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)

At the time I am writing this, it is the last day of November and a cold windy day. By the time you read this two weeks from now you will have a week or so till Christmas.

So a reminder - this time of year should be joyous, giving goodwill, and doing kind things for others.

You are probably very tired and very much poorer...maybe it is time to make simpler traditions and more meaningful time with your loved ones.              

I think times could become more difficult in the year ahead so take time to ponder if that is the case...what can we do? What more can you cut? How much farther can you tighten the belt?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbUdc5u9G3Q - I like what she is doing. I have done this for years, I also love to get thrifted gifts. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXxZ6yZh5gM - watch this for gift giving, used things are fantastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-AfCzFaMUE - wouldn't these be fun to gift?

As we move into the new year, you might put thrifting into your plans. I think I would be happy with any of these gifts.

I finished the Christmas stocking knit-along. This was free and I used what yarn I had in my house. The one I did this year is on the right. The one I did last year is on the left. I used off-white yarn, again using what I had in my house. This has been a fun, free activity

The sock in the center I made years and years ago. It will hold the cat toys for the kittens in it.

This will be our third year of doing advent. I thought they would be fun three years ago to do, it was something different and we loved it. So I got things from the thrift store all year and put them in lunch paper bags and put our initials on except for two days, one for my husband's b-day and of course Christmas, as it has a special treat. 

We do this more frugally than getting each other gifts, which was frugal then too, it was a trip to the used bookstore but our budget only allows this right now. And you probably are thinking, if I know what is in those not much fun, but I remind you I did little things all year long and I have fibromyalgia so I can't remember. These are just small gifts, a pair of dollar tree socks, stuff that we need. Some are very funny, so fun will be had.

We read the scriptures in the morning and that is when we open that day's gift.

Even the cat's toys were thrifted. They have to wait for Christmas Day though and we too will have stuff in our socks, each of us will get a toothbrush, not exciting, and an orange, maybe an apple, peppermint sticks, stuff like that.

So have fun. It doesn't have to cost lots. Find a fun, more frugal tradition because prices sure have not come down.

If you do a little each month of the year, it won't be hard to get nor will there be sticker shock.

Missy says be wise and be frugal (it isn't a dirty word) and you can be creative and be frugal.

Tippy Longstockings says don't push yourself so hard, find time to rest, and a gift you can give yourself.

Monday Message

"The counsel to have a year’s supply of basic food, clothing, and commodities was given fifty years ago and has been repeated many times since. 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 … [and] God will sustain us through our trials." (James E. Faust)

With so many things uncertain everywhere, it makes good sense to have storage in our homes to help us weather any storm a lot easier.

It can help us in good times as well. Like when there's an unexpected expense or a snow storm you don't want to go out in. Or any number of reasons. I can't figure out one reason not to have storage.

At the time of writing this blog post, this is what the stocking looks like. Still have the top ribbing and the heel, which will be two days - so a total of three days and this will be done.  It has been a fun free thing to do. Plus, it is helping me develop my colorwork knitting skills.

Missy and Tippy Longstockings popped in here to remind you to put in a supply of pet food as well.

Since it is Christmas time, I thought I would share my little Christmas collection here. I thought this year I would get them down and dust them off. I have had these for so long I don't even remember how I started collecting them. They all were used I know that.

Share some of your traditions with us in the comments below!

https://www.raegunramblings.com/mason-jar-pin-cushion-tutorial/ - this would be a great gift idea.

https://celebrate-creativity.com/my_weblog/2012/12/sugar-cookie-sack.html - you could use your favorite recipe and do this as well.

https://www.hometalk.com/posts/craft/holiday-gifts/how-to-wrap-baked-goods-24320458 - these are a few last minute gift ideas.

Missy says shop the sales and get some storage ahead.

Tippy Longstockings says this is a taxing time of year, remember to take rest and care for yourself!

Monday Message

"The best food storage is not in welfare grain elevators but in sealed cans and bottles in the homes of our people. What a gratifying thing it is to see cans of wheat and rice and beans under the beds or in the pantries of women who have taken welfare responsibility into their own hands. Such food may not be tasty, but it will be nourishing if it has to be used." (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

Yes, having it in home is best. Plus, when there are calamities in your neck of the woods, you can be ready to help.

I have a feeling a lot more are going to be coming, so it's good to be prepared.

