Barter; It's Frugal!

Recently, I made a suggestion to someone about bartering.

15 years ago, I had no idea what that even meant!

But several years ago, I had a very kind friend whose husband was starting a new dental office. (They had been in missions as dental workers.) They were likely on a strict budget, coming off the mission field, and they had a young daughter too. They had attained a building but needed several things done to get it fixed up and ready. I volunteered to help her paint and anything else that I could do to help. I just had 3 children at the time and they played with her daughter while me and my friend painted. We took turns overseeing the children, the whole while painting and cleaning. After I had helped her some, she brought up bartering and said that she wanted to repay me by offering me free dental service if I needed! What an exchange, huh?!!!?!

I also have a couple of books here by Ronda Barfield which I have enjoyed very much. It gave me a great place to start on living more frugally, years ago, as a young and unlearned mother. Her books mention bartering in several places.

I've also heard from many ladies who go pick fruit and other things, in exchange for a couple of jars of jam (when they often are allowed to pick bushels!).

My neighbor gave me some apples and pears last year that she had picked somewhere and just ask for a jar of 'preserves' or 'something' in exchange! What a blessing!

There are several online "Bartering" sites that you can sign up with and list your services and ask for services. I heard of one man offering to do 'home repairs' for dental service for his wife! And there is soooo much more and there are many of those sites!

There is also Freecycle on the net. You can sign up by county, even those surrounding you, and get emails when new listings are posted. The ONE RULE is everything MUST BE free! But you can make requests for things that you need as well as make offers of things you are looking to get rid of. Yesterday in my county, someone was looking for some twin beds for free and there was someone giving away free kittens. Another day you may find someone offering free kid's clothes and yet another asking for some. It's a neat system!

Bartering is a great and frugal way to attain things that can seem out of reach! Perhaps you could start a bartering system with your close friends? Make a list of things you have to offer or services that you can provide, and then attach a list of things that you would consider bartering for; then send it around to your friends and family whom you know to be frugally minded!

Perhaps we should do this in blogland? I don't know but the possibilities are endless!

But be creative! And think!
Can you sew, clean, mend, cook, walk a dog, board a pet, babysit, tutor? type? bake? knit? teach a few ladies a certain skill- cooking or gardening? make soaps? etc?
What do you have extra of? garden foods? food from your favorite hunter piled up in your freezer? extra fabric stacked to the ceiling? old homeschool material? kid's clothes? adult clothes? video games? toys? fresh baked goods? manure or compost for gardens? coupons that you won't use? home decor? kitchen gadgets that you won't use?

You gals remember me telling you about one of my bartering friends? (Just in case you haven't, you can look under my sewing label for more about that.)

If you can't think of anything, ask the Lord to show you!
He's a big God!!!

Can their be quick and fairly healthy meals for the working/busy mom?PT2

That's what a lot of my recipes, especially the ones for lunch, are allllllll about!

There's endless lists of quick and frugal meals, within a reasonable 'healthy' boundary to keep on hand! (Some of you reading may know why I'm posting this...there's no real reason NOT to feed your family, is there?)

Quick Meals:
-spaghetti - this is a no-brainer and if you wanna be healthier, there's organic sauces and pasta for a reasonable price - I just bought organic pasta last week for the same price as the regular!

-Burritos- fry meat with chopped onion, drain season -add precut lettuce OR I often use baby spinach in the place of lettuce for a quicker and healthier alternative and chopped tomatoes and pre-shredded cheese * or do refried beans with cheese

-Tyson has frozen chicken breasts with no hormones etc Lay these out the night before, sprinkle with seasoning salt and parmesan cheese. Put potatoes in the oven while preparing chicken and bake the potatoes with the chicken! Done!

-See my recipe for salmon loaf. Mix it up in the morning, toss it in the oven when you get home. Check kid's homework, the mail, etc. Steam some peas and carrots. Done!

-Roast, potatoes, carrots in the crock! 15 minutes in the morning- great meal in the evening!

THERE YOU GO- FIVE MEALS IN MINUTES!
No need to tell them to grab a hotdog and nuke it!

Can there be fast and healthy snacks for the working/busy mom? PT 1

YES! Here's a sample list of some things to keep on hand for 'quick foods'!

-raisins...you don't have to buy the ones in a box just keep them in a ziploc with small empty yogurt cups to scoop out a nice serving!

-apples

-whole grain bread ...toast and jelly-super quick or toast and peanut butter

-bananas

-boiled eggs in the fridge

-yogurt

-nuts, even soaked per N.T. can be stored in the fridge in serving size bags or containers

-beef jerky....you can make this yourself if you like or buy some!

