Frugal Living

Jun
17

Trash Talk

I don't know that I would consider myself to be particularly "green", but I do want to be a good steward of my family's money and God's creation. Recycling is a simple way to do both. To make things easy, our city gives us sturdy bins to collect our recycling in, and they pick it up on our regular trash day. We don't even have to sort it. Pretty simple, right?

But....since my recycle bins are stored in the garage, it always seemed inconvenient to walk all the way outside when I emptied the milk jug or came across some junk mail. Even though it wasn't hard to get to our garage, it was much easier to simply toss that empty soda can or cereal box into the regular trash. Or, maybe I would stack it up in the laundry room until I thought to take it outside. Now that was a lovely sight!

Then one day I got a brilliant idea. Alright, so maybe it wasn't brilliant, but it was kinda good. We keep our kitchen trash can under the left-hand side of the sink. On that "brilliant" day, I cleaned out the right-hand side and set up a paper grocery sack. This became our new recycle "bin". Now, it's a cinch to collect our cans, paper, plastics, and cardboard. When it's full, I take it out to the garage and either dump it into the red plastic bin, or I put in the entire bag and grab a new one for under the sink (if I remembered to ask for "paper" at the store!).

This recycling bag has also saved me money. I was shocked to discover how much less trash we gathered once we began to recycle everything. I had been emptying our kitchen trash once a day. Every day. Now, I only need to empty it every two or three days. That means I'm buying at least half as many bags as I used to. Considering the fact that I pay money for each trash bag, I feel like I've stopped throwing our money away. Literally!

What are some ways that you practice being a good steward of God's gifts? Tell us in the comments!

For more thoughts on frugal living check out Frugal Friday over on Life as Mom.

 

Photo credit: shewatchedthesky

Do you enjoy Gospel Homemaking? You may want to consider subscribing to get free updates, tips, and The Daily Plan-It right in your email inbox or in your feed reader. How cool is that?

Jun
03

Or whatever you do….


"....do all to the glory of God." Really? I mean, really? But what if.....

On Monday morning, my sweet husband went on a grocery store "date" with me. He went with visions of steaks and exotic fruit (which I would never spend the money on) dancing in his head. I went with a list and a stack of coupons. But, in spite of my list, I decided that it was a good day to enjoy the trip and get a few extras, just for fun. Since I hadn't been shopping for a couple of weeks, my cart was overflowing when I finally found Brian (his grocery store excitement wore off just past the pasta isle) and made my way to the checkout.

After the young guy rang up my items and piled them into the bags, I started loading up my cart while he scanned my coupons. Now, I know that some of you are staring into your computer screen and screaming, "Nooooooo!" As a matter of fact, I consciously thought that I should stop what I was doing and make sure that every coupon went through correctly. But, since I saw him looking at each one so very carefully, I decided that he had my back. No worries.

When I finally began watching, I saw him scan a coupon, put it in his "done" pile, then move the next one to the same pile without scanning it. Must be a mistake, right? An accident. An oversight. I politely asked if he had scanned that one. He held up two identical internet coupons and pointed out that they "clearly state" that they are not to be doubled or tripled. He was making up for the doubled coupon by not scanning the following one. Ummm.....but I bring stacks of these internet coupons to the store every week, and they always double. Always. Smoke was threatening to come out of my ears, and the line behind me was growing impatient, when he finally asked the cashier in the next lane about it. She confirmed that if the computer doubles it, then it's supposed to be doubled. Fine.

So, what about all those coupons he'd already scanned - or not scanned? There were two or three people with overloaded carts waiting in line behind me, and my husband just smiled and said, "That's life." He was right, I guess. I didn't push the issue, and I didn't ask to have the coupon injustice made right. I let it go....sort of. As I rode home, I looked over my receipt and mentally added up the items I had used internet coupons for. I was likely overcharged by more than four dollars. My blood was still boiling when I walked in the door.

But the more I fumed, the more I realized that I had a problem, and it had nothing to do with groceries. I had a heart problem. I asked the Lord to work on my troubled heart. My eyes began to see my lack of concern for the eternal future of those around me. Never once did I think about that poor guy's soul. I thought about the people in line, my husband, and my money. But the only thing that really mattered, hadn't mattered to me at that moment.

Now, I'm not saying that it's wrong to be frugal with our money, shop with coupons, or insist that stores honor their policies. That's not the point. But, when my heart is more concerned with a few pennies (or even four dollars) than it is with the glory of God, then I've got a problem. I remember once hearing a pastor say that we spend more time standing in the isle at the store, trying to decide which deodorant to buy, than we spend thinking about those around the world who are lost and dying without Christ. Ouch. That's painfully true about me.

I learned several lessons on Monday. I learned that I should always watch to make sure my coupons are rung up properly. I learned that my family's entire financial world will not crumble if I don't get the deals I had planned. And I learned that "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do [including buying the the groceries to eat and drink], do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31, my paraphrase). That's the only thing that's priceless - no coupons needed!

For more thoughts on frugal living check out Frugal Friday over on Life as Mom.

