Saturday, April 8, 2017

Frugal Friday Wrap Up 4/1-4/7 2017

 


   I keep a running list throughout the week for this weekly wrap up and add to it daily.  It's funny because with my lovely brain, I frequently forget what I have done all week long.   I have to say, despite having a rough week healthwise, I did get a lot done and saved us money in the process.


~We don't get regular network TV and my hubby wanted to watch the Final Four Basketball game on Saturday.  Luckily we are taking care of our neighbor's home and pets while they are away so we were able to watch it there (with their permission of course) and spend time giving lots of love and attention to the fur babies.  Go Zags!!!! ☝
~Saturday I cooked up 6 venison burgers and popped open a jar of my cousin Jeremy's homemade tomato chutney to put on my burger.  OMGoodness that stuff is delicious!  I also had some of my homemade squash pickles with it along with some grapes.  The hubby decided that he just wanted to have 2 cheeseburgers and call it good. 😉


~Sunday Jeff sorted through and purged our pantry again.  In the process, he found lots of things that I knew I had but could not find since he had moved things around since the last time I organized it.  He is of the mindset of "if it fits, it sits" where I am more of the "let's keep similar things together so I can find them easily" kind of person.
~While sorting through and purging our pantry, we set aside some canned goods for our oldest son and his wife since we know he loves the canned stews and we no longer eat them.
~Jeff built some more shelves for me in our pantry with materials that we already had on hand.
~Sunday Jeff and I ran into town and I treated him to dinner after all his hard work cleaning out the pantry.  We went to Taco Time and got their $5 deals that had 5 items including a drink.  We brought home one of the burritos and Jeff had that Monday.


~While in town we also stopped at Goodwill.  I was looking for one of those big glass jar drink dispensers or another glass pitcher to use at the baby shower.  Low and behold they had another pitcher that matches the one I already have and it was brand new with all the tags still on it.  I did pay $5.99 for it but it is something that I will be using again and again.  I also found a few other things there that I had been looking for including some Wilton small treat bags.  I use these to package up homemade treats for the holidays.
~We watched a movie we borrowed from the library.
~I cashed in at Swagbucks for another $40 in Amazon.com gift cards.
~More supplements and vitamins were ordered through Vitacost going through the link at Swagbucks.  I was also able to find 2 codes that knocked an additional $10 off my order and I got free shipping.


~I was able to snag a free subscription to Bowhunting magazine for my son Chris.
~Monday I got some split pea soup going in the crockpot about mid day using some of the split peas my hubby found while redoing the pantry over the weekend.  I knew I had some split peas somewhere. ;)  This was perfect because I found myself dealing with low energy and sore muscles so much so that Jeff helped me get the carrots peeled.  I needed to be really careful and rest since I was scheduled to work Tuesday morning.
~Jeff continues to part out his old car and get the parts stored away to use on his newer car when needed.


~I was able to find the Gonzaga vs NC National Basketball Championship game streaming live online Tuesday. 👍
~Tuesday I worked in the morning and then went directly to my oldest son's place after that.  I resisted the urge to stop and get lunch on the way over.  I just skipped lunch and enjoyed my visit with our Rachel and her sister and later my son. :)
~I've been doing more research online about way to help with my CFS and Fibromyalgia. I also research who had the cheapest but still quality supplements that I needed at the best prices.
~We are trying to eat out of the fridge, freezer and pantry as much as possible.


~I cooked up some more of those free Chicken Fried Steaks that we were given.  This is one of my hubby's favorites.  I served it with mashed potatoes and some free to us green beans.
~Jeff picked up some more movies and books from the library for us.
~Thursday I made 2 loaves of Oatmeal bread and 3 loaves of Banana bread.  I gave one of the loaves of banana bread to our neighbor who had a medical procedure the day before.
~We hot tubbed to ease our aching muscles.
~I watched more TV shows online.


~We received some free samples and magazines in the mail.
~Jeff moved our cars to the far end of the driveway away from the big tree just in case the high winds knocked down some branches or the entire tree.
~I was so tempted to just order something from the tavern for dinner on Friday but we decided to just do a snacky type dinner instead and save the money.
~Swagbucks and MyPoints were worked as much as I could this week.

