This is it! I am taking the plunge and inviting readers and people on the Cecil County Discussion Forum to join me in starting a “frugal club”. Here is an article from Wisebread about what a frugal club is:
http://www.wisebread.com/entertainment-value-start-a-frugal-club
The author gives some great ideas on what a frugal club could do. I envision it as a place to talk about how to save money in particular areas, or talking about what stores have what good deals and maybe doing bulk purchasing of food/goods. I like her ideas for “field trips” and swaps. We could have monthly swaps of things. Maybe one month it is kitchen and dish ware. The next month we could swap toys and kids stuff. These are just my ideas. I am excited to hear other people’s ideas and get this off the ground!
If you would like to join send me an email from the web site or post a comment. In it let me know a good evening of the week for you to meet and what library branches you are willing to travel to. I will take care of getting the room reservations. Bring your ideas on what our frugal club should include in its activities. Tell your friends and see if they want to join. I will also post something on the CCF Discussion List.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Applesauce – The Frugal and Healthy Food
I think applesauce is a great invention. I love to eat it alone or on pork chops. Babies usually are given applesauce as one of their first solid fruits. Applesauce is, also, great in baking as a substitute for oil.
To make applesauce you will need to purchase a large quantity of apples from a local orchard. You can purchase “seconds” from Millburn Orchards. They give you a large paper bag (about 20+ lbs.) for $9.95. Colora Orchards sells apples for $8 a half bushel and $16 a bushel. What is a second? A second is an apple that is, usually bruised, or strange shaped or just not perfect. They are usually fine for eating and excellent for baking.
Once you have your seconds, you will need to store them in a cool, dry place. I put mine out in our unheated, inside porch area (along with the potatoes).Wash, peel, core and cut up as many apples that fit in your crock pot with a few inches at the top to spare. Put a bit of water in (maybe half cup?) and turn the crock pot on to low. You can do this before bed. In the morning, when you wake up, you will have applesauce. All you need to do is mash the apples. In the crock pot you will have extra moisture from the apples so they will not burn over night. You may want to pour off some of the moisture before you start mashing.
For baby food, I also puree the cooked apples in the blender. You can put the rest in jars and refrigerate or freeze some in plastic containers. I also can jars of applesauce.
In winter, we go through a lot because I substitute applesauce in recipes that call for oil. I have used it in brownie mix, pancakes, quick breads and muffins. This is a healthy alternative to oil and no one knows the difference. Whoever discovered this is brilliant!!! I do not know if it is cheaper but it probably is if you make the applesauce yourself from seconds. (Really, the math boggles my mind sometimes!)
Applesauce is, also, a cheap, delicious snack for young children. Instead of buying individual serving containers of the stuff for your child's lunch box, buy a reusable, plastic container and fill it daily. Just make sure your child doesn't throw it away.
Now you know why I love apple sauce!
To make applesauce you will need to purchase a large quantity of apples from a local orchard. You can purchase “seconds” from Millburn Orchards. They give you a large paper bag (about 20+ lbs.) for $9.95. Colora Orchards sells apples for $8 a half bushel and $16 a bushel. What is a second? A second is an apple that is, usually bruised, or strange shaped or just not perfect. They are usually fine for eating and excellent for baking.
Once you have your seconds, you will need to store them in a cool, dry place. I put mine out in our unheated, inside porch area (along with the potatoes).Wash, peel, core and cut up as many apples that fit in your crock pot with a few inches at the top to spare. Put a bit of water in (maybe half cup?) and turn the crock pot on to low. You can do this before bed. In the morning, when you wake up, you will have applesauce. All you need to do is mash the apples. In the crock pot you will have extra moisture from the apples so they will not burn over night. You may want to pour off some of the moisture before you start mashing.
For baby food, I also puree the cooked apples in the blender. You can put the rest in jars and refrigerate or freeze some in plastic containers. I also can jars of applesauce.
In winter, we go through a lot because I substitute applesauce in recipes that call for oil. I have used it in brownie mix, pancakes, quick breads and muffins. This is a healthy alternative to oil and no one knows the difference. Whoever discovered this is brilliant!!! I do not know if it is cheaper but it probably is if you make the applesauce yourself from seconds. (Really, the math boggles my mind sometimes!)
