Saving by Gardening

Thank you for all who encourage me in my writing of this blog.  I have enjoyed sharing ideas on ways to live a thrifty lifestyle.  Not all deal with saving money, as some may save you time which can equally be important.

To those who have left private messages on Facebook, I would appreciate you leaving your input here in the comment area so that others can also see it.  That is another part of my intention of this blog, for my followers to share ideas with each other.  The topic of this blog will allow you to do just that – share a recipe.  Read on …

It is a wonderful time of the year, as the abundance of summer produce is available, possibly from your own garden or at local produce stands and farmers markets.  My garden is starting to produce wonderfully fresh items including different varieties of lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, zucchini, and fresh herbs.  We like to eat healthy, and knowing that we can grow our own vegetables and herbs makes it easier.

If you haven’t started a garden, plan one for next year if space allows.  Otherwise, stop by farm markets or produce stands.  Not only will you be supporting a local home business, but you will be purchasing foods grown near where you live that are fresh.

Many people blanch and freeze corn on the cob or can produce like green beans.  Personally, I have never tried either of these methods, but have frozen other produce both in raw and in a processed form.

Before doing so, follow safety tips to make sure the food will be safe to eat.  Libraries are a great place to be educated and locate recipes.  There are also many good web sites with proper safety preparation information and recipes.  Personally, I like http://extension.psu.edu/food-safety/food-preservation.

A few summers ago, the overabundance of tomatoes and jalapeno peppers gave me the idea to make my own salsa, which freezes well.  After defrosting it, all I have to do is drain off some of the liquid and it tastes great.

Never having grown zucchini, a few years ago I had no idea that 4 plants would produce more than we could eat.  I gave many of them away and sought out recipes using it.  Did you know it could be used in baking with chocolate – YUM!

Now it’s your turn to share.  Please post one of your favorite recipes using locally grown summer produce.  I’ll start with one I discovered last year using zucchini and I added carrots to,  If shredded enough you might be able to get your children to eat their vegetables without knowing it!

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Carrot and Zucchini Meatloaf

Meatloaf

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup either chopped or shredded carrot

2 cups shredded zucchini (1 large or 2 small)

1/3 cup plain bread crumbs

1/3 cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 lb lean ground beef

Topping
    1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons ketchup

1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard

·         Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix all meat loaf ingredients until well blended.

·         Press mixture into an ungreased 9 1/2-inch deep-dish glass pie plate. Bake 35 minutes.

·         Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix all topping ingredients.

·         Remove meat loaf from oven; pour off drippings. Spread topping over loaf. Return to oven; bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until thoroughly cooked in center and meat thermometer reads 160°F. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Photographic Memories

Memories are made, time marches on, and things change.  We look back and wonder where the first six months of 2012 have gone.  As we reminisce, we may also wonder how other years have passed so quickly.

Our lives are constantly changing.  Before you know it, you have graduated from high school or college.  Your children are grown, and you are a grandparent.  Maybe you are in a different point in your life and you are downsizing, moving from the home where you raised your family to a smaller, easier to manage residence.

More now than years go, we document our lives in photo.  So what have you done with your photos and other memories?

Before my parents downsized a few years ago, I had begun to gather and organize their photos and other printed memories such as marriage invitations, school graduation programs, and funeral memorial cards.  As they moved, these items seemed to multiple.  I located more in their collection that had been packed away, plus some appeared that previously belonged to both of my grandmothers.  Now the decision arose, what to do with all of these precious memories.

This began an ongoing project, where I am dividing and labeling these items.  When on sale, I went to either A.C. Moore or Michaels and purchased memory boxes in two sizes.  The 12”x12” boxes are great for oversized photos and for items like school graduation programs.  The smaller boxes can hold up to 1000 photos and come with divider cards.

Setting up three different families of boxes (different colors), I am currently pouring over thousand of photos, attempting to label a dozen or two a day.  One set of boxes is for my father’s families, another set for my mother’s, and a set for my parents life together that includes my siblings, and our families.

Since some of the photos were still in the developing envelope, I was able to easily decipher what year they were taken.  Others were not as easily identifiable.  My parents have been able to assist me with some, but there are others that could be relatives who passed long ago or they may have been family friends.  For those that neither my parents nor I could not identify, I scanned and emailed some of the photos to relatives who I knew might be able to assist me in this project.  For some I was able to gain knowledge, others remain as unknown.

