Mending and Making Them Last~Sock "Darning"

Clothing is a huge expense in our lives. Let's face it! Since Adam, we have needed some type of clothing to cover us, and with the costs rising and our resources shrinking, we need to find ways to put some extra life into the ones we have for just a few more wearings!

Do you know how to darn a sock, sew on a button, mend a broken seam?  These three ESSENTIAL skills are cost savers in the home.
 My mother, Betty says that if we mend and fix then we get more life to an item and then we can save our money for items when we find sales or in the thrift stores.

Consider this for a minute.  You have some socks that belong to your hubby.  He's got a hole in about 5 of the socks in his collection.  BTW~are you buying the same color and style? This is a huge saver too! I can see the need for specialty socks for say, athletics, but for everyday~make an easy match: same color and brand.  This will make matching and cleaning easier too~so much less time!  But there is a hole in five of the pairs of socks.  Do you just throw it out? Sometimes a sock will literally discentegrate, but let me say that you can fix this too with the right methods.  The idea is to use it up~EVER hear me that THAT before?? We want to use every little bit we can so that we can utilize our resources, our money to the fullest extent.

Great Reasons to Mend~

Here's How:

For a hole that needs "darning:"  You will need a light bulb, perferably a burned out one so if it drops you have lost nothing useful other than your "darning tool,"(you can purchase a "darning egg" which is a wooden egg, but this works fine.  Just be sure not to break the bulb as you work!), a darning needle, and some matching soft fine yarn (match the color of the sock.  The match is they key to success as well as "darning" in a smooth way!

Here's that video which the news report referred to ;-))

Darning socks is really a cost saver and will prevent having to throw even the store version away~Did you catch what was said about the commercially made ones? hmmm...anyway, these can be "darned" too!

I will post again about sewing buttons and seams~for now, hunt down those socks that need attention and "darn" them!

darning socks=saving green$

Winter Preparedness~Furnace and Fuels

Heat!

I love to be warm.  In my first home, which was a 1968 mobile home which I payed cash for and sold two years later for the same, was heated by fuel oil.  It had a huge tank that sat behind the house and each winter at least twice I'd call the "fuel man" to come and put in what I needed so I could run my furnace and stay warm.  This was in my early days of singlehood and I was so proud of my home!  That little trailor was so unlike the modular homes of today.  It has roll out windows, no carpet~but tile flooring and acutal paneling and wood cabinetry.  I loved it except that it was only 8 feet wide~CAN YOU IMAGINE?  God has really blessed me in the 25 years since! But in those days I had to put plastic over my windows to shut out the winter chill, and I also had to roll up towels at the doors to keep out winds.  I used insulated curtains too!

While I no longer live in such a tiny home, praise God with my family of four, I do still use some of those methods to keep us safe and warm each year! Let me say we are blessed with double glass high efficiency windows with storms so I am not rolling the plastic out, visqueen over them anymore! But if you have old windows, invest in a good heavy plastic and cover them up.  Use roll shades instead of miniblinds to block drafts and for more insulation, use insulated drapes.  This will keep the cold from coming in and heat from escaping!

For door drafts: I like weatherstripping, but if I can't do that, I use a rug or roll an old towel to keep out drafts as best we can.  There is a roll type insulated curtain you can purchase to insulate door areas, but I don't have this system.  We do have old doors in this home we are redoing, and hubby is trying to redo the back door...it sticks and while has fresh paint, it's not tight in the frame.  I was given a beautiful antique door, farmhouse style with custom stained glass work from a dear friend. Hubby has promised to rework the antique door and weatherstrip it for us this year! The kicker is we have 6 exterior doors LOL! Our home was originally a duplex! So it's three on each side!!  Well, I am excited to be replacing this kitchen door for this very pretty one!

Exterior light and electrical covers.  Think of the draft that this can let into your home! Be sure they are covered with approved covers~we don't want any fires! I can feel the air flowing through a couple of mine...I need to see to this quick!

Furnace filters.  Replace and clean this area~it's amazing how much dirt can accumulate here! (I couldn't resist this pic~it's a good example of what kinds of filth loom in areas we don't think about! The best furnace filers we ever had are the electrostatic ones...love those for getting out time little stuff!)

Ducts and duct covers.  I was looking at our church duct covers and realized they need cleaning...I need to purchase some as some were too destroyed as part of the overall poor condition of our home, but before I install new ones, I can reach as far as I can to vacuum and clean the duct with a damp cloth.  NO water! Just a way to wipe the surface for a fresh duct...of course there are pro duct cleaning services~I like to do it this way!

Wood burning stoves and fireplaces require maintence too.  Have you had your chimney inspected?  It's wise to do this every so often and cleaned to build ups don't cause fires.  Do you have all the wood you will need?  If not wood, wood pellets or coal or whatever?  Now is the time to prepare!  I do have a gas cook top stove so this would help some, but no real heat source...we are working on this though as I do own a Ben Franklin stove that would be great somewhere in our home...stoke the stove and letter roar!!



I like to have additonal heat sources available to me in case our gas furnace or lights go out.  Last year in KY was the worst ice storm on record and many people were plain miserable! I don't have a generator, but it's a good idea if you live in temps like we do that get into the below single digits!!

Being prepared now makes winter months go more smoothly when icy winds and chills are present.  Check on your windows, heat source, doors~weatherstripping and if you have an additional heat source! Better now than sorry!

Using It UP!~Prescription Bottles

Anybody got any of those laying around? Admittedly we have several that come in the house each month, so I can really get overloaded with them, but I've found a couple of ways to either use them or prevent MORE from coming into my life... 
less is MORE, right?

My pharmacy will take my "used bottle" for my refill.  They will "relabel" and refill...hey, while it's only a few cents to them, as my wonderful pharmacist once told me, it also keeps them out of the landfill.  Please don't confuse ME with the recyclers who are not throwing anything away, but I try VERY hard to use UP what I have. . . It's just plain smart this way...and any money my pharmacy saves just MIGHT be a penny they can pass on to ME!  Rising costs for everyone, literally means rising costs for everyone!

Another use:

I use them to store itty-bitty stuff...like:

• beads
• screws
•  dried seeds
•  sewing needles
•  earings
•  tiny parts to stuff we are repairing or "tinkering" with~this is educational for the kids...have 'em take a part something to try to learn to "fix" it...it might work AND save some $$!
•  I've seen them used in crafts for kids, but I really don't recommend this as I feel that over familiarity with medical bottles for young children can cause trouble in that they might think the pills are game just like the item in the craft was... Some will make "fun~pills" as a gag gift...I say not for kids! But if you want to share a funny with an adult...go get some pretty colored jelly beans and make up your own label...BE SURE to wash out the bottle first so if there is any residual medication, it won't be in there! ewww...be careful here!!
• beebees for air guns
• lead for mechanical pencils
• buttons
• wind up any stored ribbons and lace...
• rubber bands
• board game pieces~dice and tokens...WHO doesn't need this kind of help when it rolls around in the box!
• pennies~My daughter says that a medical bottle can hold about 100 pennies...
• paper clips
• tacs
• small rocks~the tiny nuggets can be kept nice
• store broken chains or other jewelery waiting to be fixed
• glitter storage~who wants THAT floating around the house...when it's poured off the page, it is easier to go into a prescription bottle with its wide mouth than the original container...
  

