Payday fell this week, so all the bills were paid, and we did our monthly stock up on groceries, and we are both being extra vigilant with our money as times are hard right now and we don't know what the future holds.
I had the relator come this week to appraise the house. We still have to clean out the downstairs of Dad's machinery, tools, and other items before we can sell, but now we have an idea of what to expect when the time comes.
I went to physical therapy three times again this week. My new knee is doing well for only three weeks out from surgery and my physical therapist tells me I am very motivated and doing well with my therapy. She had me walking on a cane on Wednesday and said I can use this while in the house, but to still use the walker when out and about.
I've been needing some smaller sized pants, so on Friday we went to the thrift store to look. I didn't find any pants, but did find two new shirts.
One item I bought was a cutting board with grippers on one side. My PT therapist uses a similar board for heel slides to stretch my knee. I want to do them at home on days I don't have PT. I asked her and she said a baking sheet would work, but those were $3.99 at the thrift store. So, I found a cutting board for 99 cents and it works just like I need it too. I love finding things I need at a lower cost.
Speaking of finding things, we found a three quart Instant Pot at the thrift store for $15 this week. I have wanted one this size for many years. Bailey has looked for one for me for years and was disappointed that I was with her when we found it. She would have given it to me for my birthday and/or Mother's Day in May.
This three quart pot sells for $79.95 on Amazon and I have a six quart, so could never justify buying one, until now. I've already used it to make steamed carrots for dinner one night this week and it is the perfect size for two people. Next to it is the three quart slow cooker, which I also found this week for $4.99 at Goodwill. These appliances are so much easier for me to handle as they are not as big, bulky, and heavy as the bigger appliances.
Other frugal things I did this week:
- Added to my emergency fund
- Added to our house fund
- Combined errands when driving
- dried clothes on clothes line
Joy of the Week
The older way of adding photos to my blog stopped working last week and I was disappointed. But I found a new way to add photos very easily this week and I'm thrilled to be back in business with my photos. Best of all the option to add them was free.
Photo of the Week
I found these Savings jars at Goodwill this week. There were two of them and one that says Road Trip. They are savings banks I'll be using for my blog.
Savings of the Week
Don't forget to compare prices when shopping for necessities. I was out of dried plums this week, so went to add to my Walmart cart. I was shocked when the price of the one pound container was $7.78 for the Great Value brand, which was definitely an increase in price. A simple Google search showed me several other options to save money. I bought some at Publix for $6.49 and were name brand.
Question of the Week
The following article, Eleven Examples of Extreme Frugality, over at Tuppenny's Fireplace raised some interesting questions. She lists several examples of extreme frugality, so I copied the list and wrote my response in parenthesis as to whether or not we've done that. How about you? Any on this list you've done?
1. Eat Offal (No)
2. Eat Roadkill (No)
3. Eat Moldy Food (Yes, we've cut it off cheese in the past)
4. No [Sham]Poo (No)
5. Stop Shaving (Yes)
6. Cut Your Own Hair (Yes)
7. Collect & Reuse Gray Water (Yes, we also collect rainwater)
8. Be Spare with Heating (Yes)
9. Other People's Leftovers (Yes, especially after a party)
10. Dumpster Diving (Yes)
11. Super Cheap Meals (Yes)
What I've been Reading This Week
This week I've been reading Dr. Michael Greger's book titled, How Not to Diet: The Groundbreaking Science of Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss. Dr. Greger bases all his books and YouTube videos on research studies. He donates all the sales from his books to charity and encourages people to borrow his book from the library. This book in steeped in scientific facts about permanent ways of losing weight.
Thank you for dropping by my frugal blog, you are always welcome here.
We would love to hear all about your week in the comment section.
It sounds like you are moving along nicely with the other new knee. You are amazing! Nice score on the instant pot! And you need smaller pants? Good for you! I tend to keep going up in sizes. I’m going to take a look at the book you mentioned. I enjoyed reading about your week!
I've enjoyed reading for years but I don't think I've ever commented. I'm glad your knees are doing well, you seem to have done a great job following recommendations and working to get them healed. I enjoy reading about Bailey, she seems like such a smart and hardworking girl. I can't remember - is she going to school? When your dad's house sells, will you have to move? The two of you are so organized and prepared for whatever will come, I need to be more like that! Anita in Charleston
Dad only had property to sell as he gave the house and the property on the other side of the road to Mom when they divorced and split everything. It's probably confusing to my readers and I apologize for that. There was a LOT of red tape involved in sorting it all out.
My two siblings want to sell Mom's house, so Bailey and I will need to find a place to live once its sold. However, We still have the items to sell downstairs that belong to Dad before that happens. He never did move any of it after they divorced.
Bailey has her 2 year degree and thinks about going back, but hasn't so far.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. It's so nice to have you here. :)
Thank you for your blog and sharing your tips. I agree we will all need to be extra vigilant. I have been feeling so discouraged; we lost so much money in our retirement funds this week. So glad you are doing well with your physical therapy!! Yay to graduating to a cane too. Great finds on the instant pot and crockpot. I have done many of those extreme frugal things. Mom used to fix liver and onions, but I have never cooked it myself. I do eat sausage and hotdogs, and I don't really want to think of what goes into them. ;) Nope to the roadkill. Nope to the shampoo. Yes to most everything else, and I have stopped for a free table, but never dumpster dived at a store. Fun question, :D Hope you have a great weekend.
