Five Frugal Things | Much eBaying has happened.
Good Monday to you, friends! I know not everyone feels this way, but I love Mondays.
They're like a mini New Year every seven days...a fresh start! A week of possibilities stretching out in front of me!
1. I helped Lisey list a bunch of books on eBay.
She's been cleaning out her room, and she found 7 book sets she wanted to sell (Sonia and Zoe have outgrown these books too, so no point in keeping them.)
She hadn't ever sold anything on eBay before, so yesterday I got her started with the first two, and she took over from there.
One set sold within just a few hours, so we'll pack it up and ship it today!
2. I helped Lisey do her taxes for free.
This is her first year filing, and I helped her learn how to use TurboTax.
SO EASY.
TurboTax is actually free for people who, like Lisey, have simple returns.
(She has exactly one tax document. Lucky girl! I have around 9283725.)
3. I planned out my meals for the week and made an Aldi list.
I squeaked by ok last week without visiting Aldi, but I don't want to do that two weeks in a row, or my budget will suffer!
4. I listed a Star Wars movie on eBay.
Mr. FG and Sonia and Zoe have been working through the Star Wars movies, and instead of paying $20 for the digital version, we've been buying the physical copy because it's cheaper.
(This makes zero sense to me. How is it cheaper to buy a manufactured copy than to get a digital download? What gives, Amazon??)
Anyway, they've been watching the movies and then I list them on eBay. Thus far, we're just about breaking even, which is pretty great.
5. I used my Old Navy card for 40% off.
Lisey needed some new jeans and a couple of other things, so I used my Old Navy card to pay.
(They were offering a 40% off discount if you used that card.)
I also had a $20 reward on the card, so I used that toward my purchase.
Of course, I'll pay the credit card right away. Because interest will negate a discount in a hot minute.
1. Used our annual membership to the zoo. Free parking is included which saves about $16 per trip. We also packed snacks and drinks. Though we were exhausted, we had a great time.
2. My son's cub scout pack hosted their Pine Wood derby on Saturday. He was given a free lunch and was able to share it with his little sister. Hubby and I weren't really hungry right then, so we skipped buying food at the derby.
3. One more frugal thing about the Pine Wood Derby: I was able to un-screw the weights from both cars and I put them away for next year. (if you're not familiar with pine wood derbies, cars must weight 5oz. Weights are added)
4. My son's elementary school is hosting a family fancy dance for Valentine's Day and no one needs any NEW fancy clothing. Hubby will wear work clothes (since he has a dress shirt/tie job) and I will wear some kind of dress that is already in my closet. My three year old will wear her Christmas dress and my son (who hates anything other than John Deere tractor shirts) will most likely just wear nicer pants and a plain pullover shirt.
5. We were disappointed this weekend by the freshness of the taco shells in a taco kit. I told my hubby we should call to give them the feedback in hopes that they replace the package. He said "no one has time for that" and I reminded him that "I have time if they are going to send me a few free coupons!" I'll call over my lunch break today.
I have called several companies about such things - coupons is the usual outcome. Once it was a surprising packing goof: the box of 6 items had only 5. It happens. The company was glad I had the box, as it had information that allowed them to track down the short batch.
I complained to taco bell about their shells due to broken shells in the pack. I explained my dh could only use their shells to an allergy and was sent a coupon for a free box of their shells, taco seasoning, and taco sauce. It pays to complain if something isn't right. Cheryl
I've tried to praise several companies when I really like their product or packaging. The disappointing thing to me is that I have never received anything other than an automatic reply.
I know that you try to make a wrong right, but I think a "thanks for your appreciation and nice email" would go a long way.
We used to use pennies for my son's pine wood derby cars. Our Scout Master told us this trick.
Love it!
This week:
1. Our hot water heater started leaking yesterday. Thankfully my handy FIL was with us, and offered to help install a new water heater. Ours was 35 years old and needed to be replaced, so we swallowed the $750 to replace it (ouch). However, this was cheaper than having a plumber fix the leak or install a new water heater, so we did save some money.
