Thursday, December 31, 2015

This New Year's Eve

Leave the hurt, betrayal, distrust, and pain behind.  Open the door to a new year, new happiness, new love, and new joy.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Resolutions

Confession:  I do not think I kept a single resolution from last year.  Not a one.  There is a new year beginning so I believe I will give it another shot!

Resolution One:  More exercise.  I am no longer allowed to hit the treadmill but I have switched to a recumbent bike.  As I can watch my shows while I exercise, this has a good shot!

Resolution Two:  Simplify.  This resolution is actually well under way.  If you have followed my posts, you have seen my Thursday Ten posts.  Baby steps, yes.  Things are leaving, though, slowly but surely.

Resolution Three:  Less Self-Hatred.  I am my own worst critic.  I expect perfection from myself and get immensely frustrated when I do not live up to my own expectations.  It needs to stop.

That is it for me this new year!  Share one of your resolutions!

Love,
Jerri

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Things to Keep in the New Year

As the old year ends and the new approaches, a few words about things to keep in the new year.

1.  Friends -- Friends are a treasure to be kept always.

2.  Joy -- Take pleasure in the simplest of things and be joyful.

3.  Peace -- Let peace fill your heart and soul.

4.  Health -- Keep the healthy steps you made in the old year and keep going in the new!

5.  Simplicity -- Less truly is more.

6.  "No" -- Use "no" to protect your time, energy, resources, and peace in the new year.

7.  Smiles -- Use them, share them, spread them.

8.  Trust -- Regrets were left behind, put your trust in the future and those you love.

9.  Memories -- Revisit happy times but remember you don't live there anymore.

10. Love -- And the greatest of these is love.

Love,
Jerri

Monday, December 28, 2015

Things to Leave Behind

As the old year ends and the new approaches, a few words about things to leave behind.

1.  Regrets -- Learn the lesson, but leave the regret behind.

2.  Toxic People -- Leave them...and the drama... behind.

3.  Guilt -- Accept your time and energy restraints and leave the guilt behind.

4.  Worry -- Enjoy the present and leave the worry about the future behind.

5.  "Yes" -- It is perfectly acceptable to say "no" and leave the automatic "yes" behind.

6.  Self-Criticism -- You are strong, beautiful, and intelligent.  Intelligent enough to leave the self-criticism behind.

7.  Fear -- The definition of courage is being afraid and doing it anyways.  Do it and leave fear behind.

8.  Stress -- Resources are finite.  Accept and leave the stress behind.

9.  Procrastination -- Time is shorter than you think.  Do it now.  Leave procrastination behind.

10. Grief -- Treasure the happy memories and leave the grief behind.

Love,
Jerri

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Homemade New Year Poppers

Getting ready for the New Year!

Materials:

Empty paper towel tubes (or toilet paper or wrapping paper)
Tissue Paper
Wrapping Paper
Curling Ribbon
Candy
Confetti

Directions:

Cut your tubes into 5 inch sections.  Cut both the wrapping and tissue paper into 10x6 inch pieces. Taking a 5 inch tube, cut it in half and center in the middle of a piece of cut tissue paper.  Roll the tube in the tissue paper, taping in place, and repeat with the wrapping paper.  Fill with candy and confetti.  Tie both ends with the curling ribbon, being careful not to rip the paper.  

To Use:

Have your guests grab both ends of the tube.  Pop away!!!

Happy Kwanzaa!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

A Holiday Challenge

This Christmas, I issue a challenge to my readers:

This Christmas, set an extra place at the table for someone who does not have a family with which to share the holiday.

This Christmas, pick up the phone and call someone you have not spoken to in a while.

This Christmas, send a sincere apology to someone you have wronged.

This Christmas, repair a friendship before it is irretrievably broken.

This Christmas, ban all talk of politics.

This Christmas, hug a loved one.

This Christmas, leave perfection by the side and enjoy the day.

This Christmas, tell someone you love them, before it is too late.

This Christmas, tell your children you love them and are proud of them.

This Christmas, let your friends know they are loved and treasured.

This Christmas, I wish you all love, peace, and joy.

