Purpose of this Blog is to help Each Other Survive These Times....

Purpose of this Blog is to share Ideas and Ways to help each other through Hard Times. Whether it be by sharing Top Ramen Recipes or How to Repair Furniture found at the Curb. I will try to share a few ideas each week. I am a Nurse, single mom who has been trying to make it in These Times. I don't care what DC says, These are Hard Times. I have done it all to make Ends Meet. Research for Writers, Tutoring, Sewing, Dog Walking, House Cleaning, Senior Care, Worked at failed Tea Shop and 2nd Hand Store, and even been a Grocery Checker. Through it all I have tried to have some Dignity, some Sense of Humor and some Integrity. Those I have been trying to each my son. I have continued to pay my bills, nurture those around me and continue to try to spread some Compassion. You Can find me on Twitter @WatergateSummer.

Pesto Garden .......for Under 5 Dollars

So I have the World's smallest Garden area and backporch, but I was very committed to growing some salad greens, some herbs and some beans and tomatoes. I was really craving Pesto, so I set up containers for Dill,four kinds of basil and Cilantro. And the Basil Container,acquired via Curbside Shopping... ( with good topsoil, manure, and Compost).It has flourished for 2 months, with enough herbs for salads and Pesto and dinners. All for under 5 dollars.

The Five Dollar Desk.....

So I needed a Desk for writing and sewing. But I also needed Something that I Could put together and take apart and move up 3 flights of Stairs to my attic ( with ease). So I came up with this Desk, ALL acquired via Curbside Shopping, and then all I really paid for was Paint. It works, it's very sturdy, and has a bit of Rustic Steampunk Vintage feel.

Summer Time Garden and Back Porch.....

Where ever you live, you need to have a place that brings solace. Gardens are important for health and happiness. Many view them as a costly project. Here is my Rule about Gardens, they must be under 20 Dollars, I have never had a garden or a porch for more. I acquire my garden planters and pots year round, and in the winter I paint and repair them. I also fund wicker and chairs and tables at the curb year round and my rule is the same. In the winter I walk to the market, almost daily to save money and support local business. My other rule is that I must Buy Seeds with Every Snow Storm, this way I plan my garden and always give myself something to look forward to. I have a tiny back porch and a tiny spot of backyard ( Both under 6X8feet). I believe that anywhere you live you can share a bit of color and green and nurture a spot of your own. And if you are lucky you can also eat a bit of what you grow.

Curbside Shopping and Dollar Stores.....

Curbside Shopping is all about studying your neighborhood and Trash patterns. It really became an art form sadly partly due to the Foreclosure Epidemic. An increased volume of furniture and household goods has been flooding curbs across the Country. The best rule of thumb is to avoid goods that are at risk of harboring Bedbugs. This would include most fabric based furnitures ( ie.sofas) and bedding. Wooden and Metal Furniture that can be refurbished or cleaned and painted is a very viable option and can save one hundreds of dollars. I have basically gotten lamps,dining room table and chairs, and all of my Garden Supplies and porch furniture via Curbside Shopping. If you are going to investigate curbside goods, do always scrub and wash the goods you acquire. Be brave and be creative. ( Sunday nights in our hood we all greet each other out exploring, it has become a neighborhood tradition...) My Best Find to date is my Sewing Machine which cost me nothing and has given me 3 years of service and helped me repair many clothes and curtains.

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Dollar Stores are springing up all over and offer a wide variety of amazing deals. Items that usually cost too much at the grocer and the pharmacy are only One Dollar, ranging from Cleaning Supplies,laundry goods, to Toiletries.Example: Headphones for the computer are over Nine Dollars at the Pharmacy and are only a dollar at the dollar store. Shampoo and soaps which are 3-8 dollars at the pharmacy, same brands only one dollar. Many Dollar Stores also have Water, Drinks, and Coffee and Frozen Food and some dinner and lunch and breakfast and snack items that are an amazing deal. Do you live with a teen who might die without Soda, Dollar store soda is 4 Cans/dollar. You can also find items that you might not expect, shower curtains, pet supplies and even lightbulbs ( 4/dollar) and batteries ( again 8/dollar). All of these can save you hundreds on your grocery and household Bills. Again explore the Dollar Stores in your area, you will be amazed what you can find....