-grapes

-roasted peanuts

-popcorn

ALL OF THESE ARE QUICK, FAIRLY FRUGAL, AND mostly HEALTHY!

No need to tell them to go grab a Little Debbie or potato chips!

Frugal Make-up?

Well, I'm not sure there is such a thing, unless of course you are going from Merle Norman to Drug Store Brands...and if so...(oh how I miss M.N. products..)..this site may have a few tips that you can find very helpful to your face and your pocket book! It's called "The Frugal Face".

Grocery Shopping Fun

My Once a Month Shopping Trip went so well this time. I was so blessed everywhere that I went.


It may sound odd to some, but I sincerely pray over my shopping and most times over meal preparation. (You never know what my happen around my stove ya know!)


Why? Well, I pray that God will help me to make wise and healthy choices for my family and also that He would lead me to the right 'deals' so as to help me keep within my frugal budget!;-)


Here's some of the deals that I found:


Bread Store-

2 packs of 24 buns for .99

3 loaves of whole grain Bunny bread for 2.19

4 loaves of dark wheat for .50 cents each



At IGA,

a whole ham for $5 (I know, I know, -we usually don't eat this, but DH loves them so its a treat for him)

medium eggs- .50 a dozen (only bought 2 cuz 'yard eggs' were coming!)

cantaloupes-$1 each-bought 5

2 packs of old, I mean ripe, tomatoes and peppers for 60 plus cents each

organic red grapes for .99 a pound (bought 6 lbs)-they had ran out of the sale-priced grapes and sub-ed with these-what luck! rather, what blessing!

Turkey bologna- .99 (bought 2)

Blackberry Jam- $1.25

Turkey-- .49 a pound (I asked the owner if he had one in the back and he offered me this one because it had a small tear in the plastic and told me if it wasn't good to toss it out and he would replace it for free!)

4 roasts for about $4 each

5 -4lb bags of frozen chicken for $20

green onions- .25 per pack

6 red del. apples- .69

Honey, wild flower and clover mixed..not a such a good price but this honey is OUTSTANDING



At Save-a-lot,

package of 6 onions for .69

bags of precut slaw for .50 (bought 4)

whole wheat noodles-$1.29 (bought 3)

frozen veggies- .80 to $1 (lima beans, stir-fry veges, crowder peas, speckled butter beans, broccoli normandy, etc)

vanilla- .99

sweet potatoes- .79lb

ripe bananas- .90 to $1 for packages with about 10 in them-bought 4



At Leo's,

watermelon- $4.99

chicken breasts- 99 lb

round steak- $3 plus

Toilet tissue- $4.99 (Cottonelle! yah!)

onions- $1.49/3lbs

cabbage- 3lbs for $1

carrots- 2lbs for $1.29

apples- $3.29 (gala-s! yummy!)

peaches- $1.29 lb





At Dollar General Market,

Low-sugar syrup- .99

Ground turkey- .99lb

Frozen veggies .80 to $1 (corn, peas, mixed veggies, etc)

oats- $1.39


At Kroger I had a real blast! I thought I was going to upset some folks but by the time I got finished and my savings were announced--they all wanted to know how I did it!
When the guy totaled me, my order was over $200. Somewhere around $220. Then he scanned my card and rang up all my coupons, for a total savings of $98.59! Looking at the receipt, my total paid was $117.00! How does this average up? Well, I bought a total of 99 items which means I saved about a $1 on every item that I bought! God is so good to help me!

Here's some of what I bought, including a chocolate splurge;
4 bags of Dove on sale for 2-$3.99- I had 2 B1G1F coupons and 2 for $1.50 off. So $1 for 4 bags of Dove made it simply irresistible!!!!!!!
Promise Spread 2-$2.95- had 2 coupons for .50 off which was doubled so 2 of them for .95
Yogurt on sale 2-$4 and had coupon for $1 off -bought 4 pks for $4
Kraft BBQ - .79 had coupon for $1 off 3 (3 for $1.37?)
String Cheese- $3.50- coupon for $1 off
Wh.Wh. Rotini- $1.69- coupon for .55 off-doubled
Smart Mayo -$2.49 coupon for .50
Kroger Yogurt- 5/$2 bought 10, coupon for .50, doubled
Lots of frozen veggies- .90 to $1 (brussel sprouts, chopped broc., peas and carrots, turnip greens, etc)
cereal- 2/$5- coupon for $1 off each box and store coupon for $3 off 5 boxes ($4.50 for 5 boxes)
Rice- markdown .74, coupon for .60 off
Colgate- $1.50- $1.50 off coupon


I'll stop here......but I just wanted to encourage those of you who shop for deals!
Also, shopping once a month, like I do, means we eat the fresh veggies first (sometimes I freeze some things, like chopped peppers and onions) then later we eat our frozen veggies and fruit!

