Knockoff of Kris's Blue Jean Button Waistband Adjuster

old button to the right, new button to the left

A while ago Kris mentioned buying a no-sew jean button pin that could be used to cinch in the waist on a pair of jeans. The way these work is you push the pin part attached to the button through the denim waistband an inch or so over from the original button on a pair of jeans. The pin is secured by a flat metal disk on the inside of the waistband. Then use this as the final button for securing the waist. Viola, a pair of jeans at least a size smaller in the waist.

If you tend toward a curvier figure, a button pin will hold the waist tighter while still being roomy enough in the hips and seat. A button pin is also helpful for someone in the process of shedding excess weight, but not at a final weight. The old jeans are too large, but one might be reluctant to buy smaller ones just yet. A button pin doesn't do anything for the extra fabric in the hips and seat, but it does keep your pants from falling off constantly. Of course, one could also just wear a belt.

This past year, between thyroid malfunctions and reduced ability to eat at times from dental issues, I lost weight. My thyroid is returning to normal, and I'm done with dental procedures for the time being, so I've been able to regain a couple of pounds. Yet my work jeans are still so big that they look sloppy. I'm constantly hiking them back up to my waist.

Being an impatient type, I decided to do something about it right here and now. I couldn't stand to have the low-crotch look another day, and I was too impatient to wait for an Amazon package with one of those jean button pins. I also didn't want to spend money on work jeans. So I decided to just sew an extra button on the waistband. I looked through my button box and found a plain looking button that would fit through the buttonhole while not slipping out easily. I sewed it on a little over an inch from the original button. I won't take the factory button off as I could very well return to my previous weight and need that extra room.

The extra button worked great. My pants actually stay up while I'm working. I'm now wishing I'd done this a whole lot sooner.

I'm sharing this today because I think many of us have weight that fluctuates enough to cause clothes to not fit right, and we'd rather not buy all new wardrobes with each fluctuation. 

Makin' Bacon (Bits)

We like to add bacon bits to salads. I've bought those fake bacon bits many times. But it bothers me that there are some artificial ingredients in those imitations bits. The real bacon bits sold in packets seem to be a more natural choice. I've made my own bacon bits from sliced bacon many times. However, I've only made them on an "as needed" basis.

Last week at Grocery Outlet I found 12oz packages of sliced bacon for $1.99. That's a great price for bacon in my area. The catch was that the packages expired in about 7 days. I decided right then and there to buy 2 packages and make a couple of large batches of bacon bits to keep in the freezer. (I didn't have more cash on me that day to buy more than 2 packages, in case you're wondering why I didn't buy more.)

On Saturday I cooked up my bacon bits. From each 12-ounce package, I ended up with about 4-5 ounces of bacon bits and about 5-6 ounces of bacon fat to use in cooking, all for $1.99 per pack. 

I checked Walmart's prices on packages of real bacon bits. For $1.98, Walmart sells a 2.5 ounce package of ready-to-eat real bacon pieces. By cooking my own at home, I about doubled the yield for the same price, plus I saved the cooking fat which will replace oil or butter in sautés.

I bagged my bacon bits and am storing them in the freezer until needed. They crumbled apart easily even when frozen.

The time spent cooking the bits amounted to about 15 minutes total. Not a bad time exchange to pay half the price for an item.

What are your "bacon" tips? How do you save on bacon?