Fwd: Simple Times - 01/04/10 - Low budget meal planning; top blog posts for 2009

[Guest guest]

Simple Times

________________________________

 

Vol. 12, No. 1 -- January 4th. 2010

http://www.SimpleMom.com

DSimple

Copyright 2010 Deborah Taylor-Hough

ISSN: 1527-1269

________________________________

 

Subscribe: join-simple-times

Un: leave-simple-times

________________________________

 

Celebrating more than a decade of saving your time, money and sanity!

________________________________

 

IN THIS ISSUE:

-- "Dear Readers"

-- Simple Living Quote

-- My Top Blog Posts of 2009

-- Low Budget Meal Planning

-- Letters to the Editor / Reader Tips

-- Assorted Information (books, Writers' Guidelines, resources, etc.)

________________________________

 

< < < O.U.R S.P.O.N.S.O.R > > >

 

Tupperware® Online Catalog

http://snurl.com/DebiTupperware

 

Same great products ... shop online convenience!

 

________________________________

 

Dear Readers,

 

My oldest daughter compared books coming into our house to water

flowing into The Great Salt Lake … they keep flowing in but there’s no

outlet for them to flow out again. So we get almost a toxic buildup of

books over time.

 

We’ve acquired more than a little bit of a book back-up. So my New

Year’s resolution (at least for one day) was to start the flow of books

going through the house, not just coming in to it. I boxed up SEVEN

boxes of well-loved but no longer needed books.

 

Now we visit Goodwill. I’m feeling lighter already!

 

The winner of December's contest was: Nancy (Random # 5). Her

prize was a copy of Ruth Bell Graham’s book, Our Christmas Story.

To read the great selection of simple Christmas ideas submitted to

the contest last month, go here:

 

http://tinyurl.com/christmascomments

 

 

I’m going to try to have a contest on my blog every month in 2010 so

stayed tuned for the next opportunity to win something. The prize for

January will probably be an autographed copy of my book A Simple

Choice: A practical guide for saving your time, money and sanity (if

I have a copy around the house, that is!).

 

View the book at: http://tinyurl.com/simplechoice

 

Someone told me recently that they keep A Simple Choice in their

kitchen and at the beginning of each year, they re-read it (in their own

words) as â€kind of my way of motivating me in January to stay on the

right track. You are an inspiration to me …â€

 

Wow. I am truly awed and humbled.

 

 

Simply Yours,

 

Debi

(Deborah Taylor-Hough)

Editor, Simple Times Email Newsletter

--Author of the popular Frozen Assets series; A Simple Choice: A

practical guide for saving your time, money & sanity; and Frugal

Living for Dummies®

--Editor, Simple Times and Bright-Kids email newsletters

________________________________

 

Visit my simple living blog!

http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com/

________________________________

 

SIMPLE LIVING QUOTE

 

"Life is one long struggle to disinter oneself, to keep one's head above

the accumulations, the ever deepening layers of objects ... which attempt

to cover one over, steadily, almost irresistibly, like falling snow."

 

--Rose Macaulay

 

________________________________

 

MY TOP BLOG POSTS FOR 2009 from:

http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com

http://brightkids.wordpress.com

http://dsimple.wordpress.com

 

Each year it's interesting to go back and see which of my numerous

blog posts was most popular over the past twelve months. It's almost

a way of taking the pulse of my blog readers and other random Internet

searches that bring people to my information online.

 

The Number One most popular post is included in this issue of Simple

Times ("Low Budget Meal Planning") so I'm not including a link to it in

this section of the ezine.

 

So, in no particular order, here are the top posts for 2009:

 

 

Freezer Cooking

http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com/cooking/freezer-cooking/

 

 

Life as It Stands Today

http://dsimple.wordpress.com/where-things-stand-today/

 

 

You Know You're From Western Washington If ...

http://dsimple.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/you-know-youre-from-western-washington-if/

 

 

Happiness vs Joy

http://dsimple.wordpress.com/2006/11/29/happiness-vs-joy/

 

 

Freezer Meal Containers

http://frozenassets.wordpress.com/freezer-meal-containers/

 

 

A Secret to a Relaxed Holiday Dinner

http://frozenassets.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/a-secret-to-a-relaxed-holiday-dinner/

 

 

Twaddle-Free Children's Literature

http://brightkids.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/childrens-literature-by-grade-level/

 

 

~Debi

 

Deborah Taylor-Hough

Editor, Simple Times

www.SimpleMom.com

_________________________________

 

#1 BLOG POST OF 2009: "LOW BUDGET MEAL PLANNING"

Copyright Deborah Taylor-Hough

Used with permission. All rights reserved.

http://www.simplemom.com

 

 

How much of your family's hard earned money goes to groceries?

