For a bit of normalcy around here: a usual mid-week five frugal things post!
1. I ordered a lidded 8×8 Pyrex pan
Zoe baked brownies (using this not-from-a-box recipe that she loves), I was reminded that whenever I need to store something in my lidless Pyrex 8×8 pan, I have to use foil or plastic wrap.
Neither option is particularly frugal or eco-friendly, so I ordered a pan with a lid.
(I tried to order just a lid, but reviews said the stand-alone 8×8 lid does not fit my particular Pyrex 8×8 pan. Boo!)
This is more expensive up front, to be sure, but now I will not have to use any throw-away coverings for 8×8 dishes ever again.
I love my other Pyrex lidded dishes, especially for fridge storage because you can stack other things on top of them.
So, I know this is going to be so much nicer to use!
2. I sold two more books
I haven’t sold much from my stash of books lately, but two orders came in recently. Maybe people are reading more because they’re stuck at home!
Of course, I shipped them in packages I’ve saved from our own online orders.
3. I used a cereal bag to cover chicken for pounding
You can pound chicken with no covering, of course, but that gets a little messy.
Cook’s Illustrated recommends covering the chicken with plastic wrap, but I don’t love using plastic wrap.
So, I sliced open an empty cereal bag and used it instead.
4. I used saved oil to fry chicken
Last time I needed a fair amount of oil to fry something, I strained it and put it in the fridge.
So this time around, I just poured the 1/2 cup I needed from my saved oil.
(In case you’ve never done this before, you should know this works fine as long as you haven’t used the oil for some kind of seafood. That tends to make the oil taste rather fishy.)
5. I ordered 6 coffee bags
Lisey and I both like the Starbucks mocha flavor the best, and not every store has it, even when everything is at usual stock levels.
Hazelnut, Cinnamon Dolce, Caramel, yes.
Mocha, no.
So, I ordered six bags online.
Which means if nothing else, we will at least have coffee for the foreseeable future.
Your turn! Share your five frugal things in the comments.
Kristina C.
Wednesday 1st of April 2020
I used leftover fabric from pillow covers I made last spring to recover my dining room chairs. Four chairs=2 solid color 2 patterned. I think it works. Used chicken broth from a boiled chicken to boost taco flavor last night and for potato soup over this past weekend. When planting flowers, I opted for organic plant fertilizer to recondition last year's soil (used a big metal bucket to mix and sift through the soil). Saved over $14 this way. The organic soil I bought last spring was pricey. This seems to be doing well, as my flowers are already looking hardy after just a few days in their potted abodes. Didn't have anymore Mop pads for my swiffer. Used a microfiber rag and sprayed the floors with some Mrs. MEYERS everyday cleaner. I bought the refill bottle in January last year. It requires such a small amount to refill a bottle, so it lasts a good while. I have vinyl flooring everywhere but bedrooms (carpet). Walked to the grocery store when I realized I needed a crate of eggs ( it's about a 2.5 mile walk round trip. No need to burn gas for that. Plus, it counted toward exercise. I really had to get clever to come up with 5 frugal things. Blessings to you and your family!
MB in MN
Tuesday 31st of March 2020
1. I'm going to lead my five things with the topic of... urine! Yup, as in conserving toilet paper. I was hanging onto old flannel pajamas to see what I could use some of the fabric for, and it took a pandemic to come up with cutting flannel into toilet paper-size squares. I use these for #1 wiping only, rinse them after use, and throw them in the washer with other items. I was surprised how absorbent flannel is, doubly surprised at how little urine there actually is to wipe, and triple surprised that I'm actually telling you all of this!
2. After peeling a bunch of potatoes for soup, I dried out the peels, tossed them with oil, butter, salt and pepper and roasted them at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Crunchy and delicious!
3. Limiting daily intake of caffeine to one (albeit large) cup of coffee in the morning. After watching the evening news, I then try to calm myself down with a cup of peppermint tea.
4. Using my extra time in positive ways - e.g., supporting local businesses and others experiencing hardship; and contacting the administration to encourage the behavior I wish to see.
5. Saving money by using many of the tips I've learned on this blog and sending virtual elbow bumps to my friends here. Am so grateful for you all.
Kristen
Tuesday 31st of March 2020
Haha, fist bump on your number one. You go, girl!
Colleen
Saturday 28th of March 2020
1. I opted for green eggs from a farm friend so I got them for free (because they break more easily & are usually smaller). But I was also given18 instead of the usual 12! 2. At church this week I got to take home soup leftovers which will feed me for next 2-3 weeks (they made a LOT of soup). 3. Found a recipe box at local thrift store for $1 - I have been looking for one for my cards for over 4 years. 4. Now that TP is getting scarce it’s convenient that I only use 3 squares at a time... 5. Was very excited that my husband’s deer meat came in last week (it is affordable for me at the rate I eat it, as this year 140lbs of meat is going between 2 people).
Annie
Friday 27th of March 2020
1. Braised a 5 pound pork shoulder and so far have had shredded pork with rice and beans, shredded pork tacos, and made udon soup with pork and bok choy. We froze some for the coming weeks. 2. Am actually counting out sheets of toilet paper as we use them to see how much we really need to use. Not trying to be funny here, but we are really paying attention to the many things we use now and seeing how we can be more frugal going forward without sacrificing needs. The TP is one of many products we are minding our use of. 3. Am reading the books I still haven't read yet instead of buying more which I was tempted to do. 4. Found some old coloring books bought and stashed away during the adult coloring book craze from a few years ago. They are helping to keep me occupied and calm me. 5. Making my own iced tea.
Lauren
Friday 27th of March 2020
1. I made an eBay sale this week and was unsure of how to post it. I sought advice on what was the cheapest postage option from the post office worker. 2. I’m trying to avoid the supermarket as much as possible and I’m moving soon so am eating down the freezer and using up vegetables. 3. My friend offered us his moving boxes from his move. 4. I filled my gas tank up a week and a half ago and still at half a tank left. 5. Staying home during this time and slowly Spring cleaning, watching Netflix and working on my never ending To Do list.