast

Shortening

Powdered milk

Oatmeal

Peanut butter

Rice

Beans

Grains

You get the idea, just build on this list.

How to stock food when we don't have extra and things are so high?  This is a tough thing but not impossible...

Take your set amount for groceries and start your list...oh so tempting to splurge and get easy things because we are tired or busy, but restrain that urge.

Try the very most frugal recipes you have, write them down till you have thirty-one repeating as you go.

Now make that list. What do you need to make this meal? And then you can add the things for other meals - using your leftovers is a huge part of that. There will be other household things, yes, but what is left you could start getting extra to have when things come up and you won't have food money. So best to keep at this and before you realize it, you have on hand food for a month but keep going. Don't think, I will use it and not get groceries, because you would be right back to starting over again.

Then you need to add to your skills. Learn to make your bread, pasta, try to think what else can you make instead of the store - French bread? Hamburger buns? Chocolate cake...?

You can make crackers and sweet rolls. You can make your own laundry soap and window cleaner.

Work on your skills - mending is going to be very needed, learn how to repair your clothing.

https://www.thecommons.earth/blog/mending-clothing-101

Pick up needles and thread at the dollar store. You could include these in your grocery budget.

Try not to put off learning and doing these things.

https://www.shoestringcottage.com/extremely-frugal-food-22-ideas-that-dont-cost-much-money/ - there may be an idea or two here.

https://www.thriftyfrugalmom.com/frugal-30-minute-dinner-ideas/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKgUf3LJ-Ks - some ideas here.

If potatoes are too high, get rice that month. Be flexible...check your store flyers - some are online making it easier but check and see the best prices and plan your meals around them.

I want to point out in that last video, notice she is using potatoes with those eyes - yes, just cut them off. Notice she is peeling her potatoes with a peeler which doesn't waste like a pairing knife.

https://fabeveryday.com/2023/01/frugal-food-hacks-to-save-money-and-reduce-food-waste.html - I love the marshmallow tip for brown sugar.

We are about to have really hard times no matter where you live in the world, so try to find frugal things you can do.

I want to say look at it as a challenge, don't let yourself fall into despair as that will block your ability to make-do. Remember to find joy in all you do.

Missy says you need to have a go-through of your recipe file. You probably have lots of frugal recipes your family already likes. Find fun frugal things and be excited, then others will catch the excitement.

Tippy Longstockings says you can do these things! Remember - find that joy!

Monday Message

"Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to ‘prepare every needful thing’ (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors, and support bishops as they care for others." (All is Safely Gathered In pamphlet)

There seems to be no end of devastation. So many need help everywhere. We are needed more than ever to be kind and help each other.

I think we are starting to get better here after being sick. I need to get better fast as the garden needs to be planted in four weeks. By the time you read this, I will have only two weeks till planting.

Are you planting something this year? I feel with all the instability with everything we should try. Also, keep building your storage and really be building those skills.

While we have been so sick, I haven't been able to work on skill building but I am hoping you have been able to build on yours.

Last week I mentioned you can vacuum seal in any jar if you use a canister. In this picture, I was doing chocolate chips.

I did push myself hard to get the seeds started and now a few tomatoes are starting to pop out.

Just how far can you stretch your grocery budget? This is a skill as well.

We can teach ourselves. There are free classes all over the internet on just about anything you want to learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4UsgU4q4q4 - here she shows you how to make a recipe binder.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/09/monday-message.html - I have ideas here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttK7RyXf8uY&t=454s - they show some cook ahead things. I like to have cooked hamburger in packages in the freezer, it sure came in handy while being so sick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvG7e-bkQWM - very helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb6iVezqpnA - more freezer ideas.

I think there are great ideas in their videos!

Learning to cook from scratch is the best skill for sure. Get my favorite granola recipe HERE.

It won't be long now and summer will be upon us...

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/wprm_print/homemade-fudgesicles-recipe - so stick this recipe in your binder.

https://www.instagram.com/karissaathome/reel/C1fjDGUSt-O/ - this might be something you could put in your binder.

In your binder you could have a page for the month that you could put meals on and another page that you put down needed items when you grocery shop to make the items. I also think some extra meal ideas would be good in case you would like to change your mind.

