Usse It Up - Wear It out - Make It Do - Or Do Without

 

 

A few days ago our 7 year old grandson eagerly launched into what it means to be “green” and how older folks have to be taught not to waste so much.  I smiled the smile of an indulgent grandma and asked him to sit with me for a few minutes.  I had a thing or two to say about the olden days.

 I told him that when I was a little girl we grew our own fruit and vegetables – all organically.  Not a single morsel of produce was wasted.  As soon as it was ripe, it was snapped up to be canned, dried or pickled.  Any extras were given to friends and neighbors.   We even kept chickens and turkeys to eat the bugs out of the yard and garden.  Any vegetable or fruit peelings, bread scraps or other left over bits weren’t just tossed out, they were saved for the chickens to eat.  In turn, for all those tasty bugs and yummy scraps, the chickens supplied us with fresh, organic eggs and meat.

The cows ate the grass in the field which kept the weeds down making our home safe from wild fires.  In the process those good old organic cows grew big and strong giving us milk and meat so we could grow big and strong. 

If there was any hint of waste we would get “the look” from Mother or Grandma followed by a mini-lecture on ‘’waste not, want not”.  Clothes and shoes were treated with care and always passed down to younger siblings or shared among the cousins.  Flour was sold in 25 pound sacks made of cotton.  When the flour was used up, dishcloths, aprons and other utility items were then made from the sacks.  Worn out towels were made into cleaning rags and dust cloths.  The best parts of worn out clothing was cut into usable pieces and made into quilts.  Old blankets were kept in service by using them as lining for those quilts.

When our parents did go to the grocery store groceries were packed in the same boxes the suppliers had used to get the goods to the grocery store.  But when they loaded them with groceries to go home, they would lift the fold-down top edges and tie them with string so the box would be deeper and hold more stuff.  At home, the groceries were put away, the box was collapsed and saved for another time and the string was saved by adding it to a ball of string in the kitchen drawer. 

Sometimes Mother would give us a piece of that string to make a game of Cats-Cradle or marbles or jacks.  Now that was fun that could last for days.  Paper bags from the store were folded neatly and saved for reuse in a hundred different ways including pattern making or wrapping paper for mailing packages.  Once read, newspapers were used for everything from lining the bird cage to fire starter in the wood stove.  They even doubled as a handy-dandy fly swatter.

“No sweet pea”, I said.  “We sure didn’t call it green, but we did called it thrifty. “   More than 200 years ago your very own pioneer ancestors had a saying for all that “reuse – recycle” business.  They said, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

“ I think we’re going to be okay because we already come from a long line of thrifty, green, recycle-reuse, waste not, want not-ers.”   J

Provident living has been around for a very long time.  To get it started in our homes and in the lives of those we love will take some adjusting and yes, work.  But the satisfaction of being independent of debt and self-reliant offers a sense of peace and freedom unequalled. 

From the Church Handbook of Instructions, we learn that: “The Savior has commanded the church and its members to be self-reliant and independent.  …the brethren go on to say . . . to become self-reliant,  a person must work.  Work is physical, mental, or spiritual effort.  It is a basic source of happiness, self-worth, and prosperity.  Through work, people accomplish many good things.”  Doctrine & Covenants 42: 42 teaches us:  “Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer. 

  Elder Robert D. Hales tells us:  “Brothers and sisters, . . . our children are growing up in times of economic uncertainty, just as our grandparents and great-grand parents learned vital lessons through economic adversity, what we learn now, in our present circumstances, can bless us and our posterity for generations to come.”

 

Alma 7:23  teaches us that we can ask for whatsoever things we stand in need of – both spiritual and  temporal.

“And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.”

Always begin your search for the temporal blessings of providence with a sincere prayer that Father will guide your thoughts and actions.  Many a prayer has been offered for help in making ends meet and been answered with remarkable blessings.  Always include prayer in your arsenal of tools before setting out to keep your family fed, clothed and at peace.

 When we say “provident living” most people think of food storage.  Putting aside provisions for a rainy day is an important part of the provident process. ( Say that 10 times fast J)  But it is only a part.  In order to be self-reliant we need to consider the life skills that will not only help us save money now, but give us the ability to live well even in times of financial difficulty.   That’s where you come in as PL leaders and mentors. 

