Four Frugal Things (and one non-frugal thing)
1. I submitted my summer 2026 tuition for reimbursement
It is a rather tedious process, but I got it done. Yay me! The reimbursement should show up in my next hospital paycheck.
As you know, I am not delighted to be in a BSN program, but I console myself by remembering that at least I am not paying for most of it.
My attitude would be even worse if I were paying out of pocket for all of this!
2. I got some free cranberry bread from Panera
I remembered that my free birthday pastry didn't expire until a couple of days after my birthday (yay!), so I got a slice of their cranberry bread, which was actually super tasty.
I haven't made cranberry bread in ages, so this was a nice little treat with my coffee. 🙂
3. I ordered a Figs scrub top on eBay
I have a pair of black Figs scrub pants but no top that matches (I've just worn t-shirts with these pants so far.)
Sooo, I hopped on eBay, found a listing for a basic v-neck scrub top, and now I have a matching set.
4. I used some very dry bread
There were two neglected slices of 100% whole wheat sandwich bread on the counter, and they would have made a terrible peanut butter or ham sandwich. So, I used them to make a grilled cheese sandwich.
It was slightly drier than usual, but not super noticeable; way better than a peanut butter sandwich would have been!
5. Non-frugal: I hired a lawn mowing service
I have done all of my lawn-mowing since I moved here four years ago (goodness, it's wild that it's been that long!), but this year, I'm giving it up.
I do not get a school break for the summer, and given that I am already feeling overwhelmed, I decided something had to go.
A guy dropped off a flyer in my mailbox, I messaged him, he came and gave me a reasonable estimate, and I said, "HIRED".
And I felt immediately better. Maybe I'll mow again next summer, but summer 2026 is not my time to wear a landscaper hat.
I think you were very wise to hire the lawn mowing service!
Frugals:
1. I went to a local town at the weekend and found a great charity shop. I needed some summer dresses and bought two from there, as well as a winter dress. This is probably cancelled out by accidentally buying the wrong train ticket and not being able to refund it, but it's still cheaper than buying new dresses, right? 😉 I also took a bus to the local beach there.
2. I watched the film Winter's Bone and wanted to read the book, and I was able to borrow it from the library.
3. I had a plumbing issue last week and, because I rent, a plumber was able to come and fix it at no extra cost.
4. I packed a lunch for work.
5. I used my gym membership and went running outside. I wanted a smoothie when I got back and made one rather than buying one from the shop. It was delicious!
Good for you for hiring a lawn service. You can afford it and it will make your life easier, a win-win. Also, you hired a local person not a big corporation, that is my favorite way to spend money, in the community.
1. Our neighborhood held their semi-annual yard sale on Saturday. We put out items, including trash picked items (we're trying to keep things out of the landfill), with a "free" sign then walked around. There were a lot of shoppers and quite a few sales. I bought a package of dryer balls. I already had three and now I have seven and the package recommends six for a full load. Our electricity contract recently ran out and our new price is 60+% higher. Hopefully the dryer balls will help. We also picked up some puzzles and I bought some yarn. Some sellers had free piles or made everything free.
2. A friend came over to pick up glass spice jars, the larger warehouse club size. She is making sweetened lemons and wanted something to put them in for giving them to friends. I had an overabundance but I hate to put nice jars in recycling.
3. I was asked to make cookies for an event and Snicker Doodles were requested. I don't think there is a cheaper cookie to make. They have no add ins (like chocolate chips, nuts, fruit, etc.) and the recipe doesn't include vanilla. I saved the parchment paper I baked them on and will use it when I bake potato cubes.
4. There is a billing snafu with my medical insurance. I will work it out as I am not anxious to pay $240 for my annual physical.
5. Not frugal: we ordered kabobs for lunch on Saturday and added hummus to the order. None of it was cheap but we enjoyed every bite. And we supported a local business.