The Steinkamp Stimulus

| Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | 

My kids and I like to fish. We can walk or bike to the local river or lake. Worms are free to dig up and fresh fish is healthy and nutritious. Add fresh vegetables from a small garden and we have a great meal. (Minnesota)

I work out at a gym for only costs $10 per month. When I work out, I take showers afterwards instead of at home. I save time by not going all the way back home before work. I save on gas by not making the extra trip home again. I save on expensive water bills and I save on my electric bill for heating the water. Most importantly, I get a great workout for my health to avoid spending on medical bills. $10 a month probably saves me far more than I can imagine. (Florida)

Cell phone companies are competitive. From time to time check and see if you can get a cheaper plan with the same phone. Resist the pressure to accept a new "free" phone because it isn’t really free. Try to stay away from long term contracts and understand what you are signing, not what the salesman told you. (Florida)

At night I turn off the heat. I use a hot water bottle to warm the foot of the bed. It stays warm until morning. (Pennsylvania)

I volunteer at an assisted living home. They are so gracious to all the volunteers and invite us to lunch, a delicious home cooked meal with all the fixings. I have not eaten that well in a very long time and the meal is enough that I only needed something light for dinner. I get to dine with some of the elderly residents and they are such a blessing. Volunteers are needed in many places and I know God will bless you for serving. (Delaware)

I have taken the clothing I no longer wear to a consignment store where they sell it for me. They keep a small percentage of the selling price, but the remainder comes back to me where it helps with the bills and groceries. (Kansas)

If you have a garden learn how to can your vegetables. It's great having homemade salsa, tomato sauce, green beans, etc. all year round and it is not expensive to do. You can buy canning jars and canner at garage sales. It is a great way to keep you busy and it is really the fruit of your labors. (Ohio)

My kids are outgrowing things faster than I can keep up with. In meeting my kid’s friend's mother' as well as family members we get together once a month and discuss who needs what and who has what to give. There is always something for everyone and best of all it's free and it helps everyone of us save. (Connecticut)

Before my prodigal left, I would always order a nice birthday cake from the local bakery for each child’s birthday. I felt awful when I had to tell the kids that we couldn't buy a cake, but we'd make our own at home. I knew it wouldn't look like the one from the bakery. Now, the birthday child gets to pick the kind of cake they want and we all decorate it together. Of course, it doesn't look like a store bought cake, but the kids don't even seem to notice. This has become their favorite birthday tradition. I have found the kids value the time and interaction much more than a professional looking cake. What I saw as a negative, or having to do without, the children see as an exciting and wonderful time together. (Florida)

I take walks with my kids and collect cans with deposits. (New York)

Shop with a list. Look for generic items and very high and very low items on the shelves as these are the cheapest. Have limited money in purse and pay with cash. You'll soon save heaps. (Australia)

I've experimented with less expensive cosmetics and hair care and they are just as good. I've also been going to the local cosmetology school for hair care. More importantly, I've been using this season to work on my insides more, which helps me to be content with what I see on the outside.  (Ohio)

When you buy boxed meals such as Hamburger Helper, it calls for one pound of ground beef. I have found that I can use one half pound for one box and keep the other half for another meal. The meal taste the same and no one will even notice that you used half of the meat. On a good day at the grocery store you can get the boxed meals like Hamburger Helper for about a dollar per box. If you buy two boxes of the Hamburger Helper and one pack of ground beef, you are feeding your family dinner for two days for a total of five dollars. (Florida)

Bob’s tip - We bought 16 ounce clear plastic containers and lids at a wholesale grocery supply. They are of the type take-out soup might come in and are great for freezing individual portions of left overs. A "to go" restaurant meal can be broken down into several average size dinners. "Doggie bag" items that are brought home can also be put in these. Our freezer looks like a cafeteria. Once used, hand wash the containers and re-use several times. (Florida)

Do not be embarrassed to accept food from a church or pantry program. If God touches another family to help you, please accept their help graciously, knowing it came from above. (Florida)

Go through your closets and drawers looking for recent style clothing and jewelry that you haven't used in the last six months and give your local consignment store a call. (Rhode Island)

We began an experiment and quit using ZipLoc type bags for sandwiches, snacks, etc. We had Rubbermaid and Tupperware products that have been used now more than they ever had been used and we also save butter bowls, cottage cheese containers, and such when we want to use something disposal. The cost savings over a year is tremendous and we don't even think about not having the bags any longer. (Texas)   

When watching television, avoid shopping channels and infomercials. They are designed to make you buy, most often items you do not even need. (Florida)

I scan the advertisement flyers and compare prices. In the shops I always compare price and weight between brands. It saves a lot of money. (Netherlands)

Browsing online shopping sites for big stores helps a lot with saving time and money. You can make a list of what you need, how much everything will cost and stick to it. (South Africa)

I check out movies from the library instead of paying to rent them.(Georgia)

Find a large store that will price-match any item in their store to a competitor's advertised price. I carefully scan the ads for the local grocery stores, dollar stores, and pharmacies. These ads are available online to keep from buying a Sunday paper. (North Carolina)

To help me pay for child care for my daughter. I work at the preschool she attends. This way I don't have to for child care. Ask local church preschool or child care centers if you could work part-time or volunteer to get a discount on child care. This helps a great deal and I don't have to worry about her because I am right there for her. God has blessed me and family. (Hawaii)

If you need prescription drugs and are out of work you can often get them free. Go to the individual drug company’s web site and look for their assistance program. You complete an application. Your doctor submits the prescription to them and the medication is sent to the doctor for you to pick up. (North Carolina)