How are you making use to Use It UP!~Prescription Bottles??

All about thrift,

Using It UP!~Kitchen $ Saving Tool

You aren't going to believe this, but if you already use one, then YOU KNOW how great this little tool is for getting EVERYTHING out and wasting nothing in those jars, cans, bowls, pots and bottles~

THE Rubber Spatula

Yes, that's right~ Sorry to mention something so simple,  but just using a rubber spatula will help you empty to the greatest extreme EVERYTHING out so nothing gets left behind~

This is a simple, but huge Using IT UP tip!

Drag it out or if you don't have one...it's worth the investment!
Let's waste not~Using It UP!

Busting a MOVE on Debt~

Here's a GREAT strategy~pay off the small things first. 

Pay them as fast as you can beginning with the smallest debt first.  When you get that smaller debt gone, throw the money you would have paid on it toward the next lowest debt.  As you roll the money into bigger amounts as the smaller bills are paid off, there is money available to put on the larger debts. 

If you have a vehicle payment, try paying it off early~paying off ANYTHING early that has interest will potentially save you bunches in future interest!

Remember that busting debt comes in small steps~if you do too much all at once, it could become overwhelming and cause burn out! Take it one little bit, as much as you can, when you can, how you can at a time!

Bust THAT debt~roll up the payments smallest to largest...then you will find

DEBT FREE!

Kids Eat FREE Here!

Search this site http://www.kidseatfree.com/ with your location to see what restaurants are listed for FREE kids meals~

Thanks Cathy for this tip!

Eating out on a budget can be better when adding up the SAVINGS! 

FREE Craft Patterns~all kinds!

Crafting can save us money, and now is the time to think about getting together some thoughtful items for friends and family! Christmas is counting down~but hey, it's anytime we need a gift that something thrifty and thoughtful will do the trick! Thanks Choyster Cash and MoneySaving Mom for this link
http://www.favecrafts.com/
where all kinds of crafts ideas and patterns are FREE!

Working away debt by spending less~

Sewing? Is It Really More Moola?

I have a wonderful friend who is a fantastic seamstress.  Elizabeth is also a homeschooling mom of two young ladies, and we recently discussed my recent post about clothing at length with some very important things to consider when comparing the price of sewing a garment verses either a sales item or a second hand purchased one....we even compared the freebie one in some instances!


1. Quality of the garment upon completion.  Good quality garments that fit well are almost priceless if you either have a fitting issue OR you want a very nice garment that could last for a long time.  Deep hems and longer lengths, tailored for a specific person are just a few perks!

2.  Fit. Sometimes our children or ourselves have fitting "issues" that make 'ready to wear' store  items not look as well or as complementary as they could.  Sewing can accommodate all shapes and sizes! Modesty issues can be addressed with sewing as well!

3. Materials used.  It's true that recently, fabrics are more costly than in the past, but if we consider that often these will last longer, it could be well worth the investment.

4. Number of children to use or years of wear.  If a family has multiples of either boys or girls, it makes great sense to make quality garments that can be passed down from child to child.  It's entirely possible that store bought could be done this way too,  but unless they are good quality fabrics, often they will fade, shrink, or get holes or seams will let loose or come open!

5.  The patterns can be reused or sold.  We particularly discussed this at length because while patterns do add significantly to the price of a handmade garment, these can either be reused or sold at a later time to recoup the investment or even used to make gifts for others by sewing garments for others.  The more times a pattern is used the less costly the initial lay out.  I actually borrowed a pattern of hers for my daughter three years ago...I was thankful she had it!

6. Specialness or heirloom quality. There is truly something special about a handmade garment for one who learns or has learned to appreciate the time, skill and thoughtfulness of the seamstress in creating the garment.  Often these clothes can be saved for future generations.  I really did not do this with my daughter much. I did make her some clothing along the way when she was younger, but did find some really gorgeous hand smocked dresses and embroidered ones at some wonderful prices at yard sales.  My son, he was always in the cutest little suits with the knee socks and buck shoes...coat and bow tie! I found all of this at yardsales...or consignment shops! But I did make one Easter dress for my daughter out of batik.  I was happy to share it with another child later, but really I should have saved it for her daughter in some years to come! Well, WHAT was I thinking other than giving? Anyway, the Lord knows...but this kind of thing can be put back...I guess I will make the grandbaby something special huh? But you get my point...heirloom~special!

Yes! Sewing still is a pricey solution to clothing the family in some instances unless you can either hand down the items, share patterns or reuse or sell, and plan to keep the items made into the future! But it can be a worthy investment.  You will have to decide what is best for your budget.

If you don't sew, consider learning some basics so you can mend and keep buttons on~this will extend whatever clothing you have for your family!


Still trying to keep my money for what I'd like to spend it on verses things that want to ROB ME of it!

Why Thriving With No Green$?

I am debt busting and budget boosting! I don't profess to know all the answers! I encourage and want to hear all about what you are doing to make it too!  Hello & leave me a comment! ;-))

This is a blog about doing life on the Saving and Frugal~living on less to have more later! There are many sources out there on this subject, but I am paring it right on down to using up, making do, and extending out so that we can make it, survive and thrive is this busted economy! Never has there been a greater need in the past thirty years to squeeze so much out of our financial resources.  Some methods out there just don't work! Gimicky stuff, spending to "save" and all that will just keep us spending our hard earned money when what we need are ideas and methods that are solid to live as well as we can on what we have to live on. 

Yours for busting debt and boosting budgets!

Fashion Cent$

Keeping children clothed is a challenge on a budget.  Items are pricy and keeping up with growth spurts can be a nightmare.  There are some ways to clothe kids that are less expensive than others...I will give a list of ideas where to find bargains for clothing and then rate them in order of Most Frugal Method~

1. Given free.
2. Thrift store.
3. Consignment shop.
4. Home made/handmade.
5. Sales
6. Discounted
7. Swaps.
8. Garage/Yard sales.
9. Coupon or other money off prices.
10. End of season discounts.
11. Hand me downs.
12. Auction

Did I miss any ways?? Give me a holler if I did and tell me where to put it in this next list! ;-))

MOST Frugal to Least. . .
1. Free  We can't beat free.  Free can be in the form of somebody sharing with us or just handing down our used items to our next child, but FREE is FREE! It beats all the deals! Free can be a swap too~as long as no money is exchanged~it's free right?

