Hi Friends! 👋 I can’t wait to see you all tomorrow for our discussion on saving money 💰 and preparing for the colder months ❄️. We’ve got a lot of great ideas to share! There will be at least one giveaway! Be prepared to come with a new idea on this topic. Here’s a sneak peek: Money-Saving Tips: 1. Make Your Own Bone Stock 🍲🦴: Save those bones! Making your own bone stock is nutritious, flavorful, and much cheaper than buying store-bought broth. Perfect for soups, stews, and sauces. 2. Hearty Soups, Stews, and Chilis 🍛🥣: Batch cooking is a great way to save money and time. Make large quantities of soups, stews, and chilis that can be frozen for later or shared with friends. 3. Stretch Meals with Beans & Legumes 🌱: Beans, lentils, and other legumes are affordable, full of protein, and perfect for stretching meals. Pair them with rice and grains to make hearty, budget-friendly dishes. 4. Stock Up on Dry Goods 🛒🍚: Keep your pantry full with dry goods like rice, grains, beans, and spices. These long-lasting items can be bought in bulk and used to make low-cost, filling meals. 5. Preserve and Store Fall Produce 🎃🥔: Take advantage of the fall harvest! Stock up on long-lasting produce like pumpkins, squash, cabbage, potatoes, apples, carrots, beets, and onions, and store them properly for use all winter long. 6. Avoid Packaged Foods 🚫🛍️: Make your own meals, salad dressings, bread, and snacks at home. It’s healthier, cheaper, and helps avoid processed, packaged foods that come in boxes or bags. Cooking from scratch is not only healthier but also saves money in the long run. Make it a challenge to see how few packaged foods you can buy from the store. 7. Save on Medications 💊🌿: Be prepared for emergencies and illness by stocking up on homeopathic remedies, herbs, essential oils, and supplements. These can help reduce the need for expensive medical and vet visits. 8. Make Your Own Cleaners & Cosmetics 🧼✨: Homemade cleaners and personal care products like lotions and shampoos are easy to make and will save you money. When DIY isn’t an option, buy in bulk for organic soaps, soap nuts, and other natural products. Using items like soap berries and shampoo/conditioner bars of soap cuts down on plastics and waste. 9. Freezer Meals 🍽️❄️: Prepare freezer-friendly meals like casseroles, soups, and lasagna in bulk. You can swap freezer meals with friends or keep them on hand for busy nights. Don’t forget to host a freezer meal exchange party with friends—sharing homemade meals is a great way to spread love and save money together! 10. Utilize Local Resources 🚜: Support local farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. Not only will you get fresh, quality food, but you’ll often save by buying directly from the source. Hunting may be an option for some families too. 11. Buy in Bulk 📦: Save big by buying essentials in bulk from places like Azure Standard or Sprouts. Perfect for non-perishables, dry goods, and household supplies. 12. Preserving Food 🥫🍏:Canning, freezing, and dehydrating your harvest or store-bought produce can help you save money on groceries for months. 13. DIY Projects and Gifts 🛠️🧶:From homemade cleaning supplies to DIY gifts, there are so many ways to save by doing it yourself. Start planning and making creative gifts for the holidays now.