goddess of thrift

Thrift and Perseverance

     The pretty, 30-ish woman in our group had her arms crossed and was scowling.  "This stinks!" she exclaimed.  "I don't want to have to do this stuff.  It's not any fun at all."  The rest of the group nodded in agreement . . . we were discussing, in our personal finance class, the previous week's lesson on budgeting.

     This woman understood well the concepts of allotting dollar amounts for each category, curtailing the use of credit, and setting goals.  It wasn't the process she was struggling with -- that was straightforward -- it was having to delay gratification.

     "Yeah, but won't it be cool if, by doing this stuff now, you can save the money to send your kids to college?"  I asked.  Her face softened, and she shrugged, and said "I know.  Yeah, I guess that would be cool."  The realization that she was working toward a goal didn't eliminate her frustration completely, but it did  help her to put it into context.

     The problem with using thrift strategies, or any other financial discipline, is that they sometimes require short-term persistence or, the "s-word" in our culture:  sacrifice, to yield long-term gain.  In a culture which is spoon-fed immediate gratification through the media, persevering to reach a goal isn't always "fun", and doesn't have the shine of "new, now, you-owe-it-to-yourself" which we regularly encounter. 

     I was reminded of this a few weeks ago while complaining about how long it was taking to remodel my kitchen.  A kind friend said, gently, "But think of how rewarding all your hard work will be when it's finally done."  Hating to admit it, I had to acknowledge that she was right.  Sometimes the greatest feeling of accomplishment comes with the realization of a goal which we have persevered  to meet.  (Any graduation ceremony is a great reminder of the rewards which come with perseverance.)

     Now, you may notice that my 30-ish friend and I have something in common:  that is, we both sometimes whine when things feel difficult . . . when we're doing something that isn't "fun".  I, for one, am still learning not to whine, and am more successful some days than others.  But it is also important to note that the desire to quit is not the same thing as the decision to quit.  Perseverance, for my friend and I, means that we are both still working  toward a goal.

     If changing the way you use your finances -- and employing thrift strategies to do so -- enables you to reach your goal, then the end will indeed justify the means. You will have freed up funds for things that really matter . . . and your reward will be that much sweeter because you will have persevered.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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Frozen Banana Chocolate Smoothies

     Here's another use for those over-ripe bananas you have in your freezer.  (What?  You haven't been saving over-ripe bananas?  Refer to my March 8th post for easy tips on freezing bananas.)  The peanut butter is optional, but adds protein -- great if you're making this as a quick substitute for eating breakfast, or any time you want a nutritious snack.

Combine in a blender:

1  c  cold milk

1/4  c  chocolate syrup  (Hershey's type, but I use store brands)

1/4  c  creamy peanut butter

2  medium frozen bananas, peeled and broken into chunks

Whirl in blender just until smooth.  Pour into glasses and enjoy.  Makes about 16 ounces.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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

 

Thoughts on Giving and Thrift . . .

     "Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others."

--Barbara Bush

     "The best reason for us to practice thrift is to learn to spend less on ourselves so that we have more to meet the needs of others."

--goddess of thrift

Thrift 101 -- Thrift Tools and Cost Per Use (Lesson 9)

     When we talk about acquiring tools of thrift, we have to carefully weigh whether or not the purchase of an item will actually save us money  in the long run.  This is especially true of major, big-ticket purchases.  To determine the merit of a specific purchase, it is often helpful to estimate cost-per-use.

     Let's use a small purchase as an example.  Imagine that I have been asked to be a bridesmaid (work with me here) and the high heels I am required to purchase for the wedding are chartreuse.  (Now, don't take this as an insult if you own and love a pair of chartreuse high heels . . . we're all trying not to judge each other.)  On my  feet, chartreuse heels would probably make a once-in-a-lifetime appearance; therefore, I'm going to pay as little as I possibly can for the shoes.  If I end up dropping $20 for the pair, that's like paying $100 for another pair of shoes and only wearing them five times.  In either of these instances, the cost-per-use for the item is too high, by my standards.

