tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post3178643548863874585..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Being self-reliant in a connected communityUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78952173562297952172016-08-16T08:27:11.353+10:002016-08-16T08:27:11.353+10:00Rhonda I look at what food I can harvest from my t...Rhonda I look at what food I can harvest from my tiny allotment and I work out my meals from that point on. Not just food from my own allotment, but fresh organic produce that I have gifted from other allotment holders as we barter between ourselves. Then I reach out for the cook books or use my old tried and tested recipes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42110806537401203042016-07-10T00:02:09.600+10:002016-07-10T00:02:09.600+10:00Hi Rhonda, I am new to your website. Thank you for...Hi Rhonda, I am new to your website. Thank you for your kind words; the calm, common sense, wisdom they contain. Our homestead is located in the semi-arid portion of the northwest US. To address the instability we have observed in the last few years (and now certainly the Brexit bears watching), we have done the unthinkable: pulled some of the money from the 401k and have paid off the house and purchased tangibles like 1600 gallon water catchment tanks. Three of the 21 acres have been converted to food, fuel, medicinal, wildlife beneficial plantings so far.<br />We built an 800 sq ft earth berm green house for less than $800 and it's working beautifully. Without the distractionary 'stuff' of TV's, Radio or mindless shopping we now have the space to design new creative ways to produce more and consume less. I am very thankful to have found your site. <br />cheers, sheilaThrivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11203520474340100041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82480262715838273002016-07-05T02:45:28.761+10:002016-07-05T02:45:28.761+10:00Thanks for sharing the link to the price book Rhon...Thanks for sharing the link to the price book Rhonda! I also have our free budget if anyone is interested and tonnes of grocery shopping ways we save money on food every month!! Come join the grocery game challenge too... 5 years going strong with prizes to win.. open to US and Canada only though. :) Great post as well here with valid points. The grocery budget is a huge expense next to housing and transportation and one category in our budget that we have been challenging for years now. We are now mortgage free after 5 years of budgeting and 10 years of frugal living using coupons and many other ways to earn extra money and save. It's been well worth the ride which we document on the blog. As you mention most people get too relaxed with their budget when this is one of the biggest financial mistakes. Good luck everyone and hope to chat to some of you. Mr.CBB :) canadianbudgetbinderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15622099002003638783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37033761200816515912016-06-30T15:54:35.676+10:002016-06-30T15:54:35.676+10:00Aaaaah Succession Planting, also my nemisis. It is...Aaaaah Succession Planting, also my nemisis. It is pretty haphazard, but found this last week on interval days between planting, thought you would like to read. Jotting in my planner the days I need to do it for which veg.<br /> http://www.johnnyseeds.com/t-succession_planting_interval_chart_vegetables.aspx<br /><br /><br />And the very bottom of this page a handy Temp. Range per crop Table.<br /><br />Reminding is knowing is doing. Now I am off to make toilet roll seed boxes, folding them to a square.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01939895334117962150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69747221007763066802016-06-30T15:44:11.561+10:002016-06-30T15:44:11.561+10:00My local IGA here in Adelaide has 5 kilo of Potato...My local IGA here in Adelaide has 5 kilo of Potatoes for $2.95!carol hardiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13826714083313865582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65340621036176872012016-06-30T13:38:29.638+10:002016-06-30T13:38:29.638+10:00Denise, thanks for sharing this link, it is really...Denise, thanks for sharing this link, it is really helpful. Beth in MNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-832778457324438612016-06-30T09:17:16.206+10:002016-06-30T09:17:16.206+10:00Love your observations and dedication toward being...Love your observations and dedication toward being frugal. Inspiring, always.<br /><br />LanaLanahttp://www.farmlifelessons.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-41666500455277296812016-06-30T04:48:38.661+10:002016-06-30T04:48:38.661+10:00We're doing the same as you - reviewing outgoi...We're doing the same as you - reviewing outgoings, considering switching to a fixed rate mortgage, and generally getting ready to hold on to our hats.Everyday Life On A Shoestringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06038009981638541163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35940589314852462882016-06-30T04:48:12.688+10:002016-06-30T04:48:12.688+10:00Every week I look at the food sales flyers and try...Every week I look at the food sales flyers and try to buy a few staples on sale. We eat what is in season. We send our son to school with a packed lunch. We cook bigger batches of food and freeze portions for later so we are not tempted to go out! We do bring my son out for pizza about 2x a month. Personally, I like used clothes - they come pre-shrunk! I shop sales for my husband and ever-growing