I was digging around in my freezer, seeing what I had on hand and how old it might be (it's time to use up some of the things I've had in there a while) and I discovered a bag of grits. I don't recall purchasing grits. I don't even really care for grits as a breakfast food. And, while they are a southern soul food staple... they weren't in the house of my youth. They don't seem quite so popular west of the Mississippi in the part of the south I call home. So, I really don't know what to do with grits. I can only imagine they came to my freezer as a gift from someone well-meaning. Or, my husband picked them up when I wasn't looking (I think he might actually like them for breakfast!). Anyway, I don't intend to waste them.
So, I'm searching around the internet for grits recipes and I'm finding a lot of them. Apparently, baked cheese grits are a popular dish. Grits combined with cornmeal make spoon bread. There are recipes for grits biscuits and bread. I've also found a few grit casseroles that look interesting. I think I'm most intrigued by the fried grits recipe I found. I'll certainly give the shrimp and grits recipe a try (I feel a Bubba Gump moment).
I'm sure that after experimenting a bit, I'll come up with a few grits recipes to add to my family's menu. I'm not exactly sure why I've never ventured into grits territory before, but it certainly is a frugal food. It's very existence is frugal since it's the gritty bits of corn gleaned after grinding cornmeal. It's inexpensive and a little bit goes a long way. But, as we all know, it's not a bargain if no one will eat it.
So, today, I'm making fried grits. If they work out, are tasty and my family likes them, I'll add the recipe later.
I'm still experimenting with apple fritter recipes. We made a batch yesterday and they were good... but not what I was looking for, so the search continues and I still have supplies on hand!
As I was digging through the freezer, I also discovered a bag of wheat berries. I'm not sure where they came from either, but now I'm intrigued and searching for recipes. I've no idea as to their cost, so I don't know if I can recommend them as a frugal menu item... but I'll check into it. Because, if I like them, I'll want to add more of them to my larder.
It seems I have a busy week experimenting in the kitchen with new ingredients and recipes!
Showing posts with label frugal living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frugal living. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Kill-A-Watt
My daughter's college is having a contest among the dorms to see which dorm can reduce their energy usage the most. The program is called Kill-A-Watt. The dorm that wins the contest (lasts from February - April) is given the amount of money they save to spend as they choose. We started our own Kill-A-Watt program in our home this winter after seeing our November electric bill. While our usage had not really increased terribly, the rates had. And, it was time to seriously address the amount of energy we use in our home on a daily basis.
We began with an awareness campaign... my daughters called it nagging. Turn off anything you aren't using. Unplug anything you won't be using for a while.
It worked. We reduced our usage by 1,000 kW for the month of December. That was 1,000 kW less than the previous month's usage and almost 1,000 kW less than the same period one year ago... although this year the average daily temperature was 10 degrees colder.
One big factor was our supplementing our central heating source with a fire in our wood stove. This helped significantly. But, the other steps we took were not insignificant. We often discount how much energy that forgotten lamp is drawing or that those appliances that aren't in use but are plugged in are constantly pulling watts from the energy lines. Simply going as unplugged as possible adds up to several watts saved.
Of course there are several things one can do to reduce their energy usage including purchasing energy efficient appliances and reducing heat or A/C loss through caulking and sealing areas in the home. One can even use solar collectors or passive solar to heat spaces.
Then, there are the little things, several of which I've mentioned here and there in this blog. They include using the oven when it's cold outside and then when you're finished opening the door to let the heat in the room. Not using the drying cycle on the dishwasher, but again, opening the door and allowing the heat and moisture (winter is dry) into the room. Not using the dishwasher and handwashing dishes (gasp!) can save energy.
My oldest daughter suggested we hang-dry jeans and other items that take longer to dry... something she picked up from not wanting to spend more quarters in the dorm laundromat. This has the added frugal bonus of helping our clothes to last longer. A simple rack can be made or purchased from Linens-N-Things which makes hanging your clothes inside a simple, organized task.
Presenting energy savings as a Kill-A-Watt challenge can be fun and spark creativity. I was surprised at how my family has responded to our call for energy reduction at home. But, I'm even more surprised and inspired by what's happening at my daughter's college. These young women are really working to reduce their energy usage and I'll be interested to hear some of their creative methods for achieving their goals.
We began with an awareness campaign... my daughters called it nagging. Turn off anything you aren't using. Unplug anything you won't be using for a while.
It worked. We reduced our usage by 1,000 kW for the month of December. That was 1,000 kW less than the previous month's usage and almost 1,000 kW less than the same period one year ago... although this year the average daily temperature was 10 degrees colder.
