Third Frugal Friday February 2024

 

Welcome to Frugal Friday! 
Quote of the Week

Instead, your only option may be to dissolve any sense of brand loyalty you may have in favor of more wallet-friendly options. [...] we shouldn’t count on name brand products getting cheaper without a fight. ‘Corporations are going to continue to price gouge as long as they’re able to.’” (link)

Also... 

 Let me be clear to any corporation that hasn’t brought their prices back down even as inflation has come down: It’s time to stop the price gouging. Give American consumers a break. ~ President Joe Biden

My Frugal Week
Friday we cleaned more in Dad's office, workshop, and pole barn. We cleared enough space to park Dad's four wheeler inside the garage and then it took up all the space we cleared. So, we will back it out of there when we are in there cleaning in the future. 
We found a WAGS $10 gift card among Dad's stuff when we were cleaning out, and It must have been 10 years old or more, I couldn't even look it up on their website. I had to call the 800 number to find the balance. 
One thing we've noticed is lots of wasps hibernating in multiple places down there. It explains why we saw so many wasps upstairs last summer. We will be investing in some wasp traps from Harbor Freight, who sells a two pack for $3.99 or researching homemade wasp traps to see if they work before the wasps wake up for warm weather. 
Saturday was garbage day, and Timmy came and filled up the back of his pickup truck. There was still some stuff he couldn't fit in there, but it'll keep until next Saturday. 

We also ran some errands afterwards as we needed more garbage bags for decluttering/cleaning downstairs. I also picked up a pair of shoes on clearance for $5 to wear downstairs to stop getting my good shoes dirty. I washed mine again after this week's cleaning and air dried them in my bedroom. 
On our way home we saw where our neighbors had a free drawing table on their lawn. So, we came home to get the four wheeler and went back to pick it up. We are going to sell this at the consignment sale next month. 
On Monday, I went to the eye doctor and received an injection in my left eye and he said I will need one in my left eye and might need one in my right eye in four weeks, but time will tell. I hope I don't need one in the right eye too next month, as it was so nice to not get one in that eye today. 
Afterwards, Bailey had a doctors appointment and received a tetanus shot, which is good since we are working in Dad's workshop where there is a lot of machinery, glass, nails and screws. 
On Tuesday I went to the Samaritan Center for their class and earned another $10 in thrift store credit. Afterwards, I only spent $6 in the thrift store, so I still have a credit to use in there. 
I bought seven flannel blankets (25 cents each) to use as cleaning rags, a small glass bottle because I plan on making my own vanilla this year, a reusable bag, two bottle brushes, one larger than the other, and a large silicon wire whisk. I've been needing a larger whisk, and it was only 25 cents. 

I also picked up this beautiful thick glass pitcher, which will be perfect for warming up maple syrup in the microwave or using for homemade dressings. I also picked up four more children's books to add to my basket for a Christmas gift this year. 

After that I ran into Walmart and they had Muck Lucks on mark down for $7.00. They had been $12 all winter and while I wanted some, I refrained. Now priced at $7.00, I was more than willing to fork over the money for the two pack. These would also make great Christmas presents for this year. 
After receiving a lot of rain early in the week, we woke up to cold temperatures on Wednesday, a sign that winter is still with us. Rather than turn on the heat, I put my socks and shoes on, long sleeves and a jacket to warm up in the house. I also added  a hat and scarf to keep my head and neck warm. 
Our electric bill comes out on the 14th of every month and ours was $185.23. We used 1631 kWh in this billing period while we used 1339 kWh in the same billing period in 2023. The difference was that bitter cold Arctic blast we had in January. I read several comments about BIG electric bills this month from that cold spell, so I’m grateful ours wasn’t higher. Of course, we work on keeping it lower in our all electric home. 
One day I stopped in at Burger King and used reward points for a free double cheeseburger. Using the mobile app will allow you a free order of fries with any purchase. 
So, I bought a Rodeo burger and only paid $2.50 for all three items. I came home and gave one of the burgers to Bailey and we split the large order of fries. That was a pretty inexpensive lunch. 
While I was running errands, I stopped in at McKays and traded some of Dad's books. I ended up with $20 in cash plus $20 in trade credit, so I put the $20 in my gas tank and bought myself these two books and still have over $12 in trade credit. And we still have more books of his to trade. 

I looked in the free bin at McKays too and found a Biggest Loser cookbook and several movies on DVD, so I snagged those and gave them to Bailey to sell at the consignment sale next month.
I also went to the dentist for my six month cleaning this week. My insurance pays for this, so there is no cost to me. The hygienist moved here from Illinois two years ago, so we had a lot to talk about since I am also from Illinois. He enjoys the milder winters here just like me. 
He gave me the following freebies...
Freebies

Toothbrush, toothpaste, Gum soft picks with coupon, Gum Proxabrush with coupon, and dental floss. 

I also stopped by the Little Free Pantry to drop off some donations and these four glass canning jars were there, so I picked them up to bring home. Two of them are Ball and the other two are Golden Harvest. 
CVS Extra Care Plus
Last month I decided to join CVS ExtraCare Plus program, so I could get my prescriptions mailed to me rather than drive the 20 miles to get to CVS. Turns out they give each member $10 in extra care bucks to spend each month, so it's like getting $5 each month for free. 
You can read about the program here: CVS ExtraCare Plus
Photo of the Week

Question of the Week Follow Up
My question of the week for the Fourth Frugal Friday of January 2024 was about Lord Chesterfield Butter Beans. Bobi was so sweet to help me, and she did the research for me and figured out that Lord Chesterfield is now selling under the label, Glory Foods. 
I found these at Publix for $1.99 per can and just had to try them. I'm very happy to report that these are exactly like Lord Chesterfield and are so delicious! If you ever get the chance to try them, please do and let me know what you think. 

Avoiding Spending
Hmmmm....I did not avoid spending this week as I had to buy gas and a few groceries (I was completely out of corn, gasp!), but I was very prudent as usual. 
What I've been Reading This Week
Food Industry Price-Gouging Prevents Inflation From Cooling Faster
I've been reading a book recommended by my friend Linda. It's written by David Baldacci and is entitled, Wish You Well. It is also available as a movie or on Amazon Prime.  I must warn you that there are several deaths in the book, so please read at your own discretion. 
How was your week?

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.

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