Thrifty Thursday to End September

      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. 

Resources  

• 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? 

Saturday Schmattering-A Month of Thrifty Challenges

     

     It is the month to up my thrifty game. I thought I would spend this first Saturday of the new month listing possible challenges for the month. I guess they could be my September goals, but I'm competitive, even with myself. Hence the goal line photo. I think I'll have more success gaming myself. Like my thrifty Thursdays. I'm going to give myself  challenges in three areas where I want to maximize my life, how I spend my time, I am stewards of resources, and how I maximize our money. This list might look long and overwhelming, but many things double up in different categories, so accomplishing in one area is a win in others. 

Time

• Instead of weekend meals out, take advantage of the cooler evenings and intentionally set the outside table at least twice this month.
• Have a Sunday football day at the cabin with friends or family, bringing food from home. We can drink up leftovers left there after labor day weekend. 
• Play Trivia at least twice this month. I'll need to budget this into the money goal below because I won't skimp on ordering or tipping. 
• Go apple picking. This fits in with my buy at least 50% of my produce locally., but picking apples is expensive. The taste can't be beat.  
• Schedule at least one four way video call with my kids
• Have DS's mom over for dinner. I am guilty of not being planful and intentional about this. DHS see's her during the week, but I rarely do. To be fair to myself, she has a more active social life than I do. 
• Meet up with friends at least twice. Trivia is with friends but this would be either my mom's group, or the soup sister moms or if I can be really organized, my good friend from a former job who lives in St Paul. . 
• Go to Veg Fest with my daughter-again, need to budget for this. 
• Purge and reorganize the extra bedroom. This is the minimum for room by room attention, but I hope to get even more done with te four weekends and evenings of September. 

Resources

• Ensure food waste is minimal-track everything that has a shelf life in the fridge, freezer, and pantry when, drum roll, meal planning. 
• Purge a minimum of 6-12 items due to my three item thrift purchase last month, and an additional 2-4 items for the new swimsuit I just bought on clearance. 
• Reduce paper towel consumption and cut up two old bath rowels and consider using first before reaching for paper. I know this is old hat for many of you, but I know I rely on paper towels too much. 
• To go along with the goal of buying less household items, inventory all my cleaning products, and use up what I have, and use more natural  items like salt, vinegar, baking soda and lemon justice for cleaning. 
• Buy at least 50% of our produce locally at the farmers market or roadside stands-helping in a tiny way to reduce the carbon foot print. 

Money

• Reduce average grocery bill (food purchased for cooking in the home or packed lunches to $300) for the month. My yearly target is $5,000 or $400 per month with room for holiday shopping. Do this while still getting nutrition's and not "cheap" food. Wit my September buys, including this morning, I am at $124. leaving me to try and average $58.66 a week. We're only two people and I restocked so this should be a breeze-emphasis on should.
• With my grocery challenge, I'd like to do a couple sub set challenges. Maybe I'll get bolder than this, but I've wanted to see what I could come up with since those YouTube gals do so well feeding an entire family on these and I just have the two of us. 
• $5 meal with Dollar Tree exclusive items Edit: I've been watching a few of these, and I will need to really be careful withthe sodium content as there is little fresh stuff, and wha this there seems sodium full)
• 3 meals for $3 ($9.00 spend)
• 2 meals for $4 ($8 spend) or 4 meals at $4 ($16 spend)
• Reduce household purchases, paper, cleaning supplies, miscellaneous stuff that just end sup in my shopping carts. This includes pup's food, and I did have to buy a new 16 pound bag, and his wet food that gets mixed in, so am already into this budget a lot. Considering that, my goal is to reduce by25% from $100 to $75. I've spent $37, with a $38 balance and we will need laundry soap, dishwasher and dish soap and TP.
• Reduce eating out and entertainment budget, combined at $200 on paper, to $150 total. This will be a real stretch as with no kids at home, it is so easy to say, let's go our to eat or pick up take out. This will require discipline in our meet-ups with friends, and think creatively about the activities. We've spent $24 for the month so far and it's only the 4th. Plus, I have a lot of challenges for myself in the time area. I won't count DH's runs for lunch as I don't expect him to be part of the challenge, but hope he's in the spirit of cooperating. 
• Get a list of all the gift giving occasions between now and December 31st. Set a budget, and then see if I can beat my budget by 15% on any with my eyes open in September. Though, I hope to not be in stores unless necessary, so this is more a whim than a challenge, although I did find a something for DH, and a couple things for DH's brother's January birthday that would be perfect- at 75% clearance. 

     I think that is it for now. Talk about a mind dump onto a computer screen. I've already started tackling things on the list and setting myself up for success in others. As I am trying to rein in spending, I want to be pretty tight with anything spending related, but don't want to be time or resource foolish by passing on something that in the long run will work in our lives. I'll call them strict guidelines rather than challenge rules. What about you? Do you do better calling things challenges rather than goals? Do you give your self tight rules or more guidelines? 

