Five Frugal Things | 10# of free potatoes!
1. I got 10 pounds of free potatoes at Safeway
Let me get this out of the way first: Safeway is totally not a cheap grocery store to shop at. But sometimes I do go there if there are deals to be had, or if I'm desperate. (lol)
But I happened to open the Safeway app, and I noticed that they had an offer for a free 10 pound bag of Russet potatoes, with no other purchase requirements.
I had to make a quick stop at Safeway anyway for a few other things, so I made sure to grab the bag of potatoes.
So. We are about to be eating potatoes, potatoes, and more potatoes.
2. I shaved my pilled sweater
Not too long ago, I ordered this striped sweater from Amazon.
(I'm wearing it in this crock-pot Instagram video, if you want to see it better!)
I like it decently well, but I am annoyed that it has gotten terribly pilled, despite me laundering it gently and always, always line-drying it.
Anyway, I got out my trusty fabric shaver and went to work on the pills.
And here's what it looks like now:
Much better!
Here's hoping the sweater has gotten out all of its pent-up pilling energy, and will stay bump-free for a while now. 😉
But if not, oh well. I still have my shaver! Pills can't stop me.
(My fabric shaver is from Aldi. But this one looks almost identical to mine.)
3. I got a $5/$30 Lidl coupon by installing the app
I don't like Lidl as much as Aldi, of course (nothing can replace my love for Aldi), but I figured it would be good to have the app for the times I do pop in there.
You can earn rewards by scanning the app whenever you shop, plus, as an introductory offer, you get $5/$30 purchase.
And it is not hard to spend $30 on groceries!
4. I took Zoe to get a Bath and Body Works freebie
She and I had time to kill between two appointments, and we happened to be right by Bath and Body Works.
I had the coupons in my purse, so we popped in and she picked out a free body spray.
5. I turned a Cerave pump bottle upside down
You know how those pump bottles always have some product left that the pump can't reach?
My girls were about to throw away this bottle, but I rescued it. 😉 Turned upside down in a glass bowl, it released enough face lotion to last me for quite a few days.
Incidentally, I really like this lotion for my face. As facial products go, it's not terribly expensive. Plus, a little goes a long way, and it has done wonders for the dry cheeks I get in the winter months.
This is the Cerave variety I use.
The funny thing is, pills are quite irrespective of fabric it seems. I have some 100% woolen sweaters that sprout pills.
FFT
I got a discount for an online purchase, by redeeming loyalty points
I mended a camisole
I mended a loose seam
I sold a laptop charger for a laptop that was replaced over a year ago
I was able to (solar power) wash and (line) dry three loads on one bright and windy day.
This weekend, as I was doing house chores, I realized I've been frugal all my life in doing my own housekeeping. I work fulltime, and now that I am in my late fifties I am not as energetic as I used to be. But thanks to the "work from home" policy and with some careful planning I can still do some chores during the week and not be cleaning all weekend.
I am not following my mother's example of household perfectionism though. Good enough is good enough.
Containers of thick potions, such as lotion or conditioner, are hard to properly empty out without cutting them open. There's usually a cup or more of the stuff left.
@WilliamB, So true!
Conditioner is easier to deal with; you can add a little water and it’s actually easier to distribute in your hair that way. For the lotions, there is a product that is a slimmer spatula made for scraping the remainder out more easily.
@WilliamB, I've wondered before if there are skinny spatula products that you can purchase to help remove products from containers.
@Kris, Mini Spatula Silicone Small for Makeup Spatula- Thin Jar Spatula ，for Thin Jar/Kitchen Bottles/Cosmetic Bottles 4Pack (Multicolor) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SL4N33F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_N4ZGDZ7GWV3ZBD0GB6EE
@Kris - I just get my husband to get one of his razor type knives and cut it open, then I transfer it to a small glass jar.
@kris, Pop it into the microwave or a bowl of really hot water. It should soften the liquids so they will pour easily.
@SandyH, I didn't know these existed & I just ordered them using your link, thanks! I needed something to get the last bits of condiments out of bottles.
@WilliamB, thanks, everyone, for your hints!
@Sandy Beach, you’re so welcome! I use them all the time!
@Kris, I found by cutting the tubes or plastic bottles open &sticking in plastic bag they stay soft.
This week our main air conditioner died and we will have to wait about two weeks for the mechanic to come. Fortunately our extreme heat has gone for a few days. I have been cleaning the areas around the air conditioner and found some things mum had lost.
I have been working diligently at using everything I cook. I have also managed to make quite a few meals that were vegetarian. That certainly keeps the grocery budget lower.
I hadn't filled the fuel tank in the car for a few weeks. I managed to buy fuel at 20 cents less a litre.
As usual I have line dried most of our washing.
I am trying to stick to my resolution of not buying craft stuff. I have botched a few times but am doing pretty well for me. I relented and bought some knitting cotton which is difficult for me to buy here.
I love that you got the free potatoes at Safeway. I redeemed that offer a couple times as well as $5 off any size order a couple times. I hadn't shopped there in a very long time and then those offers came my way and I used them. I do find their prices to be high unless there is a good promotion. I have been offered to save $3 on a $15 produce purchase lately, not much worth bothering with.
I buy CeraVe in a squat pump bottle at Sam's Club. When it will pump no more I unscrew the lid and use a spatula to get out enough cream to fill a small glass jar (one I've saved from buying minced garlic). It's many, many applications for my winter dry hands. I also like using it on my face.
Five Frugal Things:
1. Tousling mousse seems to extend the life of my haircuts. With short hair I look pretty shaggy if I go too long without a hair but due to the Omicron surge and the fact that I wanted to change hairdressers it's been since before Thanksgiving since I've had my hair cut. It's just now looking shaggy and I do have an appointment with a new stylist in two weeks but tousling mousse seems to be making it a more bearable situation.
2. I had leftover canned pumpkin so I added it to GF pancakes, GF muffins, and my morning oatmeal.
3. A friend is receiving meal kits weekly. She had amassed a large quantity of small sour cream packets. They were just the right amount to make a double batch of a Blueberry Ginger muffin recipe my MIL had. I hadn't made them in years. They were delicious so I ate two then packaged the rest to give away.
4. Despite two days of endless rain last week I bundled up and walked outside. I have a long London Fog (does that brand even exist) raincoat/trench coat that I rarely wear but it, along with a very large umbrella, kept me pretty dry. As a bonus there was a dollar bill lying in the street one day.