I keep a running list going all month of items that I need to replace, then this list is added to the grocery list. I also make a list of meals to make with 31 meals. Now we have lots that make enough for other meals we use for lunches or another main meal. This means we won't use all the 31 meals which gives a jump on the next month. I get groceries for the month saving time and money as we go 30 miles to the store. It is a chore but saves money, I am willing to do it. Also, having the extra meals makes it so we can change our minds. I also make sure I have easy meals on the list in case I am not up to something I had planned, hence the cooked hamburger in the freezer to help with that as well.  

I like how that one site had a page for Try-It-Thursday. Remember what I say homemade rolls and a dessert just incase it isn't a winner recipe.

Since being sick has been a huge part of this last month I would suggest having recipes on hand that could fit your sick plan.  I liked the ideas of freezing food that you just needed to microwave like those gals were fixing. 

Don't toss those leftovers. We find leftovers taste best! What I do is make a TV dinner from them to have again. You can put them in the freezer for an easier meal when needed.

Try not to waste anything. For example, if you have some apples that are past their peak, bake them. To do this cut out the core and put brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and raisins and a tbsp butter. Wrap in foil and bake, these now are a terrific dessert! I like to do these when I am fixing hobo dinners or foil dinner. In the foil, make a hamburger patty, slice a potato, and a carrot. I sprinkle with dry onion but doesn't have to be dry. Sprinkle salt and pepper and wrap in the foil. So then you have a meal that cooks for an hour and is warm and comforting.

We all have heard of the little bit of veg leftover to keep a container in the freezer, you just add those too and when you get enough you make a soup.  Make these things a habit.

We had conference weekend last weekend and I was able to knit while I watched.

Missy says use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without...meow!

Tippy Longstockings is continuing to be shocked at the higher prices. She says be as frugal as you can and stock up, plus, grow some food if you can.

Monday Message

"Today, I emphasize a most basic principle: home production and storage. Have you ever paused to realize what would happen to your community or nation if transportation were paralyzed or if we had a war or depression? How would you and your neighbors obtain food? How long would the corner grocery store—or supermarket—sustain the needs of the community?" (President Ezra Taft Benson)

We are still plugging away trying to get over this sickness - not an easy thing for two old people.

Every job has to be done in parts.

One day my husband dug a hole for a post. I gathered the dirt from the hole in pots as it was going to rain. So I pushed myself to do this, it was very hard but it kept the dirt dry.

Then a couple days later I filled these produce containers I had collected over the years. Then a couple days later I was able to plant seed to get my plants started.

So every thing is taking way longer to do than I would like but at least I have planted the seeds. Now to get better before the plants will need to go into the garden.

Are you going to plant some things this year?

I still see no prices coming down and expect they will go up. So you might want to think about planting and preparing for harder times ahead.

Today I vacuum sealed some crushed flax seed. Again, took it in steps. Gathered my jars and used lids and rings and cut coffee filters to fit each jar to put on top of the crushed flax seed to keep particles from going into my sealer.  As you know, one can use the flax seed as an egg replacer as well as in other things.

One of the jars was a half gallon jar that uses a wide mouth lid. There are two ways I can vacuum seal in jars. One is in a canister - and I can use any jar with it's lid that can fit in the canister. The other way is to use the jar top attachment which is the way I did the half gallon jar. And when I use from that jar I will reseal it.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2018/11/monday-message_99.html - I talked about this in this post if you want more details.

Learning to do sourdough is a skill as well.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2014/01/monday-message.html - lots of sourdough info here.

I know many do "no-spend months" but I feel now is the time to gather in storage, use and rotate rather than let it get too low.

Keep being frugal as much as you can. Keep haunting thrift stores and yard sales for items that can help you like canners, vacuum sealers, dehydrators... items that will help you to put up food.

Build the skills of bread making and jam making, also stock proteins....canned meats, beans, etc.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/08/monday-message.html - I make this recipe into mixes in the jar. All I have to do is add the water to the bread machine and dump in one of these mixes.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2016/02/monday-message_29.html

I am so thankful I have several jarred mixes ahead, especially now as this is our conference weekend  and we like to have chili and cinnamon rolls. It will be easy to make, plus I keep cooked hamburger in the freezer for when I need an easy meal and so chili will just be a dump in the crockpot deal as well.  We are looking forward to it.

So keep working at your storage. I try to work hard on my grocery list to allow for me to get one or two items to stick away.

Keep working on those skills.

