tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post1890512679880386068..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Small changes, big savingsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11591115546781860982011-06-16T21:27:41.727+10:002011-06-16T21:27:41.727+10:00Rhonda,
Those tomatoes are beautiful! I always lo...Rhonda,<br /><br />Those tomatoes are beautiful! I always love pics of your garden.<br /><br />Thank you for the link and new pictures they are the perfect combo for me just now. This post gives me hope just when I need it most. <br /><br />It helps me to see that planting tomatoes by flashlight last night (9:30pm) becuase there was work, supper, laundry and babies to care for first is WELL worth the bug bites and being over tired. <br /><br />Only 2 dozen more and I will be done with them for a bit. :) Time to move on to other parts of the garden.<br /><br />Thanks again and have a wonderful day.<br /><br />KarynAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-28183266100820976482011-06-16T14:23:43.839+10:002011-06-16T14:23:43.839+10:00Thanks so much Rhonda,
a timely reminder for me t...Thanks so much Rhonda,<br /><br />a timely reminder for me to contact a few family and friends to see if they'd like to do some days of bottling or learning to make a skill. Will send an email now with a link as I find these things can take a back seat without a timeline in the face of a busy family life.<br /><br />great post,<br />AnnaAnnaThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17867549526129717651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-73884099891504106582011-06-16T09:12:01.574+10:002011-06-16T09:12:01.574+10:00I know I'm a bit late, but this post has been ...I know I'm a bit late, but this post has been playing on my mind... Yes, frugality was a factor in many immigrants decision making re the way they lived, but replicating their old life in a new country had a significant impact and the ties to memories cannot be underestimated. Unless there's an underlying passion that's not just driven by saving $$, veggies, preserving, making pasta by hand etc etc etc just doesn't happen. It's a commitment to a way of life. My in-laws are very financially comfortable, thank you very much, but still celebrate their heritage by having salami and tomato bottling days. My parents, the same.Green Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15307326788147301716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71432749187204764032011-06-16T06:54:00.936+10:002011-06-16T06:54:00.936+10:00Thanks, had my tired eyes on and missed the link.Thanks, had my tired eyes on and missed the link.Melissahttp://www.frugalandthriving.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50738221640193759522011-06-16T05:18:48.499+10:002011-06-16T05:18:48.499+10:00Melissa, if you click on that different coloured t...Melissa, if you click on that different coloured text in the post, that is the link to the article.<br /><br />dancing, I noticed Pippa helped you at the forum.<br /><br />Eileen, the liquid is cheaper because it lasts longer. I also use it as a very effective stain remover and for various cleaning jobs that require liquid soap.<br /><br />Ange, you could add a scoop of powdered oxy bleach, like Napisan/Oxyclean. It will whiten clothes but it's much better environmentally than liquid bleach. I use the generic version of Napisan that I buy at Aldi, it's very good.<br /><br />Hi Tammi, yes I remember you. :- )rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66362166692782828102011-06-16T04:42:54.025+10:002011-06-16T04:42:54.025+10:00Ange asked about the greying and lack-of-clean sme...Ange asked about the greying and lack-of-clean smell...<br /><br />I noticed the same thing years ago when I made my own laundry detergent. I found that the washer needed to be emptied immediately... within 10-15 minutes or it started smelling musty. Even then, some clothes just didn't seem "fresh". However, the clothes hung out on the line, in the sun, seemed to fare better. Some of my friends found that adding grapefruit seed extract, tea tree oil or some other essential oil to their bucket of detergent eliminated the smell problem and even helped a little with the dinginess.<br />Another tip for the dinginess (I didn't try it but my neighbor did) is to use vinegar as a fabric softener - it does soften and also helps rinse any residue free of the fabric. It will smell like vinegar when you take it from the washer but one dry, the vinegar smell is dissipated. <br />i guess the bottom line is you must experiment and find what works best with your type of water, soil and washing/drying style.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00536191701757095495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-17351289909427331852011-06-16T01:21:32.964+10:002011-06-16T01:21:32.964+10:00I love your timely reminders. It makes me think o...I love your timely reminders. It makes me think of all the things you have inspired me to try - knitted dishcloths, home made laundry soap, home made bread, no store bought shampoo. I also still read my electric and gas meters; makes me realize how much each project uses.<br /><br />I shop at thrift stores and repurpose clothes. Sometimes I think I'm just cheap, but there is such an abundance of items that are almost new and I take advantage of it. Frugal, the word is frugal.<br /><br />There are things I cannot do because of circumstances, but I try the rest and they usually become permanent. The only thing I want to try is a liquid dish soap/hand soap. This summer should be the time I try.<br /><br />Thanks again for all the wonderful posts and ideas.