5. I was able to giveaway, using Freecycle, cake and muffin mixes that were past the Best By date. A friend would have thrown them away but knew I'd find someone that would want them. I also gave away cream cheese and fresh mozzarella that came from my friend's meal kits, they not yet "expired".
@K D, I love pumpkin oatmeal - delicious and nutritious. I usually add a bit of cinnamon, flax seed and walnuts.
@K D, I totally remember that cheese Freecycle post, I think we may live in the same area. 😉 And good for you for getting out in that rain. I couldn't even bring myself to walk my dog in it, she was dingy with excitement by Saturday to get out of the house!
And I am notoriously for cutting open plastic bottles to get every last bit out, thank goodness for heavy duty kitchen scissors!
I get so many good ideas from these lists- super motivating!
1. Used the remaining half of t’giving turkey to make a vat of stock. Added gifted chicken from my sister ( she is vegetarian & her son isn’t, but he doesn’t like leftovers) to egg noodles & carrots & was able to give chicken noodle soup to a friend with Covid & another recovering from surgery- added a loaf of homemade wheat from my bread machine!
2. Tried a new cake recipe & added the peach juice that was left from a jar of DelMonte peaches to equal the cooking oil requirement- couldn’t tell the difference
3. Listing “Swagbucks” on my daily to do so that I am inclined to pick up my laptop when I’m watching tv
4. Enjoying several No-drive/no-spend days per week
5. A friend had a boatload of clothes she was going to donate & invited my daughter & me to see if we wanted any. We both found several, including some new with tags! What a fun gift!!!
—Frugal beauty! Thanks to CVS popping out free beauty item coupons, I’ve been spoiling myself with the following: hair oil, hand cream, and face masks to share with my husband. (Our house is SO dry in winter, even with a humidifier.) As we’re well-stocked at this point, I’ll start using the coupons to collect items like the hand cream for my gift stash.
—Right after all the comments here last week about cat food shortages, PetSmart sent a digital coupon for $10 off $50! I used it to stock up on both canned and dry food for our three boys. Their canned favorites weren't too picked over, though the shelves were easily 3/4 empty.
—I’ve been going through eight years’ worth of a family member’s medical records. Past me did a good job of keeping every scrap of paperwork, but current me wants to make the files more user-friendly for future me and said family member. I’ve been removing unnecessary insurance disclaimer/rights forms (included with every statement), ensuring everything is chronological, labeled, etc. I’ve been tackling it in hour-ish chunks to maintain sanity, while listening to favorite YouTube shows. Frugal-wise, the folders I’m using came new-in-the-package from Goodwill (10 for $1) or were recycled from elsewhere in the house. I’m labeling everything courtesy of a brand new package of labels I found on the sidewalk. The labels were originally meant for kids, but their neon slime design certainly adds some much-appreciated levity!
—I signed up for Misfits Market with a friend’s $15 promo code ages ago. The first box was amazing, but the ones that followed were very hit-or-miss with quality control and absent items. I paused my membership after 2/3 boxes had issues. Right before Christmas, Misfits sent me a $20 off of three orders” discount code. I deemed it worth the risk since I only ever spent the $30 order minimum, and +$5 for shipping = $15 per box after the $20 discount. Having stocked our pantry and fridge with staples via three discounted orders, I’ve once again paused the membership.
Frugal pfffffft: Our nice metal snow shovel disappeared after 10+ uneventful years propped in the same corner of the porch. 🙁 The $30+ to replace it (plastic shovels can’t handle our snow) hurt my feelings almost as much as losing its predecessor.
@N,
Good idea on the medical culling! I need to do this and make a concise list of years surgeries, etc. took place!
@N, Definitely agree, the medical culling is an excellent idea, especially parsed out into smaller increments like you suggested.
And also - here's another karmic pfffft for your disappearing snow shovel - that would feel very disappointing!
@Michele, that’s a good idea re: surgery dates! In my family member’s case, it’s two dramatic ER/hospital stays (easy to remember but still written down!) and years of quarterly appointments and labs to keep on top of their health, with the receipt pile to match!
@Suz, it’s far from fun, but I definitely feel better having finally tackled it. A handful more of videos for distraction/timing myself, and I may even be done!
And pfffffft, indeed! ;P
Well, thanks to last week's very cold weather, I got a lot of food for free. The Sysco delivery at school arrived frozen solid, so I got my bag of oranges for free. I thought I would have to juice them, but they were actually perfectly fine once they thawed.
My Misfits Market delivery also arrived frozen solid. They refunded the entire cost of it, plus gave me a $10 credit, and I used all the produce, anyway. Cherry tomatoes became a roasted tomato sauce, some of the apples were weirdly fine once they thawed and the rest were cooked, frozen green beans are no problem to cook and my kids will eat them frozen, frozen fennel was just fine when it was sliced and baked, and we discovered that slices of frozen cucumber are actually really good. Good thing I didn't get any lettuce this week. I have cooked with accidentally frozen lettuce before, but I'd rather it not have to be cooked.
My youngest son was asked to be the crown-bearer at the homecoming king and queen coronation on Friday, which meant he needed dressy clothing. The First Communion suit that I bought used four years ago for $15 for my first son (and that was also used by the second son) fits him just right right now. Which means, of course, that it will not fit him for his actual First Communion next year, but also means that I didn't have to scramble for presentable clothing for the child who destroys all of his clothes. I just love clothes that have been worn by all three boys. I even have a few things that were worn by all three boys and are now being used by their sister.
My husband cut my hair, as he has been doing for some time now. Except this time he cut off like two inches. Which is about an inch too long. Sigh. Got what I paid for there. But I guess I use less hair products when it's short, right? Right.
In keeping with the theme of using every drop, I cut the end off the toothpaste tube to get another 5 days of clean teeth. I also cut the end off the shampoo tube, and used a little rubber spatula to get every bit of peanut butter out of the jar.
I sold a pair of lovely, heavy brass lamp finales on eBay. I donated the lamps to my favorite thrift store, but the finales were exceptional. I knew that they would be easy to store, pack and ship. Previously used packing materials will used for mailing.
I reconfigured a walk-in closet in my new office/nursery/guest room. I designed it to hold all the items that I needed for my work. The cost for supplies was approximately $150. This is not super cheap, but there is a trend where I live to pay “professionals” to do this. Prices can be as much as $5000 for a medium size walk-in closet. I was also able to use a $10 gift card from Target that I received last week to get a container that I needed for this project. This made the container free.
