Are your dollars not stretching as far as they used to? Everyone has different reasons for wanting or needing to cut back. I thought I’d start sharing some frugal things that we do as a way to not only encourage myself to stay on tract, but maybe give someone with similar goals some ideas.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.
– I continued to harvest Kale, Swiss Chard and Collard Greens from my garden. As well, as herbs like the rosemary above, thyme, sorrel and sage.
– Hung a few loads of kitchen towels to dry on our drying rack that I set up in the garage since the weather has been rainy.
-Sold a book on Amazon for $11. Will be listing some other books soon.
-In my post Renewed Frugality: 21 Frugal Tips To Try This Year, # 21 was “make frugal living something you invest time in learning about” so with that in mind I started really reading a lot of frugal websites again and while reading through a post on Money Saving Mom I found a tip I hadn’t tried yet! I actually found it reading through over 200 comments on a reader question post about how to save money on groceries. Someone suggested using a little clicker to keep a tally of how much you spend at the grocery store so you don’t go over your budgeted amount.
I don’t know why keeping track in the store has been such an issue for me (well I do know why). I’ve tried keeping a mental running total, I’ve used a calculator, I’ve written the prices down next to the item I put in my cart and added it up at the end. I’ve done the tick mark tally’s and I’m always way off! This little tally clicker was $1.89 on Amazon shipping included!
There’s a saying down South that “all roads lead to Kroger”. I run into neighbors, friends, my daughter’s piano teacher that we haven’t seen in 15 years, the old ballet teacher, Mom’s from when my daughter was in school etc. Today I ran into the real estate agent that sold us our house! Kroger is a social place! Anyway, it’s totally distracting unless I go at a really off hour. So far this little clicker is great! I round up to the next dollar – 1 click for $1, 2 clicks for $2 and so on. All I have to do is look at it for the running total. That way I know how close I am to my budget amount. What ever works!
– Made my own liquid hand soap. Here is my tutorial for homemade liquid hand soap.
– I switched from using a night cream to using a natural avocado oil. I’m becoming more and more concerned with the ingredients in makeup and skincare products and the affects of those ingredients on my body. I had read lots of good things about using avocado oil as a moisturizer and thought I’d try it. So far I’m very happy with it. I use it at night after washing my face. A tiny bit goes a long way and it’s absorbed into the skin after a few minutes. This bottle will last a long long time versus a jar of Olay or something along those lines. So I think it will save me quite a bit of money. Here’s a good place to start if you’re thinking of using oils (and there are all kinds) as moisturizers Face Oils vs. Creams – Huffington Post
– I used a few soft wrinkled apples and made mini apple cranberry crisps with cranberries I bought on sale after Christmas @ 99¢ a bag and froze.
What frugal things have you done so far this month?
My big frugal thing this month was sprouting seeds (as well as continuing to harvest herbs, lettuce and other green leafies from my winter garden).
Your photo of seedlings at the bottom of your post is beautiful. I’m hoping to sow some seeds this week or next — if only the temp would get above 45 and if the sun would come out a bit! It has been so cold and dreary here lately!
Thank you Diana. I’m hoping to have a nice lettuce mix harvest pretty soon!
Hi Manuela,
I butchered some of my chickens and made soup or froze them for soup later. I still have a lot left to ‘retire’ to the freezer.
Great job and thanks for the tips on frugal living!
I forgot to invite you to share this on Wildcrafting Wednesday today and the rest of my hops 🙂
http:www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com
I enjoy reading your frugal posts. I am eating out of my freezer and panty more these days. I stock up for bitter cold Winter days, and since that time of the year is winding down (I hope) I am using things before they get freezer burn and/or expire.
Good idea! It was just my daughter and me home last week so we ate all the little odds and ends that I’ve put in the freezer that were only enough for one or two people. I cleaned out the freezer on top of the fridge pretty good doing that. I have to go through the chest freezer to see what’s in it (at the bottom).
I love these posts Manuela…I always get great inspiration from reading what everyone else is doing to tame the shrinking dollar! This week has been a busy one as my brother and son flew in and we’ve all been celebrating my dads birthday…so frugality has been a little on the back burner for a few days! I have been doing a few things though. I helped Rosie sell some things on eBay and we made about $125 to help her with her university costs which are NOT frugal. Our garage door refused to go up all the way and we thought a spring had gone out. I looked on Yelp for repair places with a lot of good reviews and hit the jackpot. The girl on the phone told us our runners might just need a little lubricant. Evidently dry runners can affect the sensor readings…who knew! So Mike ran out and got the lubricant for under $20, applied it and no more problems! New springs would have cost $200-$300!
