“Money: How to Be Rich Without It and How to Stretch It Using Ten Hints from the Past and the Technology of Today”

Money: How to Be Rich Without It and How to Stretch It Using Ten Hints from the Past and the Technology of Today is now available as an e-book at smashwords.com and a paperback at amazon.com.

Here is a little preview:

“Money is often on my mind. Chances are it is on your mind, too. Whether we have a lot of it, just enough of it, not much of it or none at all, money is on our minds.”

With frugality in her DNA, the author explains her lengthy title in the foreword: “Since your perception of riches has a great deal with how you approach your handling of money, the best starting place is Money, How to Rich Without It. In this book, I talk about millionaires who don’t fit the profile you would normally expect as well as some people I know who are rich beyond description although they don’t have any money. In these two extremes, I found a common denominator: the right attitude toward money.

… perhaps it’s time to rethink the wisdom of those who have gone before us. A miserly attitude is not the answer, but because they survived during some very rough times, maybe their advice is worth another look, thus the reason for a look at Money: How to Stretch It Using 10 Hints from the Past.

We do, however, live in the 21^st century and have advantages that our ancestors could not have even dreamed of, thus the addition of and the Technology of Today. The appendix has an abundance of websites and resources that will help you stretch your dollars.”

Written from a Christian perspective, the book also includes an overview of what the Bible says about money.

Order paperback and Kindle at http://www.amazon.com.

Download available in all formats, including PDF and Sony Reader: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/221060

Surprising Vegetable Soup

I love soups. I sometimes follow a recipe, but everyone knows “refrigerator soup” often works just as well. My latest soup from the remains of my vegetables turned out delicious, I think, and had a few surprising ingredients.

I used a partial bag of vegetable soup powder, cut up some onions, carrots, potatoes and added radishes and some of the radish greens with a few dashes of Tabasco. Of course, if you make it, you can vary all the ingredients. I was surprised to learn, however, how good for you the radish greens are. I usually throw them away. Who knew? Enjoy.

Instead of taking expensive equipment in for repair, try rebooting

This week, I am including a post that I wrote for my other blog – http://www.onefocusministries.blogspot

Sometimes we can save ourselves time, money and stress by a simple reboot.

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I am not high-tech savvy, but I have discovered one thing. Rebooting solves a lot of problems. When your computer or e-reader is frozen, when the electronic camera on either doesn’t work or if an accessory plugged into your device decides to stop functioning, reboot.

I have read that rebooting becomes necessary when your computer develops system problems because of running into an endless program loop or your internet connection breaks down. Shutting off your computer and restarting it can stop the loop or repair the connection.

Life is like that as well. Sometimes we allow negativity to loop over and over in our minds until we become non-productive.

As I travel, I often  visit with someone undergoing a problem, they are often frozen in that endless loop of negative thinking. Sometimes he can’t see a light ahead because present circumstances are so dire. Often she can’t forgive herself for something she has done. Maybe he believes his life is useless because he had not been able to accomplish his dreams. She may tell me how her parents, husband, co-workers give her such negative input that she believes that she has nothing to contribute to her family or her job.

It may be hard to believe, but these conversations are with Christians – people who should know better. It is Satan that wants us to believe the negatives in that endless program loop and be incapable of stopping the loop and repairing the connection.

I listen with a heavy heart to these conversations, pray about any advice God may have for them and without exception have told them that what they need is to go back to the place where they met God in the first place and remember the joy they encountered when they first met Jesus and made Him Lord of their lives. Sin can for a time disturb our connection with God. It is up to us to recognize it and ask Him to restore the joy we once knew. We often need to reboot.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Psalm 51:12 NIV).

Use It Up

National Archives and Records Administration. Record Creator Office for Emergency Management. Office of War Information. Domestic Operations Branch. Bureau of Special Services. 1941-1945

During the Great Depression and throughout World War II, Americans were taught to “Use it Up – Wear It Out – Make It Do”. 

Not only is this a great suggestion for stretching your money, not doing so can be very wasteful. Consider products that you purchase in tubes, for instance. After you have squeezed every bit out of the tube, there is still a lot of product left. You can make these products last much longer by simply cutting the tube in half and digging out the rest. For instance, when I do that to this lotion container, I get another week’s worth of use out of it. This works for toothpaste and other products packaged that way. 

You can find this and many other money stretching hints in “Money: How to Be Rich Without It and How to Stretch It Using Ten Hints from the Past and the Technology of Today.” It is available as an ebook and paperback.

Here’s how to order: http://www.amazon.com/Money-Without-Stretch-Using-Technology/dp/1479389161/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1368114005&sr=8-9&keywords=money%3A+how+to+be+rich+without+it

Stretch Your Budget and Make Your Own Yogurt

A dear friend of mine shared a recipe that she has used for years to make her own yogurt. There is very little cost. It is much better for you than store bought as you can leave it plain or regulate the amount of sweetener you want to add. Honey is a good choice. When you serve it, you can also add fruit, granola or sweetener.

