It Takes a Village {Or an Online Community}

(Some of the links in this post may be my affiliate or referral links. Please see my Disclosure Policy.)

As we get started here, I would like ask for your participation.

I can research online, make phone calls and talk with the people I know that use the programs I'm sharing, but everyone's experience could be different.

Share your experience.

In the coming weeks, I'll start digging into a number of Michigan public assistance programs and sharing what I've learned and tips for getting the most out of them legally. I'd love a wider range of experiences to consider and research for future topics.

Make your voice heard. 

Support each other in the comments. Share your knowledge where my, or someone else's, inexperience leaves a gap in lives.

I'm willing to put in the work. But to help you, I need to know what you need.

Work Towards Self Sufficiency

(Some of the links in this post may be my affiliate or referral links. Please see my Disclosure Policy.)

Food pantries, assistance (public and private), grants and many other programs are all intended to be a temporary means of getting you back on your feet. Though many of them don't have time limits and continue to help long term when people still qualify, you can see that many of the programs include information and classes to help the participants become self sufficient.

If you find yourself in the position of needed to use one or several assistance programs, that's what they are there for. Don't let pride get in the way of accepting help when you need it, but do let pride remind you that you can work towards changing your circumstances to get back to providing for your family on your own.


Start today with one little step. Over time, little steps add up.

It's process. You have to learn to do things you haven't done. Try your first coupon. Say no to the trip to the gas station for a soda. Cut out an unneeded expense even if you want it so that you can better meet a need until all the pieces are in place.


While you have the assistance resources available to you, make smart choices. Use the provisions you receive or acquire to the max. Learn to coupon to make your Bridge Card money last longer, use bonus offers on food to obtain non food offers within the law, treat the items you received as though you paid for them yourself.

The things you choose to put your effort into are the things that you will change in your life.

Certain changes are temporary. Others are long lasting. Train yourself to think about things differently.

If you put your efforts into having a party every weekend so you can forget about your money problems, then that's what will happen. If you put your efforts into making wise spending decisions and learning new skills that will save you money, you will soon find that your dollars stretch farther and the money problems get farther behind you. You can begin to enjoy yourself with out those problems waiting for you on the other side.

Only you can take action.

You can talk a big talk, "I want to do......", "I wish I could.....". But only you can make the decision and set the plan in motion to change your circumstances. Even when other people care about you, support you or give to you, YOU are the one that needs to be invested in the change for the results to happen and last.

30 Uses for Distilled White Vinegar {Bridge Card Friendly Purchase}

(Some of the links in this post may be my affiliate or referral links. Please see my Disclosure Policy.)

Never seem to have enough money for cleaning products? Activities for the kids? Weed killer?


Can you spare about $1.00 from your Bridge Card to get those things? Then vinegar is your product of choice.

In the house:

• Repel ants - A light 50/50 mix with water sprayed where the ants come in or like to walk and they will stay away.
• Shine chrome fixtures by using two tablespoons of salt and one teaspoon of vinegar to make a paste.
• Clean your counters. Undiluted, use a cloth to remove stains and smells.
• Clean your drains/disposals by mixing 1/2 cup of warm vinegar and 1/2 cup of baking soda. Rinse with hot tap water.
• Clean hard water stains. In your coffee pot, on your glasses, in your tub, you name it.
• Clean rust off metal. Just immerse the item in undiluted distilled white vinegar.
• Rinse fruits and veggies. One tablespoon of vinegar to about a quart of water.
• Clean your oven or microwave. Use a cloth to wipe undiluted vinegar on the grease build up. Repeat as needed, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
• Remove odors from your fridge. Wipe all surfaces with a 50/50 water and vinegar solution.
• Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of laundry or dish detergent to one pint of water for a spot cleaner for carpets.
• Remove deodorant stains in clothing by rubbing vinegar into them.
• Tenderize meat by marinating 3 pounds in a 1/4 cup of vinegar overnight.
• Use 1/2 cup of vinegar as a fabric softener in your washing.

For the kids:

• Get the smell out of lunchboxes by soaking a sponge in vinegar and placing inside the lunchbox overnight. Rinse thoroughly in the morning.
• For fun, mix 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of baking soda to watch it bubble and "explode" like a volcano. This experiment is best done outside.
• For fun, make "rubber" chicken bones. Soak a chicken bone in vinegar for about three days, then bend.
• Make a "naked" egg. Place an egg in a dish, immersed in vinegar, cover, place in fridge for 24 hours. Carefully remove egg from vinegar (shell is disappearing), cover again with vinegar, cover dish, wait another 24 hours. When you are done, the only thing holding the egg together should be the membrane.
• Vinegar can be used as an antiseptic on cuts and scrapes. 
• Kids put a sticker on something? Place a cloth soaked in vinegar over it until saturated and it should peel right off.

For you:

• Relieve sunburn by rubbing vinegar on it.
• Stop itching from bug bites by rubbing vinegar on the bite.
• 1 cup of vinegar + 1 cup of warm water will remove soap film after shampooing and put highlights in brunette hair.
• Kill germs that cause a sore throat by gargling with a mixture of warm vinegar and table salt.
• Equal parts vinegar and water can be used as a facial toner.
• Brushing with vinegar up to twice a week will whiten teeth and help avoid bad breath.

Around the yard:

• Have acid loving plants? One cup of vinegar in a gallon of water will make them grow better.
• Sanitize outdoor furniture and toys.
• Keep rabbits out of your garden. Soak a cloth in vinegar and place in a rinsed butter (or similar) container with holes poked in the top.
• Keep the ants even farther from your house. Pour a little vinegar on the tops of ant hills.

This is only a basic list. Obviously, it will pay to think beyond these basics and adapt to other household items made of similar materials.

What else do you use distilled white vinegar for?

Deviled Eggs Recipe {WIC Friendly}

(Some of the links in this post may be my affiliate or referral links. Please see my Disclosure Policy.)

Deviled Eggs

Makes: 4 Servings
Serving Size: 1/2 an Egg

Recipe is done in a small portion for you to easily multiply as needed for your family or group.

You will need

2 Eggs
1-2 Tablespoons Miracle Whip or Mayo
1/2 Teaspoon Mustard
1/4 Teaspoon Nature Seasoning {or Salt & Pepper}

Directions

Boil eggs for 20 minutes. Drain, allow to cool slightly, peel and allow to finish cooling.

Cut eggs in half and remove yolks to bowl.

 Set halves aside, then add Miracle Whip/Mayo, Mustard and Seasoning. This is where the amount of Miracle Whip/May comes into play. One tablespoon will result in a drier filling, two in a creamier filling. I prefer creamier myself.

On the left, one tablespoon - on the right, two tablespoons. Mustard and seasoning the same.

Once mixed, place back into egg halves and enjoy or chill until ready to serve.

Enjoy!