Last Week's Frugality

 

Last week was a very good week for our family frugality wise!  I wish all week's were so good!
    Our local Meijer had the 10 for 10 get the 11th free sale.  I coupled this with coupons to get some great deals and help stock my pantry.  The Progresso soup was 10 for 10 and I had coupons for $1 off of three = $.57.  It is usually $2.19 or more per can! Cha-ching! I purchased 9 cans for the pantry!
    The Campbell's soup was $.49 per can and I had coupons for $1 off of 5 cans= $.29 per can chicken noodle and tomato soups. I purchased 10 of each for the pantry.
  I was able to get 8 boxes of Cheerios for just ....$.49 per box!!  Picture me doing the happy dance!
 
    Thomas's English muffins were on sale buy one get 2 free so I purchased three. English muffins are much better for me than bagels or biscuits because of my diabetes.




   Luden's cough drops were on sale for $1.19 per bag. I used a $1 off 2 coupon = $.69 cough drops and added 4 to my pantry!  There is no doubt we will need them this winter!


   Even with the above purchases, I stayed well within my $50 per week budget and built up my pantry for the winter!  We are still eating out of the freezer as much as possible!




    I stopped at Kroger for the 2 freebie items.  One was a package of frozen Kroger's veggies and the other was a free box of Kroger band aids. Good thing I got the band aids--DH cut his arm working in the yard Sunday!



    I packed my lunch all week. I drank water instead of tea each day!
 
     I picked sage out of the herb garden  to dry for our Thanksgiving meal. Also harvested basil, and oregano to dry.  I saved some marigold seeds for next years flower garden, then I picked the last of the live marigolds and put in a vase for my Momma.  They are her favorite flowers!




    I canned 6 pints of apple butter.  Also made apple jelly(4 pints) but it doesn't seem to be setting so I guess we will have apple pancake syrup instead! Either way its a win! We will be using it all one way or another!




    My mother made cornbread for supper one night and we froze the leftovers for our stuffing for Thanksgiving. Momma's stuffing is amazing!!




    I signed up for several freebies on line this week.  When they arrive it's almost like Christmas! I get so excited!




    I stayed with in my goodwill budget this week--only spent $3.45 out of my $5 budget!  I picked up a set of photo ornaments for a Christmas gift and 2 vases for my daughters wedding.
 
Well,  that's about it for me , what have you saved money on this week?




Frugal Blessings,
Lisa
 


 





 


 

The Dessert Buffet!

As many of you know, my DS#1 got married in September. I promised to show you pics of my contribution to the wedding so here they are!  

The happy couple!

The Dessert Buffet!

The Wedding Cake!  If you look closely at the back bottom of the brides dress is a cat.  They love their kitties!

Sandwich cookies on top right made by Brides Mother!  Decorated sugar cookies were made by my cousin Christina,!  Thanks for all of the help!

Cookies by Christina's Creations!

Well, what do you think?  I am so happy with how it turned out!

Blessings,
Lisa

Last Week's Frugality

   Last week I saved money by using my Kroger points to save $.30 per gallon of gas. Saved $3 on a tank!


  Bought 2-2lb. bags of  pinto and 2-2lb. bags of northern beans on sale for $1 each!  Yeah 8lbs. of dried beans for just $.50 per pound!  Great additions to my stash!


  Bought 3 boxes of corn flakes for $1 per box. Bought 9 lbs. of apples $1.50 per 3 lb. bag. Guess what I am going to be making this week!  Apple Butter!


  Picked up 5 blocks of cream cheese for $1 each.  I will need lots of this for the holidays!


   Stuffing mixes were only $1 so I got 6 for my stash and for Thanksgiving. Powdered sugar was $1.00 for a 2lb. bag. Since I bake, I bought 10 of these.  Large jars of dill slices were $1 so I bought one of those. All in all I found some great deals at our local County Market! My stash is looking better and better!

  We were able to open the windows this week and just use the fans. The light Nazi has been keeping lights off as much as possible. :)  I hope our electric bill reflects our commitment to reducing our bill!


   I made a birthday cake for a lady at work. That $30 will help out with this weeks budget!


  I stayed way under my goodwill budget of $5. I only spent $ .85 on our last visit!


