Five Frugal Things for New Year's Eve
Well, hi. I'm popping back from my unplanned one-week silence here on the blog.
Whoops.
I thought a five frugal things post would be a good warm-up. 😉
1. We saved $9 on hair gel at Target.
Mr. FG found some highly recommended gel on their website for a good price, and we stopped by, only to find the price was $9 higher than on the website.
I suggested we ask if they would match it, and the cashier did, with no questions asked.
Sweet!
2. We squeezed in a lot of year-end appointments.
We met our out-of-pocket max this year, so I tried to make sure we scheduled every medical thing we possibly could before January 1st.
I have one prescription waiting for pickup and I will make sure I do that before the end of the day today.
$0 is better than whatever it will cost tomorrow!
3. Mr. FG took Sonia to Goodwill for records.
We gave her a record player for Christmas, but no records!
So, the two of them took a little trip to Goodwill where Sonia found herself some good vintage music; seven records for only $2.65.
4. I scanned my receipts with Fetch.
My purse was a disaster, so I dumped it all out on the floor and I scanned all my grocery receipts with Fetch.
Cha-ching!
5. I redeemed my Fetch rewards for a $10 Amazon card.
I needed a new planner, so before I checked out, I redeemed my Fetch points for an Amazon card.
Fetch gives you your reward immediately, which is pretty nice.
If you're new to Fetch: It's kind of like Ibotta; you scan receipts with your phone and get rewards.
(note: at the time of writing, 1,000 points = $1, so that's $2)
Your turn...share your five frugal things in the comments!
P.S. Happy New Year's Eve, friends.
Walmart matched a lower price from their website for me in their store as well.
1. Used Kohl’s cash to buy half price wrapping paper for next Cheistmas. Only 2 rolls!
2. Used Walgreens points to buy two boxes of half price Xmas cards for next year.
3. Used a free coupon code to get a 3.99 8x10 print of my son ( ensign navy officer portrait) for FREE.
4. Went Thrift shopping with a friend yesterday. Had fun perusing. Bought nothing.
5. Went to local casino with friends. People watched. Got my steps in. Drank free ginger ale. Spent zero dollars!
1. Made a gallon of split pea and ham soup with Christmas ham bone. Yum!
2. Will share extra soup at New Year’s Eve party tonight.
3. Knowing my penchant for making soup I was gifted a second ham bone from a client. I stuck the much appreciated gift in the freezer to make more soup next month!
4. Bought a bunch of marked down veggies for us and the guinea pigs and bearded dragon. Salads for everyone!
5. Invested in a pair of good walking sneakers, I have feet issues. Plus, My feet are tiny so I wear kids shoes. Half the price of adult sneakers! Now I’m all set to keep walking into the new year! Walking keeps me sane, is great exercise, I walk with my dogs, with my friends, and alone. Pretty cheap entertainment and exercise.
1. Used bonus gift card from Barnes & Noble to buy my next year's Christmas Cards at 50% off, so FREE (on Black Friday they have a deal buy $50 in gift cards get a $10 gift card for free. My adult kids are all bif readers so they get these gift cards every year, plus I buy them for "grab gifts" I need for a couple of parties and gift for my secretary, so I end up with a couple of gift cards to use myself)
2. Using up fabric on hand and some holiday down time to make some potholders for next years church fair.
3. Friend asked if I would like to get together for lunch, but budget is finished for this pay period. S, I asked her to meet at a sandwich shop where I had a gift card given to me earlier in the year.
4. Made remembrance gifts of angel ornaments for several family members using the back pockets of my dear father-in-laws blue jeans (Thank you Pinterest!)
5. No grocery shopping, using up what is in the pantry/fridge this week.
Made ham and potato soup from Christmas ham, made banana muffins with overripe bananas, not going grocery shopping until Friday, used a gift card for a treat while out running errands and made my own simple syrup for tonight’s grown up drinks
Collecting records becomes a bit of a rabbit hole so thrifting is a great place to start. Mine has mostly dried up or scalpers collect a lot of the rock and such. Still, if she's open to listening to Mantovani (Continental Encores is a great album) and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (every thrift store in the universe has at least one copy of Whipped Cream and Other Delights) she should have no issue.
Of course, half the fun is experimenting and finding new stuff for cheap. Then there's the cover designs and all that other stuff. So yeah ... it's a rabbit hole Sonia has entered.
Anyway ... onto my five.
1.) My KitchenAid mixer which after 11 years of making everything under the sun and being used once a week or more just stopped turning. Turns out it was a stripped worm gear. The replacement was under $10 and it's running again but it's not quite the same. So ...