I scanned several receipts to Ibotta and Fetch taking advantage of the “free” Red Baron/Freschetta Pizza offer for my husband who is not gluten free. It provided lunch for him for 3 days.
I am doing all the usual things - I am reading library books (A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins & The Well Loved House), drinking primarily filtered water, cooking at home, brewing my own coffee, working on my family’s genealogy, buying secondhand when possible and playing Wordle.
@Bee, I usually do the same with toothpaste tubes. This morning I noticed someone threw 2 (TWO) tubes in the trash before I got to cut them open. Grrr, hopefully it won't happen again 😉
First, thanks so much to all yesterday's commenters on my Meet a Reader profile--especially for the outpouring of warmth for the photo of DH and me. Special thanks to Lindsey, Cass, and the others near the end of the list for whom I wasn't able to provide individual comments. (Cass's 10-year-old's "Who's that? He looks nice" remark tickled me pink. Yes, he is.) And, finally, I'm grateful to Bee, Lindsey, and others for offering practical advice to Dicey and others about LTCI problems.
Now, FFT, Using What I've Got Edition:
(1) I can sympathize with kristin @ going country about the frozen produce, because I discovered on my last trip to the attic that some of the onions I'd stored up there were frozen solid. (This has never happened to me before, but then we've had a longer string of really cold weather this winter than we've had for the last several.) Anyway, like kristin, I did what I could to use some of the frozen ones: I used two (plus a bag of chicken bones I pulled from the freezer) to make an "emergency" stock.
(2) I then used two more of the mushy onions in an "emergency" soup with the stock and some miscellaneous veg, both fresh and canned.
(3) I'm doing what I can to "eat down" the pantry and freezer contents in other respects. For instance, I made pancakes for supper one night with some long-disused pancake mix and some blueberries I found at the back of the freezer.
(4) I'm working on my mile-high stack of "to be read" books. (If it's true that you can't die till you've finished your stack, I may have discovered the secret of immortality.) To answer Kristen's question (which I didn't get to yesterday) about what I read besides Jane Austen, it's mostly nonfiction these days. I'm currently finishing Helen Macdonald's book of amazing natural-history essays, Vesper Flights (she's best known for her equally amazing memoir, H Is for Hawk).
(5) As I read, I'm riding the recumbent stationary bicycle that DH and I acquired some years ago, as barter for a leather jacket that no longer fit DH and a pair of snowshoes I found I couldn't use. We've done quite a few swapsies over the years.
@A. Marie, we loved H is for Hawk. There is a great documentary by the same name. Really good.
My pill shaver has saved a lot of sweaters. I love those shavers.
1. I cooked two things at once in the oven and didn't wait for it to pre-heat, to save energy. It worked just fine to cook without pre-heating in my metal pans, but I hesitate to do that using stoneware or Corning Ware, as I wonder if the pre-heat cycle might cause the dishes to crack. Any comments on that?
2. I found two pairs of pants and two tops at a thrift store to bolster my much worn and depleted cold weather non-work wear. We've had mild winters recently, but this winter has given us some persistent chilly weather, when short sleeves and capris won't cut it.
3. I portioned out and froze leftover homemade soup and pulled pork.
4. I received a really good offer on a subscription to a magazine I used to take. I thought it over - I really didn't get any use out of the magazine when I took it. I skimmed through them and tossed them or donated them, that's it. Even a small price is too much when it's basically wasted, so I ignored the offer.
5. One of the farmers from whom I purchase organic goods is offering sweet potatoes from a farmer friend that cost 60 cents a pound when buying a box full. The lowest price I have found in the stores here is $1.34 a pound. I ordered a box, because I can go through a lot of sweet potatoes.
@JD, I'm not sure why you would need to worry about the dishes cracking during pre-heat. It is just slowly increasing hot temperature going up to the bake temperature, isn't it? It can't be that it leaps instantly to 700 degrees, and then drops down.
I would be more worried, if I was going to worry, about dishes going from room temperature to the heat of a completely pre-heated oven, as the sudden change could cause a crack, if they were going to crack, which I don't think they are.
Physics help, anyone?
I agree with the other reader; I think preheating dishes slowly is very unlikely to cause harm. It's more likely to mess up a pan/dish by exposing it to sudden temperature changes, like putting a frozen dish into a hot oven.
@Heidi Louise,
Well, someone who owns the French White Corning Ware baking dishes said her package said it was safe for pre-heated ovens. I don't have the French White, I have the old fashioned Blue Cornflower, which may be different material, possibly? And I have a Corning Expressions stoneware covered casserole, which I bought second hand, so I never saw the packaging. It just says Microwave and Dishwasher safe on the bottom.
I think about an oven full of exploded shards and burnt food and I just can't make myself do it unless it's metal pans.
That's what I was thinking, too. My one cracked stoneware was when I added something cold to a hot pan and - crack! Right down the middle. It was Pampered Chef and, thankfully, the rep replaced it for me.
@JD, Many years ago I was at a friends for supper. She has a wonderful chicken casserole recipe that we all love. It was in the oven, we were all in the den visiting when we heard an explosion. Opened the oven and the dish had just exploded. That dish is now referred to as Chicken and Glass Casserole!! We ordered pizza that night
1. Over a year ago, I made a batch of dip-dyed stationary using Kristen's tutorial, and I used some as thank-you cards last week. Easy, fast, made with things I already had, and beautiful.
2. Further in frugal crafting (i.e. not buying new materials until I've used what I have,) I made myself finish my daughter's crocheted baby blanket and then picked up a half-finished knitted sweater for myself that I abandoned a few months ago.
3. We took advantage of free and low-cost events. In the last week, we attended a virtual Yiddish singalong and a virtual trivia night through our synagogue.
4. We weren't really hungry when our takeout-date-night rolled around, so we snacked on leftovers instead.
5. I rode heroically to the rescue of three languishing avocados last night and made guacamole--though one avocado was past saving. Despite our best efforts we sometimes throw away produce, but it bothers me most when it's avocados!
@Meira@meirathebear,
I'm picturing avocados tied to a railroad track and calling out weakly for help, a la Dudley Do-right. It gave me a chuckle, thanks!
And that Dudley Do-right remark absolutely dates me, for sure.
I love Cere Ve products! They are deeply moisturizing without being greasy.
