Adventures in Frugality

One of my goals for 2013 is to find new and exciting frugal replacements for everyday costly items. I am trying to adapt to 2 of these each month. But trial and error so far had me at 50% success...

This week's tip: Homemade Frugal Granola Bars 

They were and still are a huge hit!!

That has saved me considerably on my grocery bill which I am trying to keep around $100 a week. At $3++ a box for the cheap ones and $4++ a box for the quality ones - that is a HUGE savings for us each week. 

I make a double batch of bars and it lasts about 2 weeks. Frugal and tasty! I never liked granola bars before I tried these. I found these to be a treat to eat and so versatile. They can be different every week - you choose the mix-ins, be creative and use what's in your stockpile or on sale:)

Be sure to send in your mix-in ideas and experiences with them.


Next weeks frugal adventure - fabric softener alternatives...

What is frugality to the Proverbs 31 woman?? 

It is the safe keeping of the Lord's blessings.

fka (formerly known as): Waste not, Want not:)

She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness. ----Prov 31:27


Frugality as per wiki:  the quality of being frugal, sparing, thrifty, prudent or economical in the use of consumable resources such as food, time or money and avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance

Homemade Jam

Today was a day to make more homemade jam. We ran out early this year and boy is it good!

Homemade Jam

Yield: 8 jars

Assorted berries (1 ½ quarts strawberries, mashed up, 1 bag frozen raspberries,

 and 1 bag frozen Wyman’s blueberries) which will equal 5-6 cups when mashed

1 box Sure-gel

½ tsp butter

7 cups sugar, measured and ready

1. Mash fresh berries to 5-6 cups; do not mash frozen berries. Put these in a stockpot; mix in the box of Sure-gel, and butter. Heat on high to a rolling boil (this means you stir it and it keeps boiling). Be sure to stir it as the frozen fruit melts so it won’t burn. When it reaches a rolling boil, add the sugar all at once and stir to mix thoroughly. Keep mixing and bring up to a rolling boil again. Cook at a rolling boil for 2 minutes (1 minute if all the berries are fresh). Remove from heat.
2. In the meantime, bring a small pan of water to a boil. Turn off burner and add your lids. Be sure to separate each lid in the water; don’t leave them in a stack. Let these sit while you’re making the jam.
3. Also, wash glass jars and metal rings. Put in a very clean sink submerged in the hottest water you can get.
4. When the jam is done use a glass measuring cup to scoop out the jam. Be careful this is VERY hot! Pour jam into HOT glass jar to within ½ inch of edge, wipe clean the edges, place a hot, dry lid on top with a magnet rod, and then screw on metal ring. Place upside down on towel. After about 5 minutes turn jar right side up you should hear the jars popping (sealing) within a few minutes to an hour.
5. Let the jars rest for 24 hours before storing. Tighten lid more, if necessary and store in a cool, dry place.

Are You Wasting Your Money??

25 Things Grandma Never Paid For:

By Sally Herigstad
Our grandparents could live on very little money compared to what it takes to keep us going these days. We may not want to live without those modern conveniences and vacations Grandma wouldn't have even dreamed of. But once in a while we should at least remember what we're spending money on that Grandma seemed to be able to live without!

How many of these things did your grandparents never pay for?

1. Air conditioning - at home and in the car.

2. Plastic bags that zip up.

3. Movie rentals.

4. Cruises.

5. Cell phone service. If she wanted Grandpa to come in from the back yard, she had to actually step out back and wave at him. Or just wait.

6. Canned vegetables. That backyard garden was no trendy hobby. She used it to fill hundreds of glass jars with green beans, tomatoes, and other good food, ready for winter.

7. Gym memberships. By the time she got done working in the garden and tracking down Grandpa without a cell phone, she didn't need the gym.
8. Computers, laptops, upgrades, new mice, and other accessories. Certainly not.

9. Internet service. Ditto.

10. Cable. If it wasn't on TV, forget it. (Fiddling with rabbit ears - now that's a vanishing skill!)

11. Pedicures.

12. Eating out, except for special occasions like birthdays. Imagine Grandma saying, "I don't feel like cooking - let's eat out!"

13. Massages. She'd have looked askance at that.

14. Hair foils.

15. Housecleaning services.

16. Child care.

17. Life insurance on her children.

18. Having a tailor change a hem or sew on a button.

19. Feng shui consultations.

20. Catering.

21. A second car.

22. Frozen pizzas.

23. Delivered pizzas.

24. Dog grooming.

25. Health insurance for pets.

I thought this was so true and so funny! I am feeling consumed by expenses this month and this lightened my mood.