This time of year is a great time to stock ahead as there are so many sales. We need to keep getting, using, replacing our storage.

Well, at the time of this writing, here is how far I am with the Christmas sock knit-along...

The yellow string is where the heel will go at the end is my guess. When we finish the ribbing but we will see we never know what the six rows will be until we get them each day.

It has been a fun free thing to do and since I did the one last year as well, we will use them both this year for old-fashioned things in like an orange, an apple, some peppermint stick, some nuts for Christmas day.

This will be our third year of doing advent bags to open. The bags just have little things in each bag, just something fun. Like I got a package of pens that write different colors at the thrift store. I tucked those in a bag. 

Funny story, I had remembered I got them. I knew I had as I tested them to see if they were good. So I thought, I know I got them but was looking for them in my locations of pens. I gave up and figured I will find them later. Then I remembered I put them in a bag. Too funny. So I can't remember what is in my bags and I packed them. So it will be funny to see what I get as I do this through the year, hence not remembering. 

For us, this is more frugal than purchasing gifts for each other. With tight times, this I could do and we have fun so that is what we are doing. As for the rest, I used my skills and made gifts to give. With the new cheap as we could find health insurance and huge medicine prices, we could make two or three car payments for that amount, good grief. It has been a hugely costly year so I am thankful to have built up some skills that I could make gifts and stretch groceries. It hasn't been easy but I feel thankful to my past self for learning these skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cjz3oGVdRI - this gal is teaching basic sewing, so watch her and learn if you had sewing as one of the skills you wanted to learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wzGNbVXQWI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uReOIkY9qWs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8K5zXSG-rI

Now if you watched these, you just got a lot of learning for free.

Being able to do this for free and learn at your own pace is a wonderful thing. Plus, don't rule out books you can get at the library to learn with as well.

As you go to your thrift shops, look for patterns.

Being able to make clothes for myself or take in suits or clothes for my husband and I, has been so helpful this year as we both lost weight.

Now, just to see if you are still paying attention, see if you can find tippy in the following picture...

Well done!!!!

https://talkpoverty.org/2016/01/05/surviving-holidays-poor/index.html we need to not go overboard with spending.

https://www.onebeautifulhomeblog.com/create-magical-christmas-no-money/

https://www.scarymommy.com/low-income-family-christmas

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2014/12/monday-message.html - this is our favorite story to read during the Christmas season. See if you can check it out from your library.

https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/preparedness-gift-ideas/ - for those who have a little more to spend.

You could make food boxes with pasta and sauce, fruit and veggies, all food storage items to your kids who maybe are struggling. As a gift, toss in pasta, spoon, strainer, favorite recipes, some muffin mixes with pans. Just put your thinking cap on. In the bottom, I would put a favorite treat so they can find it.

https://successfulhomemakers.com/dont-throw-it-away-how-to-re-use-old-food-containers/ - I like the one with rice in for an I-spy toy.

https://www.pinterest.com/veebee7/cute-containers-for-food-gifts/

https://blueandhazel.com/christmas-on-a-budget-kids

One thing I always liked doing was I wanted the kids to open one gift that was a kit to give them something to make on Christmas Day...

https://livingwellmom.com/christmas-playdough-kit/

https://www.thedatingdivas.com/50-diy-gift-kits-for-kids/ - I think this will get your juices flowing.

The one thing I want to point out is that gifts don't have to be expensive. DON'T GO INTO DEBT! Just play, eat, and enjoy time together.

Missy says it is the simple things.

Tippy Longstockings says be crazy sometimes too, think outside the box.

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)

I feel like harder times are coming. As I was thinking about this, our ancestors always hoped for a better year. Sometimes it was better and sometimes it wasn't. How do you think they managed on those harder years?  They made it through with skills for sure. They made things last longer and stretched what they had. When the snow comes, the first measurable snow we get, I crack out The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  This is a very good insight into how they managed.

We need to continue stocking up our pantries and building those skills.  

I know in hard times you can make do and also come up with ways to make it through.

I am doing the Arne and Carlos Christmas stocking knit-along again this year...

So far this is working well. I used, as always, what I had on hand. We get only six rows of the chart a day - this is free while the knit-along is going, then they put the pattern up for sale. So it is a free, fun thing to do and is helping me to develop my colorwork skills in knitting at the same time.

