Lots for Less

Remove Clutter

2008-10-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

On a path of simplicity...remove clutter!!!!

It makes projects that need attention more visible...

It also allows you to focus on how much money you wasted in the years of accumulation...

Declutter, and live more simply and then you will need less money....

~~~items decluttering this month
1.fry daddy that we had to have...
2.books
3.holiday ornaments
4. (hope) to sell china hutch~ so will declutter this too!!!

Baked potatoes refashioned(or rekindled)

2008-10-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

Using it all- bake your potatoes...bring out and slice the skin to peel off the skin. It is hot, but it peels easy...toss peelings on a baking sheet...pour a tablespoon or so of olive oil on and a bit of sea salt...and bake for another 5 minutes or so~~~ yummy. Oh for the potato mash add powdered milk(premixed) salt, pepper, and butter...dual purpose and snackable!!!

Are you Ready?

2008-10-28T06:35:00.001-07:00

When the financial bailout that was to assist the mortgage crisis...has a zillion hands in the coffer, we need to ask ourselves one question. Are you ready? I mean Chrysler probably will receive 10 billion dollars. Do you see the irony? If one is negligent on an auto loan the car is repossessed, yet the car company gets American sweat to fix their poor finances.

Are you able to heat your home without electricity? This is something to concern yourself with, as even in the best of times power outages in the winter are deadly. A simple woodstove is fairly inexpensive, and usually you can find a scout or humble family that will provide wood for a reasonable price. You can also cook on the woodstove, we do.

Times for those on fixed incomes or lower earnings are going to get tough before it gets better as the market and costs will continue to rise. The other risks for the two groups I listed is the serious problem of buying lesser grade products because the price is right...sadly even our foods are pawned out to third world nations and we have seen time after time the shoddy products put into the food chain.

I personally cannot believe how mentally prepared I have become in these past few years. I do not desire to see my country, my homeland fall so fast, but the signs are all there. As Christians know certain things will happen as we edge closer to His return, and the changing of world power from the US to Europe(EU) appears to be necessary.

Are you ready? Get your lamp oil out friends...and witness like no other, as times are changing. Oh and I do believe that the Bible shows us that we do need to prepare for the times on earth that will be taxing...think of Joseph...please prepare in all means.

Did you know?

2008-10-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

Did you know that that you can reuse ziploc baggies? Well maybe not according to the manufacturer because you would not purchase as much...

I wash the baggies out in the sink water, and rinse and open to dry on a 2 litter pop bottle(that I reuse for far to many things to mention).

The only baggies I do not reuse at this point are the ones I store meats in...although I am sure that the washing would do what it needed to do, I am still a work in progress on this path to simplicity...

More than Decor

2008-10-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

I found this image and smiled! The old me used to decorate every autumn using a variety of colors and sizes of pumpkins. I loved how they looked and the notion that the pumpkin made autumn what it was.

Now I have pumpkins on display, but they are much more than decor in my home. On this path to simplicity, I have discovered that I seek out multi purpose items. A pumpkin meets this requirement with flying colors.

How? Well first off, I can make pumpkin puree to then later use to make pies or cookies. Secondly, I can bake the seeds and we have a yummy snack! But the final use for a pumpkin is that the slops(the rinds, and the innards) go to the chicken pens. I must say that pumpkin is a huge hit!!

So, if you are just using pumpkins as decor-consider finding a family that has animals on their farm. Perhaps they will take your decor when it is time to put up Christmas decorations!

Tally so far this year from wild pumpkins...3...
remaining number of pumpkins in Mesquite...21!!!

Brownout Days-Part 2

2008-10-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

I wrote in the previous post about brownout days. I am going to expand on this a bit. The path to this moment has been one that has surprised me. I never imagined that I would be here, although I am a huge fan of the Little House Books, and even the Amish lifestyle, but only the glamor side...not the hard work reality side.

I decided to leap on hand washing laundry just last week. This was my first big test, and I washed the boys jeans. I must confess that they came so clean that my 15 year old thought that they looked brand new. So the work paid off and it was not an extremely large amount of effort on my part. So off the grid on laundry is a possibility on our brownout days...

Flushing toilets on brownout days also can be easily accomplished by storing 30 gallons of water to use...

No computer, no tv on brownout days? WONDERFUL

How shall I cook? Well by using the open cooking pit that we dug out and lined with rock to use for the butchering of the chickens...I will cook soups or stews, and even perhaps biscuits...I will put together a recipe book for this and have fun. Breakfast will be potatoes and eggs and bacon...or oatmeal...

you see brownout days are possible and if we do this one time a week we can cut our utility bills by 4 days...which can equal 32.5 dollars...or more. Then if we do this perhaps 2 days a week we are at 65 dollars which will equal 780 dollars a year in savings...WOW.

Why this life? Well being beholden to the grid makes one work to have things. We reduce time to serve the Lord, as we serve man. Slowly becoming self sufficient is our goal to be able to serve without stress, and without being worldly...we are not to be of the world and so brownout days take us one step closer. Praise God for this opportunity for us to live this way.

Brownout Days-Part 1

2008-10-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

I have truly been incorporating a more simple life. How would I have reacted to the me of today vs. the me of four years ago?

Well perhaps I would have been friendly and kind, but I would have judged a bit too. I mean hand washing clothing? Making everything from scratch? Mending everything? Decluttering? Reducing expenses and reducing lofty future home and dream plans to contentment here.

Yes I am aware of how strange and anti- consumerism, and anti- American this all seems, but it has been an awaking that I cannot ever allow to sleep again. Two things I have learned on this path, one when on the top you will fall, and two the bottom is not so bad. Money has defined this country so long that when a crisis occurs we send money instead of tending to local issues to prevent at home. We send money to feed the children, and during catastrophic events we send money, and the 9-11 victims families all received over 1 million dollars, and what did this accomplish?

I believe it distanced us from the reality. We do not have to see the despair and have learned that we can BUY our ways out of anything. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND PRIDEFUL POSITION.

I will mention why the title and then leave this post to have a follow up, as this is so important. I am going to start implementing BROWN OUT days for the family. We still utilize electricity, but I desire to prepare for the worst, a test run so to speak, as to get our minds out of the world and prepare to live simple and rely on God, not the ways and grid of the world. I am going to start one day a week to not use electricity. Then two, and more in detail of the brown out.

My Life Took A New Twist

2008-05-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

So I stopped posting on this blog for several months, because I moved to a very rough farm, and my family and I have truly been turning it into a wonderful place using the catch phrase Lots for Less.