MAKING YOUR OWN CLEANERS

Yesterday was spent doing much of the 'odds and ends' sort of jobs around here.

-the pulleys and clothesline was strung (then I rushed to wash some sheets to string out on it!)

-laundry detergent was made*using 1 bar of Ivory(grated), 1 cup soda, 1 cup Borax and a pot full of boiling water

-hand soap was made- scraps of bar soap approx equal to one bar of soap, dissolved in 3 to 4 cups boiling hot water --Bottles were filled and the rest stored in the old gallon container

-(all-purpose) lemon-vinegar spray was put into bottles* a quart of vinegar with the remainder of a lemon rind, steeped for days--then fill up with warm water

************************************************************************************

Here's a neat site with some other recipes: http://squeegeeclean.net/supplies.aspx

Here's one I found that sounded good, but I haven't tried it yet.

Glass cleaner: 1/4 cup vinegar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 quart of war water

How much is a (frugal) clothesline? Well, this one here, with mounts and pulleys, was $5.50!
-Bought at Big Lots- Pretty neat!

FRUGAL TIPS FOR THOSE IN COLLEGE

BELOW YOU WILL FIND ABOUT 15 DIFFERENT POSTS DEALING WITH WAYS TO HELP COLLEGE STUDENTS STRETCH THEIR $$$$$ AND STILL EAT!-----PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR OWN TIPS OR LINKS TO YOUR SITE WITH TIPS------------------- I live in a small college town and I have ran into people that I refer to my sites, so please feel free to offer any advice for them here!------Blessings!

Tips for my college friend

TIPS FOR COLLEGE KIDS/DORM GALS! ::::::Being FRUGAL in college is a must for most! I hope these tips will help you gals out!...... Pitch in and buy a big bag of POTATOES and some smart balance spread. You girls can have baked potatoes for lunch for a week!............ Buy a large container of OATMEAL($1.39 at Dollar General Market for large container.), cook in microwave or if you only have the toaster oven, you can bake it for several minutes (perhaps while you take a quick shower). You girls can have oatmeal for 2 weeks!........... For supper or lunch, try heating some chili hot beans,refried beans, pinto beans, or black beans or a mix of all 3 and heating. Serve with tortillas with chopped onions, salsa cheese on a tortilla wraps, like a burrito. The beans are about .39 a can(buy 2), salsa is about a $1, shredded cheese is 1.79, and wraps are about $2 for 8 to 10 wraps, an onion is about .30. (You can chop the onions and store in fridge in a ziploc or a clean empty sour cream, yogurt, or butter container. They are FREE!) This whole meal would cost less than $6 and would feed two of you for 3 to 5 days!

CHECK OUT CRYSTAL'S BLOG AND HER MANY TIPS ONHOW TO LIVE ON LESS:
http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/2008/01/frugal-friday-financial-shape-in-2008.html

Toilet Paper and College, and I'm not talking about 'rolling'

TIPS FOR COLLEGE KIDS!:::: Bathroom paper: If you are still paying a dollar for 4 rolls of cheap paper---there's a better way kiddo!----- The name brands (Cottonelle, Charmin, Northern, etc) go on sale often for 4.99 for the 24 roll pack or the 12 double roll packs. And yes the double rolls are double! At that price-you can come out paying about .83 for 4 rolls!!!!!

Fruit for the College Kid, I mean young person:-)

FRUIT FOR THE COLLEGE KID!::::: Fruit doesn't always cross the minds of college kids, but with its natural benefits for your health, it should be considered!:::::::: This week at LEO'S on Spring Street, you can buy 8 pounds of apples or naval oranges for $3.99. This would be great for your breakfast or lunch. This would be plenty for 2-4 of your girls for a week! Girls- don't neglect your health! You need the vitamins and fiber!---Do I sound like your mother? Sorry! :-)

College and Cleaning

Tips for COLLEGE and Dorms!::: Girls, you can use vinegar as a natural cleaner/disinfectant and its a food product for those of you who get assistance! Use an empty spray bottle and if you like you can add a touch of some other cleaner for smell (Pine-Sol or Mr. Clean or Fabulous). Spray liberally on sinks and showers, etc. ........ Another tip: to keep germies out of your dishrags and sponges, nuke them in the microwave for 2minutes each! It heats and dries them so germs can't build log cabins in them!

