Saturday, November 19, 2016

Frugal Friday: Money Saving Weekly Recap


It was such a hectic week, I seriously forgot it was Saturday and panicked when I looked at the clock, realized it was 7:30 and my alarm hadn't gone off yet.  I was half way out of bed, ready to bolt to get dressed, when it sunk in that it was Saturday. 

This week we ended up fielding my son getting sick with a cold (his entire class came down with it this week), who then subsequently sneezed and coughed all over my husband and I and now we're both sick and miserable. 

In the middle of having to pick the son up because he was having a hard time at school (which I feel guilty about making him go to school now as he seemed like he had a cough and a stuffy nose, but was otherwise okay, but now that my husband and I are sick we wonder if he was sicker than we thought) and things we had to field a continuing issue my daughter has had at school with a boy this year that was crossing the line from "bugging" her into bullying her.  So, there were some calls to her teacher to talk about threats of hitting on the boy's part and things.  Her teacher talked to the boy and his parents and things seem to be a lot better now.  Here's hoping they stay that way.  Now it's just continuing to hammer on my daughter to ignore and avoid said boy to help make the situation go away.

The early part of the week saw me running around a lot, dropping off donations to the used store, looking for small gifts to go under the tree for the kids and things like that and the rest of the time I was cleaning like a demon (as much as my arm would let me) to try and get the house nice and clean before the Christmas decorations end up coming out in a couple of weeks.  I did make progress there, anyway, and the house is SLOWLY getting up to speed. 

There was some things that happened on the money saving front this week, though, so let's get to those while my energy is holding out (between my arm and my cold I'm not getting a lot of sleep and then my son went to bed 1/2 an hour early last night, took a two hour nap and was up all night.  Never letting him do THAT again, no matter how miserable I feel I'll tell you what).

1.  Amazon had deals this week leading up to Black Friday and while on there I found a really good deal.  I have had continuing issues with my laptop not liking me watching things online and/or playing music without freezing up every two seconds (probably something to do with it being nearly 10 years old now) and I've also had problems with my ancient stereo (I mean I bought it USED for 2.00 fifteen years ago and it's worked like clockwork this entire time, so I'm not complaining by any stretch) finally losing it's stability in the CD player so my music stutters if a cat walks through the kitchen even.  I really like to watch videos on You Tube and things and I listen to music when I work ALL THE TIME so I kept trying to come up with a decently cheap option to fix the problems with.  I'd bought an Android tablet last year that might as well have come with a stack of papers as it has been a glorified paperweight from pretty much day one (total waste of Christmas gift cards from family), so I was being really careful on what to do.  I thought maybe about buying an MP3 player and then just borrowing my son's I-PAD to watch videos or something, but instead I stumbled on a find on Amazon!

They were having a sale on refurbished Kindle Fires.  I found a really good deal on last year's Kindle Fire 8, applied gift cards I had saved up over time and managed to get the thing super duper cheap.  Here's hoping it works better than my Android tablet (we have an older Kindle Fire that we got for my daughter that still works great, so here's hoping our luck holds in that area).  I'm thrilled as I found a free app I can download to make the Kindle Fire into a better MP3 player, and I know I can watch my videos on it, so overall life is good in that area.

2.  I got a catalogue in the mail from LL Bean for their holiday stuff.  In this particular catalogue they gave me a 10.00 off any order promo code, no minimum order, so I went online and found a water bottle for 10.00 and got it for free (shipping through LL Bean is free, although when they started that I found that the price on EVERYTHING they sell went up to make up for it).  My daughter insists on getting ice water every evening to go to bed, so that her water stays cold throughout the night if she gets thirsty, so the water bottle will definitely come in handy.  Especially since some of the water bottles she's had since Kindergarten are starting to show some major wear and could probably see getting rotated out of the dish cabinet.