One big factor was our supplementing our central heating source with a fire in our wood stove. This helped significantly. But, the other steps we took were not insignificant. We often discount how much energy that forgotten lamp is drawing or that those appliances that aren't in use but are plugged in are constantly pulling watts from the energy lines. Simply going as unplugged as possible adds up to several watts saved.
Of course there are several things one can do to reduce their energy usage including purchasing energy efficient appliances and reducing heat or A/C loss through caulking and sealing areas in the home. One can even use solar collectors or passive solar to heat spaces.
Then, there are the little things, several of which I've mentioned here and there in this blog. They include using the oven when it's cold outside and then when you're finished opening the door to let the heat in the room. Not using the drying cycle on the dishwasher, but again, opening the door and allowing the heat and moisture (winter is dry) into the room. Not using the dishwasher and handwashing dishes (gasp!) can save energy.
My oldest daughter suggested we hang-dry jeans and other items that take longer to dry... something she picked up from not wanting to spend more quarters in the dorm laundromat. This has the added frugal bonus of helping our clothes to last longer. A simple rack can be made or purchased from Linens-N-Things which makes hanging your clothes inside a simple, organized task.
Presenting energy savings as a Kill-A-Watt challenge can be fun and spark creativity. I was surprised at how my family has responded to our call for energy reduction at home. But, I'm even more surprised and inspired by what's happening at my daughter's college. These young women are really working to reduce their energy usage and I'll be interested to hear some of their creative methods for achieving their goals.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Frugal College Life
My oldest daughter is a fresh(wo)man in college and my youngest daughter was just notified of her acceptance to the college of her choice. I'm very pleased that both of my girls have received substantial scholarships for merit and financial need. They've also benefited from the wonderful gift of a 529 plan from their grandmother. This combination of funding has reduced my burden tremendously. But, there are still expenses involved that I must cover (books, supplies, the remainder of the room & board not covered by the above listed aid) and this leaves my budget tight. I have told the girls that their tuition, room, board and books are covered, but anything else, they must provide. This has led to some creative strategies by my oldest daughter.
She does not have a car at college. She doesn't really need one, except to make the trip home. She uses the bus system to get around town but most of what she needs is within walking distance of her dorm. She also rides with other students as they make trips to the mall or other shops for groceries and supplies. This saves the gas money, insurance, parking permit fee, and hassle of maintaining a vehicle.
She obtained a really great job, working in the nursery of a church just a few blocks from her dorm. The church has taken her in and treats her very well. She works for a few hours on Sunday morning and Wednesday night, no conflict with her school schedule at all. The pay is good enough that she is able to get the spending money she needs from this. The church members have asked her to do some private babysitting and even work as a server for a catering job. These extra jobs are great because they give her the flexibility of looking at her schedule to decide if she can do them and, if so, provide her some extra income. The added bonus is that she's networking and creating her own friendships and sense of community beyond the college environment.
On weekends, the cafeteria at the school only serves brunch. Because of this, I send my daughter supplies to make her own meals and she buys fresh ingredients locally. I've taught her how to cook and she does very well. Following Christmas break, I sent her a cooler with some tilapia, salmon and other frozen items for her to enjoy on her weekends. This past weekend, she was cooking in the dorm kitchen (which is located across the hall from the head RA for the dorm) and visiting with the RA. When asked what she was cooking for dinner, my daughter rattled off her menu, "Pan-seared salmon with mango-chipotle chutney, wild rice and baked sweet potatoes." (Yes, the mom here is saying, "where's the green veggies?"... but hey, it's not pizza!) To which the RA responded in some sort of awe, according to my daughter. Then, my daughter expressed that she felt sorry for the kids she saw heating up Easy Mac in the microwave and those who obviously hadn't a clue how to cook. From this conversation was borne the idea (and permission) for her to cook meals on Saturday and Sunday and sell the plates first-come, first-served to any takers. She posts her menu in the lobby, with a sign-up sheet for planning purposes. She charges $5 or less (depending upon the menu) for a plate. I think this is fabulous, and as I told her, if she only gets enough to pay for the groceries/supplies, then she's still ahead because she's basically eating for free. If she makes a little money, great!
There are other opportunities to save or make money. You'd be surprised how many kids don't know how to do laundry. Some have become so frustrated that they take theirs to the local "Wash-n-Fold" place. For someone who doesn't mind doing laundry (not my daughters) there is the potential to take over some of the Wash-n-Fold business by taking in dorm mates laundry and doing it at the laundromat when doing their own.