We have spent only $550.00 since January to improve the place, not because it is done, but because we are very thrifty. Oh and part of the money went to a new water heater. The resources in a community are tremendous. My husband has a friend that is in the construction business, and what a blessing this friend has been to us. He has given us tons of leftover material from job sites, and all the chicken wire for the pens and coops. The chicken wire in construction is used for Stucco.

The stats to become self sufficient are real and amazing...
we have now 44 in our flock of chickens...2 separate pens~ one of pure Dominique's and the other of mixed birds. We have one rooster per pen. In addition we have 4 Rouen ducks and a turkey growing big and full for Thanksgiving.

The goats arrived yesterday...

Daisy and Maizy

My son Third holding Daisy

My daughter Fourth holding Maizy.

We are so pleased to have the goats and will, when they are ready, breed them. They are not pure bred goats, but many will buy kids and goats to eat, and so the kids will be for this purpose. I will use the milk for the home and making soap.

That is it for my update here...I have much about the farm and living on a budget that two years ago would have made me cry. Double Nickel Farm.

Lots for Less

2007-12-03T07:02:00.000-08:00

Well it is Monday, the first in December and I was wondering how you are doing at not *going commercial*?

I have been to the stores and it's funny because I see so much frivolous waste. When we see the lead paint crisis, and the pet food fiasco, I understand how it happened. As Americans we have become consumers. We almost are like the plague. BUY buy BUY buy...we don't seem to stop. But we want a bargain, so we outsourced quality for price.

Our pets need gourmet pet food...we need plants that grow out of a funny head...every Christmas we need to buy a manicure set...and cologne...and on and on and on.

One year when I was newly married, my mother wrote a book of stories about her as a child. This was a wonderful gift. This present did require that she spend on paper and a cover, but she hand made this and shared her life with her legacy. The stories were cute. Some even I had not heard before. And often I find my children reading this, enjoying things about my mom.

So this is my lots for less tip today. Give of yourself. I know that a few readers of this blog are grandparents and have blogs(so they are writers:) Take a moment and think of yourself at the age of one of your grandkids. Write about that for the grandchild. We need for the children to know that we too are human.

For those who are my age...somewhere in the middle...write about a moment when you were a child that you did hear what your parents said...and write of a special moment that your child has done. Sharing things about you is not a weakness, but a trait that helps another learn that we all are the same, just in a variety of packages, on different expiration dates!

Please do not think that I am saying that one should not spend money, but I do think that one should spend wisely.

Simple Ornaments

2007-11-29T19:22:00.000-08:00

Here is a very simple ornament that the kids can make. It is called a God's eye, although I do not like the name, I love the simple beauty. The kids and I made these quite quickly. All the materials I had at the house. Usually you would use sticks for this, but we do not really have a tree to clip some branches from. Make sure that you write the child's name and the year, so when they have their own home you can give them the ornaments that they have made.

Okay I will confess, I was at the store today and was going to buy a box of candy canes. We usually put candy canes on the tree, but when I saw that they were made in China, I opted for not buying them(not to ingest at least). But I walked by the crafts and saw the pipe cleaners and bought them. Each pack was 62 cents, so I believe that it was not a bad buy. The kids quickly twisted these too! Pretty neat aren't they?

How's that for Lots for Less?

Another Lots for Less Tip

2007-11-29T08:54:00.000-08:00

Changing my holiday presents theme for a bit, I thought I would share a great idea. When Bill and I lived in Germany we attended a church of young military families. Of the women all of us were pregnant except two, and one of these women had a 4 month old baby. So we got together and plotted and planned and had a gigantic baby shower. But you were not allowed to buy anything.

The whole idea was to swap out things that you did not need and take things that you did need. We all were assigned to bring a snack and then we played a few games organized by one of the women. We all had such fun. I ended up taking matching boys outfits...(I was pregnant with 3rd boy) and I was thrilled. I took many onesies and a several puzzles and other misc. items. What was fun, was that we could go through our home(de-junk) and get a few things that we needed! For me this has been such a neat idea.

I think that this would be fun, on a children's clothing idea or toy idea. Take all that you don't use and trade for a few things that you do use. I really think that we all have so much and that instead of buying anything new try trading for things. I must say that friends of ours were moving to Northern New Mexico. They no longer had the need for a refrigerator nor stove anymore. What they needed was a fax machine and a bed for their oldest. We had a brand new fax machine for the close of our home(but now are 100 percent wireless) so we no longer need it, and my daughter had a bunk bed(for one?) so we traded and all of us are very happy.

I am still collecting things for my little(BIG) surprise and the stove and fridge are probably the nicest ones I have ever had!

So consider this idea. Remember many people still have old baby items and may like to donate so please keep these ideas in mind!

Now since it is the Christmas season here is another tip: When I was a little girl my mother had a rule that we each need to make our siblings a Christmas present. I really loved this and even more so now as a parent. Mom would discuss ideas with us, and then help us find supplies. The Sunday comics were saved and became the wrapping of choice. Now we were not poor and it probably would have been easier for her to run us to the store, but...what an incredible way for us to channel any creativeness, and to personally consider each brother and sister. I still have many of the presents that I received. So like my mother I have implemented the same program and have loved the planning that each child does.( I too have saved all the presents that my children have made Bill and I ...I use them as ornaments for the tree...(just date the craft and write the child's name on it.)

Christmas Dinner Menu

2007-11-28T11:49:00.001-08:00

For nearly 15 years we have had a tradition of having Mexican dinner on Christmas. It's funny because that seems like such a short time for the meal to become tradition, but for the children this is all they remember or have known.

Bill's family is Mexican and when I met Bill, they actually had a Mexican restaurant. So the coup for me is that I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD. So with all the busy-ness that the end of the year brings having a simple dinner slows things down.

Menu:
Enchiladas(chicken, beef and bean)
Spanish rice
beans
salsa
lettuce onions cheese olives

It is so easy and so delicious. We really enjoy the meal as it is very filling. Then we all sit back and sing Happy Birthday to Bill who has his traditional birthday cake of cheesecake!!!(candles do not do well on cheesecake) The kids make the cheesecake for him, which I guess is another tradition.

The most important thing about this post is to make holidays your own. Do not feel the need to have something because another does. And turkey and ham are great, but so are many other meals. Remember God made us all unique for a reason. Show off your uniqueness by bucking the norm and starting your own tradition.

Your turn...what traditions and dinner menu do you have over the holidays?