3.   I spent about 60.00 on groceries this week, but a good portion of that was buying my daughter strawberries (4.99 per container this time of year and I got two so that my husband could have some because he really likes them too) and some other fruit to cheer her up after the week she had.  I was kind of sad to go over budget on the groceries, but at least it's healthy food, it did cheer her up to find the strawberries in the fridge and she'll definitely eat them, so it'll work itself out.  And I was able to get the rest of my Thanksgiving stuff, minus fresh herbs (if I can't find them, I'll just use dried and hope it works out okay) in there as well.

4.  I made a beef roast on Monday, which worked out well as with everything going on we were able to eat the left overs from the beef roast for the next three days for dinner.  I pulled out some hard rolls from the freezer that I'd gotten in huge bag a while back from Carrs and made french dips for dinner a few nights and then one night we just had roast beef sandwiches.  Last night my husband pulled out the Erbswurst from the fridge (he actually LIKES that soup, go figure) and was making that as he likes to eat it when he has a cold and I just made what was easily made from leftovers for the kids and I had some tomato soup I had frozen.  It was definitely nice having that available as an option (thanks to those who recommended making soup ahead to use later.  It's definitely paying off now).

5.  I was able to finish, despite my week, a gift for my new nephew who is due in January (seen up top).  I'd LOVE to take credit for the cute crochet, but unfortunately, one I'm not that talented on the crochet front and two, I've found that knitting and/or crocheting right now with my arm is out and out tortuous to do.  BUT, I did find a project that someone had started for the little turtle up top and all it needed was some stuffing and to be sewn together/finished up.  It was .50, so I grabbed it and finished it.  And voila!  A little crocheted critter for the nephew :).  I'm still hoping to make a receiving blanket or something to go with it, but we'll see how busy I am in the next couple of months.  I also worked on the embroidered mittens I'm making some more as well.

6.  I used a coupon that had printed off at the register at the store to get myself a .57 cup of hot chocolate at Starbucks after the discount was taken...which I was actually kind of astounded that I couldn't get a hot chocolate for free with the discount as it was a pretty high value coupon, but at least it was under 1.00 after it was all said and done.  I normally wouldn't have indulged like that, but with my cold I was having a hard time stopping coughing yesterday, so it seemed like a good idea.  It worked.  Can't say how it tasted since most everything tastes like cardboard right now, but it was hot, and hot is good right now *laugh*.

7.  I got the Jo Ann Fabrics ad in the mail for their Black Friday sales yesterday and was finally able to look at it today.  I'm actually kind of disappointed in it as it doesn't seem like the deals are as good as in previous years (like 70% vs. 75% off in previous years and such), but I am hopeful that online sales combined with coupons on Wednesday or later might net me some decently cheap utility fabric for the coming year (I'm hoping to get some more unbleached muslin as I use muslin a LOT in projects), but if I don't I still have fabric, so it's not like I'm going to melt away from not having it or something :).

8.  I needed to pick up ink for my printer, finally, this week as my son's new care coordinator likes to do everything via electronic means, so I had to print off about 50 pages of paperwork, fill it all out and scan and return to her the parts that needed attention.  I did have a coupon for 10% ink cartridges so I got the cartridges for 50.00 (ouch ouch ouch), but at least they are extra large and should last a while.  So says the box anyway.  We shall see.  The box even came with some post card sized photo papers, so I might be able to use those for something interesting in the future.

9.  I mended two pairs of pants for the kids this week.  The pants fit perfect in the waist, but the legs were just too long, so instead of making the kids try to hike up their elastic waist banded pants (sweatpants in my son's case), I just hemmed them.  I was actually rather happy with how the hems turned out as I don't have a lot of practice hemming things for other people (I'm short, so I'm used to doing it for me).

10.  My husband has watched free movies on YouTube and other online resources (like Amazon through Prime) while being sick, which definitely saved us from having to purchase movies that we might or not might watch again.

And yeah, there were other things but I lost my list in the chaos of the week, so I'll stop there for now.  How did you all do this week?

