Freedom from a plan is not a plan at all

There are so many choices in the world of financial gurus right now that it can be crippling to decide which one to follow.  For a person who already has no financial plan whatsoever, and is essentially happy with that from a personality standpoint, the incentive to buckle down and choose someone to follow can seem nonexistent.  So, imagine a man in his sixties sitting in a dark apartment, adjusting his rabbit ears antennae on his TV set (yes, they still have those, even for the digital age) to try to get a better picture because he can't afford cable, or to turn the lights on.  He's eating a microwaveable entree because he can't afford to have his gas meter turned on (it's $25 a month just to use the service, before any gas flows to your home).  He would like to go out and see a movie with friends, but he has no money in his wallet.  This is a glimpse at the future with no financial plan.  And, it stinks!

The key to getting anywhere financially, according to just about everybody who is anybody is actually beginning the journey with the first step. For me, it is a matter of looking at someone who I would like to emulate, and doing what they do.  It is also important to avoid emulating people who are in places that I don't want to go.

Realize that everyone has a different idea of what the finish line should look like.  For some people, this means millions of dollars worth of real estate and stock with a hefty savings account on the side.  For some, it is a paid for cottage on a lake with a small row boat and a steady stream of bait money flowing into their modest checking account.  Still, others have designs on blowing out their 401k account and using the interest in their old age to travel the globe.  I have recently discovered a really interesting lifestyle pattern where a person sets up a few income streams with products and services that they barely have to be involved in and going someplace where their money is very strong and they can do just about anything they please.  The bottom line is, no one person can tell everyone on earth how they will best be happy and comfortable for the rest of their lives.  What about missionaries and monks who have taken vows of poverty and chosen to live out their days in service to their fellow man without the intrusion of monetary concerns at all.  Are they wrong?  Of course not!  They have made choices best suited to their personal goals.  And so should you.

But, know this.  Wherever on the map of life you have placed your pin and decided to go, you will need a plan to get there.  Do whatever it takes (for me, this means reading dozens of books and blogs) to find the destination of your dreams, find someone who has made it there, and go that way!  One day at a time, one step at a time, eventually you will begin to see progress.

For me, this means learning new ways to generate income to pay off our debts and eventually get a farm where we can have a few goats and chickens.  More on that later.

My primary point is that you will never get anywhere if you do not decide on a destination and take the first step toward getting there.  Simple as that.

Equip Your Teen Driver

Among my many "careers", I once sold cars for a major retailer.  We had many policies that I was fond of, but a particular favorite was our method of keeping our customers busy while their paperwork was printing in the office.

When a person purchased a car from me, while we waited for the business office to get all the papers ready for them to sign, it was my job to take the customer back out to the lot (we pulled the car inside if it was raining), and go over a long checklist of items to make sure the customer knew how to operate every major bell and whistle on the car.  Things like turn signals, windshield wipers, headlights, brights, cruise control, etc.  It was not only a great way to kill twenty minutes, it was a wonderful way to make sure that the customer didn't drive off the lot into traffic and get smashed trying to find a button.

This makes me think of our own teenage drivers.  The one thing that a young person really needs to know before they operate a car is how to ... operate the car!

Take twenty minutes when you get Junior behind the wheel for the first time and teach him all the ins and outs.  You've got more than twenty minutes, but that may be about as long as he will listen, so focus on the critical stuff.  I recommend looking over the table of contents of your owner's manual for starters.  Anything that the manufacturer wants you to know, your kid should know.

Happy and Safe Driving!

Be Who You Are

I used to homeschool my kids.  One of the best elements thereof was how much I learned about myself.  I'm an avid reader and researcher, and one year I was taken with the idea of learning styles -- the concept of how a person learns and how best to teach them.  Much of my research pointed back to basic personality traits.  It was so enlightening!

During my research, I learned something very important about my own personality that had always really bugged me.  It was something I would change if I could.  But, in a book written especially for parents, I learned that this aspect of my personality was completely normal -- just not one that a lot of people talked about or celebrated.

Okay, I'll let you in on what it was; but only for illustrative purposes.  The writer of the book happened to share the same personality trait which made me feel even more validated.  She said that it was not unusual for a person with this trait to hold down five or more careers in a lifetime.  Careers!  Not just jobs.  I had seen myself as a job hopper or as someone who didn't stick to the task for the long haul.  But what I learned was that many people are like me and just desire a change in scenery in the area of their work.  This opened my eyes and gave me so much more perspective into my journey.  I felt like it was okay to be me.

