Thrifty living is second nature after all these years of saving money any way I can. Writing it down like this helps me keep at it. Sometimes the list is long; sometimes it is short. Either way, it's good knowing that I'm helping to stretch our money until it snaps. ~grin~
We're still living on our savings and praying that my husband will find a good job. Even after he's back to work, I'll still be working in my home to be a thrifty and frugal homemaker.
This week in my home...
~ I made homemade laundry detergent again. I make small batches that fit in my liquid pump dispenser.
~ I made foaming liquid hand soap for my dispenser.
~ I substituted canned jalapenos that I had on hand for fresh.
~ I bought gas that was cheaper than I ever imagined it would be again— $1.28 a gallon.
~ I took my daughter to sewing lessons which a friend of mine is teaching her for free.
~ My daughter's dentist gave us four sample tubes of toothpaste.
~ I drank water a lot. I gave up my Coke/Diet Coke habit back in October.
~ Oatmeal for breakfast one day. My family doesn't really like it, but it's thrifty. I'll probably start making it every 2-3 days. If they're hungry, they'll eat it.
~ I enjoyed a meal my son planned, bought, and prepared in our home one evening.
~ I bought very few groceries. Money was just really tight this week. I only bought what I really needed.
~ A friend brought me lots of chicken legs. I am going to make some soup with some this weekend.
~ She also brought me a lot of bananas. I peeled them, put them in freezer bags, then put them in the freezer. Hubby will make banana bread tomorrow.
~ Hubby made homemade bread.
~ Hubby received free samples of his medicine to last three months from the doctor .
~ I sewed the binding back on Amy's blanket.
~ I bought a bag of split peas and two bags of lentils for $.99 each. They'll make some nice frugal meals over the next couple of weeks.
~ I'm working on those snowman decorations. So far I've spent about $3 for fabric and beads.
Well, that's all I can think of for now. I do hope you have a terrific, frugal week.
What is your best tip for saving money in the kitchen?
~~~~~
ஐღLauraღஐ
ஐღLauraღஐ
...doing what I can with what I've got where I am
on a short shoestring budget!
~~~~~
~~~~~
on a short shoestring budget!
~~~~~
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| This post was featured at Good Morning Mondays! |
Ok, you do have to tell me how to make foaming liquid hand soap. smiles. Gas is no where that cheap here--still $2.08 here. Great thriftiness for you and your family...I always love the doctor/dentist--their great here as well.
ReplyDeleteNo new tips from here. I did end up getting a shot from the doctor for my bronchitis---but the medicine was near zero. So, I am not complaining.
Happy Valentines Day, my friend.
Great post Laura!
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a great thrifty week.
We did eat leftovers from the baby shower a couple of times, and today was a no spend day. I got a $4.00 rebate check. I made baked steak from freezer meat my DIL had left in the freezer a bit too long. It came out great though, and was paired up with some not so great sprouty potatoes, carrots and canned green beans. I used a couple of coupons too. That was about the best things.
We have been out and about every day, and spent way too much.
My savings come from turning food leftovers into tasty meals. It's always possible with a bit of imagination.
ReplyDeleteYou did really well...my family doesn't really like oatmeal either. I try to jazz it up some though.
ReplyDeleteI download a coupon for .50 off gas at Meijer but then the gas jumped back up on us a little. Still not bad prices here though. \
have a great week.
I love all of your money saving tips. I am all for saving money. I would watch for bargains if I won the lottery. he he Thanks for sharing. hugs, Lecia
ReplyDeletePorridge....forever yuck....forced to eat it or go hungry as a child now doing the same again in my 50s , there are days it makes me physically heave but I know it fills you up , so force it down
ReplyDeletePraying your hubby finds a great job. Although wise to live frugal it's always a blessing knowing that God will meet our basic needs. Been there a few times and know that although we may not have what we want, he does provide what we need.(Like oatmeal..smile...) Warm Blessings!~Amy
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful post, Laura. Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteYou are so faithful. Thank you, Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. Oatmeal is truly a blessing from the Lord. Years ago, we went through a very long period of unemployment followed by an extended period of underemployment. Not fun. But I did learn so much about living on very little. When the recession came around, we didn't notice anything but the rising prices.