     If I am a runner, however, and faithfully run five miles every day, a pair of $60 dollar running shoes which last me 4 months would cost only $.50/per use.  Given the frequency of wear, and the need to avoid injury, it is a thrifty purchase to plunk down $60 for a well-made pair of shoes. 

     Now, let's look at a larger example from real life (for those of you who can't imagine me running five miles a day.)  We heat our home with wood, which we usually acquire for free, but often need to split.  Because the medical bills which would result from us splitting the wood with an axe would not  be thrifty, we rent a hydraulic wood splitter, paying $50/per rental for 24 hours, three times per season.  For a while we were saving to purchase our own splitter, which would enable us, we reasoned, to split wood whenever we chose.  Because neither of us is particularly mechanically inclined, we were saving for a new splitter.  The best price we found on one the size we needed was $1,200.

     But when we did the math, we decided not  to purchase our own splitter.  Assuming a comparable rate of use, it would take us eight years ($1,200 divided by $150/season rental fees) to break even.  We wouldn't be saving money by owning our own splitter until the ninth  year -- assuming that it still worked by then.  I realize that this equation doesn't account for possible increases in rental fees, but it also assumes that we would pay no additional money for repairs on a splitter we owned (which we would have to maintain and store ourselves.)

     So, acquire tools of thrift which will actually save  you money, but before you make a major purchase, do the math to estimate cost-per-use.  I am convinced that the majority of RV and camper owners, especially those who purchase new, spend more on the cost-per-use of these items than they would to stay at a nice hotel.  Given that, I'd opt for the Jacuzzi and the free continental breakfast every time.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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

Fresh Tomato Salsa

     The best way to make salsa is with ripe tomatoes fresh from your own garden.  This recipe makes a fairly mild salsa; for a spicier version, add a finely chopped, fresh chili pepper: add it last, a little at a time, and taste for spiciness.  Remember to always use care when handling fresh jalapenos and chilies -- wearing kitchen gloves isn't a bad idea, and remember not to touch your eyes!  Serve salsa with tortilla chips or as a condiment.  It's also great on baked chicken.

Combine in glass or ceramic bowl:

2 c  peeled, chopped fresh tomatoes (I prefer Romas, which I usually grow)

1 c  chopped yellow or red onion

1/2 c  chopped green bell pepper

1 large clove garlic, minced or crushed

1 fresh jalapeno pepper, stem and seeds removed, finely minced (add the seeds for slightly more heat)

1/4 c  chopped fresh cilantro (optional -- omit if you don't like cilantro)

3  T  lime juice  (lemon juice can be substituted)

1 t  honey

Cover bowl and refrigerate at least one hour for flavors to blend.  Makes 3-1/2 cups.  Keeps well in refrigerator for a week or more.  If you want to store it longer in the fridge:

Combine above ingredients in medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil, then simmer 15 minutes.  Cool, store in covered jar in refrigerator.  Keeps well for a month or more.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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

July Bargains

     There are good deals available in all months of the year, and July is no exception.  While you're out shopping, check out the following:

--School supplies.  These are usually cheaper in July than at any other time of the year.  If you have school-aged children and can get their supply lists early, you can pick up supplies gradually at loss-leader sales for some of the best bargains.  Be sure to get enough for the entire year; prices are considerably higher in January!  If you don't have school-aged kids, you can still find great deals on items to donate to under-served schools and their students.  The other day I purchased 24-count packs of Crayola crayons,2-count packs of Elmer's glue sticks and 4-ounce bottles of Elmer's School Glue for $.15 per item at Wal-Mart!  The better price you find, the more students you can help!

--Garden supplies.  July and August are months when garden tools, ornaments and seeds frequently go on sale to make room for the influx of fall and winter merchandise that will be in stores soon.  While some stores send seeds back to the distributor for re-packaging, often smaller stores will sell their remaining seeds on clearance.  Stored in a cool, dry place, they're usually still good the following season.