   As I finish up this post on Saturday morning, we are having a rain/snow mix outside.  This is typical weather for this time of year but I was really hoping to be able to get outside and work in the garden today.  Hopefully tomorrow the weather will be better and we can get started on that.  I really want to get my spinach and peas in.










20 comments:

  1. Great post as always.
    Funny -- when I was reorganizing yesterday, I 'found' some things like sugar and oats that I had 'lost' in the pantry. I also have been purging canned goods that are well past their expiry date. Some times things just get past me and I have to factor that into my life these days. No guilt or remorse, I know I'm doing the best I can.
    Today I'm tackling the other side of the sliding door closet. It feels good to be working on this project.
    And I slept last night - another yippee. First time I'd had a 'good' sleep since Sunday. Phone justrang...SJ

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    1. Hi SJ. :) It does feel good to get projects done doesn't it? I'm finally getting to the point where I am not feeling as guilty for not being able to get to things before they expire. I just threw out some cereal last night that was clearly "gone". Be blessed my friend!

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  2. Quite a week considering you don't feel the best.
    You have a great pantry!!! Looks like you are ready for anything, if you have to be!

    You do know that things can go well past the dates and still be good? I hope he didn't throw much away.
    Feel better sweet lady!

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    1. HI Cheryl, I only threw away things that I knew were not good like cereals that were way past their sell date (like years past). If I am in doubt, I will open a package and see if it is still good. After all these years I have gotten pretty good at knowing what is still good and what is not. ;)

      I am doing better. So much so that Jeff and I are going finally cut my hair this weekend. It is to the point where I cannot get away with just trimming my bangs anymore. ;) Be blessed my friend!

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  3. Hi Debbie,
    You have lots of pantry shelves. I try to keep my stockpile stored with like items together and where I can see it, but I still lose things from time to time.
    You did great with your swagbucks. I kind of took a break with mine but got back with it the first of Aprilnd have made goal and then some everyday so far. My husband ordered a new phone from QVC and they were offering 15 SBs for every dollar spent. That should net me about 1500 SBs. 😄
    That chicken fried steak looks delicious, it is one of my very favorite meals as well.
    Hope you have a good week

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    1. Hi Rhonda...good for you for going through the Swagbucks links to order that phone. I finally got credit for my order that I placed with Vitacost. Every bit helps! I hope you have had a great weekend!

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  4. We had a busy week as we went out of town for my father in laws birthday. We spent more than usual taking him and step mother in law out to dinner but I had money sent aside to cover. Planning ahead sure helps avoid financial stress. I hit some thrift stores while out of town. Got a lot of 25 cents books and some clothes for 99 cents each. My sister gave me leftovers from the church's Easter egg hunt so we had a free dinner tonight. Nice to return home and have a easy, free dinner to eat. We also returned home to a cut lawn. Our wonderful next door neighbor had nothing to do (his words) so he cut our little over 2 acre lawn while we gone. What a wonderful surprise-will make hubby's next week must easier. He also takes care of our dog while we are away from home. This neighbor moved in about a year ago and has been the best neighbor anyone could ask for. God blessed us richly. I straightened out my pantry recently-was glad to get that off my to do list. Hope next week is a healthier one for you.

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    1. Hi Delorise, what fun getting to see your inlaws and what a blessing to return home to a cut lawn. What an amazing neighbor you have! I was feeling so much better today that I jumped right in and got a lot done. I will be using the hot tub tonight because I "may have" overdone it just a bit. ;) This week is going to be a busy one getting ready for the baby shower on Saturday and having my mom come and stay with us starting on Thursday. We are having the kids and grandkids over for dinner on Thursday and Friday night and will be trying to get together with my cousin (without all the chaos of the grandboys ;) ) on Saturday after the baby shower. I have planned easy to make meals this week. ;) Be blessed!