That's my point.  You are who you are.  I'm not saying you and I don't have areas where we need to grow or develop.  We all do.  But, the best place to begin is by accepting ourselves as we were made to be -- the things we really cannot change -- and then move on to develop the best qualities of our own individual personalities by capitalizing on our strengths and learning to make our weaknesses less of a liability.

It all boils down to one simple idea -- you must accept yourself and resist the urge to compare yourself with others.  It's a habit worth cultivating.

PLEASE PARDON MY DUST

I am working on getting products added to my store. Running into some technical difficulty.

In the meantime, if there is a particular product you wish to find, you can either click on the featured product to the left, then search Amazon.com or you can go just below that box and use the Amazon.com Search box.


Thanks!
 Kellie

Heirloom Gifting

Today, my daughter graduates from high school. It's a big deal! Perhaps most importantly because her older brother didn't and cannot since he is no longer with us. In light of that and other considerations, I have decided to give her an heirloom gift to celebrate, rather than go out and purchase a new graduation gift.

Heirloom gifting is almost a thing of the past. In today's society where it seems like most things are disposable, we lack the sense of legacy that past generations held. This is sometimes blamed for young people getting involved in gangs and other forms of criminal behavior. Kids need to feel connected to the past in a positive way.

I encourage you to consider heirloom gifting next time your child or a close family member crosses a major milestone. A wedding, graduation, or the birth of a new baby bring so many wonderful lasting memories. What better way to demonstrate the significance of the occasion than with a gift that surpasses generations? A piece of jewelry, a set of china, or a hand made item given to you by a family member can become a delightful reminder that a person has a family rich with history.

When I decided that I would give Sarah an heirloom, I immediately settled on a piece of my jewelry. I actually own quite a bit, although I don't really wear it much at all. Most of my jewelry has been given to me by my parents or my grandparents. Instant heirlooms!

Because I own several nice pieces, it was a little challenging to decide which one to gift to my daughter. I gave it quite a bit of thought, then checked with my mom to make sure it wouldn't hurt feelings. I chose a beautiful sapphire tennis bracelet that my mother gave to me a number of years ago. It's set in silver and has white and blue sapphires alternating. At the time of this writing I haven't given it to her, and I'm going to wait to publish later this evening when I know it won't spoil the surprise -- just in case she reads my blog.

Finally, I wanted to pass on a little tip that I picked up a number of years ago on how to polish silver that has become slightly tarnished.

The things that you will need are simple -- baking soda, aluminum foil, and boiling water.

First, place the aluminum foil into the bottom of your kitchen sink. I crumpled my foil up to make it into a bit of a basin. You want the shiny side down and the non shiny side up -- in contact with your silver item.



Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into the sink on top of the foil.

Place your silver item into the foil basin.

Next, put a small pan of water on to boil.

When the water is boiling, pour a small amount into the foil basin with the soda and silver item inside. You should get lots of bubbles.

You may want to repeat with more baking soda and more boiling water several times.

After a few tries, you should notice a considerable difference in the brightness of your silver item.

This is not as effective as silver polish, but it will do nicely in a pinch -- especially if you have to give it as a gift in just a few hours!

Got a Picky Eater?

Let's face it, raising little ones has a plethora of challenges. One of which can be getting them to eat!

I face this challenge on a daily basis with my daycare baby, Reagan. She's a charmer, but not a big eater. Today, I made a loaf of half-whole wheat, half-white bread (in my thrift store bread machine that I paid less than five bucks for).
I was amazed at how much she liked it! I let her eat as much as she wanted, lightly buttered.
Her mom was shocked that she liked it as well.

That's just how it is with little ones. Sometimes even the most particular eaters will surprise you and enjoy some very healthy foods. But, you'll never know unless you try. Some parents become frustrated and serve only sugary foods to a picky eater. I think that's a mistake and a very bad habit. For instance, those "milk shakes" that the grocery stores sell to "supplement" your child's lacking diet. What on earth! So, if a child won't eat healthy foods, we substitute by giving them milk shakes? I think not. I'm not trying to judge. I know it can be very stressful when a little one doesn't seem to be eating much. But, to only offer her sugary foods would be counter intuitive. It satiates her appetite, but doesn't meet her nutritional needs. I submit that it is well worth taking the time and patience to continue offering new and different kinds of foods to small children to see which ones will stick. I also recommend that you use common sense. Don't start with arugula or radishes. I also refuse to give Reagan milk at the beginning of the meal as this tends to fill up her tummy and doesn't provide her with everything she needs from her food. Rather, giving foods first, with a glass of water, and milk later in the meal or even between meals with a snack seems to keep her eating more foods and relying less on her "Ba Ba".

