Friday, May 27, 2022

Fourth Frugal Friday May 2022


Welcome to Friday! 

Quote of the Week

Buy things because you need them, not because they are on sale

My Frugal Week

We went to several yard sales last Friday, but there weren’t very many to choose from. We suspect that graduation and parties had something to do with that. We did find some Scott’s toilet paper priced at $1.00 for 6 rolls. It’s normally $1.00 per roll of the 1,000 sheets, so it was a good find. 

 I deleted several emails this week where the sender was enticing me with free shipping and discounts if I purchased their product. There wasn’t anything I needed this week, so now all of those emails have been deleted.

I wanted some new curtains in one of our bedrooms, but it wasn’t a need, so I was going to add it to my yard sale list and hoped to run across some this summer. But, in cleaning out Mom’s bedroom, I found a beautiful pair in her cedar chest, so I will wash and iron them and use them. 

Update on my Mom

Mom is currently in the ICU in the hospital and the news isn’t good as she is very sick. We thought we lost her on Wednesday, but she is still here for the moment and is on life support at this time. It’s been very hard on all of us as we only have one mother in this life. I’m very sad, but hanging in there as I know this is all part of life. 

I didn’t respond to comments on my blog post last Friday for this reason. I know you will all understand that my heart was in another place. ❤️ 

Question of the Week

This is a long shot, but here goes…do any of you know of a Watkins product called chocolate dessert mix? They used to make and sell it, but discontinued it in 2015 because consumers tastes were changing and Watkins wanted to keep up with the times. 

I’ve often thought it was simply pudding mix and I could substitute pudding for this product. I could also substitute a dry homemade pudding mix for the product. I have a cake recipe that calls for this product, a recipe I made many times in the early 1990s. I would love to make it again now and was just wondering. 

The recipe is called Vanilla Filled Fudge Crown Cake and is really good as a layer of cheesecake bakes into the top of the chocolate Bundt cake. Let me know if you would like the recipe and I’ll post it next week.

Helping Others

There is some food here that Mom enjoyed eating that we are going to donate to the little free pantry here, so someone else can benefit from it. 

Avoiding Spending

This week I’ve mostly avoided spending money. Sometimes it comes easy for me and other times it takes a concentrated effort. I mentioned a week or so ago that I set my grocery budget at $200 and would not spend any more this month. So far that is going well. The contents of my kitchen cupboards are being used and that’s a good feeling. 

Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen

For several reasons I like it when things get used up in my pantry. On Monday I took the drawers out of the refrigerator and scrubbed them and the refrigerator inside and out. This is a much easier task when the refrigerator isn’t full. 


This week I heard a tip about putting saltine crackers in chicken salad. The lady said it extended the meat and no one could ever tell it was in there. I thought about it and we use crackers to extend all sorts of meat like ground beef in meatloaf and salmon patties. So, I tried it with some tuna salad and it tasted good to me. It’s another way to extend expensive foods with inexpensive foods in order to save money


Grocery Shortages?

One of the items I like to keep in my pantry is Hormel canned ham. Walmart has not had this in a very long time. I had been ordering it from a locally owned grocery store and ordered some recently, but they only had one can, unfortunately. I hope this isn’t a sign that they, like Walmart, will no longer have this product.

Walmart finally has chicken on their online grocery pickup app after not having it the last two months Ive tried to order it. There was a limit of one package, so that is what I ordered. I’m not putting my order in until later next week, and I hope they still have it in stock at that time. We’ve missed having things like Pineapple Sticky Chicken on our menus. 

Meals This Week

Friday:  Grilled Chicken, Brown Rice Pilaf, Steamed Broccoli

Saturday:  Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Broccoli. 

Sunday: Spaghetti, Green Beans with Onions, Garlic Bread.

Monday: Chicken Tenders, Rice Pilaf, Corn on the Cob. 

Tuesday: Pizza as usual for movie night.

Wednesday: Chicken Fajitas, Roasted & Smashed Potatoes, Broccoli.

Thursday: Chicken Strips, Potato Salad, Carrots, Broccoli.

Recipe of the Week

The following recipe for Taco Casserole is just a basic recipe that probably everyone has tried at one time or another. This recipe calls for a bag of nacho cheese Doritos, but I would use store brand nacho cheese chips, tortilla chips, or even tortillas in place of the name brand variety in order to save money.

Also, you can serve this with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and sour cream as toppings. 

Taco Casserole

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
salt and pepper
1 medium onion
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 package nacho cheese Doritos 
1 package (8 ounces) cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tomatoes, chopped

Directions:

Brown and crumble ground beef with onions, salt & pepper, and drain.
In a casserole dish layer the chips, meat, cheese, and tomatoes. 
Make the last layer to be a cheese layer.
Bake in a 350 degree oven until the cheese melts.
Enjoy!

Saving on Entertainment

On Tuesday we went to the theater to watch Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. As many of you know Bailey is a huge Harry Potter fan. We went on Tuesday because tickets are only $5.50 instead of the usual $8.50 for matinee or $10.75 after 6 p.m. So, we saved $6.00 by going on Tuesday and also for a free popcorn for being a loyalty card member. 

Freebies

Free popcorn at the movies on Tuesday.


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

Belinda
~ Living within our Means ~
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28 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to read about your Mum and am sending my love and understanding. Clearing some things gives you something to do while things are so difficult, doesn't it?
    (I don't mean you don't usually have things to do but it's different - I found the same when my Mum was so poorly)
    xx

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  2. Thank you, Joy. Yes, I have found that clearing things out has been good, I do it a little bit at a time and then move on to other things. Thank you for your love and under.

