Some friends of mine who moved away earlier this year came for a visit. They asked me Monday morning if I wanted to go on a spontaneous road trip with them to Lake Tahoe (a 7-hour drive away).
I said yes, and we left Tuesday.
Some things we did to save money on the trip:
We were traveling in the off-season, so our hotel was not expensive. My friend booked it through an online deal site.
We managed to find free parking on the very small free parking lot both nights (the entire parking garage was valet!)
I brought gloves and a hat for my friends, as the trip was impromptu and they hadn’t packed any. I also grabbed umbrellas, which we needed.
We ordered several of our meals to share: a couple of stacks of pancakes that we divided along with three eggs (there were three of us), a bowl of vegetable soup, a pizza, a main course of dal and rice with bread on the side. We drank water. We bought three bananas as an inexpensive snack on the way back.
We drove around Lake Tahoe. We parked in a free spot (there were many paid lots nearby).
My friend chose a hike using the AllTrails app he has that rates hikes near you. This hike, to Eagle Lake, was the best-rated hike nearby, and it was an amazing hike to a gorgeous lake.
We visited Carson City on our way back, which is the capital city of the state of Nevada. There isn’t much to see there, but we could go inside the state capitol for free. It had a small free museum inside that we visited as well. We took the time to enjoy the fall color of a Japanese Maple tree planted on the rear side of the building (we don’t get much fall color where we live).
We walked down the historic main street a bit.
When we came back, I cooked bhindi masala with okra from my garden to take to a get together we were having with other friends on Friday.
I sewed a pink crushed velvet skirt for myself using fabric I bought on sale years ago and elastic I had bought in bulk from Wawak. It was a super quick and easy sewing project.
What did you do to save money last week?
My site earns money as an Amazon affliate. Thank you for your support of my site!
Love your cosmopolitan look and outlook. Lake Tahoe is stunning. Thanks for sharing your frugal adventure.
What lovely photos of the Lake Tahoe area! We were fortunate to visit there many years ago.
1. Asked for a price check on jars of dill pickles that were on a clearance table at Dollar General, with no price tags. 90 cents! I bought three, to eat by their 2027 expiration. I made cheap hors d’oeuvres with thin Buttig lunchmeat beef slices with cream cheese wrapped around the pickles, which I love and haven’t had for years. I don’t normally buy pickles.
2. We are having chili for Thanksgiving, as we have a memorable recipe and it is so rich we don’t have it often. We had almost all the ingredients except the beef and corn chips.
3. Anything I’m thinking of adding to this list seems ordinary. I’m wearing a sweat shirt and slippers rather than turning the heat higher. I think of going to holiday shopping open-houses, but don’t want to add more things to my home that aren’t disposable or useful or replacements. Lots of library books.
Sounds like a fun little trip!
Received $2 in the mail from Nielson Ratings.
Found great buys on gifts for the guys…Stanley coffee cups, hoodies, and slippers. I even found some makeup deals for the girl. I saved up my Amazon shopper panel rewards all year, and I had some rewards from Amazon student that paid for most of it. I still haven’t redeemed my points on my rewards apps yet, so those will go towards Christmas stuff also.
I canceled $10.99 a month Starz through Prime,because I seen an offer for $12 for an entire year directly through Starz.
Was given some apples, clementines, and turkey breast.
We’ve been eating for the most part from the freezer.
Redeemed my free double cheeseburger from the McDonalds Monopoly game before it expired.
Cancelled my access to Photoshop since I no longer need it for class.
My teenager works at a pizza arcade type place and brought home a pizza(she usually does it once a week)
Thank you for this tip! I canceled mine on Prime, too, and signed up directly through the Starz site.
You look fabulous! Love the skirt! What a fun trip!
What a fun road trip!!! Glad
you had time to visit with your friends!
I got a text on Saturday from one of the young moms I included when I got tortillas and also the flour and sugar sales from the last 2 weeks. She has 3 boys- 4-1/2, 2-1/2 and 2 months and she and her husband bought their first house a couple years ago and she budgets carefully. It’s just as easy for me to actually be the one to pick up a good deal and let her get it from me directly than to have her bundle her 3 littles and run to store to pick up deal while it’s still available. So, knowing that background, she texted me to tell me she had just seen at a specific Aldi’s near her some chicken taquitos and also a chicken,cheese,broccoli pasta bake on sale. https://pin.it/6xFOXdthM They were on sale for $1..99 (taquitos) and $1.69 (cheesy chicken broccoli pasta bake) She bought what she could but her budget is tight and so she couldn’t buy for anyone else. I went to that Aldi’s and bought the 6 boxes of taquitos and the 7 boxes of the chicken broccoli bake for a total of $25. The savings was over $103 ! I gave 1 daughter 4 boxes of taquitos and 2 chicken broccoli bake, my single son got 1 box of chicken bake and another young mom got 2 boxes of the chicken broccoli . So we kept 2 boxes of taquitos and 2 boxes of the chicken broccoli. Not fancy but great to have for last minute “too tired to cook, too frugal to eat takeaway!”
I got our 39 cent/pound turkey from Meijers (no additional purchase needed) for our family Thanksgiving dinner we are hosting this year and pulled out a 7 pound boneless ham from the freezer that I bought using Flashfood 3 months ago for $3! I got 3 five pound bags of potatoes for 99 cents each. One of my daughters is bringing potatoes but I got some for our own storage. All the rest of the Thanksgiving feast are assigned out to our kids/adult grandkids. That makes it easier to manage.
