Today we will address some ideas that those who are 'frugal' think about. There are lots more people realizing that they need to cut back and do something different. Prices rise on everything, and I can almost assure you that they will not be going down much - if any. Inflation may stabilize, but prices generally don't go back down. Something has to be done to stretch those dollars. Pay does not go up with inflation, sadly.
**That being said - I read Aldi plans on lowering the prices of even more items than it did in the last quarter. They said they still made profit with lower prices and will lower even more! (you don't see that often).
As stated last week - wants versus needs. This is huge. You need shelter, food, utilities, insurance - but you don't need the newest phone or computer or that fancy coffee or lunch out every day.
You have to set your priorities. Much may go bye-bye for a while as you concentrate on getting ahead. Don't continue to purchase your wants, then ask for help with your needs!!!! YOU need to be in control.
PAY your debts! Make as many payments and as much as possible. Paying minimum payments will never get you ahead. Always add extra to the minimum. Late fees are just an absolute waste. Pay highest interest debt off first. QUIT charging!!!!!
Take control! Your circumstances may not change, but you can change your perspective. Do anything and everything you can to stay on top and be positive. I am a firm believer that our situations or actions or reactions have a reason. Nothing is an accident. Things are learning moments. Make a game of it if necessary. I know it isn't easy - been there and done that - but the Little Engine principle really does help - "I think I can, I think I can".
Be realistic. Sure, a big fancy home might be nice or that new vehicle - but a small fixer upper will provide lodging and is affordable, and do maintenance on vehicles - that is usually cheaper than buying new and having that big monthly payment. It is about trade-offs.
Read, learn and practice. NO, you won't always get it right the first time. YES, you may fall off the wagon now and then. But you back up and KEEP trying. This whole way of living a simpler life is not always easy. It does take work and determination. You may need to downsize, sell things, use just the basics, barter, never waste things - it is a learning process.
Learn to do simple things for fun. Reading, games, puzzles, popcorn and a movie (at home), walks or hiking, fishing, foraging, the list goes on and on. Make it a family adventure. Kids get their cues from adults - so if you are having fun and acting joyful - they see that and they will be too. Enjoy your family. Show confidence in all you do - make it fun. Do the hard thing!
Always SAVE something. Even if it is just a couple dollars, or change, or birthday gifts, etc. SAVE something - for emergencies. ie: eating out is not an emergency!!!!
You will run into naysayers - no doubt. We have all had that experience. Handle them with grace! Be kind and tell them your life is YOURS and you are making changes. Not everyone does things the same. Smile, be kind, and have faith you can do this. Those things can take you a long way!
Trust me - some will call you crazy! Most of us have heard it all.
Tomorrow & maybe Thursday will be some kitchen/home ideas to think about - things we can do to take care of our food, ways to use things in new ways, and how to stretch our food dollars and items.
Here is a fun thing - snow and cold is everywhere - may as well have fun with it!!!!
I hope all that are just starting this journey will know, that there are many people out there that can help you through this. It is a journey and an adventure - it isn't always easy - but you can make it fun.
There are many, many more ideas to come and things to share - no way can it all be put in one post. Stay tuned for ideas and tips.
YOU CAN DO IT.
We are here to help when we can. Now go get started!!!!!!
Way to go Aldi. I have noticed the lower prices. I find that many would rather pay the high prices at the regular grocery stores than have to bag their own and not have all the perks of the expensive chains. I don't get it! My Mom always said, "A fool and his money are soon parted!"
ReplyDeleteI'd rather bag my groceries, than ring up my own groceries! Guess it is because I am used to the bagging. Heck, most of the time I have to bag at the regular grocery as there aren't extra people working to do that.
DeleteI will take lower prices every time! Your mom was right!!
"There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it." (Amplified Bible Classic Edition)
ReplyDeleteI think this Scripture definitely goes along with the theme of this blog and should be the impetus for us to be good stewards of what we have been blessed with from the Father.
Sure happy to see the sunshine! Still cold, will warm some and then get cold again. That being said, I am grateful for a warm home and hot water. Give those bitty kitties a snuggle from me.
A very good scripture. Yes, it is right there with what I was saying. We must be good stewards of all we have.
