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Sunday, February 21, 2016

A QUESTION ANSWERED

Hello dear friends!   Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!  Yesterday it was almost 50 degrees and sunny.  It was so good to feel the sun on my face again,  while being a mild winter, it has also been a very dark one.  The snow has started to ebb away and it fills me with hope that spring will soon follow.  Soon we will once again begin the process of starting the seeds and tilling the garden, but for now we will rest and enjoy the waning days of winter.  As many advancements that man has made, for us, we continue in the old cycles of life, just as our ancestors have done for centuries, sowing and reaping. 

A QUESTION

I have several people inquire about more information on how we spend so little for groceries.  I think the most important task is to set up a minimal pantry.   I have written a few posts back about my bare-bones baking pantry, but I also have a bare-bones cooking pantry, although most of the items in it are not stored in the pantry.  These are items that use in almost every meal I prepare;  onions, canned tomatoes, carrots, celery, eggs, butter, salt and pepper, cooking oil,  milk and cheese.  While I like to buy these things on sale, if I run out of any of these items I will buy them at whatever price the store is selling them for, within reason,  still trying to get the best deal because without them, meals can't be made.  Fortunately for us, we grow enough potatoes and onions to see us through the year,  and when the stored ones are no longer edibles I resort to my dried onions and canned potatoes.  Ditto for tomatoes and carrots.  Out of the $150 a month I spend on groceries, I'd say about $30 of it goes to restocking the must-haves.
My bare-bone cooking pantry with home-dried vegetables.

 Another $40 goes for stocking up on items as they come on sale.   I know that in March, I will be buying corned beef if I can find it for reduced price after St. Patrick's day, which I will can.  I also know that butter usually goes on sale right before Easter for baking, so I try to stock up then and  freeze several pounds.  Ham is another item that can be found pretty cheaply around Easter and can be canned for future use. Pork is also inexpensive now.  All of these items probably will cost more than the $40 I have allotted  for stocking up, so the extra cost will come out of the remaining  $80.

The remaining money is spent on our meals for the month.  We only eat what is in season, can be bought cheaply or is on sale.  It's a fun little game for us to see how far we can stretch those dollars.  Our local butcher usually has some kind of meat in his reduced-for-quick sale  cooler and that determines what meat we eat for that week.  This week, we were fortunate to be paid for some work with some lamb chops and a turkey breast.  So this week we had the chops for Sunday dinner and then we took the bones and prepared a broth with them, which will be a basis for a soup using the carrots, onions and celery that is part of our bare-bone cooking pantry. This will make enough soup for two days, if we stretch it by serving half a sandwich or a good hearty bread and cheese.  The remainder of the week's meals will come from the pantry.  We always try to make soup as one of our meals each week because it is such a thrifty thing to do.  Plus it uses up all the meat scraps and the vegetables that need using up.
And we try to have a couple meatless ones too, such as a vegetable stir-fry, bean burrito or vegetable pizza. Eggs are usually a lost leader right before Easter and I'll buy several dozen and base a few of our meals on them; quiche, egg and ham pie, egg salad sandwiches, etc. 

All our toiletries come out of our grocery budget also.  However we spend very little upon them.  We make our own soap from fats that we collect during my massive meat canning sessions, the remainder of the fat is coconut oil that we buy from the bulk food store inexpensively.  The only other cost is for a container of lye.  The coconut oil makes our soap very moisturizing, better than any commercially made soap I've found.  All in all, soap costs us about $1 a pound.  From that soap we make our own dish soap.  I've tried making my own laundry soap in the past, but after doing the calculations, I discovered that it wasn't any cheaper that some of the commercially made laundry detergents, and I didn't like how it cleaned.  I buy a cheap brand called Sun from the discount stores.    The last jug  I bought was on sale for $3.99 for 166 loads, less than 2.5 cents a load.  Of course, I use less than the suggest amount and because we use an old-timey wringer washer, we re-use the wash water for a couple of loads, so we even save more.  A big jug of soap like that will last us several months.  I also buy the cheap Suave brand shampoo, conditioner and deodorant. I love their argan oil shampoo.  BTW, just because the directions say to wash, rinse, wash on the bottle of shampoo, it isn't necessary if your hair isn't that dirty, one wash and rinse is enough.  And it helps to pour your shampoo into a pump-style bottle so you don't use more than you need. So you see, toiletries are only a few dollars out of my budget each month.

