Thursday's are becoming my least favorite day of the week. With working from home and school work, my daughter and I had a nice rhythm. For three weeks she wasn't working or going to school, but she never really interfered as she would sleep in, watch something, go on bike rides or walks, and keep herself busy. With working now, she's gone every week day from 12:45-6:15, and some mornings. DH being home on Thursdays is quite another thing. Depending on if he wants to sleep in or not, his presence is massively felt in the house. Today being a not, I was woken up earlier than I wanted-him pounding on his phone key pad on speaker, paying bills. The beep, beep sound sounded like when your fire alarm needs batteries. Now he's out mowing-and it is a few minutes before seven. Yes, there are a few other mowers but the ordinance is only between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. He'll be in and out of the house a dozen times too. If it wasn't going to be so hot today, I'd go to my daughters t work. With all his morning energy, I hope it means he plans to take off for the day once he's done. Enough on that.
I find it harder and harder to come up with items for my thrifty posts. In a way, the accountability screams out at me that I'm not spending my time, resources, and money as wisely as I should. It might also be just getting into a new norm where things don't seem particularly thrifty any more and just how I do things.
Time
- Used those tennis rackets last Thursday night and me and the girls got some time on the courts. I was just going to come along to watch, but ended up taking a turn ever so often. It was fun and I hope we make it a regular routine.
- I wrote a whole post on the Saturday baby shower, but the simple but tasteful party was a good use of time.
- We had a nice Sunday afternoon with our older daughter. We sat outside on my new porch chairs just talking, and then had burgers (veggie for her), air fryer fries, and salad she borught over. The youngest had to work at 3 and then had plans after, but we all got to hang for a little while.
- I did a pretty good review of what was in the refrigerator to use up odds and ends in a crockpot pasta. The last of a bag of spinach, some baby carrots, and part of a zucchini went in with canned tomatoes and the reminder of a box of pasta. I added a layer of the last of the unfrozen bull mozzarella.
- I've been rereading the Bennet's Island series of books by Elizabeth Ogilvie, my own stash. I often describe reading books again as isiting old friends, and books are free entertainment. The girls exchanged books with each other, and the youngest with friends. She is still disappointed the library hasn't reopened as that is her happy place.
Money
- I did an on-line survey for a $2 reward. There was the option of donating it back to the research frim for more research, but I'd rather donate where I'd like it t go.
- I decided to shop yesterday at Aldi, and I know the savings were substantial over shopping at either store in town (not Walmart). Form my neighborhood store, I estimated I save at least 1/3 or $60, and the added time was about 24 minutes round trip. Perhaps a bit less savings form the larger store, but the time difference would be only 12 minutes. Even if it cost a gallon of gas, or true wear and tear, I'm clearly ahead by at least $50. I can't see that we'll need much to the end of the month now, and if we do, I'll just top off locally. What I didn't like though is that I had to bag at my car, and I was not prepared for that.
- I've been looking for a better face/body lotion as my skin has become very patchy and dry. I received a free sample of one I wanted to try. It was OK, but not enough to spend the money on what the brand costs-even with the 15% discount. Free samples are great for helping you detemine if something will be a good enough buy.
I’m back to work so I’m definitely less productive at home than when I was furloughed. I don’t think there are any bargains to be had anywhere! My daughter turned 16 yesterday. we splurged on her and I don’t even mind. We got pedicures at our usual place and pizza from the bar down the road. At least we were supporting local. She also wanted an ice cream cake and I had some sticker shock over that. I went to Walmart early in the morning and found some small marked down bouquets to make a larger one. Her and her boyfriend love movies and went to the drive-in to see two classics-Jaws and Jurassic Park. They brought snacks but did buy popcorn. Tickets were $10 a person. They had a blast. We are contemplating the drive to a state park and walk the lakefront to at least feel like a vacation. We are starting to get in a rut, mask-fatigue is setting in but we still respectfully wear them. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteYesterday was the first time I was out of my house/cabin for more than 30 minutes and it was hot so the first the mask bothered me. I still will though as my daughter works two jobs and could be bringing home things wihtout even knowing it. We will splurge on an ice cream cake this weekend for Father's Day/ It will be a FG lunch as my daughter works the afternoon to close shift.