DeleteThe sun is wonderful!!!! What a mood changer. Yep, it is cold, but the sun is actually melting snow on the drive!
Kitties just had lunch and will curl up with me for a while!
I just realized the other day another way to save and was a bit annoyed at myself for not realizing it. But instead of wasting any more emotion on it I added it to my to-do list to take care of. It'll be a bit of a project and I'll have to wait until it warms up.
ReplyDeleteThere's so many ways to save and many, many opportunities that are free it seems silly not to take advantage of them. The parks here have lovely trails and several have those outdoor exercise enhancements like pull-up bars or balance beams. I also found good exercise programs on YouTube. No need to pay a gym membership!
I have a little cookbook called Cook This, Not That. The premise is you can save calories and money by cooking your favorite restaurant meals at home. It's a cute little book. It shows you a picture of the items along with the calories and cost at the restaurant. Then it gives a recipe along with the cost per serving and calories. I think it would be a great way for anyone used to going out and fears missing their favorite meals if they cooked at home. The cost per serving could be decreased by buying ingredients on sale or clearance. But even if that wasn't done you'd still save quite a bit.
My daughter has been enjoying free birthday treats because she signed up with various food establishments for their birthday clubs. They are businesses that we usually at some point during the year do patronize.
My husband was looking at the spend analyzer for our credit card recently. We put almost everything on the card and pay it off every month and use the points to lower our cost of needed purchases or to buy gifts. Now that our kids are out of the house my husband is feeling like we have room to spend more on us. He pointed to a couple of categories and says we could spend more on us in those categories as he thought they were sort of low. I, on the other hand, was horrified the numbers were higher than I expected and immediately began thinking of ways to lower them!! Lol.
~margaret
Yes there are always ways to save - we just need to pay attention and get creative. Parks are a wonderful resource as are libraries. I have had that book - not sure where it is. My week has been using all the odd ball bits. I will show those ways on Wrap-Up Sunday.
DeleteYAY - so many freebies on birthdays for all ages.
Men and women - always think differently!!
You probably can spend more on yourselves - I can - but yes mam, there is that mindset. Not sure what I am saving for - except maybe old age - LOL! The kids should be saving for their own futures and that of their kids.
I totally understand where you are coming from. Maybe spend a little on fun - got to keep hubby happy!
Margaret, we do the same thing with our card. It's making your money work for you. What really works for us is using the points for "gift cards" that we use ourself for things like groceries, household products, etc. We love making our favorite restuarant meals at home as well. Cookie
DeleteI get those points on one card - and use them to get GC's for other places for myself or gifts. Yep, make your money work for you!
DeleteI just realized I may have written too long a post! I hope it doesn't disappear like other one,Cheryl! Plz look for it if it does!
ReplyDelete~margaret
Your good - it is here!
DeleteWhat a GREAT blog post, Cheryl. "You have to set your priorities." YES!! THIS!!!! Our grocery sale flier came today for Safeway. We need food. We need *healthy* food to stay healthy. We don't need to spend a small fortune for that if we prioritize sales, are flexible and creative. Lets say a person gets EBT or (as a senior) is on one of the Part C Medicare plans that offers up to $300 per month for food (usually as part of a special diet program).
ReplyDeleteA digital coupon this week for up to 6 lbs. of fresh 80% lean ground beef at $1.97 lb. isn't out of the question for a lower fat diet IF you know how/learn how to skim the fat from the meat, making it 90-97% lean after cooking and skimming. Add lentils to browned, skimmed ground beef and you stretch it to the equivalent (in amount) of 12 lbs. of low fat, high fiber, nutrition packed protein for spaghetti, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, Sloppy Joes and more!
There's a clip coupon for Hunt's Pasta sauce, Hunts tomatoes or sauce, and Rotel tomatoes (all in cans) at $1.49 each, BUT there's a digital coupon for Friday only on Ragu Pasta sauce and all American Beauty pasta--5/$5. You can get off brand diced tomatoes and sauce at WM and DG/FD/DT for $1. Why not save 49 cents per can or jar?
