Stop Losing Money on Your Garden

Hi Fellow Broke Galaxians--

Guess what? It's time to plant your starts if you don't want to spend a fortune in a few months at the garden center.

I know I can drop large amounts of hard-earned cash every spring to get my garden going. By doing this, I am not helping my cause to save money in the long run.



The dilemma of the plastic garden start kit.

You see the kit at the store and you get excited--at least I know I do. The promise of a productive garden that is overflowing with vegetables makes you practically salivate. Before you know it, your cart is filled with seeds, little peat buttons with the associated pots and you're standing at the check out line.

You may think you're saving money buying those little peat pots or buttons, but I'm not sure this is the case. First, while these little starts have all the nutrients for your plant in the convenience of a button, they are expensive and you may find yourself transplanting well before you're able to get the start into your garden.

You'll lose some of your tender plants to transplant shock and if you wait too long, you'll have root-bound plants that never quite recover. You've probably seen it before--the roots grow through the bottom of the container and you have to damage them when you pull them out to transplant.

Your plants outgrow the plastic container before they are big enough to transplant. Plants don't germinate at the same rate. So while your tomato plants are one height, your pepper plants are another. You may still need to have the warmth of the plastic cover on the peppers, but you can't because the tomato plants are too tall.

First, tomatoes have long, luscious root systems that stretch into the ground--and frankly, those little, tiny peat pots aren't going to cut it. Roots don't like someone messing with them. They don't respond well to constant transplanting. Think about it in these terms--how would you handle moving every few weeks? It would be traumatizing.



Consider growing long rooted plants in 2-Liter soda bottles. Cut off the top of the bottle just below the neck. Poke several holes in the bottom of the container and fill it with soil. This gives plants, like tomatoes, the length they need so you're only transplanting them once into your garden. When it's time to transplant, cut a circle in the bottom and push the plant into the hole.

If you don't have a "coke" habit, you may know someone who does and wouldn't mind having you take those pesky bottles off their hands.



Empty Milk Cartons make perfect planters. Instead of adding to the local landfill, reuse some of the empty containers around your house.



For those smaller seeds that respond well to transplanting, consider using fiber-based egg cartons or empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls. Some seeds have shallow root systems and grow slower than tomatoes.

Take the empty toilet paper roll and fold one of the ends inward. Continue this process with three more folds to make an envelope shaped bottom. Fill it with soil and you'll have your own little planting pot. Cut an empty paper towel tube in thirds and fold them the same way you would the toilet paper roll. You should be able to plant these directly into your garden and the container will eventually deteriorate and become part of the soil. This will keep the roots intact and undisturbed.



What about missing out on the nutrients in the peat buttons?

You can get the same results if you buy a bag of potting mix and provide your own containers. Don't go out and spend money on fancy-shmancy containers when you've probably got something you can use laying around your house. It feels good to give new life to something you would normally throw away--but it feels even better to save money.

So Fellow Broke Galaxians--Go forth and save $$$.

Peace Peeps,
Broke Girl

5 Triggers That Prompt You To Spend Money

Hello Fellow Galaxians, 

I'm pretty sure you know that it's literally impossible to save money by spending money. 

If your goal is to get out of debt and save money, you must find a way to stop spending on items that are not absolutely necessary. But telling yourself to not spend money isn't enough--you need to understand the psychology behind your spending habits and learn how to fight your urge to spend yourself broke.

First, you must make a list of everything you buy--and I mean everything. By doing this, you will begin to see habits and patterns. Think about what would happen if you didn't buy anything that day. Why did you buy each item? What feeling did it bring you? Did you buy it because of convenience or to make your life easier?

1. Retail Therapy. 

Spending money can give you a false sense of happiness that lasts about as long as it takes you to get your credit card bill or to look at your bank account. Maybe something bad has happened or you feel bad about yourself and spending money makes you feel good. Some people eat to elevate their mood and some shop, and some do both. Recognize retail therapy for what it is.

Find another activity that doesn't cost money. What else can give you that high? What else can cause your endorphins to raise? Try going for a walk in the sunshine. At first you may not enjoy the walk, but by the end of the walk, I promise you'll feel better. If you must spend money, go to the dollar store and by one item to satisfy your urge. Invite a friend over for a movie night. Maybe time with a friend will lift your mood. 

