3rd Frugal Friday of July 2023
Welcome to Friday!
Quote of the WeekMost people want the benefits of frugal living, but don't want to do the work of frugality.
My Frugal Week
It’s been one year since I bought a new air conditioner for my bedroom. The one I replaced was thirty years old or more and no longer energy efficient. July is the month of the year when our electric bill is the highest. In July of 2022 the bill was $461.87 while the bill for this month is $323.86, which is a difference of $138.01.
On Monday I returned to the retina specialist. He said there were some improvement in my left eye, but it was still leaking more than he wanted and needed a lot of work still. He gave me another injection for Lucentis and I am to return in four weeks.
This week I earned an Amazon gift card for $10 for completing a survey from Consumer Opinion Institute.
I went to Walmart on Tuesday and one of the things I needed to do was to get a refund where they charged me for three melons when I only bought two. I was looking over my new receipt as I was waiting and saw where they charged me twice for something else and needed to be refunded. This was over $13 in refunds, so be sure to check your receipts!
Question of the Week
Have you tried monk fruit yet? What do you think about it? I tried it for the first time this week. It doesn’t sweeten things like sugar does, but also doesn’t have the aftertaste of some sugar substitutes.
I made myself some tea and sweetened it with the monk fruit and it was refreshing, and it was a change of pace from drinking water, but I don’t see myself making tea with it very often.
Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen & Meals This Week & Recipe of the Week
These three subjects will now become part of my Monday blogging series. So, if you’re interested in these topics, please come back on Monday to read all about how we save money in the kitchen in our frugal home.
Saving on Entertainment
West Texas Hummingbird Cam
What I've been Reading/Watching This Week
Blue Zones ~ Secrets to a Long Life ~ thanks to Bobbi for the suggestion in last week’s comment section, I went looking for and found this documentary on the Blue Zones. It’s free to watch on YouTube.
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
I have to go to a retina specialist, but because my macula puckers and is pulling the retina out of place. I hate those visits.
ReplyDeleteI did buy monk fruit but have not tried it. Thanks for reminding me.
My 40-year-old ac was causing astounding bills. I save $300 for month of August when I replaced it. It barely worked toward the end!
Wow, that is amazing about your ac! They can be energy hogs for sure. The retina specialist is one doctors appointment that I dread also, and it’s every 4 weeks. Ugh!
DeleteBelinda, I use monk fruit all the time. The sweetness really depends on the brand. I get pure monk fruit powder from Amazon, called Natrisweet Organic Monk Fruit. It is not cut with any other sugar sub. It is a little pricey, and the package looks small, but so little of it is used to sweeten that 3.5 oz. has lasted me over a year. It comes with its own little scoop.
ReplyDeleteThe small bag of it that I bought from Walmart was a little pricey too, but I'm very interested in this one you mentioned since it is pure monk fruit. This is the name of the one I bought and it is also a small bag. Lakanto - Classic Monkfruit Sweetener
DeleteThank you for the recommendation. I will be sure to check this one out on Amazon.
I love that the Natrisweet one does not have any Erythritol! Thank you so much for recommending this one.
DeleteLove the quote of the week - isn't that the truth. Have never tried monk fruit - but know many that use it as a sweetener. Hope your eye gets better.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend!
Thank you, Cheryl. Yes, the quote of the week is very true. There are some things I don't like doing in the name of saving money either. LOL
DeleteOh I hope there will be more improvement in your eye when you go back to the specialist. Do hope the injections are helping.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that the new air conditioner is more energy efficient and that it is saving you some money. Glad you were able to catch the mistake on the receipt too.
I haven't tried monk fruit. Looking forward to your posts on Monday with meals and recipes and saving money. I always enjoy your blog. Need to check out the hummingbird cam. Hope you have a great weekend.
Thank you, Kathy. I’m so glad you enjoy reading my blog. I enjoy writing it very much. I hope you have a great weekend too. 😊
DeleteNever tried monk fruit, and I don't think it is sold in any store here. I so hope your eye improves very soon.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you, Jackie. 😊
DeleteThat's a very good saving on power, especially as prices must have gone up a fair bit. They certainly have here.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever come across monk fruit. xx
Thank you, Joy. Yes, electric has gone up here as well, unfortunately. So many th8ngs have gone up in price it seems like.
DeleteWhat a savings on air conditioning! I think it was well worth the replacement for sure. I hope you eye just keeps improving!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vickie. I was tickled with the savings on the air conditioner.
Delete(Little Penpen) that’s awesome that your power bill was lower with the new a/c. We just got our high July bill, but I guess ours is low compared to a lot of people. If we can just make it through August, hopefully, we will get some relief. I’m sorry you are dealing with so much eye trouble. I sure hope they can cure your problems.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Penny. Our bill is always highest in July too, but then it starts going down, which makes me happy. I hope you are having a good weekend. 😊
DeleteGreat savings on your AC! I'm guessing it likely also works better, which is another gift of having a new one.
ReplyDeleteYour quote also resonated - so very true!
Thank you. Yes, this new one works better and is more energy efficient than the older unit.
DeleteYes, I use monk fruit. Next post is about it.
ReplyDelete