2.) I decided to upgrade from the Artisan to the 7 quart Pro. To be Frugal I used a 20% off coupon from Bed Bath and Beyond on top of their discounted price. I decided the 5 year warranty and the slightly larger capacity was worth it considering how much dough I knead in it. I'm not 100% sure on what I want to do with the Artisan but I'm thinking of relubing it and seeing if I can't get it running better.
3.) Got a bunch of stable supplies on clearance or just heavily discounted. This includes dish soap, bathroom supplies etc (ya know, real exciting stuff) and had them shipped the slow method so I got some Amazon digital credit. So I'll be stocked up and won't have to worry about having to buy these products.
4.) Dishwasher is on the fritz. I cleaned it out and it's working again but we're looking at replacement models now. Even though it will need replacing at least this model which came with the house lasted us a good 8 years and it was old when we got the house.
5.) Returned some Christmas presents we didn't need. I know the gifters meant well but we already had way too many towels and sheets so I returned them all for store credit.
Oh my goodness I remember the cover Of the Herb Alpert Whipped Cream album My parents had all the Tijuana Brass albums
The old joke they'd say before performing was "No, we can't play you the cover" and cover aside, it's actually a decent album.
Haha, my dad had that one, but I don't think that as a child, I ever saw the cover!
We are going to feel an enormous pinch in the budget come January because December had some pretty big expenses/disasters/bills come due. Not to worry. I have a plan! We will
*roast a turkey that firstborn brought us from his employer, and that will give us many meals!
*close the vents in the bedrooms that are empty once everyone leaves after the holidays so we aren't heating 2200 sq ft for two people
*do a freezer clean-out for meals next week
*write a couple of articles for the wine website (https://txwinelover.com)
*spend no extra money (this one will be hard, but we gotta)
*use up every bit of what we have before we buy anything else
Hubby and I have plenty of experience being frugal as we've had hard times int he past and have managed to learn from our mistakes...plus, its a fun challenge to me to see just how much we can save in January!
The Frugalwoods do an Uber Frugal Month challenge in January that might give you some tips and support.
Happy New Year, Kristen!
1. I worked hard to sort Christmas this year, getting rid of what I didn't need and checking to see what I would need for next Christmas. I don't need cards, paper, decorations, etc. so that's what I bought-nothing!
2. We're eating the last of the Christmas ham today. I'll start on the freezer food next. I expect January's grocery bill to be really, really low.
3. My garage sale pile is growing as I clean and organize. And I'm freeing up storage bins which makes the garage neater!
4. My husband received a 25.00 Lowes gift card for Christmas. He needed 10 2 x 4s to put up free shelving in the garage. The card covered all but a few dollars.
5. I decorated my winter mantel using items I had and it looks really pretty. I was going to leave the old window with a wreath that I used for Christmas but my sister gifted us a handmade sign for Christmas that is really beautiful. I love how a pretty mantel with a fire going to read by in the winter!
May your 2020 be a happy and frugal year!
I hope things are going okay for you Kristen. We miss you, but understand, where you're absent.
1. I counted my found money for the past six months. It's almost $25, aided by the fact that I found way more bills than usual (like on the sidewalk and in the street).
2. Amazon offered a 30 day free Prime trial (we cancelled Prime a few years ago to stop us from ordering on Amazon). We used it last night to watch the Aeronauts.
3. We just finished eating Christmas lunch leftovers. We have made some creative meals an actually have a couple more pieces of chicken in the freezer.
4. I met a friend for lunch and was able to use an old gift card to pay for mine.
5. Frugal for others, and good for the environment, I listed several items on Freecycle yesterday and did the same about a week ago. Some items were rescued from a lost & found box that was about to be emptied(items tossed in the trash).
I love my Fetch App!
I have never tried a receipt app until last night when I downloaded Fetch because the other's options out there seemed too difficult. Well, that was easy!
Thank you, Kristen! Even though I usually buy mostly store brands, the few I do buy added up nicely.
1. Buying records is a wonderful idea. Last time I went to thrift store I even saw cuban music which the ladies in my silver sneakers class would love to dance too they came to USA as teens 2. Got a great mirror. Birds eye maple like ...so pretty. 19.00. 3. Loaded up on fruit, green beans..fresh ones, washed salad greens, blue cheese dressing, nuts and other treats for huge salads. 60.00 bucks for 2 weeks groceries. 4. Tons of clothes on 1.00 dollar rack at st. Vincent's. I bought 2 of them. 5. David Sedarius book 1.00 mint condition
1. On vacation from work, which is paid, so I don't have to sign my kids up for camps while school is closed for 2 weeks.
