Five Frugal Things | Call the Midwife
1. I ordered a boxed set of books on eBay
When I was visiting with my Aunt Kathy, she was telling me she thought I REALLY should read the Call the Midwife books.
I have watched some seasons of the show, but I have not read the books.
My library system just has digital copies of most of the books, and I am the worst when it comes to reading digital books. If they're not on my nightstand in physical form, they might as well not be on the planet.
I forget they exist at all!
So I hopped onto eBay and bought a secondhand boxed set. This was cheaper than buying the individual books, and I think the boxed set will be simpler to resell when I'm done too.
2. I redeemed a YourTurn reward for a Starbucks gift card
As I mentioned yesterday, two of my classmates invited me to a mammoth study session at Starbucks. I had no money left loaded in my Starbucks account, so I redeemed some of my Erie YourTurn rewards (through my car insurance) for a $25 Starbucks gift card.
So our study session cost me nothing out of pocket.
3. I am using my protein powder
Remember how I spent a few months working with an online personal trainer last year?
Well, at that time, he suggested I buy some protein powder, which I did. But I have not done a bang-up job of using it, largely because I would prefer to just eat foods that provide protein.
But I already paid for the protein powder, so it would be pretty not-frugal to not use it up!
Also, it only costs about $1/serving (25 grams of protein), which is cheaper protein than eggs at this point.
(You'd have to eat 4 eggs to get 24 grams of protein, and that'll run you more than $1 these days.)
So I have been making some smoothies with the protein powder and also I've made oatmeal with it (I stir it in after the oatmeal is cooked.)
The one I have is unflavored and unsweetened; just plain grass-fed whey powder.
(I am not affiliated with Promix; I bought it straight from their website and that's not an affiliate link.)
4. We trimmed Chiquita's nails (again)
I am always going to give Zoe and myself a pat on the back when we do this. Ha.
She is the neck-scruffer and I am the trimmer; Zoe timed it this time around and it took us 2.5 minutes start to finish.
So not only does this save money, it also saves time! It takes way more than a few minutes to book an appointment and drive a cat to the vet.
Our $10 nail clipper has paid for itself lots of times over by now!
5. I...
- packed my meals for my work and clinical shifts last week
- used my cloth napkins (including my "Eat, drink, and be married" ones. Ha.)
- faithfully worked at eating down my overstock of vegetables
I will probably never buy protien powder because I prefer to eat my protein in normal food. But many people do use powder because it's easier & sometimes cheaper.
Frugal things---
● saved $0.10/gallon on gas ($2.89/gallon) & earned $2 rewards
● $6/pound Porterhouse steaks on sale. bought family packs & trim then freeze individually from Save-a-lot
● eggs still $5.50 (18 pack)
● saved $5 off $20 in frozen foods at Meijer & bought items on sale
● bought 2 Rotisserie chickens ($5 each) & 2 Rotisserie ribs ($12 each) at Sam's club for multiple meals (& freezer meals)
● bought soda 4 (6 packs)/$14 & 2 liter $1 each
● packing lunch for work or just eating snacks coworkers bring in to share
Frugal fail---
● Ordered teen popcorn (which was same as last time) but shipping tripled in price (& UPS was only $2 difference compared to USPS which meant few days compared to few weeks) which does increase overall cost, but still cheaper than grocery store.
●it's that time of year---Girl Scout cookies ($6/box) & I buy a case which girls (& parents always) get excited & then I'm done for season, which is month of March. I love supporting this, so I should look at it as a splurge instead of fail.
@Regina, nice deal on the steaks.
Remember that spending money isn't a fail! Isn't that why we're frugal in other ways, eh?
@Regina,
I ordered 12 from a friend in California. They were $7 a box but I buy for supporting the scouts. I was a leader for both girls.
Nan
Physical books, forever and always. I find my brain just doesn't engage with a story in digital form the way it does with the physical trigger of holding a book.
Frugal Rambles: All About Windows!
I'm so pleased about the following frugal solution. Please feel free to steal it!
Our 1890s house has the original gorgeous sash windows. The previous owner installed storm windows over them, but we still have condensation problems on the single-pane original glass when it's below freezing. After reading about expensive *interior* storm windows--manufactured ones are plexiglass inside a wooden and/or rubber frame--I decided to DIY my own version. (I loathe window shrink film, plus we've three cats.)
Our kitchen door is also original and has a glass pane that's *also* a condensation disaster in winter, so I chose it as my test subject. I ordered a three pack of 24 x 36" 1 mm plexiglass sheets for $35 and cut two to fit tightly on either side of the window; I then secured the plexi edges with caulk. Essentially, I turned a single pane into a triple pane. Visually, nothing about the door has changed, but NO MORE CONDENSATION!!! Plus the kitchen is 5 degrees warmer (our kitchen clock has a thermometer). My proof of concept was a success!
The three pack of plexiglass actually included four sheets, despite even saying "3 pack" on the label. That means I was able to faux double-pane a bonus window in the living room (top and bottom--again, sash windows) and that I'll need fewer packs overall to do our remaining seven windows. $35 per pack isn't exactly cheap, but it's DEFINITELY cheaper than new windows we don't want or the interior storm windows that started my brainstorm. Our original 1890 windows are in amazing physical shape AND pretty, so I'm delighted to stay true to them. I'll be taking the storm windows off to clean the insides and reglaze the original windows this summer once it's warm enough (glazing needs 55 degrees minimum for a week to cure properly).
@N, Good for you! DH has used plexiglass for many a solution in his time. I'm thinking of asking him about cutting a pane for a small octagonal (decorative) window in the front of the house. It lets in so much cold air.
@N, What a great solution! I love how nothing flummoxes you (I don't know anyone else who paints their own car and re-panes their own windows). Inspiring!
@N, I also prefer printed, physical books. I love browsing in book stores and libraries. I love the smell of books, the sharing of books, and reading books. It is an entirely different experience than reading a digital copy.
@Suz, I'm willing to learn, try, and potentially fail. That trifecta is the "secret," such as it is, behind most of my endeavors! 😛
@Bee, SAME! I will read an ebook if thats the only way i can find what i want for free. But I do love the feel and smell of a book. I love the smell of a used bookstore. I am quite the weirdo! LOL
@N,
We are renovating a 1912 American Fourscore. We are in California so the weather isn't as problematic. We only kept three large picture windows. There rest we switched. Many were in ill repair and the house is huge. We need the energy saving aspects.
We are, however, not painting any wood, keeping old cabinets, and redoing bathroom in black and white subway tiles in the traditional style.
@N,
To make sure I understand - the interior plexiglass storm windows you created stay there permanently? (Our house's windows are nothing special, but aren't "leaky", as far as I know. Just curious). You are so handy and creative!
@Bee, bookstores are wonderful places as are libraries. That said, I did buy an ereader because not everything is in print now. I will say that I find it funny how eBooks more or less plateaued and physical bookstores made a huge comeback.
@Liz B., Yes, the plexiglass is installed flush with the glass pane and held in place with caulk. Visually, it looks like a normal window, but now it has an added layer of insulation.
@Mary Ann, Your house sounds beautiful and well-loved!
@N,
Thank you! That gives me the perfect visual.
I've never been a fan of whey powder either. Allthough egg prices are not nearly as outrageous as what I read from the US, I would be interested to know if you can substitute chickpea blub in baking? For instance if you make a meatless loaf with oatmeal and ground nuts, can you put that in to bind it together?
Small frugals:
Sunlight, so free laundry and line drying;
Also: charging my solarpowered radio, so I can test it;
Heating up water for tea only once, taking one cup and use thing thermos for three more;
Filling up gas at the cheapest station when we were in the neighbourhood for an errand;
Checking the balance of our baker's loyalty rewards, and this weekend's visitors will have (free) cake.
O and we also clipped our cat's thumbs - the only nails that seem to get caught on clothes and blankets, somehow!
@JNL, You absolutely can substitute the liquid from cans of chickpeas in baking. I tried this with my brownie recipe and everyone said they were way better than those made with the flaxseed egg substitute! And we use the chickpea liquid as a binder in tuna burgers, as well, rather than an egg. one of these days I'm going to try it in cornbread.
@Karen A.,
Ah thanks! I will give it a try one of these days.
It seems such a waste to drain and throw away the liquid when it can be used quite well for other purposes-
@JNL, I once made vegan meringues with it, too.
@JNL, it’s called aquafaba and you can buy it separately. I haven’t tried it yet but it can replace egg whites in a recipe to help make it vegan. Maybe search vegan recipes to find ways to use it.
@JNL, I've heard that apple sauce or vegetable oil is a good egg substitute.
@Victoria, another blogger "The Minimalist Baker" uses aquafaba all the time.
@Sophie in Denmark, You're exactly right! I use unsweetened applesauce or nonfat plain greek yogurt to replace oil and egg in baking all the time and both work fine.
1. DD was having a hard day and wanted to go out for lunch so we took her to Texas Roadhouse as I had a $30 gift card. Not cheap but cheaper than it would have been. We honestly prefer to eat at home.
2. In the past week I have picked up two Sharpies, a pen, three pencils, and a Dry Erase marker in parking lots or on streets. They all work though some of them are damaged(the pen case is broken but i am using it anyway). They would have been run over and broken to smithereens otherwise.
