Comments on: 10 Ways I am saving money.

By: Anita

Anita — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:49:09 +0000

Rebekl says that she gets free or next to free stuff with the grocery game FYI. I am jealous that it isn’t really good here…

By: Bobbie

Bobbie — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:42:36 +0000

Well, all of this has been great to read. John, I loved the story about Dr. Thrifty. I am trying to decide which was better, the story or the writing.
Since we are all sharing our stories of thriftiness…
The kids and I spent an hour picking about 100# (maybe more) of quince on Jess and Greg’s property. Up until now, we thought it was deer food. I did a little research,and it turns out they aren’t only edible~they are delicious. So, we busied ourselves with cooking, chopping, etc. Hopefully the Bettenhausens will like them and we can give them back some of their deer food.
This summer I picked wild cherries from our driveway-now I have a delicious Kiajfa brewing on my kitchen counter. This home-brew method takes the sting($$) out of enjoying an nice beverage now and then.
I bought about 25# of butter because it is ‘in season’ during the holidays. I bought cans and cans of evap milk for the same reason, 5 or 6 turkeys, 40 # of sweet potatoes (going back for more on that one)20 gallons of milk-on promotion, etc. One of my friends says I ‘live large’-and she doesn’t even know about these things I just mentioned!! I love saving $$ I save more now than ever before, and I am investing the savings in our farming venture which so far amounts to 31 chickens (soon to be 31 eggs a day!) a couple goats, and a chunk of land that is being plowed for our biggest garden ever.

By: Jesseka

Jesseka — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:19:09 +0000

Anita, thanks for the clarifications on your past water saving times. However, I’m keeping my memories as they were because it’s an oppportunity for a good chuckle. I know you think it’s funny too, in your heart.
I’m going to check out the grocerygame…

By: pearsonsprogress

pearsonsprogress — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:35:46 +0000

Robin,

Hey thanks for the comment and the encouragement. Hey, congrats on the saving money on the taking food with you and also for that awesome tip about the baking stone! Very FAB!!
Yes, Bobbie and Ron are GREAT examples!

Blessings, Bobbie

By: Robin Packer

Robin Packer — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:52:51 +0000

WOW this is a family culture!!!

Bobbie, I have been so encouraged by your e mail blog. Bobbi told me about it and I have been perusing the site. Yesterday, I had an all day outing I had to do in Roanoke, and as I had just read the blog on taking lunch with you when ever you leave the house, we had buttered homemade sourdough whole wheat bread with cheese and apples and water bottles. No one was ever hungry, and God saw fit to grant me with a immeasurable amount of patience. Also, He saw fit to help the kids be angels!!
Another frugal tip… I have been looking for some unglazed paving tiles here (at Lowe’s) to use for baking stones. I have been using these for the past decade or so (one recently broke when I set it hot, on an unseen piece of ice!). They are generally $0.77 each and I can literally line my oven with them to get a true crusty bread as well as pizza all for a fraction of the price of stones from big name companies, and they store much more easily in my cabinets than a huge sheet of stoneware!!
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your words of wisdom and wish you guys a very happy Thanksgiving – even if it is devoid of turkey – at least we couldn’t find one when we lived in Luxembourg.

By: Micah

Micah — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:18:25 +0000

What a great blog post! My wife and I have been challenged by what you have written to look at our spending. Great comments, too! Thank you!

By: Anita

Anita — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:45:32 +0000

Now, now…
On Shirley Rd we were eating beans about 14 times a week and having a hard time making our whopping $348 mortgage while working and going to (and paying for) school full time. (Hey remember what a hit my tofu chili was?!. Neil worked changing oil, so my water after I took a bath was still crystal clear and clean for him to bathe in (however oil or not, I would never have bathed after someone else, I got the good end of that deal!). We did flush more than once, maybe even 2-3 times on some days and washing the dishes, well I don’t remember ever doing that… so I really can’t state the validity of the above statement.

These days the dishes get done about 15 times a day and while I do let the kids bathe in my bathwater, Neil doesn’t have to anymore. I actually do shower at the gym sometimes, hey I pay for the membership… and we hang our clothes by the heaters (if we actually turn them on) on clothes drying racks. We also run the dishwasher and washing machine after 11pm because it gives us a cheaper electricity rate.

Yes, Jess, take sweaters for Abigail. We all are, but we are used to it here now…

Some book stores buy used books, this is another way to get some of the things we want- like new books… Without breaking the budget. We get 1.50 euro here for each new book and then with the store credit I buy a book for me or for a gift. Its awesome.

I am all about employing child labor, even with our current meager allotment of workers. Train then right and you can even hire them out in a few years.

John, I loved hearing about Dr. O.C. Brings back the D-ham memories. Nothing quite like it.

By: pearsonsprogress

pearsonsprogress — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:59:13 +0000

Thanks for all the great comments!
Greg, I think you win the prize on the most money saved!

Gammi, I’ll try to find you a few recipes that “work” for us… hey don’t stress about the money… you know what they say, “you haven’t lost any money until you’ve sold!” I wish your retirement was more abundant but think of all the good things we are alllearning through this!

Sue, I’d like to see a HOUSE paid off some day… wonder what that feels like????!!!

Rebekah, Sounds like Dave’s work mates are envious. Keep up the good work.

John C, yeah I think you are all super smart!

Jesseka, good work on the Sweet Abigail business. Your caramel corn is the best I have ever had! Last year we literally DIVIDED it up so no one would “hog” it.

By: Gammi

Gammi — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:29:55 +0000

What brilliant children and Grands we have. We have cut costs in many ways….consolidating auto trips. Rv only went 250 miles from home this summer (we survived the heat until Aug. then went to the Ventura on the beach). Poor Gramps has to suffer with my cooking (rarely eat out). I am trying my hand at gardening..2 pots with lettuce coming up.
Please pray for success in this endeavor. As you all have witnessed gifts have been very frugal with LOTS of LOVE. (Thank God love is free). Thanks for all your great ideas
& input. Our joy was to leave you all wealthier but it is in God’s hands now…Remember you still have the greatest gift OUR LOVE.

By: greg

greg — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:48:45 +0000

We have cut back to save but not this deep yet. I think about what O’bama said to McCain in the debates ‘we need to use a scalpel and not a hatchet’ I am willing to loan them my chain saw for the job (I don’t have a bulldozer to loan).
We have done several things at home to save money groceries, temperature adjustment, buying fuel outside of town (by church), just buying less overall, etc., we also have someone that garbage picks coupons for us (he has not asked for a cut yet).
For our business we have evaluated everything: advertising (a 60k reduction), overtime (52k reduction), phone, trash, everything.