Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal

My goodness the weather has certainly changed. We got a bit of frost last night and today we will get more. We are covering the ground cherries to see if we can actually get a crop or at least a few that we can dehydrate and use during the winter.

The usual frugal happenings on the old homestead. I am putting up whatever I can in preparation for the winter, heck pretty much in prep for whatever is going to happen.

Clothes are being hung on the downstairs lines as the weather has not really been good to hang items outside. 

Errands once again are being done together as much as possible. 

My exercise is still walking and I managed to get the same or just above number of steps all month. This month I will add another 1k to the total and hit all those the entire month.

Organized and tidied the sewing/craft room.

Organizing the chest freezer (that still has a ways to go). 

We were under total budget last month, but I am doing a bigger stock up this month so I am hoping to be at budget or just a tad under.

Moved money into the savings account. It wasn't a great deal, but it was something.

Using up all leftovers in other meals to feed the two of us, or eating smaller amounts for my lunch. 

Cooked some ready meals for the freezer.

Will be doing some baking to use up a few things in the chest freezer. 

Working on the yarn stash, and planning some sewing to use up some of my fabric. 

Used up some embroidery thread working on the quilt blocks. 

Mended a small shrug that I knit years ago and never got around to repairing.

Now the unfrugal things. Spent way too much on groceries today, and missed a few items off my list. My back got sore so I did not want to be heaving bread flour or sugar into the cart. I can manage until the next time I go shopping. I also bought a new hand mixer. I didn't price check with other stores, just picked up the one I liked in the store. My old one the beaters were starting to rust (it is about 40 years old) and I will put it aside to use when making lotions and potions. 

Our finances have taken a real beating this quarter, mostly because of what is happening in the world. This makes it even more important that I keep to my budget as much as possible. I also have an eye appointment on Monday and I am pretty sure I need new lenses. I just hope they can put them in the frames I already have. Frames are actually what cost the most for me. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

This week has been pretty quiet. I have stayed home and worked on various projects that need to be done before the winter. 

Found a lost flashlight and replaced the old dead batteries. One less thing to have to purchase. I do need to pick up a few more so every room has one to use if the power goes out.

I mended the fuzzy blanket that I got for Christmas last year.

Worked on decluttering my wardrobe. I have removed a few skirts and will continue working on that over the next week.

The garden is slowly being harvested. There is only one tomato plant left to gather, some jalapeno peppers, and of course the potatoes. Today Harvey dug up all the onions and they are curing in the basement.

I have dehydrated more herbs, gone through the bags of spices and found many doubles. Those doubles were poured together and put in another container. 

Meals are being made using what I have in the house. Leftovers are made into new meals, or if not enough for two are used for lunches. 

Using up some of the older stock from the chest freezer. I have made a deal with myself to use up at least one bag or one container each week. This week I used up some apple pie filling that I made last year in an apple crisp for our dessert.

Then of course there are the usual frugal and thrifty past times that Harvey and I both follow here on the old homestead. 

Our fuel is now up to $1.89.9 a liter and will probably climb even higher. This means we will be watching where and how we drive as well as combining even more errands where possible. 

Harvey started some red wine a couple of weeks ago. It is in the secondary now and should be ready to bottle by Thanksgiving next month.

Saved some veggie scraps to make more veggie broth down the road a bit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.  

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

I have closely been watching prices rising, mostly because of the cost of fuel to ship things. I am also noticing more and more Canadian goods on shelves, which is a very good thing. There are times that I wish I lived in a bigger center with more choice, but I will continue to save costs grocery wise where and how I can.

So far the thrifty and frugal things I am doing is making the most of the harvest. I have frozen carrots, and beans. Dehydrated herbs, scraps from onions (ground to make onion powder), and have started to freeze tomatoes (the skins will be dehydrated to make tomato powder). I have made pickled onions, relish, Cowboy candy, salsa, and chili sauce. The way the tomatoes are coming in I will need to find something else to can with those as well. I even froze some corn on the cob!!!

Soon I will be making pumpkin puree as well. I will also be dehydrating lavender leaves. 