FFT ... I made a venison burger/tomato/barley soup with ground venison from our freezer yesterday (along with this bread: http://www.creativesavv.com/2021/01/making-budget-foods-and-recipes-more.html). I love the bread recipe--it's a no-knead yeast bread which you can make, start to finish, in 2 1/2 hours. The dough gets scored into 3 smaller loaves before baking, which is part of what makes it a faster yeast bread--and it's super delicious. It would make a good addition if you are taking a soup meal to someone in need.
I'm working on knitting slippers for myself from yarn I already have. The pattern is an old one of my mom's .... I'm remembering why I don't love the pattern (I don't love the fit of the finished project) but it's been a year since I've knitted anything and this is a good easy project to get my knitting brain back in gear before tackling anything more difficult. This is a two-fer--knitting as entertainment with a resulting product that I need. If anyone has recommendations for a slipper pattern (knitting only--I can't wrap my mind around crocheting) feel free to tack it on to my comment. 🙂
I'm having a tea party tomorrow! I'm an avid tea drinker and as a result, I get gifted a LOT of tea. I've invited the local "girls" from my family over for tea and nibbles. My costs to throw this are minimal, the invitees are savvy about covid safety, and after yet another extended period of minimizing connecting socially to avoid infection, we are all looking forward to enjoying each other's company in a kid-free zone.
Continuing to enjoy the free (good!) coffee at work which our hospital system has been providing as a perk (no pun intended ... ok, well, maybe I did intend it!) for the employees through the seemingly endless covid surge.
@Kris,
I have to say that that your comment about not being able to wrap your mind around crocheting tickled me! I love to crochet and find it easy because I'm working with only 1 hook and not 2 needles. I have tried 2 or 3 times very seriously to learn knitting but just can't seem to get it. It's frustrating because I can do almost any type of handwork, and think knitting is absolutely beautiful. Love the drape of the finished pieces, wish I could figure it out! Hats off to you!
@Amanda P, I have noticed that people seem to gravitate to either knitting or crocheting--I know a few who can do both, but the majority seem to have a strong preference. I crocheted (and I use that term loosely!) a border on a child's cardigan and I struggled to keep it from looking wonky. I'm never sure why it's such a struggle for me.
@Kris, after I graduated from college and had my first "real" job, which paid practically nothing, I knitted myself a cute sweater vest but crocheted the ribbing at the waist, armholes and neckline because I just could not figure out knitted ribbing. So I am one of those cro-knit hybrid people, although now I almost exclusively crochet because it's easier on my arthritic fingers.
@Kris, I'm so jealous about your coffee situation! I work at a college and they shut down our free coffee during Covid (we had it for the first 10 years that I've worked there) and seem unwilling to bring it back.... it is dreadful.
1. I picked up a free puddle jumper for my son from my buy nothing group. We are staying at a hotel with an indoor pool in a week so perfect timing!
2. I’ve been eating oatmeal for breakfast every day as a way to use up cabinet odds and ends. So I far I’ve used a small bag that had some dried cranberries and dark chocolate chunks in it (possibly leftover from a cookie recipe, and made delicious oatmeal!), dried coconut, raisins, dried apricot, slivered almonds, plus I toss in any leftover fruit that the kids didn’t finish. This should really tidy up my baking shelf when I’m done, as these little bags of random things have been cluttering it up for awhile.
3. I used digital coupons to get a couple free items at Sprouts, a strawberry kombucha drink and a nut and seed snack bar.
4. My workplace has extended working from home into March now, which will save me money on gas.
5. We keep the heater off during the day on weekdays when the kids aren’t home, even though both of us are working from home. My husband works in the smallest room in the house and his computer, combined with keeping the door closed, actually keeps the room pretty warm. I just bundle up while working. It also doesn’t get very cold where we live (50 degrees is about the lowest it goes during the day)
Kristen, you inspired me to install the Safeway app, and I had a $5 off a $5 purchase, as well as a $5/$5 purchase birthday freebie. $10 in free groceries?! What a win! You're right that the store is expensive, but I will definitely check it out for that. They also happen to have a sale on the round loaf of sourdough I'd like for a Super Bowl dip (spinach dip - the best!), so I'll take advantage. Disclaimer, I will also likely buy some fancy ice cream bars for the teens, which have a corresponding Fetch (P&G offer that I'm close to). After soccer games, or on days when they want a special treat, the ice cream bars work better for us than big tubs of ice cream. Portion control is more limited that way, & I'm not tempted to eat them, as my stomach is not a huge fan of ice cream.
Other wins:
-Redeemed a grocery store $20 reward, a $1 off coupon, & combined with some Fetch deals to get out of another local grocery store with very low out of pocket for some things we need.
-Met a friend for a quite hard hike on Sunday. All of my friends offer work out meet ups, vs for a meal or coffee. It's such a great reason to get together, & catch up.
-My son is turning 16 next week. (I can't believe it, but that's a story for another day). In non-COVID times, we probably would have splurged on a party at a location (bowling, Top Golf, etc.) Both due to COVID, and because it's his choice, he is meeting his friends at the park to play Magic the Gathering. I'm supplying a Costco pizza, some treats, and money to buy everyone boba tea. I also bought a box of Magic cards, so they can have a "draft". I don't know what that is, but apparently it's quite fun, & how he wants to spend his birthday. He's excited, which is all that counts.
-We had a miscommunication about cooking dinner last night, so I tossed together some freezer items instead. It worked fine, and I got a couple of larger items out of the freezr, creating more space.
1.) I disassembled a deodorant to use the last little bits of it. I only have like five left in my stash so who can blame me for being so frugal? 😉
2.) Resisted buying pizza last night when I realized it was 3:30 and I had no dinner planned. I made tossed salads and baked potatoes.
3.) My work changed banks that they have our HSAs with. Since I no longer contribute to an HSA plan (I'm on my wife's insurance which is much better!) said bank is now charging me a fee just to have the account. So what I am doing is rolling my two HSA accounts together into one in a bank that has no fees. It's a complex thing which requires physically mailing letters to do so but whatever.
4.) Doing some mending again and this time instead of just reaching for whatever scrap piece was big enough, I'm taking the time to find which scrap actually does coordinate with the garment that needs fixing.
5.) Working on paying off the mortgage and all that comes along with that.