Of course, once the garden starts producing, we spend even less.  Our meals are planned around what is ripe and needs using up in the garden.   We eat a lot more meatless meals then.  And I can everything I can get my hands on to see us through the seven months (our last frost date is May 18th) when our garden isn't producing much.  Basically, we eat according to the season and what we have.  For instance, this year we had apples coming out of our ears, so almost everything I've baked from October until now has been apple based.  I even grate them and add that to meatloaves and add chunks of apples to baked beans.  Would I like to have something besides apples? Sure!  But apples is what we have, so apples are what we eat.  It is only food after all, and apples are just as nutritional as some expensive fruit that is out of season this time of year.  In other words, we eat what we have. Hope that helps explain  it a little better!

CHEAP BEAUTY TRICKS

My skin has been so dry lately.  Probably sitting fireside hasn't helped.  I have tried several moisturizers,  but they didn't seem t be helping.  In desperation I grabbed that pine salve I wrote about last week and slathered it on my face.  It's really greasy but it's abut the only thing that has kept my skin hydrated throughout the night.  You don't need to use the white pine for a salve, just heat some olive oil and add an equal amount of beeswax to bind it all together.  Cheap and right from the pantry shelf.

The other thing was finding a substitute for the microbead scrub I was using.   Here's a very easy one from the pantry: combine 1 cup white sugar with 1/4 cup coconut oil.


CRAFTING

After spring cleaning, I wanted to do some sprucing, so I made this runner and mat for our dining room table:
I used a packet of the pre-cut charm squares  and it only took a few hours to sew and quilt the runner.  The mat was made from some quilt squares I had sewn and then lost interest in completing the quilt.  Speaking of quilting, I just love a good old country quilt shop!  Every time I visit one is like a mini-vacation for me.  When we lived in Wisconsin, they had a couple wonderful ones, with  wood floors and beautiful traditional style quilts hanging everywhere.  Never can resist buying some charm packs or fat quarters.  For me, it's an inexpensive luxury that gives so much joy.  Just goes to show you that you don't necessarily need a boatload of money to buy some happiness!

THRIFTY THING WE DID THIS WEEK

My husband was paid for some work  with lamb chops and  a turkey breast.

Sewed a runner and mat from fabric I already had.

Ate out at Subway on Tuesday when they had buy one get one free plus they had double points.

Watched the entire series of Wives and Daughters  for free on YouTube.

Made my own facial scrub from pantry items.

Found a new Amish discount grocery store.

Collected a large bin of things for our garage sale and gave four bags of clothes to charity.

It was a slow week.  I have been  having a bout of arthritis in my knee that's really been hindering my doings. :) It's nothing too bad, just annoying, probably due to all the wild swings in our weather lately.  Hope you all have a lovely week!

Hugs
Jane



28 comments:

  1. I don't know where to start...you say so much in one post with so much info (I always go back and re-read)! First of all, I made your cake w/buttermilk and the coconut frosting last week and froze some. This weekend I brought it out and my husband is still raving and my one son says that would be a good cake for his upcoming wedding! So it is quite the hit here.

    I like your savings on items, and how sometimes you decide bought items (such as the laundry soap) is the best choice. I think your flexibility here and there gives you practical wisdom.

    My favorite shampoo/conditioner is Aussi and Suave...the cheapest! I tried them because I read a survey and those were voted top, over and above the expensive ones. (I buy them at Target here, they have the best price for large sizes). And we are big fans of pork chops here and are stopping the buying of steak....I can't believe the cost..pork is so much cheaper and tastes just as satisfying to me! (I could also eat egg salad sandwiches daily!) And it is very smart and more tasty to eat just what is in season. Andrea

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  2. I'm so glad the cake was a hit, Andrea. It does taste like a wedding cake. It's such a simple recipe.