2. To rate these next ones, I must admit that attitudes and beliefs will come into play as well as our budget.  Is lightly used or used as good as new, but may cost a little more?  You decide your values, but for me when I had little children I paid as much as $10 and $20 per churchy dress outfit per child because they were sometimes hundreds of dollars and were not hurt by the original owner! So here's my list from #2 on:

Garage/Yard sales~I've found often that people having these  generally know what to ask to move their merchandise quick.  The rule of selling is to be sold out as quick as possible by pricing accurately because the longer the day the less the money.  Many will go for less quicker in order to move items quicker, but then I also have 'shopped' later and found items that while earlier in the day folks were not dickering obviously by what was STILL there, so I found great stuff for less~jeans generally $1; tops $.50-$1 depending! But anyway you look at it, the next two on my list gain their merchandise from the yard sales and they are out to make something...so...

3. Thrift stores.  I have found these to be a little pricier than the garage/yard sales, but sometimes you can find some real jems! My daughter got two brand new items today for $9 that either would have been three times as much! Both had the tags still on them! Whoohoo!

4.  Consignment Shops.  Now this again depends upon philosophy, because often you will pay a good bit more than the thrift store or garage/yard sale for items, but if you are thinking discounted new, then you will want to compare the prices here.  I have found discounted items to be about a less as consignment shop prices for new verses old or used stuff! So take your pick here! I just want to enourage you to shop until you find what you need at a GREAT price and doing this means you KNOW what an item will go for regularly...

5. Discouted retail: Can be out of season items or marked down, but these compete in price often with consignments...

6. Auctions are a toss up...I've never bought clothing this way, so I am unsure...except on eBay.  So I'd say know your prices because you can end of paying too much!

7. Home/handmade: Frabric prices have driven me away from my sewing machine! I was shocked when I shopped for plain ole cotton-poly blend for some curtains. . .gone are the $1 a yard or less days! My mother made all my formals when I was in high school and college from the fifty-cents a yard tables at the local fabric store~no more! So this is really an investment when you consider materials and your time...there are too many clothes begging for homes on the cheap!

This prioritized list is MY own ideas of values and value for my clothing budget.  Notice I said NOTHING about name brands or the like? They don't enter into this equation for me because I can find some of these at our most inexpensive places.  For growing kids, this can be a challenge to keep them clothed. We are so blessed!

It makes sense to have a value for values in fashion cent$

Using It UP~Tissue Cardboard Rolls

Waste will fill up our dumps and landfills before the stuff we throw away can decompose! I won't use any stats here, but we all need to remember that recycling and re-purposing is a great effort to reduce waste and save our money.

So what do you do with your toilette paper rolls when you have finished with the tissue?  They are nice card board tubes, and there are some neat ideas to do with them.

1.  Snowflake, flower or star gift decoration or ornament: Cut in 1/4 inch circles so that you have circles from the tube.  Glue them with sides to each side in either of the three shapes using clothes pins to hold the glued sides until dried.  When dry, spray paint the color of your choice.  If a snowflake, white; star, gold or silver and flower, red.  Use the matching color in glitter to add sparkle.  When completely dry, you can hang with an ornament hanger for the Christmas tree or use a thin ribbon or cord to tie on a package.

2.  Party Favors for a Girl's Birthday Tea Party:  Once we held a Birthday Tea for our daughter and used tissue paper tubes to place small gifts inside for the guests.  You cut a center slit in the tube so it will break open in the center.  I wrapped the tube with gift inside with tissue to old it tightly with the gift wrap about 3 inches longer than the tube on each end.  I used ribbon to tie each end closed and made bows.  This made such cute favors, and all one has to do to open is hold each end of the tube and bend away from the middle, and it will break open easily.

3.  Easter Egg Holder: Cut the tube about 2 1/2 inches so that the circles are even on both sides.  You can paint them or cover with paper or fabric.  They can look nice natural too! If you want, you can get dried grass and twigs from the yard and glue them on, or even use Easter grass to decorate the egg holders.  When you have decorated your Easter Eggs and want to display them on your table, set the eggs in the circles to hold them upright!

4.Give them to your children along with other craft supplies such as markers, scissors, glue and colored paper and let them CREATE! You would be surprised what they will come up with~preschoolers LOVE to make things...what about a finger puppet or a Christmas decoration using some ribbon or yarn to tie off one end to make streamers.  The tube can be colored, covered or decorated and then the end without the streamers can have one string to make a way for it to hang by putting a hole in opposing sides of the roll. A hand held hole punch is good to use for this one!

5. Your idea (WITH CREDIT) here!


Here's more ideas from Frugal Families: 
http://frugal.families.com/blog/creative-uses-for-toilet-paper-rolls
Squidoo.com idea with YouTube videos (lots of ads, but nice ideas!)
 http://www.squidoo.com/reusepaperroll
Loads of printables to use with your tprolls!
http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/tp_roll.htm
About.com

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/cardboardtubecrafts/Cardboard_Tube_Crafts.htm
 Have fun with this "renewable" resource~ya NEVER run out of these!!

I Just Pressed the HELP Button!

Yeah, I did...and WHAT I really need is a HELP BUTTON for my frugal efforts...I am wasted today.  Can you relate? Do you feel like your efforts are just a drop in the bucket for everything you need done or need to do? I have been there, and honestly sometimes I think I am still there~but I do have to recognize that my efforts are making a difference for my family: in some parts are making a huge difference! But right now, I am ticked, truly ticked at my family. I am ranting and venting so you can see that SisterT isn't just so full of herself that she isn't willing to share in the struggle! Oh yeah,,,this can be a struggle! Here's my tale:

Saturday I spent the whole day~literally doing the "Laundry Fairy" thing getting the clothing and add ins for a family of four~not 20, and so my darling hubby was so kind as to make some homemade wonderful speghetti sauce with the tomatoes from our garden, 1/2 a Japanese pumpkin (seed was supposed to have been acorn squash lol!), peppers and onions.  Yum! Honestly it was good~I know the pumpkin sounds like an odd addition, but it was fine in it! So husband cooked and made noodles and a whole gallon of his sauce...well...well...I didn't come down nor did I work on Sunday to clean up my kitchen.  NOPE~so it's all really MY OWN fault for this,,,but what gets me is not the sink of dirty dishes, but spaghetti that got left in the pot uneaten or un-stored. . . Aren't WE supposed to be saving and savoring every drop, working to maximize our yield so we don't have to purchase more that will save us money in the long run??? WHY was there spaghetti THAT I DIDN'T cook still in the pot dried~dead ~working on being wasted and rotten?????????????????????????????? Can't you tell I am not only kicking myself, but disgusted because I do believe in the "waste not want not" ideals. I have found over the years that often if I have gotten rid of something without thought, I ended up needing or wanting it later on...hence a well thought out plan is best!

Family cooperation MUST be a tremendous part of our budget/frugal plan...It has to begin with and end with each of the family on board... 
With waste and destruction comes cost!
Each family member has to do their part to pull the cart towards financial freedom from debt and worry.  I am worried about debt, and what would happen should my husband have an economic down shift in his earnings verses his abilities now to support us.  What would most of us do if suddenly our spouse or ourselves, for that matter, finds the employer sitting down with us/them and saying the dreaded words: layoff, downsizing, restructure or worse yet: fired.  The fallout from such is devastating financially and emotionally.  We've "been there and done that"~you think WE'D learn! Hence my efforts and mostly the efforts of my family, but not in this instance, have worked to save every cent and be frugal while making life as pleasurable as possible within our means.  I am not just heart sick over my lost spaghetti noodles, shoot! That's not much money, really...but any is too much! But in the discovery, I also found destruction occurring of my only few months old counter top that hubby installed, and we had gotten for a song~literally! Please pray for our family.  It's MEETING TIME to get on the same page and to shore up our previous goals had set so we can march forward towards them.