Let’s get to work and find new ways to meet our need and some of our wants.  Let’s start by considering a few of these life skills.

General Shopping Rules

1.       Remember what you’re shopping for.  Retail stores are set up using scientific data to maximize the impulse purchase.

2.       Shopping is designed by advertising experts to be an emotion based experience.  Just listen to the words: “Door buster, can’t miss, hurry, limited supply, fashion forward, latest styles and colors”.   Add to that impact words like Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day oh and don’t forget . . . Christmas! or any other day they can turn into a shopping frenzy.   Wrap all that in seasonal sunshine, fashionable friends laughing together to a background of catchy music and they’ve got people flocking to their stores for some serious retail therapy.  When we get there, the stores are set up to be bright, comfortable and attractive.  Helpful staff chat with you like old friends.    And let’s face it, the kids are in school and Momma’s finally free for an hour!  What could be wrong with that?  The very thought makes those credit cards vibrate with excitement and  the  car practically starts itself with the sheer anticipation of the hunt. 

3.       Set a budget and stick to it. Beware of the old “this is on sale but for just a few dollars more you can have this brand new ______ !”  (fill in the blank)  Know what you  can spend and don’t let all the hype make you lose focus.

4.       Don’t wander through the mall (or any store for that matter) for recreation.  Those places are designed to suck you in.  Don’t tempt yourself with unnecessary purchases.  Go do something that feeds your soul.

5.        Save up until you can pay cash.  Don’t ever let yourself be fooled into thinking that the interest rate on your credit card isn’t that bad.  If you have to pay interest, you’re absolutely paying more than the price tag indicates.  Worse yet, you’ve  surrendered your freedom to use your money for anything else until that debt is paid.

6.       Purchases on credit should never be for short term or perishable items.  Don’t let that lunch out, the snack at the deli, the Movie, or other impulse purchases pile up on a card.  Those kinds of things will be used up and long gone before you ever see the end of those payments and interest.

 

 Newspaper Shopping. This method of grocery shopping and menu planning, coupled with a good dose of self-discipline, will save a bundle on groceries.

1.       Secure a copy of the local newspaper with the weekly grocery ads or use your computer to view this week’s specials.

2.       Use a fresh sheet of writing paper to record sale items or products from each ad.

3.       Discipline yourself to record only the items you would ordinarily use.

4.       When you have gone through all the ads, put the newspaper away (close web sites)

 and focus on the lists you have made.

5.       Compare prices between stores.  Scratch off any items you can get for a lower price at another store.

6.       Check coupon websites for coupons on items you’ve listed.

7.       Using what you already have in the house and what is on your newly made list, make a menu for the week.

8.       Plan a travel route that will save the most gas.  (Might as well save everywhere you can).

9.       Tack the menu to the refrigerator and with list in hand, head out to hunt and gather.

10.   Stick to your list!  It will take willpower to stay the course, but exotic olives and escargot won’t help you accomplish your goal.

11.   Beware of the bakery and the deli.  They smell amazing, they look delicious, and they can blow your budget as well as your calorie count right out of the water!  Besides, you really need to give your plan an honest try before abandoning it and your budget to the ravages of self-indulgence.  

12.   When the list is accomplished – GO HOME!  Nothing breaks you down more than wandering the isles of the stores for recreation.  If you want recreation go to the park for a brisk walk along the river.  It costs nothing and is calorie free.  Win-Win!

13.   Put the money you saved into your food storage or emergency fund.

14.   Bask in your new found success knowing you’ve got a surefire way to keep a little more of your hard earned paycheck.   

Sale rack/table shopping is a quick and easy way to get some great bargains.  They’re often unadvertised, set in the back of the store and require the shopper to invest a little extra time to sort through everything.  But if they have what you want, you can score some killer deals!  Just remember, if you don’t really need it, it’s not a bargain.  It’s a burden you can live without.

 Yard Sales:

Most of the same rules apply when bargain shopping at the local thrift store or yard sale.  The hype is pretty much non-existent, but the hunter gatherer instinct can have you bringing home all kinds of unnecessary “bargains” because they were just too good to pass up.  Don’t get impatient.  This is not retail so you may need to search for a few weeks to a few months before you find what you’re looking for.  But trust me, that sought after bargain will be all the sweeter when you do find it.  Here are some basics for this kind of shopping.

