- I stopped at The Grocery Outlet on the way home from dropping my son at school this morning. I bought four bags of groceries for $19.53. This included cereal, yogurt, tortillas, ice cream, pasta, artichokes and frozen pierogis. I then popped into Fred Meyer for kale, as it’s $1.49 per enormous bunch vs. $2.50 for Safeway’s small bunch.
- I worked yesterday, although only half a shift as there aren’t that many people who wanted to schedule an induction or a cesarean section on February 29th. I puttered around the house and then worked on a Clark Howard piece to make up for the lost income.
- I helped my mother clean one of her guest cottages on Sunday. I brought home an almost full box of Brill-O pads and a half-bag of sugar. It was a longer than normal cleaning as the tenant didn’t know how to wash dishes, (everything was either smeary or slightly crusty) and I ended up hand washing every single dish and every piece of silverware. This woman will not be allowed to return.
- I discovered that the made-for-TV movie Final Justice was available to watch for free through Amazon Prime. This otherwise forgettable movie is significant because the production company used my father’s house as the interiors for the main character’s home. I enjoyed my son’s surprise when he suddenly recognized his grandparent’s kitchen. Although the movie is pretty terrible, the two main actors (Michael McKean, A.K.A. “Lenny” from Laverne and Shirley and Annette O’Toole) did meet during the filming and have been married ever since.
- I finished up the last of the black bean burger mush, I chose 69¢/lb oranges instead of $2.99/2-lb Cutie tangerines, I’m mending a torn duffel bag, I put together our March budget and I didn’t buy a Lear Jet.
Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
How cute about those two actors meeting on set and ending up married!
I know! I watched Laverne and Shirley every Tuesday evening growing up, so I think it’s pretty funny.
Reading these posts makes me wish we had a Grocery Outlet here. Most of my five things are about recycling. Does that count?
1. Took some wrapping paper to the local toy store (my daughters new employer) rather than throwing it out. They offer free gift wrapping and were glad to have it. I was tired of the clutter and glad to be rid of it.
2. Took our old cell phones to the Eco ATM to try and sell them. They were Walmart straight talk phones which apparently have no resale value. Chose to recycle them at the atm rather than try to sell online. I wish I liked selling stuff online but I just don’t.
3. Took packing materials to the UPS store to be recycled since they can’t go in regular recycling. I get mail order meds every month and the packaging is overkill so I always have this stuff to get rid of.
4. Made several batches of broth this week. It’s in the freezer for future soups.
5. Got a few free redbox codes after reading the comments on here so had two date nights with free movies we had been wanting to see. This weeks movie is free from the library.
I think recycling counts because we pay for the space we live in, so now you have more space and less clutter.
1. I took a long walk with a new-ish friend. We have plans to do this every week, though the past several have been rained/snowed out. She lives near a state park so it’s a great place to walk.
2. I have developed a “friendship” of sorts with someone I “met” via freecycle. It turns out that she lives about one block away from a route I take a couple of times a week, but several miles from my house. Now when she wants something I am giving away I drop it off at her house. This saves her from making a drive (she has many challenges in her life).
3. A friend is celebrating her birthday this week. Usually I take her out to lunch as a gift. This year she and a couple of mutual friends will come over for breakfast/brunch on a day we all are available (not a small feat).
4. I continue to listen to books on CD in my car, borrowed from the library. It really passes the time and I learn so much (I prefer non-fiction in the car).
5. I didn’t buy a Toter (mega-bucks trash container popular in my neighborhood).
I could easily come up with 5 non-frugal things, celebrated several birthdays and a friends anniversary which were expensive. Anyway well worth it and I don’t do that very often.
1. Picked up all my produce at Aldi. Spent around $20. Love that they take credit cards now!
2. Work closed for 2.5 days due to several snow storms so no gas used for those days.
3. Picked up a pan insert for $.59 cents at Goodwill for a cooker I have. Goodwill opened a store in a mall, first for that around here anyway.
4. Kept the flowers my hubby got me for valentines day. They dried out quite nicely.
5. Found ground chuck at Kroger 3# for 6.50 (that is cheap for around here). Bought the 3 packages they had. Made burger & meatloaf and froze it all.
Non-frugal…needed new smoke detectors cost $75 (ours are electric) went thru Swagbucks so I will get some $ back there. Replaced 2 with carbon monoxide detectors. This is so VERY important to have them. A local family of 6 died when the father left his generator running in their house while there was a power outage. Very sad -4 children under 11 died. Make sure you all have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!!
