Official SS Poll: What do you do to eliminate bills / cut down expenses?

[Mini Horses]

I'm an avid dump picker

Me, too! Unfortunately our County has decided there will be NO items removed from these dump sites. They have open hr supervision!

I've got an in, however. Two guys who "look out for items I might want" and unless the head supervisor has been there looking around, I get a few things now & then. One guy has even taken things home for me that I pick up later. LOL.
All this for just some donkey, goat & chicken info/help.

Works for everyone.

 

[lcertuche]

Tit for tat.

 

[Mini Horses]

Just have to update ---

The dehydrator I bought for $8 several MONTHS ago was put into use last night. A friend has 2 huge fig trees & doesn't like figs -- go figure -- trees there when they bought over 20 yrs ago. I give her fresh eggs, she gives me the figs & even picks them when they start ripening (I will help in a week or so when large amts ready.

I had 3 trays full last night. They were various sizes and I wiped moisture from the top/lid a couple times. This AM some of the small ones were "done". I pulled them out, rearranged others, swapped tray positions...etc. My first go at this! I can say they are delish!!!

I'll probably have 40-50 trays to do before it's at the "NO MORE" stage for me. And, I'll make some fig preserves when they are at height of ripe and buckets full at a time. Sure a nice trade for those odd & small eggs that the customers don't want to buy. We are both very happy with the barter!!

We swap out things from the garden, too. She sends buckets of scraps to chickens, I give her chicken poop for garden. We have a good share situation. She's in town, large lot.

 

[Wannabefree]

That's awesome! I love trades like that!!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

That's a great deal!! You're gonna love 'em.

 

[lcertuche]

 

[baymule]

How long do you dehydrate them for and are they chewy or dried hard? I never dried figs before. How do you package them when done?

It sounds like a great "trading" friend to have!

whenever I have had figs given to me, I made Strawberry Fig Preserves with strawberry jello. They are awesome!

 

[Mini Horses]

It's somewhat a personal preference & your dehydrator. These were various sizes, some as large as a standard marshmallow. I cut them all in 1/2. Smaller ones took approx. 1-=12 hrs, larger about 18+. A few of the small ones were harder than I wanted (I had gone to bed), but still edible As they dried I removed those finished and re-arranged others.

Personally, I prefer the small ones, left whole, dried to gummi bear consistency. LOL THAT helps! Right?

Think prune, not quite as moist, especially on outside.
Many are eaten quickly -- sealed in jar, bag, in frig. When I have a lot, vacuum sealed & frig or freezer. Of course you can cook with them after -- mine are usually eaten first. Hope to get enough to do buckets of them this year.

They REALLY shrink! Like collards -- start with a barrel full & end with a pot full. And that's before you eat them!

 

[baymule]

Thanks! I totally get the gummy bear reference!

 

[Swede]

I voted:

1. Make your own ______ (e.g. bread, laundry detergent, shampoo, etc.)
   
   
2. 
   Maintain a vegetable / fruit garden