More Christmas Ideas

2007-11-27T08:55:00.000-08:00

Look at the ceiling above this tree. Do you see the simple beauty of the birds holding up the pearls? This is how I view Christmas. A simple beautiful time. Deby has given me a great website for ideas on crafty Christmas ideas. I will be busy, and singing Christmas carols the whole time I am making things.

One year we lived next to a wonderful family of 5 boys. They all were around my kids ages so, they all had playmates. When Christmas rolled around we decided to have a family Christmas swap for 12 days before Christmas. Each night we would place a gift on our stoop and they on theirs and then the children would retrieve the gift. When I say gift, every one was home made. Because we were both families of faith, we kept the focus on our Saviour.

I must say that the experience was very fun, and with the kids we looked forward to placing a gift on the stoop. For this post I will share this idea that my mother gave me. My mother grew up during the depression. She was the youngest of eight children. My grandmother and probably the older sisters carefully made a cardboard checker board. They painted it and rounded up pieces. Maybe my older uncles helped. Then for Christmas the children received the checker set and a few pieces of candy. But for me the memory shared by my mother was one of an incredible Christmas. Yes an incredible Christmas. So I made a cardboard set and relayed the story for this other family.

But the message came out loud and clear. The best Christmas is one filled of the family and the gifts were incidental. I know that we celebrate Christmas because it is the accepted birth day of Jesus.(I know many dispute the December date, but I do not care of the exact day...just my Saviour)I have worked every Christmas to keep my children on the focus of this reason. Giving of myself through crafts is a way that I like to reflect on my Saviour. He gave His life for me. So to remove the commercialism, I know that crafts are the way to go.

I will confess that in years past the children(now in teens) enjoyed store bought gifts also. This year we will see how much I have learned over the years. So please continue to share ideas.

I will post some of the pieces I have been making for the Family monopoly game this week some time. I promise that this is very fun and makes me appreciate the family much more.

Here is a fun snow flake making link. And here is the link that Deby sent me, and here is the site with the doves.

Challenge

2007-11-25T22:34:00.000-08:00

Here's my end of month challenge for my readers. This is your money to spend on Christmas. It is for dinner, gifts and even a birthday that falls on that holiday. Be creative and compassionate...everyone is older and understands the meaning of the holiday.

Come up with a gift and dinner.

The challenge will help all who live on Lots for Less with Ideas...

This will be fun, and if you share a craft idea include the link.

Thanks so much, for helping everyone of us live on Lots for Less.

UPDATE
#1: Family Monopoly Game
This is my first idea. I think that making a monopoly game of all the places that you have traveled as a family or the places that you have lived as a family would be fun. The materials needed:
cardboard
craft paints
construction paper
thin cardboard(like a cereal b0x) for the cards

I am actually going to make this. I hope to finish this by Friday...costs: 0 as I have all the materials on hand or can get from the store(box that will be tossed)

Humbled

2007-11-22T21:43:00.001-08:00

I was left a comment the other day that truly humbled me. I try to keep my life in perspective, I really do, I understand that life is not about the accumulation of money or materials, but to be focused on my Lord and Saviour.

The past few years have been quite an ordeal for me. I have tried to put on a brave front, and be strong, but the truth of the matter is that the huge reduction in our income has been an adjustment. There I have said it. I am somewhat ashamed to admit that this was the case. I really must share that I do appreciate how others in the world live. We live very close to the border of Mexico and the shanty homes on the hillside of Juarez overlooking the United States and see the extreme poverty.

This is a photo I found from on line. I will go and take some photos. It is surreal that there are thousands of homes like this looking onto El Paso Texas. In fact here in New Mexico and many places near the border there are communities(I use this word loosely) that are called Colonias. They are areas of many hodge-podge homes put together with little or no infrastructure. Plumbing, electricity and water are touch and go. Near my home is an area called Boles Acres which is, according to New Mexico stats, a Colonia.

So as I bemoan the changes in my life, I am grateful to be reminded of the fact that even at the times I feel that we are financially strapped, times are fairly good. We grew a garden, we began a business and made do. I understand that many in the world would love to make do with what we have.

So my apologies to my readers. I am sincerely sorry to make one feel that I am poor.

Thanks to my Saviour I am rich indeed. And as to our finances and lifestyle, lets just amend my goal to being very good stewards of what we are entrusted with.
Jennifer

Lemon Soap

2007-11-20T19:08:00.001-08:00

I have been busy grinding dried lemon peel in my mortar. I am busy experimenting with soaps and I was asked if I could make some lemon soap. So I bought some lemons waited until we needed the lemons, then I peeled them. I then scraped the peel, and cut it into very small pieces. When the peel dried(on my home made dryer) I then began this process. It is a little tedious, but the smell is wonderful.

So as I slowly begin to consolidate my blogs, here is the first post reflecting my goal of living the life of simplicity, yet still able to have Lots for Less. No I am not creating clutter. When I refer to lots for less, I mean, affording to live off of less than $25,000.00 a year.

*Cross posted at Double Nickel Farm

Trash to Treasure

2007-11-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

So without revealing too much, I have been looking for things to fix up a home! It is amazing what is thrown away. I can not express to the world how it makes me queasy to watch the programs where people move into a home and tear out a perfectly fine kitchen.

Anyhow, I am a farm girl at heart. I think that for years I didn't admit this, but this is who I am. So in my plans I am always thinking of a 1930's farmhouse. I don't know why, that is just me.

So as I was driving my kids to an activity I drove by a demolition site. And I saw this in the rubble

Well I saw one like this. In such pristine condition. And heavy!! So I park my van, and walk over to a man standing nearby and talk to him about the tub in the rubble. He said I could have it and then took me to one final building standing. This is similar to what I found in this house

So how neat is this? And the fixtures and the sink ...superb condition. The 2 men at the site were wonderful. The cast iron tub was heavy and they carried it to my van and loaded it for me. Believe me they were struggling under the weight. I think that they were so nice. I am planning on taking them burritos next week!

I love the cast iron. It seems that the new tubs really scrimp on the details. Oh and to show you what I already have for the master bath

Not a reproduction, but the real deal...in again superb condition!

So as the Pen of Jen family is soon to embark on a new direction in our lives, one can rest assured we will have very unique and functional washrooms!

Food Waste

2007-11-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

As a consideration for my reader(s) I am not going to show the photo of my food waste bucket. Last week I wrote that I was going to see how much food we waste in the Pen of Jen home. Now to be clear, how I live today is more conscious that I lived a few years ago.