I got 10 more pounds of butter that were at Meijers for $2.49 with no coupons or limits.
I finished 2 more all Minkee “quilts” for a client. Just have 1 more of hers to finish! https://pin.it/OFRVZi9mg , https://pin.it/3UzYxwDEg. My nose still tickles from the Minkee fluff! 🤧
Hope everyone’s Thanksgiving is filled with gratitude for the abundance we all have, not just in material things,but most especially in those things that feed our souls and spirits!
Gardenpat in Ohio
As a mom with three very young kids, I can tell you what a blessing to not have to get them out to the grocery store! We do it but it does feel like a production haha
Carla G- With 11 kids who are all close in age, I do remember trying to concentrate on my grocery list with 2 littles in the cart and 1 or more holding my hand! Anything I can do to give some young moms a break makes me happy!
Gardenpat in Ohio
This was a great week with many savings and blessings. I brought home an amazing rescue of food from several grocery stores. I stocked my freezer with pork chops and salmon. I had a bounty of fruits and vegetables. I bought a pack of liver that I enjoyed by myself. My children look at me like I’m nuts. My mother served it as a child. I pay 1.79 a pound , so I imagine 50 years ago it was very practical for my mom. I bought $30.00 worth of items on the Ibotta app and received a turkey and a few random items. I cashed out the $30.00 for a giftcard and used it to purchase Xmas gifts. Sugar cookie decided that from now on she wants to take gifts with her to visit her cousins at Christmas. Using the Thanksgiving sales we bought about 100.00 worth of gifts for the $30.00. I have 7 candles that we rescued from a Home Goods store and those fill out the balance of needed items. I delivered pet supplies and other groceries to a few friends as usual this week. Surprisingly, one of them informed me they had acquired a free refrigerator for me. Mine broke and I’m unwilling and unable to buy one. I figure this next one will be my very last appliance I buy. I decided to save up and buy what I want and not settle for a used or basic model. This lovely Kenmore will tide me over for a couple more months. When I no longer need it , we will pass it on to another family. Blessings come every day.
Amen! You do amazing job of making do, and I love how you find those items that would be wasted!
I always admire your resourcefulness.
What a lovely trip! Red is definitely your color, that is a beautiful picture of you by the maple tree.
I started my winter garden this past week, sowing herb seeds, snow peas, beets, spinach and lettuce.
We ate at home this week as we do and I’m working on painting some Christmas cards to send to loved ones.
I hope everyone here is doing well.
You look absolutely amazing! How is your family? Would you ever do an update for us? Is your husband still away for his job? How many cute grands do you have now? I am glad you are back. Missed you posting.
My family would prefer me to not post updates, so I won’t be.
I would like this if there is a like button. While I miss the random updates on your family, I like more you respecting them.
Yes, you looked fantastic in your red coat and beret.
Thank you!
What a great get-away for you, Brandy! And the photo of you wearing red next to the Japanese
maple is gorgeous. And I enjoyed the photos of Lake Tahoe.
We have had a big snowfall. I finished sorting the boxes from my father’s office, folded the tarps, weeded out the dead material from the flower pots, and my friend’s brother did a lot of other things. It adds up money wise but is worth every penny. It was all rather last minute but still it got done. I have some papers inside the house to sort but I am too tired and back hurts, knees hurt, injured arm hurts. It is nice to stay in bed.
it looks like a winter wonderland outside. If it weren’t so painful I’d go outside and take photos.
Oh I saved money by buying After Eight Chocolates for $2.50 per box — normally about $10. I had been given $10
by my neighbour for use at the Hatch, a community food cupboard so I bought 10 boxes to give to the Hatch. I saved $75. My friend will save them for the Hatch at Christmas. I wish I could eat some but they have been possibly cross-contaminated with peanuts. Just as well. I saved money by not buying a new pair of shoes — they were regularly $250 on sale for $42 but I refrained from buying them.
I broke a filling – my new dentist wants to do a crown. It would be about $1900, my insurance would pay
$500. I have a private health plan, the premiums of which balance almost equally with cost of medicine etc.If I gave it up I would qualify for the federal dental plan but then I’d have the medicine expenses. I looked like i was going to drop of shock when my dentist’s receptionist told me the cost. I phoned in my credit card number the next day to pay the balance $150 owing out of $650 for my routine cleaning, polishing, fluoride, and emergency dental visit). The receptionist said the dentist as a courtesy is picking up most of the bill for the crown so I will have to pay nothing. That is what I call kindness! It makes me misty-eyed just thinking about it.
Ellie ,
Try SMILE 65 see if you have one near you. It is dental care for thoes in need.
Hi Jenna,
Thanks for the tip. I think SMILE 65 is in the U.s. while I’m not.
If I give up my private plan, I could get the great federal Cdn plan but as I said I’d be giving up other benefits under my plan. But your tip is great for other readers!
Thanks for the tip, looks like it’s for those in Tennessee. I’ll pass this on to friends there!
What a fun trip! And your skirt turned out nicely.
