Five More Frugal Things
by Katy on October 31, 2024 · 50 comments
Okay, I’m trying to blog every day until the election. Let’s see if I can come up with five new frugal things . . .
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I transferred our savings from an account with a 4.75% interest rate to one at a full 5%. The first account had started at 5.5% interest, but had a variable rate. I knew the 5% one was locked in for a full year, so this was an easy decision. They’re both with the same credit union, so it just took just a few minutes of time.
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My friend is a vegetarian, so she gave me her coupon for a free pound of bulk sausage from New Season’s Market. It’s only good from November 27th through December third, so I’ve added it to the calendar, complete with an electronic reminder.
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I sold a trio of garbage picked frames for $15 through Facebook Marketplace.
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I set out the same Halloween decorations that an old neighbor handed down to us in 1998 or so. No need to buy anything new.
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I didn’t buy a Lear Jet.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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I am once again *trying* to make all of the holiday gifts this year. I have a LOOOONG commute on public transit and I have a seat usually so I have built in time during the week.
That is a cool goal to try making so many of your holiday gifts! Got any creative gift ideas you could share with us?
I’m so stressed about this election – I’m so thankful for these posts. Whew. Thank you Katy!
1. Filled up the buggy with gas at $2.99/gallon.
2. Used a $5 Best Buy coupon on some cord manager thingies. Difference out of pocket was tiny.
3. Used a 40% off coupon at Joann on cellophane bags for cookies and quick breads that I give as gifts.
4. Enjoyed free Caribou coffee at orientation for volunteer reading program at my elementary school alma mater. Brought my travel mug with me and refilled it with leftover coffee on the way out to enjoy the next day. I’m not picky about day-old coffee; if it’s good coffee, sometimes it tastes even better to me. Kinda like some food.
5. Received eight IKEA containers from Buy Nothing that I used to corral the various and sundry items in our linen closet. My organizational nerdy self used a label maker to identify their purpose (e.g., eyes, mouth, face, owies, etc.). Used the opportunity to revamp the entire closet and bathroom vanity. I admit to opening up drawers and doors just to peek at the new set-up.
Nothing super exciting over here. Let’s see:
1) Sold a watch on eBay. Packaged it with a repurposed Amazon mailer.
2) I needed to rethink DS18’s travel plans for Thanksgiving, as he doesn’t have a car with him in college & they cancelled the previously existing shuttle from Corvallis to Eugene. An Uber costs $100 each way! So, kept the outbound flight (his class ends late enough he can’t make it to Portland), but rebooked his return flight through Portland. All told, the flight is cheaper, and the shuttle is $50 vs the $100 Uber. I’m saving ~$200.
3) On a related note, scored super cheap flights for him to come home over winter break. $200! That is an unheard of deal from Portland to San Jose. I’m thrilled & expected to pay 2-3x that. He will be able to take the shuttle both ways.
4) DH & I finished up some leftovers for dinner & I made a sandwich using up the last of the deli meat for lunch, combined with the very end of a container of soup.
5) Picked some pomegranates off of our tree.
Yesterday I:
1. Rewarded myself for grading a set of exams by having a bowl of ice cream. Free from mystery shop.
2. Completed another mystery shop at a grocery store. I stocked up on red wine vinegar, brown sugar, seltzer, and a 20-pack of toilet paper.
3. I drank the free coffee and work and I was able to grab some bao buns and salad free for lunch. I happened to still be at work during the early dinner period so I grabbed a free dinner, which included shrimp and grits, and roasted leg of lamb.
4. I wore my pants that I patched, along with a 10-year old (+/-) shirt and sweater that I’m sure that I got on sale.
5. I signed up for an appointment with a financial wellness advisor. It is a complete waste of 45 minutes (I should be able to get out of it in 30 minutes) as I work with my own financial advisor, but I get 20 points toward my wellness program at work, which means not paying a 10% premium on my health care for the year if I hit 200 points.
Those are some mighty tasty free work meals! The best I ever got as a hospital nurse were graham crackers and peanut butter.
1. I am trying out a new breakfast routine. I want veggies for breakfast. At grocery Outlet, they have spice cake mix on sale for .99. I added 15 ounces of pumpkin and baked. Also at G.O. was 32 oz Milkadamia’s Milk Tea. It sells at Target for $12.00. I got them for .25 a piece. Super yummy and replaces my coffee. So breakfast now cost officially about .33.