3. My out of state SIL texted to say not to bring them Bergers Cookies. Her husband has diabetes and can't stop himself from eating sweets when they are in the house. I was planning to switch to bringing them homemade cookies but it now seems that should be avoided as well.
4. I double checked with the state to make sure I had submitted our income tax return. I had not received confirmation of receipt nor the refund. Yesterday I received an email they have had issues this year but expect to be doing a better job this week.
5. A friend and I joined a trail walk organized by a local-ish yoga studio. It is free to attend.
1. I went through the freezer and the pantry and made a list of things which needed to be used up. The list is on the refrigerator so everyone can see it. So far we've eaten the frozen broccoli, part of a bag of pasta shells, a chicken breast and a lone shortbread cookie with walnuts. I have no idea where the cookie came from!
2. Our health insurance would not pay for my needle tips in January--something that is covered by the policy. After multiple phone calls they finally admitted they had made a mistake and a cheque is in the mail. Among other things they wanted to know why I use so many needles in a day!
3. I repaired two tee shirts. It was a simple fix that I had been putting off and which ended up taking about five minutes.
4. I've almost used all of a container of foot lotion which was given to me by a friend who wasn't crazy about the scent. I don't mind if my feet smell like lemons. It's actually kind of nice.
5. I'm taking part in the 100 Days of Art project, making a tiny, 3 x 3 collage a day. I've gathered all the "ugly" paper I have and I've been using it in my collage making. Some of my favorite pieces have come from the paper I like the least.
@Darlene Too, I love your #5. How fun! Can you share any pics? I love to see creativity in action.
@Bobi, I'm not sure how creative I'm being but 10 days in I'm still having fun. I haven't posted any photos on-line because I have no social media--and I'd be too self-conscious as well.
@Darlene Too,
I love that art project! One of my most favorite pieces of art I have is a winter scene made totally of torn paper. I found it in a little gallery in Door County, Wisconsin. I wish I could put a photo in here. I have it hanging in my livingroom.
@Darlene Too, that's a great idea of making a list of things to be used up. Sometimes I think the members of my house who don't do as much of the cooking get intimidated and worry that they'll mess up some grand recipe plan. Yours is a great way to alleviate that and ensure there isn't food wasted!
I need to find a more efficient way of trimming Clark's claws. He's gotten wise to the "wrapped in a towel, being fed a Churu treat" trick and can wriggle out of the towel straitjacket like Houdini. Maybe I'll try the neck scruffing; it worked when I had to drag him out of a tree that one time.
I adore the Midwife books! I hope you like them. I don't know if your library has free Interlibrary Loan (ILL); I use our library's system to get physical copies from other libraries in the state. I prefer to have physical copies of books as well--DH calls them my Emotional Support Books--and this works great. You might poke around on your library's website and see about ILL. Some libraries charge a fee, some don't.
Our Frugal Five:
1. RIP to our twenty-plus-year-old Hoover Windtunnel vacuum, that we bought for about 80 bucks back when our ^%$! Kirby proved to be a foolish purchase. (Never trust a door-to-door salesman, was what I learned.) The Hoover saw us through multiple moves, many a cleaning job, and when the switch broke, CH (Clever Husband) bypassed the switch, so you turned it on by just plugging it in. Then the plug wore out and he replaced the plug with a sturdier version. What I'm saying is we got our money's worth and more out of it, much like the washing machine that lasted twenty plus years and then collapsed in a pile of rust, having given its all. So I'm counting the vacuum as a Frugal Thing, even though now we have to figure out what kind of vacuum to get next. One not made in China, hopefully, if such a thing can be found. I'm sending DH out to search for one.
2. I'm doing a smashing job of planning meals from the freezer and cupboards this week. Since DH fasted all weekend, we had tons of leftovers, and DS#1 made some extra tuna burgers for lunches, so we did leftovers last night, and I'm planning chickpea burgers tonight and salmon I found in the freezer for tomorrow. Should cut down on grocery trips considerably. I also stayed strong and resisted buying *more* on-sale tea; I have plenty and at some point one must show restraint. I did, however, snag buy one, get one free laundry detergent and combined with a coupon got a great deal.
3. I found some great short, free workouts on YouTube--Rasa Is makes some nice short 10-20 minute Pilates workouts, and I can alternate different types (abs, arms). I like her videos because she doesn't talk during them, and has audio signals to alert you when to switch. I need to build a stronger core and her workouts are perfect.
4. Library ILL, as I noted above, has been a great boon. There are two books I want to read during Lent, and I was *this* close to ordering them, and then I thought to look on the library's ILL search engine, and there they were. (He Leadeth Me and The Hiding Place, if anyone's curious.)
5. Finally dug in and reorganized my bureau, and in the process found two delightful cardigans I had forgotten about (which had gotten lost in the mad tangle of clothes). I was able to donate some other items that I honestly loathed and was so happy to find "new" items to wear. Decluttering can be frugal, especially if in the process you find stuff you'd forgotten and which is useful. Also when I declutter and clean, I'm happier with my small living space. Contentment is the key to frugality.
@Karen A., my previous Miehle vacuum was about 25 years old when it finally broke past repairing.
I agree with you 100% about decluttering and serenity. One thing I like about my new house is my roommates clutter is in his room now (previously it was in common spaces). I swear I breathe easier every time I go into the living room.
Another advantage is what we like doesn't get lost in a swelter of crud. Fewer things but only what I love, is what I aim for.
@Karen A., Like @WilliamB I'd vote for Miele, most are made in Germany, though apparently some do come from China and they aren't cheap, but are well made. Also love your term CH!❤
@Karen A., The Kenmore vacuum I found brand new at Habitat Restore for $50 ($300+ new!) has proven a beast. It has several floor height settings, so even when we finally pull up the remaining carpet, the vacuum will be safe for hardwood. If you've a Habitat in your area, see what they have for vacuums; ours always has several, and all electronics have already been tested by the store.
@Karen A., I second that the Miele vacuum is a great one. We bought ours from a local vacuum shop and it is German made. I noticed Amazon was primarily selling Made in China versions.
I love mine! I bought it secondhand on eBay actually.
@Kristina M., I'll give CH a headsup to look for those.
@Karen A., I came on to second the Miele, which I love, and also thrift stores, which is where we got our Shark. I prefer the Shark because you can empty after use and it doesn't take expensive bags and filters. I wash the parts when necessary. It was very cheap second hand. Instruction manuals are always available online.
@Karen A., I also love my Miele. Made in Germany, NOT China. The huge bonus is that it is quiet. After I got it I realized how stressful it is to use a loud vacuum. Anyway, I highly recommend Miele.
@Julia Tracey,
My Shark is perfect for my one bedroom apartment and picking up Lucy's hair (my sweet cat)
@Karen A., I'm another Miele fan! I bought a like-new version from eBay a few years ago and it's been great. I too really appreciate the quieter sound setting.
@Karen A., Yes! It's always good to support the local small shops, as you can always service your vacuum there and get spare parts.
1. I adopted a 12 wk old German shepherd mix to go with Dec’s 8 mos old. I bought her a super cute pink, floral collar. I had several blue & red ones here. I took the cute one back because dogs don’t have the same human construct of colors having genders, do they?!
2. Rec’d an $11 insurance refund & a $2.30 cc refund & deposited both of them
3. Food City had turkey breasts on sale for $1.29/lb Friday & Saturday. I got a 6lb one & smoked it on my grill (bought with last year’s tax refund) & will be eating that deliciousness for my lunches.
4. Deleted Amazon from my phone & have not had an Amazon cc bill in 2 mos. I have been focused on minimal spending & local when I need something. It helps my soul & my budget
5. Daughter went through her clothes as she was packing to move across town (both kids launched!!) & I was gifted several cute things
Mixed results: I have a pretty little 2013 Cadillac that I only drive when the weather is nice. I have it on my calendar to start once/wk, if not using. It didn’t get started the 2 wks I had Covid in Dec. My BIL tried unsuccessfully to jump it. I’ve been ignoring it until yesterday. I used my car ins roadside assistance for the tow (so free?), but the battery was $320. Ouch. I let my AAA lapse because they were so slow to respond & it felt redundant since I had the coverage on my ins. I am pleased with how well it went
@Diane,
I agree with you about AAA....I found myself stuck at work with a dead battery about a month or so ago. Long story short, because I was in a safe place, I waited 4ish hours for them, only to find out (when I called back) that the tow truck that was supposed to come help me had bailed, and they were looking for someone else. They never let me know what had happened. Frowny face. AAA also offered to bring my car a new battery for $350+, but instead, hubby was able to get a jump the next morning, and bought a new battery for $250ish at a local car parts store.
@Diane, congrats on the #5 and I hope you and your children have an easy, enjoyable transition to the new way of life!
FFT, Living with a Busted Rib Edition (updated/revised from yesterday's FFT at the NCA):
As I noted in my comment on yesterday's post here, I’m pretty sure that I did in fact crack a rib when I fell in my icy driveway last week. But here’s how I’m dealing with this and other things:
(1) Rather than go to one of our increasingly sparse urgent care centers on a snowy Sunday morning for an x-ray that probably wouldn’t do more than confirm my suspicions (the ribcage pain was getting worse rather than better since last Wednesday), I asked Dr. Bestest Neighbor to come over and give me an opinion. He brought his stethoscope to give me a listen, and he pronounced my lungs clear (a broken rib can pierce a lung). He also gently probed my left ribcage, and when he touched the spot, I let out a yelp that they probably heard in the next city over. We agreed that the rib is almost certainly broken, and that there’s no real need for an x-ray for this. (Believe me, I’m in no doubt.) So, as always, my blessings on Dr. BN.