Last year, I did this too and here is what that stocking looked like in the end.

So building your skills does not have to be grueling, make it fun.

Learning to bake bread can be a tasty way to learn to perfect this skill.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/07/monday-message.html - this has a lot of breadmaking info to get you started on making bread.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2017/06/monday-message.html - yummy things here as well.

I had watched a video of a knitting recap and saw some price tags on yarn hmmmm... incredible, thirty dollars on up for just one skein of yarn. So a skill of mine is learning to make my own yarn. That one year for my birthday, a gift I gave myself was to spend the day dying fleece to spin.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2022/01/monday-message_17.html - it was a fun birthday may have to do it again.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/05/monday-message_20.html

This week, I moved the rug loom to the other end of living room. That might be the last time she gets moved. I tugged, I pulled, I pushed and ten minutes later I have only moved an inch. So it takes more work with her.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/12/monday-message_9.html

So while some of these pics show skills you can build...

Try to find the ones that you would like to build and most importantly have joy and don't postpone joy.

We need joy more than ever and remember to do kind things for others.

Missy says learning new things can be more fun and tastier than you think!

Tippy says find joy in all you do.

Monday Message

"You do not need to go into debt, may I add, to obtain a year’s supply. Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each pay-check." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

When you go to the store, always pick up at least one item to put in your storage. If you can only spend a dollar, then pick up something that your family likes. Think how many times you go to the store in a week. This is not as painful as big purchases. You'll be surprised how fast your storage adds up.

Be sure to stock up on those basics: flour, sugar, rice etc.

The election will be over by the time this comes out. We voted early and at that we were in line for fifty minutes.

At the time I am writing this the election is five days away. I try to keep a couple messages ahead incase I get sick or have computer issues.

My husband took off his "I voted" sticker and put it by the door bell. What a great idea - stops all the flyers and such.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2013/10/monday-message-fugal-christmas.html - look at that date... 2013. Back then I was a Provident Living teacher and teaching classes in my home.  So ignore that part about classes at our home, now I just do the blog.

I have been busy working on things for Christmas which is coming very fast. So is winter. Tonight is to be 32 degrees brrrr! I know some of you are going into warmer weather, but it is brrrrr here.

Soon this will be coming our way... oh dear.

The garden looks dead and cold. The leaves are blowing off the trees. Soon white cold snow will appear.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2014/10/monday-message.html

So those of you who are heading into winter, are you ready? Make sure your hoses are disconnected.

Make sure you have your winter car kit in the car.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2014/09/monday-message_15.html -this has info on a car kit and what should be in your car for if you get into trouble on bad roads.

Make sure you have non-perishable items in your storage in case you are snowbound for a time. Also, pack a box for an elderly neighbor or friend as well.  

I always start watching the weather more closely to be ready for blizzards and such.

I like to set the shovel inside by the door for when it is needed.

Those of you heading into warmer weather, be putting seeds in the ground or pots because every little bit helps that budget.

https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g645/crafty-christmas-presents-ideas/ - some fun Christmas gift ideas.

https://permies.com/wiki/handmade-gift-ideas - more ideas.

https://wholefully.com/homemade-soup-mixes-in-a-jar/#mv-creation-292-jtr - soup mixes as gifts.

https://julieblanner.com/how-to-make-a-teepee/ - so I would love this if I were a kid.

These will get you thinking of ideas.

Missy says keep your eye on the grocery store flyers this time of year for stocking storage.

Tippy Longstockings says when you cannot take it any longer, it is OK to block out the world and rest.

Monday Message

"Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program. We could refer to all the components of personal and family preparedness, not in relation to holocaust or disaster, but in cultivating a life-style that is on a day-to-day basis its own reward." (President Spencer W. Kimball)

Yes, if we incorporated preparedness into our daily life, it would just become everyday, the same goes for living frugally.

It isn't such a hard thing to do. I can tell you that if you live frugally and then something happens that is financial, it is just what you are used to... hope that makes sense.

It is also not such a huge step when something goes wrong.

This brings us back to storing the basics - stuff to make things with. For example, you can get a muffin mix or you can get flour and things that are basic ingredients. And now you could make biscuits, bread, pancakes, cookies, pies... I think you get the idea. The basics are flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, shortening, yeast. If you store basic things, you can make so much more and stretch what you have.

