Five Frugal Things | in store pickup, please
I rarely do my daily necessity shopping online, but I did twice this week!
I had a single day off in the midst of five shifts, so efficiency was the name of the game. 😉
1. I got two bottles of Maui Moisture for $1.66
I know! I just bought some last week. But then they sent me a $2/$10 shampoo coupon, plus a $4 Maui Moisture coupon, plus a $4/any purchase coupon...so I bought some more!
I always like having backups anyway. 😉
I also got an eyeliner pencil for free, using my Extrabucks.
2. I placed an online order with Safeway
I needed only a few things to get me through, so I didn't feel like making an Aldi trip.
I had a $10 online order coupon, my 5% student discount, and some clipped deals. I made sure my order was $30 (to avoid the $3.95 low order fee).
My necessities didn't add up to $30, so I filled in with some things I can't buy at Aldi, such as cocoa powder.
My total at the end was $30.34, so I worked that pretty perfectly. 😉
3. I got some beverage syrup for $3.60
Sometimes Zoe and I use the Monin French vanilla syrup when we make iced coffee, and our big pump container was almost empty.
I added one to my Amazon cart, used my Amazon credit card rewards, and brought my total down to $3.60.
But also, I would have bought it even at full price, because making your iced coffee at home is significantly cheaper than buying it. If you use it instead of buying your iced coffee out somewhere, a big ol' $17 bottle of syrup is gonna save you way more than it costs you,
Getting it for $3.60 was fine with me too, though. 😉
4. I used some very dry raisins in my overnight oats
I have a package of raisins that has gotten...very dry. I know raisins are dry to begin with, but these are beyond normal levels of dryness.
I made some carrot overnight oats for my last few work shift breakfasts, and I threw some of the raisins in there because they get nicely softened overnight.
I also put some in my kale salad, which worked out nicely because I was low on dried cranberries anyway.
5. I prepped more breakfasts and lunches
Since I did overnight oats last week, I made some egg bites for this week's breakfasts.
And for lunch, I am using a Thai mango salad kit (from my Safeway order) topped with some seasoned, sauteed chicken for the protein.
Did I pack some cheddar popcorn each day as well? Maaaaaaybe.
--Our feline trio has been making bank on free sample offers for pet food and treats. Of all the mailing lists to somehow end up on, at least this one is handy! Most samples also include excellent coupons, which I use if it's something they already eat, anyway; extra coupons get passed on to friends. For the record, our cats' diet is 95% predictable/arguably healthier than ours. Samples for them are like a human having the odd take-out night.
--I dropped two more pairs of pants by the coffee shop free clothing rack. I plateued hard in March but still dropped another pant size, making the donated pairs two sizes too big. It was time to set them free!
--Our Easter dinner was a $2 clearance pork tenderloin dug out of the freezer. My husband cooked it--with carrots, potatoes, and onions--in the crockpot so that we could enjoy the laziest day together possible.
--After a dry winter, a thunderstorm filled up my rain barrels nicely. I'm planting vegetable seeds next week, so any water is most welcome!
--I'll be staying with friends for an out of town work event. In thanks for the free room, I'll be bringing hostess gifts for their seventeen-year-old feline overlord. (This couple always brings host gifts for our feline trio, so it's an established tradition.) Offerings include fancy soft food pouches, squeeze tube treats, and new toys from each of *our* cats. To be clear, I didn't steal our trio's toys! I just thought about what each of them would give their senior counterpart--jingle ball, fuzzy mouse, sparkly pouf--and shopped accordingly.
::giggle::seventeen year old feline overlord:::-)
We also had pork tenderloin for Easter. Our grocery store had a “buy a pork loin get a small bag of red skinned potatoes and a bag of fresh veggies free” deal. I found a pork loin for $5.30 (most were $10) and got the deal! I made a sheet pan meal, added a clearance loaf of garlic bread and it fed all three of us with veggies leftover!
I am attempting an umber frugal(ish) month. Wish me luck!
1. I line dried some clothes.
2. I cancelled a subscription.
3. I put money in my emergency savings account.
4. I got some suncream (sunblock) on sale.
5. I went for a walk yesterday and brought coffee in a thermos.
6. When I was in the airport I brought an empty bottle through security and used a water fountain to fill it afterwards.
*Uber! Why is it I see the typo the second I hit comment..
That's always the way!
Yep! And when there are no typos, that's when the comment doesn't post 😉
I thought of a seventh frugal thing: I went running outside.
Kristen, I’ve found cocoa powder at my Aldi. Do you prefer a name brand that isn’t an option there ?
Oh! Mine hasn’t carried it in months and months!
Winco hasn’t had any in their bulk bins in months!
We have 2 Aldis here in our area. One had cocoa, the other one didn't when I checked one time.