--Picnic supplies.  All those cute plastic coordinating dishes, bowls and cups that are in stores will be marked down and sold.  Buying discounted, multi-use items, (especially if the plastics are recyclable) is environmentally better than using single-use paper, plastic or styrofoam disposables.  A very wise friend of mine purchases one of an item and runs it through her dishwasher.  If it passes the dishwasher test, she returns to purchase a stack of plates, bowls and tumblers which can be washed and reused over and over again.

--Pool supplies and outdoor toys, baseball equipment, and other seasonal recreational equipment.  All of these items are frequently discounted at the end of the season.

--Lightweight/summer clothing, footwear and swimwear.  If you've ever tried to find a bathing suit in September, you know that they are usually long gone by then, so July is a good time to pick up another suit if you typically need one after the summer season. 

     This is by no means an exhaustive list . . . just a few ideas to get you thinking ahead about what you might buy now that you will need later. Obviously, you don't want to stock up on a bunch of stuff you don't need, just because the price is good, but a basic principle of thrift is to purchase whatever you need for the best price possible.  Building your awareness of seasonal price fluctuations can help you get the best prices on the things you need to buy . . . leaving you more money for things that matter.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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

Thrift and Whining

     Four years ago, when we took occupancy of our foreclosure-fixer-upper-farmhouse, we were met with a strangely similar reaction when our friends walked into the kitchen.  "Oh, wow!" was typically all they would say . . . not "Oh, wow!" as in: "Oh, wow, what a great kitchen!" but "Oh, wow!" as in "Oh, wow, what a major rat hole!"  But, we thought the kitchen, including the farmer-built cabinets, had "charm". 

    Four long years later, we are remodeling our kitchen, and have been working to restore the farmer-made kitchen cupboards.  By "restore" I mean "essentially rebuild from the inside-out".  My husband has blocked mouse holes with steel wool and spray foam, cut wood panels to re-line the back walls of the cupboards (which were just plain nasty), and used enough caulk on the insides of the cabinets to seal them tightly from intruding critters.  Now it's my  turn to remove ages-old, grungy contact paper from the shelves, and coat the cupboards inside with primer and paint.

     Forty minutes ago, I was doing just that:  having wiped the interiors with "liquid sandpaper" I was brushing them with stain-blocking primer.  My neck was crooked at an awkward angle, and, frankly, I wasn't having fun.  I commented (okay, whined) that we probably would have been better off building new cabinets from scratch -- the old ones seemed to have lost their "charm" -- and told my husband I was taking a break to walk our dog.

     While I was walking, however, several things occurred to me.  For one, we had a choice  in repairing the cupboards rather than replacing them.  Although part of our reasoning in repairing them was to save money, we could have purchased new cabinets if we chose; we simply wanted to use the money for other things.  My second realization hit me harder:  the reason I was painting the interiors of cupboards which would store food, dishes and cookware was because I have all of these things to store.  If I was like at least twenty percent of the world's people who often don't have  food, I certainly wouldn't need cupboards.  My third realization came when I returned from my walk and spoke to my husband, and he reminded me that the origin of the word "cupboard" is a literal one.  In earlier days, the "cup-board" was a board with nails or pegs on which each family member hung his or her cup.  They didn't need more storage, because they also had far, far less than I do to store.

     So, now it's time for me to take my own advice!  First, take responsibility for your choices!  I have no real reason to whine if I'm doing what I have chosen  to do.  Secondly, don't insult the poor of the world by whining when you make financial choices out of your abundance.  Gratitude for what I have is once again the key to contentment.  Finally, realize that often our frustration results from the complexity of our lives and the abundance of our stuff.  I'm not advocating getting rid of all of your (or my) dishes and cookware, but if I want to simplify my life, I really have to look at the quantity of my possessions.