Applesauce is, also, a cheap, delicious snack for young children. Instead of buying individual serving containers of the stuff for your child's lunch box, buy a reusable, plastic container and fill it daily. Just make sure your child doesn't throw it away.
Now you know why I love apple sauce!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Agricultural Extension Offices
I love going to different agricultural extension offices’ web sites. They are wonderful gems of information on how to shop, prepare foods, create budgets, and live frugally. This is a link to the USDA website with links to all 50 states’ agricultural extension offices.
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/
One of my favorite extension web sites is for the state of Michigan. Their Furthering Families web site has basic information on weathering financial storms (as well as what to do if you have a Bovine TB positive animal!) http://www.fcs.msue.msu.edu/ff/financialmanagement.html . They also have a Financial Matters web site that gives good budgeting information as well as other good financial information. http://www.fm.fcs.msue.msu.edu/
The Maryland extension web site is not as large as Michigan’s. Here is a link to the publications that you can get from them on family and financial issues:
http://extension.umd.edu/publications/Category.cfm?ID=A
The Cecil web site does advertise a few classes that are being given and also gives you a name of who to contact. You can probably contact the agent to be put on a notify list. But, all in all, I don’t think Maryland has much going for their web site.
Delaware has a great web site and produces a newsletter called “Two Cent Tips for Delaware”. Notice the left hand side of the page has different personal financial issues that you can click on and get great information. They also have links to some federal government resources.
Delaware’s Ag extension gives classes on money management topics. I see the flyers in the main branch of the Cecil Public Library. Here is a link to the New Castle County monthly calendar:
http://ag.udel.edu/WebCalendar/month.php?user=_NUC_NCC_Extension
Pennsylvania has a nice web site too. Here is a link to their family financial planning and consumer affairs publications web site: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/PubSubject.asp?varSubject=Family%20Financial%20Planning%20and%20Consumer%20Affairs
They have a multi-part series on what to do if your income drops. With 10.2% unemployment, this could come in handy. Each county in Pennsylvania has its own web site I urge you to explore different counties’ web sites under the Families and Children area (on the left side of the screen click on this topic). A wealth of information is available!
In addition to financial planning issues, the web sites contain a huge amount of information on canning and preserving, which is a great frugal activity. If you are planting a garden you can get gardening advice here too. I planted my first garden this year and these web sites will be invaluable for planning next year’s garden!
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/
One of my favorite extension web sites is for the state of Michigan. Their Furthering Families web site has basic information on weathering financial storms (as well as what to do if you have a Bovine TB positive animal!) http://www.fcs.msue.msu.edu/ff/financialmanagement.html . They also have a Financial Matters web site that gives good budgeting information as well as other good financial information. http://www.fm.fcs.msue.msu.edu/
The Maryland extension web site is not as large as Michigan’s. Here is a link to the publications that you can get from them on family and financial issues:
http://extension.umd.edu/publications/Category.cfm?ID=A
The Cecil web site does advertise a few classes that are being given and also gives you a name of who to contact. You can probably contact the agent to be put on a notify list. But, all in all, I don’t think Maryland has much going for their web site.
Delaware has a great web site and produces a newsletter called “Two Cent Tips for Delaware”. Notice the left hand side of the page has different personal financial issues that you can click on and get great information. They also have links to some federal government resources.
Delaware’s Ag extension gives classes on money management topics. I see the flyers in the main branch of the Cecil Public Library. Here is a link to the New Castle County monthly calendar:
http://ag.udel.edu/WebCalendar/month.php?user=_NUC_NCC_Extension
Pennsylvania has a nice web site too. Here is a link to their family financial planning and consumer affairs publications web site: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/PubSubject.asp?varSubject=Family%20Financial%20Planning%20and%20Consumer%20Affairs
They have a multi-part series on what to do if your income drops. With 10.2% unemployment, this could come in handy. Each county in Pennsylvania has its own web site I urge you to explore different counties’ web sites under the Families and Children area (on the left side of the screen click on this topic). A wealth of information is available!
In addition to financial planning issues, the web sites contain a huge amount of information on canning and preserving, which is a great frugal activity. If you are planting a garden you can get gardening advice here too. I planted my first garden this year and these web sites will be invaluable for planning next year’s garden!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Winter Illnesses - the Frugal Way
It has been almost 2 weeks since my 17 year old daughter brought home the H1N1 illness to the house. It swept through our three teen agers, one boy friend and myself. My husband was the only one that didn't get it but he may have been vaccinated back in the 70's. I am still not recovered but everyone else is doing fine. I am on day 3 of acute laryngitis. Hopefully, I will be back to normal by Monday since I am giving a presentation at the North East Library on Tuesday at 6 pm!