1.       Don’t just meander around town looking for sales.  Use the ads both in the paper and on line.

2.        Map out your route to save time and gas.  Google has a program that will do it for you.  Just type in the list of destinations and Google optimizes your trip.

3.       Know what you’re after and stick to your list.  It’s easy to get drawn off by the super low prices and the open air, neighborhood atmosphere.  If you don’t need it you’ve not only wasted your time and money, but you’ve burdened yourself with someone else’s junk.

4.       Learn to spot the real treasures.  Look for quality products that have a lot of use left in them.  If you’re after real treasure, invest the time necessary to know your stuff.  Understanding antiques and their value is a skill all its own.

5.       Learn what quality means in the item your searching for.  Gently used clothing with 5/8” seams or better, surged edges, deep hems, linings, hand work, covered buttons, quality fabric, etc. is always worth a second look. 

6.       Know the retail price of the item you’re looking for.  Some people have an inflated idea of what their used items are worth.  The emotional attachment of some owner may have the item way overpriced. 

7.       Don’t be afraid to ask the owner about the item.  How old is it?  How was it used?  Are all the parts with it?  Can I plug it in?  Look around.  Is the general area well maintained?  This is often a clue as to the kind of use the item may have had.

8.       Be willing to bargain.  If you don’t like the price, talk to the owner and make an offer.  Most of the time they’re willing to take a lower price rather than risk having to haul it off at the end of the day.

9.       If there’s something you really want but don’t want to pay the price Leave your phone number with the owners and ask them to call if they change their mind.  I’ve gotten some sweet deals that way.  If they don’t want to do that, it may be worth a trip back near the end of the sale’s day to see if it’s still there.  Prices are often lowered to ½ price or more by that time.    If the prices haven’t been lowered, maybe they’ll be more likely to strike a better deal at that time.  

10.   Small repairs shouldn’t stop you.  Assess the item and determine if you are willing to do the repairs immediately.  If not, leave it there.  A broken whatzit is as much junk at your house as it was at theirs. 

Internet Resources:

It may seem strange to some, but knowing your way around the internet can truly be a life skills.  The following resource list is by no means exhaustive.  These are only a few of the possibilities available.  Check them out and see what I mean.  When teaching, feel free to throw in your own favorite bargain sites as well.

Tipnut.com  -  check out their library of past issues.  You find everything from kid crafts to recipes for homemade cleaning products to knitting and crocheting patterns to seasonal decorating ideas and more.

Tightwad gazette. Com  -  This is a frugal persons Nirvana.  Anything you ever wanted to know about saving money, time or both is somewhere on this site.

Ellensburg swap meet (also Yakima)  -  Local folks conducting their own mini yard sales on line.

Craig’s list.com  -  You want it?  You just might find it here.  But be aware that some people use their 1^st amendment rights in some sad and shocking ways.

Free Cycle.com  -  Things people just want to give away to the first person who comes to get it.

Screaming Owl.com  -  1 to 2 sales per week – usually deeply discounted or free.  Shipping and handling are extra.

Using Bing as your search engine, click on images then type coupons in the search bar.  Voila!  More coupons than you can sake a mouse at!  Be sure to watch the dates.  Sometimes the coupons aren’t updated immediately.

Retail me not. Com  -  When buying on line, check this site for coupon codes.  It could save you a lot.

Couponers.com  -  More coupons

Woot.com  -  Deeply discounted items on sale for 24 hour periods.  Great place to look for super bargains, especially electronics. 

Yugster.com  -  Another super, short term  bargain site for multiple kinds of items.

One sale a day.com  -  Another super bargain site for multiple kinds of items.

Totsy.com  -  Once a week deals on children’s items.

Pinterest  -  Super good site with every kind of idea you could ever think up and then some. 

 The internet offers enough ideas for classes, mini-classes and workshops to keep you busy for years to come.  Here are a few examples of downloadables chock full of helpful hints, fun ideas and good old money saving ways. 

 

 Mayonnaise Plus: 19 Quick Recipes

Add some zip to mayonnaise with these 19 Quick & Easy recipes…use as dressings for vegetable or fruit salads, many would be good for veggie dips too.

Feel free to lighten the load by using low-fat mayo!