     I'm heading back to the kitchen now to finish priming the insides of the cabinets.  I'm hoping that, now that I've had some time to consider my choices and my blessings, I'll be able to see the "charm" in the cupboards once again.  Somehow, I'm confident that my husband is hoping the same thing.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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

    

Thrift 101 -- Acquiring the Tools of Thrift (Lesson 8)

     The idea of spending money to save money seems to me like an oxymoron.  Perhaps I have this impression from watching hucksters on television scream things at me like "The more you spend, the more you save!"  "NO," I yell back, "the more you spend, the more you spend!"  (My husband of 26 years, sitting next to me, doesn't even look up from his magazine.  He is used to this.) 

     But, cheesy marketing attempts aside, there are times when spending some money can  save us money in the long run.  I would refer to these purchases as investment purchases, or "tools of thrift".  They are typically items we use repeatedly, over time, which enable us to save money by purchasing other items on sale, or by doing for ourselves something which we would otherwise pay someone else to do.  This is not an exhaustive list, but an example of some of the things we have justified purchasing because they have helped us save money:

--A freezer.  Typically newer freezers are more energy efficient than very old ones, and a chest-style freezer is more efficient than an upright.  (Knowing this, I still purchased an upright, as I didn't like the inaccessibility of items at the bottom of most chest-type freezers.)  I am confident that I am able to save hundreds of dollars a year by purchasing meats, milk and other marked-down items and storing them in my freezer to retain freshness.  (If you tend to "lose" things in a freezer, it might not hurt to tape an inventory of the contents to the outside.)  When we purchased our freezer, we found a floor model with a dent, and received an additional discount.  Apartment-sized freezers are available for smaller living spaces.

--A hair cutting kit with clippers, scissors, combs and clips.  We are now on our second kit as a family -- the first lasted about 12 years, so I figure, for us, that is the life expectancy.  I still cut my husband's and adult son's hair, and although I don't have a cosmetology degree, I do a decent job, partly because I have gotten to know where their cowlicks are and which styles work for them.  Some kits come with instructional videos; there are also videos on cutting hair available at the library.  If you start when your children are small, by the time they are old enough to care how their hair looks, you'll be good at cutting it. 

--An oil filter wrench, ramps, and other basic car repair tools.  You can save money if you have even basic mechanical skills, and most of these tools are relatively inexpensive. 

--A sewing machine.  My machine is mechanical, not electronic, and is over 30 years old, but it still runs well and can do everything I need it to do.  Over the years I have sewn quilts and simple children's and adult's clothing (like pajama pants), made many gifts and home decor projects (like curtains and pillow covers) and have done an abundance of mending. 

--A few basic power tools.  Again, your skill and experience will dictate what you need, as well as your specific circumstances.  We purchased a cordless tool set when we bought our current home:  drill, circular saw, large flashlight, battery charger and two batteries.  I cringed a little at the price when we got it, but in the four years we have lived in our home, there haven't been many weeks when we haven't used at least one of the tools in the set, and we often use all three.  It has definitely been a good purchase.

     There are many other items which, for you, may be tools of thrift:  a computer with internet access, a rototiller, a DVD player, a compressor, a bread machine or a garden tractor are just some examples.  But before you spend money on an item -- especially an expensive item -- there are several guidelines to follow:

--Determine your need for the item.  Will this become a "thrift tool", or is it really just a "thrift toy"?  If your yard is a quarter acre, you may  not be able to justify purchasing a riding lawnmower!

--Research the item you want to purchase.  Look on the web and in Consumer Reports, and talk to people you know who have a similar item.  Find out what they do or do not like about their item, and whether or not they would recommend it.

--Borrow or rent the item first.  If you rent a power-washer to clean your deck, you will learn a lot about using one, and it will also help you to determine if it's a tool you will really want or need to own.

--Save up and pay cash for it.  Setting aside $30 -- $40/month can yield money for a new freezer in just 10--12 months.  It's not a "tool of thrift" if you have to pay interest to acquire it!