After identifying who was in a picture and listing the year and in some instances only the decade, I placed them in the boxes using both the divider cards and also index cards (since there are never enough dividers) standing on end with the year listed.

What I learned from this entire project are some words of wisdom I wish to pass along to anyone who gives photos as memories.

1.      Start labeling your photos now while it’s hot outside – this is an activity that will allow you to sit and keep cool.  Also, the longer you put it off, the more memories that will be created and even forgotten as we age.  I have scanned and backed up many of these memories that I know are irreplaceable like the only know photos of some relatives.

2.      Use a storage method that is also safe for the memories.  A shoebox is a good temporary storage method, but not as safe for long time storage as are the photo memory boxes which are created to be acid free.

3.      Gather these memories in one place.  You may be surprised of what is found in drawers, basements, and attics.  Memories may be damaged due to extreme temperature changes, light, mold, and other environmental factors.

4.      Using a photo safe labeling pencil or pen, identify on the back of your photo the who, what, where, when, and why of the picture.  Do not use a ball point pen, nor write on the front of the photo, nor attach a label as even permanent ones lose their “stickiness” many years later and fall off the photo.

5.      If you give photo Christmas cards; consider putting the year and names on it in the order that the people are standing.

6.      Consider assisting your parents or older relatives in doing this type of a project, because one day you may be the individual who inherits the family treasurers.

As someone who has loved genealogy and putting together the pieces of my family tree, I have come across photos that I never knew existed of relatives who I never met because they passed before I was born.  These organized and labeled treasurers along with my printed family history are a legacy that I can pass down to my niece and nephews.

Photo Developing

There are many web sites where you can preserve your memories in digital format.  You can have your photos printed at many locations both at a store or online.  Some of the places to consider are:  warehouse stores (BJs, Sams Club, and Costco); drug stores (CVS, Rite-Aid, and Walgrens); department/chain stores (Boscovs, Wal-Mart, and K-Mart); and with locations that are only online (Shutterfly, Snapfish, and Kodak Gallery).  Some allow you to upload your photos and have the order print out at their location, while others allow you the option of having the finished product delivered to your home.

Other than cost, here are some things to consider when ordering photos through an online website:

Size – what do they offer - wallet, 4x6, 5x7, or another size?  Do they offer any package deals?

Finish - matte or glossy?

Processing - color, black and white, or special toning like sepia?

Paper – Kodak, Fujicolor, or another?

Enhancement - does their site allow for editing such as cropping, adjusting red eye, etc.?

Shipping and Handling - what fees are charged and what service is used to ship to your home or to their location?

Taxes - will you pay tax for in store or mail delivery?

Fees - are there any hidden or membership fees?

Time - how long will it take to produce and receive them?

Upload photos - individually or in a cluster?

Packaging - are the pictures mailed in a sturdy package?

Photo storage - cellulose acetate (negative), photo CD, or print containing all photos?  Will they maintain your photo library on their site?

Return policy - how do they handle photos that do not print correctly?

Photo gifts - can you order a mug, calendar, or other specialty item with your photo(s) on it?

Scrapbook pages – can you order photo pages in 7x7, 8x8, 12x12, or anther special size?

No matter what you chose to do with your photo memories - always, always, back up your photos to another location such as an eternal hard drive or to an online photo storage location.  It's a tragedy when your precious memories are lost.

Seek out special offers and sales for photos you do not need to have your photos developed immediately.  Be nice, and share your finds with your family and friends.

Where do you have your photos developed?  Recommendations are always appreciated by your fellow readers because you may know of a place where we can all save money.  Now say Cheese and take some pictures this weekend!

Photographs - Saving our Memories

As summer looms, many people will be attending graduations, weddings, cookouts, pool parties, and taking trips to the beach and mountains.  Don’t forget your camera so you can take digital photos.

This is a two part blog to help prepare you for photo opportunities.  Here are some tips:

1.      Remember to check your camera and accessories (tripod, filters, etc.) for working condition.  Have them serviced if necessary.

2.      Have two sets of fresh batteries – one as a back-up set.  Rechargeable batteries can be useful.

3.      Will your memory card hold enough photos?

4.      Think of taking different shots of the same scene.  Include family members in some of your shots, and make sure to put yourself in some.  Remember to take some close ups too.

