Ok folks. I apologize for being so inactive. I know I know. At least this time I have a good excuse. I got laid off a couple weeks ago. Fortunately I've found a new place to work but it requires moving. What's even more unfortunate is that the job is 50 hours a week, plus I'm trying to find a place, plus i'm trying to pack, plus its the High Holy Days.
so to everyone, I apologize. I'm sorry. There I said it. There is nothing that can be done about it at the moment. I do welcome the new followers I see over at the left.
Ah but this rambling is not the point of this posting. I would like to wish everyone who reads this blog a peaceful, joyful, and sweet new year (if your reading this and not Jewish substitute season for new year) and a stressfree high holidays (is that even possible). La Sha'na Tova Tikvetevu!
ok, what kinda gay Jew would I be if I didn't include a barbara streisand ballad? Well this may not exactly be a balad, but here she is singing Alvinu Malkeinu (Our Father Our King).
Joe
3 Tishrei 5770
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Surving and Thriving with Downward Mobility vol 1 iss 3
ok, so I have been lax in posting to this series. to make up for it, this time around we are having a big topic.
the topic is, home food preservation. In general there are five types of home food preservation, with variations of each:
1. dehydrating/drying
2. freezing
3. canning
4. fermentation
5. root cellering
My biggest experience is with canning so we'll start there. Canning is fun, pschologically rewarding, and makes wonderful economic sense. Its good for the environment too.
If you look at various articles on canning, they will tell you it is cost prohibitive. it is not. The only part that can't be reused is the lids. The rings, jars, canners, and assorted other equpment can be reused literally tens of thousands of times. The lids have to be used new each time, however they are fairly cheap. I get them for about $.08 apiece. the cost of electricity/gas to heat the canner is negligible and amortizes, using local rates, for a full canner to an additional 13 cents a jar.
Now, nearly anything can be canned assuming you have both a pressure canner and boiling water bath canner. I can hundreds of jars a year of various things. The biggest thing is sources. The following are sources I have used, or close friends have used:
1. your garden. All gardens produce surplus. canning this surplus can radically reduce your winter grocery bill.
2. foraging/wildcrafting. An enourmous amount of edible plants grow on public lands. Also, look for fruit trees growing at homes that are for sale.
3. gleaning. look for neighbors with fruit trees they aren't using.
4. produce auctions. these are generally for wholesalers, so you will have to buy in large quantities.
5. barter help with garden work for extra produce.
6. loss leader produce sales at the supermarket.
Now, sources for jars (if at all possible you should definitly avoid buying new jars):
1. flea markets
2. yard sales
3. auctions/estate sales
4. craig's list/free cycle
5. take out an add in your local pennysaver newspaper.
Finally its time to consider portioning. This is important as if you can in two small a container that you have to use two, you waste a lid. If it is on the other hand too big a jar you may end up with spoilage and food waste. Jars come in 5 sizes:
1. 4oz jars, most used for jellies
2. 1/2 pint jars, used mostly for relishes, jams, jellies, and chutney
3. Pint size (about the size of a standard can of veggies or fruit from the store)
4. quart, I use these mainly for tomatoes and dilly beans which we go through like nobody's businessf
5. half gallon. These are used mainly for juice.
Always be sure to calculate the relative savigns for the item you are canning. Also, don't can things you won't eat. What have y'all been canning this year?
joe
the topic is, home food preservation. In general there are five types of home food preservation, with variations of each:
1. dehydrating/drying
2. freezing
3. canning
4. fermentation
5. root cellering
My biggest experience is with canning so we'll start there. Canning is fun, pschologically rewarding, and makes wonderful economic sense. Its good for the environment too.
If you look at various articles on canning, they will tell you it is cost prohibitive. it is not. The only part that can't be reused is the lids. The rings, jars, canners, and assorted other equpment can be reused literally tens of thousands of times. The lids have to be used new each time, however they are fairly cheap. I get them for about $.08 apiece. the cost of electricity/gas to heat the canner is negligible and amortizes, using local rates, for a full canner to an additional 13 cents a jar.
Now, nearly anything can be canned assuming you have both a pressure canner and boiling water bath canner. I can hundreds of jars a year of various things. The biggest thing is sources. The following are sources I have used, or close friends have used:
1. your garden. All gardens produce surplus. canning this surplus can radically reduce your winter grocery bill.
