Fighting Against Rising Prices

 

Costs in Canada, and I believe around the world are rising and many are wondering how they will heat their homes, pay for medications or put food on the table. 

I know in Canada many of the food banks can not keep up with the growing requests. Some from what I have read have even shut down. 

Yet there are ways to save and even thrive during these hard times. We are lucky in that we, or rather I have always been frugal and over the last 15 years I have finally managed to get Harvey onboard. It took him retiring however to really get him onto the frugal path. 

One of the best ways to thrive in this uncertain time is to plan your menus and leftovers are always to be kept and made into another meal or two. I have gotten very good at the planning ahead and using things up. Today with a couple of slices of leftover roast beef I managed to make two containers of Beef Barley soup for us and a smaller container for Kurt (he will probably need more help than Kris right now). I still have 5 slices of roast beef left which will make sandwiches for a number of days. Out of a butternut squash that cost me $1.49, I made two containers of soup for the boys, and a large container for us. That large container will give us two meals stretched with crusty bread (made at home) or a sandwich. 

All bones from chickens, turkeys or ham are saved and I make broth from them. Saves not having to purchase broth from the store. One of these days I will try my hand at using peelings and such from veggies to make veggie stock. Just not too sure about doing so yet.

Eggs are still one of the least expensive forms of protein so breakfast for supper is awesome and very filling. 

There are lots of recipes out there for cleaning products and now that I have some spray bottles I will start doing that. Right now I have some orange peels in vinegar to make an orange cleaner. 

Purchase in bulk when you can. I do this for dish washing soap and save a few dollars. I also buy larger packages of hand soap, shampoo, and toothpaste (the ones that are two, three or four packages). These work out to be much less expensive than individual packages.

I try to never spend full price, but as all of you know, sometimes it is unavoidable but I always make sure to get the best deal that I can.

Old sheets become the backing for my quilts, sometimes even pajamas for either Harvey or I. Old clothing is cut into rags or into useable quilt fabric. I am even contemplating using those usable squares as fabric to sew clothing. I already make totes from some of them. 

Whatever jobs around the house we can do on our own we do. As we age however things are getting a bit tougher and so we will be searching for the best people to do the tasks we can't. 

As far as entertainment we only go to the live theater here in the summer. No movie theater for us, it is much too expensive. We do have a television package, but really it is the only source of entertainment we have and is well worth what it costs. 

Those are just a few of the ways we are saving money during this expensive time. I hope we can save even more as I figure out ways to live a bit more simply, frugally and thrifty.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

Another lovely and quiet, but busy day here on the old homestead. I was busy most of the day baking buns, making lentil soup and the chicken veggie/pasta soup for our supper tonight. I also did manage to get all the household tasks done as well. The yogurt is draining in the fridge as well. There were some lovely smells coming out of the kitchen for sure.

As I said before (or at least I think I did) this week will be one of staying home and getting the preparations done for the Thanksgiving holiday. The day itself is on Monday, but as Kris will need to be at work on Tuesday we will have the meal on Sunday. Not sure about Kurt, but he will probably head back on that day as well just in case they have to vote on a contract or if they are forced back to work. 

Another frosty morning, my outside plants are definitely gone. Harvey is hoping that the boys will help him dump them out into the garden and then he will do the final tilling the following week.

Project wise the binding on the firepit quilt will have to wait awhile. When I bake or batch cook I am up and down a great deal, so I am knitting dishcloths, and doing some embroidery. Once I get things completed I will be back working on that. I also need to cut out the pajama bottoms, as well as the two pairs of double oven mitts. I am trying to figure out why one would need batting as well as the heat resistant batting. Any ideas out there on why this pattern calls for that? 

I was asked what Glace was. Here goes and I hope I explain it properly. This is something my German Grandma made when money was fairly tight. 

Get a big pot of water boiling and add a couple of diced potatoes. In a bowl mix flour, and eggs to a stiff dough. I usually use about 2 cups of regular flour and 6 or 7 eggs. Drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls on top of the boiling water. Boil until they rise to the top. Drain the potatoes and glace. Fry onions in butter and pour over top. Then make eggs to eat with the glace. Not something that we have often as it is cholesterol heavy, but once in awhile is something we all enjoy. Me for the memories, the sons because to them it is special and to Harvey because it is something that his German parents did not make. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Life will get very hectic this week and after my appointment and shopping today, I will be glad to stay home and prepare for family visits.

It has gotten very cold, we had a hard frost last night and I don't think it will get much warmer at night. We are into the start of fall and perhaps even the start of winter. Meals will be slightly hardier.

Monday

Hot dogs, buns, macaroni/cheese with some broccoli mixed in the macaroni/cheese for more veggies.

Tuesday

Soup and sandwiches. I brought a container of frozen chicken broth upstairs and will make a hearty veggie, noodle, chicken soup.

Wednesday

Leftover beef roast, made into hot beef sandwiches served with fries, and brussels sprouts.

Thursday

Chicken drumsticks, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots. 

Friday 

Glace and eggs. Something our sons ask for every time they are home.

Saturday

Smoked brisket, tossed salad and potato salad.

