Happy Tuesday! Time for some frugal goodness.
1. I brined some jalapeños
My last Hungry Harvest box included a bag of big jalapeños.
I love hot peppers, and I’ve been eating them pretty regularly, but I was worried that they might go bad before I got to all of them.
I read in a Cook’s Country issue that storing them, raw, in a salt water solution, can help them last for several weeks.
So, I’m giving it a try!
2. I got some grocery markdowns at Sprouts
I haven’t been to Sprouts much, but when we stopped in for a chia drink Lisey wanted, I spied the markdown shelves in the back.
(I always light up when I see markdown shelves!)
I found a box of $0.99 raisins, a couple of $0.50 canned goods, and some granola bars, and I will definitely check their markdown rack next time I’m there.
3. I sold my old Cook’s Country magazines
I went through all my old back issues and printed all the recipes I wanted, which meant I did not need the magazines anymore.
I listed them as a lot of 15 on eBay, and they sold within 24 hours!
Clutter out of my house, and $13 in my bank account. Win-win.
(Here’s why I love Cook’s Country magazines.)
4. I helped Lisey file her taxes for free
Since her return is extremely simple, she gets to use the free version of TurboTax.
It took us less than 30 minutes, and she gets to keep her whole refund instead of using part it to pay for tax prep.
(Paying for tax prep makes sense for some people, obviously. But Lisey, a dependent with a single W-2, is not one of those people!)
5. I’m using old time tests to print school papers
When I cleaned out a bookshelf during the recent power outage, I found a stack of unused math time tests.
The paper is still in good shape, so I’m just using the clean backside to print papers for my college biology class.
(The class is online, but we do still have to print some things, like worksheets.)
Printer paper is not very expensive, but I figure it’s better to put this paper to good use before I recycle it.
Rosemary
Tuesday 16th of February 2021
Well my 5 frugal things this week was. 1. I brought a long sleeve shirt for my Grandson for work for $3.00 at Wal Mart off the discount rack. I got the last one in his size, which was a 3 x. 2. I made home made chill from the stuff in my pantry. 3. I made home made ice tea for my Grandson to take to work saving $5.00 for 2 small bottles of tea. I made him a gallon of tea which lasted him 2 whole days of work. 4. I sanded down the rough edges on 2 of my pancake turners so I would not have to buy new ones. Saved $2.00 from going to Dollar Store. 5. We are re watching our old movies so we won't have to buy new ones. I found several I can sell on FB yard sale and make a few dollars in the process.
I am trying to be more frugal and keeping track of our money and resources better. The start to a new year!! Thanks for all the tips and advice. B safe!!
Tracey
Friday 12th of February 2021
Here's our five frugal things for the week:
1. I was purchasing a gift card for my father's wife at a store I never shop in (because it is too expensive) when I saw a beautiful sweater on the sales rack. Even at 40% off the price was more than I would spend. As I was admiring it, a sales woman said I could take 25% off the sale price if I wanted it. The price fell to within budget. Love my new sweater.
2. Purchased a book my daughter needed for a college class on our Nook at a third of the price of the bookstore. She said it is a great book and I should read it when she is done. More savings - once bought, twice read.
3. Fridge, pantry and freezer eating the food stockpile down while also organizing by expiration dates.
4. I love all things cheese. Aldi had a markdown sale on Brie. Yes please.
5. I used a local pizzeria coupon for a free medium pizza with the purchase of a large two topping one. We had dinner and several lunches out of that deal.
YOLANDA
Friday 12th of February 2021
Let us know how the jalapeños turn out!
Jeri
Wednesday 10th of February 2021
1. Not a technically a frugal thing, but PRICELESS. My SO is getting his second Covid vaccine tomorrow He qualified because of his job. It will be forever until it's my turn, but our household is a little safer and I can worry for him less. 2. Peppers and onions can be frozen for future cooking. I am still using a giant stash of jalapenos from last summer. 3. Cauliflower and broccoli have been on HUGE sale in my stores this week. So far, I have made a delish meat free pasta, two soups, and tonight used roasted as a base for stew instead of potatoes or rice. Chilled roasted are going into our lunch salads tomorrow. We have been trying to eat more vegetables, and it's been delicious. I might even pickle some cauli tomorrow. 4. No good meat deals this week, so I have been shopping my freezer. There will be more sales in the future, but I am not buying anything at full price. 5. My Favorite. I've been letting my Walgreen's points add up instead of cashing in a few dollars here and there. My local store carries high end colognes and they have regular sales. There is a free bottle of Oscal de la Renta in my near future. I may not be going anywhere lately or wearing a lot of make-up, but a lovely fragrance can really make your day. 6. I also need to give a shoutout to Walgreen's. They carry a lot of grocery and household items and have continued regular specials throughout the pandemic while other store have inflated their prices. Plus, you can trust their cleaning protocols; they are a pharmacy. And no, I do not work for Walgreen's, they have just saved our lives this past year. I have been getting my flu shot there for years, and will certainly get my Covid shot there if I can.
Jrnny
Wednesday 10th of February 2021
If you boil vinegar and pour over sliced jalapeños with 1/4tsp (pint jar) they will last a really long time.