Love,
Jerri


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Lessons

Two weeks ago, I dealt with a personal loss.  There were a few lessons I learned in the process.

1.  Traveling ten hours with my son driving is survivable.  It was actually enjoyable!

2.  The generosity and kindness of a friend opening her home to us was immeasurable.

3.  The friends who gave up their time during the weekend to support me have a permanent place in my heart.

4.  On the opposite side of that coin is that friend who made numerous protestations of love and support but ultimately did not find it convenient to fit five minutes into her schedule.  Not surprisingly, that is also the same friend who expects a listening ear to be available whenever needed for extended, lengthy phone calls.

5.  I am lucky to have an incredibly strong, brave, and loving son.  I have never been so proud of him as I was on this trip.  

6.  While sharing my grief on my social media, it is not wise to continue sharing.  While I may be living in this space, it is not fair, loving, or appropriate to expect or subject anyone else to living there with me.

7.  When people show you who they truly are, whether good or bad, believe them.

8.  Keep your circle small.  Those who love you will make themselves know.  Keep those people close.

9.  Life does go on.  Daily activities must still be completed.  Grief cannot, and should not, interfere with responsibilities.  Grief does not pay the bills, do the grocery shopping, or water the garden. This is when you rely on your own strength and determination.

10. I am incredibly blessed with those I include in my circle.  For the friends who were physically there for me, for those who texted, called, and messaged me on a regular basis to check on me, for an incredible son...I am a fortunate woman.


Love,
Jerri

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Last Minute Scrub

Perfect for whipping up for that last minute gift you need!

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1/3 cup coconut oil
Few drops peppermint essential oil.

Directions:

Add oil slowly until well mixed.  Add peppermint and mix until evenly distributed.  If desired, use food coloring to add some pizazz!!  Bottle in small jars, add ribbon, and you're ready to give!


Saturday, December 12, 2015

Chocolate Kisses

Chocolate Lip Balm

Ingredients:

1 tsp beeswax
1 tsp cocoa butter
1 tsp coconut oil 
1 capsule Vitamin E 
6 chocolate chips


Directions:

Heat oils and beeswax melted. Add Vitamin E and chocolate chips. Mix well. Use a dropper to place in small tins or jars.

Guaranteed Chocolate Kisses for the holidays!!


Saturday, December 5, 2015

Holiday Gifts

This month, Saturday recipes will focus on handmade gifts.  Hope you enjoy!

Gingerbread Cake

Gingerbread Cake Mix

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
1 tsp cocoa powder
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves

Combine all ingredients and place in a plastic sandwich bag and seal.  Place bag in a holiday mug. Attach the following directions on a gift tag:

Gingerbread Cake Mix
2 Tbsp molasses
1 small egg
2 Tbsp warm water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a bowl, add Gingerbread Cake Mix and remaining ingredients.  Mix thoroughly and pour into lightly greased mug.  Bake for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Friday, December 4, 2015

Not A Cent

We are fully in the holiday season.  Today's Frugal Friday will not cost you a penny!!

During the holidays is the perfect opportunity to give back.  If you have a job, a roof over your head, and food in the fridge, you are in the position to give.  Here are a few ideas.

1.  Spend time visiting at a local nursing home.  The staff will be happy to direct you to those who do not receive many visitors.

2.  Volunteer at a local school.  Budgets have been cut...they always need help!!

3.  Visit your local animal shelter.  Walk a dog, pet a cat, clean out a cage.

4.  Check in on an elderly neighbor.  Families no longer as close as a few generations ago.

5.  Donate last year's coat to someone in need.

None of these will cost you any money other than possibly a bit of gas money.  Spread the love.

Love,
Jerri

Thursday, December 3, 2015

The Thursday Ten

Confession:  I am a stationery addict.  I love it, have to have it, and rarely use it!  The truth is that I usually send an email or a text!!  That doesn't stop me, however, from picking up a cute set when I see it!

For this week's Thursday Ten, I cleaned out my stationery.  I did the ten, but truthfully, I could have done more!  And how did I remove this ten?  Well, I passed it on to another stationery addict!!  At least it is out of my house!!