Just a friendly reminder to not give up and keep trying different foods with young children. They may surprise you.

Planning for Contingencies

A contingency is an unexpected event that may happen -- usually but not always indicating something negative.

The word makes me think about basic things I need to carry out my day, and how not having something can either be a train wreck or a mere inconvenience. For example, I babysit two very small people, and running out of diapers would be a major issue for me. Running out of anything can be a huge stopping point in anyone's day -- but it doesn't have to be.

Here are a few ideas to prevent contingencies from derailing your plans.

The biggest and most basic thing that nearly everyone needs at one point or another is money. Running out of this crucial commodity can be devastating. That's why this is point number one. Have SOME savings. Period. We hear this all the time, but so few of us carry through and it becomes glaringly obvious how important this point is when something breaks or goes bad that we must absolutely involve money to replace or repair.

Insurance. Again, a very basic concept. Some insurance is necessary to fulfill the law -- such as auto insurance. But, other types of insurance can help transfer risk from you to the insurance company for a fairly minimal fee.

Beyond these two critical -- and basically liquid commodities -- spend time throughout your day making note of things that you probably would be hard pressed without, and try to come up with a way to do without them or replace them in a hurry without having to spend unnecessary time or cash running out to buy.

Have at least a couple of meals in the freezer for those evenings when you can't (or don't feel like) putting a fresh meal on the table. These can be done easily enough by doubling any entree that will freeze well and putting half into a zipper bag. It's a good idea to double up on the plastic bag or use plastic wrap first, then aluminum foil. Remember to label the entree with the name, instructions for cooking or reheating, and the date that you placed it in the freezer.

Keep a few shammy type cloths handy at all times in case you run out of paper towels (or replace the paper altogether with a small supply). I also have a moderate supply of cloth "napkins" that I cut out of an unused flannel sheet. I used pinking shears so the fabric would not ravel and I wouldn't need to spend time sewing up edges. These make the best baby washcloths!

Using plastic plates, cutlery, and cups that you already own, assemble a "picnic basket" to keep in your car at all times in case you happen to be out with the family and the hungries grab everyone at once. A quick run through the grocery store or even a cheaper than average fast food meal becomes a pleasure instead of an inconvenience. While you're at it, place an old blanket or a few lawn chairs in the car as well. Then, you'll be ready for all sorts of possibilities.

Along the same lines, always make sure you have several bottles of water -- or even a gallon and a few plastic cups -- in your vehicle at all times. Thirst can sneak up on you when you least expect it. Having this on hand can save hundreds of dollars annually that you would otherwise spend buying fast food drinks or small bottles of water in a convenience store.

For people with small children who aren't yet toilet trained, always have five or six cloth diapers and plastic underpants on hand in case you run out of disposable diapers (unless you've already made a permanent switch -- and if so, kudos!) This goes for wipees too. I have my customers provide disposable wipes for their infants, but in a pinch, I have a great mixture that I make with baby shampoo and water and a touch of vinegar; I then use on hand paper towels or wash cloths (one use only for these and then straight to the washer).

Sleeping bags and other camping gear can double in "emergency" situations -- such as unexpected company or a power shortage. Taking time to gather up camping supplies from low cost resources will put you in a much better position should you be struck by a bad weather situation as well. Plus, it's just fun to camp, and it's a lot simpler and cheaper if you have already got the necessary supplies on hand.

These are just some ideas to help you get started in planning for possible unexpected circumstances. Feel free to comment and give me your ideas as well.

Decrease Your Ick Factor

On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least and 10 being the greatest, how gross do you think it is to buy an article of used clothing from a garage sale? What about eating leftover dinner for lunch the next day? Finally, imagine washing and reusing aluminum foil in your kitchen. The numbers you assign to these and other similar activities is what I would like to call your "Ick Factor". In general, the lower your numbers, the easier you will find it to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Because buying and using only new things in general just costs more.