Being ill with colds, flu, stomach bugs, etc. can be frugal! I have found that we do nothing that costs money like shop for things or go out for entertainment purposes. We have saved some serious money by being sick. However, our running out to purchase quick food options and sick room supplies eats up any cost savings from not going out to shop. I decided that with a bit of planning, being sick need not take its toll on your budget as well as your body. Here is a list of things that you can do in advance to be ready for the inevitable winter illnesses.
1. Keep over the counter medications on hand. Always have the family's favorite cold remedies, anti-diarrheal medications, and fever relievers on hand all winter long. Don't wait to run out before buying more. I use generic medications and purchase them at Wal-Mart. Next week I will make sure they are in my shopping cart so I can replenish the supply.
2. Keep a store of tissues on hand. Same as above. Always have 3-6 boxes as back up in the cabinets.
3. Keep a supply of frozen meals for those nights when adults are too sick to cook. You can defrost a home-made, previously frozen dinner in the morning. This will keep the calls out for pizza to a minimum.
4. Canned soup or frozen, small portions of home-made soup, should be kept on hand. We go through a surprising number of Ramen noodle packages as well as a pot of chicken noodle soup (also referred to as "Jewish penicillin" in our family!) when we get sick.
5. Hide away a few bottles of ginger ale or 7up when they go on sale. Inevitably, someone will come down with a stomach ailment and not be able to drink anything but clear sodas.
6. If there is an adult that is able to, hit the library for DVD's and books. Especially for kids, this can make lying on the couch, feeling terrible, much more bearable.
Hope this helps you to get through your winter illnesses in a frugal fashion.
Being ill with colds, flu, stomach bugs, etc. can be frugal! I have found that we do nothing that costs money like shop for things or go out for entertainment purposes. We have saved some serious money by being sick. However, our running out to purchase quick food options and sick room supplies eats up any cost savings from not going out to shop. I decided that with a bit of planning, being sick need not take its toll on your budget as well as your body. Here is a list of things that you can do in advance to be ready for the inevitable winter illnesses.
1. Keep over the counter medications on hand. Always have the family's favorite cold remedies, anti-diarrheal medications, and fever relievers on hand all winter long. Don't wait to run out before buying more. I use generic medications and purchase them at Wal-Mart. Next week I will make sure they are in my shopping cart so I can replenish the supply.
2. Keep a store of tissues on hand. Same as above. Always have 3-6 boxes as back up in the cabinets.
3. Keep a supply of frozen meals for those nights when adults are too sick to cook. You can defrost a home-made, previously frozen dinner in the morning. This will keep the calls out for pizza to a minimum.
4. Canned soup or frozen, small portions of home-made soup, should be kept on hand. We go through a surprising number of Ramen noodle packages as well as a pot of chicken noodle soup (also referred to as "Jewish penicillin" in our family!) when we get sick.
5. Hide away a few bottles of ginger ale or 7up when they go on sale. Inevitably, someone will come down with a stomach ailment and not be able to drink anything but clear sodas.
6. If there is an adult that is able to, hit the library for DVD's and books. Especially for kids, this can make lying on the couch, feeling terrible, much more bearable.
Hope this helps you to get through your winter illnesses in a frugal fashion.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
“You Buy Cheap, You Get Cheap!”
This is one of the famous sayings of my college boyfriend’s grandpa. (The other famous saying we don’t mention in polite company!) Over the years I have found that Grandpa B. was correct. It is often better to spend money on a good product than to buy a cheap product.
I found this to be true when I landed a great deal on a pot and pan set from a major retailer. This huge set with 7 pots and pans and 5 utensils to go with them, ended up being about $49 after I bought it with coupons, etc. I returned them in 10 weeks and got my money back (always keep that receipt!). They ended up being terrible. For no stick cookware, they had a huge amount of blackened crud on them. The clerk told me that they get many sets returned.
When the clerk gave me my cash, I bought a set of well known cookware, on sale, and about twice what I paid for the original set. However, the difference is that several years later we are still using these pots and pans (except for the one that my husband burned to a crisp when I was out of town).
