Page 13 Fall Home Improvement 2025 Lincoln Daily News Continue -- do. Simple things like having a picnic at a park, spending the day at a museum (on free admission day), festivals, or libraries. • Have your spouse (and kids) help to plan weekly meals and shop ahead for those ingredients so that you are not tempted to grab a quick burger or pizza. Reserve ‘family date’ nights once or twice a month. • Buying in bulk is the best, even if you must pay for a membership. This can help with groceries and household items. However, it is important to compare the ‘price per unit’ to make sure you are getting the best deal. • Most men are ‘meat & potatoes’ guys but try to make meat the accent opposed to the main course by incorporating more vegetable, pasta, soups, and stews. It’s also healthier and more cost-effective if you make your meals and desserts by scratch. Processed food may be easier to make, but not as cheap or good for your gut. • Growing your own garden is extremely rewarding and a wonderful way to enjoy fresh food. Start small, do your research and be consistent. The garden will not prosper as well if you do not give it much attention. If you have the space and the extra time to grow a garden, please consider canning, freezing, dehydrating, and fermenting. Doing any of these will give you food all winter long, takes minimal tools and is a great option for the overabundance of fruits and vegetables. Save your gardens seeds from your flowers, herbs, beans, Indian corn, pumpkins, and squash for the next planting season. • Having your own compost garden is a great fertilizer for your garden and is a natural option. Collecting rainwater is another easy option to water your garden and flowers. You can even get a filtering system to use for drinking water. • If you do not have the space or time to maintain your own garden, another great option to save money and eat healthily is taking advantage of farmers’ markets. You may also consider (if available) joining a community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm. For a small yearly fee, you can get a box of produce every week during the growing season. • With the craze of thrift stores, why not expand it to the neighborhood or townwide garage sales and don’t be afraid to negotiate fairly. This is a terrific way to get things at huge discounts. Or start your own free kids, household, lawn or craft swap within your local church, neighborhood, or workplace. • Don’t throw away clothes with small tears or torn seams, learn to sew and repair yourself. Consider taking classes at the local library, craft store, city recreational club or online. If you have an old towel, socks, sheets, blankets or really anything cloth that is beyond repair, you can cut it up and use it as cleaning rags.
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