Best painless "stretching things" budget tips?

[Tinka_Belle]

I do raised bed gardening. There is no work to it. Since it is raised, it gets very little weeds- I spend about 1/2 hour total all summer weeding, and I don't even have to bend down to weed. Any weeds are from seeds blown it so they might be 1/2 inch tall when I have discovered them and have not developed a root system.

I order 18 2x4's from the lumber yard, and ask them to cut 6 of those in half. There is usually no charge for this service. I also get a pound or 2 of nails. I pound it together- it takes about an afternoon to build. Fill the bottom with lawn rakings leaves, branches, or whatever you like. Fill the top 8-10 inches with dirt, and plant. You do not need to make rows, since you will not be tilling or hoeing. Broadcast your seeds. Enjoy. No space is wasted on rows, so practically every inch is used. In the winter, the frost will heave it, tilling it. The veggies grow prolifically. This is a very good way to garden for someone elderly or disabled, since there is no work to it . My gardens are 4' by 8'. The first one I built was accessable from both sides, but I have since realized I don't need to do that. I can reach across from the front, but someone with reaching problems might have to have it accessable from both sides. I have 3, now. One has green beans, yellow beans and beets. The next one has carrots, spinach, radishes, and more beets. The last one has squash, that I grow vertically on trellisses to save space.

My grandparents did this this summer and are planning on doing a fall garden too. My DD put a couple of watermelon seeds in the middle of the garden. My grandpa told her that they wouldn't grow because they weren't the right kind, so he bought her some little watermelon plants instead. Well the plants died, but the seeds that DD planted are growing and they now have tiny watermelons on them. They have saved a bundle with their little garden. My grandpa said that he is going to make it bigger next year.

 

[Chicklogic]

bumpity bump bump bump

 

[semo233]

I have several holidays at my house including Thanksgiving, Father's Day and Mother's Day. There are several large guys in our family and on Father's Day, I tend to splurge in the meat department to please them all. This past Father's Day included two steaks (along with chicken, hd & burgers). Normally, each guy would take half a steak.
Believe it or not, people take less steak if you cut it up and place on a platter. I just cut it on an angle and there was enough for everyone and everyone was full!! There was certainly no shortage of steak or other food as my motto is "I'd rather have too much than not enough".

 

[Chicklogic]

I have several holidays at my house including Thanksgiving, Father's Day and Mother's Day. There are several large guys in our family and on Father's Day, I tend to splurge in the meat department to please them all. This past Father's Day included two steaks (along with chicken, hd & burgers). Normally, each guy would take half a steak.
Believe it or not, people take less steak if you cut it up and place on a platter. I just cut it on an angle and there was enough for everyone and everyone was full!! There was certainly no shortage of steak or other food as my motto is "I'd rather have too much than not enough".

I agree Semo people are more "aware" and don't just blindly take food if it is in smaller offerings! even though the math works out the same.

 

[Hollyann]

What I do instead of making a hard & fast menu is to make a list of menu/meal ideas. So instead of this:

Monday= smoked sausage, mac & cheese & green beans
Tuesday= sloppy joes, french fries & fresh fruit


my list looks like this:

-sloppy joes & fries
-spaghetti with garlic bread
-BBQ chicken pizza

Also, I usually don't list the veggie or fruit side because we keep fresh fruit & veggies on hand so I go with what needs to be used up or what we haven't had in a few days or just what everyone wants.

I usually make up a new list every few weeks.

I like your approach! Unfortunately, I'm too rigid and set in my ways (dang! It's official - I'm becoming my mother!) I ALWAYS make a weekly menu and shop exclusively from that. I find that it saves $$$, we go out less and we don't waste food.

The other thing I try - is 3 new recipes a week - seriously...no less than that. I'll find that if I'm in the mood for spinach, it will be featured in several recipes that appeal to me, so I don't waste an entire package if I just need a cup. We also enjoy the variety (my DH will eat ANYTHING - even chick food) and we're not eating the same thing every week.

I LOVE this thread, subscribed and tried to put several into practice today. Thanks everyone and I hope ya'll keep posting!

 

[Chicklogic]

The other thing I try - is 3 new recipes a week - seriously...no less than that. I'll find that if I'm in the mood for spinach, it will be featured in several recipes that appeal to me, so I don't waste an entire package if I just need a cup. We also enjoy the variety (my DH will eat ANYTHING - even chick food) and we're not eating the same thing every we!

Falafel?? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Falafel in pita bread with Taziki (sp?) and lettuce and tomato for breakfast, lunch OR dinner!!

(falafel is basically ground chickpeas and spices rolled into balls and fried or baked)

 

[Hollyann]

Falafel?? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Falafel in pita bread with Taziki (sp?) and lettuce and tomato for breakfast, lunch OR dinner!!

(falafel is basically ground chickpeas and spices rolled into balls and fried or baked)

Yep! He'll even eat falafel....which I like a lot. Put it on a plate and it's a meal as far as he's concerned!

 

[semo233]

Bump

 

[Tarheel Tink]

I've used some Press N Seal plastic wrap to seal over two A/C vents to my sunroom. I had closed the vents but the room felt too suspiciously cool when I came indoors so as soon as the Press N Seal was put over them the room really warmed up! I'm eager to see my next power bill; I was tired of cooling a room with so many windows (and a hot tub) but apparently even closed some leakage occured. If I need to cool off the room I'll just open the exterior door and/or windows and turn on the ceiling fan.