Life is just one big harvest right now.

I am using the appliances to cook more of our food, and hope to get used to doing that a great deal more. 

I made a great many ready meals for the freezer and am going to be making a few more. These are in tinfoil containers that I can throw into the toaster oven to reheat.

I am only purchasing meat that is on sale, and trying to stock up on canned meat that is on sale as well. 

I purchased a make your own K-cup and will soon give up purchasing the ready made ones. I need one more plus the paper filters so I can make some ahead and store in airtight containers to save time.

I refashioned one dress into a skirt, and the other dress into a top and skirt (it was a very long dress). 

Walking for exercise and watching what I eat so as to keep up the weight loss.

Not turning on the heat as of yet. It isn't that cold when I get up in the morning that my robe and slippers won't keep me toasty.

Mending some seams and hems, fixed a few buttons, and patched a pair of Harvey's work pants. 

Hung clothes on the lines.

The air conditioning hasn't come on in a couple of days which is great.

That is pretty much all I can remember right now. I will share pictures of the garden processing perhaps tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

Just a quick update. This has not been a frugal week at all. Little things needed to be purchased for our trip.

The few frugal things I have managed to get done are hopefully enough to keep spending down.

1.  I forgot to get our allowances out on the 15th of this month so a bit of a cash saving there.

2.  Purchased a new tablet for our trip, but it was bought on sale and really so much less expensive than when I purchased the old one. I just did not want to take the notebook with me and all the cords that come with it. I found out that the cord that charges the tablet also charges my cell phone. A bit of a save on packing.

3.  Groceries were low, but mostly because I was using up leftovers. I am going to have to do a big stock up over the months of August and September.

4.  Made cherry jam, dehydrated herbs, and made a 1/2 batch of relish. Hope to pick some more cherries tomorrow and make pie filling.

5.  Hung the clothes on the lines to take advantage of wonderful drying weather.

6. Eating cucumbers, potatoes, lettuce and corn on the cob from the garden.

7.  Pulled stock from the chest freezer and made lots of chicken veggie, barley soup for meals later. Still more stock to use (ham and beef) that will be made up when we get back.

8. Mended a top that I want to take with me on this trip.

I will probably be too busy to post over the next few days, but I hope to post something about our arrival in Budapest on the 3rd.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. I will try and catch up with all of you when we are at Kris's on Saturday.

God bless. 

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

The usual thrifty and frugal practices are happening here. I did go out and purchase what we needed for our trip and probably on Sunday I will venture out to the grocery store before picking cherries and getting the one tree processed.

I mended a pair of pajama pants for Harvey. Another pair has been put into the sewing/craft room to make into rags. Those rags are very needed right now.

Sewed two dresses, pictures of which I will share on hopefully Friday. I make a very simple shift type dress for summer as those seem to be the coolest to wear. Some are made of a light cotton, and some are made with knit fabric.

Found fabric in my stash to sew Harvey a pair of summer weight pajama bottoms. Those will be completed tomorrow.

Pulled out my old tablet, powered it up and tried to get it to work. Not going to happen as it kept freezing on me. It is just too old. I guess I will be taking my notebook with me on holiday. Or perhaps I will struggle through with my phone. I can manage many things on that.

Visited our cell phone service provider and will be going back on the Saturday morning we leave for Regina to get a package put on so as to be able to use it when we are traveling for the 15 days we will be gone.

So other than eating up bits and bobs, making new lists, processing what I can from the garden, sewing, and planning on how to keep my plants watered and alive while we are gone, this is all I can come up with.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

Thrifty and Frugal

After most of a week of rain, we have had some lovely sunshine and things dried up enough to go out and work in the garden and yard. It was lovely to be out in the sunshine, but I made sure I got what I needed done outside before it got too warm. 

Now I am not going to get too excited about the lovely weather, as according to the weather pundits more rain (and lots of it) is headed our way starting Saturday and for the following 3 perhaps 4 days. 

On to what frugal and thrifty things are a happening here on the old homestead.

