Five Frugal Things
1. I organized my fridge.
It was getting a little hectic in there, which always, always leads to food waste.
I did find a few old veggies I had to compost, but mostly things just needed organizing.
2. I made zucchini bread.
This is actually several frugal wins in one.
When I organized my fridge, I discovered that I had several wrinkly zucchini hiding under the lettuce in the veggie drawer.
Whoops.
I also discovered multiple containers of egg parts, due to Sonia's baking activities of late.
(Somehow, the recipes she uses always seem to call for either egg whites or egg yolks, and the numbers never match up!)
I wasn't super sure how many egg whites and yolks I was dealing with here, but I threw caution to the wind and dumped all of them into the batter.
This isn't a very brave thing to do when I'm making yeast dough, but I was a little worried about what would happen to my zucchini bread.
Luckily, it seems to be fine.
3. I used A.C. Moore coupons when shopping with Sonia.
Sonia needed some yarn for her budding knitting business, so I helped her pull up a coupon on the phone before we left home.
You can use A.C. Moore coupons at Michael's and vice versa, so it's always good to check and see if one of them has a 50% off coupon vs. the usual 40% off coupon.
Maximize the savings!
4. I listed a Calico Critter toy on eBay.
After many years of happy play, Sonia and Zoe have kinda moved on from Calico Critters.
Which is a little bit sad, but that's life. Sonia's going to be 14 in March, after all!
They can't really bear to part with their Calico Critter families, but they've been feeling like the shops and such are taking up too much space in their room.
So, I listed Zoe's toy shop yesterday, and amazingly enough, a local person wants to buy it.
AND, they live in a town I need to be in tonight.
AND they may be interested in buying some of the other Calico Critter things Sonia and Zoe are selling.
For someone who hates the whole eBay process (me!!), this is a sweet mercy.
5. I...
sent leftovers with Mr. FG to work, drove the smaller, more gas-efficient car to take Lisey to her college finals today, made a smoothie to use up kale from Hungry Harvest, and planned for last night's and tonight's dinner to include potatoes because I have SO MANY right now.
I have been very consistent about making roast chicken in the crock pot and then turning around to make broth from the remains. Forth cost of the chicken I get a few chicken based meals and a few 24oz jars of homemade broth. The broth is usually so rich I can add some water when I use it and make it stretch even farther.
Adorable knitted bunny. What pattern does she use? Do you have a website for it? I promise I will not be a competition for her budding business. Thanks
Edit
This is awesome! I love using up eggs as odds and ends. Sometimes I'll use egg whites for macarons and plan to make a custard with the egg yolks. Or heck, I just toss the egg parts in a saute pan and make them into scrambled eggs. 🙂
This week:
1. Tonight we have a professional party for Mr. Picky Pincher. We have to pay for the meal ($50 - ugh!), but we do get free door prizes.
2. I'm going to plant budding potato slips tonight so we can have potatoes in the spring.
3. I'm also growing herb seeds indoors. I have a very nice planter plucked from a neighbor's trash that I'll use as our herb planter.
4. I have to travel for work today, which means about $90 in mileage reimbursements.
5. I also just got a very nice holiday bonus from work, so I'm loving the extra income this month. 🙂
1. My new job has me needing to improve my wardrobe a bit. I waited, though, until the holiday, to see if my company was going to provide me with any new logo shirts -- and they are! They let me pick the color and style of the two shirts, so now I know what I need to wear them with. That helps, and the shirts are free to me, from Lands' End.
2. I thawed a pound of ground beef and made two hamburgers for my husband and me last night. The rest of the ground beef (we eat burgers that are slightly less than 1/4 pound each) will go into the spaghetti sauce from my freezer, to go over the spaghetti squash from my freezer, topped with homemade pesto, also from my freezer, tonight.
3. I have been buying my holiday baking supplies as they come on sale. It is a lot easier on the budget to buy a few things at a time.
4. I have a really big, awkwardly shaped present to wrap. Luckily, I once received a large package from England, in a big official UK postal bag. It will hold the present and look neat to boot. I'm glad I saved it.
5. Not something I just did, but kind of funny to me. I expect to have company this weekend who will need the little-used twin-bed sized pull out bed in our chair-and-a-half. I opened it to air it out, and discovered I had neatly stored sheets to fit it in the foldout last time... 3 years ago? Now I don't have to scrounge for sheets, or worse, buy some more.