I bought cheap, I got cheap. It pays to buy a good brand but at a reduced price. Buying garbage is annoying and, often, you must replace the junk more often. Buying quality goods for a cheaper price is better than buying cheap goods for a cheap price.
I did find out that the cook ware set that I bought to replace the garbage set was also available at Big Lots for about $50, which is about $50 less than I paid for it. After I found that out and kicked myself, I decided that I needed to remember that for the future. So, buy good cook ware at a great price at Big Lots in the future. And buy quality goods, take care of them and you will end up paying less than if you bought cheap.
I found this to be true when I landed a great deal on a pot and pan set from a major retailer. This huge set with 7 pots and pans and 5 utensils to go with them, ended up being about $49 after I bought it with coupons, etc. I returned them in 10 weeks and got my money back (always keep that receipt!). They ended up being terrible. For no stick cookware, they had a huge amount of blackened crud on them. The clerk told me that they get many sets returned.
When the clerk gave me my cash, I bought a set of well known cookware, on sale, and about twice what I paid for the original set. However, the difference is that several years later we are still using these pots and pans (except for the one that my husband burned to a crisp when I was out of town).
I bought cheap, I got cheap. It pays to buy a good brand but at a reduced price. Buying garbage is annoying and, often, you must replace the junk more often. Buying quality goods for a cheaper price is better than buying cheap goods for a cheap price.
I did find out that the cook ware set that I bought to replace the garbage set was also available at Big Lots for about $50, which is about $50 less than I paid for it. After I found that out and kicked myself, I decided that I needed to remember that for the future. So, buy good cook ware at a great price at Big Lots in the future. And buy quality goods, take care of them and you will end up paying less than if you bought cheap.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
When is a Deal not a Deal?
I have been peaking into some of the blogs and frugal web sites that I visit. I notice that many of the web sites are devoted to giving out information on "good deals" on all sorts of consumer goods. Some are devoted to giving out discount shopping codes for internet shopping web sites.
The thought struck me that there are plenty of people who go onto Ebay or other shopping web sites and purchase things for fun. It is great if they can get a discount code but often they are spending money they don't have on things they don't need. That is exactly when a deal is not a deal.
Many of the frugal forums I visit have people talking about "no spend days". This means different things to different people. Some include, as a no spend day, a day that a person buys a tank of gas or other necessities. Others mean NO money spent only. What they all agree on is that spending money on things that are not essential is not the way to be frugal.
Challenge yourself to define, for you, what a no spend day is and then set a goal of a particular number of days in a week (or a month) that you do not spend money. Set a reasonable goal (say 2/7 days) and then increase it as time goes on. You will be surprised how much money you actually save!
The thought struck me that there are plenty of people who go onto Ebay or other shopping web sites and purchase things for fun. It is great if they can get a discount code but often they are spending money they don't have on things they don't need. That is exactly when a deal is not a deal.
Many of the frugal forums I visit have people talking about "no spend days". This means different things to different people. Some include, as a no spend day, a day that a person buys a tank of gas or other necessities. Others mean NO money spent only. What they all agree on is that spending money on things that are not essential is not the way to be frugal.
Challenge yourself to define, for you, what a no spend day is and then set a goal of a particular number of days in a week (or a month) that you do not spend money. Set a reasonable goal (say 2/7 days) and then increase it as time goes on. You will be surprised how much money you actually save!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Frugal Dates (Pt. 3) - Cecil County Frugal Dates
This part of the Frugal Dates series is a list of ideas for frugal dates in our area. These ideas won’t include references to where to walk and get coffee which is in this article.
One of the followers on here, Committed Recycler, suggested making a list of fun, frugal things to do. That way, if there are no events in the community, couples can choose from the list of ideas for a date. I thought that was a wonderful idea and will work on that this weekend. Check the Cecil Whig calendar section for frugal events. This is a great resource for knowing what there is to do in the local area. The online calendar is different than the print version. I find the print version has many more things listed on it.
Here is a list of ideas of where to go and what to do for frugal dates in the Cecil County area.
University of Delaware has great entertainment and a few museums. Here is a calendar that is updated daily. Some things are expensive and some even free.
Cecil College also has some budget performances in the Millburn Stone Theatre. There are other things, such as sports events, on campus.
Washington College also has some lectures, films and other events. Many are not for the general public so make sure before you go that you can attend.
