Thank you all for your helpful suggestions last week on work ideas, both big and small! I truly appreciate it! I start my new part-time job this week.
Following your suggestions, I was able to find someone who needed some plant watering while she is away from home for a few weeks.
We moved our walk-in pantry into a bedroom from the garage, as we now have only four children left at home. My husband will take down the walls of the old pantry and make the garage into a workshop, which will enable him to work out of the sun and work much more often and efficiently on projects.
The woman who gave me some pantry items last week (because she is moving) gave me a few things from her fridge, and offered to let me look through her donate pile before she donated things. I had just been telling my husband an hour before that I was wanting a basket to organize a few things better in the pantry. She gave me several baskets and an office chair. We needed to replace one, so that was perfect. She called me back later for more items, and I ended up taking a glass pitcher and a half-full propane tank, along with more pantry items.
I forgot to mention last week that we stopped at a thrift store on the way home from Utah. I found two blouses for $5 each and a skirt for $4, which I intend to wear to my new job. After washing the blouses, I noticed that one was wearing thin in one spot, so I mended it. I wore it and received a ton of compliments on it! So glad I decided to get it.
Someone called me to ask if I could use some chicken legs. They had some leftover from an event. I said yes, and to my surprise, I received 80 pounds of frozen chicken legs! I roasted several of them in the oven at once over two days and took the meat off to use in several different meals. We put the rest in the freezer.
I was called after a funeral luncheon and asked if I wanted to come right away and take some leftovers home. We had several meals from the leftovers.
My neice asked me to take home a large leftover sandwich after a party at her house.
Our car insurance was expiring, and the company we were previously with is no longer writing policies in Nevada. Now that we’re down to one older car and a small motorbike, we have cut our insurance almost in half.
I got two bamboo plant stands for free from the curb from a neighbor who was throwing them out. I have put them by the front door for now; I think I will eventually move them to the side of the house when that spot is redone the way I hope to do it. I also kind of love them here, too, though! So we shall see.
Another neighbor put two planters out for the trash on the curb. These will do nicely for a spot where I have wanted two long planters for many years. I’ll need to repaint them, but they look like they’re just what I need for this spot.
I gave my sons and my husband haircuts at home.
I harvested two Indian Snake cucumbers from my garden. They are just starting to set fruit.
What did you do to save money last week?
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The bamboo tables and planters are beautiful. What lovely finds!
Last weeks post sparked such a lot of helpful ideas and conversation. Thank you to everyone.
1. I sold a pair of curtains I had been given to sell. They were brand new Belgian linen and I got $150 for them. I also sold a free-to-me bike and motorcycle jacket for $100 each. As well as several other smaller things. So thankful for this.
2. Picked up free coffee at my mother’s assisted living. Brought home 2 items my mother doesn’t want/need. They are both listed to sell.
3. Dh borrowed a chain saw and took down a tree. This saves us over $1000. We gave a (free) bottle of wine to the friends who loaned us the chainsaw. We receive very nice wine for free from our daughter who does marketing for a winery. We also got 4 free half wine barrels from one of their wineries. Two are for us to grow more veggies in. Two will go to ds.
4. I altered a blouse that I bought for $2.99 at Salvation Army sale. I also altered a pair of free-to-me new pajama pants into a pair of shorts. I used the leg parts that I cut off to make the shorts bigger around, by inserting a panel in each side. The other set of free-to-me new pajamas went to dd1.
I have been decluttering with a group of friends. I’m happy to have a bit less stuff to take care of, some extra money from the things that I could sell, and grateful to be helping others with things that I’ve donated.
Hi Kara! We moved to our new home over a year ago. This spring we actually bit the bullet and bought a good chainsaw because we had a lot of tree work to be done and the ones we had were only designed for residential use and couldn’t handle the work we needed to do. So far, my son and husband have taken down ten large trees and some smaller ones. We have at least as many to go. Taking down one tree would have cost more than the chainsaw (even though that was about $800). It has been well worth the investment. Then they cut the smaller pieces into large kindling logs, and my son axed the large trunks into firewood. They were all hardwoods that were super crowded or not doing well. We can use this to heat the house this winter.
I am so impressed by your alterations. I can sew, but not to that extent. Your selling has lit a fire under me to make money with what I have. Thank you! Have a great week!
My computer is not working, so I am setting up my mobile to do some of its tasks.
A friend brought me 10 lb of beef and 8 servings of cod from her freezer. I think I have enough food now to stop the food bank deliveries.
I am so happy for you!
That’s awesome Elizabeth! If I remember correctly, you live in Alberta; our oldest daughter lives in BC (rather remotely). Do you have a local college that teaches computer “repair”? They might be able to help with your computer? Where we used to live there was a local man who helped people out repairing their computers for free. I think you are so good at using your resources! Inspiring!
I love this for you!
