Frugal Accomplishments

I've been a little absent but I plan on posting more regularly again..

We just celebrated Harper's first birthday!

These accomplishments may have been from the past few weeks.

We've been harvesting cucumbers and banana peppers from the garden.

I stocked up on toilet paper at .25 cent a roll, my stock up price. 

I've only been using about a 30$ a week grocery budget. 

I've began Christmas shopping/planning.

I have been utilizing the library every week.

I used a gift card to stock up on diapers.


What did you accomplish?

Hanging Rock State Park Photo Overload!

We had a mini family reunion a few weeks ago at a state park about an hour away from us. We hiked all the way to the top. My sister in law carried Harper on her back, she is a strong woman!  Bentley hiked by himself. He did good until we got almost back to the parking lot and he had a bit of a meltdown. But overall I think it went well. 

We celebrated my nephews birthdays while we were there. It was so nice to all be together for a day!

I don't know how he does that with his tongue!

Playing in the leaves!

Sitting quietly together for a few minutes!

Weston, my youngest brother in law, Megan my oldest sister in law, and my two babies!

Frugal Accomplishments and Weekly Goals

 My sister in law Alyssa, having fun with Harper on a hike two weeks ago!



Last Week Accomplishments:

I received another bag of hand me downs for Bentley and my wonderful sister in law gave me some clothes to look through for myself! :)

I finally got my garden in the ground! We ended up planting 12 tomato plants, 4 watermelon, 4 cucumber, 2 green bean, and 4 banana pepper plants.  Michael built me a raised garden bed and filled it with part dirt and a little dried cow manure. All the plants are looking well. 

I also received a barely used bread machine from the same wonderful sister in law. I'm so excited!

I used coupons to pick a few things at the store including detergent and pasta. 

I filled out a rebate form for ground beef purchased at Walmart. I will receive a refund check for about 5$

I signed up for two more online classes at the local community college. I wasn't aware I had any funds still available until the last day but I got registered for Spanish and US History online and had some money still left over. I used in to purchase a new jump drive and headphones. I should still receive a refund check of about 350$ in two months or so.

Goals

Things I need to accomplish this week:

Clean out my refrigerator

Paint my front door

(I already have the paint)

Do a few school assignments and reading

Make a trip to the library

This Week's Frugal Accomplishnents

This Week: 

my car was in the shop a few days so I stayed home most of the week.

I received a bag of hand-me-downs for my son which were greatly appreciated. He was in need of summer clothes.

I combined my errands on the same day as Harper's 9 month Well Child check up. Everything went great. She is very tall for her age.

Used printed coupons to buy a few groceries.

I used ECB's at CVS to get a pack of diapers for .52 $

I started seeds for the garden.



What did you do last week?

Frugal Accomplishments

Bentley's aunt was styling his hair

We've started a new tradition of Family Game Night. This week we played Scrabble and ate popcorn. (I've had the game since I was little, it was still at my parents so I brought it home to enjoy.) My son is only 3 so he just watched and it helps him learn the alphabet.(Cheap family fun/homeschool = win/win!!)

I'm not going to the grocery store this week. I'm trying to eat up some odds and ends in the pantry. 

I plan on staying home most of the week to save on gas. 

I bought a floor stand up fan. It was 20$ but I believe during the day when my husband isn't home I can keep from turning on the a.c. and just run the fan in the living room. We spend most of our day in this one room. I won't have to cool the whole house until it gets hot!

I attended a baby shower hosted by a friend and she sent home a bunch of leftover food with me. It was very yummy.

Printed coupons for items I use.

Harper and I at the baby shower

Easter

Easter!!

I am so grateful for our Savior who suffered and died for us so that we may be saved!

We celebrated Easter at both set of grandparents. Bentley and Harper both enjoyed their baskets, even though Harper didn't like her movie or clothes! She wanted Bentley's toys.

We don't really stress the "Easter Bunny" thing but when Bentley and I were discussing the Easter story and I told him that Jesus loves him very much, he said, "Yeah! The Easter Bunny loves me!"  Not exactly right.. but ok.. I actually said the Easter Bunny is just a game but that went right over his head.

I didn't put in any chocolate ( My husband was appalled that Bentley didn't get a chocolate bunny!)  Just a few Starburst. A new movie, clothes, etc. 

Frugal Accomplishments

Frugal Accomplishments

This week :

I received free samples of shampoo and conditioner in the mail

I received a free magazine in the mail

I completed two Pinecone Research surveys, earning 3$ for each

I took advantage if a CVS deal for a free photo book. I made a book of my son's third birthday party from February.

(I decorated his cake using toys he already owned.)

I froze leftovers in single size portions including taco salad meat and extra chopped onions.

I purchased 2 backs of markers for free using coupons.

I picked up a free ginger ale from Kroger.

Couponing Trip

I did not get any pictures of Saturdays mini couponing trip. I took some things to my mother in laws home and then I forgot to snap a pic when I got home. 

At Walmart I was able to get:

A family size bag of Cheeze Doodles 3$

            ( that went to my MIL)

2 bottles Vidal Sassoon shampoo 2.47$

A Lunchables P3 protein pack 1.00$

Two Cuisine dog food packs. 0.70$

I used the following coupons:

3$ off Wise food coupon ( promotion from their website)

2 2$ off Vidal Sassoon coupons

0.75$ off P3 Pack

1.00$ off two Cuisine packs

My total was $1.52

Frugal Accomplishments and An Update!

My sweet girl!

It's been a rough two weeks My daughter and son both had the flu and my daughter also had pneumonia. Five doctor's appointments within one week, breathing treatments, multiple meds, and two weeks later, they're feeling much better. 

