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Simple Times - 03/20/09 - Cheap gardening; easy cheap meals

 

 

 

Simple Times

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Vol. 11, No. 6 -- March 23rd, 2009

http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com/

DSimple

Copyright 2009 Deborah Taylor-Hough

ISSN: 1527-1269

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Celebrating more than a decade of saving your time, money and sanity!

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IN THIS ISSUE:

-- " Dear Readers " :

-- Simple Living Quote

-- Quick Easy Cheap Meals

-- Gardening on a Dime

-- Letters to the Editor / Reader Tips

-- Assorted Information (archives, etc.)

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< < < O.U.R  S.P.O.N.S.O.R > > >

 

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       --Mary Hunt, author of Debt-Proof Living

 

Carry it with you -- it replaces your checkbook and fits in your

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Dear Readers,

 

On April 4th, I'll be conducting a workshop called " Living Within Your

Means " in Auburn, Washington.  The content will be based on my

books Frugal Living For Dummies and A Simple Choice: A practical

guide for saving your time, money and sanity.  The workshop will be

held at White River Presbyterian Church from 10am to noon.

 

Auburn is easy driving distance from Seattle, Tacoma and

most areas of Puget Sound. Please feel free to tell your friends

and family who live in the area about this workshop.

 

For driving directions go to:

http://whiteriverpres.synodnw.org/

 

 

Discounted copies of all my books will be available for sale at

the Auburn workshop and all proceeds will benefit White River

Presbyterian Church's weekly SpiritFest Community Dinner

for the community and the homeless.

 

For those who can't make it to the workshop, my books can

also be purchased online (usually at a discount) from:

 

http://frozenassets.wordpress.com/all-my-books/

 

 

Hope to see you in Auburn the first Saturday of April!  :-)

 

Simply Yours,

 

Debi

(Deborah Taylor-Hough)

Editor, Simple Times Email Newsletter

--Author of the popular Frozen Assets series; A Simple Choice: A

practical guide for saving your time, money & sanity; and Frugal

Living for Dummies®

--Editor, Simple Times and Bright-Kids email newsletters

_______________________________

_

 

Visit my simple living blog!

http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com/

________________________________

 

SIMPLE LIVING QUOTE

 

 

" Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage

enough. "

 

--Charles Dudley Warner

 

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QUICK EASY CHEAP MEALS

Copyright Peggy Hurd

Used with permission from EzineArticles.com.

All right reserved.

 

 

1) How to put a meal on the table quick:

 

It is very important in our busy life to be able to serve up

an appetizing meal in a quick fashion. If you get in the

habit of doing this one easy thing, you will become an

expert at getting a  meal on the table in only minutes.

 

Here's one habit you can start: as soon as you walk in

the door, put a pot of water on to boil. Small pot for small

family; larger pot for a large family. Practice will make

perfect in judging how much water to use. Then, as you

are getting ready to come in the kitchen, the water is

well on its way to boiling.

 

What can you do with boiling water? You can cook

potatoes, rice, macaroni, spaghetti, hard-boiled eggs,

use it for hot chocolate or herb tea, throw in bouillon

cubes, some veggies and leftover meat for a quick soup.

 

The possibilities are numerous. This one habit is your

first step to having quick, easy, cheap meals.

 

 

2) Make it easy to get dinner done:

 

Dinner is something that has to happen every day, for

the rest of your l

ife. Whether you cook for yourself or a

family, how can we make this job easier? Plan ahead.

 

You can plan ahead by making a list of what dinner will

be for the next week and making sure you have all the

ingredients.

 

You can plan ahead by cooking several meals in one

day when you have time and then freezing them to eat

later.

 

You can also plan ahead by cooking some extra food

every time you cook and then using that extra food for

another meal later. Talk about easy! Some of the work

is done already, with very little effort. It takes only a

little more effort to make 2 meatloaves instead of 1 or

make 2 batches of cookies instead of 1. Then these

" planned-overs " can be put in the fridge or freezer to

use later (or sooner; its up to you).

 

This is your second step to having quick, easy, cheap

meals.

 

 

3) You can save a lot on your food bill:

 

You can eat healthy, fun, nutritious food and save money

at the same time. One great way to save money on your

food bill is to try cooking with beans, peas and lentils. If

ou've never tried them, they are very delicious, filling, and

 powerhouse of nutrition. Maybe you have had them before

and didn't care for them. Try them cooked a different way.

 

Scout around for a variety of recipes that use these healthy

legumes as they are an excellent way to stretch your food

dollar. You could make bean burgers, lentil loaf, or split pea

sou

p as the main course and accompany it with some nice

vegetables.

 

When first trying out these foods, start out a little at a time.