On a side note, I've been allowing myself to have some fun purchases again. I basically rarely bought anything for myself for the last few months. I really didn't get anything for Christmas or my birthday (not complaining; just stating a fact) but I did get some cash which I've been putting in my bank account and just letting it sit there. Well, I'm allowing myself some fun purchases like some stationery and other things that I enjoy.
I'm back in the office two days a week so I've been making sure to bring my lunch and wait until I get to work for my first cup of coffee. Our office serves Starbucks coffee and has a sparkling water machine which are both free of charge!
I bought a pack of the skinny spatulas a few years ago to make sure I get every last drop of product I can. I cut open two almost empty lotion containers this weekend because I was past the squeeze point.
I picked up a hard copy and an audio version (on CD) of a book for book club from the library. I'm not sure I will have the time to sit a read the book as much as I want to but if I can get through a few chapters on disc while commuting I feel like it's a win. I did make sure there were additional copies available at the library so I'm not putting anyone out for my laziness/lack of hours in my day.
even though I was running late on Saturday and my husband suggested just ordering in for dinner, I managed to pull together a quick and yummy dinner just from pantry items! And the leftovers made a great work lunch on Monday!
1. Made a meal plan for the week
2. Using coconut oil as night moisturizer
3. Walking to work
4. Shovelled snow with wine and music for a date night (task got done, fresh air, starry night sky)
5. Wearing my whole wardrobe. Every time I wear something, I'll turn the hanger around so I can wear the other, less loved items. It forces me to create new outfits and adds variety without spending more money on clothes. I keep rotating my pants though as I don't have as many of those! 🙂
Stay frugal 🙂
@Jenni, Love you date night! Nothing is as romantic as a star-filled sky,
I always cut open containers that get the last of products out. (Foundation, body lotions, toothpaste, etc.) There is SO much left in the bottoms that I feel like I'm just throwing money away if I don't.
I don't have much in terms of frugality this week because this weekend, we spent money like it was free (and it wasn't!). I had to put 60% down on my daughters wedding dress, we had to have our electrical box completely rewired and it was our anniversary weekend and we did a little overnight escape. But I'll try, lol.
1. In regards to our electrical - it was an absolute necessity. However, we did use an electrician friend of ours (so it was a side job to him). He was very reasonable in what he charged us. He also picked the materials up at Lowe's and used his military discount so we caught a little bit of a break there.
2. Our overnight getaway - We just did 1 night instead of a whole weekend and when I reserved the room, I did it as a 'no refund' to which they charged my credit card immediately. So I went in and paid it then, so there wouldn't be a chance of it accruing interest. Dinner was ridiculously expensive, so I've got nothing there, lol. I ordered a glass of wine with dinner and it was $16. $16!!!! Prices are crazy.
That's pretty much all I've got. I feel like I have financial PTSD from the weekend. We've had so many house repairs since Thanksgiving that surely it has to stop soon.
@kris,
We are working on a wedding in our household. I’m shocked at the prices of things —especially the venue charges. Holy Moly!
@Bee,
Yes! It's crazy. 🙂
1.As usual, shopped at Aldi. The shelves weren’t quite as full as usual. Several items I needed I ended up getting at Kroger.
2. Cooked from scratch and avoided takeout. Was able to put together two meals from what was on hand: homemade veggie soup with cheesy round bread (made with biscuit mix, I make my own, SO EASY!) and grilled burgers which we had with potato chips.
3. Sold three items on eBay.
4. Embarking on a DIY project: painting my half-bath vanity countertop. I’ve been down this road before: using the Giani Countertop Paint kit in my kitchen( lasted two years before we got new countertops). It held up pretty good but it did not hold up as well in this bathroom. So, I’m sanding it down and using Rustoleun Epoxy Appliance paint ( spray) that I saw on a You Tube video tutorial. I did have one frugal fail here though. We simply cannot get the old faucet out. My comical attempts were for naught. The bolts are just frozen in place. So we had the guy who has done some other “out of our area of expertise” things for us, and he is charging $50 to remove it and then come back to put in the new faucet.
5. This one is hubby’s: negotiated a great deal for two new iPhones for us to replace our old ones.
I warmed up a few bottles of lotion, shampoo and poured those last little bits into the new bottles. Kristen, I microwave mine for 10 seconds and it comes out easier.
Used my Food Lion Shop and Earn money on other SaE categories I wanted to max out for items I needed.
Gave ds a coupon for his haircut.
Filled out a survey to get a gift card for getting a physical through our insurance.
Had several of the same meals to stay out of the grocery store.
Froze a loaf of bread before it could go bad. I've found the quality is the same when it is thawed.
I really like the CeraVe morning product for a facial moisturizer.
This week-
- I've been reading books from the library on the Libby app. I read most of the latest Outlander book, but it's huge and went back before I could finish it, so I'm on the waitlist for that one again. I just started Jill Shalvis' latest and I'm enjoying it and some cookbooks for dinner ideas.
- I cut open a tube of Gold Bond moisturizer I use after showering and there was a lot left in there.
- We almost ordered out Indian food, but we had most of the ingredients here to cook it, so we did for way less than the $80+ it would have cost (at least that's how much our online order was up to when we decided not to continue).
- I've been enjoying some orchids that have come back into bloom . I mounted several onto the palm trees a couple of years ago and the different color blooms are so pretty.
- I covered the tomato plants when we had some really cold weather and unfortunately broke one completely off at the base, not from a falling iguana even though we did have them falling out of trees here. I replanted the broken part into another pot and it seems to be rooting and thriving, so a frugal save.
@Sandy Beach, tomato plants are vines, so re-rooting broken-off pieces should work very well. And don't get rid of the one broken off at the base, either. It should re-sprout.
You'd think that some company would market that their containers are easy to get all of the contents out of. Could start a sort of revolution.
Does the inside of the sweater also pill, and do you shave that? Is there any pulling of threads and fuzz from front to back if you do? You wash the stuff inside out?
I usually wash my tops inside out, yes. So I am puzzled about the pilling. Does washing inside out CAUSE pilling?
Hope not! I would expect that since the material is protected from harsher items that might be in the washer, (zippers, snaps, buttons, trim), being inside out is better.
1. I made yogurt in the Instant Pot under my dog's close supervision. She checked it for Quality Assurance and it passed!
2. I'm getting a ton of wear out of the wool mittens I bought on Ebay last fall. Sometimes sellers will offer you a lower price if it is the off season for the item and you put it on a watch list (I found that out by accident!)