Sports events are very cheap if you go to local high school or college events. My husband usually goes to a UD football game every year with one of my daughters. He also has taken her to UD women’s basketball games. They were cheap “dates” and they even gave the kids posters of the team.
Restaurant.com is a way to purchase restaurant gift certificates for less money. A $25 certificate usually sells for $10. There are several restaurants in and around the county that offer certificates. Sometimes they have an 80% or 90% sale on certificates. I bought some for my daughters last year for Christmas and they enjoyed some nice lunches out without having to pay anything.
On the first Sunday of the month the Philadelphia Museum of Art has pay what you wish all day. I usually drop in a $5 bill and spend a few hours there. The Rodin Museum has a suggested contribution of $5 per person. Becoming a member of any of the Philadelphia museums is usually more cost effective than paying on a per visit basis.
The Delaware Art Museum also offers free admission on Sundays.
I think the one thing to take away from here is if you would like to see a museum or an historical sight, always check the web first to see if there is a day when admission is free.
Since we are heading into the cold weather, I am thinking of indoor things to do. Summer, when the weather is nice, one can swim cheaply at Elk Neck State Park or hike for $3 at Fair Hill Natural Resources Area. A one year park pass that is good at all the State Parks is only $75. You can usually buy and use it several months before the new year starts.
It is $10 a night for spectators at the Cecil County Dragway. On Sunday, it is $12 a day. Check the website for more information.
One of my favorite things to do is to wander around the streets of all our little tourist towns. I window shop, look in the stores, maybe buy a little something, and then have an ice cream or a cup of coffee. This is fun and also helps to support some of our local businesses. This can back fire if you find some expensive item that cries out to you “Buy me! Even if you don’t need me, you WANT me!” Just ignore that little voice and all will be frugal.
One of the followers on here, Committed Recycler, suggested making a list of fun, frugal things to do. That way, if there are no events in the community, couples can choose from the list of ideas for a date. I thought that was a wonderful idea and will work on that this weekend. Check the Cecil Whig calendar section for frugal events. This is a great resource for knowing what there is to do in the local area. The online calendar is different than the print version. I find the print version has many more things listed on it.
Here is a list of ideas of where to go and what to do for frugal dates in the Cecil County area.
University of Delaware has great entertainment and a few museums. Here is a calendar that is updated daily. Some things are expensive and some even free.
Cecil College also has some budget performances in the Millburn Stone Theatre. There are other things, such as sports events, on campus.
Washington College also has some lectures, films and other events. Many are not for the general public so make sure before you go that you can attend.
Sports events are very cheap if you go to local high school or college events. My husband usually goes to a UD football game every year with one of my daughters. He also has taken her to UD women’s basketball games. They were cheap “dates” and they even gave the kids posters of the team.
Restaurant.com is a way to purchase restaurant gift certificates for less money. A $25 certificate usually sells for $10. There are several restaurants in and around the county that offer certificates. Sometimes they have an 80% or 90% sale on certificates. I bought some for my daughters last year for Christmas and they enjoyed some nice lunches out without having to pay anything.
On the first Sunday of the month the Philadelphia Museum of Art has pay what you wish all day. I usually drop in a $5 bill and spend a few hours there. The Rodin Museum has a suggested contribution of $5 per person. Becoming a member of any of the Philadelphia museums is usually more cost effective than paying on a per visit basis.
The Delaware Art Museum also offers free admission on Sundays.
I think the one thing to take away from here is if you would like to see a museum or an historical sight, always check the web first to see if there is a day when admission is free.
Since we are heading into the cold weather, I am thinking of indoor things to do. Summer, when the weather is nice, one can swim cheaply at Elk Neck State Park or hike for $3 at Fair Hill Natural Resources Area. A one year park pass that is good at all the State Parks is only $75. You can usually buy and use it several months before the new year starts.
It is $10 a night for spectators at the Cecil County Dragway. On Sunday, it is $12 a day. Check the website for more information.
One of my favorite things to do is to wander around the streets of all our little tourist towns. I window shop, look in the stores, maybe buy a little something, and then have an ice cream or a cup of coffee. This is fun and also helps to support some of our local businesses. This can back fire if you find some expensive item that cries out to you “Buy me! Even if you don’t need me, you WANT me!” Just ignore that little voice and all will be frugal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)