Five Frugal Things | A lunch-y edition
1. I'm using metal containers to pack my lunches
Reusable containers make for a greener lunch, and a cheaper lunch.
I love glass containers for food storage at home, largely because they are see-through. Food that's visible is food that's less likely to go to waste!
But for lunches, I love metal containers. They're lightweight, they take up less space than glass containers, and they're unbreakable.
And since I'm gonna eat my food pretty promptly, I don't care that metal containers are opaque. It's not like I'm going to forget about my strawberries in a few hours. 😉
I found a metal tiffin-style container (kinda like this one) at Goodwill years ago, and it's been super helpful for packing lunches.
I also have a couple of small metal containers by To-Go Ware that I use almost every time I pack a lunch. I've owned them for years, they've been used incessantly, and they look none the worse for the wear.
2. I did not buy a new lunchbox
I have an old one that my kids used for packing lunches for their tutorial classes. It is not my favorite style (I don't usually buy things that have flower prints!) and it's a little on the small side.
But I figure I will just use this one until it wears out, and then I will buy a lunchbox that is exactly what I want.
(Not gonna lie, I did look at new lunchboxes when I was at Target last. But I decided to be responsible and just use the one I already own.)
3. I fixed a thrifted hoodie
This thrifted Vans hoodie sprouted a hole but mercifully, it was right on the side seam! That's the best kind of hole for mending.
I turned it inside out, used some matching thread from my sewing box, and closed up the hole.
And then I used my fabric shaver to get rid of some of the pilling around my mended spot.
My fabric shaver is from Aldi, but it looks a LOT like this one, which comes with some replacement blades.
4. I made a batch of granola
Zoe and I have been eating a lot of homemade yogurt, and I have sometimes been tempted to buy a box of granola to sprinkle on top of our yogurt/fruit combos.
But for some reason, I have a hard time bringing myself to buy granola. I just think it's so stupidly expensive for something that is mainly...oatmeal.
So, we have just been sprinkling chia seeds on top of our yogurt, which is a healthy option, of course.
To switch things up, though, I made a batch of granola this past weekend, and now we have an affordably-priced crunchy topping for our yogurt.
I used this recipe, which I LOVE because you don't have to stir it while it bakes. Seriously life-changing, guys.
5. I got a free drink at Starbucks so I could use the wifi
This past weekend, Tropical Storm Ophelia moved up the east coast, and although it mostly just dumped a lot of rain, we lost power early in the storm.
I had some schoolwork I needed to do online (and it was not remotely dangerous to be out), so I went to the nearby Starbucks and redeemed some of my Erie Your Turn rewards for a Starbucks gift card.
I chose a pumpkin spice latte because I saw there was a bonus star offer, so now I am super close to getting a free drink with stars.
I got my schoolwork done, and by then the power was on at home, amazingly enough!
(I had figured it would take eons to get restored because my neighborhood is small and only 49 homes were affected in that outage.)
Sometimes it helps to go somewhere else to get schoolwork done anyway; at Starbucks, I can't decide to paint or fold laundry or wash dishes. 😉
—I touched up paint around our house using our original paint cans. (Three cats who literally bounce off walls when they play = occasional touch ups!) One paint can was getting quite rusty, so I transferred the contents to two giant mason jars. I made sure to copy the color information onto the jar with permanent marker in case we ever need more.
—A dear friend surprised us with an overnight visit. I was able to pull together a nice dinner from the fridge and freezer, unfold the guest bed in my office, and enjoy her rare company. She often works 60-80 hours a week—hospital hours be crazy!
—Our house’s previous owner bought a new door and frame for the garage’s side door but for some reason never installed them. Since we saved $300-400 on the door and frame we didn’t have to buy, we happily paid our local handyman $100 to install them once he had an opening in his schedule. The prior (hollowcore!!!) door was definitely not going to survive another winter! Free door and frame > than the cost of installation.
—Once the glue and caulk around said door fully cures, I’ll be painting it with a $35 quart of paint that I bought for $2 at Habitat Restore.
—I needed more room in the freezer for my garden produce, so my husband roasted the 14 lb turkey we bought on clearance for $7. This coming week will be all about turkey leftovers! We also brought a turkey and soup care package to a sick friend.
—Related to yesterday’s post (which I was late to), I spent a few days getting the house to “We’d like our deposit back, please” clean.* (We own our house outright, but I find this a useful description!) I work from home, and messes are just too distracting when we’ve <800 sq/ft to start with. We’re also about to drop $5500 on some necessary basement work, so this exercise helps me be grateful for our beautiful home vs. grumpy about the upcoming “joys of home ownership” expense.
*Acceptable levels of clean are “Everyday clean,” which is presentable but heavy on the cat hair; “Company clean,” which is tidy and freshly vacuumed; and the aforementioned “Deposit clean,” where I go all in polishing sinks and pans with Bar Keeper’s Friend, etc. The house varies between the first two stages constantly and hits the third roughly once a month. Since our house is small, this is a more modest time investment than it sounds!
I would love to have "deposit clean" all the time, but alas, that seems a little tough to maintain. But once a month in a small house seems very doable!
@N, "deposit clean" is how my mom tried to live. It was exhausting and very unwelcoming. After she cleaned and we got home from school, she would announce in a very frustrated voice, "This house looks lived in!" Hello, we live here. . . it scarred me.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I'm sorry your mother's cleaning habits were so stressful for everyone else. While I appreciate your concern, I assure you I don't clean to the point of unwelcoming. Again, I work from home, and I can't focus if I'm walking past dishes in the sink, into a messy bathroom, etc. Just half an hour every day (dishes, putting things where they belong, wiping down counters while I cook, etc.) resets our house to "Everyday clean;" "Company clean" is 1 dedicated hour a week, including deep-cleaning the bathroom; and "Deposit clean" is 2-3 hours once a month or so. It's not a strict schedule, and I clean with the full understanding that two people and three cats live here, and live here joyfully. If I wanted to scar people with my cleanliness, we wouldn't have three dark-haired cats with beige carpet (I vacuum only twice a week, as I know futility when I see it :P), I'd shave my head (my long hair competes with the cats), and my husband wouldn't be a cemetery groundskeeper. 😛
@Kristen, you do an AWESOME job with kids, cats, nursing school, and so much other Life Stuff (TM) in the mix. I hope it was clear that I was making gentle fun of my own cleaning habits, NOT yours! I couldn’t begin to do what you do or handle what you handle.
@N, you sound very balanced. And I hope you didn't take my comment as a criticism.
@N, I would be happy to manage your "Everyday Clean". I am currently living in "Harvesting Clean" - which is, essentially, all flat surfaces covered with boxes of covered apples, tomatoes, potatoes, squash out to dry, trays of beans in pods drying to be saved for seed, fruit-fly traps masquerading as tomato seed fermenting bowls (for seed saving), beets waiting to be roasted, onions waiting to dry enough to be stored, garlic to be cut off stalks, lettuce seeds drying in buckets, cilantro (coriander) seeds and arugula seeds also drying in buckets, ....
Plus, currently, a gifted knitting machine too heavy for me to carry upstairs that my son at least got in out of the car, many books in piles, three buckets of tools and paint waiting for my 'guys' to come back. and move the scaffolding from one side of the house to the other to climb up and do the trim, eggs to wash, applesauce to run through the food mill, canned tomatoes to be labelled and taken downstairs....
Huh, I now feel a LOT better about the state of my home....
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
Did we have the same mom?
I have been baking using up random ingredients from the freezer. I had three different bags of bananas and flour(pastry, wheat, bread). 2 free packs of plant butter and two bags of walnuts that were give to me. I made 3 loaves of banana bread, which went back in the freezer.