If you want to save some money, make sure your young adult knows some very basic living skills before they jump out of the nest. Learning to cook, do one's laundry, maintain a vehicle and network are key skills that will save them (and you) money.
Additionally, teach them things about living frugally. For example, don't buy your supplies at the campus bookstore. A trip to Wal-Mart, Target, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Best Buy or several other places provide notebooks, art supplies, calculators, etc at a price far less than available in the bookstore. Always check online to see if you can buy your textbooks cheaper (use ISBN number). There are several excellent online sites that sell college texts. And, likewise, check online before selling your book back to the bookstore. If the school offers you $3 for the book you paid $30 for a few months before, then do like my daughter did and offer to sell it to someone taking the class the next semester or next year. She got $15 out of it, which was win-win for her and the student who needed the book. Also, apply this technique to books you need for a class; ask around, someone may have them in their room. This is where networking with classmates pays off. Finally, don't rush to buy every book on the syllabus. They should be available in the library and some will not be needed until later in the semester and some are not needed at all.
While obtaining a college education is a costly endeavor, it can be made more affordable with a frugal mindset.
She does not have a car at college. She doesn't really need one, except to make the trip home. She uses the bus system to get around town but most of what she needs is within walking distance of her dorm. She also rides with other students as they make trips to the mall or other shops for groceries and supplies. This saves the gas money, insurance, parking permit fee, and hassle of maintaining a vehicle.
She obtained a really great job, working in the nursery of a church just a few blocks from her dorm. The church has taken her in and treats her very well. She works for a few hours on Sunday morning and Wednesday night, no conflict with her school schedule at all. The pay is good enough that she is able to get the spending money she needs from this. The church members have asked her to do some private babysitting and even work as a server for a catering job. These extra jobs are great because they give her the flexibility of looking at her schedule to decide if she can do them and, if so, provide her some extra income. The added bonus is that she's networking and creating her own friendships and sense of community beyond the college environment.
On weekends, the cafeteria at the school only serves brunch. Because of this, I send my daughter supplies to make her own meals and she buys fresh ingredients locally. I've taught her how to cook and she does very well. Following Christmas break, I sent her a cooler with some tilapia, salmon and other frozen items for her to enjoy on her weekends. This past weekend, she was cooking in the dorm kitchen (which is located across the hall from the head RA for the dorm) and visiting with the RA. When asked what she was cooking for dinner, my daughter rattled off her menu, "Pan-seared salmon with mango-chipotle chutney, wild rice and baked sweet potatoes." (Yes, the mom here is saying, "where's the green veggies?"... but hey, it's not pizza!) To which the RA responded in some sort of awe, according to my daughter. Then, my daughter expressed that she felt sorry for the kids she saw heating up Easy Mac in the microwave and those who obviously hadn't a clue how to cook. From this conversation was borne the idea (and permission) for her to cook meals on Saturday and Sunday and sell the plates first-come, first-served to any takers. She posts her menu in the lobby, with a sign-up sheet for planning purposes. She charges $5 or less (depending upon the menu) for a plate. I think this is fabulous, and as I told her, if she only gets enough to pay for the groceries/supplies, then she's still ahead because she's basically eating for free. If she makes a little money, great!
There are other opportunities to save or make money. You'd be surprised how many kids don't know how to do laundry. Some have become so frustrated that they take theirs to the local "Wash-n-Fold" place. For someone who doesn't mind doing laundry (not my daughters) there is the potential to take over some of the Wash-n-Fold business by taking in dorm mates laundry and doing it at the laundromat when doing their own.
If you want to save some money, make sure your young adult knows some very basic living skills before they jump out of the nest. Learning to cook, do one's laundry, maintain a vehicle and network are key skills that will save them (and you) money.
Additionally, teach them things about living frugally. For example, don't buy your supplies at the campus bookstore. A trip to Wal-Mart, Target, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Best Buy or several other places provide notebooks, art supplies, calculators, etc at a price far less than available in the bookstore. Always check online to see if you can buy your textbooks cheaper (use ISBN number). There are several excellent online sites that sell college texts. And, likewise, check online before selling your book back to the bookstore. If the school offers you $3 for the book you paid $30 for a few months before, then do like my daughter did and offer to sell it to someone taking the class the next semester or next year. She got $15 out of it, which was win-win for her and the student who needed the book. Also, apply this technique to books you need for a class; ask around, someone may have them in their room. This is where networking with classmates pays off. Finally, don't rush to buy every book on the syllabus. They should be available in the library and some will not be needed until later in the semester and some are not needed at all.
