Friday, March 11, 2022

Second Frugal Friday of March 2022


Welcome to Friday! 

Quote of the Week

Remember,  saying things doesn’t make it so; words are often a posture.”
~ Heather Cox Richardson

My Frugal Week

Last Friday we went to the Sweet WeePeets consignment sale. Bailey was looking for inventory while I was shopping for myself and clothes for Mom. I found several things for her to wear and some good stuff for me as well. 


Some of the things I found were these three beautiful bowls with saucers.


Nineteen brand new wash clothes, which cost right at 60 cents each. 


Two brand new Chicago Metallic round cake pans for $3.00 each. 

Other items include a Wolfgang Puck universal mixer, new quad cane, oven mitts, a new Instant Pot glass lid - still in the box, Pyrex Bowl with thermal bag, four like new towels, and a pretty teal laundry basket. We were also able to get another very nice drying rack to hang clothes.

We went back on Tuesday for the beginning of the 50% off sale to see what was left. Bailey was able to find even more inventory at the reduced rate. The sale is marked down on Friday night and Saturday to 70% off, but they are calling for rain and possible snow, so I don’t know if we will go back. 

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a program for low income households to ensure they can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. We applied for this in February and received our first bill from Verizon this week with the $30 discount. That combined with the $20 fee Verizon gives us for setting up automatic payments will now help us save $50 on our phone/Internet bill each month. 

We have enough cloth napkins that we only need to wash them every other week. This was the week for this task. I’ve not bought paper towels since April of 2018, so almost four years and I figure I have saved almost $400 in that time frame. 

Mom remains in the rehab facility for now and they’ve scheduled her surgery for April 26th, 2022. They have her on a list in case there is a cancellation before then. 

Taking care of business for an aging parent has me going through so many different emotions right now. I’ve written about it before, but both of my parents did not plan their financial lives very well and have no retirement savings. All of that has really come to light with Mom’s accident. It’s made me realize, even more than ever, to try and make it as easy as I can for Bailey when that time comes for her. 

On Monday I stripped my bed all of the bedclothes and washed them. I put some of them away for winter storage as we have started to run the air conditioner here at times. 

Joy of the Week

One bright joy this week came from some flowers Bailey bought. She knows my favorite flowers are hyacinths and she bought me an early Mother’s Day present, which includes them and some daffodils. The entire kitchen smells wonderful thanks to the hyacinths and every time I walk in there I can smell their lovely fragrance. 

Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen

Keeping track of what I have on hand helps me save money in the kitchen, and that means going through what I have in the pantry and freezer regularly. I also go through the refrigerator several times each week. Doing so helps me prevent food waste, which saves me money. 

Meals This Week

Friday: Chicken Fajitas, Flour Tortillas, Mexican Rice, Corn, Broccoli

Saturday: We picked up a pizza from the Walmart deli and had that for dinner along with a salad. 

Sunday: Grilled Chicken, Brown & Wild Rice Pilaf, Steamed Broccoli

Monday: Hamburgers with Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, and Pickles, Grilled Onions, and Seasoned Fries

Tuesday: Grilled Salmon, Baked Potato, Asparagus 

Wednesday: Chicken with Onions, Salad, Broccoli, 

Thursday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans with Onions

Recipe of the Week

I made this for dinner on Friday when I served Chicken Fajitas for dinner. I didn’t measure the cheese or sour cream as my Dad had given me some of his Buy Fresh Meal kit ingredients, so I wanted to use them up. I used three of the triangle sour cream packets, which added up to three ounces.

 Also, I made my rice in the Instant Pot and just added the chilies, sour cream, and cheese at the end and did not bake in the oven. It turned out well and was a nice change of pace for dinner

Chili Rice Bake from Ultimate Cooking with 4 Ingredients 

Ingredients:

1 cup rice
1 - 7 ounce can diced green Chili’s
1 pint sour cream 
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

Cook rice according to directions. 
Add remaining ingredients and add 1/2 teaspoon of salt. 
Place into a buttered casserole dish.
Bake covered dish at 325 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Saving on Entertainment

We finished the third season of Schitt’s Creek. The final episode was such a sweet one and we both really like Patrick. 

I’ve been playing Wordle on the New York Times website. 

https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html

Wordle 262 5/6

🟨⬜⬜🟨🟨
🟨⬜🟨🟩⬜
🟨⬜🟨🟩⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

What I've been Reading This Week

The Ultimate Cooking with 4 Ingredients written by Jean Coates. 

Freebies

Bailey and I both received coupons in the mail for a free item from Bath and Body Works. We went in there on Sunday and were able to get two of the small body washes for free. 

How was your week? Did you add to your home this week to be more prepared for the future? It’s so important to be mindful and prudent and look after your family to the best of your ability.

Thank you for dropping by my frugal blog, you are always welcome here. We would love to hear about your week in the comment section.

Belinda
~ Living within our Means ~
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27 comments:

  1. You got some really nice items at that sale. Love the bowls.
    Amazing you are using AC and then it may snow!! WOW. No AC for a long while.
    Meals all sound great. I sure hope your mom continues to improve.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cheryl. I love the bowls so much. My favorite section to shop in the consignment sale was the kitchen area.

      The weather here is crazy. LOL It reached almost 80 degrees one day and now they are calling for snow. Crazy, crazy. LOL

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  2. I could have used your recipe Tuesday- I ended up just using a jambalaya rice mix for tacos. Those bowls and saucers are so cool. I'd love something like those for a chili or soup night. You had really good finds at your store. I'm sorry for your issues financially with your mom. I worry about my sister. She may be forced to retire early health wise and is not at all prepared.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sam. I feel for you when it comes to your sister too. It can be hard to make decisions for people who don’t have the financial resources to pay for them.