2. Boredom. 

Maybe you shop because you're bored. Recognize this for what it is and admit that you're bored. You may need a new hobby. There may be an area in your life that needs attention. Trade shopping for another activity that doesn't cost money.

3. Sales events. 

Marketers study how to lure shoppers into spending their hard earned money. We may feel like we need to participate and buy items we don't actually need because we're afraid we will miss out on the sale. Black Friday is a perfect example of this. No one wants to miss out on a good deal. To combat this, you may want to go visit a friend that day or unplug yourself from the internet and avoid television during that time. If there are big ticket items you need, give yourself time to save for them. It's like Christmas--you know it's coming, it's not a big surprise--it comes every year. So, save for it. Set up a savings account and put a small amount of money in it for this particular event. 

4. Reward Spending. 

You may want to reward yourself for some achievement or in celebration. Find another way to reward yourself. 

As a dieter, it's essential that you don't reward yourself with food when you lose a couple of pounds. As a habitual spender, you may want to not reward yourself by spending money. 

Maybe buying that daily specialty coffee is your reward. You may want to find another way to reward yourself. More people buy gifts for themselves at certain times of year, such as a birthday or Christmas. 

5. Impulse Spending. 
Don't immediately run out and buy something you need. Do your homework, researching the model and price range. Take the time to find the best value. You may need to spend money on newer models instead of ones found on the secondary market. Electronics should be bought new, but you may not need the latest gadget since you will pay more the closer you are to the release date. Consider buying a later model that has a good track record on Consumer Reports or on research sites. By researching, you may find a better deal than just buying one at the first place you look. Search for coupons, rebates or sales on items you need. 

Try the 30-day rule. If you feel that you need something new, give yourself 30 days to decide if you actually need that item. By practicing delayed gratification, you will feel a semblance of self control and you will also have time to decide if you really want to spend money on what you are planning to buy. 

Breaking bad habits. 
If you enjoy that morning cup of coffee on the way to work, can you replace that with a coffee made at home with a specialty creamer? What is it that you specifically like about that coffee? Perhaps you feel that you need a new outfit. Can you accessorize instead? Maybe you can sell your unused clothes in a consignment shop to afford the clothes you want. If you go out with friends and spending money is part of the event, plan for it. Cut back in other areas of your life so you can afford the night out.

Knowing why and how you spend money is important to breaking the habit of over-spending. One of the ways to break a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. 

So, go forth and save $$$ my friends. 

Peace Peeps, 
Broke Girl 

10 Ways to Cut Costs at the Grocery Store

Hello Fellow Broke Galaxians,

Getting your financial lives in order can feel like a giant monster that is out of control. One problem many families have is that of that monthly grocery budget. A few dollars here and a few dollars spent there can quickly spiral out of control and all the sudden your money is gone-gone-gone. So how do you tame that Monster? Maybe these tips will help. 

1. Grocery Store Reward Cards.

Many grocery stores have free membership cards that offer awards, cash-back or coupons. They even offer occasional sweepstakes and promotional offers. It pays to sign up and use them at stores you frequent.

2. Go alone.

One way I lose money or overspend is when shopping is a family activity. Everyone is indiscriminately adding to the cart. They cannot leave that store without that one item they absolutely cannot live without. Chances are, family members weren't even thinking of buying it until they saw it on the shelf. The Marketing Science Institute notes that the amount of these unplanned purchases can significantly skyrocket when kids or the spouse comes along on the shopping trip--so go alone.

3. Go armed with a list and don't buy anything not on the list.

By preplanning your trip, you avoid any unnecessary spending. Also, you will know which store offers the best deals on each item. By knowing exactly what you need, you will be less likely to add extra items to the cart. 

4. Buy in Bulk.

Buying in bulk only works if the item costs less in bulk and if you will definitely use the items bought. A good deal is only a good deal if you will use what you buy. Bring a calculator and know how much a roll of toilet paper costs in lower quantities before you buy 30 rolls in bulk at a higher price. If you're afraid of food going bad before you use it, research how to store it. As long as you store the items correctly (out of sunlight and properly sealed), they should last a long time and be there when you're ready to use them.

5. Buy Generic.

It pays to try generic brands. For the most part, there isn't a marked difference between generic and brand names. Sometimes the food is processed in the same plant and the only difference is marketing and packaging. If the family complains about their brand name cereal, try storing it in a plastic container--out of sight out of mind.

