Sunday, April 27, 2014

Frugal Accomplishments This Week


I feel like I'm finally getting my frugal groove back. I still am doing some decidedly unfrugal things like using disposable dishes and such, still taking it easy with the household task that I hate most- dish washing- and am using disposable diapers for Anneliese... but am being pretty good about being frugal in all other ways. Including still exclusively cloth diapering Rose. Here's what I did frugally this past week:


  • I made homemade, flax based, vegan mayonnaise.
  • I made chicken salad with homemade mayonnaise and leftover chicken.
  • I made homemade almond milk. 
  • I used the leftover almond pulp and leftover quinoa to make chocolate chip cookies, which, thankfully, were a hit!
  • I made homemade vegan cheese sauce using homemade almond milk.
  • I used leftover boiled potatoes to make scalloped potatoes.
  • I sewed to fix curtains for our bedroom.
  • We reorganized and discovered books and clothes and tablecloths we'd forgotten about.
  • I was going to get Rose's ears pierced, then talked to someone on the bus who does it herself at a local shop for 10 dollars cheaper than the cheap place I was going to do it at, for the same quality, so will be doing it there instead.
  • I made a lentil, rice, and veggie one pot meal for lunch.
  • I used up veggies in my fridge, even the semi raunchy looking ones, before they spoiled.
  • I gave away two kitchen items I no longer need, so that my friends can get things free.
  • I got a free bottle from a friend who no longer needed it, to use for my breast pump.
  • I started compiling a database of cheap stores in the area to share with a local frugal group, which other people can contribute to as well
  • I made an order from AliExpress.com, which has cheap stuff with free or cheap international shipping. I ordered a self winding watch for myself, since watch batteries never last long on me whatsoever, kids watches and wallets for the boys that look decent quality but were still pretty cheap, a CZ "engagement ring" since I lost the diamond on my engagement ring a few years ago and wanted an engagement type ring but didn't want to pay a lot- total cost for this one was less than 5 dollars, plus two credit card sized gadgets as presents for my husband, since I never got him a birthday present and am always looking for something nice for him. Other than my 11 dollar watch, everything else I bought cost between 1 and 5 dollars total. 
  • I melted down a few wax candles that I couldn't use, to make a scented candle, in an empty can.
  • I went shopping at a sale, stocked up on frugal produce, buying pretty much only what was cheapest, as well as cheap rice.
  • I started on a cushion cover for our ripped la-z-boy cushion.
  • I foraged some wild mustard (from my next door neighbor's yard- don't worry, I'm not hiking around).
  • I set up buckwheat to cook overnight to make porridge so it would be ready first thing in the morning for breakfast.
  • I made a Cuban lentil and rice dish for lunch.
  • I made horseradish and beet sauce.
  • I made homemade lice preventing hair detangler  (this recipe, with rosemary tea and some vinegar in place of the water).
  • Mike and the kids foraged rosemary.
  • I repurposed leftover buckwheat porridge into cookies.
  • I ordered lockable small spill proof small containers from ebay (from a seller with free international shipping) to use to send homemade yogurts and puddings, etc... for lunch for my kids, as well as smaller ones still for sending homemade condiments and dipping sauces.
  • I repurposed leftover mashed potatoes into shepherd's pie.
  • I opened a giant can of peas that I got for dirt cheap at the scratch and dent store, used some to make a side dish, and used some more to stretch the ground turkey for the shepherd's pie, then froze the rest to use at a later date.
  • I repurposed leftover rice to make fried rice.
What did you do to save money this past week?

9 comments:

  1. Nice Stash of Savings! I made Rosemary Oil at Home! :-)

    -Mythreyi
    Yum! Yum! Yum! - Coffee Grinder GiveAway

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  2. I always look forward to your posts. This one is one of my favorites. I love to see all you do to save each week.

    I went to an Earth Day event at my grocery store. In addition to free smoothies, they were giving away free herb plants. I got basil, rosemary, parsley and oregano. I also got my mom basil and mint. I froze some fruit before it went bad for future smoothies

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm glad you like these! They're fun to do.

      Ooo, a little jealous of your free herbs! Fresh herbs are the best!

      Delete
  3. I'm so behind on your blog, so first, congratulations! Rose is beautiful! I'm so glad you had a wonderful home birth experience.

    I'm curious about your experience with AliExpress. I've looked at it a few times but couldn't figure out if it was a legitimate site or how to find the best sellers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      This is my first time buying from AliExpress. I'll let you know my experience when the stuff arrives. :-D

      Delete
    2. I have ordered at least 10 times from here and mostly good results. You do have to watch the quality of their items though.

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  4. penny, you have done soooooooooo much this past week! I really hope you are resting a little as you are still just after birth. I would like to hear about the list you put together with stores to buy from for your group. have a good week.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I am trying to rest up- the stuff I did pretty much wasn't more physical work, just mentally preparing things... If you send an email to pennilessparenting@yahoo.com I'll send you a link to the list.

      Delete
  5. KellyK(@RNCCRN9706)April 29, 2014 at 6:10 AM

    Here's what I did:

    -got my free magazine from my Recyclebank points--Good Housekeeping, Real Simple and Ladies Home Journal
    -Took my son for his eye exam as it's free with our vision insurance, he needed new glasses and it's 100% covered with our vision insurance.
    -stayed home as much as possible,
    -made my homemade laundry soap
    -held my son's birthday party at the indoor water park, which wasn't frugal, but since he's now 10, it's a once in a lifetime event for him. And I know I WON'T use that venue to host a party again nor will I recommend it to others.

    ReplyDelete

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