goddess of thrift

The Thrifty Gardener -- Rooting Houseplants for Outdoor Use

     Spring is still several weeks away, but every sunny day in late winter reminds the gardener that planting season is near.  In addition to starting new plants from seed, a great, thrifty way to multiply plants for your garden is to root houseplant cuttings indoors.

     I prefer to root cuttings in water, in bright but indirect light.  Cut off the tip of a stem with a sharp, clean knife or scissors, strip off the bottom 2-3 leaves, and place in a jar of tepid water.  There should be at least 3 leaves remaining on the cutting.  In a few days to a week or so, small roots will develop along the stem at the leaf nodules which are under water.  At this point the plant can be potted in soil, or can remain in fresh water as the roots continue to grow. 

     After danger of frost is past in your area, the cuttings can be planted outside.  Be aware of the normal light requirements of the plant -- many houseplants can't tolerate direct southern or western sunlight outdoors.  I typically use my cuttings as filler for blooming container plants.  Wandering Jew (Zebrina Pendula) is probably my favorite.  It grows prolifically in an eastern or northern exposure in my Zone 6 garden.  At the end of the growing season I just whack off a bunch of cuttings to root in water over winter for the following spring.  They are all offspring of a single cutting I was given almost ten years ago.

     Other plants which root easily in water are:  Begonias (but not the tuberous types), Bougainvillea, Coleus, English-, Grape- or Swedish-Ivy, Moses-In-The-Cradle (Rhoeo), Vining Philodendron, Pothos, Purple Passion Plant and Spider Plant (babies).  Using cuttings of houseplants in outdoor containers and beds not only saves money, but creates variety in your plantings.  Happy Gardening! 

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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Fit for a goddess: Thrifty Muffins and Time-Saving Mixes

     Back in my high-tech g.o.t.test kitchen, my crack staff of culinary demi-goddesses continues to develop thrifty, gourmet recipes.  Okay. . .I lied about the kitchen and the staff. . .it's just me with a cupboard full of ingredients and a hairnet.

     Cooking from scratch is a great way to save money, but can take more time than using convenience foods.  Making your own baking mixes will help you to save time and money.  Pull out all your dry ingredients for a recipe, and measure ingredients into quart-sized (or larger) zipper storage bags.  I do this for bread machine mixes, pizza crust mix, basic cookie mix, scones, pancakes and muffins.  Typically it takes me less than 5 minutes per mix to measure ingredients; I can set out flours and other items, measure, label mixes and clean up to make 5 bread mixes in 20 minutes or less.  Store mixes in a cool, dry place, and use within 6 months.

     One mix  I use frequently is a Sweet Muffin Mix:

For each mix, measure:

-- 1 c unbleached white flour

-- 1 c whole wheat flour

-- 1/2 c rolled oats

-- 1/2 c sugar (if sweetening with honey, omit sugar and add honey when you add liquids.)

-- 2 t baking powder

-- 1/2 t salt

To make muffins, combine with mix:

-- 1 egg, beaten

-- 1 c milk, juice or water, or 1/2 c yogurt with 1/2 c milk (dairy products increase protein & calcium)

-- 1/4 c oil, peanut butter or melted butter  (to reduce fat, cut to 2 T and increase liquids by 2 T)

For flavoring, add: spices or extracts, such as 1 t orange or lemon zest, cinnamon, vanilla or almond extract, and up to 1 c of nuts, chocolate chips, dried or diced fresh fruits, or a combination.  Stir just until blended.

Pour batter into 12 greased or paper-lined muffin tins.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15---20 minutes.  A toothpick inserted in center of muffin should come out clean when muffins are done.

I often wrap and freeze muffins for future use, setting them out the night before I need them.  Enjoy!

--Susan Rodebush © 2009

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On the Worth of Your Wealth. . .

     "The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money." 

--Author Unknown

Thrift and Financial Success

     There is an attitude I frequently encounter when I talk to people about thrift.  It is a perception that using thrift strategies to save money is "for people who are broke, who are struggling financially.  I make a good income. . .we live a comfortable life. . .I don't really need to do this stuff."  The thinking seems to be that using money-saving tools is beneath certain people, although I don't know if they would acknowledge that out loud.  Clipping coupons, shopping at discount stores, purchasing secondhand clothing -- those are activities for 'losers', for the financially down-and-out.

     The interesting thing about this perception is that it doesn't align with reality.  Why?  Because people have confused the difference between external symbols of affluence and actual wealth.  They have believed the marketing which tells them that if they purchase certain brands, shop at more exclusive stores, and don't engage in "cheap" activities they will be perceived as financially successful.  The message, then, is that if I look wealthy, and I act wealthy, people will believe that I am wealthy.  In actuality, studies of people who are genuinely wealthy, from a net-worth standpoint, indicate that they engage in much different behavior.

