Deal With It, Simply!

There are many struggling right now and I want to think of ways we can help each other out.  If you have any ideas please let me know and I will add to our list.

• This year I will be adding  a few extra rows to my garden to give to my neighbors. Lets especially try to remember those who are out of work or their hours who have been cut back.
• Our family has started the every other week Sunday family dinner. My Mom, My Sister and I take turns cooking for the others and we enjoy a meal and together time. When times are tough I know it is easier to retreat in your own world and succumb  to depression, but let me tell you, how wonderful and uplifting to be with your loved ones. Also our  new “Get Together Club” saves money by having a potluck and eating together.
• Some of our neighbors and a few of my clients save aluminum cans for us and we use toward our cable bill. Cable is a luxury and the boys thought it was one they wanted so this is what we do.
• A couple at church had a new baby boy and I wanted to give them a little something. I had heard about diaper cakes and thought I could make one. Here is my attempt at one.

• I found a how to video I bought everything at the dollar store and the cost was $22 and I split the cost with a friend at church. (The netting I had, from a play that I made a shirt for my oldest daughter,  that isn’t in the price because I had it.)
• If you are going to get rid of things and simplify your life remember many of us are shopping at goodwill, thrift stores and a new thing  is Freecycle. There is a Toledo freecycle that I belong to and this is were you offer or let those in your group know what you are looking for. The best part is it is free you are just responsible for sitting the item on your porch or to pick up. Also check out Craigslist and there is a free section.
• Bartering-  is the exchange of goods or services for goods or services, no money changes hands. Today my oldest son had a his cello recital at our church. Randy asked this teacher if they would have a recital and she didn’t have a location so he asked our pastor and he said sure. Then came the rental fee, the fee is paid to the cleaning crew which so happens to be us, so Jake’s teacher and I bartered his lessons for the cleaning, boy did that help this month.
• A friend from church is what I say a flower and garden expert. Last year while visiting her I told her how lovely her yard and flowers were and she said “would you like some?” I said sure and she gave me all kinds out plants and starts. She told me it is always good to separate the plants and share.  My yard looked great and now I share. A pay it forward with plants. There is a free plant cycle in my area, I just joined and it is like freecycle offers and wants.
• Another friend taught me this one. Many people with fruit trees don’t use the produce, either to busy or maybe elderly. She will approach the home owner and ask if they would consider sharing with her if she picks the produce. This is how she gets free apples, peaches and grapes. Time for produce, very frugal!

Have a great day and God’s Blessings, we can do this if we work together, Candy