Some Tips On Making It When You're Broke

I wrote the following last September (2004), when my man lost his job and Hurricane Ivan hit us, within 2 weeks of each other.  As we were spinning, literally and mentally, I learned a few things and wrote them in the below article: 

 

A side benefit to being frugal with money (ie. broke) occured recently when the children wanted to decorate cupcakes. We'd run out of sprinkles but my!, they were amazed that I could make colored sugar. They kept hollering, "Look! Mama MADE this sugar! Look, it's colored!" I've learned a few other things about being frugal in the house in this hard time:

 

* Buying generic brands in everything is frustrating to me, but it has also introduced me to a few alternate products. The store-brand Saltines in one store, for example, taste like the Premium brand.

 

* Laundry gets just as clean on a longer cycle with half the detergent called for on the box.

 

* Dishes get just as clean on half the detergent, as long as you rinse them well first.

 

* Breakfast is cheaper by far without cold cereal. Cereal uses too much expensive milk! I've been making muffins, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, etc. (my 9yo said, "Mom, I don't know why, but our breakfasts have been really good lately!")

 

* The children don't need prepared snack foods like Cheez-Its and Rold Gold pretzels. They will keep content as long as they have something when they are hungry.

 

* Free, fresh eggs from our chickens are awfully useful.

 

* Margarine, even though I'm not happy to have it instead of butter, at least spreads more easily when cold.

 

* The chickens can live - and thrive - on only table scraps (thanks to the baby, we have plenty!) and free ranging (that's a term for letting them loose).

 

*  All scrap paper should be saved.  The toddler (2) doesn't notice that one side is used when she is in a scribbling mood. 

 

*  Children are immensely amused with scissors, magazines, a glue stick, and paper.  Tell them to create a book by folding the paper  in half and stapling it (or using a hole punch and yarn) on the folded side.

 

* People love homemade cards from the children, made from the above.

 

*  Meat does not have to be a main dish.

 

*  Rice & beans or pasta can be an inexpensive main dish, with meat as the "seasoning" or as the side item.

 

*  Water and microfiber cleaning cloths (.99 at WalMart in the automotive section) can polish any window or stainless steel, and can clean any smooth surface of grime - without expensive, unhealthy chemicals.

 

* A garden is an important thing to plant each year. You never know when life will throw you a curve ball. 

 

* Hospitality is still important, even when broke.  I have been more blessed by going to a poor gal's home and experiencing her generosity with her homebaked goods and tea, than I ever have in a rich gal's home who can afford the fancy things she offers. 

 

* When you give away extra things generously, God will always bless you back.  I have seen this many, many times. 

(Originally published on my 2005-2008 Keeping the Home blog)

Comments

[Comments from 2005]

Thursday, June 30, 2005 - Posted by grownathome

Wonderful insight! It is so true too.
Thanks for sharing,

Tiffany

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Thursday, June 30, 2005 - Posted by stevebraun

Great post! I have clients all over the map financially. Many of them could use your ideas to get ahead. But it is a tough sell in the land of plenty where we're bombarded with consumerism.

Also, I have found that the happiest people are those who get by with less, rather than those who bask in plenty. What are your thoughts on that given what your family has been through?

Steve

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Thursday, June 30, 2005 - Oooo, you gave me a new blog idea..

Posted by KeepingtheHome

Steve, Your question gives me yet another blog post idea. I'll write on it and send you a link. Let me just say that you are absolutely right. Our family's one year in a wooden hut in Papua New Guinea with a dirt floor, outhouse, no running water and no electricity is the one year that we four kids reminisce about the most.

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Thursday, June 30, 2005 - Good ideas

Posted by VictoriaCarrington

Thanks for the great tips! You make frugality sound like fun. I like to be frugal and have fun!

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Thursday, June 30, 2005 - I can't wait to read about your year in Papua New Guinea!

Posted by PatriciaWHunter

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We sure do have a lot in common! Last August 3, my dear husband lost his job in the citrus industry, after 23 years with the same company. As we were trying to make sense of what had happened, and make decisions about what to do next, Hurricane Charley hit us in SW Florida, and our son in Orlando, on August 13th.

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Thursday, June 30, 2005 - Great tips!

Posted by adegrasse

Thanks for posting them, it's nice to have some fresh ideas for cutting corners!

Anissa
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