I read in Real Simple magazine a hint about using this on vents when doing repairs so no dirt passed in them, but this is even better for me! Very painless and cost pennies.

 

[disneyorvegas]

I've used some Press N Seal plastic wrap to seal over two A/C vents to my sunroom. I had closed the vents but the room felt too suspiciously cool when I came indoors so as soon as the Press N Seal was put over them the room really warmed up! I'm eager to see my next power bill; I was tired of cooling a room with so many windows (and a hot tub) but apparently even closed some leakage occured. If I need to cool off the room I'll just open the exterior door and/or windows and turn on the ceiling fan.

I read in Real Simple magazine a hint about using this on vents when doing repairs so no dirt passed in them, but this is even better for me! Very painless and cost pennies.

This sounds great! I have a room just like that - I own a split level with only one zone, so my bedroom is hot and the playroom is freezing! Where did you get it?

 

[Tarheel Tink]

This sounds great! I have a room just like that - I own a split level with only one zone, so my bedroom is hot and the playroom is freezing! Where did you get it?

It is found in the plastic wrap section in grocery stores- Glad brand called Glad Press'n Seal multipurpose sealing wrap. On the side of the box it shows some of the uses- I had mainly just used it for covering foods in the refrigerator.

 

[Chicklogic]

I've used some Press N Seal plastic wrap to seal over two A/C vents to my sunroom. I had closed the vents but the room felt too suspiciously cool when I came indoors so as soon as the Press N Seal was put over them the room really warmed up! I'm eager to see my next power bill; I was tired of cooling a room with so many windows (and a hot tub) but apparently even closed some leakage occured. If I need to cool off the room I'll just open the exterior door and/or windows and turn on the ceiling fan.

I read in Real Simple magazine a hint about using this on vents when doing repairs so no dirt passed in them, but this is even better for me! Very painless and cost pennies.

LOVE THIS!

 

[mama4]

I have several holidays at my house including Thanksgiving, Father's Day and Mother's Day. There are several large guys in our family and on Father's Day, I tend to splurge in the meat department to please them all. This past Father's Day included two steaks (along with chicken, hd & burgers). Normally, each guy would take half a steak.
Believe it or not, people take less steak if you cut it up and place on a platter. I just cut it on an angle and there was enough for everyone and everyone was full!! There was certainly no shortage of steak or other food as my motto is "I'd rather have too much than not enough".

I thought of your post couple nights ago when I was buying steaks for my family. I bought two 2 packs of ribeye- rather small ones too- for me, dh and 3 of our kids (ds 17 is in Colorado). When dh was cooking them he thought it wouldn't be nearly enough but he was surprised when we had plenty for us all. I cut them each in half and served them with mac n cheese, baked potatoes, corn and salad and noone complained that they were still hungry. Thanks for the idea!

 

[semo233]

I thought of your post couple nights ago when I was buying steaks for my family. I bought two 2 packs of ribeye- rather small ones too- for me, dh and 3 of our kids (ds 17 is in Colorado). When dh was cooking them he thought it wouldn't be nearly enough but he was surprised when we had plenty for us all. I cut them each in half and served them with mac n cheese, baked potatoes, corn and salad and noone complained that they were still hungry. Thanks for the idea!

Mama4: I don't know what made me think of it this past father's day, but the pre-slicing made the steak go so much farther!!! I think it is because people actually take smaller bites or somthing. I will continue this practice for get-togethers in the future too!!

 

[Chicklogic]

37 pages later I can't remember if I posted that I save all veggie "ends" and peels/skins/TBS of random veg leftover from dinner. I then use these to make yummy "FREE" stock for soup stocks and/or cooking in general!

 

[Kycha]

37 pages later I can't remember if I posted that I save all veggie "ends" and peels/skins/TBS of random veg leftover from dinner. I then use these to make yummy "FREE" stock for soup stocks and/or cooking in general!

I have to train myself to do this. I keep meaning to save all that stuff to freeze it but forget and throw it out.

 

[Chicklogic]

I have to train myself to do this. I keep meaning to save all that stuff to freeze it but forget and throw it out.

I made THE BEST EVER lamb stock last night using all throw aways plus a $1 lamb breast! Did you ever think about a lamb having breasts? I thought breasts were reserved for poultry.( being an "old bird" myself..... )

 

[mama4]

I thought of your post couple nights ago when I was buying steaks for my family. I bought two 2 packs of ribeye- rather small ones too- for me, dh and 3 of our kids (ds 17 is in Colorado). When dh was cooking them he thought it wouldn't be nearly enough but he was surprised when we had plenty for us all. I cut them each in half and served them with mac n cheese, baked potatoes, corn and salad and noone complained that they were still hungry. Thanks for the idea!

Mama4: I don't know what made me think of it this past father's day, but the pre-slicing made the steak go so much farther!!! I think it is because people actually take smaller bites or somthing. I will continue this practice for get-togethers in the future too!!

Heck yeah! Me too!

I also tried the tip about mixing black beans with the ground beef for tacos tonight. Sorry OP of this tip- can't find your post but it was a great idea!! Made enough meat + a little bit of leftovers for our tacos with only a lb of meat!

 

[TiggerTails57]

Great tips!

 

[mnasmom3]

I made THE BEST EVER lamb stock last night using all throw aways plus a $1 lamb breast! Did you ever think about a lamb having breasts? I thought breasts were reserved for poultry.( being an "old bird" myself..... )

Lamb breast? Who knew!