Ten items at a time, baby step by baby step...I will simplify!!

Love,
Jerri

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Lest We Forget


The New Colossus
By Emma Lazarus, 1883


Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
"


This is my United States of America...and always will be so.

Love,
Jerri

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

December

We are entering the last month of the year.  Not only a time for reflection, it is a time for letting go of those things we do not wish to carry into the new year.

This year, for me, has been one of pain and loss.  For the new year, I choose to carry the memories, the love, and the joy.  While the pain has changed me, I will not and cannot let it stop me.

This is the month for celebrating with family and friends.  I believe it is also the perfect to celebrate those people.  We rely on our circles for daily support, unconditional love, and the security of companionship.  That deserves to be treasured and celebrated.

As we make our way through this month, schedules get crazy and nerves get frayed.  Remember what we are celebrating.  Take a deep breath.  Be grateful.

Love,
Jerri

Monday, November 30, 2015

Does No One Remember?

The news has been filled lately with certain candidates calling for a registry of all Muslims and even for American Muslims to be required to wear ID badges.  Does this not ring a bell with anyone? Really?  

While I give these candidates full credit for the passion of their rhetoric, they get zero points for originality.  These same things were used, in extreme efficiency, in the 1930's to not only seize billions of dollars in assets but also to murder millions of Jews, homosexuals, teachers, and "enemies of the state."  Ring a bell yet?

Registries were used by Adolph Hitler forcing Jews to register, including all assets, properties, and location.  This made it incredibly easy for Nazi Germany to not only seize the assets but locate the Jews for shipment to the concentration camps.  For those Jews allowed to remain in society in the short term, they were required to have an ID badge sewn on the outside of their clothes so they could be immediately identified.  


These are the same policies that are now being proposed for Muslims in the United States.  Have we learned nothing from history?  Even more importantly, how does this not terrify you?  Just the thought that candidates running for the highest office in this land are proposing using the policies of Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany in the present day United States chills my very soul.  

Yet, every day I see multiple news articles, postings on social media, and staunch supporters of these candidates expressing support and blind allegiance to these same candidates.  Does no one do their homework before supporting such a person?

I am a proud citizen of the United States of America.  A candidate who propounds a policy used by the Nazis will not now, nor ever shall have my support.

Jerri

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Recipe for Self-Care

As we enter the holiday season, it is even more important to remember to take care of ourselves.  This is one small step in doing so.

1 heaping teaspoon of deep breaths.

1 full cup of self-forgiveness.

1 1/2 hour nap.

Unlimited hugs from friends.

30 minutes snuggling with pets.

10 gallons of love.

Take any and/or all as needed.

Love,
Jerri

Friday, November 20, 2015

Frugal Fit Friday

The holiday season is rapidly upon us!  Along with time spent with family and friends, comes those extra pounds from the celebrations.  Before you spend a fortune on a diet plan or pay monthly fees for a gym membership, check out a free, yes, totally FREE, site that offers not only diet plans, but workouts and healthy living tips, too!

Welcome to SparkPeople!!  A 100%, free website that offers diet plans, workouts, and healthy living tips.  The site is incredibly easy to join and takes less than three minutes.

The site offers the option of setting your own goals or allowing SparkPeople to set it for you based on the information you provide.  It includes fabulous recipes and exercises to perform.  In addition, you earn Spark points based on your activities.  

Although the site said I did not need to lose weight (I disagree!), it started me with an easily attainable goal of 10 minutes of exercise a day.  Even I can do 10 minutes!!  I also downloaded the app so I can take it with me on the go!

Check out SparkPeople and give it a shot!  When you do, add me to your team so we can support each other...you will find me as "jerrilynn62" and I can't wait for you to join me!

Love,
Jerri


Thursday, November 19, 2015

The Thursday 10 -- Emotions

This week, we have another invisible Thursday 10.   These are 10 emotions we all feel.  But how much more fulfilled, happy, and peaceful would we be if we could, if not eliminate, just reduce the hold these emotions have on us?

