In today's post I want to continue with this thread by sharing one thing I did recently that is helping take the sting out of one area of our budget we chose to cut.
I mentioned yesterday that one of the things we were doing to help cover the increased food prices was to reduce the amount of personal allowance we allow ourselves. I love to read so it stands to reason that part of my personal allowance went to purchasing books.
I was talking to my youngest daughter, who just happens to be a librarian, and she mentioned a program the library has where you can check-out digital versions of books and audiobooks at no cost. While I prefer to read from 'hold in your hands' books, I was all over the program my daughter was talking about since my book buying budget had been drastically reduced. My daughter got me signed up and I have been amazed at the selection.
Currently I'm reading:
Living Slower by Merissa A. Alink
When I finish it, my next selection is checked-out and waiting: The Tiny But Mighty Farm by Jill Ragan
Following that is Around the Kitchen Table by Sophie Hansen
and then How to Grow Your Own Food by Angela S. Judd is bringing up the rear.
When I finish these 4, I'll checkout more!
This program is taking the sting out of the decrease in my personal money budget cut.
What are some substitutions or things you're doing to help take the sting out of necessary budget changes?
One more thing, I posted part 2 in our Widow of Zarephath Bible study today. You can find it HERE!
Sharing 42 years' experience of frugal, prudent living and pantry building
My second blog: From This Heart of Mine, where I share my love for God and His Word through my personal Bibe study. Physical preparedness is important, but not near as important as spiritual preparedness. Join me over at From This Heart of Mine and study God's Word with me.
She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27
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I picked up some margarine sticks on sale a few months ago and put them in the freezer and sub it for butter where it will not make a difference. I get free ebooks from Vickie's Kitchen and Garden. She posts them on her Facebook feed.
ReplyDeleteSome fresh vegetables are pretty much now only purchased frozen. Broccoli is one that is quite expensive so fresh is a rare treat. No more baby carrots and you know what we found is that peeled and cut carrots are delicious and the baby ones are tasteless. I am buying less and less bread products. I have started making some things like hamburger buns and they so easy and delicious. Salad dressing has gotten so expensive that I am starting to make my own. Ranch packets are still 35 cents at Aldi and I have a lot of mayo in the pantry. I made 1000 Island for Hubby last week. So many foods that might have picked up prepared before are coming from ingredients in my pantry. We have cut way back on eating out and only then with a coupon.
Lana, we don't purchase a lot of bread either. You've inspired me to take the time to do some of these make your own items.
DeleteHere isy hot tip for when you have to grab a meal out. Download the Burger King app. Every day you can get free any size ff with a purchase. Order a hamburger (1.59) and add lettuce and tomato (.30). Now you have a Whopper Jr for 1.89 and you can get the free ff and water for about $2 per person. Each person has to have the app. Yes it is fast food but is a pretty decent meal for so little.
ReplyDeleteLana, that's a really good tip! Thank you for sharing!
DeleteThank you for sharing this, Lana. As much as I dislike spending money on eating out, it still happens if we are away from home at mealtime because our errands have taken longer than planned. A fast food meal for the four of us is usually between $25 and $30- not frugal at all and it drives me crazy! There is a Burger King in the town where we usually do our grocery shopping, so this will be perfect.
DeleteI am so happy you found out about loaner digital books from the library. While I adore hold in your hand books, I have mostly given them up due to cost. Hilogene in Az
ReplyDeleteHilogene, I'll continue to scour thrift stores, yard sales, etc for books, but me purchasing new books is on hold right now.
DeleteI think the saying "give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime" is appropo here. We're in a time where learning skills is critical.
ReplyDeleteI'm a book-lover, too, and find it much easier on my eyes to read hard copy. I haven't bought a new book in years. My go-to for used books is Better World Books, where I can get books for pennies on the dollar, and the proceeds go toward literacy efforts. They often have free shipping offers, too.
As for other ways I'm saving, my breadmaker has been put to good use all winter. And, I made my first batch of homemade yogurt earlier this week (it turned out a little runny, I'm thinking maybe because I used 2% milk and not whole??? Anyone???). I just looked up a recipe for making homemade sour cream and also saved one for homemade ranch salad dressing (which I also use as a veggie dip). I've also been dehydrating fruits that I get on sale or ones that are getting a little long in the tooth, to have for snacks and to use in baking. In the warmer months, I grow herbs in my deck-rail boxes and dry them for use throughout the rest of the year. I still have plenty of basil and oregano, so will be looking at planting other herbs this year.
With grocery purchases and menu planning, I've taken a "use it all" approach. I've repurposed dinner leftovers into many forms, adding them to soup or reinventing them into something else for lunch, dehydrating leftover veggies before they become slime, making banana bread when the last bananas are starting to get mushy, and freezing that last handful of blueberries or grapes for use in iced tea this summer.
In addition to books, libraries often host educational workshops. Our library just held a free seminar on microgreens, presented by a local grower. They covered the nutritional benefits, as well as how to grow your own, and passed out kits for grow-your-own at home. I'll be giving that a try, planting radish and kale microgreen seeds this coming week. Will be looking for rmore of these types of workshops, too, to learn new skills.
I’ve made my own yogurt for 40+ years and have found that using a higher fat milk makes it thicker. I also add plain gelatin (1 teaspoon/qt.). Check out thekichn.com for their post on ‘Better Yogurt’ for some valuable hints….just don’t give up! Conni
DeleteLori, I totally agree, sharpening our skills or learning new ones, is critical right now! You, also have inspired me to take the time to try to make more 'make your own' items.
DeleteI sub flax eggs for eggs when baking. I make all breads, muffins, English muffins, salad dressing. An easy honey mustard is just mayo, honey and mustard mixed together. I look for recipes that have 4 ingredients or less. At least twice a week we will have a meatless supper. Some of our favorites are home made lo mein, zucchini pie, egg roll soup, pasta. Cookie
ReplyDeleteCookie, zucchini pie? Have you shared that recipe with me before?
DeleteIs the honey mustard ingredient amounts to taste?
Patsy, I think I have shared the recipe but I will send it again. Yes, the honey mustard dressing is to taste.
DeleteI've been trying our local libraries digital loans as well...I borrowed a book & didn't get it finished...then ended up buying the e-book from Amazon. So much for saving money!
ReplyDeleteI was reading the book to prepare for a garden talk I'm doing & really needed to finish it.
Jenny, Oh no! I think I saw a place that I could renew if I did it before the due date. I'll have to check on that!
DeleteThose books sound very interesting
ReplyDeleteLeeAnn, I'm reading Living Slower by Merissa A Alink (of Little House Living website) and am thoroughly enjoying it.
DeleteI'm a voracious reader, and the little library near me doesn't have enough inventory. I read 3-4 books/week. I use Kindle Unlimited ($9.99/month + the cost of the Kindle) & it's cheaper than how much I was spending on books (a lot). It's how I spend my monthly "splurge" money, and well worth it, as there are so many books available. That assumes, of course, you are comfortable with digital books. Good luck! Books are one of life's greatest pleasures.
ReplyDeleteHawaii Planner, My first love is 'hold in your hands' books, but coming in at a close second is digital books! With the economy the way it is, digital books do just fine! I agree, books are indeed one of life's greatest pleasures!
DeleteOur grocery budget has increased but I think it’s topped out. I don’t think it can go higher. I’m having problems finding all these great deals that so many find.
ReplyDeleteLeeAnn, we have to look hard, they are harder to find now than they have ever been!
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