I am a die-hard Amy Dacyczyn fan -- author of The Tightwad Gazette. Amy touched on these issues many times during her stint as a newsletter publisher. I remember reading in regard to purchasing used clothing, don't think of it as buying used clothes; think of it as buying new clothes that have been washed a few times. That's great advice! After all, once you have worn your own clothing and washed them a few times, aren't they then used?

It was with this in mind a few years ago, when my family was making one of several cross country relocations. I remember packing up one of the four bathrooms in our house. I reached for the toilet brush and thought that I would go ahead and throw it away only to replace it with a new one on the other end of the move. Then, I thought of Amy. I rationalized that I would have to replace the toilet brush in the new house -- four times over; once for each toilet. After using a new toilet brush once at the new house, I would have -- you guessed it -- a used toilet brush! When you have several bathrooms, replacing every toilet brush adds up. So, I took that used toilet brush, wrapped it in a recycled grocery bag and never looked back.

It's this kind of thinking that I encourage you to reconsider. Does it gross you out to think of buying clothing at a thrift store? Why? What about dishes? If your grandmother leaves you a set of antique china, isn't that the same thing? Many times, we are living up to expectations that we have in our minds, but not really doing ourselves any favors in the cash flow department. By the way, if you're nervous about using this argument with your teenage daughter, ask her how gross it was that she borrowed her best friends jeans last week. Aha!

Bringing down your Ick Factor will put you in a better position to raise your bottom line.

Happy Homesteading

Going Green -- Really?

I'm in the process of reading The Self-Sufficient Home, Going Green & Saving Money by Christoper Nyerges. The first chapter is utterly awe inspiring. In it, we read the story of a man named Dude McLean (I'm not making this up!) and how he found ways to become self-reliant. His efforts paid off in spades when, in 1971, his area was hit by an earthquake that registered 7.1 on the Richter scale. The story elaborates on how his family and a number of his neighbors were able to survive because he had gone to such measures to protect his family against exactly this type of event (he was preparing for a potential nuclear war between USA and USSR).

It's safe to say that climate and environmental impact have taken center stage on society's list of things to be aware of. I can see a clear connection between self-reliance and "green living". As a simple example, a person who rides their bicycle to work is neither relying on gasoline for their transportation, nor is s/he contributing unnecessary amounts of unhealthy gases to the pollution problem around them. However, if the person is having a hard time making ends meet, is it sensible for him to spend $5,000 on a brand new super bike to support the Green Cause? I say no. I believe there can and should be a balance.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that if I were independently wealthy today, there's a very strong chance that I would have at least one composting toilet in my house, as well as an elaborate rain water collection system, solar water heater, a wind turbine or two on my 50 acre homestead (all hypothetical, of course). Some of today's Green Gadgets are absolutely fantastic, and in terms of creating a more self-reliant lifestyle, these are on the list of things that I consider to be basic essentials. But, today, I am not independently wealthy, so I have to be realistic about what I can really afford to do. Baby steps, if you will.

I worked for a car dealership in recent years, and I can't tell you how many people came in when gas prices reached the four dollar per gallon mark -- bought a newer used car on credit (interest, payments, etc.) -- just to save a few dollars a week in gas. I hate to admit it, but after watching so many people do it, I too fell victim to my own lust for a cheaper ride to work and traded in a minivan that was getting around twelve miles per gallon for a compact station wagon that gets about twenty-eight. In a cruel twist of irony, my husband lost his job and suddenly we found our weekly commute miles down to zero! That's right. I was paying a longer loan for a car that wasn't saving me a dime -- unless you count my weekly trips to the grocery store which is about a mile from my house.

In a perfect world, I would have all sorts of Green Gadgets, including a whole house system designed to collect and store rainwater. Such a system can cost almost as much as my whole house! For now, I can collect rain (to water my garden) in an extra trash barrel that we already have. I can use an old garden hose to set up drip irrigation to get the most out of the collected rainwater.

In a perfect world, I would have a car that I can plug in at night (preferably to a huge elaborate panel of batteries that have been charging all day from a huge bank of solar panels on my roof). Instead, I must be strategic and look for ways to drive my vehicles less and keep them tuned so they have the least impact on the environment and on my budget as possible.

