Anyway, onto this week's money saving endeavors!
1. I ended up going shopping today because we were still really tight on money this week due to my husband's doctor visit (and a subsequent follow up visit yesterday as his cough is still bad...he's now on another type of inhaler, an oral steroid to help control cough and a cough medicine. At least his lungs are clear now, so that was an upper...it's his asthma that is giving him fits now), bills coming due and just general stuff.
Highlights of today's shopping trip were awesome (sorry for lack of pictures, but my kitchen table is terrible right now and I didn't have time to clean it off before jetting out the door again). I got some coupons in the mail from a friend and went to the store armed with them in the hopes of getting some things cheap. First I went to Fred Meyer and got the free cat treats from today (fail in a way as the new Sheba meat stick things my cats don't like, but at least it was free to try). I managed to get cheap Children's Zyrtec by finding 24 caplets reduced down to 9.69. I had a 3.00/1 coupon from the mailed fliers, so I grabbed 24 caplets for 6.69!!! Since my daughter is once again having to take Zyrtec everyday to avoid eczema with the trees in full force and mold and everything, these will definitely come in handy, especially for that price. I also found two half gallons of 2% milk on reduced for a little over a dollar a piece, so I got a gallon of milk for about 2.00. And I got some more marked down apples for 1.00 (I just got enough to pad out apple crisp for dessert tomorrow night :). Fred Meyer also has some cereal marked down to 3 for 5.00 this week as part of their anniversary sale and I remembered that the cocoa crispies (or equivalent anyway) were pretty good (the cereal is an all natural brand, so it gets KIND of iffy on taste sometimes with those), so I bought three boxes, which will come in handy for a treat for breakfast in the coming weeks. I also bought one box of their Cinnamon Toast Crunch equivalent to try and see how it tastes. If it tastes good we'll probably just eat it dry for a snack instead of popcorn one night during movie time.
I then went to Carrs and stocked up on cat litter (it was on sale for 5.00 today as part of 5.00 Fridays). My husband convinced me a while back to just buy four when it goes on sale as that'll get me through to the next time it is on sale for cheap and it has really saved me a lot of money in the long run doing it that way, so I went and did that again. I was also able to get Eckrich smoked sausages cheap. Carrs has them marked down to 2.00 a piece and I had a buy one get one free coupon, so I managed to get them for 1.00 a piece! Now that is cheap meat :). I spent a total of 62.00 on groceries this week, which I thought was pretty good since 20.00 of that was the cat litter.
2. My husband and I took the kids to the Fall Festival Event today at our local U-Pick farm. Today is actually the day before the "big" event (which is always jammed packed full of people), but today was free for special needs children and their families compared to 25.00 to get in tomorrow. It was a LOT less crowded, very laid back, the volunteers were awesome and the kids had a great time. My son especially loved climbing all over the farm equipment, suckering the farm hands into giving him multiple hay rides with the tractor and just generally running around like a maniac. He also REALLY liked the leaf pool (him playing in it seen up top there). He kind of buried himself in the leaves and found zen. It was really cute.
My daughter went and charmed her way through all of the games and managed to weasel a prize from each of the volunteers at the booths as she did the games. Cracked me up really as she'd also always ask if she could have an extra prize for her brother as he wasn't too interested in working the games himself. She's such a good big sister :).
In short, I'm really glad my husband dragged himself there even though he wasn't feeling that great still to do that with us as with my bum arm I wasn't sure if I could handle the kids without him.
3. I finished another Christmas gift and have another one in the works (more on that later) using materials I had around the house.
4. I spent most of the week trying to get the housework somewhat caught up after being down with my arm for so long. I finally have gotten to a point where "use it or lose it" with my arm. Doing 100% everything the doctor told me to was actually making my arm hurt worse and I was losing mobility every day with it, so I got fed up and figured my arm wasn't going to snap off if I started to work it. I'm up to lifting things with the arm again...or was...until my son made me sleep upstairs again and he hit me with his bottle at 2am, making me sit bolt upright and my arm did something it shouldn't have so now it's doing spasms again. Ugh. At least I know I can get it where it works if I just do a little bit at a time and keep pushing a LITTLE bit by little bit.
