Ultra-Frugal: A Year Without Buying Anything

In 2006, a group of people in San Francisco launched a project and a website called The Compact. For various reasons, these people pledged to go a full year without buying anything new, or really, anything at all. They made a few exceptions, such as underwear, medicine and emergency home repair, but even these they qualified as much as possible to fit in with their overarching values system.

Since this time, many have come across The Compact. This is just the sort of thing that many families in today's economy have already been thinking about doing. With The Compact, someone else has already thought through the majority of the details. You can tailor The Compact to fit your own situation and then launch your year of basically not buying anything. You can buy food, of course, and pay your bills, but this frugal year will definitely make you more conscious than ever to buy locally whenever it is at all possible.
Here were are some altered guidelines for the year, which I refer to as "the flexible, non-legalistic, non-trauma causing rules":

• Do not buy any NEW items for one year.

• Only buy items that you or your family members NEED.

• Do not buy any convenience foods when grocery shopping, with the exception of bread.

• Strive to eat in-season, buying as local as possible.

• Bring cloth grocery bags to the store.

• Do not go out to eat at a restaurant if you have the option of eating at home.

Most that attempt this challenge cannot honestly say that they did not purchase any convenience items, didn't go to restaurants or that they ate local, in-season food 100% of the time. However, overall, those that take this challenge seriously generally do accomplish what they set out to do. Many refrain from purchasing shoes, clothing, gifts and other items that are not really needed.

Most end up having a great, ultra frugal and enlightening year. It is amazing how a little intentionality - a pledge, a compact, a reflective decision - can change your life. It really helps to have the support of your closest friends and family. The temptations can be hard to bear; especially when friends or family are going out to eat, to the theater, etc. because you want to spend time with them, but fighting the urge will give you a bigger sense of accomplishment once your year has passed.

Of course, there will be times when you may need to dust off the old Compact and give it another go. Unemployment, a cutback in hours or a new addition to the family may influence you to challenge yourself again. A close friend did the same thing when her husband was unemployed for over two years-"You just don't buy anything," she told me, "You buy food and you pay your bills, but that's about it." It's funny how we sort of forget that is an option!

Whether your reasons are religiously motivated, environmentally motivated, or maybe you're just down-right stingy; an ultra frugal, buying freeze sort of year is possible. You can do it. And in the mean time, you may just find yourself more content than ever. Simplicity is the path to freedom.

Shawna Ruppert is the Editor-in-Chief of Moms Living Thrifty, a blog that focuses on saving money in all aspects of life. You can find a wide array of interesting articles, in addition to coupons, deals, recipes and more. Visit us today!

Vegetable Garden Planning - Important Tips for Growing Your Own Vegetables

It is always a good idea to start a new project with a clear plan in mind. Work out a vegetable garden plan based on the desired outcome that you want. Consider your family size and then work on the assumption that roughly 100 square meters is needed to feed a family of four all through the year. Next consider the climatic conditions where you live; if it is cold you cannot grow vegetables all year round. In this case the garden you plan will need to be bigger so you can grow extra vegetables.

When planning a vegetable garden the climate is usually divided into cold, temperate and tropical. You will need to do some research on the type of climatic conditions that prevail in your part of the world and the vegetables that will thrive in this climate. This is the best way to plan a garden for growing vegetables. Once you have a plan and know what vegetables to grow and how to lay out the garden you can move on to the next part of the plan.

Identify a good store for your seeds and order them well before planting time so that you are ready for the growing season when it starts. You can choose to go with organic gardening methods which mean germinating the seeds separately and then planting them as seedlings. If you have big plantings on your list, stagger the seed germination so that you don't end up with all of them maturing at the same time.

Next you have to focus on the planting plan, what vegetables to grow where in your garden. Each plant has different needs and you will have to take that into consideration when you plan your vegetable garden. Plants that thrive in cooler climes and can withstand frost include cauliflower, turnips, brussels sprouts, broccoli, snow peas and onions.

Vegetables that include carrots, parsnips, leeks, lettuces, celery and cabbages need a temperate climate. If you try growing them out of season you could very well end up with nothing for your table. The warm season vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, beans, corn and capsicums will not survive frost and will die. The majority of their growth should be in months which enjoy warm weather.

Survival Seed Vault

You should do your own research and decide on what exactly you want to grow and when. Don't let nurseries talk you into buying seeds that will not produce anything because it is the wrong time of year to be planting them. Keep the following gardening tips in mind when you plan your vegetable garden.

• Cold winds stunt the growth of your plants and hot winds dry out the soil and harm the plants; extra strong winds will break the plants. You may need to prepare a lattice windbreak to protect the plants.
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• Where you locate your garden is important, it needs at least 5 hours of sunshine daily and that's direct sunlight mind you.
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• Taller plants should not be positioned where they will block the sunlight for smaller plants. Before you start planting it may not be a bad idea to track the path of the sun through your garden first.
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• Set up your compost pile and keep topping it up, it's the best way to fertilize your garden naturally. Plant rotation is good because it does not give the pests much chance to attack the garden.

Want to know more about how to plan your vegetable garden? Visit my website www.gardensetup.com for more information about organic gardening.

12 Signs That Something Big Is Happening To The Earth’s Crust Under North And South America

12 Signs That Something Big Is Happening To The Earth’s Crust Under North And South America





Heads up. Keep an eye out for this! Prepare!

Food Storage Recipe - Easy Doughnuts

YUMMY! Make your own doughnuts at home - be frugal!

Easy Doughnuts

NEED:

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup of milk

1 beaten egg

2 tablespoon shortening

1 1/2 cup flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Powdered sugar

Combine the sugar, milk, egg, and shortening.

Blend in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir it lightly into the milk mixture.

Drop by teaspoonfuls into deep fryer that has been preheated to 365 degrees. Fry them for a few minutes each or until golden brown. Drain on paper towel and then sprinkle with the powdered sugar.

YUMMMMMMMMMM

Food Storage Recipe - Twice Around Hamburger

This is a great way to use up left-over hamburgers or left-over meat loaf. Cut it up into small piece. Combine 1 can of tomato sauce, the left - over meat , 1 teaspoon of chopped onion, and 2 tablespoons of butter. Heat it through in a skillet. While that is cooking , in a saucepan, cook 8 ounces of thin spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Drain it and add it to the sauce. Mix it well and pour it into a Nonstick Meatloaf Pan with Drain Tray. Bake it in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Easy and frugal meal. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and serve with garlic bread and salad.