My project last week was reorganizing things the main room of my apartment. I donated a few items to Goodwill that I no longer needed (including a folding desk that was just taking up space). My wish was to find a small white cube shelving unit for the place where the desk was, so I checked Goodwill while I was there. And they had one in just the right size for $15! A staff member wheeled it up to the front for me and helped me get it in my car. It fits perfectly in the intended spot, and some baskets I already had fit perfectly in the cubes. A couple days later, I went through a huge pile of papers, kept what I needed and divided the rest into a recycle pile and a shred pile. It felt so great to get that done and clear my clutter.
I mentioned last week that I got a small freezer for my apartment, and that I had stocked up on big bags frozen fruit and vegetables from Costco. This morning, our upscale Kroger (QFC) had chicken parts on sale for 99 cents/lb, which was half off. So I got four packages, but they rang up as B1G1, making the chicken approx. 50 cents/lb. I ended up getting 15lbs of chicken parts for around $7.50. I am so happy to have a freezer to be able to take advantage of such great deals.
Other frugals:
– My sister shared bay leaves and an opened jar of tomato paste she wasn’t going to use. I froze spoonfuls of that in an ice cube tray for future use.
– My neighbor shared some cookies with me. I invited her over for tea.
– Found a great deal on leftover Halloween chocolate (expiration date is July 2026). Bought several packages.
– Fixed the hood on a raincoat so it would fit me better. I only needed to sew one seam.
– Bought a $1.50 mop head from dollar tree, and scrubbed my floors. Worked much better than the old one.
– Did a workout at home and also took walks outside when it wasn’t raining.
Have a good week, everyone.
As much as I’d love to see updated photos of your family, it is very wise not to in the world we now live in. Thankyou
I dug thru our lumber pile (it was all free) to find all we needed to make a folding play tent for our grandson’s Christmas present. I’m sure I’ve got enough fabric in my stash to make the tent part and a pillow. I’ve already picked up a pile of books to go with it and will hit the goodwill outlet to hopefully find a kids sleeping bag.
We picked up 6#’s of butter at $2.79 a pound which will knock that off my supply list for Christmas baking. I found our small local grocery store sells sprinkles in deli containers for a fraction of what the bigger stores are selling them for. It’s been years since I’ve needed to buy them so it was a bit of sticker shock!
Since my daughter moved out of state, I used her reward # to pick up another turkey at .39 cents a pound.
I made up 2 batches of soup base (veggies, meat, concentrated broth( for a quick start to a meal.
We made all meals at home: turkey sandwiches, sloppy Joe’s, pasta fagioli soup, Dutch babies with bacon.
I sold 2 items on Marketplace and have gone thru and listed more items that have just been gathering dust in the basement.
I fixed 2 items – a Christmas wooden plaque and a antique storage crate with supplies I already had. I’m in the process of painting and staining an old small cabinet to use next to my grandson’s bed.
We discovered 2 windows that will no longer seal and will need to be replaced at some point. The plastic won’t work for us as our cats have claws so I used Gorilla brand duct tape to seal the cracks for the winter.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating.!
Hello, frugal friends from the mountains of Virginia. This past week was very frugal in lots of ways. While last week I believe I posted I was going to stay out of the grocery store, I ended up going because I randomly checked the stores websites and discovered I had a bunch of free and bogo coupons on items we use. I got 3 pounds of bananas, cottage cheese, a can of Campbell’s soup of my choice,for free. I was able to get 2 cans of tomatoes, 2 jars of peanuts, for bogo. marked downs included 3 individual yogurts for .29 each, 5 lemons for .30 each, sale items of .25/# sweet potatoes (I bought 10 pounds.), fresh cranberries for .99/bag. (I bought 4 bags.). I will make juice from these, saving the cooked berries to mix in with rice when I serve it with chicken. I also got our turkey for .49/#. Our DIL brought me a box full of large brown mailing envelopes, alligator clips, a brand new stapler and staples, 4 boxes of highlighters, a tape dispenser, 50 permanent markers her workplace was going to throw out. I took a few of the multiple items and gave the rest to our daughter who works with foster care children. The highlighters can be included in Christmas stockings and the remaining supplies can be used in her office. I sewed pillowcases for the grandkids as part of their Advent gift using fabric from my stash. I needed room in my freezer so I thawed 8 pints of pumpkin and then dehydrated and powdered it all. I still have 10 frozen pints left. I made and froze 2 individual chicken pot pies using leftover chicken and a bag of mixed veggies. I went to the store to pick up a bag of Oreo type cookies and a 4 tube package of the “cheap” biscuits. I realized that the grocery stores in my area are not carrying many items as their house brand anymore. These were two of such items. It forces the consumer to purchase the more expensive name brand item instead. Is anyone else noticing this? Another thing happening in my state is Kroger is now rounding up all purchases ending in .01-.04 cents to .05 if you are paying cash without exact change! I got to thinking about it and realized that steals a lot of money over the course of a week for those of us using cash. We are being told it’s because the penny is being discontinued. I can’t help but notice when the cashier opens the register that they always seem to have lots of pennies in the register…Something to think about. To me that is theft.
Anyway, I wish my frugal friends many blessings this upcoming week. I am thankful for this blog community as I glean many ideas and encouragement.
I was not given a penny when it was owed to me at a store. I went to customer service and asked for the penny. I think it’s stealing as well. I went home and calculated that if that store short changed one penny per customer per day, that the store would be roughly $2000 better off.