Using lettuce grown in our garden for salads. 

Hung clothes on the lines downstairs, because of rain on Monday.

Rain barrel is completely full and Harvey's repair is holding well. 

Made ice cream this week as well as yogurt. I will probably make more ice cream tonight, and I should actually start another batch of yogurt.

Using up leftovers from the fridge and freezer in our meals. I hope to use more up over the next few weeks.

Walking for exercise and managing to get lots of steps in, even if it is just inside the house and sometimes marching in place. Steps are steps.

Picked up the rebate cheque on our purchases at our Co-op. While it isn't a large one every little bit helps.

Managed to answer 5 surveys and got added points to two different companies. I am working towards Amazon gift cards. Did my grocery scan as well for yet more points. 

Decluttered some of the kitchen cupboards. I am about 2/3 way through tidying and cleaning and should finish those off tomorrow.

Watched the Great British Bake Off on Gem which is a free streaming service from CBC here in Canada.

Watched some YouTube channels and read blogs to try and get some more frugal and money saving ideas. 

The air conditioner didn't come on at all from Saturday until yesterday and now it only comes on later in the afternoon. Should save us on electric this month. 

Opening windows at night to cool the house down and closing them when I get up.

Still using appliances as much as possible to cook, rather than the stove or oven.

Put $0.55 of found change in the change jars.

Mended a pair of Harvey's jeans.

I am pretty sure that is almost all that has happened here on the old homestead. 

I hope that you all have had a thrifty and frugal week as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thurdays

Thrifty and Frugal

It has been just the usual weekly frugal and thrifty happenings here on the old homestead.

Trying my best to not waste anything at all food wise, and I am beginning to get tired of the only one who seems to be eating most of the leftovers. I think that tonight, instead of eating what is on my menu plan, I will just pull out all leftovers and see what we can finish up. I might have been cooking way too much over the last few days.

I am mending clothing, mostly seams on pj's and shorts. Though I did darn a pair of socks, and find a purse that the lining needs to be re-attached. Perhaps I will take that to the group meeting tonight. 

Using up yet more yarn weaving the second scarf, and when cleaning out the sewing/craft room (major cleaning almost done now) found a few double books to donate as well as an item I am going to take with us the next time we visit with Kris. I also sent a few items to recycling. Just a bit more to do in there and the only items that will be left on the floor will be things that go to other places. 

Trying hard to keep the air conditioning off as much as possible. I think that today is the first time it has come on in about 5 days. The rain we have been getting has filled the rain barrel that Harvey repaired. 

I got some free plants from a friend who was thinning some of her perennials out. 

Started some herbal salves to use up some of last year's harvested, dried herbs.

Tonight at the knitting/crochet/fiber arts group one of the ladies is bringing me some free yarn to use to make toques for the students at the school. Free yarn is good and will keep me supplied. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening (or afternoon, or morning).

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

Another week of being frugal and thrifty happened here on the old homestead. 

I have noticed that quite often my posts do not show up as changing on peoples feeds. I am not sure what hocus pocus is occurring on Blogger, but I do hope the fix the problem soon. I just always click on all blogs on my sidebar just in case there has been a post that didn't show up. Believe me there are lots.

1.  Hung all clothing on the lines outside this week, except for towels, and sheets.

2.  Windows open to cool the house two days this week.

3.  Using up leftovers in the fridge and fridge freezer to make meals.

4.  Patched a pair of Harvey's pants.

5.  No watering necessary outside as we have had some rain over the last three days.

6.  Used some of my saved allowances to purchase some new sandals, three bras, a skort, 2 pairs of pants and a very nice dress. All on sale and the total cost was under $80.00. Oops forgot 2 short sleeved tops as well.

7.  Picking lettuce from the garden.

8.  Harvesting and processing rhubarb (might get another pick as of right now).

9.  Put $0.45 in the change jars.

10.  Went grocery shopping and picked up lots of on sale produce, and some dairy which will keep me from going for a big shop next week.