Frugal things this week:
I thrifted more crystal pieces for the wedding: 34.00 ( the plan is to use them for the center pieces and people can take what they want). It's a win win for me.
I also thrifted - a genuine Fossil purse, a red leather coat, a cashmere sweater, and a few other pieces. Plus I paid for the girls thrifted pieces. Total spent was around 100.00 ( I may sell some things on line.
We cooked mostly at home, including a big turkey dinner.
We stuck to our Costco list yesterday, and added only some school snacks for the girls.
My frugal fail: I forgot about my hair appointment. I e-transfered the money for my appointment to my hairdresser with an apology. 40.00 spent. I did reschedule. 🙂
I wanted her to know that I valued and respected her time. 🙂
Sam, we are on the same journey. I am collecting bud vases for upcoming receptions if the River House ever finish. I am on the hunt for amber, green, red and clear. Becuase they are small, there is a low cost in flowers but I need a lot!!!! maybe 9 per table at 20 tables. My price point is under $1.50 a pop. I just had an epiphany. Diet Bundaberg ginger beer. They are amber. I am going to save them though since we have numerous sindigs coming up over the next years.
Frugal!
I am feeling a little overwhelmed with increasing prices everywhere …esp our utilities.
I have been digging deep in the Kroger app for deals and digital coupons. Spending only around 100 a week. Cooking and eating well at home.
We went to see PROJECT HAIL MARY on five dollar Tuesday and purchased no movie snacks. We love movie popcorn but wanted to save. Movie was enjoyable. The audiobook is THE BEST.
Got some free seeds from our library seed bank. Got a book from the free little library. Will return it there.
Walking for exercise while listening to free podcasts.
Spring has sprung. Hurrah!
It's me, Sam,
I saw a reel on Facebook of a wedding reception where they had all kinds of fancy glasses of all shapes and sizes for guests to use and then take home with them. They had the glasses on a small bookcase-like shelf unit, but I love your idea of using them for centerpieces!
I went to a wedding that used an eclectic mix of wine glasses from thrift stores. We got to take ours home at the end. It was fun!
Five Frugal Things: Easter flowers!
--I made four arrangements for our church altar, plus got some potted lilies, hyacinths, and tulips. Total for all of them was around $140. That's a lot, but WAY less than buying four arrangements, one of them quite large, at a florist.
--I can plant the hyacinth and tulip bulbs in our own garden when they're done blooming. We've tried planting the lilies before, but they won't flower before winter here, so they don't work as an outside flower for us.
--I use the same box every year for the largest arrangement. It came from the one year I did use a florist for that one (which cost me $200 then, yikes). The other arrangements went in vases from the stock at church.
--The liner for the big box was a big plastic box from salad greens I bought to plant seeds in. I realized before I used it for that (meaning before I poked drainage holes in it . . .) that it was just about the right size for the flower box, yay. The liner the box came with started leaking last year, so this worked out perfectly.
--I did try the sheep's wool as a replacement for florist's foam to support the flowers, but when I got it wet, it compacted. Last year I used criss-crossed sticks and twigs, which worked well when a large portion of the plant material in the arrangements was lilacs, with their sturdier stems. This year, I found a piece of chicken wire in the pasture and cut that to fit inside the box.
Photos of the finished arrangements here, if anyone would like to see.
https://going-country.blogspot.com/2026/04/easter-altar-flowers.html
Oh, and a bonus number six is that there were quite a few flowers in the mixed bouquets I got that I didn't like with the altar arrangements. So I arranged those into four different bouquets to put around my house. That included a tiny one for my daughter's dresser, which made her very happy.
That reminds me of my mother's frugal; she picked some wildflowers and made an Easter bouquet for the table 🙂
I wish I could do that, but our wildflowers come after Easter. And they won't come at all this year if we don't get some rain . . .
Lovely flower arrangements, and what a beautiful church.
The flowers are lovely!!!
Thanks!
Lovely
My Frugals:
Cooking: made yoghurt, grew windowsill broccoli and oats sprouts, soaked and cooked expired chick peas for salads
Laundry: washed on solar power, line dried laundry
Repair: repaired small holes in gym clothes and a sweater
Electricity: boil kettle of water and keep water for later drinks in a thermos (I also like to drink hot water as it is)
Purchases: kid leaving the nest needs many items and weighs off new versus thrifted. For new items, the consumers association tests are consulted and the best bargain found. We also made use of some 20% discount vouchers for wallpaint that I had for my birthday earlier in the year. And over the last half year I set aside quite some B1G1 cleaning liquid and other stuff to have at hand cleaning the apartment.
Gifting: kid went through belongings and passed along several boxes of stuff to younger people. And we passed on quite a few things from my late mother, and also a huge cast iron pan that is becoming too heavy for me.
Relaxation: borrowed "Reading Lessons" from the library - such a great read. Someone of the commentariat recommended it last year but cannot recall who. Thanks anyway!