(2) Dr. BN gave me various recommendations for treatment (the Salonpas brand extra-large pain patches I had in stock are doing me more good than anything else). And he also read me a long list of things I shouldn’t be trying to do in the immediate future. The man knows me too well. 🙂
(3) At the suggestion of a friend wh0 had a broken rib a while ago, I'm using a small cushion as a "cough pillow." I keep it next to my recliner in the living room, and whenever I feel the urge to cough, sneeze, or laugh, I hold it gently but firmly against my ribcage. This is also helpful.
(4) I did go Against Medical Advice so far as to do two loads of laundry (one on Sunday and one on Monday). But I carried them up from the basement to my second-floor drying racks in multiple trips instead of one each, thereby giving me a lighter basket on each trip and some much-needed lower-body exercise.
(5) And on Sunday, I simmered the carcass of a whole chicken that didn’t come out so well on Saturday for soup stock. (I don’t recommend the NYT maple butter with rosemary recipe, for various reasons.) On Monday, I used the stock in a chicken, white bean, and rosemary soup, which came out much better.
@A. Marie, I’m sorry to hear about your cracked rib, but I’m glad your neighbor could help you. I had a cracked rib once and can sympathize. The worst for me was not being able to lie down because pressure anywhere on my ribcage was so painful. I hope you recover quickly!
Aww, what a blessing to have a doctor for a neighbor! I hope your rib is feeling better very soon. Rest up!
@A. Marie, My sympathies on your cracked rib! I likewise had a "I don't need to pay to know I broke something" rib adventure when I fell into/down the kitchen counters working by myself shortly after we bought the house. I was black, blue, and yellow from butt to shoulder for months. Ever since, my husband has insisted on the house rule of "No ladders unless I'm home to hear the 'thud.'"
@N et al., thanks for the sympathetic words. And @N, your story called to mind the house rule I imposed once DH reached a certain age: "No ladder work unless I'm here to call 911."
@A. Marie,
I'm sorry that you are in pain with a cracked rib! I hope you feel better fast. Would a Jane Austen audio book help keep your mind off the hurting? At least be happy you don't have to wear corsets, as they did in JA's day!
@Fru-gal Lisa, I'm ecstatic that I don't have to wear "stays" (the word JA would have used), since I can't even keep a bra on at this point. 🙁
And although I don't do audiobooks generally (I'm visually rather than aurally oriented and don't enjoy being read to), I admit I am looking forward to the upcoming "Miss Austen" on PBS Masterpiece. I enjoyed the Gill Hornby book on which it's based, and the preview videos look promising. And though I don't have a TV, I can stream it on pbs.org.
Finally, just a reminder to all to support your local PBS/NPR stations, and call in your support for them to your senators and representative.
@A. Marie, Feel better A.Marie. A fall - especially one resulting in injury — really shakes up the system. Take care of yourself!
@A. Marie, so sorry to hear you have broken a rib. wish i could come over and take care of you. please don't do anything on dr. bn's not to do list. speedy recovery is my wish for you and i am sure the whole commentariat agrees.
@A. Marie, Adding my heartfelt good wishes to all for decreasing pain and a speedy recovery. Enforced confinement is never fun but thank goodness the meetings for NDN are over for a while. Your neighbors are and will continue to help you in every way I’m sure. And ice must surely be over in your area now.
@A. Marie, I'm sorry about your rib!
@A. Marie, My rule has always been No Chainsaw use unless I'm here!
I hope your rib heals well and you feel better soon!!
@A. Marie, hope you heal quick!
I'll just chime in with one frugal thing. My mom sent us our annual king cake from the bakery in New Orleans that my family has purchased king cakes from for decades. The bakery, Haydel's, had an actual store about two blocks from where my mom grew up and so my grandmother started buying king cakes there in about the 1960s.
Included with the king cake was a flyer advertising all the other things Haydel's offers for shipping, including something described as "a traditional maple syrup pecan pie." I was surprised that maple syrup would be "traditional" for pecan pie, as maple trees and pecan trees do not grow in the same places. However, I myself use maple syrup in the pecan pie I make, and am fact am going to make today for Fat Tuesday (a day celebrated by Catholics the Tuesday before our Lenten season of penance begins for the forty days leading up to Easter). So I looked on the Haydel's website to see if there was more about the history of the pie.
Which is when I saw that it would cost me SEVENTY DOLLARS to buy that pie.
Granted, that includes next-day shipping, but still. I can buy like seven pounds of pecans for that and make more than a dozen pies. I always consider pecan pie to be an expensive dessert, because pecans are kind of expensive, but I guess everything is relative. And relative to buying the pecan pie from Haydel's, making it myself is way cheap.
Happy Fat Tuesday! Go ahead and eat something decadent today in solidarity with all of us who celebrate. 🙂
@kristin @ going country, if the sugar syrup is maple syrup, I'm not surprised the pie is $70.
@kristin @ going country, In these parts, we eat donuts and call it Fasnacht Day (spellings vary and also Shrove Tuesday) so back at ya, Happy Fasnacht Day! 😉
@WilliamB, I buy dark maple syrup by the gallon from a company in Vermont. It's $50 a gallon. The recipe I use (Smitten Kitchen) calls for 3/4 of a cup of golden syrup, which I substitute 1:1 with the maple syrup. So I could make 20 pies with a gallon of syrup (I think I did the math right there). So yes, the maple syrup is also an expensive part of the pie, but the Haydel's ingredients also list corn syrup, so they're not using nearly as much as I am. Certainly not anything that would justify that price. 🙂
@Bobi, My mother-in-law's Presbyterian church celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a pancake supper. It was fun, but it was nothing like a Fat Tuesday celebration. 🙂
@kristin @ going country,
Ohhhhh, I loooooove Smitten Kitchen's pecan pie. I've only ever made it once, with Lyle's golden syrup, and the flavor memory is seared into my brain. I can only imagine how it would be with maple syrup, happy sigh. 🙂
@Liz B., I love nearly every recipe from Deb at Smitten Kitchen.
@kristin @ going country, I celebrated Pancake Night tonight! Everyone makes pancakes on Shrove Tuesday in the UK, where I'm from 🙂 I also went to a Fastelavn festival at the weekend.
@Sophie in Denmark, here in Ireland we celebrate Shrove Tuesday with pancakes too.
@kristin @ going country, here in Ireland we celebrate Shrove Tuesday with pancakes - usually thin crepes with lemon juice and sugar. I have a nasty tummy bug so this is the first time in our 49 years of marriage that I haven't made pancakes.
@ErikaJS,
I know what you mean! Deb is just the best.
@Joan from Dublin, Ireland, I make the same kind and had one with lemon and sugar last night (the rest with nutella)! I hope you feel better soon!
I put all the food in impermeable containers to keep it away from the mice, does that count? (That was a lo-o-ong day,)
I made 6 qts of fried rice, for dinner and for the freezer, using leftover take-out rice (frozen till needed).
I started knitting a lap blanket using yarn I already own. Then remembered why I hadn't used it - it's an unspun that sheds worse than a long-haired cat. Maybe washing it in conditioner when it's done will help, or maybe I'll give it to someone with a cat.
Double-checked my insurance statements and found that they got several things wiring. Quelle shock.
Auction company sold the last of the things I didn't want.
After spending a day at a protest, the organizers sent me home with food, flowers, and a 2 galRubbermaid container.
Good Use of Money:
Hired a company to deal with the mice. Year-long contract includes several dozen traps of various types, sealing gaps w caulk and rolled-up chicken wire (which the mice can't wiggle thru), and they go into the crawl spaces to service the traps. While I don't mind dealing with dead mice, I'm just as happy not to do all that crawling for the 4-6 months it'll take to make sure they're gone.
@WilliamB, I used to have a mouse problem, and now I have a cat.
I think Chiquita would handle any mouse that came around here. Shelly would probably be scared of the mouse. Ha.
@Ann on the farm, Same here--since the Commodore has been commissioned here, not only haven't I seen a mouse, but our bug population has gone down considerably. He just adores going after bugs.
@Karen A.,
Yes, mice know when there's a cat around and they usually go elsewhere. Just having a cat is often enough.
@Ann on the farm,
We had a mouse problem, and our cats were ZERO help in getting rid of them. (eye roll).
@WilliamB, when i lived in brooklyn everyone in the apt building had mice except me. I had a cat.
@Ann on the farm, Our long ago cat kept the entire neighborhood free of mice. When he crossed the rainbow, neighbors begged us to get a kitty again. Many of them have allergies and other reasons they can’t have their own cat. We now have a pest service ala WilliamB instead.
@WilliamB, the roommate is allergic to cats.
@Ann on the farm, we have a cat and a doxie that kill mice around here. Doxies are great mousers!
1. My middle child fractured his finger over the weekend and had a hard time putting on snow gloves for recess yesterday and wanted mittens - I had purchased some snow mittens at an end-of-season clearance last year, so I had exactly what he needed. Kind of like Kristen's protein powder, I'm glad that we're using something that I had already purchased (no one was interested in them prior to today).