We were saved by carbon monoxide detectors when, unknown to us, the inside of our furnace chimney collapsed in on itself (old house). We came home, went to bed and about an hour later the detector went off—turned out the chimney was closed so all the fumes were being redirected back into the house and since our bedroom was close to the furnace room, we were being poisoned first. We had installed them only a week before!
No, all the dishes in the cupboard. She was put dirty dishes back into the cupboard!
That is appalling! Yuck! I’m glad you know to look for that kind of thing. I probably would have just assumed since they were in the cabinet that they were clean.
Ew! Katy, I don’t blame your mother! I would ban the renter, too. I’ve never stayed anyplace like that and not washed the dishes — and washed them correctly, I might add.
We always use VRBO or Air BnB when traveling and the owners have always asked we start the dishwasher when we leave and throw a load of towels or sheets in the wash to get started. I always wash any dish by hand that needs and empty all the trash cans as well. Yes, I’m on vacation but it takes a few minutes to show a little respect for the homeowner.
Katy’s mama here. Just for the record, that little house has a little kitchen with no dishwasher. Many of our guests are older couples visiting their grown children who’ve defected to Portland with the grandchildren. The visitors who come to that house are there for 30 days or more, a necessity due to zoning regulations. For years, we would be asked how they should leave the house, and I finally wrote out a set of general instructions, including things like “Leave the used towels in the tub. Don’t strip the beds.” The other house, also tiny, is zoned differently, and we can have shorter stays. Many, however, stay for a week or more — occasionally for a couple of months. There IS a dishwasher there, and we expect guests to start it when they depart.
There are enormous differences in the condition people leave the houses. We find that older people are more apt to leave them in nice condition. After a few really yucky examples, we started charging a $100 security deposit, returnable after departure if the house is left in nice condition, and found it made an immediate difference. We also charge a $50 cleaning FEE for the shorter-term stays, and a $100 fee for the month-or-more stays. Nobody has ever complained, we get consistently happy reviews on VRBO and Homeaway.com, and quite a lot of return visits.
You sound like a fully-engaged and honest owner. Might I offer an alternative view on what might have happened? For years, I accused my husband of not cleaning things well. Then I realized that he honestly could not SEE what he was not doing. After that, I was a little more understanding. Not saying that this is what the guest was doing, but there – could – be another reason.
When we vacation in a condo or house we always do all dishes! Sometimes they look better then we found them. Would never leave dirty dishes, ever!
I stayed at a vacation rental once and we were supposed to do our own dishes, but the owner had watered down the dish soap so much that it was impossible to get the grease off. Was that a way to keep the cleaning deposit? Did the help skim off the dish soap? Whatever the cause it was very frustrating.
Not the issue. There was fully concentrated dish soap. 🙂
Katy, it is so funny that you mentioned Laverne and Shirley and Michael McKean. I just referenced the show and him at work the other day and a young co-worker had no idea what I was talking about. I had a brief moment of feeling old then I suggested that he watch it since reruns are on one of our local channels.
1. We went to our monthly potluck last night. Our theme was comfort food so my contribution was mashed potatoes made from a $1.99 bag of Aldi potatoes. I also brought home turkey meatloaf which will be dinner tonight.
2. I’ve been walking for exercise listening to downloaded podcasts. I’ve been giving myself the challenge of walking until the program is over so I have been getting more exercise in.
3. I received a check yesterday from the union I belong to. Every two years , during a period of unemployment, we can get reimbursed $40.00 of the purchase of a pair of shoes. I was unemployed before Christmas so I was able to get a desperately needed new pair of tennis shoes.
4. I ordered prints from Snapfish and was unable to get their pomo code to work. During a live chat with a service rep. I was assured that I would be charged properly. I received the order and was charged full price. Luckily I had taken a picture of the chat. I e-mailed the company and sent the photo and have been told the difference will be credited back to my credit card.
5. Returning books to the library after work and picking up something new.
(1) Spent the last few days doublechecking DH’s efforts on the tax paperwork. I’ve always had a sort of “little woman” inhibition about doing this (stupid sexist thing), but now that age and a few cognitive issues are catching up with DH, it’s clear that I need to take a more active role. (And, bless his loving heart, he’s grateful for the assistance. A guy who had real issues with machismo would be a lot harder to help.) Anyway, it’s finally done.
