Friday, You can always do more

 It is very easy when one is trying to get out of debt, to get complacent and think you are doing everything you can.  But I have found out over the years, that I can always find ways to make money stretch farther.  I can cut more out of the budget when I try.  I can always save more money than I had planned.

Using the grocery challenge this last month has really pointed this out to me.  I really only spent $24.00 yesterday and we are set for the week.  In fact looking at our fresh veggies, I wonder if we are set for the next two weeks.  I am out of olive oil, but I can get by until next week.

Tonight Hubs and I cooked popcorn on the stove top.  This is not something we have done for years.  But we do enjoy a bag of popcorn every once in a while.  Those dang bags are expensive.  Now that we have tried it and it was successful, I don't think we will buy microwave anymore.  One more way to save.

Refusing to buy mixes for tacos, enchiladas, shake and bake, spaghetti, really saves when you are cooking.  Look up how to make those mixes and then store in a recycled jar.  You will always have it on hand and it is much cheaper than spend .89 to a $1 something on a powdered mix.  I do love a gravy mix, and I do buy them when they are 4/1.  Which only happens once a year here.  Then I stock up.

My hair needs to be colored, but I am waiting for Lil sis to get home to do it.  I can get by in order to save the money.  I can let my nails go one more week.  I can stretch that manicure to 5-6 weeks. I needed to buy some white bridal cording and I found a spool at Joanns for $4.99 for three yards, but you could buy it cut for $1.49 a yard and since it was a cut item get 50% off, so buy the yardage even though you have to stand in line.  Sometimes it costs time  and effort to save a little money, but it all adds up.

I purchased some things today to start my seedlings.  I actually had these trays that I had used for years and when we were moving they slipped off a stack of things and got stepped on.  I had to throw them out.  They are meant to be disposable, but I had reused mine for several years and I will do the same with these.  It costs $3.99 for a plant start and I can get seeds for .20 a package.  I always do 3 starts just in case some don't germinate.  The leftovers I give away.  I started all my beans, corn, herbs, squashes, peppers, pumpkins, lettuces last year and they all came up fine.  This will save money. I do buy onion sets, and tomato plants.  This year I am going to try and start eggplant, as I love it.

You can cut expenses if you try. Use less gas, use less water, use less power.  Be conscience of what you consume.( unless it is chocolate) For years I flew through life not really paying attention, but I do now and it helps so much.

Learn to enjoy cooking with basic ingredients.  My Sissie is a great cook.  But on the whole she uses basic ingredients. It is rather amazing. Just whipping up a batch of popovers, which are very basic is so impressive and so good.  Making up a batch of piecrusts, then a yummy cream filling is easy, just takes some time. Look at the great cookies SAM made recently.  They were vegan.  Can you imagine what those would have cost at a store?  Even if you cook in a specialized way you save money.  Anne in the Kitchen, usually has a Keto version in most of her menus. Cheryl can make a meal out of anything and she has shown us how.  Sluggy is also a good cook.  She made me collards. Bless her heart I did not like them, but I love her anyway. 

Learn to quickly chop up salad greens and veggies.  Those kits are covered in preservatives and are so expensive. Salad dressings are easy to  make.  I look up recipes for things on my phone all the time.  When I think I need a mix, I now look it up.

Have a you found over the years you have found ways to save more, cut more, stretch things more, by doing a little more?

Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are in the negative.

Kim