2. We grilled a brisket over the weekend and will freeze the leftovers for later meals.
3. We were hosting this weekend and forgot to plan for a
4. I baked a loaf of apple bread using grainy apples that otherwise would have been thrown away.
5. I used a free promo from my grocery store to try out their curbside service. I'm glad I tried it for free, but it wasn't for me.
Those are always the least fun things to replace because you don't really gain anything from them. I mean, yeah you get hot water but it's what you had before.
We have a dishwasher that's limping along (making some loud noises now and again) and I fully expect it to just drop dead one of these days. I have the money put aside to do it but I'm waiting until it goes and I can't repair it myself before I put the money down.
The timely fix though will save money vs. having to replace due to a failed unit causing damage due to flooding! My neighbors had to replace some flooring in their basement after their hot water heater caused a small flood. It is much more fun to spend that on something you can see though!
It's like replacing tires. SO unrewarding.
I replaced my tyres not long ago & winced a bit at the bill because I had two expensive parts replaced around the same time but I really appreciate being able to afford them as my old ones would skid slightly in the wet even though the tread was still ok - my new ones are awesome - although they look so black and shiny it made me wash my car to match...One day I plan to keep my old tyres when I get new ones to grow a tyre tower of potatoes like Jamie Oliver & that will be rewarding 🙂
Btw I kinda see what you mean about Monday, I share a love of new exercise books with my older sister for the same reason - shiny, new, full of possibilities...
Most of my stuff is food-related:
1. Went to a church conference and didn't spend any money outside of the pre-budgeted registration fee and hotel room. I packed food/snacks and my water bottle, and I ate well at the free breakfast.
2. Have eaten up the majority of the leftovers in our fridge over the weekend. I made too many lasagna noodles (I pre-boiled them) and forgot about them until it was too late, and my toddler didn't finish all of his leftover mac and cheese so that hit the bin as well. But, it was much better than any week last year, so I'll take it.
3. Stocked up on organic eggs for $2.50/dozen...should feed us for quite a while and help stretch our meat budget.
4. Found a penny on the ground on Friday and stuck it in my pocket.
5. Set aside some clothes to mend-I'm trying so hard not to spend money on clothes right now when I have mending supplies at home.
Nice frugal wins! I have never met or heard of anyone who likes Monday before, so you'd be the first hehe.
I'd been craving Korean BBQ lately. Instead of dropping $25 a person on an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, we bought the ingredients from H-mart and had a feast this weekend. We still have so much left and decided to freeze it for next time. 😀
LOL, I'm five years post-FIRE and I love Mondays! I also love Sunday evenings with nothing to dread!
Quick story: Friend #1 called recently retired Friend #2 to chat about the big game on Monday Night Football, featuring their favorite teams. Friend #2 confesses that he missed the game, because he forgot it was Monday!
You are impressive. I don't know a thing about operating ebay-- buying or selling.
It's not difficult to learn but the issue is that it can be a bit of a time sink unless you have a ton of things to sell or will make a decent return on them.
Yes, that's true. Once you get the hang of it, though, it can be pretty quick to list things, especially if you have the app. That makes uploading pictures SO easy and quick.
Do you have local tag sale groups on facebook? I've done very well, no need to mail anything, meet in central, public location if I don't know the person and zero fees to swallow. Also, does your public library have DVDs to borrow? Ours does, as do all of the neighboring ones so to borrow a movie costs $0, as long as it's returned when due.
1. My daughter received a gift card for Build a Bear so we took her out to get that. It was a bit expensive but the gift card covered just about everything but the tax. She loves it and hasn't stopped playing with it since she got it.
2. Bought 20 lbs of short grain Japanese style rice. I am now stocked up on all rice for the foreseeable future.
3. Have 200 magic erasers on order from China for less than $10 shipped. My wife's friend asked for us to order some for her as well for her cleaning business so she's getting 100 and my parents and grandmother are getting the rest. Always nice to when you can save other people money as well.
4. Found a lost tube of cloth diaper safe diaper cream. So it was nice to not have to buy more. I can't wait for this kid to be PT though!