2. I returned mums I bought at Lowes that died within two days.
3. I finally made the switch from the Walgreens I love to CVS because my insurance can’t be filled there. It saves me $15.00 a month.
4. I use Dr. Gross daily peels which are expensive but I alternate days with a cheap scrub. Makes the peels last twice as long.
5. I am utilizing the gym classes since i pay a monthly fee anyway. It keeps me in shape, eating less and focused on health goals. I had stopped my last year of working.
Sounds like you really made out at Grocery Outlet! Impressive.
Sympathy thoughts for your #3! I had to make the switch from Walgreens when the local store downgraded into a sort of pharmacy-only from a full-service store. Now get prescriptions at WalMart. Can’t stand the local CVS, always understocked on sale items and expensive at regular price. I loved making the most of my Walgreens points.
Thank you from the UK!
And thank you for your British perspective on all things nonconsumer!
First, Katy, thanks for the more frequent posting in the run-up to this awful election. I join others in appreciating it.
Now, More Frugal Things (I don’t think I have five), Unrepentant Carnivore/Happy Pagan Edition:
(1) I took my next-door neighbor (NDN) this morning on the more or less weekly grocery run we do for her. NDN kindly lets me put anything I want to buy at her Tops store on her Tops card and reimburse her later–and this time, the rewards on Reduced for Quick Sale meat were substantial: a pound of beef/pork/veal meatloaf mix, a whole Springer Mountain chicken, and two family packs of chicken drumsticks, for a total of $11.28. Cha-ching, and into the freezer they go! (We’ll figure out how much we owe each other after I take advantage of a sale on her beloved Lean Cuisines at Price Chopper tomorrow.)
(2) I had already defrosted a very small T-bone from my 1/4 steer (this year’s steer was a littler guy than usual), and I had that for my lunch, along with a side of curried vegetables left over from Tuesday’s shrimp curry. Nom nom nom.
(3) I haven’t participated in trick or treat for several years now, since we’ve hardly gotten any kids on our street lately. Instead, I’ll be ankling over to the alternative Halloween party for grownups that’s being hosted by neighbors down the street. Any party invitation that begins with “Booze and candy!” can’t be all bad.
You should have titled your comment as “Booze, Meat & Candy”
I think we can all agree that we wish we were your NDN.
Thank you for posting more frequently this week! My husband woke me up at 3am because I was biting my nails in my sleep!
1. The only thing the food bank had excess this week was single serving premade almond chicken rice meals. They had dozens of them and no clients seem to want them. I bought home four, for we ate two for dinner last night and will eat two tonight, as they won’t last long. I added a few expiring vegetables to make it healthier. I don’t love rice, but there is nothing wrong with it and it isn’t beans, so I ate it.
2. This is a weird one. Last week someone made an insulting comment about a shirt I was wearing. I asked her if she had any other unsolicited ideas she wanted to share, she should consider keeping them to herself. Then I walked off. Yesterday I found a note and bag on the porch, apologizing and giving me a gift. It was a 3-pound container of ground Folger’s coffee. I don’t drink coffee, and the husband is a coffee snob but he has agreed to use it, saving us a few pennies over the more expensive beans he likes. Hey, if I can eat rice, he can drink free coffee.
3. I received a lovely quilled card and the person wrote her note on a plain paper insert, saying she knew I would want to recycle the card. Perfect timing–I took out the note, inserted my own note, and sent it on to a friend who will love it. I told her not to feel awkward if she wants to recycle it for a third person.
4. Did not resubscribe to a magazine I used to love. However, I have aged out of the demographic they focus on, so I said farewell.
5. Did not buy anything new for Halloween decorating. I love glass pumpkins so have a number of them collected during the years I collected stuff. They and a lighted rattan pumpkin are it.
Maybe he can mix the Folger’s into his better quality coffee, like 1 3 good coffee: 1 Folger’s coffee ratio to use it up without noticing the difference?
I’ve been clenching my jaw while I sleep over the past week and my jaw aches while doing simple things like: A) chewing a tasted bagel; and B) singing the ten minute Taylor Swift song. Hopefully this is temporary, as “All Too Well” is the best ten minute distraction!
I love that you passed the card along, very smart!
Katy, I love that you’re attempting to post every day this week.
1. In more of a time saving measure, we early voted on Saturday. We were there when they opened the doors and it was quick. Our election day polling place is no longer near us so this was a no brainer.
