Have you ever wondered how much money you can save when you grow your own herbs? The truth is, you can save a significant amount by growing your own as opposed to buying them at your local grocery store. And just think, with all of that money you save, you can buy that new patio chair you wanted, or perhaps some more flowers to beautify the yard. Take a look below at how the savings can break down for you and how much you can pocket after just one growing season.
First, let’s look at the cost of fresh herbs via your grocery store:
At my local grocery store, a small package of fresh basil is about $3. The cost of a basil plant at my local farmer’s market or greenhouse is $2. As it grows throughout the season, I can easily pick off three times that amount of leaves. So to buy 30 leaves fresh at my grocer it would be $9. Growing it on my own it costs $2.
Now, let’s look at the costs associated with growing your herbs:
To grow your herbs you will need some pots or land, soil, and fertilizer if you desire. You will also need to water regularly. While these supplies do cost money, they are not necessarily expensive and a little goes a long way. You can rest assured that growing your own herbs is inexpensive and does not take any real chunk of money out of your budget.
And remember, you only pick what you need:
When you grow your own herbs, you don’t pick them until you need them and you only pick what you need. This way, you avoid waste. If you bought a package of fresh herbs at your grocery store, you may not get to them all at once and some will certainly end up in the garbage. That’s like throwing money away! When you grow your own, you avoid this and only pick and use what you need for a particular recipe.
Over the course of a growing season, suppose you planted five herb plants at $2 each. For about $10, those five plants can easily grow $30 or more of fresh herbs. That is a wonderful investment and return on your money.
Try growing your own herbs and you will not only eat fresher, you will save money in the process.
One of the biggest ways you can waste money is to let produce go bad before you use it. This often happens when we buy too much of something, get too busy to use it as intended or even forget about it in our fridge. It is almost maddening to open the fridge and see produce you now have to toss in the garbage because it has gone bad. Here are some tips for using up produce when you know you won’t be able to use it up in time for what you bought it for instead of tossing it in the garbage.
Tips for Using up Produce Before it Goes Bad:
Use your freezer.
If you have onions or peppers that are turning over-ripe, dice them and place them in zipper bags in the freezer. The freezer will stop the ripening process and it will allow you to use the vegetables for things like omelets, casseroles and slow cooker meals in the future.
Get Creative with bananas.
Pretty much everyone knows that over ripe bananas are perfect for banana bread, but you can also use them for pancakes or for thickening up milkshakes. Just cut the bananas into chunks and flash freeze by placing on a cookie sheet for a few hours and then storing in plastic freezer bags.
Start a compost pile.
If you have scraps from vegetables or fruit or you have some produce that is totally unsalvageable, this is the perfect start of a compost pile. Composting is great for gardeners as well as just fertilizing bushes, trees and even your lawn.
Over-ripe produce is perfect for soups.
No one will know the difference. Soups are historically known for being created out of need to use leftovers. In fact, some of the best soups ever made were made up just from what people have at home needing to be used up.
Fruit that is starting to go bad or is bruised can be used for pies, tarts, sauces and compotes.
Simply throwing some apples in a small slow cooker with some seasonings is all it takes to make a delicious applesauce.
If you are a big fan of smoothies, don’t go out and buy expensive frozen fruit for them.
Instead, look for ways to turn discounted produce at the store and fruit like bananas, berries and pineapple that you have at home into smoothie-ready chunks in your freezer.
Don’t assume that because part of the fruit or veggie is bad, all of it is.
With some fruits like berries, this is usually true, but with many, it isn’t, and you can use part of the vegetable or fruit with no problem. We are so used to buying produce that isn’t blemished or bruised that we think one that is, is no good any more.
Make Homemade baby food.
If you have a baby who is on solids, produce that is starting to turn (but is not moldy) or is bruised is perfect to make baby food with. Just stick it in a food processor and you have homemade baby food ready to go.
One way to avoid having produce waste is to only buy it as you need it or shop organic or local. While it may seem more expensive this way, it actually saves you a lot of money if you are the type that throws out produce frequently because it will have a longer shelf life in general.
I’ve got a question for you today! I’ve been doing a bit of daydreaming lately, specifically about things I want to do here at Simply Frugal. So yesterday while I was driving around town, I was thinking about you all. So…:
I’m Wondering: What skill(s) do you wish you knew that could impact your finances positively?
This could be budgeting skills, sewing skills, canning skills, learning to have fun without spending…etc
With summer quickly approaching, you might be thinking of hitting the road or the air for vacation time. There's just one thing...you're on a budget and what you have been envisioning for a vacation, is just not going to factor in. What to do, what to do.
Enter the Staycation: your vacation on a budget. No packing, no sore rear ends from sitting in a car, no airport delays. Simply enjoying what your city and surrounding areas have to offer.