This week has been a doozy as we have to replace our heating system at great expense! But I've saved for such emergencies, and have been thinking even more intentionally about how to be frugal in other areas:
1. We recently bought a new stove and spent 2 days cleaning the old one, ready to list on Craigslist.
2. I have brought my lunch to work every day.
3. I couldn't think what to make for dinner last night and almost swung by Chipotle on the way home, when I realized my husband and I could have different things from the freezer (there was only one piece of fish, which I had, and he had something else).
4. Brought leftovers home from a work lunch (which I didn't eat; see #2) and my husband had those for lunch the next day.
5. Doing some re-gifting for the holidays: I received a journal and a gift card at work for leading workshops--the journal will be passed on and the gift-card will be used to buy a gift.
I feel like with the Christmas preparations I haven't been very frugal lately...
1. I planned all my Christmas shopping in advance, and only went a few dollars over budget for one gift. However, this saved me time so I didn't have to drive around to several different stores in an attempt to save a few dollars by purchasing the gift elsewhere. My time is valuable too!
2. We are coordinating a carpool for our upcoming travel so as not to have multiple cars going to the same place.
3. I did a few homemade gifts this year, some with supplies that I already had. And the purchased gifts were mostly practical items that the other person needs, which I find worthwhile to spend the money.
4. I had some green peppers that needed to be eaten, so I pulled a burrito bowl mixture of beans, corn, orange peppers, and onion out of the freezer. The green peppers were salvaged and I cleared some space in the freezer.
5. Secured a part-time job for the spring, which will be great to alleviate some debt.
1. My kids love hotels for the swimming pools and continental breakfasts. I used a free hotel room deal that's about to expire to book a night at a local hotel tomorrow. For just the cost of taxes, my kids get to swim all night and morning. It's a perfect, almost free, Christmas gift experience.
2. I patiently waited a couple months for a new book to come available at the library instead of buying it. Last night I got to pick it up and enjoy the first few pages before bed.
3. I used up some old milk to make pudding for my kiddo who is sick.
4. We didn't send out Christmas cards this year. My kids are coloring Christmas pages to mail to grandparents and a few others.
5. I ordered my daughter the first four books in the Magic Treehouse series. Then I found a friend who used to teach school who is willing to loan me her whole set (books1-30). Woohoo!
On a not as frugal note, my five-year-old is just getting into the Calico Critters. I'd love your best tips for building a collection at a reasonable price. I've looked at ebay, but everything seems to be similar in price to brand new.
Woodzeez are significantly less that Calico Critters. They're pretty good quality too. They're available at Target or online, probably other places too. My daughter got a few sets, and she hasn't really played much with them, so I'm glad we didn't spend more.
Oh! Have you checked on Craig's List at all? We decided not to sell Sonia and Zoe's stuff on craigslist because the prices there seemed so low. At least in our area, it was people selling big lots of stuff for very little, relatively speaking.
When my daughter was younger and into those (she will be 20 in May and I still have hers!), I found Calico Critters at Tuesday Morning.
They were new in the market then and I bought several little families for stocking stuffers for just a few bucks.
Great move on the swimming! Perhaps call the hotel and make sure of the pool hours and that it isn't closed for repairs.
Maybe plan some snacks for the room using the microwave and fridge if it has one?
I called about the pool. It's a Marriott Residence Inn, so we'll have a full kitchenette. 🙂
Craigslist isn't big here. I should check out Facebook swap pages though. Thanks for the idea! 🙂
I love the idea of sending colored Christmas pages!
My kids love Magic Tree house!
Wow have the holiday's been hard on my frugal spending!! But I'll give this a go!
1. Today I accidentally brought in a container of taco meet (instead of my lunch), so instead of going out to eat, I remembered that we have left over nachos, salsa and guac in our work fridge from an event. So I plan to make taco nachos for lunch!
2. Had been wanting to purchase a dual dvd player set for traveling (our van has a dvd player in it, but our truck, that hauls our camper, does not). I found a refurbished set on Amazon and found the four year warranty for $3! Little did I know I had Amazon points to pay for the majority of it! Win win! And I have a four year warranty!