Photo credit: Photo8

May
27

Planning for the Unexpected


I'm pretty careful with my grocery money. I estimate the cost of every item on my list and change my menu plan if I come out over budget. I count every penny and look at every price tag. I guess you could say that I'm frugal to infinity. And beyond.

The system I use (which I'll share more about one of these days) works well for me and saves lots - and lots - of money. But, if I'm not careful, it can also work against me. When I make my menu and grocery list, I don't want to spend one dollar more than I need to. As a result, I sometimes purchase only enough to make it through the week's planned meals. Unfortunately, things don't always go according to plan. My husband's work schedule may change. I might forget to cook the beans. The baseball game may get rained out (happens a lot!). Or, we could suddenly decide to save money and eat at home instead of ordering a pizza like I was expecting.

Those are the times when it's important to have a back-up plan. I don't usually write down the simple, extra meal idea that's floating around in my head, but I know it's there....waiting to be called into duty. This meal can be as elaborate as a pan of lasagna in the freezer, or as easy as hot dogs and chips. Some of the easy meals that I like to have on hand are Pasta with Tomatoes, spaghetti and a jar of sauce, seasoned meat that's ready to be thawed out for tacos or nachos, and canned (or cooked and frozen) beans that can be turned into Beans-and-Rice.

Having an extra meal (or two) that can be fixed at a moment's notice keeps us from needing to order out. It's also helpful if I can't make it to the grocery store on my usual day. I can drive right past those fast food joints, knowing that I have my own "fast" (and frugal) food waiting for us at home.

For more thoughts on frugal living check out Frugal Friday over on Life as Mom.

 

Photo credit: itsray

May
20

Overcoming Homemaking Hindrances: Money


As I've been growing and changing in my understanding of what it means to be a homemaker, I've also been considering why I've been so negligent in the art of creating a place of interest and beauty in our home? My husband consoled me with one possible answer: money.

Let's face it, it's much easier to decorate our homes and make gourmet meals when we have an endless supply of funds for our projects. Quite often, when I want to spruce something up around here or make a special dinner for my family, the cost is my first consideration. But, I need to be careful that I don't use money (or the lack of it) as an excuse for laziness in my homemaking. Making a house into a home isn't about money. It's about creativity.

Here are a few frugal ideas to get us started with the art of homemaking:

-Surprise your family with a special dessert. Last week, I made a very simple cookie recipe as a surprise dessert for my kids. After dinner, I arranged the cookies on a special plate and sliced some strawberries into individual little bowls. Very little money, but a whole lot of joy going around. Mackenzie gave me a hug and told me how special I had made everything. Yep, it was worth it!

-Buy some inexpensive dishes. I love dishes. I'm not sure why, but I love looking at the shapes, colors, and patterns on various plates and serving pieces. Even a basic white bowl, if it has an interesting shape, can make that frugal food seem extra special. These days, it's easy to find great dishes for just a few dollars. Look for bargains at Target and other discount stores.

-Decorate with flowers. My husband likes to buy me rose bushes for special occasions instead of a bunch of flowers that will eventually die. I've enjoyed having the fresh buds in the house this spring. I'm not great at flower arranging, but I'm learning. And you don't have to have home grown roses to make a nice bouquet. Sprinkle a packet of wildflower seeds on that dirt patch behind your house or pick up a small bunch of daisies at the grocery store. They can add some color to the house for a surprisingly long time. One of my favorite "flowers" to cut aren't really flowers at all. Lavender, or even cooking herbs, cut and put into a pitcher or teapot as a vase is a beautiful and fragrant way to liven your home.

-Purchase some green houseplants. If you dare. There's a little joke around our house. My husband likes to tell our children that they should be glad they're kids and not plants. I'm pretty good at keeping the kiddos alive. Not so good with plants. But, if you have a green thumb, you can pick up some cheap little plants at the garden store and enjoy watching them grow. Thankfully for me, the investment is pretty small.

-Look for ways to give new life to your old stuff. Pull out the candle that's being stored on the shelf in the back of your closet. Put an updated photo in that frame on your night stand. Rearrange the bookshelves to make room for a basket or a vase. The other day, I reorganized my kitchen cabinets to put my "special" dishes on a lower shelf. Now, I use those bowls nearly every day. It was like getting something new for free!

 

I know that none of these ideas are revolutionary. And, they aren't particularly artistic. But I'm learning that even the little things can make a big difference. Do you have anything you do on the cheap to add beauty and love to your home? Tell us about it in the comments section.

For more thoughts on frugal living check out Frugal Friday over on Life as Mom.

Photo credit: DA Janzen

May
12

Frugal Food Joy


I got a great big double-helping of frugal food joy yesterday. As a matter of fact, it kinda made me laugh. My menu plan this week had lots of meals made from our leftover Sunday ham. I was pleasantly surprised by my family's favorite. It was one of the most frugal meals possible: Navy Bean Soup. It was simple. It was easy. It was a huge hit! After my husband finished off the last bowl as a late night snack, he said that it was the best soup he had ever eaten. EVER. He even threatened suggested that he would take me to the restaurant where he works so I could teach them how to make the perfect pot of bean soup. Instead, I thought I'd share the recipe here. His chefs are welcome to take a peak!