6. Buy Sale Items in Bulk.

Look at the sales fliers each week. Grocery stores offer what they call loss leaders which is designed to lure you in with cheap prices. They make their money off the other items you buy that aren't on sale. Stock up on loss leader items and you'll save. 

Don't bypass the produce isle without seeing what is starting to ripen. Sometimes bananas go on sale and I snap them up. I use bananas for banana bread and in my morning smoothies. Peel the bananas and store them, three at a time, in freezer bags. They will be there when you're ready to use them. I ounce found a sale on carrots, bought several bags and pressure canned them. It's extra work, but by processing sale foods you will have them when you need them and them at a discount.

7. Use Coupons.

There's a show on television that shows how people extreme couponing. Sometimes they buy a couple hundred dollars of groceries for very little. Most of us don't want to put in the time to do extreme couponing, but you can still save quite a bit of money with them. 

Coupons can be found in many places--on sales fliers, in the newspaper, on the internet, and by signing up for coupon sites. By investing a little bit of time, you should be able to save a lot of money by doing this. Be sure to watch for the expiration date and if the coupon rules. You may end up buying two items to take advantage of the coupon and it may not save you as much money as you think. Some stores will allow you to double your coupon value, but be sure to ask first. You will want to make the most of your money. 

Coupons can also be found at Internet sites such as redplum.com, queenoffree.net, and smartsource.com.

8. Sign up for Saving Apps.

By downloading an App, you may be able to find the best price for an item or even receive cash back on something you've bought. It may pay to check out sites such as Ibotta, Shopmium, Checkout51, Groupon Snap, and Saving Star. Some Apps pay you in coins that you can redeem for cash, while others pay with PayPal or gift cards. Either way, saving money will definitely put a smile on your face.

9. Buy Groceries on the Internet.

Sometimes you can find grocery items on Amazon that cost less than the local grocery store. I've ordered food from Wal-Mart and had it shipped to my door free. When we want to use pecans in holiday cooking, we sometimes find cheaper prices online with free shipping from vendors. More now than ever before companies are offering grocery delivery services. In some cities you can have it delivered within a few hours of ordering. However, if saving money is your game, you will need to know the price per ounce you normally pay for something to ensure you're getting the best deal.

10. Shop the Scratch and Dent Sales.

There are usually shelves or carts at the grocery store that have discontinued or dented items. This is a great area to find bargains. Be sure to check that all packaging is not compromised, meaning that it is still sealed. use good judgment because slightly dented cans are usually fine, but cans with severe dents may have a damaged seal that can lead to contaminated food. Grocery stores that have a bakery usually sell day-old bread at a discount that you can store in your freezer for a later date.

With a few tweaks to your buying habits and a little research and preparation, buying groceries doesn't have to kill your budget.

So, my fellow Broke Galaxians--Go Forth and Save $$$.

Peace Peeps,

Broke Girl

Making the Most of Powdered Milk

Hello Fellow Galaxians, 

Recently, I was in another state and saw that milk was almost $5 for a gallon. I nearly choked right there in the dairy aisle . . . Holy Cow!  

I grew up drinking powdered or goat milk with the occasional treat of whole milk. When grandparents visited, they came armed with fresh homemade English muffins and a carton of whole milk. I can tell you that after drinking powdered milk or goat milk, it was a treat. My husband also grew up with reconstituted milk when his family was stationed in Guam.  

In addition, powdered milk stores wonderfully for a long time, sometimes up to 30 years, depending on which brand you buy and how it is packaged. 

Not only is powdered milk great for storage . . . and having it when you need it, but you can also use it to make yogurt and cheese, which we will address in a future blog post.    

As a parent, I tried saving money by buying nonfat powdered milk. I made the decision of saving money over taste. While there's no substitution for the taste of whole milk, I learned from experience how to pass it off to the rest of the family without too many complaints. 

A few ways to make powdered milk tastier:

1. Add a small amount of sugar and vanilla to the milk. 

2. To get rid of lumps, blend the powder and a small amount of water in a blender. 

3. Leave the powdered milk in the refrigerator before using it. 

4. Shake the powdered milk before pouring it. 

Reconstituting Regular Nonfat Powdered Milk

Start with 3 to 4 tablespoons per cup of milk. If you need a stronger taste, go up from there. There’s really no hard and fast rule to how much powdered milk needs to be mixed with water to make a cup of milk. This will vary due to the type of product that you use and your personal preference.