  All in all it was a pretty fugal week.  We tried to stay home as much as possible and combine trips if we had to go out.


  My daughter is getting married next year so saving money is a priority now!  We committed to paying for the food and drinks for the wedding so we are going to have our work cut out for us.
No vacation again next year!  Oh well, we will survive; We are starting to get good at it!


Blessings,
Lisa








 

Quote of the Week

        This week's quote is inspired by my son's upcoming wedding! Best Wishes Michael and Tessa!

The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make - not just on your wedding day, but over and over again - and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.  
                                                                                          --Barbara de Angelis

Blissful Blessings,
Lisa


P.S.  Wedding pics to come!!

My Portion of the Wedding Duties!

 

My son and his fiancé.

 Some of you may know my DS #1 is getting married on September 17th. As the Mother of the Groom, I don't have a ton to do but this is what I am responsible for:  The Rehearsal Dinner and the Wedding cake and dessert table at the reception. 
    That may not seem like much but it is a lot when you are trying to DIY to save money.  The rehearsal dinner will not be catered.  I am cooking!The menu will consist of:   Vegetable Lasagna, meat lasagna, fettuccini alfredo with grilled chicken, tossed salad, everything bread and butter, Caprese salad, assorted olives, a vegetable tray and fruit tray -both with dip, cake and cheesecake for dessert.


   The kids opted to just have the rehearsal dinner in the church basement to keep things simple.  There is a lovely kitchen at my disposal there so I am not worrying too much! Plus, I have recruited my daughters and son-in-law to help me that Friday!  Love that I can depend on my family!!!


   I have been dreaming of the dessert buffet for months now!  My cousin Christina has volunteered to help me with it!  Here is what we have planned:   Wedding cake of course, a carrot cake, apple pie, peach pie, raspberry tartlets with white chocolate. lemon tartlets with fresh raspberries, Apple pie filled cupcakes, iced sugar cookies in the shape of sunflowers, Oreo truffles, buckeyes, and a small chocolate fountain with strawberries, marshmallows, pretzels and cookies to dip in the chocolate.  Oh and I cannot forget the brides choice--mini cherry cheesecakes!  Yes, that is all and yes, I took over a weeks vacation in order to get it all done! 


    I do not know what I would do without Christina's help!  We have both been looking so forward to creating a yummy, beautiful dessert buffet!  Lots of work but mmm ,mmm, good!


I cannot wait to show you the pics after the wedding!  Wish me luck!


Sweet Blessings,
Lisa

Quote of the Week

                                           You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.

                                                          -Joyce Meyer 

Last Week's Frugality

  Last week was not a no spend week.  I had budgeted for the food stuffs for my son's rehearsal dinner. It was as frugal a week as it could be though!  I went on the Kroger website and looked for coupons for foodstuffs I needed for the dinner. I also printed some coupons online.  I found coupons for meatballs, spaghetti sauce, alfredo sauce, and grilled chicken strips--all things I needed.  By perusing and clipping coupons, I saved over $15 on those items at Kroger!   I did the same at Meijer and saved $10 on more stuff for the dinner. 
  While on the MeijerMadness.com website I saw a deal for free Almay Deodorant.  I was able to print 3 coupons for $5.00 off any two Almay products.  The deodorant was on sale for $2.39 each. I was able to get 6 tubes of deodorant for FREE!  I haven't scored like this since double coupons went away!!  All in all this past week I saved over $80 with coupons!!! I made sure they all were things we needed, usually used. or needed for the dinner.  I think I impressed my DH!  Heck, I impressed myself!! 
   I used Kroger gas points to save 30 cents per gallon.  Almost a $3.00 savings! 
  I made a small wedding cake for a dear friends son's wedding.  I told her it was my gift for him.  When she and her DH picked it up, she gave me a thank you card with a visa gift card in it! It was so not necessary, but very much appreciated! Thanks Susan!
  My Mom invited us for supper one night. We really enjoyed the veggie soup!  Thanks Mom!
   I am still tending to my violets, basil, philodendrons, and other plants,  They are looking pretty good! 
   DH saved 2 more 2 liter bottles of water for our emergency stash.  He has been doing a great job for us!
 That is about it for me last week!  What did you save money on?

