Budget 101 with Quarters

This months Budget 101 idea is how to save for emergencies. We all try to save and put money away. Well this is one way you can add up your emergency money for your kits in no time. Quarters! Yes you read that right. Buy a roll of quarters each time you go to the bank. A roll of quarters is $10.00. Add the rolls of quarters to your 72 hour kits, first aid kit etc.

Quarters are easy to get, and you generally will not spend them unless you have to, unlike some one dollar bills hanging around. Keep the rolls for emergencies only. One nice thing about cash, coins, they all spend the same. After a few trips to the bank you will have a small stash of emergency cash. You will not notice the ten dollars each trip to the bank, like on pay day. Make a habit and slowly you will have some hidden cash put away. Do it slowly. Most people go to the bank for quarters to go to the laundry mat, or for playing games or vending machines. So you going in and asking for a roll of quarters will not look weird at all!

Remember 4 quarters make a dollar!

Camping and Cast Iron

This months camping idea is to check your cast iron for rusting and needing yearly seasoning.

If your cast iron does have rust, do not worry! It really is easy to fix, scour the rust off, rinse and dry, add a little vegetable oil and re-season

While maintaining the seasoning should keep your Cast Iron and Carbon Steel in good condition, at some point you may need to re-season your cookware. If food sticks to the surface, or you notice a dull, gray color, repeat the seasoning process:
* Wash the cookware with hot, soapy water and a stiff brush. (It is okay to use soap this time because you are preparing to re-season the cookware).
* Rinse and dry completely.
* Apply a very thin, even coating of MELTED solid vegetable shortening (or cooking oil of your choice) to the cookware inside and out. Too much oil will result in a sticky finish.
* Place aluminum foil on the bottom rack of the oven to catch any drips.
* Set oven temperature to 350 – 400 degrees F.
* Place cookware upside down on the top rack of the oven to prevent pooling.
* Bake the cookware for at least one hour. After the hour, turn the oven off and let the cookware cool in the oven.
* Store the cookware uncovered, in a dry place when cooled.
* Repeat as necessary. 

Each year I re-season my cast iron. I have had my cast iron for over 20 years. I even have a skillet and a dutch oven that was given to me that were my grandmothers. I use my cast iron daily and will not cook on anything else. I even season it on the BBQ turned up on high.

Get your cast iron in good working condition for the summer, if that is the only time you use it. Good luck and happy camping.

Safety idea life vests

This months Safety idea is wearing a life vest, life jackets while on or near the the water. Everyone should have swimming lessons and know how to swim. It does not matter how good a swimmer you are, if out on a boat you need to wear a life vest, it will save your life.

There are many stories each year of people who have drowned because they were NOT wearing a life vest! Many of these deaths could of been prevented by wearing a life vest! Do the smart thing and wear yours and make sure everyone in your boat puts one on!



Here is a link for the USCG and life vests
 http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/life_jacket_wear_wearing_your_life_jacket.aspx

Canning Idea for June

With canning season coming up quick, if not started already for some folks. Here is this months idea. Go through your jars now. Wash and check for cracks and chips, discard bad jars and buy new ones to replace the "bad" jars.

 

You do not want to use chipped jars, as they will not seal properly. Do not use old heirloom jars, as they will not seal properly either. If a jar is cracked it can shatter while in the canning process and make a big mess and you not only lose a jar, but product as well.

Good luck and happy canning!

National Gardening Exercise Day

 Today is June 6th and that means it is National Gardening exercise day So this months Garden idea is Get out in the garden and exercise.

Everyone knows gardening is therapeutic.  It's good for the mind, body, and soul. Gardening Exercise Day gives us an opportunity to go out and burn off calories and have fun doing it. National Gardening Exercise Day is intended to recognize the important physical health benefits of gardening.
In reality, gardening is exercise. Experts say the various activities and tasks of gardening ultimately uses all of the major muscle groups. In addition, strenuous gardening activities such as raking, hoeing, and digging is both aerobic and muscle strengthening.
Take time today to celebrate one of America's favorite hobbies. Go out and exercise with, and among, your plants.