52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Preserve Your Bounty {Week 9 of 52}

Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!

Don’t look away just because you don’t garden. This post is for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. We’re talking about preserving your bounty. If you are a gardener, it’s the bounty in your own backyard. If you are not, it’s learning to take advantage of fruits and veggies when they are in season, buying in bulk and then preserving on one of these great ways:

Canning: Canning  is not only my favorite way to preserve food, but I actually enjoy doing it. Something therapeutic about seeing rows upon rows of canned goods all perfectly in line makes my OCD heart happy. You can pretty much can just about anything! Don’t be afraid of canning either. I  know a lot of people shy away from it because they think it’s much more complicated than it is.  Check out all my canning recipes you can choose from and get all the tips and hints you need to be a successful canner on my Canning Pinterest Board.

Proper Storage: So much of what you grow can survive without being preserved if you simply know how to store it properly. That took a few years for me to learn the hard way before I got the hang of it. Carrots, potatoes and beets all store really well and last really long as long as you know what you’re doing. Check out my guide on How to Keep Carrots, Beets and Potatoes Fresh all Winter.

Freeze: Freezing some of your excess harvest will keep you in your favorite produce all year round. You can check out some of the things I like freezing HERE. Freezing peaches and freezing corn are family favorites.  I also love to make my Fast and Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam and store it in small containers.

Dehydrate: Buy yourself a handy dandy dehydrator and go to town. I dehydrate everything. Seriously. Sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and even sage. The thing I love most about dehydrating as a preservation option, is that it makes for a much quicker snack than say a can of green beans. Ha! I also love using up my dehydrated stash in soups all year long. Check out all my Dehydrated Recipes or click on over to my Dehydrated Recipes Pinterest Board.

How Much Can You Save: $600+ This depends on family size and how much produce you typically buy, but for my family of 4, I suspect I save myself about $50/month just by preserving my produce!

More Ways to Save:

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Change Your Own Oil {Week 4 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Adjust Your Thermostat {Week 5 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Your Perks {Week 6 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Pack Your Lunch {Week 7 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make It Yourself {Week 8 of 52}