Is anyone doing something different this year?

[Thevail]

Most of us are pretty frugal as it is but, tough times call for new solutions.
I was wondering if anyone is doing something frugal that they don't normally do?
For example,I'm planting a small garden this year.
I normally don't bother because I live in town and my lawn isn't really that big. I'd have a hard time growing enough food to make much of a difference, and in August we always get "watering bans" anyway.
But this year, I'm going to throw in some peas, cucumbers, and zuchini against the fence. Maybe some lettuces and herbs in a small raised bed. Just a little extra frugality.

[elphie]

ditto on the garden... I generally don't enjoy it and have a black thumb but I think I've picked up enough tips to give it a try... I'm starting small though

I've made lots of changes this year because I became quit my job to be a homeschooling SAHM at the same time dh lost some hours at work... oddly enough though none of the things we've done are really missed... a few examples

-we use 1/2 pound of ground meat in recipes that used I used to use a whole pound... don't miss it at all

-we have only very basic sattelite service (we get nothing in our area without satellite). I thought at first I'd watch my favorite shows online (like Monk or The Closer) but I haven't really given it a second thought and have found other shows to enjoy (getting a little hooked on HGTV) or just watch less tv.

- of course cooking from scratch but my family tends to like this new cooking MORE than the old convienence stuff we used to get

- using the library or trading in books at the used bookstore (I had so many on my shelf from my old spendthrift days that I haven't needed to pay for a book yet) instead of buying them... I still always have tons to read but now its free!

- dropped the gym membership and go for walks alone with my mp3 player or with the kids... so much more energizing than the treadmill that I actually look forward to this time each day instead of dreading it

-I used to dread grocery shopping but now I see it as a challenge and a fun game to see how low I can keep my bill in comparison to how full I fill my car.

- making all of my own cleaning supplies (with the exception of dish soap for the sink- I haven't found a good recipe yet) makes me feel so much better about my environmental footprint

-when the weather is nice we picnic at the park after church instead of eating out and it is soooo much tastier and more fun

Its funny how at first I really thought it was going to be a sacrifice to do without all of these things and it has just made life so much better.

[thesightofoneself]

-baking bread
-thinking about making trash can potatoes
-changed library to save gas money but i do miss my other books
-limits on the amount i'm willing to spend on specific foods

[madhen]

I'm trying to get my hobby business up and off the ground, to bring a little additional income in.

While it is too wet and rainy right now, I have started line-drying my laundry when I can.

I have been tracking my grocery purchases to figure out what I can grow or make myself and will be planning my garden around that list.

I also plan on growing enough to preserve more this year. I didn't do well with that at all last spring/summer.

Planted several more fruit trees, although I doubt I'll appreciate the rewards from that this year.

[sabrelvssammy]

i plan on implementing most of the things that i have learned here and to put on my thinking cap and figure out even more ways to do things....

and to STOP bringing things into this house...and only take them out....
(except things like food and tp and such....) we gotta eat...but hey-if we didn't eat we wouldn't need tp...hum....

and to work on paying off all my bills and be debt-free...zero percent credit cards no longer interest me...(i don't think they interest the bank much either coz they are becoming more scarce)...

and to grow a HUGE garden...not the half-@$% one i did last year and then i stopped watering it and then it all died.... not this year.... this year...no veggies...no dinner...

and to drive everyone here nuts on a daily basis.....

[Debbie-cat]

I have alot of plans for this summer.

- dig a garden bed and grow our own vegtables and hoping I will have enough to do some canning

- build a chicken coop and get chickens

- DH is thinking about getting pigs as well if we can find a good deal on some

- will be clearing some land and will be stacking the wood to sell as firewood

- harvest a wild asparagus bed that I found on the property

[Thevail]

I do this most years, but thought I'd post it here anyway.

I go to the gleaners or to the farmer's market and buy a box of new potatoes, a box of green beans, a box of carrots, a bunch of leeks, and a bunch of garlic chives...
Then I get a LOT of chicken.(Roast the chicken and pull the meat off the bones.)

I use my biggest lobster boiling pot (you could seriously bathe a baby or two in it) and make an absolutely HUGE batch of soup (boil the chicken carcasses with herbs in the water first to create the stock, strain out the solids then add the meat and veggies.

Woefully undercook it..basically add the veggies to the hot stock and don't cook. Ladle the soup into quart canning jars and can away. Yep..my very own home made convenience food. I just find that for some reason the soup cans way better than the individual veggies do.

[Missy]

I am doing more gardens. More veggies, more everythig. adding quail to the mix too

concidering branching off with my hens and quail to selling eggs and such more often than just to one or two people here and there.

[Thevail]

I am doing more gardens. More veggies, more everythig. adding quail to the mix too

concidering branching off with my hens and quail to selling eggs and such more often than just to one or two people here and there.

Check with your local extension agency etc. to make sure what the rules are for selling them to people. It's a pain, but you don't want a huge fine for violating your state or counties rules about it.

One e-coli case and it's lawsuit city unfortunately.

[madhen]

- DH is thinking about getting pigs as well if we can find a good deal on some

Really think about this one! This is one of those areas where a lot of research may save you a TON of headache!! I have fostered pigs, and they are VERY intelligent, very strong-willed, and can be VERY destructive. I had one little pbp who could get out of every pen I put her in. And the farm pigs can pretty much just muscle their way through any pen that isn't strong enough to hold them. Once out, you can pretty much kiss your chicken food, garden, etc. goodbye, until you: a) notice they are out and b) round them up again.

Also, farm pigs that were purchased as pets and then dumped when they got too big can sometimes be VERY aggressive, because they learn to overwhelm their caretakers (and are usually dumped for this reason) and figure out pretty quickly that they are stronger, tougher, and meaner than you can ever be.

Just watch out that those good deals aren't a major problem in disguise!

[Missy]

I already checked. I don't need a lisence in town or anything as long as i am selling direct to customers (not through a store). The county extension sent me all the info they had on it. I can sell in farmers markets if i wish too. Just gotta track $ so that the city and uncle sam get their bit too.

[rainbowgc]

I will only be growing herbs. Other things to save: stay home. Eat ALL meals at home.

[patticakes]

Great ideas!

I am going adopt the garbage can potatoes. Every year I think about it when it is too late.

My herb garden will be back. Heavy on the italian herbs.

Focus on a cash basis. There are instances where the cc is needed but I am finding myself not wanting to go out & shop either.

I need to think about this a little more.

[mzpepper]

My garden from last year produced enough to get me to harvest time this year. I am planting 3 different types of garlic instead of 1. I am not planting everything at one time. For instance, lettuce, I will be planting on the first of every month so I will have it fresh for most of the year.

I am trying really hard to use cash only. If I put anything on the credit card I plan to already have the cash to cover it.

The biggest moneysaving and most frugal change that I could possibly make would be to stop giving my (adult) children money. With the economy the way it is we will see how that goes.

[Thevail]

So many good plans and ideas! I love the garbage can potatoes thing. I had never heard of it. Mind you until yesterday I had never heard of the tightwad gazette either..

That's right....apparently I live under a rock...