(2) Treating ourselves to fish pot pies purchased from our one local independent fishmonger for dinner. A sort of frugal fail–but this supports a struggling local merchant we’re happy to help. (Besides, between the tax stuff and starting a horrible new editing job today, I’ve barely got the energy to lift my arms.)
(3) DH got to go play lumberjack today with half an ash tree that fell down in the latest windstorm. Fun for him and future heat for us.
(4) Hanging laundry as usual. Don’t know how much $$ I’ve saved over the years with those vintage clothes racks DH salvaged from rental properties back in the day, but I bet it’s a lot.
(5) Marianne, those smoke and CO detectors aren’t at all non-frugal. There’s nothing better worth the money than preventing needless deaths.
Wait, I was born on Feb. 29th. I would think anyone would “leap” at the chance to be born on that day :).
1. Pizza Hut was giving away free personal pan pizzas to all Leapers. I showed my ID and got my free pizza on my way home. I drive right by the Pizza Hut on my way home.
2. Instead of a restaurant meal, we celebrated at home with the family. My husband bought steaks, but we had everything else for the meal, including a cake given to me by a sweet friend. The pizza was put up for Tuesday.
3. I had a five dollar coupon for DSW shoes to be used in my birth month. I never used it — I didn’t really need shoes and neither did my husband. I lost the five, but kept the $40-$50 I would have spent in addition.
4. Tonight’s meal is leftover steak and sides! And cake!
5. I was so tempted to “treat myself” on my birthday by going out for lunch, but I ate leftover soup instead. The money that stayed in my pocket is my treat.
I will have to look for that movie just to see the kitchen. 🙂
1. Packed leftovers for work lunch the second week running, along with a Thermos of homemade iced tea.
2. Took some of my cleaning rags from home to work to clean the office microwave, which was disgusting, and then brought the dirty rags back home to wash. (Is that dedication or what?) 😀
3. Voted in the primary today, which cost nothing and is worth everything. Had a fun time meeting some of my neighbors at the precinct.
4. Enjoyed some toasted homemade bread with on-sale cheese and an on-sale tangerine for supper.
5. Used some empty zip-top bags that things like dishwasher tabs and dog treats came in while cleaning out the litter boxes. The bags still go in the trash, but they serve another use along the way.
5. This is a great idea! Lots of things come in those bags that can be reused for another purpose. Thanks for the tip!
You’re welcome! It keeps the trash can from getting too stinky when the scooped litter is zipped up in those bags.
1. Going to the library tomorrow to pick up a book about climbing Everest. I’m strangely intrigued by Everest and the sherpas. Don’t be misled though, I’m not a climber. The only climbing I do is climbing out of bed.
2. I have been walking at the local park for exercise. I have been getting paid to walk. 26 cents just this morning. I avoid the circular track there that is actually made to exercise on and venture off to the nearby ball fields and park area. Frugal tip- Walk around ballparks and areas where young kids hang out. It seems they just throw things down. Last week I found 36 cents, index cards, and a tennis ball!
3. I washed my hair this morning and decided to let it air dry while walking. The hair dryer is damaging and uses power. Also, the weather was great here this morning.
4. I am pulling out a present from the freezer from my past self to my current self which is baked spaghetti. I have house chores that I need to do tonight so this will free up some time for me.
5. I did not book a flight to the Florida Keys, although I am dreaming about taking that trip.
Jennifer, Glad to know there is someone else that is into the whole mountain climbing thing! I too, am interested (borderline obsessed) with climbing stories and read everything I can about the sport, yet I will most likely never set foot on a mountain. I am probably the only person in Illinois who knows what crampons are ;)!
I am also obsessed with climbing/hiking books! I only read 2 types of books – non fiction hiking the AT or PCT or Long Trail or non-fiction stories about the french resistance and WWII.
I could get lost for hours in a hiking story!
1. Took homemade coffee and my water bottle with me while out doing errands today. It’s cold (again) so the coffee was nice.
2. Pulled out some frozen rice, frozen chicken broth and will figure out a way to combine them for a side for dinner tonight. Husband is off with his brother so my son and I will eat from the freezer 🙂
3. I found a penny at the parking meter today. Into the found change jar it went when I got home.
4. Going to recycle a box and return my rented textbooks to Amazon tomorrow.
5. We are doing a free trial of Hulu to determine if we like it enough to (finally) drop cable. The saved money would be nice.
6. Swim team takes the month of March off so money saved there by not having to pay fees and not running my son to practice 3 nights/week.