Here are a few of my tips to make your Staycation memorable:
Spend the week before playing catch up
This doesn't sound fun but believe me, when there are no chores or work to distract you during your staycation, you have no reason but to enjoy your family, enjoy time for your favourite hobby, and enjoy your break from your regular routine! If playing catch up the week before really doesn't sound appealing, make a conscious effort to deliberately avoid household chores or work during your staycation.
Order your local Entertainment coupon book
Currently, Entertainment coupon books are on sale for $12 each with free shipping. That's a great price for a book that's jam packed with coupons for your local attractions. More often than not, the coupons are for 2 for 1 admission! You can order your Entertainment coupon book here, if you'd like. The books also feature dining coupons and shopping coupons.
Be Adventurous
Try a restaurant with an ethnic cuisine you're not used to. Hike the tallest mountain in your area. Take a local art class. Try something you've always wanted to try, but you've kept putting off because you've been scared or lacking the push to be confident!
Enjoy what your area is famous for
Why do all the tourists flock to your city in the summer? Where I live, we're famous for our wineries, orchards and lakes. It wasn't until we had family come for a visit, which I partook in my first winery tour experience. Even though I'm not a wine drinker, I thoroughly enjoyed the history and even the free wine tasting!
Know it's okay to splurge if the budget will allow
You're on vacation. Eat every meal out if you want. Or spend your entire budget on that river rafting excursion you've been saving for. Step out of your normal every day, non-vacation, routine.
So, are you excited to start your fabulous Staycation? I sure am! I've got some great ideas going through my head!
I have a friend, a wonderful, long-time friend who is quite the hostess. She's an inspiration to me really. Often she hosts little gatherings with only a few gals while other times she hosts big gatherings with many friends and family. Each and every time I head home feeling very loved and taken care of. She has that knack, you know? She seems to be completely in control without an ounce of stress showing.
But, on a few occasions she's confided in me saying that she does stress out. Especially when she's putting on a large gathering. She wants everything to be perfect and pretty. She also says the more she practices, the easier it gets.
It's silly really, how we strive for perfection in showing others what we can do to make a good party when really, hospitality is all about loving on the people who gather.
Hospitality is something I really want to practice more. I make excuses all the time because I don't think our home is very good for entertaining. Our kitchen only fits one person at a time, and our dining table only sits four. And the toys, oh the toys everywhere! But, on the few occasions that I have had people over, it's been wonderful! It's been a nice time catching up with the people that I've wanted to catch up with! That's what really matters.
First of all, the key to hospitality on a budget is to keep it simple. Here are some ideas to help keep things simple:
Allow others to help
I really appreciate it when the host allows me to get in there and help. Whether it be with dishes or with setting the food out, I love having a task to do. Since I'm not particularly great at interacting with a whole crowd of people at once, this allows me to gather and speak with only a few people that are near my "task" area. I'm more comfortable that way. I'm pretty sure allowing others to help also frees up some of the burden the host may be feeling!
Serve tea/coffee with a simple treat
If you want to have several people over, but can't afford to serve a crowd of people a full meal, just have them over for tea or coffee and a simple treat! The friend I mentioned earlier always has a loaf of banana bread in her freezer that she can easily pull out! On another occasion, a friend invited me over at the spur of the moment and served me coffee with these oven S'mores. It was so simple, but the thought amazed me!
Buy store bought treats
Sometimes to make things really easy, I buy a bag of two bite brownies and serve them up with a dollop of whipping cream. Who doesn't love two bite brownies? Same goes for meals. Sometimes a store-bought lasagna costs less than the homemade version.
Make it a Potluck
If you'll be having a large gathering, turn it into a potluck! Why be responsible for everything when others love to bring some of their favourite dishes?
Plan ahead
Maybe this isn't quite keeping things simple because planning can be extra work in itself, but by planning ahead, you might just be able to stash some homemade goodies in your freezer for an impromptu get-together. Or maybe you'll be able to stock up on a few party friendly things when they go on sale. Or maybe you can spend some time compiling a list of guest friendly meals so you don't have to spend time stressing about what you'll feed your guests.
Don't wait until things are perfect
You or your home don't have to be perfect before inviting someone over. That person may very well be blessed just to see that things aren't so perfect in your life! So what if you haven't done last night's dishes? Or there's crumbs all over the floor? If true hospitality is opening our homes and lives to others then it doesn't matter what state you or your home are in because you're inviting them in where you are at in life. While we generally want our homes to be inviting, and relatively clean, don’t let imperfections hinder your from sharing your home!
Forget about food
I know, I know, a gathering without food is not as fun, but it's doable! Serve some drinks, offer good conversation and bring out a game to get the good times rolling. After all, Hospitality is simply about welcoming others into our homes and lives.
Do you have any frugal hospitality tips? What do you do to keep things more simple? Please share!
Sometimes it feels as though the only way to have fun is to spend money. This doesn’t have to be the case at all! Whether you want to learn a new hobby or a new skill, I’ve rounded up 42 things to learn for free!