5. I managed to start finding the fall decorations and putting away the summer ones. I've used the same fall decorations for years and if we feel a need to add something my daughter and I make it out of materials we have around the house (or try to). It's fun to do it that way and doesn't cost anything to do :).
6. Kind of a frugal fail, but after night before last where my son was up all night long and me reaming my arm during the night, yesterday I was utterly miserable. My arm out and out hurt, I was exhausted and I had a migraine from both of the above things effecting me adversely. So, I actually asked my husband if we could just go and get dinner at McDonalds, keep the kids happy and call it good. Not the most frugal thing to do, but it gave me a very necessary break and I did compromise with myself a bit and ate my husband's leftovers from lunch for dinner myself, so I saved us the cost of one meal at McDonalds.
7. I filled up two big boxes with donations for the used store. I have been trying to get rid of things that while I might think they are neat looking and all if they get in the way, or worse if I haven't used them at all in two years, they are on the chopping block to go or at least have me consider sending them to find a new owner. I feel good when I do this. My dad was a hoarder of everything you can imagine, so I really make a conscious effort to not go down that road (she says as she stacks food in her den *laugh*). I also make a point to donate my plastic shopping bags to them as well as they can use them for checking people out (of course) and I figure this is the best possible way to recycle as it saves the bags from having to go to a plant before going back into circulation :).
8. I clipped the cat's claws and cleaned their teeth good this week. I've been doing chores like that for years and it has always paid off compared to having someone do it for me. Once my arm recovers it'll definitely be time to give them a bath too as they are shedding to grow in their winter coats.
And yeah...I'm sure there is more that I'm missing, but those are the major things I can remember from this week. How did you do?
Both of my kids take Zyrtec daily all year long. I found a generic version on Amazon that works just as well and is soooo much cheaper. I was leary about using it at first, but I read the reviews and it has been a blessing to my super tight budget.
ReplyDeleteAnd your son looks so content sitting in that pile of leaves! Would it benefit him (and you) to have something like that at home?
Biggest problem with having it at home is that we have only like one tree that loses it's leaves where I could actually collect them (the rest of the trees in the yard are pine trees) and as soon as the wind picks up at the beginning of fall the leaves are just pretty much gone. Wish we did have enough leaves to rake and do something like that with, although I might still try to rake what we have into a pile for him to play in anyway :).
DeleteWith the Zyrtec, my son has an actual prescription for his, which is good because he takes so much per day buying it is super cost prohibitive. My daughter only takes her for about a month when the trees and everything are going strong this time of year and then USUALLY her problems clear up. So, we'll see how it goes this year. If the problems persist past fall and into winter I'll definitely look for that Zyrtec on Amazon. Do you know the name of it by chance?
Looking at the picture of your son, he looks so chilled, not a care in the world. Be careful of your arm, I hurt my arm/shoulder over 30 years ago. Had therapy twice, and still have to be very careful with it. They said I have bursitis, all I know here are times when I can't lift it over my head. Cheryl
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm hoping the arm isn't a continuing issue. I REALLY don't want this sticking around. I'm so fed up with the extremely limited mobility in my arm I want to scream, rant, rave and suck my thumb most days. It's really frustrating and painful!
DeleteSounds like you had some fun things happen!! We have another bout of sickness, had to pick up my oldest at school Friday around noon, he had a 101 fever. He skipped gymnastics today and so we drove to another town for some browsing, and Aldi. While there, I asked a woman stocking the shelves, and she said next Sept or Oct Alsi will be in our town. so, so happy. But while there, we stopped off at KMart, and they had an extra 50% off all clearance clothes. I got 4 three piece jammies sets, two for my youngest, two for my oldest for $5 each, and a few tshirts for $2-3 each for my oldest, plus some light up Thomas trains I had seen online for my youngest for Christmas. Went to their Walmart, and found the Thomas new mini train cases I'd been waiting about 6 months for our store to get, so grabbed those for Christmas, and Target had duplicates of these two mickey mouse dinner plates I'd found at a yard sale over the summer, but was sad to find out it was a discontinued pattern, so got 4 of those. Done with spending this month if I can help it!!