1. A small local grocery store had a Leap Year sale over the weekend through the 29th. Loose baking potatoes were 29¢/lb. and ground chuck was 3.29/lb. Since it’s on the same block as my office, I went on my way home from work and bought 2 packages of the ground beef and filled 2 produce bags with baking potatoes.
2. Last week our church hosted the Winter Relief program for 32 homeless individuals. DH and I were very involved and were at the church at least several hours each day so all dinners were eaten at church.Pizzas were for dinner on Saturday and after everyone ate their fill, I was asked if I would like to take a pizza home. It will probably be our dinner tonight!
3. I learned that one of our guests liked to crochet so I was able to give her a bag of nice yarn hat someone had given me. I can do most needle arts but can’t knit or crochet. I’m glad it’s out of my house and that she can use it.
4. Shipped 2 books that I sold on Amazon. Now to get around to listing some items on FB Yardsale group that I bought for resale.
5. Leaving work and going to do 4 mystery shops tonight and 2 before work tomorrow. I will then add $78 to the college fund!
Just a frugal fail today: I had decided to give up buying wine until I lost weight. DH and I went out of town for some Dr Appts, and stopped to buy coffee. Looked over at a popular wine store, and he said, go ahead and get a bottle. Well…once I was inside and saw the awesomely low prices compared to where I live…20 minutes later I emerged with a case. sigh… I will make it last as long as I can.
Thanks, Katy, for creating this little community of frugillionaires! Thanks everyone else for sharing and creating inspiration!
First time posting, here goes:
1. Finished paying off $73k in student loan debt! The hubs and I have been tackling it for just under two years and we just made the final payment! (Technically we made it yesterday, but that beautiful, gleaming “balance = $0.00” didn’t appear until this morning. Excepting the mortgage, we are now debt-free!!)
2. Tonight we’ll celebrate with homemade pierogis and a free movie on Hoopla.
3. Made a batch of homemade seitan. (Recipe from one of two awesome vegan cookbooks I checked out from the library.)
4. Worked on getting the house ready to photograph for Airbnb listing. We live in a tourist area and, being Airbnb’ers ourselves, is something I’d like to try out for extra income (and for the fun of hosting people from all over the world!).
5. Updated the “house projects” spreadsheet so we know which maintenance projects we have coming up and can budget appropriately.
Congratulations on #1. Paying off that kind of debt so quickly is amazing!
Congrats on a huge accomplishment!!
Yippee for #1! That’s terrific!
1. Worked a sporting event last night for school for extra cash, cha ching!
2. Deposited a $34 check from the thrift store for things we couldn’t use anymore, more cha ching 😉
3. Bought a few things for my daughters upcoming 13th b-day party – at the Dollar Tree – gotta love it! $6 for plates, napkins, cupcake liners, decorations, gift bags, tissue paper – they all match in super cute spring flower theme – check it out if you have a store near you, would be super cute for a Easter brunch.
4. Also got super cute gardening gloves with the plastic film on them for $1 vs paying $5 or $6 for one pair.
5. Also bought a bag of pinto beans – going to try making homemade beans and refried beans in the crock pot.
6. I have been craving flowers. Went out to the garage and found the bulbs I had dug up to re-plant and never did. Put them in a pot for in the house and now can’t wait to see what comes up! All things I already had.
7. Didn’t buy a Cockapoo today, but came very close!
Cockapoo owner here. She is the sweetest dog in the world but cockapoos are notorious for having ear problems. For the last 5 years of her life, we have been dealing with recurrent ear problems. The vet said its VERY common for this breed of dog.
1. Didn’t leave the house, so no money spent.
2. Used up the last of the chili I made Friday on baked potatoes.
3. Paid all my bills online, saving postage and any late fees.
4. Got a free book today to review on my book review blog.
5. Am finishing up a library book on David Bowie and an Audiobook from the library by Ron Rash (Something Rich and Strange).
1. Husband is from an era when lots of men worked on their own cars, so he has tons of tools. But prying them out of his clenched fists is a whole other matter. I finally got him to sell a floor jack and jack stands this weekend. He liked the money so it may get easier. 😀
2. Just sold a brand new table I purchased a year ago because I thought I might start sewing again. Well, I didn’t start sewing again, but at least I got some of the purchase price back after staring at the table for a year. ;(
3. I recently bought two tickets to a musical, but when the credit card bill came in I had been charged three times for the tickets. And they were very expensive. I called the arts center and worked out that I shouldn’t have been charged even though the service rep was snippy with me. She wanted me to pay the credit card bill and then in 6-8 weeks I would get a check from them for the overcharge. I don’t think so, sweetie. I called the credit card company and disputed the charges.
