1. I got some marked-down novelty earrings
You know how I’ve been wearing novelty earrings (borrowed from Zoe) to my pediatric rotations?
And how I also realized that some of my med-surg patients would enjoy seeing fun earrings? (my older ladies love seasonal things!)
Well, I bought a package of 50% off Halloween/fall earrings; I will wear the pumpkins for my Thanksgiving shifts, and I’ll use the spooky ones for work next fall.
I only wanted the cute pairs from this package, so I listed the 8 other pairs on my Buy Nothing group (I will not be wearing coffin earrings to work at the hospital. Ha.)
I put them in a little sauce container I’d saved; that way they wouldn’t get lost in transport when they got picked up.
2. I canceled some Subscribe and Save items
Occasionally when I order things from Amazon, I select the subscribe and save option to get the discount. But the discount is a loss if you keep getting items you don’t want, so I popped in and canceled the things I don’t want more of.
3. I had an extremely random lunch yesterday
I ate:
- the last two slices of deli ham
- the last cup of cottage cheese
- the last mini cucumber
- a plate of browned sweet potato slices topped with cilantro and the last of the queso fresco
Yay me for using up so much random stuff!
4. I made chocolate pudding
We ended up in a too-much-milk situation, so I employed my usual milk-waste-avoidance solution: some chocolate pudding.
This is never a wrong choice. 😉
Also, making the pudding is an easy process, and the recipe just uses regular ol’ pantry ingredients (in addition to the milk, obviously). Win, win.
5. I…
- continued my streak of not buying food/drinks at the clinical hospital or work hospital
- have not bought takeout of any kind since October 25th
- bought a bag of marked-down Reese’s pumpkins for Zoe
- used my Amazon gift card to buy these work-friendly cat/pearl earrings
Nikki
Wednesday 13th of November 2024
1. We made our meals at home. We brewed coffee at home. We made cupcakes at home. Yum. I haven't had take out since... some day in Oct. Our family hasn't had take out as a whole unit since June. 2. We didn't buy any more Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations. 3. We got books and a movie from the local library. 4. I saved some old jeans that will become a quilt. 5. We celebrated 2 family birthdays with lasagna and chocolate cake. All the food was homemade and delicious. 6. I *finally* got the audiobook that I've been waiting months for. I use my library card and the Libby app to get free books.
Marlena
Wednesday 13th of November 2024
EVERYTHING about moving into a new house is quite the opposite of frugal. BUT, I'm sticking with cooking at home even on days that I want to order out because we are exhausted from working on the two houses. We tore out a layer of subfloor (the house had two layers and one had to come out so wood floors would be level when laid) rather than pay someone to do that. My DH and my brother are installing the new hardwoods Friday (we're paying professionals to sand/stain/seal). We did buy the floors during a Veterans Day Sale so we got 15% off (on $1500 worth of flooring though...that adds up) We filed our paperwork for the taxes on the new house. DH's veterans disability rating gets him a major cut on the taxes in our state so that was a priority. I think that's all...everything else has been spend, spend, spend.
Marlena
Thursday 14th of November 2024
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, that's the plus! I'm trying to just do it all correctly now so that I don't have to do it again down the line...that's frugal in the long run!
Central Calif. Artist Jana
Wednesday 13th of November 2024
@Marlena, take heart. The disruption is temporary, and much of what you are spending is a one-time thing.
Karen L
Wednesday 13th of November 2024
Yeah, I have a pretty dark sense of humor, but coffin earrings while working at the hospital does cross the line with me too!
Kristen
Wednesday 13th of November 2024
Haha, yes, it kinda sends the wrong message!
Isa
Wednesday 13th of November 2024
* We have decided on no more restaurants (for the family/couple) for the rest of 2024
* I am part of a new-ish Facebook board game group that takes place in various restaurants, with the expectation that will buy drinks and/or a meal (which I do). Since I'm not interested in having to spend 20-30$ for each game night I have decided to host my own group of people instead, at home. Free game night.
* Took a look at my budget from the last 10 years and realized that we spent the same amount of money on groceries this year that we spent in 2016! With prices rising (and Canada is really good at it.... Groceries here are quite expensive), either we are doing really well (frugal) or we ate like crazy back then. AND we now have two teens, back then toddlers. I like to believe it's because of 2024 frugal decisions.
* I made myself a personal budget for 2025 with saving goals and limits on spending. Part of it is no new clothes/shoes/jewelry for the year (thrifted ok). Started the new clothes ban October 1st and no problem so far.
* I have submitted a long list of new books to my public library. They are usually pretty good at buying them (and in English too, which I'm really happy about since it's a French Quebec library. French is my language, but I prefer to read books in its original version).
Brenda D
Wednesday 13th of November 2024
FFT, a day late: 1. After watching my grandsons for four nights, I realized that my 3 yr old grandson was wearing some pretty small pjs. When I got home, I went to make a donation at the thrift store, and lo and behold, there was a pair of jammies just his size, brand new. So I got them, and also scored a pair for his cousin who is 2. They were $1 a pair. And I also got a beautiful little dress for my granddaughter. Triple win! $4 total. 2. While at the grocery store, I poked around in the Halloween goodies, scored a few 75% off things for next years goody box to send to my faraway grands in KY, they are always excited to see what I send! 3. Found a 75% off hostess gift for my sister who is having us all for Thanksgiving. She will love it. 4. Got a book out of the $1 bin at the store, too. 5. Donated a barely ever used TV to my nephew who is in need and I need it gone! Win/win! 6. Also donated a truckload of things to the thrift store, and filled the little libraries around town. The rest of the books are going to the library book sale. Thank you to all the veterans who have protected our freedoms.