5.      Is anyone else in your party taking pictures?  Coordinate with them to get different angles and to be in different places at the same time so that special events can be captured and shared.

6.      Back your photos up.  If something happens to the camera, you will have a way to recover them.  This can be done on your computer, an external hard drive, or on a web site that allows you to store your photos.

7.      Think about ways to use your photos as gifts.  Photos can be turned into mouse pads, coffee mugs, calendars, and scrapbooks.

8.      Is time a necessity in getting your photos produced?  This could be one determining factor in deciding where to get them printed.  There are many online locations where you can upload them and either have them mailed to your home or pick them up.  (More on this topic in the next blog in the middle of June.)

Remember to have fun and enjoy your summer while preserving your memories.

Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed Property

You may have heard that each state has a depository where unclaimed property is reported by banks, insurance companies, and other entities.  It is worth a few minutes of your time to look for yourself and relatives. This money is legally owned by someone and it just could be you.

While doing the search just in my state, I found two direct relatives and several distant relatives listed as having unclaimed property.  I also located someone who is deceased, to whom I notified their one and only legal heir.

To be sure you have the correct web site, either go to your state’s Treasury Department or to http://www.unclaimed.org.  This unclaimed money or property legally belongs to someone who “forgot” about it.  The entity who held it must be law make attempts to locate the rightful owner in the state of their last known residence.  At some point, it is turned over to their state’s Treasury Department.

Per the web site listed above comes their definition:

“What is unclaimed property?

Unclaimed property (sometimes referred to as abandoned) refers to accounts in financial institutions and companies that have had no activity generated or contact with the owner for one year or a longer period. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed dividends or payroll checks, refunds, traveler's checks, trust distributions, unredeemed money orders or gift certificates (in some states), insurance payments or refunds and life insurance policies, annuities, certificates of deposit, customer overpayments, utility security deposits, mineral royalty payments, and contents of safe deposit boxes.”

In Pennsylvania, there is a form that must be completed with proof of who you are (copy of your driver’s license).  A notary’s stamp may also be required to assist in verifying that you are the individual you claim to be via the paperwork.  By also registering an email address in Pennsylvania, you can track the status of your claim for the property once the claim form is submitted.

If you have gone to a web site that lists unclaimed property but charges a fee or asks for a credit card, DO NOT follow through with their process, as it may be a scam.  Make sure you are on the official state site for each and every state in which you have resided.  Why pay someone else when you can do it for yourself.  Their finder's fee could take a nice chunk of your claim if the property is monetary.  However, if unclaimed property is items such as jewelry, you could be putting out money to receive your property.

Who knows what you may find with just a few minutes of your time, and check at least once a year since unclaimed items are turned in all the time.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Here in Pennsylvania, we have had a very mild winter and spring, which has encouraged many people to start planting their gardens early this year.  When I took stock, I noticed that most of my herbs from last year survived.  Even a few of the annuals in my containers lived.  That is very unusual, as a good frost normally kills plants that are not hardy here in the northeast.

There are ways to save money while beautifying your flower and vegetable gardens.  Some of my best tips on saving money include:

1.      Before purchasing any plant, you should know in which zone you reside as many plants will not thrive nor survive in certain zones.  The web site I recommend is from the US Department of Agriculture, a very reliable source.  By entering your zip code you can learn number and letter combination for the zone in which you dwell.  Check it out at:  http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb

2.      Doing your research is important in planning your garden.  Check out books at the library, talk to the experts at garden centers, and use the Internet.  Most plants will have a tag indicating if the plant is an annual (one year) or a perennial (repeated years), how many hours of sun it requires, how to plant it in regards to depth and space, any other special details.

3.      Because some plants and vegetables come in quantities of more than one, consider the option of sharing them with someone.  By splitting the cost, you can receive some of each plant, and not be overwhelmed with too many of the one plant.  You can do the same with swapping plants that multiple and can be either divided or produce offshoots like Hosta and Forsythia.  Share with your family and friends.  Also, check your newspaper for groups who offer swaps where you bring your extra plants and go home with some new varieties.