Thrifty Thursday-Humble Acceptance of Gifts

      I like a good Thursday-particularly on a glorious summer day. People can think about thrift as  depriving ourselves of things in order to save money, but I've really tried to move my mindset to thrift is just the opposite. It's using our gifts wisely, accepting gifts from others, whether that is their time, their surplus, and in return, doing the same for others. Today's post focuses a bit on this thinking.

Time

• The virtual Shower, after work hours, for a colleague was not  huge time commitment, but it sure was  special to be able to celebrate a bit with her. This staff has been on our team about three years, and is a gem! She give her skills, time, and talents freely, and I look forward to her growing into a true education leader. 
  
• To the bullet below in resources, I spent time doing outreach to a few people that I know coordinate food/meals that might be able to utilize the produce my daughters work has available. This included our church's  Food with Friends coordinator, and a few child care programs. This was in addition to the social media broad post. 
• Spent a lovely morning/early afternoon blueberry picking and then lunch with my sister and friends. It was not frugal, but healthy for both body and mind! I picked up my sisters lunch as a late birthday (June) treat. 
• DD2 had a friend join us for a day at the lake cabin We've seen so little of  her friends (as has everyone) so it was a great detour to our normal day to bring her along.

Resources  

• This one is yet another cross over with money as it will help the grocery budget a bit. DD2's food pantry had another glut of food-this time both a produce delivery and farmers market bounty.  Yesterday she came home with a plastic sack filled with red potatoes, probably five pounds, plus another with two massive zucchinis, a head of cabbage, about 2 pounds of carrots, and a handful of mandarin oranges. This is quite a gift and I want to try out Hawaii Plan's zucchini fritters. I can also make my  Panda Express copy cat with the cabbage. Gifts of produce is a win!
• As they anticipate potential more waste today, as the  pantry will be closed for the next three days, I helped her use social media and contacts to do outreach to get  food (that she will deliver) to people that could use it. We can all pay it forward in other ways-which I intend to do. 
• Leftovers have been used for my lunches at home and with DD2. DH has even come home  a couple days in the past week to keep our leftovers in check.
• I was ingredient limited with making seasoned rice (which we like with tacos). I was even out of  chili powder, so improvised by cooking the rice with  a bouillon cube, a hefty teaspoon of cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder, and nob of butter. It was very tasty and might be a new go to side dish on taco night. DD2 was  a fan and loved how easy it was. Learning to cook and  understanding how to make do is a gift I hope to give my youngest the other two already have that skill.
• We are just about out of shampoo and conditioner-so I thought. A rummage under the sink and the linen closet found a few odds and ends that we will use up the rest of the month.

Money

• Pulled together a meal to bring to the lake with pretty much food we already had on hand. I have not done a big grocery shop since July 2nd, and we've been using things up and just picking up what is needed to round out. While I'm not meal planning, we are having home cooked meals.
• We finally had a family night out, going to see Black Widow at a real live movie theater. We went though on Tuesday night, $5 discount seats and free popcorn for members. We paired with  $7 Icee's for DH and DD2, so not that frugal on the concessions, but we are trying to put money intentionally back into the economy with activities we enjoy. A thrifty tip is to sign up for all the membership perks-even if only used occasionally, the savings add up. 
• I have become such a light weight with  alcohol, I  could only drink one beer at Trivia, resulting in being a low budget night out. 
• DH received a  work perk which went straight into savings.
• I still have the $150 Visa gift card I earned through the  focus group back in April. I started looking at Nespresso coffee makers. The one I want is not available, so rather than get a different type or a more expensive one, I just put another pause on it. (Though this is a top want since 2014 when we had in our hotel room in London and I know it will give me complete joy once I own one!!!)
• This is a splurge and a money savings. I decided to re-subscribe to Real Simple. I got an offer for two years for $18, and three bonus editions. I actually did keep many of the old issues I had and will relook at them. Plus, I figure I will share the subscriptions with my daughters and those at the lake for reading.
• Replaced both the Colgate toothpaste and Reach floss we like at Dollar Tree for much less than Walmart or Target for same size. 
• The neighbors got a quote for removing some tree branches and asked us if we would be interested in a quote for our tree. We got the quote  of $350 for  taking it down and  cutting into manageable log sizes. We decided to pass though, as DH has a  chain saw, and we have several family members that would all like some of the wood for fire pits/places so we'll DIY. I'll feed them all and give them a share in the wood for a lot less than $350. We appreciated our neighbors thinking of us, but the price was too high for the job and we have the gift of family to help.

     Mostly, we continue to do the same things-not a lot of spending on stupid things, and yes, the magazine subscription might be the exception. I'm also trying to be humble in accepting what others choose to share, while avoiding waste and more consumerism with little value. How about you? Did you have any gifts this week that helped your thrifty ways? Or, are you the giver this week? 

     

Thrifty Thursday and the Week That Got Away

      Goodness-I've been AWOL for nearly a week and not for any reasons of drama or stress. A part of not regular blog posts was really just a blur of days and then realizing, "I never blogged today". No time like a Thursday to pick up where I left off with another round of Thrifty Thursday. Today's post will be heavy on time-time spent not blogging apparently. I still had a good cross over win in the resource and money categories too.  