     Dr. Thomas Stanley has studied millionaires for more than twenty years, and the description he gives of millionaire behavior is very different from the "look rich" perception promoted in the media.  Dr. Stanley has determined that, when examining first-generation millionaires (those who earned rather than inherited their wealth) 84% of their households shop with a grocery list, 65% use discount coupons for groceries, and 57% buy goods in bulk at warehouse stores. (The Millionaire Mind, p. 299.)

     Why would people with so much money be so price conscious?  Because they have realized early on that the less money they spend on consumable items, and things which depreciate in value, the more they have to invest in real assets -- purchases which grow in value over time.  They recognize that clothing, electronic gadgets, new cars and gourmet groceries don't increase in value once they bring them home from the store.  Thus, they will buy reliable used cars and secondhand clothing as they are building wealth.

     Robert Kiyosaki, a writer on wealth-building, agrees with Dr. Stanley's observations.  He states:  ". . .rich people buy luxuries last, while the poor and middle class tend to buy luxuries first.  The poor and middle class often buy luxury items such as big houses, diamonds, furs, jewelry or boats because they want to look rich.  They look rich, but in reality they just get deeper in debt on credit.  The. . .long-term rich built their asset column first.  Then, the income generated from the asset column bought their luxuries.  The poor and middle class buy luxuries with their own sweat, blood and children's inheritance."  (Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, p. 91.)

     So am I saying that every thrift strategy applies to every person?  Of course not.  The point is simply that most status items are consumables, and most wealthy people bother to use the thrift strategies which will free up more money for assets and investments.  If being thrifty works for the wealthy, then maybe it's not a bad idea for the rest of us.

     There is one area of spending which may seem like consumption spending, but is not, and that is charitable giving.  When we spend money to meet the needs of another, we are investing in a person who is eternal -- and in a cause greater than our own financial status.  It is asset investment in the greatest sense, because we are pouring our resources into something lasting, something which is bigger than ourselves.  Not only does thrift allow us to build wealth, but it frees up our finances to enable us to give. . .to use our money for things that matter.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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Thrift and the Garden - Pre-Sprouting Seeds

     Not everyone has space for a garden -- or even a container with a fresh herb plant -- but for those who do, gardening can be a thrifty way to produce fresh, high quality vegetables and herbs, and cut down on the grocery bill at the same time.

     There isn't room here to discuss basics of establishing a vegetable garden, but there are many fine books available on the subject at your local library.  By starting small, selecting a sunny location, and properly preparing the soil, most anyone can successfully grow vegetables and herbs in their first season.

     For those of us who already have gardened, starting plants from seed is a cost-effective way to grow fresh vegetables, flowers and herbs, and for many of us, late winter is the time to start.  By saving and storing unused seed from a previous season in a cool, dry location, the cost of a packet of seed can also be spread over several seasons.  In order to make sure the seed from a previous year is still viable, a simple germination test can be done.  This test works well with any garden seeds that are large enough to handle, like tomato, zinnia and bell pepper seeds.

     To do a germination test, you will need:

-- seeds

-- plain white paper towels

-- zip-style sandwich bags

-- sticky labels

     The procedure is simple: fold a paper towel in fourths, and moisten it with water so it is damp but not dripping.  Sprinkle seeds in the center third of the quarter-folded paper towel, and fold the other two thirds toward the center.  Place folded towel in sandwich bag, seal, label and date.  I place my bags on a warm surface, like the top of my freezer.

     Some seeds, like broccoli and bibb lettuce, will sprout in as little as 24 hours.  Other seeds may take up to 2 weeks to sprout.  Refer to germination times on the seed packet to get an idea about how soon to check the seeds.  If you check them and they haven't sprouted, but the paper towel seems a little dry, spritz it with a little water before returning the paper towel to the sandwich bag.  Discard any paper towels which develop mold, or any on which the seeds haven't sprouted by the maximum germination time designated on the seed packet.

     As soon as seeds sprout, plant them in cell packs filled with moistened seed-starting medium.  If you allow the sprout to grow too large, the root will grow through the paper towel and it will be difficult to remove the sprout without breaking the root.  (I use a toothpick or craft stick to gently lift the sprouted seed onto the soil, and then cover it.)  Label the cell pack with the variety of plant and date, then cover with plastic wrap.  When green seedlings appear in cell pack, remove plastic wrap and place cell pack in a sunny location, watering as needed, to grow until it is time to harden-off plants outdoors.

