Friday, May 22, 2020

Frugal Friday-Frugal (And Spendy) Things




Around here, the thrift shops have finally started to open and in some cases pick up as well as dropping off. I've spent part of my at home time going through things and am sure I'm not the only one with bags to say good bye to-especially since I'm looking ahead to things that won't move and so on. I plan to go through each bag a second time to see if there are things that I can craft with, or regret letting go, or that maybe a family member would want, and then call the DAV and schedule a pickup of all the bags that have made a home in the corner of my bedroom.

Let's see if I can come up with the frugal (and spendy) things happening lately around Casa Barb:
  1. The grocery budget has come mainly under control. While we haven't quite met our hundred buck maximum a week (I suspect the seventy-five dollar goal may be on hold for more than awhile), we've come very close the last couple weeks. With the understanding that if we have to pay more for meat or go to non-traditional sources we are fine with that. I've just done my freezer pantry inventory (updated above with the planned meals) and so we are moving along. I'm going to start posting a "what we ate" menu as part of Friday's post. I won't have a "plan" post because we don't plan a week in advance round here. We shop for the freezer and pantry and pull out a day in advance or two.
  2. I have a windshield crack all along the bottom of my windshield. It was a ding that I didn't fix in time (there is lots of construction between here and Dallas and I tend to be of the "It's just gonna happen again next time", philosophy) which turned into a windshield wide cracked condition. I finally called Safelite and was thrilled to find that the total cost of said repair will be covered by my car insurance. A nice surprise since I was unaware I had windshield coverage.
  3. On the spending side, I've had the shipping from those clothing boxes, and purchases of two items so far. I also purchased a pile of fabrics to make two sets of mix and match napkins and placemats (and perhaps potholders or other things as well). I won't know how the cost of these will compare to store purchased until completed (not thrift shopping at the moment), but I do know they will be the exact color, style and thickness and will match the dishes where ever I go.
  4. As part of my saving goals, I made a master list of wants and needs, which is fairly short, really, and again posted in the tabs above for accountability. With moving being four to six months out ( and a small possibility of earlier), I am loath to purchace too many things for the house, although throw pillows and a proper stand for my patio umbrella probably fall into that category. As does some kind of new vacuum before the current one explodes into oblivion.
  5. Also as part of said saving goals, I went through the monthly expenses. While there were a couple eliminations, I'm not feeling too guilty about my subscription status. Paying for Hulu, Netflix, Prime and an online course doesn't seem too terrible when I'm not spending money on gas, movies, dining out, happy hours and my normal entertainment quota! To date other than those clothing purchases, spending beyond food has mainly included craft and sewing items needed to finish current working projects and the rare treat like my Godiva box, so I feel on the right track.

Today I am working on cards for the elderly, some sewing, and starting a new book, as well as enjoying the outdoors. Someone else is again planting and watering, after making her fifth trip of the week to get more plants and/or dirt and even some small yard art, bless her energetic heart. Happy Weekend all!


Meals we've had this week (only six because of multiple leftovers), which we also had for lunch, except when I had a sandwich. While we don't necessarily eat alot f meat, we do plan menus round it even if we only have one chicken thigh or part of a breast:

Oven barbecued chicken thighs with biscuits (the only way to do this is to cook them at at least four hundred degrees. Then they get the "barbecue" finish without all the liquid at the bottom. Salad, fruit, vegetables

Spaghetti with sausage and sauce, salad and bread

Hamburgers with buns and all the fixings, including avocado.

Ham and potato casserole-its actually called loaded baked potato casserole and I found it on the $100 a month website and will try to link it later.  Vegetables and fruit

Stacked Buritto Casserole (purchased). Sides of choice from leftovers

Top Sirloin Steak with mashed potatoes and fresh broccoli and fresh fruit.

18 comments:

  1. I love your sister's energy and flowers. I think I might see if the vacuum will last, leave it behind, and order one to arrive at your place as you move. I agree that the things you make will match, no matter where you live.

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    1. The vacuum will, unfortunately not last. The dog hair has killed it and the motor is on it's way......

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    2. I saw a vacuum advertised "for pet hair." I am not sure if it is any better than another for pet hair. But, you might investigate. I received a free vac that would not suck. I cleaned out the metal pipe part and hose attached, the part where the hose hooked to vacuum and it was good as new. I never used it, but gave it away.

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  2. You sound content and looking forward to the future. No small accomplishment!

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  3. I wish I could get my grocery spending under control. I know I'm in hoarder mode but I can't seem to stop feeling food insecure when I'm really not.

    You ssure have a niche for staying busy with an assortment of stuff.

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    1. I just told my sister this evening that I have shocked myself by how content I am feeling. Which probably means I was massively over extended. Plus which I had no travel. I landed until late fall. So I'm not feeling the woe is me depression that many others are. Yet. Mind you. Yet.

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  4. I never thought I could get enough spaghetti . . . until Covid lockdown hit week 10!

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    1. Oh dear, that's alot of spaghetti. we actually dont eat it that often, Im more into pottoes and rice than pasta.

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  5. I think I may have gotten my food budget under control...though there is still a bit of month to go I'm pretty sure what's left will cover what's needed in the next week. Fingers crossed! I know it is because we're eating far more meals at home, my son being off work has put a dent in the supplies. I'm happy to feed him decent meals and have been trying different recipes.

    Our thrift stores have opened up as well, though I'll wait a bit before I shop. I do have a couple of boxes of donations to drop off though.

    Take care and stay well!

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    1. I may go the let them come and pick it up route, since our local good will is asking people to pull it ut of bags and put it in the proper bin.

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  6. We
    ve been trying to keep pasta to no more than two meals a week. I'd eat way too much if we didn't, since it I often reheated for lunch. It will feel good to have good clean out of things/

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  7. I enjoy your "what we ate" feature!

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  8. We are spending ZERO on entertainment, meals out, hair trims,nail appts,thrift stores,craft supplies, travel, etc. . but I am still stocking up on staples from the grocery so my grocery bill is a bit out of control.I feel there is going to be a second wave and maybe even another period of lock down.. but who knows? So I am still loading up on canned goods, and my freezer is filled to the gills. I tend to overstock groceries and now is no different. It’s all stuff we will eat, pandemic or not.Canned and dry beans,brown rice, fruits. Dish detergent,laundry soap, hand soap,shampoo, tomato sauce,pasta,etc... We are going to a few places in nature to stay sane so we are putting a little gas in the car, after almost 3 months of not. Just wishing for things to go back to normal, but feeling it’s a ways off yet....

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    1. I actualy expec two more periods of lock down, which is why I'm unsure how to deal with all the Texas stuff. Im considering pedicures, hair, church and any dining in as high risk. I do need craft supplies, some clothes and at home entertainment. I do wish for the first time that I had large upright freezer, but then again I'm moving to a two bedroom apartmentk and Ill be lucky if I can have one of those minus two feet square ones.

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  9. I kind of wish I had a small chest freezer,too.I have a friend who ordered one in California, and she will take delivery in SEPTEMBER!! Yes,I am wondergin how Arizona will fare with our FAST reopening.. we may have another lock down BEFORE that second autumn surge.But Arizonans apear rabid about gettin gout there (without masks,often..) and I doubt they would tolerate another lock down.. who knows what is next?

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  10. I have been decluttering since I am home so much and have a stash of bags ready to go to give to a charity shop; I hope they start sending their trucks around soon to pick up. You are well organized I can see.

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