Simple targets, simple strategies. I'm trying to cash flow our DC trip, plus still stay on target to save the equivalent of DH's take home over the course of 2022. While we're not going no expenses spared, we don't want to sweat the small stuff next week either. Sure, we'll have emergency "power through the day" snacks and water bottles to avoid vendors and convenience store impulse buys, but there's a few adorable cafe's and meals out we have our tummy's focused on. At home, I'm looking for the small economies to make room for a few splurges while we are away and for DH at home.
- I used an online code to order some Splits at a good discount to bring with on our trip for my daughter, who likely will need soft foods again for the first few days of the trip.
- Found a Dunkin Donuts Card I got for my birthday and am bringing that along for the trip. Minimally I know there is a DD in the airport. I'll find the Starbucks cards I have as well and see what might be on them.
- Found this pair of Lee Jeans for $7.99 tag at Salvation Army, but then she gave them to me for $4.99 because she thought they were over priced. They're in perfect condition.
- By no means is going to movie theaters inexpensive, but DH really wanted to go out. We both have cabin fever. We ate supper before going and neither of us needed the massive bucket of popcorn so only bought movie tickets and avoided the concessions. We saw Dog by the way. It was advertised as a comedy, and there were funny moments, but the story was quite sad overall, and had a poignant ending.
- Despite not meeting the February challenge, we took advantage of some bulk purchases that will save dollars over the course of the year.
- My week has really long work days due to the holiday and a mandatory full training day today. I did not begrudge DH wanting the $4.99 rotisserie chicken at all considering I was able to turn it into three full, but very easy meals, plus leftovers. Adding all the other ingredients, and I'm sure each meal only averaged $4.00, the most expensive ingredients being the tortellini and some cheddar cheese.
- Sometimes thrift is walking away. I skipped the Aldi Gyro kit which has escalated to $10.99, or over $2.00 a sandwich, not counting adding tomato, cucumber, and tomato. I thought they were a bit of a splurge when I bought them a few other times at $7.99, but a 37.5% increase. I've heard people say where the huge inflation has been is on convenience foods. If there is incentive to cook from scratch, that's it.
- I spent some of my day off organizing for blog, IG, the trip using an old notebook from a past conference. In my YouTube watching, because of course I did, some girl bought a " oh so perfect rose gold" similar style- for $7.99. Had I not had this, I'd be in the school supply trunk where I still have many 19¢ back to school versions.
- As I type this, my hair is drying after home coloring my roots and gray. I still just use one box, but likely that won't be enough as the years take hold and need more solution. Not sure if I'll ever go natural.
I don't know what DH has planned but I've got work after our trainings to do. Supper needs to be easy. We're fully stocked now, so that's not even a challenge. I'm trying to get portions froze for DH so he avoids fast food next week. I froze a hearty soup portion and he even said, "oh that will be good ". High accolades indeed. He's not big on leftovers but even he'll get sick of take out/ meals out. Those we're my thrifty wins. How about you? Any small economies to share or tips to pass on?
I do not drink soda much but, with some meals, I would like one occasionally. Today I bought a 9 pack soda at half price and also grabbed some ice tea on a good discount. Those were my frugal wins today. Other groceries I had to get were nowhere near inexpensive. I cannot believe the prices honestly. I feel like whenever I step out, I bleed money left and right.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us are feeling that way-stuf just costs money, so I' going to see if I can do without as much stuff. I too like a Diet Coke, but have not bought any for two weeks-trying to wean myself from it again, but of course, I then just drink more coffee and a later cup of tea.
DeleteA friend of mine was telling me that the taco kit he usually picks up at Costco went from 8.99 to 18.99. It's crazy how things are doubling and even tripling. I'm afraid it's going to get even worse now.
ReplyDeleteIt really is in convenience foods I believe. I'm trying to leave my husband his own convenience foods for the week ahead. That's an eye watering increase on the taco kit.
DeleteI hope you enjoy every minute of your trip away. Money spent in the cafe with loved ones (or alone) is never a waste as far as I'm concerned. I know others disagree, but I don't want pets, or new books, or any number of things that are important to others. Money spent on eating out seems to be frowned on by many here in the UK. I shall thoroughly enjoy my birthday breakfast in the cafe on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteI've been using things up, and spent just over £30 on my grocery shopping this week. I'm also knitting and sewing for the baby, which is much cheaper than buying readymade, and finished a large blanket this afternoon.
We'll likely not have an opportunity for a pure girls trip for some time, so I need to make sure to make the most of it. Skimping and saying no to everything won't be enjoyable. I hope you enjoy your birthday meal. I know birthdays are just a day, but getting to do what brings us joy to honor the day we came into the world is a good thing in my book. I will do a lot of cooking and freezing tomorrow-have produce that will need to be eaten or froze.
