One of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is to live beneath your means. It will take some doing to reduce your spending with the season of life you are in. There are also times, you have emergencies that crash a dent into your budget. It may require getting a second job for a bit. I have done motherhood in many forms. The ideal has been being a stay-at-home mom. Children thrive under your guidance. I didn't return to the traditional workforce until my adult daughter was 8 years old. I ran a daycare from my home and did resumes' for people. I work remotely again. There are times when a homemaker may need to generate additional income for her family. What are your talents? Maybe you could tutor children? Maybe you have unlocked the secret to truly heavenly gluten-free baked goods?
Grocery prices continue to be outrageous in Colorado. I will say meat and dairy are cheaper because we live near dairies and ranches. We purchase in-season produce until we are fully producing in the gardens. Bulk grain and flour purchases have saved us. We are now storing a year of rice, quinoa, etc, to stay on budget. I have seen a 50% increase in flour and grains in my area. I center many of our meals around grain/ vegetables. I live in a rural area so I need to be stocked. I am not fond of traveling 2 hours for groceries. I did a big stock-up of grains and flour at Sprouts and Sam's Clubs early this morning. The way I meal plan is very simple I know how much we use of each grain I use and how much I need for baking.
Mindful use of leftovers is the best way to control your food budget. I do not use leftovers in the traditional ways, you know, heat and serve. For instance, I roasted a chicken. I served it with a lentil salad with feta and oranges, squash, asparagus, beets, and maple butter toast. The chicken will be potpie tomorrow night, and chicken salad for Tuesday lunch. The lentil salad will be tomorrow's lunch along with the roasted vegetables. I saved the chicken broth for the potpie and put some in the freezer for grain dishes and soup.
Egg dishes can save on your grocery bill when replacing meat dishes. Quiches and frittatasas.
I am always looking for shelf-stable vegan products. I have been using the Auguason Farms Back bean burger mix. The can contains 38 servings at .46 a serving. The mix is gluten-free. the cans are great for storage. The mix is great for burgers, tacos, and burritos.
Don't underestimate the power of side dishes to increase or decrease your grocery bill. We do not need large servings of meat. You can serve less meat if you add several side dishes such as
Chicken with white beans and kale, oranges, cornbread
porkchop, stuffing, stuffed celery, apple sauce, green beans
mac & cheese, broccoli, and ham cubes, sliced fruits
vegan burgers, oven fries, salad, and cut-up fruits.
Husbands and teenagers often need to fill up. I try to have crudites served at the beginning of the meal or crackers and cheese. In the winter, I begin the meal with a soup. In the summer, we serve a salad a the beginning of the meal.
My family likes to eat 3 large meals a day. I prefer a light breakfast, a large lunch, and a light dinner. Many of the vegetables I serve for dinner become my lunch the next day. Another way to round out the meal is to serve a dessert. I often use the fruit and dairy servings for the day in the dessert. I will blend fruit and yogurt into a sugar ice cream.
Household savings:
Cleaning products used to be a huge part of my budget. You really do not need as many cleaners as you think you do. I make an all-purpose cleaner, a souring powder, furniture polish, window cleaner, and disinfectant. I use a steam cleaner for tough problems. Savings: 200 a year.
Laundry doesn't need to be complicated. I make an effective laundry soap for 20 dollars a year. All you need is :
8 ounces of castile soap grated
1 cup borax
1 cup super washing soda
essential oils 25 drops
5 -gallon bucket
You melt the soap into 4 cups of hot water and stir until melted
Add the borax soda, and essential oils to a bucket filled with 2 1/2 gallons of hot water.
Mix in the dissolved soap into the bucket, and fill the bucket within an inch of the top with hot water. Put on the lid and let it sit.
You will use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load depending on how soiled your clothes are.
Hang your clothing on the clothesline. I hang our clothes out 3/4 of the year and I have a way to hang the clothes in cold months.
Learn how to mend your clothing. Teach your children to notice when things need to be mended. I keep a magnetic strip on the inside of the cabinet with threaded needles. This allows me to quickly sew a button or mend a seam before it goes into the wash.
Ironing your family's clothing will keep your family looking crisp.
Fill your home with lovely music, and flowers from the garden, and keep your furniture in good repair, having pride of place will brighten your spirits when leaving on a lower budget.
Plan several nice outings near you during the summer. Pack a lunch or dinner. Stop for ice cream for a special treat.
The cost of Audible continues to increase. A one choice of an audiobook plan is 14.95. Kobo offers 2 for 9.99. I use trials to save costs.
Hoopla and Libby offer audiobooks free to those with a library card.
Homemakers need to feel put together and practice self-care. Self-care is not superficial, it is what you need to fill your soul. You need to find what you need to put together. I wear dresses and skirts. Every morning I put on makeup, and one of the jewelry sets, and do my hair. I am more effective in my day. I am not tempted to shop because I am content. Contentment is about finding the joys in the everyday activities,
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