My five:
*We had a relaxed Easter dinner. It was just us. My dad bought on-sale ham, and I used whatever else we had on hand. It wasn't a big feast, but since we had a dessert (carrot cake made with frozen shredded carrots from the ginormous amount we were given), it felt just fancy enough.
*We used an app to check for the best gas prices. We have to use the gas because of where we live, but we tried to limit the running about. We have one learning driver who needs hours, but she refuses to drive unless it is a needed task. She's turning out quite frugal.
*I am prioritizing making the veggies I buy so that they don't go to waste.
*We accepted leftovers from a Bible-study dinner.
*We went to a free-admission art museum for a meet-up with friends. We packed a no-frills lunch that included homemade bread and leftovers.
Gasp! Are those nerd clusters in your lunch? Only the yummiest candy!!
Yes, yes they are! For when I need a little treat.
1. I picked up 4 unopened bottles of kid's multivitamin gummies off Buy Nothing. Cost would have been $20 each.
2. My mom gave us lots of vegetables, fruits, and breads. I dehydrated some of the tomatoes. I used some tomatoes and beans to make a pasta dish for my lunch this week. I used some of the apples to make an apple crisp. I used the bananas to make banana pancakes for my son's breakfast this week.
3. My kids had Spring Break last week. I spent $60 keeping us entertained all week and we had so much fun. We took library classes, saw a movie at a discount theater, went hiking, created a volcano that we then made erupt, went train watching, dyed Easter eggs, took a parkour class, etc.
4. My son and I mulched our gardens rather than pay someone. The mulch was on sale, so total cost was $54.
5. I bought 6 packs of chicken breast for 50% off at Aldi. I bought a pastry for 50% off at Aldi that we brought to Easter dinner. I bought a ham at Aldi for $1.20/lb.
My five frugal things:
1. We went on vacation and rented a unit with a fridge, so we were able to eat breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks in our room. The resort restaurants had long waits so this turned out to be a great move.
2. Instead of prebooking activities, we decided to wait until we were there and see how we felt. Turns out we felt like lounging and only two of us did an extra-cost activity (zip-lining).
3. I made potato salad with all pantry ingredients when I got home! Skipped the celery because we didn't have it.
4. When restocking after vacation, I focused on fresh foods only.
5. I yelled at my teenage son TWICE for cooking 20+ nuggets in the air fryer and then throwing away uneaten ones. Does this count??
5.2. If not, I resurrected the compost bin which might not be frugal but does contribute to less food waste.
Yes, teaching your son to not waste food absolutely counts. Someday that will stick! 🙂
I FEEL your #5 as I also have teenagers who do this:) xoxo
I am moving countries and found I could do an extended multi-day 'layover' by booking two separate legs instead of one itinerary. Thankfully I love research, because this took quite aome effort.
To keep it frugal:
• Walked 1.6 km to a big supermarket to get groceries at a much cheaper price than the small corner market. We stocked up on sandwich fixings, yogurt, and fruit for meals.
• Used the free washing machine(and detergent!) at my accommodation and line dried everything (no dryer), even though I was tempted to go to the laundromat to have the whole process done quicker. I have been hand washing everything for 2 months, so the washing machine was much appreciated!
• Bought a deep conditioner single use packet and used it for my entire stay. The budget airline was tight on weight limits and so liquids didn't make the cut.
• Used public transportation and walked with luggage instead of getting a taxi
• Used a plastic grocery bag as a trash bag as extras weren't provided. I usually keep a couple bags with me just in case and they always come in handy, especially since most places charge for bags these days.
Some impressive frugal actions when moving countries, I know it can be a very stressful time!
Good job from someone who also moved countries! If you have space, I always recommend packing a change of clothes in your hand luggage in case your suitcase(s) get lost. And a spare plastic bag!
Kristin - love your $30.34 Safeway deal win - our flavor here in the Northeast is Shaw's or Star Market. Too pricey for regular shopping, but I go for the loss leaders and mark downs - scored coffee at $0.28 per ounce this past weekend.
For your coffee - our Sam's Club has recently started carrying Torani syrups, maybe yours does too? Would be worth the price compare. I've had great luck scoring coffee/drink syrups at Marshalls/HomeGoods/TJ Maxx stores on clearance as well, especially around Christmas. They keep well - we prefer the regular (not sugar free) so those may keep longer.
Have you ever tried making your own flavored/vanilla syrup?
Yesterday was a day of keeping and making medical appointments. I am dealing with hip and shoulder pain, trying to figure out the causes and what to do. I got some answers yesterday, but also more questions, so an MRI is on the table now. I am counting it as a frugal win that surgery is not being considered for now.