son's clothes. It seems like every few months we need something new though...This month it was our TV...just a few months out of warranty. Sigh. And our car completely died this winter...my husband found a good, used one on the Internet that we could pay for...insurance is less on used cars.Evelyn aka Starfishyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12025353776081066815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33354144631817404542016-06-30T04:30:32.832+10:002016-06-30T04:30:32.832+10:00My sister-in-law makes the best ever Portuguese ka...My sister-in-law makes the best ever Portuguese kale soup!Evelyn aka Starfishyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12025353776081066815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3566271040579612412016-06-30T04:23:37.776+10:002016-06-30T04:23:37.776+10:00Rhonda,
I was inspired by you to create a Grocery...Rhonda,<br /><br />I was inspired by you to create a Grocery Price Book a few weeks ago. Paper doesn't seem to work for me so I found an excel spreadsheet free that I've adapted (a very little bit). Here it is http://canadianbudgetbinder.com/2014/12/08/beginners-guide-grocery-price-book-free-template-included/ .<br /><br />I'm also using as many coupons as possible now. My grocery store offers an app with digital coupons and printable ones, plus special offers by email. I'm adding those into the price book so I know which products commonly have coupons and I'm stockpiling as much as possible.<br /><br />Denise Ketchamhttp://downshiftmusings.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-48261735341415239782016-06-29T20:58:14.644+10:002016-06-29T20:58:14.644+10:00Hi Rhonda and Andy, I'm not sure how this woul...Hi Rhonda and Andy, I'm not sure how this would work with your dishwasher, but I actually cut my Aldi dishwasher tablets in half and it cleans just as well. I do give the dishes a rinse before they are placed in the dishwasher. So now a box of tablets goes twice as far. I will also be starting a price book as I think that's a really good way to watch those pennies.<br />Blessings Gail.<br />gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474172270399240621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33103919684908104032016-06-29T01:08:47.862+10:002016-06-29T01:08:47.862+10:00While I agree that the media is responsible for wh...While I agree that the media is responsible for whipping up the tide of fear and hatred, I feel that the racism and xenophobia that we are now witnessing here and in other parts of Europe has been there for many years - Brexit has just given this element a mandate to come out into the open.<br />As for the effect of Brexit, I agree with Treaders - we are in for a bumpy ride. We live on my husband's State Pension at the moment - fortunately the house is ours - but as soon as I graduate next year, I hope to be able to earn some money tutoring in English Literature and offering Creative Writing courses. I have looked for work, but the situation in Devon is even more dire than it was in Surrey and I keep coming up against the age barrier - I'll be 60 in July.<br /><br />I think the uncertainty is the worst thing - so it's a case of expect the best and prepare for the worst; at least it isn't as if I haven't had to economise before (had seven years of it since Kevin's cancer, our redundancy and so on).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14966236867003654568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-648885825948160672016-06-28T07:27:47.043+10:002016-06-28T07:27:47.043+10:00I agree with Lana - the media have done their usua...I agree with Lana - the media have done their usual job of instilling fear and hatred into people. As a Brit living in France for the last 27 years, Brexit means that my son and I will finally get around to taking French citizenship, which wasn't an issue before. Folks are in for a very bumpy ride, not just in the UK. I just thank God I am out of my marriage to my spendthrift ex and my own financial house is in order. I would be terrified if I was still hitched to him and all the debt he ran up. AnnaTreadershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613671137557939083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4440671883862997302016-06-28T07:01:53.919+10:002016-06-28T07:01:53.919+10:00Wise words indeed. XxWise words indeed. XxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13086951541332291432016-06-28T02:55:41.631+10:002016-06-28T02:55:41.631+10:00Thank you for this post. It is, of course, very ti...Thank you for this post. It is, of course, very timely. I have been trying to move my retirement fund from the agency who carries it to my bank close to where I live. I tried this a year ago and the old agency then gave me problems with moving it. (I'm sure they wanted to keep their income from it) Now there is a new agency and I had not been able to get ahold of them, and now this thing with Bexit! I am sure I have lost funds, and I was counting on that money. I supposed for now I will just let it sit and see what happens. I don't want to throw money away!claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16572555442321120647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67289930851302847912016-06-28T00:08:54.770+10:002016-06-28T00:08:54.770+10:00We were doing really well with budgeting, cutting ...We were doing really well with budgeting, cutting costs, etc. and then my mother in law moved in. She is of the mindset that she had to hang up clothes in the cold when she was younger and is not about to hang up clothes now. Our bills have gone up all the way around. I am struggling with how to change that mindset; use cloth napkins instead of paper towels, make our own detergent (your recipe, btw) and not buy gain, etc. Any suggestions?Annettehttp://ashwoodfarmhouse.