Think before you spend this month. Pray for self-discipline. Take control of your spending and the New Year will be much happier!

Blessings to all my bloggers..

Guess what I did with the trash can??

Not only is this a great way to use the cruddy, old trash can. It can be used annually for it. Year after year, remembering the great grace of our Lord as you reap the rewards of gardening. Include the whole family - after all it will take at least 3 of you to actually dump the can when the time comes!

If you read often, or have looked at my other blogs, you will notice I love to cook and garden. It's really something to grow stuff and then be able to eat it. I am in awe of this. So, when I saw this idea from Heavenly Homemakers, I knew I just had to do it. This is a container garden in a whole new direction---move over topsy- turvy hanging tomatoes!

You actually beat up your container a little more , add some holes, dirt, and seed potatoes and you've got mashed potatoes galore. (Yes, there is definitely another day's blog......)

Anyway, here are the complete directions: love to hear if anyone else tries it - I will include pictures as it grows!

Planting Potatoes in a Container

Lately the 3 blogs have been too much for me to handle so I am concentrating mainly on this one and adding whatever the Lord puts on my mind for that day. However, I will also still share recipes and garden on my other blog: Proverbs31 Cooking

May you be blessing in all you do today--T

How do you get rid of a trash can?

I was just sitting here thinking - how do you get rid of an old trash can? You can't just leave it by the curb - people will either put trash in it or think you're a slob.

Even if you put it out on trash day - if there's trash in it they'll take the trash and leave the can. If you don't put trash in it - they'll still leave it - come on, it's a "trash can."

Do you go to all the trouble of bagging it up. Buy one of those super, HUGE bags tie it up and disguise it as - "trash". Odds are your trash man is on to you by now and will leave it there just to mess with you - I would:)

I would probably go a step further...unwrap the bag and put it into the can as a liner. Like the owner didn't know how to set it up correctly...LOL, I do like to do things like that to people...it usually makes them laugh, and we can all use a good laugh now and again.

So now that I've messed with you my dear reader you are probably asking yourself, "What does this have to do with "dailystuff"? "

Well, after I looked at it a bit longer I decided I couldn't throw that old trash can away after all. Sure it had dents and a couple holes. It was a little rusty in spots where it was bent out of shape, it sagged to one side, and it had lost all of it's original shine. I thought maybe this is a reflection of me on some days. Sure I've had my super mom-perfect wife-good church girl-loving friend - Jesus glowing days. But I've also had my: do it yourself-you don't love me-who's going to miss me-are you sure she loves Jesus? bent-up, rusty, dented, dull, sagged-to-one-side days too.

Days when I should have been left out for the trash, days when it was probably would have been easier to leave me than love me.

Those were the days when I needed it the most but deserved it the least--

Those were the days when I received the most Grace.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

His grace is always enough.
So, today I give grace to that old trash can. My gracious God has given me new life and I will return that today by finding new life even for my old trash can that no one else wanted.
I am glad the Lord did not leave me at the curb for someone else to take away. I am so glad He wanted me.

Many blessing to all today.--T

Know that God wants you dearly. He is waiting for you to accept His invitation. It's that easy.

Top 10 things I never want to take for granted...

1. The blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus


2. Having parents who never divorced or abused me


3. Having my husband home and in my bed every night rather than out doing "his" thing


4. The emotional and physical health of my children


5. The freedom to worship my Savior 24/7--- publicly and privately


6. Homeschooling my kids all of their academic years


7. Intercessory prayer from Jesus and the saints - you ARE my rock! Also, my prayer team - You are my earthly rocks!


8. Learning something new every time I open the Bible....


9. Fresh, clean water, indoor plumbing, owning my own home (I guess that's really 3 but who's counting!)


10. Going to a grocery store and buying anything I want, whenever I want, and never feeling hungry...

There are really so many more I could add, I would love to hear what everyone else 'never wants to take for granted' too! We are so blessed. One thing about the information super highway is that you never have to wonder how other people live, what it's like in other countries, it's all right there. I really don't want to live anywhere else. Our darkest day is nothing compared to the brightest day in some other countries. Thank you Jesus...

Thanks for stopping by. I have taken a bit of a hiatus after buying our first home (at 42 years old)--this was a good exercise in patience-- and will be posting more often now. Thanks again for dropping by today. May you be blessed in all you do today.
Hugs and Blessings