This is very interesting. I’ve only encountered the “penny adjustment” at one local business, and they round down instead of up. So if my total is $7.03, for example, and I’m paying cash, they charge me $7.00.
Interesting. I read stores are asking people for pennies. I wonder if this is because they stopped making them?
Not to sound superficial- your photos words like rich, lush, beautiful and escape come to mind. You really do know how to make life look vibrant on a dime!
I canned 6 quarts of (non alcoholic) cranberry mimosas for me and gifts for some dear friends. This came together as I was able to score the ingredients very cheaply.
I save warm up water for the tea kettle and house plants.
Started curling my hair as a form of self care. It’s amazing what 3 minutes and a second hand curling iron can do for a mood lifter.
Rearranged furniture to refresh a room.
Celebrated a birthday and I wanted to have a floral arrangement for that birthday lady. Time got away from me, and funds…anyway I sourced my yard for some borage that was still blooming, fern fronds, hummingbird trumpet blooms and some burning bush stems that made a beautiful arrangement.
I used the fancy china and inherited silver to serve the meal. We played silly games and prizes were homemade granola and freshly canned tomato soup. It was a great day.
Wishing everyone a calm and productive week.
Lake Tahoe is now on the travel list. Wow, so beautiful!
On the frugal front:
I used Kohls cash and a 40% off coupon to replace HH’s aunt’s shirt which went missing in the laundry at her care facility.
I assembled a simple hotdish during my lunch hour and baked it using the delay start feature on my oven to avoid take take out temptation at dinner time.
HH received four tickets to the Viking vs. Packers football game. HH, our daughters, and I road-tripped to Green Bay. We stayed one night in our cabin rather than getting a hotel.
We are in the market to purchase new kitchen appliances during the Black Friday deal window. I am comparing four bids and researching credit cards to earn an introductory offer plus points on the purchase.
Our neighbors gave DD1 their couch for free. It is in good condition, but has two tears along a seam. DD2 ordered an inexpensive upholstery repair kit and watched videos to learn how to repair the holes.
I look forward to reading everyone’s frugal feats.
Brandy,
Thank you for continuing the blog. I know you don’t want to charge, but would you consider accepting donations to its upkeep? I boycott Amazon so can’t help that way.
Are you still participating in Operation Christmas Child? I want to thank you for introducing our family to the project –this is our fourth year giving boxes and we find it very rewarding. Many of the items are from estate sales and thrift stores so it hasn’t been overly costly. For us a frustrating thing is the inability to designate the boxes as cold or warm weather ones. There are so many lovely, warm items we could get here (because people move from cold weather & then donate their expensive gear), but putting them in a box destined for a tropical country seems foolish.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
I will consider that; I know about the boycott. My website host just told me that I have maxed my storage limits and my hosting price will be increasing.
I’m glad you’ll consider it. I’m sure everyone would pitch in.
May I take it you aren’t doing the Christmas Child box this year?
No, I am not participating this year.
I second the donation option. You have blessed us for many years and we wanr to help. Hosting a website definitely costs.
Have you thought about allowing adds? I know that Katy at The Nonconsumer Advocate does and it doesn’t bother me. Folks can always ignore an add if they are not interested. That might be a way to make a little bit of extra money, or at the very least, cover your website hosting fees. Katy could probably tell you how to do it.
I have considered it, and I am probably going to need to. I have been ad-free for almost 18 years.
what a lovely trip and saying yes is always a good idea for something like this! the skirt looks wonderful 🙂
My biggest has been doing most of my christmas shopping at the thrift store – I have gotten a huge amount of high quality items that my family will appreciate [and some were really needs as well as fun] for pennies on the dollar – a camel hair blazer for my husband who’d been asking for sport coats, very high end dress shirts for my son who’s work wardrobe is a pain point at the moment LOL, things for all of my giftees – in fact I think I’m finished shopping after all those successes.
I’m hosting some extra young adults who are far from their homes for Thanksgiving but I was careful not to overbuy or overplan [an issue for me especially when hosting] and will stick with my one turkey breast which will probably give us leftovers even with the extra mouths to feed.
We’ve redone several rooms [two of our children moved to opposite tips of Manhattan in October] using furniture we had before even looking to source second hand furniture and it has worked out beautifully [everything got swapped around in different ways for the price of a little labor!]
Wauw Brandy, that red coat, the scarf and the red hat looks so good! I’m quite envious in a good way (which means I’m inspired!) And Lake Tahoe looks fantastic, we certainly don’t have any scenery like that where I live.
My mother had to collect some furniture, clothes and other personal belongings about an hours drive away. None of us have a car, but my FIL very kindly drove us and we rented a trailer very cheaply at the nearby gas station.
This week I’m going to mold candles for Christmas with my family. We’re going to use old candle bits and leftovers and melt them in a pot. I got some candle wick for my birthday, and we will make the candles in pretty cream cheese glas jars that we have saved throughout the year. We will use the candles in an advent ‘wreath’ I make on a nice serving dish every year and also decorate and use some of them for presents.
We will take the cargo-bike to buy a Christmas tree at a hardware shop some distance away at one fourth of the price compared to just around the corner.
I bought two nice pair of pants and a top at a secondhand shop. The top is very soft and nice on the skin.
I bought underwear at 20% discount. I always buy the same brand, model, color and size and it lasts me for years.
I also bought some see-through elastic hairbands. I will try to braid my hair in different ways, as a free way to alter my hair style. I borrowed some books at the library with lots of ideas and different styles – some elegant, others more for everyday use.
