Tally Ho! Thrifty Thursday

Below is my weekly tally of efforts and success to save time, resources, and money. Part of living a better life in 2020, I want to maximize each of these areas and leave a smaller footprint than I have previously. DH gets the points for the biggest win. Me? I'm just trying to stay sensible and not spend on stupid things and not waste time or money. 

Time

• While it wasn't a time saver, I spent time well and went to my great nephews hockey game. I think my sister (grandma) and niece (mom) appreciated that I showed an interest in coming. I got to chat with my great niece a bit and see them win their game. I want to invest more time this year in people, particularly the good parts of family. 
• I listened via streaming a composer major concert from DD2's school, and had a nice hour long call with her. She is so busy this semester but made time for mom.

Resources

• Since pup wasn't well and we had to nurse him back to eating, he started ignoring his regular dog food, and wouldn't eat more than a few nibbles for several days. I've been using canned dog food, small amounts, to cut in with his dry per vet's recommendation. I fee him twice now (can't let the stinky canned sit all day), rather than when he just self regulated his eating with dry. A can will last five feedings, so I'm really only adding about $6-$7 a month on his food, and he seems like he has perked up and is feeling good. Now to be on the look out for deals on Pedigree dog food!
• Last week I talked about the potential for Organic recycling at work. I had also requested a home kit from my county as well and got two kits sent to me. I'd really like to get a compost pile going, and try once again to do a garden. DD1 is willing to help and it could be a good way to get exercise, better quality food, money savings, and time with my daughter.

Money 

• I cashed in another 6,500 points for a Target gift card through Microsoft and am up to $25. I don't know how long it takes to earn money-perhaps five weeks? I spend roughly 2 minutes a day on it, so if my math is right, I'm earning $4.28 an hour, which is funny. However, because it is sort of morning entertainment, like a game almost, I look at it as being paid to play. I spent a lot more time in my Angry Bird obsessed years on that phone app.
• This is the biggie, and DH gets all the credit on this one. We pay our housing insurance policy and umbrella every January. He was shocked to see it had gone up another $300, or 20%. We haven't had a housing claim in over 13 years since a large storm with straight line winds ripped our siding off and hail game though and damaged the rest. DH met with the agent and learned there is a very similar policy option that didn't change our coverage, but brought the rate back to last years. He also updated the policy for the car our daughter drives. Since she is over four hours away for school, the "risk" dropped dramatically, and her rate went down by $200 every six months. So he saved an increase of $300 and by revisiting the other policy, saved $400 for the year. She already had credit for the good student discount. Well done DH.
• It was one of our Trivia friends birthday last night. We were going to splurge and order pizza from the best (expensive) place and then two of us decided to bring treats instead. I made a huge taco dip, with a large bag of chips and guacamole for under $12. I also brought leftover desert plates from DD2's grad party and generic napkins. My friend brought grocery store yet tasty mini cupcakes, crackers, and cheese and spent about the same. So for under $25, we had a little party for five of us that played (several people had conflicts), half what a couple pizzas would have been with tax and tip. Beverages on their own, but the birthday girl was well hydrated!

Other areas of life are just the same. We didn't have any unusual expenses. We splurged on both a movie night out and a birthday lunch, but ate economical, if boring meals at home otherwise. How was your week in thrift?