While obtaining a college education is a costly endeavor, it can be made more affordable with a frugal mindset.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Homemade Soft Pretzels
I'd never made pretzels before. I'd purchased them a few times at malls, ball games, airports... whenever the smell of hot, fresh pretzels hit me hard and I couldn't withstand the temptation. I really never even thought of making them myself. Until I was in the Bargain Store prowling the aisles and found a tub of Gourmet Pretzel Mix. Hmmm, I thought, "this could be fun." The tub was only 50 cents and extra bargain... they were marked buy one, get one free. I guess a lot of folks are intimidated by the prospect of making their own pretzels. But, they shouldn't be.
I decided to make the fresh pretzels for a treat this weekend. Following the directions carefully, they were quick, easy and fun to make. Although the mix from the bargain store is certainly a bargain, it will not be there for very long. And, I want to add these yummy pretzels to my cooking repertoire. So, I began searching for pretzel recipes.
The first place I looked was my trusted Woman's Day Encyclopedia of Cook
ery. There I found an interesting write-up on the history of pretzels, but no recipe. Did you know that pretzel bakers are credited for saving the city of Vienna from Turkish invaders in 1510? Or that pretzels are on record as existing in the USA as early as 1652, when court records show a baker sold pretzels to the Indians. Some historical accounts credit the invention of the pretzel to monks somewhere between the 5th and 7th centuries and state the shape resembles a person's arms folded in prayer. Pretzels also showed up in marriage ceremonies and the pretzel shape was referred to as a "marriage knot". A gilded pretzel hanging outside a shop in Germany or Switzerland represents a bakery. I learned that the pretzel was very much a German staple.
I was even more determined to find a recipe after reading about pretzels. I have a strong German heritage, but somehow... I missed out on the pretzel baking!
I've now found 3 recipes which are similar to one another that I'll try before I post the recipe here. The similarity is that they all call for dipping the pretzel dough in boiling baking soda water. This step adds flavor and creates the lovely firm skin. Avoid quick recipes that simply call for frozen bread dough which you thaw, shape and brush with egg... they won't be the same and you really aren't saving much by purchasing frozen bread dough.
Mixing up your own dough is not difficult, especially if you have a mixer with dough hooks. While some folks find working with yeast intimidating, they really should not. It's quite simple and just requires some time to allow the dough to rise. I suppose that's easy for me to say since I recall baking my first batch of bread at age 9. We did a lot of such baking because it stretched our family budget. It was much cheaper for us to bake our own bread than to purchase it from the store. And, nothing beats hot, fresh bread from the oven slathered with fresh churned butter! Except, maybe a hot, fresh pretzel!
I decided to make the fresh pretzels for a treat this weekend. Following the directions carefully, they were quick, easy and fun to make. Although the mix from the bargain store is certainly a bargain, it will not be there for very long. And, I want to add these yummy pretzels to my cooking repertoire. So, I began searching for pretzel recipes.
The first place I looked was my trusted Woman's Day Encyclopedia of Cook
ery. There I found an interesting write-up on the history of pretzels, but no recipe. Did you know that pretzel bakers are credited for saving the city of Vienna from Turkish invaders in 1510? Or that pretzels are on record as existing in the USA as early as 1652, when court records show a baker sold pretzels to the Indians. Some historical accounts credit the invention of the pretzel to monks somewhere between the 5th and 7th centuries and state the shape resembles a person's arms folded in prayer. Pretzels also showed up in marriage ceremonies and the pretzel shape was referred to as a "marriage knot". A gilded pretzel hanging outside a shop in Germany or Switzerland represents a bakery. I learned that the pretzel was very much a German staple.I was even more determined to find a recipe after reading about pretzels. I have a strong German heritage, but somehow... I missed out on the pretzel baking!
I've now found 3 recipes which are similar to one another that I'll try before I post the recipe here. The similarity is that they all call for dipping the pretzel dough in boiling baking soda water. This step adds flavor and creates the lovely firm skin. Avoid quick recipes that simply call for frozen bread dough which you thaw, shape and brush with egg... they won't be the same and you really aren't saving much by purchasing frozen bread dough.
Mixing up your own dough is not difficult, especially if you have a mixer with dough hooks. While some folks find working with yeast intimidating, they really should not. It's quite simple and just requires some time to allow the dough to rise. I suppose that's easy for me to say since I recall baking my first batch of bread at age 9. We did a lot of such baking because it stretched our family budget. It was much cheaper for us to bake our own bread than to purchase it from the store. And, nothing beats hot, fresh bread from the oven slathered with fresh churned butter! Except, maybe a hot, fresh pretzel!