Frugal blessings,
Lisa
  
  

Fresh Herb Taste All Year Long!

   

 One of the best ways to ensure that fresh herb taste all year long is to freeze your chopped fresh herbs in oil. You need to use light oils such as canola or light olive oil for best results.  Just place fresh herbs in your food processor and add choice of oil.  Pulse a few times and pour into an ice cube tray.  Freeze overnight and place herb cubes in a ziplock bag, label and store in the freezer. So easy and you will have that fresh herb flavor all year round! 

Herbal Blessings,

Lisa

Quote of the Week

     No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
                                                                           - Aesop

Lst Week's Frugality

  Last week we ate out of the pantry and freezer exclusively! In addition to that, we were given a bunch of tomatoes from my Uncle Howard!  Thanks so much!  My BFF Sandie gave us some produce when we went to dinner last Sunday!  Thanks Sandie!  Their generosity has sure helped us make it the last few weeks!

  We stretched a small spiral sliced ham into 6 meals.  Fried ham for supper 2 nights and one breakfast, ham bits in a pot of northern beans, and I used the ham bone and what was left on it for a pot of green beans, ham and potatoes that we ate on for 2 meals.  

 I only drove to work this week!  We stayed home! No special trips--stopped at the pharmacy on my way home one evening.  My Mother went to her class reunion  Saturday, so I saved $3 that I normally allotted for the Goodwill!

  I saved Marigold seeds from the tall and the dwarf marigolds!  I hope to have tons of free flowers next Spring!  The coneflower seeds will be ready to save soon!

    We are Still turning the A/C units off at night and when we are not in the living room, dining room and kitchen.  Every bit is helping to keep the electric bill down! 

 My DH saved more 2 liters of water for emergencies!  I am so proud of him!  He is not a big prepper, but he is being very helpful!
It is nice to work together!

Propagating rosemary, oregano, and ivy!

   Kudos also to DH for enduring our enforced pantry challenge!  He hasn't complained about some of my less than stellar casseroles I have come up with and has eaten PB and J sandwiches without a word!  He has been a trooper!

  I have still been tending to my violets, Christmas cacti and herb plants.  I feel like they are an investment for Christmas Gifts!  I am propagating rosemary and oregano also for future gifts.   I was given a start of ivy and am in hopes of using this for a topiary!
  
   Several months ago, I bought a small philodendron for $3.84 at Walmart.  I have been taking cuttings from it and have 2 other pots of philodendrons growing and more rooting. They will make nice gifts for a housewarming or birthday!

  That's about it for us!  What did you save money on last week?

Frugal Blessings,
Lisa
  

My Cupcake Dress Shower Cake!

My Future DIL's bridal shower was last month, but I wanted to share  the cupcake dress cake I made for it!  I thought it turned out very nice!  They are getting married in September and I am doing the Dessert Table!  More pics to come!

Lisa

Quote of the Week

            When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity.
                                                                                     -Elie Wiesel

Last Week’s Frugality

   Last week was a very good frugal week!  I was able to stay under my grocery budget of $50 by $8 and we ate a lot from the freezer and the pantry last week. 

  I packed my lunch 4 days!

  We were given fresh tomatoes, zuchinni and squash by my best friend Sandie!  Thanks so much!

  I stayed under budget ($3 max) at the Goodwill last week.  Found The Cupcake Bible and a beautiful shade of (new) fingernail polish; both for $1.42!  The cupcake bible had a price tag of $12.99 on it and the polish had a price tag of $3.99 on it so I saved $15.56 on these two items alone!

 I saved marigold seeds for next year.  I have had some

gorgeous tall orange marigolds this year and hope to have more next year for free!

 I should be able to save the smaller dwarf seeds next week. I love saving seeds!

  I am propagating violets and herbs to give in baskets for Christmas presents! I love having a grow station!!

  Harvested basil to dry this week.  My basil is going crazy in the raised bed. Hope to harvest enough to do me all winter!  I want to chop it up and freeze in olive oil cubes for pesto!