So so happy you are able to start your part time job this week!! 80 lbs of chicken legs is incredible and that is so wonderful!!!!I grocery shopped at Aldi, took my lunch to work, walked an hour every day, and I am just grateful for a roof over my head with air conditioning in this economy!
Wow! It looks like the good Lord is providing you with exactly what all you need, when you need it! Everything from work clothes to chicken legs!
(I want to see that 80-pound chicken, LOL.)
My major money-saver this week was to get the west window in my bedroom insulated. I have needed to do this for the last 16 years, as long as I have lived in this house. It has its original 1964 windows and back then, no one did very much about insulating things. The afternoon sun beats down on this window, there is nothing to shade it on the outside, and in summer, my bedroom feels like an oven.
My friend TK helped me. with this home improvement project. I had earlier purchased a roll of reflective window film, the kind that is supposed to help save energy. We first put that on the window. It is a very dark color, almost black, and you cannot see inside now that it’s on the glass. (Which is good because we have the window boarded up now. But it is boarded from the inside so no one can tell.) Usually, this window film stuff is fairly pricey but I got my roll at a thrift store for under $5 and we had plenty for the window.
Next, TK went to Home Depot and bought 2 large pieces of fairly thin plywood and 2 pieces of solid foam insulation. One of the wooden boards had damage on one corner and the store manager gave us a discount on it. I used my credit card that gives me a 5% discount on purchases; needless to say, I will immediately pay off the card.
We took all this home and TK cut everything to size and sandwiched the foam in between the wood. He then put it in the window from inside the bedroom, and bolted it in. So the insulation stuff and 2nd layer of plywood is even with the wall.
The thermal drapes I already had cover this boarded-up window very nicely. From the inside, it looks like it always has looked: closed drapes hanging from the decorative curtain rod. So you can’t tell the window has been altered. We removed the mini blinds that had been in this window, and I will be able to use them in another bedroom.
I paid around $100 for the materials and of course, had to pay TK for his work, but the whole thing is cheaper than a new window. (I want to replace the windows someday, but that will have to wait.) Anyway, this whole shebang is keeping the sun from heating up my bedroom, and it is much cooler now. Whereas I used to have to set the AC really low and turn on some electric fans just to get my room 78 or 79 degrees F, it now is a much more tolerable 75 with the AC set higher and just the ceiling fan and one other fan going. Much easier to fall asleep in a cooler room!
An added bonus is that all that foam insulation stuff is also muffling the sounds from outside — traffic noise, fire truck sirens (I live near the fire station), etc.
The only drawback is that the indoor TV antenna isn’t picking up signals very well because it had been right up against the window glass. Now that the window has 4 layers of insulating material, the weaker stations aren’t coming in. But I am working on that problem, too.
You have had an amazing amount of free items. So pleased that they will be useful and not just thrown out.
I visited a thrift store and bought 2 brand new tunics for £3 and £4 each. I also spotted a new glass fragrance lamp for £6 they normally retail for £30+, eldest daughter has wanted one for ages I will give it to her at Chrismas along with a bottle of oil, need to sorce it for a good price.
Youngest daughter gave me 4 new tubs of body butter and 1 of face moisturiser, they now make her sneeze. I will share them with eldest daughter.
I was also lucky to buy bread, fruit and tomatoes at 50% off just by visiting the supermarket at a different time of day.
Wishing you well in your new job.
SO much free food last week! It was amazing.
Thank you. I am excited. I’m not sure what the hours or pay will be, but we’re meeting today to figure it out. I’m really excited to be working for someone who truly values work/life balance and is genuinely fun to be around. I’ll be on my own doing the job most of the time, but am happy to be working for someone who respects me.
Such a bonus to be respected and your boss understands about how important life balance is. My last job was awful even though I give it 100%. Hope your wage will be want you need.
So glad your job is starting, yay! I’d love to see you do a post on your new pantry if you can fit it in. So nice to be able to get it inside so that space doesn’t need to be cooled 24/7. I’m trying to figure this out as the climate no longer is cool enough to store everything in the garage as I did for many years.
This past week was an expensive one. A light came on in my car, which turned out to be a small issue, but once there I got a lot of deferred maintenance done. Expensive, but it took an invisible weight off me I didn’t realize was there. Added weight: he told me I need new tires, so need to price shop that.
I ordered new glasses I’ve needed for several yrs waiting for insurance to allow me to see someone else after getting a bad rx. Had to wait till I could use insurance again. It covered the exam, but little for the actual glasses. It was shockingly expensive for rx sunglasses (I wear these the most) and readers using my old frames, but still need clear ones. Waiting to see how my new rx is before deciding on distance only or progressive. Dr said my rx changed so much I should see an in person fitting vs online so it cost more.
I spent money on new hair products bc PSA!: silver hair can turn an ugly yellow from sun exposure. I wish I’d known this! Mild weather last month meant the top was down on the car. I’m very fair so am mindful about sun exposure, but had no idea hair could sunburn like that so quickly. Much faster than getting a sunburn bc it’s cumulative – and it’s permanent till you cut it out. I now use uv protector on my hair and bought a buff to cover my hair in the car, as hats blow off in convertibles.