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  3. You have my warm thoughts for your mom. I understand how stressful it must be. I like a clean refrigerator - see everything, no chaos! I'd like the cake recipe. Bundt cake feels special.

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  4. Oh Belinda I am so sorry to hear about the change in mom's progress. Many prayers being said for her and for you and your family. Sucha difficult thing to have to go through.
    I have found that ham product at Dollar General and Family Dollar - small cans $1. You might try there.
    HUGS!!!!

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  5. I’m sorry to hear your mom is so sick. Prayers for all of you! 🙏

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  6. So sorry to hear about your mom! It is so hard. For me, cleaning is therapeutic. Sending you love and light.

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  7. Sam Thank you. I will be sure to post the cake recipe next week.

    CherylThank you. That is a great idea to check the Dollar store for the ham. I’ll be sure to do that.

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  8. Penny Thank you very much.

    Lisa Thank you. The cleaning has been therapeutic for me also.

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  9. Unfortunately, I haven't heard of that product. Hope you can get the info you need. Sending you lots of hugs & positive thoughts on your mom. I'm so sorry things are difficult at the moment, and can only imagine the stress it's causing. Lots of good wishes heading your way.

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  10. I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. I will pray for her.

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  11. Sorry to hear about your mom. Mom's are so important to our lives.

    On the grocery front, I feel like things are slowly getting worst and am just trying to use up and stock up at the same time. Some of the things that concern me are: coffee, chocolate, and flour and sugar. Chicken is also a concern but I got a good deal last week so maybe its getting better. I did start a "new" price book to follow the sales.

    Amy

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  12. I'm so very sorry to hear about your mom Belinda. I'm keeping you all in prayer.

    I've been on the fence about stockpiling again, but with all the chatter about shortages, I've decided to keep adding to my pantry. Sending hugs your way.

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  13. Thank you all so much for your good thoughts about my Mom. I had a dream this morning where she came to me to hug me and it was so real that I sat up to hug her and it woke me up. 😢

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  14. Hugs for you and your daughter and prayers for your Mom.

    I read your blog regularly and enjoy your stories about your frugal wins and ways.

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  15. Oh Belinda, I am so sorry about your mom. I wish I was close so I could give you a hug.

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  16. I am so sorry that your Mom is back in the hospital. Sending lots of hugs and prayers.
    How is the new Fantastic Beasts movie? I haven't enjoyed them as much as Harry Potter, but I do like Eddie Redmayne.
    Thanks for the yummy recipe.
    Please take care of yourself. I know it is hard with the stress of your Mom and everything.

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  17. Belinda I am sorry to hear your mom isn't doing well. I thought she just a a bad arm from a fall.

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  18. Thank you all for the good thoughts for my Mom. She did have a bad fall on February 12th, which resulted in a shoulder replacement, but she has went downhill ever since her fall. Turns out she has advanced liver disease and is only eligible for palliative care at this time. They’ve taken her off the ventilator today and we are simply waiting.

    Kathy, we both enjoyed the Secrets of Dumbledore. It’s not Harry Potter, but when you are a fan you just have to see it. :)

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  19. Thank you Lingerlonger8, Cheryl, and Kim for the good thoughts for my Mom. Ms. Goose, Hawaii Planner, and Amy, thank you all too.

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  20. Ahh, I am so sorry you are going through this. Sending good thoughts and prayers for your Mom.

    You had a great frugal week, and like others I have never heard of that Watkins product.

    God bless.

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  21. So sorry Belinda and Bailey. My deepest sympathy to both of you on your beloved Mom and Grandma. Hugs. I always read your blog on Friday. Cari

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  22. Belinda, I am so sorry. My heart is broken for you and Bailey. I am here for you if you need somebody. Please keep us updated.
    .
    This is going to be disheartening about WalMart but if they have it in stock you need to get it then. You can’t wait. I have been playing this game with them for months. I had to adjust my grocery budget to order things within a couple of days, instead of my usual weekly. I know we both have our groceries delivered. My budget is still the same I just have to order more frequently. It is the new frugal game we have to play to save dollars but still have our comforts. I wish I was closer I would get the chicken for you.

    I saw your Hormel Ham at Dollar Tree last night. Same exact can as pictured. I hope that helps.

    I am so sorry about your Mom. It is heartbreaking.

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  23. I agree with Safyne. Prices are going through the roof and stock is dwindling to nothing, even at Walmart.

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/05/27/udsa-raises-food-price-forecast-to-highest-level-in-42-years-third-wave-of-u-s-food-inflation-will-dwarf-prior-price-increases/#more-233574

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  24. You're a frugal inspiration Belinda! Good for you for not spending...and also talking about needs vs. what's on sale. I often buy things "because they're on sale" thinking that I will use them in the future...I am trying to change that habit!
    I'm so sorry to hear about your dear Mother. Sending prayers your way my friend. ♥♥

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  25. I'm a little late reading this, but so sorry to hear about your mom. Your dream sounded comforting. Please know we're all thinking of you and sending love during this difficult time. Sadly, we all have to experience this at some point(and it's always too soon), it's the price of having loved ones. Wishing you peace.

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  26. As others have said, Lord bless you , your mom and family…I’m sorry you’re going thru this hard part of life. Praying for you.

    Doesn’t it feel good to have a cleaned out, used up veggie drawer? Good job! That’s super neat you found drapes in your mom’s cedar chest you can use. I love shopping at home ;)

    Take good care. ( I’m visiting from Cheryl’s blog),
    Mary in OK

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