February 02, 2010 2 Comments

Yes, our February edition of the Totally Ready Newsletter is out. If you have subscribed and did not receive it Monday night please let me know. I have added the Tip of the Week summary as a regular feature of the newsletter since I know you cannot always keep up with the blog each week.

This issue included the following:

Regular Features:

Our General Store:  Update and Summary PLUS Our Next Steps

Tips of the Week for the month of January

Recipes: Using Long Term Food Storage and Super Bowl Party Recipes

Basic Survival Skills: Water

Special Features:

Making Room For Food Storage

Know the Signs of Frostbite

Thanks to everyone who has commented on the yahoo group about the post on Monday and concerns for our food supply. Please follow through and forward the post to everyone you know. This will affect everyone in the United States and Canada who eats.

This month we celebrate Valentines Day. This is a great time to save money, really. We often go overboard with our holiday celebrations and this holiday is no exception.

1. Now the schools are requiring food brought into the classroom be store bought, gone are the days of cookies and cupcakes. I find that very sad. It does save the cost but some parents have now taken things a step further and send little pouches of candy instead. Don’t buy into that. You are not the class Scrooge if you choose to just have your child bring a card. Cards are so inexpensive to purchase that this is one time I do not suggest you make your own cards. If however, you are sending a card to grandparents or to mom or dad, by all means make them. Regular greeting cards are much too expensive to purchase.

2. With the advent of dollar store you can get away with sending a child a dollar for the holiday and they can always find something fun to spend it on. Don’t feel you have to send more. Remember it is the thought that counts. Even our 11 year old grandson can always find something, even if it’s his favorite…food.

3. Hit the stores on the 14th. Every store I know marks down all their holiday section by the day of the holiday, if not a few days before. This is the time to purchase candy for the kids or your spouse.

4. Hit the stores on the 15th. This is the day the mark downs really increase. Now is the time to stock up on valentines for the kids to give to their class and friends next year. Remember they will be a year older so plan accordingly and stock up. This is also a great time to purchase candy. I make the most yummy brownies with peanut butter cups in them (see the November 2009 Newsletter). I purchase the ones wrapped for Valentines Day and put them in the freezer so I have a supply which will last until the next holiday, or longer. You all know I love M&Ms for food storage because they keep so well. I stock up every Valentines Day. They may all be pink and white but who cares! Sometimes they advertise them on sale before the holiday and you can substitute the regular bag when the special runs out.

5. Think red. If you know anyone who loves red once the sales begin look for towels, dish towels, place mats, candy dishes and more that are red. They make great gifts. Once you place them in a home decorated with red they no longer look like they are meant for the holiday.

6. Think weddings. I love to give a collection of holiday kitchen towels, table runners, etc. as shower gifts. When we were first married we were very…poor students. I made ornaments for our Christmas tree out of scraps of felt. It was depressing. If you purchase holiday items after the big day they can be as much as 90% off and you can give a nice collection of holiday items which will not break the bank. I purchase them all year with no one in mind and as I get an invitation I go through my stash and use the holiday items I have on hand. Everyone has always loved the gift.

7. Bake. Even on sale little boxes of candy can add up. Bake sugar cookies in heart shapes for your family and decorate them with their name and/or a personal message. Make them big! A plate sized sugar cookie is still cheaper than a box of chocolates and so much more fun.

Make it a great day!!

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Hannity interviews:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twd59PrqCNg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwhGkiPfPzo&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InelCf0tMFI&NR=1

Hannity in California:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFJfviDPVrc&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjWPGg4fhKg&feature=related

Congressional hearings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PykWODgPwIA&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrUAgHbkkrk&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV9Es0sc2Ig&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75jk5ZSqmAg&feature=related (this has the congressional vote)

Food storage, Money Savers, frugal living

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