2. I listened to Ina Garten’s memoir using the Libby app and a library copy. It was okay.
3. I donated some items we didn’t want to a church silent auction. All proceeds go to charities.
4. I had trouble falling asleep so I got up and finished reading The Last Runaway. It was a worthwhile read and was due in a couple of days.
5. I returned an item to Sam’s Club while I was near there and then bought butter and gum. I discovered they have Southwest gift cards on sale ($430 for a $500 card) and also cat treats.
Hooray for early voting! I got my notification maybe half an hour ago that my ballot was accepted and my vote counted. I always worry that my signature might not match previous ones, so it’s always a relief.
Thanks for doing this, Katy. I’ve been strategizing with friends about how we’re going to get through the next week or so.
1) Planning for a low-spend November. My partner, who never takes part in these sorts of challenges, is on board. I’m excited about this. A friend also wanted to join in. It’s easier doing this sort of things with a group.
2) I’ve been enjoying my Halloween decorations. I didn’t purchase a single one of them as they were all handed down to me when my mom downsized her collection.
3) I have my annual black tie gala for work next Friday. Bought my gown on eBay, wearing shoes I already own, and sourcing jewelry from my Buy Nothing group. The theme is 1960’s.
4) My team at work has bargained with a local hair and makeup team for said gala, so I won’t have to fret about that (I am terrible at both hair and makeup)!
5) Early voted yesterday. And did so at the Theodor Roosevelt Inaugural Site. Trivia – president McKinley was shot and died in Buffalo, so President Roosevelt was sworn in less than 2 miles from where I live.
Katie, I commend your choice of voting sites. (I’ve been a TR fan from childhood, although I know he’s come under fire recently for his jingoistic and racist views.)
And further Buffalo Presidential trivia: Although neither Millard Fillmore nor Grover Cleveland was originally from Buffalo–in fact, both came from villages near me in Central NY–both established their political careers in Buffalo.
Robert Caro, the wonderful prizewinning writer, shows up every year for our town’s library benefit. I asked him this year if he was still working on the Johnson books and he said yes. I told him to switch to the McKinley administration instead, which I think is a quality joke but he didn’t laugh.
Why did I write “McKinley” when I really said “William Henry Harrison”? Forget it.
President Harrison, we hardly knew ye.
The end. 🙂
I’m always happy to hear about lo/no spend challenges and have the brief thought of “I should do this!” Then remember that that describes every month for me.
Hooray for handed down holiday decor!
I like this everyday posting routine!
Had a great meeting with financial guru and invested c.o.h. in some higher interest rate cd’s to ride out the political storm (knock on wood that it remains solid as we’ve had a good 4 years of growth). I am in shock that I am using CD’s that is such an 80’s thing! Holding on to buy in the dip…if we get a dip…I crack myself up.
Not frugal, but a dream thing. I sold my very nice fully loaded explorer with insanely low miles to my cousin’s wife and I bought a 1972 Super Beetle, bright orange! It has been fully restored and will become my daily driver. My first car was a ’66 bug, didn’t have a radio. This one has navigation, bluetooth and wifi
hotspot. hilarious.
Drove the farm truck to town and filled up on diesel that is .60 cheaper than my hometown.
Bought the steel for new side rails on my big flat bed trailer. The Ag class at the local highschool is going to fabricate them during winter semester. The other rural high school is building the built in ramps. Plus I gave them 4 pieces of equipment to overhaul and sell in their spring sale. Win, win, win. I get rid of
the stuff and they hopefully will make a bit of money for programs.
Making half batches of hummingbird food now that the summer visitors have flown South for the winter. I usually feed 4 thru the winter months.
Bought a gallon of close dated orange juice for $1.50. I think I’ll make breakfast for dinner!
Yum, I love breakfast for dinner! And what a fun car to own — so cool!
I drive a bright orange Jeep Renegade. On the positive side, I can always spot it in a parking lot. On the negative side, everyone in town knows where I am!
We’re leaving October with the eye-watering expense of replacing DH’s lost electronic car key. We still had my copy of it, so it should not have been as expensive as it was, but companies are good at gouging on essentials these days. *sigh*
I stopped at Aldi after an errand brought me nearby, and got shower cleaner and cat treats at a very good price. Fixed a dent in the toe of a shoe last night by steaming the leather and stuffing the area with an old washcloth to dry overnight. The shoes looked great after they were polished.