I “saved” money by not buying anything else except for milk. I got cereal on sale recently and will make a few meals out of that. The car mechanic is near Costco, so got gas. Saving me over 40 cents per gallon. Still $5.50 per, but everything helps.
Got audiobooks from the library. Helpful till I can get my reading glasses (unfortunately drugstore versions don’t help w my rx).
Last weekend I stayed at my nieces as several of us gathered from out of town there for a “feast”. Each brought something special for the planned menu and my nephew in law, a former chef, cooked it all. We wore our “vacation dresses” and made a staycation out of it. Got to see my grand niece’s newly purchased cute as a button 102 yro home as well. She made us brunch the next day before we all went our separate ways home. We don’t get together nearly as often given the former kids grew up and went their separate ways, so it was special and we vowed to do this 4x per yr seasonally. We are already thinking about a fall menu!
Hoping this week will be less expensive for all. I have an appt tomorrow about getting free healthy meals/food delivered and paid for by my health insurance. I had no idea this was an option till my dietitian mentioned it. One must have a heath need, which qualified me, but we will see if this turns into reality.
Hope everyone has a good week!
I use Zenni for my glasses, including prescription sunglasses (and I wear progressives).
Yes, not running the ac unit in the former garage pantry will lower the summer electric bill a bit.
If you are a member of BJ’s, they have a special now of buy one pair get one free. I have gotten a regular prescription and free sunglasses
If you get a pair of prescription eyeglasses that don’t work, there often is such a thing as a doctor’s remake where the doctor can change the prescription and the glasses will be done at no cost. Over the past many years, I’ve had to have a physician’s remake twice. It happens sometimes…
In fact after cataract surgery, my new glasses were made with tinted lenses (I hadn’t asked for those) and I hated them. the lenses were remade.
How nice to get 80 lbs of chicken legs! And you started you job! I am happy for you! We are cooking at home. I made it a goal to use everything in my refrigerator before I go shopping. I will wash it out. Then go shopping. We are being careful to use our leftovers. We are eating beans and lentils often. We are eating produce for snacks or yogurt. It makes us feel better than junk and is easier on the budget. Drinking lots of water. I’ve been cooking even when I don’t feel like it. Sometimes simple meals will do. I found that I enjoy lentils with just curry and salt and pepper with rice. It is very good and easy to make. I have used my pressure cooker a lot for beans. Saves on cooking time and energy. I make a meal plan for the week using what we have. Then look at ads and see what we might need from the sales. We eat from what is on sale and what we already have. I am able to get 10 lbs of chicken leg quarters for $6.90. I will thaw a package out in our refrigerator and roast part of it and cook the rest on the stove. I will peel the chicken off. We like to roast the skin with spices. It is tasty! We will use the bones to make bone broth. Then I make make soups with the broth and all sorts of things with the chicken. All of our bills have gone up. Groceries, car maintenance, toiletries, everything has gone up substantially. Although I have found that I can use cheap shampoo and it works fine. I am very happy about that. We are using my collection of soap before I buy more. We go to Dollar General for toilet paper and make sure that we have coupons when we go. We got 10 dollars of 40 on Saturday. That was helpful. We are using the cheapest products that work. Simply trying to spread our budget. I usually let my mom know when there is a great sale. She asked me today if I saw any great sales. I had to tell her no. I didn’t see any great sales. Oh, I forgot to tell her about chicken leg quarters. I will have to tell her about that. Because that is a good deal! I’ll look at sales tonight or tomorrow morning and let her know. She was happy when I told her about meat sales a few months back. In the long run it has saved some money, big time. Meat has gone up substantially! We continue to use cloth napkins, hankies, and towels. Except to wipe up grease. We have some paper towels for that. But we rarely use that. We tend to use our bacon grease for cooking. It has great flavor. I will use chicken fat to make schmaltz to cook as well instead of using oil. Saves money.
Hi Brandy and everyone
Great to hear your new job has started, wishing you all the best. What a blessing the chicken was!You and your husband are using your skills to advantage, your sewing skill and his DIY to rearrange the garage and workshop area. I’m very happy to hear the good things that have come your way.
My husband used to work in insurance and researched our car insurance to bring the price down while maintaining similar cover.
I used overripe bananas for banana loaf cake and made two courgette loaf cakes, one for the freezer.
I made several jars of Chinese five spice hoisin sauce with our plums.
I bought reduced price beef mince and chicken livers.
I cut flowers for the house and am experimenting with drying Ammi major, if they don’t hold their shape well I will just save the seed for next year.
I am doing ‘ chop and drop’ in the flower beds for some free soil enrichment.
The garden provided celery, spring onions, chives, basil, French beans, cucumbers, courgettes, potatoes and yet more plums! My hands get sore from stoning plums but they will be a blessing in the winter.
