Happily, our power is back on today! But yesterday was not so good on that front.
1. I bought TurboTax with a $15 discount
Costco (and most other places) have TurboTax marked down until mid-February. So, I went ahead and purchased my download to make sure I didn’t miss the discount.
After owing so much last April, I paid vast amounts of estimated taxes for tax year 2020.
This is not an accurate representation of how much I paid in estimated taxes.
So I am not dreading doing my taxes as much as I usually do….here’s hoping that my estimated tax payments were the right amounts.
Or that maybe they were even a little extra. 😉
2. I’ve been working through random teabags
I organized the tea brewing supplies and came across a lot of random tea that has not been getting used.
So, I’ve been purposely choosing those teabags when I make a cup of afternoon tea.
3. I made 3 eBay listings
I cleaned out a bookshelf yesterday while our power was out*, and I found three things to sell.
So, I put them up on eBay, added the books to my “sell” pile, and now I will patiently wait. Sometimes it takes a while, but things almost always eventually sell.
*snow followed by freezing rain tends to bring branches down!
4. I organized my laundry room food shelves
Another power-outage activity. 😉
I found a few things that were very expired (mostly salad dressing! Which is odd because I don’t buy it that often.), but mainly I just reorganized things in a more sensible way.
The biggest payoff for this job is that I now know what is on those shelves. And since I’m the main cook/food manager in the house, me knowing what’s there is key to us using the food in a timely manner.
Of course, since the shelves are more organized now, it’s easier for everyone else to see what needs to be eaten as well.
5. I made a bowl of use-it-up oatmeal this morning
I used:
- an odd Hungry Harvest carrot
- shredded coconut I found on my laundry room shelf
- some really dry dates I found in a pantry clean-out
And of course, oats, spices, vanilla, cream, and so on.
Cathy in NJ
Thursday 4th of February 2021
1. Did a tea organize too. I set up a back stock area as well. Now I know what I have and I am using those tea bags up. 2. Cut my DH hair. Frugal and safe too. 3. My daughter found out the copay for a skin cream was going to be sky high so she called the Dr. The Dr. sent the script to a pharmacy in Denton TX that shipped the cream to her with no copay. I never would have thought of looking for prescription savings 1500 miles away. 4. Shoveled snow. 5. Eating at home.
April
Wednesday 3rd of February 2021
*should be two weeks later on the haircut (face palm)
April
Wednesday 3rd of February 2021
Let’s see if I can keep up with you guys: -I shared a meal at dinner out with my husband. It’s not as frugal as possible, but a savings nonetheless and our time together has its own value -We shopped at the local discount grocer this week -When my son decided he needed a new phone with more storage, he didn’t even consider asking for it, he went straight to his room and pulled out the allowance he accumulated (the part he’s allowed to spend, not the savings or giving stuff). Then he asked my husband to help him look for a good used version. Major parenting win as far as I can tell -I set my reminder two weeks like for my next haircut to spread them further throughout the year -I asked a colleague for some spices to flavor my (rather bland) lunch after I realized I had forgotten mine at home. This saved me either getting takeout or hating my food. Bonus, I found a new spice combo I enjoy.
There, 5 things. Happy Hump Day everyone
Alexandra
Sunday 7th of February 2021
Your son's actions are music to my ears! Well done parenting (:
lisa
Wednesday 3rd of February 2021
Sorry about the power outage! We have a generator for times like those....
My five:
1) Got dental surgery. With new insurance, my cost was a whopping $63, deductible included. 2) The church sprung a bake sale on us. I have a box of brownie mix and will make cake pops. Never did that before. 3) Someone gave me a free styrofoam cooler and I'll use the lid as a cake pop holder..Just push them in the lid after I decorate it for valentine's Day. 4)My doc wrote me a prescription for a drug that I can buy OTC..The otc price is $160. The prescription price is $29. So glad I can get it cheaper now. 5) I wasn't sure how to send my envelope at the post office. I originally put it in a priority envelope for $7.75. But the lady at the counter said I could spend less if I sent it first class and signature required.. Saved me over $3 !
Tracey
Wednesday 3rd of February 2021
Here's our five frugal things for the week:
1. Did the same thing with my random teabags. Recycled the packaging and put the teabags into two repurposed candle jars. This time of year I drink a lot of tea. it's nice to be able to see what I have better.
2. I've been saving bacon drippings in the fridge to make a savory pie crust (substitute for butter, lard or Crisco). Finally had enough to make crust for quiche.
3. Made butter from leftover heavy cream and used the residual buttermilk for pancakes.
4. Made two loaves of banana bread from overripe bananas.
5. Refrigerator and freezer eating.