3.I used some condiment containers and lids from Take Out Date Night to organize some powder eye shadow with a lid that leaks and makes a mess of my makeup drawer. Yay free storage idea!
4. I'm dressing in layers and often end the evening watching the Olympics on antenna TV under a dog on top of the snuggly throw my niece arm knitted for me. That way we can keep the thermostat on the same money saving program and satisfy the people who run hot or cold without touching it.
5. The big frugal win is I installed a Watersense rated toilet and bidet attachment in my bathroom. The toilet will use less water and has a better performance that the toilet that came with the house. The bidet will save on the amount of toilet paper we need to use. We have both in a powder room in the house and they helped us get through The Great Toilet Paper Drought.
1. I redeemed Swagbucks points for a $25 Walmart card (normally 2500 points). It was "on sale" plus I had another 150 point bonus so I used only 2,050 points. I was excited about this!
2. I took advantage of the vision benefit through my Medicare Advantage plan to get a free eye exam saving me $100.
3. We had a bad ice storm here last week which kept me indoors for 5 days so no money spent or gas used.
That's it for me this time.
1. For the past three years, I've been using a shampoo that's $28 for a small bottle, which was recommended by the hairdresser for my sensitive scalp. It works great, but recently I could no longer easily buy it. Did a little research and tried one made by Neutrogena that's $8 and some change. It works just as well and it's not difficult to obtain.
2. Used some bananas no one wanted at work and the last of an opened jar of applesauce to make banana-apple-oatmeal muffins for my brown bag snacks this week.
3. Fresh meat prices continue to be eye-popping, but manager's mark-downs are saving our budget: we bought a small whole organic chicken, regularly $7.12, for $4.98, and 5-link package of sweet Italian sausage, originally $6.39, for $3.11. Those were the only mark-downs in the entire store, so thank goodness they were something we like.
4. Sewed buttons from my stash on the plain neckline of a sweater to make it prettier and to reinforce two spots that looked as if the seam might open up with wear.
5. After decades of playing The Coupon Fairy and leaving coupons I could not use next to the products on the grocery shelf, I finally found one we could use on Saturday. So thrilling! 😀
1 - made lunch for my husband and I out of random odds and ends in the fridge
2 - it’s a rainy day, so I made good use of the treadmill we recently purchased used. And watched my favorite escapist stuff on Netflix
3 - picking up donated books for my Little Free Library, and others in the neighborhood
4 - trying a new dinner recipe tonight, from Kristin’s highly recommended Dinner Illustrated, which I got from the library
5 - Getting a couple of things at Publix, which is a higher priced grocer around here, but only after I shop aldi. And I can take advantage of a bonus $2 off this week
1. I have been working to hang curtains in our new house. Two of the windows in the family room are under a covered porch and now have curtains, so I decided to take down the blinds. One set was already tangled / working poorly but the other set was still very usable, so I swapped them for the broken set in my son's room. Perfect fit!
2. My daughter has been knitting for about a year. She was recently sent a much-loved book with basic knitting projects by her great aunt, who is a phenomenal knitter. We were able to locate some leftover yarn in my crochet bin for her to start making projects. She has already made a cute, red purse for a friend.
3. Right before snowmageddon hit our region of Ohio, I ran to the store to get fruit and lunchmeat in case we lost power. While I was there, I swung by the discount shelves and scored 10 lbs. of rice for $0.25/lb and 5 boxes of cereal for less than a dollar each after additional discounts.
4. The biggest frugal win of the week in our house goes to my husband who saved us $560 by disputing charges covered by our home warranty. After many emails and phone calls, his tenacity, articulate conversations and 20+ years of professional construction experience got the charges eliminated.
5. And all the small things...finishing many freezer odds and ends during our snowed-in weekend, deals redeemed at Ibotta, a new book on Libby, working on a quilt made from scraps and using credit card reward points to buy the kids winter hats that cover their faces.
I need to get a sweater shaver! I have some sweaters that I've had around for a while that could definitely benefit from a shave!
You should, if only because the process is extremely rewarding. Heh.
1. I've done well on clearance finds this past week - tennis shoes for my girls for $3 and $4, as well as some food items like bags of shredded cheese for under $1.
2. I made lots of broth after making a turkey on Friday and froze the broth in 2c and 4c portions.
3. I mended a fitted sheet. The same one I mended a few weeks ago, but the parts around where I mended came apart. Now I've re-sewn the entire corner and I'm hoping it holds.
4. I got new nail clippers for my dog and clipped his nails this morning. I struggle with getting him out to a professional so it's been a long, long time and our attempts to clip them at home when he was younger didn't go that well. But I realized that he's 10 years older now and would probably tolerate it at home a lot better. The clippers were a little under the cost of taking him out for one clipping and I'll be able to do it a lot more frequently. Win all around.
5. I was on the hunt for a heart-shaped cake pan for my kiddo's birthday party and knew that Aldi sold them as special buys in the past, so I was anticipating buying one from there since my library didn't have a heart-shaped one in the catalog. But! Then I messaged the librarian who is in charge of the cake pan area (she runs a side business as a baker and has donated a lot of pans to the library) to ask if she had one that she would rent out to me and she said that the library would have some available within the week. I put them on hold and was able to get it in time for the party! I returned it today so hopefully someone else can enjoy it for Valentine's Day. I have got to say... libraries are the best!!
I did have one frugal fail and learning opportunity: I saw that WalMart had some kids coats on clearance and wanted to buy one for my son for next year. I got the coat, took it up front, and it rang up full price. So I scanned the tag on my WalMart app, showed it to the cashier, and asked for a price adjustment. To my surprise, WalMart refused to price match their own app!!! (They have price matched themselves before, so I was completely caught off guard.) I spoke with someone the next level up and asked how I could get the coat in my hand for the price on their app and she said I would have to schedule a pickup order and hope that a time slot was available. We were on a time crunch, so I left without the coat. Sigh.
@Ruth T, That’s crazy - and so frustrating. Sorry you couldn’t get the coat. Maybe tomorrow?
I love the de-piller tool! It makes our sweaters look brand new. Here's our Five Frugal Things for the week:
1. I did the same thing as you with shampoo and body wash containers. Left them upside down in the shower. Then, when we couldn't get anymore out that way, I added a little water and shook it to clean out the last remaining soap/shampoo before recycling the containers.