Ruby, if it’s any consolation about the lost electronic car key, DH lost two full sets of keys (including both of the electronic key fobs to our Honda Element) in the course of his Alzheimer’s. To this day, I’m using the manual keys. But I remind myself regularly that things could have been much, much worse: There are horror stories on alzconnected.org about folks with dementia who have lost thousands of dollars through unsupervised online activities of various sorts (stock trading, porn sites, etc.). Thank goodness DH was never into any of that.
We’re pretty sure the accidentally dropped the key in the garbage bin, which was picked up a bit later. There’s a problem with people dumping trash at a secluded entrance to our neighborhood and he had picked up a bag of really disgusting garbage. Probably had the key in his hand when he flung the bag into the bin. It kinda stings that a good deed wound up being so expensive.
My mom had dementia and repeatedly deep-sixed her house keys in the years when I was keeping her in her own home. I took to hiding spares around the backyard.
Thank you for endeavoring to post these days.
I only have one. I watched my grandsons soccer practice. He’s 3 and my son describes 3 year olds on a soccer pitch as ‘drunken penguins’. Free entertainment!
Drunken penguins? I love this!
Thank you for posting every day to keep us a little distracted. LOVE a good coupon.
1.Had a couple of old plant pots that I didn’t want anymore. Was going to put them with the trash but Freecycled them with the TrashNothing App. Had 5 people who wanted them, even though some of them were cracked. Prefer to keep them out of the landfill longer.
2.Used the “To Good To Go” App and picked up 6 fancy pastries for $5.99. Free Audio Book and State Park Parking Pass (good for 3 weeks) checked out from the library.
3. Used same Halloween decs have had forever and made it festive around here without spending a penny, other than candy for the kiddos.
4. Stocked my Little Free Library with Halloween-y type books I have been collecting all year.
5. Sold some of my neglected 31 year old wedding china on eBay for $300! To someone who will actually use it.
I love that your wedding china is going to home to be used and appreciated. I also love the $300.
I wish my library did state park parking passes, that is wesome.
I agree with all that daily posting has helped with “election scaries”.
My workplace provided a full Carrabba’s luncheon on Monday, I was able to take home some chicken marsala and broccoli for another meal.
My BFF came over last night and she brought me some Quiche she had made.
Today , our manager announced she was buying pizza for Halloween – so another free lunch!
Used Upside to get cash back when I filled up for $2.70/gallon
Reusing my “Harris/Walz” sign I made from half a poster board at a sign waving event this weekend!
Thank you, Katy! You and this community have provided such support for me for the past 8 years of widowhood, and political upheaval (2016 was a double whammy year), I am eternally grateful. I pray for unclenched jaws next week.
Patricia
I am praying right along with you, Patricia!!!
Yes, we are all praying for great outcome
1. I voted.
2. I brought leftovers for lunch.
3. My client gave me some candy as a thank you. I only ate 1 piece today. I will only eat one peice a day.
4. I didn’t sit in a lot of traffic coming home today so that saves me gas. I guess a lot of people took off today or went home early.
5. All I bought for Halloween decorations was a huge pumpkin at Aldi for $3.99. I will cook it soon. Everything else we had.
LOVING these daily blog posts up until the election day, Katy. It is so lovely to have your posts to look forward to each day during this stressful season. P.S. I just voted for Kamala Harris! It was a relief to turn in my ballot – a slight weight off my shoulders, at least.
Katy, Just want to say I love your blog and daily blogs are the best! I also enjoy the comments. I used to follow many decorating blogs and while they’re very nice it’s all about buying and that’s not what I’m about now. So I’ve stopped following. October has been anything buy frugal – family trip to Arkansas where our 2 sons live. My husband pays for everything, dinners mostly, by choice, although they both do try to intervene. Fronted the money for youngest son’s new (to him) car while waiting for the insurance money to come in. His car had been hit and deemed totalled but we knew he wanted to buy the car while his dad was there for support. And a new roof!!! Yikes! I did find a dollar bill on my walk with a neighbor and I am amping up my little ebay business and also listing so many things from our home. And desperately trying to avoid food waste. Happy Halloween
I’ll join the chorus of thank yous for posting all week. I am feeling numb about the election to cover the stress I think.
1. We are having leftover stew from the freezer tonight so it is easy to answer the door for the adorable little but early trick or treaters. We do love leftovers.
