Five Frugal Things | Even though it’s Cyber Monday!

Hi Kristen Have you ever shared your budget spreadsheet? I'm trying to create one but could some tips and wonder if you might share your shell and what works for your family when setting it up each year

I've never commented before, but I find these Five Frugal Things lists so inspiring!

Hmm, do I have 5?

1. I resisted the urge to buy a breakfast treat when purchasing coffee before an offsite meeting. I even made sure to keep to the simple coffee (~$2 instead of the $6 monstrosities I love)

2. Brought a reusable water bottle (that I got for free from a free alumni event) to work so I would stop buying seltzer from the bodega in my office building. No single use plastic, and save $1.50 each day.

3. Bought a pillow I've had my eye on through my neighborhood pre-loved facebook group. $5 instead of $30 from amazon.

4. Counted and wrapped my and my SO's loose change jar. (over $100!!)

5. Bought a cheep used copy of the book for a book club I am joining for the first time next month. I am also using my library app to listen to the audiobook, but I may want to refer back and i like having a hard copy for that. (the e-book from the library has a 6 week wait list)

WOO! Can't wait for the next one!

1. My husband ran into a curb in icy weather last month and went in for a wheel alignment. When I was looking at the bill for it after he got it home, I realized that he'd paid $85 for the alignment, having forgotten that we had gotten a lifetime alignment package on the car almost 10 years ago. I called last week to ask if it could be refunded, and then went in yesterday with my card to have it processed. I'm just so impressed I remembered over the course of weeks to do it!! 2. We've kept that base model vehicle that we got used for a smoking price for 10 years. I picked it and drove it the first 4 years, but my husband has been the primary driver since then and wants an upgrade. I've been resistant since it still works well BUT we have money to pay cash, and we've gotten a great cost per use on that vehicle. 3. I called our car insurance company to find out how much insurance would be on replacement vehicles, just in case there was a wild difference that would influence a decision between them. 4. I borrowed jewelry rings from a friend to replace a zipper pull on my wristlet/wallet, and re-stitched the strap that had come unraveled. 5. We got a 5-year warranty plan when we bought our new washer and dryer ... 5 years ago. The plastic connectors on the washer knob broke this summer and I put off calling in a claim on our warranty because summer = fun time but FINALLY called it in last week before the warranty expires and I'd have to pay out of pocket. They should be coming out Friday to make the repair.

I only bought stuff we needed on black Friday/monday. The kids are outgrowing their snowpants and gloves already and had no luck looking secondhand. 50% off Lands End for the win. We recieved the better part of 16 inches in the last 48 hours so non optional. I ended needing new winter clothes (also no luck secondhand) and was able to for a reasonable amount and have a $20 coupon that l will use for pajamas. We made a list of needs and didn't deviate from it so l think we made black Friday work for us.

Very good timing for a frugal post. I could not fall asleep last night because of the anxiety of spending on Christmas. We never do anything over the top, and yet I feel the weight of expectations as we live far away from family and my culture, and I feel like it's all on my to create the magic of the season. I need to de-stress!

Frugal things achieved so far:

1. Traveled to Orlando, FL for Thanksgiving and managed to avoid all things Disney without really planning to. We skipped the amusement parks as we did not want to spend hundreds of dollars to stand in line for a couple of hours per ride, and our kids were not too disappointed as they were having a lot of fun with their cousins. Instead, we found several awesome nature parks to explore with hiking, biking and alligator and manatee sightings. Way less sensory overload, simple and natural.

2. While traveling all week, cooked mostly in-house, baked bread and packed snacks for the long car rides.

3. On our trip, we stopped to explore the Spanish fortifications at St. Augustine. We got in free (savings of $45) as we brought our 4th-graders' national park passes with us (courtesy of a friendly ranger who reminded us of this benefit at our last national park).

4. No Black Friday shopping or other shopping last week. Did buy one Lego online on Cyber Monday which was a great deal.

5. Before our trip, worked extra hours on freelance gigs, putting away all money earned for savings until I've paid the taxes on these.

P.S. I selected a high-deductible healthcare plan for myself for the first time ever, after making all the calculations. The deductible and out-of-pocket maximum limit were low enough to make the difference worth it. In my previous plan, I was paying for higher premiums plus co-payments on top of it.