5. I kind of feel a little ashamed of this but I bought an Aldi frozen pizza for $1 and ate it. It wasn't great but it wasn't bad either. I may do it again for those moments when I'm stuck and I want a hot lunch and don't want to go out.
On a side note, we went way over on our grocery bill this month. In doing an analysis of the last year we've been way over and way under but still average out almost exactly on budget. I'm wondering if we need to just focus on the trends or acknowledge that we have a growing child and that food prices have gone up.
Please let us know the quality of those magic erasers.
I've purchased them before. They are good. Maybe not as good as the name brand but for pennies on the dollar they more than make up for it.
1. Made a huge pot of chicken soup with a chicken we got on sale so we are set for lunch/dinner for a few days.
2. Opted not to buy a magazine I was eyeing when I was at Barnes and Noble this weekend. I am a magazine junkie and have resolved not to buy any magazines this year. So far January has been successful...11 months to go.
3. Mended a small hole in our fitted sheet before it becomes a big hole beyond repair.
4. Started airing out clothing that is clean and sweat free whenever possible for a second wearing to save on laundry. We have to pay per load in my building. (Of course socks and underwear only get one wearing before washing.)
5. Didn't settle for a not-quite-right spoon rest, I opted to continue my search for the exact one I need and will use. In the past I would often settle just to get something and then ultimately would end up spending more money to get the version I should have waited to find in the first place.
Does your library have magazines? That can be a nice way to get magazines without having to spend money/clutter up your house!
That's an excellent point. I could do that as well as make copies of the pages I would normally tear out to keep for recipes and such. I also wanted to stop the magazine flow so I would be encouraged to read all the books I had planned to read "someday." Then I can pass them along to others or donate them as they are taking up valuable space in our bedroom.
After that it will be library all the way!
Just take a pic with your phone. I do that in doctors offices.
That’s what I do too!
If you don't catch the holes in your sheets in time, consider turning the sheets into pillowcases and donating them to any local organization that provides military care packages. Many deployed service members get ONE pillowcase per deployment. That is the number one request made to our local organization. Deployed service members don't seem to care about the patterns either; apparently, they can have fun with kids' prints or florals or pretty much anything. I know it's not frugal in the sense that you might still have to replace your sheet, but it keeps the torn sheet from going to waste and is a good cause!
Yes to #4!! I especially like to hang them inside out in the sun for awhile if I can.
1. Sold my Instant Pot to a neighbor. I paid $97 on Prime day and sold for $90. I hated it, so glad to have it off my counter and get most of my money back.
2. My husband drove son back to college yesterday. Frugal: driving rather than taking flight, we only paying for room and board at this out of state public university (son's scholarship and minimal loan cover tuition) and son has on campus job for other expenses.
3. Bought a used prom dress for my daughter yesterday off of FB. She is a junior so wasn't initially planning to go this year, but her BF is a senior. We looked at brand new dresses but was hard to find one for less than $350. FB score = $166 for a beautiful dress!
4. Working a ton since January 7. I am paid hourly with no vacation time, so I have more than covered my upcoming vacation days in March.
5. Doing a lot of laundry today. HE washer + drying half of each load on my drying rack from Ikea.
1) I painted the living room with a can of paint previously rejected for another room. Thankfully it works with the light we get in the living room. It looks nice and the money spent on that gallon of paint hasn't been wasted!
2) I ate my son's leftovers on the first painting day to avoid ordering in.
3) Obviously, I painted the room myself instead of paying someone else to do it. We did pay someone to paint this same room years ago and as I was repainting it I noticed that they did a rather pitiful job. My attention to detail is much better and totally free.
4) Tonight we will use the jar of preserved lemons in a chicken dish. I have had it for over a year. That's silly.
5) Today I will make bread, pop popcorn, and bake almond muffins and cookies. That should help me fill out the lunch boxes until Thursday/new grocery budget day.
1). Sticking to buying groceries only once a week and making due until the next shopping day.