2. Spent $68 on groceries for the week
3. Santa brought our family a robot vacuum/mop, which cost $150. That is not frugal, but let me tell you that thing does an awesome job and reduces my stress! I figure it will pay itself back quickly in time saved.
4. Signed up for a plant-based eating challenge, which was free. It will save grocery dollars, but also be good for my health.
5. Submitted receipts for my FSA
I started a whole foods/plant based diet right before Thanksgiving. It was easier than I expected and I feel great. I'll be sticking to it as a lifestyle change, even though I started it for the health benefits.
Awesome!! We are excited about it!
Happy New Year!
1. Joining the Christmas ham club! We always cook a big traditional meal on Christmas Eve, with no cooking necessary for the next few days. Ham, gravy, cheese and veggies were finally repurposed on flatbreads.
2. Made sure to use up all discount codes and earned cash on post-Christmas sales.
3. Shopped at a consignment store for winter boots for the kids.
4. My husband organized and cleaned out the game closet. Put aside some games to sell later.
5. Sold kids books at an online yardsale in my native language (yay for online communities!). Repurposed old shipping materials to send them.
And one great bonus! Got a trampoline for my kids for the price of disassembling it from my neighbor's yard 🙂 Cleaned it up and it has still a lot of life left.
Kristen- So smart to get in those appts before Jan 1st! The deductible was already met and maybe even the out-of-pocket, so why not?
I'm so with everyone here regarding a clean-up clean-out of unnecessary things in the home! Time to downsize a bit.
My fab frugal things for the week:
1)When AMC tickets were uber cheap at Costco, we got a bunch (4 tickets for $30). We saw the new Star Wars movie and while waiting in the hall, I saw a gift card lying on the ground. I took it home and it had $16.60 on it!
2) Sold stuff on ebay.
3) I've been able to get $10 in swagbucks and got an ebay GC with it.
4) I haven't been able to drive my car for a week due to it acting up. Saved some gas there. I did take it to the shop today and although DH is thinking it needs a new starter or ignitor switch, I'm hoping it's just a clogged filter. Since it's a local shop, it will cost way less than the dealership and I have coupons for $5 off an oil change and up to $50 off services (which this will be).
5)We filled out the FAFSA this year for college. By doing so, we'll be saving 60% off the price of tuition ( compared to not filling it out).
How will u save 60% off the price of tuition?
I've been eyeballing that record player for a year as a possible gift for my 11-year old son. How is the sound? The overall quality? Does Sonia enjoy it? Thank you for sharing!
That picture of Sonia with the record player! I had to look twice to decide if it was vintage or current! And to think I got rid of my record player and records years ago. Sigh.
1. Our local grocery store gave me two boxes of Christmas cards free the Friday after Christmas. They had been priced at $10 and apparently did not sell at all. I felt bad for the store but, hey, free cards!
2. Used leftover ham, corn, peas and carrots from our Christmas feast to make some awesome ham and potato chowder.
3. Used a 25 percent off coupon that was good through the end of today to buy a belated Christmas gift at the hardware store. Also used Walgreens points to knock another $1 off a discounted pack of diapers.
4. Scooped up a lovely still in the package woven throw at Salvation Army for $4 that matches my home sewn sofa throw pillows. The tag said dry clean only, but the fabric content is 100 percent polyester, so I washed and dried on delicate and it came out perfect.
5. Groomed our three dogs myself, which probably saved a small fortune. One of them nips, so we now use a muzzle to groom her, which is seriously the best $8 ever spent. I used to worry that one day she'd go in too hard and send me to urgent care, and now there are no problems.
1. We have a hunting friend who gives packages of meat to people for Christmas gifts. This year it was bear, which is perhaps the worst tasting wild meat of all and I have eaten yak, reindeer, caribou, bison, and moose. And I have used every known methods for getting out the gamey flavor, including soaking in milk, yogurt, a baking soda and water concotion, and vinegar. Still terrible. The only way that it is tolerable to me is to turn it into very spicy sausage. So, I accepted it with gratitude, since it is meat and maybe I am just picky, and spent the day after Christmas turning 20 pounds of bear into sausage.
2. Local store had milk that was about to expire on sale for $1 a gallon. I bought five gallons, four for the outside freezer (meaning a Rubbermaid container on the back porch) and one inside for yogurt.