I’ll be making morning glory muffins next with a large bag of carrots and random nuts and seeds. Along with raisins that are hanging around, bought because they were out of cranraisins which I prefer. And more flour, how I got so many partial bags I don’t know.
Not money saving but I’ve been using a plastic laundry detergent bottle for a sharps container. Also cut up old cotton clothes and bottle alcohol for testing. I decided to use the cotton while looking up Red Cross bandages during the war.
I did an inventory of what’s in my kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Found several bottles of alcohol picked up during Covid when it was hard to buy. I also found lots of other items that need to be used. This will help me keep my grocery bill lower. Bonus no food waste.
I also inventoried my closet and drawers. There was plenty of items I should have quit wearing but still did. So those were turned into rags. This let me see what I had to replace them. Since I retired there were work clothes that I could use instead of being stuffed in the closet. I ended up with more space and clothes without spending anything replacing items I thought was needed.
I also made granola (using your recipe! I found it a while ago and never looked back) and added pumpkin spice seasoning for some affordable seasonal flavor- 10/10 recommend! This is an extra yummy granola batch now!
Oh, I bet that's tasty! And using pecans instead of almonds would make it taste even more fall-like to me.
I started making granola again about a year or so ago when I realized it was the best way to use up the alarming amount of dried fruits, oats, and nuts we get from excess commodities. Like, literal cases of it. My mom brought a box of "Simply Granola" cereal when they were visiting, and man, is that stuff yuck. So dry and tasteless compared to homemade.
Anyway! Frugal things.
--I've started the cookie baking again to provide snacks to the two kids who still need them at school. I had bought some boxes of individually packaged trail mix and some dried fruit bars for them when school started--because it was still too hot for extra baking and I'm always exhausted when school starts--but I hate the packaging. So I make cookies (always with some sort of protein like peanut butter or nuts) and send them in wide-mouth canning jars. They still have some of the packaged stuff if I ever am sick or otherwise unable to bake, but the cookies save in both money and plastic.
--We had to renew our health exchange insurance this year, after a couple of years' grace period because of Covid. Because our income is very variable, it's always a bit nerve wracking to see if the adults in our family will qualify for Medicaid (the kids always do) or if we have to buy a high-deductible plan. Our income was juuuust under the maximum amount for full coverage this year, which is a relief.
--My husband is driving the bus for a school field trip today, and I'm subbing for our school secretary, so we'll have a bit of extra income from those things.
--Walmart cancelled my online order for the carpet tiles we're using to replace the carpet in our bedroom that got ruined in the tornado. So then I went on Amazon and found similar ones that were actually cheaper in total. They're supposed to come this week, and I am very much looking forward to having something other than sub-floor in my bedroom.
--My dad was just here visiting, and we did an inventory of all the furniture he's made for us. It's a lot. Dressers, bookcases, desks, liquor cabinet, bedside table . . . more than half the total pieces of large furniture in my home were made by my dad. In addition to the things he made, we have a dining room table and chairs plus a bunk bed made by his dad, and a bunk bed made by my brother. I highly recommend having cabinet makers in the family. Best way to get high-quality furniture for, well, free. 🙂 We have provided my dad with hundreds of pounds of wood from our house in New York over the years, so I guess that sort of balances out the one-sidedness of these transactions. But still. It's pretty extraordinary to see all the things he has made for us.
@kristin @ going country, DH's father was similarly talented in the furniture department. His finest works for us were the pair of bookcases he constructed around two leaded glass bookcase doors given to us by one of DH's clients, and the dictionary stand/lectern he devised out of the small pedestal-footed dining room table with which DH and I began housekeeping.
@kristin @ going country,
Your dad sounds like my husband's dad. 🙂 In our house he's made our queen bed, two twin beds, dining room table, china hutch, end tables, a desk, and our hall seat. Things we treasure!
@kristin @ going country,
Pls. let us know about how well (or how poorly) those carpet tiles work out. I'm in a similar bind, only it was a tenant instead of a tornado that made the mess. Need to replace the carpet in all the rooms she was in, and I'm looking for a reasonably priced solution.
Awww, I love that you have so much dad-made furniture.
@Fru-gal Lisa, in a pinch, you could use thrifted or sale throw rugs.
@kristin @ going country, How lovely to be able to enjoy your family's handiwork in your home. My dad is a cabinet maker as well, and I have a few pieces he has made in my house. They are my most treasured possessions!
I also contemplated buying a lunchbox and decided I could wait until later for that. Right now I’m using a tiny reusable shopping bag. My lunch break is shamefully short so if not like I pack much anyway.
My son’s toes were bursting through his shoes so I went to the thrift store and found a pair for 10% of what I would have paid new.
While there I grabbed pants for the boys whose knees are showing through current school pants (1/2 cost of new).
Looked for teaching resources and found what I wanted for free.
Bought discounted fabric to cover bookshelves at school do kids aren’t getting into things.
@Kaitlin,
When my kids were young I got most of their clothes at garage sales and thrift stores too. You can get such good deals, and because kids grow so quickly, the items usually still have plenty of usability in them. Good for you on the shoes and pants.
Every time I see that delicious granola I wish I could eat granola. Haven't yet found a good sugar-free recipe.
1. Used up some ancient leftover veggies for my lunch--green peas are not my favorite leftover veggie, but mixed in with rice and scrambled eggs leftover from breakfast they were a good mock fried rice.
2. Returned all my library books before they were due, by way of my son who was heading that direction anyway for his college classes. Saved gas!
3. Staying home for the most part.
4. Free exercise: walks around the neighborhood, using free weights and the exercise bike (which has paid for itself already in saving gym fees).
5. Making coffee at home.
@Karen A., my mom used to make granola using apple juice, mashed bananas, and dates for sweetness. If you are on a very strict no sugar plan, then these things would disqualify the granola for no sugar, but if you simply don't want real sugar or honey, it might work for you. I cannot have granola because it is too hard to find the off switch once I start nibbling on it. . . kind of disappointing, the lack of self control.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I know, it is so easy to nibble away at it, especially when it has nuts in it! I saw a recipe once for all-nut granola, using almond meal to hold it together, and while I think that would be delicious, I think it would also be super tempting....
That is a good idea using the mashed bananas--I did try that once, and it was delicious, but even bananas proved to be too much sugar for me.
- borrowed a friend's dehydrator and dried a bunch of serrano and poblano peppers that we had in abundance from the garden
- bought a nice bedroom set for my son (loft bed, bookshelf, and two dressers) off marketplace and borrowed my FILs enclosed trailer to pick them up, because of the rain
- eating my cool weather breakfast almost every day which consists of quick oats (cooked on the dry side, far from soupy) with a sprinkle of brown sugar and a generous spoonful of peanut butter. Filling, delicious, frugal.
-regular stuff... coffee at home, packed lunches, cooking almost all meals, kids take the bus instead of me driving them...
@JP,
Ooh! I may have an excess of poblano peppers this year. I've never thought to dry them before. What do you do with the dried ones? Are they diced or do you make them into a powder when you're done?
@Ruth T, I don't know yet! Haha. I cut them into strips to dry. I think my general plan is to use them in chili, casseroles, soups, etc. From what I understand they will rehydrate some with the liquid in the recipe. It's an experiment at this point!
The serranos I did grind into a powder. They are quite spicy.
1. We went to Costco and stuck to the list. No surprising, the amount spent was reasonable.
2. I ordered the "free" government sponsored Covid tests. I also looked at the extended expiration dates charts and all the tests we have are good for seven months longer than originally stated so I marked the new expiration dates on the test boxes. We received Covid boosters by being walk-ins at the grocery store pharmacy, which our medical insurance covered (I called last week to make sure they would). It was a bit of a wait but I'm glad that it is done. On to the flu vaccine in a couple of weeks.