I watch a programme about styling clothes in different ways, so you don’t have to buy new ones – very inspiring.
I’ve only bought secondhand finds for my sons advent calender – a pair of shorts he needs, a Christmas decoration, a boardgame we can play as a family and a Cristmas mug.
Have a nice week everyone!
The coat was a gift many years ago from someone who had purchased it online and it was too small for her. It’s from Old Navy. I saw an ad yesterday from Old Navy for a coat (slightly different style) in the same shade of red! The beret is from Amazon. The shawl was a gift from a friend’s mother from India earlier this year.
Brandy, you look sooooo French! Tres chic! I love the skirt you made…it is very flattering!
Thank you! I have some green velvet as well; I plan to make another soon!
I hope you will post a photo of the green one as well! Just lovely!
When I make it, I will! I might have to sew a couple of other things first, though . . .
😊
Brandy,
You look absolutely beautiful in the red coat, beret, and scarf. I love the color red! What a fun trip! Beautiful sites! I’m glad you had a nice time with friends. We saved money this week by buying a turkey for only 48 cents a lb. We ate most meals at home. We ate out after being in the hospital one evening. I regretted the extra expense. I had fallen and hit my head. I was not up to cooking that evening. But we are back on track cooking at home. We use cloth hankies, napkins and towels. We went to a free historical museum. We enjoyed talking as we drove to get groceries. We have seen deer, raccoons, possum, coyotes, a fox, hawks, a flock of doves, and many other birds this week. We have had a lot of expenses; hospital, plumbing, and vet bills. I enjoyed playing the piano one evening. My family enjoyed listening. I listen to my son’s music most days. I’m blessed that he listens to music that I enjoy as well. Sometimes, I will play music on my computer. We are enjoying eggs from our chickens. I’ve lost 30 lbs this year so far just by eating less and moving more. I’m losing it slowly, but it doesn’t feel terrible. In fact, I feel so much better. I”m glad I’m not doing anything drastic to lose weight. My main goals are to enjoy walking more and I’d love to fit into my smaller clothes.
Tammy, I am glad you are okay! I am doing the same with losing weight. So far 30 pounds, but over a longer time. We moved and everything has been topsy turvy. Finally getting the food situation back under control; we were stocked before we moved, but moving a lot of food would cost more than the food itself. Once the holidays are over it’s time to get really serious and also get swimming again. The fitness center wants $42/month for access and the one I came from was more, but only an adult facility. At my age, I don’t want to be dealing with kids in the pool when I am swimming laps or in the locker room (and I raised ten kids). I asked the fitness center about this and they said that the senior (boy I hate that that word means me now) center has two pools. I called them and it’s only $40 a year! That includes a lot of free classes as well. What a savings!!! Anyhow, the weight and fitness journey continues.
Wow! That’s a huge savings for swimming!
I was thrilled!
Laura,
Thank-you. I’m glad I am ok too! I know how moving goes. Eventually I plan on getting into boxes I still have and probably just getting rid of stuff. I haven’t missed anything. Life has went on without much of the stuff that is still in boxes. Congratulations on you weight loss too!
Thank you, Tammy! I was thinking the same thing about all the stuff still in the boxes. For all my holiday decorations, I am going through all of them after each holiday and divesting myself of things we haven’t used in years. Stuff accumulates without me realizing it. Brandy, I did finish my pantry upstairs…now for the one downstairs, though that is fairly well organized. I think the biggest task down there is making up an inventory sheet to post on the door so we don’t forget what we have since it is out of sight.
Brandy it is lovely to ‘see’ you again. Completely understand your wish to keep your family private. Unfortunately the internet can be a very unkind place at times.
I missed the restart. So- frugal accomplishments for the last year…in no particular order.
We did loads of home improvements ourselves:
We did our own damp membrane ( using very reputable kit) for the price (£300) we had been quoted for a company to come out to do a quote ( really!). I decided not to go with them when they told me that ( if home just bought) a surveyors report wasn’t good enough. We bought a power drill (for £60) to do it and my son completed the work in a few days.
We painted 5 rooms, a bathroom ceiling and a garage.
We painted (not sure right term) a felt roof with a substance to keep it watertight.
I renovated a bannister where the varnish was constantly chipping and looking dirty ( now have to do rest of woodwork- in progress). The bits done look great ( I’m so modest).
A brick support was crumbling. We bought an angle grinder and mortar and my son fixed it.
We cut up ( an excess) MDF bookshelf to use as shelving in the garage.
My son sanded and repainted a very chipped front gate
A kettle bbq was on its last legs (actually- legs had fallen off). My son used the angle grinder to cut it into pieces and the halves are being used as planters. Look quite good with copper paint.
Ancient sofa cushions are dead. Cut up foam from old mattress topper to reuse.
Repainted front door
Used huge screws and power drill to screw doorframe ( very wobbly) into place- huge saving.
Another child started at new school. Went to secondhand uniform shop ( open weekly- and they are lovely). Found loads of stuff for her. Saving approx £400. Found sports bag that usually costs £42 (!) for £12. Unusual to find them in good condition. Grabbed it. She is so happy there (much happier than old school). It also improves my quality of life as only 2 blocks away so she can walk there and back (I’m no longer ferrying). She is enjoying her independence. Her mobile phone is a hand me down and costs me £12 a month- fine for peace of mind.