Need lunchmeat for sandwiches? There's a digital coupon for Oscar Meyer Deli Fresh lunchmeat at $5.99 ea. (one pound), but don't use that. Instead buy no-coupon needed Sanderson Farms split chicken breasts at 97 cents lb., roast it in your oven, chill it in the fridge, and slice deli thin for sandwiches, saving a whopping $4.02 lb. Once sliced, put some in lunchmeat package sized portions in your freezer to thaw and use later.
Eggs? There's a digital coupon for Lucerne Cage Free large eggs, 18 count, at $2.27 ea., limit of 2. That's a low, low price right now. Buy the limit, even if you're only feeding one or two people. Cheryl has shared many times how to freeze uncooked eggs for future use.
Healthy produce? Especially fruit? Using a digital coupon, you can get an 8 lb. bag of naval oranges for $4.99, OR there's a d.c. for strawberries (1 lb.) at $1.27, and on Friday use the d.c. for seedless grapes 3 lbs./$5. No coupon needed for Honeycrisp or Sugar Bee apples at $1.27 lb. Roma tomatoes are $1.29 lb.
Maybe you want a treat. Pizza. The lowest priced take out or delivery pizza is Little Ceasar's... OR, no coupon needed, get as many as 4 Red Barron Classic frozen pizzas for $3.77 ea. and bake at home.
So many folks go into grocery stores and buy what they feel like eating, what they believe is healthier, or what they've planned for meals that week, getting much less food than expected or paying much more than expected. Spend time with those sales fliers first. Prioritize. Be flexible and creative. You'll save a lot of $$$ and eat healthfully.
Whew! Not meaning to sound like a teacher, I was just figuring out what I'LL do looking through that flier. After awhile it becomes 2nd nature. It's just what you always do. --Elise
Elise, I agree that roasted chicken, turkey or a pot roast or roast beef always make better sandwiches than deli meat. Cheaper, better for you and tastes SO much better.
DeleteThanks. Yes, priorities are very important. Bills, food, lodging, health all over WANTS.
DeleteYou got some good deals going on in your area. I haven't even looked at the ads yet this week - may not. Why look, if I need nothing?
I buy beef bologna once in a great while as a treat 0 I love it - but it has to be dirt cheap. Otherwise, like you said chicken is pretty cheap - but those cheap turkeys and hams at the holiday!!!!! No way could anyone buy lunchmeat as cheap as those. Buy, cook and slice.
Coupons can be great if it is for something you really use. Not just because it is cheap.
There are just so many ways to stretch the budget - especially the food budget. We will work on other areas too.
I sure it all helps someone.
Cheryl, I'd planned on doing the same as the New Year began. It's not just that old habits die hard, it's an awareness that prices will continue to climb through this year. At least. BUT now I can be pickier. We don't need the fruit. I have chicken in the freezer--both cooked and uncooked. $1.97 lb. for ground beef is a price I haven't seen in a long, long time. So even if I have to shoehorn it into a freezer, it may be worth buying. I can make shelf space for $1 bottles of Ragu pasta sauce. Heck, I can slide non-perishable foods under the guest room bed. LOL! The pizza I can pass on, but son might want us to buy those for him (as you know, he pays us back in deals from the market in his "town"). Eggs we can split. I've even--using your technique--frozen the yolks and whites separately. Plus, eggs last a lot longer than their "best buy" dates.
DeleteSome might think, "She's just justifying what she's not in urgent NEED of." Maybe so. But I've read avian flu is in North America again. The last time that happened, eggs were as high as $7 per dozen here. Might not be a bad idea to have some "deposited" in our chest freezer/food savings? --Elise
Great post Elise.Cindy/WV
DeleteI am committed to saving more this year. It may not be a lot, but it will be something. These are great suggestions for adjusting your lifestyle to this terrible inflation.
ReplyDeleteI think that may be a goal for all of us. If not - it should be. No need to waste $ when we can figure a way to stretch those $.
DeleteElise-great suggestions! I especially liked the suggestion on the chicken. I grew up with my mom always making sandwiches with whatever meat was leftover from dinner. She rarely bought deli meat. Even at today's prices there are often deals to be had on dinner meats that are way cheaper than deli meat.