Friday, January 25, 2008
It's the Little Things
Little things add up. Keep a jar and toss your change in it every day, when the jar is full... start another one. This is a pretty obvious way to see that little things add up. Others aren't quite so glaringly obvious.
Do you review your monthly bills? Most people don't really look at them too much. They scan over them and pay the amount requested. However, bills need to be reviewed for accuracy. Do you really want to pay the phone company extra each month for services you aren't using? Remove the line maintenance fee! It's like buying an extended warranty. Check for other fees.
I have two phone lines, for one I was being charged a rate for having touch-tone, the other I wasn't. All my phones are touch-tone... why was I being charged for one and not the other? I asked for the charge to be removed. I'd requested bundle billing with my dsl, phone service and unlimited long distance. This was to save me some money each month. A review of my bill after requesting the bundle, showed that they didn't bundle it. Another phone call.
It can be frustrating to deal with these things and that's why I'm sure most folks would rather not. But, think of that change jar. If your utilities are hitting you for $1 here or $3 there in extra charges, it doesn't take very long for that to add up. Double check your meter readings... I've had them reported incorrectly. Take a good look at that bank statement, I've had the bank erroneously enter a $10 check from my account as a $100 check. That was a messy error. All of these entities rely on a combination of humans and computers... mistakes do happen.
So, take the time to really look over your bills and note any changes. If necessary, prepare to approach the entity regarding the error. Remain calm. It's not the person on the other end of the phone line's fault that an error was made and they aren't personally profiting from the mistake. Remain vigilant. It may take several attempts to correct the problem. If you keep decent records though, it should all work out in your favor.
Do you review your monthly bills? Most people don't really look at them too much. They scan over them and pay the amount requested. However, bills need to be reviewed for accuracy. Do you really want to pay the phone company extra each month for services you aren't using? Remove the line maintenance fee! It's like buying an extended warranty. Check for other fees.
I have two phone lines, for one I was being charged a rate for having touch-tone, the other I wasn't. All my phones are touch-tone... why was I being charged for one and not the other? I asked for the charge to be removed. I'd requested bundle billing with my dsl, phone service and unlimited long distance. This was to save me some money each month. A review of my bill after requesting the bundle, showed that they didn't bundle it. Another phone call.
It can be frustrating to deal with these things and that's why I'm sure most folks would rather not. But, think of that change jar. If your utilities are hitting you for $1 here or $3 there in extra charges, it doesn't take very long for that to add up. Double check your meter readings... I've had them reported incorrectly. Take a good look at that bank statement, I've had the bank erroneously enter a $10 check from my account as a $100 check. That was a messy error. All of these entities rely on a combination of humans and computers... mistakes do happen.
So, take the time to really look over your bills and note any changes. If necessary, prepare to approach the entity regarding the error. Remain calm. It's not the person on the other end of the phone line's fault that an error was made and they aren't personally profiting from the mistake. Remain vigilant. It may take several attempts to correct the problem. If you keep decent records though, it should all work out in your favor.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Cleaning House
It's a slow internet day. There doesn't seem to be much of interest to read today. Now that I upgraded to a DSL connection it only takes me a few minutes to check my email, visit a couple of favorite forums, read the local news and post to my blog. This leaves me with more... "free time". As I was pondering what I should do with my "free time" today, the nagging images of my dirty dishes, dirty floors and the pile of laundry kept flashing in my mind like a bad slide show. I guess I'll be cleaning today. But, only after I make this post because now I have a topic!
I don't really spend a lot of money on different cleaning products. Anymore. I used to, back when I thought they really did save me time and got things super-duper clean, therefore I simply could not live without them. I will admit though I still have a few products that are just my favorite trusted friends. But, I don't have a cabinet full of various cleansers and polishes. I've found that I can clean just about anything in my house with ammonia, vinegar, bleach (but don't mix it with the ammonia) and baking soda.
You can find tips for using these products all over the internet. So, I won't go into all of the possibilities, but I will run down a few of the things I do.
Ammonia - mix 1 part ammonia with 3 parts water, place in sprayer bottle and use for general cleaning and windows.
Bleach - use to sanitize or whiten anything (pour into toilets).
Vinegar - add to dishwasher, add to laundry (the really smelly laundry or the fabrics that wrinkle badly), use to remove hardwater limescale everywhere.
