As I began to start canning this year I realized that I would not have nearly enough jars to do what I had planned on doing. So, I started asking around to see if anyone had canning jars they were not using anymore. Well, my aunt told me she had given all of hers away years ago. So I started scouring garage sales and came up with about 24. Not so great! So I did buy some at Kroger and Rural King. I still was not happy with the amount I had.

Well, I then started talking with my cousin and he informed me that his mom had left some in her house that she sold to the hospital. What? She told me she gave all of those away! Come to find out after making several phone calls to the hospital she had indeed left several boxes of jars in her basement and the hospital was more than willing to let me come and pick them up. My aunt had simply forgot about them...

So here are some pictures of the many, many cans that recovered from her basement. I have already washed 4 cases of the quart size and there are many, many more. I will update you to the total when I finish washing them.

Another great way to save money is to start canning. If you don't have a garden it still can save you money if you buy the produce while it still in season.

This is what I have done in the last two days.

(8) pints of Bread & Butter pickles, I used cucumbers from my garden.
(5) Pints of diced tomatoes, from the garden
(4) pints of Blueberry Syrup
(5) Pints of Blueberry Jam

I purchased the Blueberries from the Shipshewana flea market for $1.70/# which figured to be just over .85/ pint. Which is cheaper than you can get them anywhere around here. The other positive is I didn't have to pick them, so it also saves me time.
Another great thing about canning is that you can give these items as gifts at Christmas and you'll have no rushing around at Christmas trying to find gifts.



I will say you do start off spending a little more out of pocket but the investment in the jars will be well worth it. Also, they have had coupons for the jars in the paper so you can also save on those.

I bought some of my pints at garage sales and I bought some at Rural King on sale for $6.49 - the $1.50 MQ = .42/jar. If you put stuff from your garden in them then you only have the jar price and that is cheaper than any canned veggies right now!

I have also recently canned chicken and potatoes that I picked up at Kroger for almost nothing.

If you haven't canned before please consider doing it to help you cut your budget.

(Hint: If you use the package of Mrs. Wags Bread & Butter Pickles, I reccommend NOT packing your cucmbers first as the directions indicate. I would add the cucmbers to the liquid and then put into jars. You will use less jars and have more pickles per jar. As you can see in my photo the cukes shrink after adding the hot liquid and causes them to floatwith extra room.)

Continuing with the Heloise from A-Z book here are a couple of great hints on apples.

Freezing Excess - Peel, core, and slice. Sprinkle with lemon juice or ascorbic acid to keep them from turning brown. Store in freezer containers or plastic freezer bags in specific use quantities like one, two, or three-cup packs so they'll be ready for recipes.

Storage - Apples give off ethylene gas and will make carrots bitter if stored in the same crisper drawer.

I am the type of person that reads about 4-5 books at one time and in between books I have been reading Heloise From A-Z, (AKA: Hints From Heloise). It is chocked full of simple ways to do household task. Some of these ideas I have been implementing for several years, however some ideas are new to me.
I thought I would start sharing some of these great ideas with my readers. I will be starting with the letter A.

Todays hint:
Ants, Extermination: Sprinkle boric acid or Borax powder along the ant trails and entrances. Keep crumbs vacuumed and any other "ant" treats wiped up so you don't attract more.

Ants, In and Outside Pet Feeding Dish: Make a moat! Partially fill a shallow dish with water and place the pet's food dish in the center of eat.

I thought both of these would be great for today since we are starting to get into the warmer months and that is typically when we start seeing the little critters in the house more. At least here in the north.
I suggest buying the book or simply write these tips on 5x7 index cards and make a reference library of your own.