What's the old saying, " You get what you get and don't throw a fit"? I guess it would be pronounced "git" to get the rhyme right. That's the lane I'm living in now. We're trying to make do, no, appreciate, what we already got. That's as thrifty as it gets I suppose. It's hard for me to justify purchases for things that won't be used often, or truly enjoyed. I looked on Monday with an eye to getting a new sweater to wear Thanksgiving. Nothing appealed to me. If it was colors I liked, the fit was cropped. If the fit was how I liked, the colors or styling was just off. I bought nothing. I took another look in my closet and eyed a few things that have not been worn in ages. Practically new to me.
I didn't make dinner yesterday. Between leftovers from Sunday- Tuesday, things needed eating up. DH didn't even complain. We're just two people. Of course there's going to need to be leftover nights. I don't feel deprived at all, just practical. Here's a few other little things on how we practiced thrift.
- The warm temps means we're saving energy not heating or cooling the house. When I was chilled, I put a cardigan on and fuzzy slippers socks.
- Used coupon for gas. Gave daughter an unlimited gas coupon for 5¢ per gallon for the station she fills up at. That can save her over $30 for the year.
- Keep using old socks and other discards for busy toys for the puppy. He can destroy them just as well as the $6 a pop toy.
- Booked DH for his flu and Covid booster right in town for this morning. I know technically not free, but nothing out of our pocket.
- Trivia was fun, all for just tip money as we had winnings from last week. We earned $20 to go towards next bill by placing second.
- Free entertainment this weekend was Hallmark movies and football.
- Bought greeting cards 2 for$1 at Dollar Tree and even found ones not seen before.
- As I reuse my fall decorations year to year, and not much specifically Halloween, my pumpkins and harvest still look nice to greet us when we come up the walk.
- I did not buy or even stop to look at Halloween clearance food or decor. I'm with Vix. We don't need so much crap or tat as she calls it, for each change of season or holiday.
- Rather than buy a new leesh, as puppy chewed through handle part, we swapped out with one from pup. We had spares and eventually he'll need a stronger one anyway.
- Other than bratwursts after church Sunday, our dinners and all my lunches were from home. DH still stops out a lot, but does come home at least once a week.
I went to a matinee with a couple of girlfriends and got the senior discount - does that count? We saw a sappy movie (Ticket to Paradise) that none of our husbands wanted to see, so that was a plus, too!
ReplyDeleteIt counts in my book. If the weather had not been so summer like, I'd have opted for a movie.
DeleteI just read a blurb on a local news app that had some winter savings tips. Most were common sense and some downright silliness. The Today show currently has a segment on Smart Shopping and it also seems like a lot of filler. I had a nice little bonus on my last check and put it towards my Christmas gift to me-a new phone. Not a fancy one, just a upgrade from my iPhone 7 with a terribly cracked screen and no storage. It was half price so I splurged on the liquid glass screen protector. Not frugal I suppose, but in line with my thoughtful spending mantra. Also got an early Christmas gift for DD. Walmart has some Black Friday deals already and I got her a stick vac for her dorm. If we have to purchase things, might as well wait until the right time to find the best price. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteMost of those tips are just for filler, but I suppose someone will learn something new. Congratulations on the bonus. I have the freebie phone that came with our plan commitment. It works for my needs, but I bdo think cell phones are no longer luxury. Maybe certain models but a basic one is just a need.
DeleteWe're settling in, after being on vacation. I"m honestly having a harder time than normal. We came back to a lot of chaos at work, and plenty going on at home.
ReplyDeleteWe've been trying to use up food on hand, menu plan, I sold an item on eBay, just the normal stuff. Nothing particularly thrilling this week.
I'm sorry re-entry has been hard. Even more reason to enjoy every minute of time off. I need to figure out smaller meals. Even I'm sick of leftovers.
DeleteEveryone talks about these gas coupons, and I have never even seen any or heard anyone around here talk about them. We could use them! Once again this week, I see no great deals. It is frustrating. The only deals are half-price candy right now, but I would eat all of it. I did find a bag of coleslaw with yesterday's date when I shopped yesterday and made it for dinner last night. It was still very fresh, and for $.98, I was happy. I saw a can of chili on the shelf, and Tommy dug hotdogs from the freezer, so the meal was delicious, cheap, and easy.
ReplyDeleteYou may need to sign up for mobile texts like from places like Circle or BP. Gas is local so not sure what you have.
DeleteYay to turning your back on tat, always a money saver!
ReplyDeleteLike you, we haven't put the heating on yet and are keeping warm with charity shopped jumpers and fluffy socks. Long may it last!
Have a fantastic weekend away with the girls, you deserve it! xxx
We had it on a few days early in the month when several days were below freezing. There's a point it's too cold. I'm really excited to get away even for a night.
DeleteAt our house we say “ you get what you get and you don’t get upset” , it gets used frequently.
ReplyDeleteI picked up some specials, both meat and fruit and veg, that freed up some space in the budget to buy some household cleaning supplies to stash away for Christmas when things will get tight.
Enjoy your sisters weekend. Megan
I'm going to be trying to find stash away items as I can as well. We didn't need an additional $500 plumber bill, but besides the leek, he fixed an annoyance in both bathroom toilets that DH has "fixed" multiple times. Things already feel tuft as I'm preparing for his retirement date. I'd like to scale back Christmas complete in terms of giving and receiving gifts.
DeleteI say what my parents used to say, which is from an old recruiting commercial, "Tell it to the Marines." The rains have finally arrived here, along with colder temperatures, low 40's. We have lit the woodstove, and are enjoying watching the flames. Today, I also made my Christmas fruitcakes, filled with lots of rum soaked, dried candied fruit. They are in the oven now, and smell lovely. Problem is, they need 3 - 31/2 hours at 250 degrees Fahrenheit, which means, sin e I started so late, (2:30p.m. PDT) my oven won't be available for dinner! Youngest offered to order a pizza, but I think egg sandwiches sound even better for a cold, rainy day...I guess that is appreciating what I have/frugal.
ReplyDeleteOh your fruitcakes! I look forward to reading about when you start and then feed them. Such a great tradition. Tell it to the Marines works for me. Though, I'm even getting sick of leftovers. The last should be one of our lunches today.
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