2. Meijer had a bunch of Blueland and Grove Co cleaning supplies, hand soap, and dish soap on clearance for 80-90% off. Yes, please! I stocked up.
3. There's a fundraising event that my husband and I have attended for a number of years, but since he's no longer required to go for work, I was asked if I wanted to help cater it. So instead of spending money, I made money.
4. A friend and I went for a walk for a hang out time. No money spent!
5. I cooked all of our meals at home.
@Ruth T, I pocked up some Grove soap also on clearance for 90% off at Meijer. Might check out another store to see if have any other scents. 🙂
1. Husband found a roll of dog poop bags in the park.
2. Received a dozen eggs from our neighbor, whose girls have been laying more in the warmer weather.
3. Received a lot of things from Buy Nothing this week: tortillas, salad dressing, a pair of jeans, toolbox, toothpaste, buns, soap dish and bar of soap. I have some things I will be posting shortly.
4. Added mayo to a jarred mustard sauce to extend it.
5. Just returned from a 3-hour (as opposed to a 3-martini) lunch with a friend/former colleague. He surprised me by paying for my lunch, which was lovely. I was a cheap date as I had ordered something less expensive as a way to reduce restaurant costs.
Your meals always look so healthy and appetizing.
My FFTs for this week:
• I am in two book clubs. I was able to check out my clubs’ selections from the library this week.
• I sold two items on eBay this week. I shipped these items using previously used packaging.
• One of the members of my Buy Nothing group asked for practice golf balls for her son. We have several bins in our garage as my husband collects these when he is out walking Rescue Pup. I offered her as many as she needed and was able to pass on 2 dozen.
• I attended an estate sale where I was able to buy cleaning supplies and other useful items for very little. Unopened packages of dishwasher powder, laundry sanitizer, Costco-size foil, and 4 packs of brand TP were all just $1 each. I was also able to purchase two new pairs of shoes - a pair of black Rothy’s and a NIB pair of Cole Haan ankle boots. I also bought a few less practical things.
• One of the service groups that I belong to is preparing for a spring rummage sale. I have been culling through my things to donate to the cause. For some reason, I find it easier to give things away when I know that they will be respected. Better yet, I know that the money will be used to make a difference.
I have been doing many of the usual things — drinking primarily filtered water, brewing my own coffee at home, streaming my television selections on shared services, reading my favorite magazines using the libraries online service, batching errands, and eating simple meals at home.
Wishing you all peace, good health and prosperity.
@Bee, may I ask what the two books are?
@BJS, A Woman of No Importance which is non-fiction. It is based on the life of a female spy during WW2. I’ve started this and I’m finding it fascinating.The second is an older book, Big Stone Gap, a work of fiction by Adriana Triglana (sp.).
She has authored several other books that are in the "Big Stone Gap" series. If you enjoy the novel, you might want to read them too.
Many libraries offer an inter-library loan program where you can reserve a book that your library doesn't have and they borrow it from a different library that does. Another option to check into!
I used to be a voracious physical book reader. But when I had my first child, I started reading ebooks on my phone. I could do this while nursing in the middle of the night without any other light to stay awake. I could do this while holding a sleeping baby without having to move that much. Even now, I find it much more conducive because I pretty much always have my phone with me and so I always have my reading material with me.
The downside is that I don't love the optics of my kids seeing me on my phone instead of with a book. And my husband exclusively reads through audiobooks, so they just see him with headphones on all the time. I would like to try doing some physical books just for this reason but I haven't found a good rhythm yet. Despite this, we read books to our kids all the time and they do love books!
@Carla G, I did the same thing with e-books, I switched when I had my first baby because it was much easier to read on my phone. Now I have a kindle too, which helps me from just being on my phone all the time, even when I'm reading.
I think you’ve talked about this a bit before, about intersections between ‘good’ and ‘less good’ frugality, but you using the napkins made me think of it.
Maybe it doesn’t bother you at all but I have in the past struggled with letting something go because it’s still usable, when it might be doing some harm, even if I don’t realise that it is. I wonder if there might be, I guess, micro harms? Not specifically for you in this case, but something I wanted to share. Kind of like, ‘just because you can, doesn’t mean you should’.
My partner will eat/drink stuff it turns out we don’t like and it feels like going too far for me.
I’ve had a rough winter and I bought new desk equipment in white (I work from home) even though nothing was wrong with the black ones, but it has made an enormous positive difference in how I feel stepping into the space and getting to work.
Ohhh, were you thinking the "eat, drink, and be married" napkins were from my marriage?
They're actually from a towel I bought from Goodwill that I cut up and made into napkins. So it doesn't bother me at all...I have no feelings about the towel/napkins!
@Kristen, I forgot about that! Yes, I was slightly worried you were suffering for the sake of frugality 🙂
@Kristen,
Yes, I remember when you posted about converting the dish towels into cloth napkins! It hasn't been that long ago.
So many recipes call for protein powder on this cooking show my daughter was watching for a while. Yeah, too much to pay for. I'm surprised you didn't try the Aldi one.
Greek yogurt is a great source of protein and the one at Aldi is pretty good. You can also make a great dessert with Greek yogurt and a little bit of sugar free pudding mix.
My FFT for the past week or so:
1.) Sold a bunch of stuff on eBay! This money went into a special "Fun fund" where I could buy some things I want to. It's not that my normal allowance didn't cover the normal fun stuff but I wanted to incentivize myself on getting rid of more things.
2.) Made it to Costco for a big stock up. I'm talking 25lb of rice, medicine, peanut butter etc. We also had dinner there and filled up the tank with gas. So one stop shopping. lol
Of course we did get a few household items we didn't need but it was nice to upgrade on.
3.) Got a bunch of books out of the library I've been wanting to read. Of course after reading one it made me want to buy said series. Oh well! Never a bad thing to have more books.
4.) Working on purging more ... silly items. After my son passed I found myself buying lots of "collectables" of toys for boys like Matchbox cars and stuff like that. I realized that it was actually because I wanted to do those fun "boy" things with my son and never got the chance to. So I am going to give all of them to my nephew who is of an age where he can enjoy them vs. just having them sit in a box somewhere. I am keeping some for me though.
5.) Doing a lot of cooking and leftovers eating at home. Counting the days until I can line dry outside (Have had stuff hung up all over the house lately) and just general money saving chores.
Well, I wanted one that was JUST protein powder; no other sweeteners, etc. I don't think Aldi has one like that!
@Battra92, I don't find your #4 silly at all. I think that keeping a few for yourself in memory of what might have been, and giving the rest to your nephew, is an excellent solution. And, again, I'm so sorry for your, your wife's, and your daughter's loss.
@A. Marie, Likewise, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss, and I'm glad to know that you're kind to yourself in your grief.
@Battra92, having also lost a son, I can sympathize with that urge. I sometimes stand in the shampoo and deodorant aisle and smell the Old Spice scent he used to use. It helps.
@Julia Tracey, I'm sorry for your loss. My son passed away at birth. I can't imagine how much harder it would be to lose one who had lived for many years.
@A. Marie, thanks. There are a couple that I find special but I don't need to own so many things. In the moment it felt therapeutic, I guess and at least they weren't super expensive.
@Battra92, the milestones are painful. The Poet, Dana Gioia, who was poet laureate, and also, I believe he led the academy of arts as well? He has a beautiful poem about their stillborn child, and how every year until the child would’ve turned 21, he compared other children, the same age, until his imaginary child went off into adulthood. It’s very moving and beautiful. But I can’t remember its name. He’s definitely the poet though. I heard him read it and it was amazing. I’m so sorry for your loss.
@Battra92, Therapy is important, in whatever form.
Frugal things
* I canceled PBS masterpiece subscription once we watched all the episodes of All Creatures Great and Small.
* I made popcorn as snack for happy hour with BFF. Didn't have much else in the pantry to offer.
* I made cheese "crackers" with cheese bits leftover after cutting stars from the slices for grandson's "first trip around the sun" birthday party. I baked the cheese bits until they were golden and crispy
* I did some cleaning of large flowerbeds over the weekend. Still have more work to do but the estimate from the landscaping company to do it was outrageous.
* Credit DH for his effort in getting funds from a VISA gift card. We checked the balance and set a PIN prior to shopping but when we tried to use it, we got a "contact bank" error. The gift card expired the next day so as soon as we got home, he called customer service and they offered to send us a check instead of a replacement card.
Frugal for others: we cleaned out some things in the garage and gifted them on the Buy Nothing group.
I love Call the Midwife and have already watched the first episode with my passport subscription. I’m not sure how the books would be and I’m a reader- 120 books read last year. I journal them with author, title and synopsis. No protein powder for me though. No cat’s toenails to trim since they used tree bark. My cats were inside/outside. Whiskers lived to 20- I was so sad when he died. You’ll be a nurse soon. Maybe the girls or your folks will throw you a party. I had one for my neighbor who got her masters in nursing a few years ago.
@Nan, holy smokes! 120 books in one year! That’s a dream for me. My goal this year is 20 (bonus if I can do 25 in ‘25) and I’m already lagging this year. Are you a really fast reader? How do you make time to read?
@CrunchyCake, It makes a difference what books one reads. In the past few years I read 65-80 books a year. However: it's more than that because I don't count the re-reads. However however: the number is high because I've been reading a lot of fiction; non-fiction takes me longer.
