Guest Blog by: Midge

Whew, it is finally here!  Thanksgiving has arrived.  I had been feeling pressured about this holiday for the last three weeks.  Putting finishing touches on house cleaning, table decorating and ingredient compiling was just a small portion of what I thought I needed to finish before the “big day”.  But then, Sunday happened.

One by one my family began to call me.  First, my mother-in-law volunteered to make the turkey, then my mom said she would take care of the cornbread and cranberry jello.  My husband, not wanting to be left behind, offered to “Mash” the potatoes and my father-in-law even said he would step in and stir the gravy.  Just like that, I only had to focus on making a few items for Thanksgiving.  And in comparison to the previous Holiday meal I wrote about in the July issue of Molly Magazine, it really did feel good not to have to do it all.

I started to relax on Monday and stopped thinking about my “to do” list, my grocery list and my “can’t find the bedding and other odds and ends” list for family traveling in from out of town.  I made a thankful list on my kitchen white board and added  items to it every day.  By Wednesday night, I had 20 or so random items on the list and realized I had left off so many more.

As I was slowly, but surely, attempting my pie crust, I began to think of the past year and my journey to become the baker and cook for my family.  I have come a long way this year and have felt encouraged by others I have met along the way.  Through this blog, Molly’s magazine and encouraging mentoring friends and family I have slowly tiptoed my way to becoming more confident in the kitchen.

I finally got my chance to make my first real pie and crust.  When it cooled yesterday afternoon, my husband and I decided to sneak an early piece of pumpkin pie.  I topped it with whipped cream and sprinkled it with pumpkin pie spice then took a picture!

I can truly say (with tears in my eyes), it was delicious.

I am thankful for you, the readers of Econobusters.com, for the encouragement and helpful tips you share to help others in their frugal homemaking journey!  I hope and pray that your Thanksgiving Day is wonderful!

For most Americans, Thanksgiving is all about the perfect meal and the football games afterwards. Want to try something new and different? Let’s get creative!

When most of us think ,”Econobuster,” we think frugal mom, right?

A woman working hard to save money, and overcome the struggles of the economy.

However, there is one man, who’s story has captured my heart in a special way, and it is his story that comes to mind most when times are tough. That man was George Müller.

Now George Müller wasn’t anyone special. Like most of us, he was just an average Joe out there living life the best he knew how. As a child and a young adult, he led quite a shocking life, making many mistakes. It was not pretty!

Then one day . . . George was invited to a prayer meeting that changed his life. During that prayer meeting George found a cornucopia, a horn of plenty. He found God (actually God had been there all along). Most importantly, George found faith.

After that prayer meeting, as the story goes, George Müller becomes a preacher. To fund his salary, his first church in Teignmouth, England, rented out pews in the church.  Members would pay to sit in a certain pew, a family pew. But when Müller learned of this he put an end to it deciding to trust God for all his needs.

For the rest of his life, George Müller never openly asked for anything. Instead, he took all his requests to God in prayer. He left that church (fully funded and thriving) two years later.

While tending to the flock of his second church, George Müller founded the Ashley Downs Orphanage with only 2 shillings to his name. One day, the house mother came to George and let him know there was no food for the 300 children to eat. Surprisingly, George Müller remained calm and asked the house mother to have the children go ahead and sit at the table for breakfast. He bowed his head, thanked God for the food and waited.

Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door. “Mr. Müller,” he said, “last night I could not sleep. Somehow I knew that you would need bread this morning. I got up and baked three batches for you. I will bring it in.”

Soon, there was another knock at the door. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. The milk would’ve spoiled by the time the wheel was fixed. He asked George if he could use some free milk. George smiled as the milkman brought in ten large cans of milk, it was just enough for the 300 thirsty children.

George Müller prayed like that everyday of his life (after his conversion). He asked God for everything: housing, staff, furniture and furnishings, food and clothing. God always answered. Their needs were met each day, sometimes in surprising and unique ways, but they never wanted for anything. God provided abundantly.

More than 10,000 children lived in the orphanage over the years. When each child became old enough to live on his own, George would pray with him and put a Bible in his right hand and a coin in his left. He explained to the young person that if he held onto what was in his right hand, God would always make sure there was something in his left hand as well.

