Frugal Things

It's been more than awhile since I did one of these, so we'll see what I come up with!

1.  I got a rewards certificate from my favorite store (Christopher and Banks) for twenty dollars. I also got a call last week telling me that since I was considered a VIP during this weekend's friends and family sale, I would get fifty percent off everything. I ended up getting three spring tops, a pair of crop pants, and a long spring cardigan. I also took a trip to a local Clothes mentors consignment store. While I rarely find my kind of "spring" colors there in clothing, I do find many accessories including scarves and earrings for a couple bucks each.

2. I may have mentioned this elsewhere, but I sat in my studio/office and made a list of every craft item or tool I had, including yarn, paint, paint brushes and so on-as well as a list of partially completed projects. Then I made a large list of stuff I could make, or finish making with little to no additional supplies. I actually am low on fabric (although I have a whole pile of seasonal half yard cuts that I will turn into tote bags or something). I tend to do this something like quarterly. Since I've promised myself that this season I will take at lest one or two paid, fun craft classes a month, I'm trying to keep my craft inventory in some kind of check. (by the way, I didn't get to the flower class, so I'll try it myself. Instead I'm gonna try a painting on canvas or  glass painting class in the next week.

Although I will no longer be paying tuition for my son, I have his graduation issues to address, a daughter's wedding in the fall (I'll pay for the catering and her dress, there will be no showers and such), and a whole road trip in September. So I'm looking for ways to  amuse myself cheaply for the next few months.

3. I've been using my slow cooker to cook what may be non traditional slow cooker food with groceries bough on loss leader prices. I made slow cooker barbecued chicken thighs with a large family pack that cost five dollars (the trick is to put a small amount of barbecue sauce and cook them on high for about four hours. Then they end up being the really dark sticky skin thighs instead of just cooking in the sauce).  I did the same with Italian sausage and peppers. Both gave meals for two days at a very low price. I do a pile of summer cooking in my slow cooker (not just soups and stews) and will try to share pictures starting next week (boneless country ribs).

4. I've moved to mainly using Kroger Clicklist or Walmart Pickup or Walmart delivery for my groceries. I don't love walking the grocery aisles (even for produce). My experience with all three is that both the meat selections and the produce choices are very good. This avoids my habit of running up and down all the aisles, and adding things like large bags of sweet and salty nuts and such to my cart. They honor the sales flyers and take coupons. A win-win!

5. While I am not the plant whisperer/gardener/digger in the dirt as such, together we agreed that this year would mainly be maintenance in the three level back yard. For the last five years we have (she has) dug through weed barrier, created new gardens and seating areas, planted trees and done a great deal both in terms of labor and purchasing. Obviously we'll maintain the yard, and of course we will buy plants (many in pots to go on the large brick fireplace in the patio). Along with that, we will put off updating slowly failing no longer pretty pergola until fall. I'll get a shade to put over the top of it (we continue to be unable to decide whether to cover and fix it in place or turn the patio into an L shape and move the covered area there. No point in spending much until we've made this big decision).

6. My gal's group mainly makes an effort to lunch at places with many options $10 and under and our happy hours tend to be at places where the snacks are reasonable and those that just want a drink (or lemonade or iced tea) feel comfortable. However, I wanted to add some mainly free or even lower cost type items. So starting in May (if not sooner) I will be including easy walks that end with a coffee type get together, afternoon coffee and chats and plans for those who want to knit, sew, draw or craft.

7. I changed from my previous insurance to a Humana Advantage zero cost plan. My first experience with prescriptions is that 90 days of each of my drugs went down from ten dollars to two dollars. Believe my I'll take it. This new practice is a senior specific practice and so far I'm very pleased and will write at least one post about the experience when I get a chance.

8. I've mainly redone my budget. Both because of the lack of tuition payments and because of some lifestyle realities. I plan to share the whole thing in the next week or so, but let's just say it includes dedicated craft/hobby, dining out and entertainment, clothing, and "home comfort" categories. Part of the frugal budgeting process is knowing thyself and any extra in these categories (and I am sure there will be extra many months) will go into the "sinking fund at large". I have learned that I need dedicated categories for everything rather than a large spending fund.

9.  I spent $25 bucks to get the good car wash for the first time this year. Because part of getting a car to last to 2000 miles is to treat it well-both the mechanics and the interior and shell. My car's undercarriage and tires thank me, I am sure.

10. I was contacted by a local dental school student who needs patients. Since my needs are out of the ordinary, I will be a good fit. I've had some sort of dentures, bridgework, or device since I shattered my jaw and lost many teeth when I was eighteen. The combination of a woman with few teeth of her own,  who may need new dentures, who has a previously shattered jaw that occasionally gives off bone splinters and who has had so many dental procedures that she cries walking into a dentists office is too big a challenge to ignore. And obviously, it saves me a bunch of money-since we all know dental insurance, especially for seniors, sucks!!

Have you had any frugal maneuvers lately?  Happy Sunday all. Go Virginia!!