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How did you do a lot with the little that you used?
Let's call this an exercise to spread your wisdom, innovation, and creativity.
From using coupons to taking advantage of free deals to tips and tricks about anything.
Let's open source some knowledge that you feel is worth spreading.
John Moonstroller 20+
I also realize that learning about computers can take a lot of time, something most people don't have much of these days. I try to help by repairing, DE-virusing and giving counsel to people for free. It's also a great way to make new friends and receive a sense of having made someone else happy for free.
We should all give more of ourselves for free.
Fritzie Reisner 100+
I wish you and Mrs. Moonstroller a healthy new year.
John Moonstroller 20+
The wife was rear ended but she is ok. We now have a new 2013 Honda Accord (no thanks to Santa).
New years was quiet with the Grandkids -lots of hot chocolate and popcorn.
Yes, we have to give as much as we can, especially to the younger generation. They lack jobs, a future and are straddled with debt.
Sometimes I think the best thing we older people can do is have a giant euthanasia party and get rid of their burden (which is us). Some thoughts?
Fritzie Reisner 100+
I continue to be optimistic about the prospects for the young, even if their futures are different than we might have expected. This is only a gut feeling rather than a case I can make with airtight evidence or logic.
It is a hard time to come out of college, no doubt, but by the time those grandkids come of age, we will see.
Kristin Hynd
When I cook I use as much of everything as possible - vegetable peelings, fatty trimmings and bones get turned into broth to use in the future - broth freezes beautifully in zipper bags laid flat. If vegetables show signs of going bad, I am quick to chop them up and freeze them as they are easy additions to a variety of meals. Between recycling and using as much of my food as I possibly can, the amount of garbage that my household produces has been dramatically reduced.
I own very few pieces of clothing or pairs of shoes that did not come from a second hand shop. Also many of my family's household goods, cd's, books, toys and games entered our lives through Goodwill and The Salvation Army. Even the telescope that we use frequently to stargaze from our porch. Once we decide we no longer need something, if it is still useable, it goes right back to Goodwill or another organization so that it can serve again. Clothing that is not fit to be used often finds new life in various art projects. I have taken to recycling old artist's canvas frames and stretching old jeans over them to make a unique surface to create upon.
Conservation, upcycling and recycling are very connected. It is one of my dreams that someday using everything to the fullest extent possible will again become a common practice.
Don Anderson 20+
P.S. I'm using Tiger Lilies because here in the Midwest they come up early before the grass and weeds, and so weeds don't grow there.
greg dahlen 20+
Colleen Steen 500+
I was a queen of recycle, reuse, restore, renovate before it was popular, as many people were, because my parents went through the depression, and learned to be resourceful. We made our own cloths ( I started making EVERYTHING I wore at age 16), and we had a huge garden to grow our own food, which was then canned and stored for the winter months. So, as an adult, I continued with this lifestyle, and apparently passed it on to my kids.
A favorite recycle story...
A long time ago, at a garage sale, I saw a whole bolt (many yards) of brand new fabric for $5.00. It was a lovely flower pattern, and since I did MANY sewing project all the time, I was certain that I could use it for something, so I bought it.
When my daughter went off to college, the couch in her apartment needed a cover, so she looked in my "supply", and found the $5.00 bolt of fabric. When she covered the couch, she knew it would only be temporary, so rather than cutting the fabric and sewing it to fit (which she could do), she folded and tucked the fabric to fit and pinned it neatly underneath....it looked like it was upholstered!
After a couple years of use, she was finished with it, folded it neatly, and brought it back to our fabric stash at home. Soon after that, my son was in college and looking for fabric to "decorate" his apartment. Guess what he took? The $5.00 material. He cut it up to make curtains, tablecloth, napkins, bed spread, etc.! He stripped it from the apartment when he left, folded his made "stuff" up and brought it back home.
Awhile later, I was looking for fabric to recover the porch furniture at home...perfect...lovely colorful flowers!!! So, that $5.00 fabric was re-used again. I think it's pretty well worn and gone at this point, but what a GREAT bargain, which combined with a little creativety gave us a lot of pleasure and use:>)
Sean Brother
Colleen Steen 500+
Kind words are my pleasure, which "feed" me, as much as those to whom they are directed:>)
It's another example of "how to do a lot with the little that we used"...
Words are simple, little, meaningful expressions, which often create a big impact....don't you think?
Sean Brother
Colleen Steen 500+
greg dahlen 20+
Linda Taylor 50+
greg dahlen 20+
Don Anderson 20+
FYI: Almond milk has more vitamin D and is anti-inflammatory, which I need for my health issues.
greg dahlen 20+
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
I wanted to shoot a PSA for the local TV station; but there I was, coming from a place where I'd work with 16mm and 35mm cameras, RED One, Sony HDs and all the fancy cameras.
There was no competent crew except myself (this is a small town with no film culture), no lights like I'm used to. I almost gave up.
So I decided to bring some young people together for a week of training; I decided to try my best and see what comes out of it.
In the end, we shot a PSA 'Say No To Rape' and it was so good (considering the equipment and the crew) that I put it on my YouTube channel.
Linda Taylor 50+
But one thing that I absolutely love, is my grandmother's recipes. I often thought about writing a cookbook about depression era cooking. Some of her dishes feed many many people for just pennies. Things like corn pie and oatmeal patties. Simple inexpensive food. She not only had to feed her family, but also the farm hands.
In times past, people did a lot more with a lot less, made quilts from old clothes, Rugs from wool rags. To this day I sew a lot of my clothes. I have been low income more than once in my life and have the skills to live on little money. I can make my own soap, bread, and everything from playdough to finger paints. When the kids were young eating out meant picnics and candle light dinners at home. We fished and hunted.
You don't need a lot of money to have a great life.
Derek Young 30+
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_machine.html
Derek Young 30+
kaitlyn rodriguez
Robert Galway 20+
As a car owner, buy used cars from the family and practice automotive hospice. Celebrate inspection victories.
As a woodworker, use good materials, your time and energy are worth far more than the materials and living with poor quality afterwards diminishes the effort.
As an engineer, constanly update your library from e-bay and amazon used books. Sort on "lowest price" on Amazon once you are in the subject area you like.
As a homeowner, take care of water problems, change filters often, learn how to do basic house maintenance.
As a son, pay attention to genealogy, capturing family lore, making pictures digital, making lost family connections, attending family events, and sharing information with family.
As a Christmas card writer, never take an older person off the Christmas card list until there is no one there to enjoy a holiday message. Put your digital photos to holiday music and send them with your Christmas cards or letters.
As a mentor, after you figure out what to do in a situation, ask yourself is there an opportunity for someone else to gain from the experience, then let them solve the problem.
As an Uncle, see that all of your nieces and nephews learn to play chess.
As a husband, notice things done in your behalf, never stop trying to make special things happen for the one you love, hold hands, share time and experiences, look for ways to defuse arguments or stop them early, go to garage sales together like a Saturday morning date, remember likes and dislikes and use them to help make life more enjoyable.
As an employee, work hard and cheerfully, always make your employer feel like they got more than their money's worth, find a way to compliment your co-workers, smile, learn names, be positive, and take pride in your work.
As a person, improve society, your profession, your health, and your environment. Do all you can yourself before asking for help. do not be a victim