3. My work donates a food box to a local charity every year and I was able to donate from our stockpile of groceries.
4. Visited my son's school's holiday craft fair and found that one vendor had cute DIY necklaces for little girls for $5 compared to the $10 she was selling the completed necklace. I'll string it one day during lunch and save myself the $5. I also surprised myself my buying very few things.
5. My secretary noticed that I was not reimbursed for the sales tax that I paid on a recent work trip. I mentioned this to my supervisor and she paid me out of petty cash! I honestly didn't even know I wasn't reimbursed. I guess I need to keep better track of that in the future.
As a knitter, and long time follower, I'm thrilled to see Sonia's knitting! Is she on Ravelry? It is probably the best online resource for knitters. I would be happy to share some of my favorite teaching videos if you like.
Yep, she's on Ravelry, along with the rest of the knitting world. Are you even a knitter if you haven't joined Ravelry??
For the record, I'm not on Ravelry and I am most certainly a knitter.
If she needs a quick instructional video, have her check out the group Knitting With Suzanne Bryan. She is a Master Knitter in our guild and extremely knowledgeable. Her videos are to the point without a lot of chitchat.
I'm also an avid knitter. I love that Sonia knits (probably because my daughter has zero interest in knitting....sigh). I use Iceyarns.com for my frugal yarn purchases. They have everything from acrylic to 100% alpaca at great prices. I'm not sponsored by them ~ I wish I were!
1. I combined two errands in one outing. Small, yes, but a huge accomplishment given I haven't taken my kids out voluntarily in 2 months (sickness, loads of medical equipment to load up, etc.)
2. I'm reading a book that I've been waiting for on Overdrive from our library system instead of purchasing it.
3. Threw together a quick chili last night instead of giving into the temptation to bypass cooking and order something for dinner.
4. Returned a few items we thought we wanted but quickly realized we didn't need. (Still working on being wiser about purchases. Thankfully we got all the money back we spent!)
5. Printed a free Advent resource instead of buying one that I had seen. I totally love it, and the kids are remembering a large bit of what they're learning!! (If anyone is interested, Focus on the Family publishes free advent resources for each year!)
The last week of the semester and finals week are always super tough for me in terms of frugality. I am always exhausted from end-of-semester activities, dreading grading, and gearing up for church parties. Even still, I think I managed five frugal(ish?) things:
1) I bought inexpensive flannel and quilting cotton to make large double-sided blankets (40 x 42) for a baby shower. I love sewing, so I got to do something I enjoy and make an inexpensive custom baby gift.
2) I carpooled to the baby shower. Added bonus, getting to ride and chat with a dear friend.
3) I made a dessert for a church party using all ingredients that I had, only buying eggs and shredded coconut. Then I used the leftover coconut in another dessert for another party.
4) I used a Barnes & Noble gift card that I won in my library's summer reading program* to buy some Christmas presents. Don't worry! I didn't rob a child or teen, there was an adult category!
5) I cobbled together a meal plan from what we have (since we're going out of town for Christmas) and bought boots on sale (since out of town is up north and my shoes are all sandals or tennis shoes).
A custom baby blanket is a treasure.
My great grandmother knitted all us great granddaughters baby blankets before she passed. I only got to meet her face to face once but we kept in contact through letters.
Imagine my surprise (and yes tears) when my aunt sent me a package containing the precious gift. We brought our very premature daughter home wrapped up in her great great grandmas blanket (the story we tell is that she wanted to give her a warm hug...she was that kind of gal)
Anyway, that blanket will be passed on when the time comes.
Its wonderful that you can give someone something so great.
Hugs.
My FFT are I'm 5 Christmas gifts: crocheted dish scrubbies, hand written recipe cards, homemade tea bags from tins of loose tea and personalized to the recipient, a sewn neck gaiter, and toasted cocoa almond snacks.
(I love Christmas!)
Too cute! I've always wanted someone local to actually come over so I could frugal up the shipping fees for us both. "It never happens" is what I tell myself but then it totally happens to you!
Right? It's never happened to me either.
Hmm. It is always a challenge to try and remember my latest frugal activities.
1. I went to JoAnn fabrics to buy a spool of thread. They were having a buy one get one sale on thread so even though I only needed one spool of thread, I got a spool of white thread, too. Because you can always use black and white.