Mayonnaise Plus

Into 1/2 cup ready-to-use mayonnaise or cooked salad dressing, stir one of these:

For Green or Vegetable Salads:

• Cheesy Mayonnaise: 1/4 lb. grated Cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1/2 clove garlic, minced, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire.
• Cucumber Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup minced cucumber, 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Half ‘n’ Half Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup French dressing.
• Herb Mayonnaise: Few drops lemon juice, 1 teaspoon each snipped parsley and chives (or minced onion).
• Horse-Radish Mayonnaise: 3 tablespoons horse-radish.
• Mustard Mayonnaise: 1 tablespoon prepared mustard.
• Roquefort or Blue-Cheese Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup French dressing, 1/4 cup crumbled Roquefort or Blue cheese.
• Russian Dressing: 1/2 cup French dressing, 1 minced green pepper, 2 tablespoons chili sauce, 1 tablespoon grated onion.
• Sharp Cream Mayonnaise: 1 teaspoon grated onion, 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 cup light cream.
• Thousand Island Dressing: 1 tablespoon chopped stuffed olives; 1 teaspoon grated onion; 1 chopped, hard-cooked egg; 1 tablespoon minced green pepper; snipped parsley.

For Fruit Salads:

• Fluffy Mayonnaise: 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten; 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar. Fold in 1 egg white, beaten stiff.
• Lemon-Cream Mayonnaise: 3 tablespoons each lemon juice (or pineapple or orange juice), confectioners’ sugar, and cream; dash salt. Or omit cream; fold in 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped.
• Peanut Butter Mayonnaise: 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup cream, 2 tablespoons vinegar.
• Party Cream Mayonnaise: 2 tablespoons currant jelly, beaten with fork; 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped.
• Raisin-Nut Mayonnaise: 1 tablespoon cut-up raisins, 2 tablespoons chopped nuts, 1/4 cup orange juice.

For Fruit or Green Salads:

• Celery Mayonnaise: 1/4 cup minced celery, 1 tablespoon cut-up chives.
• Swiss Cheese Mayonnaise: 1/4 cup grated Swiss cheese, 1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds.
• Chutney Mayonnaise: 2 tablespoons cut-up chutney.
• Curry Mayonnaise: 1/2 teaspoon curry powder, 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic.

Source: Good Housekeeping (1950s)

 

Making Homemade Softscrub Cleaner:

Here are two quick and easy recipes for making an effective soap scum buster on the tub surround or a gentle cleaner for around the kitchen and bathroom. The first is a basic recipe while the second adds a lavender scent using essential oil and powdered milk for making a smoother paste. Use these on surfaces where you need some scrubbing power that is more gentle than an abrasive powder cleanser.

Homemade Softscrub

Baking Soda & Liquid Soap Make An Effective, Gentle Cleaner

1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup liquid dish detergent
1/8 cup – 1/4 cup vinegar

• Mix the baking soda and dish detergent first, then add the vinegar.
• Adjust the baking soda or vinegar amounts until you have the consistency you like working with.

Tips:

• Just use whatever’s on sale or a generic brand of dish detergent and you’ve got yourself some super cheap, yet very effective, homemade softscrub!
• The liquid dish detergent is what you would use for hand washing dishes, not dishwasher detergent.
• Use the amount of vinegar that gives you the consistency of softscrub that you prefer. Vinegar’s a great grime buster–so don’t be shy with it.
• If you just want to do some spot cleaning and don’t need a large amount of softscrub, give the spot a light squirt of dish detergent, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on top and scrub. You won’t need to bother with the vinegar for small spots like this.
• Try heating the vinegar in the microwave first before mixing it in with the other ingredients. You don’t want it super hot, but a warm temperature that’s comfortable to work with.

Lavender Soft Scrubber
*Source: The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier

3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup powdered milk
1/8 cup (one-eighth) liquid castile soap
5 drops lavender Essential Oil

• Combine all ingredients in a squirt-top bottle and add enough water to make a smooth paste. Shake or stir to mix.
• Apply to surface, then wipe area clean with a damp sponge or cloth. Rinse well.

 

So now get on in there and warm up that computer then get to gettin’!  The world of super shopping and handcrafted goodness is about to breathe some new life into the old budget!