I had a few money goals this week shared already, and the ability to be thrifty on things we need and want is a strategy. I also want to focus on my use of time, being productive, and use of resources. I'll try to start capturing again in these three buckets as I used to.
This is a short list of thrift for the week- there was just not much to measure. But being conscious of how I'm using time, resources, and money is important.
Time
- Used free text alerts to learn about son's flight cancellation. It helped in being able to plan the night rather than waiting to hear from our son.
- He used his laptop and headphones for free entertainment to kill many hours on his 24 hour delay. Plus, he walked to the airport from his hotel, getting both exercise in advance of the three hour trip, killing time while doing so.
Resources
- Used up odd vegetables in a pasta dish
- Scrubbed floors using swifter and old towels cut in strips. I like to do this in between my full mop and bucket scrubs, but don't like the waste of the disposable cloth heads.
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Money
- Did a practical grocery run, just essentials and a few loss leaders, before the snow storms.
- Loaded receipts in Fetch.
- Played MS Rewards for points towards gift certificates
- Loaded TMobile free Redbox voucher, good for the week. It may or may not be used, but a nice option if there's something we want to either check out at a kiosk or stream for waved fee.
The cost of the motel, additional meals, and wasted day of his trip was not thrifty. But, I am so grateful my son was not stranded in the airport and arrived here safe last night. One more kid to go and this mom will be very happy. Did you have any thrifty wins?
I'm so glad he made it in the end and as you say, just one more to go and all will be well with the world. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteShe's in the last plane now. We'll have a good weekend.
DeleteI’m so happy for you that your son is home! I uploaded all my receipts, paid off the two credit cards I used over Christmas, used Kohls cash to buy DD some hand towels, meal planned for the rest of the week, found 11 cents while I was out and about, found a check for $35 while I was cleaning out my purse and cashed that yesterday. The weather was mild for a few days so energy use was down and I took advantage of that to vacuum out my Jeep and tidy it up. I really got a lot done yesterday while I was off. I’m kinda proud of my time management and not wasting my day. With Christmas behind us, I don’t have that constant work pressure on me and I feel lighter. Even though we have two huge projects going on simultaneously (that we are crushing, btw) and our new DM quit before he even started lol. I watched a bit of the Minnesota Wild game last night on TNT and they showed so many snowy shots of the city. It looked very pretty, but you can keep it :) JoAnn
ReplyDeleteWe're still nothing compared to the Buffalo area. We laugh at the complainers on Facebook about plows. I logg d in for two hours and think I got more accomplished than some do on a whole Friday. Being productive and intentional with my time is a priority this year.
DeleteGreat job on the Time element. Time is equally valuable as money, and if I can save time on a task, I save.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I've been lax in appreciating that we all have a limited amount of time, and it's up to us to make the most of it.
DeleteI am glad you son is home for a visit! I am finishing my first week of no-spend January. Well, sort of...I did do some grocery shopping to the tune of $60, (loss leaders, and I won't shop anymore this month unless there is a huge meat sale) before having dental work to the tune of $700. But, that is why I do no spend months. I haven't poked around thrift shops, ordered anything online, or felt the urge to eat out. I am probably going to nix our Netflix subscription later today, as we haven't watched anything on it other than re-watching "El Camino" on New Year's. To that end, one son hooked up a DVD/VCR player to our t.v.. Shortly after Christmas, he and I wandered into a thrift shop, and found two VHS tapes, BBC's "The Secret Garden" and "Shakespeare in Love," listed at $0.29/each. (I should have asked for them to be free, actually, but the money does go to charity.) DH and I are planning to watch the latter this weekend. We saw it years ago when it came out in theaters.
ReplyDeleteI'll be starting low spend next weekend, through February. I want to enjoy their time, then really think through how we plan our money. We want an overnight away, plus will start a card club in February, but otherwise, no unnecessary spending.
DeleteSo happy you are getting time with your son! Fingers crossed your daughter's travel is smooth & easy.
ReplyDeleteWe spent more than expected on our ski trip (moved to a hotel earlier than planned vs condo) & that added a large expense, but was worth it because the weather was just incredible - so much snow, & it made the driving really dangerous. We had a great time, and now will need to be very frugal to get back on track!
Cherish your time as a family. I know it adds up quick though. Smart to think about where ground can be made up.
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