2. When I get my car worked on, I often walk a block to a theater to pass the time while the car is in the shop. This time I scheduled my car appointment on a Tuesday so I could catch the $5 day ticket price. Bonus - I thought I was going to have to get the radiator replaced but it turned out to just be a loose hose so there was no charge for my car "repair." Which is even better than $5 movie day.
3. When I was asked to bring a dessert to a Christmas party, I picked a recipe that I already had most of the ingredients for. All I had to buy extra was graham crackers.
4. I shopped the pantry before grocery shopping this week which was a huge help to my grocery budget. I don't do that often enough.
That is all I can think of for now.
Thanks for the inspiration, you are so right; I need to shop my pantry/fridge/freezer for the next few weeks - some dear neighbors moved and gifted us with loads of food on their departure but I kinda felt a bit overwhelmed especially by our now overflowing fridge and didn't know where to start but I WILL start tomorrow morning. Wow I just remembered she gave us berries and eggs - pancakes it is.
1) I have been sitting down and making out a menu plan and grocery list. I think I'm actually spending more money because I've been flying by the seat of my pants for meal prep for the past few months. But we're eating better planned meals, and more fruits and veggies!
2) I rescued some broccoli before it went bad, by making roasted broccoli. Everyone enjoyed it, but my daughter loved it. In fact, we had to tell her to stop eating it, and to eat her other food! LOL
3) In a similar vein, I rescued a package of spinach by throwing it into an egg scramble for an easy lunch on Sunday.
4) And my kale was heading south, but I rinsed it and picked out the few slimy leaves, and it worked well in the quinoa salad I had planned.
5) I'm going to be out this afternoon, so I planned ahead and have a meal in the crockpot, and a salad in the fridge. So no excuses for making dinner tonight--it's already made!
I didn't know you could roast broccoli - do you spray it with oil or drizzle anything on it?
I toss mine in a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper (sometimes some garlic)...I roast for 15 or so minutes and then squeeze some lemon juice on once it comes out of the oven. Tasty!
It's been a tough time in my household lately. Between snow, the terrible twos and my Seasonal affective disorder (aka depression) I've just not been enjoying myself all that much lately. But things do have to get done so here we go!
1.) We've been trying our best to keep food waste to a minimum so a lot of meals lately are based around cleaning out the freezer as well as
2.) Kind of silly but a local grocery store had 1 lb jars of peanut butter for $0.99. All things considered I'd only make or buy the natural kind like Smuckers but at this price, I bought 4. Cheap sandwiches for my lunch for a while now.
3.) Haven't been invited to any Christmas parties this year and we're not throwing one so no money spent on going out, babysitters or feeding people (I'm trying to look at this as a positive.)
4.) Used gift cards earned from Microsoft Rewards to buy presents.
5.) Bought my daughter a Green Toys tugboat for bathtime. The cool thing about this is that it's made of recycled milk jugs, made in the USA and 100% free of electronics, lights, gizmos or other annoying things.
So yeah, that's my life in a nutshell right now. We're not spending all that much this year and that's really nice.
Aww, I hope that you guys get some sunshine soon so that you feel a little better. Hang in there!
1.Ate at home all week, using up leftovers and items in the freezer and brought packed lunchs to work
2.Shopped in Aldi using a list
3.Borrowed books from library
4. Listed unused items to sell online have sold two..both were in v good condition but I was was lazy about listing them
5.made turkey stock from a turkey carcess which will make alot of soup..
I feel your pain. I really, really do not like listing things for sale.
LOVE the bunny!! Where does she sell her knitting?
So far, she's just taken some orders thru people who follow me on instagram. Once she catches up with those orders, we plan to list some things on her blog, which is http://www.soniamakes.com : )
Fun fact: a medium egg is about 1/4 cup in volume. So if you have leftover whites and yolks, they can be substituted at a rate of 1/4 liquid to each egg.
The only time you need to watch out is when eggs are used as a raising agent, in which case it’s important to get the right ratio of white to yolk.
1. Knew a new book by a popular author I wanted to read was coming out, so I put it on reserve at the library in the "Large Print" category. Got it right away, rather than waiting for the regular copy. (And it was a little bit easier to read, so I could return it quickly).