So where are you in the journey to debt free or making it on less? Do you need to re-eval your methods and goals? Do you need a MEETING with all family members to discuss ways EVERYONE can help? You won't accomplish this alone; it will take the whole family! Here's some ideas:

1. Re-eval goals.  What is and isn't working?
2. Revise as needed.
3. Get the family together to discuss their vision and goals. Enlist their help AGAIN!
4. Discuss ways everyone can economize.
5. Make a plan.
6. Make goals with rewards.  This is as is all of this individual.  Do you have a debt you want to conquer or a vacation or renovation or some utility item you want to save for? Discuss with the family and gain cooperation and let all have a say in how the rewards are spread.  For our kids we increased their allowances.  But I will tell you that if destruction continues, I will be docking instead of paying!
7.  Post up the goals in public (your home now) places so you can be reminded.  Keep your eye on the prize!

I wish there was a REAL help button to push in this instance! My counter top which we obtained for $20 as a damaged item at a budget store which hubby was able to trim to fit perfectly is now with an imperfection. I am NOT happy! BTW~this exact pattern if had I special ordered it would have cost me 5 times the price we paid for the piece.  With damage, it's value now has decreased.   This "issue" isn't that easy a fix...

GET the family's cooperation! Everyone on the same page makes the journey maximized towards success!

Using It UP~Empty Tissue Boxes

 "Have I lost it," you might be wondering? NOT YET, actually I am finding it! Finding new ways all the time to use what I have to re-purpose them into something I can use or would like to use. . .

On top of my TV which, BTW will sound REALLY extreme if I share that we have no channels, no cable~all we watch are DVD/VHS tapes on it! Another post for another time, but think of my savings in this area per year much less just what I am saving keeping that JUNK out of our minds!! But on top of the thing is a tissue box.  It's almost empty. I have another under my kitchen sink where in an old apple crate I am storing trash bags, cleaners, cleaning rags, cleaners (I only use a few), dishwasher powder and odds and ends like this. . .but that tissue box is there for the purpose of storing my grocery and discount store plastic shopping bags for future use!  Yup, I put them in this already attractive enough container...it beat the fabric bag I had that was nice, but you know what? When I get tired or this tissue box gets worn, I can toss it.  A cloth bag can hang around too long~lol!! But at any rate, consider that these boxes can add new uses long after the tissues are gone.

Uses:

1. Cut the top off and use as a vanity/dresser organizer compartment.

2.Use the cut top for a picture frame for a cute pic~make a card board stand and there ya go!

3. Let your preschooler wear them as 'play shoes'! They will have a ball!!

4. The construction of light weight cardboard is good for many uses...wrap for a fake gift at Christmas.  You can place these "fake presents" under your tree if you have small children and don't want them peeking in the packages! OR you can use them with other trees and decorations in the home.

5.  Use them as building blocks for small children.  Save them up...loads of fun!

6. Use in the bathroom vanity drawers for organization. They will hold a lot of stuff!

7.  Any ideas on using these UP?  Give me your ideas !!

Finding new ways to live budgetly!

Manicure Tips from a Cosmotologist Mom/Homeschooler!

Thanks Tracy for your Tips at Memo Monday on The Post
http://hsbapost.com/

http://hsbapost.com/2009/09/beauty-school-the-post/
 Easy and will save huge bucks to do this yourself or with a friend.

You can read my post
http://sistertipstersthriving.blogspot.com/2009/08/pedicure-pamperingsimply.html


JUST CAUSE we are living on the "cheap" doesn't mean we have to LOOK that way!

Saving more! Enjoying MORE!

Easy Gardening~Start Preparation NOW in Fall

I am not a gardener or farmer. I'm city-folk, but those of you who know the "growing" life, my hat's off to ya! But I readily recognize that good fresh foods are not only cheaper, but healthier for our family. Every home we have lived in, we found some way to break up a piece of soil and plant a few things. Some were more successful plots than others, but we got something from each! This year we have been most blessed, but we are still learning the process of great yield for small space...we don't have a huge yard, and even if we did I wouldn't want to garden that much of it for gardening is work. Work that brings wonderful fruits of satisfaction to see what will grow and how I can best prepare it~so hence not too big a garden spot for me! Our plot may grow larger as the years ensue, but right now I am processing just about as fast as I like...and we are able to have some things tucked back for winter. This is a huge help to my budget and taste buds!! Anyone know how to keep some of these things purely fresh off the vine GOOD all winter? Oh well, I guess it's a problem that even refridgeration didn't solve huh? Here's some ideas on getting a garden in our lives...and it not costing an arm and a leg~begin thinking NOW for spring...it really does start in the fall!

1. Pick your spot. Consider the direction of the sun and what you are planning to plant. Research what sun/shade conditions are necessary for optimal growth. Plan the size of your garden on what your goals are: summer ready produce for each week of consumption or processing for preservation for fall and winter? The size will determine along with other factors discussed what your potential yield will become. Think about the goals of your garden and work from there!

2. While perhaps underrated, getting the soil tested can give valuable and totally USEFUL information. Go a head and do it now so you can begin treating the soil before winter...the results will be better come spring. If you have to add lime or mulch (leaves or manure) do it now to give the soil the fall/winter to break down into wonderful planting material. Tiller it up or turn the soil several times during the fall...get out ALL the grass as you work up the soil. Dig deep and clear out any rock or other matter that isn't going to decompose. WORK the dirt...

3. Stake off your garden plot with some sort of barrier to prevent animals from invasion. My hubby used wire and a stake in each of the four corners on four levels to keep out short animals like baby bunnies which are cute but can really destroy a garden, to deer and other wild life...they don't like to feel the wire touch their bodies so they avoid going into the actual garden area. It worked! Now of course if you already have access to fencing use this, but budget wise, even rope will work with wooden stakes. Just be sure it has a good boundary, one you can protect!

4. After you've worked up your garden spot this fall, let it set this winter to let it rest. The process will go on all winter while the chilly winds and cold keep the growing season off for a few months, but your soil will be ready in time...

5. Start your own plants from seeds if possible~and I say possible because I haven't YET been successful at starting tomatoes from their own seeds, and another word of caution too is that hybrids often will not yield like the old timey plants will in so many types of veggies. So you may have to purchase seeds and or plants, but for the budgets sake to save a much as possible and go as low as we can...save seeds from the previous year and prepare for planting...
International Seed Saving Institute:
http://www.seedsave.org/issi/904/beginner.html#anchor001
When to start seeds will depend upon when the time for the plants to go into the ground is for your area. Many seed catalogs as well as the Farmer's Almanac can share this information with you...and they offer it FREE too! But right now, you can begin saving containers for starting seeds: paper cups, plastic cups, bowls, 2 liter drink bottles cut into a small container and even egg cartons. Be sure and save up enough so you can plant in a way that the seedling can prosper. Consider that there must be depth enough for roots to develop so the plant is hardy.