3. Husband loves ranch dressing, so made a quart of it using some of the yogurt and herbs I grew last summer and dehydrated. MUCH cheaper and tastier than commercial.
4. Needed a grinder for my Kitchen Aide mixer, to deal with said bear meat. Rather than buyhing the attachment, since I have used it only once before in the last decade, I again borrowed the attachment from a friend. I brought her some of the sausage as payment, since she has never had it.
5. The first seed catalogs are arriving now. I sat down with my box of leftover seeds and figured out what I needed. Turned out to be only pea and leeks so ordered those (I start the leeks infoors in February) instead of being seduced by the new tomato varieties so alluringly presenting themselves.
Oh for heaven's sake! When will I proofread before hitting the post button?! Concoction and buying...
Well Happy New Years Eve everyone!
Frugal things
1. Ate on the holiday leftovers until we got tired of them and I made freezer meals with what was left. Ham and bean soup, turkey and black bean enchiladas, sweet potato roll dough and turkey ham pot pies all on ice and waiting...yay for dinner already done and not wasting food...oh and I made chili kits for the crock pot to...
Yesterday I parked myself at my desk and budgeted the heck out of next month and got everything organized...even made a month long menu plan...what can I say...I was on a roll
Went to an Asian grocery and stocked up on tea, noodles, rice, and some sauces at super cheap prices...I did cave and bought some fresh pork buns...cant bring myself to be sorry...they were to good... I did talk myself out of the super cute indiviual sauce holders though so there is that...lol
Managed to go through freezer and organize that and the pantry...january should be a pretty frugal month for groceries
Really that's all I can think of right now...
Have a fun night tonight everyone!
Happy New Year, Kristen!
1. I made an Aldi run first thing this morning since we were hosting tonight and I had no idea what I was making. They had almost everything in their produce section marked way down, so I did a veggie tray and fruit to go with a few other things. The leftover veggies we'll use on salads or whatever. For the fruit, I set out a tray with washed blueberries, apples, oranges, pears, and bananas and set a cutting board and knife next to it. Our group has a lot of little kids and so we just sliced up whatever fruit the kids wanted instead of slicing it all and wasting what didn't get chosen. (Since we have all of the little kids our party is already over.)
2. Also marked down at Aldi: meat! So I got 2 pork roasts and 2 containers of chicken that we're each marked half off.
3. Hit the post-Christmas sales for wrapping paper and cards. I ran out of Christmas cards a couple of days before Christmas, so there are 5-10 people who didn't get them this year. I'm still thinking about sending them, even though it'll be well into January. My friend's child passed away a week ago and I'm feeling the value of taking the time to tell people that I care about them and am thankful for them. And people like to get mail any time of the year, right?
4. My dad shot an extra deer this year and we reimburse him for the processing fee and rather than take the $80 out of grocery money (because the grocery budget had struggled lately and been a stressful thing for me) I decided to use most of my Christmas money to pay for it. It feels really lame, but the stress it'll take off of me is worth it. And while I will probably need a new gym bag in the next year and I would like a sweatshirt from my kid's school, both of those things can wait.
5. Ummm... #5... Hmmm... Made coffee at home this morning. Like every morning. 🙂
My only frugal achievement has been successfully using leftovers. Even though I drastically reduce what I bought and made there are more leftovers than I would like.
Hi Gina! For college students, if they go to fafsa.ed.gov, the official US government website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and create an account and answer tons of questions regarding family income/finances, the application is sent to the college (s) of choice. At the end of the application, an EFC (estimated family contribution) number is generated.
Depending on the family's income, over 80% of students will get some type of college grant (financial aid) to help with tuition.
And the FAFSA is FREE! That's what the first "F" stands for. It is not intended that you pay for it, or pay for help for it, although such services exist.
It is the standard form for all or almost all US higher ed institutions' financial aid.
Help sessions are often offered in January or February at various places, again for free, sponsored by colleges, college consortiums, high schools, and the like.
I do like that Target will match their online price in the store. But I find the markup sometimes to be ridiculous. There are Target stores in my driving path and one has a much larger markup than the other and so I have to price match the app.
1. Spent way too much ordering pizza, which ended up being small and delivery took forever...but we haven't eaten out in over a month, so at least there's that.