Be blessed! I'll visit in just a bit.
Laura
Annie,
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderfully frugal things. Good for you! I'm proud of you. Every little thing counts.
Enjoy your week!
Hi Linda dear,
ReplyDeleteMedicine near zero is a major score! Yay God!
I'll make a short tutorial on the blog later about the soap.
Basically, you have to have an empty foaming soap dispenser. You add up to an inch of shampoo, liquid soap, or liquid dish detergent to the bottle. Fill the bottle to within an inch or so of the top with water. Then put the lid back on, shake, and dispense.
It should be very watery. If it's thick, it will not work well. Experiment with the amount of soap you use.
Last time I made it with Suave lavender shampoo. The time before that I used a bit of my body wash that I got for Christmas. Do with what you've got my friend!
Be healed in Jesus' Name!
Blessings,
Laura
Being frugal should be the way of life for everyone!
ReplyDeleteI agree Michelle.
ReplyDeleteI need to try some new things with our oatmeal Vickie.
ReplyDeleteI understand Kate. We must do what we can with what we've got where we are.
Me too, Lecia!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to save money Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteMy family likes my baked oatmeal, and they like the expensive premade instant packets. But they won't eat a pot of it like I would. Here's my recipe if you want to try it: http://www.mediumsizedfamily.com/save-your-leftover-fruit-with-scrappy-baked-oatmeal/
ReplyDeleteWell hello there friend! I hope you and your family had a lovely Valentine's Day?! I sure did. I was doubly blessed as it was my birthday too.☺
ReplyDeleteMy week was thrifty as I purchased most of my groceries on sale. That always seems to help.
We love oatmeal here, well minus my middle son. He gags and complains, so he'll eat cereal when I make oatmeal. I some times wonder if its a textural thing with him.
My oldest sons birthday is tomorrow, so I'll be making his favorite lemon cake. Its going to be yet another busy week here and hoping I don't have to be in town every single day! Gas prices are less than $1.50 so that helps a lot when you drive a suburban!
I hope you have a delightful week!
Hugs, Amy
Happy birthday week to both of you Amy!
ReplyDeleteI love lemon cake. We had a really nice Valentine's Day at home without the kids. They had church activities.
So happy for you about the sales. When we had our Suburban, gas prices were rocketing. I do miss it though. I had it when the kids were little. With two sons over 6', I could use the space.
Be blessed and thrifty!
Laura
Thanks for sharing your recipe Jamie. I'll check it out.
ReplyDeleteYippie on the gas!!! You had a good week and blessings from a friend.
ReplyDeleteGo forth and be frugal Mrs. Chrissy!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy hearing about your frugal ways, it is so encouraging. Thanks for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings to you and your Laura
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear from you, Terri! Be blessed!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say how much reading your posts each day really brightens my day. You have a beautiful soul, and the light of our Lord shines so brightly through you. My family recently lost my Dad and my mother is seriously ill, so some days I feel low, but once I've read your posts and reflect on how wonderful it is that Jesus brought me to your blog, I feel so much better. Even with your own family trials, you always have such a positive outlook and a cheery word for all. You are truly what the Bible teaches us is a Good Woman.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Carrie
Oh what a great post. I loved reading all your frugal/money saving tips and successes! You go girl! I was glad you linked and lured me over here. I wish I was closer I'd gladly help with sewing and teach you guys to make a quilt.
ReplyDeleteBTW. I just happen to have a new linky party up. If you have any Date Night posts. Courting posts. Or just any post about Marriage. Come over and link up at my party!
Thanks for sharing this great post. I really enjoyed it!
