Frugal Friday

Welcome to Friday! 
My Frugal Week
On Tuesday I had a doctors appointment and the doctor gave me two free samples of a new medicine she wants me to try. When I arrived home there was a letter from the company approving me for one year of the medicine at no charge to me. 
I will always be grateful for the doctor who told me about these programs and the Publix $7.50 ~ 90 day medications. They have saved me a lot of money over time. 
If you know someone who needs financial assistance with one of their medications, look online for the company who makes the drug to see if they have a patient assistance program. 

I have one of those grabber tools to be able to reach things, but it broke in the middle recently and became useless. I took two chopsticks, one of each side of the break and, using duct tape, fixed it in the middle where it was broken and now it is stronger than it was before. 

Bailey Alex Inc

Getting a small batch of tomatoes  each day from our tomatoes. 

Avoiding Spending
Other than the doctor visit, we have stayed home this week. We didn't need anything, so no money spent here.
Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen
We did our usual  money saving tricks in the kitchen such as eating leftovers, using up what we have on hand, etc.
The second shelf in our fridge will pull out and I found a bowl of leftover vegetables from earlier in the week hiding back there, so I made sure to add them to our vegetables for dinner that evening. 
Although we do serve meat here, not everyone eats the meat portion in our meals. We do serve plant based dishes with all of our meals here. 

Breakfast Fruit Plate

Meals This Week
Friday: Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Chick Peas, Green Salad
Saturday: Chicken Filet, Stir Fry Vegetables, Hummus with Carrot Sticks
Sunday: Grilled Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, and Carrots
Monday: Garlic Chicken, Fiesta Rice, Cantaloupe, Radishes and Cucumbers
Tuesday: Teriyaki Vegetable Stir Fry, Fiesta Rice, Cabbage
Wednesday: Veggie Burgers, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli 
Thursday: Grille Salmon, Brown Rice, Brussel Sprouts 

Fiesta Rice

This is a versatile dish that can be changed up depending on the vegetables you use.

Ingredients:

One pound cooked brown rice (4 cups)

One cup Pico de Gallo or your favorite salsa

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (1.5 cups of home cooked beans)

2-4 cups of assorted vegetables - shredded carrots, corn, peas, red onions, or ones you enjoy.

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and chill.

I like to eat it with a dollop of my homemade hummus on top.

Saving on Entertainment
I’ve been watching my 600 pound life on Hulu. I remember seeing the first two episodes years ago, but didn’t watch anymore because we haven’t had cable tv for years. I am slowly catching up on it though. 
How was your week?
Belinda~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree

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Frugal Friday

Welcome to Friday! 
My Frugal Week
My laptop was repaired and returned last Friday evening. The battery in my mouse died after sitting idle all week, but a new battery put it back into business.
We have been having to babysit our cat food when we feed the cats for the past few weeks as a racoon has been coming during the day to eat  Finally, the raccoon has been trapped and relocated.  Not before we trapped two of our cats, those poor babies. They cried and cried before I could get them out. 
Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen
This week I wanted to make a Ramen Noodle Asian Salad. The price of almonds where I shop has risen in price, so what I did was to buy the smallest bag they had.  But I also added some sunflower seeds, which are much lower in price and will also add crunch to the salad. 
On Tuesday I had both Instant Pots going in the kitchen. One of them was making chicken for dinner while the other one was cooking Garbanzo beans for me to make some hummus. 
Meals This Week
Friday: Hamburgers, Tator Tots, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions, Pickles
Saturday: Italian Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner including Potatoes, Onions, and Red Bell Peppers. There was plenty leftover to have this for breakfast on Sunday morning and to have some potatoes to use as a side dish for Sunday dinner. 
Sunday: Homemade Beenie Weenies ~ I soaked two pounds of navy beans overnight and added them to my Instant Pot on Sunday afternoon. I added bacon, mustard, onions, brown  sugar, and Nathan's hot dogs that I sliced into coins. 
Monday: Baked Chicken  Sandwiches, Roasted Potatoes, Cole Slaw
Tuesday:  Bone In Chicken seasoned Chinese style, Asian stir fry vegetables
Wednesday: Submarine Sandwiches, Potato Salad
Thursday: Stir Fried Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Steamed broccoli
What I've been Reading This Week
Bailey bought me a large print copy of Fannie Flagg’s Daisy Fay and The Miracle Man while she was at McKay's Used Books this week. 
How was your week?
Belinda~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree

If you are encouraged by what you read here, please consider supporting this site. 

