Sunday, March 15, 2020

My Frugal Week



Good Sunday morning to all my readers. What a week this has been. Like so many other schools across the country our local schools will be closed this week and were already scheduled to be closed next week due to spring break. 

This week I was scheduled to work every day, so that is more lost income for my household. However, we still have some income as we believe in multiple income streams here.  In the meantime we are staying home and waiting it out along with so many others. 

We are planning for the worst, but hoping for the best.  


Last Sunday I worked on making some scrunchies on my sewing machine. They are pretty easy to make and are popular once again. These would make a simple gift to give to someone and would use up some of your scrap fabric. 


On Monday morning I stopped in at Hardee's on my way to work and said "Happy Morning" and received a free sausage biscuit. 

On Tuesday we were invited to a birthday party at my BIL's home. I asked him ahead of time if he could fix the headlight in my car as it was out. He only charged me $6 for the bulb to fix it. 

This week I sold two items on eBay and am thrilled to have those items out of the house. 

My income tax refund came this week, which was quick as I only filed at the first of the month. I quickly paid my auto insurance premium and have left the rest in the bank. 

Saturday was the day I was going to get our usual monthly grocery order. But as the last few days progressed, items on my order were marked out of stock to the point that I decided not to fill the order. 

We will just wait until those items are back in stock and then fill the order. We have plenty of food here to make it through even if we need to get creative. We are used to doing that. 

And if we do run out of toilet paper I'll just cut up an old t-shirt and use that. I'm sure most people have a couple of articles of clothing they no longer wear and can use that. Necessity is the mother of invention and all that. :)

How are things in your area of the world?

Belinda
~ Living within our Means ~
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36 comments:

  1. debbieMarch 15, 2020 at 8:41 AM

    Wash cloths can rewash

    ReplyDelete
  2. NicholeMarch 15, 2020 at 9:11 AM

    Hi Belinda,
    Our schools are still open here, but we're making plans for that to change. I found this resource online https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/emergency-preparedness/preparing-yourself/pandemic-flu/individuals-families/planning-checklist.aspx and have been making sure I have things stocked. We stopped by the library yesterday to get some books in case we our kept at home for an extended period. Our library also offers a plethora of resources with audio and e-books for members using Hoopla, Libby, and Overdrive. I also keep black elderberry on hand and dried Nettle and Yarrow for teas. The Nettle and Yarrow reduce fevers and cleanse your system.

    Nichole

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 15, 2020 at 9:46 AM

      That's great, Nichole. I just finished drinking some elderberry tea with matcha. I don't have any nettle and yarrow, but will be sure to look at those as well. Thank you for the tip. :)

      Delete
    2. NicholeMarch 15, 2020 at 9:54 AM

      I managed to find the Nettle and Yarrow at a small health food store.

      Delete
    3. BelindaMarch 18, 2020 at 10:08 AM

      Thank you, Nichole.

      Delete
  3. SAMMarch 15, 2020 at 9:35 AM

    I have a lot on my mind and being thrifty has sort of gone out the window. My son is also impacted by the virus with less work, but he tninks he'll manage for a couple months.

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    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 15, 2020 at 9:47 AM

      That's good, Sam. I hope he does. And I hope your mind is put to ease with all that you have going on lately.

      Delete
  4. Cheryl KimbleyMarch 15, 2020 at 9:46 AM

    Sorry for the lost income - but at least you are home and safe. Hope all goes well with you. You guys are very creative.
    We can all get a bit creative with food and supplies. I think that makes life a bit interesting and fun. Good old wash cloths and soap and water would also work instead of TP.
    Have a good week and stay busy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 15, 2020 at 10:50 AM

      Very true, Cheryl. And I can work on some of my side hustles since I am home for two weeks. And I agree on the wash clothes and soap and water. :) I hope you have a good week too

      Delete
  5. Practical ParsimonyMarch 15, 2020 at 10:08 AM

    I used washcloths for years. I intend to cut up tshirts to wash and only use them for pee. I will start cutting while I have tp. Then, I will use the tp for poop. I will NOT throw out the rags I use for pee. I will wash them and reuse. I had three I diapered with cloth, so this is not new to me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hawaii PlannerMarch 15, 2020 at 10:32 AM

    Our schools are closed for a month, but the are expecting two. Our libraries are also closed. I'm with Sam. We will do what we can to make smart choices, but frugality is going to have to be offset with spending some money to make life feasible for us right now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 15, 2020 at 12:55 PM

      I agree, spend where you need to in order to make it thru this difficult time. Good point.

      Delete
  7. A Brit in TennesseeMarch 15, 2020 at 11:38 AM

    I'm sorry you had lost income this week, it makes for a mend and make-do approach with all this mayhem and panic.
    We had an F-3 tornado wipe out areas of our little town last week, people turned out in droves to help clean up and help those who were immediately affected. This week, they would hit you over the head to grab that last roll of toilet paper off the shelf...…
    Stay well !
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 15, 2020 at 12:55 PM

      Thank you, Jo. I'm so sorry about the tornadoes in your area. My heart goes out to you all in all that devastation and loss of so many lives. I hope you stay well too, Jo.