Time

• We had a really good time at my sisters  3rd of July party. The food was good-they do  old fashion hotdogs and brats on the grill and walking tacos, both with all the fixings. It's also a potluck to round out the meal and there was quite the spread. This was the first really big gathering, not counting the after park clean-up. Many of my niece and nephews and their families made it for the day and it was wonderful seeing all of them. 
  
• DH went up to the cabin after work on Saturday and the girls and Ion Sunday morning. It was a very nice 4th of July-swimming, eating, and relaxing. On Monday, I think I might have just floated on a  pool float in the lake for 90 minutes straight! Again though, DH had to work on Monday when so many people had it off. Retirement  can't come soon enough for him. 
• We had arranged to Facebook Messenger video talk with my son on Monday night. Nearly four hours later, we were all caught up. He has been working very steady now for the past month, but says people in California, or at least his circle of people, are not rushing to  put themselves back in  indoor crowds yet. He still has all the same  Covid protocols on set ta they had during the height of the pandemic when they weren't shut down. 
• DD1 came over on Tuesday night and she and I brainstormed some opportunities for her to build out  her own business. While she has a good job with benefits, it is very stifling and not quite the creative  outlet it was proposed when she was hired. They also seem to regularly have the threat of losing funding and potential downsizing and lay offs. She would have a solid side business before ending steady employment to go totally self employed, so she was working though  both budget and side work opportunities to build up her own options.. 

Resources  

• This first one is a cross over with money as it will help the grocery budget a bit. DD2 works in a food pantry and a few times a week they need to purge items that at the end of the day, policy says needs to be thrown. This is fresh produce and bakery for the most part that is a day or more past best by date. I've been teaching her well to  understand best by and bad are not the same. She came home with two small tubs of  prepared fruit (at $5.99 retail-outrageous), two bags spinach, and already cut onion and pepper mix which I froze, both of which I froze, and a 12 count of mini-croissants. The only bad ting was a mushy cucumber, plastic wrapped so it wasn't leaking, that had to be thrown. 
• We used the croissants for supper along with a handful of spinach and I made a sort of egg bake/croissandwich. Then I froze the other half of the croissants. I cleared a 1/3 bag of hash browns from the freezer as a side dish. Lunch today will be a croissandwich with the leftover egg bake.
• I ate leftovers or odds and ends cheese and tortillas for my lunches this week and avoided waste.

Money

• After being at the lake, I didn't feel like cooking anything for supper so we got Chinese take out Monday night, but at the  HyVee counter which was a lot less than had we ordered form the restaurant, plus, they gave us an extra side of lo mein. I'm putting it in the money win column-might be a stretch. 
• Scored both boneless/skinless chicken breast and pork loin for well under $2 per pound and bought two of each at Aldi. We didn't need the chicken at the lake, so one is in the freezer there for a future weekend. I froze one pork loin, and made the other into pulled pork, which I cooked in the slow cooker all day while at my sisters party. It was phenomenal and I ended up up with enough to feed probaby 12 people with a loin that was under $7. I froze the other chicken too, but took out yesterday to thaw. I'll cook that package today and use or refreeze in  meal portions.
• I shopped at Aldi on Friday and spent a lot, but it was more of a weekend/holiday shop, so still need to do a restock with groceries after eating down much of our stores last week. With so much meat set aside though, I'll likely not need to buy much in that area so foresee staying on budget or less this month. 
• DD2 checked out a movie she and her brother were discussing n Monday, free from the library. 
• I made coffee at home (except for Sunday when we stopped on route to fill the car and got coffee). DD2 and DH packed lunches each day. My daughters walked to the store for me as we were out of milk and bread and I gave her free rein to buy other things for her lunch. Her big splurge was a  specialty kind of ramen/noodle like soup, four packets, for her lunch, and some of the Terra root chips. Still cheaper than lunch out. 

     Mostly this week was home and or family focused. I didn't even get out to trivia last night so had savings there as well. I'm really thinking about where my money goes, while not being cheap, and not being wasteful. Often that means spending a bit more time, like preparing the pulled pork rather than buying it already made, and foregoing something with only short term gratification. This is th e essence of my frugality, combining the best use of my time, while not adding more stuff to landfills, my house, and my brain, and saving financially for the future. To spend in any of these areas in ways that bring joy is my goal. 

Thrifty Thursday-Money Goals

      With having the week off, and yes, I spent a few hours on Monday, Wednesday. and this morning, getting  a few issues taken care of, I've done some life admin focus. The biggest  task I did was a 6 ear projection-through August 2027, to see if my retiring at 61 and 3/4 and DH at 62 and 5 months will work. ON paper, all our priorities can be met-if. The If's are both in and out of our control. We can continue to max out our 401K's, but can't control the return rate. We can continue to sock away all spare cash, but are somewhat at the mercy of the  automobile economy, at least for the next three 1/2 years. Because we have so many priorities lumped into the early retirement goal, I'm feeling the need, almost pressure, to look where every dollar is going. However, as I age I realize time is more limited than money. We need hard looks at where are we spending our precious free time. Weighing out  family and friend time, celebrations, travel and vacations-the things that make life good and can cost money, while foregoing stupid spending out of laziness or impatience is my challenge. I'll still trying and tracking where I feel I had success. 

