Lima Beans, Bologna, and Resolutions

Tomorrow is the first official day of Eli's lay-off. It's also the beginning of a more simple way of living. I mean really simple. No splurging, or gift giving, or ordering food. There will be many more meals made out of our garden produce, freezers, and what we have on hand in the can cupboard. Let's pray it doesn't get as desperate as lima beans and freezer-burned deer bologna. Unless, of course, you like that sort of thing--have I got a deal for you!

Desperate times call for desperate measures. No, we're not really desperate, but I often feel desperate that I can't step in and help bring in a paycheck. But there are things I can do to help. I've made a list of "lay-off resolutions" to help remind me how I, as a housewife, can help save money. A lot of these may sound funny, but all these conveniences end up costing hundreds of dollars a year!

• I resolve to use washable plates and not paper.
• I resolve to use cloth rags (not paper towels!) to clean everything (except windows).
• I resolve to use only cloth diapers during the day.
• I resolve to start using the cloth wet wipes I made.
• I resolve to buy groceries (or ask for certain food items) only once a week. Not every day.
• I resolve to use half the laundry detergent per load.
• I resolve to shut the shower off in 10 minutes. 
• I resolve to not go thrift shopping unless we really need something.
• I resolve to not set foot in Walmart.
• I resolve to not buy candles. And skirts. And books (that was hard to type!)
• I resolve to pack food if there's a chance we'll be gone during lunch, and not hit a drive-thru.
• I resolve to sell or donate everything I can around here that we don't use.
• I resolve to start making and selling peg dolls again.
• I resolve to actually make things to sell in my Etsy shop.

When this bottle of lemonade is gone, no more Arnold Palmers. And everything is going to be alright.