I sprouted a batch of pinto beans (doing this reduces the carb counts a bit and is thought to add nutritional value) then cooked them up. I store these in the freezer in 3cup portions (I put them in freezer bags and freeze them flat so I can stack them). I use them in recipes in lieu of canned beans. I also froze some fresh tomatoes that were starting to get a little soft and will use these in chiles and soups (I just put the frozen tomatoes in water for a few minutes and the peels just come right off). I also bought a set of movie tickets on my last Costco visit ( they’re cheaper there) and Mike and I will use them for a Valentine or anniversary date (it’s on the 19th). That’s about it for this week!
Love,
Traceyxox
Good post, I love these ongoing ones!
This past month I have begun to buy coconut oil by the gallon. It is pricey but we use it on our skin, in our cooking, in our toothpaste, so it is a better bargain than just buying it by the quart!
I always enjoy hearing your frugal tips; thanks for sharing. I try to use as many natural products as I can, too. Great to hear about the avocado oil. I see that you bought the NOW brand…my mom has worked for NOW for many years and friends of our family own the company. They make very high quality items, including vitamins and supplements. It’s the only brand of vitamins and supplements I take.
I am really trying to watch every dime and cut back in so many ways! I’ve had an ongoing post in my drafts where I listed all of the ways I’m saving money and ways I want to save money. I’m going to go and read the past post that you linked to.
I’d be honored if you went and took a look at my latest post.
http://cottagesweetcottage.blogspot.com/2013/02/our-everyday-cost-cutting-strategies-to.html
Oh~ and btw~ have you ever got your hands on a copy of the tightwad gazette? It has some GREAT ideas!!! I read it before and am currently reading it again. I got it at our library.
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tightwad-Gazette-Amy-Dacyczyn/dp/0375752250
Hello, my sweet friend,
I agree that the money isn’t stretching as far as it used to. My husband and I have been scaling back in many ways. When the market plummeted nearly four years ago we cancelled cable and haven’t missed the television one bit. We used to eat out quite a bit. We only eat out about once a month and it feels great. It’s nice to know exactly what we are eating, too.
My big frugal saver for today was to replicate the box of Valentine’s Candy that my husband likes to buy me for Valentine’s Day.
I made a scrumptious batch of creamy Chocolate Fudge with Walnuts. I think it rivals in taste and price any of the best chocolate candies out there.
Here’s the yummy recipe:
“Homemade Valentines Fudge”
In medium microwave safe bowl place:
***(I) 8 ounce bag Nestlé’s Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
***1 stick real butter
Melt for two minutes in microwave.
***Remove and add 2 beaten eggs and stir to blend until creamy.
Then, add 1 pound powdered sugar.
Stir until well mixed.
***Add 1 teaspoon real vanilla.
Optional: Add 1 cup chopped walnuts.
Pour into sprayed pan and cool in refrigerator until set.
***Slice and enjoy!***
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day, Manuela!
Blessings,
Carolynn xoxo
Great ideas Manuela. I have been writing out menus to grocery shop from. That way I am buying only what I need, not impulse buying and I don’t throw out as much spoiled food.
You’re so good at this. I eat pretty much the same things. I’m boring that way. So don’t really have to think much at the grocery, as it’s just me. Dogs have to eat prescription food from the vet.
Brenda
That clicker is a great idea. I used to be able to it in my head but I’m afraid those days are gone. I get distracted thinking about something else and my total is gone. I also keep a price book and find that keeps me on track.
Great idea about the clicker! I have often taken my calculator but it is so easy to get distracted and I’m always afraid it is going to fall onto the floor.
I talked to Christopher after he had bought groceries to make a nice dinner for his Valentine. He told me it would have been cheaper to take her out for after buying everything (including flowers), it was nearly $100.00!
You always inspire me! I really need to MAKE a grocery budget and then try to stick with it. Right now I am all over the place. Great tips!
Thankyou Manuela, You know you were the one that inspired me with your kitchen makeover.
I like all of your ideas, Manuela. I made hand soft soap this month and I won’t have to make it again for a long time. It cost about 50 cents to make three litres of it.
I make all of my own muffins and almost all of my meals are from scratch.
I like your idea of using the clicker, I need one of those.
Have a great weekend. Cindy