Here are the 10 emotions we will work on eliminating this week:

1.  Loneliness  -- While being at peace when alone is a gift, human interaction is considered an actual need by science.  Never be afraid to reach out.  I guarantee someone, anyone, or even just one, will be there.

2.  Overwhelmed -- Particularly for women, this is common.  One of the ways to combat this emotion is to do just what these Thursday posts are for...simplify.

3.  Guilt -- Again a big one for women, we feel guilty that we cannot do it all.  The truth is, no one can.  Let go of the guilt and revel in the moment.

4.  Inadequacy -- This is one emotion I took great pleasure in eliminating.  The truth is that I do my best.  If my best is inadequate for you, you are quite welcome to leave my life the same way you entered.  This emotion is not welcome here.

5.  Anger -- Still working on this one!!  While my anger never lasts more than a quick minute, it rises just as fast.  

6.  Disappointment -- It has taken most of my life to deal with this emotion.  It is a hard realization that people will disappoint you, and frequently, take pleasure in doing so.  Let them, and the disappointment go.  You no longer have the room for it in this simpler life.

7.  Frustration -- For me, this is usually a self-targeted emotion.  I suffer from "Should have" syndrome and when I do not live up to my self-set expectations, frustration arises.  

8.  Hurt -- One of the hardest emotions to release.  I have found the only way to eliminate hurt is to add more love.  There are so many people who love you!  Focus your energy and attention on those people and watch hurt disappear.

9.  Discomfort -- There is actually discomfort in releasing some of these emotions.  They are familiar territory and releasing them opens a void.  Fill that void with love, peace, and joy.

10. Fear -- The big one.  I, personally, have a lot of fears.  From the fear of heights to the fear of something happening to one of my children...fear is a big one.  The truth of the matter?  Releasing the fear means recognizing that our control or sense of control is an illusion.  While we may be able to control some tiny day-to-day matters, the majority of life is beyond our control.  Acknowledging that is the first step to releasing the fear.

A tough Thursday 10 this week!  Obviously, these emotions cannot all be released in just a week. Print this list out, keep it handy, and remind yourself what you are accomplishing each day.

Love,
Jerri

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

No Time

As I was writing yesterday's post, I realized how incredibly full and blessed my heart and my life are right now.  This also reminded me that I have absolutely no time, energy, or room for those in my life who wish me ill, who look for opportunities to demean me, or who do not have by best interests at heart.

We all have those friends on social media who seem to lie in wait for an opportunity to argue, to defame, and to prove they are, not only always right, but the only one who is ever right.  Last week, on the Thursday 10, we worked on eliminating those people from our social media.  With the passing of my ex-husband, I was once again reminded that there are actually people who exist in this world to take advantage of someone's pain, who use such an event as an opportunity to attack, and who lack even the most basic of human decency.

I am extremely fortunate.  My world, my life, and my heart are full of friends and family who love me and whom I love and adore in return.  Experiencing that outpouring over the last couple of weeks has supported me and reminded me that there is only room for love.  I have no time for anything else.

To those who carry such hate and misery, I am so truly sorry.  I hope, with everything in me, that you find the peace you are seeking.  I pray you are able to move forward, before such negative emotions actually impact your health and well-being.  

For me, I choose to live in love.

Love,
Jerri

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

A Heartfelt Thank You

In the last four years, I have lived through a divorce, lost my step-father and my mother, survived a broken engagement, and dealt with the serious illness of a child.  I have started college and obtained my associate degree, moved from one state to another, moved again, and started a new job.  And now, I have also lost my ex-husband who remained my friend.

If you check this list against one of those heart attack risk lists, it is amazing that I am still standing.  I truly believe it is solely due to the love of my amazing family and friends.

To the friend who made the hardest phone call ever, thank you.

To the son who makes sure I eat, thank you.

To the friends who texted, messaged, and called offering love and support, thank you.

To the friend who pulled over to check on me as I was walking down the street, thank you.

To the friend who said, "My shoulder is here," thank you.

To the friends who said, "What can I do for you?", thank you.

To the friends who have travelled to see me, thank you.