So I used a standard sized gallon ice cream bucket as our slop bucket. It was about 1/5 of the way filled. Here is a list of the contents: 9 pinto beans, crust from toast, small serving of ramen noodles, 1/4 slice of orange(I found on the floor?) tomato slices, and a 1/2 cup of salsa that was lost in the back of the fridge. If I were to put a dollar amount on this I would estimate $1.50.

Now this experiment was slightly skewed as I knew I was doing this, and worked even harder to finish up the leftovers. The most creative thing I did was with mac and cheese. We do not eat lots of the pre-boxed foods, but I bought some Kraft Mac and Cheese for my oldest for his apartment, and the other kids said that they would like some.

I made the box, and only about half was eaten. So on Sunday, I took the mac and cheese put it in the center of a casserole dish, then surrounded it with cooked rice, added some butter, home made bread crumbs and then covered with shredded cheese, salt and pepper. It was much better than the box mix. Third, Bill and I ate it, as the others thought it looked globby! I actually ate the rest for breakfast on Monday.

What I liked is that I realized that whatever I have been doing for the past two years is working for us. I am fairly careful with food waste, and that in itself has made this all a great experience.(Minus opening the container to see the contents...yuck)

So it is a great goal to monitor your food waste, and keep detailed menus so that you will use all the leftovers. Definitely keep a journal of your food waste. It is really not about being wealthy or not, but one of, if you are going to throw it away then don't buy it.

So if I continue the way I have this week, my food waste for the year is only $72.00 verses around $800.00! How's that for Lots for Less?

Bumper Crop

2007-11-03T12:49:00.001-07:00

Yes, I have been very surprised by our gardens that were around 200 square feet. This was what awaited us this afternoon, when Fourth went out to do a final check of the beds. We slowed to stopped watering the beds. I laughed out loud when I saw the results!

So the yellow tomatoes I will blend and freeze into cubes for facial scrubs. The Serrano peppers I will thread and hang to dry in the kitchen and the zucchini well we will eat that immediately. The other tomatoes are like grapes for us so they too will be popped in the mouth for yummy delight!

I am going to slowly re-post my garden posts from McBenning to here. I will place them in order, but they belong here. I realized that this blog is truly a witness to our lives and how we live on Lots for Less!

Blame Jenny Lind

2007-11-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of a Jenny Lind bed, I do not have one of my bed. My bed was a custom bed that probably was made by a father for his child.

When I was a girl, my family had lots of antiques. Now make no mistake, they were functional. The lesson I learned was if you are going to buy an antique, make sure you can use it.

So I was young and I had a Jenny Lind style rope bed. It was so unusual of a size that the mattress had to be made special for it. I loved it It was probably a little longer than 5', because I had a few inches to spare when I lay down. The bed was pretty, solid, and functional.

As an adult I have always loved going to the antique stores. Many may not realize that you can barter for the item. And I suppose many people think that just the name antique store implies that things will be costly. Not always the case. When I think of my journey in life to see the value of everything, I think it all began as a child.

I do blame the bed and my childhood! I really love to see if I can find a unique use for an item. No I do not have lots of antiques, but I do shop there prior to going to the retail stores to find something. Now with all the scare about Chinese products, I am glad that I do.

So before you run out to the retail stores if you absolutely need something, visit the antiques stores. I truly believe that you will be pleasantly surprised.

Before you throw out that pretty jar with the matching lid, think, can I use this to store craft items in it? Can it be used again as a leftover jar? Or because it is so pretty can I fill it with flowers and give it to my neighbor who is a widow?

Just my thoughts on how I have come to the point of having Lots for Less!

What Do You Throw Away?

2007-11-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

I read a very neat blog, that is loaded with tips, ideas, and just the simplicity of living. She wrote a post about food storage(she calls it stockpile). I thought it was a great post, and because I liked the idea, I am going to write more on the subject.

Due to the past few years, my family and I have had to adjust to lots less income. I must admit that I did allow it to get me down for a bit, but now I proceed and appreciate. I have found comfort in the scriptures, for example... Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Matthew 6:30

There are several others but I will use that for now. You see I can put my trust in the world and all that I can accumulate to keep me fed, clothed, and sheltered, or I can trust the Lord.

So I have placed my trust in the Lord. I have changed from gathering, to accepting what I have, and being a good steward of these blessings. So how do I become a good steward? What is a steward? A steward in this sense manages another's property or financial affairs. This is a great definition, and fits perfectly. You see, I believe that living here is temporary and that the Lord has provided me everything that I have. So I am being a steward of the possessions that He has given me. Everything...the furniture, the vehicles, and even the children. So now knowing this, how can I apply this all?

Well, we in America have gotten cozy with the disposable product, and use things once and throw it away...all in the idea of ease. I have been working very hard to reuse things, look for an additional purpose, and STOP watching the TV and all its sales pitches. I love being creative. I love finding a new purpose for things. I love making my own shampoos, and soaps, and meals from scratch.

I love that the Lord has given me the brain to think these things. I am grateful that the Lord has never had my family go a day without food. Now that may seem like I am being silly, but in Louisiana, we had no money. Bill was very low enlisted in the military, and the pay was so low. I remember a few potatoes and salt and pepper. Then after Bill went in the field(for training) for a weekend, the Captain came by and dropped off all the extra MRE's and the milk boxes, and bread. Now Bill never said anything to anyone. He and I just ate little, so our First would have food. The blessing of the food wow! Do I like MRE'S? Nope! But did I eat them? Yes. Each meal packet provided 2200 calories so I would eat a packet over a period of two days. First loved the m&m packs. So even when times were so very tight, the Lord provided. I have never had cupboards as bare as in the early 1990's.

What to do now? Shop wisely, use a list, and do not go to the store without a menu plan and what you have in food storage. With this list you can go forth and purchase wisely. Rotate your foods, and learn what gumbo or goulash or guesado means. To me these words came into light as a catch all for the leftovers. So be creative and use your leftovers.

Starting today, my family and I are going to have a bucket to save any and all food that we throw away. Next Wednesday I am going to calculate what we throw away in our house. Studies have shown that in the US we throw away upwards of 45% of all the food we buy. Holy Toledo!!!

The average family of four spends $500.00 a month on groceries. So they are throwing away nearly $250.00! Why not cut out the middle man?(Just take half your food budget from last month and burn it) Or take the challenge that I am, and see where you can become a good steward of your money, your food and your home. I am afraid that I am going to be shocked at what we waste. So why not join in and see what you waste?

Whole Lotta soap

2007-10-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the soaps I have been making. The small cut rectangles are samples, and I give the sample wrapped with the raffia, on the board.