15 comments:

  1. The turtle is so cute ❤️ What a great gift and you were so smart to see it's potent and finish it.

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  2. Cute turtle! And I hope you and your family recover from the nasty cold soon!

    My favourite thing this week was when I made a list of all the items I needed for my Christmas baking, and then two days later, the majority of the items went on sale. Whoohoo! Nothing like serendipity to make my day!

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  3. Erika, I would like to tell you how much I love your blog. I have read it all the way from the beginning to now and you have inspired me to share a little of what I know. A little while back I started a blog of my own, the colors are still a bit wonky and I don't have everything right but I am still learning. It has made me appreciate all the work you have done on your blog. HOW DO YOU HAVE THE TIME TO POST MESSAGES????
    Today I posted a message about the savings I earn from fixing Reese's lunch. If you are interested in reading it, it is here.
    http://getmetothecountry.blogspot.com/ It is called "Lunchbox Economy" It won't be hard since there are only a few posts.
    Great news! Bill got the armadillo (in the middle of last night) that has been destroying my garden. We took pictures of the damage and of the dead critter. WANT TO SEE IT??? It is real gross. Can't wait to post it. Do you think that will make people want to read my blog?
    Seriously now, thanks for being so generous by sharing your life.
    Jeannie


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    Replies
    1. It won't be hard to FIND since there are only a few posts. TYPO
      Jeannie

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    2. Jeannie -- An armadillo??? Didn't know they were native to your parts. Yikes.
      Loved your blog. I hope you'll put up the "anonymous" function, so comments can be made more easily. Dorothy

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    3. Dorothy, I think the "anonymous" function is set. I handed the computer to my son (called it a dinosaur again) so it should be fixed correctly. Let me know if it does not work.

      Yes, we now have armadillos in Tennessee. They have migrated by using the bridges and have all settled in my backyard. They have destroyed about 40% of my garden. I hate them.
      Jeannie

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  4. Am I correct that you have a frozen shoulder that is giving you so much pain? I have had that in both shoulders and the only thing that works is diligently doing the physical therapy exercises after warming the joint with a heating pad. Your range of motion will increase and the pain decrease although slowly. Here is a good link to the exercises if you don't have them but there are lots of links and Youtube versions. http://www.health.harvard.edu/shoulders/stretching-exercises-frozen-shoulder

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  5. I got the same $10 LL Bean coupon and I plan to use it to get some fishing bobbers for my son's Christmas stocking. I also have gotten 2 Kohls $10 off $10 gift cards. I used the first one to get my sister in law a candle and I'll use the second to get another gift. In other areas of saving: We were gifted a really nice comfy upholstered rocker chair to put in my son's "office" at my work (he is homeschooled), we got a free turkey from my husband's work, cooking meals went well this week, and I'm sure there is more I'm not thinking of. Hope you feel better soon!! Those kid germs are rough!!

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  6. I hope you all are feeling better today. You really got some good deals
    This week I worked on the Christmas gifts and discovered that I actually had all of the ingredients to make some handcream. I got the recipe for it on Pinterest last year and all it is is a baby lotion, vaseline, vitamin e cream, and one other ingredient that I can't think of right now. All items purchased at the dollar store. All that has to be done is to mix everything together and pour into a container. It makes a bunch. Since it was already in my supplies its 0 cost. Also made some bath fizzies and bath salts. All meals were made at home. This has been a pantry week, no grocery shopping. I'm just getting to planning the Thanksgiving menu with an eye towards the men watching football games all weekend so I'm planning for that as well. Gratefully I seem to have everything on hand that's needed and will pick up the turkey on Tuesday from the farm. We're experiencing a real cold snap here with very high winds. It's snowing elsewhere in the state. Snow hasn't been forecasted here, but the sky is sure gray. Dorothy

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    Replies
    1. I know what bath salts are but what are bath fizzies?
      Jeannie

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    2. Jeannie, the best way I can explain them is for you to google bath fizzies or bath bombs. I use Martha Stewarts recipe. You make them up and put them in a mold (I use mini cupcake pans) and let them dry. They make a nice spa-like thing to put in the bath. Easy, inexpensive, and impressive. They're also youtube videos to sho you how to do them. Dorothy

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    3. I am on my way to the oracle...
      Thanks
      Jeannie

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  7. If you can shop in-store, there is a $5 Ibotta for a $15 Joann purchase on Black Friday. The $15 has to be after other discounts.

