Frugal Friday Wrap Up 4/14/23

 

   Here we are, on another Friday morning that started out bright and early for me.  I was up by 5:30 a.m. once again.  My brain was going in all directions as I tried to think of more ways to cut costs.  Everything is getting more expensive, and our budget just cannot handle too much more.

   I did not keep a running list by day of all I did to save money these past 2 weeks, so I am going by my "Swiss cheese" like memory so please bear with me...

~Jeff's work is changing their health insurance company and offerings for the employees.  It was way too expensive for us so I contacted the Washington Health Care Exchange and asked if I could get him on the same plan that I am on with the subsidies from our state.  They said they could and I got him added right away.  His plan will start on May 1st.  We will be paying less than half the price for both of us than we would for the lowest priced plan that his company was able to offer for him alone.  Since he will not be having the money for the company plan deducted from his paycheck, we will be ahead financially there.

~I mended a heating pad thingy that was leaking buckwheat.  Jeff uses this particular pad since it has a strap so he can secure it on his back on a daily basis.

~We had breakfast for dinner one night this week.  I used half a package of precooked sausage patties that I had bought on sale previously, some syrup I got free from Safeway and 2 small packages of pancake mix that were 2 for a dollar at Grocery Outlet.  The entire meal cost me $1.50 to make.  I thought I would have some leftover pancakes but Jeff was very hungry so he finished them off.

~Other dinners this week included teriyaki chicken over rice, stew over rice, chicken and herb sausages baked with salt and pepper seasoned potatoes in the oven, and a cheese, crackers and meat tray that I bought at the Grocery Outlet for $2.99.  I wish I had bought a few more of those now. I honestly cannot remember the meals from the week before.

~I stopped by a local thrift store in the next town over and found 3 pairs of jeans with the elastic waistbands, for $2 each.  I cannot have metal touching my tummy or I get a raw spot there.  They are so comfy and are just the right length.

~Jeff used some of the pavers, that we were given from Uncle Bob's home, to make a nice little area in front of my greenhouse door.  I think Uncle Bob would definitely approve.

~I continue to hang a good portion of our laundry out to dry on the clothesline when the weather cooperates.

~I crocheted another washcloth.

~I have been shopping around for different life insurance policies for both Jeff and I.  The ones we have now keep going up in price and are getting rather expensive.  Life insurance is something that we feel we need to help the surviving spouse out, or if both of us pass away together, then it will be divided equally between our children.  We have carried it through most of our marriage.

~Our town librarian, Sarah, asked me to teach a class in May on frugal cooking and meal planning.  I have done something similar in the past for the University of Idaho extension service.  This is something that I am really looking forward to as there are so many people who don't know how to make a basic white sauce that can then be turned into a cheese sauce or a cream of whatever soup.  They have also not been taught how to make homemade soups, chili, stew, French fries, etc.. They don't know how to stock their pantries with ingredients that will allow them to whip up quick and nutritious meals.   They also do not know how to stock those pantries and freezers when they see the items on sale. I want to help people learn these, as I see them, essential skills.  I also want to stress the importance of having a small garden or even a few herb, tomato and lettuce plants in containers on a porch or balcony. I will touch on food preservation too.

~One of the most important things I have learned in my life is that I am never too old to learn new skills.  On that note, I have been learning more about how to make homemade fertilizers for my garden along with when to use those fertilizers to get the best crop yields.

~No update on my echocardiogram results yet.  I will check again later today to see if I got a letter from my doctor, but I think he may still be on vacation.  If that is the case, hopefully he will be back this coming week and I will hear back from him.

~I had a mango mimosa when Jeff took me out to brunch after my echocardiogram.  It was really good and got my wheels a turning in my head.  I have prosecco and some champagne here at home, so I bought some guava nectar at the Dollar Tree.  I already have orange juice concentrate in my freezer and can make some blackberry juice with some of my homegrown blackberries.  I am thinking a mimosa station would be fun at our next family gathering.

~Jeff and I took some of my clothes, purses and wallets to two different consignment stores.  Between both of them, they took on about half of what I brought in.  That is not bad at all!  I am hoping that most of it sells so that we can make some money off of them.  My closet is now much "lighter" and I am more than happy about that.

~I gave one of my suede leather purses to Heather's grandmother Sandra who wanted to make some mittens with leather palms.  It was a purse that I got at a thrift store at some point very cheaply and had planned on selling, but I felt this was a much better use of it.  I always want to help family out whenever possible.

~Jeff and I stopped in to see a dear friend that is at the end stages of her life after a long battle with cancer.  She is in a nursing and rehabilitation home right across from the hospital where I had my echocardiogram.  She was very surprised to see us and asked how I had found her.  I told her I loved her and asked around.  Jeff and I were able to help comfort her and get ahold of her family, as she wanted them to come and see her.  We shared some laughter, hugs, stories and I love yous.  Now that is priceless!

~Loss leaders at the grocery store continue to be bought when needed and for stocking up the pantry and freezer.  I did not have to get much at all these past two weeks, so that is good!

~I've been busy making a list of all the things that we use on a regular basis around or home.  Toothbrushes, razor blades, Q-tips, Zote soap, laundry detergent, clothes pins, light bulbs, an extra thermostat and rope gasket for the pellet stove, wide mouth canning lids, socks and underwear all made the list.  I want to stock up on these things ASAP so we have them on hand and I can get them now while they are still available and reasonably priced.  My goal is to have at least a 2 year supply of these things on hand.

   I know my life may sound boring to some people, but it is mine and is filled with so much love and appreciation for all that Jeff and I been blessed with.  Yes, there are many challenging times and situations that we have been faced with, but we face them head on knowing that we have God, our family and close friends  surrounding us.