Thrift and Such

     

     Lots of blogging lately for myself as it gives me a place to put thoughts and pretend I have order in my life. It's dull for you all I'm sure, but you're welcome to join in. First, not quite thrift, but I've come to terms with my new cash flow budget. I knew internally that I'd have a big tax bite either at the time due or through the year. The shock of the paycheck drop was rattling, but now I know the deal. I can plan when I know, right? 

     Thrift and Such may or may not be a weekly thing. I'm looking for some norming and blogging had been that for me in the past. I really like how Hawaii Plan does her Frugal Fridays in categories. If you don't mind, I'm borrowing her format. This is for the period of Thursday, March 21 to Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Saving on Things We Buy

• Found an online coupon to use tonight when I meet my husband's aunt. She'll like the savings too! 
• I really thought I'd need to replace the keypad lock in front door. Replacing batteries didn't help. A referral to a local lock and key resulted in a repair to the timing mechanism, and he adjusted the door frame, which further was causing misalignment so the mechanism wasn't working. Bonus, he also got my patio door lock working smoother without the fight. He's just starting his business so only charged me the service call since he needed no equipment or parts. He was heck of a nice guy, ensuring my safety again in the house. He gifted a box of PB Girl Scout cookies too, just because, to his customers. 

Avoiding Spending 

• I skipped the movie theater, saving $12, plus got the house cleaned while my daughter was gone. Totally free kitten and dog love too. 
• The boat mechanic came under budget of what I was expecting, not by a lot  but everything helps. He got the steering mechanism to rights and other odds and ends tuneups and clean ups, and seemed generally excited about how well the boat will perform. The biggie spending avoidance was huge.  Since he was working on the full boat and had in the garage, he waved the storage and winterize fee, saving me over $600. He'll deliver the boat right to the lake early summer. He emailed me the invoice and I got a check in the mail immediately to help them avoid $53 in Credit Card fees. 

Earning Money

• Hmmm, nothing here unless you count finding change in my own house while cleaning.

Eating (Using) What We Already Have This is tough as I've bought things to make pureed meals for my daughter, but I'm using up bits for me.

• Found six homemade turkey meatballs that I used with sauce and pasta from pantry for two dinners for myself. 
• Made mock spaghetti O's for my daughter, no chewing needed, with small ring pasta and tomato soup. She really liked it.
• Avoided buying almond milk at the expensive store by using a shelf stable one I had in my pantry. My daughter actually prefers it so I switched to it for her oatmeal to save a bit of regular milk for the creamy soups and my coffee. 
• Went to the box I put old shampoos, conditioners, and other partial but still usable goods, to supplement the shower supplies and bathroom cleaning products. Should be able to avoid restock until there's a sale on several items.

For Others 

• Took care of kitten while daughter worked in office Tuesday and Wednesday. She will today as well.
• Served as a reference for a former staff looking to get back in our organization after departing two years ago. It will be a good promotion for her and well deserved. 
• Provided a few resources and possible talking points in coaching my nephew for his interview with an organization that I know quite well through partnership. This too would be a promotional type opportunity for him. 
• Took extra bag and grabbed to get stray park garbage when pup and I went for our walk Saturday. 

     There's my week of thrift and other stuff.  There were lot's of non thrifty things, but such is life. All were necessities ( including for mental health), but I'll try to pinch a penny when I can.