2) borrowed a movie from the library for family movie night
3) stayed home for 2 days last week, we used no gas and spent $0
4) talked to my daughter and we agreed she would wear her Christmas dress the the Valentine’s Day father daughter dance
5) carpooled with friends for my kids activities
We took advantage of the break from cold weather and went to the zoo yesterday. We have a membership we split with another family when a local business offers them at a discount. Win-Win! We packed a picnic lunch and fed the ducks and geese with the bits of bread that weren't eaten.
Do you have any advice for a novice e-bay seller? I have several expensive items that I imagine someone somewhere will want for a decent price. I've sold 1 item before and was had on shipping, I chose whatever the default shipping method was and it cost me double what e-bay estimated.... 🙁
I check to see how much an item is selling for by searching for completed listings. Then I base my Buy It Now price on that (I never mess with auctions). I weigh my item so I know how much to charge for shipping...it really stinks to get burned on that!
I go ahead and buy the shipping right thru ebay's interface, which saves me standing in line at the post office. Love that!
Love the 'Buy it Now' option. Thanks, Kristen!
1. My husband and I checked our credit reports this weekend. That job was woefully overdue. I had been on a roll for several years checking them once a year, but for some reason had slacked off for the past several. I put a note on my calendar to do it once a year in late January, hopefully from here on out.
2. My kids were given a ton of hand-me-downs from a kind friend of mine ... t-shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, etc. I just delivered their thank-you notes to my friend.
3. Reading a library book (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo). I kept hearing so much about it and couldn't resist. Kristen, I know you reviewed it a while back and I'm trying really hard not to look at your review until I finish the book, but it's taking some willpower!
4. Got in a carpool with another mom for an activity my daughter is in. I'll take the two kids each time, and the other mom will bring them home. I love me a carpool!
5. Have "organize gift cards" on my list of things to do. I can't use them if I don't have a handle on what all I've got.
Have you tried Credit Karma before? It's totally free and you can check your credit report and score as often as you like. They have an app you can download on your phone or you can go to their website. They will also email alerts when your report changes - makes it very easy to keep up on your report and scores.
No, I haven't -- I use the annualcreditreport.com website, which gives the reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Thank you for the information!
Jan. is pantry challenge month, but sometimes it's hard to get my crew to eat leftovers. But I am getting more creative.
1. I took leftover BBQ pork that the kids were not fond of and toasted on the bun with cheese. (They loved it.)
2. Threw various chicken and veggie leftovers in a crockpot with broth and seasonings to make a soup.
3. Cashed in some Swagbuck points to help buy a college book (used) on Amazon.
4. Shopped several thrift stores to get some boots and old jeans for a caving trip.
5. Borrowed some supplies need for said caving trip so we didn't have to buy them for just 1 event.
1. We bought a used bike on Craigslist to make my hubby's bike commuting much easier once the snow melts. So, we are planning on selling a car in March and becoming a one car household!
2. Sold a space heater on Craigslist and listed a few other things.
3. Carpooled to a friend's birthday party 1.5 hours away from home.
4. At the birthday party I just ordered soup and ate some of my hubby's meal. So we didn't have to take home any leftovers! Restaurant portions are way too big for us, and while leftovers are nice, I'd rather cook more and save the money.
5. Tapped the maple trees in our woods to make maple syrup later this week!
1. We're still eating a ham I bought early last week. With .10# sweet potatoes and corn I froze this summer, we're eating well and cheap.
2. I tried something new last night for dinner-black bean, salsa and cheese quesadillas. Really yummy with guac made from a .58 avocado.
3. Husband had a doctor's apt. on Friday so I rescheduled my blood work for that day and we had a day out. All medical work was covered by insurance but we did load up on Costco vitamins the doctor prescribed.
4. Husband had a haircut after but we stopped at a thrift store in between and picked up some goodies. After I dropped him off, I ran to a thrift shop, a bulk spice place and a re-purpose shop. All I bought was a # of yeast for 4.25 but now I know where the shop is.
5. We ate lunch out at our favorite Chinese place and were so full, we didn't need a full dinner. We also finished up the Korean drama series our daughters got us hooked on.