Baking Soda - place on damp pots to remove tough burns (let sit about 5 minutes), use to absorb carpet odors.
For tough carpet stains, I dilute some "Shout" and spray it directly on the stain before cleaning the carpet.
And for those of you who simply must have some cleaning products because using the four I mentioned is just way too simple, basic and rustic for you... try stocking up at the dollar store in your area. You can usually find great bargains on such products in the aisles of Fred's, Dollar General and The Dollar Spot.
I don't really spend a lot of money on different cleaning products. Anymore. I used to, back when I thought they really did save me time and got things super-duper clean, therefore I simply could not live without them. I will admit though I still have a few products that are just my favorite trusted friends. But, I don't have a cabinet full of various cleansers and polishes. I've found that I can clean just about anything in my house with ammonia, vinegar, bleach (but don't mix it with the ammonia) and baking soda.
You can find tips for using these products all over the internet. So, I won't go into all of the possibilities, but I will run down a few of the things I do.
Ammonia - mix 1 part ammonia with 3 parts water, place in sprayer bottle and use for general cleaning and windows.
Bleach - use to sanitize or whiten anything (pour into toilets).
Vinegar - add to dishwasher, add to laundry (the really smelly laundry or the fabrics that wrinkle badly), use to remove hardwater limescale everywhere.
Baking Soda - place on damp pots to remove tough burns (let sit about 5 minutes), use to absorb carpet odors.
For tough carpet stains, I dilute some "Shout" and spray it directly on the stain before cleaning the carpet.
And for those of you who simply must have some cleaning products because using the four I mentioned is just way too simple, basic and rustic for you... try stocking up at the dollar store in your area. You can usually find great bargains on such products in the aisles of Fred's, Dollar General and The Dollar Spot.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
T.V. Free
We don't watch regular t.v. in our home. It's not that we're morally opposed to it or anything like that. Although, there really doesn't seem to be much of value to watch.
We chose to disconnect our satellite service about 4 years ago. The monthly bill had doubled since we had elected the service. The cost seemed to be ever-increasing. It was difficult to justify almost $70 per month for t.v.
Without satellite, we don't have t.v. We are too remote for cable service and too far in a valley for decent antenna reception.
This was not the first time we had gone without t.v. I was unable to afford a satellite hookup for some time and we did without when we first moved into our home. In fact, I think we've only had t.v. for about 9 of my oldest daughter's 19 years... and 6 of those years were when we lived in the city and had cable.
We do have 3 television sets and we have dvd players for each of them. We rent dvds regularly and have found the most convenient and economical method is using Netflix. I love seeing those red envelopes in the mail! I love not paying late fees! And, I'm still paying less than half of what I did for satellite.
The brilliant part for us has been that we are not slaves to t.v. programming. Yes, I know tivo has helped resolve some of this issue. But, living t.v. free is even better. We don't have commercials, stupid repetitious news stories and other drivel pouring into our daily lives cluttering our minds. We choose what we watch and when we watch it.
I will admit that when I first gave up t.v. I suffered withdrawals. What to do with the extra time? What to do with the quiet? Well, I quickly filled the void. Then, I became aware of how much our culture revolves around t.v. I was in the dark when folks would discuss what they saw on t.v. the night before or the latest scandal. Soon, I found that I was rather blissfully unaware!
I keep up with current events through news on the internet. I watch t.v. programs I find interesting when they are available on DVD.
What have I gained? I save money. I have more time. I've spent valuable time with my kids as they've grown up doing homework, cooking, playing games, talking, reading, etc.
For us, removing the t.v. from our lives was a very positive step. So, try it for a few days. Turn off the t.v. and go t.v. free. See if it makes a difference for you and your family. You might be surprised!
We chose to disconnect our satellite service about 4 years ago. The monthly bill had doubled since we had elected the service. The cost seemed to be ever-increasing. It was difficult to justify almost $70 per month for t.v.
Without satellite, we don't have t.v. We are too remote for cable service and too far in a valley for decent antenna reception.
This was not the first time we had gone without t.v. I was unable to afford a satellite hookup for some time and we did without when we first moved into our home. In fact, I think we've only had t.v. for about 9 of my oldest daughter's 19 years... and 6 of those years were when we lived in the city and had cable.
We do have 3 television sets and we have dvd players for each of them. We rent dvds regularly and have found the most convenient and economical method is using Netflix. I love seeing those red envelopes in the mail! I love not paying late fees! And, I'm still paying less than half of what I did for satellite.
