The Steinkamp Stimulus

Page Three

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I keep several kinds of pasta on hand and add a couple of large handfuls to increase boxed Hamburger Helper-type dinners. The flavoring packets will cover the increase and you can easily boost the amount by 50 percent. Different shapes of pasta personalize a boxed dinner and also add interesting textures. (Illinois)

Most clothes can be air dried using racks instead of the dryer. This saves energy and money not only by not running the dryer, but also because it is a heat producing appliance that makes the air conditioning run harder in the summer. (Texas)

We save the Sunday comics and use them to wrap birthday gifts. Wrapping paper can get expensive but the comics are so colorful and we are also recycling that way. All of the children and adults have enjoyed this practice. (Illinois)

I make homemade laundry soap for pennies a load. (Ohio)

I purchase big family packs of hamburger because I can make many meals out of it.  (North Carolina)

It's just getting back to how things used to be, but to me the best thing a stander can do is start a garden, any kind, flower, vegetable or both. You use your time and energy on something other then our situations, you appreciates God’s beauty and abundance in the proceeds from the garden, and you tithe the best of the crop to someone in need or your church. The only expense is the seeds or seedlings. You can even create an indoor garden in containers if you don't have a yard. (New York) 

I cut cereal and other boxes up into bookmarks. Being an avid reader, it saves me from having to buy bookmarks. When I give a book as a gift, it contains one of my homemade bookmarks. (South Africa)

We are cooking more natural and dried food, no more packaged soups and precooked dinners. Instead of eating out we are organizing potluck dinners with neighbors and friends. (Canada)

Instead of purchasing name brand products buy store brands or shop at a discount store. By doing so I save a lot of money. (North Carolina)

You can never out give God. I try to be generous and give and/or share what I have with others to meet their needs. In return, when me or my children need something, God has always met our needs. (Florida)

It is still fun and a luxury to go out to eat. It is also a good way to connect with my older kids. I can usually find a coupon for a restaurant. The meals are large enough for two people to share. We do not buy beverages, (Restaurant drinks are expensive). On the way home we buy a half gallon of ice cream from the store that has the special that day. (Georgia)

Instead of buying lunch everyday, pack a healthful, homemade lunch to enjoy in the comfort of your office while you read your daily Charlyne Cares email. (Texas)

Open a savings account and continue to put money in, no matter the amount, even if it seems you can't afford to save right now. If you are tithing, God will bless your finances. A savings account is a huge blessing when an unexpected expense comes up. (Minnesota)

I take a lesson from Jesus when He told the disciples to pick up the fragments after feeding the 5,000 and they ended up with 12 baskets full of bread and fish. So to me everything is a fragment that adds up. A penny on the ground, five cents for bringing your own bag to the grocery store, bottle returns, coupons and more. I figure even the smallest fragments will add up and I hope to have overflow in my basket. (Colorado)

I fill my tank at half and find this doesn't hurt so much even with rising gas prices. (Washington)  A PS from Pompano - In the unsettled times we are living in, many people suggest we keep our vehicles filled.

I have been going through the house and acquiring everything I do not need nor use anymore from books, videos, DVDs to clothes and unused house fittings to sell at the car boot sale. This will give me funds to spend on my two young daughters come the summer when I take them on holiday or should my wife be home then. I'm sure many standers could organize a boot/yard sale also. (England)

I transfer money to my savings at the end of every month, no matter how little. I pretend I do not have the savings, so when a need comes up, like a car repair, I am surprised to find I always have enough to cover the cost. Most importantly, I always tithe, give freely to others in need, and maintain a budget on a spreadsheet and watch the Lord's grace flow. (California)

We have turned the heat down, even in cold northern Canada, and turn lights off when we leave a room. We have cancelled our television cable and play more board games now. (Canada)

I check the local paper or supermarket flyer for free activities for children. At these activities they usually hand out candies for free also. This way I can give my child a carefree fun time which does not reap my budget. (Netherlands)

Cutting back on non necessity utilities has reduced my monthly bills. I cut my cable to minimum basic. On my phone services, I did away with all the calling features and got a basic line with no extras. This has reduced my monthly bills. (Texas)  A PS from Pompano - Watch utility bills each month for extra features that often work themselves onto statement.

I shop the two for the price of one sales at the grocery, and of course use coupons. (Georgia)

Pets are wonderful and are family to those of us who are lucky enough to have them. I have stretched my dog's food by adding cooked rice with broth to the dry or wet food. The dogs love it and they actually seem healthier. (Florida)

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