Another child is at university 100 miles away. This is not cheap. This year ( her last there) she is sharing a house with friends. She goes with them ( one has car) to supermarket to shop. Another one’s father took them to Lidl. Thank goodness for practical friend people. During her holidays she waitresses at a local ( 0.3 miles away) restaurant. This helps her save/ pay for extras. I’m proud of how financially astute she is. Next year she is planning to study locally and live at home. I will not ask for any money for her to live here. I can cover it. She is vegetarian and I make her meals in batch or buy reduced ( yellow sticker). Vegetarian food is not popular where I live so often reduced. While she is away she visits using railcards. She ‘shops’ my freezer for the reduced items and I make fresh batches for her to take and freeze.
Some of you may not count this as frugal. My dog (aka rescue angel) is approximately 10. He is a large breed (so 10 quite elderly). He is healthy. I feed him pellets and stock from some ( relatively tiny amounts) liver and kidney ( with carrots) I have made in my 14 year old slow cooker. When I first adopted him a vet told me tins have no nutritional value. I count avoiding vet bills as a plus. He is a lovely companion.
I continue to shop reduced rack ( yellow sticker) items at local supermarket. It is much cheaper than ordering home delivery ( while same usual discounts no yellow stickers). I went yesterday and saved £109 on shop. Only £10 was from loyalty card. It really is worth it to go to the reduced rack yourself if you can ( I don’t always have the time to shop in person but it is worth it).
I was due some money. They announced they had lost record of work. I ( politely) pushed. They found it and will pay me.
I discovered I was due a ‘long service award’. In process of applying.
A neighbour added me ( with my permission) to a local social WhatsApp group. I had not realised how much people throw out! So far I have – a Victorian/ Georgian Huge cupboard ( came with their house and they didn’t want it after 4 years). Cost me £100 to move ( instead of thousand/s to buy). I love it and will never be getting rid of it. It forced me to organise wool ( yarn) stash (cough). Two photos of flowers- beautiful. A planter. A Christmas tree- donating person kept on saying it was their second. I waited a few days in case anyone else wanted it then accepted it as my second tree ( never had one)- I never throw out tree decorations and don’t buy new each year- but we make our own etc. They build up. One ( boot) was found in the garden of our house after we moved in 24 years ago. We have loads now. This new tree will make me happy in another room- and free!
I love going to local charity ( thrift shops) just last few weeks found 2 cones of wool ( with wool smell), Victorian brass candlesticks, 1970s planters/ jugs. My great find was antique kugel ball Christmas decorations. Online these are £30+ each. I found them (3) for £0.99 each. I love them. Couldn’t believe it. Brass bowls ( pair). Earlier this year- vintage carved chess set, Fermoie material- £0.99 ( used it to cover lamp and enough to make cushion). Ehrman canvas £9.99. It is amazing what people throw out.
I saw online that putting a foil type covering behind radiators helps warm room. Bought it ( from screwfix – Half price of Amazon) and seems to be helping.
Really into houseplants at moment ( garden dead in winter). Trying to keep them alive- they keep me happy. I buy them reduced from supermarket/ DIY store.
Doing a CAL (crochet-a- long) which I bought in moment of madness. But- everyone needs a treat ( and there are worse). The recommended wool ( yarn) would have cost more than £300. Well that was not happening. Just to be clear- I do think something I spend this much time on needs to be made properly in quality materials- but really. Raided reorganised stash ( see above). Have enough to make this blanket easily.
Plan to use stash to make more blankets. Less said about stash the better. But- while my weakness I do buy this wool at fraction of price of normal prices.
Looking back over last year- I realise how much the children and I have worked together to save money. It does make me proud. Very happy to see you back Brandy and to hear from everyone. Sad to hear about peoples’ losses- Maxine (((()))).
Love the pictures. Thank you for posting again.
I changed car insurance companies and paid for 6 months of insurance for the same amount as 1 month from the previous company.
I changed internet companies and for the same price ($60) I got internet, 80 channels of TV, and a cell phone for 2 years. I work from home and have to have my work computer connected to the router via USB cable. Wifi is not allowed. I was able to cancel my teenager’s cell phone and gave her the “free” phone (unlimited everything).
I borrowed several audiobooks from the library or the free streaming apps they support(I listen while I’m working).
I menu planned for the week.
I made black bean brownies, vegetable soup, lemon tyme bread, and white bread.
I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving ❤️
Wow! So happy for you to get such a lower cost on your car insurance!
Thank you! Me, too.
Thank you! Me, too.
Lovely pictures Brandy and looks like a very nice getaway-I too have never been to Lake Tahoe. I just got back from my trip so will need to get back in our time zone. While aboard my leather sandal strap broke and a kindly fellow who worked aboard the ship fixed it for free-which was very much appreciated.
Tomorrow I will do a phone interview for a 4 week nanny interview to replace a nanny who is traveling. If I get the position it will be more money for my travel fund.
Came home from the equator to cold weather and a fresh dump of snow. Enjoyed flying over the Rockies yesterday and snapped a few pics-you definitely know you are overtired when you don’t even notice that your connecting flight has taken off!!
Hello Brandy and everyone
Thank you for the photos of Lake Tahoe, what gorgeous scenery. You managed the trip economically and had friendship and fresh air. Also gorgeous is the pink velvet skirt! You look fabulous.