      I was thinking the bowls would be perfect for chili too. With cold weather in the forecast that would be perfect for dinner.

      Delete
  3. I love those colorful dishes you found. I’ve been playing a word game on the phone, but didn’t realize The NY Times had a daily one. Thanks for sharing. I clicked over there and got it in 4/6 tries. 🤪

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great job on getting the word game in 4 tries! I haven’t done today’s yet, so that is where I’m headed. Lol I hope you have a great day!

      Delete
    2. Wordle took me five tries today, it I got it. Such a simple word, which makes it fun.

      Delete
  4. I am a self confessed dish junkie, and I love the bowls!
    When we had to take care of Mom we were very fortunate that they had prioritized their retirement funds so we were able to use those for her care. It was wonderful to be able to afford the care she required. Caring for them is difficult enough, but the financial costs can be overbearing.
    I am going to make your rice recipe with caulirice for a keto variation. I think that and a salad would work well for a meatless meal for me. .
    I am reading Stanly Tucci's "Taste" It is an autobiography about the food in his life with recipes scattered throughout. I am really enjoying it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How wonderful that you had your mothers retirement funds to help with her care. That is such great planning on your parents part.

      I’m going to have to check out his book, that sounds like something right up my alley.

      Delete
  5. I love those bowls and saucers! It is so hard taking care of elderly parents and it seems like we have no control over what happens because of Medicare rules, etc. My Mom was in a Memory care unit and doing very well there most days until Covid went through and she got it. She was in the hospital for a week and then they sent her to rehab. She hates it there and is not willing to try to get herself going again. Meanwhile they are trying to push her out the door and not give us a chance to encourage her to work with the PT and get back to Memory care where she was happy. Once we mentioned that she has enough funds to pay for memory care for a long time they were willing to work with us. It is all about the dollars which is sad. We were fortunate that she owned two houses and we were able to sell one for her upkeep.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lana. It helps to read about how others go then the process. I’m glad your Mom had the second home to pay for her care. Mom isn’t happy where she is, but she doesn’t want to go to the other rehab facility in town. She was in there a few years ago and wasn’t happy with the care there. It sure can be a difficult journey.

      Delete
  6. Oh my goodness Belinda those bowls are beautiful! Love them. So glad you can get broadband so cheaply now. It's so expensive but I feel it's necessary for everyone now.
    Mom got out of rehab just before her Medicare benefits were up. If not that facility was going to be $5,000 a month. I'm not sure what we would have done at that point. Hopefully you Mom will be feeling like herself soon and be able to come home. She is so lucky to have you!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Vickie. You are so sweet. It helps to talk about this with others who have been through this with their parents. (I love the bowls too)

      Delete
  7. Great deals! Love the bowls, and the washcloths look so nice too. Seems like we always need washcloths. Those cake pans will be great. Give us a review if they bake better than other pans. Glad you found your Mom some clothes at the sale. Sorry she has to wait so long for the surgery. That is rough on all of you, but I'm glad that she has you to help her.
    Thanks for the recipe. Sounds so good. I love cheese and sour cream, so that sounds so tasty.
    Hope you have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kathy.

      I’ll definitely let you know how the cake pans work. I’ll probably do more cornbread than cake but both will work. :)

      I hope you have a great weekend too.

      Delete
  8. Great buys my friend. I am going to try that rice bake it sounds so good. It is hard when a parent ages and you are responsible.

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    1. Thank you, Kim. The emotions I’ve been feeling have been all over the place this week. Thank you for your support. :)

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  9. I'm glad you're enjoying Schitt's Creek! We watched that one last year, on the recommendation of friends, and it's so fun and sweet and funny and enjoyable. So well-written!

    Hugs to you in caring for your mom. I watched my mother care for her mom in the last few years of her life, and it's so hard. You're doing good things both for your mom and your daughter here.

    Your sale sounds awesome! There hasn't been any of our normal sales around here since the pandemic, so I make do by obsessively checking Freecycle. Not quite the same, but I've still gotten some pretty awesome things (and the price is definitely right!).

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    1. Thank you so much, Stephanie. We really liked Schitt’s Creek. The relationship between Patrick and David is so sweet.

      I do Freecycle too, but you’re right, it’s not the same. But it can be fun, so I’ll take it and the price is right, like you said. 😊

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  10. You always score awesome deals Belinda! Those bowls are gorgeous! I've always wanted to go to a consignment sale, but have never been.I'm hoping that an earlier surgery date will become available for your mom and that she'll heal fast. That was so sweet &thoughtful of Bailey to get you flowers. Hope you both have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Ms. Goose. I love the bowls. You would probably love going to a consistent. You can find so many great things!

      I hope you also have a wonderful weekend. :)

      Delete
  11. Really great deals Belinda. I wish that our second hand stores were as great as yours. I love those bowls, so colourful.

    God bless.

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    1. Thank you, Jackie. I really love the bowls too.

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  12. I know you are going to enjoy those bowls. I thought they were for Bailey to sell. I am sorry your mother has problems.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, yesterday was a good day for Mom and I’m so grateful for that.

      Delete
  13. Hi Belinda! ☺ Oh those bowls and saucers are gorgeous! Nice find! Schitt’s Creek is one of my favourites, I still haven't gotten around to the last season yet though! I'm 54 this year and I'm JUST starting to save for retirement. It's been rough trying to handle all of life's expenses. But I have about 11 years to save and I really don't want to have to get back to work at the age of 70 just to pay the property taxes. Most people don't realize how important saving money is!

    ReplyDelete

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