Time

• Time off work, even if I am bouncing online, has been good and very much needed. I will be more cautious to take the odd day when needed and not put myself in this position next year. 
  
• Spent Monday putting things away in the family room-like the card table that was intended for games and puzzles, but was becoming a collecting grounds for unfolded and folded but not put away laundry. The removal of all that clutter instantly made the room feel bigger and airy. 
• I joined my daughter and her friend on Tuesday morning to early afternoon Wednesday. It was a nice short break because I have things I wanted to get done at home, but no play is not a good thing on vacation. 
• I attended both a soccer game and a lacrosse game of my great niece and a nephew. I miss this stage of my kids lives, so fun to see family and support the kiddos. 

Resources  

• I've been using a large bag of frozen spinach in a variety of dishes. It means I could just pulled out what I needed, already cooked down, and the same priced bag actually gives me twice or more what  a fresh bag would provide. 
• Used up sugar that was hardening in the bag for rhubarb jam. It worked just fine as it cooked down the same as the fresh open bag would have done so. 
• I found a couple jam size canning jars lurking in a cupboard. I should have enough for the amount of jam I plan to make this summer/fall, but will keep my eyes out for freebies.
• The Minnesota Vikings sent a food truck to my daughters work and she had a free lunch-saving her lunch from Wednesday to today. 

Money

• We were able to make a May and June deposit into savings that exceeded the savings  target. This is good news as no doubt there will be months where we are way below. That's the life of a commissioned based salary.
• A splurge and a savings. Instead of an expensive coffee/breakfast outing this morning, two of us got BK 2 for $5 meal of a croissanwitch, small coffee, and  potato rounds. The  price would have been over $5 normally. A coffee at a Dunn Brothers or Caribou alone would be over $3 for a small. This will be my lunch as well as breakfast. $2.68 per person for the splurged win. 

     I think a lot since watching the movie, About Time and how in real life, there is no do overs with our days. I can be grumpy about little irritants, or  look for the flowers and sunshine. I'm taking each day with pragmatism, but optimism. I'll be much more at ease once  the world starts hitting some vaccination targets. Health care access should not depend on where you live. I hope you had wins with your time, resources, and money. I'm off to tackle my projects again. 

Thrifty Thursday-Mid-Month Edition

     By days end, April will be half over. We have had a cold, gray, and wet April, but things are greening up nicely. I'll take that, but sure will be happy when spring sunshine joins the grass greening and buds comin gout on trees. We're a month away form the lilacs and crab apple tree blossoms, but I am so enjoying the little peeks of cherry blossoms from   out East and the UK. That is what I miss about not travelling to DC in the spring time. If my youngest gets her opportunity to intern and perhaps work there, I will have reason to visit again. Viewing blooming flowers on trees ticks all my thrifty boxes of a good use of time, it is resource free, and costs nothing-travel excluded! Here are other ways I tried to economize this past week.

Time

• Friday night book club was a good conversation both about the book and life and happenings. Next month, we are tentatively thinking we may actually meet in person, if the weather is nice and we can be outside.
• Yay! both girls vaccination part one is done. DD1 had her second booked at the tie of the first appointment, but I helped the college kid get her second one scheduled near us because the Walmart near her school could not schedule at another store. By May 22nd, we four will all be two weeks post fully vaccinated. I have alerts on multiple calendars.  (As of today, my son is eligible in California and I hope he has success.)
• I went with my older daughter and we made a Trader Joe stop with it, and picked up lunch. Later we watched a couple upcycling videos as she has a couple hand me down pieces with good bones.
•  I'm glad we went with our daughter to look at the second house. She really wants to find something, but I think we are giving her the support she needs to not rush into a decision that ultimately wouldn't be right for her. On the bad front though, her annoying neighbor couple above her broke up again, and this time the very immature obnoxious  women is staying in the apartment. She sent an aggressive text to my daughter warning her that it was her birthday a couple weekends ago, and she was going to have a party that would likely be very loud. "as I know you tend to not like when we are too loud." WTH-who likes their neighbors being too loud  on weeknights when your trying to sleep. These were the idiots that moved in at midnight, and throughout the night, on April 1 of last year, with a slew of kittens that grew into loud cats that run around all day in what was supposed to be a pet free house. 
•  Chatted both with my son, and he's doing OK, and the college kid a couple times. She's applying for a few internships and needed help figuring out something for one. 
  

