The rain did indeed stop in time for us to move our stuff into the rental house on Sunday. Whew.
More on the move in a future post, but…the move is why I did not write a blog post yesterday. I was exhausted and besides, I had a lot of unpacking to do.
On top of that, I have an assignment due on Wednesday, a unit exam on Thursday, and a cumulative final exam next Tuesday.
So…if I am scarce around here, that’s why. But as of Tuesday the 17th, my semester will be over, and boy, that is going to free up a lot of time for me.
Also. I am not going to be moving again anytime soon, so that will also free up some time. 😉
1. I used a $5 Aldi coupon
Aldi does not usually send out coupons, BUT one just opened in our area, so everyone got $5 coupons in their mailboxes.
My parents gave me theirs (they shop at the commissary, since my dad is retired military), and I happily used the coupon to buy some groceries for my previously-empty pantry.
2. I used my Erie YourTurn rewards for a free Starbucks coffee
The morning after we moved, I dropped Zoe off for her tutorial classes and got myself a free cinnamon dolce latte, using credits from my car insurance rewards app.
3. I gratefully accepted a free bed and dresser
As it turns out, a reader here (Hi, Kate!!) knew the people who rented my house before me, AND she lives just a couple of streets away from my rental house.
Kate and I did not previously know each other (except as blogger and blog reader), but she kindly offered me a queen bed frame and a dresser.
And this is wonderful because…I really needed another bed. Lisey’s taking the summer off from classes to work, so she’s going to come live with me until August.
So. This is perfect. Thank you, thank you, Kate!
4. I hung out at the library while I waited for Zoe
She wanted to spend a few hours with a friend, and since the location was near a public library, I did some homework there while I waited for her.
The library is free, and it definitely saved gas for me to study there rather than going back home and then leaving again to pick Zoe up.
5. My moving vehicles were free
I deserve no credit for this one, but…my brother was able to borrow a big trailer from a friend, and between that and my dad’s truck, my parents’ van, and my van, we were able to move our stuff with no problem.
So, yay for family help and family vehicles!
Bethe Sailer
Friday 13th of May 2022
Made crackers and hot sauce from scratch rather than buying.
Hand made gifts and greeting cards.
Still doing pantry challenge, have only spent $9.37 in the last week.
Got a fabulous new book, "Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines," from PaperbackSwap!
Had trimmed the top off the Tomato plant (it was getting leggy), and rooted it in water. Two-for-one!
Erika JS
Thursday 12th of May 2022
Dear Kristen, This is a lovely start to a peaceful summer with your girls. So many accomplishments in the last month—personal, professional, furniture rehab, and family closeness—will go a long way toward filling your thankfulness basket!
Isa
Wednesday 11th of May 2022
My 5 frugals:
* Cancelled a 3 days trip with hubby. We were going away just for the activities, so might as well save the gas money and the Airbnb money and do stuff closer to home. * Investing in good (expensive) shoes. Why is this frugal? I`m hoping it`s preventing foot issues, which cost money to treat. * Cutting groceries cost by using rewards points for free groceries, doing price matchs, buying from Flashfood, getting food from the discount rack, reducing meat consumption, buying whatever fruits and veggies are on sale that week, looking out for prices errors and getting the item for free, stocking on sale items, etc. Food prices are so freaking expensive in Canada! * Health insurance covering DD autism evaluation * My decision to go back to school at 41 to get a degree in social work. My school fees will be covered by bursaries, and I will still be able to work my current job when not in school, so this project should not be too damaging financially. And in 3 to 5 years I'll have a job that I really like and (hopefully) make more money, and I will not have to retire at 55 because I can't do my job anymore, which was the plan with my current (physical) job.
Jessica
Wednesday 11th of May 2022
Kristen! I'm so glad that you and your girls are safe and in a new, clean home. I'm sorry that there's been a rough path to get there. I love the curtains you have. I just saw a great thing on instagram about putting toiletpaper tubes between the folds of that style of curtain to make them look fancier/more decorator-y. I wonder if it works! (I don't have that style.)
Jony
Wednesday 11th of May 2022
When did you start this blog? I remember reading it when you were in HS or College! Jony