Great day out!
Wow, you are the ebay and tax queen! My five:
1. Found a book I wanted to read at the library instead of having to buy it.
2. DH fixed a plumbing problem for under $50 when the very nice plumber's estimate was $250.
3. Scored a good grocery coupon on ground beef.
4. -5. Um, I guess we only have 3 frugal things, but three is better than none!
1. Tried Thredup (have been meaning to do so since your post last year). I tried some medium to high end workwear brands, trying to work on an appropriate wardrobe for my corporate job. I felt like it was a low risk way to figure that out.
2. Made a big pot of white rice to eat on for the week instead of using minute rice. My family eats a ton of rice. This was cheaper, less dishes, and less time.
3. Made a pot of chickpeas from dry, something that has been lurking in my pantry for several years. They are delicious and are in my lunch today too.
4. Free family fun this weekend - bike riding and Y open pool time. I always struggle with this in winter.
5. My toddler is in koala mode and has been taking showers with me. Energy savings??
I freeze cookedrice, repeating it is a breeze.
Most of my frugality revolves around menus this week - I am clearing out the odds and ends in the freezer. Since I saved there, I bought some nice stuff for Hubby's birthday meal (shrimp, salmon) I took a mental health break from my job today and am going to spruce and clean my house. I was going to take myself to Chinese for lunch but decided to eat the last three flour tortillas and some lunch meat and cheese in quesadillas which were delightful. Lastly, I have some sewing mending to be done which will save me from tossing a nice sweater of Hubby's and a tunic top for me.
1. Returned an adaptive toy for my son that wasn't working. Hopefully they'll send a replacement, because it looks like a fun toy, but if they don't, we've saved money.
2. Packed a picnic lunch for a day out of the house on Saturday
3. Bought mac&cheese for dinner while I was out at the store rather than dinning out. Not ideal, but still cheaper than the alternatiave.
4. Today I'm making bread for sides for a few dinners this week
5. Selling a mac that isn't working in our house because we've gone PC dominant due to my husband's career and required software for continuing education. We can't easily share much of anything between the two computers, and using the money earned from the sale we'll get a device that is compatible with our needs, saves my husband loads of time and energy, which is more valuable than money in our life right now, and allows us to more easily pursue interests like photography that satisfy us and keep us from spending thoughtlessly.
I used to wonder why the digital copies of movies were more expensive than physical copies as well, but then I realized that they (Amazon, etc.) have to host that file for an indefinite period of time for everyone who buys access to it. Physical items don't incur those same kind of ongoing costs.
I've never used eBay to sell anything. Too intimidated, but the same pages on fb are working just dandy.
This week I:
My family just finished up a month of no eating out. Meal planning and light prep has kept this doable for our first time. (We've always gotten some type of fast food during a month)
I forgot my debit card last night when I went to work, big box retailer, so I didn't buy the lettuce at all. I didn't want to use my credit card.
We were under 10 on our weekly car gas budget!
We skipped our weekly BOGO coffee, because the budget was tighter than normal.
While this one had me spend money, I saved 27.00 a person on tickets to Cedar Point...and we decided not to reserve a hotel roomdown there. I am taking my older boys with my brother and his two kiddos. My mom will watch my youngest.
This was definitely not a frugal week overall as I was billed for / planned upcoming trips, but there were a few wins.
1. I really wanted a turkey sandwich for lunch on Friday, for which I was missing deli turkey from the grocery store. But, I managed to suppress the urge all weekend.
2. I had no other reason to leave the house so I stayed home for three days straight and ate things we already had. I did buy some this morning on my planned shopping trip.
3. All of my kids needed to move up a size in shirts. I was able to find enough items in my hand-me-down bins to make it through this winter for all except the oldest who has no hand-me-downs.
4. I only spent $121.99 on groceries last week, which is great for 8 people.
5. I've been wearing my Eddie Bauer hiking boots purchased in 1994. I don't wear them as often as I used to, but they're in great shape and good for the current dirty snow/grit phase of winter.
That is AMAZING for eight people!