$150 per week? $100? Believe it or not, it's relatively simple to

spend as little as $50 per week on groceries for a family of five or

six. But slashing the food bill down to those lower numbers means

you may need to rethink the way your family eats.

 

For today's busy families, it's often easier to swing by the local

drive-thru restaurant rather than finding time and energy to cook a

new meal every night. Not only is fast food an expensive alternative

for feeding your family, it's also not the healthiest way to eat on a

regular basis.

 

If this describes your dinner-time dilemma, you're not alone. Here

are some simple tips, easy ideas, and general helpful hints for saving

money on your food budget.

 

Keep ingredients on hand for several quick and easy meals.

 

Cook some of your meals ahead to store in the freezer for easy

preparation later in the week. For an easy way to build up a stash

of frozen assets, you can simply double and triple recipes now and

then as you go about your regular cooking during the week. By

stockpiling the extra meals in the freezer, all you'll need to do is

heat a meal and make a side dish or salad for one of those all-too-

frequent busy nights with no time to cook. By cooking ahead, you

can also save money by purchasing ingredients in bulk and taking

advantage of sales at the market.

 

Occasionally serve breakfast for dinner. Even when prepared in a

big way, breakfast is one of the most economical meals to make.

In many busy homes, families rarely have time for a big breakfast

of pancakes, eggs, and bacon in the morning, so it's a special treat

to have a meal like that for dinner now and then. Omelettes also

make a good dinner choice.

 

 

SIMPLIFYING FOOD PREPARATION

 

By planning and preparing bigger meals at dinner-time, you can

use the leftovers for lunches brought from home rather than buying

lunch at work everyday.

 

Have one night each week where your children are each responsible

for dinner for the entire family. This can be as simple as opening a

can of soup and fixing grilled cheese sandwiches.

 

Slow cookers are great for easy dinner prep -- just throw ingredients

into the crock in the morning and dinner's waiting when you get home.

 

 

PLANNING AHEAD

 

Even if you don't think cooking for an entire month would be of interest

to you or your family, planning your meals ahead of time can really

simplify meal planning during the month, and also save money.

 

First, set your grocery budget and then make the menus and grocery

list fit your budget -- not the other way around. Decide what you can

afford to spend and don't go over that. You'd be surprised how creative

you can be when you know you can only spend "this much and no

more" at the store.

 

Take a few minutes to make a monthly menu and write down just

what you need in the house for each meal. Go through the freezer

and the cabinets to take stock of what you have on hand already.

Then look at your calendar to see what the monthly activities are --

for example make note of any birthday dinners, evenings when

everyone will be leaving the house for the evening so you'll need

a quick meal, times you're eating at someone else's home, or

whatever events would effect your meal planning for the month.

 

Then take a look at the sale flyers for your local grocery stores. To

save the most money, plan your meals around what's on sale and

what you already have on hand. If you plan to shop weekly, make

up all your individual weekly grocery lists for the month ahead of

time (write up the entire month of shopping lists in one day so all

you'll need to do is run to the store when it's time to shop).

 

Write out your meal plan on a blank calendar page and hang it in

an easily visible spot (on the refrigerator, on a family bulletin board,

etc.). It takes time to make out the menu and grocery lists, but it

saves even more time everyday and causes much less stress when

the decision is already made about what's for supper that night.

 

 

FOOD CO-OPS / BULK BUYING

 

Be sure to check in your local areas for food buying co-ops. Many

have small membership fees that you'll quickly recoup from the

significant savings you're able to receive on commonly purchased

items.

 

Natural food co-ops are common and a great way to purchase organic

fruits and vegetables, whole grains and other expensive items at

competitive prices.

 

Some communities offer a food buying program called Share. For

a minimum charge (usually about $14) and 2 hours community

service, participants receive a box of food valued at $35-$40. The

community service can be something as simple as helping an

elderly neighbor or working in your church nursery or Sunday

School. The Share programs often offer meatless shares as well

as the standard grocery items.