 

Reconstituting Instant Nonfat Powdered Milk

It takes approximately twice as much instant powdered nonfat milk to make a cup of milk as it does using regular powdered milk, but it dissolves faster. Start with approximately 6 to 8 tablespoons per cup of milk. However, each brand of milk differs, so be sure to check the packaging for the proper measurements. This milk has a tendency to clump and is sometimes hard to mix. I like to mix mine in a blender where I whip it into submission. 

OTHER WAYS TO USE POWDERED MILK: 

Baking with Powdered Milk

Powdered milk should work perfectly in any recipe where whole milk is used. For baking, add the dry milk mix to the dry ingredients and then the water to the moist ingredients. This will keep you from having to take the time to reconstitute it first. 

As a substitution for Buttermilk  

Many great recipes call for buttermilk. I don’t use buttermilk enough to justify buying a quart of it, so I like to make it up as I go. Mix 1 cup of milk to 1 tablespoon of either lemon juice or vinegar and then let is sit for about 5 minutes. Making buttermilk is as easy as that.

As a substitution for Evaporated Milk

Mix 1 cup of dry milk with 1-1/2 cup of water. 

As a Whipped Topping for desserts

With equal amounts of powdered milk and ice-cold water, beat the ingredients until they form soft peaks. Place the whipped topping in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Slowly add ½ cup sugar while beating the milk. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and continue to beat until everything is mixed. 

As a substitution for Sweetened Condensed Milk

Mix 1 cup of powdered milk with 1 cup of sugar. Pour ½ cup of hot water into a blender.  While it is mixing, add the sugar and powdered milk mixture. Blend until it is smooth.  

So, there you have it. When the cost of milk spirals out of control, or you run out of milk before you can get to the store, use powdered milk . . . hopefully without too much complaint. 

Go forth and save $$$. 

Peace Peeps, 

Broke Girl

Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Hello friends,

The happiest ten minutes of my life is when I check my bank account and find that my pay check has been deposited. It lasts about that long because as soon as I pay my bills, it is almost gone.

This GIF shows exactly how I feel......

I know what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck. Seeing all the money saving advice of “pay yourself first.” Sure, that works if you don’t need to put gas in your car or pay your phone bill. How can you pay yourself first if you need every last cent of your paycheck?

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Write down every single cent you spend from one paycheck to the next and create a budget. You may be surprised at where your money is going. I tried this and it was tedious, but it was a good lesson. I found that I was running to the gas station next to where I worked and overpaying for lunch items. I hadn’t even given it a thought before, but when I realized it had become a habit, I was wasting extra cash on a daily basis and it had to stop. Keep a small notebook with you so you can jot it down.

Pay attention. Look around you to find ways to cut costs on a daily basis. Many times we spend money on conveniences like fast food restaurants. If you’re working full time, this is hard to avoid. When I’m starving and I don’t have a lot of time, I just want to go through the drive-through and grab something to fill me up. However, prepackaging snacks from home is not only healthier, but cheaper. This requires preparation and knowing what part of day you will need a pick-me-up and what it will take to satisfy you.

Preplanning. I promise that you’ll save money at the grocery store by planning your meals. Once a week we sit down as a family and decide what we want to cook the following week. We go through the pantry, find ingredients, and then make a note of what we don’t have. By doing this, we avoid impulse purchases and overspending at the grocery store. We also avoid wondering what we're having for dinner any particular night. 

It’s fine to go out to lunch once in a while, but be sure this is built into the budget and decide ahead of time how much you will spend. If the social aspect of going out with friends is important to you, try ordering from the a la carte menu or choose a place that is within your budget. 

Do it yourself. High costs are built into prepackaged foods. Cut costs by making your own meals. Not only is cooking a great skill to have, but it is healthier to learn to cook whole foods and cheaper in the long run. If you're careful, bulk ingredients can be less expensive than prepackaged foods. My husband likes to make oatmeal in the mornings and then add his own touches (walnuts and maple syrup) to it. It's healthier and cheaper than the little prepackaged packets you find in the grocery store. 

Cut the cable. Purchase a ROKU or other device that will stream television and you can get rid of cable all together. Sign up for Amazon Prime, Hulu or Netflix, and you can enjoy hours of television and movies at a very low cost compared to what you were spending for cable. I found a Roku on Craigs List for half the cost and it worked perfectly.  