3. I continue to use the library for books, audio books, DVDs and access to the Washington Post. I stop by when I am near there during the week.
4. Meals at home, meals at home, meals at home and DH packs a lunch for work. We are not opposed to leftovers at our house.
5. The seasons have changed and I am wearing clothes from previous years. I am fortunate that they continue to fit year after year. I save time and money by not shopping and I love the fact that it is not a negative environmental impact.
@K D, The only surprise is going to Costco and sticking to the list! Congratulations.
@K D, did you have any side effects? I still work snd was thinking maybe get the booster snd flu shots this Friday so I have the weekend to recover. I was lethargic and a bit feverish after the second one. Thanks.
1. After my hired workers helped me clean out the garage, I'm able to park my car in there. For the first time in years. Big win! Part of one worker's payment was giving her an old TV stored in there. Win-Win: I get rid of something taking up room, she gets a TV. (Couldn't do this job by myself because I'm not able to pick up heavy items due to medical condition.)
2. Found some long-lost items (beaded purse, Christmas decorations, etc.) that I can take to a friend's boutique to sell. Will bring in some extra cash, more than a garage sale would.
3. Was able to properly bag leaves they workers had erroneously put in the wrong containers; by bagging the leaves into the city-mandated paper leaf bags, the garbage collectors picked them up for free. Also was able to dispose of other bags of garbage (recyclable material, taken to the recycling place) without having to pay to dump them in the landfill.
4. Free Sunday lunch at church! Tacos from one of my favorite eateries! Special activity day. Got to eat with friends!
5. What used to be $6.99 haircuts a few years back now cost $17.99-- and that's with the senior discount. (Chalk it up to inflation -- boo, hiss!)But it's still the cheapest place in town. When I went to get my haircut, they were selling gift certificate cards where each haircut would be $13.99. The cards were loaded with five haircuts on them. Bought myself one and used it for today's haircut, and I will get four more at the discounted price. Cost more today, but cheaper in the long run.
@Fru-gal Lisa, those "expensive today, cheaper in the long-run" deals always get me in a dither. Sounds like you made a good decision, because pretty soon those haircuts will be $19.99, or $20.99 or. . . (Yes, boo, hiss to inflation!)
@Fru-gal Lisa,
I usually cut everybody hair but my own (exvept during Covid when just chopped off & regrew longer). I used to go to Cost Cutters but now gone (locally) so I started going to Beauty School where last semester students are supervised for doing hair cuts. Men/kids $10 & women $12 or $13 haircut & wash & blow dry. I don't color or curl my hair unless very special occasions where need to.
Maybe a possibility in future?
There are no signs of frugality on this portion of the Last Hurrah Tour. As I have said before, I no longer fly after years of flying weekly in one of my jobs, to small villages with crappy runways and large animals that sometimes get to the airstrip before your ride to the village does. Plus flying over our mountains can make anyone heave...so when we have gone to Europe to see relatives or vacation, we take the ferry from Alaska to Bellingham, drive to NYC and take a boat to Europe. Always on the Cunard line because they are designed not to be particularly appealing to kids so often we see no children or, this time, only two. Anyway, we go the cheap route but this time I decided on the way back we were going what I call the Downton route, top of the line with one butler and an assistant to every four rooms, special dining halls with mind-boggling food choices all served with an excess of plates and cutlery and napkins. We have our own deck and if we never want to leave the room there is 24 hour room service. There are all sorts of lectures and entertainments every evening. You are expected to dress formally in the evenings, if you want to go to the formal dining restaurant. Oh, yes, and a full afternoon tea brought to the room, complete with tiny sandwiches and scones and a variety of desserts. I have loved being so indulged...but I am ready for it to be over, this fancy part of the Last Hurrah Tour. It has been harder than I thought to ignore how much things cost and just enjoy a once in a lifetime experience. I guess it is frugal that we have not purchased any mementoes except for a tea towel, which is my usual purchase on trips these days. Useful, not too pricy and I enjoy the memories every time I use it. We get off in NYC in two days and I am ready to pick up Pound Hound (that traitor has so ingratiated himself with my sister and her three dogs that after one day he stopped sleeping next to the belongings we left behind and now sleeps at the foot of their bed) and go back to using up some more of the points we have accumulated for hotel rooms as we speed back across the US and back to Bellingham in five days. Turns out I really like my little house and my quiet life in an underpopulated part of the world...
@Lindsey, the "Downton" cruise sounds like wonderful fun for a few days--but I agree with you that I couldn't live that way all the time. Glad you're headed back to Pound Hound (bless his traitorous canine heart) and, eventually, your own home and your quiet life. (And, of course, all your friends here and at the NCA!)
@Lindsey, (they lost me on "expected to dress formally" : ) - I'm impressed that you figured out how to pack for such a long trip in a variety of climate zones and situations!
And I love that you bring home tea towels - I'm still using tea towels my grandmother brought home as her souvenirs from various trips (my favorite is a bunch of leaping fish in moody blues and greens from Ireland). A great inheritance since they help me remember her as I use them.
@Suz, And it adds to the inheritance if you use them, rather than keeping them folded away, unseen and unenjoyed!
@Suz,
While I do love looking at tea towels, I find that they are not very absorbent (which is what I need). So I have gone to cotton cloth kitchen towels (tea towels if cotton not available) that I purchase (also) while on vacation/trips as sovereign/gifts. Most people usually love them & the story behind the pattern/design.
FFT, COVID Avoidance Edition (plus a few repeats from yesterday's FFT at the Non-Consumer Advocate):
(1) A couple of commenters at the NCA alerted me to the new availability of free COVID tests from the Feds. I promptly ordered mine.
(2) I'll be getting my new COVID booster as soon as it's available at the Wegmans pharmacy--as well as my flu shot. (Not on the same day, however. One of my SILs got both shots on the same day a while back and was in bed for the next 3 days.)
(3) And I continue to mask in all indoor public settings. I did this until DH's death so that I wouldn't risk getting COVID and being unable to visit him, and I keep doing it because it seems the sensible thing to do.
(4) I found two Canadian quarters and two Canadian dimes in the Coinstar machine at Wegmans yesterday morning. As I’ve often noted earlier, most local merchants will accept Canadian coins up through quarters at face value, since we’re only about 90 miles from the border.
(5) I also found three packages of boneless pork rib meat Reduced for Quick Sale at Wegmans. Fall and winter stews, here I come.
Some of these are kudos to my husband, but they're substantial so I'm counting them anyways:
1. Our grill has been struggling for a while and only heating half of the space. My husband found the problem and when he told me what it was I said, "Oh. So I guess we won't have a grill until next summer." But he went and purchased replacement parts and repaired the grill himself. Cost savings of about $200. And less trash in the world.
2. We still have a really big tree that was severely damaged in the ice storm we had last winter, but it's in a tough spot in our yard (right between our garden and our swingset) so we've left it alone all summer. We priced out renting a bucket truck for my husband to take it down himself, but the safety of it makes us nervous because the tree is so tall and there's not much room for error. We contacted 3 different tree places for estimates. One said they didn't have the equipment to do it and the second gave us a price that made us get a third opinion. 😉 The third guy said that he can top it instead of taking it down and it'll survive. So for less than tree guy #2, we're going to top that damaged tree and have him take down another one that's pretty rotted in the middle.
3. We ordered a birthday gift for my nephew on Amazon and opted to have it arrive right on his birthday instead of before. This gave us 6% back on our Amazon credit card instead of 5%. Now that we know this is a thing, we may do this more often!
