Today we talk about changing the one person entirely in your control: You. I will also reveal my word of the year for 2025, and discuss our usual Monday segments.

Featured event: Night Before Christmas Series starts TOMORROW! They will release at 5pm Central each day and lead up to the final reading on December 24.

Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com

Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com

Listener Feedback

So as to yesterday's podcast. I have a family member that doesn't respect anyone's boundaries. They instigate the uncomfortable conversations just to cause tension. They bring up horrible things that have happened to you and rub them in your face and laugh about it. I cut this person out of my life for 5+ years. I was so much happier and healthier mentally. Me not having this person in my life caused family tension that was constantly thrown at me. This person is my mother. Two years ago my mother's husband got very sick, I chose to go see her and him right before he passed away.When I opened that door, the rest of my family got off my back. I currently have a "relationship" with my mother, but the more I give the more she wants. She acted somewhat normal for about a year and now she is back to her constant digging and trying to start shit. I have to ignore her comments and change the subject regularly.

Pretty much my whole family dynamic is toxic. I have a few more crazy Ian's hanging from the tree.

Deflecting and subject changing is a skill, but it's also exhausting. Stepping away to breath is also important. Limiting time spent is a requirement for sanity. And honestly a couple of beers is one way I stay calm at family functions. For now I am choosing to put myself in this situation in moderation. I hate it and have begun to dread it again, but it is a choice I have made to keep the peace between other family members.  

My best recommendation is to cut the toxic people out of your life no matter who they are, and don't let them back in because they won't change. Because you are worth so much more than being someone's doormat whoever they are to you. 

End of year Schedule

Tuesday Live with Becky Cook and Toolman Tim Cook, 9:30am tomorrow

Friday Homestead Happenings, 2pm Friday

Two Week Break

Tales from the Prepper Pantry

• Dried herbs and teas are jarred up (finally). Was stoked to see I had some Mexican Tarragon which tastes kinda like anise and is great in teas. We plan to grow more next year
• Beef breakfast sausage experiment (4.5 pound batches)
• The German goodies are gone from Aldi in our area - cheesecake - I waited to get a stollen until it was close to the party so I wasnt tempted because good choices start at the grocery store

Weekly Shopping Report from Joe

Our most recent shopping trip was on Thursday; Sonia was out of cream cheese, so we went early.

We went first into Dollar Tree.  Stock levels looked good.  I could definitely see signs of rotation with some new products in the drinks area, and depletion (but not yet exhaustion) of others.

We did not go into Home Depot, but the online price of a 2x4x8 is still $3.85.

Aldi was last.  Stock levels didn't look notably different from our usual Friday visits.  My preferred variety of chocolate (70% cacao) was back in stock, but there wasn't much of it.  Staple prices were: bread (20 oz. white): $1.39; eggs: $3.96; whole milk: $2.87 (-); heavy cream: $5.39; OJ: $3.69; butter: $3.49 (-); bacon: $3.99; potatoes: $3.69; sugar: $2.69; flour: $1.79; and 80% lean ground beef: $3.99 (-).  They had cantaloupes this week.

I'm not sure about the untainted regular gasoline.  A Weigels that we don't normally visit last had it at $3.49/gallon, which is a 20c decrease, but I don't recall what my usual station(s) were showing.  Being retired, my need for gasoline is dramatically reduced.

Frugality Tip

Today is a short and sweet simple tip. Whenever we are out shopping or whatnot I pack a small cooler with drinks and a reusable ice block. I also keep an extra insulated tumbler full of water in the car at all times. Stopping to grab a drink adds up quickly, especially with someone that drinks soda. 

So stop yourself from grabbing that convenience store overpriced drink and just pack a small cooler. 

Happy saving y'all.

~Margo

Operation Independence

Nothing to report other than some advice: Dont overspend for Christmas - enjoy it but dont over spend

Main topic of the Show: Renew Yourself, Renew Your World

Build the life you choose on your terms

• Choice
• What does LFTN want as a community next year? What will you build? Are you taking your time to renew yourself and your world

>>Fear of the drones

WHY START NOW AND NOT NEXT YEAR

Music stories/german language stories

• Hobbies and clutter – old hotels your back - bass guitar
• The ADHD home Story
• You do what you make space for

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

• Stockings
• Grandma’s Heart
• Hallmark ornaments
• Olden Times and Ancient Rhymes (Love and dreams)

WOTY

RENEW - Choice - Bigger impact

What I was looking for in a word. Build on the fundamentals and grow, eliminate roadblocks that hold me back, develop better fundamental habits, money

Roadblock

Prosper

Craft

Build

Renew

Neuaufladen

>>>>THE WORD