Porter County Consumer & Family Science

Anything we can do to help save money these days is a good idea.  Here are a few ideas from Purdue Extension document CFS-704-9-W, “Economize when your income drops”.  Try planting a garden.  You don’t need to own land to do this.  A window sill container garden can provide delicious, flavorful herbs that you can harvest all year round.  If you’ve never gardened in your life, ask around - you will discover that there are people everywhere who are knowledgeable.  And one thing about gardeners is that they love sharing not only their knowledge, but also plant cuttings and seeds. 

Another idea is canning and freezing your produce.  There is wonderful information on the internet on this topic put out by all the extension offices around the country.  You should be able to find the extension website for your state and that will have further contact information for your questions.  And even if you don’t grow the produce yourself, you can simply buy it in season very economically at the nearest Farmers Market and then can or freeze it.  Or, one step up, go pick it yourself at the nearest local strawberry patch or orchard.  This would be extra wonderful because then you are being environmentally sound by buying and eating locally grown food.  That cuts out the cost to the environment of shipping it from other countries and trucking it to your grocery store. On top of all these rewards is the incredibly wonderful taste of home canned food - absolutely superior to most commercial brands in my opinion. 

OK, another idea, entertain at home.  Many of us are already doing this and have great home theatres set up for that special sports event.  But what about preparing a special meal for the family or the roommates on Friday evenings or Sunday noon.  You could take turns doing it.  Wonderful food unites people like almost nothing else.  If  you check with your family and friends, I’m sure they will have more ideas on fun evenings to plan. 

This one is pretty universally suggested, “Brown Bag It” at work.  If you plan your grocery list, buy some stuff that will travel well, and cook over the weekend, you can come up with creative, delicious lunches that are better than what you would buy.  And whatever you do, don’t spend a ridiculous amount of money on those commercial “health bars”.  If you bake a pan of cranberry oatmeal bars over the weekend, everyone in the family can take them for lunch all week.  They are simple, healthy and totally delicious!  Follow the link to see Liz at Iowa State Extension whipping these up. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings/prepare/cranberry_bars.htm