The Vicky Challenge. Making do.

This week for The Vicky Challenge I am including a letter from Vicky that got me thinking about this subject... Making Do.

Vicky also just taught a pantry building class. For anyone new this is the introduction to the Vicky Challenge which is a good place to start here. We meet every Monday with our Vicky Challenge progress and new ways to save.
Now over to Vicky:

With so many things going on these days I know many over the last few years who have lost income due to job loss, medical bills and increased cost or loss of health insurance. And since we have discussed so many aspects of homemaking I thought maybe a discussion on making do would tie in there somewhere.

Although we can tend to glamourize how Great Grandma did this or that out of necessity do we really understand what she did on a daily basis for years and not just occasionally? Many were poor and never reached middle class status. And while times have been good the middle class is getting hit hard at the moment.

Or maybe some are just starting out and finding things a bit overwhelming. We live in a culture of instant gratification and excess. Everything should be bigger and better and disposable. I cannot picture my Great Grandmother being a Diva or a Princess.

No Great Grandma wasn't a Diva she made do. During the War and the Great Depression and times before she made do. She wasn't able to just go get new furniture it was covered with something when the wear and tear started to show.(I do this and have different covers to change out the look)  Nor get fast food because she didn't feel like cooking or get a new out fit for every occasion. Her children didn't have a closet full of clothes and a room full of toys they tired of within a few weeks. They made do by slitting the toes of the shoes so they could wear them longer, they patched everything, children made do by being creative and imaginative. We think it oh so quaint to put flowers in a mason jar Grandma did it because she had no pretty vase and couldn't afford one. Maybe none of her stuff matched and she had no money in her change purse, but she didn't feel less than because of it. She knew she was needed and did her best.

If you're in or heading into a situation where you have to make do, I can tell you from experience that it isn't always fun, but attitude can be everything. I like to look at it as a challenge even though others are telling me I should have better! There isn't anything that paint or some material can't improve. I know a few who get upset and will call me and say I am so tired of making do I want this or that. I want not I need. I have learned many things from making do. And I still have it a lot better than Grandma did.

So if you are in the position right now that you have to make do with everything, you will find just how well you can do with little and be proud that you have the fortitude to do it. There is joy to find in making do believe it or not. When I look back on the day there is that sense of accomplishment and pride that I didn't have to push my Mr. or make him feel he is not an adequate provider when he does his best. They say there is a lot of fighting over money in marriages and since we discuss so many womanly things we need to give them their due as well. It is a part of the ebb and flow of frugality. By appreciating the hard times we can grow and learn and not fall in the trap of taking things for granted.

XOXO

Vicky

Lots of things spring to mind here. Recently Dad was lamenting the fact that a famous Australia (who he doesn't like!) made their fortune by taking advantage of people... in that they can buy stuff from the stores and pay for it in two years time. Which of course is everywhere there days! But to Dad that is not right, if people can't afford something then they can't afford it and you save up! You make do meanwhile. And there are lots of ways of making do!

Funnily many times when I have made do no one would know. Other times I have had family come to the house and ask "Do you STILL have THAT lounge?" as the lounge we have I can remember laying on recovering from Glandular Fever when I was sixteen. And Mum and Dad had it long long before that. That makes it at least 20 years old. Ok, that's a lie, that makes it around forty years old!
Well, I don't care. Years ago I had covers made for it. I am always washing these covers but it still looks pretty good! 

Lately I have made do with the paint in the shed and other cast off paint. It has been fine!
I made do with what's in the fridge to invent different pizza toppings.
I made do with a lot of crafts and used up things I already have...

There are a lot of ways to save by making do, until something just right comes along, until we have the money saved up or until circumstances change.

During WW2 it was a British campaign to Make do and Mend. We can really stretch resources when we need to. During the war there was not only food rationing but also clothes rationing. People had to learn to make do and mend and fast! Improving our sewing skills and mending skills alone can be a huge saver. 

So I am trying to think "how can I make do?" as often as possible and it brings out some creativity too!

This week my Vicky Challenge...

I reseeded the lawn and am generally trying to renovate it. Except I have no idea how much this would cost to have done? Or buy new turf?

Painting, sanding, filling cracks... more than last week $300

Finishing pretty hankies for gifts... $40

Decorating the baskets for use at home and some for gift hampers. As they are now they would be quite expensive in shops... I will say $100 (six so far)

Picked Quinces, I got 4 kilos.  $20 I think I can make them into $50 with of Quince paste but I haven't got that far yet!

My Spaghetti sauce cook up and meals frozen... saving $30 This ensures further savings as we never need to buy take away.

Made all packed lunches... $100.

Made the boys fishing day food and packed drinks etc to save them buying anything saving $50

I make out my savings to be about $760 without including the work on the lawn.

I hope you had a great week. How did you go?

Each week adding new ways to save (or reviving old ones) and being aware of the value of what we make and do seems to be working for me. I am amazed at the value of things and how many new things I've discovered in the last twelve months especially. That makes it exciting to me! Be willing to do things differently, make changes, learn new skills and try new things. Sometimes the results are staggering especially when you work out the savings over a year. This is all building up your home. It is a good feeling!
Have a wonderful week! xxx