2. Bought Halloween candy for buy 1 bag get one free.
3. Drove to REI to try on and buy rain pants for winter dog walks so I will get my member rebate. It rains a lot and is also windy here in the winter.
4. Hubby did all needed exterior touch up painting before the rainy season starts.
5. Finished my free Fall Prevention class at the city recreation center and learned a few things for the future.
Took me a moment to figure out your #5, (why are you trying to postpone Autumn?). Good for you! I would take such a course if I saw one advertised.
1. I found a penny in the library parking lot while picking up a book I had on hold.
2. I used a 30% off coupon on a large container of Aveeno bodywash which my doctor told me to use. OK…expensive but helps my skin.
3. I gave DH a haircut.
4. I’m finishing up Michelle Obama’s book The Light We Carry. Her positivity is uplifting and she has a great sense of humor.
5. It’s actually been almost balmy out here in New England so the laundry is still getting hung outside on my umbrella clothesline.
1. We enjoyed free dinner at the neighborhood Halloween party tonight.
2. I gave out candy I got on the last prime days for $11 for 130 pieces. We have some left even though we let the kids pick out 2 pieces each.
3. I am taking full advantage of having met all deductibles on insurance and had another round of steroid injections for free yesterday. Of course I would prefer not to need them at all.
4. I had thawed chicken for dinner and then didn’t cook it last night (not able to due to injections ) and tonight free dinner. I ended up just browning them in a pan with lots of seasonings. It will be really nice to have cooked chicken breasts in the fridge – I might do it more often!
5. Instead of going all out and buying a Halloween costume to fit the building theme I wore my dh’s Bruce Springsteen shirt and called it good – and free.
1. #2 son was thrilled with the two stirfry and noodle lunches I had assembled for him – and the remainder of the noodles/stirfry was a meal one day for me.
2. Tonight he staggered home after a late night (he TAs in a first year chemistry lab, and it is both a long day and intellectually tiring). Most of the almost-instant prepared (deliberate leftover) food had been eaten, however he was able to cobble together rice and chicken and I had made an un-dressed cabbage carrot salad that he happily absconded with. I had grown both the cabbage and the carrots, so it is nice to see them enjoyed
3. I took some of my many onions, a crockpot I had scored for hardly any $, my Bosch machine that slices and shreds, my slippers, apron, and InstantPot over to a friend who is putting together a taco meal for a “Day of the Dead Dinner and a movie” at the church (Movie will be Coco, an animation from Disney that I won’t mind watching again, and it certainly is in line with the theme).
She isn’t really a line-cook nor a big crowd cook (and my heavens!!! her stovetop is slow compared to my induction), however my machines and fast knife work, as well as fearlessness when it comes to layering herbs and spices (and insistence that there be something decent for the vegetarians) had us both laughing and chopping and stirring together for a couple of hours.
I think she was really wanting some company and I had fun making a contribution using some of my superpowers. Tomorrow is the event and I’ll go early to slice lettuce and grate cheese in my machine, and cut up tomatoes with a knife, while she fusses with the technology. (Ihope I don’t have to help with that, but I will if called to do so…)
4. My current goal is to have a serving of beans every day (who here turned me on to the “How not to Diet” books? The simple ‘daily dozen’ app gives some great ideas for healthy additions to a regular meal plan, and right now the ONE thing I am adding is beans.) so far, so good. There will be beans tomorrow (see #3 and the vegetarian option) and I have been making simple bean side dishes (white beans and kale was the last one) that will last for a couple of days in the fridge.
5. I am going to be re-booting my weight lifting routine. I did some research and the local gym – which I like and can get to in 5 minutes – has the best price for a senior wanting to do what I want to do.
I am going to go in tomorrow and buy a year pass – I started to put money aside ever month, when I bought the last pass. When I didn’t renew in April this year, I stopped that automatic monthly transfer from one bank account to another, but I know that the money is earmarked in my savings. I will start that monthly transfer up again, to build up the fund for a year from now. The games I play with money!
6. Oh, I almost forgot – I got to join my Son and Daughter Outlaw for Baby’s first Shots – 2 months old already!
I am surprised he isn’t a pincushion, my goodness there are a lot of ways we can protect these small creatures, for the price of a few jabs. Free, of course. (Thank you Canada).
I did the run for no-name ibuprofen for baby while mom and dad went home with him – he was so brave, they didn’t really need me there and I was so honoured to be asked to come. Baby’s mom can overthink things to the point of freezing in anxiety, and this was a bit scary for her, but she was very brave, too.