The brilliant part for us has been that we are not slaves to t.v. programming. Yes, I know tivo has helped resolve some of this issue. But, living t.v. free is even better. We don't have commercials, stupid repetitious news stories and other drivel pouring into our daily lives cluttering our minds. We choose what we watch and when we watch it.
I will admit that when I first gave up t.v. I suffered withdrawals. What to do with the extra time? What to do with the quiet? Well, I quickly filled the void. Then, I became aware of how much our culture revolves around t.v. I was in the dark when folks would discuss what they saw on t.v. the night before or the latest scandal. Soon, I found that I was rather blissfully unaware!
I keep up with current events through news on the internet. I watch t.v. programs I find interesting when they are available on DVD.
What have I gained? I save money. I have more time. I've spent valuable time with my kids as they've grown up doing homework, cooking, playing games, talking, reading, etc.
For us, removing the t.v. from our lives was a very positive step. So, try it for a few days. Turn off the t.v. and go t.v. free. See if it makes a difference for you and your family. You might be surprised!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Making the Most of What you Have
I'm not so good at planning ahead when it comes to shopping and cooking. I tend to buy what is on sale in addition to what I need. Or, I'll buy the 10 lb. bag of potatoes when I only need a few at the time, because the 10lb. bag is actually cheaper than the 5 lb. bag or buying only a handful of potatoes. It's hard to pass up a good bargain.
The problem with this can be not using the food that was a bargain before it spoils. Then, it just becomes a silly waste of money. The extra potatoes from the huge sack are often forgotten until they are a little funky. We don't eat that many potatoes apparently.
To resolve this and make the most of my budget, I prowl through the fridge and pantry at least once a week (sometimes more often) and see what needs to be used. Yesterday, it was potatoes. I had about 1/2 - 1/3 of a 10 lb bag left that needed to be used before they found their way to the compost pile. In addition to potatoes, I found some celery, carrots and a bit of onion all left over from holiday cooking and still in good condition... for now.
Being a chilly day, it seemed perfect to make a big pot of potato soup. Yum! I'll include my recipe, but I have to say that soups are one of those things I don't really follow a recipe to create each time. Usually the first time I make something new I do follow a recipe. Then, after that, it becomes my own and I will adjust things here and there for what's on hand. That's what I did with the potato soup I made last night and it turned out wonderfully delicious!
Potato soup is a great budget stretching item. Potatoes are inexpensive. You can get enough to make a huge pot and feed a crowd for only a few dollars. It is very filling and can stretch a meal when served with sandwiches or as an appetizer. Personally, I like a steaming bowl with some crusty bread or rolls.
Potato Soup
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbspns flour
4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cans chicken stock (or add chicken bullion cubes to water)
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper
I had about 3 times the amount of potatoes needed, so I used a bigger pot and adjusted the recipe. I used a bit of oil with the butter to stretch it. Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add onions and garlic, cooking until soft. I added 1 carrot, peeled and sliced and 1 stalk of celery, chopped to this recipe last night. If you add additional veggies like this, do so when you are sauteéing the onions and garlic. Add flour to make a roué, then add potatoes and chicken stock to barely cover the potatoes. I had on hand some chicken broth powder that we picked up inexpensively at the local bargain store. I used water and about 2 tablespoons of the powder. Cook, covered, until potatoes are tender (15 to 20 minutes), stirring frequently. Add milk and season to taste. Milk was in short supply last night, so I skipped the milk and added more water to the cooking process. The flour had thickened the broth nicely and I used my spoon to mash some of the potatoes to make it a bit thicker. It worked fine without having milk in the recipe. Heat until thickened and creamy.
This made a decent pot of soup and we have some leftover in the fridge. I took a picture of some in the pot so you could see how yummy it looked... too bad we still don't have smell-a-vision. Today I'll freeze some of the leftovers for another day.
Enjoy!
The problem with this can be not using the food that was a bargain before it spoils. Then, it just becomes a silly waste of money. The extra potatoes from the huge sack are often forgotten until they are a little funky. We don't eat that many potatoes apparently.
To resolve this and make the most of my budget, I prowl through the fridge and pantry at least once a week (sometimes more often) and see what needs to be used. Yesterday, it was potatoes. I had about 1/2 - 1/3 of a 10 lb bag left that needed to be used before they found their way to the compost pile. In addition to potatoes, I found some celery, carrots and a bit of onion all left over from holiday cooking and still in good condition... for now.
