High Cost of Living

Wood for the stove, Vermont, 1940. LOC.

 

I have been reading books about the good old days. This was when families were mostly home-based, living on farms.  They prepared for winter by chopping wood for the fireplace. They harvested and canned garden produce.  Just these two duties alone took months of heavy labor.  Yet it provided them with heat and warmth as well as nourishing food throughout the long winter months.

Many of the homes of today are more modern. We have furnaces with oil or propane for heat.  This requires hard-earned cash that takes time to earn.  We also spend much of our money on food at the grocery store. All of these expenses require a great deal of planning with a carefully organized budget.

It is important to have strong homemaking skills, so money is conserved for basic living expenses.  We do our best to avoid the waste of food so it will last longer. We try to regulate the thermostat, to keep our heating bills at a reasonable rate. There are also a great many other things we can do to make money last.  These include some of the following:

1. Repair bedding (sheets and blankets), towels, socks, and clothing. Mend rips or tears in the lining of coats. Replace missing buttons on clothing. 

2. Limit trips away from home to save on gas and transportation costs.

3. Avoid buying things on a whim. Always try to wait before you buy.

4. Choose healthy and economical food rather than luxury items with little nutritional value (such as chips and processed snacks). These expensive items will put an enormous strain on the monthly food budget.

5. Make things last. Repair household items as much as possible rather than buying new things.

If we could only have a goal of spending less money, we will have more available to save for emergencies and simple needs. 

Basic living expenses, including home and auto insurance, as well as property taxes and other normal bills, are very high. We need to find as many ways as possible to keep costs down so we can manage the normal bills.

When we are doing our part, managing our resources and finances with careful attention, we should feel a sense of peace knowing we are doing the best we can. We make financial decisions based on prayer with great faith. We ask for the Lord's blessing as we seek to serve Him each day of our lives. 

When an unexpected bill comes along, it should not cause us to panic.  For example, I have been saving up for our kerosene delivery (for heat).  I expected the bill to be several hundred dollars. But when the delivery arrived this afternoon, we were taken aback by the charge. It was about $250 more than I expected.  It would be easy and normal to get upset. It might even be common to complain about the high cost of living. It is certainly a challenge, especially with such a prolonged season we have had of freezing temperatures. But there was a calmness in my heart. It was a blessed, peaceful sense of gratefulness. I somehow remembered that I do not have to face such trials alone. The Lord is my help and my fortress.  I had to think of the long-term, of the winter season, rather than on this difficult expense that came along just in this month alone. 

How can we handle such things?  With prayer, seeking direction and guidance. We can pray for wisdom in how to manage things.  Pray for ideas to cut other costs, so money is freed up to meet these unexpected bills.  The Lord will get us through these difficult days.

In books about the good old days, we can read the testimonies of others as they share their stories of victory and survival through very trying circumstances.  The amount of work they had to do with little pay and a grateful heart is inspiring. Their focus was on keeping the family warm and fed.  We can follow their example even today. And while the high cost of living is often a trial, it is a wonderful use of money to provide a safe and comforting home for our precious family. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Encouragement - Poor and Pretty Living.

A Little History - Just a Housewife.

Making things for Grandbaby - Tea Napkins.

 - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

 

 Help for hard times at home - 

House Keeping in Hard Times: Essays and Encouragement from a Christian Housewife

 Paperback, 180 pages

 As you read the entries, you will get a sense of what it is like as a Christian housewife through the ups and downs of life.  Topics include motherhood, marriage, taking care of children, cleaning, living on a low income, saving money, and building up the family with faith as the foundation.

A Time of Refreshment

View of our back garden. 

 

I stood looking at the landscape around me. The snowbanks are several feet high. It is quiet in this season of winter storms and frigid temperatures. As I looked at the back garden of our property, I noticed a glittering of sunlight all over the snow.  It brought me such a sense of peace and gratefulness for all of the beauty the Lord has created for us.