ReplyDelete~margaret
Deli meat is just crazy high here. I walk right by the deli and never look twice. Have done this for years. I can make any salad they have in there, and the meats are ridiculous in price. Chicken, turkey, ham, even leftover roast - yep, that is what we used growing up. Oh and tuna and tuna salad.
DeleteThank you, Margaret. I did the same with my own sons. They were school age when those blasted Lunchables came on the scene. All the kids wanted them. I had to show them in the grocery store how much other food (they liked) could be bought for the price of one plastic boxed Lunchable, and then asked what they'd be willing to do without to buy them? Ditto juice pouches. By middle school they were making their own lunches and not complaining. :-) --Elise
DeleteP.S. Lunchables don't have enough food in them to keep most kids over 4 or 5 full until dinner.
Something everyone needs to keep their eyes on is what is going on in the coast of Yemen. Prices on fuel and all items shipping to us from that area are probably going to go through the roof.
ReplyDeleteI try to plan and save where I can because eventually there are items that we NEED and we're going to be paying a lot more for them.
Thanks - good reminder. The world does make a difference in our prices.
DeleteI am doing some planning now on things I want to get done this year - not cheap - but necessary. We need to do what we can and in a timely manner.
I have been keeping a careful eye on it, Lori. It's also been a multi-decade habit to follow economic and farming news. What I'm seeing and hearing everywhere now is "hunkering down" mode, which tells me more people are aware than media would like us to believe. --Elise
DeleteNot to mention that Ukraine was a major producer of wheat and other grains. They were a major provider of grain for the world market. The lack of crops, due to the war there, will have an impact on prices. Keep that canister filled and have a back-up on hand. We may be back making homemade bread, due to NEED not pandemic boredom.
DeleteThinking outside the box... or the country? We've found a way to save a serious chunk of change each month. I mentioned we switched U.S. health insurance companies. The one w/Hubs' pension plan was going from $1300 mo. to over $1500 mo. in 2024, so we found one last fall for $1000 mo., no deductibles, good basic care coverage and 80/20 on hospitalizations, surgeries and the like. Most of our prescriptions are also lower. However we both take Januvia, and the cost of that is untenable at the pharmacy we must use ($500+ per mo. each), and still higher than before through an approved mail order, discounted pharmacy ($180 per mo. each).
ReplyDeleteSolution? Canada. We can get Januvia through a Canadian mail order pharmacy--legally, btw--for even less than we had been paying. It's a bit of a hassle to set up. Delivery will take 3-4 weeks, but a three month supply will cost $129 plus shipping. How? Well, outside of the U.S. prescription medicines cost much less than they do here.
Not sure if this is of interest to anyone, but it might be worth looking into if your prescription costs are high and you're not yet eligible for Medicare. --Elise
Thank you for the info
DeleteAlso, a reminder to check prices on GoodRX. Most pharmacies will cross-check for you, and if they don't, do it yourself -- it costs nothing. If you find a better price, just tell them you have a GoodRX price at $x.oo and ask if they will honor it. It won't be applied to your annual insurance out-of-pocket, but sometimes that savings is worth it. If the price is still out of reach, look into support resources -- especially if it's a TIer 3 or Tier 4 med. My Medicare navigator advised me to start with GoodRX and see if the med has a "co-pay card." If not, they will advise you on options. I'm on a new med that runs $1900+ every 3 months, AFTER my RX out-of-pocket of around $500/refill. It turns out that the CoPay Card for this drug is for those with private insurance, not Medicare. But, they directed me to a not-for-profit that helps with coverage, and advised me what to do if that n-f-p could not help. I applied with the n-f-p and was approved on the phone within about 45 minutes, for 100% out-of-pocket costs. Now to see if the med provides the desired results! There is no shame in asking for help when you've done everything in your power to resolve the issue and still can't make ends meet.
