Sunday, February 2, 2020

Weekly Wrap-Up 2/2

Happy February!  I saw on the news this morning that the groundhog did NOT see his shadow, thus an early spring!  We will see.
I wonder how often (if ever) he is right!!

Well, it will seem like spring here, for a couple days.  There is this glowing happening outside - such an odd sight - OH it's the SUN!!!!!!!  YAY!!!!  My goodness I have missed my dear old friend the sun.  Today and tomorrow is supposed to get near 60*.  How lovely.  The chill returns - winter isn't done yet.  If the groundhog came out here today, he would definitely see his shadow!
January was warmer than usual, but it sure was wet and dreary.  I am so tired of gloomy and dreary days.  I need sun - it makes me happy and changes my mood so much.

Yesterday I went out and shooshed off TWO big hawks from the yard.  They must think this is their all you can eat food bar!  So many little birds.  They flew pretty far off as I watched, and soon the other birds came back to eat.  Nature sure is amazing.  I don't always like the results - but each creature has a purpose.

My week:
  • I cut my hair.  My goodness did it grow a lot in the past 5 or 6 weeks
  • I did a quick color job.  It cost me about .53!!  I used one third of a box of dye I got on clearance for 1.59 quite some time ago.
  • I changed the furnace filter - as I forgot to do that on Jan.1.  Had it on hand
  • I did get to my appointment at Social Security office and got that all finalized!!!!!  YAY.  I should start receiving funds within the next 30 days. (**I have not forgotten - I need to do a post on all of this AND on preparing for the unthinkable).
  • Dropped off a few items at church thrift store (not 20 this week).  At least I got more out of the house
  • I received a 2 lb. bag of rice and some old grain bread (for birds) FREE at the thrift store
  • I did run to Kroger and got a little salad stuff and some fruit.  All in all I think I actually spent less than $30 on people food in the month of January.  YES, I did get squirrel corn and some special cat foods, but I did really well on low spend.
My FREE rice and peppers in the .99 bag.  Peppers were advertised for $1 each and I got 2 in the .99 bags.  Winner!!!!!
  • Made up new bottles of shampoo and dish soap
  • All meals from home, cooking from scratch, using pantry and freezer foods, drinking water, keeping heat down, still working on cleaning and de-clutter, ect.
Meals this past week:
Burger on Italian bread (from freezer)
Chicken strips wrapped in tortillas w/ranch
Turkey rice veggie soup (from freezer)
Scrambled eggs, patty sausage and toast
Chopped steak, Rice a Roni (home mix) and olives
Tuna salad with peas over lettuce and crackers
Small Chef salad and banana milk shake

I realized this week that this is the first time in Coogy's life that he hasn't lived with another cat.  It's him and I.  He sure is sticking close and gets in the window and watches when I go outside.  He loves to cuddle.  I wake up to all kinds of toys next to and in the bed each morning!!!!  He brings them all to me.  Such a sweet big boy.
        Coog and just part of his toys!  He has a basket full and he loves playing with them all!!!!!

How was your week/month?  Did you do good on low spend, if playing along?  I think I will definitely be on track to do this again in February.  You can't even tell I made a difference in my supplies.
How is your 2020 project going?  I am trying to keep up with de-cluttering.  Didn't do 20 this week - but will definitely make up for that in future weeks.

I wish you all a wonderful new month full of happiness and health.  New beginnings - new starts - each and every day!
Stay safe and stay frugal my friends.
Blessings to you all from my humble little home to yours.



18 comments:

  1. Great week Cheryl. I didn't do as well on my no/low spend January. I'm like you I think I could do it again this month.
    Your cat is just so cute! They are so much company!
    Have a great week.

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    1. Thanks. Heck, we can all start each month anew! Good luck.

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  2. Good job!!!

    Our food spending (in and eating out) was 46% of last years' monthly average so I'm a happy camper!

    Decluttering is something we did enmass about 25y ago. Since then, I've kept 1 box tucked in the corner of my sewing room. Any item we are done using goes there. 2w ago, I took it full plus a breadmaker and griddle. It was likely near 20 items. A new box is in place and nearly full already. Why? Well, I was putting linen away after our guest left Wednesday. On the pillow shelf were a bunch of vases from my surgery and retirement bouquets received last year. All but 2 will go to the thrift store soon. I do love open space in cupboards :-)

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    1. Good for you. 46% is a huge savings.
      What discipline. I have accumulated so much over the 30+ years of being here. Every place is full. I have been working so hard at it, especially this year. I realized what a mess of stuff we had after husband passed, and I sure don't want others to come in here someday and ask "what were they thinking"?
      Good job to you and your home!