4. This is nothing I did to save money, just a really sad tale of woe. A few weeks ago we adopted two cats from a shelter on a Saturday morning. Before I could get them back to the shelter on Monday they destroyed the carpeting throughout the house by peeing everywhere. They peed on the walls and the furniture also. We spent tons of money trying to find and treat the urine ourselves, then we hired a professional carpet cleaner and even this didn’t work. This week we spent $4,000 ordering new carpet for the entire house.
Oivey
1.Still eating from the freezer and pantry. I spent $24.5? at the store today for fresh fruit, lunchmeat, sourcream cream cheese, and a few other essentials.
So I’ve only spent around $100 so far this year, but the freezer is getting emptier.
2. I visit a local on-line auction, and randomly bid on an upright freezer, and won it for $35. It works like a charm, and I’m not sure if we’ll use it or sell for a profit.
3. Been reading free kindle books.
4. Froze some leftover chicken chili last week that didn’t get eaten. I only like leftover once, unless it’s beef stew. Thawed that out for dinner, sounds good again.
5. My chickens are laying heartily again, so I’ve been selling eggs at my husbands work. So now the girls are working for their supper!
1. Ate lunch at institute today. Ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from there as well as I left school.
2. Got kefir from a lady today. She said I can make cheese from it. I might give it a try.
3. Stayed a while later at work yesterday. More money.
4. I’m having a TCB day tomorrow. I’ll go get a on oil change (with a Groupon) at 8, a dental cleaning at 9:30, and a leadership workshop at 12. I’ll do homework and maybe to tango practice.
5. I was hungry on my way home from the kefir lady’s house, but did not buy anything. Even though I drove by four grocery stores and the restaurant where I work. I did stop in to get a free cup of club soda.
6. Got home and ate a huge salad with stuff from the fridge. Now I’m warming up mac and chesse with chili that my sister made yesterday. She used food bank noodles, cheese, and can of chili and sale butter and milk.
7. Printed chapter outlines at school with my free $3.50 per semester for prints.
8. Got gas on Sunday with $1.00 off from fuwl points. Went with my whole family and filled up the 35 gallons allowed.
8. Have not spent money eating out this year. 🙂
9. Found a nickel on the floor. Found change jar.
1. I received a full size deodorant freebie that I had signed up for.
2. A friend at work gave me a protein bar to try out.
3. I returned some makeup that I bought because I realized I just need to use up what I have first.
4. I have been using up things in the cupboard instead of buying more groceries.
5. Eating leftovers.
I have a rather boring list of FFT.
1) I cut the top off a tube of shampoo, and I was able to wash my hair two more times before opening a new one.
2) I worked yesterday, but before I left my house I put chicken in the crockpot. I shredded it and made a pot pie for dinner in just a few minutes.
3) I belong to a women’s group, and it was my turn to host our meeting. I love to have people in my home.
.
I accidentally hit the submit key before I was finished, so we will go with 3 today. Happy frugaling!
1. Found out our co-op credits not only the bags you bring in for groceries, but for bulk bags and jars too! I’ll be sure to request this credit each time.
2. Leftovers galore!
3. Picked up a penny in the parking lot.
4. Edited schedules to stay in tomorrow–rather than meeting friends at the pub for a match.
5. Batched errands today and saved time by doing so too!
1. Brought our lunches on the airplane, avoiding expensive airport food.
2. Brought several food items to have in-room, particularly for breakfast since we don’t like to go out early.
3. Found option of “no housekeeping” to earn $5 good at resort restaurant per night, will be doing this at least 2-3 times.
4. Requested a microwave for our room (no extra charge) for #2.
5. Didn’t buy a Lear jet, but did fly to our destination!
Hi from Adelaide South Australia,
My five
1. Trying to make tuna and sweetcorn mornay the other day …the tin of creamed corn I had was all dry when I opened it , the seal was clearly not sea
Ed so I couldn’t use that . It was the only tin I had so I decided instead to cream a tin of corn kernels instead and the pull tab broke off …insert sad face … Eventually I made the mornay and the next day rang the company who are sending me a store voucher which will be more then what I paid and the Tuna Mornay lasted two meals in our house
2 . On holidays still so eating from home more as I’m not so tired
3. My parents organise a food bank through their church and get to bring home left over bread , fruit and veg so they gave me a pun net of strawberries and some peaches and nectarines …. Now eating yummy fruit salad ( included some fruit I already had)
4. Aldi has recently opened here, I bought some Swiss cheese… It was not nice, too strong for a Swiss cheese, I like strong cheese also but this just wasn’t something I would eat , a friend suggested to use it in cooking so tonight I made cauliflower and broccoli with cheese sauce…tasted great and the cheese wasn’t wasted
5. My son has started back at University and has been taking foid everyday to stop him buying at the Uni cafes ….he’s a good boy/ young man
Love this page …thanks Katie
2.