<br />Yvettemtnchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17457636624663214696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40167086688862241942011-06-15T22:21:13.266+10:002011-06-15T22:21:13.266+10:00A wonderful and inspiring post!Rhonda I grew up in...A wonderful and inspiring post!Rhonda I grew up in a household where we had an enormous garden which produced most of the fruit and vegies that we ate...my dad was an Italian migrant and he paid our house off in less than 10 years because he hated being in debt. Therefore he did lots of double shifts in the fruit shop where he worked and we lived frugally!Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12594244181463706442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10297584119378516252011-06-15T22:06:48.674+10:002011-06-15T22:06:48.674+10:00My boyfriend's family is Italian - his grandpa...My boyfriend's family is Italian - his grandparents moving from a poor part of southern Italy to the UK in the 1960s, with four kids in tow. They sound like your grandparents - growing their own food by default and building everything from scratch. John's granddad died in about 1998 but his grandma continued growing her own until just a few years ago - when she turned 80. I assumed that it was because she couldn't find her favourite vegetables at all locally - but that the frugal angle is very interesting too.<br /><br />I'm tracking how much money we're saving by growing our own food this year - early days at the moment but it's already starting to add up. I also can't forget that money saved is worth more than extra money earned - since we're not having to pay any extra tax on the money saved.<br /><br /><b>dancingonabladeofgrass</b> - we've bought Borax at Wilkinsons before - that was a couple of years ago though.louisa @ TheReallyGoodLifehttp://www.thereallygoodlife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89850651942746606222011-06-15T20:57:06.149+10:002011-06-15T20:57:06.149+10:00I just discovered your blog a couple of days ago, ...I just discovered your blog a couple of days ago, and I am hooked, as I get time I intend to read as many back posts as I can. I have to add this, your face on your profile picture looks so familiar, maybe I've seen it via other blogs, but I'm not sure. I know I will put my finger on it one day. Any way good to know there are so many others out there striving for simplicity.<br /><br />Cheryl Lismore NSWCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07900993246451486017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55975972155713281482011-06-15T20:45:15.545+10:002011-06-15T20:45:15.545+10:00Thanks Rhonda for reminding me about making things...Thanks Rhonda for reminding me about making things from scratch! I have slipped a bit lately and not making as much. I have been lucky enough to have been given some home grown capsicums (peppers) and red stemed silverbeet. I'd forgotten how good the flavour was :)Lishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00066863074405512584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82687333598488013732011-06-15T20:03:23.645+10:002011-06-15T20:03:23.645+10:00Oh, oh, oh!!! I just remembered Vasili's Gard...Oh, oh, oh!!! I just remembered Vasili's Garden which has been shown on Channel 31 and (I think) SBS. He is a Greek man who shows viewers around other Greek people's gardens (in Australia).<br />How exciting. I've been reading, and love, your blog for a long time and now I finally have something to contribute. Will stop commenting now. Promise. :)<br />SuzanneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2114151061838498962011-06-15T19:54:15.371+10:002011-06-15T19:54:15.371+10:00Hi Rhonda - I can totally relate to what you write...Hi Rhonda - I can totally relate to what you write about Italian immigrants - my parents are both Italian. The stuff you write about is stuff that I've grown up with - cooking, gardening, sewing, knitting - my nonni and parents were all into it. I count myself as very lucky, as I've seen how it is done, and now try to do the same.<br />As for mortgages - my grandparents only took out a loan for their land. My grandfather then built a small two room dwelling, which the family of six lived in while he built the main home. He did everything (including making his own concrete bricks) except for plumbing and electricity, and paid for materials as he went along.Paolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14472129226320589172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59240962369649748022011-06-15T19:28:45.074+10:002011-06-15T19:28:45.074+10:00Thank you for this encouraging and inspiring post....Thank you for this encouraging and inspiring post. <br />What I struggle with is that I work full time but would like to do all the home keeping things anyway. There are just not enough hours in a day.langsam lebenhttp://langsamleben.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52320231787136627222011-06-15T18:34:49.156+10:002011-06-15T18:34:49.156+10:00Hi Rhonda..you may not remember me but I contacted...Hi Rhonda..you may not remember me but I contacted you while pg with our fifth bub who is now 18mths as I found your blog to be very inspirational :)<br /><br />We have only ever lived on one income and with five children still find it manageable...I op shop, grow what I can..though am still only learning, make my own laundry powder...the kids and I are attempting soap as a homeschooling project, cook from scratch and knit/sew/crochet. None of this is through necessity but rather through a passion that I inherited from my grandparents who lived a very frugal life.<br /><br />Anyway just wanted to let you know that I am still an avid reader of your blog and have shared it with many of my like minded friends.<br /><br />xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-41781769998022410312011-06-15T13:46:26.245+10:002011-06-15T13:46:26.245+10:00Oh, and as Erin noted "SOAP SHAKERS". I...Oh, and as Erin noted "SOAP SHAKERS". I haven't seen one of these for years (decades, really).