 1. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small percentage that helps me to earn a living. Any items you place in your cart from one of my links means I will earn a small percentage from that sale. 

 2. My PayPal Tip Jar

Frugal Friday

Welcome to Friday! 
Quote of the Week

The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality: that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them everything.”   Benjamin Franklin

My Frugal Week

Recently Bailey was able to get a plant grow light on Amazon from one of those Amazon deal groups. This plant on the end is my Christmas cactus. It’s been sitting under the grow lights now for about one month and it has so much new growth. I don’t know if you can see it from the photo or not, but it’s growing so well. 
Avoiding Spending
This week I’ve stayed home except for Monday when I had an eye doctor appointment. We came right home afterwards and didn’t spend any money while we were out. The eye doctor says I need surgery but my left eye is so bad, he recommended another doctor. My appointment with the new doc isn’t until August. 
Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen
I took the leftover potatoes from Friday night dinner, chopped them in my Vidalia Chop Wizard, and added them to the taco meat for Saturday night dinner. It stretches the meat to make it last for more meals. I also used some of the taco meat in eggs the next morning and made breakfast burritos with it. Every little thing you can do to stretch your meat will help you save money. 
Beans work the same way. Frugal Queen said that in one of her latest videos. When her children were young she added beans to every dish she made to bulk it out. 
I divided up the chicken and rice into three containers and put them in the freezer for another day.  

On Tuesday I made homemade pizza for lunch. We had plenty leftover, so I packaged it up and stored it in the freezer for another meal another day. 
Dinner Meals This Week: 
Friday: Chicken Sandwiches, Roasted Potatoes, Salad, Watermelon
Saturday: Tacos served on soft corn tortillas, Lettuce, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Onions, and Tomatoes
Sunday: Inspired by Martha at Seaside Simplicity, I decided to make a pasta salad using my last box of Penne pasta. I added one can of fire roasted corn, a can of petite diced tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and the dregs of a bottle of ranch and a bottle of Italian dressing. I also had some red bell pepper I added to my bowl. It was very refreshing for this summer time weather. 
Monday: Chicken Fajitas on Flour Tortillas, Mexican Rice, Tomatoes, Red Peppers and Onions, Steamed Broccoli. 
Tuesday: CORD: Clean Our Refrigerator Day - Bailey had the the leftover chicken and some of the rice combined for her dinner. I had some rice, broccoli, tomatoes, and cantaloupe. 
Wednesday: Macaroni and Cheese with Ham, Broccoli, Beets, and Cantaloupe. 
Thursday:  Bailey is pet sitting, so it was just me for dinner. I had leftover rice, broccoli, and stir fry vegetables. 
Saving on Entertainment
I’ve  been watching Everybody Loves Raymond on Facebook for free. Several people have posted multiple episodes on there and I’ve been enjoying them. All you have to do is type Everybody Loves Raymond in the search box to find them. 
What I've been Reading This Week
I recently acquired Where the Crawdad Sings but it’s difficult to read right now  due to my eyesight, so I put it on the back burner. One of my friends sent me a copy of The Highway written by C.J. Box. It is a large print edition, which I really like at this point. 
That is all the news I have to report this week. My laptop is still in the shop waiting on a part, so if you see anything odd on here it’s probably because it was typed on my tablet.
How was your week?
Belinda~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree

Don’t pay for what you can do yourself

Don’t pay for what you can do yourself.
During the Depression era, people wouldn’t have paid someone $25 to $40 and up to have a pizza delivered to their home. People didn’t have that kind of money to waste on something that cost extra money. They had to pay the basics first and oftentimes that meant doing without any luxuries and cooking meals from basic foods. 
These days companies make thousands of dollars from consumers who want to pay someone else to do things for them, also know as convenience.
Many people pay to have other people or companies mow their yards, wash their cars, clean their house, or any other number of jobs that need doing at home. 
One way to save money is to do these things for yourself unless your are physically unable to do them for yourself. 
Wash your own car, clean your own clothes, take care of your own yard, cook your own meals. You will even get some good exercise doing these things yourself as well. 
You will take greater pride in a job you do yourself, and save so much money in the process

Belinda ~ Living within our Means ~ My Linktree

Menu Plan Monday

Here is a menu that I have planned out for us to eat this week. I always hold my plans loosely as I don’t want to waste any food, so some meals I might not make due to having leftovers that need using up. You can always check my Frugal Friday post to see what we actually ate.