Sorry I should have proof read it before I posted…few errors …fingers and mind not working together ….ahhh live and learn I guess
I guess I’d be the freaky parent that would find it cool for my kid to have a 2/29 birthday. Weird to me how people avoid it!
Speaking as a Leap Year Baby myself, Thanks! So many people tell me they would hate to have a birthday that day and I don’t know why. It’s just a day. I always celebrate my birthday on the last day of February, no matter what year it is. And people tend to remember my birthday — I’ll get birthday calls from distant former co-workers, even, because they remember it’s my birthday when Leap Year finally rolls around.
Happy birthday!
1. My coworker gave me two Pampered Chef stoneware baking pans. She specifically said “Use them, sell them, give them away, I don’t care …. I just want them out of my house.” I will list the new one on ebay, not sure about the other.
2. Relisted a whole bunch of my ebay listings on the last day of February, to use up the rest of my free monthly listings.
3. Started listening to “What Should I Read Next?” podcasts on Modern Mrs. Darcy while I was at work. Then I walked over to the library and picked up four of their recommendations. I also picked up the new Marie Kondo book that was on hold for me.
4. I mended a large tear in our duvet cover, and hemmed a pair of too long pants.
5. One of my wish list books on Paperbackswap was offered to me. I only had to pay the 49 cent fee, as I have a bunch of credits stockpiled.
I have some of those Pampered Chef stoneware and been told to never put soap on them, so I wash them only with water. It keeps them nicely coated (they slowly turn brown-ish with use, which is the expected thing to happen). They are good stoneware to have.
* The drying dish rack as a hole in it so hubby asked me to buy a new one. I thought I could get one for 5-10$…. nope, turns out it’s 20$ for a very ordinary (and small) one. So I fished the old one out of the recycling bin and put tape on the small hole. Let’s see how long it holds.
* Grocery will be minimal this week (bit of veggies, fruits, yogourt…) as we have a full pantry and freezers.
* Daughter lost her winter mits and hat (and then found them the day after, yay!). I was able to find a new pair of mits half -price, 5$ instead of 10$. Will keep them as a back-up.
* Used a gift card to see a movie and get some snacks on cheap night yesterday (How to be single).
* My 2 pairs of leather gloves (one received as a gift many years ago, one bought used) had ripped and I really wanted a new pair. So I waited for the clearance and got a new pair half price (20$ instead of 40$). While not cheap, it’s pretty good for genuine leather gloves that will (hopefully) last me at least 3 winters.
* We received the money from the sale of the old house and were able to clear close to 160 000$ worth of debts. Yaaaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!
Have a great frugal day!
1. Stopped at Rite Aid yesterday to get Dove shampoo & conditioner for $6, used a $3 coupon and $3 in plenti points to pay for and received $3 in plenti points back plus $3 into my savingstar account. Love that. Also stopped in my fav grocery and loaded up on marked down produce – 2lb green beans for $3, 1lb red cabbage for 99c, 2lb zucchini for 99c, 4lb of baby bella mushrooms for $1.58 and a 2lb container of artisan lettuces for 99c. Also picked up two packages of turkey smoked sausage for $1.
2. Had to go out to take care of tenant turnover at our rental house an hour away and do some painting and minor repairs. Picked up a lunch mystery shop nearby and a pizza carryout mystery shop on the way home since I knew cooking would not be happening. Both had bonuses since it was the 29th.
3. Replaced a broken vanity light at the rental with one I replaced in a bathroom in my house (seriously who installs a rubbed bronze vanity light, a brushed nickel sink faucet and a chrome bathroom faucet in a teeny tiny bathroom?) I scrubbed the vanity light down before installing it and it looks like new.
4. No plans to go anywhere before Friday except the library, gym (which my employer reimburses me for except the $7 a month for my teen) and a sushi mystery shop today.