    Way back when I had my first blog, I carefully priced out that laundry detergent that is so popular with DYIers (the one with borax and washing soda and Fels Naphta) What I discovered is that it cost quite a bit more than those cheap brands. Quite a few people didn't appreciate me pointing it out though, so a lot of times I keep these "discoveries" to myself. Ha!

    We're all pretty low-maintenance here, so the cheaper better when it comes to shampoo. As long as it gets my hair clean.

    I actually prefer a pork chop to steak. Especially if it's topped with a lot of fried onions!

    Enjoy your evening!
    Hugs
    Jane

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  3. Morning, Jane! We had a lot of rain, but the temperature was above 30-degrees, so I felt spring in the air! HA!

    The series I mentioned to you can be watched online at the PBS site; don't you love this free streaming available these days??

    Sounds like a wonderfully productive week! I was counting this morning and I have eight more weeks of classes and I will be a homebody again! Yay! Then, I will feel more productive at home... why is that?? LOL

    I made your cane syrup cake and it was wonderful! I had picked up some cane syrup at the Mennonite store to try and it was perfect in the cake! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    Have a terrific week! I hope your knee starts feeling better!

    as ever.. m

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    1. I'll have to check that out Matty. Glad you liked the recipe. I'm down with a cold at the moment. Can't stand being so unproductive. I tell you those little grandkids are germ factories. Every time we visit them, we get sick.

      Are you talking about those jam bars? They are good. Here's hoping spring is here to stay!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  4. Great post dear Jane. Very inspiring.

    Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

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  5. Jane, I also just buy the detergent on sale...sometimes I can get the name brand for a great price with a coupon (coupons from the free paper thrown in our driveway or given away at the store). I would love to go to the Amish discount store ...sounds great. Have a great day!

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    1. Hi Vickie! The Amish store closes at noon on Saturdays and we arrived 15 minutes too late. Looks interesting though. Lots of buggy equipment and harnesses out front. There's a buggy shop next door too. The Mennonite's store is huge and always busy. That's where we buy all our flours, beans and oats in bulk. If you ever get a chance to wander over this way, you might enjoy it.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  6. Sorry that your knee has been bothering you. Hope it feels better soon!
    Change in weather triggers my migraines, and since I broke my ankle a few years ago, I think that I am a walking barometer.
    Thanks for the update about stocking the pantry. I am still amazed at how little that you spend, but you prepare such delicious meals. Looking forward to spring so I can plant some tomatoes...I do love garden fresh maters. :D
    Love the runner and mat for your dining table. They are so pretty.
    I have never done the homemade detergent either. I usually buy whatever is cheapest like sun or xtra or purex. I had a $5 coupon for pursil last week, so thought I would try it, but it is so highly scented that I don't think I will buy it again. I can't tell any difference in my clothes from the cheaper detergents.
    Hope you have a great week.

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    1. Hi Kathy! Thanks! The knee is getting better. Just had to stay off it for a while.

      Home grown tomatoes are so much better than the store bought ones. Over the years we have crossbred two varieties, Olpaka and German Strawberry. I tell you, when you make a sandwich them, you don't even miss meat. So good! Too bad it will be another five months before we get any!

      Yeah, you have to do a lot of sniffing of those detergents. Some are pretty powerful. Detergent is detergent. It's the agitation that cleans clothes anyway.

      Hope your week is awesome too!
      Hugs
      Jane

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  7. Hi Jane!
    Every time I visit here my first thought is how much your readers must benefit from your posts. I know I certainly do. And I'm wondering if you ever link up at The Art of Home-Making Mondays over at Strangers and Pilgrims On Earth? I think a lot of homemakers would be thrilled to see how you manage your household. There's just no sense in throwing money away uselessly. And I have a notion that a lot of young marrieds have never even considered a thrifty lifestyle.