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  3. I'm still doing the low spending. I informed Farmer that we will need just the basics of produce and dairy for groceries for at least the next month. Our freezers and pantry are full! We just don't eat like we used to. He informed me that when the Farming Season begins again, he doesn't want to eat too late or large meals. This will take some creative thinking on my part, as he takes leftovers for the next day's lunch. He doesn't like cold sandwiches for supper either. I think I'll have to portion out his supper and keep it all on the lighter side. Not that we eat heavy now, but maybe incorporate more vegetables and less starches.
    Decluttering will commence when the weather cooperates so I can open windows. I just don't do as well mentally when it's cold & dark & nasty out.
    Looking forward to spring in 2 months. :)

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    1. Good for you on the low spend month.
      I eat a meal once a day now. I try to eat a bit earlier in the day and then maybe a snack in the evening. I used to cook a lot.
      I can understand your hubby now wanting a big meal in the summer with all the farm work.
      I understand the weather thing. I hate dark and gloomy. I been working on decluttering because I have nothing else to do. I can't wait for pretty weather.
      Good job on the spending and keep it up!

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  4. I'm so glad you have Coogy. He looks like a sweet cat. I love my cats so much. They bring me such company. You did really good on your grocery bill in January. Our spending was much lower in January too. I hope I can keep it up in February. :)

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    1. I am glad I have him too. He is a sweetheart.
      so happy you had a good low spend month. Keep up the good work.

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  5. You did great on your low spend. Coogy is so cute. Glad you were able to get everything done for SS. That has to be a relief. Have a wonderful week.

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    1. Thanks. He is my sweet boy.
      Yes, quite the relief.
      Have a great week.

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  6. Awww...Coogy is a real sweetheart!
    I succeeded in exercising 20 days in January. Eleven trips to the gym, four time exercising at home, and five walks, including last Wednesday's half-hour walk around the office park where our library is located. I had finished my other errands early and had to wait for the library to open. I already have one trip to the gym for February and will probably take a trail walk (3.4 miles) today since the sun is shining and it is supposed to be in the mid-50s.
    We get red-tailed hawks here, but they don't bother the little birds like the sparrow hawks do. I used to feed the birds until a mama racoon decided to check out the space above my bedroom ceiling in preparation for having her babies. Ripped the siding right off the back of the trailer! No more bird feeder, though the next door neighbor still throws handfuls of feed out her bedroom window onto her shed roof for the birds and squirrels, despite having a raccoon have her litter in the insulation under the floor of her trailer.
    Speaking of birds, I saw eight mallards and a female great blue heron fishing in the creek that parallels the walking trail last week.
    January was definitely NOT a low-spend month for groceries for us, but I was able to stock up on a number of things that were on sale. February looks to be much better.
    Decluttering is down to a trickle, but we always have a box for Goodwill and another box for book donation to the library.
    Got our taxes all done except for one 1099 that doesn't have to be here until Feb. 15. I pay for Turbo Tax, but found a $15 discount. Our taxes are fairly complicated, and Turbo Tax is worth every penny! It used to take me about eight hours to do the federal and another 4 hours for the state, but now it is about 3-4 hours total.
    My seed order arrived from Burpee yesterday. Spring will be here before we know it!!

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    1. You are doing so good with your exercise. You go girl!
      I love feeding and watching the birds and squirrels. The hawks sit and watch and try to get the smaller birds. Makes me mad, but it is nature.
      Seeing a blue heron would be cool. They are just so neat. Mallards are pretty.
      I think I am close to having all my stuff for taxes. It will probably be more complicated this year with husband passing - I am not sure. Turbo Tax is good - we have used it in the past.
      Seeds!!! You are just getting all set for spring.
      Have a good week.

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  7. Love the picture of Coogy! He is a pretty kitty, and I'm glad he is good company for you. Great job on the savings, and I'm glad you were able to get the social security straightened out.
    I didn't do as well on the low spending as I had hoped, but will try again in feb. Still walking and decluttering, and they will be ongoing goals.
    Hope you have a good week.

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    1. Just because you didn't do as well as hoped - doesn't mean you didn't do good. I bet you got some savings for the future - that counts!
      We all just encourage each other to keep trying!
      Yes, he is a handsome boy!
      Have a good week.

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  8. Well done on the low spend. I came in well below budget on groceries, but not so much on the rest of the budget.

    What a cutie Coogy is, he looks much like my Sasha. I do love tabbies!

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    1. Well, that is why we save on some things - so we can spend on others. I spent a big amount with the vet bill, but I had it. Sometimes it is a trade off.
      Thank you!

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  9. Hope you're keeping warm and cozy Cheryl. Great job on being thrifty so far this year.

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    1. I am, thank you. Hope you are well and doing good.
      Take care dear.

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