[Beckiboo]

I am very impressed at your ability to support your family so frugally!

I'm not sure how much space you have in your garden, but if you have plenty of space, you could have your kids plant pumpkins. Then before Halloween they could sell them. We have a neighbor with kids who sit by a trailer full of pumpkins at the end of their driveway on the weekends every fall, selling loads of pumpkins. We look forward to getting the pick of the bunch, and I think they make pretty decent money on it.

Maybe talk to friends and family about bartering? I prefer homemade jams and jellies, but do not prepare them myself. I would be glad to trade my concord grapes for a few jars of jam. Maybe someone you know would have a similar trade off.

We also get wild asparagus growing in the ditches around here in the spring. Every year I see the same family traveling around and picking it. I guess they remember where it was from last year. But if you live rurally, you might want to start watching the ditches as you go for walks or bike rides. Nothing more enjoyable than fresh picked asparagus!