 

You can also start your own little unofficial food bulk buying co-op

with a group of friends or neighbors. By purchasing items like flour,

sugar, cream of wheat, oats, etc., in large bulk containers (50 pounds),

you can then divide up the item into family-sized amounts, and split

the cost.

 

Many people purchase large quantities of items from their local club

store. While many of the items at these stores can be found at

tremendous savings, be sure to shop comparatively even here.

Sometimes you'll find that the sale at your local corner grocery

store will actually be less expensive per pound or per item than

the prices at the big warehouse stores.

 

Always bring a calculator with you so you can make sure you're

really getting the best price per unit.

 

Also, be sure to only buy in quantity those items that you're sure

you'll be using before they go bad. Stockpiling toilet paper is a good

idea since it's one of those items you know you'll be using eventually.

Stockpiling bananas on sale might not be such a good idea since they

spoil quickly -- unless you're planning on baking with them, or freezing

banana pulp to use in recipes later.

 

 

GENERAL GROCERY TIPS

 

Buy ground beef on sale and divide up into small, meal-sized portions

for casseroles etc. Freeze until ready to use.

 

Grate your own cheese, rather than buying it already grated. Also,

purchasing cheese in large quantities, grating it, and then freezing for

later use is a great way to save time and money.

 

Avoid pre-packaged whenever possible. Make your own individually

packaged puddings, applesauce, yogurts, etc.

 

Buy produce in season.

 

Avoid the gourmet-type stuff.

 

If your kids want soda pop, chips, candy etc. have them buy their own.

This will help limit how much of that they will buy, plus they will begin

to learn the value of money.

 

 

MORE IDEAS AND DISCUSSION

 

For ideas and great discussion of this topic with my blog readers, visit

the comment section of this article online:

 

http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/low-budget-meal-planning/

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

--Deborah Taylor-Hough (freelance writer and mother of three) is the

author of several popular books including Frugal Living for Dummies®

and the Frozen Assets cookbook series. Visit Debi online for more

recipes, tips and ideas at: http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com

 

________________________________

 

Feel free to forward this newsletter to your family and friends. :-)

________________________________

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR / READER TIPS

We'd love to hear YOUR tips and ideas for simplifying daily life.

Send your simple living comments and tips to: DSimple

 

 

Re: Recycling books, etc.

I’ve recently purged beloved books, dvds and vhs tapes. We have a local

bookstore that will give cash or credit for items brought in. It’s been

wonderful to have a little credit at the local bookstore for gifts and small

indulgences (journals, etc.).

~Denise

 

 

Re: Paperback book swap

I let books flow through www.PaperBackSwap.com so that I can order books

we need for home schooling. For each book you mail to someone who wants

it, you get a credit. With that credit, you can order a book that is posted for

FREE or put it on your wish list for when it is available. It's very economical.

~Tammy

 

 

________________________________

 

DEBI'S NEWEST BOOKS!

Available at www.Lulu.com/dsimple

 

 

The Simple Mom's Idea Book

Print: $11.99 / Download: $4.99

While starting life as a new wife and mom, the author always wished

for a personal mentor. Someone who could take her under their wing

and show her the ropes of how to be a stay-at-home mom, live on one

income, survive in a tough economy, educate her three lively kids, and

successfully raise children to adulthood. If you've been looking for simple

ideas for life and homemaking from someone's who been around the

block more than once, look no further. Have no fear ... the Simple Mom

is here!

 

 

Basics of Inductive Bible Study

Print: $7.99 / Download: $3.99

Think the Bible's confusing? You don't understand the language? Don't

let the Bible intimidate you anymore! Here's a simple, step-by-step guide

to studying the Bible for anyone, both newbie and experienced alike. Learn

to see for yourself what the Bible is really saying, what it all means, and

then discover how to easily and practically apply its teachings to your own

life.

 

 

Habits: The Mother's Secret to Success

Print: $9.99 / Download: $4.99

Charlotte Mason was a British educator from the last century whose ideas

are currently experiencing a revival, especially among American private and

home schools. Her ideas on the formation of habit are a key to understanding

how to make lasting change in your child, or even yourself. This book is an

excerpt from Charlotte Mason's writings specifically on the topic of habits.