4.      Starting plants from seed is another option.  Start them now as the number of days to maturity on certain plants may take the date into mid to late July before you can truly enjoy some vegetables!  Building a cold frame using some lumber and an old glass window with hinges, purchase a seed starter kit, or as I did, saving the plastic 4-packs from other plants and placing them inside near a window and watering them.  My lettuce and green beans are started.  I will also be planting a second batch in a few weeks to stagger my crop to keep receiving its produce.

5.      Create your own flower container combinations.  Why spend $15 to $20 on a hanging basket?  Instead of purchasing a pre-made basket at a garden center, I create my own combinations based upon what I find on the Internet and use baskets and containers in my collection.  On the Internet, there are many great sites for you to view to become familiar with what is available in our zone and get an idea of prices, growing conditions, and colors available.  My favorite site is the Proven Winners web site because they have combinations showing a photograph and a scheme of where to plant the flowers in the pot.  Check it out at www.provenwinners.com/container-gardening/container-recipes/search.  Although my baskets are smaller in diameter than they recommend, I adapt their combinations to fit, and sometimes even change the colors they recommend.  Their products are also available in my local area.  I have also found that the local businesses where I shop (many are roadside stands and small Mennonite run greenhouses) will take back the empty pots I purchased from them.

6.      Once everything is planted, remember to tend to your plants, knowing when to water, weed, and fertilize to get the best results.  One product to help reduce the need to water is Soil Moist.  It is a product that allows you to water less because the soil stays moist.  It is similar to the granules in a baby diaper that absorb the moisture.

I am very anxious to begin enjoying the fruits of my labor, eating homegrown produce - tomatoes, colored bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, green beans, cucumbers, lettuce, and herbs!  Yum!  Not only will I know where and how my produce was grown, but I will be cutting my grocery bill and if there is abundance, I will be sharing with family and friends.

In the next week, I anticipate finishing my planting and mulching.  So what are you looking forward to in your garden this year?

Environmental Ways to Save

While saving money is very important in today’s economy, so is doing good things for our environment.  There are many things you can do to help Mother Earth while saving money.  With Earth Day on April 22, this entry is dedicated to a few ways to help our ecosystem while doing your part to recycle, reuse, and reduce.

Most trash bills include the fees for recycling (newspaper, glass, plastic, and tin/steel cans).  Locally, we can recycle household batteries in an orange bag.  But have you used rechargeable batteries?  Our flashlights and camera use either AA or AAA batteries, so we have switched.  If you drink soda, have you thought about saving the aluminum cans and cashing them in?  Check for local recycling centers that will pay you for metals.

Composting can be a great way to enrich your soil.  By taking items such as fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, and shredded paper, you can create a great fertilizer to amend your garden soil.  We add cooking water from pasta or vegetables or even leave the lid off when it rains to keep it moist.  Building your own composting bin or purchasing one gives you options for where to place it.  We attended a seminar at our township building a few years ago and received our composting bin for FREE!

Watering your garden and lawn, is a major use of water consumption during the summer.  A rain barrel hooked up to your downspout is a great way to collect and store water.  Making your own barrel is much less expensive than purchasing a ready-made one if you are into saving money and creating one from a large 55-gallon drum.  Unlike water from your tap, the collected water contains no chemicals like chlorine, lime, or calcium and can save you money if your water supply comes from a municipal water authority.

Inside your home, there are many things you can do to conserve resources and save money.  Try turning off the electricity in a room when no one is in it.  Appliances are a major source of electric usage, some even using electricity when not in use.  Unplug ones that do not need to be plugged into their power source and turn off power strips when not in use.

Only wash clothing or run your dishwasher when you have a full load.  Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.  Adjusting the thermostat a degree or two can cut you heating and cooling costs.  Keep your curtains closed to keep the heat in during the winter, and the sun out in the summer.

Be a conscientious shopper.  Buy recycled products and items made of recycled materials.  There is a brand of toilet paper that now comes without the cardboard tube.  Many products come in excessive packaging, so look for those that are at least made of recyclable materials and/or can be recycled once you are done with the item.  Even using recyclable grocery bags are a way to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags.  Some stores even pay you for using a cloth bag.

Just reducing your consumption of these resources is good for the environment, and can save you money.  The Internet has great resources to assist you in implementing the composting and rain barrel ideas, as well as other sites with Earth Day suggestions.