Chicken Fajitas, Red Peppers and Onions, Mexican Rice 

Hamburgers with Cheese, Lettuce, Pickles, Tomatoes and Onions, Pasta Salad

Sticky Pineapple Chicken, Rice, Steamed Broccoli.

 Tacos with Corn Tortillas, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Onions, Tomatoes.

Italian Sausage Bake with Green Beans, Onions, and Potatoes.

Soup Beans, Turnip Greens, Cornbread 

Homemade Pizza, Salad

What’s for dinner in your home this week?

 

 

Belinda ~ Living within our Means ~

Saving Money with a Home Gym

2020  was the year that Bailey and I really became homebodies. Before that year the majority of our exercise was done at the YMCA, where my love of swimming helped me to stay limber and her love of Zumba had her exercising regularly. Then came the pandemic and going to the YMCA no longer worked for us or anyone else during that time. 
We have the great outdoors here where we could exercise, but weather extremes and wild animals often keep us from enjoying those activities. Although we do like to utilize our local walking track, that is a five mile drive.
Our Mini Home Gym

Workout Mat
Pedal Exerciser
Weights
Resistance Bands
Saving Money, Time and Gas
So, for an initial investment of several dollars, you can end up saving money over a gym membership and get your exercise whenever you want without having to leave your house. 
If you drive to go to a gym, you can save gas as well. 
When you don’t feel like leaving the warmth of your house to go running, or to drive to the gym, consider investing in some modestly priced exercise equipment. Having exercise equipment conveniently located in your home will help you stay in shape.
Belinda ~ Living within our Means ~ My Linktree

Frugal Friday

Welcome to Friday!

On Sunday evening we went to the local mall to watch their fireworks display. 
There was a big thunderstorm here last Friday and then the weather turned cool. It was a beautiful day weather wise on Saturday as a result. We spent time outside enjoying it. I wish we had more days like that here.
The cherry tomatoes are growing so big and fast that Bailey is having trouble keeping them standing upright. We may look for a trellis to help them stay upright. They have outgrown their tomato cages. 
Bailey was able to get a coupon deal at Publix and bought feta cheese for 26 cents. I have five of them in our refrigerator, so if you have any good recipes using feta cheese, please send them my way. 
I refilled my cleaning spray bottles with a small amount of disinfectant and the rest with water. I use this to clean the sink and toilet in the bathroom. 
I took five bananas that were very ripe and peeled them and placed them in the freezer to use at a later date.

Bailey found these four planters at a yard sale for $2.00. We like that they fit over the porch rails. She planted them with strawberry plants and they are growing very well.
I negotiated a deal with one of my creditors this week. The bill came for $1,224, so I called to speak with them and waited a week or so and called back. They offered me a 70% discount. They dropped the bill down to $367.20. Calling and speaking to your creditors can save you some money.

I received a free Splenda chocolate drink in the mail.
Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen:
This week, as usual, I made all of our drinks at home, fresh brewed iced tea and lemonade were thirst quenchers this week. I usually have a glass of tea with dinner and drink water the rest of the day. 
Dinners this week include...
Saturday: Hibachi Chicken with lots of vegetables and riceSunday: Chicken Strips, tator tots, cole slaw, and steamed broccoliMonday: Chicken Pot PieTuesday: Baked Chicken, salad, Brussels sproutsWednesday: Honey Garlic Chicken, Rice Pilaf, BroccoliThursday: Dirty Rice, Baked Potatoes, Sunflower Salad
On Wednesday I had thawed some bone in chicken, which is not a favorite of ours. I made sure to cook the chicken with a lot of onions for flavor. While it was cooking I created a sauce out of butter, honey, soy sauce, and garlic. I didn’t measure anything. 
Once the chicken was done I chopped it up and added it to the sauce along with appropriately one cup of broth. I mixed it well and served it over rice. It was a big hit and I had enough for leftovers to go into the freezer for future meals.