4. My neighbor's dad just passed away and I wanted to send flowers. The obituary had a place where you could order them online and have them delivered by a local florist, but I wanted to incorporate pumpkins in the arrangement because I know he loved watching pumpkins grow. So I went to a local florist in-person and they had an arrangement that came in a ceramic pumpkin pot that was beautiful and fit exactly what I was hoping to find. It turned out to be $17 cheaper than the cheapest option online! So this wasn't intentionally frugal, but now I know that I'm better off going to the florist myself.
5. My favorite jeans are back in stock at Kohl's and my store didn't have them when I went, but you get free shipping if you order something from Kohl's while physically standing in the store, so I did that instead of going home to order. And, of course, I did it during a sale with an additional discount code and got Kohl's cash.
I have had the opposite of frugal things lately:
*Four new tires for my paid-for car that I use every day
*Tree trimming, which was just in time as we had a big storm blow through
*new shoes for work as the sole on mine literally split in half - but they were on sale and I got free shipping
*big grocery order because we were out of everything
I know its not Thankful Thursday yet, but I am so grateful to have my job that just paid me a retention bonus. Timing is everything!
@Gina from The Cannary Family, A paid-for car is super frugal! And so is free shipping.
- I too was tempted to buy a new lunchbox as mine has developed a funky smell, likely from a spill. After looking at how much a replacement would cost, I decided to deep clean and sanitize the one I have and keep using it.
- Made another batch of peach habanero jam using peppers from the garden, jars and lids from Mom's hoarder house, and peaches from Aldi. Will be gifting them to family.
- DH is officiating a wedding and I needed dress since nothing I had was appropriate for an evening wedding at a yacht club. I found a dress online for $15 that DD agrees will be fine for the occasion.
- I continue to take advantage of the free drinks and snacks provided at my office.
- the usual stuff: bring my lunch to work every day, cook most of our meals at home, and planned meals around grocery store weekly sale.
I too love making granola but the price of oats is plain crazy. My farmer dad says it’s due to a grain shortage because of war in Ukraine. Hmmmmm… thoughts to ponder.
@Stephanie, Someone on another blog said that certain Canadian farmers contract specifically with Quaker, and their crops were severely affected by wildfires.
I expect generic oats are higher now as well.
1. I went to purchase a 50lbs bag of flour. There was a bag with 2 smallish rips with tape over them. I asked if there’s a damaged packaging discount. Amazingly the manager gave me 50% off. That’s 50lbs of King Arthur flour for $17. I’m grateful. I did purchase another bag at full price because prices just keep rising.
2. While out shopping for a different item I checked the kids shoes clearance section and picked up sneakers for my daughter in next size up.
3. Packing school lunches for my kids.
4. Took some fresh from the garden beets to a friend who loves beets, in return she gifted me eggs from her chickens.
5. Canning the rest of beets for winter meals.
@Natasha,
Great deal on the 50% off flour!
I made written notes of my frugal things this past week as I can never remember, so here goes -
1. One of the local chain grocery stores had our favorite brand of coffee as a loss leader. Clipped the digital coupon & stocked up on 5- 22.6 ounce cans for $6.99 each. Savings of about $25.
2. Used gas points earned at the same grocery chain for $.60 off at the pump x 2 cars. We are retired so a full tank of gas usually lasts 3-4 weeks.
3. Due to some foot issues, I am gradually replacing shoes that irritate my feet & were bought pre- retirement in 2017. Found boots at roughly 1/2 off.
4. Gave my DH a much needed haircut.
5. I had green beans bought at the farmers market that I decided to can using my electric digital pressure canner. I bought the canner last winter & love it!
I would have never even considered metal dishes for taking lunches in. I like the points you made! My only thing against using them would be that most of the time we pack leftovers from dinner the night before for work lunches, and you couldn't heat them up in the microwave in a metal dish. They seem like they'd work great for the usual cold lunch options, though! Definitely something interesting for me to consider, especially for the kids.
Here are my own frugal wins for the week. It actually ended up being quite a big week for us!
https://www.toloveandtolearn.com/2023/09/26/weekly-frugal-wins-business-pitch-for-3000-please/
Hahaha, that is true! If you microwave metal dishes, it will be a sparkly experience.
Luckily, I have only been packing cold foods so far.
1. We went to a free BINGO event at our local YMCA. We won a nice camping chair and hats at the event. My son is signed up for a free Foam Dart League there this week also. We do pay for the membership to the YMCA, but we use it religiously. I also signed my kids up for a free Fire Safety event at our local library and we plan to go to a free tour of our local rock quarry this weekend.
2. I picked up a dozen honey crisp apples off Buy Nothing. If you have not had a honey crisp apple, you are missing out 😉 Although, maybe they are a NY thing?
3. I used leftover sweet potatoes, left over cauliflower, and pickled carrots I made from left over carrots to make delicious rice bowls for my lunches this week. I made sundried tomatoes using tomatoes from my garden. I made pesto, using garlic and basil from my garden, to go on pizzas later this week. I used some leftover sprinkles, marshmallows, and rice cereal to make rice krispie treats for my kids.
4. My husband bought a new pair of sweat pants from Goodwill, but noticed a hole inside the pocket when he got them home. I sewed it up for him. My daughter also got a Christmas sweater at Goodwill for $3. Their school has a holiday sweater day, so this purchase will save me time and money in December.
5. I got my COVID booster and flu shot. My insurance covers immunizations for free.
@Corrine, I really miss New York apples. Honeycrisps are everywhere now, though. They were the New It apple a couple of years ago, just like Pink Lady was a year or so before that, and Galas were several years ago. It's funny how apple trends change.
@Corrine, I'm in Utah and we have Honeycrisp apples. They are usually the most pricey, but they were on sale last week for 1.29/lb.
Honeycrisps were developed at the U of Minnesota and have gone worldwide from there.
I know what you mean about trends in apples-- I don't see Pink Lady apples at my store any more.
@Heidi Louise, Pink Lady apples make the best applesauce - it's actually a very light pink.
@Heidi Louise,
Thanks for shouting out the U of MN on the Honeycrisps. They really are a tasty apple.
I live in MN.
@Valee, I grew up there, far northwest. Still call it "The Home Country."
@Heidi Louise,
I grew up in Michigan, so I'm a native Michigander, but my husband is from MN. We live in a northwest suburb of the Twin Cities. I've been here 43 years. I've been here much longer than I was in MI. I often joke that I went from a cold place to a colder place, which if ironic since I don't enjoy cold weather (I'm not from the UP of Michigan; grew up in the Flint area, and central MN is definitely colder in the winter than central MI is). If you are from northwest MN than you are used to even more extreme cold than Twin Cities gets.
@Valee, I can't say I enjoy cold either, especially as I get older. I suppose you are getting to the season where you must remember to add a jacket, then gloves and a hat, then allow extra time to warm up the car and scrape off the windshield, etc. At least you've had lots of practice.
We are planning a trip to the Twin Cities area. The Minnesota History Center has an exhibit on Charles Schulz, "Peanuts" cartoonist, which I would like to see.
@Corrine,
Honeycrisp apples are the best! And the most exspensive. My old neighbor charged $60/bushell (prepicked & you didn't get go keep bushell basket).
At local apple orchards (even if you pick apples) honeycrisp apples are most exspensive. We used to mix all apples we picked into bag(s) before found put supposed to seperate so that they can charge by which kind of apple(s).
I had 5 apple trees (2 honeycrisp) & 1 cherry tree I planted at my previous house. I miss them.
@Heidi Louise,
We haven't had to scrape the windshield yet, but it's almost October so it's coming. Today it's been in the 60's, so I just wore a sweatshirt on my walk.
I bet that Charles Schulz exhibit would be enjoyable. I hope you have a great time at it, and have a safe trip whenever you take it. Hope you get good traveling weather.
