Rob made biscuits and gravy.  He used a packet of biscuit mix I got for 50c at Grocery Outlet.  This way, he can have regular gluten-filled biscuits without contaminating the kitchen, and that is far less expensive than our normal gluten-free biscuits.

I made the cheesecakes again.  This time, I used a pint of canned blueberries to make the sauce.  They were delicious.  We were having a family get-together for my niece, Rachel.  She is leaving this week for Ireland.  She will be gone for 6 months on a mission trip.  We will miss her, but are very excited for her to have this opportunity.  The first 3 months will be in Ireland and the 2nd 3 months will either be in South Africa or SE Asia.  I’ll be excited to see where she lands!

I used my new Instant Pot as a slow cooker and made vegetable-beef soup. It cooked in 7 hours on low, but could have gone longer without being overcooked.  I was pleased.  My old crock pot would have given me raw veggies after 7 hours.  It was simply not working.  We ate that soup several times this week.  I also cooked some noodles and opened a jar of pasta sauce I got at Winco for $1.19 and several people have eaten that this week.  One night, Rob barbecued chicken and steak from the freezer and we had that for a few meals.  We used some 79c hot dogs, too, some home-canned green beans and jars of fruit, like peaches.  Because I am still recovering from the flu, we wanted easy meals.  I’m not eating much and the girls never do.  So, food is lasting a long time this week.

When I realized that 2 library books had been overlooked when we returned the rest of them, I got on-line and renewed them.  I still will have to pay a fine, but it will be lower than it could have been.

It’s been really, really cold.  We had another big snow and ice event. Last Sunday, church was cancelled and on Wednesday, it was cancelled again.  That’s pretty rare for our part of Oregon!  Rob missed yet another day of work, due to the schools being closed.  Once the snow landed on the ground, it stayed.  In fact, there is still quite a bit out there after a week.  It’s supposed to thaw this week, maybe tomorrow.  I won’t complain.  We heated our house with wood during this time and have been very comfortable.

I went to 2 estate sales with Rob yesterday, mostly because I was feeling house-bound and wanted to spend some time with him.  I found a few rolls of non-Christmas wrapping paper and a lunch bag for Patsy for a grand total of $1.  Rob got a cast-iron cook book that looks brand new for $2.  He loves making things in his cast iron when we are camping, and sometimes when we are not.

We made camping reservations for the upcoming months.  It costs us $8 per time we go, because we use our foster/adopt park pass.  So, it makes it very affordable.  We need to come up with gas money, but take our own food.  We usually save up a bit of “fun” money, but never spend much.  We always have a blast.  Although the trips are still a ways away, we are getting excited about going.  It feels like forever since last summer!  It’s a good thing to think about when the yard is covered with snow, for sure.

Recently, I was sick.  The kind of sick where I couldn’t do anything but lay on the couch, waiting to get better.  During this week of enforced rest, I watched numerous tv shows, looked at countless blogs, and read several magazines.  While watching all of this tv that I would normally not have time for, I ran across a show about saving money.  I thought I’d have an interest, obviously, so I watched several episodes.  I was appalled.  Instead of joyfully saving money, the people on the show lied, cheated, stole, and were otherwise quite miserable in their quest to economize.  I learned a lot about what I would never be willing to do to save money.  Since the most popular posts on my blog deal with saving money, I thought I’d pass along my thoughts

Balance is the key with saving money, along with everything else in life.  Quality of life is important.  If a person gets to the end of life with lots of money, but is miserable and has been miserable for years, what have they gained?

In the show I watched, some of the houses the people lived in were dumps.  They were filthy, unkept, and unattractive.  They said they kept them this way to save money.  In my opinion, this is not necessary.  Soap and water are very cheap.  There are many home-made cleaners that could be used, or cleaning supplies can be purchased with coupons or from the dollar store.  At my house, I use rags for cleaning.  When an item is worn out, I cut it into pieces.  These pieces are stored in a basket in the garage in a place where they are easy to grab.  When we are done cleaning, I wash them.  I do keep a few paper towels for really gross messes, but we mostly use rags for all of our cleaning.

Paint and decor can add up.  I would suggest that if you are on a tight budget, you save up for a can or two of paint, and then go to yard sales of thrift stores for decorations.  You can also craft items.  Sometimes friends or relatives are finished with an item, such as a couch pillow or a picture, and they are looking for a home for it.  If it fits in with your decorating scheme, gladly accept it if it is offered to you.  On the flip side, don’t take or buy everything that is offered or is on clearance, you may end up with a cluttered mess.  Sometimes furniture can be found second hand on Craig’s List or at a yard sale or thrift shop.  Rob found a dresser we needed at a second-hand store for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

Although I’m sure some of the show I watched was dramatization, I was not amused when some of the participants actually stole things in the name of frugality.  One main tip from a person was to go into restaurants and take large handfuls of things like napkins, ketchup, and disposable cups, etc.  They suggested that you “never buy those things again” and, instead, just keep going back for more.  That’s wrong in my book.  The owners of the restaurants have to pay for those things—they are only free to the one who just stole them.  Instead, use dishes and wash them.  Seems obvious, doesn’t it?  At this house, we do not have a dishwasher.  We are still making out just fine.  There are times when we do want paper, though.  There are several ways to obtain inexpensive paper plates for times when they are useful.  Sometimes you can get a large quantity for a low price from a place like Cash and Carry or Costco, or from Amazon.  I actually have several boxes of them that have been gleaned from yard sales, thrift stores, or given to me by people who were cleaning out.  We are not picky about the pattern, i.e. we will use Thanksgiving plates any time of the year.  Many people on the internet use cloth napkins.  We do not, but I can see the value of them.

One of the most helpful things Rob and I do to manage our money is to have regular “meetings” about money.  These consist of a short talk where we go over our budget, bills, and upcoming expenditures.  We make a plan about what and how we are going to handle each item (i.e.: pay the bills, do we want to buy this or that, etc.) and then we pay the bills. This keeps us on the same page as each other.  We both know if we have money to spend on extra items, and what we have in savings.  I was saddened to see husbands and wives lying to each other on the show I watched.  Some people were hiding money from the other partner, and outright lying about what funds were available or in savings.  I believe that we have more harmony in our marriage and more happiness even though we likely have less money in the bank than those people did.  It is much easier for me to face a “short” month if I have someone to do it with.

The last thing I noticed about the show is the level of unhappiness for everyone concerned.  The families of the “cheap” person were miserable and embarrassed as they witnessed the “cheap” person be vocal in trying to get the clerks to lower the prices of the items or charge less for meals, etc.  They were often without any small comforts in life in the name of frugality.  Some wore very outdated, dowdy clothing when attractive clothing was the same price at a thrift store.  Underneath the surface, it was easy to see the anger simmering in the people who were getting to live this lifestyle because they had no control over the choices others were making for them.  I’m mostly talking about children, but I also saw a wife or two who were very unhappy.  I’m quite sure those children will run from that lifestyle as fast as they can as soon as they can.  I would not be surprised if some of the couples end up splitting up.  Even the “cheap” person did not often seen very happy.  They seemed so concerned with saving money that it overshadowed everything else in their life.

So, I’m going to continue to save money when I can.  We work pretty hard at it around here, and will continue to do that.  But, I’m going to keep striving for balance.  When we can figure out a way to do something fun, we will do it.  When we can afford an item I think we just want, we’ll buy it.  I don’t plan to worry or stress about it, but instead enjoy my life the best I can, and hopefully stay frugal–not cheap!

We got hit with snow and freezing rain this week–again.  We’ve had more of this wintry weather this year than I’ve seen for a long time.  So, I would say being snowed in saved me a lot of money, BUT, I sent Rob and a couple of the girls out to get supplies for the storm and …..let’s just say we are well supplied for this 2-day storm:)  All kidding aside, I was grateful that they could get some milk and things and Rob also found spiral sliced ham for only 98 cents per pound, so he got one.

I have been sick since Thursday, so I guess I saved money by not going anywhere, and not eating:)  Our extended family is very generous and has graciously shared the flu bug–back and forth between us all.  I think each one gets a little different strain….anyway, hopefully we will all soon be on the mend.  I’ve really only been sleeping, watching tv (really sleeping with the tv on), and have crocheted a little bit.  Did I mention sleeping?

Patsy amused herself by making a couple of “snow cones” from snow and grape juice.

Last Sunday, we had the traditional Rob, Alissa and Jake birthday party.  Rob and Alissa have celebrated each year for the last 17 years, without missing even one.  Jake joined in 9 years ago.  In fact the first time we ever saw him was sitting in a carrier on a table at Chuckie Cheese, where Alissa had dragged Rob for the party (his nightmare venue, but she’s always had him twisted around her finger).  Her birth mom had given birth to a little boy, but, unfortunately,  it wasn’t going to work out for him with her, so he came to live with his big sisters.  It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed.  Ever since Jake came along, Rob gets to share a really cook cake!  Notice the Hot Wheel car.  I will say, Jake decided to keep the car–big surprise.  The best year’s cake was the year where it was a Beauty and the Beast cake–with one end decorated like Beauty (with Alissa’s name) and the other end…….Yep–Rob!

On Christmas, Rob wrapped Alissa’s gift in zip ties–like 50 or more of them.  It was a gift card, so wrapped that way easily.  He loves to play tricks on the kids sometimes like that.  (He super glued Steven’s in a few tins nested together).  She repaid the favor for his birthday, wrapping his gift in a LOT of boxes and duct tape.  Fun!

It was great our son-in-law, Keith,  and oldest daughter, Abbie, could join us for the birthday party.  He works long, strange hours, so we did not get to see him on Christmas.  It was a great day!  You can see my niece, Rachel, dimly in the upper left corner–the lighting was really bad for pictures that day.  She is getting ready to go off to Ireland soon–we will miss her, but she will be back in 6 months or so.

In years past, the parties have been more elaborate, and sometimes in places other than our homes.  We find that we almost always end up at someone’s house these days.  It just gives us more time to visit, the special needs kids are not overwhelmed and so we all have more fun, and we can eat what we want–so many special diets nowadays.  The lowered price tag is an added bonus.

Rob hauled another load of firewood down here from my sister and brother-in-law’s farm where we stayed this summer.  He just fills the back of the van up with wood when he goes up there to give them the boxes he has unpacked. He emptied a lot over the break.   (They will use the empty boxes in their u-pick peach business next summer)  We still have a pretty good pile of wood up there, thank goodness.  This winter is cold, and we are heating with the wood stove insert, exclusively.  The camper is being heated by a small electric heater during the cold spell to keep pipes and things from freezing up, but the stove keeps the house plenty warm.  We do have Ja’Ana bring in a pile of wood each night, and Rob gets up and stokes the fire during the night during these super cold nights.  Otherwise, we just rebuild it in the morning.

It was a good week! (Except for the flu)

My husband, Rob, came home from my sister’s farm the other day with a small bucket 1/2 full of kiwis.  They were from her kiwi bushes, which had a bumper crop this year.  She’s been keeping them in her garage!   It took a little while for them to ripen up all the way, but today at lunch, we enjoyed a whole bowl of tasty slices.

I cooked enchiladas using turkey frozen at Thanksgiving.  I made Mandarin chicken one night.  I’m using lots of canned and frozen items right now.

I had a really good time experimenting with my new InstantPot that I received for Christmas.  I made whole grain rice in it, using up several bits and pieces in the bottom of bags–so it was all colors.  I also made refried beans and had them in the freezer within 1-1/2 hours from when I started.  That was nice.  I think the rice still took about the same amount of time, but it was nice to push a button and be able to walk away, shower, do my hair, etc. while it cooked.  I’m sure I’m behind the times, but I had not seen one of these before, and I’m really excited about learning to use it.

We made smoothies several times with frozen berries from our freezer.  Since I did not preserve by canning or freezing last summer, everything must go!  Everything in the cupboard or freezer is over a year old now,  but still fine.  The smoothies were great!

I used frozen raspberries to make the mini cheesecakes again, this time for our family birthday party we are having tomorrow.  I will buy 1 small carton of berries to garnish with, but I’ll get them in the morning so they are super fresh.  When I tasted the sauce (juice from berries thickened with cornstarch and sugared) it tasted a lot like the raspberry syrup we have canned in the past.  Next time, I may just open a jar of that.  I have several I need to use.

I didn’t need many groceries this week, so I waited until Friday and then just bought the very few things I needed.  I am trying to empty out the fridge a bit from all the holiday food before filling it up again.  I had more time to cook this week, as both Rob and I were on vacation.  Tonight, for New Year’s Eve, Lovana decided we should have a family party at home, so she and Rob ran in and got some ice cream and chips and a Redbox movie.

While I was at the outlet mall with the girls on Tuesday, I bought a couple of things to perk up my wardrobe for really good prices.  I am being really careful to not buy too many things since I don’t have anywhere to put them.  But, since I am using fewer clothing items over and over again, they are showing signs of wear and tear more quickly than when I used to have more clothing items in my much larger closet.  I was given gift cards and $ for Christmas, so I’m looking forward to shopping later for a few more things.

I’ve been spending some of my extra time this week crocheting.  I’ve been experimenting with a new-to-me kind of yarn.  It’s Lion brand and is called Scrubby Sparkle.  The large green “lime” on the left turned out to be a big surprise.  I picked up a direction sheet from JoAnn’s when I bought the yarn.  I thought I was making a small scrubby for washing dishes.  Instead, after following directions, it turned out to be as big as a dishcloth.  So, I looked up a pattern on the internet and made a few scrubbies as well.  The multi-colored ones are done with 1 strand of white Scrubby Sparkle and one strand of leftover Lily Sugar ‘n Cream yarn from the dishcloth.  I love that I found something to do with the little bits of yarn that are always leftover.

Michael’s was running a really good sale on the Sugar ‘n Cream yarn, $1.50 a 2 or 2-1/2 ounce skein, so I went and got a big bag full today.  That’s the best price I’ve seen for a long time around here. I plan to make quite a few dishcloths in the upcoming months.  Yesterday, I also bought a 3-pack of blank dishcloths using my 50% off one item at JoAnn’s.  Because I live in town now, it’s easier to just stop in and get 1-2 things.  I love to do embroidery and people enjoy getting towels for gifts because they can always use another towel:)  I love getting the towels themselves on great sales.  So, whenever I’m in the store and have no other use for my coupon, I get a pack of towels.

We were able to go for dinner at some friends’ house on Wednesday.  It was so good to spend time with good friends.  It’s harder to see people because we have moved out of our previous area.  So, we were delighted to make it work this week.

Merry Christmas!  I hope each and every one of you had as nice of a Christmas as our family did.  It was very special.

Although “saving money” and “Merry Christmas” do not seem to go together, we were able to keep the spending under control during this holiday season, while still having a great holiday.

On Christmas Eve, we took Rob’s mom out to lunch.  We took the gifts for his sisters for her to give to them on Christmas Day.  So, no need to mail anything.  We spent a while visiting with her, both at her house and at the restaurant.  Now that we live a distance from her, it’s harder to get time with her.  I’m glad it worked out for Saturday.

Then, we returned home (over an hour away now), and got ready for our small family Christmas Eve.  We chose to go to church, then eat, do presents, then played Apples to Apples. (We always do our presents on Christmas Eve as a immediate family) Because we spend so much time with extended family (which is wonderful), it was important to me that the evening was made special for just our girls this time.  I made individual raspberry cheesecakes that were a huge hit.  I modified them to be gluten-free. Although I splurged for one carton of raspberries, I was able to use frozen ones from our old place for the rest of the sauce, making it very affordable as a Christmas treat.  I did not choose to purchase mint, but it would have looked even better with mint on top.  I will be growing a bush here, as I did at my old place, once I get organized in the spring.  Ja’Ana whipped up some pickle/cream cheese/lunchmeat rolls and Lovana stirred up some spiced cider in the crock pot.

We cut down on gifts for the big girls, at their suggestion.  We eliminated all little, easy-to-lose stuff and most candy from the stockings and instead gave them gift cards or cash, plus 1 or 2 small things they wanted.  We put a tiny bit of candy and an orange in there, and they were fine. In the end, we spent less, and they can shop for bargains.  J wanted money for our upcoming field trip to San Francisco, so that’s what she got.  L wanted a Macy’s gift card to buy some clothes, so we did that.  Because Patsy is younger and wasn’t quite on the same page, we gave her a few gifts we knew would please her.  Rob and I gave each other some things we needed, such as a new lunch container for Rob’s days at school, an umbrella, etc. for him and he gave me some nice things I needed, too.  We both feel really good about what everyone got, and that we stayed in budget.

We reduced the amount of gifts we gave.  Some people that got one in the past did not get one this year.  I was able to put together nice gifts for Rob’s co-workers with home-made caramel corn, soap and a dishcloth or dishtowel I crocheted or embroidered, for not much money out of pocket.  One lady liked the caramel corn so much, she offered to pay Rob to make some for her to give away.  He gave her the recipe:)

I did not buy Christmas and Thanksgiving outfits for the girls this year, for the first time in years.  I sewed Patsy a festive skirt from some fabric that was in the shop, plus a $2 pattern.   I did need to buy some thread as well.  The biggest challenge with that was finding my sewing stuff–I’m still a bit mixed up here, but I found enough. Rob got Ja’Ana a sweater at Ross Dress for Less for $6 and she wore it on Christmas Eve with jeans she already had.  My sister got them clothes for Christmas and they love them.  They got money to go shopping with, as well.  We are going to take them to an outlet mall this week so they can spend their money.  I’m pretty sure it will be on clothes, but we’ll see….

For extended family, we were able to find some nice things, but did not go overboard there, either.  On Christmas day, we went to church and then spent the day at my sister’s house, doing fondue and spending time together.  5 of our kids were there, plus cousins, aunties, uncles and grandmas.  We missed the ones who couldn’t make it, but are already planning another get-together for next Sunday, where others will join who couldn’t yesterday. Everyone brought food, and we deep-fried, cheese-dipped, and chocolate-fountained to our hearts’ content.  The weather was lovely, and mild, and the view of the river from my sister’s house was serene and peaceful.  Everyone was happy, and there was peace on earth, in our house, at least for a day.  There’s not much more I can ask for:)