Resources  

• Trying to use up bits and bobs from the refrigerator and rescued apples for a crisp and blueberries for muffin bread.
• Found a favorite shirt I hadn't worn in a while. It had a spot, but I was able to pretreat and let sit and it did come out. 
• I really need new eye serum, but found a bottle pushed in the back of the medicine chest I forgot I had. There wasn't much in it, but a little of this brand goes a long way and I should get a good  week out of it, saving me another trip to Target until I need other things as well. 
• DH got a few boxes broke down for the recycling pick-up. It was nice to get them out of the side of the garage. 
• Placed a hold for the book club book, The Book Of Longings by Sue Kidd Monk. If I can get by April 30th, I should have plenty of time to read it, so fingers crossed it will be available. 
• My college daughter had her induction in a Spanish Language Collegiate Honor society last night. She shared that she wore the black dress that she has had for four years, bought for $3 at a thrift store, with the  jacket her older sister gave her, bought on 80%  discount, but then decided it didn't fit her comfortably after washing. That dress probably has a cost per wear of 30 cents, and it is such a basic dress, I can't imagine she'll give it up until it disintegrates. Not my thrifty resource, but thought I'd share that I raised her frugally well! 

Money

• I earned enough points for another $5.00 Target card through Microsoft rewards. I keep forgetting days or I could be earning as much as  a gift card a month. It's not much I know, but I like the trivia part of the rewards program-its fun and how often can you earn anything on a hobby?
• I did a survey for another $3  Amazon reward. I would have preferred something else, but the choices were things not near me. 
• My statement came for the small life insurance from my dad's account. We pretty much just let it sit as it gains 3% interest, unheard of in a bank account. We could pull it all out and  invest it elsewhere for  hopes of a bigger gain and folks may think it's dumb I am not. We consider this part of the liquid emergency fund-it's there if we would need it, but earns a lot more than any other liquid fund source we have. Unfortunately, we can't add to it.

     The week was underwhelming in the thrift area due to my splurges at Trader Joe's. Considering though that was the height of my entertainment for the week, pretty cheap as I got to bring home my bounty. We also had some expenses that were irregular such as gifts, and the cost of the honor program dues. There's always something so I try for a balance in  thrift and splurge. How was the week on your end? 

Frugal Friday...Instead of Thrifty Thursday

There was so much thrift going on around here, I needed a whole extra day to think about it! Sarcasm is underrated. This was not a week of keeping our financial heads down low and riding out the fall cash flow dip. Still, I keep looking to where money can be saved, if only a few cents and dollars here and there to make small dents in the bigger out of pocket spends. Here are a few wins we had this past week.

• I helped DD1 clean every inch of her apartment, leaving it looking better than when she moved in. If she doesn't get every penny back from her security deposit I will go Mama Bear for her. 
• I hate selling things for fundraisers, but the annual poinsettia/winter sale I did share via my Facebook page. With no real effort as people just contacted me if they were interested, she had quite a few sales and earned about $50 to off set show choir expenses.
• We had to winterize and get new tires for my car, the necessary evil in my life. While it came in at $700 (set aside in our tax, insurance, house and care maintenance account), DH learned a couple days later he would get a $100 rebate on the tires. 
• I took advantage of the last free coffee Tuesday at Holiday this week when I got gas.
• DH, though his negotiating over the phone drives me crazy, finagled a $10 a month discount on our Direct TV bill. It's painful to listen to, but he usually scores something like a bonus channel or two for a few months. Discounts are much better. 

We have bills to pay this weekend and another installment of show choir. We went out for dinner last night for our anniversary at a local Mexican restaurant we hadn't been to for a while. It was just OK, and I was reminded why it has been a while since we last ate there. Money was spent on business lunches this week for both of us, plus meals last weekend and pizza for moving, so I'm tightening my belt this weekend on meals. How did you all do in frugality and thrift this last week? Did you have any big or little wins to help you keep motivated?

I thought I'd try to do a little linking up this week with some bloggers I read regularly on thrift and frugality. This week, I’m linking up with Cass, Emma and Becky in this week’s ‘Five Fabulously Frugal things I’ve done this week linky. 

Frugal Fri....... Saturday

I should really get in some sort of a blogging pattern. Frugal Fridays, Thrifty Thursday, but my mind seems to go to savings when I wake up on Saturday mornings. Busy day ahead as I'm going to pick blueberries in an hour or so with a stop for nibbles and wine tastings on our way home. Not a full sister day, but going with two  of the six and a friend. I don't know if picking blueberries will be cost effective, but I plan to make homemade stuffs with them to use as gifts and for general happiness, so that will be where my frugalness comes to play. I had a couple misses this week in the frugal department. Let's get that out of the way. 

Pup needed dog food. I ran over to Target midday as I didn't have time to stop on my way home and he was completely out after a smallish portion in the morning. Target had a buy two get a $5 gift card. Well, a 8 pound bag was $12.99, 16.5 was $21.99. I should have bought two of the 16 pounds, about 6 weeks worth, to spend $44 for 33 pounds, plus the $5 savings. Even if I had bought two pounds, I still would have gotten the $5 card. But, I was parked in our lot, far from where I would have to lug the dog food, so I just bought the one small bag. So instead of paying essentially $1.19 per pound, I paid $1.62. Even if I had done two small bags, the price would have been $1.32. I chose convenience over savings. 