2. foraging/wildcrafting. An enourmous amount of edible plants grow on public lands. Also, look for fruit trees growing at homes that are for sale.
3. gleaning. look for neighbors with fruit trees they aren't using.
4. produce auctions. these are generally for wholesalers, so you will have to buy in large quantities.
5. barter help with garden work for extra produce.
6. loss leader produce sales at the supermarket.
Now, sources for jars (if at all possible you should definitly avoid buying new jars):
1. flea markets
2. yard sales
3. auctions/estate sales
4. craig's list/free cycle
5. take out an add in your local pennysaver newspaper.
Finally its time to consider portioning. This is important as if you can in two small a container that you have to use two, you waste a lid. If it is on the other hand too big a jar you may end up with spoilage and food waste. Jars come in 5 sizes:
1. 4oz jars, most used for jellies
2. 1/2 pint jars, used mostly for relishes, jams, jellies, and chutney
3. Pint size (about the size of a standard can of veggies or fruit from the store)
4. quart, I use these mainly for tomatoes and dilly beans which we go through like nobody's businessf
5. half gallon. These are used mainly for juice.
Always be sure to calculate the relative savigns for the item you are canning. Also, don't can things you won't eat. What have y'all been canning this year?
joe
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Hidey Ho Blogeroos!
Well everyone, I feel it is somewhat necessary to explain my lengthy absence from this blog. You see, its canning season. As usually happens around here, I not only have my own garden produce to can but other's as well. This is of course not including foraging (there's an amazing amount of edible plants growing on public land), gleaning (you would be simply appalled at the amount of food wasted by the modern agricultural system), and trade it canning. Trade it canning is a system I set up where someone can give me their stuff to can. However since the greatest part of the work is in the actual canning (not to mention jars, energy for the range, lids, bands, ingredients such as sugar and spices) they get 1 out of every 3 or 4 jars depending on the job.
basically I'm beat and almost out of canning jars. this happened last year and I spent all winter scroungin and scrounging for more jars. I visited every thrift store, flea market, etc. in a 100 mile radius I think. found lots, but as any canner knows its never enough and never the right sizes. I still have tons of quarts but am down to less than two cases of pints.
I promise that as soon as I catch up on some things around here (and get reasonably caught up on my canning) i will update this blog with my july savings totals (and probably august as well). To be honest though, its not looking so hot. My bonus check each month that was really growing my savings has dropped off considerably the past few months. Also, my shelves are practically bare (or were) as they always are this time of year (to make room for jars of course) so i've had to spend a good deal on that. I also promise to update the shortlived series, "Surviving and Thriving With Downward Mobility." this is actually a fairly high up goal for me as I feel its a timely message right now. its time we started beating the debt monkeys at their own game, and the only way to do that is spend less money.
thats all for now.
Jo
basically I'm beat and almost out of canning jars. this happened last year and I spent all winter scroungin and scrounging for more jars. I visited every thrift store, flea market, etc. in a 100 mile radius I think. found lots, but as any canner knows its never enough and never the right sizes. I still have tons of quarts but am down to less than two cases of pints.
I promise that as soon as I catch up on some things around here (and get reasonably caught up on my canning) i will update this blog with my july savings totals (and probably august as well). To be honest though, its not looking so hot. My bonus check each month that was really growing my savings has dropped off considerably the past few months. Also, my shelves are practically bare (or were) as they always are this time of year (to make room for jars of course) so i've had to spend a good deal on that. I also promise to update the shortlived series, "Surviving and Thriving With Downward Mobility." this is actually a fairly high up goal for me as I feel its a timely message right now. its time we started beating the debt monkeys at their own game, and the only way to do that is spend less money.
thats all for now.
Jo
A Message to Visa/Mastercard/American Express/Discover
brownbaging lunch (in reused bag): 427.36 saved
Couponing: 16,000 saved (no kidding, well not me, but slugmama did it!)
Gardening: 3,523.42 saved
holding yardsale: 482.37 socked into savings
A Passover without you superthin pharohs: priceless.
Join The Revolution
Couponing: 16,000 saved (no kidding, well not me, but slugmama did it!)