2. Could not find Christmas stickers I liked, (didn't want perky elves, penguins, etc.), to decorate card envelopes. Found a sheet of gift tags at the dollar store that had sort of old-fashioned holiday pictures, so I bought them and cut off the "To - From" parts. Great price for 60 stickers! Used some free return address labels from various charities by cutting off the little (often ugly) pictures as well.
3. Continuing a tradition started for a friend when she was pregnant. She hates wrapping Christmas presents, so I do them as my gift to her.
4. Taking a trip by Amtrak this weekend. Cheaper than flying, convenient, and no security lines. Also, a very generous baggage policy, (two checked bags, two carry-ons per person), and many people bring their own snacks, (food is not unreasonable to buy, but not cheap on board). Free WiFi even! Passengers are generally much less stressed than flying, and even coach has generous leg room.
5. Since our employer abruptly "suspended operations" last spring, husband has been very focused on cooking, creating and using leftovers, and being frugal with food. Saving a lot without eating out; enjoy reading other's suggestions on this blog!
Do you want to be my friend?? I really dislike wrapping presents !
Ha! Sorry I can't make it this year, Linda.
It was clear that cheap wrapping paper is annoying to cut and more time-consuming. The heavier papers work much better. I've read of holding a yard stick on the paper, flat on the table, and tearing the paper instead of cutting it, but I'm not that coordinated.
Sonia is so talented! Her knitted creatures just amaze me!
There is just something so cute and sweet about Calico Critters.
We had whole potatoes leftover from Thanksgiving and we finally finished them off last night. Whew! I had a lot of potatoes!
1. Made cut out cookies with the kids today. I just used what sprinkles were in the house. I also don't have a rolling pin anymore, so I looked up alternative s online and ended uo using a broken broom handle(washed first of course). Worked just as good...actually better, my old rolling pin had metal in the handles that would rust and drop rust dust on my dough. I also only have 1 cookie sheet, so I borrowed some from a friend.
2. I've been dumping all kinds of water on my plants...laundry rinse, dish rinse, water used to clean veggies and rice.
3. We bought our kids new water bottles and they came in 2 nice boxes that I'm saving. They'll make good boxes to wrap awkward shaped gifts in or just nice for organizing.
4. We bought another 25 kilo sack of rice, eating rice about 4-5 days a week is a great money saver! And we love it with various sauces and ways to cook it.
5. I cooked up enough meat for 6 days and cut off the fatty parts and gave them to the very delighted dog and cats.
I'll give this a shot.
1. I traded TV stands with someone. Bonus - they had a loveseat they were done with that I accepted. Extra bonus - they live 1.5 hrs away but someone with a better sized vehicle for the swap was headed that way and transported the furniture both ways for us!
2. I sold an item on a yardsale page. Not big $, but it was bulky.
3. We went to the company holiday party. We did have to spring for a babysitter, but the fancy dinner and art exhibits were covered.
4. It snowed. I'm happy to say that this year not only did I have all the snow gear in time. But, for six kids I only had to purchase 2 jackets, 2 snow pants, and 1 pair of boots. Three of those items were for the oldest who has no hand-me-downs available.
5. I'm working on a Kristen-style pantry/freezer challenge, i.e. I can buy complementary groceries. I inventoried in November and we've been working through it. I'm aiming for significant usage through the end of the year, though I do not expect to finish off everything.
I love reading everyone's comments every week. Y'all give me such great frugal inspiration!
1. Got a produce box using credit from an expired Groupon I hadn't used. Fruit and veggies every other week this month delivered to my doorstep have been so lovely. Plus there are several things I wouldn't normally buy that are making me cook creatively.
2. I'm able to use up some odd bits from the pantry and freezer to round out our produce box meals. Last night's migas and southwest roasted potatoes helped use up sad broken tortilla chips in the bottom of the bag. Tonight's sausage, sweet potatoes and chard sautee will use up a random link of sausage from the freezer and 3 leftover sweet potatoes from the pantry.
3. I added an extra blanket to everyone's bed so we can keep the thermostat set to a lower temp at night.
4. I have made myself declare Christmas shopping complete. I will no longer make purchases for gifts. Everyone on my list has been purchased for.