Yes, on the daily serving of beans. After cleaning out kitchen cupboards, I realized, I buy beans in bulk hoping to use them. But I don’t, so every weekend I’m now cooking a pot of beans, with a little better than bouillon. Husband is now getting his fiber.
Ok, this is the morning after the night before, Halloween Trunk or Treat edition. I waited until Nov. 1 to write this since all the stuff wasn’t finished until after the witching hour yesterday.
1. Participated for the very first time in a Trunk or Treat activity, this one held at my church. (This is an activity where we park our vehicles in a row on the church parking lot, decorate the hatchbacks, trunks or tailgates, and hand out candy and mini-toys in a safe, supervised and lighted environment.) Instead of buying anything, I used items from around the house to decorate: a wreath featuring a scarecrow that said “Fall is My Favorite” — hung that on the opened trunk lid; a tablecloth with an autumn leaf design on the fabric — draped that over the trunk and back bumper; a battery-operated faux candle inside a lantern; another battery-operated Coleman lantern for use after dark; brown-colored baskets; a little keychain fob with LED lights that blinked, which was attached to the wreath after dark; and a gallon jug of random pieces of candy I’d collected throughout the year. This decorated my car trunk for zero dollars. I liked it because it was not scary for the littlest Trick-or-Treaters.
2. Just in case, I bought 2 huge bags of candy to supplement what I’d collected. Good thing, too, because I ran through all of the candy, but didn’t run out until about 5 minutes before our 7:30 closing time. The volunteer who had a counter to track our numbers said we had more than 400 little Spidermen, Batmen, witches, Disney princesses and other assorted spooks visit us this year.
3. I had planned on wearing a sweatshirt that had a scarecrow on its front, but the temperature was in the 80s. Instead, I tied the shirt to the back of the folding chair as a decoration. Until the sun went down and I got chilly, the last 30 min. or so.
4. My other attire included an old straw hat from the attic — so raggedy that no one but a scarecrow would want to wear it; a thin blouse that had fabric printed with autumn leaves on it; Halloween socks; and a blinking orange and black necklace for after dark. The latter was obtained on clearance last year (or was it the year before?) and never used. I handed out the candy from a brown woven basket that normally is on the coffee table holding the remote control. So I was sorta-kinda looking like a scarecrow.
5. I got a free cupcake and a free grilled hotdog for supper, courtesy of the church Trunk or Treat committee.
If I say so myself, a fun and frugal time was had by all! (PS–I plan to buy some big bags of candy on clearance to save for next year!)
1. I bought a big bag of chocolate candy variety pack for 50% off at Dollar Tree. My students have 3 weeks of testing in my classes. I am going to offer them a treat after they test. (I actually bought something there instead of scavenging.)
2. I found 2 headbands w/ Xmas lights attached on the sidewalk outside the Dol Gen. My husband hot glued the one that had a light that had come detached. He replaced the battery in the other one. I am going to mail them to my niece & her 10 yr old daughter.
3. I put together a gift (from my gift stash) for my SIL birthday.
4. My husband used a gift card I got for him last Xmas to get a haircut. His punch card is full so the next haircut will be free. Supercuts GC are usually 20% off in Dec. I think I’ll get him another one this Dec. It is a useful gift. He also gets a senior haircut as he is 70 yr old. He still has all his hair.
5. Was out running errands & got hungry. Resisted the drive thru & waited until I got home to eat. I had made some crock pot baked beans w/ molasses. (Inspired by Katy’s posts about beans.) They were tasty & filling. What will Katy cook next?
FFT post hospital addition. Our son with autism was hospitalized for 2 weeks with severe pancreatitis caused by a medication. Its was a really scary 2 weeks but we are home now and slowly moving forward.
1. I brought home from the hospital all the extra sealed single serving apple juices and apple sauces and we are using them up.
2. Made oatmeal in the crockpot for easy breakfasts
3. Made collard greens in the crockpot with a ham hock. Used the broth and meat from the ham hock to make split pea soup with carrots and celery and some chicken broth. Lunches for a few days and enough to freeze for three more lunches.
4, managed to do 4 mystery shops yesterday while running errands. Netted about $50 plus $28 in food. I find them fun and rewarding plus they distract me from the current political climate.
5. Using the nice weather to dry my wash.
Our son is doing much much better but is still weak, so lots of rest and home cooking.