 

This is your third step to being able to prepare quick, easy,

cheap meals. Something we can all enjoy with a little practice.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

--Peggy Hurd is a Mother and Family Manager for her family

of seven. She has many years experience in providing quick,

easy, cheap meals for her large family; many times at a

moment's notice. You will find great tips and helps here:

http://www.quick-easy-cheap-meals.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peggy_Hurd

 

________________________________

 

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Dollar Stretcher for Parents is a free weekly ezine devoted

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of your life. From cradle to college, we'll provide you with

time and money saving tips for families with children.

 

To receive Dollar Stretcher for Parents, send a blank email to

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GARDENING ON A DIME

Copyright Tawra Kellam

Used with permission.  All rights reserved.

http://www.LivingOnADime.com/

 

 

People are often surprised to find out that even though I’m

a cookbook author, I went to school for=2

0Horticulture. (I never

wanted to be a writer -- I wanted to own an herb farm.) Growing

your own plants can not only save you lots of money on your

grocery bill, but a nice landscape can improve the value of

your home. If you're creative, you can have a great garden

with very little cost.

 

Here are some of my favorite tips to get you started:

 

 

1) Tools

 

Watch people who are moving. Ask if they are leaving their

lawn equipment and if you can have it or buy it cheap.

 

Use an old mailbox out in the garden to store your clippers,

plastic bags and gloves. (This is my most used item in my

garden!) It is especially wonderful because the kids and Hubby

don't know where my tools are, so I don't have to worry about

them borrowing the tools!

 

Use wedding tulle found at fabric stores instead of shade

cloth to shade plants from the sun or to keep the birds from

eating your fruit. It’s much cheaper. Better yet, ask a just

married bride if you can have the leftover tulle from her wedding.

 

 

2) Cheap Plants

 

If you see plants at a store that are in bad shape but not dead,

talk to the manager. Ask him if he will give you a “deal†if you

take them off his hands. Most of the time they will because

the plants look bad and they don’t want to mess with them

anymore.

 

Last year I was able to purchase over 50 large 1/2 ga

llon-gallon

sized perennials for $50. (over $600 retail) All but about 5 of them

lived and I was able to take those back and get my money back.

Most home improvement and discount stores have a guarantee

that if your plant dies within one year, you can bring the dead

plant and the receipt and they will give you your money back or

give you a new plant.

 

Buy seeds on sale at the end of the season. Put them in a brown

paper bag in the refrigerator for better storage. Seeds usually last

many years beyond the “past due†date on the packet.

 

 

3) Mulch

 

Ask a tree trimming service to give you their wood chips for

mulch if they are in the area.

 

Some cities also have a free mulch program where the city

tree trimmers dump all the wood chips. Call your local County

Extension and find out if there is one in your area.

 

If you just need a few bags, look for torn open bags at the home

improvement store. Our local store has a pile where they dump

all the torn open bags of mulch and rocks. They sell the bags

for $1 each, saving you up to 75% off! Most just have a few

chips missing.

 

Use shredded paper or newspaper under mulch. This way you

can use fewer wood chips.

 

Keep a shower curtain or tarp in your car at all times. This way

if you find a good deal on mulch or plants you can take advantage

of the deal right away without messing up20your car.

 

 

4) Containers

 

Use deli trays with lids to start seeds. They are mini greenhouses!

 

Ask the cemetery if you can have the pots they throw away after

Memorial Day. (You can dry the almost dead flowers for potpourri.)

Look in dumpsters.

 

Many garden centers at the discount stores throw away the dead

plants, pots and all. Ask permission first.

 

Use Styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of pots for drainage. You

can also use small plastic six inch pots, soda cans or plastic

bottles in the bottom of larger pots so you don't have to use so

much soil and to make the pots lighter in weight.

 

 

5) Misc. tips

 

Use milk jugs as drip irrigation. Poke 2 or 3 small holes in the

bottom of the jugs and place next to plants. Fill with water and

they will slowly water you plants all day.

 

Use Christmas lights around fences to add sparkle in the middle

of summer. Hang them in trees or line paths with them for extra

effect.

 

Use vinegar in a spray bottle to kill weeds. ONLY spray the weed.

It will kill any grass or plants you want to keep if you get it on

them.

 

 

6) For Kids

 

Have kids water the plants after they swim in the kiddy pool. Have

them take buckets of water from the pool and water the plants

when the pool needs to be emptied.

 

Buy or ask for sandbags after heavy rains. Use the sand for paths

or for the kid

s sandboxes. (Only use sand from clean floodwater

situations.)

 

Save scraps of soap when they get too small to bathe with and

put them in an old nylon stocking. Knot and hang the nylon on

an outdoor faucet.

 

 

7) Homemade Tough Hand Cleaner

 

1/4 Cup grated Fels Naphtha soap ends

2 Tbsp. mason's sand or pumice

1 Cup water

 

Place soap and water in a saucepan. Place over low heat; stir

until soap is melted. After mixture cools, add mason's sand or

pumice. Store in a cottage cheese container or margarine tub.