Gardening: 3,523.42 saved
holding yardsale: 482.37 socked into savings
A Passover without you superthin pharohs: priceless.
Join The Revolution
Monday, June 1, 2009
May Savings Challenge Results
Well, loyal readers, its the first day of a new month. Y'all know what that means?
thats right darlings, time for my update on my 20K savings challenge for 2009. here we go:
debt reduction 2,177.78
cash on hand 805.00
coin on hand 5.40
savings acct (1,178.56)
total 1,809.62
adding my may first totals we have:
7753.62
this is 38% of my savings goal of 20 k.
not bad, but not great either.
Joe
thats right darlings, time for my update on my 20K savings challenge for 2009. here we go:
debt reduction 2,177.78
cash on hand 805.00
coin on hand 5.40
savings acct (1,178.56)
total 1,809.62
adding my may first totals we have:
7753.62
this is 38% of my savings goal of 20 k.
not bad, but not great either.
Joe
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Surviving and Thriving with Downward Mobility vol 1 iss 2
Well friends its that time again. Well past that time really, but here is the next instalment in my series on how to not only survive but also thrive (and have fun doing it) during these economic hard times.
This week's instalment is about thriftstores. Many, if not most of you, have purged your cabinets, armoires, and closets for donations to charity thrift stores operated by organizations such as the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, the Humane Society, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, or your local battered women's shelter. But why just get rid of things at these places?
Do you have a birthday gift to buy? need a new coat for winter? need to redecorate your living room? Well then, get yourself to your nearest goodwill! In addition to getting things for way below regular retail prices, you experience guilt free shopping. You are providing an outlet for those with surplus to keep their unwanted items out of landfills. Also you are providing work and jobtraining for the poor, as well as other services to those in need.
You can even win money for especially creative reuse of items found at thriftstores operated by several national organizations such as Goodwill Industries Inc.
Have you found a treasure at thrift stores? please share about it in the comments section below.
Jo
This week's instalment is about thriftstores. Many, if not most of you, have purged your cabinets, armoires, and closets for donations to charity thrift stores operated by organizations such as the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, the Humane Society, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, or your local battered women's shelter. But why just get rid of things at these places?
Do you have a birthday gift to buy? need a new coat for winter? need to redecorate your living room? Well then, get yourself to your nearest goodwill! In addition to getting things for way below regular retail prices, you experience guilt free shopping. You are providing an outlet for those with surplus to keep their unwanted items out of landfills. Also you are providing work and jobtraining for the poor, as well as other services to those in need.
You can even win money for especially creative reuse of items found at thriftstores operated by several national organizations such as Goodwill Industries Inc.
Have you found a treasure at thrift stores? please share about it in the comments section below.
Jo
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
April savings challengeq
Ok folks here's my results for my savings challenge for april:
debt reduction 600
cash on hand 450
savings acct 1745
coin on hand 52
total for april 2847
add that to my total from the 1st quarter:
april total 2847
1st total 3097
grand total 5944
my goal is to save 20,000 this year (well pay off 20,000 in debt plus build savings--in short to become 20,000 richer by the end of the year).
5,944/20,000= 29.72%
this is gunna be a tough one to live up to as my base salary is onlyd 25,000 making my "live on" amount a measly 5,000 for the whole year. Oy.
How is your savings challenge going?
Joe
debt reduction 600
cash on hand 450
savings acct 1745
coin on hand 52
total for april 2847
add that to my total from the 1st quarter:
april total 2847
1st total 3097
grand total 5944
my goal is to save 20,000 this year (well pay off 20,000 in debt plus build savings--in short to become 20,000 richer by the end of the year).
5,944/20,000= 29.72%
this is gunna be a tough one to live up to as my base salary is onlyd 25,000 making my "live on" amount a measly 5,000 for the whole year. Oy.
How is your savings challenge going?
Joe
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Surviving and Thriving with Downward Mobility vol 1 iss 1
Ok, so I have decided to put in a new series of posts here. This one will be ways to survive the downturn with the economy. If you are new to frugality these will be some helpful points to keep in mind. If your an old time frugalista, why not share some pointers of your own in the comments section below.