11.  Spring cleaning and walking for exercise, using up some more purchased cleaners.

So not to bad a week. How did you all do this week?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

  

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal 

Another week of mostly thrifty and frugal happenings here on the old homestead. Life is good and getting better each and every day. Slowing down and enjoying the process.

1.  Since I was unable to hang clothes on the lines outside, things were hung to dry in the basement.

2.  Added to the savings envelope $100.00.

3.  Added $4.35 to the change jars. Going to have to roll those soon to use for the family reunion.

4.  Picked a lettuce from the garden for salads this week.

5.  Shopping was a bit high, but most was purchased on sale and I managed to get some meat for the freezer at very low prices for here.

6.  Bought 3 ice cream at a price I haven't seen for a number of years. Should be good for a bit.

7.  Using up yarn weaving the second scarf, and knitting those mitts.

8.  Found some bras that online cost $65.00 for one at Walmart for $24.99 and bought 3 for just over that cost by $10.00. I really needed some new ones that fit properly.

9.  Leftovers are being made into new meals or reheated for another meal. 

10.  Fixed a small hole in one of Harvey's shirts.

11.  Walking for exercise and managing to get all the steps in doing small chores around the house and yard.

12.  Picked rhubarb and made a pie, have enough to make a cake to freeze as well as probably some muffins. Free fruit. 

13.  Able to water plants with the water in the rain barrel.

14.  A friend is going to give me a comfrey plant when she thins hers out. 

15.  Decluttering is on going.

16.  Making sure to use appliances for cooking meals as much as possible. 

17.  Did up the budget entries for the month of May and was pleasantly surprised to be under budget once again.

18.  Moved some cash into the savings account and will try to do so again this month even if it is just a little.

19.  Made the most of the nice weather by sitting out on the deck a few early evenings. Slow living.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

Another week of thrifty and frugal habits here on the old homestead. 

1.  The weather was beautiful, but very warm this past week, so we have had to have the air conditioning on. However, we have it set at a reasonable temperature instead of the freezing cold we used to have it. Having it set a bit higher should save us a bit on electrical costs.

2.  Using appliances to cook this week so as to keep the house a bit cooler.

3.  Darned a couple of pairs of socks.

4.  Working outside in the cool of the morning planting and gathering.

5.  Watered with rain barrel water.

6.  Mended a small hole in a t-shirt.

7.  Reading free material on my ereader and the computer.

8.  Watching free tv using CBC Gem on the computer.

9.  Baked hamburger buns when the weather was cooler.

10.  Finished the shopping list using flyers and after an inventory of the pantry, fridge and freezer.

11.  All clothing was dried on the lines outside, finally.

12.  Only running the dishwasher when it is completely full.

I hope you all have had a thrifty and frugal week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

Thrifty and Frugal 

Cloudy once again, in a way that is a good thing for my frugal heart. It means no air conditioning, no watering, and the rain barrel being slowly filled.

So what frugal and thrifty things have we been up to this week. 

1.  The usual frugal and thrifty things that I do all the time. Lights off in rooms not in use, most meals made here at home, shopping the flyers, combining errands and repairing clothing.

2.  I am still trying to use up all that I can food wise and craft supply wise.

3.  Exercise is taking place by walking, and working in the garden. Next month I will be adding exercise by washing walls and all the light fixtures in the house. Spring cleaning, beginning in earnest.

4.  Fixed the wifi so that we can once again watch some streaming channels that were not coming in very well at all. They are coming in perfectly now.

5.  Reading free books that I have downloaded onto my ereader.

6.  Making sure I am washing full loads, both of clothing and dishes in the dishwasher.

7.  Found $0.35 in various pockets and have put that in the change jar.

8.  Used my gift certificate when I purchased fabric while at Kris's. 

9.  Decluttered a few items I no longer want or use. Someone else can probably use them.

10.  We bought a couple more berry bushes while at Kris's. While they will not produce fruit this year, we hope to get a bit next year. Saving us more grocery purchases in the future.