Ah Carrie. Thank you. I'm honored. I try to be positive. I've done it the negative way, and it's not good.
ReplyDeleteFather God, I pray that you will comfort Carrie and her family in the death of her father. I pray for miraculous healing for her mother in the Name of Jesus. Bless them and help them through. Amen.
Blessings,
Laura
You made me smile Lynn!
ReplyDeleteI linked.
Laura
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog and love it. Try making granola with the oatmeal. My kids don't like mushy oatmeal, so I make it under done like a cream as my mom used to so it tastes more like rice pudding sweet. The granola is a real frugal winner and I make it with whatever I have on hand. No special trips. Good luck and thank you for inspration.
Carolina
Thanks for the suggestion, Carolina!
ReplyDeleteI don't really work at being frugal, but I have really begun to question my spending. I have stopped going shopping just to shop. If I go to cute stores, I end up buying something that I really don't NEED. So, I avoid the stores. When I want to change things up in the house, I shop the house instead. I am trying to purge rather than bring in more things.
ReplyDeleteAnd, we didn't buy into the commercialism of Valentine's Day this year. We had a leisurely brunch with homemade cinnamon rolls and then spent the day walking on the beach with the dog. We threw in a bicycle ride along the sea wall. We both agreed that it was one of the nicest Valentine's days we had ever spent.
Thanks for sharing at SYC.
Dear Carol,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've made some great steps. Keep at it! With thrift, freedom comes!
While it is so hard to have your husband out of work, how awesome that you were frugal enough to have savings to get you through this tough time! Will certainly be praying he can find a good paying job soon in Jesus name! Your frugal efforts are paying off, and how awesome that friends and family have blessed with little things like chicken legs and bananas that add up to a lot of savings for you! And oatmeal isn't a favorite here at our house, although I love it :) Have a blessed day Laura!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Laura! I love these lists! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jes! I need to write down the one for this week. I usually try to do it throughout the week but forgot to do it as I went this week!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Laura
Blessings to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Laura Lane
What a great post. It is hard to be extremely frugal but so rewarding too. I love how you keep track of the different ways that you saved, what a great idea. It really does show that you are actually saving and the work it involves is paying off.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great steward of your finances you are by being so thrifty. Your husband must be so proud of you as well. I think that we forget that we'd have more if we did with less. Thank you for sharing your post at the Over the Moon Link Party. See you at OTM #11!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement Sandy.
ReplyDeleteIt sure helps me Kelly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI ate a lot of oatmeal growing up. Sometimes all we had to top it was peanut butter - not really so bad :)
ReplyDeleteI still believe in "a penny saved is a penny earned" and when trying to save money, I don't spend money on anything I absolutely do not need, even on the smallest scale. I also pick up every penny I find on the ground - I give them to my daughter - pennies still add up to dollars; you know :)
I make homemade bread.
I rip zippers out of old garments and save buttons before discarding unusable articles of clothing.
I save scraps of fabrics for sewing together to make "new" yards of fabric for skirts or totes.
I add a bit of flavoring to water - lemon juice or fruit juice - instead of drinking soft drinks.
I use meat scraps to flavor dishes - often no need to have a meat dish on it's own.
I generally take food on any trip - no matter the length - instead of eating out.
That is just a few of the things I practice to save a penny.
Still praying of your husband to get a good job,
♥Hope
You are thrifty hope. I just reached over and turned off the light! Thanks for the encouragement and the ideas.
ReplyDeleteBe blessed!
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Hi Laura! Thanks for stopping by at my site! I really appreciate you pinning my post. Then I came over here and noticed we have a lot in common! Lol. I save bananas too and like your hubby I make homemade banana bread and regular bread. I also made my own detergent once, it was a powder form and I did like it for the most part but ended up not using it anymore because it would get super hard and difficult to scoop out. I wonder if I should go back and try making a liquid one.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I am glad I found your blog! I hope you have a wonderful week!