I feel like it’s been forever since I wrote one of these!
1. I made rice pudding to use up leftover rice.
I just simmer cooked rice, cinnamon, milk, and a bit of cream together to make it. My girls love to eat this sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
It’s usually gone in the space of an hour or two, so no rice waste here!
2. I made French toast with marked-down bread.
On a recent grocery trip, I picked up a loaf of French bread from the day-old, 50% off rack. I had no use for it at that moment, but I like to throw these in the freezer for future French-toast-making days.
3. I used some coupons while clothes-shopping for Mr. FG.
On our last date night, we needed to buy a few things for him, and before we left, I grabbed some coupons from my little stash on the side of the fridge. We got $10 off shoes at DSW and 20% off at Kohl’s.
I’m not a big grocery couponer, thanks to Aldi, but I do save some non-grocery coupons when they show up in my mailbox.
I just use them when I need something, so I don’t end up redeeming them all. But I use enough of them to make it worth my while to save ’em.
4. I bought a Christmas present for one of my girls with a coupon.
I can’t say more than that because all three of them are subscribed to my blog. Hi, girls!
5. I made dermatologist check-up appointments before the end of the year.
Right now, our deductible is satisfied but come January, everything resets. We have a high-deductible plan, so that means things cost a lot out of pocket for a while once a new year starts.
For the moment, though, things are very cheap, and happily, I was able to get a dermatologist appointment scheduled for Mr. FG and me before the end of December.
(Just the usual look-at-all-the-moles-to-see-if-they-are-normal check. 😉 )
We’re hoping that maybe we’ll have a calmer medical year in 2017 and won’t even need to meet our deductible. At the very least, we shouldn’t need a rhinoplasty or tonsillectomy again!
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Randi MacDonald
Wednesday 14th of December 2016
We're finally getting an Aldi tomorrow!! They sent out 10 off 40.00 coupons. Yay.
Isabelle
Sunday 11th of December 2016
* I work as a casual (on-call) so I'm never sure how much work I'll get each week. I have a goal to make a certain amount of money each year to make sure all the bills are covered and we have extra for savings. I'm happy to say that I'm already there this year, so December is basically all extra money! * Using our membership to a recreational center as we speak. The kids are having fun while I'm sitting here relaxing. Win-win!! * Daughter going to a birthday party today. Got the birthday girl 2 gifts from Michaels, all for 10$ (50% off). That's about my budget for kids birthdays (10-15$). * Booked daughter's birthday party at said Micheals. While it's not "cheap" (137$ for 8 kids), it saves my sanity!!! No way do I want to host 8 kids at my place, I would go crazy!!! They take care of everything, we just have to show-up. Love it! * Gym membership ending in 2 weeks. 1000$/year = not renewing. Got myself some exercice Dvds to do at home.
Have a great frugal day!
Molly
Friday 9th of December 2016
Re: your instagram post with flowers. Aldi flowers are FANTASTIC. I've gotten 3+ weeks out of a bouquet of mixed flowers (wildflowers? random flowers?) from them. Very frugal and festive.
Kristen
Friday 9th of December 2016
Nice! I've never bought flowers there before, but I knew my friend loves yellow, so when I saw the roses, I was like, ooh! Yes.
Linda
Friday 9th of December 2016
1. I went in to our dentist office to discuss an unusually high bill. Apparently the insurance company was billing for out of network fees. My dentist is in network so bill will be adjusted accordingly. 2. Picked up he rest of the supplies to finish a couple of my Christmas gifts. This was at a discount store. 3. While there I received a coupon via my cell for $60 off a $150 purchase at a favorite clothing store. I was able to check off a couple more Christmas gifts with this. 4. I was actually in another town while running these errands and gas was $.30 cheaper here. I filled up the gas tank before starting home. 5. My last stop of the day was the doctor's office. I needed to turn in my new insurance info. My work had changed insurance and apparently they were still trying to charge the old insurance. That will be another positive adjustment in medical bills.
I was quite pleased with this day.
Kristen
Friday 9th of December 2016
So smart to check on the bill! Medical offices and insurance companies do make mistakes, and it's so worth it to catch one.
Stephanie L
Thursday 8th of December 2016
This is always one of my favorite features of your blog. Over the weekend after Thanksgiving I ordered some cuddle duds – sort of a V-neck, thin, Insulating layer – on major sale with free shipping. It will help keep me warm over the winter.
I was given two greatly appreciated frugal gifts. First, my medical condition prevents me from staying in the house by myself overnight. My husband went out of town on business, and my friends so sweetly welcomed me into their home. I was there for two days and nights and treated them to delivery pizza. Second, my oldest niece is in college and had laughed about "just giving everyone warm hugs for Christmas. "Actually, she sent me a copy of her statement of faith essay that she wrote for her seminary application. She cited me as a major influence, and nothing in the world could make me happier. A blessed holiday to everyone!
Kristen
Friday 9th of December 2016
Aww, both of those things are delightful!