The key to not being discouraged by circumstances is to think about possibilities not impossibilities. ~ Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
My Frugal Week
Both of us have spent part of our week gathering items we no longer use to sell at the Sweet WeePeets consignment sale coming March 1st through March 9th.
No matter how much I declutter during the year, I always find some things I no longer use or need. Some things I've held onto for years, thinking the day will come when I will use them again. But, as our lives change, our needs change and we simply adjust for where we are in our lives.
Several things I held onto after my divorce twenty-four years ago, I let go this week like a Bundt pan, and a muffin tin for small muffins. I always thought I would use them again as I always did when I was married, but I’m a different person these days and decided to let them go to someone else.
These days I spend some of my time doing exercises and stretching. Riding my bicycle pedals for one hour and doing my physical therapy exercises.
On Saturday I walked out to the pole barn to get a old Coke tray to use as a step up for exercising. I try to go up and down the steps at least once each day to continue to improve my mobility. I also use the banister on the porch rails along with a stretch band to do resistance exercises on my legs.
My reading glasses broke this week, but I had the free pairs from Zena Optical, so I was able to replace them without spending any money.
Monday was a day to sell items on Facebook Marketplace, apparently. I listed a couple of propane tanks/heaters and they sold immediately. Then, a juicer I've had for sale on eBay and FB Marketplace finally sold. Two sweet ladies came to pick it up and marvel at what they thought was the most beautiful countryside where we live. They especially loved seeing the snow on the mountain.
On Tuesday I went to the retina specialist and had injections in both eyes. He said they were much better this time around. I suspect that is because I went back after four weeks instead of six weeks. These injections wipe me out for some reason and I came home and fell asleep for a couple of hours.
On Wednesday I had to cancel my errands because it snowed overnight. School was called off and students and teachers had remote learning instead. I'm ready for snow and ice to be finished now.
Recently I bought a seat belt extender from Seat Belt Extender Pros for both my car and Bailey's car. I really like them as they extend the seat belt buckle up higher making it easier for me to click the seat belt into place.
Buyers can choose between a regular extender or a rigid one and the number of inches they want it to extend. I chose the rigid one for both mine and Bailey's car.
I also ordered a seat belt adjuster to hold the shoulder strap down away from my neck as I was tired of the shoulder strap rubbing and irritating my neck. Both items have made it easier to wear my seat belt.
If you're interested in either of these items, they gave me a coupon code for 10% off to share. The code is: FAS3JO2AD4NL
Freebies
We had run out of clothes hangers due to using them for consignment sales, so we “put the word out”. A frugal term from Amy Dacyczyn’s Tightwad Gazette. In no time at all we had offers from three people!
One of them has a husband who was going to throw them away, but she kept them just in case, which worked out in our favor. An eighteen pack of hangers is $2.98 at Walmart, so we saved money, which is a reminder to always ask before making any purchase to see if we can save some money.
Someone else put the word out on Facebook that they needed some containers for a project and wondered if anyone had any garbage cans. I just happened to have three metal ones from when Bailey had 4-H chickens, where we kept their food. I was as happy to give them to someone to use and she was to get them.
Another freebie we got this week was winning a giveaway from Save a Lot of Eastridge for Valentine's Day, which included two steaks. If you follow along with our menus, you know we do not eat steak at home, so this will be a real treat.
Bailey received this gift of Harney & Sons vanilla tea for Christmas. She is not a fan of vanilla flavored items, so she gave it to me instead.
Savings of the Week
I perused the grocery store sale ads this week and saw that Piggly Wiggly has Fischer bologna and hot dogs for 99 cents for the one pound packages. Food Lion has chickens for 99 cents a pound this week. Food City has ground chuck on sale for $2.99 a pound if you buy an additional $25 worth of groceries. Those were the only things I would consider buying to stock up my pantry this week.
Avoiding Spending
I couldn't avoid spending money this week as my car needed gas, which is all I spent this week and cost me $35.06 to fill up.
In the video she is speaking about how prices are getting too high and she states that she is willing "to give up just about anything but coffee. I'll give up toilet paper. I'll give up my car. I don't care as long as I have my coffee and my TV it's all I care about."
As for me, I could easily give up TV as I rarely turn our set on at all. I do want my Internet though, so I can watch my favorite TV shows online. I use them to fall asleep at night, which I know is a bad habit.
