~ from my home to yours, living the Working Pantry lifestyle ~ surviving today's economy ~ a can-do spirit and attitude ~

Thursday, January 22, 2015

This Is Why! ... part 2

Part 2


Before I start sharing specifics of how I keep a well-stocked pantry in this series, I want to share where what grocery money we currently have is coming from.
Remember from the last post this is our situation …
Recently my husband and I received the news that one of our monthly expenses … health insurance, was going to increase substantially.  In the same month we also received news that our income was being reduced substantially as well.  Double whammy!  Our first reaction was dismay, our second reaction was to pray and then we set down with our budget and started making changes to accommodate our new financial situation.  When all was said and done, we had some good news and some bad news … the good news was that we could still pay our bills each month … the bad news was that there was nothing left in the budget for groceries.

Where is our grocery money coming from since we don’t have anything left in the budget for groceries?  Here's what we're currently doing ...
We have a set amount budgeted for auto gasoline and for utilities.  Whatever … if … anything is left from these categories, we use for groceries.  Sometimes its $5, sometimes it might be $10, other times it might be a bit more and then sometimes there’s nothing left.
Also, as we make the last payment on a debt, instead of snow balling that amount into the next smallest debt, we are using it instead for groceries.  By doing this we are slowing down the pace at which we can pay off our debt, but it does allow us to have something each month we can count on to work with.  For instance, we have several medical bills and are making monthly payments on them.  This month we made the final payment on one which will give us $20/month that we can actually depend on/call our grocery budget.  It’s not much, but it’s a start and we are praising God and asking Him to bless us and give us wisdom in spending it.
In addition, we are selling things to supplement what we have to spend whenever possible.
Right now, these are the ways we’re getting the money we spend on groceries.  These methods supplemented with our well-stocked pantry, is how we are able to provide food for ourselves during this lean time … and we are doing good.  So many have expressed concern over our situation and have offered help to us in various forms.  My heart is full and overflowing with love and appreciation for your offers, but we are okay.  Sure, there are things that we would like to have but can’t during this season due to this situation, but that is okay too.  We are taking our needs and wants to God and laying them at His feet in prayer.  So please understand, we are doing good, we are okay … please don’t worry about us.  The only thing I would ask that you do is lift us, and any others who you know that may be going through something similar, in prayer to our Heavenly Father. 
So, how did I get a pantry stocked well enough to be able to weather our current financial storm?  I’ll start sharing specifics on that in part 3.  The goal is to post a new entry every Wednesday ... but don't be upset if it's a day early or late ... I'll do my best to stay on track, but I lead a very busy life ... which is helpful in dealing with this situation ... get busy and stay busy!

Patsi 

Sharing 42 years' experience of frugal, prudent living and pantry building 

A Working Pantry

My second blog:  From This Heart of Mine 

She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27 

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14 comments:

  1. Thanks Patsi for sharing your situation and how you are coping with it. I find it very encouraging to know that here is another extremely difficult situation in life that can be coped with if one has exercised forethought. Your well-stocked pantry has given me something to think about and something to aim for in building my stores. Of course I will include you and your husband in my prayers, I know from my experience last year how comforting and reassuring it is knowing others are praying on your behalf. I am looking forward to your pantry challenge.

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    1. I have always valued my well-stocked pantry but during this season it has taken on a whole new value. So, very, very glad we have it. Thank you for your prayers and your comment.

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  2. Mrs. Patsy, you are, and have always been, such a blessing. You truly show what depending on God means; in more ways than one. Willie Mitchell

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  3. prayers will continue on my end. :) God will and does bless us all with just what we need. Your hard work and persaverance doesn't hurt either and your many many wonderful ways to save and stock. I love this blog for all of that and you. Blessings.

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    1. Thank you Bobbi... we're praying like it all depends on God and working like it all depends on us ... we're striving to do our part and we know God will do His!

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  4. Patsy, Your story and your journey are very encouraging to me. I am and will continue to lift you up in prayer. As I have shared before, we are going through a similar "bump in the road." Because of you I am now praying for God's wisdom before I go grocery shopping and am amazed by how He is working. Thank you for sharing with us.

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    1. Love your comment ... it's so encouraging to me!

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  5. Hi Patsy;
    The power of prayer is amazing, and God always comes thru for his children! I will also lift you and your hubby up in prayer. I am looking forward to your next blog! Hugs, Nana

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  6. I posted a link to your blog on my Facebook feed just now. I was given two number 10 cans of black olives today. I think that you have mentioned that they can be re-canned in a pressure cooker. Could you please post that information if I am remembering correctly? Yes, I can eat a number 10 can of black olives in one sitting but I don't think it would be that good for me. Thanks in advance

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    1. Maria, thank you for sharing about A Working Pantry! I re-can black olives one or twice a year ... use pints or half pints and pressure can them at 10 lbs of pressure for 60 minutes ... and no they do not turn out mushy or I've never had them to. Good luck!

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    2. what do you use as a liquid to fill the jars? Water? Do you add salt? Thanks for your help

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    3. Maria, I use water and no I do NOT add salt.

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