For myself, I am a fast reader and there's never - literally never - a day when I don't read. It's my primary stationary hobby and I'm a bit of an introvert. I usually carry a book with me to meetings and appointments. I relax by reading. I read while on public transit. The "kitchen book" is for reading while I eat, and is suitable for reading in small chunks; the current volume is The Way Things Work. Whatever it is people do with their time, I probably read instead: I only watch TV if I'm knitting, I'm not into sportsball anymore, I don't like hanging out at bars, I'm not a gym rat.
I do the Goodreads reading challenge each year. Last year I got 115 read (short of my initial 150, then 125 goal). I too read every day, but limit myself to evenings when DBF is watching TV (because I'd read all day, every day if I could!). This year I'm shooting for 125 again. I read a mix of fiction/non-fiction and read fast. I do count cookbooks, travel guides etc. I prefer book form but have come to accept the convenience of Kindle downloads (all books are free from my library or Goodreads), especially when traveling, waiting in the car, or for an appt., while trying to fall asleep and not have the light on etc.
I usually have a jigsaw puzzle set up though for the short snippets of time while cooking dinner or right after cleaning up before settling in to watch a show (him) and read (me.) These are free, White Mountain puzzles sent by my parents from AZ when they are finished, which I then share with my daughter, then either my sister or ex husband)...we get lots of use from a single puzzle!
I had no idea that “Call the midwife” started out as a book.
How does the protein powder taste? Winco used to have whey protein powder in the bulk section, but people were ringing it up as flour to save money, so Winco discontinued it. Theft is not an appropriate frugal methodology! Ugh! Now all they carry is plant protein, which tastes like feet.
Our riding lawn mower broke. Luckily, it happened on Sunday, and the John Deere dealership was closed, so my DH had a nice cooling off period. He was hot-to-trot to buy a new mower, but I was the frugal voice of reason, and we are going to have a neighbor’s mechanic son take a look with an eye on fixing it.
I’ll be eating from the freezer this week. How does it get so full?
It mostly doesn't have a flavor; I do notice it makes my smoothies almost more foamy? And it came make oatmeal gritty if you don't stir it in well.
@Ann on the farm, I used to use a plain whey protein powder. It made my smoothies mildly creamier, because mine are typically just fruit, water, and nut butter. The whey was a nice addition. I stopped using it because I stopped making smoothies when my work schedule changed. If I needed protein powder again, I would definitely go for plain whey over anything flavoured (too sweet and artificial sugars make me bloated) or plant-based (I agree with your description of the taste!)
@Ann on the farm, I read the book before I saw the series. I liked it, but it got a little religious for me toward the end. So I didn’t read any further books.
Five Frugal Food Things
My neighbor bought too many strawberries and shared them with me.
My husband found a 5-gallon bucket of walnuts that I gleaned (and forgot about!?) in fall of 2023! They are mostly still good.
Another neighbor brought us a Costco chicken.
Some friends brought us lunch, and after tailgating a picnic, we went for a walk among the lupines and poppies.
The same friends brought oranges for us. . . sadly, no Sumos, but Cara-Cara are pretty awesome.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, we’ve been feasting on cara Caras lately after trying them at our local farmers market. So good this time of year!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, YES! I tried all the oranges including Sumo and Cara Cara are my favorite!!!!!bright pinky orange inside an so so sweet.
1. I finally submitted some old receipts to my insurance. I don't know why I find this so annoying--it takes like ten minutes--but I hate doing it and you bet I bought myself a little bag of sour patch kids to get through it.
2. I made a batch of chicken katsu and an enormous batch of meat sauce bulked out with vegetables for the freezer.
3. I patched two pairs of my daughter's pants, which are on the brink of being outgrown. If it helps them last until summer, I'll be very pleased.
4. I sewed myself a pair of pyjama pants. The fabric wasn't cheap but I already had it, so I wanted to use it!
5. I'm using some gift cards to buy myself tea at work. I don't believe in saving gift cards, because then I waste them.
I have no outstanding frugal things, but here's some of what I have:
1. My appetite took a week to come back, so my plates have been very lightly loaded with food and I've cooked less than normal so I wouldn't waste food. I've saved on groceries at least.
2. I bought some organic plant food and found that the free membership program of which I am a member at this nursery gave me $10 off my purchase. I'll take that.
3. I realized that with eating less food this last couple of weeks, I hadn't had much scrap to give the worms in the worm bucket. I took carrot and beet peelings out to them just in time - they had very little food left and were climbing for the holes in the lid to make an escape. They are now back down in the Spanish moss, munching happily. It's about time to transfer them to the empty bucket and collect the "black gold" worm castings from their current bucket. This is such a cheap way to get worm castings.
4. My birthday lunch was a cooperative lunch provided by the family at one daughter's home. It was way better and cheaper than a restaurant meal and we didn't have to hear other people's chatter while we were talking.
5. I took the time last night to make pancakes ahead (blueberry, Kristen!) for Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras) tonight. I think the last time I had pancakes was Shrove Tuesday last year. The blueberries were from the freezer and the other ingredients, including real maple syrup, I already had as well, so basically "free." I am looking forward to eating them tonight, and I am really pleased that my birthday didn't fall in Lent this year, as it often does.
@JD, I make sourdough pancakes every Shrove Tuesday, with homemade rhubarb syrup. I look forward to this all year long!
A dozen eggs where I live are $8.99/ regular, $14.99/cage-free. I didn't have the nerve to look at the price for the organic ones. Eating less in quantity and variety works well for me and the chickens.
*Had a “$5 off $15 of produce” coupon from Sprouts (which is still firmly in the pro-DEI camp) that was about to expire, so I went in and walked straight to the produce department (so as not to walk past the chocolate covered blueberries) (“But they’re blueberries! They’re good for you!”) and, adding things up in my head, got two packages of organic cremini mushrooms, a packet of fresh thyme (I always use thyme when I’m sautéing mushrooms), a large bunch of organic asparagus, precisely three (3) bananas and precisely two (2) zucchinis. It rang up at the register as … (drum roll, please) … $15.09! So $10.09 after the coupon and I only “overpaid” by 9 cents.
*Ferocious southwest winds blew down an old ash tree in my back courtyard that I’ve been meaning to have someone take down, but was procrastinating because it is (was) in an awkward spot that might have caused problems in a neighbor’s yard. The wind took care of that, and the tree landed well away from the neighbor and also, thankfully, well away from my roof and adobe courtyard wall. Got a good bid from a very nice young man to chop it up and haul it away (except for what can be used for firewood and kindling). Making lemonade out of this particular lemon.
@JDinNM, Also did not make a single purchase from Amazon during the month of February. Did not miss it. At all.
@JDinNM, I didn’t either. I think I used it out of laziness? Just random, frivolous purchases
1. I added the super cheap, grass-fed beef, mini meatballs to previously frozen 13 bean soup. When I have soup for dinner, I always want a side of bread. That doesn't fit my meal plan. So I tell myself "Oh well." There are many meals in the future I can plan for bread.
2. Like you, I bought mystical powders at some point that I am trying to use up. Smoothies in the winter don't really work for me. I'll keep trying to fit them in. The most important thing is to not buying anything more until I have finished with these. I did finally give up on the bargain size Turmeric Powder. I disliked the taste so much I wouldn't drink the smoothie. I switched to a capsule in the morning along with 2 cinnamon supplements.
3. I am bringing lunch to Mom on Wednesday. I am much happier now that I buy a little prepared salad at Sam's rather than order from a restaurant. Neither of us are eating much these days. Takeout prices are too hard to swallow.
4. I am picking up matching chairs for our 1912 RiverHouse remodel. They are completely reupholstered and will be perfect. They are a bargain for $350. I have sworn to not fill the 5,000 square foot home just to try for house beautiful. These, however, were well worth storing until winter when hopefully the house is done.
Fun note: My newly graduated son called me to tell me he bought a crockpot book and prepped 22 meals. He is trying to save money. I was so proud and thought maybe I had a little influence on him.
@Mary Ann, I hear you on the takeout food! We have been battling the nasty cold in the past week and we ordered Chinese delivery, for the hot and sour soup that my husband craves when he's sick. It was $100, but it fed us for three nights and two days of lunches. It's double in cost what it was a few years ago. I remember being shocked at a $50 bill.
As well -- we had Carl's Jr. coupons and husband was craving meat/burgers. I went ahead and got two meals with the coupon, and it was still $30. So that's it. No more fast food drive throughs. Even with the coupons, it's too much.
A note, however, on the Carl's Jr. coupons. It expired March 1 but they still accepted it on March 2. She said they would take a recently expired coupon but not an OLD coupon. So that was nice. I got $2 off anyway.
@Julia Tracey, Did you know that Hot and Sour Soup originated in Chinese medicine? Very appropriate craving, your husband had.
@Mary Ann, I know what you mean about not getting stuff just for the sake of filling space. It helped to think of the Japanese mentality of having onlyt few things but of high quality.
I have to take my cat to the vet every month to get her nails trimmed as I live alone and she just won't let me trim them. I trimmed the claws of my two previous cats.
FFT:
I was in Mexico spanning parts of the last two weeks and resisted the pressure from all the vendors to buy their wares. I've been to Mexico many times and have already purchased any items that I might have wanted like my hand painted, carved wooden bowl that I use to hold random items like keys and sunglasses. I don't buy random souvenirs as I don't have any use for them and in the past they've just ended up at Goodwill.