For me, there is a pull in both directions (not that they are always pulling against one another). The Green (the environment and self reliance) and The Green (cash flow -- savings -- getting out of debt). The two can coexist, but they can also be opposing forces at times. To put it another way, my quest for self-reliance is two fold -- less dependence on cash flow to survive and less dependence on others like utility companies and big grocery stores for energy and food. For now, I will seek to find the balance between the two perfect scenarios and enjoy the journey toward more self-reliant living. I want to be sure that on the road to Green, I don't end up deeper in the Red.

Happy (and Green) Homesteading!

My New Hobby -- Knitting!

(photo: my current project -- baby blankie of my own design -- Stockinette on an angle)

A few years ago, I was reading a Mary Hunt article on spending and saving and it inspired me to pick up (of all things) the art of knitting.

In the article she was saying that knitting has only two stitches: knit and purl. Well, I thought that I should surely be able to handle two simple stitches. After all, I had learned to crochet when I was only seven, so how hard could this really be? I'd tried it in the past and failed miserably, but this time I was determined.

The first thing I did was spend about twenty bucks at the local craft store for a “teach yourself to knit” kit. It took a few tries to get it figured out, but finally, I managed to do it! At this point, I had quite a bit of scrap yarn here and there (as I mentioned, I've crocheted for years), so I didn't have to plunk down any more than the initial twenty dollars for the learning kit. Using said scrap yarn, I made a tiny scarf for a teddy bear and went from there. Next, I made a small blanket that I use for my daycare babies. I learned from those projects that knitting in certain stitches causes curling. I decided to keep at it, and using a pattern from a local craft store (and not especially cheap yarn -- do not try this at home), I made a lapghan (aka. miniature afghan) in a weekend when my husband, Dave, and I had a little getaway planned. This was especially thrilling, and the knitting bug has been firmly implanted in my heart ever since. I wouldn't say I am great at it, but that hasn't made it any less enjoyable for me.

I strongly encourage you to consider learning this time honored craft (and/or crochet, which I found easier to pick up). Should you choose to accept this mission, here are some ways to keep it from costing you a fortune.

I. Never buy a pattern unless it's something really unique. The web has possibly hundreds of thousands of free patterns out there for the taking. Many committed artisans happily share their discoveries for nothing more than a few minutes on their sites. I recommend searching the words “free knit pattern” for starters and go from there. In addition, you can get lots of free patterns right at the craft store. On the yarn bins, you'll see little pads of them hanging all over the place. If you aren't sure what to look for, feel free to ask a sales associate and they will cheerfully assist you in finding free resources like these. And, of course, check your local library. I have checked out probably at least fifty knitting pattern and stitch books, just to learn as much as I could about the craft; what techniques I would like to try, and pitfalls to avoid.

II. Yarn and supplies can be expensive, so I've learned a few ways to keep spending for my knitting hobby from getting out of control.

1. Accept freebies: friends and relatives frequently have skeins of yarn tucked away from some unfinished (or un-started) project that they would love for someone to be able to enjoy. Chances are, they probably have a nice pattern or book to go along with it, so feel free to send out a mass email and ask.

2. Hit garage sales and thrift stores. Many a kind person has donated unused items of this nature to the greater good. Take advantage of it and keep your eyes peeled. You may want to really save time and just ask at the front if the sales associate is aware of any supplies for sale in the store. I once happened on a huge cache of extra long knitting needles complete with storage case for less than fifteen bucks! The retail value of this find was well beyond two hundred dollars.

3. Don't rush out to buy your needles at high retail prices. Like yarn and patterns, many knit and crochet needles find their way to a resale store or garage sale, so a little patience will serve you well. If you're looking for a specific size, post on craigslist or check Ebay, Amazon, etcetera – and again, ask friends, family, and neighbors. Remember that people also donate all sorts of other notions like stitch markers. Patience on this will be your best ally in obtaining supplies. Also, try to adapt a pattern to a needle size you already own using the gauge at the beginning of the pattern.

4. Think twice before purchasing anything. Just because something is not retail price does not mean that you will use it. Remember the knitting needles I found? Well, I didn't need two dozen sets of extra long knitting needles, so – while it was a steal of a price – I let that deal go to someone who could really use it. I thought of it as an act of kindness not to buy them which helped me avoid feeling like I'd missed out on a great deal. I have not regretted passing them up for a moment. Instead, as mentioned above, I have been able to use my single set of extra long needles and adapt for my purposes. Since this is one of my hobbies, and not a source of income for me, I choose not to make too many "investments".
   

