Guys, I promise that one day in the future, I will have a little more time and space for interesting frugal things.
For now, I spend so much of my time on school and all the associated requirements, I am really doing the bare minimum in many other areas of my life.
But in about 7-8 months, if all goes well, I will be done with school!
And I am super duper positive that working three 12-hour shifts a week will not compare to the way that nursing school completely takes over one’s life. There will be more breathing room.
Anyway. Let’s see what I can come up with for this week!
1. I used Treasure House notecards for exam prep
I had a pack of slightly wrinkled index cards in my drawer (I think they got a little damp at one point at the treasure house) and I used them to make some little brain-dump info cards about hematologic disorders.
I know a LOT of things about anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma right now. 😉
2. I bought a stethoscope on eBay
This is kind of a sad one: someone took my stethoscope at the hospital two weeks ago. 🙁 I think it was initially an accident, but still, now there’s someone at that hospital walking around with a stethoscope that has a metal cuff on it that says “Kristen”.
UGH.
Why did they not bring it back once they realized the error??
This is double sad because that stethoscope is one that a dear reader kindly sent to me before I started nursing school.
I am still holding out hope that it will turn up in the lost and found at some point. But at this moment, I need a stethoscope to use for clinical days.
So, I bought one on eBay, and I picked a light, bright color.
Many people have dark-colored stethoscopes, so I am hoping that the light color of this one will prevent future accidental mixups.
3. I went to a $10 symphony
Well, the symphony is not normally $10. I’m just milking my college student benefits for all they’re worth. I got a $70 ticket for $10 thanks to my student ID. 🙂
I barely made it in time because I had a late Friday sim lab…but I did a quick wardrobe change in the back of my van (with the shades pulled down!), and I made it there in the nick of time.
Once I graduate, my budget will not allow symphony trips at this rate of frequency (that was my second one in a week’s time!) but for now, it is lovely.
And I do plan to get my BSN after I graduate, so that will buy me one more year of student discounts. 🙂
4. I jumped through lots of medical hoops to keep costs down
So, right now, I have sorta crappy health insurance that I bought through my state’s open market health insurance site. This is a temporary situation; once I get a job as a nurse, I will have decent insurance through the hospital.
But for now, it is a whole unpleasant experience. Lots of offices don’t accept my insurance, including my usual mammogram spot where I get my routine checkups each year.
My usual mammogram place is so nice! They give you these soft fluffy half-robes to wear before they squeeze your boobs into oblivion. Heh.
If I wanted to go there I’d have to pay out of pocket but if I stay in-network with the appropriate referrals, preventive appointments like that are free.
After a lot of headache, and many phone calls, I did find a new spot to do mine, plus I got a referral for a dermatologist checkup at an office that takes my insurance, plus I scheduled an eye exam, plus I scheduled my gyn checkup.
I gave myself gold stars for hanging in there with all of that!
I booked most of the appointments for the end of the semester because heaven knows I have very little free time at the moment (and very little availability during business hours.)
5. hmmmmm….
I am still largely eating at home
I make my coffee at home.
I am spending almost nothing on entertainment (aside from the occasional $10 symphony).
Nursing school makes me too busy to do anything expensive. 😉
Beth
Thursday 10th of October 2024
1. I stopped back to the CVS in Target to claim my $5 off $20 purchase coupon for getting my flu shot (they were out of the coupons when I got the shot).
2. I then used four $2 off $2+ purchase coupons, and two $5 off $20+ purchase (mine & husband's) at Target to buy groceries. Yes, they'll tell you that you can only use one coupon, but they neglect to tell you that it one coupon PER TRANSACTION. So I patiently rang 6 different transactions through self-checkout at a slow time of day and paid what it would've cost me at Aldi :)
3. Picked up an unopened box of tea on the "free take it" table at work.
4. Mornings are in the 40s! :) It's time for homemade pumpkin spice lattes. per mug: (microwave or stovetop--either is fine, & this can absolutely be doubled, etc) mix & warm: 1T pumpkin puree, 1/2t pumpkin spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves), 1t sugar mix in 1/2 mug of milk & warm mix in 1/2 mug of coffee & warm stir in 1/2t vanilla Enjoy :)
5. got the furnace it's fall tune-up/cleaning to hopefully prevent breakdowns this winter, and we have a service plan to greatly lessen any repairs/parts/labor.
Tricia
Wednesday 9th of October 2024
After having my expensive student nurse stethoscope stolen shortly after purchase, I bought a cheap one and everyone leaves it alone. Been using it 20 plus years now. If I need a fancy one, which is rare, I borrow one like all the doctors do. Ha.
Lindsay B
Wednesday 9th of October 2024
Several weeks' worth on my list!
1. I soaked my moldy and mildewed shower curtain in OxyClean then ran it through the washing machine. I didn’t expect much but it looks completely new! Next time I won’t wait so long.
2. As I’ve mentioned over the last two FFTs, I have received an abundance of free veggies. I’ve been working to eat and/or process them. This week I’ve made some tomato sauce, and also a veggie soup that used some eggplant, celery, and potatoes. I also chopped and froze the last bits of the swiss chard that hadn’t gotten slimy. The slimy bits went into the compost…oops. Free food is only frugal if it isn’t wasted!
3. Thanks to a commenter on NCA, I once again ordered 4 free Covid tests from the government. We’ve occasionally used them (in fact I used one last week and another one this week for new cold symptoms) and I am grateful to have never paid for one.
4. I’m grateful to be tagging along with DH to a conference in Colorado. Lovely fall weather and sunshine and high mountain altitude thin air! The buffet meals are horrifically expensive but this morning I went during a mad rush of school age kids and the staff just waved me through, so I saved $15.
5. Someone didn’t show up for their shift at the cafe, so reception put out a plate of free pastries and a vat of coffee. Since the coffee is really terrible, I was happy to not pay for it that particular time.
6. While we were in CO, my sweet mother made baba ganoush from the excess eggplant and also mended some toddler clothes with the sewing machine. I need a tutorial for the sewing machine eventually…
Isa
Wednesday 9th of October 2024
- I have decided to do a ''no new clothes and jewelry year''. If I do need/want something in the next year (apart from socks and underwear) I will get it thrifted.
- Cancelled a massage on saturday. I just don't feel like it. Saving me 35$ (massage school). Also cancelled an outing with hubby, saving us at least 75$. I can find cheaper activities for us to do together.
- Online shopping for Christmas gifts. Makes it less tempting to spend impulsively. And on that note, my Christmas shopping is already DONE! yay! (I don't like shopping)
- Using whatever products I have at home and not buying more until I`m done with them. I get a lot of free products on Buy Nothing like hair gel, creams, shampoo, hair conditioner, and I have zero problem using those different products. I don't have sensitive skin or particular needs. I don't buy into the marketing ''because you're worth it''...... I don't buy into the idea that I ''need'' a special face cream, body cream, eye cream, etc. A cream is a cream. And I don't ''need'' it. I would like at some point to get down to having only one shampoo, one bar of soap, one deodorant, one cream, and that's it. Simplicity.
- I realize that the older I get, the less I seem to need or want. I am content with my life, my situation, my finances, my current hobbies (reading, mostly), my sporadic social activities (introvert), etc. I'm just content, as a whole. This feel really.... peaceful?
Mar
Wednesday 9th of October 2024
This week was actually kind of frugal... After working for 2 months on a medical test bill that wasn't billed to my insurance carrier is resolved. They sent me a final notice to pay $0.00. Traded puzzles with a coworker. I stuck to my very short grocery list and made a second list of freezer items I need to use up. I used up the rest of my FSA $. Free lunch at work, yes please.