Sunday

Roast turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, stuffing, pumpkin pie/whipped cream. There will be cranberries, and pickles plus cheese. 

I know Kris will be heading home on Monday and I am pretty sure Kurt will be as well. Sending home lots of goodies with each of them. It will make me feel better as I will know they have food to last for a few meals and treats to keep them happy.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Quiet, Laidback Days

I am always grateful for those days that move calmly and quietly by. Life is so much easier when things run smoothly. 

I actually think that perhaps my decision to move with confidence towards a more simplified life is helping to make the days smoother. 

Today the household tasks were done quickly, even before Mass which almost never happens. We came home and Harvey made brunch, much less costly than going out to eat. 

I decided rather than working on two separate projects I would finish one and then work on the second one later or even tomorrow. 

The only news I have been watching is about the teachers strike in Alberta. This is only because of Kurt teaching in that province. There were two rallies being held there today. One in Calgary where a few thousand met wearing red for education and teachers. The other was in Edmonton where the count reached 20 thousand parents, students, and teachers on the grounds of the provincial legislature. I am not sure the UCP were at all ready for the ground swell of support for their educators. 

Of course there are a few that say 12% raise over 4 years is more than they got in their contracts, but the nurses got 20% and the teachers in the last decade had many years of 0% (I believe 8 years) and then 2 years of a total of 5%. Pretty sure the people saying this have had regular raises over the last 10 years to at least keep up with the cost of living. Hmm, that would mean that over 13 years they might have gotten 1.25% more each year. 

The teachers really do deserve more in the area of wages. The students also deserve to have smaller classes and more help in those classes. They need that help right away. One of the carrots the government held up was 3000 new teachers would be hired over three years. A whole 1000 a year which would be a drop in the proverbial bucket as there are 3000+ schools in the province. They also promised to hire more aides, however they laid off the vast majority of them over the past couple of years.

Still seeing all the support the teachers have garnered is wonderful and I hope it continues through what happens next.

Off to set my table and then get the potatoes and carrots in the roaster. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Life On The Old Homestead

Life on the Phillips homestead is moving along quietly. As I have mentioned before the veggie garden is done and dusted. Harvey did a big tilling of the entire thing and will more than likely do another one later in the year.

I usually do a roundup of what has been accomplished through the week, but I really did not get much completed so this is an entirely different post from the usual. I hope it makes sense.

After much discussion between the two of us I will be saving egg shells, peelings and other compostable item to put into the garden over the winter. It has been awhile since I have done that and we really should start on that once again. Decision number one.

Decision number two is that I will begin to make some of the household cleaners. Harvey thinks I am a bit crazy, but told me to go for it if I so chose. 

Decision number three which was discussed while we enjoyed the fire was to add another couple of meatless meals to the rotation as long as I can find something Harvey likes. I also told him I would probably be cutting down on the amount of meat in a meal. His answer was "We probably eat too much of that anyway."

Decision number four is my own. In striving for simplicity I need to remove clutter. So I have decided that I am going to try and remove at least 10 items, or use up 10 items in crafts to give as gifts each week. I think that is doable. Today to make up for the last couple of weeks of no decluttering at all I managed to rid myself of 25 items. 

Next week should see me using up some fabric in the making of gifts. Not sure if it will be 10 craft items, but what isn't used craft wise, I will hunt through my "stuff" and get more of those items that need moving out.

We got our house insurance today and while I added a certain percentage to the cost (what I thought the inflation amount would be) the cost is even more. Not much more but enough to make me wonder what other costs will be. 

Add in the grocery prices and man, people could be in a great deal of trouble. So far we are doing just fine, but one never knows when our investments will take a big hit. 

Kurt, as a teacher in Alberta, will be on strike starting on Monday. There will be no strike pay so he figures he will be living on his line of credit. I have been reading how the UCP (governing party) is going to hold out as long as possible in order to force the teachers back to work. 

Teachers there have had a 5% raise in the last 10 years. Many of those 10 were 0% in order to help the government. They were promised it would be made up later.... It wasn't and they can barely keep up with mortgage payments, heating, and electricity. Little lone put food on the table. We usually give the two sons money for their birthdays and Christmas. I think we will try and give them a bit more in each case this year. Even when the teachers go back to work it will be awhile before they get paid. It isn't only because of the wages, the main thing causing the strike is over crowded classrooms, not enough teachers (new ones leave after a couple of years due to burn out) and the number of students with special needs.

Kris seems to be okay so far, but he has lots of work he needs to do on his house. Some of which could be fairly expensive, so if we can help a bit with that all is well. Out of the two boys he is probably the most frugal and thrifty. But he will be renewing the mortgage on his home in a couple of years and who knows what the interest rate will be. 

Along with the extra cash, I am going to make sure that they both have some lovely care packages, and I am planning their Christmas baskets accordingly. I have a list made and will continue to add to that list. Food stuffs, home goods, gift cards, and some cash will be in those baskets. Lots of homemade mixes, jelly, salves, and probably some over the counter medications as well. A bit bought each biweekly shop will spread the cost out.