These are tough times for many Americans. We, as a nation, are facing challenges that many of us do not know how to handle. Take heart. There is One who is always with us who knows how to handle it all.

Scriptures tell us:

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6 (KJV)

Times are tough. Many are struggling and many are doing without. May this be a comfort to you, you are not alone.

We stand with you and we stand together, helping one another anyway we can, but above and beyond that may we take a lesson from George Müller, bow our heads, thank God and wait.

God will deliver the cornucopia, the horn of plenty.

We want to hear from you. How has God answered your prayers and provided for your needs? Will you share your stories? May we be an encouragement and inspiration to each other.

A traditional Thanksgiving meal in the U.S.A usually consist of  turkey with a side dish of  ”dressing,” or “stuffing.” Basically it’s the same thing, but the term and the recipes vary from region to region.

I enjoy a variety of interests, but two of my favorites are food and culture. Where the two meet, makes for some interesting conversation. I can usually tell where a person is from simply by what they prefer to eat or not eat. It’s always fun to introduce new foods to friends and family. Their reactions are unique and sometimes priceless!

We are all creatures of habit. We like what we like, and nothing says that more than what is on our Thanksgiving tables. So the choice is yours. You decide. Will you be serving “dressing” or “stuffing?”

Either way, I have no doubt it’s become a family tradition. Your grandma made it. Your mom made it, and now you’re teaching your kids the very same recipe. So, here’s my salute to one of our favorite holiday side dishes. Dressing or stuffing? Doesn’t matter. It’s all good!

East Coast Bread Stuffing

Traditional East Coast stuffing is just that. It’s a moist bread stuffing seasoned with the carrots, onions and celery, usually stuffed and cooked in the bird. If you are from New England, then it’s probably oyster stuffing you enjoy. However, I’ve also seen it seasoned with bacon or sausage and apples.

California Style Stuffing

The West Coast tends to go a little bit healthier with their version of ” stuffing.” They too might include oysters  or sausage. The recipe almost always includes dried fruit, apples, walnuts or pecans.

Southern Cornbread Dressing

Not too surprising that in the deep south, southern hospitality is dished up with a big helping of cornbread dressing, cooked outside the bird flavored with sage and lots of celery and onion.

However, I was surprised to learn that cornbread “dressing” is also what the mid-western and the plain states serve. If I had stopped to think about it, that shouldn’t be so surprising. Think about it. Most of America’s corn is grown in the Mid-west and plain states! If you have it, use it!

Minnesota Wild Rice Stuffing

With that in mind, there’s a lot of wild rice growing in Minnesota.That part of the region is known for its wild rice stuffing, (usually with mushrooms.)

The Cultural Melting Pot

As I was researching the different varieties and recipes across the regions. I came across several people that say they have both. As families blend and cultures inter-twine from  generation to generation, it’s not uncommon to see two kinds of “stuffing” or ” dressing” on the table. One grand-mother might cook her famous chestnut oyster stuffing in the bird, while Aunt Gertie from Oklahoma swears by her must have pan of cornbread dressing and giblet gravy. It’s a no brainer to keep from having a family feud. Have both! “Stuffing,” or “dressing?” The choice is yours!

Please share with us what’s on your Thanksgiving table this year. We’d love to hear where you’re from, you’re favorite recipe and whether or not you prefer stuffing, dressing or both!

This past week, on our Facebook page, I asked all of you what are you thankful for? The responses were great, but one, in particular, struck a chord with me….

One lady responded that she was thankful for the turkey she had been given.

She went on to tell us that from that one turkey, she had enough meat for four meals to feed her family, 4 quarts of turkey stock and she took the meat off the bones and made turkey salad sandwiches for the weekend.

Wow! I have thought about that all week.

We work day in and day out to be “Econobusters,” frugal moms. We are constantly looking for ways to lower costs and stretch our resources. However, I tend to forget, until I reminded by post like these, that there are millions of people out there tonight who would be grateful if someone gave them a turkey this week.

