January 2015 frugals

Lunch provided at work yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Saves a little money and a little time. I could have gone into work early today and had a free breakfast as well, but decided the extra hour at home was more than worth it.

We got a gift of Honeybell oranges for Christmas and they arrived last week so we've been eating or juicing them. Trying to stay out of the grocery stores as much as possible until we can eat up some of what we have in the refrigerator and the pantry. It always seems like one big trip to the store results in follow up trips for something else we decided that we wanted/needed/were out of.

Got word from the vet that our beloved dog does not have a simple kidney infection, which is easily treated with antibiotics, but rather is likely in the very early stages of renal failure. <Sigh.> Tough news. So we need to switch her diet over to a prescription diet that is designed for dogs with decreased kidney function. They gave me a few free cans as samples and I've been supplementing that with white rice and raw eggs (since we have both in abundance). Might as well save a little bit now because I'm sure the recurring bill for the prescription food will be high. Oh well, this is why we're frugal in all the other areas of our lives so that we can spare no expense when it comes to the furry four-legged children!

I've been using up all the random samples of shampoo that I've collected over time to wash my hair. I think they are finally gone now. Saved a little money and decluttered -- what a win-win situation! Also trying to be more mindful of the amount of just about everything that I'm using. Might not save a lot on any individual occurrence, but we all know that over time that stuff really adds up!

I'm enjoying reading this month's frugals, too. Over the weekend my boyfriend and I did a ten mile hike. I was nervous that it would be too much for me, but I was fine. We brought beef jerky, dried apricots, dried cranberries, and plenty of water. I was wiped out afterward, but treated myself to an extra cafe au lait. (I had saved the leftover homemade espresso in a jar. I keep it chilled in the fridge.) That gave me the energy I needed to make us a nice dinner. My boyfriend had brought over two frozen turkey breasts, a package of chicken, and a pound of ground beef. He wants to stock up my fridge for me. I won't have to buy any meat or poultry this month! That will save a lot on the grocery bill. I baked a loaf of french bread and have been making him sandwiches for lunch to take to work. I cooked a meatloaf and that will be cheaper than lunch meat. Made a big salad with lettuce, spinach, and arugula from the garden. We didn't spend any money, but had an exciting and fulfilling weekend.

I had auditions on Monday and Tuesday. Because I took the bus, I didn't get home until 9:00 p.m. I was so glad that I packed plenty of food...especially those meat loaf sandwiches! I can see why people overspend on snacks at places like 7/11. It's so tempting if you're hungry and busy. I took the commuter bus down to North Hollywood. It's only $5.00 RT, which always feels good. It's a twenty minute walk to the dance studio. It's free exercise, and it warms me up for my audition.

I almost didn't go because of my age. I forced myself to go, anyway. There are several parts for women 40-60 in one of the shows they're doing. None of the older women go to the dance calls. Dancing with the 20 year olds is brutal! I felt like I was going to start crying, and I really wanted to leave. But, I knew the director/choreographer from Juliet Prowse's act 28 years ago. His smile, twinkling eyes, and encouragement got me through it. I met some really sweet girls and enjoyed chatting with them. I limped back to the bus stop. My backpack was heavy and full of tap shoes, character shoes, knitting, bottled water, and meatloaf sandwiches ...

awakenedsoul, I love reading your posts, your life sounds amazing! Nice of BF to stock up your fridge, too. cdttmm, sending best wishes for your dog's health! Not much frugal here. Got a price on a new furnace *choke, choke* - I think we will double check prices on another make. This company has been quite good with repairs and maintenance, but we are not married to them, lol. Frugals - not to many, sad to say. Hung some wash inside, ate leftovers for dinner, taking coffee, lunch, etc as always. Picking up more bills for DH's eldest brother, (nothing huge!)- so I need to concentrate on our frugals to offset those.

early morning, Thanks. I love reading yours, too. Yes, having a BF who stocks us up on groceries has really helped my budget. Food is one of my largest expenses. I hope your furnace lasts a long time. That's a big purchase.

We finished up the turkey breast that I roasted on Sunday. I used it making sandwiches for my boyfriend's lunch this morning. The french bread recipe I use makes enough for two loaves. It's so convenient having pre made bread dough in the fridge! He leaves at six in the morning, so we have to be organized. Having coffee at home together saves him money. He used to pick up a cup at 7/11.

Yesterday I took the bus to the gym and rested my tired muscles in the sauna and jacuzzi. I'd forgotten how much that helps my body. I plan to go again, today. I also swam a little, and will try to increase that again. Later on I'll knit the heel on my second sock. I should have this pair done in a few days. I've got to darn a pair that I made last year. I try to rotate them so that they last longer. I love the feel of good wool socks. They are so warm, soft, and comfortable!

I've got meyer lemons falling on the ground in my backyard. I've procrastinated far too long about picking those. Today I'll juice them and freeze the juice and rind. It's nice not to have to buy lemons at all.

I picked up a Britta water filter pitcher over the weekend and have been using it. My neighbor suggested it. We have very hard water and my pipes are the old galvanized type. I used to refill water jugs at the water store. Using the filter is much cheaper, and is easy to do. I can pour the water into my five gallon jugs. That way I won't have to lug them around in my shopping cart or on the bus.

Ooh you are so lucky with the Meyer lemons, Awakened. I have been growing them from seed currently have about 20 little lemon trees; as soon as I get back to SC, they will form basis of a lemon hedge.

Joined a really fun neighborhood group. 40 people in my neighborhood participated in a dinner group. The home it was to be in ended up with eight people altogether. The hostess made the main dish (stuffed chicken breasts). I was assigned potatoes and made potatoes au gratin. Someone made a delicious salad and someone dessert.

It it was way cheaper than any restaurant and the food was outstanding. Way better than any restaurant. We plan to do this every month. Next month I will host in my home. I think I will make vegetarian lasagna and homemade bread. I will ask for a salad, dessert and for a bottle of wine from the three couples coming. We will also get a few bottles of wine.

Great way to bolster your community connections. Ad the food was really good.

Flowers: Your dinner group sounds wonderful!
Awakened: We've used a Brita pitcher for many years and have been very happy with it. The filters are reasonable at Costco and they go on special there occasionally for a 10-pack.

Awakened, I love hand knit wool socks too. Not cheap, but definitely worth it.

I am am retired but just fell into a job teaching quilting and working in a fquilt store up to sixteen hours a week. I can bike or walk there and since the weather is good here I can almost do that every day. I plan to put the money in the grandkids 529's as I have everything I need.

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Originally Posted by rodeosweetheart

Ooh you are so lucky with the Meyer lemons, Awakened. I have been growing them from seed currently have about 20 little lemon trees; as soon as I get back to SC, they will form basis of a lemon hedge.

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I've never thought of growing them from seed. That sounds like a beautiful hedge! I planted a grapefruit tree along my driveway. It's a standard size, so eventually it should fill that whole side area. Once it's mature I'll have hundreds of grapefruit each year!

rosarugosa, Thanks for the tip. I'll wait for them to go on sale. I'm really happy with the pitcher. It's so much easier than lugging around those huge bottles!

flowerseverywhere, The quilting job sounds great. Yeah, hand knit wool socks are really special. I just washed some of mine, and a few pair have small holes in the toes. I think it's from all of the hiking and walking that I do. I saved the yarn, so I can darn them up today. When the yarn matches, you don't even notice where they are darned. I've got a pink antique wooden darning egg that I use. A friend from a knitting group gave it to me...