Another miss was Monday and having a meal after a couple college visits at an Indian restaurant. I forget how filling the food is, but we opted for the buffet in the name of trying new dishes. Really, we ate smallish portions of naan, spinach paneer/saag, chicken masala, and vegetable curry with basmati rice, pretty much what we already knew we like. For the price of the buffet, we could have ordered two curries, the spinach dish and naan and brought the leftovers home as neither of us did justice to the buffet. I am not a buffet person normally as I eat more than I would if I just ordered off the menu.

I'm still though keeping my mind to little savings here and there-minding the pennies as they say.

• DD2 needed a couple pair of shoes. At Kohls, the brand names don't count with the discounts, but still earned Kohls cash. She bought new Chuck Taylor's more as fashion but needed new running shoes. They did not have her size in the style and brand she wanted (in the price range I would pay for), but she tried a comparable shoe on to ensure the size. Later, we used the Kohls cash she earned on the Chuck's, $15, and applied to her running shoes ordered online, which were on sale already, scoring them for $44. $84 for both Converse Chuck Taylor high tops and Under Armor running shoes is a steal. 
• Creative lunches and suppers are my mantra and this week I pulled off a few successful "use it up" dishes. My homemade Margarita pizza I wrote about here  was using up old ingredients, but still tasted fresh. A leftover baked potato, cheese, and remnants of deli turkey made an interesting wrap dinner for one. Already cooked hamburger found in the freezer, a free box of elbow macaroni, a can of cream of mushroom soup and the last of the sour cream made a cheap beef stroganoff like dish. 
• Through Fab, Fit, Fun subscription, I was able to order 12 of the sheet facial masks at $2 a piece. These are wonderful for my face and a really inexpensive luxury. We also picked up a few at Kohls and my 30% off worked there, getting five (all they had left in the ones for my and DD2's skin type) for $1.40. The best price I can find these are $2.49 at Target so a good deal of savings. 
• I've been using Icy Hot on my knees. It does wonders, but the cream can be quite expensive. I found a coupon for $1 off and was able to layer with a sale, getting the tube under $5.00. 
• To top off the groceries from last weekend, I just ran into the Kwik Trip for bread, milk, cheese, and bananas. They had a fresh delivery of tomatoes so was able to score a couple big ones for under $2, adding more freshness to the week. I still need to do a good roadside stand haul

We still spent loads of money on the stuff of life, DH ate out for lunch too often, and the VISA came this week with train tickets and the Paris pass purchases. I'll tally up in a few days how we are doing on our trip budget and savings overall, but so far, after the airline ticket fiasco, we're on budget. Sad to think by the time the next VISA comes, all remaining expenses for vacation we choose to put on the card will be there, and the trip will be over. That's when its useful to remember that through minding my pennies, I'm saving for the next adventure. 

Thrift and Thievery

Have you seen this criminal?

 Long post ahead. I'm still feeling the effect in my back of an hour and half of prep on Saturday and five and half hours on my feet yesterday for the annual Palm Sunday breakfast at church. We served approximate 175 people, selling 155 tickets (the youth will just grab their breakfast in a break) much better than last year, when spring break fell the same week and so many families were traveling, but I was hoping for 200. This year, we had over $100 in additional expenses as we didn't get the donation of dairy and eggs and pancake batter. Still, we covered costs once we hit 112 tickets plus sold and additional 40 meal tickets at $3.00.  

The final net is yet unknown as the free will donation envelopes get counted by church officials. Regardless, we fed each person for approximate $1.86, and sent two bags of leftovers home with a church member that helps provide for a couple families experiencing food insecurities. I had more help than needed as the sign up lines for help were ignored, and people wrote their name after slots were filled. Some families used one line for two or three youth. While having the extra hands was helpful at cleanup, I hope they won't be disappointed that a small amount will go in their fundraising account. All proceeds, after costs, are divided by the number of hours total, each worker works, and it goes in their mission trip and camp account. I had to laugh overhearing a conversation between a son and his mom, trying to get her son to pick up the pace during cleanup. "The sooner we finish, the sooner we can leave." She said. His response, but if we take longer, that's more money earned."  She looked at me, and said, "I guess I have a lesson to teach." Really, though, these are great kids, a new crop each year as high schoolers give up their slots for younger kids.

Wow, so much on that topic, but it aligns with the Thrift part of my headline as does this. I had to do some careful timing to pick up cold items on Saturday to get them dropped off at church during a limited window when someone could unlock the kitchen for me. I had time to pop into the Salvation Army store, as I'm looking for extra queen size sheets for home and for the cabin. No luck Saturday, but did take a browse at dress pants, skirts and longer shorts. I hit the jackpot and found a perfect pair of dark gray dress pants, a black with white specks skirt, two pairs of brand new Gloria Vanderbilt cargo shorts, and a perfect condition pair of white shorts. All this for $21.97. However, when I got to the register, it turn out blue and orange tags, which all but the white shorts had, were 50% off, so my total was $12.47. I lauded my success with DD2 and DH. Neither were as excited as I was.