     By pre-sprouting seeds, not only am I able to use seeds from previous years which are still viable, but I know I will have a living plant growing in every cell, rather than the hit-or-miss results I sometimes get when I plant the seeds directly into cell packs.  By doing this, I save money on seed-starting medium as well as the seeds I plant.  I hope you find that this technique works for you as well.  Happy gardening!

--Susan Rodebush © 2009

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Thrifty Herb and Cheese Bread

     This is a delicious quick bread which goes especially well with a mild, cream-based soup, like cream of potato or cream of chicken.  It mixes together quickly and has an artisan look.

Combine in bowl:

3/4 c  whole wheat pastry flour

3/4 c  unbleached white flour

1/2 c  quick oats

1 T baking powder

1 T sugar

1/2 t  EACH dried basil, dill & oregano

1/2 t  salt

1/4 t  garlic powder

Stir in:

1 c  shredded cheddar cheese

Combine and add:

1 c  milk

1 beaten egg

1/4 c  melted butter

Stir liquid into dry ingredients until just blended.  Pour into a buttered, 9" cake pan.  Bake in 400 degree oven 20 - 30 minutes, or until bread tests done with a toothpick.  Cool 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.

-- Susan Rodebush © 2009

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Now is a Great Time to. . .

     The day (or so) after Valentine's Day is a great time to purchase marked-down Valentine candy.  Not only can you pick up some sweets to snack on, often the discounted chocolate is cheaper-per-ounce than chocolate chips, and can be coarsely chopped to use in cookies or baking.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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From a Christian Perspective: Does this Dress Make My Bottom Line Look Big?

     At an art show about a week ago, I commented to one of the vendors that her dress was cute.  "Oh. . ." she gushed, "It's (Insert Name of Pricey Designer.)"  She expressed no thanks for the compliment, but apparently delighted in having her designer apparel noticed by a complete stranger.  Perhaps she felt that my compliment helped justify the hefty price tag her dress had carried . . . obviously, judging by what I was wearing (jeans and a blazer of my dad's from the 1950's) she couldn't have thought I was thinking about getting one for myself. . .she didn't bother to mention where she had purchased it.  I walked away feeling, once again, a little mystified about the things our culture considers important.

     Lest you think I'm opposed to designer clothing labels, I'll confess that I have a number of designer items hanging in my own closet (purchased at thrift stores.)  If I see an item I like, I'll buy it if it fits and looks good.  A high-end label does, to me, imply a reasonable standard of quality in construction.  The thrift stores I frequent charge no more for these items than for ones originally sold at discount stores.  Do I feel like I've "beaten the system" when I get these deals. . .well, yes, a little.  Am I immune to caring how I'm perceived by total strangers?  If I'm honest, often no more than anyone else.  I'm capable of being every bit as vulnerable to marketing as the woman-with-the-cute-dress.

     While I believe that it is important to maintain one's outward appearance, I've sometimes placed more emphasis on personal appearance than personal character.  We can all identify the external symbols of financial success, such as certain cars, clothing, houses, jewelry and electronics.  Even though we realize that there is often a difference between symbols of affluence and actual wealth, it's hard not to participate in the charade.  Yet, when I see what evokes the most heartfelt response in people, it is often virtue, not affluence, that grabs our attention.  The expensive couture gown worn at the Grammy Awards is soon forgotten, but we're still talking about the courage and humility of an airline crew who brought their passengers to a safe water landing.  We can't remember the face of the latest TV actor on the "Entertainment" program. . .but we'll never forget the face of the young firefighter who was photographed walking up the stairs in the World Trade Center.  Externals create momentary interest, but virtue speaks to our souls.

     Why should a blog discussing thrift talk about virtue?  How is it relevant in a discussion of personal finances?  Because ultimately, our spending reflects what we value.  Jesus said:  "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:21 - NIV)  We express, and reinforce, our personal values (and by extension, our personal character) each and every time we spend.  What can help us align our spending with our true values is to ask ourselves:  "At the end of my life, how do I want to have spent my time, my talents and my resources?"  When we figure out who we want to become, and work our way 'back to the present', we can evaluate all of our spending based upon our ultimate goals.  Thrifty spending helps me focus my values less on externals and more on my mission.

     Let me mention, by the way, that it is not my assignment from God to evaluate the values or spending of others.  While I believe that Christians, as a group, are called to spend their resources as God directs, each individual is responsible to determine how that affects his or her "bottom line".  The woman with the "cute dress" was mentioned only to make a point; I don't really know her, and it's not my job to judge her or her purchases.  Her dress simply reminds me how desperately I need the grace of God, and His transforming power, to better align my own values with His.