    Hope you have a great week!
    Toni


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    1. Hi Toni! I'm the most computer-illiterate person that ever wrote a blog. Ha! So I wouldn't know how to link up to anyone else's blog. But thank you for the suggestion. I guess I'll just continue to write and hope that it helps those who read it.

      Bet it's getting pretty down your way.
      Hugs
      Jane

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  8. hello jane,
    thanks for this wonderful post ,full with great infos!!!! the price of your washing laundry is really low. in my part is the cheapest price 9,00€ for 100 loads.this week gives potatoes on sale 10 kilo for 2,99€ and bananas for 0,99€ per kilo. i have a few apples in my cellar.....i think i will made applesauce,with the last apples.on saturday we had potatoe-leek soup.the taste so good and today we eat the leftovers from this soup.
    i hope your knees going better.
    have a wonderful week,
    hugs regina

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    1. Hi Regina! One thing we can be grateful over here is that our prices are quite low compared to other countries. Even our Canadian neighbors have much higher prices. Potato Leek soup is wonderful. We ate the last of our leeks last fall. Didn't last long. This is the time of year I take stock of what we should grow in the garden. Maybe I need to grow more leeks this year?

      Hope you a wonderful week also!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  9. hello Jane!
    Thank you for another great post. I want to try this cake/I did see and was interested when you posted - but weight loss is a goal right now/but life is precious...decisions. :) You mentioned a little while back that no one died from hunger pains (something close to that) and that is my new mantra. It is wonderful that such a simple fact can have such an impact on my thinking.
    I wanted to share with you that I told my mom how you had replied to a comment of mine about my parents being proud. I was telling her in a joking/light hearted way and she got a little misty. Apparently everything homemaking she knows was self taught (she had a difficult childhood) - your remark made her day, thank you.
    Have a blessed week - Jen

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    1. Hi Jen! When your weight loss is on a roll, it isn't worth it to eat something like cake. At least that's what I discovered. One slice wouldn't be too bad, but just knowing it's in the kitchen calling to me, drives me crazy. Why put temptation at your doorstep? Ha!

      You'd be surprised at how sentimental us mothers can be. Your mother should be proud!

      Have a happy!
      Hugs
      Jane

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  10. Jane,
    That's exactly how I plan my meals, too. If I have something, we eat that instead of buying something else. It's as simple as that. I stock up the same way, as well--can and freeze everything I can get my hands on, buy things in bulk and on sale, and grow things and get them for free as often as possible. I can't even imagine how much money I've saved over the years. I'm glad to know it works for others, as well.

    If it's laundry soap confession time--well, I don't make mine, either. For whatever reason, that's the one thing I've decided I don't have time for (which makes no sense because I've heard it doesn't take much time) and made me feel so overwhelmed (no logic there either) so I just choose not to do it. I'm glad to hear that it's not always less expensive. I have a feeling that the kind I buy probably is more expensive because my husband's skin can't handle much--many kinds make him break out in a rash, but I think I'll keep ignoring that idea and keep NOT making it:) Probably silly, but that's how it is! It's all about balance or I tend to get overwhelmed. I can give about 1 piano lesson or less a month for the amount of soap we need. So, I do that. I may have to revisit that when I'm not working much, but for now....

    I love all of your encouraging ideas. It's nice to know I'm not the only one out there that loves to can. My mom calls me a "recreational canner" because I like it so much. This is the year that I'm going to clean a lot of it up, because of the move, and next year I'll get to indulge more, again.

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    1. Hi Becky! It certainly seems to be working out for you, the meals you prepare from your larder look wonderful!

      I think back then I calculated the laundry detergent to be about 20 cents a load. Washing soda, Borax and Fels Naptha are expensive. So I never felt guilty about not using it. Plus I thought the clothes came out dingy.

      Ha! We are recreational canners, aren't we? I just got a new steam canner. Years ago I had one , then whomever decides these things said they were unsafe. Now they are safe again. I can't wait to use it. Makes water bath canning go so much more quickly. I think I might can up so cranberry juice from the cranberries I have in the freezer. Hope the packing is going well!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  11. I don't have a steam canner....hmmmm.... maybe something to explore after we get settled again!