--Consult with your spouse, if married, to see if you are in agreement with the need for the purchase.

--Weigh the difference between purchasing new and used.  I regularly see seldom-used bread machines and other electric kitchen gadgets deeply discounted at yard sales. 

     One other consideration when making a large purchase is cost-per-use.  Because this is one of the big factors which determines the difference between a cost-effective tool, and an expensive toy, we'll go over that in depth in the next lesson.  Meanwhile, you can assess the tools you already have which could help you save money, and which ones you might want to acquire.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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

On the Cost of Entertainment . . .

     "Why should people go out and pay money to see bad films when they can stay at home and see bad television for nothing?"

--Samuel Goldwyn

Thrift and Spots on the Carpet

     Four years ago when we took occupancy of our "fixer-upper" farmhouse, the floors in three rooms were covered in dirty, brown carpet.  Did I say "dirty"?  The carpet was filthy, and apparently the previous owners' pets had done their "business" indoors -- on the carpet -- on numerous occasions.  The carpet and padding had to go, and, wishing he owned a haz-mat suit for the occasion, my long-suffering husband undertook the task of carrying the nasty carpet and padding out to the dumpster.

     The wood floors beneath the old carpet were sound, but not in good enough condition to refinish, so we made the decision to purchase new carpet.  We shopped, comparison-priced and negotiated, and then paid for a decent-quality berber carpet, with padding and installation, for the same three rooms.  Knowing that we would later install a wood stove in the living room, we chose a mottled gray . . . the color of wood ash.  As it turns out, it's also the color of dust, which works well with my level of cleaning.

     Because we have a dog with a "delicate" stomach, and humans who sometimes drop the pizza sauce-side-down, I picked up an aerosol can of carpet spot cleaner after the carpet was installed.  Having depleted that can, I looked at the store a few days ago for a replacement.  Sticker shock!!!  The cleaner had doubled in price to $4.00/can for the cheapest cleaner, and my internal thrift alarm went off.  There had to be a less expensive alternative!  Thus, I started looking for home-made solutions.

     It turns out that there are many very smart people who have gone before me and figured out what works best on various spots.  For most stains, clean up solids, if any, and then blot the spot with a paper towel to remove as much liquid as possible. 

For an all-purpose spot cleaner, combine in a 1-quart spray bottle:

--1 T  dish soap/laundry soap (avoid ones containing lanolin or bleach -- for 'ultra' concentrates, use less)

--1 T  white vinegar

--1 quart water

Spray solution on spot.  Wait 3 -- 5 minutes; lightly rub with a clean rag.  Blot until dry. 

For ink:  sprinkle on cream of tartar, then a few drops lemon juice.  Blot until spot is removed.

For blood:  if fresh, clean with cold water on a rag.  If stain persists, try a small amount of club soda or hydrogen peroxide.

For greasy/oily stains:  sprinkle with baking soda or corn starch; rub in.  Leave overnight. Vacuum.

For red wine or coffee:  clean with a rag dampened with white vinegar or club soda.

     As with any formula, test whatever you use for colorfastness on an inconspicuous place on the carpet.  What amazes me most about the all-purpose cleaner is not only that it works as well as the spray can, but that I can make a quart of the solution for five cents!  This means that, even counting the purchase of a $1.00 spray bottle at the dollar store, I could make sixty quarts of homemade cleaner for the cost of one quart of store-bought spray.  Put another way, I could make $4.00 of homemade cleaner, or buy an equivalent amount of store brand for $240.00! 

     A lesson for the future for all of us:  before we run to the store to purchase a solution to a problem, it often doesn't hurt to research other alternatives.  Not only might we save money on product, but we save time we would spend shopping for it, and can end up keeping lots of single-use containers out of the recycle bin -- or landfill -- as well.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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

    

    

On a Good Reason to Work . . . ?