-- Susan Rodebush © 2009

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On Inflation. . .

     "Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair."

--Sam Ewing

More Expressions of Love from the Truly Thrifty

     Okay, Valentine's Day is at the end of this week, and you want to let someone know he or she is special to you.  Use your creativity, rather than cash, to express your affection.  Some ideas to consider:

--Use Scrabble tiles to write "I love you" (or your message of choice) on the bathroom counter or breakfast table.  Or. . .

--Use your digital camera or camera phone to send or e-mail Scrabble tile messages to your loved one at school or work.

--Get up a little earlier to prepare breakfast in bed (this is fun for your children as well as your spouse.)  Use the large, heart-shaped cookie cutter you purchased at deep discount after last Valentine's Day and cut toast into heart shapes. (If you didn't buy one yet, find one on clearance this year and meanwhile, cut heart shapes freehand.)  Spread toast with strawberry or raspberry jam to serve.  (The giant heart cutter also works well for french toast.)

--If your partner or child arrives home before you do, call and leave a Valentine message on the answering machine for him or her to discover upon arriving home.  Or send one, or a series of text messages by cell phone . . . but be sure they won't be embarrassing if accidentally seen by someone else!

--Perform a routine task around the house which is usually the responsibility of your loved one.  Leave a note letting them know you did the task for them "because you love them."

--Tie a large, red ribbon around your loved one's pillow, and underneath the ribbon tuck a note where you list  reasons you love them.  Try to build them up by thinking of talents and character qualities to affirm in them.

--Consider baking valentine cookies to take to a homeless shelter (check with the staff there first) or have your children make handmade cards to distribute in a nursing home.  Think about someone you know who might not be feeling loved, and let them know they are not alone. You will gain as much from the experience as they will.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 

Thrifty, Easy Valentine Chocolates

     Okay, so even though I'm not big on expensive gifts for Valentine's Day, few people would pass up a gift of chocolate.  If you only eat designer chocolates which sell for more per ounce than silver, these may not be for you.  But for the rest of us, hey. . .it's chocolate.

 In a microwave-safe bowl melt:

--12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (or a comparable amount of baking chocolate)

--1/4 to 1/2 t  vegetable shortening

Start at 60 seconds on medium, then stir and microwave for 30-second intervals until melted and smooth.  Now you can either stir in additions, or dip them. 

For stir-ins, try:

--dried sweet cherries with coarsely chopped walnuts or almonds

--trail mix

--raisins, dried sweetened cranberries, or a mixture

--peanuts

--crisp rice cereal (or experiment with other cereals)

--coarsely chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds

Add a cup or more of the stir-ins, then drop chocolate by teaspoonfuls onto a wax-paper covered baking sheet.  Place in a cool location to harden.

To dip, try:

--dried apricots

--pretzels

--slightly stale marshmallows

--animal crackers

--fresh strawberries or banana chunks

Dip as much of the item as you can while still holding it, then place on wax-paper covered baking sheets in a cool place to harden.  Dipped fresh fruit will need to be refrigerated and eaten within a day of dipping.  Other chocolates can be presented in a tin or Chinese carry-out box and will keep well in a cool location. 

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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Easy, Energy-Saving Rice

     Rice is a mainstay of thrifty cooking around the world.  This method cuts the cooking time in half, although you have to allow for standing time.  I usually use brown rice, which is more nourishing, but occasionally use white rice.  Typical cooking times for brown rice would be 40-45 minutes, and 20-25 minutes for white rice.  The great thing about this method is that the rice never overcooks!

In large sauce pan place:

--uncooked rice, and for each cup of rice add:

--2 cups (or double) the water.

--salt, if desired (I always prepare my rice unsalted)

Cover and bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer.

Cook 10-12 minutes for white rice, 20-25 minutes for brown rice.

Remove from heat, wrap pan in a heavy towel (do not uncover) and let stand undisturbed for 2 hours.  Rice is then ready to fluff with a fork and serve.

     I usually cook a large batch, then freeze cooled, cooked rice in 1 to 2 cup portions in Ziploc bags or containers.  It defrosts well in the fridge, or in just a minute or two in the microwave.

-- Susan Rodebush  © 2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Thrift and the Best Valentines

     Almost 26 years ago, my new husband and I sat down and talked about things which were important to both of us. . .and things which weren't.  One topic we readily agreed upon was that we didn't see the need to purchase expensive gifts to celebrate holidays which were created by (and for) florists, candy makers and greeting card companies.  At the top of that list was "Sweetest Day" (apparently positioned in the fall in response to lagging 3rd-quarter sales.)  Not too far behind that was Valentine's Day.