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  12. Replies
    1. Hi Kathy! Thanks for asking! I have been having some really bad arthritis lately and just don't feel like doing anything, thus there's not much to write about. :) Plus I'm unsure about the direction this blog should go. Would you prefer to have more frequent posts and less lengthy ones or vice versus? Here's a hug , since I owe you one for this week! Ha!

      Jane

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    2. aw I'm sorry that you haven't been feeling well. Does the weather make your arthritis worse? I hope that you will feel better soon!
      Thanks for the hug! :D
      As for the blog, do what works best for you, ok.

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    3. I think just getting old makes my arthritis worse, Kathy. Ha!

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  13. Hello Jane! It's April from April's Homemaking I'm going to try posting my comments under anonymous because I haven't been able to post comments as myself for quite sometime, every time I comment it gets sent back as undelivered. :( I have been reading all of your posts and they are always full of such great suggestions. I love your idea of a simplified pantry, that is currently what I am trying to do. I want to downsize the number of different ingredients to make more room for staples, so I can stock up on important ingredients and so I won't have waste. I love the idea of making your own sugar scrub, I want to try making one with olive oil and sugar, because of my allergies none of the store bought scrubs will do since they all largely have nut oils. Your quilted runner looks great, and I hope the weather evens out for you so your arthritis won't be bothered as much. Hope you have a great week! ~April

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    1. Hi April! That's strange about posting. I'll never understand computers~

      I'm all for scaling back my pantry. The less things you have to buy, the more you can buy them at a great price. And more money for fun stuff! Why waste it on food? After all, once it's gone there's not much to show for it. ONce you get your nutrients in.

      I didn't know that about the scrubs. Well this coconut and sugar is working better than most of those expensive ones for me. I do love to be all exfoliated!

      Hope you have a fun week. I'm really enjoying your YouTube channel. It looks so professional!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  14. Thought maybe I'd see a new post from you today but not this week I guess but trust you are well. We are going to visit our daughter and her family in KY next week and will be gone a week so I'm getting some things done so when I get back I won't feel like I'm 5 miles behind. We are having some folks over for dinner this Saturday so I am baking some cookies today and then will roast some chicken in the oven for supper along with a baked potato so as to use the heat of the oven wisely :) Tomorrow I'll make another gallon of yogurt so I'll have some when we get back home on about the 17th. Gotta have my yogurt on a daily basis as I'm addicted to it :) We're pretty excited about the trip as this is the first time we'll see our newest granddaughter and she'll be 4 months old by the time we get there. Started doing yard work over the weekend and cleaned up a lot of branches that have fallen over the winter. Before you know it will be garden planting time. Nannie

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    1. How exciting Nannie! Our little grandson, Ezekiel was about that age when we first saw him, too. It's hard when grandchildren live so far away.

      Long time before we'll be doing lawn work here. Had two big snowstorms this week. It looks more like Christmas now then it did in December.

      We're hoping to get our seeds started this week. Did you have a nice visit with your friend?

      Hugs
      Jane

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  15. My friend from WY is still here. She and her hubby stay in a little basement apartment while visiting in Nebraska. They like to come about once a year as they have lots of friends in this area plus a son and his family. The couple who have this apartment let them have it for free otherwise it sets empty. How sweet is that deal. They will be here through March so I'll get to visit more when we get home from our vacation. I haven't gotten to visit with her at all this week as she is working for her son who has a fire and water restoration business. I used to work for him as well. When my friend Ann was still in town we worked together along with another good friend of ours. It was so fun then. When Ann moved I retired :) It was no longer much fun and the other gal had some back issues so she quit too. But whenever Ann comes to town she and her hubby get a few hours of work in so they have some extra money while here. We ladies would do the cleaning, sometimes houses, sometimes household goods, all things that were covered in soot. Sorry about all your snow :( Glad it is pretty well behind us for the year.
    Nannie

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