To use, dip fingers into soap mixture and lather hands. Rinse

well. This works well on greasy tools, also. Be sure to rinse

and dry tools thoroughly.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

--Tawra Kellam is the editor of http://www.LivingOnADime.com

Tawra and her husband paid off $20,000 debt in 5 years on

$22,000 a year income.

________________________________

 

Feel free to forward this newsletter to your family and friends. :-)

________________________________

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR / READER TIPS

We'd love to hear YOUR tips and ideas for simplifying daily life.

Send your simple living comments and tips to: DSimple

 

 

Re: Magazine recycling information

Thank you for telling us about the different places to donate them.

I had an Inside Yard Sale today with an 8 ft table full of piles of

different magazines I've collected over the years. My MIL also gave

me some of hers. I was20thinking of donating some of the younger

ones to a daycare down the road and 2 of our libraries have places

where you can drop off to recycle magazines & books. Most of the

magazines I have are geared towards women, but I like the idea of

the fire station for my " Readers Digest " & " Down East " . I think I

will check with them to see if any women are in the dept. before

going. I just thought of a couple more places, I bet a local nursing

home & hospital. It is amazing how attached people can get to

something for the most part that just collects dust & takes up space

after you're done with them. I have decided to read magazines I can

get from the library & return or if I get one it will leave the house

soon

after reading. Thanks again!

--Brenda <><

 

 

Re:  Regarding the magazine recycling info

I live in a small town with a nice library -- but not a town with money,

nor is the library able to afford much without grants or donations. So

whenever I to a magazine, I read it and immediately take

them to my library -- then she has current mags without cost!

--Christine G.

a saving friend!

 

 

Re:  Saving on winter utility bills

Wow! What a timely article. I mean I know that you have always

advocated frugal living, and I have done so for over 40 years myself.

But in light of the recent economic situation in this country, it is

something that a lot of people need to hear

again. It is a legacy

that needs to be passed down to another generation. Thanks for

your faithfulness of reliable information.

--Sandy

Wife, Mother, Grandma

 

 

Re: Pacific Northwest workshops

I enjoy your newsletter immensely! I sure do wish that I lived in the

Pacific Northwest to attend your proposed classes!    We all can

learn to live our lives more simple. Is it possible to send out any

written format of your workshops to those of us residing outside

your region?

--Monica M.

 

Note from Editor:

I've often thought about putting together a written format of my

various workshops, but in the meantime, the basic information is

already available in my books.  For ordering information, go to:

http://frozenassets.wordpress.com/all-my-books/

~Debi, Editor, Simple Times

 

 

Re: Another free source for freezers, etc.

Hoorah for all you do!  One more idea to locate a freezer, car, rug,

goldfish, anything -- don't forget Craig's List (pick any old city). Not

only can you find great stuff under every category, but also under

the free stuff category -- just the reading is cheap entertainment!

We've bought flutes, cars, etc. and done well. Probably a great

source for used or free freezers. Thanks again!

--Lisa in Colorado

 

 

Re:  Freecycle

I don't remember seeing this information, but a wonderful resource

is the freecycle network. I have been a member for several years

and have given and received=2

0items no longer needed. One just goes

to www.freecycle.org and registers with their local group. Each group

has specific etiquettes, but basically, we do what we can to recycle

useable items, in order to keep things out of the landfills. There are

offers, and needs. I have seen freezers, boats, books & magazines,

clothing, excersize equipment, furniture, even Nutri-System meals!

I myself have given baskets, a baby changing table, CD's,a store

display unit, etc. It's a great system. Of course you need to be

cautious and use common sense when you arrange a drop-off spot.

--Susan

 

________________________________

 

SIMPLE TIMES RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Book list for frugality and simple living

Go to: http://snurl.com/simplebooks

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As always, a special " Thank you! " goes out to Gary Foreman

and the friendly folks at The Dollar Stretcher for making this

mailing list possible!

 

== http://www.stretcher.com/ ==

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EDITOR'S BOOKS AND RESOURCES:

Books and resources by Deborah Taylor-Hough

Editor, Simple Times Email Newsletter

http://snurl.com/debisbooks

________________________________

 

DEBI'S ON-LINE RESOURCES:

Personal Blog: http://dsimple.wordpress.com/

Frugality/

Simplicity: http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com

Cooking Ahead: http://frozenassets.wordpress.com/

Bright-Kids: http://brightkids.wordpress.com

Tupperware®: http://snurl.com/DebiTupperware

Kids' Books: http://snurl.com/books4kids

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Copyright 2009 Deborah Taylor-Hough. .

3930 A Street SE, Ste 305-119, Auburn WA 98002

Contact us at:  DSimple

 

 

 

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