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 we really don't have to think too hard to see we have problems heading our way.

Food prices haven't come down. Gas prices haven't gone down. Meds have gone up.

People all around the world are having issues because it is like dropping a pebble in a pond, you get ripple effect and so it is with the world economy.

As things worsen, and they will, we need to be prepared so we can take care of ourselves and our loved ones and others who will need help.

It is wearing on all of us. Have you noticed more anger, less smiling, more rudeness? People are stressing.

This isn't just a United States problem, everyone is effected or will be.

We need to step up our efforts to be more frugal. Already they are saying more people are going to thrift stores and buying used. They are not doing that because things are going well.

We had a ham and from the leftovers I diced some for omelets, sliced some to have with pancakes, left a solid piece for another meal, made ham salad for sandwiches, and that left the bit around the bone which I then made into bean soup, which is cooling now. When cool, I will bag for the freezer for other meals in the future. This is the kind of thinking we must be doing. We need to be looking for ways to stretch our meals and stretch our budget. Also, at the same time, we need to put in some storage.

Research recipes that are most frugal but still taste great. Find ways to save... 

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/50-simple-ways-to-save-money.html

We have to work hard because we are trying to save while at the same time everything around us is going up.

I was next to the Salvation Army store this week and thought I would pop in. I did not get anything but wanted to price some things. One was the price of patterns for making clothing which now are $1.99 a pattern. I am thankful that I hung onto all of mine. Also, I always like to price canning jars - one quart canning jar was five dollars. I would never purchase them this way. I try to get them free by putting a sign at the post office or by asking on freecycle, you can also ask relatives who are done canning or downsizing. I always like to check the pulse of things in thrift shops.

I have checked Walmart so I could put a price on a dozen canning jars $15 - $17. So even if you bought them new, it would be cheaper than how much I saw them that day at Salvation Army by a huge amount. Now some of that may be because they don't know how much they are.

Also, be looking for a pressure canner, a dehydrator, and a vacuum sealer.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2019/10/monday-message.html - in here you can see just how these items can help your family. When I can tomatoes, I save the skins to dehydrate, then turn them into powder - no waste there for sure.

Over a lot of years I have gotten jars at yard sales as well.

Since they can be used over and over it is very wise to have. I purchased lids for the jars to be ready for canning season. I personally can all year round but everyone flocks to the store at harvest time and prices are higher and they are hard to find then - something you might think about.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2023/08/monday-message.html

Look at being frugal from all over, not just in one area. The prices rising is just not in one area, it is all over.

https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2016/12/monday-message_26.html

If you don't already have a sewing machine, try to find a good working used one. If you do not know how to know if the sewing machine is a good one, ask a friend who sews to go with you and have her bring thread, a bobbin, scissors, and scrap of fabric with so she can test it for you.

The machines pictured here were both used when I got them and the Kenmore was gotten forty years ago used and she is my workhorse still today. The serger I got at a yard sale for ten dollars and it too is a workhorse.

So do not shy away from used.

Build those skills. I needed a thank you gift this week and made this scrubby...

I try to keep a few things on hand to be able to make gifts. It does take time but saves on spending money on a tight budget.

Ideally I would have things ahead made but being sick with Covid for so long, I have used all I had made and have been having to play catch up but it is on my to do list to get some gifts made ahead.

So learn to crochet, learn to knit and sew and make bread and can food build those skills.

In a couple weeks, I will be making jam - so easy to do and yet how wonderful on homemade bread toasted!

Missy says to get ready for harder times ahead.

Tippy Longstockings says she knows things are hard so she is offering you a hug and says we can do it!