A friend was bitterly disappointed that blackbirds completely stripped her blackcurrant bushes meaning she had no fruit for jam making.
She was delighted that we could give her plenty of plums instead, now her family will have jam!
Good luck to everyone this week.
The HIllman Group might be worth looking at for employment. https://www.hillmangroup.com/pages/careers
Hello, frugal friends. It has been a busy week since returning from Alabama. But first, Brandy, last week’s blog post was a reminder that making people aware of one’s needs/situation can reap many blessings. I am so happy you were blessed with food, clothing and great curbside items. I love the tables and planters. Also, congratulations on the new job. It sounds like an excellent fit for your life. I, too, would love to see your new pantry arrangement. We returned from Alabama to a pantry full of sugar ants. I spent 5 hours emptying the pantry so Mr. Fix It would spray. I then cleaned the floor, etc. and decided it was a good time to rethink my organization of the space. I asked Mr. Fix It to rearrange some of the shelves so I could access things better. Then I decided to pretty it up a little by painting the walls using paint we already had. Now I am looking for some pretty baskets to help organize things better. I hope to have it put in order by the weekend. This past week I have canned 19 jars of applesauce, 5 pints of green beans from the garden, and 10 pints of tomatoes. I froze 8 pint bags of yellow summer squash plus 4 individual casseroles of squash casserole. In order to make peeling tomatoes easier without heating the kitchen by boiling water, I wash and freeze the tomatoes first. When I am ready to can I thaw the bags of tomatoes the day before and then the skins just peel off easily, saving time and energy. We have had some nice rains lately so I have been collecting the water in buckets and our rain barrel. I use it to water my flower pots. I used a digital coupon to get 2 jars of peanuts for half price and a free box of taco shells. We are expecting more rain this week plus nice temperatures to enjoy being outside and allow us to turn off the a/c for a few days to help lower our power bill. This month’s bill is 9$ over our budgeted allowance. In other frugal ways we have been using our solar generators to recharge devices and mower batteries, hanging laundry to dry, keeping meals simple using small appliances and the grill over the range and exercising for free. I wish you and our frugal friends many blessings this week.
What a wonderful community you have! Envious of your curbside finds. Wishing you cool collected nerves for your new job.
This past week, I let go of things that I no longer needed. I mostly donated, but the small and lightweight items I set aside for Ebay.
Used coupons to buy hardscape to finish 2 projects for the year. I will buy more gravel next year to bulk up the pathways but for this year appreciate how it looks and be thankful to have time back not weeding those areas constantly.
I replanted zucchini, swiss chard and cosmo seeds to enjoy this year. I think with the warmer climate, my growing time will be extended enough to get extra vegetables grown.
I had a mini notebook given to me years ago – now it is a little collage journal that I try to add to every other day. It has been fun coming up with a theme and using junk mail, old magazines and practicing penmanship to decompress.
Hope everyone has a calm and productive week!
Thank you! My first day was today and I was good! It helps that my boss is someone I really like who treats me with respect.
Brandy, that is worth more than pay! Having a good boss can make all the difference.
Robbie
I really saw that while working the election! I was so stressed out there–and so was everyone else.
Really happy about this. The job is across town, but my boss is chill and respectful, and someone I would be friends with, which is amazing.
What a great week you had on the food front. I love that you got all that food. It is so much better to be given to someone who will use it instead of being thrown out after it gets forgotten. Those planters and plant stands are great. I always say yes to anything free. If I can’t use it, I will find someone who needs it. I am excited for you and your new job. New to me clothes are still new clothes. Compliments are always a plus. I have just moved more of my food supplies, extra pots and my canning supplies to my spare room. I can see it better and know what I have to work with. I signed up at the senior center for a free food box every other week. They needed more people to sign up so they could remain a food pantry. I work and have not reached the age to go to the senior center but they didn’t care. I received a food box when I signed up and it was things we use on a regular bases. The brands were a little different but I will use it. They didn’t ask for financial information but was glad more people were signing up. They also told me a program to help with your heating bills this winter, but I made just a little over the limit. They told me to sign up anyway since I was close and if there was any money left after the allotment that I would be on the list. I told them I would check with my husband and see what he thinks. He wants to wait for now, since we are ok. We continue to walk every morning and I use the library and combine trips to town.
I’m glad to hear that you have found a job that you feel so positive about Brandy. I wish you and your husband all the best going forward in your work.
It has been a while since I posted but here it is.
My frugal accomplishments- I continue to find food reduced during my shops. When I go to the supermarket ( not very often) I head first for the reduced racks. A huge amount of my food has yellow stickers on it. I probably save ? Maybe 30-50% on normal prices that way. My freezers are full so will be eating out of them for a while.