The soaps that are round are my favorite as the shape fits in your palm.

I have made my soaps from soap flakes, and added different herbs and or secret ingredients. I love the cornmeal/nutmeg soap as it exfoliates so well!

Pictured are round soaps: lavender, oatmeal, cornmeal, cranberry/raspberry
samples...rose hips/ raspberry, peppermint, cornmeal/ nutmeg.

So the cost to make these soaps? Let's just say Lots for Less!

Because You Asked

2007-10-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

I have been asked about several recipes that I use. I answered a few from Pam in the last post, and here I will answer how we the Pen of Jen gang make our Arroz Con Leche. Karen you are correct, there are a zillion recipes out in blogland...

Bill is the arroz con leche chef in the house. He will start this cooking on the stove before he heads off to work.

No exact measurements...just a seasoned chef throwing together a childhood favorite. This is the song his mom would sing when she would make it...

Arroz con leche,

me quiero casar
con una señorita de la capital
que sepa coser
que sepa bordar
que sepa abrir la puerta
para ir a jugar.

Con ésta sí.
con éste no,
con esta señorita
me caso yo.

Cásate conmigo que yo te daré
zapatos y medias color café.

Rice with milk
I want to get married
with a young lady from the capital city
who knows how to sew
who knows how to embroider
who knows how to open the door
to go out to play

With this one yes
With this one no
With this young lady
I will get married

Marry me so I will give you
brown coloured shoes and hose

Of course she would sing it in Spanish. Bill can recall several lines and he too sings it in the morning too.

Arroz con Leche
rice
water
butter
vanilla
cinnamon
milk
sugar
brown sugar
honey

Begin by bringing the water to boil. Use a 2 to 1 ratio for the rice. In the water add a cinnamon stick(or a tsp), a tsp of vanilla, and a Tbsp butter.

When the water begins to boil add the rice.
Watch the rice and if needed add a little more water(this is what I forgot to write..add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk at this point...sorry that I forgot this)

Once the rice is cooked turn it on low add some sugar, brown sugar and honey to taste.Cook about 10 more minutes on lowest heat.

Half of my kids eat this like cereal and add milk. The others eat it as is. All use a piece of bread to dunk. Not toasted, just a piece of bread. I actually like this cold.

I hope this helped. This is a very low cost recipe and actually a yummy sweet one, that ties the kids back to their abuelita!

Lots for Less~Meals

2007-10-26T16:38:00.001-07:00

Well here is the weeks worth of groceries. I spent $53.68. Now I stock up on things if they are on sale, so this is what I needed to complete the menu.

Breakfast
2 days arroz con leche( rice with milk)
2 days oatmeal
pancakes
cereal
Big Breakfast

Lunch
2 days ramen and peanut butter sandwiches
beef burritos
2 days tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
homemade chicken noodle soup
Only 6 lunches, due to Sunday dinner in middle of afternoon

Dinner
BLT's, Italian salad, Pickles
Spaghetti, French bread, peas, cantaloupe
Chicken Pot Pie
Steak, potatoes, rolls, celery and carrots, homemade applesauce
Chicken and Bean enchiladas, beans, Spanish rice, salsa
Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn bread, corn, salad

Snacks
popcorn night
grapes
oatmeal sugar cookies
brownies
carrots and celery
ice cream

All snacks(if needed) are made from scratch. In fact the students of McBenning School usually make all the treats. Quill of Bill is the popcorn chef!

We usually use 4 gallons of milk a week. We buy the milk at the local convenient store, because we get buy back points. We buy 12 gallons, we get one free, and it is 40 cents less a gallon and 3.40 in savings by the 12th.

So thank you for perusing our menu. I have really worked at making things from scratch, or home grown, or as fresh as possible. Some things of course, either I can't find our we so choose the item.

Update with Recipes

Pen of Jen chicken gumbo

A Friend told me that this is not gumbo with kielbasa sausage...hey make the meal your own. I am all American(part German, Irish...) and Bill is Mexican, Scottish...so the flavors are ours. That is what cooking for your family is...just a creative way to feed the ones you love the things they love:)
1 lb of chicken breasts cut in 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 lb of kielbasa sausage cut in pieces(like coins) then quartered.
olive oil
small bunch of broccoli cut into bit size pieces
1-2 potatoes peeled and cut in cubes
1/2 can of corn (or frozen)
2 cans of tomato sauce
water
In skillet put the olive oil, heat up and then brown the chicken and sausage, take out and set aside
In stew pot, add remaining ingredients. Fill to cover ingredients with water(maybe a few inches higher) add meat. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for several minutes.

Salt and pepper to taste!(my friend loves 14 oz of canned tomatoes instead of the sauce, but I have a child that hates chunky tomatoes..so we use the sauce)

Chicken Pot Pie
I use the recipe on the Bisquick box.
The veggies are whatever I have on hand. This week potatoes were on sale so I will peel the potatoes and slice them very thin so they will cook fast. Usually I put in a few veggies. Frozen corn, peas, carrots.
The chicken is what I salvage from Sundays dinner...but I have used I can of cooked chicken..so it will work in a pinch.

Pen of Jen Chicken Noodle Soup
Egg noodles-1 beaten egg, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 TBSP. milk, add one cup flour enough to make a stiff dough. Roll very thin on a floured surface. Let stand...20 minutes. Then here is where I changed the Betty Crocker recipe. I use a pizza cutter and cut the strips of noodles. I then hang them over a bowl for the time it takes the soup to come to a boil.

Large stew pot fill nearly 3/4 with water. Peel and grate 3 carrots in the water, use around 1 cup of chicken ripped into small pieces, again 1 can of cooked chicken will work. Due to the size I add 6-8 teaspoons of chicken bouillon, and celery salt, paprika, salt and pepper. Very plain and simple, yet totally loved.Bring to a boil, add the noodles and cook for 5 or so minutes more.

By the way I created this variety when we lived 100 miles from the store, and carrots last, but other veggies don't and I prefer using fresh instead of frozen or canned if possible.

Pen of Jen Italian Salad
garden variety rotini noodles(orange, yellow and red noodles)
fresh veggies-onions, broccoli, carrots, celery, cauliflower,
Italian dressing
bacon(or pepperoni) or kielbasa sausage cut and cooked in oil.

This I make for the buffet line. I have everything separate and let each person make their own specialty. It allows me to store the leftovers and not have it get soggy and bogged down because of the dressing.