I was offered a good deal on 2/3 of a box of ripe peaches at my local produce stand. I brought them home and canned 13 pints (plus we ate some). Canned peaches on the shelf look like summer to me.
I turned leftover beef stroganoff into a shepherd's pie. I also added in 1/4 cup of leftover green beans. It was good for dinner last night and we'll have the remainder for lunch today.
I made two loaves of sandwich bread. I sliced all the bread and put it in the freezer right away, then thaw half a loaf at a time. It stays fresh and we're able to eat it all.
I harvested a big bunch of basil from my garden, turned it into pesto, and froze the pesto in cubes, which I store in a quart jar in the freezer. It's very easy to take out one or two cubes for a quick meal.
I'm listening to audio books from the library.
1. I have been practicing what Amy D called "passive frugality." Just staying out of stores, only getting what I actually need when I do go into the stores, and keeping a running list of things when I run out. I do tend to "buy ahead" so there is another jar of jam in the pantry and when I pull it out of the pantry, it goes on my grocery list - but the shopping doesn't have to be NOW.
2. I am eating down our freezer. We only bought a small chest freezer a little over a year ago and now both it and the refrigerator freezer are stuffed full. Between eating down the freezer and getting CSA veggies every week, I'm not having to go to the grocery store very often.
3. Anytime I'm tempted to spend money I don't need to spend, I log into the credit card that I put the truck repairs on. It will be paid off before the due date, but I'm reminded that A) I have this big bill to pay and B) I have the money in savings for the big bill because I have made frugal choices in the past.
4. I menu planned for the first time in months. So far, I'm sticking to it! That really helps in my goals to spend less money and eat down the freezer.
5. I used Upside to get fuel and requested that money to go to my savings account, I also took advantage of the bonus stars for the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks and used a gift card to get it, and Panera sent me a free breakfast sandwich offer since I used my free sip club twice within a week.
Nice call on the Starbucks!
-I got a big raise at work, plus back-pay. I love my union. And for Kristen, the nurses in our province also got a well-deserved raise and back-pay. Their union actually led the charge in negotiating with the government (I'm in Canada.) Good for them!
-Saving on pizza night: the fancy grocery store across the street carries fancy frozen pizzas from a local restaurant. We tried one last night, and it was delicious, and cheaper than takeout pizza from our local pizzeria. It'll be a great "we can't stand the idea of cooking and we already had scrambled eggs this week" meal!
-I was voluntold (gah) to take on a night shift this weekend. It did stink, but it also made a bit of money. Silver linings, I guess.
-After several weeks of being sick where we were buying groceries at the expensive store, Mr. B went to the discount grocery store. Phew, it is SO much cheaper.
-My mom very kindly went shopping for my daughter's winter clothes at a second-hand store. It's something that I'd love to do myself but don't have time for.
Frugal wins this last few days: Used up every ounce of grape jelly at end of the jar.I have a small spatula that gets out every drop!
Ate the”ends” of the bread..made some toast from them for breakfast. (See grape jelly,above) with one egg.
Doing a 2 day “Apple fast” for health purposes, starting tomorrow, but it also saves $$. 2 bags organic apples and some applesauce.
Used some “saved” miles on Southwest to book an airfare to take a wonderful vacation with a friend in early January in San francisco region,,She is housesitting/pet sitting for her daughter and has invited me to join her!(With daughter’s permission!) A “free “ vacation! And friendship time!!
Was hit with an urge to got o the craft store and “browse” some new papers and stickers for my crafts.. IKNEW I would spend money.I HAVE plenty of supplies..so I went in and
“SHOPPPED” in my own art studio.. unearthing supplies and pretty papers I had forgotten about! Better than going to the store.Saved gas also.
I avoided joining a local yoga studio (so pricey!) by finding somerestorative/yin yoga youtubes for free.While I’d love to support local business,I often hurt myself at yoga CLASSES..at home I can just do the really simple moves and still enjoy benefits.
@Madeline, I love your comment about "shopping" from the supplies you already have in your art studio! For the past few months, I have been scrapbooking completely with supplies I already have on hand, and it's been satisfying to challenge myself to be creative in using what I have (v. falling prey to the trap of, "I bet the craft store has something more perfect").
As a yoga instructor, I couldn't help wondering about your comment that you always hurt yourself at the yoga studio classes. =( Do they offer a variety of adjustments and modifications for more challenging poses?
1. Made quiche to use up some spinach that wasn't being eaten in salads. On the same day, made the Tightwad Gazette recipe for chili.
2. Enjoying some new clothes I got at a church garage sale, including a hoodie with a saying by Ruth Bader Ginsberg. It was $1.
3. We moved last year to a house that has a dishwasher, our first residence in 42 years of marriage that has a dishwasher. I've been amazed at how expensive dishwasher pods are-sometimes up to $20 for a container. I found some plain dishwasher gel marked down to $2.19 and got several bottles. I don't need expensive pods. The gel is working fine.
4.Taking walks, using my weighted hula hoop, dumbbells and exercise bike for home-based exercise.
5. Listening to classical music on the radio or using my CDs for pleasure, relaxation and entertainment.
6. Being content with what I have makes it easier to avoid unnecessary or impulsive purchases.
I also ordered four free Covid test kits right away after learning about the new release.
Mixed up paint from our stash in the garage to get the right shade of pale gray for the back gate of the fence and reused a 99 cent paintbrush from Ollie's Outlet for the sixth and final time. It was a very good quality brush that cleaned up great, but I finally wore it out painting a wire gate.
Bought some medically recommended supplements for myself and the dogs on buy one, get one free. Saved $10 on another supplement by taking an online survey. Mixed up a bottle of cake spice, which is delicious added to muffins and banana bread, using an online recipe and ingredients on hand.
As noted by others, ordering for free covid tests opened yesterday in the U.S.
https://www.covid.gov/tests
The link to checking expiration dates is also on that website, so you can see if any of yours have extended deadlines.
1. Received an unexpected inheritance from my husband’s aunt. (I’m not going to bury the lede!)
2. Sister- and brother-in-law treated us to dinner.
3. Had a fabulous day thrifting with my niece, going to Costco, going to the discount grocer, and enjoying the annual picnic at my financial advisor’s office where they offer a delicious lunch (along with free paper shredding, although they offer that service all year long).
4. Our pup continues to receive daily treats from our apartment’s management office. The new dog park at our complex should be opening soon. There’s also an onsite dog washing station. We are enjoying all the dog-friendly amenities here while we search for a house.
5. Received more great things from my Buy Nothing group and offered up things as well. When I went on one pick-up, the person also gave me a bag of free tomatoes from her garden. I love food, and I love free food even more!
@MB in MN, #5 sounds as if you are in the same category as me: freegan!
Not a super frugal week, but let's try:
I needed a dress (I work from home and have only sweats, t-shirts, shorts, etc) so I went to Kohls and used a 30% off coupon on a dress and sweater that was already on sale, so it was more than 50% off.
Wore the same outfit on Monday to my sister-in-law's funeral. The dress was black and cream so it was perfect for both occasions. Now I have a dress for something else this winter, if necessary.
Used up the last of the zucchini and made my husband 6 batches of muffins that will last a long time.
My husband's employer (a local hardware store) was selling bundles of firewood for $1.00. He scooped them all up so we have starter wood for the season.
For the wedding, I created a beautiful card from paper I already had.
It would be nice to hear what cold lunches you have packed, Kristen! Always looking for ideas to replace sandwiches, though luckily we don't need to pack lunch that often (or unluckily, as my kids are really bad lunch eaters and I will let them buy lunch at school).
