Last Week's Frugality

 Hello to all of my Readers!  I hope this post finds you and yours well and happy! It  has been a pretty good week here!  Nice weather--lots of sunshine!  I think the natural vitamin D is doing my moods a world of good!   Well....let's get to it!

   I packed my lunch 4 times last week.  Still not 5 days but it's better than 3!

  My DH helped me plant cabbage and one tomato plant.  He wanted to get it-it was $4.98 for one pretty big plant. I always wait and get the six pack of plants but he saw that it was called the Whopper and said he was a whopper of a guy and needed a whopper tomato plant!  Lol!  I didn't say a word because he has never taken much interest in gardening before!  I hope this is the beginning of a great relationship between DH and gardening! I can dream can't I?  After getting the above done he was pooped out so he kept me company while I planted some spinach, lettuce, herbs, and sunflowers.

  I was able to add 10 Ketchup (2/$1), 24 boxes of Mac and Cheese (3/$1), 10 large boxes of cereal($1 per box) and 4 bags of sugar(4 lb. bag for $1.50) to my pantry stash this week! I had a cart full for $30!  Go Me!

   I found a pair of jeans for myself at the Goodwill for only $3.50!  I certainly needed them.  I also found a drying rack there for just $3. I hung a load of towels to dry. I also hung up a load of clothes on the new drying rack. I hope to get a clothes line put back up asap to save electricity.  Drying them on the line in the laundry room takes so long and  I just love the scent of clothes dried in the sun!

   I made a triple batch of homemade granola!  My goodness is it yummy!  I added maple flavoring to the butter and honey mixture instead of vanilla.  So delish!

  I bought eggplant seeds!  This will be my first attempt at growing it--wish me luck!  We loved the eggplant parmesan so much--DH wants it more!! Score one for meatless meals!

   We still have the bucket catching waste water in the shower.

   My son cut my DH's hair with clippers borrowed from my Mother.  I trimmed my bangs a bit.

  I signed up for 3 free samples last week.  One shampoo,  and two tea bags. Have I told you I love receiving little gifts in the mail?  I know, I know....many times!
 
Well, that is about it for last week.  What did you save money on last week?

Frugal Blessings,
Lisa

   

   

   

  



 

 

  

Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

This is a no fry, easy recipe!

 

Ingredients         

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

• 3 eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 6 cups spaghetti sauce, divided

• 1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
• 1/2  - 3/4cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
   
• Salt and pepper to taste                                          

 

 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
3. In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

         

 

Hope you enjoy!
Meatless Blessings,
Lisa

Last Week's Frugality

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter-My family sure did!  I cooked dinner and we had a houseful! Good times!

     Well, I packed my lunch all five days last week.  Yeah me!!  I felt so guilty from the week before, that I had to pack my lunch the entire week.

   We tried a new dish(meatless) for dinner last week!  DH liked it and so did I--eggplant parmesan.  It was delicious and hearty enough that DH didn't complain!  I guess I'll need to get some eggplant seeds for the garden!

   I was able to add 4 packages of noodles to my pantry stash--they were $ .88 each.  Our Meijer had  Del Monte canned goods on sale--buy 10 get $3.00 off.  That made my diced tomatoes just $.49 each-Score!  Then the fruit was just $.69 per can!  I was able to add 10 cans of the tomatoes and 10 cans of the fruit to my stash! With the drought in California and the loss of cattle during the Polar
vortex, I fully expect food prices to skyrocket so the more I stock up, the better for our budget!

     My Granddaughter and nieces received books that I have been picking up at the Goodwill in their Easter baskets along with a bit of candy and fruit snacks.  I just paid about a quarter for each book and each girl had 3-4 each. 

  I shopped out of the gift closet for my niece's birthday gifts.  I found loads of girl toys at Meijer after Christmas for 80% off.  I purchased enough for birthdays and Christmas for all three girls.
Cannot beat 80% off!

   I saved $.40 per gallon using my Kroger points. I filled up the tank for about $35.00.  Every little bit helps.  I mostly shop at Kroger for my prescriptions so we are saving about $4 per month just with pharmacy costs.

  I am still using the bucket in the shower. I figure I am saving water for about 2-3 flushes per day.
It all adds up.

  Saving egg shells and coffee grounds for my compost pile.  This will be a great help for my garden
this year.

Well,  I think that is about it for my frugality last week.  It was a busy week with the holiday preps so I wasn't able to do anything else.
 
  What were you able to save on last week?

Frugal blessings,
Lisa

 

 

Get your free sample of popcorn seeds!

Grow your own popcorn! Go here to order your free sample of popcorn seeds!  What a great thing to do with your kids!
Blessings,
Lisa

Simplify your Easter Dinner with Make Ahead Dishes!

 

Are you busy? YES!  Are you short on time?  YES!  Are you cooking Easter Dinner? YES! Then you need to check out a couple of make ahead dishes to simplify your life this weekend!  Go here for a great make ahead broccoli and cheese casserole--my family just loves this!  And go here
 for a wonderful make ahead mashed potato recipe.  Just bake a ham(pour a can of coke over it and it is wonderful) and throw make ahead recipes in the oven to reheat, add some rolls and you are good to go!

