Just curious who else is living super frugal

[LittleLakePhil]

Congrats....yes that's exactly what that stockpile is for.
Glad you had it. I started stocking up because I went through a time when it was hard to keep food on the table. I don't ever want that to happen again.
I won't say online how much ammo I have but "I'm good".

 

[lazy gardener]

Rachel, give your honey a congratulatory hug from all of us. It's super hard to go to school when you're raising a family. I know. Been there, done that. The sacrifices required in that endeavor are huge.

I agree with the sentiment that it's only a matter of time before the SHTF. Both in terms of economy, and also regarding persecution. Got faith? Gonna need it. Many of the things that I'm currently doing are focused on being able to meet the needs of my family both now, and in the future. I want to be in a position so that I will know how to get a meal on the table without having to go to the store. Granted, I won't be growing fields of wheat, or even grains for my chickens, but... with a well stocked pantry, the economy won't be quite so critical. If the Lord should tarry, I want my family to be well cared for.

Frugal living: taking advantage of the current oil prices, topping off the oil tank. Cutting dead wood on my property, and that of my neighbor. Will either use it for kindling, or for my hugelkulture mound. Orchard, is hopefully shaping up nicely. Went back to the store this morning after looking at seed catalog to pick up more of the $.99 squash. Came back with 9 more!

Becoming independent from need to purchase hatchery chicks. Home made incubator, keeping a rooster! Need to get better at processing cockrels when their age is prime, and culling non productive birds from flock before they become much of a liability. Turn some fallow land into feed crop by planting a mix of sorghum, field corn, oats, sunflowers.

Loving my home made laundry detergent. Next on to do list: home made dish washer soap. Perhaps home made bar soap. Home made skin moisturizer, lip balm. Lots of stuff growing right in my own yard for that!

I agree with your sentiment, Phil regarding being well armed.

 

[LittleLakePhil]

You got it going on LG...must be why we share an Anniversary....I want to try Laundry soap...And I just went to the craft show to buy goat milk hand soap but would like to try to make my own.
.....yeah well armed is a must....I fly my "Don't Tread on Me" flag....here on the trail......Phil

 

[donrae]

Trust me, Honey's been well congratulated

. Er, it's frugal entertainment, ya know

.

The most frugal thing I did today was keep my butt home. There's a Fiber Fair this weekend and I wanted to go. Normally, I don't have a problem not spending at those type of things. But lately, for whatever reason, I feel I've been on kind of a spending spree. I would have been going by myself, and just decided the last thing my house needs is more yarn. So, money saved!

Got those firestarters made. Let the main flock free range a bit, don't know if it will offset much feed but they enjoyed it.

got my cold frame mostly completed. I just have a few places I'll need to block to keep the temp up.

Oh, I moved some things like flowerpots and grubbed the red wigglers to bring inside for my worm bin. Free worms!

 

[LittleLakePhil]

My worm bin did well this year....I tore it down before the freeze....put them in the garden...the ones that survived my ducks will help the soil

 

[lazy gardener]

My first 2 worm bins were from donations from someone else. They both died due to freezing temps. The current one is doing well, and is from red worms collected from under a piece of cardboard in the garden. The one before that... red worms that had wander lust. Glad I had them in the garage. They all decided they didn't like the bin and did a mass migration. I find that the red ones with tiger stripes do the best.

Phil, that laundry soap is super easy to make. I used an old blender to grind the Fels Naptha. However, with your lung issues, I recommend that you move the rest of the process outdoors. Got a gas grill? You'll need to melt the FN. It's hard on the breathing b/c of the concentrated soap smell. I used my smart stick to mix it up. Had to divide it into 3 containers so the smart stick didn't go too deep. Then combined it for the final stirring. Didn't have a stirring implement long enough, so used a (NEW) toilet plunger from the $ store. I think I like the cleaning properties of it more than any of the stuff I've bought. And I've had some pretty expensive stuff due to GD skin allergies.

 

[LittleLakePhil]

I made my worm bin by stacking tires on a old stop sign. Stuffed it with shredded wet paper. Threw in a little compost and food scraps.
Just tossed in some left over worms from fishing. Maybe four or five dozen total. They took off...I ended up with what looked like thousands....And rich compost. The stop sign on the bottom kept them from migrating away. Next year I'll try changing things up a little.
Okay dumb question what's a smart stick?
....Phil

 

[lazy gardener]

Hand held immersion blender.

 

[LittleLakePhil]

I just found a website that a local radio station has. It offers certificates to local business at discount prices. Like there's a grocery store in Marquette where you can purchase a $50 certificate for $40.
This store also always has big sales plus coupons. That's a pretty good deal
They take PayPal too and will mail them directly to your home. I'm thinking I could buy 2 certificates a month and combined with sales and coupons load up pretty good.
I also saw one for a sporting goods store $30 for a $50 certificate. I figure to get one of those and stock up my ice fishing equipment in one haul.... I'LL HAVE TO LOOK INTO ONE OF THOSE BLENDERS...always wanted one anyway....I cook allot too......Phil

 

[donrae]

I love my immersion blender. It's just a cheapie from Wal-Mart, but I use it a lot. Guacamole and potato soup are the biggies.

My worm bin is actually inside, tucked under the dining room table

. I know, I can't believe I have it in the house, but I'm just getting it started and wanted them to be warmer. Thankfully with the rain the little buggers are coming out in full force so they're easy to find. I was going to buy some from the local bait shop, but they don't have the red wigglers, only nightcrawlers.