What Frugal Thing .....- Part II

[marvholly]

Ima
sorry to seem pushy re: your original thread but I was missing it-wanted the accountability.

I have not turned on the heat here in metro Chicago yet but not sure if I will make my 11/1 or later goal. Per the weather forecasts I am ok for the next 5 days if they are correct (???). I know I did not make it to 11/1 the past several years.

[marvholly]

I will NOT be buying strawberries for a bit no matter what the price. I was not happy w/the taste, texture or sweetness of the last 2 pkg I bought. I do have a bunch in my freezer that I can use until they get better. I would estimate Dec.

Cashed in some points today for a $25 WAG gift card. EVERYTHING I buy there for the next 4-5 months will be FREE and I only buy sale items that generally also have coupons and/or RR.

[marvholly]

I did shop around on my travel rout Sat to find gasoline as cheaply as I could-saved .06/gal paying 2.99/gal without going out of my way for the brand I actually prefer-all other stations were 3.05-3.09.

Today is ‘supposed to be a no drive, no spend day BUT

I have to hit Walgreens for the FREE after RR item this week to be able to do the rest of my deals (cereal, olives, vitamins) inexpensively & I know if I do not get there EARLY this am they will be out & will not restock during the week
CVS I can & do walk
I am jonesing BAD for a meal out and a local place does an early brunch for $5.

[Ima saver]

I have been home alone for the past few days. It has been tempting to eat out and not cook, but I have not done it! I am staying home all day today and not using any gasoline!

[marvholly]

I had to use REAL litter in the cat’s box this week. For at least the last month I have been using shredded paper as I have been cleaning out old records and getting tons of cc offers. It actually bothered me to have to open a new container even though I bought CHEAP on close out.

I did ‘treat’ myself to brunch out. It was at a place I have not been to in >a year and it has VERY much changed-NOT for the better. I will NOT be going back anytime soon. However, I did have a discussion w/the manager about all the long empty buffet dishes & the staff breaking down breakfast for the lunch dishes WAAAAY early. He comped my meal.

[marvholly]

Shocked myself. I suddenly realized I have NO precooked chicken in single portions in my freezer ready to eat or turn into……..meals. I use chicken as a entrée base a LOT. Guess I will have to roast one SOON or pull a pkg of leg quarters from my freezer & cook up.

Well that might be next weekend. Stopped at a natl chain grocer on my way to visit my Dad. They have Chuck on sale for $1.99/lb this week. Found a piece w/a 30% off sticker as it expires tomorrow. Making what my Mom called swiss steak & my kids called steak ala’ garbage Mon. night for eating on Tue over rice. I will multi-task while watching Dancin. For my $2.0x I will get 5 servings of meat after I add some spices, 1 can dice tomatoes (0.55), an onion (0.10) and a bell pepper (don’t usually do green but I could NOT resist 0.49/lb at my closest market today even b/4 I got the meat).

Since I lost my job 8/6/10 I have been putting off buying ANYTHING that is not a necessity until I see EXACTLY how things are going but I am used to buying clothes at the end of season for the next year. The last monthly coupons I got from Kohl’s were……less than I was happy with BUT I got a 30% off today and just may indulge (clearance ONLY).

[biff]

Shocked myself. I suddenly realized I have NO precooked chicken in single portions in my freezer ready to eat or turn into……..meals. I use chicken as a entrée base a LOT. Guess I will have to roast one SOON or pull a pkg of leg quarters from my freezer & cook up.

Well that might be next weekend. Stopped at a natl chain grocer on my way to visit my Dad. They have Chuck on sale for $1.99/lb this week. Found a piece w/a 30% off sticker as it expires tomorrow. Making what my Mom called swiss steak & my kids called steak ala’ garbage Mon. night for eating on Tue over rice. I will multi-task while watching Dancin. For my $2.0x I will get 5 servings of meat after I add some spices, 1 can dice tomatoes (0.55), an onion (0.10) and a bell pepper (don’t usually do green but I could NOT resist 0.49/lb at my closest market today even b/4 I got the meat).

Since I lost my job 8/6/10 I have been putting off buying ANYTHING that is not a necessity until I see EXACTLY how things are going but I am used to buying clothes at the end of season for the next year. The last monthly coupons I got from Kohl’s were……less than I was happy with BUT I got a 30% off today and just may indulge (clearance ONLY).

Marvholly sorry to hear about your job...I lost my job around that time as well....good thing i havent had to dig into the EF yet!
Today I shaved my head like vie beem doing for the last few years....when I used to get haircuts it used to cost me about $40 per month.

[marvholly]

Biff
I have not had to hit the EF yet and it is unlikely I will need to do so for at least the rest of 2010. As I check my budget, it appears I can JUST make it for my monthly expenses even w/COBRA on unemployment. It will NOT be fun, but I s/b ok. At 64 I do NOT think it very likely that I will be re-employed very soon.

As a senior I have my haircuts down to <$10 inc tip at one of the chain places. The place I went/woman I used to use retired about 3 years ago. FINALLY found another place/woman and she s/b around a while as she is >30 and a PT student so will take her about 6-8 years to finish.

[marvholly]

Tue was a no drive, no spend day.
I bought a Groupon coupon last week for a place the next town over from my home. Since I have to go that way today I will probably use it.

[biff]

Roasted a chicken today for $4.. Will feed me for 4-5 meals

[marvholly]

biff
I often do that w/whole chicken or bunch parts. See my 10/18 post here about cooked chicken.

I went to visit my Dad on Wed so it was a drive day (noted the gas station near him is still the cheapest around but did not need yet). However, I call a no spend day because:

used a Groupon to pick up dinner (covers Wed & Thur) that I paid for 2 weeks ago
used mfg coupons & EBs at CVS to cover my entire order (spent $13 in EB-Got $12.50 EB)

Today is supposed to be a no drive, no spend day BUT I may have to drive out to DD1 as DGS1 is sick & both she & her DH NEED to be at work today. If I am not needed I will FINALLY be under on my weekly, allowed mileage but NOT enough to make up for the last 2 weeks.

Rather than grab another piece of paper I just pulled an old envelope out of my office trash to make a note from a blog about something I want to buy at WAG. After I add it to my list I will drop the envie into recycle.

[Ima saver]

I bought sprite and steaks on sale at Bi Lo. I had a no use gas day today too.

[marvholly]

Thur was a no drive, no spend day.
Today is going to be both.

I will visit my Dad at his rehab place and do a bunch of grocery & shopping errands on my way to/from by routing myself in a bit of a circle. I also pass the cheapest gas station in my area/on any of my frequent travel patterns. Technically I do not currently NEED gas but I do not want to have to buy at a higher priced place or go out of my way when I do need.

[marvholly]

Forgot to post this:

Since being home MUCH more w/job loss I have been being VERY careful re: utility usage:

Turning off/unplug appliances/lights when not needed/in use even though all my most used lights (kitchen table, kitchen work area, nightstand, computer area) are CFLs
Opening fridge/freezer 1x to get everything out/put away that I am using/eating
Batch cooking preferably in oven
Layering clothes/wearing socks shoes at home so no heat needed yet (Today was the coldest morning yet this fall at 34 outside & 58 inside). However, I may have to break down & turn on for a short time to take a shower today.
Water usage does NOT matter since my town has a minimum & I have NOT come close since DH passed away.

[Ima saver]

I had another no use gas day. I also did a pinecone survey and redeemed my chase credit card reward. I love getting checks in the mail.