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)

I think if the last four years taught us anything, it is that things can change quickly...and they can at any time. So having a storage in our homes is a very prudent thing to do.

I have been going through cookbooks marking things that I usually have on hand and are inexpensive to make. A while ago I found some bread machine cookbooks and the Fix-it and Forget-it big cookbook at the thrift store. The big cookbook has a price of $29.95 on the cover. My price was $2.99. I usually do not like to pay that price but it was a book on my "If I ever see it" list. I do like to utilize my crockpot.  

So looking for cheaper recipes is a frugal thing to do and this year I am going to have to employ frugal skills more than ever. I suspect a lot of you are as well.

I was given some sourdough starter and I am doing well at keeping it going happily. I have been using the sourdough discards in my bread making...

I first used it on this cinnamon raisin bread - wonderful tasting for sure. I have added it to pancakes and just about everything I make that I can use it in, I have.

So this is a skill I am building and speaking of skills I am building, here is the finished Christmas stocking where I am building knitting and colorwork skills...

Everything we can do to build these skills saves our family money.

I am still making yogurt weekly. Will be doing more tomorrow. When we start to eat the last quart jar, I make another batch (get the recipe HERE).

Same with granola - when we start the last jar I make more (yummy granola recipe HERE).

While yes, these homemade versions do take time (but so does going to the store), I cannot tell you enough how much they save us money.

I also have been mending my husband's suspenders. Sewing saves us tons of money.  

The other day I needed some organza for a project. I went to the thrift store to look for sheer curtains, they had only one pair so I got them. There were two long panels that didn't even looked used with a JC Penney tag home good brand that was crisp and new. The curtains were $5.49 but had a green tag so fifty percent off and then a senior discount on top of that brought that price way down. Then I went next door to a regular store. They wanted $5.99 a yard - just one yard. I got many yards in those long curtain panels. When we need something, we need to stop and think what do I already have on hand first, then second, can I look someplace used?

I looked at the price on clearenced fabric while I was there. I could not afford to make a dress with those prices, so I thank my past self for going yard sailing and to thrift stores and using freecycle as it helped me stock things that would be useful like fabric and notions and the great yarn haul I got from an auction house that did not want it and a great fabric haul from freecycle and a dear friend downsizing. Because now on a fixed income that grows less as prices grow more, it is coming in quite handy.

Also on sewing skills that I can repair and makeover clothing. Even though the prices are high on fabric, we can recycle and remake used clothing. So build those skills.

https://clark.com/save-money/save-money-on-groceries/ - we can expand on this list.

https://www.purewow.com/money/how-to-save-money-on-groceries-advice - I remember shopping with my list at a store when a younger lady asked if I worked for a facility because I had a list. I said no, I just write up a list. She said, "really? I just come in and get whatever." Then said her husband gets mad because she spends too much... So set a budget and try to stay in it. I know it is hard when prices go up even while you shop. Have a back-up plan. What can you do without?

https://www.mymoneycoach.ca/blog/budget-grocery-shopping-tips-to-save-money.html - good ideas here.

https://due.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-saving-money-on-groceries/ - more ideas.

https://www.winterparkha.org/25-simple-tips-to-save-money-on-groceries - more ideas.

https://www.mymoneycoach.ca/saving-money/saving-on-groceries - I like that this gives you percentages and also a chart with what to purchase instead.

https://thehappierhomemaker.com/ways-to-save-money-on-groceries-without-coupons/

These are ways to save while shopping but what then?

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/ways-to-repurpose-leftovers/ - using up what we have in different ways.

https://www.reddit.com/r/EatCheapAndHealthy/comments/q6welp/reinventing_leftovers_is_a_great_way_to_save/ - I like it when everyone chips in their ideas so comment below any ideas you have.

https://www.cooksmarts.com/articles/guide-repurposing-leftovers/ - ideas.

https://awgprivatechefs.com/post/how-to-repurpose-leftover-ingredients/ - every idea is helpful.

https://www.intheknow.com/post/creative-ways-to-repurpose-leftovers/

https://www.bettycrocker.com/menus-holidays-parties/mhplibrary/recipes/7-slow-cooker-meats-that-make-great-leftovers

Look for inexpensive recipes... https://creativehomemaking.com/recipes/crock-pot/apple-and-cinnamon-oatmeal/ 

So these were some ideas to get you thinking.

Remember what they used to say..."Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." Some day I will make a stitchery of that.

Missy says we should use everything, even veggie cans can have holes poked in the bottom and used to plant seeds in.

Tippy Longstockings says she is thinking outside the box, trying to be a carpet sweeper picking up lint.