I am so grateful to live a life that includes such amazing people.  Words cannot suffice to express my love, gratitude, and actual awe at the love I have received and continue to receive.  You truly fill my heart and my life with all that is good.

I love you all,
Jerri


Saturday, November 14, 2015

Bringing Summer into Fall

Strawberry Ice Cups

Ingredients:

1 bag frozen strawberries, thawed
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp local honey
1 Tbsp lemon juice
3 cups crushed ice, divided

Directions:

Combine first five ingredients with two cups of the crushed ice in a blender, process until just chunky.  Add the last cup of ice and blend again until smooth.  Pour into a shallow baking pan, cover, and freeze for thirty minutes.  After freezing, scrape the ice with a fork until slushy.  Cover again and return to the freezer for 2 hours.  Divide into cups and serve.

Enjoy!!

Friday, November 13, 2015

Results

I have posted numerous times about the websites I use to earn extra spending money.  I thought I would show you what I purchased with my earnings last month to illustrate:  

1.  I actually do earn a nice amount of spending money.

2.  It pays off in actual items.

I needed to get a video game for a birthday gift and got myself a new set of sheets for my bed. Granted, these are not huge, earthshaking items.  They are items, however, that fulfill needs that are not accommodated in my budget.


As I said, regular items, but items that were paid for by the Amazon gift cards I earned.  What exactly does that mean?  It means a necessity did not have to be cut or rearranged in my budget to make room for the added expense.

Meander over to the Moneymakers tab and check it out!  They have proven results!

Love,
Jerri

Thursday, November 12, 2015

The Thursday 10

This week's Thursday 10 is a virtual assignment.  It may be a bit difficult, but you can do it!!

Today, we rid our social media accounts of toxicity.  We all have those friends or relatives on our accounts and lists that we believe we "should" keep.  Why?  If someone on your friends' list brings nothing but moaning, groaning, and misery to your day, why do you want to see that?  If a relative has only criticism every time you interact online, why are you inviting that into your day?

For this week's Thursday 10, take a hard look at your lists.  Remove those people who either:

1.  Have no interaction with you whatsoever;
2.  A friend of a friend of a friend;
3.  Never have a nice thing to say;
4.  Put you down in every interaction; or
5.  Anger you with racism, bigotry, or hatred.

Remember, this is Thursday 10, not 100.  This is a way to begin simplifying your life in manageable steps.  It's just 10.

Love,
Jerri

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Surviving

It has been a rough few weeks here at Jerri's Empty Nest.  While I do my best to practice gratitude, I reached a wall last week where I finally just said, "Enough!"  

I needed a break.  If life was not going to give me one, I had to make time for one myself.  I needed to rest, to reflect, to mourn, and to restore.  That break reminded me that I will survive this, yet again.

Thank you to all my lovely readers for accommodating me and letting me take a week off from blogging.  It was a much needed rest and I truly appreciate you!!

Love,
Jerri 

Monday, November 9, 2015

Why My Conscience Will Not Vote Republican

I rarely share my political opinions in a public forum.  This issue, however, affects my granddaughters and deserves public comment.

In this country, white women earn, on average, 78 cents to every dollar a man earns.  For black women, it is 68 cents and for Latina women, it drops all the way to 54 cents to the dollar. Republicans have blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act four times.  Four times, the Republican party has said, by their votes, that women are unequal to men and do not deserve to be paid the same.

Four times, the Republican party has said, by their votes, that a woman only has 3/4 the value of a man.  Four times, the Republican party has said, by their votes, that women are considered to be lesser then men and should be paid as such.  Four times, the Republican party has said, by their votes, that women do not deserve the same compensation as a man.  Four times, the Republican party has said, by their votes, that they do not respect women.

As parents and grandparents, we tell our daughters and granddaughters that they can grow up to be anything they want to be.  If you vote Republican, you need to tell your daughters and granddaughters that, yes, they can grow up to be anything they want to be but they need to be prepared to be paid less than a man because you voted to keep people in office who think that they are not as valuable as men.  You need to tell them that, because of your votes, they will be considered lesser and be paid less than men.  Tell them that you are a proud Republican and they'll just have to get over the fact that, because they are female, they will always be paid less.

