Things were quiet here yesterday because after I got home from skiing, I promptly got sick with a cold.
Bleh.
Hopefully it’ll be a quick one! I’m already feeling much better today.
1. I caught a $150 medical bill error.
I noticed that a $150 appointment bill came back unpaid, and after a few phone calls, I figured out that it’s because the provider put the “missed appointment” code on the bill instead of a regular appointment code.
So now we are getting $150 credited back to us.
Keep an eye on your medical billing, people!
2. We used a Panda Express coupon on a date night.
It’s a new location and for the time being, each receipt prints with a survey code.
The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete, and you get a free entree in return. Which means Mr. FG and I can both eat for around $11 total.
a fortune that could not possibly be true for anyone!
We used the coupon, and then I filled out the new survey, which means I have another coupon to use next time.
3. We got a free book from the library.
(We don’t deserve a lot of credit for this one!)
Sonia picked out a Mark Twain book, and when we went to checkout, it wouldn’t scan. Apparently it was supposed to be out of circulation, and the librarian said we could have it for free.
Sonia, unlike me, is a person who enjoys owning books, so this is perfect for her.
Sonia’s bookshelf is Pottery Barn via craigslist
4. I bought reusable travel toiletry containers.
I got a set of 4 for about $6. This way, we can fill them with whatever lotions/shampoos/conditioners we want when we fly.
Although, after I bought them, I realized that I could have just saved the empty containers from previous travel toiletry purchases and then refilled those.
Oh well.
Regardless, I won’t have to waste money on tiny toiletries in the future.
5. I got some marked down Valentine candy.
Chocolate for Zoe and Lisey, conversation hearts for Sonia (she doesn’t love chocolate, and a lot of the assorted chocolates contain nuts anyway.)
Charlie
Tuesday 10th of March 2020
I bought some silicone refillable travel bottles at Walmart. I put shampoo, conditioner and liquid soap in them for when I go to the gym and when I travel. They are three ounces, so TSA will not force you to dump them. The nice thing about the silicone ones is that they can be left with no air in them, so they won’t leak in the air with air pressure changes. Filling them from the bigger bottles is far cheaper per ounce, and it is the regular brand I use. Post winter holidays, I have been continuing to go to the gym to get needed exercise during the winter months as maintaining muscle mass And bone density is vital to good health. I have a free membership as the military base doesn’t charge military retirees. I check my credit card statement each month. I have caught charges that I did not use, seeing a charge for a purchase at a store 1500 miles away, that I don’t recognize is a major flag. I never use a debit card for purchases as you cannot refute them and get refunded, it is like you paid in cash, the bank says it is your money, not theirs. I avoid buying the candy, even after holidays, it is empty calories, loaded with sugar. I do buy some bulk dark chocolate peanuts or raisins from time to time, but it is a handful for a snack when working in the yard or while hunting, not a bagful in one sitting. Being I am fully retired, I ski midweek at the local resorts. Lower ticket prices and I get more runs in as there are no long lines. You can find a place to sit down to eat the lunch you packed as well, versus packed like sardines on the weekends. Heating bills are still significant even with the thermostat set at 62. New fiberglass windows are planned as well as future plans to upgrade to under floor hydronic heat from an on demand hot water heater versus electric baseboards. Projected savings are 35-40% in heating bills. Two years to break even doing it as a DIY/minimal plumber involved project.
priskill
Monday 24th of February 2020
That is an awesome Panda deal -- and fortune :) And $150 back -- huzzah!
Well, this week beat the last:
1. Meals largely eaten at home or taken to work, courtesy of lovely friends who sent us home from a party with sooo much leftover food -- enough for 2 of us for 3 days. We finally had to throw the last bits out :( because, you know, food poisoning. But it was a great run.
2. Paid credit card on time by phone and tracking all library books to avoid late fees.
3. Took on Home Hospital tutoring for a student who is very ill. While not a great cash cow, it is a bit more eked onto the paycheck. And he and his family are wonderful to be around.
4. Finally found 2 bathing suits for less than the price of one ordered on line that never arrived. Thanks Ross Dress for Less. So using the gym pool several days a week. Trying to stay healthy = money saved somewhere down the line.
5.This is a "Duh!" entry but am juggling the extra long day of tutoring and we're still managing to eat in mostly, thanks to my wonderful husband and the stash of frozen stuff -- pizzas, entrees, etc. Last night we made a complete pantry meal from the last of some frozen turkey meatballs of indeterminate age (very dry and chewy), spaghetti sauce, WW pasta and bag o salad.
Trying not to let the extra work = excuse to eat out.
Lauren
Sunday 23rd of February 2020
1. We ate some hodgepodge meals from the freezer for dinner. We all picked something we liked and I defrosted them in the fridge the night before. 2. I helped my friend pack to move house and she gave me $50 as a thank you. 3. My parents replaced their television and gifted me their old one. This will work great in the bedroom for lazy Sundays. 4. I started my new job this week. I’ve been unemployed for 6 months so overjoyed to be working again. 5. My parents took the kids out for breakfast today. I got a much needed rest.
priskill
Monday 24th of February 2020
#4 - congratulations!!
Rachel R.
Friday 21st of February 2020
I hope this weekend gives your family some time for R&R. It's that stuck time of winter when sunnier days soon will help!
5 frugal things:
1) I did a lot of mending of stuffed animals & kid's clothes. Also fixed up a broken foot of a beloved glass doll & she's now thankfully out of the "hospital":)
2) All our science & social studies curriculum this year is from the library or worksheets/maps given to us. It's working great.
3) We did the fundraiser (coffee & cookies) for a group my daughter is in & this saved us $150 in dues. It was an easy item to sell a lot of!
4) Random, but I used to have a lot of potatoes and onions go bad before I would use them. I've been chopping & freezing onions much sooner. I try to cook potatotes within 2-3 days of purchase now. No food waste there anymore!
5) Homemade valentines & we passed them out in person to friends when we would see them
Baker Mama
Thursday 20th of February 2020
My first FF - let me see what I can come up with.
1) we are on ski week break vacation in Tahoe (we ski Sugar Bowl) - we stay at the lodge and eat here. This week we had 2 dinner invitations out at friends who have houses here so we saved on the cost of dinners at the Lodge.
2) I have a freezer full of soups at home so that’s dinner next week (with fresh baked bread)
3) instead of meeting friends at a coffee shop, I’ve been baking and having them to my house for coffee and chat.
4) I’m going to start shopping at Trader Joe’s, not for produce but basics. There’s nothing wrong with their products, I was just lazy and only shopped at one place.
5) instead of overpaying for the tea at the lodge coffee shop, I brought up my own electric kettle, tea bag collection and tea mug. Happy me!
Kristen
Friday 21st of February 2020
Oh fun! How is the weather this week at Tahoe? And how are the conditions?