Last week I was happy to buy some Christmas gifts in TK Maxx using a gift card I bought with points I redeemed from my consumer research panel. I still have credit left on the card. I went to a garden centre and found a small planter for exactly the right money to meet my Secret Santa limit for a club I attend. I have ideas for how to fill the planter at no cost.
I look after my granddaughter on Mondays and I took her to a play park which has some equipment for very young children. I got chatting to a young Mum and asked her advice for other suitable places and she gave me some very useful information. She also told me about a free App, Playground Buddy which I’ve installed and it has great info about play parks so I’m planning more trips. I take homemade snacks and a flask of drink.
The whole family attended a free event at a historic garden , it was a magic bubble show for children and was so fun. We wrapped up warmly and took a picnic so no cost. Apparently the bubble show is put on in the summer too so I will keep checking the website.
I turned out some drawers and found several useful items I won’t need to buy now., including a pretty Advent calendar which isn’t a need but still nice. I was also able to donate several new items to a church fundraiser.
I mended two pairs of my husband’s trousers.
I attended a free lino cutting workshop given by a friend and made some Christmas cards. I bought a pack of inexpensive small brown cards and envelopes so they’re quite rustic but I like the effect. I took a big butternut squash as a thank you to my friend. She is an artist and said she will make a painting of it before cooking it.
From the garden we used carrots, leeks and kale and from our stored produce onions, garlic ,butternut squash, cooking apples, walnuts and frozen fruit and veg.
I love the red tree and pictures of the mountains!
My husband reorganized the pantry this week. We have not had to do much grocery shopping this year and I am shocked how much groceries have gone up.
The only thing we needed to purchase for Thanksgiving was the turkey. I was excited to see butter at Meijers for $2.49 a pound. (They usually run another sale in December.) I stock up on butter for 6 months because there is usually a sale on butter around Easter.
We took our kids (tween girl and teen boys) out to eat at a restaurant for the first time this year to celebrate our successes. This year has been very challenging and we want to celebrate the blessings God has given us. So we went to Fazoli and ordered water to drink and the large size family spaghetti with meat sauce and fettuccine noodles with Alfredo sauce. It fed us 2 meals for $45.00.
For entertainment I am finding free cross-stitching patterns and using up the DMC people have gifted me and leftover from kits I purchased the past 2 decades. I used to only use kits so this is bumping up my game and a whole new level for me.
For those in the USA Happy Thanksgiving!
The photos of your trip are beautiful – especially you under the red maple!
My greatest money-saving strategy is an old one but always relevant – mending. I repaired 4 pairs of my oldest son’s pants. I often say he should get a job testing the durability of clothing. He could put the toughest of fabric to the test! Both of my boys are in adult clothes now and I find it a bit harder to source second-hand clothing for them than when they were little. So, it’s even more important that we mend and keep things going. I also took some time to run my sweater shaver over some wool sweaters and socks. One of those little tasks that is so satisfying. Taking good care of all of our things is certainly one of our best money-saving strategies of all time.
I line dry much of our clothing all year but this time of year the drying racks come out in full force next to the wood stove. They are dry in no time and no electricity used.
We continue to work on restoring a chicken house given to us by a neighbor. It will have solar panels on the roof to power the electric fence of their pasture. My husband was able to find the components he needed significantly reduced on an early Black Friday sale. We have reused many materials from our Surplus Materials Yard (sounds much better than junk pile) in its restoration keeping the overall cost very low. Of course, getting the building for free is a huge help in that regard. We should be able to move the chickens in by this weekend and dismantle and, of course, salvage what can be used from their current house.
My youngest son was a vendor at a local art market held as part of a community tree lighting ceremony at our church. I took along some supplies to make ornaments out of vintage sheet music just to have something to do. The sheet music was rescued from the trash behind a thrift store about 5 years ago by my mother and I have made and sold ornaments from it since then. I planned to sell these in my 2 antique booths but, when people saw me making them, they bought them right then and there. So, I went to an event to have fun and support my son and ended up making $55 myself. He sold a respectable amount, as well, and we both had fun. Our choir sang at the tree lighting and it was wonderful. The event organizers sent us home with a large box of cookies that we have been enjoying all week.
Our church had a Drama & Carols service last Sunday and I portrayed Miriam, Moses’ sister. The script was from a book written by one of our parishioners and has been performed in many churches but never ours. It was very gratifying to be asked to perform this wonderful monologue and honor the author. She gave us all a copy of her book as a gift (I had her inscribe mine) and we had a sufficient feast afterward that I did not have to cook for my family. Wonderful fellowship and saved me time and money.
Other than that, we continue on creating, minimizing waste, getting our hands dirty and being grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!
Oh I am so excited to find you blogging again. I feel like I have found long lost friends. You look so good in red. Our fall leaves were pretty but those red leaves are just gorgeous. I am working from home now and have saved so much money and time. We had a huge garden and have preserved a lot. We have different projects going on. I can’t wait to go back and read the other blogs and comments.
What a fun trip and your skirt turned out beautifully.
I canceled a subscription we were no longer using and checked out some books l wanted to read through the library.
I used ads, coupons and loss leaders to save 58% off my groceries for the week.