Many movies, if you buy them at walmart, will come with an instawatch option where you can upload them to VUDU, which also lets you share movies with other accounts (none owned by disney, though). My cousin coordinates this, so I don't know all the details myself, but maybe it's worth looking into for your family?
1. Redeemed an amazon giftcard from Christmas to buy the second Secret Zoo book, my kids and I really enjoyed reading the first one together.
2. I froze some leftovers just in case we don't eat it before it goes bad. I'd rather have to defrost it in a day or two than get it out to eat and find it's already gone bad.
3. I bought a used black T-shirt for 150 CFA, that's under $1. Used clothes get shipped here and resold.
4. I used a free whitening strip sample. 😀
5. Cut open an almost used toothpaste tube...I think I'm on day three.
1. Shopped once a week using a a shopping list & using up & making do with what we have until next shopping day
2.meal planning & making and sticking to a list..
3.used up over ripe bananas in smoothies, cherry tomatoes in a pasta bake & 1 day old mashed potato and odds and end veg in soup.
4.bought meat on clearance- reduced to half price..froze it and defrost when needed
5.sold 5 items lately on a selling site, shopped second hand shop for clothes, borrowed books from library, brought left overs for lunch..made chicken stock from carcess..
Hi Kristen,
Always love this topic, frugal stuff makes me happy. This past week I saved money by-
Line dried all the washing
Packed my morning tea and lunch everyday for work
Made a beaut date loaf to take to work for a celebratory morning tea, it was made using ingredients already at home
Used up all leftovers in a timely manner, love no waste
Made a fabulous Pavlova from saved eggs whites in the freezer, again love no waste
Have a lovely day.
Fi
Hmm. Let's see.
1. I needed cooked chicken for a recipe so I planned to buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store. I was going to have some for lunch and then use the rest for the recipe. The chickens looked a little wimpy though so I thought about going to Costco to pick one up. But I can never get just ONE thing there. So I went home, had something else for lunch, and pulled some chicken breast out of the freezer to cook up for the recipe. Who knows how much I would have spent had Costco cast its spell on me.
2. Tomorrow I am "renewing" my library card. I didn't think they ever expired but I have had the very same one for 34 years so I am guessing that's why I got the notice to renew.
3. I menu planned with what I already had and stuck to my grocery list (except for a can of holiday mixed nuts on sale for $1.98) and since I also skipped the chicken, I came in well under the grocery budget this week. Woo hoo!
4. I finally got around to registering a Starbucks gift card I got for Christmas on their website. I don't spend enough there to "earn" many rewards, but at least I get the free birthday drink!
5. I cleaned out and organized my bathroom supplies so I could see what I have. I don't need to buy lotions or body wash for a very very long time.
Nothing spectacular, but it all adds up.
1. I started volunteering at our church's organic farm - taking care of chickens! I don't have any truly appropriate boots (lace-up hiking boots instead of pull-on mud boots), so I looked online. I scored some cute boots for $20, marked down to $10 - and in my size (I have long feet)!
2. I made a big pot of soup and froze the leftovers.
3. I've been feasting on leftovers from the fridge every day.
4. And I've been using up the meat in the freezer.
5. I've started using a food inventory app on my phone. No menus, no recipes, no shopping list. All I wanted was inventory. I always know what I have on hand, and I can sort it by expiration date.
would love to know that app's name.....
1. A nice split-pea-and-barley vegetable soup is on the stove, which should be my lunch (my main meal) for the rest of the week.
2. Made a box of Kraft dinner super quickly when I came home from my parents' this morning, to pack with carrots for lunch, to save myself from buying a meal on campus.
3. Hosted friends for dinner on the weekend and split some pizzas, instead of meeting at a restaurant.
4. Hmm...I should re-grease the boots I wore today once they're dry, to keep them conditioned and waterproof.
5. Took a tip from you and froze all the honeydew my friends didn't eat to use in smoothies!
1 - resisted the urge to buy a fried dim sim yesterday (tho truth be told it would have been 2 if i'd given in....
