Sunday, December 9, 2018

Frugal Happenings 12/9

This month is flying by and I still have much to do.  I haven't baked the first thing yet!  I definitely need to work on that this week.
I have received all orders that I placed for gifts - so all the big stuff is done.  I still have some small things to take care of.

It has been cold in these parts.  Today we are actually seeing sun - for the first time in a week!

It truly has been quiet around here.  I just can not get in the Christmas spirit this year.  I really need to kick myself in the bum and get busy. 

My frugal week:
  • I did go and 'purchase' 92 cans of cat food and 2 bags of dry food and 4 containers (laundry baskets) for some gift baskets all FOR FREE!  Used part of the GC we received from the bank.
  • Picked up a script for G and it  was for 3 months and FREE
  • Got cards addressed - just haven't mailed yet.  (sigh)
  • Received FREE address labels and a notepad from a charity.  I wish they would quit doing that and save the money for the charity. 
  • I went to the funeral of a former neighbor this week.  We have known their family the whole time we have lived here (over 30 years).  Like family in some ways.
  • After the funeral I went a couple blocks up the road to Kroger to get weekend specials.  I purchased 10 jars of peanut butter for .99/jar, 40 lbs. of sugar for .99/4 lb., and 25 lbs. of Gold Medal flour for 1.49/5 lb.  The cashier let me do 2 different orders!!!!  I am now good for the following year on sugar and peanut butter and probably flour. (I still have lots of sugar purchased on sales from earlier)
  • G's TV/cable seemed to mess up this week.  We did trouble shooting online and everything seemed to lean towards having a service call.  No one came up with an at home fix.  WELL....  I went to work and did some things myself and WOOHOO I fixed it!!!
                                                                             Too cute!

Meals this past week:
Leftover turkey and noodles and stuffing
Open face tuna melts and salad
Red beans/rice with ground sausage & jalapeno poppers
Beef fillets (grilled), waffle fries and salad
Ground beef/mushroom/onion/Swiss mix over bread and salad
Hamburger stew 2X

I have to get started baking this week, as I have our first family gathering next Sunday.  I need to get all the gifts sorted and baskets finished.  I also need to run up the street to the post office for stamps and mailings.
Non Christmas stuff - I need to go to feed store and I need to visit with insurance agent about my health insurance for next year.  I think I may keep busy!

Are you all ready?  What did you do this week to stay frugal?  Any good deals?

I send prayers for all to stay healthy and safe.  I also pray that those who feel depressed this time of the year - may you be able to focus on other things and get through the season.  I know everyone does not feel warm and cozy this time of the year.  Comfort be with you.

Blessings from our humble home to yours.

16 comments:

  1. I'm kicking myself for not thinking of asking if I could buy more than the 5 pnut butter limit! DH eats it every single day for breakfast and we go through a lot. Well, I'll definitely ask from now on. Thanks for the tip.

    I'm in agreement with you about the charity gifts. I've even tried asking them not to send me solicitations so often. I'm a consistent donor and send when able. I wish they'd save the money for the animal care! I also had to ask the Red Cross to stop calling multiple times per day. Again, we're regulars and the nagging got to be too disruptive. We always donate every 2 months when we're healthy and able. No calls necessary.

    Love the cats and that's certainly true. I used to hear my cats play midnight soccer with my round plastic ornaments. They'd also hold drag races in the non holiday season. Midnight, of course lol!

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    1. I generally always go to the same cashier and we talk a lot about things we have in common. she didn't hesitate to let me do 2 orders. Not sure if someone I wasn't familiar with would have. Can't hurt to ask!!!

      I know - we donate where we want and when we can. I don't need reminders, especially ones that cost money!! grrrrrr.

      My cats are most active at night. Coogy finds his toys (his babies) and carries them through the house while crying out loud. It is the funniest thing. He always brings the babies to us.
      They sure are a hoot.

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  2. Great deals at Kroger, Cheryl. I've stayed home unless I had to work this week. It's been cold and rainy here, so I don't want to get out in it. I hope you have a great week.

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    1. I sure don't blame you for wanting to stay home. Your holiday break should be coming up shortly - I bet you will enjoy!
      I am about ready for spring!!

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  3. I'm impressed you fixed the t.v. Those things can be hard to trouble shoot that's for sure. It's cold here too -we had sun today and it felt good. Then you stepped outside and realize it was 19 degrees. Brr.
    I feel bad when the charities do that too. Have a great week.

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    1. I just unplugged, unsnapped, and left things off for a while - cleaning it's memory. Then boom - it reset!
      It was cold here too. A little breeze didn't help - but it was pretty!
      Have a good one.

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  4. Cheryl, I am impressed you were able to fix the tv also. I am so uneducated about how to do those things. You got some great buys and I am happy to hear you are so stocked up. All meals were from home this past week. Last night I had my brother over to share ham steaks, mac and cheese and broccoli. I also made a lemon pound cake with lemon glaze. It was very good. I was jamming yesterday. I got the Christmas cards written, and stamped, and they are in the mailbox this morning. I got 3 weeks worth of gel capsules filled with moringa powder and another 3 weeks worth of cinnamon capsules filled. I put together the gifts for the guys here at work just in case there is a last minute day off or something I don't know about. I made them each a hat, put a huge Hershey candy bar in the hat, along with a scratch off lottery ticket, and their Christmas card. I also got the cards done for handing out at my Sunday School class. Only 1 I to mail as she is housebound due to illness. I also made up some dips to keep me happy in the evenings. It is cold here too - just 47* expected today, and 32* tonight. I still have tomatoes on the plants and even though they are incredible small, I am hoping they will be able to ripen, and not just fall off. Better go for now.

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    1. My goodness you were a busy girl! So much accomplished.
      The gifts sound nice.
      That is cold for that area. We will be ta those temps by next weekend again - right now just cold!

      Have a nice week

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  5. Wow I love those prices. I wish we could get those here. I laughed so hard at your cat picture. I sent it to my sister who has a new kitten.

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    1. I love it when they have such good specials. It isn't often, so I take advantage.
      Right? I thought that was such a cute picture and true for sure.
      I hope she enjoys the kitten!

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  6. you get your insurance at the feed store? lol. Kidding,the first time I read this, that is what I came out with, lolol. Good list. I am having a hard time getting things done too. I got my cards mailed today (usually by the first) and the PO was a mess, lol. Glad it is done!

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    1. LOL - I read it back that way too - then added the word visit. I guess it still reads like that!
      Too funny.
      I got that done though! Still need to go to feed store!
      Everywhere is a mess around here.

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  7. Great deals! I didn't know that you could get more than 5 things at kroger. I have been stocking up as much as I can on the sales. Great job fixing the tv too!
    We have had so many things break lately from replacing the jeep transmission to the washer to the heat pump. I have been so grumpy lately and definitely not in the Christmas spirit. We have about 14 inches of snow, so I have been staying home. Hopefully I will have an attitude adjustment.
    Hope you have a good week.

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    1. They probably don't as a rule - I just know the cashier!
      I have been grumpy too. Don't know if it's the weather or the holidays or lack of sun or what. Someone needs to SMACK me a new attitude.
      YIKES 14" of snow.
      Cheers kiddo.
      Have a good one back at ya!

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  8. Sorry for your loss. You did great on stocking up this week. Even better that most of it was free. I love the kitten picture. When our dog was a puppy, we didn't decorate the bottom of the tree. Her tail would knock everything off.

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    1. Thank you.
      I love free - it doesn't happen often for me. You are the lucky FREE gal!
      I just have a tiny tree - haven't had a big one in years as the cats always wanted to climb it!
      Little buggers!

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