2. Gifted two dozen very fresh eggs from a friend.
3. While at our local craft store, I was able to purchase cute Valentine's Day socks and treats for my daughters at 40% off.
4. The real reason I was at the craft store was to peruse their clearance fabric to make underwear. I can get two to three pair from a half yard of fabric, depending on width. I'm using undie elastic I already have in my stash and with a free pattern I found online. My oldest daughter rolls her eyes when I do this, but underwear - even the most basic kind - can be expensive. If I shop the sale fabric, I can make them much cheaper in soft, breathable fabric that I like.
5. While I was grocery shopping (of all places), I found sewing machine needles, hand needles and quilting pins in the sale aisle. They were extremely marked down and I know I will use all of them.
I wish I had a Safeway nearby-weirdly Albertsons and Safeway are 2 branches of the same company and I live where Albertsons is based (Boise ID) but that deal isn’t on my Albertsons app. The Fred Meyer near my house was just remodeled so we have been getting a “Grand Opening” ad in addition to the normal weekly ad and 5 lbs of russet potatoes were $1.49 so I bought 5 pounds this week. I took advantage of a few other grocery deals as well as the $10 off a $40 purchase. I filled my gas tank and used $0.30 per gallon reward.
Other frugal wins-kitchen sink got plugged up last Monday afternoon so my husband brought home new pvc pipe fittings (under $20) to replace all the pipes under the sink and he did it very quickly. I’m lucky to have a husband who can fix nearly anything that breaks in our hous-he did the electrical, plumbing, sod and sprinkler installation when we built our house over 20 years ago. I also discontinued the frozen dog food service for our dog because I know I can replicate it myself for much less than it costs to have it delivered.
I cooked almost all of our meals and froze some leftovers rather than wasting them which we have previously done far too often.
Have a safe and happy week everyone!
1) I went for a walk and forgot I had cupcakes in the oven! The oven was beeping when I returned and the cupcakes, while not officially burned, were very hard and dry. My husband suggested putting them in a ziploc with a piece of bread, which we did, and it did soften them quite a bit. Bless the man for being willing to eat my mistakes. I probably would have turned them into bird/squirrel food (ie: the compost pile).
2) I had $10 in Walgreens rewards and was very happy to find Oscar Mayer bacon 2/$10, which if pretty cheap right now for this area anyway. I know bacon is not good for you, and certainly not a necessity, but we make a pound last a month at our house.
3) I am picking up a few extra days work at a new healthcare facility in town. I have mixed emotions. I like the xtra money, but am not thrilled about working....
4) I am using up 6 soft apples that have been languishing in the frig for over month to make a dessert for dinner tonight.
That's it for this week...
1. Listed and sold some things that were just taking up space. Put those funds away toward my house cleaning fund. I think I want to pay to have someone help me clean up around the house every so often. I'm struggling to keep up with the upkeep and I think it's time to admit I could use some help.
2. Have been making a bigger effort to use up groceries and pantry items that we have. Also organized the cupboard so I know what's there.
3. Worked out at home with FitnessBlender.com. Made use of the equipment I have - yoga mats, weighted hula hoop, free weights. We have good weather here but still I haven't been riding my bike or going for walks lately. Need to hop back on that.
4. Washed and detailed the car by ourselves. We were sharing one car for a few months and it had gotten pretty messy.
5. Returned some unwanted gifts from the over-gifting grandma to the kids. Used the store credit to buy good quality shoes that they're now wearing daily instead. She means well but really, they can only use so many fancy dresses, especially since we aren't going places due to COVID. In grandma's mind, we go out all the time. We really don't.
6. DD baked my dad a cookie cake for his birthday with ingredients we had around the house. He really likes cookies more than cakes and my sweet dad took a bite, looked at the cookie and said "this is some goooood stuff" to one in particular. Daughter was so proud.
7. Been trying to use my free subscription to headspace.com daily. I find that I am more rested and sleep better when I attempt meditation. I don't think I'm doing it right but I'm trying and maybe just the intentional breathing is helping me.
@CrunchyCake, I also meditate (using the Calm app) and I also feel like I’m not doing it right but I also notice I feel better after so something must be working!
@CrunchyCake, I really like Insight timer, personnally. And... there is no right or wrong way to meditate 🙂
@CrunchyCake, the idea of 'doing it right' was what stopped me from meditating for so long. I use Ten Percent, and several of the speakers/guides in that app have taught me that meditation is, at its core, the 'coming back' part. The part where we realize we have daydreamed away from meditating, and where we return. Keep coming back! THAT is the trick, the process. It has relieved me considerably and keeps me meditating rather than beating myself up for 'doing it wrong'. Also, if you give yourself kudos for each breath cycle - if all you ask of yourself is that, for this one cycle, you stay with your breath - then each cycle is a success. And then you 'come back' or 'start again' with the NEXT cycle.
1. I have more luck finding items rather than change in our grocery store parking lot. I have found bags of apples and random potatoes, for example. This week I had to use my wheelchair and when that happens we park as far from the store as possible because if we park in the handicapped area, someone almost always ignores the sign that says to leave a space open for side loading so I cannot get my wheelchair loaded until that person returns. Anyway, between the parking spot and the store I found a frozen container of Bag Balm, in a two-pack that contained a large and a tiny one (for purses, I guess?) and a party sized bag of chips. There was not another car around so I felt okay about rehoming those items to my house. I think when it gets really cold, people are just desperate to get stuff in the car and things drop out without being noticed.
2. I thought hair was supposed to slow down growing as you age. Not mine. Husband had to cut it again, which saves money but the process of having to sit there annoys me. We put on an audio book; I wish I had thought of that years ago.
3. As long as the tools were out, I cut his curly mop as well. It could have waited a few weeks probably but why not? More money saved.
4. Organized the pantry and used up coconut milk well past its use-by date. Also some creamed corn and Jiffy mix, both of which I cannot remember buying and they were also past date. Soup and bread turned out great and fed us for several days.
5. In the back of the closet found a dress that fit me fifty pounds ago. The seamster husband spent several hours taking it in and now it is back in rotation. While he did that, I kept him company and mended several pairs of his socks. I was again reminded that at 25 I would have jumped off a cliff if I thought that I would someday enjoy spending an evening just chit-chatting and sewing with my husband; now, it is just another day in old age paradise.
FFT - Travel Edition:
1. Flew to California and stayed in an Airbnb down the street from my niece and her family. We walked everywhere and didn't need a rental car.