5. The most awesome idea I've ever seen for getting super cheap yarn is to recycle old yarn items. There are a number of articles online about this, but the gist of it is to unravel old sweaters, afghans, etcetera and utilize the yarn for a new purpose! I must admit that I don't use yarn fast enough to have ever needed this tactic, but it's a great idea and I'd love to hear about your recycled yarn projects!

III. Stick with beginner level projects, if you are a beginner. There is a reason you can find so many wonderful patterns and unfinished projects in thrift store bins – it's because someone bit off more than they could chew. Luckily, most patterns will clearly tell you how difficult they are by some sort of ranking system. This is another fantastic reason to use online resources because if you find something a little daunting, you haven't lost anything in the trying. If I am trying out a new technique, I always start with yarn I have on hand to see if I can even do it, much less enjoy it.

Like all thrifty living techniques, yarn craft can be a wonderful addition to your repertoire of skills and also a super fun hobby to enjoy. There's nothing more rewarding for me than sitting down to a movie with my family and seeing all my little ducklings tucked under my own personally hand made projects! I also find that having a yarn craft on my lap in winter months gives me a real sense of satisfaction – especially when I finish the project!

Finally, passing down yarn crafts in the family gives a real feeling of heritage that I find thrilling. My sister in law wraps her boys up every winter in scarves made by her grandmother that several generations of children have now used. I crocheted a very large afghan in high school that my kids still enjoy using today. What a wonderful way to bless yourself and your family and friends; and if it's done with a little forethought, it will add and not subtract from your overall bottom line.

Happy (and thrifty) Homesteading!

Bread Bowls

I made these a few weeks ago. I used a roll recipe from Dave's parents and my bread maker to knead the dough. After the dough rose for a few minutes in the machine, I chopped it into four equal pieces (still way too big I found out), and let them rise in the oven with a warm glass of water and the light on -- on my baking stones. The soup was a wing-it experiment that I tried after having a freebie meal at my daughter's new job. I recommend that you use a favorite creamy soup recipe or find one online. I would call this home made chicken enchilada. If you're too scared to try your own soup, at least give a good bread recipe a try and (gasp) use a canned cream soup for starters. Next time, be adventurous and try your own soup recipe.

Mmmmmmm! It tastes even better when you realize you could have easily spent forty bucks feeding your family the same meal at a restaurant. My total ingredient cost was less than five dollars!

Happy Homesteading!

I just finished reading Jeff Yeager's book The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches. It gave me a few new points to ponder that I hadn't really thought much about before, if at all.

Jeff talks about a thing he calls "The Money Steps". To sum up my understanding of this concept, think of yourself on a treadmill and you're just walking for the sake of doing it. We get a job, we earn money, we buy stuff. Repeat. It starts to get a little ridiculous in my opinion and I'm definitely not talking about everybody else out there. I have fallen prey to this ideology many, many times. Reading this book made me realize how much of my life I have given away for the "privilege" of pure consumerism. The funny thing is, after earning and spending and scraping and debting for over 20 adult years, I might have ten possessions that I truly value and the rest of them are mostly in my way. It makes me think more about the concept of a road map in terms of goals and what I would like to accomplish in the future. I think far too few people stop and ask themselves "What do I want?"

For me, I want to be entirely debt free -- house, cars, whatever -- within the next ten years, and if we are able to continue on our current budget and savings goals, that should be completed. Even more basic than that goal, I don't want to have to work to pay bills when I am old. So, for me, the most logical step in that direction is to work toward having NO bills when I am old. Is it possible? That's what I aim to discover. That's my mission; my Quest! Achieve as much "off grid" living as possible -- even here in the Blurbs -- and reap the rewards in my golden years. And, Honey, if you're reading this, I want you there with me too. Bill free and aging gracefully.

Oh, and, by the way, what are those ten valuable possessions, you ask? Well, that's a good question.

1. Besides a few little bumps and bruises, for the most part, my body works, and I am truly grateful for that. I realize this isn't a true "possession" in the sense of stuff, but I think it's very important, so it's my number 1.

2. My eye glasses. Without them, I would have a very tough time getting anything accomplished. These are a must have, and sadly, I must pay whatever they cost which is usually way too much, but I have had the same pair for six years now, and -- they are beginning to get a bit scratched -- but over the course of six years, not a bad investment.

3. My flip flops. It may sound crazy, but I am so happy that I have these little gems. They do almost everything you need shoes to do, and I usually pay less than two dollars a pair for them.