Thanks, Charlene!

1 gallon (or however much you want) of regular fresh milk

1 small ctn. of plain yogurt without fruit or additives

• Heat the milk until it almost begins to boil (see a few small bubbles) then remove from the stove
• Allow the milk to cool at least to luke warm
• Vigorously stir the plain yogurt into the milk
• Put in a warm place or on a warming pad and allow to sit for several hours.
• Then place your yogurt into the refrigerator to be used as desired.

Comments: We usually prepare the yogurt and place it on a warming pad before going to bed. Early the next morning, the yogurt is ready.

Milk is comprised of healthy, nourishing bacteria. When you heat the milk almost to boiling, all of the milk bacteria are killed. After the milk cools, you can then insert the yogurt culture which begins to multiply, thus forming good, fresh yogurt.

Healthy Eating on a Budget

I’ve been doing a lot of reading about healthy eating lately. It is unfortunate that most people think eating healthy is very costly (i.e. must buy all organic, expensive ingredients, etc.) That is simply not true. You can eat very healthy on a budget. It just takes a lot more time.

Practically all the experts say that one of the main ways to eat healthier is to avoid processed foods. Healthy foods come in this order: fresh, frozen, canned or boxed.

Fresh is always best. The problem with fresh is that it spoils quickly and so it takes more thought to be able to use it wisely. Only buy what you need or freeze for later use.

If you freeze or can your own foods, you know what is in them. You can also control the amount of sugar or salt that goes into any food you eat – both are bad for you in large doses.

When you buy a can or a box and read the label, note all the ingredients that you cannot pronounce and don’t have a clue what they are. Many of those are preservatives. It is best to stay away from them if possible.

It is always better to cook regular oatmeal, grits, rice, etc. The instant variety is not only more expensive, but more processed.

To eat healthy and frugally involves thinking ahead. This is not difficult with refrigerators, freezers and crock pots – things our ancestors did not have.

Take the time, maybe once a week, to do the following and you will eat better on whatever budget you have:

• Cook dried beans. They are a great source of protein. Cook an entire bag and freeze in small portions.
• Cook healthy meat dishes in quantity and freeze portions. You can actually save time this way. There are tons of crock pot and healthy main dish recipes online.
• Don’t throw away tiny bits of leftover vegetables. Freeze them and save for soup.
• Don’t throw away bits of leftover fruit. Freeze and use in smoothies or popsicles for the kids.
• When you drain vegetables and fruits (if you must buy canned variety), save the water or juice. Vegetable liquids can be used in your soups and fruit liquids can be used in smoothies or make flavored jello from powdered gelatin (which is much cheaper).
• You can find recipes online for homemade cheese, homemade yogurt and homemade potato chips (without using any grease!)

With a little planning and wise use of your time, you can stretch your food dollars and eat healthy.

Avocado Salad A Man Will Eat

One of my favorite lunches is a simple avocado salad. I chop up whatever nuts I have (peanuts are the cheapest), about a third of an apple and add a can of tuna fish and some mayonnaise.

Mix all together and place top avocado halves. I usually put these on a bed of lettuce although that is the part my husband doesn’t eat! You can include fruit or not, depending on whether you have it.

This makes two plates of what is pictured above with enough tuna salad left over for a sandwich. Economical and good for you – another good way to stretch your money.

For more money stretching hints, check out http://www.amazon.com/Money-Without-Stretch-Using-Technology/dp/1479389161/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366370975&sr=8-1&keywords=money+how+to+be+rich+without+it+and+how+to+stretch+it

for sale on amazon.com both in paperback and Kindle and on smashwords.com in all digital formats

A Beautiful Success in Spite of Poverty

“Have regular hours for work and play, make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life becomes a beautiful success, in spite of poverty.”

“We’ll remember, Mother!” And they did.

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These lines from “Little Women”, the popular book and movie by Louisa May Alcott strike a nerve. Is success measured by money? Can one really enjoy life if making ends meet is a daily challenge?

This is a major theme in “Money: How to Be Rich Without It and How to Stretch It Using Ten Hints from the Past and the Technology of Today”. In that book, I cite several examples of people I have read about and know personally who are incredibly happy, in spite of the fact that they have little or no money.

If you are having to watch every penny, stretch your dollar until it is see-through thin and have to decide between rent, mortgage or food, what are your thoughts? Do you see this situation as an adventure or a curse?

I am reminded of the story of the man who decided that the Great Depression changed his life – for the better. He discovered God, learned to put his family first and cherished every moment. What about you?

Katherine Hepburn and Joan Bennett in the 1933 trailer for the film “Little Women”