The Cabo airport is anything but frugal. I know that airport food and drink can be very expensive but Cabo has got have the highest prices I have ever seen. $18 USD for a chocolate bar. One chocolate bar!? Sbarro single pizza slice with a fountain drink was $510 pesos / $25 USD. A footlong from Subway was $400 Pesos / $20 USD. That is pure insanity and the Canadian equivalent means tacking on an additional 32% or so. I did not buy any of those things. I did have to buy a $5 USD bottle of water, though.
Ate everything in my fridge that could spoil while I was away in Cabo.
Several items have sold on ebay after having been listed for quite some time, which was nice.
Being Canadian, any shopping that I've needed to do has been even further scrutinized than usual to confirm the origin of manufacture, which has caused me to go without in some cases, which keeps money in my pocket.
Hi, Just a quick comment on cat nail trimming, scruffing is not fun for cats, or humans! make nail trimming a positive experience. Is there a treat she likes? Start by offering her a treat, then clip. It may take time to get to all of them but it will be a nicer experience for both of you. There are lots of videos on positive reinforcement for nail trimming. The way we do it is my husband offers churu and I clip. They now associate getting their nails clipped with getting a yummy treat! Just a suggestion..
@Kim, I used the food reward principle to get my Betty (who has a medium-thick fur coat) to submit to a daily combing: She now knows that unless she puts up with the combing, she won't get breakfast. So she waits for it and even makes little kitten sounds when I comb her.
And she's such a mellow sleepyhead that on the rare occasions when I do have to trim her claws (I keep a corrugated cardboard scratching pad in the living room for her), I just sneak up on her while she's napping and do a paw or two at a time with standard human toenail clippers. No sweat.
@Kim, We bribe Clark with a Churu treat (we often joke that he'd let you shave him for a "squeezy treat", but he will not sit still and let us trim his nails while slurping it down. So I have done the towel trick but he's starting to revolt against that. Like A. Marie, I have had mild success with sneaking up on him while he's napping and snipping the sharper claws. But he's an alert sleeper, so I have to choose my times wisely.
He also detests being brushed, even with a squeezy treat, and will dance around to get away from the brush while still biting at the tube. I think he's offended that we think he needs grooming assistance!
Well, nuts, I have a bone to pick with the techs at my vet then! They're the ones who showed me the scruffing trick for nail trimming. Hmm.
Thanks for letting me know...we will explore some other options for next time.
I'm manifesting lots of savings in 2025 for my household. With our recent tax return, I paid off every credit card, every bill, etc. Right now we only have: mortgage, 1 year left on my husband's truck payment, and ONE. SINGLE. PAYMENT. on my car. March 31 and it will be 100% paid off. Never paying a payment again for one of my cars. Amen.
So we're now trying to be a bit more mindful and frugal:
1) We went grocery shopping twice. And we got what we needed. We're using it all and avoiding food waste.
2) Husband had to grab something from Menards to start the garden. So I filled out the 11% rebate form and popped it in the mailbox last night. May only be $4, but those add up over time!
3) Neither of us wanted to cook last night. But he had said he bought kielbasa (I've had the flu and he went grocery shopping. So we're enjoying things I wouldnt normally buy!). I recommended we make a spanish one-pot rice dish with it. It was fantastic and even he was surprised.
4) I am trying desperately to find a used copy of Shogun. No where near me has it. The library has limited copies. Instead of buying online (part 1 is $20!), I'm waiting. It'll pop up at some time....
5) I adjusted our tax withholdings (too much withheld), and have updated my direct deposit at work to send that amount to a separate savings account. Delighted that we're not going to waste it and really looking forward to having a pot of funds for "other."
I just want to offer another book option that I don't believe I've seen mentioned here before. PangoBooks is an app for selling and buying used books. It's kind of like what eBay was waaaaay back in the day. I've bought and sold books on both Pango and eBay, and for me Pango is definitely the nicer place for me to do both. I live in a rather rural area with no book stores and a small library, so buying books online is often the only option that doesn't involve at least 90 minutes of driving.
I read those books years ago! I have vanilla flavoured protein powder and stir it into my porridge (oatmeal) in the morning. Sometimes I also put it in a smoothie!
This week I...
1. Brought a packed lunch to work.
2. Went to a free festival.
3. Cancelled a subscription.
4. Used a spare travel card I already had after losing my other one, which meant I didn't have to buy a new card.
5. Found a new roll of dental floss I had put away a few months ago.
1. Baked some traditional semla buns for Shrove Sunday and Tuesday.
2. Not so frugal, but trying to make prudent choices when buying new beds and mattresses. My teen twins needed sturdier beds and new mattresses after they have decidedly outgrown their kid-era beds. Researched all kinds of options and ended up buying very sturdy metal frame beds and mattresses manufactured in the US. Thanks to the change of beds, we did a MAJOR decluttering of piles of stuff and clothes that were overflowing the closet and attracting dust on the floor, and now they will hopefully be able to keep better track of their clothes as well.
3. For a party I'm hosting, I've been sourcing decorations from buy-nothing groups and borrowing items from friends instead of buying one-time use things.
4. Supported musicians at a local small-time gig instead of going to a larger arena sized concert last weekend. Had much more fun and the setting was very intimate.
5. Stocked up on toiletries at CVS with 40% saving of total price.
It is timely you mentioning your car insurance rewards as I was just looking into setting the one up for my car insurance. However, it requires that they have access to your location at all times and I am am unsure of how I feel about that. First instinct: I don't love it. Does yours require the same?
As for frugal things:
1) Got some discounts at the market for my volunteering
2) Went on Tues to the movies to see I'm Still Here (I finally saw all Best Pic Noms before the Oscars!). It was the discount day so only $5
3) Went to the special members-only screening of 9 to 5. I feel like I may have seen in decades ago...but I also could be recognizing some parts from when my parents may have watched...who knows. It was a good movie regardless and a free (well almost free as we did buy a drink) night out.
That's about all I can think of this week.
1. Packed my kiddos school lunch, and ate my lunch at home last week.
2. I am making a Costco list and waiting to go, instead of just popping in. I always spend more when I do that.
3. Checking out two Ina Garten cook books instead of buying them! I read Inas new memoir and love it. I recommend if anyone needs a good read! She is so encouraging. It’s called Be Ready When the Luck Happens
4. Eating, and forcing the fam to eat, down the pantry snacks that are last choice. I’m not going to the store to buy more when we have perfectly good options. This is hard with teenagers!
5. Walking the dog on sunny days(free exercise and endorphins!) also using the resistance machines at the YMCA. I’m trying to gain strength and it’s not my favorite. I feel so much better after though! I’m not wasting the monthly YMCA payment.
@Caitlie,
I loved Ina Garten's memoir, too! And Stanley Tucci's book, Taste, via audiobook. He reads it, and it's awesome.
@Liz B., I haven’t listened to Stanley tuccis! I’ll look for it!
Thanks!!
1. My mom gave us some food that she was not going to use (bread, flour tortillas, potatoes, and macaroni and cheese). She also made my kids breakfast sandwiches for the week.
2. Made vegetable stock using vegetable scraps that had been frozen. I made yogurt parfaits for my daughter using some over-ripe bananas. I used the rest of the bananas to make breakfast bars.
3. We started our vegetable seedlings.
4. I got 3 packs of breakfast sausage and 3 packs of Italian sausage for 50% off at Aldi, along with 2 flatbread pizzas for $2/each.
5. I picked up some switch plates off Buy Nothing
I loved protein powder for shakes when I used to be heavy into running. These days, I add it into smoothie bowls (and I've been trying to make hot smoothies lately, but that's weird).
Frugal wins:
• Utilized Kroger coupons and free coupons. We don't eat a lot of packaged food, so it's nice when they send coupons for produce!
• Cut a downed tree in the yard and gathered fallen branches to use for firewood. Luckily (or not) this place was neglected and so all the fallen wood is seasoned
• Sewed a hole in my shirt
• Bought hamburger buns (mine never turn out and that feels like wasted time and money) and some good cheese to make fancy burgers and fries at home instead of going to a restaurant
• Fried rice and burrito bowls with scraps (last piece of celery, a half a can of beans, etc.)
•Did not jet off to Bora Bora during the snowstorm last week.
We canceled two subscriptions (purchased on Black Friday super cheap) before they renewed at the full cost.
I was able to borrow clear coat from a friend (adding varnish to a painted toddler table) instead of buying my own.
I bought two summer tops at the thrift store.
We ate up our leftovers.
I juiced free meyer lemons and froze the juice to make meyer lemon custard in the summer.
I accepted some free toddler toys for future use.
Thank goodness I am not the only one sold on physical books. I know Kindles are wonderful and I am not knocking them but I love the feel and look of an actual book. I am also a weirdo that loves the smell of a library because of the books inside but I digress.
I had quite a stack of Old Navy Cash to use and I refused to let anymore of this go to waste so when I went in to return some jeans that did not fit my son I exchanged them for shorts and spent just enough to get the full amount of my cash. I bought staples for the spring and summer so nothing was wasted.
We have had some lovely Spring temperatures lately and I have turned off my HVAC as often as I can to shrink my bill.