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  5. Love your pantry! So well-stocked and nicely organized, too. I hate it when food items expire before I get to them, but sometimes, it can't be helped. I stocked up on cereal and some crackers before I started treatments, not knowing my taste buds would change and I'd dislike the taste of them. Some of what I bought has expired and taste just a bit off.

    Your soup looks delicious! I think I need to make some soup and keep in the freezer for those nights when I want something but don't quite know what!

    Another great frugal week, even when you weren't feeling too good! Hope you feel better and have another great week next week, too. Take care.

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    1. HI Bless, you are right, sometimes things can't be helped. If food tastes a bit off, I don't chance it either. Homemade soup is so easy to make. I usually make a huge pot and plan on freezing some for future meals. It sure makes things easier on those days when I am not up to cooking something from scratch or am just busy or sick. I try to keep at least 4 different varieties of frozen soup in my freezer at all times. :)

      I am doing better now and I can feel my body healing from this last flare. I overdid it today though and I know I will be paying for it tomorrow, but hopefully I will bounce back quickly. ;) Be blessed!

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  6. Debbie it's good to write things down as you do them. You actually get to realise just how much you do and how much you get done.
    Even though we are in autumn, our cold weather is really very mild and is the best time for getting our vege garden growing. Summer time is just too hot. Today I managed to get silverbeet(chard), lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli and some coriander(cilantro) seeds planted into seed trays. Yesterday I set up my half 44 gallon drum with potting mix and seed raising mix. The carrots have been planted into this. I have lettuce ready to pick, my tomatoes are all flowering, the cucumbers are out of the ground and the cabbage are all looking good. Woohoo I love it when I can be growing quality produce to go on the table.
    You stuck to your guns and kept your week nice and frugal. Even though its easier sometimes to get take away, home cooked food is so much better for you and your budget. Well done you. Have a great week and feel better.

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    1. Jane, I am very impressed with all you got planted and done! Isn't it wonderful to have fresh produce to eat and it is so much healthier for us. :)

      Jeff and I did break down and go out to dinner last night after running a bunch of errands but tonight we are just having smoked ham salad sandwiches after getting lots done around the house today and being way to tired to cook anything at the moment. Be blessed my friend!

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  7. Hi Debbie,
    What supplements do you find help the most?
    Barb

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    1. HI Barb...here is a link to a post I did on this. http://debbie-thenextchapterinmylife.blogspot.com/2016/05/supplements-that-help-my-chronic.html

      I have since added Moringa (which has really helped with the swelling and pain that I have on one of my feet due to arthritis), and am adding Vitamin B12, digestive enzymes and probiotics back in again. I have also been taking Phytoestrogen all along since it really helps with the Menopause symptoms. :) This is what works for me. Everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you or someone else. It seems to be a big trial and error thing to find out what does and does not work, but these are some of the things that have worked for me and for other people too. :)

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  8. Debbie,
    First, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a nice comment. Also, I hope your research is yielding some good results. Last, I would urge you to visit my blog again and click on the links in it. Although autoimmune diseases differ, they have a common cause. Let me know if I can help you.

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    1. Thank you Sheila, you are so very kind. I'm back on probiotics and digestive enzymes again so I can get my gut back to "normal". I'm also adding a few more supplements that have been shown to really help other people with the same autoimmune diseases that I have. I will check out your links...thank you!

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  9. Wow! I've never seen so much food in a pantry. Looks like you are ready for another Y2K! Andrea

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    1. LOL Andrea, you should have seen it before the "purge" and giving a lot away. ;) We live in a tiny farming community without a grocery store, on one income for the most part (I'm lucky if I make $70 a month myself so we live off my hubby's income), and I never know when I will have a health flare so I try to keep a well stocked pantry and buy when prices are low to build it up. A well stocked pantry also is "security" to me. Having gone through some very lean and scary times in the past, I never want to be in that position again.

      Be blessed!

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  10. Love that huge pantry you've got, what a blessing to be able to store that much food... you had a great frugal week! Love that chicken friend steak, one of my husband's favorite meals too :)

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! I love knowing that we can feed ourselves and others off it. :) Be blessed!

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