    I love the little turtle!

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  8. Wow, you've had yet another busy week, Erika. Glad you were able to get some gifts completed. That is one cute little turtle. I can't believe someone did all that work and didn't finish it! Looking froward to seeing more of your Christmas gifts, too, when they are finish and you get a chance to post it.

    Sometimes my grocery budget goes over some weeks, too. It happens to the best of us. This week I found some excellent grocery deals. They included a bag of clearance produce (2 bunches of celery and a romaine lettuce) for only $1, 12 jars of smooth peanut butter for $5.89/2kg jar, 12 jars of crunchy peanut butter for $2.99/1kg jar (I'm finally restocked on PB...Yay!), a bag of spinach marked down 50% off to $1.48, and 2 bags of "imperfect" Russet potatoes for $0.50/5lb bag (I thought I was going to have to pay $3.50 for a 10lb bag because we needed them).

    I love that your roast beef stretched over 3 meals. I recently tried making a shepherds pie with some leftover roast beef (mixed with some cooked veggies and gravy, topped with instant mashed potatoes and a bit of opt. grated cheese) which turned out quite nice. I'm also glad your homemade soup freezer meals came in handy. Maybe each time you make soup, you can put a baggie or 2 in the freezer to keep your supply well stocked. I call those "survival meals"...they really are helpful!

    Out of curiosity, have you ever looked into downloading Kodi onto your android devices (not sure if it works on Mac but could check)? It's free and there are instructions on-line how to download it. Kodi allows you to stream free movies and T.V. shows. We gave up netflix and use Kodi Genesis for almost all our entertainment. New T.V. episodes are available to watch within about 1/2 hour of airing. We've watched box office hit movies on it while they are still currently in theaters! The list of show (including children's shows and movies) is extremely extensive. You'll never have to buy or find storage for a DVD again! My brother even downloaded it onto his smartphone (he doesn't currently have a T.V.) and uses it all the time. I highly recommend it!!!

    As for my accomplishments, I am happy to report that I was able to make some gifts this week. I made 2 beautiful throw pillows from 2 standard bed pillows (bought for $3.50 each) I modified into square pillows and 2 slip covers made from a gorgeous red taffeta fabric covered in a gold embroidered pattern (up-cycled curtain panel I bought for $2 at the thrift store). These were given as a wedding shower gift which she loved. I also made 2 aprons for Christmas gifts. I used my own apron as the pattern. The fabric was again up-cycled from a medium weight cotton shower curtain. One is for my niece and one is for my mom.

    I saved the best for last as I know you will appreciate this one. I participated in a parent focus group on the ABA programs provided to children on the Autism spectrum in our area and in return received 2 big rewards. First, I had the chance to voice my experiences as the parent of an Autistic child to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (most likely gathering info on the services provided to Autistic children in general - a hot topic right now as the Canadian government is currently reorganizing these services), and received validation that all the other parents had similar views and experiences...priceless opportunity really! I think the ladies who were conducting the group were quite surprised to learn a few of these details, too. Second, I received a $25 Tim Hortons gift card as a thank you for my time...awesome! So glad I said yes to this!!!

    Anyways, that's about it for me. Hope you and your family are feeling better soon!

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  9. It must have been roast beef week. We still have some in the fridge, and will probably make sandwiches tomorrow from the remainder.

    I love the turtle, and I also love my Kindle and have had great luck using it. I hope yours works out well, also.

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