Friday, January 14, 2022

Frugal and Free Friday-Spending to Save

 

Time for some biiiiiggg needles!

Please note some new blogs on the sidebar, and that a few are m issing. Still working on this. Some folks took a hiatus or quit their blogs and some new folks have been added. Please check the blog roll while you are visiting. Also for some reason blogger is only showing the first ten and then you need to ask for more. This is new to me and I'm unsure if there's a fix.

I had hoped to take a drive today, but lousy sleeping last night has kicked that idea in the rear. I was falling asleep earlier and am having my second diet coke to pump up the caffeine. Said half an hour drive each way(on two farm roads to a lake)  will need to happen Sunday or Monday afternoon. Instead, I’ll perhaps walk (it is cloudy but seventy) or enjoy my patio. And because there was a discussion on the forums this morning about running out for burgers for lunch-after this I’ll be heading to Sonic to get a burger. And a cherry limeade.


Meanwhile, the frugal and the less than frugal.


  1. In the spend to save arena mentioned above, I spent 250 on groceries and vitamin replacements in an effort to do shopping every two or three weeks except for produce and milk. Already there are a few things I missed, which means I need to adjust my inventory checklist (trash bags, eyeglass cleaner). But any fill-ins will probably be done at either Target or Walmart where they bring it to my car.  Along with that spending, I also joined Walmart plus for $98 bucks a year. Except for the occasional drive thru to get something thrown in my trunk, I am fully on delivery now (unrelated to Covid) and delivery is ten dollars each time. Also with Walmart plus there is no minimum order requirement, a gas discount at Sam’s/Walmart gas station and if I decide to go in the store, I can scan and pay.

  2. I got my reimbursement for my $170.00 part B from my health insurance. I only get this for half the year, but it’s a nice benefit.

  3. Sam’s had a special where you could join for $19.00 (instead of sixty dollars) and get a free large roasted chicken and a flat of cupcakes. I am not sure as a single person if I will use Sam’s (if you are a single or a couple using either warehouse, please share!!). But the 19 bucks mainly paid for itself in the chicken and cupcakes and was worth trying. I am near a Sam’s but not a Costco.

  4. I was able to pull out everything I needed for all of the projects shown on Wednesday.  Yarn, needles, paints, canvas, fabrics, you name it. Which is why it’s worth buying them when they are on sale ahead of time. I still need (need not want) more acrylics and fabric paints, but on my own time!

  5. I took a break from all subscriptions except for those I share with other family members (I have Prime and Netflix, my daughter has Hulu and Disney Plus, and so on). I also kept Kindle Unlimited. For now all those British and European Channels, my Streaming Exercise Channel and the Great Courses are on hold. If I crave them, I’ll rethink.

  6. With the exception of one item, any spending this item was needed or with the goal of replacing disposables. I ordered a large number of dish towels and Swedish dishcloths with the goal of replacing paper towels and using one dish towel daily. We’ll see. I ordered NK95 masks, but who knows when they will arrive. And I ordered a two foot table top tree to use for seasonal decor. Oh, and tube socks for the homeless


As for the free, I need to put a shout out here about my Buy Nothing group on Facebook. I wish they were everywhere. While I’ve shared my vacuum goody with you, I also got my washing machine for free from someone who was upgrading. I have gotten fabric, a shelf, and a floor lamp. By the same token I have given away many things Including a good quality high end blender (my stick blender and hand mixer make up for it), my very heavy kitchen aid mixer that I was only using once a year and could not lift (I’m looking for a lighter version), craft items, Christmas decor and other things.


So now that I’ve unpacked them? Those bags of meat include (mainly but not all family packs): pork chops, bone in chicken thighs, boneless chicken thighs, beef stew meat, a large chuck steak, a large number of salmon filets, hamburgers, stir fry meat and sausage). That plus all the things to go with them should keep me for awhile. That soup will be made tomorrow when it’s 38 degrees and freezing for Texas.


Because comfort food.



22 comments:

  1. I have said I will not buy any more craft supplies this year...but I have a feeing that will change once a few things are getting close to being used.

    Do you have a food saver? I love ours for portioning out large packs.

    God bless.

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    1. I do no. I use the one and two gallon and quart freezer ziplocks. I am generally freezing two or three cups or two pieces of meat. Since I wrote this I ordered a set of twenty acrylic paint bottles and textile medium. Fabric paints like in art quilts are pretty expensive so I want to play first.

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  2. I love the 'Buy Nothing' concept. It's not a formal group in the apartment complex but we do put things we no longer want next to the elevator in the basement garage. There is a sign posted to remind people placing items there that it is their responsibility to dispose of it if not claimed. Everything from holiday decor to furniture has been exchanged there and kept out of the dumpsters.

    Hubby and I are Sam's Club members and shop there to stock up. I have on hand at all times breakfast cereal, pancake mix, dehydrated hash brown potatoes, instant potatoes, crackers, peanut butter, and of course raisins, craisins and mixed nuts.

    I'm not sure we get our money's worth from the yearly membership but it's nice to be able to buy in bulk so fewer shopping trips.

    I am anxious to see the finished shawl, that blue yarn is so pretty.