There is a local WhatsApp group for just a few streets. People sometimes post things they are getting rid of. Since I joined I have found so many things- a huge mahogany Georgian/Victorian wardrobe that has taken almost (cough) all my crafting supplies, beautiful framed photographs of flowers and a watercolour of flowers, a plant pot, fabric samples. Today someone posted a flymo lawnmower and 2 new in box growzone grocloches. I was first to reply ( a few people wanted the lawnmower ) and I have just collected them – easily £150 I will not be spending. My favourite of them all is easily the wardrobe- so nice to organise my supplies.
My daughter has moved home from university having just graduated. She will be doing a Masters degree while living at home. Some of her friends are job hunting and it is very hard at the moment. I’m hoping a Masters will help her in this. We attended her graduation with me wearing a dress I already had, my daughter reused a dress ( which is lovely on her) that she bought for a wedding and my other daughter wearing one of her sister’s dresses and some sandals of mine. My son stayed home to house and dog sit and watched it on YouTube as did my sister and a close friend.
We spent a few days in Leicester- we went on the train using railcards and stayed in a hotel mainly paid for with vouchers from a supermarket loyalty card. It is a lovely city. I really enjoyed the Richard 111 visitor centre where you can see where he was found in 2012. I also visited his tomb in Leicester Cathedral. I’ve been watching The White Queen on TV which tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville and the princes in the tower. I plan to watch The Lost King which tells the story of finding him. While we were there we visited all the charity shops ( thrift shops). My youngest daughter is converted! She found trainers ( that she told me she had really wanted) for £4 instead of the £240 they go for when new ( she showed me them online). This happened in the first shop. Of course – after that I had a shopping companion for the rest of the trip. The trainers were scrubbed and are being worn constantly. My little entrepreneur plans to sell them when she grows out of them. I also found some original prints and framed Bayeux tapestry reproductions on material ( I have tickets to see it at the British museum). I found a new in packaging, huge,woven, pure cotton blanket for £6! One of my best finds was a handmade, quilted sewing bag with buttons looking like tape measure, needle and thread etc. It was £4 and I love it. Something else I found was a partially completed embroidery with a letter saying that it was made as part of a rehabilitation project by a soldier in WW2. It also came with the original paper wrapper ( saying not to be sold to public) I plan to frame it so am currently keeping eye out for a very large frame – they sometimes come up in the charity shops as people don’t want to keep them. I don’t want to pay to frame it as that will be a lot. I will use acid-free backing.
Now that my daughter is home she and her sister are deep cleaning the house room by room while they are on holiday. It is like having the most wonderful cleaning/ organising company you can imagine. Such a luxury. I struggle to work full time between my 2 jobs and keep on top of housework so this is great. In the last few years all 3 of my children have started carrying the load as they got older. My son is working part time and is also due to start a course. He works nights so slightly harder for him to help out but he does the garden when he can.
I decided I needed garden furniture as only had 2 chairs ( the other 6 bought 15+ years ago have died). Teak is great but so expensive. Using eBay I found 6 teak chairs and 2 steamer chairs for about the cost of 1 steamer chair new. The old table is a bit rickety ( not helped by me painting/ potting etc on it) but nothing a tablecloth can’t solve.
I found an item on eBay that I had wanted for a while. It was posted at a very low price. I made a lower offer and it was accepted- I have collected it and love it. It pays to be patient.
Can’t think of anything else at the moment.
Oh, how wonderful! Love all your things from this week! And the wardrobe and cleaned and organized house are the best!
Hi all!
Brandy, I am thrilled to hear your good news about your new job and the free food and other items that have come your way.
For anyone who may have school aged children: several of our local school districts offer a “summer meals” program. One district requires that you bring children/teens to the school to eat, but the districts closest to us offer a pick up program, at no cost and with no income requirements. (We do have to write down the name of our daughter when we pick up food.) It is for all kids under 18, not just students enrolled at a particular school. Once a week we stop and pick up the weekly meal offerings. It always includes a gallon of milk per child (white or chocolate), fresh produce, proteins, etc. Sometimes the food is similar to what they would offer in the cafeteria, like mini frozen pizzas, but there is always something our family can use. This week we had fresh broccoli and green beans, chicken drumsticks, sandwich fixings, and applesauce cups. It may be worth looking to see if this is available where you live.
I appreciate the inspiration and creativity I always find here! Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences with all of us.
I saved money in a number of ways. First, I have to renew my home insurance policy. I was appalled it had gone up by $500 (after several cumulating yearly increases). I told the agent that I wasn’t happy and he very quickly said he would look for a discount for me. He came up with a $500 loyalty discount.
I bought a brand new jacket ( regularly $125) on sale for $9.95 and then unexpectedly I received a further discount so cost was $3.00 plus $10 shipping. This was from Land’s End. I don’t usually buy from non-Canadian companies but Land’s End has sizing that fits. (I’ll buy from non Canadian companies once tariffs are removed). Land”s End has a sale category called “On the Counter”. Every Sat or Sun they add items. Then each day there is a greater reduction until Friday when it is 75% off the sales price. There are limited items and limited sizes but once in a while on Thursday just before midnight I have a look. Hence the $3 jacket.