ReplyDeleteMy grocery shopping went well, nothing standout, though I was sad, there was an ecoupon for an aquafina water from Kroger (another one) and I put it on my card, but didn't notice it didn't take it off, so ended up paying for it. But I figure, I do get some good freebies there, its ok. This time! The gum I got the sour patch one for my oldest son's stocking. I also found a thermos brand bottle with iron man for my youngest's stocking, $5, instead of $15, so now he and his brother will each have a nice one for school/preK.
and they are down there fighting, lol. I don't even get 10 minutes sometimes to just sit!
I'm so sorry, Sarah! When it comes to sickness you guys can't seem to win for losing right now :(. I'm praying for you!
DeleteGreat finds on the clearance items, trains and other items you were looking for. I always have conflicting emotions of "Woohoo! This is awesome!" and "Why is all of it coming together at once? I don't want to spend this much money!" whenever something like that happens.
I've had that coupon for Aquafina water twice now and our local Fred Meyers aren't carrying it yet :(. I have a new coupon loaded on my card and keep looking around for it, though.
And as for kids...yeah...my son is trying to help me type with his toes on my keyboard to get my attention, so I completely understand *laugh*.
So CUTE! Your son is precious. He looks like he is sitting there deciding which leaf is the best. You are such a good Mom. Thanks for sharing the picture.
ReplyDeleteI don't have much to report this week because I have been real sick. My thyroid medicine has gotten out of whack and I have felt extremely bad. The doctor is changing my dosage but called in the wrong amount to the pharmacy. I will have to wait until Monday to get the (maybe) right dosage.
I have managed to do the following:
*Cooked a huge pot of beef soup, rice and beans (for burritos). I divided it all up into containers and froze it all. I will give it to my sons for meals. I figure each bowl of soup will save them at least $7 for a meal out.
*Harvested from the garden: okra, strawberries, lima beans, yard-long beans, one cabbage leaf (hey it counts) and tomatoes. Hubby has done most of the picking and I have managed to do some cooking.
*Decided to make applesauce from all of the apples because that was the absolute easiest thing to do. I cored them, threw them in a pot and cooked them to mush, then put them in jars and canned them. DONE
Next week is going to be better.
Jeannie
Hi Jeannie,
DeleteHope the thyroid meds issue gets straightened out quickly for you. Dorothy
Thank you Dorothy for the kind words. I am ready to start feeling better and my family is ready for me to not be so grumpy.
DeleteIt sometimes takes a sickness to realize how great it is feeling normal.
A warning about dehydrating celery...it disappears! The first time I dried some I cut it in small pieces and as it shrank, it fell through the slots on the tray. When I opened the lid, all the pieces were gone.
Jeannie
Glad to see you're feeling better, Jeanie! My younger sister has hormone problems (an over-active pituitary gland burned out her thyroid) so I know how sick having those meds be off can make you.
DeleteYes, dehydrating celery was the EXACT reason I invested in some "easy clean" trays for my dehydrator. They have basically screening that you place over the wider slats of the dehydrator, which makes cleaning it when dehydrating, like beef jerky, much easier, and it also allows me not to lose all of my celery to the bottom of the dehydrator *laugh*.
So glad you and your family enjoyed the fall fest. Thanks for sharing the picture of your precious son.
ReplyDeleteThis week has been a busy one. The craft area is finally, after over two weeks of organizing, the way I would like it to stay. Now I can get down in earnest to producing Christmas and other gifts. Like you, I'm devoted to using what I have and not spending. A big grocery shop got done. I'm happy to say that it came in a little under budget for two weeks worth of groceries and there were a few things for pantry storage and some extra celery to put in the dehydrator. With leftover chicken and ham and okra from the garden I made a huge pot of gumbo that will be used for one dinner next week and the rest frozen for other meals. I know, I know, gumbo is supposed to have sausage and shrimp in it but I use what I have on hand and call it good. The garden is still producing, although on a very smaller scale so we still have green beans, zucchini, and okra -- tons of okra. After church today while the hubs is watching football I plan to paint notecards for gifts and some for myself. Later I'll probably join him with my knitting as I'm making eternity scarves with odds and ends balls of yarn for Christmas gifts.
Oops, forgot to say who the post was from. It's me, Dorothy.
