We've hit the end of another month in the year that was supposed to make up for 2020! Let's just prepare for a firestorm in 2022, and anything we get will feel like a win. Three quarters done and now for many of us, tomorrow starts the quarter of loose finances. I got pretty far into a survey to see if I am selected for a market research. I rather enjoyed the one I did last spring and earned $150 gift card for my time. This one is for a $250 gift card and wouldn't that come in handy heading into the holiday season. Wish me luck for that. Otherwise things are just sort of slow and steady in the thrift area. I think I got my melancholia worked through, and feel much better than last week. So, this week, I was back on focus to try to make the most of my limited time, resources, and money.
Time
- A text from a sister on Saturday, and I spent a few hours playing cards and putting the finishing details on paper for our brothers party.
- Prior to that, DH and I went out for a nice supper. We didn't feel rushed and the restaurant was busy enough, but not packed so a nice combination.
- I had a wonderful long walk with three of my soup sister/mom friends. Both G and I were pretty sore-knees and hips, but it felt good and the beer after the walk helped dull the soreness, LOL.
- I semi meal planned, making a list and buying a minimal amount of groceries for the week, working in items that needed using up.
- .Sunday meals were a combination of things needing used up, or leftovers, and all were tasty. I made refrigerator cinnamon rolls that were marked best by 9/30. Lunch was my leftover salad and boneless wings from supper the night before, plus heated up taco meat. DH nibbled on nacos for golf and football. Supper was chicken salad sandwiches, using the celery from the boneless wings, and chicken cooked earlier in the week. The two remaining buns from DH's Philly Cheese steak sandwiches hled the chicken salad. It was quite a resourceful meal day, with more leftovers for DH's breakfast and my lunch on Monday.
- I used decorations I already had (but where did I put my scare crows???), rather than buying more cute things. Well, I did buy the garland and white pumpkins, but will use them year to year. I do not understand the people who regularly replace seasonal decor.
- Our unseasonal extended summer continues. I did nt want to use my oven for meals this week, so switched out turkey burgers instead of turkey meatloaf. With enough added garlic and onion powder, and cooking them slow, they were pretty tasty. The crock pot and air fryer have been oven alternates as well.
Money 
- I've earned enough Microsoft rewards to add another $10 in my Target gift card bucket. I still need to request the rewards, but think I'll lump them closer to when I might use them.
- OK you Ibotta queens, I need help. I finally loaded the app, but darn if I know what to do now. see though the rewards or cash back can be quite substantial. Tips appreciated. may do Fetch as well. If an of you have a promo code you want to send me so we both get the bonus rewards, that would be great. While I have my daughter load my receipts, I don't always think about it until they are expired. This way, both she and I can earn points.
- I did it! I met my under $300 for the month of September goal on groceries. I need to go back and see if I was successful in the eating out/entertainment thrift goal, but know I didn't make the H&G/Health and Beauty challenge to keep to $75. Taking advantage of a lot f coupons, I am stocked to the gills with shampoos, body wash, and deodorant, plus, pup will only need his canned food next month, not the large bag of dry. October could be a low spend in that category. Next month I think I might try the 4 meals for $9, or 4 meals for $16 challenge for fun, but it won't be a challenge month overall.
- I'm usually observant of things that would make great gifts, particuallry if they can be bought off season and at a discount. I got my little great nephew a bubble blower, extra bottle of bubbles, and a blow up beach ball for 70% clearance for his June 2022, 2nd birthday. My side of our family is so large, we don't generally keep buying gifts after their first birthday for the "greats" but think this will be a thing in DH's. I picked up four more bubbles, large bottles, for $ .30 to bring to the park on Saturday for the little kids to enjoy at the party.
That's about it for the week, and I guess, to wrap up the month. We'll be launching the month with very unthrifty things money wise-brothers party, a trip to see our college kid plus meals there and on the road, and likely a tire replacement for her car, but time well spent. Do you do all the money earning apps or do you get overwhelmed with the detail? Is it worth my time to pursue? What wins did you have this past week?
I do not do the apps. For me waiting for sales and using coupons is all the time I will donate to it. But that is just me! If they had been around when I was a young mother I would have used them in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteYou had great month and shouldn't give yourself a pat on the back.
Plus when it is really cold you can blow bubbles and watch them freeze.
I'm more curious about the apps and if it is a pain, no way will I spend much time on them. I will perhaps keep a bottle of bubbles for myself for middle of January fun.
DeleteFinger's crossed you get selected for that market research. $250 would be a nice little bonus towards Christmas wouldn't it. And I'm glad you're feeling more chipper now. It generally passes (not that it feels like it at the time) but I'm sure getting out walking really helped too!