In the autumn months, the leaves cover the ground. They make a bed of protection over our strawberry garden. This is later covered with snow, which quietly remains throughout the entire winter. It tells me that my garden is sleeping. It is a time for rest and refreshment.

Indoors, there seems to be some isolation. We cannot go out very much. We must find projects and activities to occupy the months of being nearly snowed-in for much of the time.  This is a time to think of others - to sew, to knit, to bake, to write encouraging letters to those who are alone.  It is a time to talk on the telephone, sharing comfort and news with family in other areas.  Most of all, it is a time to dwell on beautiful verses of Scripture, to contemplate the blessings of being a child of God.  The singing of old hymns and the reading of books that bring spiritual nourishment will bring rest to weary, restless hearts.  It is a peaceful time of staying at home.

Many of us are enduring storms and freezing weather. We are working hard to stay warm, to stay cozy, and to keep a sense of trust and joy in our hearts. We pray to the dear Lord for daily guidance with a child-like faith. We ask for provision and protection. We also ask for courage and strength to endure all the common trials of life.  We can do all that He asks because this is the very purpose of life - to serve the precious Lord, as we shine a bright light of goodness and kindness out onto a very cold and dreary world.  It is a privilege to have such a calling. 

As we tidy the house, do the mending, manage the kitchen, and keep the fires of warmth throughout the home, know that this work is a very special honor.  To bring rest and refreshment to family and guests as we do the work of homemaking is a beautiful gift to be freely given each day.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace. 

What it Takes - Old Fashioned Duty of a Homemaker.

Teaching Manners to grandbabies - Tea Time - The Importance of Formal Ceremony at Home. 

 - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Help For Homeschooling:

Seeking a Thrifty and Simple Life: Encouragement for Christian Homeschooling by Mrs. White

Paperback, 112 pages

As you read this book, I hope you get a sense that, no matter what is going on in the world, every home can be a homeschool. 

After the Snow Storm

View of our driveway this morning.

 

It has been bitterly cold all across the country. I am thankful we have been able to stay indoors for several days. The snow has been falling almost non-stop for a couple of days.  I ventured outside early this morning to get some pictures.

I wore fingerless gloves so I could manage the camera. After just a couple of minutes, I was so cold, I could barely move my hands! I quickly went back inside. Looking at the temperature, I realized it was 6 below zero!  It is too cold to be outside!

Snow-covered trees at our home.

Today, I will enjoy the view from the parlour as I look out the window. I am hoping it will warm up a little by tomorrow so I can get to the store. 

In the meantime, I have to do a little baking. There are a few household chores that must be accomplished this morning. I plan to listen to old time hymns on the CD player and just think on that which is good and lovely and pleasant.

I hope you have been safe and warm through this major cold storm!  May the Lord bless and comfort and provide for all of our needs today and always.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Remembering the old ways - Mrs. or Miss and other Titles of Respect.

"There is No Ambition" - Simplicity of Old Fashioned Homemaking.

Old Time Manners - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.  

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

 

Mrs. White's helpful book from The Legacy of Home Press:

"Gracious House Keeping: Advice, Encouragement, and Cleaning Help for the Christian Housewife."

Complete with Encouragement and Work Charts to cheer you along in your homemaking.

115 pages, paperback.

  

Cozy at Home

Mothers with their children on sleds in 1939, Vermont. LOC.

 

Whenever a storm is expected, it seems everyone in the neighborhood must shut themselves indoors until all is clear. Activities are cancelled, shops are deserted, and schools are closed.   Is it a hardship to stay home?

During the pandemic, I believe a lot of people gathered up resources and projects so they could stay busy while everyone had to be home.  It seems more things have become home-focused. And while it is nice to be out and about with events and visits while away from the house, it is good to be content and happy at home.

I remember a time during my childhood when my father had to board up the windows to secure them before a major storm was expected. We were told there would be dangerous winds coming off the ocean near our house.  We stayed indoors and waited out that storm. We felt safe that preparations had been made and we were secure indoors. We were also happy to be together.

