Snowfall has been at its peak in my area. We rarely have to shovel. Homeschooling days have been very long. Youtube filming was halted for a few days due to commentary from men. My husband had recorded my sushi and springroll Valentine's dinner for under 25 dollars. I took it down. I reminded my husband not to record me full body. I am back to recording cooking as I work.
The goats escaped twice yesterday. It is concerning because wolves have been released on the Western Slope. We already have coyotes and foxes. Over the past few weeks, our dog has brought several concerning animal bones. We have a field where she runs and she brings back her "loot". She had brought two deer legs and a large spinal column. In short, we have some type of predator bringing their kill. Unpleasant as it is, this is homestead living.
If you have been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I am frugal to make room to spent money on things we need and want. Retirement, education accounts, and travel. Product testing is a way that I stock the kitchen and earn a few dollars. My next product tests are lab made diamond earrings, a large cutting board, and a cast iron casserole dish.
This tip is not any means a way to make a living. This week I recieved 3 checks from class action lawsuits. Apple had an action against them about hiding battery defects in Iphones. I had this issue with my iphone. I filed a claim years ago and had forgotten about it. I received $92.17 yesterday. I recieved another check for 58.00 from the power company in Maine. Class action lawsuits protect and reimburse consumers from poor business practices. I put the money in my retirement account. One of the best thing you can do with unexpected funds is to put the money to use, not use it for fun. Stewardship of your resources enhances your fianincial well-being and strengthen your your marriage. One of the most common things that couples fight over is money. Early in our marriage, I had difficulty discusing money with my husband because I had always been the sole supporter of my household and my fiances. Ours in fiances was difficult for me. My husband found our that I was skilled with fiances. Fiances became a team effort.
We were calculating what we have saved on the whole foods we eat rather than processed foods. I was researching what the USDA calculates what a family of four should spend a month for groceries per month thrifty plan is 973.10, low -cost 1,051.20, moderate-cost 1306.20 and liberal 1577.40. I feed my family by liberal plan standards. For the year 2023, we spent $6,200 dollars for food, which works out to $119.23 a week. There were times, I spent a bit more and some weeks far less. There were weeks in the summer, we spent less than 15 dollars because we are eating directly from the garden, and finishing up the homestead meats. By September, I make sure the freezers are empty. By June, I make sure every canning jar is empty before the meat and vegetable seasons begin. The 2024 grocery bill will be less because we have 5 years of canning supplies and seeds. I normally add the canning lids and seeds into the weeks shop.
Time is a component of frugality. I spend around 3 hours a day on frugal activites paired with other activites. Some activities require a few minutes of hands on time, others up to 45 minutes. I return to the Formula of my cost vs store cost. I equate my time, low to zero waste, carbon footprint and value. One example is bagels, I can make bagels, however,my family doesn't eat enough bagels to make it worth my time. Nor do they eat enough of store-bought bagels to make it worth my time. If I want a bagel, I buy one during a shopping trip. Another option is new born gifts, I can stitch up a small quilt in a few hours for very little. If it for someone I really care for, I am careful to make it so that I can add to it later for a big girl or boy bed.
My savings this week will have been plentiful. Our winter greens have been plentiful. This saves me from buying 2 tubs of greens at 6 dollars each. Our carrots and other root vegetables are still being useful in our diet. Our eggs are at full producing again with the new hens.
My Etsy and Ebay stores are doing well. The funds are being used to fund the children's education funds.
All in all, we are very blessed.
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