Not a day goes by when I don’t hear/read/see something that makes me think I should include it in the blog. Unfortunately, not a day goes by when I don’t cook/clean/play with kids and run errands. (Literally, as I acvtually ran to the grocery store this evening to return a Redbox DVD by the 9:00 P.M. deadline!) Add the two circumstances together, and I don’t get to all the writing that I intend.
Which leads to today’s newly coined Link-O-Rama, a very special blog with lots of fantastic links that I’ve been wanting to share with The Non-Consumer Advocate Community.
- The Oregonian’s FoodDay section ran an article a few weeks back specifically outlining how to buy enough food under the limitations of food stamps and WIC. Unlike most pieces of this nature, it was not about gimmicky couponing and grocery store hopping. It contained the most practical information I’ve ever read. My favorite advice is to have a few emergency meals tucked into the back of the pantry for those inevitable nights when meal prep is next-to-impossible, even if it’s just a box of macaroni and cheese. Click here to read Leslie Cole’s great article.
- The Simple Living Network runs a website with tons of terrific simple living information, as well as an online newsletter that I am a frequent contributor to. Click here to read the current issue, which includes pieces by such simple living proponents as Duane Elgin and Dave Wampler.
- There’s an interesting piece in Angela Barton’s My Year Without Spending about her 90% Rule, which is described as “a lot of people doing things at a 90% level makes a much bigger difference than a few people operating at 100%.” It’s a though provoking piece, as 100% is an unattainable goal. I could explain it more, but I’ll just let you read it on your own.
- Ashley English over at Small-Measures is coming out with a book titled Keeping Chickens, which is sure to be a great resource for all you wannabe poultry farmers. This is part of her series of Homemade Living books which also includes Canning and Preserving. Click here to catch a sneak peek at Ashley’s new book.
- Kristen who goes by the moniker The Frugal Girl, was recently profiled on the Christian Broadcast Network, who put together a terrific piece about how she and her family are “cheerfully living on less.” Click here to watch the short video.
- And last, (but definitely not least) is the bust-yer-gut funny SNL commercial for The Closet Organizer. A must watch for anyone who has struggled with keeping clutter under control. Click here to watch the hilarity.
Any links to share? Please post them in the comments section below.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks so much for the mention, Katy! I’m really excited about both books. I’ve got actual copies in my hands (even though they don’t officially publish until April 6th) and am completely thrilled with how they turned out.
And now, I’ll let you get back to your running…
Good article, good tips. I have some questions about Leslie Cole’s article however. Some of the prices she quotes are, in my area, truly amazing.
First, bulk anything is not found in any of the four grocery stores in my county only in health food stores; tuna at $.49 – best price I’ve found is between $.90-$l; Bell peppers at $.48 each, here around $.80-.90; potatoes at 10# for $2, here normally around $3.50.
I know my prices, live in SW Florida where produce is usually better priced but the freezes have made it higher. California oranges are cheaper than Florida oranges right now. We are waiting for the produce from replanting to come in – with temps 15 degrees lower than normal, crops should do OK – end of April is usually the cutoff point because of hot weather, this year it may be extended 2-3 weeks. Being knowledgeable about weather, higher or lower, and harvests, more or less than normal, is also something Cole could have pointed out.
Cole’s advice is sound and if followed would greatly impact food budgets in a good way. What I’ve seen in carts of those using SNAP or WIC cards is lots of junk food, little fresh or made from scratch even in carts of the elderly. I doubt that the gov’t is giving any instruction/education to people receiving help – they should, it would be better for all.
WIC is very specific about what you can get, down to certain brands only, like low sugar, whole grain cereals and low fat milk. And they are very foreward about giving you info on healthy meals and nutrition counseling is part of recieving WIC. Yes some families on food stamps buy junk, but many of us feed our kids healthy, low fat, low sugar, made from scratch meals 3 times a day, with tons of produce. Our pediatrician wishes his kids ate as healthy as mine! So don’t judge me for getting a bag of doritos every once and a while.
Yes, WIC does a really good job of educating and the stores do use shelf talkers to designate the appropriate foods. However, many on SNAP do not receive any education and continue to buy junk food far in excess of healthy food. Those are the people I am concerned about.
You sound extremely dedicated to feeding your family good food, I just wish more families did. And, if I saw your cart with fresh produce, whole grain products, etc I certainly would not oppose your bag of Doritos.
mmm, Doritos! But not on a controlled carb diet. *sighs*
I thought Cole’s article was good, although I think she could have stretched that $90 a lot further. I make home made meals for the five of us for about $65 a week, we eat meat only 2 times a week, and 2 times a week we eat vegan. And I only use fresh veggies and fruit. It can be harder in some areas of the country, I know in the midwest where we live prices can be better sometimes. But there are still deals to be found and good food at great prices without having to eat ramen and hamburger helper.
Thanks for including me in the Link-o-Rama.
I didn’t have that post planned, just wrote it off the top of my head and I think it can be applied to a lot of life.
If you need another contribution for your next “Link-o-Rama,” consider taking a look at my blog, Fast, Cheap, and Good (fastcheapandgood.blogspot.com). I address small steps to sustainability.
Love your site!
I subscribed to the simple Living network and My Year Without Spending. I’ve been addrssing consumerism in my blog lately, in terms of Christian stewardship – caring for what God has given us, using it and sharing it wisely. It doesn’t matter what faith you follow: People with any sense of social conscience want to do well at this.
just wanted to share that my chicken laid her first egg of the season today. and my client’s daughter is hatching chicks for a science fair project. They are supposed to hatch today and I get to take them home after the fair. woo hoo!