This Week's Frugal Accomplishments
I strive to make frugal choices each and every week. The lower our expenses are, the more realistic it is for me to stay home with our daughter. Here are the accomplishments from this week:
Picked up some rabbit 'treats' at Petco for free with a $5 reward they did as a giveaway in December. I also gave the rabbits some pine cones to chew - free from our yard. They are $5 for three (yikes!) at the pet store.
I've been playing the King Sooper 'pop the balloon' game on their site, and I won a dollar in store credit. I bought about a pound of broccoli and a gallon of milk. I also have some Rx rewards (store credit) for transferring a prescription, so Ididn't pay anything out of pocket. In addition, I used a coupon to get a free tube of toothpaste that was on sale.
I used coupons to get some 'breakfast bowls' free. It's not a product we've ever bought, becaue we could just make them at home, but for free, we'll take them.
Apples were .49 a pound, so I stocked enough for the next couple weeks. I got some other produce too (radishes, cucumber, lettuce, etc.), plus we still have oranges and celery that are good from the previous week. I also took advantage of some loss leaders I had coupons for and bought vanilla yogurt for half off. I have $5.50 of the $20 weekly budget left, and I brought home 6 bags of groceries.
Planned the upcoming menu from our pantry and the produce I got on sale this week.
We went to Goodwill and my husband found a like-new pair of rubber boots that fit our daughter just right - meaning, they are a little too big and should fit for a while. She wears them out in our 'barnyard', so they will get plenty of use. Just over $2 for those, and I picked up a glass storage container for hot roll mix ($1.99), an antique glass container that is in the same 'family' as one my mother gave me (1.59) and a glass measuring cup for 59 cents.
I had three more responses to my online requests for yarn for the prayer shawl ministry. We have been blessed with enough yarn so far to fill two laundry baskets level full. I will be picking up more today.
I made hot roll mix to have on hand for convenience. I also made some 'pumpkin' pecan muffins to use up some sweet potatoes that were left over from a meal. They are a hit!
I've increased my water intake significantly, which means I am drinking a LOT less soda. I love soda. Water, not so much, but I have made it a goal and it is going well. Saves money and leads to better health too.
I made popcorn so that it was available for snacking. This cuts down the pretzel/chip consumption. Popcorn is a lot healthier (I make it on the stove top with limited oil and control the salt too) and it's a whole grain, after all. It's also much more affordable.
We had leftovers for lunch, as was planned.
I used items I had on hand to make some everyday cards and thank-you cards. They are pretty, and there was no current cash outlay for them.
I used the 'waste' paper from some printed coupons for list making and notes to myself.
Heated with firewood this week as needed. We also wore warm clothes so that we don't go through so much firewood.
Hung clothes to dry instead of using the dryer.
Borrowed materials from the library for free instead of purchasing/renting books, movies, etc. This saves us a lot every week.
Put soap slivers into a knee high nylon so they can still be used. It's ugly, but it works.
What are your frugal accomplishments this week?
Shared at:
Picked up some rabbit 'treats' at Petco for free with a $5 reward they did as a giveaway in December. I also gave the rabbits some pine cones to chew - free from our yard. They are $5 for three (yikes!) at the pet store.
I've been playing the King Sooper 'pop the balloon' game on their site, and I won a dollar in store credit. I bought about a pound of broccoli and a gallon of milk. I also have some Rx rewards (store credit) for transferring a prescription, so Ididn't pay anything out of pocket. In addition, I used a coupon to get a free tube of toothpaste that was on sale.
I used coupons to get some 'breakfast bowls' free. It's not a product we've ever bought, becaue we could just make them at home, but for free, we'll take them.
Apples were .49 a pound, so I stocked enough for the next couple weeks. I got some other produce too (radishes, cucumber, lettuce, etc.), plus we still have oranges and celery that are good from the previous week. I also took advantage of some loss leaders I had coupons for and bought vanilla yogurt for half off. I have $5.50 of the $20 weekly budget left, and I brought home 6 bags of groceries.
Planned the upcoming menu from our pantry and the produce I got on sale this week.
We went to Goodwill and my husband found a like-new pair of rubber boots that fit our daughter just right - meaning, they are a little too big and should fit for a while. She wears them out in our 'barnyard', so they will get plenty of use. Just over $2 for those, and I picked up a glass storage container for hot roll mix ($1.99), an antique glass container that is in the same 'family' as one my mother gave me (1.59) and a glass measuring cup for 59 cents.
I had three more responses to my online requests for yarn for the prayer shawl ministry. We have been blessed with enough yarn so far to fill two laundry baskets level full. I will be picking up more today.
I made hot roll mix to have on hand for convenience. I also made some 'pumpkin' pecan muffins to use up some sweet potatoes that were left over from a meal. They are a hit!
I've increased my water intake significantly, which means I am drinking a LOT less soda. I love soda. Water, not so much, but I have made it a goal and it is going well. Saves money and leads to better health too.
I made popcorn so that it was available for snacking. This cuts down the pretzel/chip consumption. Popcorn is a lot healthier (I make it on the stove top with limited oil and control the salt too) and it's a whole grain, after all. It's also much more affordable.
We had leftovers for lunch, as was planned.
I used items I had on hand to make some everyday cards and thank-you cards. They are pretty, and there was no current cash outlay for them.
I used the 'waste' paper from some printed coupons for list making and notes to myself.
Heated with firewood this week as needed. We also wore warm clothes so that we don't go through so much firewood.
Hung clothes to dry instead of using the dryer.
Borrowed materials from the library for free instead of purchasing/renting books, movies, etc. This saves us a lot every week.
Put soap slivers into a knee high nylon so they can still be used. It's ugly, but it works.
What are your frugal accomplishments this week?
Shared at:
Comments
Hey---if you've got time, I'd love it if you would come over to the Farm Girl Blog Fest and share this post.
You inspire me, Laura, and I know that what you share would inspire others as well!
I also have given up soda, have not had a soda since christmas day. I did have one all natural cream soda, but it was all natural ingredients so I do not feel guilty, and it was just one :) I found your blog through The Prudent Homemaker and love your site!
Thank you
Popcorn is one of my favorite snacky treats. My daughter and I will sometimes have popcorn and apples as a light lunch - especially if she's been reading Farmer Boy from the Little House on the Prairie series. :)