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/a10476/stocking-up-the-printable-list/ - this site has a printable list.

https://food.unl.edu/article/basic-foods-checklist-how-stock-your-kitchen-simple-meals

https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/make-at-home-instead-of-buying/ 

https://www.cooksmarts.com/cooking-guides/create-a-functional-kitchen/pantry-essentials/

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/pantry-staples-you-can-make-at-home/ - this has things that that you can make at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIjoSjmssLg&list=PLjIyprssAj9I5qiv-yCa8f5VkG1YTxtt4&index=1&t=61s - this is a very good pancake mix you can make that you only need to add water to when you make them.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/scone-mix-recipe.html#scone-mix-recipe - this is also one I keep on hand as you just need water and whatever you want to put into them - wonderful!

And what a great tip - you can make it up, put in a jar, and add a tag then give as a gift. That goes for either of these recipes.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/grocery-store-foods-to-make-at-home/ - things that would cost less to do yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=T6Zn_mR6awU - making things instead of purchasing. I think when the price of canned soup went way up this became a great thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gVCBZSx4Pw - she has some great ideas.

I think we just need to try things. I, too, made yogurt that was awful at first but now we have it every day.

I make the yogurt cubes up as someone in the comments mentioned doing these and it really does save us tons of money. I just put a batch in the freezer to use as my yogurt starter because I just used up the last of the cubes I had in the freezer. So I'll be getting those stocked in the freezer for the next batches I will make. When those run out, I make them again. Thank you for suggesting making these yogurt cubes - you know who you are :)

When I say everyday I mean it....

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2023/12/monday-message_11.html - scroll down, you will find the recipe here and yes, that is how thick it is. Now I don't add sugar so you will need to add jam or syrup on it. We like it with maple syrup and my granola on it.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2023/06/monday-message_19.html - you can find the recipe here on this post. It's the best recipe. I have been using it for the past few years, same with the yogurt.

If I had quit after the first time I made it, I would not have kept trying till I got these recipes. In fact, I have yogurt going now in the ice chest.

So save money and try some of these things.

Missy says to store the basics and you will be making things when storms rage outside.

Tippy Longstockings says yes to storing food and to show you she does this too, she is showing you a picture...

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)

Well finally some fall temps arrived. Remember to do your winter preps by unhooking your hose, clearing gutters, and the like.

Now we all need to be thinking ahead to Christmas, getting gifts ready and such

We went and voted early yesterday at the time I'm writing this and I thought we'd just go into vote and be out... ha! It was a fifty minute wait. Wow! And the line was still long behind us. We haven't been in this kind of line for voting in over forty years. It has just been in with two people ahead of us, vote, and back out. Not this time.

So we had this big cardboard box and I was telling a young friend about it and that I was going to do something for the cats with it. She pulled out her little sketchbook and designed a thing to make for the cats. I took her designed and tried to closely follow it...

Tippy approved it. Missy will have to warm up to it yet.

So here are some homespun Christmas ideas...

https://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/11/no-cook-cinnamon-ornaments.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes

https://craftsbyamanda.com/corrugated-cardboard-snowman-ornaments/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/138837601007931528/

https://discover.hubpages.com/holidays/Gift-Wrapping-Ideas

https://www.calicoandtwine.com/blog/homespun-decorations - this is just a calm bit of inspiration.

https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/scrap-fabric-tree-ornaments/

https://upcyclemystuff.com/the-upcyclers-guide-to-gift-wrapping/

https://www.dadshop.com.au/blog/guides/40-almost-free-christmas-gift-ideas-with-little-or-no-money/

https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g645/crafty-christmas-presents-ideas/

https://www.eatingonadime.com/christmas-puppy-chow-recipe/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes

https://orisonorchards.com/how-to-have-an-awesome-christmas-on-a-tight-budget/ 

So now this has your gears going, right? It is not too soon to get started.

The most important thing is don't over spend, don't go in debt, don't keep up with the joneses... you get it

But remember this has been a hard year on so many people.

I might suggest....

Care packages

A favorite recipe with all the ingredients

Basket of batteries 

Basket of light bulbs

Homemade bread

Share your ideas in the comments below.

Missy said don't get yourself run down this year.

Tippy Longstockings says try to spread things out so you can rest some.