Veggies for College!

VEGGIES FOR COLLEGE!::: Girls, you can get fresh veggies and at a fair price. IGA often has great deals, check out the buggie at the back for marked down produce if you plan to eat it within a day or two. (Don't use anything with mold!)--- You often can buy baby carrots for $1 a bag and munch on them. Zucchini is also good sliced, raw. ... My kids keep fat-free ranch handy in the fridge for dipping their veggies.... You can put the word out to keep containers such as those you buy with the following in; yogurt, spread butter, sour cream, etc....... Clean and use your containers for storing celery sticks (buy celery 2 for $1 at IGA this week and .88 at WalMart). --Wash celery and cut up into 'sticks'..... Slice carrots, zucchini, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. and store in your containers to munch on at lunch and supper. ::::: You girls could also lightly boil/steam them in your little toaster oven with a bit of creativity! (oven-proof dish or pan, a little water, a dash of salt and/or other seasonings). Once steamed, they can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days........ For $6 or so, you girls could buy enough veggies to last all week! ..... Yes, your Mom was right, eat your veggies! :-)

Use Coupons- college kiddos

FRUGAL COLLEGE TIPS::::: Coupon! ---yes it pays off! Take turns buying the Sunday paper and/or let folks know back home that you are collecting coupons. Have them clip and send. For the price of a stamp, they could mail you several dollars worth of savings! ....Set up a place in your dorm or other frequented place for coupons. (Make sure it's kept nice and neat; no need for messes that might cause a discontinuance of the project!) ...... Kroger and Leo's do "double coupons" every day! And Leo's will triple coupons that are .26 and under! .....This can save you BUNCHES! ---IF you learn the system! (I have other postings on this for ideas...) Briefly, this is how they work best::: 1) Just because you have a coupon does not mean that you should use, but leave it in the store if you like for me (coupon fairy!). 2) Think of coupons as money! 3) Try to target items that are already on sale. For example; (let's say) General Mills cereals are on sale at Kroger (Cheerios, Chex, Wheaties, etc.)for 2 for $4. Now, you could buy a generic brand cheaper at Save-a-lot or Dollar General Market, BUT, if you have a coupon for General Mills cereals you can get the name brand for about half the price of the off-brand. HOW?!?!.... OK, the sale is 2 for $4, you have a two coupons for .50 cents off per box. Kroger doubles the coupon which makes it a dollar off per box so you get each box for a buck! Yes, that's 2 boxes for 2 bucks!.... And--you don't usually have to buy 2 boxes to get the special price. ..... Try it! Call around the stores to learn more about their policies. Be creative in your search for coupons. Make it a big project! (For more info, write or scroll through some of my other articles. ... I have personally taken $40 off a $100 order at Kroger with just coupons!) Don't be bashful or embarrassed.... I've seen even grown men in Kroger with coupons in their hand! ....But remember, just because you have it, doesn't mean you should use it! If it is something that you are not sure about, don't purchase it unless its free or nearly free! Also, look on the net for coupons. There are several sites where you can print them! Kroger will take these buy Leo's may not.---Good luck! God bless!

Produce for the Local College Kids

COLLEGE KIDS: There is a "Farmer's Market" right down from Tech. It's right up from the East 1st Street Coffee Shop. They hold a 'market' every morning, I think. Perhaps one of you could swing by there and see if they would be willing to sell you older produce at the end of the day (or week)for a discount

Local Bread Store- college kiddos

College Kids:: BREAD STORE!--There are great deals to be had at the bread store on Spring Street. After you pass Leo's, heading away from town, go through the light and the bread store is on the right beside the parts store. It looks like a garage with 3 big doors but there's a little door to enter on the right. You can buy 3 loaves of bread for 1.79 every day and if you go at the end of the day, they may give you an even bigger discount since the bread is basically a day older. ...Buy whole grain girls! they have whole grain white bread- it's good and almost like white!.............. 3 loaves would make two of you sandwiches for lunch and toast for breakfast for a week! A jar of jelly is .99 at Dollar General Market for grape or apple. Jif peanut butter is also cheaper there than anywhere else in town. ..If you prefer sandwich meat, small packs can be bought at DGM or Save-alot for 30 or 40 cents. ..... My kids like for me to cut bread into strips and lightly butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar then lightly toast in the oven. They like these as a snack or with coffee and they can be stored in a ziploc and heated easily!..... You can also buy buns at the store and use them for pizza bread. Shredded Mozzarella cheese can be bought for 1.79, pizza sauce for .99, and turkey pepperoni at Kroger for $2 if it's on sale. (Parmesan cheese is $2 at Save-a-lot, if you just want sauce and cheese.) Bread can be frozen or stored in fridge for longer life. You can also cube it and toast it (with or without seasonings) for croutons on you salads. .... If anyone has one of those George Foreman grills, anything can be turned into a sandwich! My kids like leftover spaghetti with extra cheese between two slices of bread and grilled in it!--Just be sure that whatever you use in the sandwich is not 'raw'. (Raw meat can be cooked in it, but not in bread.) One of those grills might be a great addition to your dorm kitchen. Many things could be cooked in it! Perhaps you could look into that and ask for one as a gift or look around at the Goodwill or yard sales.

