Thrifty and Frugal
Another week of thrift and frugal happenings here on the Phillips homestead.
I really need to stay away from the news, it is just so dang depressing. Now the President of the EU is tell the citizens to prepare for a disaster by stocking supplies, and being ready for higher prices. Life is spinning out of control.
However, frugalista's should be able to weather whatever happens, even if it means doing without things.
First I will let you all know we finally have a price for fixing our oven/range. I think we may just go with purchasing a new one with old fashion coil burners. I have been taking the water bath canner outside in order to use it, our smooth top stove will not keep a steady heat for that purpose. The price for fixing it is about $600.00 as it is the mother board that went, a new coil stove is only about $300.00 more and we would have a stove that actually is more of the type we need. Not very frugal, but we have the money to pay for it. We will see what Harvey thinks tomorrow as he has been known to change his mind.
Now on to frugal and thrifty happenings here on the homestead.
1. The butt of my celery is starting to grow baby celery stalks. It will be awhile before they can be used, but should save us a little bit on groceries.
2. Bought various dried beans and peas on sale today. I am hoping to make even more meatless meals and these will certainly come in handy for that.
3. Fixed a seam on a shirt of Harvey's. Darned two pairs of socks.
4. Found enough lining fabric for the jacket/coat I want to sew in my stash.
5. Used all leftovers from meals for lunches except for a tiny amount of gravy that had dried up.
6. Hung clothes on the lines downstairs.
7. Once again on the sunny days heated the house with solar heat.
8. Combined errands today before the chance of freezing rain. Shopping was done a couple of days earlier than I wanted, but a couple of days later than when I did it two weeks ago.
9. Using mint salve on my sore hips, and getting up and walking around the house a bit more. Also changing from sitting to standing more often.
10. Used saved water to water the plants.
Off to get supper started, still working on using items up in the fridge freezer. Then a visit to each of you.
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.
Once cooled, I'll often pour pasta water on plants outside. If I don't use it for soup bases that same day or the next. Lots and lots of good ways to save.
ReplyDeleteI hit Aldi today and got great deals on real food. I just love that place. Through it all, they've remained within my budget and I'm thankful to live close to an ALDI.
Happy Saving! Happy Spring.
If you repair your stove, there is no guarantees that everything else will work OK in the future, our luck would be for something else to go wrong. I think we are all in for a rough ride, USA president is on a rocky road.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for all the current and expected difficulties our current president is causing the world. It is a very distressing time because of the current administration.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like getting the new stove will be a thriftier way to go. Then you also have a guarantee.
ReplyDeleteYou have been doing well this week.
When the ceramic topped stove at the old house gave up the ghost, I went with the old coil range for about the price you mentioned. I hadn't realized the difference in the heat and sadly, had a fake Creusot pot actually melt onto one of the larger burners. It was $85 to replace the burner!
ReplyDeleteNow would be the time to buy, too, before the tariffs actually are applied.
My thrifty thing for the week (at least the only one I can think of offhand) is to start a jar of chopped up banana peels and water which, after several days, is then diluted 1 part 'banana juice' to 5 parts water for watering plants. If it works I won't have to buy any more Miracle Grow fertilizer.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do decide to go for a new stove because who's to say that, once fixed, your current one won't develop another problem.
I think it’s smarter to buy a new stove. That’s usually our line in the sand, if the repair costs more than a new one. Our over the stove microwave’ s door is cracked. The seals are good. We’d rather just replace the door but it’s looking like we may have to purchase new and that s such a waste. The replacement door plus shipping is just under the cost of a new one.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up a coil stove. I have gas stove as well as natural gas heat.
Sometimes cutting your losses and going with something new is the right thing to do. Whatever you decide I hope you get a working stove soon.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I would probably unload the present stove and get one with coils. Long ago I had a glass top stove and because of canning I replaced it as soon as I could afford to.
ReplyDeleteJC
I would be getting the new stove and when you do you will be so happy! I see a baking marathon in your future!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know more about the mint salve, if you don't mind sharing. Is it something you made? - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteI would go with the new stove too as that sounds like the best plan. Sounds like you had a good and frugal week. I was on the back porch today thinking about plants. I need to plant a celery butt out there after the last frost. It was such a beautiful day out there. I hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt’s really inspiring to read about all the thrifty and frugal things you're doing on the homestead. I love how you’re making the most of what you have, like growing celery from the leftover butt and saving water for your plants. I can totally relate to the need to stay away from the news – it can get overwhelming. Your approach to dealing with challenges by being resourceful and thoughtful is really motivating. I hope your stove decision goes smoothly, and good luck with all your upcoming projects! Thank you for reading my new blog post, and have a nice Friday.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.melodyjacob.com/2025/03/follow-on-instagram-melodyjacob1.html
I think you are absolutely right to go for a new one - that's the most sensible routs, especially as your current one had given you a lot of trouble in recent years so could go wrong again. Isn't there something about new wine into old wineskins?
ReplyDeleteAnd won't it be nice to get to know a new one? xx