Thrifty Thursday-Piggy Back Post

     

     I did type piggy back, not piggy bank in the title. That's because I want to pick up on Frugal Gal's post earlier in the week. Her post titled Is it frugal to get cheap treats? resonated with me. Trying to be thrifty with our dollars isn't about hoarding masses, but being able to afford life and the nice things that make us and others happy. So while so much of what I and many of us do when we save money on something isn't contributing to our bottom line, it may give buying power for a happy indulgence. 

     I like to think any side hustle is going to the simple pleasures in life. I earmark these perks, give them a destination, like the hammock with my June Adsense payment, for example. I like to use a coupon for the occasional BOGO on a Culver's Concrete mixer frozen custard even though it would be just as frugal to just buy a pint of ice cream, or more so to do without. But then I don't get the salty, crunchy sweet mix of Snickers and Reese's crushed and swirled in the creamy goodness. So in the spirit of frugality and thriftiness to enhance life, here's a few little wins for the week.

• Our friends had extra club house seating tickets so we didn't have to pay more than general admission. DH set a limit to what he'd bet at the horse track, and we actually came home $13.25 above. Of course we had food and drinks, but portions were good and prices were not over the top. It's a bit of a drive so I'd say it's a one time a year outing, but sure was fun.
• Used red lentils my daughter had, plus pantry and produce we already had for the Sloppy Joe recipe. I froze half for a future meal. OK, I get it. This recipe might not be for everyone, but what's life without a little experimenting?
• Served corn twice, then will cut the remainder off the Cobb and freeze for fall for corn chowder. Oh, that will be lush on a cool Sunday afternoon with home baked bread. 
• As DH was less keen on Monday's meatless meal, I used burgers found in the freezer and 49¢ a pound baking potatoes to make beefy burgers and steak fries on Tuesday. Why thrifty? This staved him off wanting to take himself out for a big burger meal, and my estimate this homemade meal was just over $2 a person, compared to even a fast food BK Whopper and fries on coupon for more than double. As my older daughter had a veggie wrap, there was even a burger left for him to eat for lunch yesterday, so twice averted his bad take out habit.
• I did  a survey for a $3 credit on Amazon. Likely this will go towards a book club book if not found in the library.
• Free to us entertainment was the music by the river (tip jar though) and assorted streaming shows. 
• Bananas at  29¢ a pound and frozen fruit has been our stand in as we're between fresh local stuff right now. 
• I got back logged on ms rewards, but caught up and also earned a few Ibotta pennies, and loaded receipts to Fetch.
• With the heat back, I'm avoiding the oven but used air fryer, microwave, stove, and crockpot. 
• Kwik trip still had $2.99 70-30 hamburger and taco meat so I bought both. I also got a few other basics there, saving a trip to the grocery store across town or the expensive one close by.  
• I shopped last night since trivia was a no go. I definitely did not squeak by, but should be able to get to next weekend with just minimal additions. I'm bound and determined to rein in the eating out this month. 
• I found the five subject notebook for DD2, and grabbed pens, mechanical pencils, and post it notes. That's all she should need for school this semester. No sale, but I avoided the stress of trying to find things closer to her leaving. 
• I received an anniversary bonus Kohl's cash of $5 plus 30% coupon. I have ideas of high wants, bordering on needs to apply both to, bath towels and jeans for DD2. DD1 has a few things she wants replaced too. It starts 8/5 to 8/11, so we'll plan accordingly to maximize. 

     Like most weeks, no big ticket wins, but little economies that give us cushion to splurge on the occasional treat. Do you rewards yourself with coupons or windfalls? Do you splurge on bogo items just because one is free, when normally you'd pass? Importantly, do you like your frozen custard with Snickers and Reese's or are you just wrong?