Menu Plan Monday ~ Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen

 

My Frugal Week

On Monday I stopped in at Gordon’s for a curbside pickup of black olives. I find their prices to be rather high lately except for the black olives, so I removed the temptation of impulse shopping. 

On Sunday I made six gelatin and fruit cups using orange gelatin and mandarin oranges. I also made a Chicken Tortilla Soup for dinner using up several cans of food from the pantry  such as corn, beans, and tomatoes. I also used up several items from the fridge such as the lingering bowls of red peppers, tomatoes, and black olives.  

What’s for Dinner

Monday ~ Teriyaki Chicken, Fried Rice, Stir Fried Vegetables of Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, and Zucchini. 

Tuesday ~ Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Tomatoes, & Black Olives. 

Wednesday ~ Chicken Fajitas, Red Peppers, Onions, Romaine Lettuce, Corn, Flour or Corn Tortillas. 

Thursday ~ Baked Potatoes with Cheese & Black Olives.

Friday ~ Mexican Grilled Chicken, Chopped Tomatoes, Salad. 

Saturday ~ Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowls. 

Souper Sunday ~ Chicken Tortilla Soup

What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?

Belinda

Homemaker at Heart

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

Fourth Frugal Friday of October 2024

 

Welcome to Frugal Friday! 
My Frugal Week
I sold two items on eBay this week. 
I measured & processed clothes for Bailey this week.
I mended a pair of pants that had a hole in the seam.

This is a three day snapshot of our electric usage from last week. 17.60 kWh on Saturday is pretty low and I'm tickled with that. I would love to have more days like that, but running the washer or the air conditioner runs the bill higher. Not running the air and wearing clothes more than once helps save money. 
Bailey was gone over the weekend to a friend's home and thrifting while I stayed home. I decided to get busy using up the many apples we have here and started by adding them to my crockpot on Saturday morning. 
By Sunday afternoon they were turned into six half pint jars of homemade apple butter. The only cost to me was for the lids as both the apples and jars were gifted to me at various times. 

The slow cooked apple butter made the whole house smell good and reminds me of Fall. This is just the beginning of some Christmas presents I'll be making this year. 
I had an appointment with my diabetes doctor on Monday. My last A1C was 4.9, which is good, but we discussed my having low blood sugars lately.
Afterwards, I went to Gordon for a curbside order of black olives. I have found their prices have gotten high lately, but the black olives are still a good savings for my household. Plus there is no impulse shopping by not going into the store. 
I also stopped in at Whole Foods & Walmart for a few things. 

Walmart has their peppermint Soft Soap right now for $1.00, so I bought twelve of them for my gift closet. They will make a nice Christmas gift paired with something homemade. 

I also found two boxes of Post-It Notes on clearance for $1.50 or 30 cents each. These are going into my gift closet too. I'll be making Post-It note covers for these like the ones in this photo:

Ideas for Scrapbookers

I also have some magnets I could glue to the back for people to put them on their refrigerators too. Some of those designs even have a space for a pen or pencil. 
Speaking of Christmas, I looked on eBay to see if I could find an asked for gift lower in cost than the retail version of it, which I did and the seller had a "make an offer" button, so I used that he made a counteroffer and in the end I saved $8 off his original asking price. It doesn't hurt to ask. I have another gift I’m waiting to hear back on after submitting an offer. 
As I mentioned before, Bailey spent the weekend with a friend in Oak Ridge and they went to six different thrift stores. She is always so thoughtful and looks for clothes for me that she thinks I can wear. 
I was just telling her last week that I need a pair of fingerless gloves to keep my hand warms as cold weather approaches and look what she found:

She also picked me up six new to me shirts and two pairs of pants. 

My old Swing-A-Way can opener has been giving me a lot of trouble lately even after trying to repair it after watching a You Tube video. I was having a lot of trouble opening some cans even having to pry the lids off some of them, so I knew it needed to be replaced. 
So, I've been doing my research and looking for old new stock Swing-A-Way on eBay, and finally decided on the EZ DUZ IT Can Opener, which sells for $9.95. I've had it for about a month now and it works great. I thought I would mention it just in case you might be in need of a new can opener. 
Saving Money on Entertainment
The Magic of Ordinary Days is an older Hallmark film from 2005 about a pregnant out of wedlock, educated young woman who is pressured by her father into an arranged marriage with a lonely farmer during WWII. The characters are very gentle with one another, which I found refreshing. 
Amazon Prime wanted $4.29 to rent this film, even though I am an Amazon Prime member, so rather than pay that amount, I watched it for free on Plex TV. 
What I've been Reading This Week
Bailey just finished reading Set Boundaries, Find Peace ~ a guide to reclaiming yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab, so she gave it to me to read. 

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

Menu Plan Monday ~ Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen

My Frugal Week

I've used up all of the soups I had in my freezer for lunches, so I made another batch this week. My favorite soup has been the Chicken Tortilla soup, so I made another batch of that on Tuesday. 

Last Monday I had a grocery delivery order from Walmart. As you know, Thursday was Bailey's birthday, so I ordered ice cream and frozen strawberries to accompany her birthday cake. 