Pam I hoped this helped, I really save by stretching the meats. We do not use a lot of meat in the meals, and so far none is worse for wear because of this.
Jen

Looking Towards Next Year

2007-10-25T09:18:00.001-07:00

I am reflecting on my beautiful garden that I had this year. As we are digging up the old beds, and canning the last survivors before the frost comes, I must say that it was all so incredible.

Now my kids drink lots of milk, and the re-use personality type that I have caused me to create tons of mini green houses. I cut the milk gallon in half, then the top became the green house for the overnight low temperatures. The results were tremendous.

Even after the transplanting, I covered my little plants, if it was cold during the day.

We had a series of beds. If you notice the dirt surrounding the beds, you will understand the desert in which I live. Water is scarce and rationed. Yet all is possible.

Notice the green growing between the paving stones...this is a weed grass...and we never watered this...but I loved the *look*! It is the monsoon season in late June and early July, so every rainstorm, I would have my buckets ready to capture every precious drop.

Here is one weekend harvest. I must remind my readers that I live in the desert of New Mexico. We were very strict with our water and very pleased with the abundant crop we grew. The crookneck(yellow squash) is very adaptable and loved the heat. And the tomatoes....wow! Tons and tons of tomatoes. My herb garden was small this year, but next year I am already planning a different schematic all to increase the yield.

So as the season comes to an end, I must say that in the middle of the city, I had an abundant harvest. And the growing season was from February to late October. So even though in the summer I have *enjoyed* sweltering heat, it has all been worth it.

Thanks for strolling through my garden journey with me. All cost put together for the entire garden around$65.00.

We ended up selling tomatoes, zucchini, and crookneck squash, so the return was nearly 3 times the cost. So how's that for Lot's for Less?

Because You Asked.

2007-10-18T12:51:00.001-07:00

I was asked how I made my shampoo. I used this link and made shampoo for my hair type.

It really is very easy. But I had to remind myself not to use too much. Once a week I do a baking soda vinegar rinse. My hair does not smell like vinegar, and it is so refreshing!

I hope this helps. I really have enjoyed how full my hair feels, even late at night!

Here is a photo of my hair. Keep in mind that I am aware that it is turning gray, and have slowly been getting used to this idea:(

Shampoo is Brewing on the Stove

2007-10-11T12:45:00.001-07:00

Well my journey to make or have lots for less has taken me on many roads. Last night while visiting with a blogging buddy(not to be named), she asked me something along the lines of how my kids felt about me becoming a "hippy"! I laughed then, and I am laughing now. I am learning a lot about the products we bring in our home, usually at no small expense. The things that I have learned about shampoos and hair dyes and gels and mousse have been slightly alarming.

So in my quest to make my own products I have two great results. 1) I know everything that is in the product, 2) it costs way less. Knowing that I am accomplishing both is very important. I am learning that my body is the temple for the Holy Spirit. I need to work diligently to ensure that everything I place in me is as healthy or safe as can be. In our society we are accepting way less. Listen to the side effects of medications and you know what I mean.

So without much more running on, I have made another batch of shampoo. The ingredients I am using this time are red clover, chamomile flowers, and a dash of peppermint, and the base Castile Soap. Notice how little I have used from the Castile soap. I have made shampoo twice so far. This is the resulting shampoo, on the right...it is lighter, because I used chamomile tea in it. I want this to be light to maintain my lighter blond/gray hair!

Total costs=herbs 10 cents, 1 ounce of Castile Soap 56 cents, so 66 cents for shampoo that has really made my hair fuller and fluffy. Those were Bill's words and they pleased me quite a bit.

Now hows that for Lots for Less?

The Skeptic Comes Clean!

2007-10-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay I am going to be honest here. Although I am on a path of lots for less, I had my doubts if baking soda was all that even I built it up to be.

I am slowly dwindling on my household cleaners. The prices are awful, and to keep buying them has been killing us, so I have not bought Soft Scrub with bleach in 4 months. I loved this product and it keep my shower(all tile) really pretty and clean. I have cheated though, I did not buy any cleaners, but put bleach into a spray bottle diluted with water, and have been spraying my shower down.

Well now that Bill is gone for a few days at training, I decided put up or shut up. I grabbed my handy dandy old toothbrush, a plastic tub and the baking soda. For the first time as an adult, I did not have to leave the bathroom due to the chemical fumes. I usually take 40 or so minutes to clean the bathroom, but today, just about 10-15 and I was not chemically altered!

I cleaned the toilet, the sink, and the shower with baking soda. My bathroom looks beautiful and I am shocked! Really as much as I post about using less, and being thrifty, it is not always easy. My life has changed a great deal, but this test passes the muster!

A-1 to baking soda. Cost to clean...maybe 3 cents! How is that Lots for Less?

Throwing our Money Away(no more)

2007-10-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

When the kids were little I used cloth napkins, that I made. It was easier than constantly using a piece of paper napkin(and whatever else it is made of) and throwing it away. We were on a budget, but I did it because it was so much easier.

Then we began making more and more money, and I became more in tune with disposable products, plates, cups, even plastic utensils. And paper towels, boy I bet we used 6-10 rolls a month.

Fast forward to today. I am slowly rekindling the attitude of yesteryear. One of being frugal and living well under ones means. So for today's post...Out with the disposable products, and in with more paper staying in the bank!

I have researched the idea of cloth napkins, and many frugal bloggers love flannel napkins. So I made flannel cloth napkins, and then I went through my materials that I have in the craft cupboard, and made the patriotic napkins. I ended up spending $10.50 for 120 cloth napkins( I bought a few yards of cotton too). We will not be spending the $30.00 or so a year on a product that if used properly will end up in the garbage minutes after it's use.

With some remnants that I had around I also made 4 hand towels to dry off after hand washing at the kitchen sink(prep for meals) and several wash cloths to use for scrubbing dishes. I spend $5 a month on dish scrubbers. We have been using this method for a month and all is working quite well. Savings for the year$60.00!

So for the year I have shaved another approximate $10.00 of a month. Does that seem like a lot to you? Soon I will show you what I can purchase for $10.00, because being thrifty has become second nature to me!

Bill thinks that I am under guessing the savings, and I am embarrassed to admit that I wasted so much. When Bill was a police officer, I tried very hard to appreciate the fact that he strapped on a weapon each and every day. I tried to be smiling when he left and smiling when he came home, because the job is one that is greatly unappreciated. But now I am in this habit of racing to the porch to greet him when he comes home from work(after 19 years he works a 8-5 job), and let him know that I appreciate him, not the amount he brings home.