Being a chilly day, it seemed perfect to make a big pot of potato soup. Yum! I'll include my recipe, but I have to say that soups are one of those things I don't really follow a recipe to create each time. Usually the first time I make something new I do follow a recipe. Then, after that, it becomes my own and I will adjust things here and there for what's on hand. That's what I did with the potato soup I made last night and it turned out wonderfully delicious!
Potato soup is a great budget stretching item. Potatoes are inexpensive. You can get enough to make a huge pot and feed a crowd for only a few dollars. It is very filling and can stretch a meal when served with sandwiches or as an appetizer. Personally, I like a steaming bowl with some crusty bread or rolls.
Potato Soup3 tablespoons butter
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbspns flour
4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cans chicken stock (or add chicken bullion cubes to water)
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper
I had about 3 times the amount of potatoes needed, so I used a bigger pot and adjusted the recipe. I used a bit of oil with the butter to stretch it. Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add onions and garlic, cooking until soft. I added 1 carrot, peeled and sliced and 1 stalk of celery, chopped to this recipe last night. If you add additional veggies like this, do so when you are sauteéing the onions and garlic. Add flour to make a roué, then add potatoes and chicken stock to barely cover the potatoes. I had on hand some chicken broth powder that we picked up inexpensively at the local bargain store. I used water and about 2 tablespoons of the powder. Cook, covered, until potatoes are tender (15 to 20 minutes), stirring frequently. Add milk and season to taste. Milk was in short supply last night, so I skipped the milk and added more water to the cooking process. The flour had thickened the broth nicely and I used my spoon to mash some of the potatoes to make it a bit thicker. It worked fine without having milk in the recipe. Heat until thickened and creamy.
This made a decent pot of soup and we have some leftover in the fridge. I took a picture of some in the pot so you could see how yummy it looked... too bad we still don't have smell-a-vision. Today I'll freeze some of the leftovers for another day.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 11, 2008
A Painted Line
The economy is getting worse. At this point, you'd have to live on a self-sufficient island not to notice. Oil prices are at a new high... slightly over $100/barrel. The economic impact is undeniable. The price of everything is rapidly increasing.
Until recently, the quest for the simple life and living frugally was something of a novel idea. There was something reminiscent of a bygone era and a simpler time. Folks would tighten their belts for the thrill of a bargain and the defeat of commerce. Or, as a mere escape from their busy "rat race" lives. Now, it has become necessary to pursue this lifestyle because it is more and more difficult just to pay the bills each month.
I have an advantage. I was raised living the simple life in the Ozark foothills of northern Arkansas. My childhood was from a bygone era. I've often compared it to "The Waltons" - with the major exception being that my experience was in the 1970's rather than the 1930's. We milked cows, churned butter, gathered eggs, made bread, split wood, planted crops, canned vegetables... and worked to live off the land. I am not enamored by the romantic notion of these pursuits for the "simple life". That life is not simple. It is hard. It is work. But, I know that I can do it and I know how to do it. The beautiful part is, I can choose where and how I implement my knowledge to create a combination of convenience and cost-savings that better fits my life.
Thus, here I am... sharing my tricks, tips, insights and daily happenings in an effort to impart some words of encouragement and maybe some wisdom here and there to those who are pursuing a more frugal life in order to reduce their financial burden. I hope it helps.
Oh... about the name of the blog; it is a reference to women painting stripes on their legs when stockings were in short supply.
Enjoy!
Until recently, the quest for the simple life and living frugally was something of a novel idea. There was something reminiscent of a bygone era and a simpler time. Folks would tighten their belts for the thrill of a bargain and the defeat of commerce. Or, as a mere escape from their busy "rat race" lives. Now, it has become necessary to pursue this lifestyle because it is more and more difficult just to pay the bills each month.
I have an advantage. I was raised living the simple life in the Ozark foothills of northern Arkansas. My childhood was from a bygone era. I've often compared it to "The Waltons" - with the major exception being that my experience was in the 1970's rather than the 1930's. We milked cows, churned butter, gathered eggs, made bread, split wood, planted crops, canned vegetables... and worked to live off the land. I am not enamored by the romantic notion of these pursuits for the "simple life". That life is not simple. It is hard. It is work. But, I know that I can do it and I know how to do it. The beautiful part is, I can choose where and how I implement my knowledge to create a combination of convenience and cost-savings that better fits my life.
Thus, here I am... sharing my tricks, tips, insights and daily happenings in an effort to impart some words of encouragement and maybe some wisdom here and there to those who are pursuing a more frugal life in order to reduce their financial burden. I hope it helps.
Oh... about the name of the blog; it is a reference to women painting stripes on their legs when stockings were in short supply.
Enjoy!
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