  I bought apples and potatoes from the reduced bin at the grocery.  Got 4 lb. of apples for $1.50 and 10 lb. of potatoes for $1.50.  My stock up price for potatoes is $.20 per lb., so that was a great deal on the taters! 

  I found a bottle of Trop 50 (reduced sugar OJ) for just a dollar!  OJ is not a usual grocery item, but for this price I splurged!  I am diabetic so this is a real treat for me!

  I picked up several cups of yoghurt reduced to $.25 a cup to use in smoothies for my DH and I! A cheap, healthy alternative to milk shakes!

  We did eat out one night, but it was pizza from Little Caesars for $5.99.  We both enjoy this type of pizza and it is so cheap!

  I used my Kroger points to get gas.  Saved $.40 per gallon, so almost a $4 savings on the tank!

  I signed up for several free samples this week.

  We have been turning the AC units off at night in the Living room and dining room. That just leaves our bedroom unit on—hoping to reduce our electric bill next month. 

  We had egg omlettes for supper one night.  Super cheap, filling meal.  I had some onions and peppers in the fridge that I sauted for them.  Yummy with toast and homemade peach jam.

    I combined trips to save on gas. Said no to a shopping trip with my daughters to save on gas and to keep from spending!  Lol!

  All in all it was a good frugal week for us.  I am hoping this coming week will be even better!

What have you saved money on this week?

Frugal Blessings,

Lisa

Quote of the Week

    Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, and you won't have to hunt for happiness.
                                                                               -William E. Gladstone

Peaches, Peaches, and More Peaches!

 

 While I was taking my Mother to the grocery, I saw our local County Market had peaches on sale!  Boy were they on sale.....25lb. for $5.00!!!  That is amazing so I bought a box. we took them home and tasted them.  They were not juicy but had a good flavor. So what to do with them???  Jam and butter!  I ended up with 16 pints of jam and 7 pints of peach butter.  I was so happy, I went back and bought another case!  That produced 5 quarts of sliced peaches in light syrup, and 7 more pints of peach butter!    It is all yummy!  Who says you have to grow all of your food for canning? Not me!!


Peachy blessings to you all!
Lisa

Last Week's Frugality

   

Enough!

 I know it has been a while since my last post, but life happens and so does depression!  I have been trying to pick myself up by my bootstraps and try and get my life in order.  It's been an uphill battle but I see progress.  The last few weeks have been very rough financially.  Our car broke down and we received a whopper of a water bill!  We had a leaky toilet. It is fixed now but our bill was over $300 for a 3 month period.  So we have been strapped and will continue to be but we are working through it together!  It is so nice to have my DH help brainstorm our budget and how to increase our income.

So here's what we have been up to!

  I reused my water cup 3 days at work.  Saved 32 cents!!!!!

Made cupcakes with what I had in pantry instead of buying them for work food day. Saved 4.00!

Ate supper at home  each night.  Used pantry stores for most meals ( Rice, beans, jam, etc)

Set up a new budget for the coming months.

DH also saved 2 liter bottles to store water in. Big step for him.  I asked  him to be in charge of emergency water storage and he ran with it!  Go Tom!!

We were  given tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and cukes—ate for supper and lunch.  Thanks Charles and Sandie!

Turned off a/c in living room and dining room at night. We have 3 window units and have been trying to save on the electric bill.  It has been miserably hot but we are trying!

Had leftovers for supper one night.

My cousin Brian towed our car and fixed it for us. That saved us over $100 I'm sure. We gave him and his wife a GC for a dinner out to thank him. Thanks so much Brian and Christina!!

Used Kroger points to save $.50 cents per gallon on gas.

Used $5 Meijer rewards to buy chicken and fruit for the week.

Found 2 quarts of milk for $.35 per quart at Meijer.

Only spent $.27 at the goodwill for a small lace doily.

Returned an item to Wal-Mart that we were not able to use—was able to buy my cake boxes with it!

Got an order for 36 cupcakes!!  Thank you Amanda!!!

   Seems like when we think we don’t have enough to make it to next payday, the lord blesses us with enough!  Thank you God for working through others to provide the car repairs, the produce, and the cake order. They helped get us through!!  Life is good!!  I wish each of you Enough!

Feeling Blessed in Alexandria,

Lisa