Save on electricity. Unplug all unused appliances, even if they are on a power strip. Even if an appliance is off or the power strip is off, you may still be drawing electricity. Why pay for it if you’re not using it? It may take a while, but you’ll see a difference in your electric bill.

Be the family power Czar, if a family member is not in a room and the lights are on, train them to turn them off. Also, check to see if your home is properly insulated to save in heating and air conditioning (I mentioned this in a previous blog post). A little extra insulation will go a long way in saving you money.

Lastly, change out all light bulbs to LED. They are cheaper, last longer and use less energy. I’ve been using LED lights for eight years now and you couldn’t pay me to go back to incandescent bulbs. Actually, to be honest, you could pay me--but it would have to be a lot of money. It's true--I can be bought.    

The bottom line--you need to know where your money is going before you can start cutting costs.

   

 I know from personal experience that budgets aren’t fun, but it may become a necessary evil when trying to figure out where your money is going and how to get off the roller coaster of living paycheck to paycheck. 

Peace my Peeps,

Broke Girl

How To Get Rid Of Pesky Flies

Hello fellow Galaxians, 

Wow! Summer isn't here yet, and the flies are already driving me nuts. I absolutely hate them. They seem to enjoy taunting me day and night. One way we take care of the fly problem is to make a fruit fly trap. 

We accidentally left strawberries and an apple core on the counter one weekend. When we came home, we found a swarm of fruit flies buzzing the kitchen. Short of fumigating the house it was almost impossible to get rid of the pests. There are several great fruit fly traps sold at the hardware store but why pay the money when you could throw a couple of ingredients into a jar and catch them by the hundreds. 

Fruit flies love ripening fruit and are always hovering close by. With excellent senses they can detect ripe fruits from far away. Most of the time they hitch a ride home from the grocery store on your fruits and vegetables. There is a good chance that fruit flies have already laid eggs on the surface of the fruit you just bought and a new generation are about to hatch. Once they hatch, a swarm of uncontrollable insect will plague your kitchen. With a very short life span, going from egg to adult flies in 8-10 days, which means you will have hundreds in no time. They love moist, damp places, such as sink drains, and are attracted to any food scraps left on the counter. 

Don’t worry too much about the fruit fly invasion because the traps will eradicate them. The first plan of action is to get rid of any fruits or vegetables on your counter. Put them all in the refrigerator. Clean your kitchen counter tops and look carefully at the places they are landing because you might have missed some crumbs. Keep the area around the sink drain dry and the garbage lid down. To keep the fruit flies from breeding in the sink drains, pour a little cleaner or bleach in the drain. 

First, experiment with a little cup of apple cider vinegar to see if the fruit flies are attracted to the vinegar. They love the smell of fermentation, and apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples. The point of this experiment is to see which types of vinegar work the best. If all you have is white vinegar and no flies are attracted, then we know the trap will not work. You must go buy some apple cider vinegar. If the vinegar is in fact attracting the flies pour enough in the bowl so they have room to drown. Next, add a few drops of dish soap to break the surface tension of the liquid so the flies can’t just sit on top of the vinegar but sink and drown. Now, some of the dish soap smell good to us but might repel fruit flies so check to see if the combination of vinegar and soap is attracting or repelling. 



Items Needed:
Mason jar or glass jar
Plastic funnel or rolled piece of wax paper
Apple cider vinegar, one cup
Couple of drop of dish soap
Ripe fruit or an apple core
Dab of Vaseline or tape
  
Step by Step:
Add the vinegar, dish soap and pieces of fruit to the bottom of jar. If you don’t have a funnel, then roll up a piece of wax paper and secure with a piece of tape. 

I have found a little dab of Vaseline around the mouth of Mason jar helps to seal the gap between the jar and funnel. 



I have seen those little buggers climb up the side of jar and escape through the gap. The flies will enter the jar through the funnel attracted by the vinegar, but won’t be able to figure out how to get out, and will die. If they don’t die than take the jar outside and dump. Clean it out and reload with fresh bait.



Using a toothpick poke 4 holes in the plastic wrap big enough for the fruit flies to crawl through. Once inside the jar they won’t be able to escape. Set these traps throughout your house where fruit flies seem to be gathering. The flies will be drawn into the trap through the holes in the plastic wrap, but won’t know how to get back out. Eventually, they will drown in the liquid. Once you have caught your limit than rinse out he jar, refill, and repeat! 