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    1. I love it. I need to go into Sam's to get a real card since I joined online so we'll see what interests me on the shelves.

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  3. I love that Buy Nothing Concept. I wish they had it around here.

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    1. You should check online for buy nothing group. In the US they are everywhere.

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  4. Barb, we've had a standard Sam's Club membership for decades now. I shopped there a lot when the kids were young; now that it's mainly just the two of us, I go less often. We do like the rotisserie chicken you mentioned and consider it a steal at $5. What I like most about Sam's is the quality of their meats and fish and other products. I would pay the annual membership fee for the meat alone. I also buy their store brand of paper towels and toilet paper in bulk because I like the quality of those items, too. Other favorites are various cheeses, frozen berries and bacon. We even bought a gorgeous oak roll-top desk there years ago because it was solidly built and offered at a very reasonable price. Still have it and still love it. We've found their bakery offerings to be excellent and, over the years, have ordered a number of sheet cakes for a variety of events. I do think the annual membership fee is a bit high at $60 (what a deal you got!) but I believe it's a good value when taking into account the quality of the offerings. If you're interested in limiting your contact with other shoppers, I've found that our local Sam's seems to be relatively quiet around 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

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    1. This is great info, thanks so much! I'm looking forward to going in although ours also has curbside!

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  5. I'm with Kay. I love that Buy Nothing Concept. It would help me get rid of some very usable items I no longer use.

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    1. As I said it may be worth it yo do an online search. They are literally everywhere in the US.

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  6. LOVE our Buy-Nothing group! Even though I've lived decluttered for over 20 years, when a "need" is posted, it makes me truly think about the value of that item and can I use something else or go without so that person can receive mine.

    Sam's/Costco: We are a household of 2. I get 75% of our food at Costco. Organic chicken/gr turkey/fresh broccoli/carrots/brussel sprouts/mushrooms/green beans/apples and of course clementines when in season. A big shop and this stuff all makes it 3 weeks.

    As for you? I suggest going with your long list (and a mask) one day. Make yourself a pricelist. Go home and compare to your local store prices (I don't do Walmart ever!). It may or may not pay off for you.

    Trash bags? Don't waste $ on those. Use all the bags from your shopping to line cans. They fit perfectly in our kitchen can. Tie up the handles and you're done! I shop with cloth bags (for 35 years now). When we need a bag for the kitchen can, we'll actually take a plastic bag at the store.

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    1. Another good sams info list. Thanks so much!!!! Unfortunately we have Valet trash and are required to use real bags.

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  7. We have been able to only grocery shop once a month except for milk and other dairy products. Also, having a stocked pantry as well as full freezer, we have been able to save a good amount of money when we do grocery shop. I chalk the pantry and freezer habit up to one of the positives to come out of the pandemic.

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    1. Just like delivery and curbside for me are almost permanent now wxcept for a few exceptions.

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  8. Since my daughter can go too, we did the Sam's deal and likely will keep the membership. I see ya saving in the summer where we buy so much for the lake. I did not like the fancy cupcakes little cake and super thick frosting that was too much to eat. They're pretty though

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    1. Well have to see about the cupcakes. I don't normally eat them.anyway. Learning alot about Sam's here.

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  9. Our kids sure love to go to Sam's, but hubby and I have begun to change the way we think about it. We used to have much more storage so buying in bulk was not a problem. Since we moved about 5 weeks ago, we've tried a few different places and have ended up really liking a small store in a small town, that is close to us. I'm sure we're paying a little more, but we appreciate the friendly workers and the help they give. Yesterday, I saw a cut of beef I wasn't familiar with, and someone from the meat dept actually came out to visit with us and told me how best to cook it, etc. We're always switching it up, tho. When you mentioned getting rid of your heavy Kitchen Aid, I had to laugh. Earlier today, I decided to use mine to bake a loaf of bread. Oh gosh, I'd forgotten how darned heavy it is. Beautiful mixer, but I just can't lift it. Hoping one of our kids might want it. If not, I can donate it, too. Heck, I could buy frozen bread dough, throw it in the pan and be out of the kitchen in minutes. I'm changing as I near 70!!

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  10. We have Costco here and I get a roasted chicken every time I go. They have free delivery on non-perishables if you spend a certain amount. I love hearing about cost saving ideas and you always have plenty! Amazon Fresh delivers for free also. But I do send my kidults for meat and produce.

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    1. Unfortunately amazon fresh is not free for me as I live too far away from a whole foods.

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  11. I'm assuming Sam's is much like Costco. I have a membership for years and used it more when both my now adult children were living at home. I've kept it up because my daughter gets her gas there when she visits and there are some products I like to buy there. Toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies.I'd say you got a good deal on the membership.

    Love the color of the yarn!

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  12. Hi, Thanks for sharing about your Reimbursement for Part B -- I too am widowed, on Medicare and Tricare for Life. I was wondering, would I qualify for that and how would I apply.

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    1. Sandy this is something specifically covered under my private health insurance as a federal retiree.not every insurance covers it. Mine is Geha
      You would need to speak.to your insurance guy or gal.

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Thanks for stopping by! I love to hear from others, and I also love to hear all points of view.. Just leave the profanity and insults at home, OK? Thanks!!