I visited Goodwill to find an outlet face plate, which I did. I also indulged myself by buying a purse. It was $5 and this morning I'm still feeling happy about it, so that's a win. I also bought two unused Planetbox lunch kits, which I will try to sell on eBay.
I repurposed restaurant leftovers to make a Mexican casserole, which turned out very well.
My roommate drinks a drinkable yogurt that's stocked only erratically, so ordering it online saves me from hauling from store to store looking for it. Then, since we're ordering online anyway, we add on all sorts of other things.
I'm knitting things for others using only yarn from my stash.
My brother recommended a book. My father didn't like it so he's giving me his copy.
I continue to argue w my old insurance company. It's awful - the company is awful - however there's a lot of money involved so I keep on doing it.
Not Exactly Frugal
I went to the soft open of a new branch of my local, excellent Japanese restaurant even though it was across town. I did it to support them but there was a gift card involved.
1) I've been working hard on travel optimization, as we have a lot of "logistics" trips with DS19 being out of state for college. I was able to book a bunch of flights with points, miles, & some free hotel night awards on peak days, and saved several thousand dollars through a lot of planning. I also enjoy the optimization, so it's a mini hobby, I suppose.
2) I'm also working through a freezer clean out, and had good success over the past week or so. I took two bags of cauliflower rice, & 1/2 a bag of rotisserie chicken & made a delicious dinner that made two full dinners, at least one lunch & another dinner for the freezer. Also of note: I defrosted a soup, some hamburger buns, and finished off the last of a bag of panko crusted chicken filets that no one really liked. I'm tracking everything on my freezer inventory.
3) I didn't have any obvious breakfast or lunch options a few days last week, so I had an apple + peanut butter one day & on another day when I was very tempted to eat out, I had an apple, cheese slices & nuts.
4) Sold a few things on eBay and made ~$275.
5) Adjusted my flight to Boulder for DS19's move out weekend (to save on PTO, not financially related) & the flight was $48 cheaper, but the car rental was $140 cheaper! Win/win!
We had family stay for spring break, which is usually not frugal, but my SIL still hasn't gotten a paycheck from the shutdown, so we put our heads together and still had a wonderful time for less $$$.
1. Instead of going out to a local donut shop (annual tradition), we made pancakes and bacon at home. I bought the bacon when it was 1/2 price and froze it for the visit. Used blueberries from Costco and a pancake mix that was on sale.
2. Instead of going out for seafood, we made our own seafood boil. 1/2 price kielbasa in my freezer, I already had many of the ingredients, and they bought local fresh shrimp. So good!
3. Took advantage of a locally advertised night out in a nearby small town with outdoor music and open shops for browsing. There was even free wine and snacks at some of the shops.
4. Went to a locally owned restaurant one night together, but knew the meals are so big that we split them.
5. Played lots of family games together instead of going out for putt putt, etc.
6. We did do some local shopping but included a trip to GW and to a local boutique shop with clearance bins full of last year's styles (tops for $5 and $10).
We changed a lot of the annual traditions, but still had so much fun. 🙂
I'm sorry for the no-paycheck situation; that's such a stressor. You all clearly knocked it out of the park for a fun and frugal spring break though. Love your adjusted (new?) traditions !
On the topic of coffee:
I have started using instant. I am not a coffee snob. I found the Starbucks premium instant was as enjoyable as drip. It has doubled in price since I start using it. Through trial and error, I have discovered Member's Mark Instant at Sam's club. It does the job. For fun I used ChatGPT to calculate my savings for the year. $100. Than I calculated how much that would be in a 3.5% savings account for 10 years. $3,000. I might need $3,000 in 10 years.
This "insignificant" payout reminded me of a choice I made when I retired. As a teacher I had two pensions. The regular one and then a tiny "capture plan"for extra pay duties hours like summer school. When I retired I had the option for the second of a lump sum, a ten year payout, a five year payout or a small lifetime payout. I chose a lifetime payout of $173 a month. It doesn't break even until I am in my 70s. However, as a betting woman ( not really) I realized my Dad is 95, his mom was 100, my Mom is 91 and her grandfather didn't pass until 92 in 1963. Mom's sister just passed at 96. I thought it would be cool to give the actuaries who make these mortality predictions a run for their money. 🙂
As much as I can appreciate your coffee savings- $100 is great!, I don't think it would appreciate that much interest in 10 years. $100 per year is about $8.50 a month.
At saving 8.50$ per month for 10 years at 3.5% APR, your total would be $1219.20 or so. I think ChatGpt used the wrong formula or wrong interest rate.
However, it's still a nice savings!
And I hope you beat the actuaries and enjoy that pension for many years to come!
I guess I'll to get it into the stock market 🙂
Gotta love actuaries though I will say a couple I worked with were fun to be around. The others - all I can say is they made big bucks also, knew their "numbers" but were lacking in personality.
