Fwd: [thesimple_life] Simple life in Tough Times

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The Simple Life

by Sheryl Simons

 

Tough Times Call for Tightening the Belt

 

Even if you aren't having a tough time financially, we have

all seen where it wouldn't hurt to have a few dollars tucked away in

a safe place. Having a few extra bucks means, for one, you can snap

up a good deal when it rolls along. Right now, wood pellets are very

hard to come by. Why? Because fall is when the demand is the

highest. But some were thinking ahead and bought what they needed

last year before the supply ran out and are sitting well. And buying

them in the spring they are usually at a reduced rate – as long as

you have a nice dry place for storage. Wood pellets are no good if

they get wet.

 

One guy was telling me that he had lots of wood, but wanted a

pellet stove. He felt he was beyond the age to cut wood. But even

if he hired a couple teens to cut his wood, he'd have an even bigger

savings.

 

Most items go on sale seasonally. Businesses don't want to

store things for months that won't sell, so these are when the

clearance sales come into play. At the end of summer, when you are

thinking of buying long pants, summer shorts are on sale for half

price, or less. Buy ahead for the kids for next year, buying a size

or two larger. You will be all ready for the next summer. Same goes

with school clothes that go on sale in the spring to make room for

summer fashions. Everyone will need jeans next fall, but why not buy

them for 1/2 price? They will already be there when you need them.

 

Many items are like this. Canning items will be clearanced

out in the fall. Some vegetable seeds will be 10 for a $1. Lawn

mowers and yard items as well. But if you don't have a few bucks

saved ahead, DON'T put them on credit! That will only get you in

more trouble. The trick is to save ahead for a rainy day. Buying

only what you NEED, not what you WANT.

 

I think we are having a wake-up call. We are finding what

our necessities are and re-adjusting our focus. Financially we need

a place to live, food, clothes, and heat. To have these we need

income, usually in the form of a job, and some kind of transportation

to get there. What ever our income is, that is what we have to live

on. If our house costs too much in the form of payments, insurance,

rent, or heat. We need to find something more economical. And we

need to do it while there is time to do something about it. Find out

what your income is each month. Put on paper what your expenses

are. If your expenses are more than your income, you have to adjust

your expenses to fit your income. You will have to make some tough

decisions. You need food, but you don't need chips. You can survive

on soups, and stews for a while (and very well) to stretch the

dollars. Heat wise, you might have to get creative. A friend bought

a small electric heater for her living room. They turn the furnace

down because they are all gone to work during the day. The small

heater is all they need to have one warm room in the evening. Many

people remember the days when bedrooms were not heated and a couple

quilts was all it took to keep warm at night. Sleeping cooler at

night is better for you, anyway.

 

Do you need to insulate? A nice blanket of blown-in

insulation in your attic may be a good start, since heat rises.

 

Do you have a gas guzzler? Time for a smaller gas efficient

vehicle? Make less trips to town. Car pool with neighbor kids if

the kids have after-school practice. Or, just think of the money

your family might save to take a year off extra activities. Play

games at home. Invite other families over for family night. There

are lots of good ways to have fun that save money, as well.

 

Plan a garden for next year. Have your friend show you how

to can vegetables. It can be a huge savings.

 

Plan recipes that are money savers. Biscuits are an easy way

to bake bread, very simple to mix, and much cheaper than a loaf of

bread. Instead of buying donuts to take to work, bake your own

cookies, or muffins.

 

With the money you save put away in a jar, or bank account.

Save it for that insulation project for next year. And don't forget

do-it-yourself! My brother-in-law saved over half by buying a garage

kit and building it himself, with the help of family, than buying it

assembled.

 

How about making your Christmas gifts this year? Or at least

give gift cards. This is a year to make the most of gifts, not

giving things people won't use, or don't need. My husband Richard

made a beautiful wishing well (out of scrap lumber) for his brother

who had mentioned he wanted one to cover his well. It was so nice

when he finished it, we started thinking of making Christmas gifts,

instead of buying them. If you can knit, crochet, sew, or do wood

working, you can make a gift. Or maybe grandma could use some

cleaning help, or grandpa could use some help stacking wood. These

gifts of time might be better than any gift you could give. Be

creative this year and see how much you can save!

 

* * *

 

Oreo Pistachio Dessert

 

1 (15 oz) bag Oreo cookies rolled into crumbs

1/3 cup melted butter.

1 pkg. (3 oz.) Pistachio Instant Pudding

1 1/2 cups milk

1 qt. vanilla ice cream, softened

1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip

 

Mix Oreos and butter, divide. Spread 1/2 on bottom of 8x11 " pan.

Reserve other 1/2 of crumbs for top.

 

Prepare pudding, using the milk, according to directions on box. Mix

all remaining ingredients and pour over half cookie crumbs. Sprinkle

the rest of the crumbs on top. Freeze

* * *

 

" Being frugal does not mean being cheap! It means being economical

and avoiding waste. " ~~Catherine Pulsifer

 

" With greater emphasis on working to live, not living to work, we are

creating awareness for simpler solutions, a more creative existence

with healthier, happier longevity, for those brave enough to accept

the challenge. " ~~Tracey Smith

" How simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast

chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. . . . All

that is required to feel that here and now is happiness is a simple,

frugal heart. " ~~Nikos Kazantzakis

Keeping it Simple,

Sheryl

 

Contact me with your favorite recipes, questions, comments and simple

living ideas that work for you. Email: thesimple_life or

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