Thrifty Thursday-Local Resources

      I'm rarely out of town now, no real need to be unless for a specific purpose. I haven't even been in an Aldi in a month, but did go into Sam's Club and Trader Joe's but that's been nearly two weeks. I'm on a Use It Up Bender anyway, but even before February, I was using local resources more regularly. I can't see driving a ways for just a few items. Even entertainment has been very local. Happy Hour for the birthday crew and DH's Saturday off break were both at restaurants five minutes from our house. Tea meetup with my friend the exception, the brewery has been my farthest destination this month, a whopping five miles. I'm getting an appreciation for what is handy. It's often more expensive, but I know my money's supporting jobs in my community. I've found ways to be thrifty, even with the local resource mindset and beyond use it up menus.

• Used the library for a downloaded audio book for the first time. Next time, if I do for book club, I'll give myself a full week to listen, but I liked the process.
• DH had a two for one lunch deal at a local restaurant. It was a nice rare Saturday off work for him. 
• I'm sticking with the Earth Breeze laundry soap sheets. At the bimonthly delivery cost of $12 for 60 loads, I love not having massive plastic jugs. The detergent is good stuff too. I've been happy with results. It will be handy to bring a sheet travelling for any emergency handwashing and not worry about liquid or powder. This is not sponsored, I just am happy with product and think the concept is brilliant. (Though if you are  reading Earth Breeze, feel free to  send a few packets my way.)
• Speaking of laundry, I'm trying to reduce the number of loads and doing full loads rather than too many partial. That's hard for me because I hate seeing baskets or a pile of dirty clothes. I know though small loads are wasteful of water, energy, and product. Of course I hang dry sweaters, sweat shirts and other heavy items to either protect the life of the clothing or reduce drying time. I use the rods in my office closet or an interesting configuration in my small walk-in bedroom closet, layering hangers. Those socks are the Vox socks that are supposed to help with balance. Not sure I'm convinced, but following directions and not putting in dryer as they cost a small fortune I'm told by my SIL who gave them to me for my birthday.
  
  
  
• We're enjoying the Olympic events for free entertainment but holy moly NBC- do you think you sold enough advertising? So many commercials.
• DH was in a pastry mood on Sunday morning. I still had a tube of Trader Joe's cinnamon rolls in the refrigerator I had bought before Christmas so bakery run averted.*
• DH replaced the tub faucet through the help of YouTube and online guides. While the fittings were not cheap, his swearing was free.
• While I met my friend for tea, all other hot beverages for the week came from my kitchen. I think I've mastered the perfect home brewed cup of java with frothed milk. It wouldn't be a post from me if I didn't do the math at least once on a Thursday. The least expensive K cups for my Keurig were 40¢ a piece except for the few times I hit jackpot clearance, but they weren't my preferred flavors. I drink at least two a day, so 80¢. I did have my own refillable version, but honestly, never was rich enough so I'll use KCups for comparison. I buy store brand flavored for typically under $5 a 12 oz. bag, and it lasts two weeks with the amount I use to get that rich brew. Don't believe the package when it says 42 cups- that's just making brown water, 24 is closer. The equivalent KCup in the Keurig would be $11.20 ( but honestly, I wasn't spending that, I was just drinking weak coffee). Over the course of the year, my new Ninja saves potentially $148 over cheapest KCups. After the sale price, the 30% off, and Kohl's cash DH used, the coffee savings pays for the Ninja in a year. 

     I'll end my list on that so I don't send you all off the edge. Other than winter dragging, thrifty life has been good. I've had good company, entertainment, and meals I'd be proud to share with guests. I'm taking some sick time today to take my daughter to and from the oral surgery, then despite her telling me I don't need to, I plan to stay with her for the rest of the afternoon and evening. How have you all been fairing?

*Full disclosure; when DH got stuff to fix the tub faucet, he picked up deli meat, buns, and more cheese because he has was in the mood for a hot hoagie sandwich. He made himself one on Monday when he came home for lunch too.  Tuesday, he came home for lunch, but must have decided leftover soup, another sandwich, or leftover goulash from Monday or anything else we had didn't sound good. He went to Arby's. Oh well. I'll still have a low spend month, just not as low as I wanted perhaps. It's Ok, though as I can bring leftovers with to my daughters for my supper, and leave him to heat up his own plate. Anything left I'll put in the freezer as a ready meal for myself for a future lunch. I already froze a two cup container of the soup-even I'm getting tired of it after having for four meals, supper Sunday and lunch each day this week. When I do my self imposed challenges, I go in knowing DH will play along a bit, but will do his own thing as well.