As a full-time homemaker, I know the value of being frugal to maintain a higher quality of living on one income. It took me a while to learn this. I was accustomed to having extra money from working outside the home and, later on, from having a small business of my own. I simply spent whatever I needed to make up for the fact that I did not have the time to prepare meals from scratch or comparison shop. I have learned to live by the motto, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!"

I can honestly say that I have not felt deprived and have not gone without since I made the decision to become a full-time homemaker. I love the challenge of shopping and planning thrifty, healthy meals. I love having time to plan a lovely family meal, right down to the napkins and tablecloth. My only regret is that I did not do this sooner. I bought into the idea that a woman must work to be fulfilled, and in actuality I was very unfulfilled. My home suffered because of my stubborness and insistence on working outside the home against my husband's wishes.

Not only did my home and family suffer, but I did as well. If I could do one thing, it would be to encourage women to come back home and begin to live their vocations as homemakers. It is rewarding and fullfilling to work for the people who mean the most in your life, namely, your family! So many women try to find themselves at jobs outside the home, leaving their children in daycare, and their homes unkept. This is sad, because there is no greater calling than to be a wife and mother and to live it to the fullest, with no apologies to anyone.

I would also like to encourage women who have grown children or do not have families yet to consider that their husband and home is their first priority. I do not know how I managed to do everything when I was working! I must admit that many things went undone. My children are grown, but I am called upon to help with my grandchild, and I have volunteer work that I enjoy. Most of all, I am so content now that I have given myself permission to be home!

Conversations with women I worked with invariably turned to this issue. I can honestly say that most of the women I encountered in the workplace wanted to be at home. I have read that the percentage of women wanting to be homemakers are as high as 80%. I do not doubt it in the least!

The first step to coming home is to simply make the decision to do so, then develop a plan to live within one's means. Bills must be paid, and groceries must be bought, so the only solution outside of making more money is to cut down on what we spend. This can become a challenge and a blessing at the same time. Being able to have a sandwich under my big tulip poplar tree with my husband while enjoying the birds singing means so much more than an expensive, hurried restaurant meal.

One of the first things to consider is the number of vehicles that are needed in the family. You may find after you quit work that you can get by with one vehicle. Additionally, you will not need to buy lunches and clothing for work. Your wardrobe can be much more flexible. You will also have the time to learn to sew and shop for bargains at thrift stores and fabric centers. There is great satisfaction in making clothes and creating things for your home, including linens and quilts. You can also remake clothes that are too small, out of style, or worn. Bib overalls can be turned into a pretty jumper by sewing a full skirt onto the top part. Old jumpers can be turned into aprons by splitting down the sides along the seams, hemming, and attaching ties.



Old blue jeans make a nice coverlet for a boys room. Simply cut the jeans into large squares and sew them together. Leave the frayed edges on top, and tie red yarn at the corners. You do not even need to put backing on this, because the denim is heavy enough for a bedspread. Old bath towels can be cut into strips and braided to form a nice rug for the bathroom. It does not matter if the towels are worn, and these rugs are very absorbent. You can use fabric scraps to make beautiful coverlets for your bed. YoYo's are easy to make, and they make lovely spreads, pillow covers, and placemats. Simply cut fabric scraps into circles (same size), gather around the edges, and pull them closed in the middle. Flatten and whipstitch together. When discarding old garments that are not good enought to give away, save all the zippers and buttons and place these in boxes or tins. Placemats can be fashioned into pretty tote bags, and they make lovely gifts. Two placemats sewn together make a nice quilted apron. Place one vertical for the bib, and one horizontal for the skirt. Attach ties at the neck and waist.

One of the most challenging jobs we have is to prepare attractive and economical meals for our families. To save money, a thorough list should be made, as well as extensive meal plans. Think of ways to use leftovers instead of just reheating them. Leftover potroast can be turned into another delicious meal. Use the beef, add cornstarch or beef gravy mix, and pour over egg noodles for beef tips and noodles. Or make a pot of soup with homemade bread. Beef barley soup is nutritious and easy to make. Add sliced carrots, celery, and barley to the beef broth.

Leftover chicken can be used in potpies or chicken salad. Add leftover chicken or pork to fried rice. A hearty potato soup is also a good choice. I use instant potatoes to thicken my soup and add cheese slices at the last to make a cheesy potato soup.

Bread pudding is a wonderful way to use up stale bread. Baked rice pudding is not only delicious, it is economical and nutricious as well. Here is a good recipe:

• 2 eggs
  
• 2 C. cooked white rice
  
• 1/2 c. raisins
  
• 2 C. milk
  
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Beat the eggs first and add the rest of the ingredients, then pour over cooled rice and combine. Place in a greased casserole, and bake in a 350-degree oven until lightly browned.

For breakfasts, muffins are wonderful! These are very easily made from scratch, and different fruit can be added. Hot oatmeal is a good, hearty breakfast, and I feel I am helping to lower my husband's cholesterol at the same time! Here is a good basic muffin recipe:

• 2 cups of plain flour
  
• 1TBLS. baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp. salt
  
• 2 TBLS sugar
  
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
  
• 1 cup milk
  
• 1/4 cup of melted marg. or butter

Mix dry ingredients, then add the egg, milk, and melted butter. Do not overmix. Pour into greased muffin tins, and bake at 375 for about 20 minutes. You can add fruit to this also, but make sure it is drained and rinsed if it is canned.

Gift giving is another area in which we can save by creating personal and handmade gifts.You can save old wallpaper to use as wrapping paper, or funny papers for children's gifts, or make a one-of-a-kind fabric bag to put your gift in! Simply sew the sides and bottom and use pinking shears at the top. Tie with a pretty ribbon. Learn to crochet, and you can make so may beautiful things to give as gifts. You also have the satisfaction of creating something beautiful with your own hands. Baking is another idea for gift giving. People love homemade breads and cookies.

Entertainment is another area where we can use a little creativity and save a bundle. The library is a great place to take little ones for an afternoon of fun, and they can bring home books and videos, too! Many libraries have programs in the summer for children. Taking children to the park for a picnic is a wonderful treat for them. My husband and I entertain at home instead of going out. We love to grill and have outings in our own yard. Our friends enjoy this also. The important thing is that stay-at-home mothers can give their children the most valuable thing of all--a mom who is actually there and present to them. This is the greatest gift you can ever give them.

Here are some various tips for saving:

• Do not do any impulse buying, and save for what you want instead of using credit cards.
  
• Shop thrift stores for clothes. You will be surprised at the bargains you can find.
  
• Use a clothes line to dry many of your clothes. Electric dryers can be costly.
  
  
• Always make a shopping list for the grocery store, and do not shop when you are hungry.
  
• Buy clothing that does not need drycleaning. Many items that are "dry-clean only" can be washed with Woolite.
  
• Use what what our grandmothers used to clean with: vinegar and baking soda. This will save you a bundle.
  
• Save leftover scraps of soap and put them in a jar with a little water for a handcleaner.
  
• Turn your thermostat down at night.
  
• Buy your husband a home repair book so he can learn to do those repairs himself.

There is great satisfaction and many rewards for spending less and using less, the most important being a stay-at-home wife and/or mother.You may even find that, instead of having less, you actually save money by working at home.

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