ReplyDeleteI find the market research very interesting too, so it would be like getting paid for a hobby. Seeing friends and getting outside is a mood lifter, and this week has felt lighter.
DeleteI like the Fetch app because I just scan my receipts and it finds the offers for me. I don’t have to go through and select offers like Ibotta. If there’s not any matching offers I still get 25 points for a receipt. Those add up. Saving for gift cards to use toward Christmas. Here’s my referral code. We both get points Hey, this is how I turn my receipts into free gift cards. Try it, we’ll both get 2,000 pts! https://fetchrewards.onelink.me/vvv3/referraltext?code=TEWY72
ReplyDeleteThanks for your take. I I see Joanne has a link as well. I might have to put name sin a hat to be fair.
DeleteHey great on the grocery budget. You did it As for ibotta and fetch. They are okay, but I hardly buy anything that counts towards them. They are only big money makers if you choose to go buy junk food and be reimbursed for coupons on that junk food. Since I rarely buy it, it really does not help much. For instance you get 25 pints when you down load a rect' to fetch, but if you buy a lot of name brand snacks you will get more pones.So far this year I think my fetch total is about enough for one 10.00 gift card hardly worth the time. But I will persevere.
ReplyDeleteI noticed a lot was packaged stuff as well, and I am trying to avoid. I did see bananas and that would be good and a bottle of Coke. I think with these things, it almost has to be seen as a hobby-for fun and if a gift card comes you way now and then, not bad.
DeleteFetch is the easiest, because you just snap a picture of your receipt. No extra effort. You get points regardless of what you buy (sometimes extra points, depending on the purchase.) For iBotta, if I need something specific (almond milk, salad dressing, cottage cheese, etc), I typically look at the iBotta offerings for the store I'm planning to go to, and the item(s) I need. Often their price makes one brand cheaper than another. I try not to "chase deals", although a few weeks ago, I was close to a $10 offer, so picked up another few pantry items to hit the limit. I go through spurts, & typically only save a few bucks/week, but then will occasionally need something that's on a a great price, or need a bunch of items with offers. When that happens, I look to see if I'm close to a monthly/weekly rebate, & adjust accordingly. Just looked & I've saved $192 in the last year or so, so it adds up, slowly but surely.
ReplyDeleteI can't see myself chasing deals either. Maybe if a good price and a winner I would make a special trip, but I pretty much am grocery store, occasional Walmart, occasionally pharmacy, and occasionally Dollar Tree. Target has been a rare stops now.
DeleteI use all the freebie apps! Fetch is by far the easiest, just scan your receipt and it finds the deals for you. Ibotta is a tiny bit more work, in that you need to scroll through the offers and select the deals you want at the store you want. I usually just do Walmart, and rather than take a pic of the whole receipt, you just scan the bar code at the bottom. Once I get a substantial amount saved up, I then Venmo the money straight to my bank account. I’ve made good money and earned a lot of gift cards playing the rebate app game! I’ll place my referrals but don’t feel obligated to use them, and others might beat me to the punch anyways! Also anyone who wants to use them, feel free! Ibotta is q9l6kg and Fetch is AYFHC The best tip I have to offer is to not go crazy and buy things that you won’t use or be able to easily donate. I’m willing to try a lot of things but there are just some things that arent useful or appealing to me and I do stay away from them. Hubby instituted a “spending freeze” for the rest of the week. It sounds funny but it was good to hear. A little self imposed challenge. Not that I was planning any crazy shopping sprees but stuff always adds up. I did get gas for 2.99 at Sam’s earlier this week. Can’t remember the last time gas was under $3. Made all meals at home, including packing my lunch and no sneaking out for snacks or treats. Need to continue with my meal planning. Hopefully I can get myself back into the groove of that and stay there. October has Hoco, though we are definitely doing that on a budget with a thrifted dress (shhhh don’t tell anyone!) and four birthdays. Definitely one of our more expensive months. Just have to reign in the spending in other areas. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteI had been having my daughter scan, but I forget to give her the receipts. I'll put you and Stacie in a hat and let you know. I saw gas was up, and someone told me that gas was up to $5 a gallon in California so I feel so bad for my son. I just don't find I need to buy much with being home most of the times, and the people I see, my sisters and friends, could care less what I show up in. D's family, yeah, I probably get "thoughts" but can't see myself wearing a lot of makeup or buying clothes to just hang in a closet.
DeleteHopefully, you will be chosen for the market research.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a fun one-I'd be curious with the results.
Deletegood for you on the goal !
ReplyDeleteI have low ambitions in life. Exciting to me though.
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