We received a free can of beans recently when we picked up a Walmart grocery order. They also gave us a free bag and a sample of Downey. 

Recently I needed to order some over the counter medicine and I read that Wellspring Meds were very affordable. They have 1,000 Ibuprofen for $19.99, 200 AntiDiarrheal for $16.95, 100 allergy relief for $6.95. If you’re interested they can be found at wellspringmeds.com.
Panera Bread was offering a free bagel for the Fourth of July. Bailey was able to get one since she went to town that day. 
I also read that Jimmy Johns sells day old bread for 10 cents. I called and found out it is now 45 cents.
My honey that I had turned hard, so I placed it in a cup full of hot water to get it back to being pourable. 
I saved $12 this week by paying my car insurance for six months rather than three months. It’s not much but does add up over time. 
That’s all the news to report from here this week. My laptop is still in the shop, so this was typed on a tablet and is not the usual format. I hope you still enjoy it and that you have a wonderful weekend.

Belinda ~ Living within our Means ~ 

Meal Plan Monday

Meals This Week
Sunday: Since it was the 4th of July, I made grilled hamburgers served with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles. I served this with corn and watermelon.
Monday:  Tacos with all the fixings
Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie, Broccoli, and Salad
Wednesday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables, Corn Bread
Thursday: Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Corn
Friday: Pizza and Salad
Saturday: Chicken Strips, Cole Slaw, Green Beans
BeveragesIced TeaLemonadeWater
This is our meal plan for the week. What’s on the menu in your home this week?

Belinda ~ Living within our Means ~ My Linktree

The Fourth of July

Image Credit
July 4th is an historical holiday for the United States of America, also known as Independence Day. It is the day this country became a nation 245 years ago and celebrations will be happening all over the country. 
I hope and pray that my fellow Americans have a safe holiday filled with happiness and that you spend it with the people you love.
Belinda ~ Living within our Means ~ My Linktree

Frugal Friday

Welcome to Friday! 
There was no Fugal Friday post last week because of our Internet. It's been hit or miss all week here. Also, the cooling fan on my laptop went down, so it is at the shop being repaired. I am trying to type this on my tablet, so it may be shorter than usual. Yard sales were rained out yesterday and since this is a holiday weekend we stayed home from yard sales today.
My Frugal Week
My week was spent at home cleaning and doing laundry, although we did venture out of the house on Friday. We went to Target where Bailey picked up a pair of shorts and several shirts for herself. I picked up some cheese and that was it.
My Mom’s birthday is this week. I looked at a new lamp for her at Target, but didn’t like the styles they had. I came home and ordered one online at Walmart. The one in her bedroom has a short in it, so I want her to be safe. This one also has a pull chain, which she prefers.
I earned a $10 Amazon gift card this week from  MobileXpressions. 
Mom gave us three coupons from Hormel, which we used to purchase three cans of Hormel ham. They were free to us and I was grateful as it has been hard to source lately.

The cherry tomato plant is loaded with cherry tomatoes. 

We bought a new cat house at a yard sale last week. The minute we set it down Simba got inside to check it out.
We stopped at the bread outlet yesterday and picked up two loaves of Dave’s Killer bread, one loaf of cinnamon raisin bread, three packages of hot dog buns, and two loaves of regular bread all for $9.00.
Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen
We ate all of our leftovers this week as usual. 
We went to the Farmer's Market and bought some cucumbers and tomatoes, so I made a cucumber salad with them this week. 
Meals This Week
Sunday: Chicken Teriyaki, Rice, Stir Fried VegetablesMonday: Hamburger Steak, Baked Potatoes. Cucumber SaladTuesday: Pizza BeansWednesday: Chicken Strips, Mashed Potatoes, Cole SlawThursday: Cheesy Potatoes, Cucumber SaladFriday: Grilled Chicken, Potato Salad, Green Beans
How was your week?
Belinda~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree