Ways to Cut Costs

After taking Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (FPU) in the fall of 2009, much has changed in our lives. We took the class and then we personally were rocked when the economy bottomed out and we found ourselves making HALF of what we had been just a month prior.

Thankfully, we knew how to do our budget, and stick to it, after FPU so, we got to it! Here are some ways we cut costs:

~ Know your priorities and take care of them first. For us, it was 1) our home 2) our car 3) our children's private education and at the top was, tithing. If something needed paid and those 4 things hadn't been taken care of, the answer was simply, "No." Notice I didn't say easily, "no."

~ If you had debts, like us, don't be afraid to ask for a hardship relief situation. After explaining our financial shortfalls, many were willing to work with us.

~ Keep your word. If you tell a debtor that you will pay $10 each month, DO IT! The worse thing in this situation is to not pay the amount you promised. If you can not keep your word, don't give it. Simply say, "I am not able to committ to a monthly amount at this time."

~ Cut optional expenses. These include eating out, want versus need purchases, phone packages, cell phones, data plans, texting plans, internet, cable, netflix, redbox, gym memberships... We looked at and cut MOST of these options since 2009.

~ Cook from scratch.
~ Eat at home.
~ NEVER waste food! Eat leftovers - freeze them if needed and then eat them in a week so they don't seem like "leftovers" if that is an issue for your family.
~ Cook once - eat twice! This saves money!!! Cook a larger quantity of meat up and then use that meat for the weeks meals.
~ Go meatless AT LEAST once a week. Use eggs or lentils as your protein.

~ Learn how to say, "No." No to kids fundraisers, No to girls nights, boys nights, No to cool home shows that are selling wants and not needs... you get the idea.

~ Stop buying gifts. Make them or give gift certificates for services you can provide - babysitting, cleaning their home, raking leaves, washing windows, breakfast in bed, dishes for a week... the ideas are endless!

~ Ask your family what they enjoy doing. You will be surprised at their answers. Ours ranged from playing outside, family game night to just hanging out together.

~ Monitor your utilities! Work with your utility companies to see how you can cut costs. This was HUGE for us.

~ Have a garden. Learn to preserve the bounty.

~ Stock up on staples so you know you always have food to eat.

~ Menu Plan.

~ Grocery shop once a month.

~ Stay healthy... be willing to treat yourself for minor things to save on medical costs. This does not mean don't go to the doctor if you need to. Sometimes we go (or take our children) for minor things like colds. Be willing to see if intervention is needed. Our experience has been rest, OTC meds and hydration took care of their ailments.

~ Last but not least: DO NOT SPEND MORE THAN YOU MAKE. PEROID.

First Day

School has been in session one month this week and I'm just posting First Day 2011 pictures.

All the kids, The youngest was not to be left out!

Our grown up 8th grader!

How is it possible that this is her Senior year??? I cry over this fact often.

And here is the first child I gave birth to... 2nd Grade came fast.

Canning Season 2011

Canning season is underway. In past years, I have purchased most of the stuff I was canning and so it was a huge project that plumb wore me out but it was over in a matter of days...

Now, I am canning from the garden so it seems like a never ending canning season. One batch today, two yesterday, one tomorrow, all spread out, taking FOREVER!

I know I prefer the first way as far as my time goes and having canning stuff out forever but price wise, my investment were the plants or seeds (some were free), my organic spray I use from Melaleuca and our time.

So, I guess I prefer the way I'm doing it this year as opposed to past years since my quarts of green beans and tomatoes have become pennies to the dollar now and they're exactly what I want - natural, no chemicals and I know what we're getting.

Jams have been made and canned, too, using Chillover Powder from MaryJane's Farm. I LOVE IT! I need to order some more so I can finish my jam making for the year.

Back to grindstone, I'm ready for quilting days to come.

EGGS, Costco and LOCO, I mean Local

Coming to you LIVE from JOY'S SOAPBOX...

This past June, we adopted 13 hens. Then, deciding we were't getting enough eggs, we got 11 more, making a total of 24 hens. Well, they are laying and we're getting about a dozen eggs a day. YAY! Since we have a surplus, we decided to try to sell them and went with the going Farmer's Market rates since we were feeding these little ladies organic feed; which is $3.50/dozen.

I was surpised when on a trip to Costco this summer, I saw they had LOCAL organic eggs for sale. I wondered who was providing them since it is really hard and expensive to get organic feed in Idaho. Then the Costco Connection came out. http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201108?pg=26#pg28
I am so upset that Costco thinks Utah is local for Idaho! Is this really what you think of when you are told something is locally raised or grown? Another state?

I don't. I think local means just that, LOCAL. Sure, it's local to people in Lewiston, UT where Oakdell Egg Farms are located. It's not local for me.

So, check things out and be sure what you are buying is what you want to be buying. If you want local farm fresh eggs from hens that are fed 100% organic feed and scratch that I mix together myself to ensure the best and freshest possible, then look no farther! Unless you're not in my neck of the woods then find someone in your neck of the woods....

I just get so frustrated for people who want to buy local and organic and fair trade and they think are meeting their goals only to be disappointed by words and definitions.

That's it for today, coming to you live from Joy's Soapbox, signing off...