<br />SuzanneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-56600411401770713522011-06-15T13:43:52.339+10:002011-06-15T13:43:52.339+10:00One of the reasons I love Melbourne so much, is be...One of the reasons I love Melbourne so much, is because of the Greek and Italian people. A friend's parents were Greek immigrants and had blue collar jobs but managed to buy three houses in Nth Balwyn (lovely, middle class area). She made all their meals - never take aways, wouldn't even think to buy magazines and the whole extended family shared a holiday house at Arthur's Seat, so that's where they had holidays (no flying involved). <br />I was very blessed to have a wonderful, retired Italian couple show me how to make a vegetable garden and I think we must be the only house in our Brisbane suburb to have one :)<br />Great post, Rhonda.<br />SuzanneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-28706155383286601352011-06-15T12:48:04.315+10:002011-06-15T12:48:04.315+10:00I so agree. When we lived in Sydney, we knew a lot...I so agree. When we lived in Sydney, we knew a lot of Greek families, I remember a lot of the older men were busily farming bees/honey, growing olives, having chickens, and just dabbling in general. It may not seem such a big deal when you read about this sort of stuff on here everyday, but you have to remember, I lived in Sydney, LOL. Hardly anyone was doing stuff like this, it was all consume, consume, consume.Sharon@Hear Mum Roarhttp://hearmumroar.com/2011/06/sew-kids-clothes/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38083030005400917852011-06-15T11:55:21.243+10:002011-06-15T11:55:21.243+10:00Rhonda,
thank you for this excellent post,,i'v...Rhonda,<br />thank you for this excellent post,,i've been thinking of gardening myself and hopefully can make my own laundry soap...i never knew that we can actually make our own really..thanks again..:)Grace Hope Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713692157657070311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72688078718923005852011-06-15T11:46:42.486+10:002011-06-15T11:46:42.486+10:00THANKYOU !! I have just spent the whole morning r...THANKYOU !! I have just spent the whole morning researching ways to work from as my little man goes off to school next year and I have been told I need to get a job. All I have found so far are dead ends and red tape and was feeling very down and ready to give in. This post was a timely god send. Thankyou. Thankyou for the pick-me-up. <br />Dianne.diannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76844377879220569072011-06-15T11:39:23.505+10:002011-06-15T11:39:23.505+10:00Great post. My parents came out from Germany after...Great post. My parents came out from Germany after the war. We always had a veggie garden, and nothing tastes as good as home grown! We played lots of card and board games - hours of cheap entertainment. We survived without a phone (shock horror!) and dad bought good secondhand cars, rather than new. <br />They had no credit card: If you didn't have the money for something, you didn't get it. Oh, and for doing dishes, we used a bar of sunlight soap in a soap shaker. <br />They paid off their home on an average income and also managed to travel overseas a number of times. One thing mum did, and still does (at 87yrs) is keep a list of every cent she spends - it really shows you where your money's going.Erinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22963962020105447182011-06-15T11:34:13.364+10:002011-06-15T11:34:13.364+10:00Thanks Rhonda. I find it extremely useful to get t...Thanks Rhonda. I find it extremely useful to get these reminders, it is so easy to forget in the rush of the day to day that we in charge of where we spend and consume! Like others, I need to make savings at the moment and your ideas and tips are forever useful.alison@thisbloominglifehttp://www.thisbloominglife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31287607171244810212011-06-15T10:02:09.029+10:002011-06-15T10:02:09.029+10:00A lovely post. We have lots of Italian migrant fa...A lovely post. We have lots of Italian migrant families in our small town community who came to this area in the 40's and 50's. They are solid pillars in our community, still speaking broken English but they are hard working and such happy folk.<br /><br />I remember one old lady coming into the mercantile store I worked at - she wanted 'nail bite' and it took me and a colleague about 10 minutes to realise she wanted 'snail bait'! Too funny!Joolzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07490462580345458546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85691052697210188212011-06-15T09:46:50.524+10:002011-06-15T09:46:50.524+10:00When I first changed the way I do things in the 70...When I first changed the way I do things in the 70s, I took great delight in expressing to my husband how much money we had saved, by growing, making, mending etc. Now it's so much part of my life that I no longer do this, but deep in my heart I have a massive feeling of satisfaction.<br /><br />Deb<br />www.primrosehappysnapper.blogspot.comDEBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17534287655485880530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86807257587984093102011-06-15T09:45:46.081+10:002011-06-15T09:45:46.081+10:00What a great post! So inspiring and reinvigorating...What a great post! So inspiring and reinvigorating. I have done most of these, but got discouraged with my failures. <br /><br />I should try again - there is really no downside to living like this, except that it takes time, which I probably would have wasted with tv anyway.<br /><br />Just wondering, with the laundry detergent, is there any solution to the greying that seems to happen to my whites & nappies after a few months? This is why I started using commercial detergent again (as well as hubby complaining his work shirts weren't clean enough and smelled)<br /><br />Thanks,<br />AngeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com