Monday Message

In Argentina, Relief Society leaders are trying to teach the importance of food storage. They wrote: "Unfortunately, most of the sisters [here] cannot afford to buy an extra kilo of sugar, or flour, or an extra liter of oil. However, they have been encouraged to save, even just a spoonful at a time." (Elaine L. Jack)

If these sisters could save their spoonful of food we should be able to as well.  I know things are tight.  I feel hard times will be getting harder.  With weather becoming more unpredictable, we need to do what we can to be prepared. 

Here in Iowa crops have been hit with this awful flooding.

I can't stress enough that we need to be setting food aside and find ways of making it go further.

Also....

Build basic skills.

https://bravelygo.co/10-frugal-and-sustainable-life-skills-to-master/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYVQM96cdck

https://comehomewithbonniejean.com/homemaking-skills/

If you already know some skills, build on them and learn others. The more things we can do for ourselves, the easier it will be.

https://www.allrecipes.com/50-dollar-grocery-budget-and-dinners-for-one-week-8549649 - this has great frugal ideas.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/11/monday-message.html 

https://smithlive.blogspot.com/2011/12/monthly-meal-planning.html

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/meal-planning/

https://www.buzzfeed.com/sydneylmartin/family-meal-plan-no-waste

https://www.sparklestosprinkles.com/how-to-make-instant-pot-yogurt-without-the-yogurt-button/

https://www.sowinginsuburbia.com/blog/container-gardening-the-easiest-way-to-expand-your-home-vegetable-garden. 

Sewing and mending our own clothes will stretch our budgets and build those skills.

https://www.pinterest.com/jfabrit/clothing-remakes/ - this will give you some ideas.

I stuck in those few skill building ideas to encourage you to keep at it. I also encourage you as you go through clearing out and cleaning, to ask yourself - is there a way I can use this item in a different way to extend it's life and help in some way? If the answer is you cannot think of anything, then donate it. We are all in this together and sharing is a great thing. There is a great recycling place near me, it's like a giant free yard sale. I like donating to them because no one has to pay, it's a great service to our area.  

Missy says take time to ponder how you can be more frugal.

Tippy Longstockings reminds you to put things in storage for your pets as well.