And hey, most tables assume everyone will be dead by age 100. Which reminds me to see if there is a new actuarial table besides 1980 CSO. Of course the tables vary for male v. female for that one. I don't count SSA tables.
1.Three of us in my friends group had birthdays this past week. I was treated to dinner and cake on my birthday. I brought an appetizer and bread to our second get together of the week. I was well fed and sent home with leftovers.
2.I got a free meal from a local restaurant for my birthday. The only out of pocket was the tip.
3.I have been waiting until 9pm to run the dishwasher/washer because the rates are lower after 9.
4.Applied my cashback rewards to my credit card balance. I use the card for almost all my purchases and pay it off at the end of the month. I had a nice amount built up so I will have a very low balance this month.
5.Listed a few more things on Marketplace.
FFT, The Itinerant Guest Edition:
(1) I've been doing my bit as an itinerant guest at two major spring celebrations. First, I took a dish of marinated Brussels sprouts to Dr. Bestest Neighbor's Seder on Wednesday night (at his request), and they went quite well with the leg of lamb (nontraditional; he usually serves brisket as the main dish) and other items for the festival meal.
(2) I took marinated green beans to the Greek-themed Easter lunch at NDN1's CF's house. These also went quite well with the moussaka prepared by CF and her husband; the hummus, mini pitas, and chips brought by one guest; the Greek salad prepared by another guest; and the desserts brought by two other guests.
(3) Obviously, I'm a fan of marinated vegetables, and I got both the Brussels sprouts and the green beans at Aldi for better prices and in better condition than the ones at Wegmans. The sprouts at Wegmans not only were more expensive, but looked awful. I think Danny Wegman and Co. have some catch-up work to do in the produce department. 😛
(4) I roasted a .99/lb. chicken I got at Price Chopper on Saturday, have been noshing on it since then, and am about to use the last of it in a chicken and vegetable soup (my take on an old Martha Stewart recipe). I've had so much fun with Martha over the years that I'll probably be sued if she ever finds out about it, but I do sometimes take her and her recipes seriously.
(5) And I'm about to make myself sit down at my office computer and get this "Jane Austen and Thrift" presentation for my JASNA region on 4/18 pulled together. It's all there in my head and in my rough notes; I just need to put together a one- or two-page handout.
A. Marie - do you have a special marinade for your vegetables?
No, I just use olive oil, my homemade herbal vinegar, and whatever herb or herbs seem to me to go best with the vegetables.
When you are done, will there be a way for us to enjoy your presentation?
I don't know whether audio or video recording will be possible, but I plan to look into it.
1. Took advantage of a free sewing machine maintenance session at a community center. Now my 60-year-old Singer purrs like a kitten.
2. Brought empty egg cartons to a non-profit serving the community. They buy eggs in bulk and divvy them up into regular egg cartons.
3. Husband now has two new Red Cross t-shirts. We both donated (me blood, him platelets), and I took a shirt that would fit him rather than me.
4. Received leftovers on Easter Sunday - bags of sliced bananas, containers of fresh fruit, and some lemon Bundt cake that I rebranded to something healthier sounding: Sunshine Breakfast Bread.
5. I've come into some money! Received a $35 settlement from The New York Times, an unexpected $10 credit from a health provider, and an unexpected $2 credit from a hotel. If this keeps up, I'm going to have to change my name to Rockefeller!
mine were small wins this week, but also didn't spend much or go anywhere this week and that's frugal.
*I pulled brisket instead of ham out of the freezer for Easter and that made us all happier. I had rolls and mac& cheese in the freezer also. I made mashed potatoes with some potatoes that were going bad quickly and used up the last of the milk and sour cream with those. We had salad and deviled eggs also, but I did zero shopping for the meal.
*made Easter desserts from scratch with items I had on hand
*used a $5 off $30 at the grocery for regular weekly produce/dairy items. Stocked up on some cat litter to get to the $30 mark.
*I got .20 cents off/gallon of gas when I filled up (and it was still incredibly high...groan)
*trimmed my hair myself and painted my own nails for Easter.
Are those nerd clusters I spy? I LOVE that <3 (gotta balance it out!)
Invited a few friends for a lite lunch of salad, leftover cheesecake and fruit salad. Enjoyed eating on the patio and catching up.
Got on the list to receive free sawdust/wood chips from a furniture maker. I use them as garden walkways and in the barns and coops.
A big frugal fail during a short spring break trip to New York City.
In one of our restaurant meals we ordered a dish that did not have a price on the regular menu. It ended up being WAY higher when it was time to pay the bill than what we had thought. Either our waitress told us the wrong thing or both my husband and I heard it wrong (less likely, as also our son heard it "wrong"). It was the waitress's first day on the job so we did not want to embarrass her but paid the bill quietly.
To offset the very high restaurant meal the day before, the next day we had much cheaper slices of New York pizza for dinner.
