ecosophia | Frugal Friday

Welcome back to Frugal Friday! This is a weekly forum post to encourage people to share tips on saving money, especially but not only by doing stuff yourself. A new post will be going up every Friday, and will remain active until the next one goes up. Contributions will be moderated, of course, and I have some simple rules to offer, which have changed as we've proceeded. (As things have settled down to a nice steady conversational pace, for example, I've deleted the rules about only one tip per person per week and about limiting the length of comments; I was worried early on about people flooding the forum with too much too fast, but I think we're past that risk.)

Rule #1: this is a place for polite, friendly conversations about how to save money in difficult times. It's not a place to post news, views, rants, or emotional outbursts about the reasons why the times are difficult and saving money is necessary. Nor is it a place to use a money saving tip to smuggle in news, views, etc. I have a delete button and I'm not afraid to use it.

Rule #2: this is not a place for you to sell goods or services, period. Here again, I have a delete button and I'm not afraid to use it.

Rule #3: please give your tip a heading that explains briefly what it's about. Homemade Chicken Soup, Garden Containers, Cheap Attic Insulation, and Vinegar Cleans Windows are good examples of headings. That way people can find the things that are relevant for them. If you don't put a heading on your tip it will be deleted.

Rule #4: don't post anything that would amount to advocating criminal activity. Any such suggestions will not be put through.

With that said, have at it!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

1 - This is one of the most important conversations we can be having right now
2 - You are an absolute hero for keeping it going given what is going on in your life.

With appreciation,

The Sound of Falling Leaves

Given what is going on in my life, I badly need something to do when Sara's asleep and doesn't need my care and attention. Moderating this conversation and the couple of others ongoing right now is a lot less stressful than sitting there feeling wretched. But thank you...

Is she comfortable? I hope so.

—Princess Cutekitten

Yes, fortunately. I remember a lot of the tricks for keeping terminal patients comfortable from my days as a certified nurses aide in nursing homes, and you can bet I'm doing them all.

Hello JMG,
Totally OT, not Frugal Friday, but... I work in a nursing home and treat patients with swallowing difficulties dealing with the issues of poor appetite, food textures, liquid consistencies, minimizing the risk of aspiration pneumonia, and such. Sometimes, the art of feeding an ill person can make or break the case of recovery. You've helped me so much... On the off chance that I could reciprocate I'd be happy to do so.
Kirsten

Kirsten, thank you for this -- I learned a good many of those tricks too, back in my nursing home days; we used to get taught them by the PTs on staff. Please note, though, that this isn't a situation in which there will be recovery.

I'm deeply sorry to hear that. May you be strong and Sara blessed.
Kirsten

JMG just taking a moment to send my thoughts to you, it is obviously a most difficult time. So grateful for all the positivity and inpiration you send out into the world and hoping that everything goes as well as it can for you and Sara given the horrible circumstances. Praying for you both as per tunesmyth's prayer list.

I've been out of pocket and just saw the updates on this and the other blog. Ever since I saw mention of Sara on a blogpost or comment many years ago, I've always imagined and felt her present in your "parlor" as we of the commentariat bantered with you. I have benefited greatly from your work, and know that thanks is due to both of you for that. Thank y'all. May you and Sara be blessed in this sacred work.

Dear JMG,
My prayers are with you. I wasn't sure if I should post on the dreamwidth forums at this time, but given your comment here, now I will.
Many blessings to you and yours,
Amber Lillapditudinous Fluourescentraccooneros

I am very glad for both of you that you have this. I had it on a smaller scale, with ongoing conversation threads from home and from the hospital, that brought words of caring encouragement and also other things for me to think about, on some difficult days and nights.

Christopher from California

Frugal Friday

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