It will be perfect for the fall. Also Reitman’s a Canadian company had some linen capri pants for $14.95 (on sale from $80.00) so I bought those at an end of season sale. I like to buy clothes at the end of season for next year.
It was so hot here that I bought ice cream for $2.99 on sale from $5.99 — it is a deluxe ice cream that i love but fortunately for diet purposes it comes in a small container.
I bought several canned items at greatly reduced prices for my pantry. One thing I bought on sale for $15.00 was 12 frozen hamburger patties. The only problem is they are separated by papers and everything is frozen together. I don’t have a microwave so haven’t quite figured out how to separate them. I don’t have a microwave so can’t zap them. One is supposed to cook them from the frozen state. I noticed that now the same package has only 4 burgers in it and now costs $15.99 so effectively more than a doubling in price.
I had a procedure in my knee to see whether or not I can have a nerve ablation and the good news is I can. That should stop the pain for about 9 months. Neither procedure cost me anything.
Our government now covers the cost of knee braces (custom made ones now cost about $1500) so I’ll be getting a knee brace, too.
We had terrible forest fire smoke from Washington State so I had to stay inside for a few days. We also had smoke from B.C. Now the skies are blue again.
Brandy, what a wonderful week you had! the chicken legs made me really smile. Maybe i missed it but i’m wondering what type of work your new job involves…?
Wow! I didn’t know that about Lands’ End! And they are such great quality. What a deal!
I am doing local marketing for a kebab shop that is next to the airport. The runway is across the street, so you can watch the planes land while you eat. The restaurant has a new owner who just bought it at the end of June.
I was so excited to post this week! I saw on Facebook that a farm about an hour away from us had bushels of tomatoes for $20, this is a fantastic unheard of price for me as we usually pay $40 or more per bushel. I purchased 5 bushels and canned 70 jars of crushed tomatoes and we had them for fresh eating for many different meals. That works out to $1.42 per quart jar which is an absolute steal when you consider how much crushed tomatoes cost in the grocery store.
Sarah, that’s an incredible price! You hit the jackpot!!! Congratulations! That is a lot of work, but so worth it.
So glad that this was a week of possibilities and opportunities for you Brandy!!!!
Last week I got a phenomenal deal on center cut pork chops on Flashfood. I happened to notice, in mid-afternoon, at a store I rarely frequent because their prices tend to be high, a photo of pork chops. There were 5 packs and it shiwed 6 chops in a pack with regular price between $1.92 and $2.06 but reduced to 96 cents to $1.03 total per package. I thought that what I would get would be much smaller and dismal but for under $5, I bought all 5 packs . This is what I got: https://pin.it/wKb6doXXn , https://pin.it/5zANnBIH7 , https://pin.it/tS8gNhL5c , https://pin.it/4qllIgwJg , https://pin.it/7G8yxjqfP ! I kept one package and used them in a dinner I took for a convalescing mom and her family and two friends each got 2 packs each for their families. 25 cents a pound!!! Unbelievable blessing!!!
I also found 16 Oz cartons of strawberries on Flashfood for 60 cents. They had 20 available and so I bought them all. My daughter wanted 6 and my best friend was happy to get the remaining 14!
The worst of our scorching heat moderated this past week and we’ve also had some regenerating rains that were perfect for our gardens! It looks like we may have a really good harvest after all! This is the first year that my peach trees are heavy laden with fruit. They are now a beautiful red but still hard so I am trying hard to patiently wait a couple more weeks!
We put one of our wooden food storage shelves back into place against the wall and had our hired teenagers organize and reload the shelves while I wrote an inventory list to manage it better in the future! I am so excited to have this and it’s been worth the wait! https://pin.it/2wmwIALQE Chicken is top shelf, then beef, then pork , chili, tomatoes and salsa. Then #10 cans of refried beans and other dry beans on bottom shelf . Best of all, we’ve checked he seals on all jars and counted and written down exact inventory numbers of everything!!! That way we know what we have plenty of and what we need to make more!
I found a great YouTube tutorial and made Greek yogurt using 3 quarts of milk from a gallon I got on Flashfood for $1.15. So 86 cents worth of milk filled this 48 oz carton of yogurt! https://pin.it/k5IAEXKgn .That same carton of yogurt at Sam’s Club costs $5.87! So no more buying yogurt for us!
I took some marked down stew beef and stew pork chunks out of freezer and pressure canned them into 11 pints of beef and 2 of pork! https://pin.it/5Ja7bdD96
So, all in all, a couple weeks to be really grateful for!! I pray that you and your readers will be able to find employment and opportunities to ease the trials and challenges that you are all facing in an effort to become/stay as self reliant as possible!
Gardenpat in Ohio
So glad you were blessed with so much food for your family. I know you will put it to good use.