5. The benefit of having a December birthday is that all those fun birthday discounts and freebies can be used for Christmas gift purchases. Gift codes and discounts that would normally go unused are great ways to save on gifts to shops I don't normally find things I love for myself.
Those Calico Critters--you have me hooked! I am currently expecting a baby girl and am already very anxious to start her a Calico Critters collection. So sweet and timeless!
Interesting hearing the reader survey thoughts--what a diverse group!
And I like the course ideas on contentment/food waste.
Okay 5 frugal things,
1. We realized last year that my oldest likes a quantity of presents over quality big items. So this year I picked up lots of cheap & clearance art supplies so she can open many presents:)
2. I made my girls a smoothie from all the odds/ends of frozen banana, spinach, and fruit. Also remembered I have frozen zucchini to make in bread soon.
3. I used my glue gun to fix a broken napkin holder that I had found at a thrift store awhile back.
4. I've been clipping more Kroger online coupons, and using paper coupons too.
5. We've been staying on budget with Christmas shopping envelopes. Sometimes the amounts are hard to be content in, but I am thankful we can shop at all & remember through this it's about Christ not earthly riches.
1. Doing a pantry challenge for myself as we will be out of town for the holidays. I have been coming up with some pretty creative meals but haven't felt deprived in anyway thus far.
2. I have been using my ibotta app a lot lately. I typically use it for only grocery shopping but recently used it for pet smart and ordering online at target. The 2 alone gave me nearly $10 back!
3. We have set a very small budget for each person we buy for for Christmas. Years past we have given more gifts than necessary. This year we budgeted $30 per person. Doesn't sound like a lot, but we have managed to find some amazing deals for gifts such as a photo calendar from Walgreens for only $10 (they were having a half price sale.)
4. Picked up snacks at the grocery store on clearance for our holiday travels. It's a long drive back home and it can really add up eating take out for every meal, not to mention it's so unhealthy. We have started packing cheese, beef sticks, snack bars, veggie sticks etc to nibble on. Last trip we only got take put one meal. That's a big savings.
5. Didn't buy Christmas pajamas at Old Navy on sale. For some reason I got it in my head that I had to have special PJ's for Christmas day this year. I never have before but for some reason it was something I wanted to do. Once I got to the store to buy them, I realized I didn't need them and promptly left without buying anything.
Smart not to buy the PJs you didn't need! I remember when my sisters and I were kids my mom wold buy us new PJs for Christmas. We were allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve, and every year that one gift was new PJs (of course!) so we could wear them to bed that night. Such memories...45 years later I still remember!
I always buy Christmas PJ's (for the kids, never for the adults) on the clearance racks after the holidays. I've also found some really nice sets at the goodwill
I should buy some after Xmas this year. I have some lovely, not worn out flannels I've been wearing for 10 years. Only problem: they're at least two sizes too big. I'm sure there's a reason I kept them - a gift, maybe? Nor do I want to shorten them because the cool pattern is at the bottom edge.
I have a pair of flannel pajama pants that I bought right before I delivered Sonia (I needed some presentable pajamas to wear at the hospital!)
She is approaching her 14th birthday now.
Ladies, I have some pajama that are over 20 years old, still in wearable condition as long as no one comes over! Lol!
My frugal Five:
1) I found $15 at work. So, I turned it in and allowed 2 weeks to pass before asking if anyone claimed it. NOPE. It will go towards my CC.
2) I purchased gift box subscriptions at 30% off and the kids will get them next week.
3) We've been shopping around for a new homeowners quote since it went up by 50 % !! Well, we may have found something about $250 less.... We'll keep shopping...
4) Buying wood pellets for $5/bag. DH usually pays $20/bag. The thing is, we have to buy 26 bags..... I guess it's a bargain.
5) I needed a recipe for macaroons and got one from a hotel in Vegas. I bought the ingredients for $10... I looked for an online recipe and found one. I tested the cookies on co-workers who raved about them.... And it cost me $2....So, I returned the ingredients from the prior purchase. This recipe will go into a cookie contest at work............
Oh my gosh that knitted bunny is just too cute! I've gotta say, if I ever have kids I would love if they are into the Calico Critters...so adorable and I love all the little sets. I had never heard of them until I read your blog.
They ARE so super cute.