Missy says be wise in your spending, stay in budget and stay well.

Tippy Longstockings says keep working on skill building, being frugal and be kind look after others.

Monday Message

"When we really get into hard times, where food is scarce or there is none at all, and so with clothing and shelter, money may be no good for there may be nothing to buy, and you cannot eat money, you cannot get enough of it together to burn to keep warm, and you cannot wear it." (J. Richard Clarke)

Just a thought to make one think.

We are still pretty sick here. I feel like groundhog day - wake up, still sick, drag through the bare necessities, the drop of course, resting hurts my hip for some reason and so it sure isn't fun.

I made a big batch of Burrito Filling:

Hamburger cooked

Refried beans

Enchilada sauce

I just throw in the crockpot and for the leftovers I just scoop out what is needed to microwave.

I made a batch of Haystack Gravy: 

Can chicken

Can of cream of chicken 

Chicken broth

My chicken gravy mix I keep in jars. Here is the recipe: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/ready-gravy-mix/?srsltid=AfmBOop5o_WGskGrxJxK3TJ_nFWjIInG6zJ1-stjaOjDyKcbLrSvkVMP#RecipeCard

Towards the end, I put cornstarch in cold water and add to thicken it.

Like the other, this I do in the crockpot and then store leftovers in the refrigerator. I just scoop out some as needed.

I chose these as I had veggies bought and Chinese noodles and so chopped them and put in baggies.

I like mine over Chinese noodles topped with chopped celery and chopped green pepper and chopped onion. Then I top with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped almonds.

Hard for me to do all this while sick but then it just goes together after that fast.

So this has been helpful for a while.

I can say I am so tired of being this sick for this long but pushing on.

I had gotten some foam squares that hook together from the recycle place before we got sick. I use them for blocking various things I knit or crochet or tat. It was a big batch in a bag so I made two cat caves...

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2013/09/monday-message-food-storage-in-small.html - ideas for storing here.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/07/monday-message_8.html - skills.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2020/02/monday-message_24.html - more on skill building here.

So while I have been sick these girls haven't left my side....

Missy and Tippy Longstockings say...

Take care of yourselves or they may come and have shenanigans at your house too. They want you to keep stocking your pantries and find frugal ways along with building skills. They also want to say they love you all and are proud of you!

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)

"The revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

Well I did end up getting Covid as well as my husband. What a rough time we have had and are still having.

It is here. I will remind everyone to have a sick plan. I did not think I would ever feel this bad for this long so you might want to put in extra.

Also, learn from me it was so bad even putting a baked potato in the oven was too much...plus no sense of smell or taste.

The good news for us was insurance did end up paying all but $250 each. While this still hurts, we thought they wouldn't pay any, so there is that.

This is March 20, 2025, at the time I am writing this. I sure can see how people died from this. I also am thankful we were vaccinated to the hilt. It will still take some time to recover. This is my last day of Paxlovid.

I can honestly say I am worried about the next pandemic, will there even be these things available?

Prices continue to be high, how are you doing? How is your storage coming along? How is your skill building coming?

Tippy Longstockings is shocked at the prices.

People heading into spring will know today is the first day of spring. Be gathering your dirt and your pots and your seeds, it will soon be time to start those garden seeds. Even if you don't have a spot to garden, consider gardening in pots. Every little thing will help. We will need every bit of knowledge to make it through these very difficult times and the whole globe is affected.

Think how much you will save and what you will learn.

https://www.lionsbread.com/how-to-make-a-sourdough-starter/ - having and keeping a sourdough starter is a skill worth working on. Your family will love eating your tests.

Now is the time to learn to can before things get busy with harvest.

Missy wants you to brush up on those skills...

Here are a few that I am working on to give you ideas...

Sewing...

Making yarn learning to dye and spin fiber...

Embroidery and mending...

Learn to make yogurt...

Learn to knit

Learn to bake a pie...

Learn to weave...

Learn to vacuum seal...

Learn to dehydrate food...

These are just a few of the skills I work on. I would love to hear your lists in the comments below.

But remember to always look up and find joy in everything you do.

We need to keep positive thoughts and be KIND in all we do.

Missy says things are hard right now but we must find joy and help others and be kind... keep working at being frugal. 

Tippy Longstockings says she encourages you to be on the lookout for bargains and frugal ideas and to keep working on your storage.