An Almost Free Gift Idea for Kids- college kiddos

An Almost-Free Gift Idea for Kids::College Kids, this may be one that you would like too!..... Find a BIG box, check around at stores, walmart, Lowe's would be a good place. Maybe even call in advance, so they will keep one for you. Wrap this baby but place a pack of crayons and/or markers inside before you do! Attach a card (inside or out) labeling this an 'imagination box' and explain to the lucky child how this box can be turned into anything he wants it to be.(ideas: a house or castle, a stove or fridge, a storage box for hot wheels cars or Barbie dolls, a Barbie house, a submarine, a boat, a bus, a car, an airplane, ...cut out windows, make doors, use pieces of the wrapping paper for curtains or wallpaper for your house, etc.) And for extra benefits, do it with them!

Hints on Gfits- college kiddos

COLLEGE KIDS::GIFTS....Most folks understand that college students live on a tight budget, but if you have a few youngsters that you really want or need to get a present for, here's some ideas: Buy a cheap stocking and a box of fruit snacks (1.25 at Kroger) and a package of boxed raisins ($1 almost anywhere) and fill the stocking maybe even wrapping each item.*******This gift may sound a little corny but if you know the child well and the parents and perhaps know that they are 'tight-budgeters' themselves, this would be a great treat. Buy a box of really kewl cereal and wrap and let them know it's all their's!(My missionary friends in Africa get these from grandparents and their kids LOVE it!) Or wrap boxes of fruit snacks, a box of Christmas Debbie cakes, a box of hot chocolate.....Think! What does this kid really like that may be a pinch on their budget?!? For a family you could fill a box with hot chocolate($1), popcorn($1), Christmas cookies($1.25), candy($1-2), a puzzle($1-Big Lots),Coupon for a free movie rental (these can be attained in various places or bought) etc. Use your imagination! My kids got a sack with a giant apple, an orange, and a few pieces of candy and they thought they were in heaven! This could be a stocking idea. (Consider sugar free candy.).... Consider the McDonald's coupon books. Look at the Dollar Tree, look for items that have several to one package, such as pens and pencils and/or hairbows or toy cars, playing cards, candles, candy, etc. ... Consider a cleaning supplies 'box" for another dormer if you must buy a gift. ..... Be creative, take a walk through the store and look for ideas. .... Consider offering your time or 'work' as a gift (cleaning, sewing, mending, babysitting, etc). Merry Christmas!

Frugal Gifts for Adults- college kiddos

FRUGAL GIFTS FOR ADULTS:::(College kids, you can try these for those folks that must have a present):: the Goodwill has an abundance of coffee cups.(Sometimes they can be found 2/$1 - wait to catch the sales on Sunday and Wednesday.) Buy a couple, clean and scrub, attach or place in basket with hot chocolate or a pound of good coffee. OR fill mugs with candy/candy canes, wrap with colored plastic wrap and tie with a ribbon for a nice gift. ....... You can buy baskets at the Goodwill or yard sales, fill with fruit, candy or whatever you can come up with. Sometimes Walmart and other stores have bundles of washcloths for a couple of dollars. You can take them apart and roll them up and fill the basket with washcloth rolls for a nice gift. OR use a small basket and one or two wash clothes with an inexpensive Yardley soap bar from the Dollar Tree, they smell great!....Buy a nice BIG chocolate bar for $1-$2 and wrap with a bow on top for a thoughtful gift. .... Buy a nice pair of socks from the Dollar Tree and attach a candy cane for a nice 'stocking'!

A link for my college friends

COLLEGE KIDDOS-- Found a site you might like. This page doesn't allow me to hyperlink so you will have to type it in the bar. This site is ran by a college girl and she spends 35 bucks a week on groceries. She also has tips on how to save at the pharmacy,etc. Look down on the left side of her page to see all the categories. Look for 'groceries' for lots of good advice and plain ole 'how to'! the site is called:::: sensetosave.com Good luck!