Yesterday, I was going through the bag to get things washed and ready for the week, and I couldn't find the skirt. It wasn't in the bag. I wondered if perhaps it had fallen out with all my car moving to make way for the groceries. Nope, not in there. I was questioning my sanity a bit when I could not find in any of the places I might have set the bag down. I gave up, and assumed it never made it's way into the bag at the store. Oh well, but I was disappointed as it was Cold Water Creek, a  good brand. I went to bring DD2 something in her room and looked down at a pile of stuff she had on her floor. Low and behold, my skirt was laying there. I exclaimed when I saw it, and pup came running. I was just about to pick it up when he moved quickly, laid down and put his paws on it. That little shyster had stolen it from the bag, either Saturday night, or earlier Sunday, and ran off with it to DD's room. What appealed to him, I have no idea. Perhaps he was just mad that I had left the house yesterday and was trying to send a message. He is a peculiar dog. A ransom of a dog treat later, and I had recovered the skirt. That was my tale of thrift and thievery. 

The stolen bargain at $2.00.

Looking Ahead 2015

Last Saturday DH and I had a frugal evening out at a local pizza and pasta chain. I frequent this place with a group of friends several times a year, and it is also a gift card vendor of choice for a couple organizations I volunteer with.  I've previously signed up for the rewards program, and received a e-coupon for a free pizza last week.  This, combined with using one of three gift cards I had stockpiled, provided dinner with beer and an appetizer for just the $10 tip.  I'm never sure if you are supposed to use gift cards for tips or not, so we just left the $10, or 20% of the full bill without coupon. DD#2 rarely likes to go out for supper, and she was still basking in the glory of having received seven new books for Christmas and was in full marathon reading mode.  The restaurant was busy, but not crowded so we could take the rare opportunity to linger and really discuss priorities for the coming year. 

He is as equally tired of the clutter and backlog of procrastinated projects as I am.  My health issue, on top of the scare we had three years ago with him, nudged us both to the reality that health and wellness has to be out on the top of the priority list. Knowing we are now in the final 4 years of having a child at home means jump starting savings to be earmarked for college again must be high as well.  These are the practical, responsible things that we agree need to focused on.  Then there are the more ethereal priorities-the ones that make the day to day special, meaningful, and help put the bad days into a new frame of reference as only being a minor blip.

Many of the barriers to truly living meaningful in the day to day are a direct result of the concrete and tangible being some what mucked up.  Having friends drop in, sitting back with a bottle of wine, is not stress free when all you see are unfinished projects and messy clutter if not down right signs of poor housekeeping habits everywhere. Taking a long walk, a morning swim, or a game of tennis is difficult without the stamina, resulting in being wiped out as opposed to feeling invigorated. Fretting over any expense now, because of nagging fear of future tuition, induces guilt, robbing us of satisfaction.

These priorities will not be resolutions, but hopefully the result of my new resolves. I've decided that for my resolution for 2015, I will make efforts to develop better skills in the art of compromise and alternative choices or solutions. In terms of clutter control, there are hundreds of tips and strategies on the web, in magazine, on television and the newspaper.  I don't have to master all-I just need to come up with a few compromises and  options that work for me.  I don't have to cook from scratch every night, but I do need to get the processed and overly chemicalized garbage out of my kitchen. The 10 for $10 side dishes are filling, but not nourishing, and they have to go. This will mean very basic meals on the busy nights, and probably quite a few pieces of toast and a banana eaten quickly before rushing out the door, but the reduction in salt, fat, and preservatives will be worth it. I don't need to run three miles before work each day, but I can actually take my lunch break as opposed to eating at my desk, and using 10-15 minutes of it for a brisk walk outdoors. We don't need to say no to plans and evenings out, but we can spend 1/3 as much and invite friends over for drinks and snacks as an alternative once in a while. Our $60 pizza and beer night is evidence of that.

With that, I'm kicking off 2015.  It will be a year of new beginnings, as all new years are. I hit the mid century mark this year, and exciting and challenging events are on the horizon for friends and family.  Those momentous events will sure to be etched in my memories for years to come.  However, next year I want to look back and see more blurred lines between the calendar dates.  I want every day to be meaningful in its own right.  I think that is possible.

My Little Bistro

I've not had a Stoptober for spending, but have tried to get a better handle on food waste, and not overstocking items that may end being wasted if I don't manage the kitchen better.  I've not done a big grocery shop for weeks, instead have filled in along the fringes.  We've had some interesting and makeshift meals.  Last night was  a frozen taco pizza, steamed frozen sweet corn, and a garlic shells pasta side dish.  Everyone at home got fed, my daughter got to basketball practice on time, and I used what was on hand.  It was quicker than waiting in line in a drive through or ordering and waiting for a pizza, as I was tempted to do after a chaotic work day.  It definitely was cheaper to feed the three of us, probably about $5.00, and not totally unhealthy. 

