Frugal Friday

I don't know why I post Frugal Fridays when I try my best to be frugal every day. I guess it is because many others do this as well, and it is a good way to list the frugal things a person has done in the past week. 

I find myself listing the same things every week most times. I suppose it is because those thing have become habits. I need to get some new frugal habits started, especially since Harvey has decided that we will need to move in the future.

So what new frugal habits am I picking up.

1.  Planning on what is going to who of our larger yard items. Since we will probably move to Regina, and am not too sure about where I think we will give our rototiller to our youngest who lives there. All of a sudden I though hmmm, we could share a garden and the way to expand said garden would be for him to work up the yard a bit more. Hence why he would get the tiller a necessary tool for that. 

2.  Kurt would get the snow blower if he wants it (must be fair).

3.  Kris would get the chest freezer as we could share it for the gardens bounty. 

4.  I will check with both of our sons to see what if any baking trays and pans they would like. So many doubles as I got many of my Moms when she passed away.

Harvey also has a very large water barrel that we could in fact move if we wished. Just not sure if we would and who it would go to....

Now on to frugal things that impact our day to day life here on the prairies. Hopefully some new habits starting. 

1.  I am becoming more adept at using items up in my fridge freezer. Still more to get through (when there is only two eating things add up quickly) but I am planning menus a bit differently. 

2.  Only driving a couple of times in a two week period. My fuel in the car has lasted well over a month and if I didn't have a specialist appointment for my yearly cancer checkup would have lasted two months easily.

3.  Downloaded two free books onto my ereader.

4.  Downloaded some free embroidery patterns.

5.  Working on using items up from my various stashes. I pulled some yarn to make two sweaters (one a pullover) from my yarn stash that I found patterns I loved. Pulled some cotton yarn that I want to make a spring/summer sleeveless sweater from, just need to find a pattern I really like.

So that's it for today. Forward planning and deciding what goes where (though Harvey hasn't had his say as of yet). I am also planning what needs painting and fixing before we try selling. That list could be my post for one of the upcoming days.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Blahs

 

Wow we are almost into the second week of June. Time is moving along way too quickly. I wish it would slow down a bit, but of course summer always passes by much too quickly.

First off Maebeme, thank you so much for offering the bricks you have for DS's firepit project. I don't think they will work however, but your kindness is greatly appreciated. 

I have also done my last rapid test. It has been 5 days since I was around my friend and today once again I have tested negative. Guess I have dodged a bullet this time around. Must keep right on doing so.

Now on to why I have titled this post Midweek Blahs.

Yep, costs keep rising and things are beginning to add up exponentially. 

Fuel prices are ridiculous and will more than likely curtail lots of travel this year by not only us, but by a great many more Canadians. Not good for the economy at all, not good for hotels, cabins, gas stations, grocery stores and a whole host of other businesses. It almost feels like another stay close to home summer. 

Got the grocery fliers today and really  the new sale price on many items is the old regular price. I really worry about how young families and older people who are on fixed incomes are going to survive. Or how those like Kris who have just purchased their first home are going to be able to make the mortgage payments when the time comes to renew. 

With portfolio's taking a big hit over the last year or so even those of us with savings beyond our pensions might eventually be in a bit of trouble. 

Many farmers in our area are having trouble getting their crops seeded due to the wet conditions which will of course cause shortages. I plan on doing a bit more stocking up. I think I could put a bag of flour or two in the chest freezer. 

Still things can change. One of our GIC's actually got reinvested at the highest interest rate I have seen in a number of years. 

I have noticed more people offering free veggie starters on our Garage Sale sites, and I have noticed people offering more help to those in need even giving free items away that single mothers or those who have suffered a fire need. 

We can focus on on the negatives of what we are all facing, or we can figure out ways to rise above them much like our families did during the "Dirty Thirties". 

Instead of just existing and pinching pennies (oh don't get me wrong pinching pennies is still a big part of my life) we need to find ways to thrive and grow.

So perhaps my midweek blah's weren't so blah after all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.