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42947198196042560862016-06-27T22:51:53.060+10:002016-06-27T22:51:53.060+10:00For me the biggest thing is to not give in to fear...For me the biggest thing is to not give in to fear. The media is so good at propagating fear when they have no more grip on the outcome than anyone else. We carry on as we always have since we are always prepared for what may come. Lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380649410508372279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72062863069391530342016-06-27T22:01:39.025+10:002016-06-27T22:01:39.025+10:00Hi Rhonda,
thanks for the reminder about the pric...Hi Rhonda,<br /><br />thanks for the reminder about the price book, I'm sure I will be shocked if I compare the prices I recorded a few years ago with the receipts for food I've saved recently. Every time I go shopping I realise how important it is to grow more food and not waste any.<br /><br /> I'm also upcycling a few things I already have, for example turning a damaged bedspread into two heavy curtains to block the hall doorways and keep the heat in the part of the house we are using. <br /><br />I don't have central heating, and live in a small house with a very small couch - and boy do I feel lucky when I'm squeezed between my two teenagers on the couch in front of the fire - small means together :-)<br /><br />Madeleine.x<br /><br />Aussie Connoisseurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02668698720239626709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-132350584956564212016-06-27T18:52:39.360+10:002016-06-27T18:52:39.360+10:00I'm in what currently constitutes the UK, thou...I'm in what currently constitutes the UK, though that might change in the coming two years as we negotiate our 'Brexit'. We are in for a very bumpy ride. I've stocked up the pantry, the pound is already falling. We are going over our budgets and deciding how to allocate our funds. We made most of the major purchases we needed to in the past few weeks. I'm also going to start donating to the local food bank. I'm taking my health much more seriously too.<br /><br />I'm sure everything will settle to a new normal in the end, but we have several years of uncertainty and financial pain ahead and it will impact the wider world. Everyone should batten down the hatches.Aurorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13500482771785499295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3878000519441584952016-06-27T18:24:53.684+10:002016-06-27T18:24:53.684+10:00Tackling the last of the debt it right up the top ...Tackling the last of the debt it right up the top of the list - The race is on.Phil Poggeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10528068263542083696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55448565822452440612016-06-27T17:37:46.038+10:002016-06-27T17:37:46.038+10:00I think much the same way and our family is in a g...I think much the same way and our family is in a good position for whatever happens. <br />As I'm off againwith the children from September I'm looking at more and more ways I can make an extra income from home, possibly even selling more of the produce I grow.<br />My worry is for the poorest in society as it always affects them the worst.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89622540778371514752016-06-27T17:23:52.294+10:002016-06-27T17:23:52.294+10:00As you say Rhonda, it is always wise to recheck ou...As you say Rhonda, it is always wise to recheck our spending habits ...even just a reminder to be wise and careful.<br />Thank you for your well written words.<br />Alexahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359326046389139990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85467852778140233042016-06-27T17:18:47.511+10:002016-06-27T17:18:47.511+10:00It is a sad time here in the UK with friend agains...It is a sad time here in the UK with friend against friend, neighbour against neighbour. Your post is a timely reminder to me to get my house in order, thankfully we have no debt, but I shall be looking to my veg plot and store cupboard well stocked. I am sure all will be well eventually if everyone would work together.<br />Suethewarmfireplacenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34299839645026928002016-06-27T13:49:10.948+10:002016-06-27T13:49:10.948+10:00I have no idea yet how or if the decision in the U...I have no idea yet how or if the decision in the UK will affect us (we're in the US), but my husband's health makes paying off all debt a priority (he's doing OK right now, but it is very likely he will be on a transplant list down the road...hopefully years down the road, but there's no knowing), so we pay extra on our house each month and also put away what we can in savings. Currently we are working on eating down our freezer--we bought a lot of meat on sale, and also froze a and canned a good deal of produce from our neighbor's farm and from our garden, so right now I am making an effort to only buy dairy and a few veggies/fruits that we like to eat fresh. That's helping to keep costs down right now. I need to start looking ahead to birthdays (our family's are all in the fall) and holidays so there is time to make gifts, but haven't mustered the energy yet.Helenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15173788247672691139noreply@blogger.com