I originally started this blog about 14 years ago, primarily to help with debt payoff and it worked! We all banded together with ideas and plans and encouraged one another, and this community really helped me.
I have kind of gotten away from this since Joel died, as I was in such a blur of widowhood and new territory. But with the state of the world right now I think I (we) need to get back to the old ways. Read "Cheryl's Frugal Corner", she has never left the old program and is a wealth of info.
My drugs go up $10.00 every month and now near about $110.00 out of pocket. Gas has gone up here .50 since last Monday. My medical insurances take over a 1/4 of my income and pay for nothing so far. It is just a scary time. The only thing that really saves me is that I have very little debt and will soon have none. My house loan goes down every month and I will keep plugging along until it is gone.
Sissie and I peruse the ads and cook together to save money. This also leads to less waste. I am expanding the garden, and we will have chickens.
SO how did Kim save money this last week?
1. washed out plastic bags (except for meat bags)
2. made pancakes from scratch for grandkids
3. used up canned goods in the pantry and meat from the freezer
5. cooked at home
6. took car in for maintenance to preserve its life
7. don't laugh but saved the thick rubber bands off produce as I use them all the time
8. borrowed prelude music from piano teacher so I did not have to buy.
9. Washing sheets and will put them on the clothesline to dry
10. Really watching how many treats we give the dog so he can lose weight.
11.combining errands with Sissie to keep from driving all over
12.taking turns making dinners with Sissie.
13. The cheapest toy you can buy a grandkid are crayons and sidewalk chalk. If you will color and play chalk with them, they will go for hours. All the expensive toys in the world don't make up for this time with them.
Yesterday I was able to get a really hard alteration done on a dress and then hemmed another formal. I also helped an out-of-town client by fixing her dress while she waited. Today it is Sister's lunch, and I will get out in the yard after I get home. I also have clients coming from out of town later this afternoon.
I plan on working in the yard on Saturday and Sunday we are having prime rib. Sissie found it in my freezer, and it needs to be eaten. Oh darn!
Financially this week, i paid all the bills that were due, and paid cash for all car repairs, and my piano lesson. I have more bills to pay but will cash flow them accordingly.
What did you do this week to save money?
By the way Aunties hearing aids are a hit! She is so funny. She told us she could hear herself pee....
Well, we all needed to know that right?
Have a great and productive day
God is good
Kim
I snorted out loud at Auntie’s comment ;). Who knew ;). Hilogene in Az.
ReplyDelete#7 on your list? I do it all the time!
ReplyDeleteYour aunt is a gem! Cheryl has great ideas. Yet, I fear some already living on the margins have nothing more to cut- there truly are no other place to save but do without, and sadly that could mean meds, housing security, or decent food. I love your team approach.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention Kim. I do still live by the old ways - have for years - and it has enabled me to live a good life then and now.
ReplyDeleteGreat list. I love the rubber bands and save them too! Surprise, surprise.
I do believe there are always ways to improve our situations - you just have to be willing to try new (old) things.
Your Aunt is a hoot!
I love that you & Sissy are such a great team, especially with the saving & cooking! Sounds like you had a great week Kim!
ReplyDeleteWait, there are people who don't save rubberbands from produce?????That's sick! 🤣
ReplyDeleteI've been cooking exclusively from freezer, pantry and the dregs of fresh produce for a week. (produce gone). I did buy a bag of clementines Wednesday because this girl gotta have fresh fruit!
Girl, you are going to feel sooooo free when you pay off that mortgage and I'm excited for you to have that in sight.
Hope you have a terrific weekend!
Laugh? I have saved those rubber bands forever! Paying off my mortgage was freeing.
ReplyDeleteLoved the bit about Aunties hearing aids (!!) she's a hoot.
ReplyDeleteI loved #7 and save those along with twist ties and bread tabs. I use them for all kinds of things.
ReplyDeleteWhen you first get hearing aids everything sounds louder. For me it was the fridge kicking on and the ceiling fan . After you adjust it isn't as bad. So glad she got them. You can really withdraw from things when you can't hear.
ReplyDeleteThat is funny about Auntie's hearing aides. We are in financial/use it up/savings mode here too. We cook and eat at home, and do a lot of things to pinch pennies. Your list is a good one. I like the idea of the crayons and chalk for the children. Those are some of the best memories they'll have. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm loving that your aunt's hearing aids are working so well. We are a also going to be closely monitoring all of our expenses & various prices. And, I'm definitely applying for jobs, because health insurance will cost $2975/month if we don't. Everything is outrageously priced & going up quickly! - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how we do lots of the same things to save money. Canada is seeing prices rise like crazy so I will need to pull on the frugal panties and go for it.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing we really have going for us in this house, is that we have no debt at all. Still things are crazy expensive.
God bless.
Hello, Sweet friend. You are a rockstar, you know? You inspire me with your ideas and your skills. I truly wish I lived next door, you know that, right?? Have a cozy Sunday afternoon!!! And LOVE LOVE LOVE sidewalk chalk. The Easter Bunny used to bring that for my kids every spring.
ReplyDelete