6. Gather your seeds either by purchasing or having saved them. Plant into good soil prepared for seeds starts. We use a good grade of potting soil. It wasn't fancy for us! But there are all types...we just looked at cost again! Place the starts in a good sunny location with frequent watering. We used distilled water and filtered water because we have it, but if you don't I wouldn't go to the expense. AND what I meant by using it was this, that if we had a glass with any left over or even the animal water that was yesterday's water to be changed, we did not throw it out...so by all means if you have bottled water don't waste a drop~plants love it!

7. Take great care to get as healthy a plant as possible before time to transplant them into the soil in the spring. There will need to be thinning and often some pruning to get a plant that will produce at optimal performance. See:
http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenprimer/ss/SeedStarting.htm

8. In the appointed time frame of your area, reopen your garden soil with tilling or turning under. Work more and more being sure again that all grass is out of the plot. This will be huge when the plants mature and there is less weeding!

9. Plan to tie up tomato plants and others that need support for their producing with what you have: if you have cages, of course use them, but if not, use stakes of wood and strips of rags to tie them up as they grow...prepare for this! It's coming~you can save an old shirt now for it then!

10. When laying out the garden, be sure you plant where the particular plant can do it's best work of growing and giving a harvest. If it's a vine crawling plant like cucumbers or squash, be sure you make allowances for this in the garden area. You can, but it's silly to have growing vines from the garden out in the grass for the mower to get! ;-)) Plan it out~and double plan!!

11. Get those plants into the ground after you are sure no frost is coming. They are tender and not strong as they will become, so be sure NO FROST, but if your area should get a late frost, and this does happen, cover the garden plot with old sheets or thin spreads. This will prevent plant injury or death.

12. Watch, Weed and Water! Keep an eye on the plants for budding and putting on fruit then the time for harvesting! Keep pulling and removing any weeds~they seems to show up when they chose to, and water as the soil indicates. You definitely don't want to over or under water~it effects the harvest!

I found the About Answers site to be a good additional resource on gardening.  In this economy it's such a smart idea to grow as much as possible to reduce food budgeting costs! AND oh it's so very delish!


Extra Reading:
Check out PlantCycle groups on yahoo to swap plants in your area
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cnyplantcycle

Tip Hero has loads of info which I haven't even begun to look over for frugal gardening~whoohoo a like-minded thinker!  Look at all those tips on the left side~hey, there's a whole section on home/garden! http://www.tiphero.com/

Here's to some "dirt under our nails" and some budget boosting groceries! YUM!

A Gift That Keeps On Giving!

Our garden has been amazing this summer! I don't know if it was technique or location or some of both, but already there are 32 quarts of tomatoes in the freezer and my kitchen table AND buffet are still loaded with those ripening to that perfect state of tender firm so I can process them for freezing! Our yellow crookneck summer quash has yielded enough to freeze and eat along the way! We've had cucumbers for fresh eating, lettuce of the spring mix variety, bell peppers, banana peppers, AND now we are beginning to harvest some celery.  I HAVE NEVER eaten totally fresh celery in my life~but it's purely divine! Oh I forgot our Japanese pumpkins which were supposed to be acorn squash lol! Our regular pumpkins did not produce~bummer! Our others "failure" were cauliflower and spring onion.  I just am thrilled! AND I want to encourage you to begin thinking about a garden for next spring/summer.  If you are a seasoned gardener then you already know it's a process of learning what works for each individual according to soil type, ph and weather conditions...also the amount of "tending" a person wants to do! Just remember that THIS IS ALMOST FREE FOOD that a garden with God's blessings provides for your family. Just yesterday I took 1lb of ground beef and made a four quart sauce pot of speghetti sauce from my fresh bounty off my table.  I sent hubby to pick (prune really, but since it's ALL edible) celery, and the only thing I put in store bought were dry oregano, garlic and black pepper seasonings and an ONION that I had to purchase~of course the pasta...but I intend to learn that too...just not there yet, but will keep you posted! Anybody do this??? But for a sauce that was 100% fresh and almost free, it was delicious.  I added no sugar or salt.  That's our taste preference, but you make your sauce they way you believe it will taste best...did I forget all the bell peppers? I had about 6 small peppers which I removed the stems and shopped seeds and all into the mix...it was delicious~and for years I have removed the white portion and seeds from my peppers, but the other day when chopping for the freezer, I at a piece of the white and some seeds. They have flavor! Now I wouldn't put them on a veggie tray for dipping, but I'd throw this in my soup bowl in my freezer for later use! It all has such great flavor!

Please consider gardening and I am preparing now a post for Fall preparations~
Gardening IS a great gift from God that keeps on giving in our budgets and in our healths!
Planing away for GARDEN 2010!

Using It UP~Cereal Boxes...

If your kids eat box cereal, and mine love it, you will have a card board box and the wax papered lining that held the cereal left when all the goodie is gone! We can re-purpose them for something our own lives, not just throw them in the garbage or recycling into new right away. Since we are using everything up, here are some ideas:


For the inside wrap/bag:

Since this is food grade and had held cereal, how about a bag for sandwiches or other food storage for either fridge or on the go. These can be easily cut down to fit what is needed and since they are large, they will hold a lot more too. Anything you need to put in a bag without regard to water tightness can be used here.

Cut it open to make a place mat to work on for messy projects. Trimming and peeling fruit and veggies can put juices all over the table, but to save the mess off, use a cereal bag. Also you can paint on them putting your canvas or paper right down. It won't let the paint through to the surface~it's wax coated! Pet's dishes can set on one cut open~really any surface you want protected for the size can be used to cover with one of these...beats purchasing paper towels...and if you don't have newspaper which while great for many things will leave newsprint ink on your hands and other stuff...

Leave intact and put messy stuff to throw it away...my tomato skins are an example of this...because of their high acidic nature, I didn't compost them...so in putting them in this bag, it contained the mess~a bigger bag than the bread bag I use sometimes too...size will matter!! AND it kept the messiness from potentially leaking into my trash can..it holds in odors too until you can get an offensive item in the garbage for a few minutes.

Store the lettuce wrapped in paper towel in this bag...especially if your iceberg is larger than the already mentioned bread bag...don't squeeze in, if it doesn't fit!

We can craft with these...yeah...cut the top decoratively. . .if you have scalloped scissors or some other like pinking shears or free hand and edge to make the bag at the desired height. Use as a gift bag placing colorful tissue paper ($1 for a pack of many colors) and then use ribbons to tie around the top leaving about 4-6 inches for a "candy bag" look. Even without tying the bag, it can be turned down into a rolled hem to the desired height with the tissue (even white is pretty) sticking out of the top. Wanna get fancy? Make some handles with braided yarn or cord and staple them to the sides. Remember that they will not carry well by the handles. . .Often store bought gift bags are reinforced with cardboard. Just remember to carry this bag if it holds much weight at all from the bottom.

