Comments on: Lesson From History: The Dignity of Making Ends Meet

By: acajudi

acajudi — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:41:30 +0000

There are some great documentaries on The Depression, and books from the point of view of women. Remember to share, for God always gives you even more. It feels great also to share.

By: Pennywise Platter Thursday 7/8

Pennywise Platter Thursday 7/8 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:46:02 +0000

[...] week I continued my series on Lessons From History (past posts include, Fruit is a Dessert and the Dignity of Making Ends Meet). This week I discussed the frugal and historical practice of using everything. I would love to hear [...]

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:30:42 +0000

I am new to your blog as well. I would love to learn how to garden better and make more from scratch….not only because it is healthier and more frugal but, you feel good about doing it and doing all you can to provide better for your family. I am so thankful for women who still want to live this way. I feel that it God appreciates us living more simple lives. Thank you for this post….God Bless.

By: Ellie Raduns

Ellie Raduns — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:12:04 +0000

This is all so true. Tough times call for creative cooking! I love to be frugal…always have been, and not always out of necessity. There is just something that seems honoring to the Lord about being “wise” with all that you have been given, even if it does mean chicken bones or liver for dinner!

I am continually amazed when we compare our “all organic” grocery budget to those of our more conventional friends, and find we “under-spend” them weekly…

How can this be? We make it all from scratch! There is definitely a feeling of empowerment that comes for me when I became a “home-maker” instead of just a wife and mom that cooks dinner for my family. Thanks for your post and your blog! Inspiring…

By: Christy

Christy — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:42:04 +0000

My in laws had a tough time during the depression and they still have that ‘depression’ mentality when it comes to frugality and living. Even with this mentality they manage to live well and eat well. I am very lucky to have them because I was raised in such a way that we ate everything out of a box and watched a lot of screen time. I am 32 have just begun to learn how to garden, knit, can food, be self sustaining, etc. And I am glad I can teach these things to my children….I couldn’t imagine going through ‘hard times’ with the lack of skills I used to have and I want to make sure my kids can survive and eat well and live well all at the same time on their own!

By: Pennywise Platter Thursday

Pennywise Platter Thursday — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:44:01 +0000

[...] first contribution to this carnival is my last post, a lesson from history. Let’s remember that being frugal is nothing to be ashamed of, but take pride in doing our [...]

By: Local Nourishment

Local Nourishment — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:40:29 +0000

My mom was a pre-teen during the Great Depression. My grandmother used to tell me stories about stone soup (using a real stone!) feedsack dresses and selling flowers. There was always a neighbor lady who would buy two daisies for a dime for her dinner table, and my mom grew the prettiest daisies in the neighborhood!

When hard times hit, we need to be very careful to guard our hearts. Grandmother became fearful, distrusting and miserly, living her final days eating bug-infested grain to save up every penny for the eventual hospital stay she never suffered. She died a healthy 95-year old, in her sleep, and left a huge inheritance for my mom who is now eating very poorly herself, to save up every penny…

I’m not saying frugality is bad or saving is wrong. It isn’t. But we need to be very aware of our hearts and guard them during tough times.

By: KimiHarris

KimiHarris — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:23:49 +0000

Thanks Shirley and Alchemille, for the book recommendations! I will definitely check them out as they both sound very interesting.

By: Alchemille

Alchemille — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:28:30 +0000

I’d like to mention Delia Smith’s Frugal Foods.
This cookbook has been around (and reprinted a few times) since the 70s, when England was going through rough times.
It has a wide range of recipes using cheap cuts of meats (including organ meats) & fishes.
Some of the recipes using flour can be adapted to a gluten-free diet.

By: Alchemille

Alchemille — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:23:45 +0000

If there is a lesson I hope people will learn with the current economy, it is to become more independant, thrifty and crafty.
I was brought up in France where we ate at home everyday, going to the restaurant maybe once or twice a month. It’s been the same rule since the dawn of humanity: if you want to eat, you gotta cook!
Anyway, I hope people will become more inspired to (re)learn traditional & forgotten crafts/skills, even if they don’t master them. I think it’s a good way to reclaim your life and give it more meaning as well as strengthening relationships with family and acquaintances. And there’s always something to learn!
I cook, sew, knit, grow some edible & medicinal plants, make my own herbal remedies & skincare products…I think people should be proud of their skills!
And nothing beats a handmade gift made with love…
We should not forget that the people who lived centuries before us had a much harder life than we do (even just 2 generations before ours). Yet they managed to survive, living simple/frugal lives with simple needs.