     Now, before you think that our marriage totally lacks romance, or that we don't believe in celebrations, let me assert that we see romance as a healthy aspect of a good marriage.  However, the merchandisers who promote the idea that a celebration of romance requires the purchase of dozens of long-stemmed roses, or a diamond which costs "at least one month's salary" have an agenda which has nothing to do with our relational happiness.  It is certainly not wrong to buy roses or diamonds, assuming you can truly afford to do so.  But the idea that love can be quantified by the cost of the gift has been aggressively promoted so that we will spend more.  In an economy driven largely by consumption, if we can be convinced that we need to lay out large sums of cash (or make large credit purchases) to convince one another of our undying affection, those dealers in candy, flowers, cards and jewelry will continue to experience hefty profits.

     No, I am not anti-capitalism, and I have no problem with ethical profits.  Nor do I have a problem with purchasing gifts - tokens of our affection - for those we love.  I do have a problem, however, with the idea that love can be measured in dollars spent, especially in relationships where other expressions of love seem to be absent.  It is the idea that we can purchase a solution to every problem, or simply fill relational needs with stuff, which troubles me.

     Two weeks ago, during one of our bitter January cold spells, the daytime high temperature on a particular Thursday was six degrees.  On his one-hour lunch break, my husband made the fifteen-mile drive home from work to refill our woodstove so that the house wouldn't be too cold when I came in from my teaching job.  Before he left, he placed a simple post-it-note which said "I love you" on the bathroom mirror.  Eating his lunch in transit, he arrived at his workplace just in time to clock back in and return to work.  Although he often brings me gifts, he doesn't need to spend chunks of money to convince me that he loves me.  His ongoing acts of kindness and thoughtfulness let me know that clearly.

     So, this Valentine's Day, if you choose to purchase a card or gift for someone you love, that's fine.  But before spending money on stuff, consider ways you can express your love through action.  Not only is it more thrifty than an extravagant gift, but giving of your time, energy and talent to serve your loved one can be just as meaningful as, or even more meaningful than, any token you can purchase.

-- Susan Rodebush  © 2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

On Money and Happiness. . .

     "Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." 

--Franklin D. Roosevelt

From a Christian Perspective: Thoughts on Gratitude

     The heat is brutal. . .and the sun, relentless.  A band of nomads, walking beside their camels, makes its way across the African Sahara.  They will walk fourteen to fifteen hours a day for two weeks, always keeping the sun to their right.  They follow the lines the wind makes in the sand, for there are no other landmarks.  When they reach their destination, they will gather salt, mold it into "pillars", load it onto their camels, and return.  The salt is needed for seasoning and preserving food, and to restore to the body minerals lost from perspiration.  The nomads will barter their salt for tomatoes, millet and dates.  When their food supplies begin to run low later this year, they will make their Saharan journey yet again.

     Here in the United States, millet is one of the ingredients we use in birdseed.  We don't need to salt most foods to preserve them because we have refrigeration.  Many of us don't do enough physical work to perspire, and when the weather gets hot, we crank up the air conditioner.  As a result, we have to monitor our sodium intake so that we don't end up with hypertension.  Any salt we desire to use for seasoning we can purchase at the grocery store for less than fifty cents per pound.

     We have become so accustomed to the many amenities we enjoy -- electricity, indoor plumbing, luxurious vehicles and homes, a seemingly-endless selection of food options -- that we forget that a vast number of the world's people live without these things, and will probably never have most of them.  It often takes a power outage, or some other calamity, for us to realize how much we take for granted.  I, too, have difficulty remembering, on a daily basis, to be grateful for all I have.

    Yet gratitude is a key -- perhaps the key -- to motivate us to change our spending habits.  When we are grateful for all that we already have we can experience a place many Americans never encounter.  That place is "enough".  We may still continue to make purchases for ourselves and our families, but the more often we realize we already have "enough", the more resources we will have to generously share with others.  Thrift strategies become tools we use to assure that there is always "enough".  By using these strategies to shop wisely, or limit purchases, or create a less-expensive solution to a problem, we can have time and money left over to meet other needs.

     Gratitude comes as we realize that everything we have and are -- from our intellects, to our work ethics, to our families of origin, to the privilege of being born in the United States -- comes to us as a gift from God.  As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 9:10:  "For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat.  In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you." (NLT) 

     I pray that God will open our eyes to fully see and appreciate all we have been given, so that in our gratitude, we can grow in generosity, to His glory.

-- Susan Rodebush ©  2009

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