Everybody have a wonderful night.

God bless.

Living Simply

 My move towards a simpler life this month is cutting back on projects. I am just going to work on those projects that are what I consider necessary to finish for Christmas.

Decluttering will take place as well as another path to a life where I am not so surrounded by things. Really I have too much stuff!! I can do with much less and there are many items that I never use or have never used. Sometimes I can not believe how much clutter I have let into my life over the years.

Physical clutter does not make it an easy move towards a life of simplicity, and in fact I think that might be why I am not sleeping well. A cluttered life means a brain that keeps right on churning with ideas and things that one needs to have completed. 

So over the next year I will be focusing on decluttering more, using up as much of the craft supplies that I can, and using up those cleaning supplies that seem to have gotten pushed to the back of the cleaning cupboard. 

I am going to concentrate on enjoying life more and perhaps doing less. I am beginning to prefer staying home or just visiting family. I don't need the angst of going out for coffee and being told in a round about way that I know nothing. I want to take some classes, spend time with a good book and concentrate on my faith a bit more.

My meals are already fairly simple and in actual fact my cleaning routine is as well. 

I enjoy all the blogs I read and have learned so much from all of you. Many of you have helped me decide on what is best for me and how to live a more simple and uncomplicated life. 

Life is meant to be lived to the fullest, enjoyed and that is what I have decided to do. 

Harvey and I sat by the fire last night and as we enjoyed each others company I began to realize how I filled my life with busyness and did not take the time to talk.

I hope to keep the fire of moving towards a life that encompasses family more and busyness less in mind as simplicity begins to take over my life.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty And Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

 With prices and costs rising almost weekly in some cases becoming thrifty, frugal and a little bit more self sufficient is necessary. I will be looking for more little ways to tweak my savings and ways to help our children navigate what could be a different climate than they are used to.

So what frugal and thrifty things have I and Harvey been busy with this past bit of time.

1.  I did up our spending for last month and was quite happy to see we were underbudget again. Every little bit we can save takes us a bit further into the year and puts a bit more in our savings.

2.  Downloaded a couple of free books and bought a couple that were on deep discount. Been looking at a few more and in preparation for the winter, and these being on very deep discount I might purchase a couple more.

3.  Mended a small tear in a bottom sheet, I can probably get another year or two use out of it.

4.  Harvey added some homemade compost to the veggie garden and worked it in. 

5.  Been using up leftovers in the fridge for other meals.

6.  The optometrist said my eye sight has not changed which means I don't need new glasses which is a big savings here in my city.

7.  Put $95.00 in my savings envelope. I need to build that up once again.

8.  Found a free pattern for double oven mitts on line and pulled the fabric from my stash to make them (this includes the special heat resistant batting).

9.  Found the flannel fabric to make Harvey's pajama bottoms in my stash as well. 

10.  Combining errands so as to save on gas and wear/tear on the vehicle.

Those are the ones I can remember. I also hung clothing on the lines outside, washed in cold where I could and always rinsed in cold. Walking for free and frugal exercise. Using up the garden produce that is left has been ongoing for a bit. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.  

Midweek, New Month

 

I just can not believe it is October already. I have said this before, but I really think the older I get the faster the days, weeks, months and years pass by. 

Not looking forward to my eye appointment tomorrow as the drops really bother me and my eye sight does not properly come back for most of the day. I also need to stop by the pharmacy (after phoning in the script) and pick up my medication. 

At least I can knit as that is more by memory and feel than watching the needle go in and out of the fabric as I work on hand quilting. So tomorrow will be spent working on getting the mittens finished and Friday will be getting the hand quilting done so I can work on the binding.

Today I found the perfect pattern for the double oven mitts and will search out fabric for those a bit later today while supper is cooking. I will also find the fabric to make Harvey's pajama bottoms. May as well get things together to work on this month.

Finished one goal for this month already. Sat after the household tasks were completed and got all the papers shredded. There was quite a stack. I will not wait 6 months to do that task again just too much to do when that happens. 

Harvey got the garden tilled and figures that will be the last time this year. He calls it the back forty now that the garden is extended a little bit. It still isn't as big as it used to be though. 

I have gotten instructions that if I see corn or set onions while shopping early in the spring I am to grab them. This year both were not readily available. 

The Christmas list is made, and I am going to try and get a few things done each month. Once I get the second basket purchased I can start filling them. Hopefully both will be filled with items both of our sons can use and enjoy. Plan on making more jar items like spice mixes and soups that all they need to add is water and perhaps a bit of meat if they would like. 

They both really enjoyed the chocolates I put in and in Kris's case coffee, Kurt's case tea so that will continue.  

Working on the prep list for the cold winter months as well. There will be a bit of extra spending so as to get all that we need stored just in case. I also want to make sure I have lots of instant coffee, cocoa mix, and other simple drink and meal items. Preparing seems to take us longer every year and this year is no different. My sore arm is kind of slowing this down a bit, but I am going to do my best to be ready before Christmas as it is being said the worst of the winter will hit in January.

Off to get the table set, some pick up of yarn beside my chair and then start supper. After that it will be visiting time.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.