11.  I have decided to make both Kurt and Kris decent sewing kits and will search through my extra's to see what I can share with them. Kris already has a pin cushion, some decent pins, a few buttons (he will get more), a measuring tape and small scissors. Oh and some decent sewing needles. Should save me a bit of cash when making these up.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

  Thrifty and Frugal 

It has once again been a quiet week here on the old Phillips Homestead. Not quite as thrifty or frugal as I would have liked, but one manages the best that they can.

1.  The weather was so nice, or at least sunny most days this week so I managed to keep all lights off for most of the day.

2.  Decluttered a bit more in my closet. I tried on a dress and while it does fit I just do not feel comfortable in it. I put it on the pile to be refashioned or made into reusable fabric of some kind (squares to be used in fashioning fabric).

3.  Found thirty cents in pockets and put it in the change jars. 

4.  Eating as many leftovers from the fridge and freezer as humanly possible.

5. Chopped up mushrooms and celery before they went bad and have them in the freezer. 

6.  Added to the veggie scraps to make more veggie stock in a few weeks.

We are having one heck of a windstorm right now. At one point the wind gusts reached 110 km per hour, so almost 70 miles an hour. The dust is moving across the valley and at times I could not see the other side. 

Hopefully, I have downloaded the right video. 

This is what the wind is doing to our neighbour's shingles.

The wind seems to be going down now, but I think it will be pretty bad for the rest of the evening and into the night.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal 

I can't remember another month where the last day coincided with Thrifty and Frugal Thursday. Mind you my mind might be going a little bit.

We have had a few frugal and thrifty wins here on the old homestead, but of course there is always a catch and that was today. We needed to have 2 batteries put into the tire sensors, and they were ridiculously expensive. However there was one thrifty/frugal thing that happened while the vehicle was in.

On to my list.

1.  Straightened up some cupboards and managed to fill a few containers. Thank heavens for step ladders as I would never be able to reach these two cupboards without it.

2.  I managed to go 24 days without spending any money. May is going to be a tougher month, but I will try my best to get at least 20 no spend days. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

3.  Working on my projects and using up more yarn. Slowly but surely that stash is kind of shrinking. Hoping to have even more gone very soon. One would think after what will be 120 pairs of mittens knitted, things would really be used up.... Not true in reality. So I will knit some hats next for the school. They should be kind of funky looking and all sorts of colours.

4.  I put another $100.00 in the savings envelope. I also put $2.35 in the change jars. 

5.  Leftovers are being made into new meals, and those new meals actually end up feeding us another time. Nothing is being tossed. 

6.  Making bread and buns and eventually I will try and make bagels once again. 

7.  Darned another pair of my socks, and fixed a seam on one of Harvey's shirts.

8.  Now while this was not an inexpensive trip to the dealership for our vehicle. My advisor did not charge for his labour in replacing the sensor batteries. That was more than likely a savings of around $50.00. So nice of him.

So that is some of the new things happening here on the old homestead. Of course we are still following the tried and true frugal and thrifty things we have been doing for years.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

It is another week of thrifty and frugal living here on the old homestead. Taking care of using everything we have to the best of my/our ability. Trying to leave a smaller carbon footprint on the earth and give back to the land by cutting down on waste, fuel, and chemicals where possible.

1. Hanging clothes on the lines downstairs to dry. Washing full loads of clothes to save on water usage.

2.  Repaired a hem on my pants, and fixed a seam on one of Harvey's shirts.

3.  Using up lotions and potions that have been collected over the years.

4.  Put $0.55 in the change jars.

5.  Walked for free exercise every day.

6.  Made Vegetable stock from the scraps collected. 

7.  Made all our desserts this week from scratch using and using up things in the pantry and fridge. 

8.  Harvey planted more grass seed and some clover. The seed was from last year and he bought the clover this year. We just want a green front yard and clover just might allow that to happen. 

9.  Baked bread.

10.  Continuing the decluttering process.

11.  Cut out some patterns to sew for the summer. Remnants used and the bits and bobs put away to use in other sewing projects.