DeleteI don't have an ALDI near me and I haven't been to LIDL for ages (might go next week) but you're right, I reckon I save at least 30% when I shop at LIDL rather than my usual store.
ReplyDeleteIf it was jus time, I wouldn't worry as much about the grocery costs but three people three meals plus snacks, the extra adds up quickly on meat and produce and staples.
DeleteI think we will all see new norms before this is over. It's hard to be thrifty right now since we are unable to be in the stores to even look for good deals on necessary items. So, we do what we can here at home and hope we can make our lives better.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right, Belinda. Rahter than look for good deals, I'm looking to make healthy but lower cost meals and concentrting on not wasting. I'd like that to be part of anew normal.
DeleteI shopped at Aldi last Saturday for the first time since the virus shut everything down. Even with buying things needed for Ben's First Communion party Sunday I still spent $60 less than had been spending at Kroger. That was a huge eye opener and means I will be shopping there primarily now only running to Kroger for Bill's mountain dew and their loss.leaders.
ReplyDeleteI can't even put my finger on the whole and what is chaeper-just pennies, nickles and dimes on lots f items just really add up. I can get hummus for $2.49 at Aldi, or at least $3 and ofen closer toe $4 in town as an example. !2 grain bread at $1.69 and even the store brand 12 grain at $2.49. Produce is my big savings. Huge spinach bags for $.99 for a big win.
DeleteIn my case, thriftiness is more about what we do not do than what we do.
ReplyDeleteToday is a nice day--sunny but cool. I should get out and weed whack, but DH needs to put more line on the machine. I think that's my homage to thrift--he refuses to buy pre-rolled line, I refuse to roll the line. So, he rolls it...or not, as the case may be, and I whack the weeds. (I love that job!)
I fully understand how just having another person in the house can be disruptive. Any word on when you will be able to get back to your office? I know I've said this before, but I would feel so violated if my home had to double as my work space. My home is my sanctuary. I wasn't even totally o.k. with the kids' school Google meet cameras and microphones, (or whatever platform they used--there were several based on class.) Get the heck out of my house! Ever the joker, DD decided to floss her teeth on her last science Google meet class, using the camera as a mirror. Her science teacher took a screen cap, in which her mouth is wide open, head to the side, eyebrows arched, and said that epitomizes how he feels about the whole remote learning experience. No chance that we'll be back in fall, either. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Likley will not be opening up for regualr business until the end of summer, and then highly encouragn 2-3 days per week everyone ocntinue to telework to keep numbers in the building and touchng of shared items more minimal. We've been so successful accomplishing very complex work remothely, it is more the "feelings" and collegiality that would have us come in-not productivity. Your sotry with your daughtr is so funny. My daughter had some interesteing on-line sessions.
DeleteUsing the tennis rackets you bought is actually thrifty - so many don't use what they have and this has given you and your kids an outlet for fun and exersise. When you aren't out in the community every day it is tough to rack up the thriftiness but purely by being home not having a coffee out is being thrifty!
ReplyDeleteI think so too-but needs to be part of normal life, I actually didn't do too bad. My issue I am not agile or fast due to my knee, but for soft volleying back and forth, I can hold my own still. I also still have an OK serve so that felt good.
DeleteTry CeraVe. A jar goes a LONG way and it's amazing!!!!
ReplyDeleteThrifty? Still avoiding restaurants plus our CSA is on so we spend $0 on freshies now until October.
I'll look into that. I'm findng the Neutragena and Target version is starting to irritate my eyes-more sentive. Our garden is a bust, so I am looking forward to farmers markets and roadside stands.
DeleteIt is hard to come up with constant posts on thriftiness. But they do inspire others. I have been remiss lately as my mind has been elsewhere, although not spending has also been easier as we are moving and there will be no stocking up.
ReplyDeleteThe reminders about what we don't do as much as we do is good as well. Staying home, I'm not picking up a $3 cofee, but I have a $3 bag of coffee that get's me through two weeks.
DeleteI have never said on my blog, the original, that I was going to write exclusively about parsimony. I gave myself a broad area on which to write. I spent a lot of money on fabric which will save me money. I enjoy your blog as it is no matter the subject you choose.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard the word parsimony before your blog. It's a good word. Yes, my blog is sort of all over, but I think it is genrally aobut a thrifty lifestyle-trying to be free of extra baggage and wants.
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