Frugal Measures: 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)

At the time I am writing this, it is two weeks ago if you are reading it. We have nice spring weather and they are talking a little snow in a few days (boo!) but for now, I truly enjoy it! The cats love "doortime" with fresh air coming through the screen door and wildlife putting on a show on the other side.

My garlic chives are three inches up. Nothing kills them. I started with one tiny one and they are very prolific but handy to have - something you might consider. It's nice to bake potatoes and just walk out and cut some, wash, and snip them on those potatoes.

I also saw someone start pepper seeds. I thought I might try her way. She took the seeds and put them between wet (not dripping) paper towels and put in a ziploc baggie. So I have done that and will see how they do.

It will soon be time for me to start seeds.

How are you doing on your stocking of storage? Building skills???

I don't mean to nag, it is just that these things have helped us so much. I hate to think where we would be if I hadn't done these things.

And you all know how I hate gardening but I do it every year. While it's not my favorite, I do like to eat from it and I like to watch things grow.

Again, this week they said on the news prices are continuing to go up even though it is told that they aren't. I think without being told anything, we can see when we get groceries that they are higher.

If you feel like you need to see how to do things, we are blessed with so many tutorials on the internet.

Here are a few things I have enjoyed this week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BqifjJ-NzI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3MJaL3Qlhg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISHcy6SLKAo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYa_Aczde5w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ77ojhZvQg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hsm0EXEJ04&t=561s

I like how she shows you how to make things from scratch.

She uses bread machines to make their bread as well. I saw Goodwill in my area had them for ten dollars, so they are still available for from three to ten dollars. You can still do bread by hand but having a bread machine helps me not to hurt as much and allows me to do other things while it works. Then I take the dough and shape it and let it rise and bake. She did breads in the whole month of February.

These are just a few of what I watched. Are you watching tutorials? What have you watched? Let us know in comments.

This week, I have been working on rotating things so now that is pretty much tended. Rotating is when stacking your shelf, you pull the old to the front and put the new to the back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TiUar91sAw - this is a beginner sewing project that is so pretty, it is on my list to make.

I stopped into Salvation Army to look while waiting, and oh my prices literally have doubled. Softcover books used to be $1.49 now they are $2.99. I asked how come the prices were up so much and was told because of the economy hmmmmm. The yarn is cheaper next door at Hobby Lobby than what I saw there that day and they share a wall. This isn't good news. It was a few weeks ago they cut the senior discount day down from 20% to 10% so I think hang onto your things. Try to reuse, repair - stretch things as far as you can.

Keep trying to be as frugal as you can!

I have a 25 pound bag of rice that tomorrow I will put in a bucket. I washed the bucket today and dried it well. Then I like to air dry it overnight, then the rice will go in and I will put two bay leaves on top and put on the lid. Then I'll date and label it and remember to rotate it. Rice lasts a really long time.

I also want to remind you to not set your buckets or any food directly on concrete - they will wick up moisture into the food (not good!). Just put scrap wood on the concrete to set the buckets on to get the food off the concrete. It works well. Any scraps of wood will work.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tightwad-Gazette-Promoting-Alternative/dp/0375752250 - this was the last book I got at Salvation Army for $1.49, just before they raised the prices. I am showing you this so you can look for it used or check it out from your library. This is the best book out there on being frugal, in my opinion. So I think it would be best to own a used copy as it is so full of things - a great resource but if you can't, then get it from the library.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RvzHcSDZb4 - she talks a little here about the book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUFyD-FTf-E - here the author is herself.

So keep working on these things, you will be blessed.