      Delete
  8. Nil @ The Little House by the LakeMarch 15, 2020 at 12:58 PM

    Sorry for the lost income, Belinda.
    I really hope this situation will turn for the best quickly.

    Schools and universities are closed for two weeks here. All theme parks are closed too. But it’s spring break and the beaches are full. I don’t understand what these people are thinking.

    I’m glad you have a stockpile. I have a pack of tp bought a while ago, I think it should last a month or so. I also have installed a bidet shower. 😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 15, 2020 at 2:36 PM

      You are one smart cookie, Nil, to have already installed a bidet. I love that!

      Delete
  9. DonnaFreedman.comMarch 15, 2020 at 1:42 PM

    Schools all across Alaska are closed through March 30. Here in Anchorage, they've also closed the convention center, the university, all indoor recreation facilities and libraries (good thing I have a lot of books already).

    But my partner and I are what I call "low-maintenance preppers," and we have a ton of supplies: bulk Costco buys (including, yes, toilet paper), stuff we bought deeply discounted, and foods we grew and preserved. We cook all our own meals and will be fine.

    In fact, I just wrote about this -- specifically, how people who have frugal habits that help them stay out of debt and also stock up will be better-positioned to handle emergencies.

    http://donnafreedman.com/coronavirus-object-lesson/

    My nephew makes those scrunchies. I was surprised how simple they are to create. He's considering taking a table at a neighborhood bazaar this fall, with the scrunchies, bracelets and other crafts he enjoys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 16, 2020 at 6:03 AM

      Donna, I read your new blog post, which was excellent by the way. We stock up a little at a time, so when something like this happens we are more prepared than someone who does not do that. I noticed this morning on my grocery pickup order that some of the things listed as out of stock yesterday have been restocked thru the night, so that's good.

      Delete
  10. BelindaMarch 15, 2020 at 2:34 PM

    Oh how neat!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Out My windowMarch 15, 2020 at 2:49 PM

    Sorry for the loss of income, but you will be fine as you are good at getting by my friend. Stay safe, stay healthy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Carol in NCMarch 15, 2020 at 8:46 PM

    You're very resourceful, so you'll be fine, Belinda. Your frugal ways will stand you in good stead, with your food bargains you've picked up in the past. Enjoy your home and daughter for a couple of weeks, and just do the side jobs when it suits you. Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 16, 2020 at 6:05 AM

      Thank you so much, Carol. You all stay safe too. :)

      Delete
  13. Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and GardenMarch 15, 2020 at 10:12 PM

    So sorry about the your job. I'm so glad you have other income streams.
    i love your scrunchies. Very nice pick of material.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anne in the kitchenMarch 16, 2020 at 1:38 AM

    Belinda I am so sorry about your lost income. Wishing you the best in spite of it. My youngest son is a musician and all of his gigs are cancelled and now his secondary income (bartending) is closed also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 16, 2020 at 6:06 AM

      Oh no, Anne, I am so sorry for your son. It is going to be tough out there for a while I'm afraid.

      Delete
  15. SafyneAnaisMarch 16, 2020 at 8:56 AM

    Belinda, I am so sorry. I was thinking of you with all the school closings.

    Yes, soap and washcloths will get us clean if we run out of toilet paper. Luckily toilet paper is made here in the USA. Everyone is silly for this TP thing. :) I did buy a lot because it was my stock up time. I sure didn't buy it like they showed on the news. Plus, tummy issues in our home. I feel so bad for those who have tummy issues and can't get toilet paper. I know they are the ones that have the most reason to freak out.

    Libraries are still open here with limited access. I do expect closures this week. I returned all my books. I am going to use Libby & Overdrive. Then Kindle for all their freebies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 17, 2020 at 9:37 AM

      Thank you so much, SafyneAnais. I've been using Kindle and reading Dr. Fuhrman's latest book. I hope you all stay safe and sound. I'm with you on the TP, no need to panic. We'll make do as usual. :)

      Delete
  16. VanessaKCMarch 16, 2020 at 9:46 PM

    All restaurants, bars and theatres here are to close at midnight. Schools are closed until April 3rd. Streets are empty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 18, 2020 at 10:05 AM

      I was watching some of the empty streets on the news yesterday. We've not seen anything like this before. It's so different from what we are used to seeing.

      Delete
  17. BelindaMarch 17, 2020 at 9:34 AM

    Good morning Renee!

    ReplyDelete
  18. PattiMarch 17, 2020 at 7:39 PM

    Hi Belinda,
    All schools,libraries,restaurants,coffee shops,courts,bars anything non essential is closed here. They are completely clearing the shelves here not just TP. All paper products.,.beans,rice all food.It started with shelf stable item, pet food,cat litter,rubbing alcohol,wipes,advil,cold medicine,hand sanitizer.One day it was fine and 2 days later they started clearing the shelves even on our pick up orders.
    Stay calm you will be fine.look to be Lord psalm 91.
    Much love,

    Patti from SD
    L

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BelindaMarch 18, 2020 at 10:07 AM

      Thank you so much, Patti. I think we will all be fine too. Staying calm is the best thing right now. I noticed the shelf clearing here on beans this morning while I was shopping online.

      Delete

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