I've planned a bit better tonight, though am still relying on convenience food, and store short cuts.  I bought a bag of frozen cheese ravioli , mixed it with jarred pasta sauce, served a salad and bread, and voila, a quick Italian home made meal.  The cost is a bit higher than last night, but the addition of a loaf of bakery  Italian bread at $1.00, and  salad dressing push the meal to just over $6.00.  There will be left over bread, probably a snack later for my daughter with some humus. There might even be a bit of spinach to cook up with eggs or in a quiche tomorrow.  I didn't count the wine in the price.

DD#1 is away visiting college friends for a last opportunity before she moves in mid November.  I have to get used to cooking for just three of us again. Even though she is often gone at meal times, she likes the leftovers  being available for a quick warm-up in the microwave after her odd work schedule. 

There are gads of recipes out there for pasta dishes, quick and thrifty.  I'm sure there are clever cooks that easily make their own ravioli.  This bag is quite large and will feed four people, or three with leftovers, very well. The pasta and sauce allows me to dump things in a baking pan, or a slow cooker, and  get other things done. What short cuts do you allow yourself, in spite of trying to stay on a lean budget?   If your tempted to just call it in and get take out, how do you think yourself out of it? 

I'm happy with our nice meal tonight., As the sun is setting, I can imagine I am at a little Italian bistro-minus the price of airfare.

Wine Clubs

“Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.”
― Andre Simon

I like that quote, and I agree with that quote. Of course wine is not for everyone, and for those that do, preferences and taste vary.  That's also what I like about it.  I've been with wine "haters" that have tried a sip at the right time and with the right food, and found, they don't hate all wine, and some can be down right enjoyable.

For the weekend, we have a wine cruise trip tonight, crossing the state lines and leaving on a river boat from Wisconsin.  A while back I posted about making the most of end of summer, while not breaking the bank to do so.  The Wow Factor  One suggestion was to combine a wine tasting with also picking up an extra bottle for a gift, or a second evening with friends.  We belong to a two bottle a month  wine club with a terrific wine bar, called Swirl.  Swirl hosts a monthly meet-up with tastings and light food, and you can have them serve your bottles or take them home.  We will get a second plate, sometimes a flatbread, or lettuce wraps, and with their appetizers make it a nice dinner.  We later drink the wine ourselves, bring along to a friends, or as I just did, use as a gift. I purchased some cute cotton tapestry wine bags at a dollar store, and put a bottle of our wine club wine each for my sister-in-laws on my husbands side, fall birthdays. 
 
The wine cruise is just one  perk of the club.  It isn't exactly frugal, but there is good value in being in the club.  We can taste wines before wasting money on something we don't like.  We get a lesson at each tasting about the places that months wines are made, the type of grapes, good food pairings, and other useful information, and meet other people from our general vicinity of home.  We support local businesses-restaurant, local farmers, wineries, and the college kids that play music for what they earn in their tip jar.  The owner Dave, is so unpretentious, casual, and a just fun host.  His staff are delightful as well.  We get tasting notes with or bottles, which makes it fun to share the experience with those we share the wine with.  They provide discounts on cases if you want to buy more. This is an evening out my husband and I equally enjoy and that is always a value. 
 
I find the snobbery of old related to wine has long been put to rest by the majority of the country.  I don't know if so in other places, but judging from what we have leaned, wine is becoming popular-drinking and making, in new and unique places throughout the world. this post is not a commercial for any wineries, the wine industry, or any particular place, but sharing of my good experience.  If wine is your thing,  why not try out a short term club in your area and see if for you?
 
 

Really, at the Dollar Store?

I love a good bargain as much as the next person.  Dollar stores or pound shops have a little bit of everything, and for the amazing price of a single unit of currency.  There are hit and misses though.  A couple hits from my local Dollar Tree include seasonal potholders, dish towels, and other fun little things to help usher in the change of season, Fiddle Faddle popcorn, and the dry duster cloths with 25 in a package, and great for computer screens. In the UK, we stocked up on bags of Jelly Babies to bring back for our Doctor Who fan friends and family. Greeting cards, wrapping paper, and sandwich baggies while fairly generic, are a steal compared to other stores.

The misses include shampoo-most kinds just seem watered down, and need to use 3-4 times more for same lather.  You can do better at Target for value, not even on sale. Batteries are worthless-providing minutes if that of power to a camera or other device. Toys-hunks of plastic crap that I'm betting would break within minutes of play. Spare your pooch or kitty any tummy trouble, and yourself extra cleanup, and skip the pet food and treats. Trust me.

The weirdest thing though I saw in line tonight, stopping to get some tape and legal pads (fair deal), were pregnancy tests.  Here they were, hanging right in the impulse shop area surrounding the registers. I'm trying to picture why someone would go to a dollar store to buy such a personal and high stakes medical supply.  How would you really trust the results-either way?  Part of me thinks they are there for joke value; buy a few and leave laying out to get people wondering.  Another part of me finds this very sad, and that young girls, or financially strapped women looking for that quick answer, will buy and be left with false results, and make decisions with bad information.  Is it me, but do you think that finding out whether or not you are to become a parent, probably should rank higher in spending than dollar size movie theater candy? 

What weird or misplaced items have you seen in budget shops?  What things do you trust and what would you pass on?  

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