One Hundred Dollars a Month

It’s that time again. You ask, and I pretend to know things and answer your burning questions. It really is so much fun to open my inbox and see the wide variety of questions you guys have. Reminds me that my readers are so diverse and pretty dang awesome. So keep those questions coming and I’ll keep racking my brain for answers. As always, please pipe up if you have any input or are knowledgeable when it comes to any of the following questions:

When do you start shallot seeds? Do you start them the same as onion?

~Jamie

Shallots and onions are planted and grown in exactly the same way {see How to Grown Onions From Start to Finish}. I normally start mine from seed in January or direct sow starts when the soil starts to warm, but that depends on your region. You can check out all the Regional Planting Guides here.

I just wondered if you have ever read the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. My New Year’s goal this year is to simplify-in every aspect of my life. I really started studying the idea of minimalism a few months ago. I decided to start my resolutions before Halloween because from October 31st through January 2nd-life is a little crazy. I didn’t want added stress or pressure about changes that I needed/wanted to happen.

Anyway…the book is about the process of letting things go and the mindset that goes with it. It is an easy and fun read and is on Amazon.

~Sue

Yes. Read it. Loved it. Would recommend it to everyone. And I also love your idea of starting your resolutions a few months early. What a great way to get a head start on them!

Hi Mavis, Do you have a favorite olive oil? Where do you purchase it at? What is a good price per ounce? In the past I’ve bought my olive oil from Trader Joe’s, but I think the quality has changed. Thank you!

~Julie

I’m not really particular about olive oil as long as it’s not the super cheap stuff. But we do really like Zoe olive oil. I try to grab it when it goes on sale on Amazon, otherwise I just pick up the Costco brand. We’ve been pleased with that {and the price, too}. Sometimes Zoe EVO will go on sale for under $.40/ounce, which I think is good. I want to say Costco’s is right around $.32/ounce if I remember correctly.

Good morning Mavis, I am in search of durable dinnerware that won’t break when you drop it on tile floor. My wonderful husband tiled the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room a few years ago…. unfortunately every dish we have will break when it is dropped on the tile besides the plastic kids plates. I would rather not buy a set of plastic kids plates to feast on when we have company over. I can not find anything that is durable enough to withstand accidental dropping on tile floor. Please help a lady out.

~Leah

I’d recommend a set of melamine or Corelle dinnerware. While they aren’t microwave safe, they’ll hold up if dropped.

Love your blog. I noticed in your 2017 goals you mentioned that you won’t buy any clothes except undergarments. Do you have a suggestion of a place to buy good but reasonable cotton briefs? Thanks so much!! Happy New Year and good luck with your goals. Just the same day you mentioned “your muffin” and getting rid of it, I had thought about I need to do the same.

~ Thanks, Barbara

I always wait until I get a Kohl’s coupon or a JCPenney’s coupon, pair it with a sale and get great prices {or sometimes free!} panties. I also think the cotton underwear that Costco sells is a pretty good deal. I think it something like 8 pairs for $9.99. Hope that helps!

I recall you writing about “spuglies” aka ugly potatoes that WalMart was experimenting with selling in some stores. I was in a local Hy-Vee, and saw that something similar was offered for oranges and applies. They were marketing them as ugly or imperfect. Color me shocked to find that they were the same price as the other bags of oranges and apples. I’m wondering if this is an isolated occurrence, or if this is now the “hip” thing being offered and people are willing to pay the same to feel like they’re doing the right thing.

A quick Google search shows that there are lots of regional start ups, and it sounds like they are direct to consumer sales, similar to a CSA. Might be an interesting follow up story….I know I’d read it! Be well in 2017 and love to Lucy!

~Emily

Anytime I have seen the “ugly” produce, it has been at a discount. But it might just be a regional thing. I’m going to look into that and and follow up! Stay tuned!

~Mavis

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