2. Used new TSA Pre-Check privileges for the first time. Well worth the cost ($85 for 5 years) as travel is tiring enough.
3. Bought softcover books from the thrift store beforehand. As I finished them, I put them in a Little Free Library so I wouldn't have to bring them back home.
4. Used my previously thrifted rolling carry-on suitcase and toiletry bag (formerly a hair dryer case).
5. Helped my niece organize closets and she gave me a new-in-package fireproof document pouch that they weren't going to use.
@MB in MN, Thanks so much for sharing your books through little free libraries! I have one in my yard, and I also supply children’s books to the one in our neighborhood park. I love LFLs!
I feel like I`m always saying the same stuff, but here we go again!
* I don't buy clothes very often, and when I do I usually go to thrift stores or look for the sale sections
* We are eating way less meat now. I bulk ground meat by adding cooked lentils to the mix. And I buy the cheapest ground meat, I really don't care what it is (pork, chicken, beef), to me it all taste the same.
* Entertainment is almost down to zero. 10$/month for Netflix, for our family of 4. And... and... I can't think of anything else that we pay for (free stuff : library books, board games, workout at home, watching Youtube videos)
* Every week, I go throught grocery flyers, stock on sale items, use Flashfood to get 50% products, do price matching and keep an eye on the price at the register for refund if wrongly priced. I also do online survey in exchange of grocery gift card and I use a PC mastercard (always paid in full each month) to get free grocery. All of this keeps my budget around 9000$/year for or family of 4 (compared to the average 14 000$/year, here in Canada)
Ah, I repeat myself a lot too! How many times have I shared that I mended my same pair of joggers? lol
This was the week of clearance specials that had incredible prices....
1) My sis surprised me by sending me a box of camping/growing supplies.
2) On my days off, I find that I don't shop. I prefer relaxing...
3) I purchased a clearance banana bread mix and added freezer burned blueberries to it. I'm trying to use up these berries since they've been in the freezer for years....
4) My church is having their yearly bake sale fundraiser and I am baking from boxed mixes that I found on clearance. Cakes w/frosting in a pan for $1.50, Double decker cookie mix with a caramel middle for 79 cents and the most expensive was a gluten free cookie mix for $2.29.
5) I broke our thermometer and found clearance ones for $1 each.
Hi everyone! This past two weeks, I've been feeling very frugal and spendy at the same time. Snow makes me reorganize stuff!
1. I've been not liking my hutch for a long time, wanting to replace it. Instead, I (and by that I mean I asked DH to help) took off the top doors, took off another attachment, and voila, I have a nice bookshelf instead of a hutch. I did spend a little $ for photo frames to update my family photo display, but I used a Michael's online coupon.
2. Gave away the doors on Buy Nothing. Also gave away some knicky knacky things that didn't mean a lot to me. I chose someone who loved one of the items because she'd had one just like it and it had been broken. I love stories like that. I love that group.
3. Cleared out a little side pantry, reorganized, and decided to store wine in my cupboard. Selling the wine rack on marketplace, its pretty but my cats knock it over.
4. Shopped my freezer and used summer tomatoes and frozen pureed pumpkin to make a yummy chili in my crock pot. When I shop my freezer I take a bag and fill it, just like I'm really going to the store, it makes it fun. (yes snow made me really bored).
5. I've put the word out that I'm looking for books. Was loaned "Where the Crawdads Sing", "Nightingale", and now I'm reading "The Last Thing He Told Me". Love reading again, curled up with a nice blanket during cold weekends.
The local game store where we shop regularly gives store credit for gently used board games. We had one sitting on our shelf that was given as a gift that we really didn’t enjoy playing. So we turn it in for a credit. Between that and the rewards we have earned over the past year we have enough to buy a new game of our choice. I also sold some of my CS textbooks from college in true Frugal Girl style and netted almost $100 and some extra book shelf space.
1. During our trip to Disney, I realized we would have tons leftover $ on our gift cards. I did some research of what is selling on Ebay and purchased Disney merchandise and listed it on Ebay. (Disney is celebrating 50 years this year and that stuff is HOT!) I hope to get my money back and then some.
2. Also on our trip, we realized that we would NEVER have enough space going home for "extras" in our suitcases. I popped into a local thrift store and bought one for $3! I also found some Disney merchandise that the kids wanted (way cheaper, of course).
3. I picked up a mask while waiting in line for the bus that was trampled on. Brought it home washed and sanitized it. Free minnie mouse mask? yes, please.
4. I'm sure not many people bring left overs home from meals in the parks, but we sure do! We were able to save some money by eating our yummy leftovers one night instead of buying another meal.
5. I was never happier during this trip when I knew we had the money for meals out! I had been saving and scrimping for over a year. But it was worth it to just enjoy the trip and NOT stress about how much we were spending.
Made pancakes with leftovers from a can of pumpkin.
Trimmed my bangs and ends at home instead of going to the salon.
Made stock for leftover turkey parts and onion scraps.
Have done a pretty good job eating down the freezer this month. Going to continue into February.
Spent money on a vacation but did it as cheaply as possible; used an air bnb, going during the week instead of weekend, cooking our own food & making our own drinks.
1) I followed up on switching our business internet provider to save $50/month. We've already finalized the agreement, but they are taking forever to do the install. So I keep following up.
2) I bought frozen meals for my office freezer. It is not the most frugal lunch, but my office is 8 hours away from my house (long story). I need quick, easy meals. Anything more complicated will result in take out, which is expensive but takes so much more time than heating a $3 meal in the microwave. I indulge in a single fountain soda during the commute, but I pack the same road food each week.
3) We refinanced our mortgage last week. I am shocked at how low rates still are. How are they lower than inflation?
4) I repaired a pair of my husband's suit pants that had ripped. He repaired one of our kids' backpacks that had torn.
5) I resisted buying a book. I am a historian, so this is a daily struggle for me--LOL. I have a pot of money that I can spend on books, but I am waiting to be strategic with my purchases closer to the end of the semester.
1. I'm doing my best to use things up and not throw anything away, so those old bananas were made into banana cookies for a school bake sale.
2. I sold quite a few items on Facebook that my kids had outgrown or were no longer using. Got a bunch out of the house and made some cash in the process!
3. Got another round of books at the library
4. Went shopping with a friend and didn't buy anything! Just enjoyed browsing and spending time together.
5. Making a valentines dinner at home, you can make something special without doing a restaurant!