I can't imagine throwing away plastic hangers. They are so nice and cost money. I could give up just about anything - not too attached to any food. Glad I am not a coffee person.
So glad your eyes were doing better this time. Great job with the exercises too, and I hope you are getting stronger each day. Yay on the decluttering and selling things too. Hmmm what would I give up if the price got too high...I don't buy beef as much anymore since it has gotten so expensive. We eat more chicken although my husband "clucks" if I have it too often. Thanks for the links for plant based meals. Hope you have a great weekend. Your snow pic is pretty, but I have had enough snow and ice too.
Thank you, Kathy. I'm with you on the beef, I don't buy as much of it as we have in the past due to cost. That used to be just for roasts and steaks, but these days also includes hamburger meat. Hopefully spring will be here soon!
Being so short now I could probably use one of those seatbelt adjusters. Sometimes I feel like the thing is trying to strangle me. lol I hope your eyes stabilize soon, like my Hubs did. It's been almost 1.5 yrs. ago now since his last injection. 8-)
Exactly Sluggy! That thing would strangle me too. That is wonderful for your hubs! My doctor says he would like to get me to three times a year, which would be so much better.
Sounds like a great week. I would imagine I’d sleep after getting eye injections, too. The anxiety and adrenaline surge would wear me out! You have been very active this week! Enjoy your free steaks! I could cut back on coffee but wouldn’t want to lose it completely. I’ve been practicing giving up soft drinks, as I drink way too many. I’m trying to develop a taste for unsweetened tea and lemon. I just love the fizz!
Oh yes, the fizz is good, isn't it? I gave up sweet tea in 2023 and it has been so much better for my blood sugar. I did love it though, but now it is way too sweet for me. I didn't ever drink too many sodas, but did enjoy a mountain dew once in a while, but the caffeine would keep me awake.
I'm with Pepper Princess- will not give up coffee, and no one would want to be around me if I did. It's sad seeing some faces at the grocery store when you see an item picked up, then put back. I don't know the answer+ but it's not coming from anyone in government, any party, but from each other. That's why even when I disagree with other bloggers, really, I know we're all just trying our best and sharing any little tips.
Yes, we all just try and do the best we can. It's the only way I know to get through it all. I was reading in the Blue Zones this morning. They said the best diet is a peasant diet of beans, vegetables, and grains, which is also the least expensive diet. You have a Blue Zones up there in your state, you lucky duck!
I love my coffee and my lap top (internet). I'm a happy girl with these two items. Great article. I always like to share items that I no longer need. I am finishing up my winter declutter. I have a nice piece of carpet left over from when we replaced some carpet. I asked someone if she would like it. She is coming by to pick it up. Hooray.
I am glad to hear you are doing so well. Thank you for the link for the seat belt extender. I need one of those so I don't have to hold it away from my neck the entire time I am in the vehicle.
Hubby went out this morning to get our two dozen eggs for the iBotta Friday rebate and 2 jars of peanut butter on sale for .98 each at Ingles. Publix has Twinings tea BOGO and a 1.50 rebate on iBotta up to 5. I have not have a chance to restock my tea for probably a year so this is my chance and I am thankful. Also with sale and ecoupon bacon will be 2/$5 and change. We are picking up all the deals we can to keep the pantry stocked. I am always amazed at the different prices at Food Lion for the various stores. Our whole chickens are .79 a pound but the freezer is too full to take advantage of the great price.
Those injections wipe everyone out. Eyes are close to the brain and the brain reacts with wipeout and sleep to recover. This is normal. Hey I just said you were normal!
My friend has the same happen to her when she gets her eye injections. I love how you manage to declutter. I think I have hit another plateau and have hardly gotten rid of anything so far this year.
Sounds like you are doing great, and are staying active! Hope you have an amazing rest of the season!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Midori Linea
https://www.midorilinea.com/blogs/midori-linea/city-suburbs-and-beach-views
Thank you!
DeleteI can't imagine throwing away plastic hangers. They are so nice and cost money. I could give up just about anything - not too attached to any food. Glad I am not a coffee person.
ReplyDeleteRight?! I can't imagine throwing away plastic hangers either. I'm not a coffee person either, and am so glad as the cost is rising.
DeleteSo glad your eyes were doing better this time. Great job with the exercises too, and I hope you are getting stronger each day. Yay on the decluttering and selling things too.