How much do we take for granted? There are so many out there that are really in need and I”m reminded how blessed I am and that I could probably could do without more and do more with what I have.

This next week or so, when you go buy that turkey, remember this post. Remember the lady that was so thankful just to be given a turkey to feed her family.

This year, when I buy my turkey, I plan on cooking it and dividing it up into 4 portions, and I’ll freeze three of them for later use. That one turkey will help feed my family from Thanksgiving to New Years.

We’ll enjoy turkey and dressing on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and then the other portions will be used for sandwiches, soups and pot pies. My posts are usually written to help you, but on this occasion, it was your post, dear reader, that helped me remember that that simple bird, one simple turkey, can mean so much more than Thanksgiving dinner.

I wish I had more to give back to you besides my words and my gratitude, and I wish God’s blessing upon you. May your cup runneth over as God continues to provide for you through various resources and gifts.

May we as a nation,as Americans and neighbors, living side by side, see the real needs and help each other out any way we can. For some, this is a really hard time economically. Some have lost all, and for some, it may never get better.

If you have the means to share with others, then please share. If things are tight for you and your family, I hope we at Econobusters are helping you to effectively use what you have and live within your means; and if nothing else, may we be an encouragement and inspiration to one another as we strive to do our best with what God provides.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving”
Colossians 4:2 (KJV)

This is the time of year when planning ahead becomes so very crucial to getting everything done. For most of us as moms, we stay busy tending to our families and various projects within our churches and communities. Sometimes, I get so busy that I forget I need to go grocery shopping.

Make a List and Take Inventory

This past weekend, I finally stopped to take inventory. The next few weeks and months are going to be crazy. Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away. The holidays will bring with them a host of social events, luncheons, dinners, cookie swaps, etc. How am I to remember everything? How am I going to be able to afford everything? The answer…shop sale ads, clip coupons and buy in bulk.

First, I sat down and made up menus for the five special dinners I knew I was going to have during the holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve,Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I made a list of everything I would need and then I added to that list my normal everyday groceries, toiletries, etc.

With that done, the next step is to strategize how to afford everything. It’s not easy. However, I figured by shopping the weekly sales ads, cutting coupons and shopping in bulk, I could cut the cost down and buy just about everything I needed for the next two months all in one day. I know from experience that this is the time of year to stock up on poultry, baking needs and canned goods. They’re all on sale.

Did I succeed? Yes, I did. It took some time to plan out the list, shop the ads,print and cut the coupons, but in the end, I bought two months worth of groceries and toiletries,(which included diapers and pull-ups for two kids) for a grand total of $460. That breaks down to $230 a month for a family of 7,(and that includes my 5 special dinners).

Match Store Sales To Coupons Available

Start by searching store ads in your local area. A great way to find these ads online is by using the website SundaySaver.com. Match store ads with coupons for some great deals.The three main coupon manufacturers in the USA are Smart Source, Red Plum, and Proctor & Gable. Their coupons can be found online and in Sunday papers. Also search Coupons.com, Pillsbury and Betty Crocker websites for coupons.
To avoid going to several different stores, I also comp and match prices at Wal-Mart.

Stocking Up and Buying in Bulk

On this particular trip, I was able to buy everything at Sam’s and Wal-Mart. I buy my toilet paper, chicken, cheese, breads, and spices from Sam’s. My best buys at Sam’s were toilet paper at $.44 a roll and boneless skinless chicken breast for $1.84 a pound. When I went to Wal-Mart I price matched Albertson’s and Kroger’s sales. My best buys at Wal-Mart were on ketchup for $.49 a bottle, $.99 for a 5 pound bag of flour, $1.99 for 4 pounds of sugar, $1.99 for a pound of real butter, $1.99 for 10 pounds of russet potatoes, $3.88 for 8 pounds of oranges, $2 for 18 eggs and $.50 ea for canned vegetables and soup.

I bought in bulk wherever I could. Most everything I bought falls into two categories : dry goods and freezable. I will still go by the store every now and then for fresh milk, fruits and veggies, but the majority of what I bought will last through New Years.