I, on the other hand, will tell my granddaughters that I used my vote to speak for their future.  I will tell them that they deserve equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender.  I will tell them that I was proud to use my vote to speak for their future.

As we enter this election madness, take a long, hard look at your daughters and granddaughters.  It is their future you are voting to change.

Love,
Jerri

Monday, November 2, 2015

Offline

Due to a death and a serious illness in the family, Jerri's Empty Nest will be offline this week.

Thank you for your understanding.

Love,
Jerri

Friday, October 30, 2015

Apps, Apps, Apps!

Today's edition of Frugal Friday is just a short note to draw your attention to the new page on Jerri's Empty Nest.

The new page lists shopping apps I have found to be profitable and easy to use.  Whether grocery shopping or strolling the mall, there is an app to help save you money.  

When applicable, I have included my personal referral link.  For all others, I have included the website to the app.

If you know of any other shopping apps that have worked for you, please let me know and I will be happy to add them to the page!

Love,
Jerri

Thursday, October 29, 2015

The Thursday Ten

This week's Thursday Ten is a tiny pile.  There are still ten (or more) items!

The ten items this week were pulled as a result of a slight hissy fit on my part.  I went in search of my good pizza cutter.  My kitchen gadget drawer was so stuffed, I couldn't find it.  The hissy fit then ensued.  The drawer came flying out and I was pulling items in rapid fashion.  Whether a duplicate or a promotional item, if I could not remember using it...it went!!


Choosing your Thursday Ten does not need to be a long, involved process.  I doubt that this week took me more than five minutes!  

Choose just one of your kitchen drawers.  Spend five minutes and challenge yourself to grabbing those ten items.  It is so nice to be able to find what I need!

Love,
Jerri

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Frugality and Pride

When beginning to write today's post, I waffled on the title between "Pride" and "Vanity."  I am still not convince that vanity is not a more appropriate title but what I am trying to describe contains elements of both.

I am frequently asked for frugal tips and advice.  I offer aid whenever I can but I frequently find that those who ask are not ready or willing to give up those things that feed their vanity.

$100 hair appointments are difficult to justify when you haven't bought groceries or put gas in your car for the week.  Pretty nails, gym memberships, or tickets to a local attraction do not make a lot of sense when you cannot make the rent.  A six dollar cup of coffee at the local shop tastes bitter when a credit card bill gets paid late.

Why vanity or pride?  To live a frugal lifestyle, you are working toward a larger goal than your personal indulgence.  Whether the goal is eliminating debt, simplifying your life, or saving for a large goal, there is little to no room for selfish or self-centered actions.  The ego needs to take a back seat to the goal.

Did you need to get your nails done or could you have done them yourself?  Why pay for a gym membership when there are countless programs online (for free) teaching you to get the same results with household items or a minimum investment in personal equipment?  If you live in a large apartment complex, there is usually an equipment room available to use for free.  How many days of food could have been purchased for that salon appointment?  Now add in all the gas and car expenses used to travel to these indulgences.  The cost just keeps adding up and becomes even harder to justify.

Vanity and pride are insidious creatures.  They disguise themselves as needs, as things you have to have or do to function in daily life.  The truth is that there are frugal substitutions for all of them that do not carry the same burdens of guilt and unease.

If you are carrying debt; having trouble making ends meet; or just want to spend wisely; examine your purely selfish "needs" in the light of your larger goals.  It is a mirror which is quite enlightening.

Love,
Jerri


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Frugality and Sacrifice

It is a common misperception that living a frugal lifestyle involves painful sacrifice.  While the sacrifices made initially may be painful, once frugality becomes a habit, the pain subsides altogether. 

Probably the biggest sacrifice you will have to make is giving up the word "want."  In truth, most of the things we believe we need are nothing but wants.  

Consider something as simple as lunch.  We need to eat but that purpose is served just as well by a brown bag from home as twenty bucks dropped at a restaurant every day.  We think we "need" to go grab lunch but the fact is that the expensive lunch out is motivated either by laziness or ego as in the need to be seen as doing well by being able to afford regular lunches out.

