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!