1. Working to use up all foods in the fridge before they spoil. We do eat a lot of leftovers for next day's lunch, but sometimes we do make too much food and end up having to throw some away. This is our food waste item for sure. This week we cooked up some meat before it spoiled, reused leftover pasta sauce into lasagna and used up older cream into an apple crumb cake with vanilla sauce.
2. Submitting new receipts into my HSA account for medical claims; super tiresome and aggravating that the existing invoices were rejected, but really hoping to avoid having to reimburse some of these payments.
3. Our friends suggested meeting up at a restaurant, but we opted to have them over at our house instead for dinner. Even if the cost for us would be the same, you get more bank for the buck.
4. I should also switch to homemade granola, but when I want to take a break from store bought granola I sprinkle Grape Nuts on my yogurt instead. One box lasts forever and it has no sugar in it.
5. Sold a microwave on Craigslist after there were no grabs on Facebook Marketplace. It was a new model and in great shape but we no longer had a space for it.
Also, speaking of Monday's post on house mess and the cycle of cleaning, it was a timely read here as well. I have never employed a house cleaner despite working fulltime with four kids and their busy sports on the weekends. We have been so close to doing it recently due to more stressful work with travel, back pain, etc. So far though, it helps to accept that mess is just part of a cycle in the house which we do clean up regularly. However, there is some deep cleaning that tends to get skipped in every cycle, but I try to rotate some in every week.
@Kristina M., Your #4 made me unexpectedly remember my sophomore year roommate in college. Every single morning, she put Grape Nuts into a little cup of yogurt for breakfast. She got up at like 6 a.m. to go running before her early classes, and Grape-Nuts are a very loud food to eat at that hour when someone is trying to sleep four feet from the eater. 🙂
@kristin @ going country, I can commiserate with an early-to-rise biker husband who sometimes grinds his coffee!
I don't know for the life of me why those nuts have to be so loud and hard to chew. If I have time, I let the grape nuts sit in the yogurt for a little bit to soak in moisture, much better for my teeth.
I carried my lunch bag that my daughter gave me until it was shredding inside, so, as I mentioned here before, I made myself a new one. It is just the right size and throw-in-the-washer washable - I love it.
1. I also use metal containers at times in my lunch. However, I have a desk at work where I can keep a microwave safe plate, bowl and soup mug all bought at thrift stores for a dollar or less each, so the metal is not a problem when I need to heat my lunch. I also have silverware I bought on clearance at an antique store - they are engraved silver plated pieces and makes me feel very special, even though the initial is not mine. I think I paid $2 for the silverware. Oh, I also bought a sweet vintage Fire King mug for $1 for when I want hot tea in the winter at work. I've had these lunch dishes for um, 8? years now, so I think I'm getting my money's worth.
2. I had chosen Tim, the by-far cheaper person to get the big limbs and overturned trees out of my yard: he charged $1,500 compared to the other quote of $5,000 ($6,000 if including taking down a standing tree, but I chose not to do that now). Tim stopped by my house this weekend, almost a week after my yard was cleaned up in a day, and told me my yard took less time than he thought, so he dropped the price to $1,200 instead. I handed him a check and we were both happy. He was definitely the right choice.
3. I haven't baked in the oven during almost all of this hot summer, but I did this weekend. I batch cooked to save on electricity and heating up the house.
4. I got another "$30 off of $49 or more" coupon from DSW. I will be looking at some replacements for aging standbys this winter, so this will probably get used. I always try to find shoes for $49.99 so I can get them for $19.99.
5. We had a dry spell for a few days, and some potted plants needed water. I used the water collected in bins from the hurricane and subsequent rains to water the plants.
Five Expensive Things: They're not unfrugal. It's stuff that has to be done; it just adds up.
1. Paying the handyman to cut up and remove the old washer and dryer from one of my daughter's closets. I have no idea why they're there, and they don't fit through the cloet door. They've been there the whole time we've owned the house, too. Also getting the handyman to hang a huge heavy wooden picture in the kitchen.
2. Paying movers to move all the junk in the basement away from the wall, so that
3. Next week, the basement waterproofing can happen. Total cost for that is about $15,000. sigh.
4. Both dogs go for a spa day on Thursday. That's gonna be $400. They need it so that they're all clean and attractive for the blessing of the animals day at church on Sunday.
5. I spent too much on two vintage lamps for the cottage.
@Rose, we had our basement waterproofed two years ago, and it was the best $14,000 we ever spent. Especially with the wet summer we just had, the sump pump ran so much, we knew our basement would have been in 2” water the whole summer. We paid extra to have the dehumidifier installed, too, and it was so worth it. The basement no longer smells musty and I don’t hate going down there anymore! You won’t regret this. Also think of the health benefits of not having a musty, moldy basement!
1. Our first cub scout camping trip is coming up and my oh my the costs are adding up quickly. We are borrowing a tent from our troop in order to offset the costs a bit and not have to buy all the things we need at once. We are also shopping Facebook marketplace, yard sales and thrift stores to see what we can come up with.
2. Lights off and thermostat raised now that we are no longer having temperatures that feel like we are living on the surface of the sun.
3. Baked cookies at home, made all of our meals at home, and entertained ourselves with walks in the neighborhood in the evenings.
4. Brainstorming ideas for camp out meals that will be easy, healthy and keep us from getting takeout. I am planning on taking a camp stove so one pot meals or meals in foil packs is where my mind is going but if you have any suggestions let me know.
5. Visited a local consignment sale and found several items of clothing for my son who grows out of two sizes every year. I found him a brand new with tags on winter coat, several polos, sweatshirts, button down shirts, and some flannel for $3-$8 a piece!
@Angie, For camping, foil packs are definitely easiest if you can prep them ahead of time. I've found it best to have cooked, sliced potatoes on the bottom with butter/salt/pepper, and then right on top of them, cooked hamburgers or sausages. You could put vegetables in with the potatoes, too, although we tend to stick to raw vegetables when camping.
You can also make casseroles in disposable aluminum pans to heat up. That works fairly well on a fire grate or even on rocks above coals.
My family also really, really loves it when I send pizza that can be heated in foil.
@Angie,
We make foil dinners over the fire every time we camp. In a few layers of foil we will put ground beef, sliced potatoes, onions, frozen peas, green beans, peppers, zucchini, carrot slices... whatever vegetables we have. 🙂 Add some spices and cook it over the fire. We usually serve ours with ketchup. It's a great way to get lots of vegetables in while camping and can be adjusted to people's likes.
1. My freezer clean-out plan has been going successfully. We are still picking up our weekly CSA box so we have fresh veggies each week which is a huge help. We still need other staples and we have a tween boy in the house who eats everything but so far I’ve managed to keep our grocery bill to under $50 a week and none of our meals have felt like a sacrifice in any way.
2. I picked up a movie from the library that I am very excited to watch with my husband this week. While I was there I dropped off four puzzles at the puzzle exchange shelf and picked one up to do in the very near future.
3. I cashed in some credit card points for a Starbucks gift card. I usually bring coffee from home or suffer through the office coffee but sometimes I will go for a walk with coworkers to the Starbucks close to our office for a little treat. Using “soon to be expired” credit card points for coffee seemed worth it to me.
4. My son’s trumpet wasn’t working properly so I took it into the music store that we are renting it from for repairs. I pay for the insurance plan that they offer for music students and it will be fixed free of charge. They also gave him a loaner trumpet to use until his is fixed.
5. Frugal Fail – my son and I were planning on going to a friend’s house after his game on Saturday to just hang out and have dinner. I didn’t check the weather and it rained through half of his game. I was able to hide under an umbrella but he was soaked and my pants were wet and gross. We stopped by Target on the way to our friend’s house and I picked up sweatpants for both of us, a sweatshirt for him (on clearance) and a pack of underwear for him. He was able to shower at our friend’s house and we both changed into dry clothes. Normally I would have checked the weather and planned accordingly but it was just one of those days. I just remind myself that he is growing so fast he was going to need those comfy clothes soon anyway – the sweatpants for me were just poor planning.