What’s for Dinner

Monday ~ Chicken Taco Salad Bowls. 

Taco Tuesday ~ I had a late to me eye doc appointment at 2:40, so dinner was Italian subs we picked up from the deli at Publix and were delicious. It's so nice to have as a treat every now and then. 

Wednesday ~ Grilled Chicken Salads. 

Thursday ~ Bailey's actual birthday and she wanted to eat at her favorite Chinese Buffet.

Friday ~ Pizza 

Saturday ~ Bailey was out of town with a friend and so I made myself an Air Fried Chicken and added it to my Salad.

Sunday ~ Still on my own, so Homemade Pizza was what I had a taste for on Sunday. 

What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?

Belinda

Homemaker at Heart

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

Third Frugal Friday of October 2024

 Welcome to Frugal Friday! 

My Frugal Week
Last Friday I woke up to 40 degrees outside and 37 on Tuesday, so it's definitely getting colder here, which it always does around Bailey's birthday, which was Thursday. The temperature inside the house was 65 and then 62, so I put a sweater on to keep warmer. 
I love this time of year as our air conditioner isn't runner and neither are our heaters, so we are only using around 35 kilowatts per day, which means a lower electric bill. 
I had an eye doctor appointment for eye injections on Tuesday, and we went to Publix afterwards. They had given me a bouquet of flowers for free for being a rewards member for four years, so I gave them to Bailey for her birthday. They had my favorite Siggi's yogurt on sale priced at ten for $10, so I bought ten of those. 
Freebie & Joy of the Week

Someone listed a free desk on Craigslist this week, so I now have a new to me desk. Some of the drawer pulls were hanging off, but Bailey had some drawer pulls she picked up second hand, so rather than pay for new ones, I used the ones she had on hand. Having spent no money, the desk and its drawer pulls are the epitome of frugal. 
Photo of the Week

Bailey's Birthday Flowers

Savings of the Week

I have to share this good deal. Amazon has Royal sugar free lime gelatin on sale for 65% off. You can get a 12 count box for $4.86, which makes them 41 cents per box. Great value is up to 98 cents. There is a limit of 5 total, so 60 boxes for $58.80 at Walmart verses $24.60 at Amazon, is a  savings of $34.20. Only the sugar free lime is on sale right now. 
When I make gelatin I use two boxes. One way I've saved money on this dish is by using one envelope of plain gelatin in place of one box of flavored gelatin. The flavored gelatin stretches to flavor the plain gelatin and it saves money. 
Two teaspoons of Knox gelatin is equal to one box of gelatin. There are over 70 servings in the container of Knox priced at $21.99, which makes the "box" 31 cents each. By using an equivalent amount of the Knox I will save 67 cents. I eat gelatin with fruit just about every day, with a scoop of cottage cheese, so the savings will add up over time. 
Avoiding Spending
We didn't avoid any spending this week as I had to buy a few things for Bailey's birthday on Thursday. We went to Publix for a free rewards deal of flowers, and yogurt, which was on sale, and a free tub of ice cream for her birthday. 

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

Menu Plan Monday ~ Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen - October 14, 2024

My Frugal Week

The first rule in a frugal kitchen should be nothing goes to waste. Shop your freezer first and pull from your pantry to make meals and then use those items. 

On Wednesday I made one dozen deviled eggs, and six gelatin/fruit cups to have on hand. I also made a Pico de Gallo to go with our chicken fajita bowls for dinner. 

What’s for Dinner

Meatless Monday ~ Chicken Fajitas, Corn Tortillas, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red Onions.

Taco Tuesday ~ Homemade Pizza from for movie night. 

Wednesday ~ Chicken Fajita Bowls, Pico de Gallo, Deviled Eggs, and Corn. 

Thursday ~ BBQ Pork Chops, Hot Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, Cucumber Salad. 

Friday & Saturday ~Grilled Chicken Fajita Salads, Cabbage, and Corn. 

Sunday ~ Roasted Turkey Breast, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans & Onions. 

What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?

Belinda

Homemaker at Heart

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

Second Frugal Friday of October 2024

Frugal Friday

 Welcome to Frugal Friday!

My Frugal Week
There was a definite break in the weather this week as much cooler mornings took place, and the wind really kicked up here on Thursday. I checked on all my Florida family on Thursday morning and all is good with them. I hope and pray for all of those in the path of these horrible storms. 

Last Thursday I went to Target  and found these Figmint glass bowls on clearance for $3.00. We love these glass bowls and I even have some of the divided ones on my Amazon wish list. They had four left and I bought all four of them. I also found a bra marked down from $20 to $14 and two Christmas presents marked down from $9.99 to $2.99 each.
On Friday I had to go back to town for more errands. I did a couple of grocery shops to cherry pick sale items. 