On another frugal note, I discovered that I could get a second pot of soup out of the same ham bone. Go figure! After I picked all the meat off the bone to add it back to the soup, I decided to do a little experiment. I put the empty bone in the crock-pot, covered it with water, and let it brew for several hours. The longer it cooked, the better it got. It turned out to be a little less flavorful than the first time around, but it will be nice to have it ready in the freezer for our next pot of beans-which will be soon if my husband has his way!

Best Ever Navy Bean Soup

1 pound dried navy beans
Ham bone (for a little different flavor, you can substitute ham hocks or a little bit of bacon grease)
2 Tbsp vegetable or olive oil
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine or passed through a garlic press
Water

Rinse and sort the beans. Put in a large pot and cover with two inches of hot water. Cook on high, bringing to a quick boil. Boil for two minutes. Then cover and remove from heat. Let set, covered, for 1 hour. Drain and rinse.

Return beans to the rinsed pot. Cover with 8 cups of water and add the ham bone. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Begin checking them after 1 hour, then after every ten minutes until done. The beans should be soft, but not mushy. Be careful, they go from "almost done" to "too done" very quickly.

When the beans are cooked to your taste, reduce the heat to low and remove the bone to a plate to cool. When cooled enough to handle, pick the meat from the bone and cut into small pieces. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrot and celery and cook until tender, but not browned. If they seem to be browning before they are soft, turn the stove down slightly and add a spoon of the soup broth or some water to the pan. When the veggies are softened, add the garlic and cook for about thirty seconds until fragrant. Add the vegetable mixture and meat to the soup. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

For more thoughts on frugal living check out Frugal Friday over on Life as Mom.

 

Photo credit: Chiot's Run

May
06

Lessons from a Refrigerator


Just over a year ago, we decided it was high time to look for a new refrigerator. Ours was still running, but after eleven years in our home (with three kids!), it had seen better day, and we had the duct-taped shelves and leaning door to prove it. So, we set out to hunt for a great deal on a great fridge. I have two words for you: Sticker Shock! Boy, are those things pricey!

After several days of shopping, we discovered that we needed a counter depth unit. This was both a blessing (it narrowed our search pretty quickly) and a curse (they are even more expensive than the regular ones). Besides needing counter depth, we decided there were three more things that were important to us. We wanted a fridge with the stainless steel look that doesn't show fingerprints, as opposed to the real stainless finish. We wanted a fridge-on-top model, not a side-by-side. We did not want the ice and water dispenser in the door.

God had something else for us. As we were spending yet another day looking for the "perfect" refrigerator, including the "perfect" price tag, we found a deal that was too good to pass up. As a matter of fact, it was one of the cheapest of all the appliances we looked at, even the much smaller units. BUT, it was a real stainless steal, side-by-side model, with an ice and water dispenser in the door. Um....No thank you. We walked past it again. And again. And again.

Brian said we should go for it. Really? I mean, REALLY? I pointed out its flaws, mainly that it was the OPPOSITE of what we were looking for! He was convinced that this was the fridge we should buy. We had looked everywhere, and this was the one unit that had what we needed (instead of what we wanted), and it was in our price range. I smiled, walked up to the counter, and began praying. Instead of praying that the refrigerator would suddenly fall through the floor or somehow disappear, I prayed for God to either work on my heart or work on my husband's. I prayed that if this was not the fridge for us, that God would reveal that to Brian before I reached the front of the line. And I prayed for the grace to joyfully submit to my husband and to trust his wise leadership.

My heart, not my husband's, was the one to be changed. And God richly blessed us. When the salesperson rang in our purchase, he was surprised to see that the price had been reduced even more that day-and it qualified for free delivery. We got our new fridge for nearly seventy-five percent off the regular price! God taught us a lot about trusting Him that day. And He taught me a lot about submitting to my husband, even when I think I may know better. I now have a big 'ol object lesson standing in my kitchen, reminding me to "trust and obey"!

But my God didn't stop there! We weren't sure what to do with our old refrigerator, so we decided to set it out at our annual garage sale. It didn't sell, but our pastor "just happened" to stop by that day to return something he'd borrowed. He "just happened" to be there that evening after our garage sale, while we were gone on an errand. We had "just happened" to leave our garage door up while we were gone, which we never do. The next day at church, he said they had been praying for God to provide them with an extra fridge for their house they were remodeling, and asked if he could buy it. What? Are you kidding? The answer was, of course, that they could have it!

God had answered our prayer so that He could answer theirs. We now call our refrigerator "The Fridge That God Gave Us." And every time I regret that it doesn't fit my groceries the way I would like, that the freezer is too narrow to hold my ice cube trays, or that we still haven't wanted to pay a plumber to come out and hook up the water dispenser, I just smile and thank the Lord for giving us the frugal fridge we needed. How can I complain about that?

For more thoughts on frugal living check out Frugal Friday over on Life as Mom.

Photo credit: Beautiful Cataya