      "The only reason I made a commercial for American Express was to pay for my American Express bill."

--Peter Ustinov

From a Christian Perspective -- Thrift and Sacrifice

     Her clothing was coarse and simple, and there was nothing about her appearance which was particularly noteworthy.  As the wealthy moved past her, she simply dropped off her small gift, and left.  Her actions were invisible -- much as she was -- to the others around her.  But Jesus noticed her donation of two, small copper coins, and stopped, pointing out her actions to His disciples:  "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21: 2-3 NIV)

     Luke doesn't elaborate any further in his report.  We are left knowing little more than the fact that a poor widow made a great sacrifice in giving everything she had to live on, and that Jesus considered it a greater gift than those given out of surplus.  But there is so much information we don't get in this account.  Did Jesus expound further to his disciples about her sacrifice . . . or her trust in God?  Was this the first time she had made such a large -- for her -- gift, or was it her regular practice?  What was her day-to-day life like, that she had such faith in God's provision?  What happened next?

     It is difficult for us to fathom making a sacrifice to God of everything we have to live on.  But, really, doesn't it all come from Him?  Doesn't it all belong to Him?  Would any of us have anything to live on were it not for the provision of talents, intellects, jobs and opportunities which comes from God?  Is the main difference between us and the poor widow the fact that she realized her total dependence on God . . . and we don't?

     In our self-reliant culture, it is one thing to intellectually acknowledge that we are dependent on God for provision, and another thing entirely to trust God for our provision.  Before we are willing to forgo our luxuries, we must trust that God is faithful to provide fulfillment which exceeds the momentary pleasures our luxuries bring.  Before we are able to sacrifice more and more of our abundance to the advancement of His kingdom, we must trust that God, who knows what we need before we ask, is faithful to provide for our needs as we release our resources to Him.

     But what happened to the poor widow after she gave her gift?  Did she return home, and quietly die of starvation?  Did Jesus only care about her as a teaching illustration?  Do we believe Jesus would acknowledge her great sacrifice, but ignore her great need?

     Ultimately, employing thrift to free up resources for the Kingdom is a matter of trust.  In order to trust God, we have to learn, as the widow did, that God is trustworthy.  We have to believe, as she did, that our needs will be met when we release our resources to God.  And we have to allow our hearts to be transformed, by His Spirit, that we may grow in our understanding of His great faithfulness.

     May we become a transformed people, who joyfully release all we have to God, knowing in the depths of our hearts that He is always and forever faithful, and worthy of our trust.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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

Breakfast Bread Pudding

      While we usually eat this bread pudding for breakfast, it would work for dessert as well -- for dessert, I would use the larger quantity of sugar.  I have made multiple variations of this recipe, and we have liked almost all of them (the banana version was, well . . . strange.)  Feel free to experiment with different breads and fruits . . . I often freeze bread heels (which my family doesn't like for sandwiches) until I have enough for this recipe.

Combine in 2 1/2 qt. -- 3 qt. microwave-safe casserole:

2 c  milk (whatever fat content you prefer, or fat-free)

1/2 c -- 3/4 c sugar

1/2 t  cinnamon

pinch salt

2 eggs, beaten

Fold into milk mixture:

3 1/2 c -- 4 c  cubed bread (bread may be stale; for light breads, try the larger quantity, and less for heavier breads)

1 c  fresh fruit:  diced apples, diced peaches, blackberries, raspberries or blueberries, or a mixture

Dot with:

1 T  butter

Microwave on Medium setting 24 -- 28 minutes.  (In my 500 watt microwave, I cook this at 70% power for 25 minutes.)  A knife inserted  1" from the edge should come out clean when pudding is done.  Allow to stand 5 minutes before cutting. Serve warm or chilled.  If you prefer it served warm, it can be prepared and refrigerated the previous day and cooked just before serving. Serves 6.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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

On the Value of Money . . .

     "Money is worth only what someone else is willing to give you for it."

--Niall Ferguson