At Publix, I got two jars of bread and butter pickles on markdown for $1.60 each, Fairlife milk priced at 2 for $8, which is a good sale for Fairlife and is Bailey’s favorite milk. And I bought Crest toothpaste on sale for buy one get one free, so I bought six tubes for $1.49 each, which was a great sale! They also had their salad kits buy one get one free, so I bought four of those. 
At Food Lion I picked up two bags of onions that were on sale for 2 for $5.00, which is cheaper than Walmart ($3.98) these days. I remember the days when you could get them for 99 cents. Sigh
Rather than yard sale, I stayed home last Saturday and measured and processed clothes for Bailey. She went to the Renaissance Fair in Harriman, TN, so I was on my own for dinner and rather than order pizza out, made my own at home. 

On Sunday we went to the $1 dash at the Grown Zone consignment sale in Ringgold, Georgia. I picked up a drying rack for $1.00, two pillows, one pair of reading glasses, one pair of sunglasses, one BeltBro, one Bubba glass, and one red square plate, all for $1.00 each. 
Afterwards we went to Kroger to cherry pick sale items. 
They had the Silk cashew milk, which Bailey prefers, on sale for $3.49 when you buy five, and the sell by date is way into February, so a good buy. They also had her favorite Celestial Seasonings tea, Bengal Spice, on sale for $1.99 a box when you buy five, so we got five of those too. We also found four salad kits on markdown. 
Freebies
Mother Earth News has these beautiful guide s on Self-Sufficiency for FREE! There are over one dozen to choose from and even some from sister publications. The first one I am downloading is the soup guide. There is even a free coloring book included. 
Photo of the Week

This number ten can of peaches from Kroger cost me $8.99, which is a good deal. Here is an article I wrote years ago, but updated on how you can save money by using number ten cans. Saving Money with Number Ten Cans
Saving Money YouTube Videos
Can You REALLY Feed Your Family for a Week on Just $30 from Aldi?
My 20 Item Capsule Grocery Haul | Meal Planning Made Easy


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

Menu Plan Monday ~ Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen ~ October 7, 2024

What’s for Dinner

Monday ~ I put chicken thighs in the slow cooker along with some Italian salad dressing as a marinade and then added taco seasoning later. Bailey loved it! I served this with the last of the cucumber salad, potatoes, and carrots. 

Taco Tuesday ~ We used the rest of the chicken from Monday and had Chicken Tacos. 

Wednesday ~ Salmon Patties, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans with Onions. 

Thursday ~ Grilled Chicken, Pinto Beans, Corn Salsa. 

Friday ~ Grilled Chicken Salads, Apple Salad, Cucumber Salad. It was a salad kind of night. 😂 

Saturday ~ Using a fifty-one cent Crash & Burn pizza crust mix from Martha White, I made this Homemade Pizza. Turkey Pepperoni & Black Olives were toppings. 

Sunday ~ Grilled Chicken Salads after a long day of consignment and grocery shopping.

What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?

Belinda

Homemaker at Heart

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

First Frugal Friday of October 2024

Welcome to Frugal Friday! 
My Frugal Week
Things I did this week to save money:
- Did not use the dryer and hung my clothes up to dry instead. - Thawed a container of soup from the freezer for lunch two days.- No heat or air conditioner needed this week. - Washed stored blankets & added to my bed for warmth on these cooler nights. - Ate leftovers. - I sold one item on eBay for $75, which was a wooden cutting bowl. Bailey sold an item for $200 this week!
Other things I did include pulling up the old carpeting in the hallway by our back door as it was time. We recently found a brand new box of floor tiles second hand, which we will put there instead. 

On Tuesday I went to town to take advantage of some free groceries one of the colleges was giving away. Afterwards I went to Kroger to get in on the last day of their sales. I picked up the 32 ounce blocks of cheese for $4.99, grapes for 99 cents a pound, pasta for 99 cents a pound, and eggs for $1.99 for the 18 count. 

In Kroger's Crash & Burn section I found granola bars marked down to $1.05 for a box of six bars, which makes them 18 cents each, which is a good price. I also found this half gallon of milk for $1.21.

I browsed through the meat aisle to check on any markdowns and did find a pork loin chop for $1.56. I looked at the beef, but declined all of it due to the price. 
I perused the grocery store sale ads on Wednesday and wrote down a few good deals, but as usual, am surprised at how expensive some things are now. 
Freebies

The October issue of Southern living came free this week. 
Order four free Covid Tests. 
1952 Homemade Mixes - The cornbread mix looks interesting. 
Essentials of Home Production & Storage
Photo of the Week

Three of our sweet kitties enjoying the cat tower we moved to a window seat. Maisy is on top, Archie on the second, and Scrappy on the bottom. 
Saving Money on Entertainment
This week I've been watching The Conners on Tubi for free. The storyline where Roseanne & Jackie's Mom Beverly starts to get dementia is a well written storyline. At times we see her being her usual self, and then we see her telling Jackie to tell Roseanne to come see her and Jackie realizes her Mom doesn't remember that Roseanne died. It's a really good storyline. 
What I've been Reading This Week
Bailey picked up The Blue Zones American Kitchen for me at the library when she went to book club on Saturday. 
How has your week been?

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 Life in Rural Tennessee Within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27