But.. during those two weeks my daughter got her two bottom teeth and began to crawl!

I was able to accomplish a few things though:

Our insurance covered everything(including a nebulizer) except 10$ of one appointment.

Received 3$ from Pinecone Research.

Printed coupons which made a few items almost free: shampoo, candy (for the Easter baskets), chips (which were a big treat because I don't buy them)

I also found a kite on clearance at Walmart for .50 cent for Bentley's Easter basket.

Bagged up some items for the Goodwill store. Yay for decluttering!!

Re-used some baggies

There's been unseasonably crazy weather here but I've kept them thermostat down a couple degrees and heating one room with a small heater at night.

Received some hand-me-downs for my son.

Received an email with a free drink from Sonic.


We bought 6 more chicken to replenish our flock that were all eaten when we moved. Eggs are almost $2 at our Walmart. I did stock up on them at .89$ at Aldi this week. I bought 5 dozen. I would've bought more but I still had some left from when they were .99$ a dozen.

Today's snowman. My son is the smallest one. The rest are my bro and sis in laws!  We were only supposed to get one inch, we got about 8!!

Frugal Accomplishments

This week has been sort of unfrugal. But in a good way.

We received our tax return and have spent most of it. But we had a plan!!

We used our money to:

pay off a few medical bills
 pay our car insurance for the entire year
pay off a small credit card bill( goodbye credit card!)
do a large grocery stock up trip to keep me from going to the store as often
re-fund our emergency fund (Thank you Dave Ramsey)

We are sort of following Dave Ramsey's plan. Except probably the investing part. I don't trust our economy!

credit: Dave Ramsey

We are in the debt snowball phase. Trying to get rid of this car payment!! Last thing on the list.

So..we have spent a lot, but it frees up a lot of money each month now.

I ordered two boxes of contacts on sale, and I got free shipping, and cash back through Ebates.

I completed two Pinecone Research surveys.

Got a sample of medication at the doctor's office for my daughter.

Both children had the flu and she was developing pneumonia but they are much better now.

Did a small dinner for my son's 3rd birthday party on his actual birthday because they had been so sick. His real party is Sunday but it will be kind of small also in comparison to his last two.

I stocked up on eggs on sale. (We go through a lot of eggs)

How did you do last week?

Thanks to Brandy at The Prudent Homemaker for hosting this each week!

Frugal Accomplishments.

another beach pic!

This week :

I received the following free items in my mailbox:

Can of cat food

2 dishwasher tabs

Better Homes and Garden magazine

I made a menu plan and when I went shopping, I stuck to the list!!

My son was gifted a Power Wheel Jeep from  a friend. He loves! It has Go, Diego go! on it and it works great. It had to spend the first night inside with him. This was a blessing, he had been wanting a ride on toy.

I made homemade baby food.

My husband and I made a plan of what to do with our tax return that should be here in the next two weeks. We want to be smart with our money and use it wisely.

Frugal Accomplishments so far.. and catching up.

I've been a bit of a slacker when it comes to posting... but I'm going to try to get better. These three online classes are kicking my tail.

My sister in law paid for everyone to go to the beach as our Christmas presents. It's a little over four hours away. We went the weekend after New Year's. It was so nice, we pretty much just paid for food.

Our attempt at a family picture. Bentley is almost 3 and Harper is 6 1/2 months. At least my husband was smiling nicely.

We have decided that we are going to follow Dave Ramsey's version of money planning, so I've been tightening up our budget. Our goal is to be debt free!

Rice and beans!!



I stocked up on deodorant at 88 cent apiece.

I did not use all my financial aid at school, so I will be receiving a refund check of about 500$ in April.

I stocked up on laundry detergent at a good price. I've not had good luck with the homemade version and getting out stains.

It's been below 30 degrees here and I've been keeping the heat down and heating the living room, where we stay most of the day, with a small heater. It doesn't cost much to run.

We potty trained our son. He will be three in February, No more diapers to buy for him!

 My sweet babies!

I stayed home pretty much since we went to the beach. It saves on gas and I get a lot done around here. Even if it does get trashed in just a few minutes :)

Hopefully this week will be a little more productive!

Menu Plan.

This year I am trying something new. I'm going to keep a record of what groceries I buy and how much money I'm spending. 

I love Aldi for my primary shopping: all my basics and great produce prices. I also like Kroger. They were my favorite until they quit doubling coupons. They still do a free item every Friday.

I started off the new year with a trip to Kroger to use up some Slimfast coupons. (Yes, I'm on a diet. Down 5 lbs so far!)

This is what I bought:

Kroger brand fresh chicken breast - 5.65

cheddar cheese block - 2.00

Lean Cuisine - 2.00 x 5

Turkey Bacon -1.49 x 4

Turkey lunch meat - 3.00

Slimfast - 5.00 x 2

Biscuits - 1.00 x 2

Saltines - .99

Hamburger Helper (chicken fried rice) 1.00 x5 

(I love this stuff, even if it is probably very unhealthy)

Slimfast snacks - 3.49 x 2

Gatorade chews FREE

Hot dog buns - 1.00

Tide - 3.50

Sliced cheese - .99

I used the following coupons

1$ off five hamburger helpers

1$ off 5 lean cuisines

BOGO Slimfast

5$ off 2 slimfast

1.50 off Tide

.30 off biscuits

  Before coupons 91.00 

I paid 46.92

Weekly Menu

Monday - We had just got home from the beach. I had a Slimfast.

Tuesday - Chicken fried rice

Wednesday - Hot dogs, fruit

Thursday - Crockpot chicken, green beans

Friday - Pancakes, bacon

Saturday - Sausage and onions, mac n cheese

For breakfast and lunch I will be having shakes and fruit.