What is the true sacrifice here?  It is not in the act of bringing lunch from home.  The true sacrifice is of peace of mind when cash is short to pay the bills because of the lunches that were "needed."  

Granted, nights out are fewer and farther between.  Personally, I have not considered that much of a sacrifice as I have little patience for dealing with drunks in a club, or a crowd at a concert.  While a sacrifice was made there, I have found a multitude of other activities to take its place.

There is one thing you will need when making such frugal choices.  The need to be at peace with yourself is paramount.  If you are not comfortable in your own skin and in your own company, a frugal lifestyle will be much more challenging.  If constant outside stimulation or attention from outside parties are an integral part of your daily life, the change to a frugal lifestyle will be a much larger adjustment.  Give it time, you will get there.

Tomorrow we look at the biggest obstacle that I have observed.

Stay tuned!

Love,
Jerri

Monday, October 26, 2015

Living Frugally

This week, I am going to touch on various aspects of frugal living.  I am also going to discuss some behaviors I have observed, especially from those who talk the talk, but do not necessarily walk the walk.

My frugal lifestyle began early as I was raised that way.  My father was a government employee, and in the sixties and seventies, that was barely a middle-class income.  Frugality was a way of life for me then and I am voluntarily returning to that lifestyle now.

Allow me to explain the "voluntarily" part.  Having just began a new career, having student loans to pay, and aging have necessitated the "voluntary" return to frugality.  I do, however, enjoy the creative methods used to life a frugal life and still be able to enjoy said life.

This weekend was a perfect example.  I suffer from hip and knee pain that is exacerbated by an approaching storm.  As a result, I spent most of the weekend being unable to walk without a great deal of pain.  My frugal lifestyle covers just such a situation.  I was equipped with plenty of books (obtained for free) and multiple craft projects (obtained at a great discount) to keep me occupied. Such a lifestyle lends itself to the ability to entertain oneself.

Tomorrow, I will focus on the widely-held belief that a frugal lifestyle requires incredible sacrifice. Join me then!

Love,
Jerri

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Caliente!

As the weather cools down, here's a simple recipe for salsa to heat things up!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. tomatoes (about 7 large)
1 small onion
2 jalapeno peppers
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp minced cilantro
1 tsp salt

Directions:

Seed and dice tomatoes.  Place in a medium size bowl and grate the onion on top.  Wearing gloves, peel, seed, and mince the peppers.  Add to the bowl.  Add lime juice, cilantro, and salt.  Mix well. Cover bowl and let set in the fridge overnight.

Enjoy!!

Friday, October 23, 2015

Flu Shots for Veterans

If you are a veteran who receives his/her medical care through the VA, flu shots can be obtained this year, at no cost, at your local Walgreens.

Per the VA website:

Flu season is here, and getting your flu shot has never been easier. Remember that getting vaccinated is the single best way to protect yourself, as well as your loved ones, against the flu virus.
This year, enrolled Veterans of the VA health care system have several options to get a seasonal flu shot. VA offers more options, easy access, and seamless records – the choice is yours.

So what are your options?

You may opt to get a free flu shot at your local VA health care facility.
Or you may choose to go to your neighborhood Walgreens.
As an enrolled VA patient, you can get a no-cost flu shot at Walgreens from August 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016.

VA health care facilities

You may receive a no-cost flu shot during any scheduled appointment, if you are admitted to one of our VA health care facilities, or at one of the convenient walk-in flu stations.
For more information on locations and hours contact your local VA health care facility.

Walgreens nationwide

If you are a Veteran patient in the VA system, you may choose to get a no-cost flu shot at a local Walgreens between now and March 31, 2016.
No appointment is required; simply go to any Walgreens, tell the pharmacist you receive care at a VA facility and show your Veterans Identification Card and another form of photo ID. Use Group Code # 5933XBAYV.
Your immunization record will be updated electronically in your local VA electronic health record.


If you are one of these veterans, take advantage of these no-cost shots!

Love,
Jerri


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