Thrift and Stuff and Nice Weather Coming

      I've just been blogging away- it helps me. I feel like it gives me a mental challenge plus it's like I'm talking with friends. I really appreciate all you who've been hanging out with me. 

     Since I'd much rather spend money on travel and gifts for others than junk and bills that could be avoided, I'm watching my spending. I'm going to keep going on weekly, Thursday-Wednesday, focus on thrift. It's sort of been a beautiful week- after Monday being rain soaked, though today's predictions are for rain. We need it so not complaining. I appreciate that we don't  need much heat right now, plus no air conditioning. I'm a bit wary of how much bills might escalate with my son living here, water and gas in particular, so saving elsewhere is appreciated. 

Saving on Things We Buy

• I skipped most convenience items when I shopped and stocked basics for pantry, fridge and freezer. With two to cook, we use the time to chat and share the duties. 
• While I'm not one to chase ads, I'll make an on route stop for a good deal. Sunday it was eggs at Kwik Trip for $1.49 dozen,  quite a bit lower than Aldi. I had a text message so was aware of the price. 
• I found two sets of three meal prep containers for $2.20 each. They're not the glass I wanted (and will still buy) but the price was good. Technically they are microwave proof, but they will be better for cold food items like salads, meat and cheese, veggies, hummus, and sandwich or wrap fillings, with a large and small section. I like to pack fillings, particularly if wet, seperate from the bread. 
• The tree guy ended up getting back to me, plus stopped by for estimate about 6:00. I was blown away when the email came- quote is less than 1/5 of what I set aside, plus he's grinding three stumps from old trees that wasn't even part of my original plan. Now, I am truly excited for the back yard project. 

Avoiding Spending 

• Unsubscribed from Acorn, saving $6.99. I still need to figure it out for Disney Plus.
• No meals out or take out. 

Earning Money

• I found  a few pennies in the washing machine. 
• Did the MS Rewards games and loaded receipts in Fetch. 
• I chased down an old and very small pension from an employer over 30 years ago. It'll pay the grand sum of $46.13 a month at age 65 for the rest of my life. Better than a poke in the eye for something I hadn't really thought about or thought I had. 

Eating (Using) What We Already Have 

• I made Chipotle style fixings for burritos Tuesday and utilized a cilantro lime rice packet my son hauled back with him. After we ate Tuesday night, he portioned all leftovers into three burritos bowls. Wednesday he fried an egg and used it on top one of the bowls for a hearty brunch bowl. 
• Hard boiled the 6 remaining eggs from last week's carton for egg salad and reserved a couple hard boiled to go in salad. 
• Made a crockpot of potato, vegetable, cheese soup using up so many odds and ends yesterday. It's just nice to have on hand for lunches or to supplement a dinner. 
• Packed travel mug with coffee, breakfast and lunch for my office day. Even gas station coffee is hitting close to $2. My "splurge" coffee grounds give me 5-6 pots of coffee for under $6, each pot probably holds three large travel mugs worth, for a cost of about 40¢.
• Finished the little bottles of red wine from my gifted birthday Advent calendar with weekend meals. It was a nice treat to enjoy at home. 

For Others 

• I sent my youngest daughter home with lunch and breakfast for Monday. She also did her laundry here for free. 
• Dropped off at our local family service a small box of assorted Valentine's, new markers, and sticker packets found cleaning out a cupboard. 

There wasn't much in the way of splurges, or non-regular extra expenses. I'm going to try and capture these though when I have them as ways to track the budget dings. 

• Scheduled and it was gone by mid morning yesterday, to get the old garage refrigerator hauled away. It cost $20 and freed up quite a bit of garage space. 

     What's the expression? Small economies, this week, but economizing none the less.