1. Our youngest’s birthday was Saturday. We had her, her husband, our son, her best friend and best friend’s partner. Hubby smoked chicken and ribs as per the birthday girls request. There was also homemade coleslaw and grilled zucchini. We played corn hole and talked a lot. Her gifts were a bar of soap from the farmers market, a brand new thrifted game, Reece’s Peanut Butter cups and cash from us. She was very happy.
2. The garden is going strong. I soaked all of my banana peels in water and then water the plants with them. I did Epsom salt on my tomatoes. I also make compost tea and pour it on the plants. I weeded lots and lots. We picked our first cucumbers and Japanese eggplant. We are starting to get the next batch of lettuce. String beans, cherry tomatoes, Swiss chard, zucchini, basil, mint, parsley, cilantro, thyme, rosemary and strawberries are still going strong. I should be getting my first peppers any day.
3. All of our cooking is based on what needs to be used or what we have from the garden.
4. I was given lunch at work twice last week. I bring lunch everyday so I would just eat it the next day.
5. Panera sent me a free sandwich, salad or soup from my review of last week’s visit with my son. I gave it to my husband. He brought it back to work where they have free drinks and chips.
6. My friend made me a beautiful blanket and gave me a gift card for helping her clean her in laws house out. She also wrote me a lovely note.
7. Hubby and I scrubbed my car inside and out.
8. I was gifted a Costco size box of Brillo and Uno show them no Mercy from my buy nothing group. It was 2 blocks out of my way on the way home from work.
9. Hubby, our friend and I participated with a bunch of Hubby’s coworkers in a 5K Workplace Challenge at Jones Beach. Hubby’s work had a tent set up with lots of food, drinks and snacks. We ate dinner there. Hubby’s company paid the entry fees for everyone.
10. There were lots of freebies being given out. We each got a bucket hat and were allowed to pick the picture we wanted on it. We were each given a reusable bag with a t-shirt. We were each given 3 cans of Throne sport coffee in different flavors. They are going to our son. We each got a liquid death water and a sparkling water. We will keep them for ourselves. Everything else we passed on since we won’t use it.
11. We stayed to help clean up with my husband’s boss. He sent us home with a bunch of the drinks and snacks that were left. People didn’t show up because it was going to rain. It started to drizzle during the last mile. We brought our rain coats. As we were driving home it started to pour.
12. Our son came home and gave us gifts for watching his cat while he was away. We tell him not to but he still does. He got me chocolate walnut fudge and my husband 3 different cans of hard cider. The fudge is delicious.
13. Hubby was given an unexpected bonus at work. They had a very good 1st half of the year. It went right into our savings.
We’ve been enjoying fresh tomatoes, peppers, green beans and peas from the garden. A friend gave us some zucchini, our plants aren’t looking great, I made zucchini “lasagne” and then sautéed some another night. I still had some frozen zucchini from last year and made muffins. I made cowboy caviar to take to a party. Took a homemade charcuterie tray to a friend with some clearance fancy cheese and meat. Also found a good deal on yogurt. Made another batch of granola bars and sourdough bread. I’m trying to eat up some of the random stuff in my pantry. I had some old jello so I made a batch and let the kids cutout jigglers.
Trying to have mini date nights on the porch while kids play outside in the evening. We did splurge and get a babysitter last week but it had been months.
A friend gave me lots of extra tomato plants but I ran out of cages. I used a few t posts, some old bean teepees and a metal lawn decoration for now.
Sold a few things on marketplace. Listed a few things on the buy nothing site.
Thankful for some hand me downs, as my son outgrew shoes. I’ll pass more along to friends.
It’s been cooler than usual so we’ve been able to open the windows and turn off the air.
Brandy, how exciting that after last week’s post so many amazing things happened that provided in so many specific ways! I am so glad the first day went well! Off to a good start!
My temporary nannying job has come to an end as the family moved out of state. They were getting rid of stuff and gave me 2 Lodge pans( practically brand new), a Nutriblend mixer, organic potatoes and onions, several packs of diapers ( for baby showers), and some brand new children’s books that I will gift to a grandchild this fall. I will miss them and was sorry to see them go, I really enjoyed their family!
My daughter and 3 kids have arrived for a month long visit from South America and it has been a whirl wind week with other family members coming in to see them and stay with us. We have 3 more weeks and are seeking out free or low cost things to do while here. They don’t have libraries and mail service and the youngest finds these a novelty. We spent a rainy day at our local branch reading books, checking out games to play there and it was so much fun. We are eating out of the garden with tomatoes, cucumber, potatoes, zucchini( the last died but planted more), onions, kale and lots of herbs. I am drying herbs and today we had lemon verbena tea which was delicious! We have gotten rain so the garden is perking up. Today we had chicken drumsticks that I got free from my other job and will have leftovers tomorrow. Life feels like it is flying by and I am trying to keep up with my walking and gardening chores so we can have a fall garden as usual!