I elected to try a new gym and I have found that it just doesn't work for me so I cancelled my membership there and I will be signing up for a trial wee at another gym later this week to see if that is a better fit. The trial week is free so If I don't like it, I am not bound.
Weather was beautiful on Saturday and we grilled up a feast, roasted veggies and had plenty of leftovers that we are still enjoying for dinners and lunches.
I booked a little beach getaway for my son and I. I have tried to begin doing one small trip a year that is just he and I to build core memories. We started when he was 7 as that is the age that I have memories of trips taken, holiday traditions, etc. Anyhoo when I booked I accidentally booked the wrong dates. Fortunately I was able to change them without issue and ended up saving a bit more in the process.
@Angie, I love the smell of libraries, too, and I also love the sound of the crinkly covers. Have ever since I was a kid, when I stood on my tippy toes to give my library card to the librarian (I felt so grown-up) and then insisted on carrying the entire stack of crinkly-covered books to the car all by myself.
Since I am able to sit down to eat breakfast at work (if I ate before work I would be hungry at work so I just bring it with me) I have switched out having 2 eggs to having 1/2 Cup of cottage cheese. If I calculated correctly it is the same amount of protein ish and cost about half as much as eggs. It does a good job of keeping me full the same way eggs do. I would have to add protein powder to oatmeal as you do because oatmeal just does not keep me full.
Five frugal things –
-- Refilled my Poo Pourri bottle with homemade version -- just 2 teaspoons of alcohol, 20-30 drops of essential oil -- use a mix or just one) and water.
--Saved leftover veggies in a freezer bag for a pot of beef veggie soup I'll make later.
– Made chicken stock for soup using leftover bones from a rotisserie chicken and a box of chicken broth.
– Saved a service call by using Google to figure out why our outside keypad on our garage door opener wouldn't work. My husband was doing something else so I dealt with this. I determined it was most likely the battery ( I didn't even know it HAD a battery, so it'd never been changed – in years às far as I know). I watched a troubleshooting video on this, changed the battery and it worked again. Yeh me!
– Ate a few pieces of take out pizza I had put in the freezer when we didn't eat all our pizza. I'm not wasting good pizza!
– Instead of recycling some boxes thru our curbside program, I suggested we give the moving boxes we used to store things from or livingroom/diningroom while we had new floors installed to a nephew who is moving soon. He gladly accepted them.
@Joyce from Arkansas, wanted to add, you can find 2 oz spray bottles in the art section at Hobby Lobby or refill old PP bottles with your homemade mixture.
Trimming your cat's nails reminds me of how I should trim my and my daughters' hair this week 🙂
My Frugal 5s
1) Girls used dress up clothes we already had for their dress as a Disney character day.
2) Mended holes in my girls' snow pants and clothes.
3) Took girls to the playground twice this week so free entertainment.
4) Watched and found more free shows/movies on tubi and roku to watched later.
5) Look over annual account summary, financial statements and info to review budget.
1. Made a fancy dinner for a visiting friend, using ingredients I already had. This meal was called Marry Me Salmon. I hate the names of Marry Me Chicken and Marry Me potatoes, but they taste good so I make them. The meal would have cost us well over $50 so I was pretty pleased with myself.
2. Donated an autoharp to a music teacher. She plans to give it to a needy student, since she has one of her own. Clutter out, although I did wince over the fact that we could not get a tax receipt for this donation, since it is a $1000 never used instrument. Hand made, a real piece of art.
3. Made cheesy creamy Hasselback potatoes that turned out to be neither. Used my immersion blender to turn them into potato soup, with some ham and leeks thrown in. Enough or four days!
4. Living in one of the villages, I got a ton of qiviut wool, which is the under wool of the muskox. It is billed as the softest, warmest wool known, but I never put most of it to any use so I finally sold it. My knitting is strictly practical, as in pull on hats and plain mittens, so I could not do it justice. A two ounce skein of painted qiviut sells for about $200. I had collected it for about $20 a skein years ago and sold it for $100 a skein this week. The buyer was thrilled and bought all 13 skeins, and I was happy to stop feeling guilty every time I looked at the giant bag of it, so it was a win/win.
5. Made maximum use of the library.
Frugal fail: Despite many efforts, using all sorts of techniques, the Dane won't let us trim his nails. At 185 pounds what he says goes when it comes to tangling with his physical body. We shall have to have him put under anesthesia, even the vet agrees since their techs tried to trim them but failed (and this was after he was drugged into tipsiness). This is going to cost us about $700 but we don't see much alternative.
Sick with the flu edition:
1. Eeeeuuu! Gross! Found a dead squirrel drowned in a trash can outside -- the can lid had blown off in the rain and the squirrel apparently couldn't swim when it fell in or something. Called the city. They said if I'd haul it to the curb, can and all, they'd pick it up and dispose of it for free. Done, and done. Frugal bonus: won't have to call exterminator to get that pesky squirrel out of attic. And they left me the trash can.
2. Eating out of pantry and freezer. Making coffee at home. No store trips. Also saves on gas.
3. Located a free doggie to (possibly) adopt. His photo looks just like my sweet 16 y.o. Miss Lucy Dog, who went over the Rainbow Bridge last November. He's almost a year old but is up to date on his shots and has been neutered, housetrained, crate trained, leash trained, the whole works. Oh, and he chases squirrels out of his foster mom's yard! She says she rescued him from the pound when his time was up and he was going to be euthanized (at age 3 or 4 months!) due to overcrowding. What a sweet lady! She'll even let me bring him over to be babysat (and visit his foster siblings) if I go out of town for a weekend or a vacation. She's not charging a rehoming fee, but I plan to do something for her! Since she also has the flu, we will do a meet and greet when we both feel better, possibly this weekend or next week.
4. Trash picked a computer chair from neighbor's curb, and will tape up the peeling fake leather. It'll go into the new office.
5. Saved extra planks and pieces of vinyl flooring left over from flooring installation. I think it's enough to redo the half bath. Which also needs a new potty. Will get a handyman to take out old toilet, refloor, and put in new toilet. Hopefully, this will happen soon after I recover from the flu. If it's not quite enough flooring, there's a freebie listing on craigslist for some random pieces of vinyl plank flooring; I figure we can mix and match the different colored planks and it'll be OK. After all, it's only a (seldom used) half bathroom!
at my local trader joe's eggs are still $3.49. at c-town $14.
Jumping in to warn you about the Call the Midwife books: I loved them, but the first one had a few chapters that were basically pornographic and I found it pretty jarring. I would have been happy to have skipped those chapters.
@Alex, I wouldn’t say *pornographic,* but they were definitely physically graphic descriptions of vaginas, so it wasn’t sexual, but it was definitely graphic. I think it made it very real. Funny that the religion bothered me more than the graphic scenes.
love all the Call the Midwife books and shows.
I really enjoy the show Call the Midwife. Maybe I should see if I can find the books too.
I'm not saving as much money as usual because we're in the middle of moving to a new home, but I am trying to spend as little as possible.
I’ve also decided that what I’m giving up for Lent this year is the convenience of buying from huge all-in-one retailers. Instead, I’ll do my research before buying anything and choose stores and brands that are more in line with my values. This may or may not save money. We'll see.
Frugal things:
1. I haven’t bought any restaurant food. I can’t do much cooking right now with most of the dishes still in boxes, but I am buying food from the grocery store and choosing relatively inexpensive convenience foods.
2. I packed carefully and made sure I would have everything I needed for the first few days here readily available, avoiding the need for last-minute duplicate purchases.
3. I reused shipping and storage boxes I already had as much as possible, so not as many had to be bought.
4. I used medicine I already had for the cats to calm them down for the ride, having saved the extra pills after their last vet visit.
5. I still do the usual things as much as possible, avoiding food waste and using cloth napkins and handkerchiefs, drinking water, etc.
With T2 Diabetes, you can have limited amounts of sugar. Carbs are a much bigger problem for many folks and the cookies have both.
If you search online there are recipes using Stevia as a sugar substitute and also ingredients that make treats lower carb.
You probably paid less for the books than you might have to access all 12 seasons of Call the Midwife to stream but a low donation (monthly) to your local PBS will get you access to an incredible library in its Passport section for members. I pay $5 a month (far far less than any streaming service) and I have yet to get through all the great videos (including concerts, musicals, Broadway shows and more beyond tv series ) and I've been a member for over 8 years.
FYI: The above is a frugal tip to save on streaming with access to top material/content.
Call the Midwife TV series is one of the best things I've ever watched. Loveable characters, touching storylines (although folks who are squeamish about even talking about birthing may not enjoy) and something you with your strong interest in pediatric nursing might enjoy seeing how things used to be. I always feel great after watching and the newest season (12) starts on March 30.
Excellent cast, production values, storylines.
1. We trim our own cats' nails -- at least, the indoor kitty, Ophelia. Elwood can take care of his own out on a tree trunk. Ophelia is calm when we do her nails. She does get treats and pets. She tolerates it pretty well, for a 17+ year old lady.
2. We also have protein powder that was pricey for a gallon tub of it. It is vanilla flavored and I don't like it. I will sometimes put it into smoothies but I expect we will be eating that stuff when it's just us and the cockroaches left on the planet.
3. I'm engaged in a long-game quest to get a pressure canner, and I have arranged a trade, but I don't have the water bath canner yet to trade. I want to keep mine! I may have found one on NextDoor for $35. I also bought a vintage pressure *cooker* by accident, not canner, so I put it up on eBay. It just sold this morning, so I made my money back ($20) and I will also earn that $35, so I may just end up even, with both canners. Cross your fingers.