4. My minivan. I paid next to nothing for it. It's old and banged up, but it's a super comfy ride, and I'm thrilled to have it!

5. My library. I know I don't own the library, but I would be hard pressed to have the knowledge I have today -- and the ability to gain infinitely more -- without this local lifeline.

6. My easy chair. I spend way too much time there, but it's on my list.

7. My bed -- let's face it. We all gotta sleep, and I'm grateful I can do so in a comfy bed. Again, super cheap, super old, but super mine!

8. My kitchen. I am SO grateful to have a place to feed my family. Running water is a gift that we all take for granted. All my appliances are new -- bought with cash as the old ones that we bought with this house pooped out one by one. I know I could survive without these conveniences, but I don't have to do that yet, and I'm very happy!

9. My laptop. I won't elaborate. I just love this thing!

10. My dog. I got a little long-haired dachshund five years ago this month. His name is Oscar, and he was soon joined by two other dogs because he has a daddy. I like the other two okay, but my little Oscar is on my list because he really is my best friend.

Happy Homesteading!

Bag Garden 101

My husband and I have been reading all winter about how to grow your own food. I have a rather tan thumb, and most houseplants only last a few weeks around here (although I have great success with philodendron, hardy mums, and a few others); so I've been apprehensive and really looking for an easy way. However, easy is not nearly as important to me as cheap! With these things in mind, we began our search for information.

My parents, my husband, and I all really enjoy reading Mother Earth News, and stumbled on an idea through their publication of using bags of topsoil rather than digging, amending, etc. It's kind of like a sloppier version of the raised bed concept. I decided to give it a whirl!

The first piece of advice was to start small, so I purchased only 20 bags of top soil on sale at a local hardware store. They also had lots of seeds to choose from for 10 packets for a dollar. Dave also bought some peppers and okra seeds at retail (about a buck a packet). After planting, putting in tomato plants from the depot, and rabbit proof fencing, I have a total of less than $60 in my whole operation. I am also experimenting with using old tomatoes and onions that would have gone to my compost pile to see if I can get a few freebies -- they are planted on my front porch in large pots. And, as the reference to rotting veggies would indicate, I am also looking forward to NOT spending money on vegetables from the grocery that have already taken a turn for the worst without being detected before purchase.
My daughter, Grace, is getting into the spirit as well. Several months ago, in a large unused pot of soil that we had in the kitchen, she cut up and planted a sprouting potato. So far, she has a couple of plants that are looking pretty good. We have no idea what to expect, but she also planted a few other things in there -- I don't remember what they are. You can see them sprouting up there on the left. I read that potatoes will grow these nice plants all summer, and that you should harvest them after the plants die off. For my part, potatoes are so inexpensive in the store, and would require quite a bit of yard space to grow any significant amount that I'm really just not interested in planting them wholesale. We'll see what Grace comes up with and maybe next year I'll have a different outlook on growing potatoes.

Here is a close up on one of my bags. This one has either cucumbers or yellow squash. I can't tell them apart.

A super close up of one of my babies. Again, either yellow squash or cucumbers. I did write them down on a diagram because I am not ready to try to identify things by sight.



Last but not least, I took a photo of a dogwood I planted last spring in memoriam of my son, Anthony. We were happy that it came back this year and looks pretty good from the laymen's perspective.





Peuvent vous avez un beau jardin which is French for "May you have a beautiful garden!"

Newbie Alert!

Well, after browsing through all the fantastic blogs that I've stumbled on today, I've decided to take the plunge and begin blogging about my latest project -- to become more self-sufficient. What's more, we live on a fifth of an acre in the suburbs of Kansas City, so everything we can do will be interesting.

This week I am enjoying the sprouts of my newly planted bag garden! I put in the seeds about three weeks ago, and I already have a few babies peeking out of the ground! We put up rabbit fencing to prevent bun buns from eating the plants and veggies. We have LOTS of bun buns in the suburbs! My puppy dogs usually take care of them, but I actually have my yard split down the middle -- our neighbor has a mean dog that bites my little dachshunds every chance they get, so I had to take drastic action. Anyway, so my dogs can't get to the "garden side" of the yard.

I'll figure out how to get photos on here soon. For now, please feel free to send me lots of ideas, pictures, recipes, etc. about how to grow, store, and otherwise use fresh food.