Use in the microwave to cover foods or cook corn on the cob in it. Yum! And less mess!!

Put papers that are needed to stay together in a notebook. The bag acts like a slipcover. Even books can be placed into these bags to prevent moisture or spoilage.

Place items to be crushed like crackers and chips~anything you are crushing~use these bags...

Offer your child some baby carrots and raisins (not the box ones, get the larger container for less and use the cereal bag) for a snack! How about some dry cereal??

Can you think of any ideas or share those that work best for ya?

Cardboard Cereal Box Uses:

I love the cardboard weight of the cereal boxes! I love paper crafts, and one year hand stamped teddy bears and watercolor penciled on each bear that was on these cereal boxes...shaded him well...and put a yarn tie on the bear for an ornament for the Christmas tree. This cardboard is so light that it's simple to cut it out and use it!

Crafting~make frames, a nice template will work and it can be covered with fabric. I will be awesome to see and do such work! Make a box that can have many purposes. Here are patterns: http://freedigitalscrapbooking.com/christmas_paper_crafts.html
for several styles. They mention cardstock, but you have to buy that stuff~use your cereal box! Small gift boxes work so wonderful and you can make them. There are also many uses for light cardboard such as just wrapping them at Christmas as a "fake gift" for under the tree as decor. This is really cool especially if you have multiple trees you decorate. I have "harvested" thrown away artificial trees by "curb shopping" to bring home and have a nice short tree for a little spot in our home...Another idea: get these for mantle decorations or wreath making...OK..maybe a post on Christmas decor is needed here, but back to the boxes...you can use the if cut and covered to store magazines or papers...so many uses...and really are not just cheap! They are less harmful than plastic in the home. Now I am not a glass/paper only kind of gal, but I know that there is some good thought to keeping as much plastic out of our homes as possible due to possible harmful effects...AND the neatest thing about these is this: WHEN YOU ARE DONE or it's worn out...you can really truly throw it out!!! It WILL disintegrate into compost and become good dirt unlike plastics that will take years to decompose!

Remember the fancy photo albums covered with fabric and lace? It was light cardboard that was the bones to make the frame to hold the picture on the front of the album. Using craft glue~I like Alieen's Tacky Glue because Elmer's Glue will work but will need to be clamped with something to hold it down. . .Tacky Glue will hold pretty quick..and glue down the fabric or colored paper/gift wrap works too. . .to cover the shape..using an exo-knife you can cut out the area to display the picture~if it's a circle or square area, just make an 'X' cut after first putting a hole dead center of where the two lines will meet. Fold in your edges and glue them down. Your edges are covered. . .now this was for the square...if for a circle, you will need to cut to the edge of the inside of the frame (not below this) around the perimeter of the inside of the circle and fold those down and glue. . .again your inside frame has a nice edge!

Light weight cardboard boxes~cereal boxes are wonderful to double and triple or more to make a faux gift look bigger for under the tree. . .or once my mother decorated our front door for Christmas and wrapped three. . .

She covered the door in aluminum foil for a shiny silver door. Then she wrapped the three cereal boxes in pretty Christmas paper, putting ribbons and bows on them and securely attached them to the door. On the packages she fixed tags that could be read that said beautiful Christmas greetings. This was the 70's. . .a variation for today would be to wrap/cover the door with foil and then put the packages in brown paper bag and use dried flowers and pine cones with raffia ribbon...These cereal boxes are so cool. . .

Got littles? Let them build with them...save them up...or let them play "store" with play money and play "food." My kindergarten teacher did this for us~we didn't have the expensive and plastic play food or grocery store items,,,and you know what? It was much more realistic! I haven't even begun to talk about what could be used for this game for kids. . .but if you can recycle it or use it and it has NO sharp edges, why not? Kiddies can learn money counting and loads of play skilll with this...and it begins with their cereal boxes ;-))

Do you have any ideas for your cereal boxes? What would or are you doing to keep them out of the landfill and re-purpose them? What about the inside bags that are just awesome for so many uses?? I'm all ears! AND wanna know ;-))

Hair Fashion on Less

I have sported hair styles from punky short to the long straight or layered. Yeah, that's my picture up there, and as you can see it's a medium length bob right now. I've colored, and I've not. When considering my budget, my family's fair fashion can be a consideration. This may be even more extreme an idea than just making sure product bottles or anything we use is totally used up, but if you don't have the money, these ideas are well worth the read, and even if you do have it to spend, there's always the day~ So how can one save when it comes to hair fashion~the cuts and or color?

I know some moms who cut their own children's hair. For the boys, some have purchased clippers, and others like I have done it using scissors to do the job. When our son was little, I used to cut his hair from the time he was a baby up until the last year or so actually. I will say that he did not have a real long hair line that required clippers so it was fairly easy to keep him neat and clean looking. Now when he got about first or second grade, I did take him to a hair dresser on occasion~this was to create the lines of the cut so I could follow it for an additional trim or two for follow up hair cuts and to save $.

I have even used a local beauty school to save on cut costs. This can be tricky if you are totally afraid of what you might end up with! I had to stop a student hair dresser once~which didn't go over too well, but I knew IF she continued, he'd need a buzz cut, and I didn't want to "go there" as it was in the dead of winter! Hair cuts and styles lend themselves to thinking about costs. How much will the hair-do take for maintenance? There are times I think and really want the short sassy cut of a few years ago AGAIN, but because it takes more trips to the salon or shop or school to maintain it, shorter cuts will get unwieldy much easier than longer styles, I will push the idea aside for what I'm doing right now. Let's consider my medium bob. I generally get about 2 sometimes 3 cuts per year. This is because I have long bangs without layering so it doesn't lose shape as it grows. There isn't hardly any undercutting either. I don't like it in my hair. I've had the cut where the back is shorter than the sides. . .cute, but still more maintenance! A simple cut that will grow and maintain shape is most economical. But what if you can't STAND this cut and want something different? Have you thought about a long hairstyle? Long hair that is about shoulder or longer in length can be put up to have a shorter "style" when desired, but will surely be less in cut costs. Of course, you will spend more on shampoo and conditioners, but without really doing a comparrison, I am going to guess that you will still come out a head in money. There could also be the added costs of hair "accessories" too. You can make these or some of them to cut costs...I like the fabric scrunchies...in fact, I like to put my hair up off of my neck and pretty much keep some kind of clip in it to pull it out of my face if I am wearing it curly. I have hair that if washed, conditioned and air dried, will be curly~just enough...but I really enjoy the look of flat ironing my hair best~but this practice is damaging to hair which will require more cuts, so I don't do it all that often. I've known some girls who flat iron all the time~I'm just a "special occasion" fixer ;-)) This way my hair isn't getting a huge work out all the time! But consider it all...what can you live with and without? I really like beauty schools for cost and even a good deal of their services. Often you can get more than just hair services, but facials, manicures, pedicures and even hair treatments in addition to cuts and color. It's a huge saver! I also like have a relationship with my beautician too~as right now I have a friend who is caring for our hair who is a pro. I am not suggesting taking advantage of friendships either, but having a friend who can help is wonderful! Consider all your options...my friend's shop is about 10 mi from our home, and we patronize her, but we have a hair shop just three doors and around the corner. I'm sticking with my friend . .loyalty helps everything! Not just our budget!