This week sounds like a frugal AND profitable week for you! My big frugal thing this week was making dinners using up stuff we had in the freezer. It also spawned me taking my lunch to work each day instead of forgetting like I've been known to do. I handmade a couple of gifts for friends using craft supplies I already had on hand and they turned out cute! I fished out some red paint I had on hand to paint a chair that Hubby repaired for my mother (instead of buying her a new one). I also shopped at Dollar Tree this week for puzzles for the family room and Christmas gift totes and wrap. And today I am going through my coupons to see what I can use next week on my regular grocery trip. I told Hubby that we will hunker down in earnest after Christmas - property taxes will be due!
Woohoo for cleaning out your freezer!
1. I hosted a gingerbread house competition and used graham crackers instead of those pricey kits.
2. Picked up a lot of freebies from Kroger
3. Updated my projected income for 2018 on the marketplace health insurance site and saved some money on premiums
4. Used leftover Halloween candy as prizes in my Sunday school classes(still have a ton left)
5. My mom found a pair of $5 pajamas at Target that were leftover from Black Friday, so I had her pick them up for my son for Christmas
1. We have eaten at home all week even though we have had several Christmas programs to attend.
2. My Christmas gift list is large. I have 4 children with spouses, 12 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. I have been feverishly making gifts for many of them. So far I have completed a blanket for my soon-to-be 2 year old grandson, a set of throw pillows for my daughter-in-law, a diaper bag that matches the blanket I made her for my youngest great granddaughter and a stuffed dinosaur for my oldest great grandson. I am almost finished with a set of bottles that spell HOME for my oldest granddaughter. I am making necklaces for four of the girls on my list and a set of stuffed blocks that spell out her name for another great granddaughter. I only had to purchase minimal supplies for these projects. I had most of them already on hand.
3. I had $30 in Kohl's dollars which I used to purchase 2 gifts.
4. I had a 40% off coupon for Shutterfly which I used to purchase the calendar I make every year for my mother-in-law. I put the birthdays of all the extended members of our family along with pictures that I gather from Facebook and Instagram along with those that are given to me for this project. She had 8 sons and 5 daughters-in-law, 19 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren with 5 spouses, and 12 great great grandchildren. Three of those were born this past year.
5. I made Christmas ornaments with supplies I had on hand.
1. Limped along in my efforts to meal plan and eat at home. More failure than success this week but it's a start.
2. By walking every aisle in the grocery store, rather than just buying what's on the list, I scored a lot of coupons. $1/1 frozen Contessa shrimp, $1/2 Domino sugar[1], $1/1 Primo frozen pizza, and so on. There were tons of these coupons available so I was comfortable taking a dozen or so of each.
3. So. Many. Work. Holiday. Parties. I'm delighted with every one of them and have brought only tasty goods, homemade from things I already have OR purchases for which I have sales or coupons.
4. Carpooling with a friend to a holiday party that 40 min away. There will be a lot of people there that I don't know, so I won't mind if friend wants to leave early.
5. Not flying anywhere for the holidays. Relative and new hubby visiting for a few days, then a (long!) drive to friend's home. Friend is OK with our dog, so no kennel or dog-walking costs for him. I'll pack a ton of food, so limited food purchases on the road. If I give gifts, it'll be things I already have.
[1] For the second year in a row, the usual holiday sales and coupons (sugar, vanilla, flour, choc chips, etc) have been scarce on the ground. I was extra-delighted to find these coupons.
1. Really happy I've managed to keep buying a big tub of yogurt to divide up during the
wk instead of individual tubs. Worked out this saves me $4.69/wk or a whopping
$243.66/year!
2. Had a LOT of large unexpected bills lately; car, dentist, etc & was getting a bit stressed;
prayed about it & felt peace; found a chemist that is waaay cheaper for a no. of
essentials & it's even on the way home from work so no extra petrol to get there - thank
you Jesus.
3. Decided to stop eating when I'm actually full ( I love food) & found I only needed half
the serve I was having for lunch at work & then can fit in the apple I was taking for a
walk every day:) This also means I need to buy less food.
4. Bought some books I really wanted 2nd hand from ebay and a second-hand bookshop for
great prices.
5. Just about finished Christmas shopping & nearly on budget; got a number of things on
sale/much cheaper than expected.