What Frugal Thing .....- Part II

[My English Castle]

Must be a chicken soup day--I've got the bones of Wednesday's chicken cooking now.

[GREENBACK]

Not today, but in the past month I've bundled my mortgage and a heloc into one mortgage at 4.3%. I got rid of some junk on my cable bill and lowered the bill about 25 bucks. I also paid off a boat loan(should never have gone this route) and I'm very glad about this one. Maybe we need a thread about "what frugal thing have you done this month/year".

[bennkar]

I like the this month/year version. This month I have installed tub drain myself (not cheap, but much less expensive than a plumber), called the newpaper to cancel subscription and instead am now getting paper for 1/3 of previous price (I didn't really want to cancel , sold 7 books on half.com, made lunches for week in one batch (comes out to $1 per lunch), kept house down at 60 deg., telework one day a week, listed more items for sale on ebay, installed free DVD copier software (only to use on DVDs that don't play well in my player - honest), installed MagicJack on computer and will test this (and drop land line phone if it works well). Pretty good month so far.

[marvholly]

I have accumulated a TON of disposable eating utensils from carry out, fast food and ‘doggie bags.’ Today I made a lunch of whole wheat pasta, cottage cheese & broccoli. This was easy to eat right from already used the pot so I used a freebie fork.

I decided to do my Dad visit and shopping today. I generally try to see him just before he goes for lunch. I have money left in my eating out/entertainment budget this month. I have coupons for a bunch of fast food places and I have a pretty long list of stops I want to make + I may get my hair cut so I will eat my lunch out but I’ll probably spend about $2. Just need to decide among Burger King, Dunkin and Wendy’s.

Once I passed age 55 I started getting ‘invites’ to retirement planning seminars. In the beginning I went to a number of them to learn. What I ‘learned’ was that they are glorified sales pitches generally for annuities. These days I only go to ones offering a free meal at restaurants I cannot afford but would like to eat at. These are NOT the absolute top tier but the better than average chains/local places like Mangiannos and McCormic and ??? Signed up for one for Feb 15. Considering I already have a Groupon that I will use 2/1 (have an appointment nearby) plus the Panda Express coupon for 2/3 I will be eating out a BUNCH in early Feb.

[Aleta]

Yesterday, I got a free movie from Blockbuster. I also had free coupons for a cup of Yoplait yogurt. I also had coupons for free Excedrin 50 Ct Regularly $7.29 and also one coupon for a free bottle (50 ct) od Excedrin Migraine also priced at $7.29. Love those freebies.

I also bought Top Loin Sirloin ( Thin sliced at $3.99 per pound. I also went to Publix and bought Fresh Express Baby Spinach and got received 1 bag of Publix spinach free.

[marvholly]

I deboned the pkg of (4) split chicken breasts I bought Thur and, added to my previously saved bones, I made a small pot of chicken broth (2 serve). To this I added some of the root veggies I had just bought and the meat from the bones and a bit more meat. I roasted another 2 servings of the breasts w/root veggies. I made a Rachel Ray stuffed Greek chicken recipe (2 servings) with another breast and veggies & feta I had on hand. Two breasts and 1 serving of tenders hit the freezer. Meals cooked & ready to eat = 6. I will only eat 3 this week & freeze the rest.

From the entire pkg (cost $3.03) I will get 11 servings=$0.27/serving for a fairly healthy protein. Also, I had some of the stuffing left from the Rachel Ray recipe which I will use w/an egg for breakfast today.

Today would normally be a stay home day BUT with the weather forcast for snow beginning on Tue and ongoing thru Wed I am going to run out to the library, CVS, & WAG (have a RR expiring 2/1), fruit mkt, grocery and get a hair cut on my $6.99 coupon.

[baptiste.tyrell]

I used left over veggies to make a new dish for lunch. It was an impromptu recipe but it came out really well.

[marvholly]

Looks like Feb just might be a VERY frugal month for me as I may not be able to get out of my house until mid-Mar.

Our blizzrd started Tue mid-afternoon. Tue Dr. appt was cancelled. Today, snow is 1/3 up my front storm door, 1/2 wway up my patio door and the walkway outside my kitchen door is between knee & thigh high w/snow drifts.

Storm is supposed to go another 9 hours = 4-9 inches MORE!!! Not sure what we already have since I cannot acuratly gauge due to all the drifting. Snow is coming down horizontally.

[marvholly]

I did run some errands on Thur – after all I could NOT let the free Panda Express entrée coupon go to waste and I was getting cabin fever. I stopped at Salvation Army to take another look at a dress I had seen there that I thought might be good for a wedding the end of this month. Dress was gone BUT I did find an all silk Liz Claiborne Collection 2 pc pant outfit in coral for $2.06. Just my style of clothing and WAAAY cheap for a store that marks Kohl’s, Penny and Target house brand clothes in the $5/piece range.

I also got a ‘new’ coupon carrier for $0.66 that is exactly the same as on I have been wanting but was too frugal (cheap) to buy for $6.

[moneyclass]

i wanted to stop at starbucks on the way home after running errands but decided to save that 5 dollars and just make a pot of coffee when i got home.

[moneyclass]

and one more thing. buddy of mine that i work with wanted to go out and have some lunch told him i had other plans which i really didnt and went home and made a lunch meat sandwich.

[mom-from-missouri]

after being released from jury duty early, I came home to make lunch instead of purchasing something on the go. not a very frugal day, however, since I was purchased a cold water in the vending machine (didn't bring enough with me-very dry courthouse) and they charged me $5 to park

Did you check with the clerk?? Normally they reimburse you on the parking if you are in jury duty--at least those in Missouri do.

[mom-from-missouri]

Last week we were snowed in 3 days, and this week we were snowed in 5 days. So, in the last 8 days, I had 8 no driving, no spend days.

Hubby wore out 2 more pairs of overalls, which I am in the process of recycling. The bib part will become shopping bags (overall straps are the handles), and the legs I am cutting into 6 inch squares to go into my denim quilt pile. After I get 50 squares, I will start on a lap quilt made with them. I will back it with a new navy flannel twin top sheet from the thrift store I paid 50 cents for.

Yesterday, DD#4 made some homemade dog biscuits. The dogs love them and it cost about 1.00 to make. To buy them would have been around $5.

[marvholly]

I discovered some old whole bean flavored coffee in both my fridge & big freezer. I already own a grinder. Made me some flavored coffee Sat am. Prob have enough for 8-10 more pots but I will grind as I go for the best flavor.

Basic menu plan for this week is done. Not much (more) needed.

I have a couple errands to do today (WAG RR that MUST be used & Sun ONLY sale at Safeway). I have already driven WAAAY too much this week (last 5 days) and MUST cut back. Gas is up about another 0.10/gal here and will prob go up again w/the Mon deliveries.

[marvholly]

Whoops. Change of plans. Today will be a no drive/no gas/no spend day after all.

we were supposed to have some snow flurries BUT I looked out 30 min ago and our flurries are already 1". AND it is still coming down really hard.

I will skip Safeway (my hips will thank me). I can/might walk to WAG but town prob will make me move care to other side of street so I might as well drive the couple blocks.