Inexpensive Blessings

Some of my favorite fall things are a little pricey – like Dale of Norway sweaters.  Others are more reasonably priced.  Seeing that I’m short on cash, I thought I’d share some of my favorite inexpensive blessings with you.

Do Something for Someone Else

One of the best ways for me to get out of a funk is to do something for someone else.  Perhaps someone in your neighborhood needs help raking leaves, winterizing their sprinkler system or would like a friendly phone call? 

It’s also Operation Christmas Child shoe box season.  Here’s more information on how to pack a shoe box.

Enjoy a Cup of Tea

Summer's finally over and most of the trees have lost their leaves.  I just found a coupon for Celestial Seasonings. I think I’ll make myself a cup of tea.

Hug Your Companion Animal

You walk your dog.  You scoop your cat’s box.  Give your pet a hug.  They’ll love you for it.  Did you know that owning a pet is good for your health?  Check this out.

Make Homemade Bread

Flour, salt, yeast, water.  If you purchase flour and yeast in quantity, making bread is really inexpensive.  I buy my yeast in bulk from the King Arthur Flour website.  They sell a nice container which holds a TON of yeast. 

Go here if you want to learn how to make If you want to learn how to make No Knead Bread.  This link contains food writer Mark Bittman's original interview with Jim Lahey, the No Knead Bread king.

Make Homemade Soup

I just bought a big bag of lentils for $1.37.  Lentils, chopped carrots, chopped celery, a little onion, two bay leaves, salt, pepper.  I use chicken stock in most soup I make, but you could probably use water and save more money.

Read Scripture

I’m a Christian, so the Bible’s my book.  If you practice another faith, your scriptures may be different than mine.  Many of us own multiple copies of scripture, but don’t spend much time reading them.  You can use this plan to read through the Psalms and Proverbs in a month.

Turn On Your Fireplace

If you live in a reasonably new dwelling in the Denver Metro Area, your fireplace uses natural gas and not logs.  My fireplace generates a fair amount of heat and absolutely no nasty soot.  Turn on your fireplace

Watch the Sunrise or Sunset

I don’t think I need to elaborate on this one.