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- Loaded receipts to Fetch, and had 60¢ in Ibotta earnings.
- Bought a ton of greeting cards still 2/$1 at Dollar Tree.
- I mentioned the $2 per pound flavored cheese curds. Darn, I wish we had bought more but it'll be a look everytime we pass that outlet.
- I avoided the craft fair and other vendors this past weekend. I'd have done some damage with my daughter if she knew her house asthetic, but she doesn't want to collect stuff that has to be stored. She's not spending extra money either.
- Speaking of daughter's house buying plan, she learned of an online class she can take that will shave 1/8 off an interest point of a loan. Amortized over 30 years, it will save her thousands. Or as she surmised, dinner out once per month! It's not free, but pays for itself her first 6 month of being a home owner.
- DD2 has a book buying habit- it's her vice. But, she found beautiful copies of a few classics. She spent less than many girls her age spend in a single top or bottom at the mall. She'd rather have books than new clothes.
- My daughter made oatmeal treats for pup. Cheaper and healthier for him. Both are still not 100%, but feeling much better.
- Cooked up a pound of pinto beans, made 1/2 into refried beans that put canned to shame. I probably should think of electricity and spice use too, but I'm sure these cost less than 1/2 per serving even at Aldi priced 69¢ beans. We used for loaded nacho night, and lunch leftovers. I'm trying to use dry beans more, I just need to plan ahead but price and taste are far superior. When it cools a bit, the frozen will go in chili.
- I'll say what I didn't buy. I thought it was a misprint in the sign. Ranier cherries, $13.99 a pound! Even the other variety was $5.99. Apparently we are going to miss cherry's this year.
As I stocked up last Friday, I just bought a few top off items through the week. Now my pantry is well enough for meal making, but also can look to stocking up on loss leaders, should there be any. It's not just in the grocery department this works. DH needs tshirts, socks, and underwear so I'm looking to buy items go on sale, layering other discounts if possible. What loss leaders are you finding, if any? Are you in eating down or stocking up mode?
Wow on the price of cherries in your area. I'm glad I was able to get the local sweet cherries at a much better price. I just wish I would have gotten more to freeze.
ReplyDeleteI'm always in stock up mode. I get a bit nervous anytime we get a little low on items we regularly use. I've always been that way.
I have one bag of jalapenos to use over the next week or two from last years garden because it will soon be time for this years.
The cherries looked good, but even at $5.99 there were so many other fruit options.
DeleteThe only thing I found for me this week was bogo on Miracle Whip. I ran out and paid $6.49 for a jar after doing without for a week. It was a sad week. So, now I will buy a few jars, how many depending on the best by date.
ReplyDeleteI have found fruit to be very expensive and not good quality. I have not gotten cherries, though.
Books tempt me more than clothes, too.
That's a premium price for MW but if it's rare, I'm glad you bought something that makes your food enjoyable.
DeleteI'm a voracious reader, and finally subscribed to Kindle Unlimited. My local library just doesn't have enough inventory for me, and Kindle Unlimited is about the cost of one book/month. I read at least 10x that, so they are losing money on me. ;-) I'm not a big subscription fan, but this is one that I get the most enjoyment out of. We don't have Netflx (I occasionally subscribe for one season of something, & then cancel), because this is my favorite. We don't watch TV, almost ever.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool class for your older daughter! And, love that the younger daughter is more into books than clothes. I am definitely the same.
I'm sorely tempted by the Kindle Unlimited too as they seem to have such a good selection.
DeleteWe're still hard book people. I like the idea of books ina tablet but now with all work screen time, physical books are a comfort.
DeleteI used to read a lot. We all did, particularly my eldest. A trip to the book store was his "allowance." Our first house actually had built-in bookshelves, which ran the length of the front door, through the hallway to the kitchen, stopping only for the washer and dryer behind the bi-fold doors. While it was not my favorite house we looked at, THAT was the reason we chose the house. Somehow, I have lost my way. With each move, partcularly this one, (Aug. 3) I have drastically limited our library. At one point my den, in my 1,800 sf house had one 12 ft wall devoted only to bookcases, and each kid had at least one book case in his room. No more. Now, we will make do with one, 35 inch, 6 foot tall case. I wish the other kids were avid readers, but really, only DD, and not that often. Although, when she does read, the world outside her book ceases to exist. I think the lack of proximity to book stores has had a hand in our slacking off. We do love our library, but it's not quite the same as a book store. Although, trips to thrift shops with Would-Be-College-Boy always take forever because he has to look at books.
ReplyDeleteAs for groceries...I failed at using it up, and am dreading the freezer move. I have 4 coolers to toss stuff in the day of the move, where they will stay until the movers set up the freezer..and I don't think 4 will be enough! Problem is, I'm so busy shuttling the smaller stuff from here to there that I haven't cooked!
