I don't know that volunteering is really considered saving money, but the organization saves money by not having to pay employees! I have been volunteering as a camp nurse for over 20 years. Living Waters, in Weston, Maine, is near and dear to my heart as I went there as a camper back in the 80s. This is my way of giving back, and in exchange, I don't have to prepare or clean up meals for a whole week, which is a great perk, in my opinion! If you have children, most camps let your kids attend free while you are working. If you are nurse, it's something to consider. Many, many camps need medical staff, and some pay a modest stipend.
I love eating what I can harvest myself. This is a picture of a recent lunch when my family was home: Smelts (caught by my son & husband) and Fiddlehead Casserole. Both the smelts and fiddleheads were harvested in late spring and frozen for later use.
While our family was visiting from out of state, we shared many meals together (47, to be exact) , making 99% of our meals at home. I saved money by stocking up months ahead of time and then utilizing the pantry and freezer. The photo below is my husband and grandson carrying water to put out the campfire after a hotdog roast, which ended with smores, of course.
Before family arrived, we did a renovation of our 2nd bath, replacing a single sink with a double and also replacing the toilet. we painted and added a new mirror and lights. Doing the work ourselves saved hundreds of dollars. (I'm grateful my husband is handyman!) We bought everything for the project on Amazon (except the toilet and paint) and took advantage of free shipping, no small thing in rural Maine.
I get outside everyday and take time to enjoy creation. It is the best therapy and walking is excellent exercise.
We traveled locally during spring break, going just a few hours north to Northern Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. I used points for a free hotel night and did free activities like hiking and visiting local sites. This is the mill that shares international sites in Madawaska, Maine and Edmunston, NB.
Pussy Willows are free decor. They were my mom's favorite harbingers of spring.
What have you been doing to save money in this economy?
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