Edited and introduction by Deborah Taylor-Hough.

 

 

These new books are available at www.Lulu.com/dsimple

________________________________

 

SIMPLE TIMES RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Book list for frugality and simple living

Go to: http://snurl.com/simplebooks

________________________________

 

As always, a special "Thank you!" goes out to Gary Foreman

and the friendly folks at The Dollar Stretcher for making this

mailing list possible!

 

== http://www.stretcher.com/ ==

________________________________

 

EDITOR'S BOOKS AND RESOURCES:

Books and resources by Deborah Taylor-Hough

Editor, Simple Times Email Newsletter

http://snurl.com/debisbooks

________________________________

 

"FRUGAL LIVING FOR EVERYONE!"

A Community Outreach Workshop

www.SimpleMom.comWorkshopsEvents.html

 

 

This popular workshop presented by Puget Sound area author

Deborah Taylor-Hough, is the perfect Outreach Event to offer

your community during this time of economic uncertainty.

 

Be part of the solution for your neighborhood by offering this

workshop at your church, MOPS program, or through your

local civic group.

 

Community Outreach Workshops available include:

 

... Cooking for the freezer

... Saving money on food expenses

... Writing workshops

... Easy educational ideas for kids

... Living within your means

... Simplifying the holidays

... Parenting (preschool thru teens)

... Successful New Year's resolutions

... General homemaking

... Voluntary simplicity

... Christian growth & discipleship

... Inductive Bible study

... and more!

 

 

Deborah can provide themed workshops tailor-made for your group

or community's needs. Debi is also available for consultations for

individuals, churches, and other groups on outreach strategy,

missional living, publishing, writing, media relations, and low-cost

publicity planning.

 

Contact Debi at: DSimple for more information.

________________________________

 

DEBI'S ON-LINE RESOURCES:

Website: http://www.simplemom.com

Frugality/Simplicity: http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com

Cooking Ahead: http://frozenassets.wordpress.com/

Tupperware®: http://snurl.com/DebiTupperware

Kids' Books: http://snurl.com/books4kids

________________________________

 

SIMPLE TIMES WRITERS' GUIDELINES

 

-- 2010 --

 

I wanted to take a moment to encourage the readers of Simple Times

to consider contributing to this newsletter. I'm always looking for new

input and new voices, people desiring to share their insights on frugality

and simplifying daily life. For those of you who would like to share your

personal story or latest tips, here's a condensed version of the Simple

Times Writers' Guidelines.

 

 

SIMPLE TIMES WRITERS' GUIDELINES

 

The purpose of Simple Times is to provide inspiration, encouragement,

motivation, and practical help for those who (for whatever reasons) are

choosing to simplify their lives. Our audience is diverse and represents a

large cross-section of society. This newsletter is open to the voices of its

readers, and we'd love to hear from you.

 

Keep articles brief (300 - 500 words). Send the completed article and be

sure to include a short personal bio (one or two lines). Webpage URLs

and book titles will be included in the bio, if applicable, and your email

address will only be included if you specify that you want it available to

readers. Articles may be edited for space requirements and style.

 

Simple Times doesn't pay for articles, but this email newsletter can

offer excellent free publicity for anyone with books, webpages, ezines,

or any other resources of interest to an audience interested in frugality,

family priorities, and simple living.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Submissions are ONLY accepted in the body of

an e-mail (no attachments, please).

 

DSimple

 

~Debi, Editor, Simple Times eNewsletter

http://www.simplemom.com

 

________________________________

 

 

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Subscribe: join-simple-times

Un: leave-simple-times

 

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think

might be interested. This is a private mailing list which isn't sold

or shared with anyone else. Tips and articles are printed for

entertainment purposes only.

 

This free service is brought to you by www.SimpleMom.com

 

Copyright 2010 Deborah Taylor-Hough. .

3930 A Street SE, Ste 305-119, Auburn WA 98002

Contact us at: DSimple

 

---

You are currently d to simple-times as: Cyndikrall

To http://hub.thedollarstretcher.com/u?id=3503451.60696484ec9b77a0c50800fa74be268d & n=T & l=simple-times & o=3642719

(It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken)

or send a blank email to leave-3642719-3503451.60696484ec9b77a0c50800fa74be268d