1. I took home free jalapenos from a coworker. I only took as many as I guessed I could use and they are currently chopped and frozen. I would have taken more if I thought I wanted to make stuffed peppers… but then I would have had to go buy bacon, so I resisted.
2. I picked a ton of wild/untended apples that will be made into applesauce. There are two trees that are in the parking lot of a daycare center, and most of the apples just fall to the ground and are wasted otherwise. I hardly made a dent in the apples, so I might have to go back for more.
3. I picked up a few small toiletries from BN, mostly to keep them out of the landfill. I have already used several and will prioritize using the rest. Also someone from BN kindly dropped off a few spices.
4. I decided it wasn’t worth the hassle to list a few things on BN, including a home-canned jar of green tomato relish from a family member. I looked up recipes to see how I can use it (I ate the last jar on my morning eggs and it took *forever* to go away). I mixed some with cream cheese on a bagel and it was not too bad. Of course, I could just compost it… but I really do hate to throw away food.
5. Mended a toddler onesie, one of my cotton sweaters, and repaired the hem of some work pants.
@Lindsay B, We have been traveling around New England, and I am floored by the number of apple trees I see everywhere. So many of them seem to be ignored.
@Jody S., wow, that's so interesting! I don't see many here in my WI town-- maybe people don't plant their own as often since there are a lot of apple orchards around? Either way I wish I had access to more (free) apples!
UNFRUGAL to the nth degree! Last week was TERRIBLE, financially speaking. In one day:
1. New catalytic converter $740 (with $100 credit for leaving the old one there, so sort of frugal)
2. Gas $69 to fill a Honda Accord, the cheapest grade! (Welcome to California. . . sigh)
3. $50 at the nursery (because I lose control when I am near that place)
4. $30 at the fruit stand (THIRTY DOLLARS FOR FRUIT in the breadbasket of the state??)
5. $80 to get the car smogged (the reason for the new catalytic converter)
6. $70 at Winco (because I was in town, so it made sense to get some perishables)
I was gasping by the end of the day and it erased all my ability to remember anything frugal.
For the life of me I cannot think of any major frugality for this past week. Except for passive things. Did little or no shopping, stuck to lists, no impulse buying at traditional stores. Farmer's Market is another story, bought gourds for autumn decor and they were only $.50 apiece. I have not bought bigger gourd family items, but when I do, I choose pie pumpkins, butternut and acorn squash, banana squash (also makes delicious pie!) and the like rather than just big pumpkins. Also got some apples, turnips, fresh apple cider and okra and an eggplant. The cost is more than in the stores, but I am supporting local farmers.
My Misfits box was not cheap either, BUT, it is when you consider most of the stuff is fresher than in local stores and is organic to boot. And it is also a worthy cause.
I have not mowed, it has been very dry so grass has not grown so I have saved that gas and energy.
Made chai latte or iced tea at home.
Oh, I did send a receipt to my car insurance for roadside assistance for a lock out. (Locked my phone and only key while at my brother's.) I know my local roadside assist and would rather just call and pay rather than try to tell somebody in India where I am and who I want for service. The service really wasn't expensive either, because the driver didn't charge mileage. But $50.00 is $50.00! and as a single woman, roadside assist is nice to have and is only $6.00 extra on my 6mo. plan.
Don't normally comment but your granola is THE best one I've made. And soo easy. In fact I don't even add sugar....the maple syrup is plenty sweet.
The granola looks yummy! I love homemade granola, though we do buy box granola (on sale) just to eat plain.
You should check out Swell (metal) water bottles & (large) snack containers. I noticed that people are decluttering & selling because don't use or have too many. Personally I love Swell traveler water bottle (which has wide opening) because more like cup than bottle. I put my hot chocolate or soup in. Plus easy to clean. My teen still has his Stanley thermos (paid $20 few years ago) with utensil slot on side he uses, which is 16-20 ounces (pretty decent size).
My frugal things---
1. Bought the cute Snoopy sweatshirt from Sam's club, but returning it because is iron on patch, which will eventually come off. (Sad) Going to do new sweatshirt instead of new pajamas for Christmas & have a few Nine Line (veteran owned & inspried) sweatshirts bought on sale with last of giftcards.
2. Ordered Blue Buffalo 38 pound bag dog food (saved $8) $55.98 with free delivery (Plus membership pays) & Chinet 16 ounce (70) hot to go cups with lids $11.98 for taking to events so don't have to carry extra cup. Love the poppy flowers, luckily for teen had some abstract/plain left from few years ago.
3. Returned more over counter meds/products that did not end up using when had broken tooth. Trying to return items bought that did not end up using/won't work for what needed.
4. Bought gas at Shell (been avoiding Shell for personal reasons) because got additional 20 cents off gallon on top of my 15 cents discount equaling 35 cents off gallon. I got full 20 gallon limit & paid $3.24 gallon. Sam's club usually cheaper but not with additional discount (that day only).
5. Used my free Hallmark card coupon (have to pay tax) & checked out some other stuff (didn't buy). I walked right by clearance & didn't even notice it. (Surprising for me). Of course I know that money will be tight in October & looking for specific items need/want.
6. Had extra fresh fruit/veggies this week that teen didn't want & shared with neighbors. One neighbor bought new smoked ($200 clearance at Walmart) & said he would smoke meat for me (hopefully will).
7. Meijer had teen pizza on sale (again) & had multiple coupons so stocked up freezer (& of course gave me more coupons). Used $22 rewards (was going to get new carpet rug on clearance but gone) which helped total grocery bill.
Frugal Fail---
1. Was given some fresh fruits/veggies & frozen bread this week & I (for the life of me) can not get bread defroated properly without ruining it. Left bread on counter (out of direct sun) & in 2 days was moldy. Birds will be happy, but I lost 2 loaves of bread like this.
2. weather has been up & down & none of local egg people have eggs available. Unfortunately we had 2 dozen that are bad & had to be thrown out. Teen intentionally refusing to eat because told me not to buy that day so won't eat few (specific) things usually eats. Sometimes teen doesn't grasp the. fact that some things have limited time/season/availability & on sale so purchase to use. Told teen going to be mad when want later & not available/won't pay full (high) price & will have to go without. There are items we consume that have plenty of & available regularly that teen chooses instead to prove a point to me. Some life lessons may be in order for teen when wants later & I refuse to buy & tell teen will have to pay self if want. Been awhile since has happened but may be necessary again soon.
Looking forward to another warm up (in Michigan) 80s in weekend & next week after this rain moves through the week. Not ready for permanent cool down yet.
1. I filled a repurposed protein powder container with enough batches of DIY powdered laundry detergent to last approximately 6 months. I celebrated my 15 minute achievement by doing so. much. laundry.
2. My husband made several dinners using our garden produce.
3. I turned the central air off for the season. Hopefully we won't need to turn the heat on until November.
4. Used up the last bits of canned jam to make sunflower butter and jelly sandwiches for side hustle lunch because I wanted something a little on the sweet side. The sunflower butter was an Aldi special buy I had in the pantry and was saving to make lunches when I was around someone with a peanut allergy.
5. Had a homemade BYOBev karaoke night with friends last weekend.
Our family cell phone bill increased $50 dollars last month and I could not figure it out at all other than " your plan has changed". I could not figure it out on the app and the phone call I made got me nowhere and no human... I was terribly annoyed but TBH our 5 line plan with the increase was significantly cheaper than many others I know.. So I assumed we somehow fell off a grandfathered plan or something... THEN I got an alert that my bill was due and needed paid????? I logged on and realized when my bankcard expired last month I paid with the new card but I did not set up auto bill pay... I set that up and instantly saw a $50 decrease in our bill!!!