Blessings to each one of you!
Two different neighbors gifted me figs. I’m the only one who eats figs in my family, and I can’t eat them fast enough. Looking for suggestions on how to use figs. For example, if I were to freeze them, how would I use them in the future?
Cool idea from a neighbor- I noticed she had lots of Queen’s Anne’s lace (a white wildflower) growing on the edge of her yard, and I asked if I could have some to press. She presses a batch of them every summer and then threads string through each one to hang on her Christmas tree!
How pretty! You might also dry the Queen Anne’s Lace whole, instead of pressing it. Put it between the branches of the tree.
Good idea!
Thanks for this idea!
I use frozen figs in smoothies. They are really good that way.
Thank you!
Hi everyone, happy Saturday!
It’s been a slow week outside of work, which that part has been hectic. We are starting a high-intensity project for the next 4 months. I am trying to learn to pace myself and care for me too!
I had the rude awakening of realizing my tendonitis was back when I woke up Wednesday to my wrists hurting. I think I tend to ignore the stiffness as it builds gradually. I made an appointment with an occupational therapist who was able to work on it, and give me some proactive stretches and tips for me to set up my workspace better. Yes, it cost money, but allowing it to wait until the point I needed braces or surgery would be worse!
I went to the farmer’s market this morning and bought some long beans (which the rabbits have been munching on, like everything else) for stir fry and cucumbers to try to make 2 jars of pickles with a new recipe.
I had to harvest all my spaghetti squash early due to vine borers (ugh) but do have a rack set up in my garage that they are curing on.
Harvested some tomatoes of various types and made a good, simple pasta dish with them. 9×13 pan of tomatoes, roasted with garlic and 1/2 stick of butter at 400 degrees until cooked, then toss with a pound of pasta. Simple and got a few meals out of it.
I did wander into a couple new shops in one of the towns over downtown areas. I picked up a handcarved fishing lure for my son’s stocking. (Only $4 and far more interesting than a bunch of plastic worms.) Stockings have become the “thing” in my family, and even though they’re typically filled with things they’ll use like body wash, eye liner or snacks to carry in their backpacks, my kids get so excited about them.
I need to fill up gas because the gas tax holiday in our state ends next week. They are anticipating 60c a gallon rise.
Wishing you all a blessed week.
Robbie
Brandy, I am so very happy for you and your new job! It is truly a blessing to work in a place you are respected, doing something you like, and having hours that work for you❤️ I am praying your husband finds the same. God is so good! He filled your food needs as well! Faithful is He. I am so inspired by all you do to make ends meet. You would have made it through the Depression like a trooper. So many of these skills and qualities have been lost; this community lives and thrives by them. I read something today that really pulled me up short. “In 1928, Edward Bernays figured out that companies couldn’t just wait for people to want things, so he quietly attached feelings to products (e.g., status, identity, freedom). In 1955, an economist named Victor Lebow stated that our economy demands that buying becomes a way of life, a ritual, the place we find our identity and satisfaction.” The article went on to say, “Think about what use to just be normal life. Cooking dinner at home most nights. Driving a car until it actually dies. A closet with a few things you actually wear. Fixing something instead of replacing it. None of that had a name. It was just Tuesday.” That last line really hit me. I am 67 years old. I remember growing up like this. I think we went to a restaurant once a year. I have a photo of my closet when I was about 12, and there were only enough outfits for five days of school. (The outfits are funny to look at because it was a time when boys clothes for girls were in, short culottes, long maxi dresses with bright, huge flowers). My room was functional, with just a few decorations I earned the money for myself. I became part of the consuming population once I was making money. It is something I am working hard to get out of. Luckily, since we moved and there aren’t very many good restaurants, we very rarely go out to eat (unless we are on vacation). Many of the purchases since we moved are actually needed items and tools for this property. We drive our cars til the bitter end, and don’t buy new cars. We fix a lot of things and do many repairs on our own…what a learning curve that can be, not to mention incurring aches and pains. I thought we were doing well with this, but this article really brought me bck to how it used to be and how “needs” were created that weren’t there before. Food for thought!
Loved your commentary! Made me take a hard look at my lifestyle.
My biggest frugal accomplishment recently has been re-starting a price book. Due to circumstances, we have only been shopping at one supermarket for the past few years. Now, we can get to several different ones. I have gradually been comparing prices at the different supermarkets, and oh boy is there a difference! And it’s not always the way round you would think!
I made it in a spreadsheet I can view on my phone so I can highlight in different colours which things to stock up on at which supermarket. I am keeping track of regular price and sale price, and specifically noting when the sale runs from and to. My hope is that I can get a sense of how often certain things go on sale and buy enough to last me until the next sale without overwhelming our house with packets of food!
I am trying to get our spend across a whole year down, rather than looking at what we spend month by month – so having a spendy month is a good thing if it means I’m buying all the XYZ we need for the next six months at half off.