I realize that one great way to show our love and respect for our marriage, ourselves and our Lord is by being very responsible with the money one has. I for one, will never again forget that it can come and go in a moment.

So I sure hope that you liked seeing how I made Lots for Less today!

Yes, We Do Eat Meat!

2007-10-08T06:53:00.001-07:00

I have stated before that I shop at Sam's or Costco to stretch my budget. Here are th photos of the meat for the month. The 2 chickens were $7.29 , and I will use these for 4 meals. So the cost of each meal with meat begins at $1.82!

I buy the sausage in this neat little pack. I cut it up and use it in many meals.

The sausage is the base for 6 meals. I usually use this in a crock pot meal. Cost=$5.67....94 cents is the beginning of each meal using the sausage.

Bacon, the one and only meat I will eat regularly. I cut this pack up into 8 parts! Yes, eight parts. Then I use the bacon for the breakfast potatoes, baked potato night, and BLT'S. In addition, I save the grease to make tortillas. Cost=$8.67, breakdown...$1.08 per meal!

By budgeting, I can make out traditional Sunday dinners still have a great meat. I buy steaks for $12.55(or so) then I cut them in half(reducing the thickness) Bill then pounds them thin with the cooking mallet! Cost for Sunday dinner...$6.27!

Here is a yummy roast. I paid $13.12 for this and I will stretch this out for 2 meals. Burritos and a gravy sliced beef! Cost= $6.56 per meal.

By being very frugal, you can enjoy real meat and not just the moge -poge of ground beef. I do use some ground beef for spaghetti, and burritos. I also use canned chicken from Costco.

It is very important to be conscientious of the money you spend. Then plan well balanced meals with homemade sides and desserts and your family will be healthier and you will be well under budget.

How that for Lots for Less?

Oatmeal Soap

2007-09-22T17:29:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun making the liquid hand soap, especially since it was so inexpensive, that I began to think about other options. How do you like the pretty shaped oatmeal soap bars that I made in minutes?

It is very simple to live on less and not cut pretty, decorative things. I love to create, and I must admit that it has been very trying lately. But seeing the ease that it took to create this has been an inspiration, and God knows that I needed this.

Ingredients:
3 TBS. of water.
Soap bar
ground oatmeal

Directions:
Grate the bar of soap
Grind the oatmeal about 1/2 cup
3 TBS water

put the grated soap flakes in a microwave bowl, add the water, microwave for 2-3 minutes.
add the oatmeal. stir, spray cookie cutter shapes with a non stick cooking spray. put the soap in the shapes. scrap of the excess. place on tray. take shape off. let sit until hardens.

How easy is that?

Now my house is becoming more festive and feeling like autumn.

Total cost for these beautiful soap bars...30-32 cents!!
bar 27 cents
oatmeal ...I bought this in bulk from Costco...lets be fair and say 3-5 cents(the large bag was $3.00)

How is that for Lots for Less?

Home Made Hand Soap

2007-09-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

I ran out of hand soap and knew that I could not run out and buy another refill bottle, so time to think!

We have 2 bathrooms and the kitchen sink, which is where I keep the hand soap. So I looked on line to see what I could come up with something home made. I found a home made soap recipe and adjusted it for what I had on hand.

The actual recipe calls for
1 bar of castile soap
3 cups of water

Grate the bar of soap, add water mix, microwave for 3 minutes on high.

I used Ivory bar soap because I had a multi pack of 12 that I bought, and I ended up microwaving it for a total of 5 minutes, stopping at 3 to stir and mix.

It filled all three refill hand pumps! Total cost 27 cents!!!!

So how is that for Lots for Less?

Almost Autumn

2007-09-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

I love autumn. I miss the changing of the leaves since I have lived out west, as it is not even noticeable unless you have a tree or two. We have a large bush in the front of the house, so not too much changes here.

But my neighbor, an older single woman has two trees in her back yard. I can only see one as we have cinder block fences here. But one is an apple tree and the other is a pecan tree. I can see the pecan tree and look forward to the pecan tree harvest! But we did not know that she had an apple tree until the other night. She brought over about 30 small apples. Yummy!

We were very pleased. We have been neighborly, saying hello, but she is rarely home. Bill usually sees her leaving when he goes to work. So since we have had such an abundance harvest, he will give her a zucchini, or a crookneck squash, or some tomatoes. Just because.

So, just because is wonderful. FoUrTh made apple cinnamon muffins and made the crust for an apple pie.

Here is the recipe for the muffins.
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup melted butter
1 egg slightly beaten
1 cup finely chopped apple

Combine the dry ingredients , then the rest. Mix together....bake at 375 F for 18-23 minutes.

They are an absolute delight, and it SMELLS like autumn here!

Check out this...Lots for Less!!!!!

Tortilla King!!

2007-09-12T08:08:00.001-07:00

Here is Third being *goofy*. One of his new projects in the house is tortilla maker. He asked if I would take some goofy shot for a friend of his, and they also led to this post. This is his third time at making tortillas, and this time he is working on making them all uniform in size. We ate these with BBQ chicken drumsticks, buttered squash, fresh peaches, and refried beans.

Here is our tortilla recipe...
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup shortening(I use bacon grease if we have)
1/2 cup plus 2 TBS water
mix together make even size balls roll out with rolling pin, and heat on a type griddle.

These were his second attempt. He actually made a tortilla in the shape of a "t" for the letter that begins his actual name!

BTW...I write all the time about what delights these kids are, and I will repeat this again. I have never enjoyed life so much as I have since I became a wife and mother. Second and Third really have Bill and I laughing ALL the time!

And he is wearing for his cooking debut FoUrtH's Pampered Chef hat and apron. When he took it off his head, there was a ring because it was so tight. The ring lasted for about an hour! Ouch!!!

The Acorn to the Mighty Oak!

2007-08-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

We have been in New Mexico for around 18 months. Although we moved from a similar climate, due to the lower elevation it is a little warmer here. But that did not stop Bill and I. We are country folk to the core. We moved onto this place and the backyard was a dusty, nasty place that had tons of dog holes.

We saw it, and decided it was a diamond in the rough. So we plotted and planned and then broke ground. At first we had small scale dreams. Then we kept adding new beds. And I must tell you...gardening gives you Lots for less. So here is a mini tour of my garden rewards!! I hope you will consider even having an herb garden in the kitchen. Greenery is so good for the emotional well being and doesn't require too much!