My husband had to go to Costco to get some motor oil and air filters, so l had him pick up a few things at a much better price than our local grocery store, including the $4.99 rotisserie chicken they sell. I deboned it, and immediately put the bones into my large crockpot to make stock overnight. The next day l made a big pot of chicken vegetable soup using all the veggie odds and ends l had in the fridge, along with the last cup of cooked rice l had in the fridge. The soup fed the three of us for 4 meals. I kept aside more than half of the chicken and we used that for lunch salads and sandwiches for several days.
I continue to harvest out of our garden, although it is getting to the end of the season here on the Central Coast of California. I harvested cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, banana peppers, parsley, basil, chives and padron peppers.
I spent 3 days pressure-canning beans for the pantry. I ended up with 14 quarts of pinto beans, 14 quarts of black beans, 10 pints of garbanzo beans, 16 pints of red kidney beans and a giant pot of extra pinto and black beans l couldn’t fit in the canner in the time l had left. So l cooked those up to eat during the rest of the week. I took 3 pints of garbanzo beans that didn’t seal and made hummus. It turned out so well!
I also pressure-canned 7 quarts of beef stew for the pantry.
I cut off the top of my sunscreen tube and got several more uses out of it.
I donated some items we weren’t using to a local thrift store that supports a school.
I purchased some bras l desperately needed on clearance for 60% off.
Brandi, I am so glad you are back! I have missed the ideas and encouragement. Checking in keeps me spurred on to save money and focus on improvements in my life. No one around me is interested in saving money – isn’t that odd in these times? I know nobody is a millionaire so it doesn’t make sense. Anyway. It is so good to be back here with others that think like me.
My biggest money saver is that we are moving my sewing area from the upstairs hall landing into my husband’s office/son’s bedroom. My husband was laid off in the summer due to lack of work (company is in trouble). They wanted him to pack up the computer and cell phone to mail to them but he said “nope. You just laid me off. You are welcome to send someone down here to pick everything up.” The didn’t, of course. So, we waited a few months then switched the expensive phone over to my account and gave the monitors to a friend. The computer is too old for anything. I will now get plenty of space to sew instead of squeezing on the stair landing while draping the fabric over the handrail as it goes through the sewing machine. I can’t wait to spread out.
I have missed everybody.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
For Thanksgiving week, I had to go into the grocery to pick up necessary items I was missing for Thanksgiving dinner. I was really surprised at how well I did, coming out of Kroger with quite a lot of items including four packets of chicken tenders for $4 each, a thick and lovely ham steak for $10, plus four packets of Kevin’s Korean BBQ beef for $4 each. I also purchased produce for us to carry us through until our next pay period.
My daughter hosted Thanksgiving. I brought dessert and a couple of side dishes that she’d requested. I came home with the turkey frame, and three dishes of leftover sides. I turned leftover mashed potatoes and green bean casserole into a cottage pie, adding ground beef to the middle of the casserole. I had a bit of leftover cranberries from home canned cranberry juice (used in the gelatin salad) and an apple my granddaughter wanted me to cut up and then ate one piece of and made a small cobbler for dessert for us.
I’ve been Christmas shopping for my family and am so close to being done. Our budget hasn’t changed in the past six years and our family has gotten larger. I have done very well, coming in at under $200 so far which is a mere portion of what we’d typically spend. I’ve found some really good buys, from sales and such long before Black Friday sales this year.
We are continuing to experience issues with my car. The front-end suspension system has been replaced, but not the rear. There are more parts required and we are probably looking at another $1000. We are also pouring money into our mower trying to get it up and running once more. It’s only two years old but we really cannot afford to replace it just now.
To offset Christmas and car repair bills and mower repairs and such, I am going to be doing a pantry challenge this month as well as in January. I have always done one in January, but it seems fitting to do one now. I will take advantage of sales to restock pantry/freezer basics, but we won’t be buying other things. I’ve plenty of milk, eggs, butter, etc. so we should be fine aside from necessary produce.
Such a pleasure to see your posts!
We received 10 pumpkins that a neighbor didn’t want. We’ll roast them for pumpkin bread.
My husband did some plumbing himself. He did have to buy a few supplies, but much cheaper than having to call.
I found sneakers for my six year old son on Thredup for $10. I just couldn’t find his size at any thrift store for a good long time. I was impressed! The ones we found were completely clean and new.
Eating leftovers still:). And grateful for them.
Organizing fabric for Christmas presents.
We’re going to make Christmas cards with some foam printmaking supplies. A little handmade touch but not too much work. And hand delivering as much as I can. A photo inside instead of a photo card.
I’d love to donate too. We appreciate your site.
Your photos are GORGEOUS!
Tahoe is so beautiful, about 4 hrs from me, but I haven’t been in years. Looks like you hit it at the perfect time, between summer and ski seasons, both which are expensive.
The photos of you in the red w red leaves is stunning and the velvet skirt outfit is so lovely. No big savings this week, but I had to comment on your amazing photos. Thanks for sharing!
Btw, if you go up that way again, a fun place to stop is Virginia City. The boomtown where the comstock lode (silver) was discovered and where Mark Twain first used that as his pen name. The whole town is a historic site.
I went there as a child and we discussed going there as well, but it was raining nonstop and my friends didn’t want to go.
We just did the state capitol and walked down to the front of the old mint building and then drove home 7 hours (and it rained hard the whole way home!)
They loved the state capitol building and we enjoyed the rain and snow.