Oh no, Kathy. I'm so sorry about your retirement funds. That would be very disheartening to me too. Dave Ramsey said this week not to worry that it will bounce back. I hope he is right about that. Those extreme frugality ideas were fun. I would never eat roadkill either. We used to dumpster dive, but not these days. It can be hit or miss with those.
I am glad healing is progressing well for you. Love the price you paid for that smaller instant pot. You did very well. I need to ask, are the others in the family forcing you to think about selling your home? You helped your father for so long that I think they should give you much more time.
Thank you, Jackie. Yes, my siblings want the house sold yesterday even though we are not ready. My Mom asked my sister when she was dying not to throw me and Bailey out. 😢 And my sister promised her she wouldn’t and she will stand by that. I just know she wants it sold though. Both siblings have said we could live with them though, so there is that.
My answers are all the same as yours! I think there will be a glut of Instapots at thrifts. Over half the people I know who bought them new during the pandemic no longer want them. My sister-in-law offered me one, but I forgot to take it. Secondhand is the answer!!!
Neat! Yes, the Instant Pots are all over Facebook Marketplace and anyone can pick one up rather inexpensively. And I have seen one or two here and there at some thrift stores too. Second hand is the way to go!
My brother hit a deer with his truck a few years back and processed it and gave family members some of it. We got a few flank steaks and 2 legs. Although a little strange it was still tasty and I guess roadkill.
It sounds like you are moving along nicely with the other new knee. You are amazing! Nice score on the instant pot! And you need smaller pants? Good for you! I tend to keep going up in sizes. I’m going to take a look at the book you mentioned. I enjoyed reading about your week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Penny. My pants fell down during one of my physical therapy sessions, so I gave them to Bailey to sell in her shop. LOL
DeleteOh now, that’s funny!!! And something to be proud of! Lol
Delete😂 Right?! hehehe
DeleteI've enjoyed reading for years but I don't think I've ever commented. I'm glad your knees are doing well, you seem to have done a great job following recommendations and working to get them healed. I enjoy reading about Bailey, she seems like such a smart and hardworking girl. I can't remember - is she going to school? When your dad's house sells, will you have to move? The two of you are so organized and prepared for whatever will come, I need to be more like that! Anita in Charleston
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Anita.
DeleteDad only had property to sell as he gave the house and the property on the other side of the road to Mom when they divorced and split everything. It's probably confusing to my readers and I apologize for that. There was a LOT of red tape involved in sorting it all out.
My two siblings want to sell Mom's house, so Bailey and I will need to find a place to live once its sold. However, We still have the items to sell downstairs that belong to Dad before that happens. He never did move any of it after they divorced.
Bailey has her 2 year degree and thinks about going back, but hasn't so far.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. It's so nice to have you here. :)
Thank you for your blog and sharing your tips. I agree we will all need to be extra vigilant. I have been feeling so discouraged; we lost so much money in our retirement funds this week.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are doing well with your physical therapy!! Yay to graduating to a cane too. Great finds on the instant pot and crockpot.
I have done many of those extreme frugal things. Mom used to fix liver and onions, but I have never cooked it myself. I do eat sausage and hotdogs, and I don't really want to think of what goes into them. ;) Nope to the roadkill. Nope to the shampoo. Yes to most everything else, and I have stopped for a free table, but never dumpster dived at a store. Fun question, :D
Hope you have a great weekend.
Oh no, Kathy. I'm so sorry about your retirement funds. That would be very disheartening to me too. Dave Ramsey said this week not to worry that it will bounce back. I hope he is right about that.
DeleteThose extreme frugality ideas were fun. I would never eat roadkill either. We used to dumpster dive, but not these days. It can be hit or miss with those.
I hope you have a great weekend too.
Your comment about your pants falling down made me laugh - well done on the progress!
ReplyDeleteSo glad your PT is going well.
You had some nice wins this week. My list of "extreme frugality" matches yours as well.
-Hawaii Planner
Thank you! It was definitely time to get rid of those pants. LOL
DeleteI am so happy you are doing well with your knee! Good finds at the thrift store!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kim!
DeleteLove the opening quote. So true.
ReplyDeleteSounds you are healing well. That is great. You got some good deal. Have a great weekend
Thank you, Cheryl. I hope you have a great weekend too.
DeleteI am glad healing is progressing well for you. Love the price you paid for that smaller instant pot. You did very well. I need to ask, are the others in the family forcing you to think about selling your home? You helped your father for so long that I think they should give you much more time.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you, Jackie. Yes, my siblings want the house sold yesterday even though we are not ready. My Mom asked my sister when she was dying not to throw me and Bailey out. 😢 And my sister promised her she wouldn’t and she will stand by that. I just know she wants it sold though. Both siblings have said we could live with them though, so there is that.
DeleteMy answers are all the same as yours! I think there will be a glut of Instapots at thrifts. Over half the people I know who bought them new during the pandemic no longer want them. My sister-in-law offered me one, but I forgot to take it. Secondhand is the answer!!!
ReplyDeleteNeat! Yes, the Instant Pots are all over Facebook Marketplace and anyone can pick one up rather inexpensively. And I have seen one or two here and there at some thrift stores too. Second hand is the way to go!
DeleteMy brother hit a deer with his truck a few years back and processed it and gave family members some of it. We got a few flank steaks and 2 legs. Although a little strange it was still tasty and I guess roadkill.
ReplyDeleteThat’s great! Fresh roadkill like that wouldn’t bother me at all. 😊
Delete