Payday fell this week and unfortunately my check was short due to a clerical error. Normally I will pick up take out on payday, but not this time. I just came home and made dinner using items we had here. So, a frugal win on dinner anyway.
Our local gas station changed rewards cards, so I needed to have my information switched over and it turned out to be more work than I thought it would. Several phone calls later it's now fixed and can be used to save money on gas again. This saves me 10¢ per gallon and adds up over time.
This particular gas station has two reward cards. One is for Exxon and gives you points for each purchase while the second reward card lowers the price of gas by 10¢ per gallon. When I paid for the gas myself I paid $2.02 per gallon.
When I filled up my car this week I used my Exxon rewards card to use the free $8.75 worth of gas I had earned. We have found that the reward does not come off if you pay with a debit or credit card. So, to get around this issue we insert $1 into the pump and can then get all of our rewards. It might seem like a little bit of work, but I received $8.75 in free gas today, so I consider that worth the effort.
My Dad, an electrician, came down from Illinois and fixed one of our thermostats while he was here. This allowed one of the rooms upstairs to have heat again. Cost for the thermostat was $22, which was the only cost involved and saved us from calling a local electrician and being charged for labor.
We used the free weatherstripping we received the other day and redid the weatherstripping on our back door. There was a draft coming in the door, which we used to solve by hanging a coat on the doorknob, but now it has been fixed.
Last week I requested and received two free Sesame Street coloring books for fire safety. I'll be including these in a Christmas gift for two little girls this year.
This week I perused the grocery store sale ads online and saved myself $1.00 for the cost of a newspaper to get them.
Payday came this week, so all my bills were paid online, which saves me money spent on postage.
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Hi Belinda! I want to thank you for your newsletters/blog! You are a big encouragement! I was sorry to read about your shortened check--but glad you're prepared & it didn't throw you into a financial panic! I have a question, and maybe you've addressed it in the past (before I found you!) Do you keep an inventory of what is in your cupboards & freezer? How low will you allow your surplus food to go? Thank you for addressing this!
Thank you, Barb. One thing hat I have found when it comes to my pantry inventory is that there is always something in there to make a meal with. I have let my freezer inventory get very low at times because I wait on a good sale or markdown to stock up. I will keep one years worth of pasta when I find it on sale for 49¢ per box, and I will buy 50 cans of tomatoes when the price is right, 50¢. Then I will use them up until the next sale comes along. I hope that helps somewhat. Please let me know if you have more questions. I'll be happy to answer them. :)
It sounds like you made the best out of a challenge with the short check, so good work. This week was definitely back to the work grind. My parents went home, but they did leave me with a clean house & a full fridge, so I can't complain. We did all of our normal stuff - eating at home, driving our electric car, etc.
You had a great week. You know, I miss looking through the ads in the newspaper but our local Sunday paper is now $3.00. We will probably get a paper for Black Friday ads though. Have a great day!
Your dad helping you out made me miss my dad and father-in-law. Both could do little things my husband either hasn't mastered, or seemed to crash when he was away. 10 cents off per gallon is nothing to sneeze at-big money over time.
Thank you, Nil. That was nice of your friend to replace the weatherstripping for you. Life is mad easier with good friends. I hope you have a good weekend too.
Sorry for the short pay check. Bummer.
ReplyDeleteYour menu looks like my 'likes' for sure. YUM
Hope you have a wonderful weekend
Thank you, Cheryl. I hope you have a wonderful weekend too. :)
DeleteToo bad about the pay check!
ReplyDeleteAren't dad's just wonderful. That is a huge savings with the thermostat fix.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Anne. Yes, Dads are the best! I hope you have a great weekend too. :)
DeleteHi Belinda! I want to thank you for your newsletters/blog! You are a big encouragement! I was sorry to read about your shortened check--but glad you're prepared & it didn't throw you into a financial panic! I have a question, and maybe you've addressed it in the past (before I found you!) Do you keep an inventory of what is in your cupboards & freezer? How low will you allow your surplus food to go? Thank you for addressing this!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barb. One thing hat I have found when it comes to my pantry inventory is that there is always something in there to make a meal with. I have let my freezer inventory get very low at times because I wait on a good sale or markdown to stock up. I will keep one years worth of pasta when I find it on sale for 49¢ per box, and I will buy 50 cans of tomatoes when the price is right, 50¢. Then I will use them up until the next sale comes along. I hope that helps somewhat. Please let me know if you have more questions. I'll be happy to answer them. :)
DeleteIt sounds like you made the best out of a challenge with the short check, so good work. This week was definitely back to the work grind. My parents went home, but they did leave me with a clean house & a full fridge, so I can't complain. We did all of our normal stuff - eating at home, driving our electric car, etc.
ReplyDeleteOh, that was so nice of your parents to leave you with a clean house and a full fridge. So very nice!
DeleteYou had a great week. You know, I miss looking through the ads in the newspaper but our local Sunday paper is now $3.00. We will probably get a paper for Black Friday ads though. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteWow, I am shocked that your Sunday paper is now $3.00, ours is $2.00 and I don't think the coupons are always worth that amount.
DeleteI hope you have a great day too, Vickie. :)
Your dad helping you out made me miss my dad and father-in-law. Both could do little things my husband either hasn't mastered, or seemed to crash when he was away. 10 cents off per gallon is nothing to sneeze at-big money over time.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, Sam. I know what you mean about having a hubby that hasn't mastered some things, mine was the same way, but he tried.
DeleteSorry they screwed up your check. Your next one will be bigger. That is great that your dad was able to help you out.
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes, my next check will be bigger. Thankful for sure.
DeleteI hope the error on your pay check will be fixed soon.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your frugal Friday posts. 😊
The other day a friend replaced weatherstripping on my back door, and added a latch guard plate for extra security.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Belinda.
Thank you, Nil. That was nice of your friend to replace the weatherstripping for you. Life is mad easier with good friends. I hope you have a good weekend too.
DeleteInserting a dollar bill to save $8.75 on gas bill is not too much effort! However, shorting a paycheck is no small matter.
ReplyDeleteYou saved every way you turned last week, it seems. Weather stripping and caulking save throughout the year, too.
Soon, we will replace thermostat and fire alarms. Doing same as you with some maintenance, which never ends for a household.
Smile and laugh a lot this week at home.
-memphis metro
Thank you, Anna. You always encourage me with your posts. We are already having fun at home this week, which makes me happy. :)
Delete