Save Money by Planning and Organizing

With a little, time effort and planning, I was able to buy everything I needed from now until New Years. It’s easy to do. It just takes time to plan it all out.

Check the sale ads each week. Match the top sales with coupons available. Make menus around those top sale items and buy in bulk whenever possible.

The shopping trip itself took 5 hours. However, I took 3 of my daughters with me and we made a fun filled day of it. Quality time and quantity savings all in one afternoon. I’d say that was a good way to spend day. Wouldn’t you?

Feel free to comment. I want to hear all about your big shopping trip. How much did you save? What were your best buys?

I’m just beginning to realize, this is the last week of October. Thursday is November 1st. Where did the year go!

As moms, we are so busy that one day blends into another, one week , one month……. it’s just a blur sometimes. I’m constantly looking for ways to organize better and plan ahead to save time and money. With the holidays approaching, I realize I have to be organized.

Do you feel that way too? There are so many things to remember and do, that if I’m not organized and I don’t plan on something or write it down, I’m likely to forget it, and that wouldn’t be good.

So, here I am, with pen, paper and calendar in hand, making sure nothing gets forgotten.

Menu Planning

Let’s start with menu planning. Keep stress to a minimum by keeping things simple. Plan holiday menus that will be gorgeous, tasteful, delicious, creative but very quick and easy to prepare. You don’t want to spend all your time in the kitchen. Holiday time is family time.

Over the next few weeks, watch the grocery ads. Stock up and buy as the sales hit. This is a good time to stock up on baking staples: flour, sugar, butter, pumpkin, chocolate chips, nuts, canned milk, corn meal and corn bread mixes.

Also, over the next few weeks, watch for the price of turkey to drop and stock up on poultry and canned vegetables. Trust me. This is the time to stockpile the pantry.

Start looking for new recipes and creative ideas that will save you time in the kitchen. One trick I learned from my mother-in-law, a overnight, crock-pot, turkey breast, that is so simple, it’s funny! (I’ll share it with you soon).

Keep your eyes peeled for tips, tricks and simple recipes that will give the cook something to be thankful for. I’ll be sharing some of my own tips over the next few weeks!

Cleaning, Organizing & Decorating

Don’t try to do everything in the 24 hrs before Thanksgiving. Do a little each day and remember to have some fun in between. Relax. This time of year is a time to enjoy family. Plan ahead, organize and don’t stress.

• Clean, shop and thaw. Make a list and check it twice. Do all the grocery shopping ahead of time.
• Get the kids involved. Make a chore chart. Even children as young as two can help Mommy with the laundry and putting things away.
• Once a week, do a thorough cleaning ( with everyone helping), change all the bed linens, sweep, mop, vacuum and dust every room.
• Bathrooms & Laundry – Plan. Cleaning the bathroom and doing laundry is almost a daily chore for some families. For others, smaller families, every other day or longer is possible. Decide what works for your family and plan accordingly. Also, take in consideration holiday guests. Stock up on toiletries and tissue paper.
• Clean out and throw out. This a great time of the year to do a complete Fall cleaning. Pick a room a day or a closet a day. Clean, dust and organize. Sort through clothes and toys. Get rid of anything and everything that is not used or needed. Have a garage sale or donate to local charities or Freecycle. Also, keep in mind, some things you no longer need or use can be re-gifted to others this Christmas!

Family Time

Make Family Time a PRIORITY this holiday season. Keep children entertained, cheerful and enthusiastic by involving them in whatever you may be doing as you prepare for the holidays. Make a game out of cleaning and cooking together. My children race to see who can make beds faster or vacuum rooms.

In the kitchen, have a few special recipes just for the kids to complete. Plan family fun  events periodically throughout the holidays: movies, hay rides, park days, cookie baking days, gift making days, gift wrapping days, craft days, etc.

If there’s a homeless shelter or soup kitchen in the area, perhaps the family can volunteer to help cook, serve and clean up one night. Let your children see there is another side to the holidays and give them opportunities to minister to others.

Here’s another way to share and care. Prepare and take gift baskets to friends, neighbors and shut-ins.  The possibilities are endless, just remember the priority is quality family time.

