A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #182 ~ March 8, 2025

 

We lived in this little house that God provided for us during some extra lean times for nearly ten years. I have fond memories of using it up, wearing it out, making it do, or doing without. It's a lifestyle that works well today, too.

Thank you for visiting today—or tonight!

Do say hello!

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Dear Reader,

    I was so blessed by all the sweet replies I received to last week's thrifty lately post. I've decided that it's time to challenge myself to write weekly again. I'd like to publish thrifty posts on Friday or Saturday morning. I had a doctor appointment and worked a couple of days this week. I also was away from home more than I like. So, I don't have much to share this week. Nevertheless, here I am! I'll get a fresh start tomorrow (Saturday) on thrifty things to share next week. I'll add my blessings and such as well. God truly has a way of taking care of us, doesn't he? Thank you, Jesus! He's real to me. Is he real to you? I'd love to hear your thoughts on that in the comments or by contacting me directly in the sidebar.

    So, I'm realigning my focus this coming week. It's time to get serious about thrift! This past week, I did a poor job. We ate out at fast food a few times, because I let my food stocks get too low and didn't have time to do anything about it. Today, I put in a big Walmart order. I haven't done that in a few months. I've been trying to "eat down the freezer" and meat-wise, we're down to one ham bone! Yes, it's going to be ham and beans next weekend. ~smile~

Having food in the house is necessary if you're going to be thrifty. 

Please see the bottom of the post for this week's question.  I do hope you'll write to me in the comments. ~smile~

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A Verse for You

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." 

KJV, NKJV, ESV and many other versions

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."

NIV

The NIV adds some clarity in this case. I've lacked in my life, but I've not ever lacked anything that I truly needed. God always provides. The "I shall not want" indicates to me that I need to be content with the way the Lord provides for me. What are your thoughts about this?

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Here's my thrifty week!

• I'm still listening to The Wings of Poppy Pendleton on my Everand app. It's a deal for me since I listen to so many audiobooks for just $11.99 total a month.

• I'm reading a 1959 copy of Anne of Green Gables that was discarded years ago by the junior high in which I often work. Thursday, I was playing librarian and found a new graphic novel version sitting on the shelf. I believe much of the magic that is Anne's world is lost along with the marvelous vocabulary. Anne is so quotable!

• I'm still listening to the King James Bible on Bible.com for free. I'm almost done with the New Testament; then, I'll start again. 

• I finished knitting a pair of scrappy socks for a gift. I'll share a photo soon.

• I sewed a small project bag with leftover materials. I bought the zipper, but that was months ago. I'm finally sewing again. I hope you'll hold me accountable if I don't post some sewing once in awhile. It's easier for me to pick up my knitting needles. ~wink~

• I'm using an old nut can for a thread catcher.

• I ate leftover coleslaw for supper one evening. It wasn't a balanced meal, but it was thrifty and nutritious. 

• I received the Paula Young wigs that I ordered last week. Using PayPal credit, I spent less than $14 out of my checking account! Girl math, but I don't care. I tried both wigs on when I got them. The curly one is super curly; the straight one is super straight. I'm going to have to play with them a bit before I wear them in public! ~smile~ I spent about $25 each on them with the clearance and discount. I can't complain even if I end up just wearing them for fun once in awhile. Eventually, I want to order a couple of better quality wigs; I just always have something else I need to purchase more.

• I've been reviewing some items that I received from the Amazon Vine program. Amazon sent me an invitation last October. They send me an item for free, then I review it. I do have to pay taxes on the assigned value. It's been interesting. Some products are nice, some not so much. I get to choose from the products they offer. I guess reviewing books and items I've bought over the years paid off. They noticed. They're going to evaluate my participation at the end of March and decide if they want me to continue.

• A sweet friend, you know who you are, sent me a gift to help me redecorate my blog. So, it should get prettier around here soon!

• I'm taking a free online class about Western Heritage from Hillsdale College. I appreciate the opportunity to continue my education. I'm homeschooling me these days!