I have been surprised at just how much stuff I have around the house that we don't use and don't need. By listing them for sale on free used ad web sites and bulletin boards in my community, I've been able to not only tidy my house, but make some extra cash also. (British Columbia)

If you are planning a trip, go to an online charity auction and check out the hotels and airfare listings. These items usually have a starting bid at 1/2 the value. The great thing is that the charity makes money and you get a vacation at 50% off. (Florida)

I get my child to make cards because it's more personal and so I won't have to buy them. This saves a lot of money in a year’s time. (Georgia)

My teenage sons and I don't have money to go out to eat or to the movies, so we make dinner together. We buy a loaf of French bread and cut it into four parts and add spaghetti or tomato sauce and whatever else we like to put on it. Then each of us pick a movie we already own and take turns which movie to start with. Not only do the children feel like they helping but what a great time communicating with your child. (New Mexico)

I go to a bread company outlet and buy bread and sometimes hostess for lunches and treats. (Illinois) 

First pray and then explain your marriage crisis to your local church (where you are active) and ask if they have scholarships or financial help available for summer camps or programs for your kids. Make your need known, but do not beg. Look to God to supply and not to man. (Florida)

When money is tight a great way to have quality time with your family is to spend the day at the local animal shelter. The staff will appreciate the help and it is a great way to share God's love with His smallest creatures who are the saddest victims of the housing crisis. This also helps fill the void of not being able to afford a pet of your own. (South Carolina)

Live Psalm 37;  "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this."  (Oregon)

My lawn mower recently quit working. I forgot I have a non motored push mower. I have started mowing with it. I save money on the gas and maintenance, plus I get a good workout at the same time. It's also eco-friendly. (Kansas)

Due to my limited income I get government food assistance money. Using coupons and following sales ads, I buy my groceries at a grocery store that gives cents off of gasoline. If it's a good sale on a particular item, I stock up so that I won't have to buy that item again until there is another sale. With my food assistance money. I buy groceries that earn rebate dollars Then I use the rebate dollars to buy non-food items. (West Virginia)

Recently I ran out of ink for my printer. I went to a place that filled up my used ink cartridge for half the price. If you cannot find place that will fill it, it use a store where you can bring in your old cartridge to recycle it and get cash credit toward a cartridge. (California)

If you are getting rid of old clothing or furniture, do not throw it away, but give it to a nonprofit organization, get a receipt, and hang on to it until tax time to take the value of what was given away as a deduction. (Florida)

As a way to help stretch my limited finances I have begun bartering, exchanging talents rather than money for services or goods. I have my hair cut and highlighted in exchange for babysitting and desktop publishing. I have also exchanged craft tutoring for craft materials and classes that I want to attend. There are clubs you can join in order to share your talents. If you don't have one near you, you could always start one.  (England)

I have rented out my extra bedroom to a friend in need. I make a little extra money and because I don't ask for much, my friend is able to save money to get back on her feet. It's a good way to cut costs until my prodigal comes home. (Kansas)  A PS from Pompano - "Mom and Dad" Steinkamp remind you this must always be of the same sex, as this female stander did. Regardless of how good your intentions, Satan will use a roommate of the opposite sex to tell lies to your prodigal. Be very cautious of who you allow into your home for your own safety.

I keep the wax paper from inside cereal boxes to use for rolling out pie dough. The cereal box wax paper is thicker and handles well. I lay down the wax paper, put the dough on top and then another layer of wax paper on top. When I've finished rolling out the dough, I peel off the top layer, flip the dough to put it into the pie plate, then peel off the bottom layer. I never need to buy wax paper. (Florida)

As light bulbs burn out I am replacing them with energy efficient ones. I am also turning off the air conditioning in the house when is not too hot outside (Florida)

I work holidays for a local florist for extra money or credit at their shop.(Georgia)

One of the grandchildren's favorite summer activities is painting rocks.  I get watercolor paint sets from the dollar store. (Pennsylvania)

Spend great time with your children by cooking together. Pick age appropriate recipes, things like wraps, instant pudding, salads, pasta, chili and stir fry Expand the experience by selecting recipes together and taking your children to the store or the farmer's market to buy the ingredients. As the non-custodial parent, the above has created positive time with my teen-aged year old daughter and saved some bucks. (Iowa)

Many people overlook pharmacy ads. Even though they only have one or two items at a great price, the discount is normally phenomenal. (North Carolina)

Old plastic containers can be used to grow vegetables and herbs in small spaces and working together tending the garden as a family is good entertainment and great bonding in this tough time. It is easy to hang herbs upside down to dry and we have fresh tasty herbs for cooking and teas for the entire year. (Minnesota)

Our local feed store sells premium non-name brand dog food comparable to big names for $20 less per bag. (New York)

Birthday parties can be expensive. This year my preteen daughter is inviting a few close friends for a home spa /sleep over. They are giving each other pedicures/manicures and getting new hair dos. Girly fun stuff that is easy on the pocketbook but still great fun and memories. (Canada)

Instead of paying for a gym membership, I walk around work on break times and on weekends I walk around shopping for things we need, taking time to find bargains. (California)

I buy less expensive cuts of meat with a bone. I make soup broth from the bones for another tasty meal. All food leftovers go into the soup. (Pennsylvania)

I got this from a friend: Because anything that is plugged in to an outlet draws some electricity, unplug your lamps and any non-programmable appliances (like the toaster) when they are not in use. This way, you will cut your electric bill. (My friend cut her bill by thirty percent!) (Washington)

| Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 |