Stress Free Holiday

By doing a little each day and including family members in the holiday preparations, this can be can be a fun, stress free time for all. Do a little each day along the way and plan fun family activities and events throughout the season. Enjoy!

Guest Blog by: Midge

This weekend I thought it would be a GRAND idea to bake a pie!  I was very encouraged after reading Molly’s blog post with advice on baking.  But, still a bit hesitant, I took the easy way out and bought a pre-made roll out pie dough and two cans of pie filling.

I thought for sure that I had this one in the bag.  No muss, no fuss… I threw a bit of flour on my nose (so I looked like I had been baking) and put the ingredients together.  I followed the can and the pie crust package to the last dotted i.

Did I mention that it tasted terrible?  Taking a shortcut made me feel as if baking was easy but easy does not exactly equal yummy!!!  I better get back to the drawing board because Thanksgiving is right around the corner!  Nothing beats a made from scratch pie… I wonder where I went wrong?

By the way, my husband thanked me for even attempting to make a pie and he ate every last bit of it.  I think I will definitely try again if only to see his smiling face!

What are your favorite pie recipes?  What kinds of pie would you recommend for a beginner baker?

I’m so thankful for God’s faithful provision, the blessing of close family, and a day set aside to think about our blessings!

What are you thankful for today?

Guest Post by Jon Vincent

Black Friday offers some of the best deals of the season – but if you’re properly prepared, you can save yourself even more money on your holiday shopping. And it all starts with being properly prepared.

Most think they can just wake up on Friday morning and head out to the stores. While this would work on most shopping days, Black Fridayrequires a little extra organization and planning to ensure the best deals. Below, we’ve put together a list of some of the top pointers that will help you save some money this holiday season.

• Create a “Shopping Spreadsheet” – We’re taking this one step further than a shopping list. A spreadsheet can help you keep everything organized. Create columns for the names of the people you’re shopping for, what you’re buying for them, your budget for each person, and how much you actually spend on them. Print out the spreadsheet and keep it with you when you’re shopping.
• Stick to Your Spreadsheet – Think of your spreadsheet as a guidebook for your Black Friday shopping experience. Stick with it and don’t allow yourself to cave to any additional in-store specials that you just can’t live without. Sticking to the list will also help you stick to your budget.
• Create a Shopping Plan – Sort through the Thanksgiving newspapers and fliers to determine who has the best sales for what you’re looking for. Then, arrange them according to when the sales start and make an itinerary for your day. Sticking to your plan will hopefully eliminate you driving aimlessly around town looking for the best deals.
• Cut Coupons – Cut coupons from the Thanksgiving Day fliers and organize them in a file folder or small pouch. Keep these in a handy spot while shopping so you don’t run the risk of losing them (and losing money). This will also prevent you from digging through your purse or wallet to find the right coupon.
• Think of Your Shopping List; Not Yourself – Keep in mind, this day is meant for you to shop for your family and friends – not yourself. Although it’s okay to treat yourself on a few things, try not to get swayed by great deals that aren’t on your list. It’s really easy to come home with several new things for your home because “you just couldn’t pass it up.”
• Spread Out Your Purchases – Just because it’s Black Friday doesn’t mean you need to do all of your shopping that day. Unless you’ve found a really good deal on certain items on your list, try to spread out the rest of your shopping over the next few weeks. Feeling rushed to buy everything in one day can lead in impulse purchases on things you don’t need.
• Gift Cards Are a Good Way to Go – If there are people on your list that you just can’t think of gifts for, look toward a gift card instead. People can sometimes get too wrapped up in Black Friday shopping and finding the right gift – when in reality, giving a gift card and allowing the recipient to choose their own gift can sometimes be the best way to go.

Being organized on Black Friday is one of the biggest keys to saving you money and stress. Keep in mind the above tips to help ensure your shopping experience goes as smoothly as possible.

About the Author: Jon Vincent turned his obsession with Black Friday ads into a website – and a career! He’s been interviewed about his website, BlackFriday.info, by the New York Times, CNN, Tech Crunch and more. When he’s not hunting down Black Friday ad leaks he stays busy by writing frugality and savings advice.