DeleteI feel you on the gumbo thing. When my son was allergic to garlic I came up with a recipe that was gluten free, corn free and garlic free and hey it still tasted good when it was done. Just ended up having chicken in it, some uncured pork and nothing else in the way of meat (since sausage always has garlic in it that I've found). Sometimes if you just make sure the major "taste profiles" are hit, everything else works out fine with a dish :).
DeleteGood luck with the Christmas gifts!!!
Sorry I'm so late in posting a comment. I feel like I'm busier than ever, despite my job slowing down. Had some great frugal accomplishments this week, though.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the huge bags of carrots finally went on sale this week. I was able to buy 20lbs of carrots for just under $4. We blanched and froze all 20lbs yesterday to use in the winter. One of the grocery stores also had a sale on turkey's @ $0.97lb, so I bought one to use for Christmas.
I was given a free large paper bag full of Red Fife Wheat bran from work. The bran is a by-product of milling wheat into flour, which we do at the grist mill in the pioneer village. We sell the flour in our gift shop, but not the bran. Looks like I will be making bran muffins this winter.
I was also given a free grocery bag near full of crabapples from one of my co-workers. Her sister's tree was loaded (as are most of the apple trees around here this year). Today I'm making crabapple jelly for the first time. In fact, this is my first time for making any type of jelly, so I hope it works. Great part is, it doesn't need pectin (just sugar) to make this jelly, so really it will be a very cheap experiment!
Another co-worker gave me a strawberry rhubarb pie with one small slice out of it to take home with me one day. Free pie! It didn't take long for my family to devour it. I have great co-workers, don't I?
As for your week, Erika, great job on the grocery shopping! Cheap meds, marked down milk and super cheap sausages...awesome!!! I agree with your husband about the cat litter. Buying a good stock while it's on sale will definitely save money in the long run. I'm so glad your family was able to make it to the festival, too. Always good to get out for some frugal family fun, especially when they are supporting those with special needs! Can't wait to see what you make for Christmas gifts this time. Hope you have another awesome week, Erika!
Wow! I envy that price on carrots! Even when they go cheap up here, they don't go that cheap! I'm still waiting for a good sale on some up here.
DeleteI love bran muffins! I always run into oat bran, but not wheat bran at the stores, though. And hey, you can't beat free!
Speaking of free, crabapples and pie too! That's what I call an awesome week *laugh*. Let me know how the jelly turns out! I've never made crabapple jelly before, although I know they are really high in pectin, so hopefully it gels for you without problems :).
I love that picture of your son! He looks so intrigued with the leaves. I'm glad he had so much fun at the farm day. I'm also glad your arm is doing a bit better. I've been there-it hurts so much to do anything--glad you can get a bit more done. Mine is fine now, but I sure knew there was a problem when tears would come to my eyes from a simple task, such as taking clothes from the washer to the dryer! Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteThe worst for me is shrugging my shoulders even a LITTLE bit will raise tears. And sleeping on my side. And laying flat on my back. And trying to raise my arm above shoulder level. Or reaching behind me for ANY reason. It's getting better, very very slowly. Right now I'm icing it for 20 minutes straight and then slapping a heating pad onto it immediately for another 40 minutes on top of taking the Ibuprofen on a recommendation from a friend. It seems to be helping. I was able to actually sleep on my arm for a little bit last night without wanting to cry, so *thumbs up* progress is being made!
DeleteErica, Have you tried sleeping while holding a pillow to wrap your arm around? I had to do that for awhile to keep my arm from falling asleep during the night and waking me up. It helped. I know you'll feel better if you get some sleep. Take care, Chris
ReplyDeleteI got a bunch of free produce this week when I volunteered for our local church food distribution. I chopped and froze celery, peppers, and broccoli. I also got several bunches of kale which we and the rabbits are enjoying. We also got some apples. I might make a small batch of applesauce. Also we have a large table in our fellowship hall at church that people put free things on. Someone brings leftover bread from Panera Bread most Sunday's. This week I got a loaf of bread, 2 protein bars and a mostly full bag of sweetened cocoa powder. I also harvested a ginormous zuchinni from my garden and have been shredding it to freeze for muffins this winter.
ReplyDelete