We had 2 families help us butcher "Hamburger", our steer. The butcher shop here charges a $250 butcher fee plus 64 cents a pound. He weighed 1200 lbs after he was skinned and gutted. So, needless to say, even after splitting him with others, we still have a freezer full of meat. And, we had fun doing it.

Our costs were under $100. We paid for the ammuniation to shoot him, and freezer bags. Our friends had a meat grinder that we used for what we ground into hamburger (about 203 lbs worth). I have listed the hide for sale to try and recoup some of our feed and such.

I got my second check for my part time babysitting/nanny gig. I had decided the money I earn will be used to save money.

So far, I have bought:

hog hut (to raise our own ham)& pigs
storm door

And this one, is going to buy a barn. It is a demo barn, left at Lowes from last season. I bought it directly from the shed company (not Lowes) for $300. Orginal price $1200. We leave to pick it up in about 15 minutes. Lowes will load it for us.

Not sure what to do with it...it will either be another chicken coop, or we may put it inside the barn to lock all of DH tools in.

It is wood, double doors, has a skylight and vents. It is 8 x 6 x 9, so even the mower will fit in it. Can't even buy the materials to make it for that price.

So far I think I am doing pretty good with my spending.

Today the girls and I went and picked up a used hog hut. I paid $125. New ones are $800. This one is in very good condition.

DH uncle gave us some hog and combination panels as he is once again retiring from farming (he's 'retired' several times.) DH already had a feeder, so I am set to go. I only need warmer weather and pigs!

I had one farmer tell me it would take me $1000-$2000 to set for pigs. But, he didn't know me very well.

Bacon in the freezer!

Due to some of the advice on this site, I have applied for the last year to be on some focus groups. Finally, I got accepted to one and last night was our first meeting. It is with our rural electric coop. The meeting started off with the coop feeding us dinner. At the end of the meeting they handed us each a check for $50. After each meeting we will get a check. Yee haw.

During the meeting they discussed an energy savings program and I learned that my new washer entitled me to a $100 rebate. So, last night I did the paperwork for it, copied my receipt and it went in todays mail.

So far this focus group is worth $150 and a dinner for one meeting. And there are still 3-4 more meetings to go.

I am taking my $150 and Friday morning I am buying a used hog hut for $125. We have ordered some pigs due to arrive in March for our deepfreeze. We will raise them, keep 2 to butcher and the rest will be sold at market to recoup our feed and butchering costs.

My dad just got some 3 week old pigs for $5 a peice from a farmer at auction, and is raising some for their deep freeze as well.

I am wondering what to do with my money from my part time childcare I am doing. It will very each week, from $45 to $250, depending on the number of hours.

What I would like to do, is to spend it in a way as to save money--I want a return back. I already have cfl's in all the lights, and only have 1 shower needing a new water saving shower head.

I think I am going to get a new insulated screen/glass door for the dining room door, as there is not one there and it is on the north side of the house. Another idea I had was to run a waterline from the well to the orchard or feed lot to save on the rural water bill during times we water plants or livestock (extreme heat for the orchard and extreme cold for the livestock when the ponds are froze).

The house already has energy efficent windows and is well insulated as we have the 10 inch walls.

I already drive a fuel effience car (37mpg).

I don't want to invest it or bank it. I guess that is because I am sick at how much we have already lost the past couple of years in our savings, investments, stocks, bonds....Everything has gone down.
We live off my DH income and this is "my money" to do with...

Any ideas???