I am grateful for chores that keep me busy. I am thankful for a variety of interesting books in my home library. I love the quiet of this season of rest regardless of the storms and warnings of difficult weather.  No matter what is going on with finances, health, weather, or trials within the family, at the end of the day, I am so very happy to be cozy at home.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Frugal Living - A New England Winter on Small Income.

Some Ideas to Help - A Home Without Clutter.

God's precious care of our lives (Includes a story about Mrs. Charles Spurgeon) - All of God's Children Have Shoes.

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Help For Homeschooling:

Seeking a Thrifty and Simple Life: Encouragement for Christian Homeschooling by Mrs. White

Paperback, 112 pages

As you read this book, I hope you get a sense that, no matter what is going on in the world, every home can be a homeschool. 

Winter Provisions

An early morning view of the grounds at our house.

 

The snow is falling gently nearly every day here in our rural village. It is peaceful and quiet.  I have been thinking about the upcoming spring garden, but do not want to rush the season. I am still so happy with the white landscape all around and how cozy it is to stay indoors by the fire. 

I have to venture out to the shops for provisions.  The little trips make one cold in the icy weather, but it is still so lovely to look at the sky and snow-covered trees this time of year.  I am always trying to find ways to avoid too many errands. It is more restful to stay at home as much as possible. I am able to accomplish wonderful homemaking tasks that keep us comfortable and happy.  But the struggle has always been to make sure there is enough food in the pantry.

Years ago, when I was a young mother, some of us were visiting at one of the family homes. I sat at the dining room table going over my budget. My sister was walking through the rooms. I thought I would seek her advice.  I wondered if there was some easier way to come up with enough money for groceries.  She worked at a bank, and I hoped she would have some new insight. When I asked for advice, she responded with something like, "Oh, that's easy. You just pay all your bills first and then whatever is left over, you buy food."   I sighed.  It didn't sound easy to me, especially when the cost of living seemed to be so high.  But all these years I have tried to remember what she said. 

I believe people can get into a lot of financial trouble when they use their bill money to buy groceries. Soon they are behind on the rent, or there is a shut-off notice from the electric company.  I have learned to budget our income to cover all bills first, and then what is left goes to food and savings.  My food budget is much smaller than I would like. It is not what one would call "generous."  Yet, I try every month to make it last and to stretch so my family feels like they are being taken care of.

Today, as I look through my kitchen to see what we have for provisions, I notice the freezer is nearly empty.  I have ingredients available for baking and such, but not a great deal is available. My modest winter stock-up has not been replenished. Since I must be very careful with all of our resources, particularly when we must come up with hundreds of dollars to pay for heat in the coming weeks, I have to get creative.

 I got up very early this morning and made a batch of brownies. I currently have a pot of homemade vegetable soup simmering on the stove.  This afternoon, after a good rest, I will gather some apples that need to be used up. I searched through one of my old cookbooks.  I will bake a homemade apple pie. 

My old Betty Crocker cookbook. 

Later today, I will get out my little money jar. I will count out the quarters to see if I have enough for some stew meat. Then tomorrow, I hope to go to the grocers and get a small package of meat.   I will then spend part of the day making a batch of homemade beef stew and biscuits. The stew will last a few days and be such a comfort to the household.

Each day I will pray for guidance and direction. Each day the Lord will help me come up with ideas. He will also give the strength and the energy to do the precious work of homemaking.  

As the cold winter days linger on through the season, I will humbly seek the Lord with great faith and trust, asking, "please, dear Lord," I will pray, "send us this day our daily bread."  I know He will take care of us. He always does.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Some help for those Sad Days  - Domestic Happiness.

Always Remember This - The House Comes First.

What many of us crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.  

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

 

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers:"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking."

Find stories of home life, with photographs of my home, in this encouraging book. 

 Paperback, 200 pages.