DeleteGreat post, Cheryl. And great suggestions from everyone. I sat down the other day and started figuring out how much savings was accrued from just 1 bag of flour and a few other ingredients. A 5 lb bag of flour has 18 cups. 5 lbs at our store is $2.26 per bag - no coupon needed. It's the store brand and very good unbleached, non gmo etc. A loaf of bread here is upwards to $5. I can make two loaves using 6 cups of flour and bit of yeast that I buy in bulk, and so on for approximately less than a 50 cents a loaf. I now have 12 cups of flour left. English muffins here are $6 for 6. My husband has one every morning with his breakfast. For a months worth of store bought English muffins that comes to approximately $30 a month. We don't have an Aldi's nearby. I make a double batch of English muffins using 5 cups of flour, 1/2 tsp of yeast, dry milk powder that's been reconstituted, and some oil.. Again for a cost of less than 75 cents for the month. There are now 7 cups if flour left Sunday's he likes to have a scone. Scones here are $3.50 apiece.
ReplyDeleteCost to make
16 at a time for a cost of just close to $3 total, thus saving $55 over a 4 month period.
After using 4 cups of flour for the scones, there are now 3 cups of flour left and might be used for any number of things. On average I'm saving close to $60 a month when you factor in what will be made with the remaining 3 cups of flour. It's amazing what a little diy can save. For myself -- I'm on a gluten free low histamine diet and the savings can be put toward special needs that I have without stressing the food budget. Cookie
You go girl! This so reminds me of Amy Dacyczn Of The Tightwad Gazette books. She used to break everything down - homemade vs. store bought. The savings is just amazing. The taste is better. It is fresh. You know what is in it. The list goes on and on. That is pretty cool.
DeleteMore people need to be aware of what they have and how to use it. Thank you for sharing.
Exactly, Louise. I often think the same, although I did all I could when our sons were growing up. If only I had that same energy *now* when I have so much more time! --Elise
DeleteLouise and Elise, I think that is true for most of us. Our children are grown and have their own families. We're retired and I have the time and the inclination to do so much more diy. Especially having special dietary needs . Cookie
DeleteI am going to make this with my grandkids who are stuck here as it is a snow day!
ReplyDeleteSnow ice cream is the best!!!!! It is fun too. ENJOY
DeleteWe used to make snow ice cream with the Girl Guides. I may have to give this a try once again.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many little ways of saving a dollar here and a few cents there. It all adds up.
God bless.
Give it a go - it tastes so good. We don't have the snow for it right now.
DeleteYes, so many ways to save and all the little things add up. Pennies make dollars.
This is such great advice, Cheryl, :
ReplyDeleteDon't continue to purchase your wants, then ask for help with your needs!!!! YOU need to be in control.
This cannot be stated enough because like you say there are newcomers to frugal living all the time and they want to learn all these tips and tricks too.
Thanks. Nothing that aggravates me more than someone I sit back and watch just waste $$$ - then they ask for help with groceries or utilities. Really? I used to help - finally got smart (unless kids are involved).
DeleteI hope this all helps someone.
There's a meme circulating on Facebook, showing a car that's slid into a ditch off a snow-covered road. The caption: "What happens when you buy a Stanley Cup, acrylic nails, and lash extensions instead of snow tires."
DeleteThere is no Aldi where I live so we go to grocery outlet. They almost never have the same thing twice but the prices are usually good. We also go to WinCo. By the way about that snow - snow always contains at least one particle of dirt. Think of how dirt cars are after it rains or snows. But everyone needs a little dirt in their diet, right…. Nancy in Vancouver,WA
ReplyDeleteSorry you have no Aldi. They are pretty cool. I love we all have some outlet that has cheaper groceries.
DeleteLOL - sure it all has a bit of dirt. Probably most of what we eat does. I advise getting the snow from ones own yard - right after the snow falls! That would be the cleanest - given the particles in the air.
I once bought a Lunchables for my one daughter who wanted them so bad. She hated it. That was that. Cost me $2 but was worth the lesson.
ReplyDeleteI figured out costs on stuff a few years ago. A homemade pizza (9 inch because I use cake pans) costs 50c to $1 depending how much stuff I put on it. I have gotten it to 30c a piece if using sale/clearance. I can't believe the price of restaurant pizza now! I can make my husband a pulled pork/chicken/beef sandwich for lunch for 50-75c. A bakery made birthday cake on the "cheaper" side is $26 but a lot are in the $35 range. I had a slice of a $70 birthday cake. Yes, it was AMAZING but not amazing enough for me to ever shell out $70. I can make a quite nice cake for a few dollars and decorate it too! I made my mom a white cake and brownie birthday cake with an incredible buttercream frosting recently. Everyone loved it! It really is kind ridiculous how cheap you can make stuff with a little effort.
