Thrifty Thursday-When is a Bargain a Bargain

      There was kind of a ruckus on a Facebook page I follow the UK Aldi site. Originally I joined in error, not seeing the UK part, but I get a kick out of seeing the differences between the countries, so I stay following. Apparently earlier in the  week, they clearanced things down to just 9 p, and some people were buying chocolates, and kids stocking stuffers, and all kinds of other Christmas leftovers for a steal. I'm not talking 3 or 4, but dozens and dozens. It got a little catty in the comments; who the heck cares how much of what someone else buys?  I like a good deal and I like to save money, to a point. As I get older though, I'm finally honing in on when a good deal should just be ignored if it is not something I really need or want. 9 p chocolate or not, I don't need any, and don't want more than a little bit to tempt me. Others though have different needs and wants and that's OK. I found a 75% off sale this week too, but tried to reign it in, but there were years when I would have been the 9 p shopper, and then ultimately thrown much of the darn stuff out a few months down the road. I'm getting wise in my old age, but I finally put it together that a bargain is only as such if the items are needed, wanted, and used. How did my thrift pan out over the week?

• Speaking of the 75% clearance, I bought three bags of Christmas M&Ms. I let DH get his sugar fix with one over several days, but the other two are froze and will be used for Valentines and then St Patrick's Day  M&M cookies. I'll have to sort by color wearing food prep gloves, but an easier job than peeling  off the little foils from the Rolo or Hershey Kisses for baking. (Now let's hope some of the get togethers will actually happen that I plan to bring the cookies to!
• I bought 2 boxes of really pretty higher stock getting cards for just $2.50 a box, plus a new flannel back table cloth for the kitchen table for $1,  also at the 75% off point. The last cloth I had that I used for Christmas time is 30+ years old, thin and had rips.
• While feeling lousy, I wanted something a little sugary to raise my energy, but not too much like soda would have been. I found I had some Capri Sun pouches still in the pantry from summer. It was just the right amount. M last clearance purchase I can't share the details as will be part of Christmas gifts next year for my kids, but I am absolutely thrilled with the find. 
• I had ordered a Vault Covid Test before Christmas, and decided to finally use it on Tuesday just to make sure I was just experiencing a cold and or allergies. I'm staying put, away from DH, wiping things down with antiseptic wipes, spraying Lysol on everything, until I get the results-likely today. 
• The Kohl's bills came and I gave DH various gift money to deposit before paying the bills. This went towards the coffee maker DH gave me, and the new flatware and bamboo sorter, and meant we are still on plan. 
• We also received another 30% off  Kohl's coupon. We need nothing-so into the recycling bin it went. The best thrift-ignoring needless spending.
• Both meal planning and having a well stocked pantry with staples was a real help this week when I was feeling yucky. I knew what we had for food and was able to cobble together  dinner, which  resulted in leftovers for lunch. While tempted to get a Jimmy John's, or pizza delivery, knowing comfort food was readily available curbed that impulse. 
• Prior to getting ill, I made delicious pizza and four small pizzas using with the exception of cheese and spinach, odds and end leftovers in the fridge. We got two lunches from leftovers as well. I was shy on mozzarella, but had some haloumi and it was so good as a topping! Note my daughters was just loaded with vegetables and nutritional yeast. 

The basic Pizza crust was par baked before topping-so tasty. 

     The thrifty week was mostly avoiding spending. But there's little we need and I need to avoid people anyway. Even DH cancelled his what is becoming a regular Thursday meet-up with his friend for lunch and brews. On that front, as I did a saliva test and the labs are backed up, still no news, but I feel much better than Monday and Tuesday and appreciate the well wishes. And yes, Meg, I did not take any time off work to just get better and it really is not an OK situation. 

      How about your January goals? Are you doing no spend or minimal spend and are you on track? Have you hit the really low Christmas clearance or trying to ignore more coming into your home?