My girls will have no furniture other than book cases at first, lol. She'd love your house with the wall of books. I want to narrow our collection, but hers are hers
DeleteEating down or stocking up? We eat every day. I only buy when I find a really good price. So, I suppose I do both. I won't ever turn down a fantastic deal because I am trying to eat down. And, I will not ever buy because a food is available and regular price out of fear it will soon disappear or a catastrophe will strike. I also may change my mind about these mind sets.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you just say you bought MW for over $6? I don't buy it but that so maybe that's average. But as you say, you're mind can change in self rules. Mine do all the time.
DeleteI just made 3 potato cakes from the leftover mashed potatoes I had with my meat loaf. I absolutely LOVE air conditioning and can’t imagine not using it. I never turn my heat on so I figure I can be piggish with my cool air. I think I’m one of the few not stocking up/ on good- probably my age. I’ve never not been able to feed my family or myself and am not worried about low supplies or prices. My clients all have access to pantries and I advise them to use their SNAP for meat and cheese. I just gave one guy a loaf of bread and a package of Aldi processed cheese to make grilled cheese. He also has PB but spends his SNAP on frozen foods like pizza that isn’t on sale. We also have churches that serve dinners a few nights a week outdoors in a central location but too hot now. They do take out also. Reading. We all love it- I journal all my books and am on book 88 for the year. I quit buying books except for Book of the Month club and also keep a hold list at the library. I just reread one of my favorites A Beloved Country and am reading a debut novel now Black Cake. Nan
ReplyDeleteI actually don't like AC, so as soon as humidity or very high temps are done, I open windows. DH and I disagree in this. He too loves air. I too have always been able to feed my family but there's been tight times too. Some food banks have hard and firm rules, but often surplus of items like bread products so I think your steering your clients to use SNAP for things less likely to get at free sources is smart.
DeleteI am an avid stocker upper. Then in times like this when the weekly ads are pretty bleak, I don't have to shop for anything except salad or slaw produce. As soon as someone has something we use regularly at a good sales price I will be there and buy a lot of it.
ReplyDeleteI've never had an empty pantry, but have gotten creative. I want to stick up better to help others too. It's nice to be able to just stop for fresh food and not a real shop weekly. A great advantage of stocking up.
DeleteThanks for the shout out! $13.99 a pound, Yikes. That would be like a $1 a cherry. I just pulled out 1/2 a bag of chicken tenders from the freezer to use. They were free a couple of months ago from food bank as I would never buy them but make my own. It is so nice to be able to just pull food for dinner and not have to worry about the cost.
ReplyDeleteThose cherries made my eyes pop out! I'm so glad your bank gets surplus out in the community beyond financial need. Folks like you who regularly cook and provide hot meals for others stretch and get expand the food banks mission.
DeleteBooks are my Achiles heel. Thank goodness for the library! Arilx
ReplyDeleteShe goes there 2-3 times a week too!
DeleteYour book-buying daughter is a girl after my own heart. I'm trying so hard to declutter but came to a resounding stop the other day when it came to my books!
ReplyDeleteOf all the vices, books don't harm a soul!
DeleteI relate well to your daughters book buying love. I, too, love to read and if I don't have a stack of TBR books, I get nervous. Most I purchase used and I do re read my books. Then, if not kept for long term, are donated to our local library. After being diligent about most expenses, we have accepted that gas and food are currently our biggest ones. Since my husband has to drive 85 miles RT, for his job, that expense is not easy to adjust. And we purchase most of our food from Aldi but even their prices have gone up and sometimes the quality is lacking, especially with fresh produce. I still do some stock piling, but we stock what we eat, so keep things rotated and use regularly. Some items are more likely to be used during the colder months vs now, but they will be used. I also keep extra items on hand for my dad who is in assisted living. Assisted living is not for sissies. Very expensive. But he's very close to us so visiting every week is not difficult to do. So,still a blessing. I do see more ideas for recession and frugal cooking popping up. Can't say I've tried them myself but wouldn't be above considering it. Today was fried potatoes (getting very wrinkley and needed to be used) with kielbasa medallion cut pieces and onion. Also had a sliced cuke with sour cream dressing to "cut the grease" although it wasn't really too greasy. Used olive oil and a bit of butter for some added flavor. All stove top, so didn't heat up the kitchen. Ranee
ReplyDeleteYour potato and kielbasa meal is one of my favorites. Why ai don't do that more often is silly. She likes used books, new, library, just books!! I want to better shop to help others too. My niece struggles time to time and it's nice to help her out. I want to donate for church meals that provide hot and nutritious meals in the community. Stocking up will help have resources readily available.
DeleteThe loss leaders are not so good here either. It’s rare for me to find anything to stock up on, so I do it with what we need at these higher prices. It’s good to have a stockpile for when we fall on hard times and don’t have money to buy food. I’m currently in use it up mode, which is a good thing to get all the stuff used up that we have.
ReplyDeleteStocking but but over paying isn't helpful is it? Dry beans have been a real budget help, plus the taste is better so I ll likely get multiple bags even if not on sale.
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