~margaret
Lunchables are such a rip off! Goodness, they are costly for what you get.
DeleteI like the idea of making pizza in 9" pans! I never thought of that before. Smart.
Things just cost so much. $70 cake!! YIKES. Nope, me either. My niece has a cookie business and they are delish - but very expensive. Family or not, I don't think I would ever buy them! She sells tons of them. People just spend like they will always have the money.
Yes, you go girl! Most of the large homes, *most* are nothing more than monuments of materialism, I'm not impressed.. I wish I could claim that thought but it was something Dr. James Dobson said once (something to that effect). People will buy big money homes, and big money cars and then go to work and never spend any time in the big money homes or with their precious children, these are choices these people make. I don't understand why people don't *think*!
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful news on Aldi! We don't have one close but hubs will stop there when at office. I love their black bean chips they have if we're fortunate enough to find them there, they aren't that bad on sodium either which is fantastic. I also like their soft goat cheese, it's wonderful on a pizza. I *do* wish they would offer low sodium chips etc.
I've decided to make my own gf pizza crusts, I've grown weary of the Trader Joe's gf crusts, they are good, and not bad on price, you get 2 in a package. But the sodium count eats up my count for supper so I have to be careful on that. We shall see. My last try last weekend, I was so 'clever' I decided to add (far too many) eggs...Smart, Amelia. It was okay but way too eggy and tasted like flatbread instead of pizza crust. Oh well. I learned something! I'm sticking with my gf recipe nest time! If it gets to be too much of a problem I'll go back to TJ's but I think I can do this thing. : )
I'm reading over the above comment on cakes. I totally understand, our daughters were going in on a shower and had such a time with the hostess! She wanted to spend boo coos of money on one of our daughter's baby shower cakes! This is a young woman who should be on a budget. The rest of our girls finally made the decision (outvoting the gal) to get the cake from the grocery store bakery, it was extremely lovely and tasty too! So they spent $35. verses $85 (plain naked cake) to $100 for a baby shower cake. It's kind of funny, the little gal now buys those grocery store cakes too now! Some young women are on such a different wavelength many times, and some of them were not raised like that. I don't understand. smh
Oh well, such is life. But it really gets me bugged. Haha!
I think so much of it is we've had to be on such a budget, sharing a car for a while, when our girls were little and I'm just blown away at times, observing things.
Have a great evening, Cheryl! Blessings! Very good, thought provoking post! ~Amelia
I remember when I worked in HVAC - I would see the addresses of the guys visits and ask about the houses. They would reply they were empty - no real furniture. They had the prestige address - but nothing in it! Crazy.
DeleteI know people spend a lot of money of parties and such - it can be done for so much less. A lot of young people were just never taught too. I think so many went through 'good' times, and have no idea how to be smart now that times are not so good.
Thanks
A fixer upper is definitely not the most frugal way to go if you pay to fix it up. That is only for those capable of fixing up a house to get it up to code, safe, healthy, and livable.
ReplyDeleteI love snow ice cream. I made some when my daughter was 4 and let her get the snow with a big bowl and egg turned. I explained about bird poop and cat and dog tracks. I watched out a window at how careful she was. So cute. Great snow cream.
The reason I remember this occasion was because we rarely have enough snow to make snow ice cream! And, most of the time, it does not stick.
turner
DeletePractical Parsimony
I would never buy a brand new home today - they just aren't made the same. We will agree to disagree on fixer uppers. If in good health and having the energy - a little $ at a time can make a wonderful home. I have always had fixers - my entire life.
DeleteYes, snow ice cream is yummy. Too cute that she was so careful!
Yes Cheryl. We've always done super well with fixer-uppers too. So many times they just need updating as in ugly colors and fixtures too. Once we bought one with a cracked slab and it was great, we later got it fixed and it was under warranty too! : ) My husband is a realtor and yes, for us personally, fixer uppers are very good investments.
Delete