12.  Used up a ball of black yarn, a ball of grey yarn, and a ball of red yarn making the first scarf. 

13.  Saved the water while it was warming to water the plants this week.

14.  Saved the small plastic containers that the cherry tomatoes came in to use to plant on seedlings.

Life is good. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

Thrifty and Frugal 

Welcome to the third thrifty and frugal Thursday of April. Hard to believe how quickly time is passing. Also hard to believe the rather winter-like weather we have been getting here on the Canadian prairies. We have had some lovely days where the sun was shining and the temperatures weren't too bad, and we definitely took advantage. 

So what were the frugal and thrifty happenings around the old homestead this week.

1.  Busy using up bits and bobs from my stash of craft supplies.

2.  Stuck to my list and have hopefully come in under the grocery budget this month. However there is a great meat sale on some cuts at our Co-op and I may just blow the budget and pick some of those up. It could end up saving us a bundle the next few months. We shall see.

3.  Lights have been turned off, clothes hung on the lines downstairs, and solar heat a few days this week kept the furnace from coming on too much during that time.

4.  More of my flowers are popping up. 

5.  Harvey planted some Eggplant and we are hopeful those will sprout as well.

6.  I am up to 13 no spend days so far this month, and pretty sure I can add more to that amount. 

7.  Put $0.45 in the change jars, and added $75.00 to the savings envelope. I use the money in the envelope to purchase fabric and yarn or at times buy new clothing/shoes. The change jars help with paying for the Family reunion every 2 years. 

8.  Fixed a zipper on one of my fleece jackets. I hate fixing zippers!!!

9.  Harvey moved his wine from the primary to the secondary and will probably be bottling either the end of the month or perhaps the end of the first week in May.

10.  Harvey used bits and bobs from his stash of lumber downstairs to build a small stool to use with the grow lights and when outside planting.

So that is pretty much all that has been happening here.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

It has been pretty quiet here so far this week. Of course we took our taxes to the accountant's today so that will be our excitement waiting to see what we owe, and we know we will be owing some. Hopefully, just not as much as last year.

So what new frugal things have I been up to this past week.

1.  I have been making good use of leftovers this past week, and tonight since I do not have enough left from Tuesdays supper I will be pulling out some chicken bites that have been in the freezer for awhile to use up. There is a bit of salad left and I will be cutting up some sweet peppers to use with some dip as another side. I even think there are a few grape tomatoes left to add to this as well. Stretching out the meal with what needs using up.

2.  Cooked up dry kidney beans and got them portioned and frozen to be used later.

3.  Made pork and beans from the dried navy beans and on sale bacon. Those have also been portioned up, frozen and will be used later.

4.  Cut our energy (gas bill) by $7.00 from last month. However cut the electric bill by almost $70.00. Made sure lights were off in rooms not in use, turned lights off during the day when it was sunny, using my small appliances more to do the day to day cooking, and of course hanging what clothing I can on the lines downstairs. Every little bit helps right now.

5.  Harvey made a small stool out of the bits and bobs of lumber he had downstairs. He painted it with paint we already had as well.

6.  Once again I did some clothing repairs. Fixed a hem on one of Harvey's sleep shirt, sewed on a few buttons that had come loose, and fixed a hem on a pair of my summer capris.

I am still walking for free exercise, using up yarn from my stash, and soon will be using up some fabric pieces.....

Life is good, and while I won't bury my head in the sand I am preferring to concentrate on those things I can control like spending, cooking, and a bit of preparing.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.  

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

It is a chilly day today, not at all what we are really used to for the Easter holiday. But since there is no snow or rain forecast I will take it. 

Just the usual frugal practices around the old homestead with perhaps a couple of new things.

1.  Planted some herb seeds this week, and got some other herb seed and another flower seed from a friend. Free is great.

2.  Managed to change emails in most of my bills, might have to phone to get another couple changed eventually. 

3.  Using up all leftovers in meals or frozen to be used later.

4.  Put $3.55 in the change jars this week.

5.  Added $75.00 to my savings envelope. 

6.  Got our water bill and I managed to cut $40.00 from what the last one cost us. 

7.  Harvey is going to use his cash back on his Visa to pay off the bill this coming month (should really not have much to pay on that at all).