5. Drank coffee at home, washed clothes on cold, scrubbed my vacuum filter and plan on finishing taxes this week in between working. Exciting stuff.
1. I have a book I to read for work this month. Work won’t pay for me to purchase the book since it’s a voluntary activity outside of my regular job. I found it at the library and am number 2 in line to pick it up.
2. I forgot to bring bags for Aldi yesterday. Rather than using gas to go out again in the evening (or purchasing bags), I made dinner with items I had on hand and packed bags in the car to stop on the way home today.
3. Packed a reasonably healthy lunch for work today, considering I hadn’t gone grocery shopping.
4. Stopped at Target earlier this week because I had forgotten about a 10% coupon I had for some items. The woman was really nice and credited me the 10%.
5. Planning a weekend with my family, including visiting my grandmother for her 99th birthday. Both free and frugal!
1) I ate another bowl of the chicken & dumplings, from Sunday’s dinner, last night. I think I’ll feed the little bit left to the farm dogs tonight. It was good for 3 meals though.
2) I’m headed to the Dollar Tree at lunch. It’s time to stock up on a few things for March. Much cheaper than going to Wally World.
3) Everything I bought at the feed store on Monday was on sale – the horse feed and the mixed nuts I buy there. I saved at least $3-4.
4) I’ve been picking up audio books and dropping off the ones I finished from the Library this week. Shopping for free with my favorite card. I just finished one called the “Geography of Genius” – awesome book. I learned so much about the countries that spawned the geniuses of our modern age.
5) I have a bag of aluminum cans to sell, but the place here in town no longer buys them. They told me I’d have to take them to the city. I’ll be up there on Saturday, so I’ll plan a trip by the metal recycling place. I’m not going to make an extra trip, so they cans will be in the car the rest of the week!
1511 24th Ave. SW – I bring my cans there to sell. It is an appliance store in the front and the back is the recycling. I hope that helps unless they are the ones that no longer take them. I have been going there for years.
What?!! Lenny is married to Annette O’Toole? I never knew that. I remember her from so many movies in the 70’s and 80’s. So neat that they met at your parents home.
1. Took a weekend trip to St. Augustine to visit our granddaughter for her 7th birthday. The rest of the family too, but it was her big weekend! She wanted to visit the Alligator Farm. One of the teachers at her school gave her free passes, which we used for the four adults, saving us $100.00! Paid $36 for the three kids.
2. We started using an envelope method for gas, food, miscellaneous, and entertainment. I have to work on this. If I am out in one envelope, I take from another. Sigh.
3. Went with my friend to our local history museum. The admission was free, so that was frugal. After that we went to lunch. I got carried away and ordered lasagna, salad, bread and then a dessert. I had been wanting some lasagna for awhile and my husband doesn’t like it, so I never make it. This is a locally owned restaurant and they have the most delicious dessert called an apple dapple delight. Since I only go and have this about once a year, I decided to indulge. So a pricey lunch.
4. Not running air or heat on these nice spring like days. Definitely saving on the power bill. If my husband would get my clothesline back up I could use the dryer less.
5. Eating out of the pantry and freezer and trying not to make a dish I don’t have the ingredients for. Makes you much more creative!
That’s awful… dirty dishes put back in the cabinet! Seriously, what is wrong with people!
1. picked up some avocados at Walmart, showed the cashier my receipt from Aldi where I paid 59¢ each for them, so she rang them up for 59¢ instead of 99¢ each. They price match. I’ll be hanging onto that receipt.
2. took advantage of warm weather this week and hung laundry on the clothes line.
3. Leftovers for lunch and this week oatmeal in a jar for breakfast.
4. made my monthly meal plan for March and totaled my DR cash envelopes for February.
5. organized kitchen cabinets, pantry, freezers and fridge – ready for pantry and freezer eating for March.
Long time reader, first time FFTs:
1.) Test-drove a very well-maintained 4-year old vehicle, low miles, great price. After carefully considering the down payment, sales tax and registration fees, I decided to stick with my (10-year old, 192K miles, fully paid for) beloved Grocery Getter a while longer. I know she can’t live forever, but what’s my hurry to get a payment book?
2.) Resisted the urge to stop at the mini-mart this morning for a tall orange juice, which sounded wonderful, but I got by just fine with yogurt, a Lara bar and water from home.
3.) More resistance when a co-worker offered to run to Steak ‘n Shake for lunch…thanks, but I brought leftovers!