When considering color, I have and I have not colored. I've had red colored hair, and most recently I lighten...but right now I'm alala natural ;-)) which is a nice mix of gray, growing out dark blonde and brown. I like highlights but on the heavy side, but for me I don't want it to look unnatural...ha ha! But I generally don't color but about twice a year so subtle is my way of going...I've had my hair dresser to the color~and I've colored myself. When blending, which I need to do right now, I will use a color to blend the light of the already processed and the darker of my own natural shade using a box color...I don't, as you can guess, go for the bells and whistles of all the fancy and expensive hair color that you can get at the pharmacy or discount seller or grocery~but a good basic hair color: did I tell you my girlfriend whose brother is a wonderful high end hair dresser was using a hair color at his suggestion with the ONLY difference being the price and that what she purchased came with a hair moisturizer for after the coloring? My beautician whose been doing this more years said that any conditioner works~so guess what girls? I am purchasing the $3 a box color instead of the $7 or $9~I have conditioner! AND this works just fine! PROMISE! I never used that old heavy in a tube conditioner anyway after coloring as it made my hair too limp~what about you? Ever tried it? Try it my way next time~see if your own conditioner won't work for you better and cost a whole lots less!

Another idea and one I've tried is get a family member or someone you know to work on your hair. This same friend, years ago, we used to fix each other's hair when we were going places together as single girls. It was fun back in those days, and today, if I am real sweet *grin*, my daughter will flat iron my hair for me...I mean: I fixed her hair for years and now she's working on mine ;-)) and are you old enough that your mother put in a "home perm" when you were growing up? We did so much including the rolling and hot ironing each other's hair for styles right at home. I've even now this was for Halloween as a kid, rag rolled my hair. If you don't know what this is, it's using strips of cloth to make curlers...instead of those spongy generally pink things...;-)) It's old timey and was used for years as a cost cutter!

Remember that style, color and maintence are your biggest considerations in hair care costs. Check out all the options for a look that is best on your budget...and if you can cut your child's hair then save here as well. I will CONFESS: One bad haircut too many and my hubby won't allow me to cut it anymore! But if we got really strapped, I am guessing that even he'd risk the Sister's scissors AGAIN! ;-))

SAVE on hair cuts, color/maintenance as best you can~it all adds up in the long run!

Oh! I forgot ONE HUGE THING~just remember HAIR GROWS just in case something you try doesn't work the way you intend~life is an adventure and 'it ain't all about that, anyway!"

blessings,

Beating the Blues With No Green$

I love Blues music. Growing up in the south has acquainted me with the saltry sounds of blues, jazz and southern rock for years. . .there's a sadness, a cry to it underneath the tones that soothes and calms...Without sound finances, the blues could be more than a genre of music for us who are living on less than we once had or less than we had hoped or less than is adequate for our "needs." So how do we beat these blues without green$ or money? Many people find that the ability to do things that cost money, to bring loads of "joy:"travel, possessions, experiences and more can suddenly be out of reach and now there's a need~a void where something once was that NOW may or may not ever return...how can we be happy and joyful, beating the blues without the green$?



Here are some ideas:

1. Consider our 'mindset' to think about what's really important or satisfies.

I wrote about this an entry or so back...what satisfies you? Is it touchable by human hands or is it something that is inward, inside your being that does this? The ability to be satisfied is rooted in our priorities. God should be our number one, but then where do the other areas find their place in our lives? Prioritize the things and ideals of this life...

2. Create a plan to do something with what we already have as a ready and able resource. Huh?

Yes, look at what is available and within our grasp that we might not be utilizing to its fullest. Do we have a deck or porch, an out door swing? Get on it and listen to the birds! Sit in the sunshine for a few minutes and breathe the fresh air! Does it need scrubbing? Go do that! Sidewalk? Sweep it~clean it, edge it... While outside, hear, smell and feel all of God's beautiful nature! Take a walk. Pick wild flowers by the side of the road (as long as it's legal to do so!) Do you have a bike? Take a ride! Craft items unused~get them out~work on a project...does your office or school room or den or kitchen pantry need organizing? WHAT about creating something in the kitchen to eat? Do you cook? What is there to do? What is there to use up and or re-purpose for another item! Find a way to use those ready and able resources that are just THERE without us using them~busy hands and minds lifts the spirit!

3. Concert with true joy!

Music with positive effects will chase the blues and beat it! Turn on music when you can...I like a quiet home with the sounds so low that you literally hear the dog snore, birds sing and keyboard keys clicking, but some homes have the noise of the television and radio constantly around them. Is NOISE a problem? If so, quieten down the atmosphere. If quiet is too much, then add some musical sound~I like online radio and radio theature. I always have liked a good radio drama or story. I enjoy a dramatic reading of books and the Bible. These can be found online or at the libray to be borrowed for FREE~

4. Creation~God's showcase!

Living with a sense of the wonder of God and creation beats the blues with no green$ I have enjoyed looking at the sky from time to time. Did you ever like I did lay in the grass and watch the cloud formations change with the breezes to create different looks that could be most anything my imagination could see? I love looking and watching a sunset, sunrise and the moon cycle. I like star gazing and have been known to check out when mediaorite showers were occurring or other night sky activities. Appreciating God's creation lends itself beyond skyward watching but into all of nature. I love wildlife. We have a bunny living in our back yard~little wonder if our garden didn't survive, but my hubby put wire around it at the level his ears would have touched and he didn't like it, so he's pretty much left it alone! But I love bunnies and dear and raccoons, possums, beavers, badgers. . . I like turtles, not snakes so much or lizards, but most else...they are amazing! I enjoy the seasons watching our follage change with the times...ALL this stuff is FREE! Amazing that the greatest amusements are not man contrived and are true budget boosters!

5. Camp out for fun!

Do you camp? I am not a tent camper. In fact, we own an old OLD hard side shell camper with air just because I am not a real rough it kind of gal...but for vacationing, it's really less to go to state and national park camping sites for a few~going rates now for full hook ups are around $15-20 per night...Camping in the rough without bathhouses is less. . . I CAN see why! ;-)) But when we have vacationed, the camper provided our own home with our own facilities for minimal money. How cheap can you go? Is a good question here~but since I like to go this way...it works for us...tent camping if you already own it, or if you can borrow it or get it for a song is really less! But camping can really make travel affordable~and relaxation back to nature!

6. simpliCity~

Simplicity~I just realized that on my kitchen table is a mayo jar that we had cleaned out~I save these for bulk spices and left over storage in the fridge as well as craft projects and even kid science~bug homes! This jar has some wildflowers in it that I am certain my son went out and found beautiful that he has brought home to share with all of us. Simple? YES! But I wouldn't trade my mayo jar-vase and my son's flowers for the nicest boquet of roses I could be given~there's love in that bunch of flowers from a son to his family~simple? Oh yes...but also priceless! I've written about all kinds of things that can be used for things they were not originally intended for in their uses~but do the trick inexpensively...simplicity is an art form of simple which can lend itself to clean and oderly. Less really is more!

