Midweek, The Ups and Downs of Life

 

I feel better about how I live my life today. I, really, just never realized that my way of living a frugal life did not measure up to the expectations of some people. That it could be they did not consider me to be frugal enough, that I would not accept other's tips on being frugal, that as a couple Harvey and I had too much money to actually be considered frugal (duh, we have that money cause we are frugal). 

It really bothered me that someone could belittle my way of life so easily, and say that if I wasn't picky in what I purchased and only purchased sale items I could cut my grocery budget even more. There are certain things I need to purchase for health reasons whether they are on sale or not, the rest of my list is on sale items with the occasional treat thrown in. 

We rarely eat out, and only order in on a date night once a month. No bar hopping here, and when the weather is cold we hunker down at home and sit it out. 

The fact is, costs in Canada vary greatly depending on where you live. We live off the beaten path in a small city of about 13,000, with no city supplied transportation, which means driving is necessary. Mind you to drive across the city only takes about 10 mins. Walking would be a bit longer of course, it can be done, but carrying groceries could be a wee bit of a problem. 

Because we are stuck down in the corner of the province we are not near the Trans Canada Highway which is the main route for trucks. They need to take a mean detour south for about 180 miles. This adds costs to our groceries over and above what living in the middle of the country adds. 

So, while we don't have lots of coupons or things like Waggs deals, all of us here do the best we can with what is available. I belong to Neilson IQ (used to be HomeScan) and I scan in all my shopping for points. I use those points to purchase gift cards that I can soothe my book ownership fetish. I love books, and now while this does not give me the real book in the hands feeling, it does help. I also get lots of books free from the site where I get my ereader books from. Use Bookbub and I highly recommend it for book lovers who use an ereader.

Most people I know here use up all they can food wise. I have tried the eating of the broccoli stems, I think that could be an acquired taste, but will keep working on that one. More and more of my friends are planting vegetable gardens, and planting fruit trees or berry bushes. 

I sew most of my own clothing and have even branched into sewing a few things for Harvey. Old clothing that is beyond repair is turned into fabric for quilts, or if it is really bad, rags for cleaning. Scraps of bought fabric are also used in quilts, or some pretty colourful cushions and even clothing if the pieces are big enough.

I knit sweaters, blankets, shawls, scarves, mittens, and socks. I darn and mend what needs it. 

What serves as frugal for one, might not be frugal for another but the conclusion that I have come to is that my frugal life suits me perfectly, and just because I am lucky enough to have saved enough to make my retirement easier does not mean that I am not frugal or ready to try something new on this journey.

So life for me is back to normal for the most part. I will live my frugal life and let others live theirs. My frugal life suits me perfectly, and if anyone has any ideas on how I can expand my frugality (is that even a word). Keep right on putting them on your blogs for me to read.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

A very quiet day here on the Canadian prairies and so a vey quiet day here on the old homestead.

Things are getting cold once again and we have had a few snow flurries. It has been a day to curl up and stay close to home. 

I got all my household tasks completed and did a bit of knitting while curled up in my chair. 

I have been asking myself a few questions over the course of the day and while I have come up with a few answers, there are still a few running through my head with no real end to them. No real conclusions.

 Someone has made me question my frugality, is it real? or is it just something I am hoping is true. Am I faking it?

These are things I will need to consider moving forward. Will it change the way I blog? Perhaps. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Well, here I thought I wouldn't have to change menus around until later in the month. Changing things around already here. But at least I am using things up like I wanted.

Monday

Roast Chicken, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and the leftover coleslaw.

Tuesday

Leftover stir fry on rice (I may add a can of mushrooms to the stir fry when heating it up).

Wednesday

Steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Thursday

Leftover chicken made into a casserole. Served with a salad.

Friday

A package of fake crab made into a chowder or a small casserole.

Saturday

Using up the leftover chicken casserole and the salad.

Sunday

Roast beef, roast potatoes, roasted carrots.

I hope to use up some of the appetizers I have for lunches through the week.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Today will just be a few pictures of a visitor that came to our front bird feeder last night. Someone we would prefer not be eating the bird seed.

Harvey has really been enjoying his trail camera. Between the birds and now our friendly neighbouring deer I am afraid he will be forever taking pictures.

Otherwise it has been a quiet day here on the old homestead. I cut out Harvey's robe and I think that tomorrow I just may start sewing.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

It has been a week of trying to use things up, and we actually managed to do so. 

Harvey made a bird feeder (another is in the works for Orioles this time around) and a Hummingbird house. All were made with things he had in his workroom, or in the wood box outside.

First off the bird feeder....

I should say he had to purchase some plexi-glass but that will be used for many more projects.

Next up the Hummingbird house. This was made from a medium sized branch from our woodshed. He should be able to make a couple more from that branch (well at least one more). He wants to hang three from our tree in the backyard by our deck.

I have already been told that the flowers on my deck need to be attractive to Hummers.... 

Me, well I have been pulling fabric and cutting it out. So far this is what I have done. Some of the shorts and tops are double cut (meaning there are two different sewing tasks). These will be going into the project bags tonight. I still have a few more items and pieces of fabric I need to use up. 

I also did some baking to try and use up a few things in the chest freezer. Trying to get it ready for spring pickings and the fall harvest.

I did have a bit of a mix-up today. I forgot to take the leftover pork out to make stir fry. However, I do have leftover Sloppy Joe mix so that will be used up and I will make the stir fry tomorrow for supper. Because of the mix-up, though I also got to use up the remaining cabbage and made a slaw.

So how are all of you doing using things up?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

We have had a lovely day, so lovely in fact that I managed to get two walks in. I am hopeful that I can get the same in tomorrow. 

So what frugal things have I and even Harvey been up to here on the old homestead.

1.  Using up all leftovers.

2.  Hanging what items I can on the lines down in the basement.

3.  Harvey has been busy making bird feeders and nesting boxes out of items he already has in his work room.

4.  Pulling out fabric from my storage containers. I have cut out a couple of tops, a dress, a pair of capris, and three pairs of shorts. All the bits and bobs of cut offs have been saved to be used in other garments or in quilt making later on. 

5.  Drapes, blinds open to let in the heat and light during the day, closed as the evening falls to keep the heat in. 

6.  Today was a walk of a longer length. Loved being able to do so outdoors. 

Pictures tomorrow of the various things we have been up to this week for the weekly roundup.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 It has been another week of using items up and shopping from home. I bought only fish this week when I was shopping and did manage to pick up a few more items for my stocking up for a year on certain supplies (all were on sale, or hadn't gone up in cost).

I am pretty sure I have enough dishwasher soap for a year, garbage bags, SOS pads, bath soap for Harvey (I think I may need one more container of bath gel for myself), liquid hand soap, stove top cleaner, and a couple of other items. I will wait on a few others after I figure out how much I am using each month.

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

Harvey has been using up bits and bobs in his workroom, pictures to come on Saturday. He has been working on another specialty feeder. 

I mended a pair of Harv's boxers, darned a pair of socks, and fixed a neckline on one of my nightgowns.

All food leftovers are being used up, either for lunches or as another meal for our suppers. 

I have been pulling fabric I have bought at garage sales to make some spring/summer wardrobe refreshers. Many items are being made for well below the cost of purchasing in my second hand stores. The second hand stores here do not really carry my size or if they do the items disappear very quickly.

Substituted for ingredients I did not have on hand.

In other words pretty much the usual around here.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.