4. I'm not a fan of aquafaba but I hate to pour it down the drain. My question is, is it "farty" or is it just thick water? I don't need any extra gas...lol. Can I freeze it till needed?
5. I walked a package to the post office yesterday, which saved me the fuel and gave me a walk, and I beat the deadline as well.
6. I caught the crappy cold and am using my collection of (mostly men's) handkerchiefs, not tissue. I wash them in hot water with bleach after the cold, and fold back into their own special shoebox for next time.
Found a penny on the ground.
Went to a free outdoor Blues festival on the water Sunday with friends - did not purchase any overpriced beer or food. Ate prior to going so that I wouldn't even be tempted.
Fresh made to order pancakes (blueberry or plain) & sausage provided at work today for Fat Tuesday!
Went to the grocery ONLY for 2 BOGO items, haven't gotten out of Publix less than $10 in a LONG time.
Always packing lunch, bringing my own coffee and reading library books.
I like the picture of the eggs.
1) Finally took the Ford Escap"ade" to a Ford Dealer 1hr. south of where I live for a "recall" issue. (This dealer is more reputable than the local one.) None too soon. The offending part was eroded. Probably saved roadside issue finally getting this done.
2) Did not wash the car before going. Spit rain off and on on the way to and rained like cats and dogs upon return.
3) Did not stop to eat at diner halfway home, but chose to stop at a gas station that has a good reputation for fried chicken livers. Also stopped at a bakery for their to die for oatmeal raisin cookies. None available, but bought the peanut butter ones. Pretty good! Still cheaper combined w livers than a meal with tip at the diner even though the cookies are priced like gold. 4) Paid cash as all small businesses in that town charge 3% to use a debit card
5) Filled up at the Casey's in that town for gas at $2.79. It is $2.89 locally.
6) Split the sourdough loaf of bread I got at Aldi and put half in the freezer. Haven't been able to finish a loaf w/o it molding.
I found sterling silver teardrop CZ earrings at the Flea Market for $2.
My friend and I are sharing 1 copy of our book club book for this month.
On a walk in my neighborhood I passed land from a recently torn down house and discovered/liberated daffodil bulbs, snow drops, and Lenten roses.
I bought dollar store baby shampoo for hand washing delicates.
Got my first library card!
@Jane, Hurrah for the library card! Long may it work!
Someone may have already mentioned this…I haven’t read through the comments yet. I’ve seen some recipes for protein balls and baked goods with protein powder as one of the ingredients to boost the protein content. That might be worth a try to use up your protein powder.
Cancelled the free Amazon Prime before I was charged for it.
Sewed up a piece hubby’s comforter with lousy hand sewn job.
Found eggs for $3.44 here in Maryland where we are visiting our daughter.
Found 11 cents on the ground within the last 24 hours.
Brought our own snacks and drinks with us. Hubby used cruise control on our trip down.
I'm claiming family members' frugal moves because of the excellent training they've received over the years.
Daughter--got a discount on dr appts by paying for 5 treatments in advance
Son--ordered his new tires from TireRack.com on a sale, had them delivered to his preferred garage, and professionally installed
Husband--has been eating down the freezer meals
Other Son--got his jury duty rescheduled so he wasn't required to travel back from out of state, and it'll be done instead when he'll be back in the area
3 cats--favorite toys: extra shoe string from a long ago new pair of sneakers (back when companies included several pairs of strings with each pair of shoes
Otherwise, still making all of our meals, taking my lunch/water/tea/snacks daily, use cold water for laundry unless warm is really required, we do our own yardwork which meant that I picked up winter strewn sticks for a couple hours on a beautiful sunny weekend morning, and I get all of my books from the library whether hardcopy, ebook, or eaudiobook. I saw an article recently that said: I read books like a chain smoker smokes. I close the book and crack the cover on the next one. I do occasionally remind myself that I have other things to do as well. 🙂
Another library tip for those of you who are in bookclubs--libraries might have actual bookclub items that are multi-book items (i.e., 5-10 copies of the same book). If you have a bookclub and want to request copies for your members, you can get all of them for free. Just make sure the members know that if they damage/destroy the book, they're responsible for any fees (although the likelihood of a mishap is fairly low). However, that said, I once had to replace a school library book when a child threw up all over it during dinner.
1. We made meals at home. We brewed coffee at home. We used up leftovers and other perishable foods that we already had.
2. I sewed on a button. I fixed my kid's coat. I cut up 2 pairs of old jeans to make a quilt.
3. I renewed our library books (even though our library doesn't actually charge late fees). My husband borrowed 2 movies from the library.
4. I combined errands. I walked when possible. I turned off the car when I had to wait for my kids; it has been so nice out. There were a few weeks where it was way too cold to sit in a car without heat.
5. I rearranged furniture and decor, so I didn't have to buy anything.
1. I remembered to use two coupons for free pizzas before they expired. It was especially nice not to cook one night as we’ve been feeling pummeled every day by everything aimed at federal workers.
2. I picked up two items for free through Aisle (thanks to the person who mentioned this here or on NCA), and promptly submitted receipts for reimbursement.
3. DH needed some new long sleeved shirts and I found some excellent, sturdy, well-made and like-new ones at Goodwill. I was impressed by how thick the fabric was and how well-made things in the men’s section seemed to be, compared to the women’s section.
4. I went to a happy hour with work colleagues tonight. I’d been given a token for a free drink so I enjoyed one drink and didn’t buy anything else.
5. Frugal-ish… our dentist has a really hard time keeping dental assistants for some reason. Being understaffed delays patients from being able to make regular appointments. My last cleaning was maybe 8 months ago, and I wasn’t scheduled for another 6 weeks or so. Well, I happily was able to accept a last-minute cancellation and will go in tomorrow for a cleaning.
1. I shopped at Fred Meyer today, which is Senior Discount Day … 10% off on selected store brand items plus certain departments like housewares. I picked up 10 dish towels that were on clearance with an extra 30% off and then got the 10% senior discount. That made the towels 1.35/piece. I use these for gifts and add a homemade dish cloth and potholder.
2. Found several items marked down while shopping and grabbed those.
3. Contacted Columbia Sportswear and will be sending them my rain jacket to replace the zipper (under warranty). It may take awhile, but the jacket/zipper is not a standard color.
4. Used some jars I had on hand to hold coffee for our “new” coffee bar my husband made from an old family antique radio. So cool!
5. Continued to work through the freezer and pantry.
1. I dehydrated a bunch of additional meals for my husband's travels so he doesn't have to eat out so much.
2. Eliminated an extra car trip this week by working from the library until people needed to be picked up.
3. Planned to walk home in the rain after dropping the car off for repair, but the mechanic gave me a free loaner car! So still no money out of my pocket for a bus AND I'm so happy with this mechanic.
4. Picked up some extra snacks so I can avoid going out to eat for a meal or 2 when my foodie friends are visiting (will still go with them, just will only order a beverage or something for some of them so I don't have to eat so many meals out).
5. Pulling in our heavy totes to the spare bedroom to be used as suitcase stands and nightstands during my friends' visit so I can continue my streak of not buying furniture for all of our moves.
* Did a half-hour overtime, paid 1.5x salary. Not much but better than none
* Still bringing my breakfasts/snacks/lunchs at work, buying nothing from the (overpriced) cafeteria. I remind myself that I come to work to make money, not spend money (from Katy at The Non Consumer Advocate, I think)
* As someone who doesn't drink alcohol and coffee, I'm sure I have saved a ton of money over the years. Also, no juice, soft drinks, etc. Tap water and milk, that's about it for me.
* Still reading a lot (free hobby) and getting my books from the public library and free piles.
* Sold a day bed that my daughter used for many years but was still in excellent condition. Got 200$ for it, yay! (covers part of her new bed)
-Wasn't too hungry when eating out with friends after work. Ordered an $8 soup instead of the regular ~$15 meals. (Still left a good tip and came out ahead. I even had leftovers!)
-Drank mostly water and tea all week, as usual
-Between commute to work and the gym, I pass a lot of gas stations. Have gotten good at getting great prices for my area, and joined a couple rewards programs at cheapest places.
-Was able to give a coworker a ride home at no extra cost to anyone because I was going right by her road.
-Asked respectfully for a stipend I was promised from work and did not get.
I really do love those cute kitty legs!
I would be interested in purchasing your Call the Midwife books when you are finished. I love the show but never thought about it being a book.
Kristen-thanks for the mention of the Call the Midwife books. I have heard of the tv show but haven’t seen it. I got the first volume of the book on my Kindle and I’m enjoying it very much! The chapter on the nun/nurse/midwife delivering the breech presentation was amazing. So much skill and tender care! A little grueling to read ha! I’m looking forward to finishing this book and reading more. Thanks again!
I also buy plain unflavored protein but am not a fan of it in smoothies. I do like to add it to our pancakes and waffles to make them a little bit more high in protein and “stick” better for the kids.
Since you enjoy pancakes maybe that would work to use it up ☺️.
A frugal thing I've done for myself is spending time researching best deals for home gym equipment. BTW, I can totally relate to the protein powder. I'd prefer to eat in foods but I need so much of it that it's difficult to eat that much food w/o using a supplement.