After our trip, Easter weekend was spent at home, minimizing driving. We took a long bike ride, enjoyed a fire pit evening, did some yard work, and walked to the grocery store to pick up last few things we needed for Easter dinner. I even got in some sewing during a rainier day.
Made dessert for Easter dinner with ingredients mostly at hand.
Car pooled to a get together with friends, next time, I will be the driver.
Also took advantage of CVS online coupons for an expensive item I needed, as well as a little bit of Easter candy.
Using up leftovers in repurposed meals; for instance, a brothy bean sauce, lamb, and asparagus from Easter dinner were repurposed into a pasta sauce with chopped up lamb and grilled asparagus (previously steamed).
Hate to say this but sounds like you got conned. I've read where a lot of servers will iie and say it's their first day on the job, as they know that they would likely get bigger tips that way. And lying about the price so you would order a particular dish? Ya think? I'd bet money that she gets a bonus for selling that high-priced entree and that she realized you were out of towners, and.....
I really can't agree with this, based on long experience as both a server and a customer. Not everyone is out to get you.
- Reused the Easter baskets our adult kids have had since pre-school (which is evidenced by the name tags still attached to them). Baskets were filled with snacks and candy purchased on sale. Also reused basket and plastic eggs from last year for 2-year-old grandson
- Made 4 loaves of bread. Each of our kids received a loaf of bread in their Easter basket.
- Our daughter's in-laws invited us for Easter brunch after church. The hostess asked me to bring fruit platter. I had purchased too much fruit to fit on the platter, so I made blueberry scones to use them up and took those to brunch. Leftover fruit on platter went home with grandson.
- Hostess offered us leftovers since they were going out of town the next day. Those leftovers fed us dinner Sunday night and lunch for me yesterday.
- Re-joined an online exercise program (Get healthy U TV) when they sent me a special offer. I got a year's subscription for $12.
I came her to tell you that I was inspired by your snoopy pin and your peeps badge holder. I am now working at a preschool, yay me! My favorite dream job, as yours is nursing. Not for everyone but it is just right for me 🙂 I bought myself a silly goose badge holder. It sure does make me smile!! 🙂
I’m not a frequent commenter, but find myself feeling frugal and wordy today as I reflect back on the past week.
I chose not to do Easter baskets this year for my grandchildren. I was only going to see one of them, the other four are far away, and two are on a multi country tour in Europe right now. So they all got a card with some fun money instead. Their parents were happy not to have more bubbles and silly little trinkets and sugary treats, which they got from the “bunny” anyway.
I made a dessert for Easter using all ingredients that I had at home. Not on purpose, but we are trying to use up things from the pantry lately. I had just the perfect number of graham crackers to make a crumb crust, and I was glad to get a couple of boxes emptied!
I have been cleaning up flower beds and inadvertently dug up several iris bulbs and bee balm, which both need thinning out anyway, so I potted these up and will donate to the plant sale benefiting the historical society. I also split up my African violets and have a dozen of those to donate as well.
I had a “just for you” offer from my grocery store of $17 off a $80 purchase. Plus I had $8 in rewards, so a nice $25 off my groceries which was nice.
Like Kristen, I get multiple offers from the pharmacy, and I had a total of $30 in my reward bank which I used to get my $45 order down to 15 dollars.
Found 35 cents on the ground next to my car, bonus!
I've been trying to pay attention daily to the savings so I have enough to participate....
1. I sent easter greetings to family who live away using cards and easter stickers (i bought on clearance last year) and discount stamps, so minimal cost.
2. I haven't used my kayak in over 4 years, plus I'm not really a water loving person, so I sold it to a co-worker. Cash back in my pocket and extra storage space.
3. I applied online for discounted haircut coupons for both hubby and I, saved $12.02.
4. I wanted to get lunch out with my co-workers, but decided I didn't want to part with my money, so I ate what I brought instead. I rarely ever buy lunch out.
5. I decided to skip grocery shopping the weekend before Easter & instead saved that money to use towards Easter supplies. Worked out great! We have plenty of food in our fridge, freezers & pantry.
Great deal on the shampoo/conditioner. Maybe they will keep you with enough offers to never pay full price again.
1) I've been really wanting to get my nails done, but then when I look at the price of manicures, I think better of it. Instead I painted my nails with polish I have in my stash. I'm not even sure why I have a stash of nail polish; I get a hankering to paint my nails once a year. But I was able to scratch that itch for $0. After a week or so of polish I decided to go back to just a clear coat. I did stop in to Target to buy generic brand polish remover, but I left with absolutely nothing else. (As I am a 45 year old woman, that in itself is something, statistically.)