• Senior unsweet iced tea is just $.54 with tax at my local McDonalds! I drove through with my husband while we were out for a nice drive the other day. I also met a friend whom I'm teaching to knit socks and had tea, too. Just one reason to enjoy passing 55!

• I used homemade laundry detergent that I made in September. Yes, it made that much! If y'all are interested in the recipe, let me know. It's a dry powdered recipe that I made in my food processor. If you want to try a super cheap laundry detergent recipe that is quick and easy to make, I've used this recipe for years. It's great if you run out of detergent and need something fast. 

Now for this week's question, please comment!

I've been considering starting a YouTube channel.

Is that something that would interest you? 

(Insecure me asking—I don't want to be alone. Yikes! Did I write that out loud?)

Bonus question:

What have you done in your home this week?

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ღLauraღ

...doing what I can with what I've got

where I am on a short shoestring budget!

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It's time to start saving your pennies
and your nickles and your rocks for Christmas!

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 From the Archive

•  Five Days of Frugal Eating    
• A Simple Bridal Shower Gift With Tutorial
• A Few Ways to Enjoy Homemaking
• Frightened of God
• Favorite First Lines... Anne of Green Gables and Thoughts on Reading

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Thrifty Things Lately at Harvest Lane Cottage #154

Hello ladies,

Here are a few things I've done lately to save money. But first....

Thank you Dianna for your hospitality recently! It was so nice to get away and spend some time at the lake. ~smile~

Here I am sampling lake life at Dianna's. 

Now onto the thrifty things.

~ I used some apples that were past their prime to make apple crisp. I've been using the same recipe since I was in college. The lay I lived with for awhile was a wonderful Christian wife, cook, and homemaker. I learned so much from her in the few months that I lived with her and her husband.

~ I made a batch of quick laundry detergent.

~I made ant poison. I'm going to have to make another batch. The critters came back.

~I listened to the New Testament on Bible.com. I'm in Acts right now.

~I've been reading and listening to a couple of books on Scribd. I received a month free because someone used my referral code. She got two free months. It's only $8.99 after that for unlimited ebooks, audio books, sheet music, podcasts and more.

~ We continued using tinkle wipes to reduce our toilet paper usage. In a home with three women, it helps a lot.

~ I went to a wig shop and the owner showed me how to keep my wigs on with a wig grip. She also cut some bangs into one of the wigs that a wig sister sent to me. The wig I'm wearing above is Sierra by Rene of Paris. It's also the one I've been wearing to work the last couple of weeks. I am just beginning to feel comfortable with a wig on my head. ~smile~

~ We enjoyed many beautiful bouquets made from our prolific peonies and lillies.

~ My husband and daughter planted some tomatoes and other  herbs, flowers, and veggies in the garden.

~ I found a pillar candle at the thrift shop for $.50.

~ I bought some cards at Dollar Tree. It was a quick run in and out with a mask. I've been wanting to send more snail mail. I sent several cards and decorated the outsides with pink pen. It's obvious to the post office and the recipients that it is happy mail. ~smile~

~ We enjoyed homemade dump stew. I collected leftover veggies, some leftover roast beef and gravy, and some leftover hamburger. I added a couple handfulls of pearled barley, a bag of mixed veggies, a box of Aldi's beef broth, and a single chopped potato. It made a plentiful, delicious soup for Sunday.

Blessings to all of you!
Remember... keep busy.
This too shall pass.

Have a homemade, handmade, heartmade thrifty week! 

Laura

P.S  I highly recommend using Scribd. You get unlimited ebooks and audio books plus other reading materials for just one low price. $8.99 a month. You don't have to pay per book. It's all included in the one price. It's the best money I've spent this year!

If you use my link, you'll get a 2 month free trial of Scribd, and I will get a free month as well. I'm not an affiliate, it's just a neat perk that they have for their subscribers who tell their friends. I've earned 210 free days just sharing how much I love their service! You can too. Cancel at any time. My daughter uses it, too.

Find me online here:

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2020  18 Finished Books

Goal 50

HarvestLaneLaura  on Ravelry

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laura@harvestlanecottage.com

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