Car insurance bill lowered when the oldest got his own plan with his new car purchase!
Since he stayed with the same company he benefits and they credit him with *multi plan discount*
Kids packing lunches for work and campus, parents packing for work
Sold our smaller generator for $500. - husband took impeccable care of it and was able to retrofit it for liquid or natural gas. Unfortunately it was hard for his to use with injured shoulder. ( that sale helped off set the new one he bought at costco)
Did not buy a Costco membership. Just opened near our house.. My mom bought one and I have been 2 times with her.. Yes got the Gen, sure the peaches were great.. TP sucks.. I will stick with Sams! lol
I mostly buy thrifted clothes now, except for bras and panties. There are two thrift stores near me that support animal shelters.
One of my frugal tips is bar soap. I use it instead of liquid hand soaps, body wash, and most skin care products. It doesn't even need to be expensive. Some that I like are at dollar stores.
Nice list!
Note to self: Must make own granola. Like you, I was all like: Yoiks! when I saw the price tag on Purely Elizabeth.
Five Frugal Things:
1. I continue to feed/placate/shut up my afternoon caffeine monster on one a day homemade chai frappuccinos...only now I make it not only with chai but also with the addition of pumpkin spice tea to the strong concentrate. Highly recommend. I'm curious what other taste combos I can come up with...stay tuned.
2. Lunches are a mixed bag of leftovers, salads and veggie/hummus wraps. No takeout no matter how much I want hot salty french fries.
3. Been shopping my pantry and freezer so not much buying at the grocery stores this last few weeks.
4. Having a gearhead husband keeps our vehicles out of the shop when repairs are needed....so thank goodness for Captain Carburator.
5. Again, shout out to Mr. Fixit by helping getting everything ready and battened down for the winter season. The rains, snow, wind and other nasty weather can sure take a toll.
I feel like moms are extra good at using the stuff that’s not our first choice, but just available ☺️
I pack lunch in random containers and toss them in the lunch bags that aren’t in top circulation.
We are always out here taking one for the team!
This is my Wedding in Maine edition.
*We packed food. We’ve bought food at grocery stores and prepared it at rentals. We ate out once (seafood) as a treat.
*We shopped for most of the wedding gift from my daughters’ finished crafting projects. They gave us a discount on their knitted dishcloths and large potholders.
*We went thrifting in Vermont and got some great deals. Cheap quality yarns and a vintage buttonholer for my Singers were my favorites.
*My brother-in-law picked a less expensive off-season time for a wedding. It was likely unintentional, but it made our accommodations more frugal.
*We shared a rental house with others in our family.
These are from several weeks combined.
1. Used up the almost over-the-hill broccoli in the refrigerator and ended up with more than a week's worth of healthy and delicious lunches in the form of Cheesy Broccoli soup.
2. Continued to use my Thermos brand food jar which has been an excellent investment over the years.
3. Reusing and using up old paper gift bags that are no longer appropriate for regifting as my lunch bags. I used to use plastic grocery bags, but they are being discontinued where I live, so I needed a new solution. These bags look a little strange but are working just fine.
4. Our school is having trouble finding bus drivers, but another teacher and I want to get our classes out in nature more this year. Today we combined our groups for a Nature Art afternoon right here on our school grounds. The students were really engaged, used their creativity, and some commented that they enjoyed getting to know schoolmates with whom they don't normally spend a lot of time. So, the impetus to avoid cost/hassle with the bus, led us to be creative and do a fun, frugal activity with the kids.
5. Accepted and enjoy some root vegetables from various family members gardens. I decided to roast them and they were delicious!
- Continue to pick and eat peaches off our tree. Hopefully I can do a final pick this weekend and freeze the rest.
- Used apples from my Mom’s tree for kids’ book club snacks. They’re little so they’re the perfect size. A similar quantity of packaged snacks would have been at least $10.
- Ordered free Covid tests, batched errands, found supplies for my son’s paper mache map project for school at home (hooray for relatives who still get the newspaper and my stash of craft ready recycled cardboard.).
- I should have sufficient points saved to get eldest child new winter boots.
- Starting to Christmas shop/craft and am pleased with the small stash of things I’ve been able to find on sale.
1. My kids use metal containers for their lunches, too! Sadly one of the plastic lids for one small container got mixed in with the recyclables on the drying rack and it got recycled, so I'm down a container, but figured we can probably make do for now since I have several days' worth in the cupboard. I can buy another one easily from Daiso if needed (the Japanese "dollar" store but everything's not a dollar anymore).
2. Redeemed a free CFA sandwich from the rewards in the app which was gifted because the Houston Astros won a game over the weekend. I had to go to CFA for a meeting with a friend anyways, so I saved the sandwich for next day's lunch. Got a refill on my large lemonade before I left the restaurant.
3. Gifted a box full of cleaning supplies to friends and on my local buy nothing, taken from my parents' house after the move. I took what I needed and there was still many things left.
4. Borrowed a friend's power washer to clean our driveway and sidewalk after ours (gifted from my parents) died. Our HOA has been extra picky on having "clean" driveways and sidewalks recently and sent us 2 violation letters. Even though we're in a severe drought with water restrictions!
5. Sold a few more items on my local FB garage sale site. I'm kind of annoyed about one sale, though, because the buyer tried to lowball my initial price, so I countered and she agreed to it. Then when she came to pick it, she told me she was short $3 and was that ok. I asked if she could venmo or zelle the amount and she said she wouldn't for just $3. In the end, I let her buy it b/c I really wanted it gone more but felt like it the whole transaction was a bit shady. You couldn't have checked that you had the correct amount of cash before you came to pick it up??
Your #5...definitely shady on her part!
Starbucks has a new design: They are extending the counters into the seating area, pushing all the seating outside. Boo!
About that yummy granola: I make it on the regular, thank you very much. Recently, I read that chia seeds should be soaked in water before using, so I tried it with your recipe. It worked great! I just put a scoop or two in a large measuring cup, add cold water and allow to sit for an hour or two. Stir it occasionally. When it's thickened, it's ready. I then add all the other liquids, stir well, dump on top of the oatmeal, and mix well. DH noticed the difference and really likes it.
Several Starbucks in my area have remodeled lately, and every single one has less seating than it used to!
So good to know about the chia seeds. I wondered how I might add them to granola!
I vouch for your granola recipe - it is the BEST I have ever found.
I used my kids' lunch boxes for years until they wore out and the kids grew up! Upon retirement, it felt good to throw away the last lunch box I expect to need. Couldn't burn it ceremonially, not a good material, but saying goodbye to packing lunches was a good feeling.
Congratulations, everyone, on frugal practices. I continue this tradition:
1) Make lunches daily for DH, and eat at home myself (I am retired, him not yet).
2) Cook dinners and breakfasts at home, eat them at home, with very occasional adventures out. We live in a rural area where the restaurants are very limited, and the appeal of going out is for a change of scenery, not the food.
3) Mend and sew, and hang more clothes to dry rather than beat them up in the dryer.
4) "Window shop" by browsing in mail catalogs, then recycling them.
5) Shop more at Aldi's. Shop at Kroger only for items Aldi doesn't carry.
Here’s my FFT this week:
1. I sold a foot massager that I can no longer use for $40.
2. I sold a high chair for $15.
3. I bought 2 pork loins for $1.69/lb, and my husband, (a retired butcher) cut them up into chops and ribs and made 8 packages for the freezer.
4. I bought a book for .50 from the book table at the grocery store. A good read!
5. Used a $15 coupon for an oil change on my car and got a free car wash and cup of coffee, too!