2. Christmas gifts were probably the least in number and money spent than we've ever done.
3. We used all decorations we already had or were given.
4. Watered the lemon tree with leftover kitchen water.
5. Bought some tomato sauce in nice glass jars I plan on reusing.
happy 20/20:)
1. Re-used gift bags for Christmas gifts this year & have a new stash saved for next year.
2. Brought clementines, string cheese, crackers, water, & granola bars for all our travel on the road.
3. Went to Cherry Republic while in MI for free fun for kids & free snacks/drinks for all.
4. Went to a cheap theater to see Little Women ($6 ticket & shared a $5 free refill small popcorn with 3 family members). Loved it!!
5. Used Kroger pick-up for groceries on the day we returned. Free for first time & so helpful.
We have 6 Christmases to attend and I was taking everyone's bags who didn't want them! Ain't no shame is the bag re-using game 🙂
Happy new year everyone
I have had a very spendy Dec including large unexpected bills but also a wonderful trip to see family - & hey accommodation & food were free 🙂 & I am so grateful I had savings to spend...I also bought some things that I really wanted like SPF 50 clothing & hat for gardening, SPF 50 umbrella, & a large mug to make microwave cakes etc in
Seriously though my savings have taken a big hit so I have to knuckle down for a bit
1. Spent 120.00 on groceries today but used total of $86.17 rewards vouchers got lots of staples
2. Got vegies on sale
3. Cooked dinner on George & microwave - very quick so doesn't use much power
4. Was way too tired to cook the other nite so got takeaway spag bol but the serving was HUGE so fed me for 3 meals & worked out cheap
5. Don't pay for cable - watch dvds or you tube
6. This might sound scabby but I have tissues for guests & I use a toilet roll for me - cheapest tissues that are not scratchy are $1.50, toilet rolls are $0.50ea
1) We very rarely get takeout and even less rarely eat in a restaurant as a family, but thought it would be fun for NYE. Most of the bill was covered by gift cards that were gifts from friends.
2) Despite the fact that I just spent $100 at Aldi on Sunday the fridge is looking bare. We let it get this way knowing we were going out for lunch on Tuesday. Yesterday we let ourselves run out of milk (we survived) and I cooked up a few veggies that were looking like they might not last if I didn’t.
3) We spent DAYS between Christmas and New Years doing a house purge. It was way overdue. When we got a boatload of new toys on Christmas it was time. I prefer minimalism, but it is actually really emotionally difficult for me to part with things. Luckily I have a wonderful husband who shared the work. We feel like we can breathe in the house again, and the kids haven’t noticed. We also spent $0 on organizational bins and things to accomplish this.
4) I listened to two books through the library app. We also watched movies over the break that we already own.
5) Over the break we made our January budget, set our 2020 business goals, and brainstormed what we would do with a hypothetical $100k to do a values check.
I also decided to de-clutter and thought I'd get a bag or two. I did half of our house and came up with SEVEN large black garbage bags to donate/pitch!
We also requested refills for all of my daughter's prescriptions (she is type 1 diabetic) before Jan 1st. Our deductible is $3000 and we can hit $1500 in one pharmacy visit! I thank my stars every day for amazing healthcare AFTER our $3000 is hit 🙂
Question - do you have a non-digital daily/monthly type organizer that you recommend?
Thank you for your consistently relevant, fun, encouraging, and authentic blog posts. You're my weekday vitamin blog.
1. Exchanged a shirt after Christmas and the price was $5.50 less. Returned it at full price. Bought the correct size at reduced price.
2. Dropped a bunch of Q-tips on the floor. Instead of throwing them out I set them aside for cleaning tasks.
3. Decluttered some clothes and sent them to Thredup. Decluttered some decorations and I gave them to my girlfriend who sells on various sites as a side gig. We will split the profits.
4. Regifted a bottle of wine as a hostess gift. I prefer to drink water or tea.
5. Saved some pumpkin bread in the freezer for after the Christmas sugar frenzy.
I love 5 frugal things posts! I’ve been reading yours and Katy’s (non consumer advocate) posts for years and never commented.
1. Stayed home for New Years Eve and hosted 3 kids so our kids could have friends over.
2. For said party I made a big crockpot of venison chili, a cheese ball from leftover cheese purchased for Christmas, leftover crackers and salami from Christmas as well.
3. Joined the frugalwoods Uber frugal month. We’re calling it our low spend January but excited to get some tips from their challenge.
4. I plan to only spend money on the 16th to refresh the produce and dairy categories otherwise it’s a freezer/pantry challenge month.
5. My sister invited me to meet for coffee so I offered my house as a meeting place. My parents wanted us to meet up with them tomorrow so I again offered my house as a meeting place! Lol! We’re trying to not make any unnecessary trips to further our low spend month.