Easter Blessings,
Lisa 

Last Week's Frugality

  I only packed my lunch 3 days last week.  I have been having trouble getting up early enough to pack my lunch lately.  I have to pack everyday and stop buying my lunch in the cafeteria—it is just so expensive!  Is there such a thing as frugality bun out?  I have been feeling very deprived lately! Gotta get back to the frugal enthusiastic person I want to be! Positive thinking, right?

  I signed up for 2 free samples last week and received one shampoo sample and a package of Breathright strips. 

  We had only 1 meatless meal—I still am trying to get my DH used to it. He is very much a meat and potatoes kind of guy!

  The bucket is still in the shower catching waste water and being used for flushing.

   I found two Mccoy flower pots at the Goodwill for only $2.50 each!  I checked E-bay and they are worth 3 times what I paid for them. Score!

   I found a pair of leather Dr. Scholl’s shoes for $6.00 at the Goodwill.  I, then, got my Senior discount making them $5.40 for like new leather shoes!  One of the good things about being over 50!  Score again!

  I added 10 jars of salsa to my pantry stash for $10,  added 2 bags of noodles for $.88 each. Coffee was on sale for $1.99 along with Crystal Light for $.99 so I added four of each to my stash.  I have to say, my stash is looking pretty good about right now! I think I am feeling a pantry challenge for the month of May. Stay tuned!

  DH and I bought 3 peach trees-they were my late birthday presents! They were on sale for $9.99 each!  I told him back in March what I wanted and I have been watching for sales since then.  Hopefully this will be a gift that keeps on giving year after year!

  I made a cake this weekend for my son’s friend.  It was just adorable! The donations for the cakes are helping me meet my extra income goal for the month!  Let me tell you it helps out so much!

  I picked up several packets of pectin that I found on clearance.  It is for small batches but that is fine!  I’ll make it work!  Small batches are quick and easy anyway!

 Michael’s had the Sugar and Cream cotton yarn reduced to $1.17.  That is more than a 50% reduction, so I bought 2 to make a couple of dish cloths for gifts.

  I began infusing waters last week.  I wasn't really sure about using cucumbers with lemon slices, but it is amazing--just so thirst quenching.  I have been experimenting with different fruits but I think the cucumber lemon is my favorite so far!  My DH really liked the infused waters as well.  He is the cola king if you remember so maybe I can cut his cola and Crystal Light/sugar substitute use this summer.

  I was able to borrow some luau decorations for my Granddaughters birthday party. Thanks Sandie!BFFs are great frugal resources!

  As I said, I think I am going through frugal burnout.  I get so tired of not being able to take the easy(cheap) way out!  Am I the only one who feels deprived sometimes?   How do you get yourself back on the frugal track?

Frugal Blessings,

Lisa

 

                                                                                                                               

    

   

Free Easter Cookbook!

Go here to get your free Easter cookbook! Hurry, these freebies do not last long!
Enjoy!
Blessings,
Lisa

Last Week's Frugality

Hello Dear Readers!  So sorry this post is late--life is happening all around me it seems.  Busy, busy, busy!  Well, here goes!

    I packed my lunch 4 out of 5 days last week.

    The shower bucket is still in use saving water.

    While the company that I work for didn't meet goals for our gainsharing this year, they gave us a bonus instead!  Totally unexpected windfall but oh so needed for taxes!  I was so stressed trying to figure out how to pay our state taxes, just about worried myself sick!  Prayers are answered.

   I made 4 cakes this week!  The donations for them came in very handy as well.  I am currently meeting my yearly goal of increasing our monthly income by $200 per month.  I really didn't want to start making cakes again but.... needs must so I am back into the cake business!  I have a cake booked this weekend and another in May.  Doing whatever it takes!

   Our Meijer had cake mix on sale so I stocked up--bought 25 mixes at 90 cents each!

  We had one meatless meal this week.  I really want to increase this to two or three times per week.  With warmer weather coming,  I'm thinking pasta salads loaded with veggies. Mmmm good!

  I was able to add 4 jars of applesauce to my stash, along with 4 bags of the Chicken fried steak by Tyson.  I just love these!  Both were buy one, get one free at our local Meijer. 

I am still playing the Light Nazi--gotta get that electric bill under control.

  I found fresh mozzarella cheese reduced.  That along with the tomatoes on sale made a fantastic Caprese salad for supper one night. This is a splurge but a great treat for us.  I won't buy the fresh cheese at regular price but try to find it marked down and get it every so often.  We love this salad!
Go here for the recipe!

   I was able to pick up 8  half pints of heavy cream on the reduced rack!  Cannot wait to make homemade butter with it.

   I signed up for 3 free samples and received a shampoo sample.

  Well, that about covers our house --What have you been saving money on at your house?

Frugal Blessings,
Lisa