DeleteGreat week Sam! I'm still in the process of using things up, it always stretches much further than I think it will. I just had to grab a few fresh veggies this week.
ReplyDeleteHad we not done the huge stock up, I would have had a very light spend week, but que sera sera. I'm going to make a curry for my daughter, and freeze portions for her to take back to school as well.
DeleteThat's a pretty steep price hike for that gyro sandwich!!! If you're right that the biggest hikes are on convenience food, well then absolutely I wouldn't be buying them at all!
ReplyDeleteNone of the convenience foods are that great anyway. I made my own sort of gyros with chicken a few monthss back. Was probably only a bit less expensive, but not loaded with nearly the salt and fat.
DeleteHave a lovely holiday, treat yourselves and enjoy every minute.
ReplyDeleteThose jeans look unworn, what a great find. xxx
I can't see how they were wore more than a time or two if at all. I'm guessing an impulse buy that wasn't really wanted. IT will be a terrific girls get away.
DeleteI'm very involved in Ancestry at the moment, researching both my parent's sides of the family. This weekend the newspaper archive site was available for free, and I was able to extend to March 1, as well. I've been spending a lot of time doing as much legwork as I can before the deadline. I'll cancel the subscription ahead of time because it's far too expensive in my mind.
ReplyDeleteIt's great when you can get a break on the cost of pursuing a hobby. Once you do all your leg work, you'll have a lot of material to compile and organize I'm sure.
DeleteSafe travels, and I hope you have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteGreat deal on the jeans. Glad you enjoyed the movie. My dh wants to see spiderman, so we may go soon while it is still in the theater.
I don't think our Aldi has the gyro kits, but that is a big jump in price. Two dollars seems a bit much for a small gyro, but they were tasty. I haven't seen any of the red bag chicken in months either. I did buy a couple of small corned beef to make reubens.
I confess to buying a bag of red bag chicken. I knew what this week was going to be like and with the snow plus my long days, they hit the spot Wednesday night. They however were the same price, still high at $5.99, but didn't jump like the Gyro's. Now I am questioning that so will check the receipt.
DeleteThe red bag chicken is now 7.99 at my Aldi 😔
DeleteI'm now wondering if that was what I paid as well. I don't know where the receipt went.
DeleteWe have a stash of those 19 cent spiral notebooks too. Lol we know how to save money!
ReplyDeleteGreat deal on the jeans!
I even sent a few back with my daughter at Christmas to tide he rover until she got to a store to buy her 5 star, multi subject version.
DeleteHave a thoroughly lovely holiday and enjoy a little splurge now and then, it will do you the world of good. Money saving.. We like Aldi Vive ZX cola. Tastes just as nice as Pepsi max and a lot cheaper.
ReplyDeleteI come off very cheap in my posts, but believe me, we splurge more often than we should. However, that said, I am going to enjoy and not Nickle and dime the week ahead.
DeleteThat's a great price for the jeans. Lee jeans are my favorite as they fit so well. It does sound like you're set for your trip. I hope you all have a great time. Celie
ReplyDeleteThis is a different style than what I've bought before-a little more room in the but and thigh area. It'll be nice not having jeans that are too short or too long.
DeleteWhen we traveled with the children, once we reached our destination, the rule was breakfast cereal in the room, a burger for lunch and a nice meal at night. If for some reason we were in the room at noon, the had a sandwich with what I brought with us. Of course, I promised a burger on the road, but "let's have a banana or apple before we get there." They usually had ten miles to eat fruit.
ReplyDeleteMy small economies for today--Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes even cheaper than at big box with BOGO at Publix. And, more butter for $1.50/lb.
Enjoy your trip.
I did not win PCH!
No winning lottery's or sweepstakes here as well. Travelling with kid, packing your own snacks is a must. Do your kids do that with her kids when they travel to see you?
DeleteI still have a box of those spiral notebooks from when they were 10 cents! Pencils were a dime, too, the good ones, and I still have some of those.
ReplyDeleteHow many did you buy at that price to still have them? I haven't bought these in likely seven years, since my daughter was middle school.
DeleteI think I bought three boxes of 24. I mailed some to my daughter when my shipping was free. I gave them to a friend who had six children, all in school, and she and her husband were in school. When I taught, I gave them to students. When I tutored on my own, each person was given a notebook so there would be no excuse for not doing work! Yet, a few lingered.
DeleteI used kohl’s coupons to order some cheap towels for my daughter but made the mistake of going in to pick them up. Somehow I ended up buying a cute pair of $35 grey Vans that I didn’t need but fell in love with. Oops. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, Vans at $35 is a real bargain. You're on the right track with picking up things inexpensively now for your daughter. Did you find extra long sheets on clearance? They are ridiculously over priced once the college stuff is being pushed in the summer.
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