First Frugal Friday of May 2023

Welcome to Friday! 
Price of Gas 
$2.96 a gallon
My Frugal Week
On Wednesday we went to town to buy groceries. I perused the sale ads that morning and the only deal I found this week was at Kroger where they have butter on sale for $2.99 this week. 
We stocked up on laundry detergent, garbage bags, Dawn dishwashing detergent, and of course, groceries. 
On Thursday we went to town, so I could get two new tires on the back of my car. I also filled up my car with gas while we were in town at $2.96 per gallon. While we were there we ran across a yard sale and stopped. Bailey found several pieces of inventory for her shops and the gentleman threw in a potholder she wanted for free. 
I cleaned and decluttered some in my office over the weekend. I did some filing and tossing of paperwork too, which needs doing from time to time. 
I had a pair of sunglasses in Bailey’s car that I keep in her glove box for when I’m riding with her. The lens kept falling out, so I brought them in the house this week and used Gorilla Glue to repair them. They should last for a long time now and not need to be replaced. 
I changed out the air filter in my air purifier this week as it was time and I take care of the things I own, so they will last as long as possible. 
I earned $10 in an Amazon gift card from the Consumer Opinion Institute this week. They used to send $5.00 cash in the mail, but have since switched to the Amazon vouchers. I was out of some spices and used the voucher to get more. 
Here is a link to one of the egg tapping TikTok videos if you’re interested: 
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRwFAB9s/
Freebies
My second week of Mom’s Meals arrived this week. We put the majority of them in the freezer for future meals, but a couple of them have come in handy for lunches this week. Here is a list of what they sent this week…

Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Style Meatballs & MeatballsBreakfast Pork Sausage Gravy with Buttermilk BiscuitsMacaroni and Cheese with Vegetables Vegetable Primavera with Penne Pasta, Sweet Pineapple and ApplesBBQ Pork Rib, Brazilian Blend VegetablesChicken Tender with Potatoes, Roasted Peppers & Onions, Smokehouse CornButter milk Pancakes and Eggs with Apple CrispMushroom Risotto, Peas and CarrotsChicken Alfredo with Pasta, Peas and CarrotsWhole Grain Pancakes, Sausage, Cranberry Apple Crisp Heresy Chicken Rice and Broccoli, Sweet Pineapple and ApplesKorean Style BBQ with Meatballs, White Rice, Broccoli and CarrotsSwedish Style Meatballs in Creamy Mushroom Sauce, Pasta, and CarrotsSalisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy, Rice & Mixed Vegetables  3 Slices Wheat Bread1 Fig Bar1 Gelatin Cup1 Applesauce Cup1 Wheat Coney Bun1 Oatmeal Cream Pie1 Finer Spice Cookie
Free potholder from yard sale on Thursday. 
Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen
In the plant based community many people use water rather than oil to sauté vegetables due to scientific studies on oils. Not only is water sautéing better for your health, but it also saves money. 
I water sautéed peppers and onions in my morning eggs on Saturday, which is another small tip to save money in the kitchen. 

We really enjoy the baby Yukon Gold Potatoes in the 1.5 pound bag, which retails for $3.47 and depending on the store can cost as much as $4.99. 
I like to spritz them with a little olive oil and bake them in the oven, smoosh them a little bit with my Mix & Chop tool and then continue to bake until the edges get golden brown. 

Since they are so expensive, we don’t have them very often even though we enjoy them when we do. This week I found the five pound bags at Sam’s Club for $7.48, which is a good savings over the 1.5 pound bag. A difference of $2.31 pound verses $1.49 a pound, which is a savings of 82 cents a pound. 

This week I made some fruit gelatin cups using the sugar free strawberry banana gelatin we bought on mark down two weeks ago. 
I used half a cup of fruit in each cup and then added one cup of the gelatin mixture for a great snack or meal if I add some cottage cheese to it. They are so good and refreshing especially in the warmer months. 
I use my four cup measuring glass and add two packets of gelatin and two cups of hot water and dissolve. Then I add whatever juice I drained from the fruit as part of the cold water and then add enough water to make four cups. 
I made one dozen gelatin cups in all enough to last a week or more. 
Meals This Week
All meals are served with either salad or vegetables and may not always be listed here. 
Mexican Queso & Chips, Carrots, and Canary Melon. Mexican Chicken Thighs, Roasted Baby Potatoes, Carrots. Just me for dinner, so I had roasted potatoes and carrots with some hummus. Split Pea SoupChicken Thighs, Green Bean with Onions, Roasted Potatoes.Chicken Burrito Bowls with Pinto Beans, Pico de Gallo, Corn Salsa, & Red Onion. Chicken Wraps, Corn on the Cob, Steamed Broccoli. 
Recipe of the Week
I just love pico de gallo on some of my foods. Even if I don’t get the chance to make this, having fresh chopped up tomatoes will add such a burst of fresh flavor to foods. It’s great to have on hand. 

Pico de Gallo (No Salt or Oil)

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup diced tomatoes

1/2 large red onion, diced

1/4 cup fine-diced jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

3 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp fresh minced garlic

Pepper, to taste

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together and ground pepper to taste.  

Allow to sit and marinate for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

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.

BelindaMortgage & Debt Free~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27