8.   Cleaning the print heads on the printer to hopefully extend the printer life. Not going very well really.

10.  Used up another partial orphan ball knitting mitts. 

12.  Planned the months menus to use up items that we already have.

13.  Harvey cleared all the snow and did some repairs on a few woodworking items he had made. 

So that is my list for the week along with the usual things we always do.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

Another Thursday has arrived this month. It is hard to believe we are on the third one this month. Once again the days are slipping by very quickly. 

So what frugal things have I been up to this past week.

1.  Using up some Cricut supplies, glitter and clear plastic ornaments to make an item for the silent auction.

2.  Added $100.00 to the savings envelope.

3.  The micro computer I ordered was on sale for $100.00 off and free delivery.

4.  Mended a pair of Harvey' pj bottoms.

5.  Used up a ball of yarn knitting the border for the rug, and it was a ball that I have had for years.

6.  I am now up to 14 no spend days so far this month.

7.  Baked bread and baked buns. 

Then of course there were the usual hanging as much as possible on the lines downstairs, combining errands, using up leftovers from the fridge and fridge freezer, as well as walking for my daily exercise. 

Tonight I am attending a "Fiber Friends" get together to see what it is like. I will probably not get a visit with all of you today, but will do so first thing in the morning if I miss you. I am not always comfortable being around strangers but we shall see how things work tonight.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

The snow arrived at about 6:35 am. At times it was so heavy I could not see clearly down the hill to the gas station in the valley right below. Poor Harvey couldn't check out gas prices today and I was in a bit of a rush while out so didn't check for him. The wind has picked up now and the snow is blowing around. Should be some lovely drifts tomorrow.

So what thrifty and frugal things have I been up to this week.

1.  Adding vegetable scraps to the bag in the freezer. Hope to make veggie stock very soon.

2.  Baked bread and have a loaf in the freezer.

3.  Working on projects to use up all those bits and bobs of fabric and yarn.

4.  Paid the bills online (including the extra car insurance, just had to make up a nickname so I could tell the difference between policies).

5.  Darned a pair of my socks.

6.  Continued the decluttering.

7.  Either using leftovers for another meal or freezing them for use later on.

8.  My exercise has been walking around the house.

9.  Used saved water to water the inside plants. 

10.  As usual hung two loads on the lines downstairs.

11.  Downloaded some more free reading material onto my ereader.

I did go out and do some errands today before the worst of the storm hit. I got our allowances which will be handed out on the 15th and picked up a few items at the grocery. I also picked up the mail and we got a few more necessary forms for our taxes. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening (or late afternoon).

God bless.

 

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

Since I have not been feeling that well, things are really being used up around here. My fridge freezer is slowly dropping, and the crisper was getting pretty darn empty here. 

I did go shopping today, and rested a great deal once home. I wanted to get out and get that done as we are being told we were going to be getting freezing rain later today. That after snow.... I made it home before any real snow started.

1.  Meals have been made this past week with what we have on hand in the fridge, freezers, pantry, and cold room (that's where we have our potatoes).

2.  Harvey made more wine for the summer.

3.  A picture frame was made from his bit of lumber downstairs. 

4.  My electric bill has dropped by $5.00 as I am using appliances to cook more, and making sure lights are off in rooms not in use.

5.  Mended a pair of boxers, darned a pair of socks, and fixed a hem on a pair of pants.

6.  Working on making more from scratch and getting meals into the freezer by making larger batches. 

7.  Trying to find reusable K-cups that will fit my machine. I also looked a machines that use both the cups and a pot. 

8.  Put $75.00 into my savings envelope.

9.  Added $5.35 to the coin jars.

10.  Doing the regular frugal and thrifty things like hanging clothing on the lines downstairs, using up craft supplies, and making sure the doors are using the draft dodgers.

Still tired, and I even had a bit of a sleep after shopping. I then spent the rest of the day working on projects, doing a tiny bit of decluttering, and walking when I needed to. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.