ReplyDeleteHmmm what would I give up if the price got too high...I don't buy beef as much anymore since it has gotten so expensive. We eat more chicken although my husband "clucks" if I have it too often. Thanks for the links for plant based meals.
Hope you have a great weekend. Your snow pic is pretty, but I have had enough snow and ice too.
Thank you, Kathy. I'm with you on the beef, I don't buy as much of it as we have in the past due to cost. That used to be just for roasts and steaks, but these days also includes hamburger meat. Hopefully spring will be here soon!
DeleteBeing so short now I could probably use one of those seatbelt adjusters. Sometimes I feel like the thing is trying to strangle me. lol
ReplyDeleteI hope your eyes stabilize soon, like my Hubs did. It's been almost 1.5 yrs. ago now since his last injection. 8-)
Exactly Sluggy! That thing would strangle me too. That is wonderful for your hubs! My doctor says he would like to get me to three times a year, which would be so much better.
DeleteI find that no matter how much I keep up on things that dust, laundry and a little clutter are the three things that always seem to be around.
ReplyDeleteYay for finding needed items for free and for blessing someone else!
Thank you, Wendi. Yes on the dust, laundry, and clutter. When laundry is done here it only lasts for about 5 minutes. LOL
DeleteSounds like a great week. I would imagine I’d sleep after getting eye injections, too. The anxiety and adrenaline surge would wear me out! You have been very active this week! Enjoy your free steaks! I could cut back on coffee but wouldn’t want to lose it completely. I’ve been practicing giving up soft drinks, as I drink way too many. I’m trying to develop a taste for unsweetened tea and lemon. I just love the fizz!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the fizz is good, isn't it? I gave up sweet tea in 2023 and it has been so much better for my blood sugar. I did love it though, but now it is way too sweet for me. I didn't ever drink too many sodas, but did enjoy a mountain dew once in a while, but the caffeine would keep me awake.
DeleteI'm with Pepper Princess- will not give up coffee, and no one would want to be around me if I did. It's sad seeing some faces at the grocery store when you see an item picked up, then put back. I don't know the answer+ but it's not coming from anyone in government, any party, but from each other. That's why even when I disagree with other bloggers, really, I know we're all just trying our best and sharing any little tips.
ReplyDeleteYes, we all just try and do the best we can. It's the only way I know to get through it all. I was reading in the Blue Zones this morning. They said the best diet is a peasant diet of beans, vegetables, and grains, which is also the least expensive diet. You have a Blue Zones up there in your state, you lucky duck!
DeleteI love my coffee and my lap top (internet). I'm a happy girl with these two items. Great article. I always like to share items that I no longer need. I am finishing up my winter declutter. I have a nice piece of carpet left over from when we replaced some carpet. I asked someone if she would like it. She is coming by to pick it up. Hooray.
ReplyDeleteThat is great she is coming to pick it up. Yes, I would rather share it with someone who needs it rather than send it to the garbage.
DeleteI am glad to hear you are doing so well. Thank you for the link for the seat belt extender. I need one of those so I don't have to hold it away from my neck the entire time I am in the vehicle.
ReplyDeleteHubby went out this morning to get our two dozen eggs for the iBotta Friday rebate and 2 jars of peanut butter on sale for .98 each at Ingles. Publix has Twinings tea BOGO and a 1.50 rebate on iBotta up to 5. I have not have a chance to restock my tea for probably a year so this is my chance and I am thankful. Also with sale and ecoupon bacon will be 2/$5 and change. We are picking up all the deals we can to keep the pantry stocked. I am always amazed at the different prices at Food Lion for the various stores. Our whole chickens are .79 a pound but the freezer is too full to take advantage of the great price.
Thank you, Lana. Wow, such great deals you got in on today. That is such a great way to stock your pantry. I love it!
DeleteThose injections wipe everyone out. Eyes are close to the brain and the brain reacts with wipeout and sleep to recover. This is normal. Hey I just said you were normal!
ReplyDelete😂 Thank goodness it’s official. Ha! Ha!
DeleteMy friend has the same happen to her when she gets her eye injections. I love how you manage to declutter. I think I have hit another plateau and have hardly gotten rid of anything so far this year.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks, Jackie. Last summer during the consignment sale, we didn’t do very much decluttering at all, so we really did a lot this time around.
Delete