2 - doing well taking all meals n snacks to work
3 - divided up a bag of candied cashews we were given at Christmas in to little containers & am actually eating them
4 - finding a number of recipes to use up a bag of red capsicums I bought last week including in tacos for lunch today
5 - It's not really a 'frugal' thing but I finally started composting today; a long held goal...but I guess it will reduce the number of plastic bags we buy to put rubbish out so it is frugal!
I consider composting frugal - if you grow anything, indoors or out, you're making your own plant fertiziler. It's also healthier for your plants, so they will last longer. That's frugal.
You are also reusing something instead of trashing it, and compost is a healthier fertilizer for the environment than chemical fertilizer.
Thank you, you are right:)
I concur - I love Mondays, and had a super-productive one yesterday (sounds like you did too!)
So strange to read of your children doing their taxes! I know they are growing up - but how quick?
Also here in the UK it would be quite rare for a young person to have to file a tax-return (I guess it does happen though)...
Yeah, here you have to file taxes even before you're legally an adult. Bummer!
1. Used some beads I bought at a yard sale last summer to make fish necklaces for my Sunday school class.
2. Bought a beautiful quilt and a bag of Duplo blocks for $3 each at the thrift store last week.
3. Switched the location of my cheese/meat drawer in the refrigerator to the lower more stabler shelf, in hopes of prolonging my refrigerator life. All of my shelves/drawers have cracks in them and if I lose one more....it's not going to be pretty!
4. Reorganized my homeschool supplies and found a lot of things we forgot about, but actually needed this week...neatness can be very frugal...
5. Saved $2 a pound on chicken breast by grinding up my own chicken
So agree that neatness is frugal, many's the time I've found things tidying I forgot about that I would have bought more of if I hadn't.
I read all these yesterday and got bummed that I was not very frugal!
BUT..
1-I did throw away all the B1G1 free coupons from McDonalds that I received from filling out a survey... they expired.. unused!
2- We did not go out to eat at the place husband wanted to once I figured out the buffet prices for all of us.. he agreed NOT gonna happen. Still ended up eating out but at a place that was new to us, with 2 coupons and it was yummy and less than half of the other place!
3-stopped at the Goodwill in the *swanky* area and daughter found a bunch of stuff she can use.. and needs.. so that was a very beneficial trip!
4-I have been purse shopping but just cannot pull the trigger on the ones I like.. b/c it just seems too $$.. I found exactly what I was looking for at swanky Goodwill! It was a name brand, Excellent used condition and only cost me $8.00(of my Christmas money) and 5 minutes of my night scrubbing the outside with Lysol wipes and spraying the inside with Lysol...
5-I did buy some clothing with my Christmas money.. even on sale it is spendy.. but when you are a harder to fit body.. you do what you gotta do. The manager ran my transaction a few ways to find which way saved me the most.. my coupons or the store sales...So I saved $46 in the end...
Hi! Just curious about why you don’t just borrow the movies from the library?
Ooh, that's a good idea! Our library doesn't have a super extensive DVD collection these days, but I could check and see if they have the next one we need.
1) We got our tax return and my only splurge was to buy a pint of grape tomatoes for lunch. I think $1.69 is a much better splurge than buying my whole wish list!
2) I brought hot cocoa packets in my purse so I wasn't tempted to buy overpriced hot cocoa to keep me warm in my freezing flex office.
3) I packed my lunch.
4) I am drinking water out of my insulated steel tumbler again today.
5) I am still using my old phone because I can't bring myself to upgrade yet. I'm waiting for the next Samsung models to come out before pulling the trigger on the oldest one available through our provider. (Or figuring out a more reasonably priced pay-as-you-go plan...)
1. I've been organizing lots lately & have cleared out some storage bins. So now I have "new" organizing space vs. needing to purchase more bins.
2. I designated a library materials bin that will hopefully help curb list items/late fees:)
3. We were gifted some curriculum & clothes this week. Definitely helps build our stashes.
4. I washed my towels with a vinegar rinse (in place of softener) to get them fluffy & newish feeling again. Love that trick!
5. Making nearly all coffee & meals at home, like always.