Sunflowers, my addition just for beauty, have been a wonderful delight for us all. I have about 10 that are this size and I have already dried one for seed. Next year we plan on surrounding the back with a sunflower fence. They have brought the birds, who then ate the grasshoppers so it had many great qualities of growing. I love to go out and take a few seeds off the plants as I walk around the garden.

A porch decoration was a end of winter surprise, as we discovered that it had been growing inside. We planted 10 plants, gave 4 away and thinned it down to 2 plants. The end result was 5 pumpkins, and a supply of seeds for next year. Thanksgiving will be a real treat, as we will be eating pies from the puree that I made.(cost around $2.50)

Crookneck squash...I actually bought 3 plants. Only one survived. We have made nearly $70.00 from this plant. It is the super deluxe survivor in the heat. He is huge and awesome! In fact this plant yielded a Reserve Grand Champion for my daughter at the fair! Funny thing, we have decided that this is not our families choice to eat. Only grilled after rubbing it in olive oil is tasty for us. But, it is a huge seller here in New Mexico, so we will plant this next year!

Here are today's zucchini. I planted 10 seeds, and thinned it down to 4 plants. I transplanted them and did not think any would survive. We have made over $50.00 from these four plants. Oh and we have eaten every type of recipe for zucchini. We have decided that butter, and salt and pepper taste the best!! The ziploc baggy in the front are the seeds that I dried for next year.

These are Anasazi beans. I had never even tried these beans until this year, but I decided to plant them, because they were so delicious. So if you look in the front, you will see nine beans. That is how many beans I planted. So far, the plate is filled with my harvest. Of course there are still beans on the plants, so the harvest is not over.

Here are the seeds that I have dried for next year. I am so very excited to have accomplished so much with such a dry, desert climate. We have made several schematics and can't wait to start next years seeds. Fortunately winter ends by February, so we do not have long to wait.

Remember Lots for Less is my goal! I hope that you will share your tips too!
Jennifer

Great Reader Tips

2007-08-23T07:07:00.001-07:00

I have to write of the tips from the readers. It is so important to listen and learn when trying to save money. A lack of a lot of money does not mean that life has to be miserable.

Susan shared that she buys meat when it goes on sale. Correction, she stocks up on meat when it goes on sale. She has an extra freezer, so she has ample space. This is an awesome tip. Many times meat goes on sale, and when it does you should benefit from it. I put some money away for sales, and I have freezer bags in preparation. Once purchased I re-wrap the meat and label and date.

Sarah gave another tip. She shared that a friend purchases a butchered heifer and freezes it for the year. As she was telling me this I remembered that friends would buy a heifer together, and split the meat.
This is another great tip, and truly you will enjoy lots for less!!

Thank you so much for these great tips! Please remember, you don't need more money, just a readjustment of your budget and spending skills!!

Buying in Bulk or on Sale

2007-08-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

I must confess that one of the best savings I have found is buying in bulk. It takes a little space and planning, but truly the rewards are there. Now some things that you buy in a large quantity don't take much space, so think about this.

Over the weekend we found cilantro on sale. Now I tried and tried to grow cilantro, to no avail, so I still must purchase it. So we bought several bunches for under 30 cents per bunch. I then wash the cilantro and pick off the leaves and place them on self made drying racks. It takes about 24-36 hours to dry the leaves on the counter in the summer. In the winter it takes about twice that in time.

After the leaves are dry, I place them in a jar and keep them in my spice cupboard. We use cilantro in salsa and in eggs and many other things. It adds such a neat flavor!

Did You Ever Notice

2007-08-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

Did you ever notice that people who have a garden or an orchard have an abundance? I have seen this my whole life, and now I am witnessing this principle in my own backyard. I live on a average size lot. And what we have grown in the back has been nothing less than a miracle.

Well on my walks, my daughter and I noticed that an older gentleman has a pomegranate tree in his front yard. This tree may be 5 feet tall, but it is 6 feet wide and it is loaded with pomegranates. Well I have decided that I would love some of these yummy fruits, so my mind got to thinking, suppose I took this man a trade from my garden!

What a novel idea that has been in practice time and time again. A trade for a product or service. I use my garden example to shine some light, but really, your abundance may be in sewing. Maybe you can make skirts so cute, that you could trade them to a dance teacher for free dance lessons for your child. Do you see what I am getting at?

That is my tip for the day...one can truly have Lots for Less!

Lots for Less Tip

2007-08-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if many realize that Walmart price matches all other store prices. If you have a flier from another store(say Krogers), that shows that Krogers store brand green beans are on sale, then Walmart will price match their store brand to the other stores price.

I take the fliers from the other stores, and shop very carefully. If the other store has Oscar Meyer hotdogs on sale, then Walmart will price match the Oscar Meyer sale price. This has been a true blessing to me. It is even so on fish, and meats, and produce. You may need to take a calculator to figure out the pounds and if it is a better price, but trust me this does help the budget.

I save in average $7-10 per shopping run. That is money that I can use elsewhere in the budget.

BTW I usually take a clipboard with my list, and the fliers, so I can record all the prices of everything that I purchase.In case an error is made at checkout time, I know what the price was.

To many this style or method of shopping may seem like too much work, but the savings add up and I only am in the store for 30-40 minutes.

Stir Fry

2007-08-09T17:33:00.000-07:00

I decided to create a blog just for things that I do for my family that don't cost very much! I've titled the blog Lot's for Less, because that is how I live. Even though we are not rolling in an abundance of money, I still think that things can be nice, creative, and show your loved ones how important that they are to you.

Stir Fry

Tonight I made stir fry! It is very easy to make and the decor is something that I bought in China Town in San Fransisco for around $5.00(including the doll). I think that we always try and impress others and show our best side to them, while being laid back around those we love.

At least 2-3 times a week I try to set a lovely table setting. It is on our old battered kitchen table that has been with us in every home, every move, so it's comfortable and beautiful.

It is very important to show our family how much they mean to us. To create place settings are very easy, and if you do not have cute decor from China Town, you can put your own flair on the setting. Chop Sticks are at nearly every grocery that I have been to, and with red fabric...you are set.

The menu is ...Stir Fry ...Rice... and served with water. Very simple, very elegant!

I threw in the Wok chicken breast -cubed, green beans, zucchini- cut into thin strips, gala apples- cut in thin strips, and canned baby corn.

I cooked the white rice according to the directions.

This meal was a total cost of $3.25 for six people!

So for $3.25 we dined in Asia, and enjoyed each other's company, and even discussed the stock market. How's that for a Lots for Less?