2) I ordered a bathing suit for our daughter for her Easter basket, and Amazon sent the entirely wrong suit. We put it in her basket anyway because we didn't have time to get another. After the festivities, I was quick to process the return and drop it by the UPS store. Now because it will be a while still before we swim, I will take my time and Goodwill shop to get a "new" bathing suit. Said daughter will just be happy to have a bathing suit that fits when it is time to swim.
3) For my birthday on Saturday my husband made me dinner and the most amazing lemon cheesecake I have ever eaten. The weather was perfect, and I spent the day just piddling. Doing a little yard work here and a little reading there. We finished the evening watching my favorite movie with the kids. It was a spectacular and very frugal birthday.
4) We had a water issue at the house last week while we were home on spring break. Suddenly the water pressure markedly increased and then we got sediment in the water (we are on well water, so the sediment indicates that the well is low). I called my well guy and he couldn't find a leak or anything. We laid off washing clothes for a couple of days and bathed the kids at my mom's to let the well build back up. On a hunch I called our plumber about the leaky kitchen faucet and used a coupon that came in the mail to purchase a new faucet at Home Depot. When the plumber came he said yes we did need a new faucet, and promptly installed the one I had just bought. That fixed it. Evidently the leak had gotten so strong it had slowly drained the well a little too far down. For $230 in parts and labor we solved a problem that could have been much worse and much more expensive.
5) I still had to commute to work on Tuesday and Thursday last week even though we were technically on spring break at our second home, but I took my lunch and dinner with me to avoid takeout and took the route that google maps said would save gas.
Happy belated birthday! Glad you had a lovely day!
1. I received some plastic Easter eggs, small trinkets (rubber balls about the size of the balls that would come with a set of toy jacks) and candy from a coworker. Ate the candy then passed along the rest to the neighbors who hosted the egg hunt and block party....for use next year. Even though they have a large laundry basket full of plastic eggs, which they ask the kiddies to return, I imagine they can always use a few more. (Kids keep the contents but return the eggs for use next year,)
2. High school classmate came by the store and gave me a set of devotional cards as a present.
3. Took my check to the Infernal Revenue Service, as Snuffy Smith calls it in the comic strip, to the post office and had the clerk hand cancel and mail it off. (Help! I've been robbed!) Ugh. But at least they can't say I was late.
4. Instead of paying for a "real" pair of glasses, I am making do with the over-the-counter types of reading glasses aka "cheaters".
5. Found a discarded plastic clock to use on the patio. Its frame is a bit broken but it is OK to use it outdoors. Put in an old ( but still working) battery that had been in the smoke alarm....and we're good to go.
Had a catch up coffee, light lunch and dessert for 5 girlfriends. We ate on the clean for now back porch. We are a lively ranch and when it gets crazy busy we clean the back porch once/week.
Splitting the perennials, making new Flower beds.
Planted my favorite dahlia style zinnias from saved seeds.
Dug up some baby wild roses to transplant along the roadside fence row.
Took some cool pics of 2 bald eagles that were hunting the back field at daybreak. Their white heads were coral pink in the sunrise.
Crossing fingers that this will post... Third times the charm.
Our television sound was acting up. I couldn't get anything through the sound bar or the tv itself. After a suggestion from my son, I got sound through the television. Today I rebooted the sound bar and it is working again. So no need to purchase a new sound bar.
Our church provides dinner every Wednesday night for the 25 formerly homeless men who live in a transitional home in town. I have been cooking for them every couple of months. This time it was chili, rice, corn muffins, and assorted toppings. While not inexpensive, I bought most of the ingredients either on regular sale or buy one/get one. A frugal fail: I had meant to take out some chili for my husband and me for another night but forgot. We did have an economical meal (as planned for that night) at our favorite Mexican restaurant after dropping the food off.
We enjoyed Easter dinner at our next-door neighbor's house. I only had to bring bread, so I baked a batch of resurrection rolls. Since those are slightly sweet, I also made garlic rolls. Our friends sent us home with enough leftovers for at least one, maybe two, meals.
Used a 30% off entire purchase coupon plus rewards points to buy plenty of new underwear for both me and my husband at our local Jockey outlet plus two tank tops for me. Took about $40 off the entire purchase.
1. I found two quarters at Aldi when I went during a torrential rainstorm. One was in the parking lot and one in a cart. There were several abandoned carts due to the rain so I left lots for others.
2. I finished some quinoa by diluting it in my overnight oats.
3. I’ve been trying to walk to pick up my kids from daycare when I can. So far I’ve done that twice. It helps me be more active and it saves on gas.
4. My in-laws are visiting and my MIL brought fun Easter-egg-making stuff, so I will save my egg dyeing packets for next year. I bought mine two years ago for about a quarter a piece the day after Easter.
5. My MIL also brought me a manila envelope filled with more cards from her enormous stash of greeting cards. She receives them free in the mail from charities. Some are nice and some are really not my style so I try to pass on the ones I won’t use and help others be frugal too.