7. Cool cost saving water!

Water is a cost saver! Drinking water is healthy and loads healthier than almost any other fluid we can consume. First by drinking water, we will save on all the other drinks that we've been socially conditioned to drink...LET ME SEE...CoolAid, CokaCola, Pepsi, CountryTime, Tea-many brands...somehow have come to equate wealth or a sense of having, but as our ancestors and even the original peoples of society knew, water is at the VERY core of all of life! Drinking it is the best thing not only money but health wise...OH I forgot the very fashionable pricy coffees these days...I happen to not like coffee, so this is no draw for me~but it's a challenge to drink water, but so so sooo good to do so...whole towns and cities grew around clean and good water sources~now we can truck or pipe it in...the desert regions are populated...but water is essential to survival and it definitely beats the blues! Just turn on the tap...chilled or not...mmmm, it's so wonderful!

8. Celebrations can be cost savers

They need not break the bank! Simplicity is the key here too! But inviting friends and family into our lives to share our joys and even our sorrows beats the blues. Fixing a simple meal, desert or just a glass of tea or water. . .now our culture says we generally offer something! But it need not be elaborate! Gatherings can perk up the spirit. I like Christmas open houses, or New Year's Eve gatherings~these can be fun!

9. Country roads and rides...

Going for a drive~I like long country roads with nothing but trees and nature. My favorite road is called Stagecoach Road in Bloomingdale, GA where it once was an actual stagecoach trail with double ruts where wheels were pulled by horses...today it's paved from one end to the other and has grown with houses, but as a child riding this with my parents taught me so much about the landscape of how people travels before cars and the modern highway system...the trees overhung to the point of brushing our old stationwagon...the canopy was dense over where it was shady and cool. . . Where can you find the past in the view of your vehicle? These kinds of rides beat the blues by bringing a sense of wonder and curiosity~who was here? What did they do? Where did they go? I also like..OK, I am weird...cemetaries. I love old and historical ones with old old old old headstones and markers...I want to KNOW the people of the past...this must be part of my love for history! I am not saddened by these places as death is part of life, but find in the types of remembrances in the markers a testament to those who once lived. I come from a city full of history, but really no matter where you live, whether it's "historical" or not, it ALL is history...all places, people and things have a story to tell. . .I guess I just want to know...I care...So get out like I and find your community's history and story...these are pricess!

10. Contribute...

Tell your own story~share something about yourself or even share yourself. You can blog like I am doing~which is virtually free-we already have the items needed in computer and internet sevices, but sign up to share pieces of what you uniquely bring to others. . .visit retirement or rest homes for added boosts of busting the blues...in giving there is more receiving! I've never given that I ever received less than what I gave! God has seen to this in my life~and even in my most depleated worn out state, He has shown me that what I gave returned multifold. But share, give and reach out to someone~there's no price in this kind of love and goodness! AND it's generally free on our end of it...of we give of ourselves to show love with either listening or helping~can we volunteer in an effort to help? Can we show a help to someone who needs to know they are loved? Beating the blues can happen without money!

What are you doing to beat the blues, the depression that can accompany an economic downturn? What are you trying, have tried and how's it working?

Singing a little song and beating the blues...

Using It UP Ideas~Dryer Sheets

Beginning here, I will post what I am going to call: Using It Up Ideas on items that we either throw away or could have another use other than the advertised or intended ones so that we can get as much utility as possible for our items~and save the landfills a bit! So while I was in the laundry "palace" today, I realized that using all those dryer sheets and then throwing them away needs to come to some "greater good" for a second go around of use! I examined those white thin "airy" looking rectangles and gave it some thought. I came up with a few ideas, but I want to thank my mother, Betty for her ideas too! Mamas know best~this is undisputed!

Here's the ideas~

1. Dryer lint remover
2. Sachet craft idea or perfumed for a dresser drawer or suit cases
3. Static remover
4. Dust rag
5. Doll clothes pattern material
6. Stuffing for crafts
7. Material for scrapbooking/card cutouts


Dryer Lint Remover

The lint filter of an electric or gas dryer if not properly cleaned can make the machine operate so poorly! I use my dryer sheet from the load I am taking care of to wipe the lint out of the mesh screen. This really does a nice job, and reduces any static that might accumulate in the area. With one easy swipe, I have all the lint and into the trash it goes! Easy!!


Sachet or scented "cloth" for dresser drawers/suit cases

I knew a lady once who made the cutest sachets for her dressers~she utilized the used dryer sheets which have a thin and airy look to them~almost like homemade paper to put popourri into and tied them with a pretty ribbon. Now the trick was to cut the rectangle into a circle with some sharp scissors that can have a decorative edge or straight. The idea though is a nice neat edge. After tying in a pretty bow, then silk flowers were added. The scent was very nice. These made nice little favors or gifts for "Just Because!"

Put used dryer sheets into your luggage to keep it smelling fresh between uses. You can also save them and layer them into your clothing being packed. Smells good!


Static Remover

Carry one in your purse during the windy seasons in your area to use to rub on your clothing if you find yourself with static cling. For those who wear nylon hosery or unmentionables, this use can really help if you find you are clinging in unbecoming ways~always rub the undersides of the cothing next to your skin as that's the direction of the charge pulling the fabrics toward you...or rub it in between your layers if that's where the problem is occurring. You don't want to be clingy!



Dust Rag

I'd make sure my dryer sheet had gone twice in the dryer before rubbing it on my monitors and TV screens...you don't want to smear the softner there~what a mess that could be! But after using all the softening agent, then the tiny bit left will draw the dust and make cleaning easier! I know what to call this~Magnetic Cleaning with DRYER SHEETS!!


Doll Clothes Pattern

Granted dryer sheets won't make a pattern for large items, but for some doll clothes they will make nice permanent patterns. Just trace the original onto the dryer sheet and cut it out. Be sure to mark which piece that it is and what the pattern is so that if a single piece gets seperated, it can be easily found and placed with its coordinating items. This is a great idea to piece together!



Stuffing for Cloth Crafts

If you save enough you can use them to stuff things with instead of purchasing additional materials. This definitely saves on the overall cost of the project~whoohoo more savings!

Material for Scrapbooking and Cardmaking Cut Outs

I love making my own cards. In recent years I've not made very many, but I even like to handmake the embellishments for my cards and scrapbook pages. The almost lacy or handmade paper look makes dryer sheets a unique material to make objects~snowflakes, snowmen, hearts, candles...anything you could use white: wedding motiffs and more! Use good sharp scissors and go to town! With some good craft glue, these will adorn anything you are doing in the paper craft world!

This is the Using it UP Ideas~Dryer Sheets post. If you have an idea to share I'd love to hear from you! Look for more Using It Up Ideas!