 So, there you have it--a cheap way to fight the good battle. It's us or them--humans versus flies. Maybe this will give us the advantage. 

Peace Peeps,

Broke Girl

When The Lights Go Out Make Your Own Candles

Hello Fellow Galaxians,

How many times have you been without light when there's no electricity for an extended period of time. When we lived in Atlanta, we endured an ice storm that lasted for a week. Roads were sheets of ice and power lines were down. There was no help in site. Although we had a generator and flashlights, batteries wore down after time.

I consider candles an important staple on our homestead. I pick up used candles, even ugly ones, at yard sales and second-hand shops for pennies on the dollar.

However, if you find yourself without candles . . . just make some with items laying around your house.

So, here's how you do it. . .

First, there are so many ways to make candles and everyone has a different opinion. Candle hobbyists will spend a lot of money on supplies to produce beautiful, sweet smelling, high quality candles. Sure, I would like to have that . . . but my bank account doesn't allow me this option.

A lard candle is easy to make and will burn as well as a wax candle, provided it is housed in a glass or metal container. To make lard candles, we recycle our small glass jars that are normally thrown away. Just clean them out, add a wick and fill with melted lard. Add a couple drops of peppermint or lemon extract and within ten-minutes, you have a candle that cost you almost nothing.





You can also make your own candle wicks from wax and string.

Yes, candlewicks are available at all the hobby stores or on line, but it feels great to make them yourself. It is a fairly easy procedure of melting wax and dipping the cotton string into the liquefied wax. Use a wooden skewer to push the string around in the wax. Once sufficient wax has coated the string, remove the wick and place it on some wax paper. Let cool and your finished.

Items Needed
Cotton string or Mop Head
Pyrex Glass Dish and  a Wooden Skewer
2-Tablespoon of Salt
6-Tablespoons of Borax
2-Cups of Water
Scissors and Tape
Flat Metal Washer

Step by Step
1—Remember to cut the strings longer then you need, so you have extra room for knots. Start with 3-strings of equal length and tie one end together. To make it easier tape it to a flat surface and begin your braiding. Tie the other end to keep it from unraveling. Repeat and make several braided wicks.



2—Mix 2 tablespoons of salt, 6-tablespoons of borax and 2-cups of water. Then soak the braided cotton strings in the salt mixture overnight or for 24-hours. Hang the wicks up to dry. 



3—When the braided wicks are dry, slowly heat the wax in a Pyrex glass dish floating in a pot with two-inches of water. When the wax has melted, dip the braided strings into wax. Use the wooden skewer to move the wicks around until fully covered in wax.

4— Remove the wicks and let them cool on a piece of wax paper. Once cooled, attach one end of the wick to a flat washer and you are ready to make candles.


Making Lard Candles
Most people have heard of making candles with tallow, which is beef fat, but they haven't tried working with lard. This is a byproduct, which comes from rendering pork fat. While tallow is more popular, lard is easier to come by. So we thought, why not use lard instead of tallow? Sure enough, we found lard to be readily available and fairly cheap at our local grocery store. Another way to make the candles is to use Crisco vegetable shortening. We located an old can hiding in the back of our pantry that has been there for 16-years and when opened, it looked brand new. Wow! Go figure!

Items Needed
Can of Lard or Crisco Vegetable Shortening
Homemade Candle Wicks
Glass jars or Metal Containers
Small Cooking Pot
Two Wooden Skewer and several Small Rubber bands
Flat Metal Washers



Step by Step
1—Place two wooden skewers together and wrap both ends with rubber bands. Pull one end of your candlewick through the two wooden skewers and tie the other end to a washer.



2—Slowly heat the lard or shortening in a pan, stirring, until it is completely melted. All you are doing is melting it into a liquid, so careful not to let it smoke.

3—Lay the wooden skewers across the top of the jar and let the wick dangle,so the washer rests on the bottom of the jar. Pour the lard into the jar, around the wick, ensuring that the wick is centered in the middle.

4—Add a couple drops of sweet smelling extract to the liquid lard. Let the candle rest until the lard solidifies around the candlewick.

Light and enjoy!

So, there you have it. With a little effort, you can make your own candles in a pinch. So get to work and make some candles.

Peace Peeps,

Broke Girl