The first istalment is couponing. We all know those coupon inserts that come in the sunday paper that you probably toss in the recycling bin without giving them a second thought. Well stop it. Pick that insert up and flip through it for any coupons for products that you use. Clip those out and organize them in some small envelopes with categories written on the outside. Feel free to use a different coupon organization system if you wish.
Now go to the store and use those coupons! just by using coupons you can shave 25% off your grocery bill. You can save even more by visiting stores that do double coupons or triple coupons. And guess what? even more can be saved by using coupons. You can even get free stuff by simply using coupons. Even more amazing you can sometimes get paid for buying stuff by advanced coupon strategies such as those you will find at Don't Read This Its Boring, an excellent blog by a friend of mine.
So ladies and gents, get out there and go coupon crazy!
Joe
The first istalment is couponing. We all know those coupon inserts that come in the sunday paper that you probably toss in the recycling bin without giving them a second thought. Well stop it. Pick that insert up and flip through it for any coupons for products that you use. Clip those out and organize them in some small envelopes with categories written on the outside. Feel free to use a different coupon organization system if you wish.
Now go to the store and use those coupons! just by using coupons you can shave 25% off your grocery bill. You can save even more by visiting stores that do double coupons or triple coupons. And guess what? even more can be saved by using coupons. You can even get free stuff by simply using coupons. Even more amazing you can sometimes get paid for buying stuff by advanced coupon strategies such as those you will find at Don't Read This Its Boring, an excellent blog by a friend of mine.
So ladies and gents, get out there and go coupon crazy!
Joe
Thursday, April 2, 2009
end of 1st quarter totals
Hello everyone!
I started this year with a resolution to be $20,000 (US) richer by the end of the year. Here's my 1st quarter totals:
Debt reduction= $2,687
savings acct= $225
cash on hand= $188
coin on hand= $18
Total= $3,118
not so great if you consider that its supposed to be $5,000 per quarter, but not a bad start and I'm hoping to really steam roll it from here. The best thing is, I now have 3,118 reasons not to be as stressed out about potential unemployment in this economy. Its not about how much you make, but how you spend what you got.
How did everyone else's first quarter go?
Joe
I started this year with a resolution to be $20,000 (US) richer by the end of the year. Here's my 1st quarter totals:
Debt reduction= $2,687
savings acct= $225
cash on hand= $188
coin on hand= $18
Total= $3,118
not so great if you consider that its supposed to be $5,000 per quarter, but not a bad start and I'm hoping to really steam roll it from here. The best thing is, I now have 3,118 reasons not to be as stressed out about potential unemployment in this economy. Its not about how much you make, but how you spend what you got.
How did everyone else's first quarter go?
Joe
Monday, March 16, 2009
welcome
Hi everyone. This is me rolling out the welcome mat.
I am an individual who is gay and living a lifestyle of voluntary simplicity in the middle of america's heartland. These days the news and blogosphere is full of people talking about being voluntary simple/frugal. So here's some things that will make this one more unique:
1. I don't buy anything new, excepting undergarments and consumables. Everything else is purchased used. How does one do this in a small town in the middle of nowhere KS? read on to find out.
2. I live in the middle of nowhere KS. A surefire recipee for some interesting and hilarious posts.
3. I believe in zero food waste. Here you'll find tons of hilarious stories plus ways that work and ways that don't regarding eliminating food waste.
Thats justa few, but trust me there's more. I am afterall a very interesting individual.
Now come sit a spell with big momma Jo and drink some iced coffee.
Jo
I am an individual who is gay and living a lifestyle of voluntary simplicity in the middle of america's heartland. These days the news and blogosphere is full of people talking about being voluntary simple/frugal. So here's some things that will make this one more unique:
1. I don't buy anything new, excepting undergarments and consumables. Everything else is purchased used. How does one do this in a small town in the middle of nowhere KS? read on to find out.
2. I live in the middle of nowhere KS. A surefire recipee for some interesting and hilarious posts.
3. I believe in zero food waste. Here you'll find tons of hilarious stories plus ways that work and ways that don't regarding eliminating food waste.
Thats justa few, but trust me there's more. I am afterall a very interesting individual.
Now come sit a spell with big momma Jo and drink some iced coffee.
Jo
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