6. I took a walk and delivered an armful of kids’ books to one of the LFL’s nearby. I passed another one on my way home that was nearly empty so I took another walk and filled that one up too.
Please don’t take quarters out of the carts. They are left that way on purpose. It’s a random act of kindness from one shopper to another and one of my favorite things about going to Aldi. 🙂 People leave the carts for others. It’s a pay it forward kind of thing.
I love when they give you coupons and you can actually use them! Good for you! Somehow this didn't come to my email, but I fiu d it on line, so probably be the last one to post, again!
Here are my 5 FTs
– One friend gives a group of us friends little seasonal pieces that can be displayed on shelves, but many have no hangers on them. I searched for any Command and similar products, but only found hooks to hang things on, no hooks to put ON things. I had the idea to use coated paperclips bent and glued on the backs to form a hanger. It worked! We had a glue party and I glued hooks on any of the pieces friends wanted to hang.
– I "re-homed” a few “Spring-themed” decorations to a relative who is just putting together a new household.
– I used frozen meat from a rotisserie chicken to make chicken broccoli divan and made chicken broth from the bones, which I froze for later.
– I picked up a few marked -down-but-still-good bakery and deli trays to take to a visit with a friend.
– I was able to use the plastic spout from an empty lemon juice bottle on a new bottle of lemon juice that just had a regular pour cap.
That is an incredible price for shampoo and conditioner! I keep meaning to try them because I too have hair with it's own ideas of how to go through the day... and I often have CVS coupons.
My BIG frugal is hitting the send button on submitting my own federal and state taxes about 3 hours ago. I am thrilled !!!!! I used the TaxSlayer app on the Ramsey website so got some discounts there. Mainly, I am just hugely relieved to have it DONE. Until three years ago, Mr. Book Club and I paid a professional because I felt totally unqualified to do this myself. This professional charged us $800 (I'm not making this up) and every year she increased the price. Thank you, Infernal Internet for giving us other options. My taxes are very simple as we have no mortgage or extenuating life circumstances so it wouldn't have taken very long if I had not had several meltdowns while looking at the money Uncle Sam and Aunt Corrupt State took from us. Ah well, I have peace and happiness until 2026.
I love my Walmart Membership. I live having my groceries delivered to my door. My back is in poor condition so I do not have to walk the store, bag my groceries, lug them to the car and then go up 12 stairs with heavy bags and unload it all into the kitchen. The whole process can take me well over 2 hours and then I need to lay down on heat for the rest of the day. Th driver leaves them at my front door and texts me when they arrive. My membership is $100 a year, but I also get 10 cents off a gallon of gas at Murphys on top of their discounted price. I love the everyday convenience.
Those are some good discounts you found!
My Frugal 5s+
- Did an scavenger hunt at home with things we already had like old scavenger clues; little trinkets, prizes and chocolates that were given to us for free; Lego Friends workbook that I got through the Free Library near us, and to go with their air dry clay and play dough, I brought out our kids clay modeling tool set they already had plus the borrowed books from the library about modeling clay.
- Our girls got to go to an Easter egg hunt that was hosted by our church and came out with lots of free candy and small prizes. We also got 2 free digital family pictures that the church took that I got to share with my family. The girls looked beautiful and still fit in their Easter dresses that they had last year. My husband and I wore clothes we already had.
- Our family was invited to an Easter gathering at my sweet friend's house. She was kind enough to give us leftovers like ham and croissant rolls that she baked. We gave her some of my homemade carrot cake and got to take home the rest of it plus the leftover ambrosia we brought. This gave me a chance to use up a lot of ingredients I already had at home to make the carrot cake and ambrosia that we brought over for Easter lunch. My generous friend and her husband also hosted an Easter egg hunt in their basement for the girls where they each got a a few dollars for their finds.
- Batch run errands at the library. Returned check out items; Borrowed items on hold; Got 2 extra books off the shelves, Got a handful of DVDs to watch my girl's birthday week; Got a science museum and state pass as experiences to do on her birthday; And had a mommy/ daughter date with my youngest. We built legos together; Did the 6 duck scavenger hunt which she was awarded a snack for; And ate some pastries I got from the food pantry. Shared the other 2 pastries with my girls that stayed home.
- Got a free lunch when I volunteered at the food pantry on Wednesday.
- Brought mint condition like new item off Amazon that was $4 off versus Walmart as a gift for my girl's friend who invited her to a birthday party this Saturday.
- Got a few dollars back by shopping at Walmart on my credit card through their merchant program.
- Realized that I was paying my utilities on a 2% cash back credit card instead of my usual 5% cash back credit card for utilities and promptly switched it back.
- Will mend a long sleeve shirt that had holes near the elbows to shorten it to a mid sleeve one for my girl so she can still wear it.