4.) Surprise money in the form of a mileage reimbursement for a week of training I attended for work! It will go directly into my savings account.
5.) Working late this evening = overtime pay.
I hate to say it but my FIL used to put not so clean dishes back in the cupboard. Apparently when he washed them he didn’t see that they were still dirty and he wouldn’t use the dishwasher because there were so few dishes. Awkward times when visiting and washing dishes before using them LOL.
1. Stuck to my grocery list and actually did a meal plan (sort of) with my husband before going. Got my senior discount of 5%.
2. Shortened another thrifted top and really like it now. Amazing what the right fit does for how you look.
3. Opened another online savings account at the highest rate I could find although that is still a miserable 1%. We have a CD maturing that needs to be moved somewhere and that is the spot.
4. Got my hair cut using my 10% off gift certificate. I love that I can gift them to myself.
5. Frugal but not happy – cancelled lunch out with a friend because I wasn’t feeling well.
Check out State Farm (if in your area) . Although they are an insurance co, they do have a financial part.My dad just opened a cd with them and got 2.2 percent for a five year cd. It will be worth looking into . Best of luck.
Thanks but we need the money in a cash account for our planned retirement relocation in a bit over a year. Always glad to hear about better rates though!
1. Asked my doctor if he had samples of the expensive cholesterol meds I’m on (sadly, cannot take statins, which are free at Meijer); he did and gave them all to me!
2. Making soup today from several containers of frozen leftover veggies, meat, gravy, and broth. Added the hard-as-a-rock bits fron two Mrs. Dash blends that I bought for hubby and he didn’t like. Smells so good! Will be making cheddar biscuits to go with.
3. Took back a bunch of overdue books to the library – no fines, since I’m over 60. Love my library!!
4. Put together a care package for my granddaughter’s mom, who’s recovering from back surgery and a broken arm; sent her a lap throw, an extra box of crayons I ran across, and two coloring books I bought at Xmas and ended up not gifting. Also put in her birthday gift/card (Mar. 10) and their St. Paddy’d Day card (Mar. 17), to save on postage.
5. Making pulled pork for this weekend with a pork butt I got from Aldi, on sale and further marked down $3. Smells so good cooking – will add BBQ sauce later.
1 went to the store, spent 3 on 2dz eggs and found 25 pennies in the cash machine counting thing (name escapes me).
2. Brought home a really good salad leftover from our luncheon at work.
3. Brought home a few small Bundt cakes from the same luncheon.
4. Always amazed that our recycle bin (90 gal) is always packed, yet our trash bin only has one bag. (Trash is part of our taxes)
5. Ate leftovers for supper.
1. I booked a flight for a vacation. Why frugal? Well, after years of staying in hotels for work, I have enough points to stay in a very nice hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans for completely free! I travel a lot of for work and have been all over the US, but I have never been to NOLA or LA. I found a quick flight on (my least favorite, but it’s cheap) SW and booked it during their sale for May. Plans include frugal things like cemeteries (I’m a taphophile!), the Mystery House in Abita Springs, alligator sighting and beignets and chicory coffee at a lesser known establishment a local friend told me about. I am beyond excited!
2. Checked out books from the library about New Orleans and have been reading a really good one called _Nine Lives: Life and Death in New Orleans_. I highly recommend it!
3. Traveling this week as well (for work) and am staying at a hotel that has a happy hour (free drinks and snacks). I will eat in the room and I brought mandarins, peanuts, and a microwave meal for dinner for the two nights I’ll be here. This way I get to keep the set per diem $$.
4. Using my travel mug to take tea or coffee on the road.
5. This past weekend the boyfriend, my sons and I watched movies from the thrifted collection of ones we had yet to watch. I made black bean enchiladas from stuff in the pantry and freezer and played at the park during the 70 degree F respite from winter. It was lovely!
2.
I am trying to get back into the frugal mold after an admittedly extravagant vacation.
1. Worked out budget so I could pay for my share of the vacation costs. (husband takes care of most of it.)
2, Husband and I are going to a free concert Friday evening featuring an award winning violinist.
3. Trying to make meals mostly from sale purchased meats and pantry items.
4, Taking son out for lunch at his favorite Mongolian BBQ in return for his help while we were gone. He discovered our furnace had stopped working and used his day off to monitor the repair man who came to fix it. (an expensive fix, but the alternative would have been far worse!)
5. Have had some obligatory charitable contributions this winter and have also worked them into the budget.
Staying home helps the bottom line!