Fifth and Frugal Friday of January 2026
Welcome to Frugal Friday
Each Friday here at Frugal Workshop, I love sharing the frugal wins, quiet savings, and simple strategies that helped us stretch our budget over the past seven days. It’s a gentle look back at the small things that make a big difference.
My Frugal Week
Last Friday I went to my retina specialist for my eye injections. As I suspected, eight weeks is too long between appointments, so I’ll be going back in six weeks the next time. As usual I came home and took a nap and felt wiped out for the rest of the day.
Winter storm preparations took place Friday afternoon by filling every vessel we could with water, salting the steps, and filling both cars with gasoline. I went ahead and did what laundry needed doing just in case we did lose power. Thankfully we were spared from the worst of the storm. The draft dodger we have at the bottom of the back door actually froze to the door though.
My neighbor came over on Sunday afternoon to use our electricity to charge up the battery in the back of her truck. They live off grid up beside us and we help each other out whenever we can. I gave her some new socks I wasn’t using and a couple of days later she told me how grateful she was to have clean socks.
I mostly stayed home this week staying indoors due to the cold weather. There is more cold weather and snow on the way. However , I’ll be staying home until at least Tuesday when we’re going to get groceries, which will end my ten day no spend streak.
Freebies & What I've been Reading This Week
When I stopped in to drop off some donations this week I looked in the little free library and picked up this free book.
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.
Belinda 🫶 💕 Homemaker at Heart 💕 ~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27
That's great that you were able to help your neighbor. The weather sounds absolutely terrible! Hope it warms up for you soon. - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope it warms up soon too.
DeleteBelinda
10 day no spend is a pretty long streak. Well done on being prepared for the worst.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sam.
DeleteStayed home all week until today. Finally felt safe to go out. Our road is still awful - but main roads were good.
ReplyDeleteJust using up what I have on hand - a deep pantry sure is good to have.
How sweet to have helped your neighbor. Looking towards spring - I am so ready!
The main roads were good here too Bailey told me as she finally did get out one day this week too. Yes, our pantry saved us too! My neighbor is the best! I’m ready for spring too and warm weather.
DeleteYou prepared well for the storm, and it paid off. We had an ice storm to deal with, folks are still without electricity, and thousands of trees destroyed. We lost two huge 100 year-old Hackberry trees, forever changing the ;andscape. Snow is now falling, but much better than ice.
ReplyDeleteYou were very kind to help your neighbor.
Stay warm dear friend.
Jo
Thank you, Jo. I’m so sorry about the trees you lost. That was an awful ice storm that came your way. And still many without power even a week later. My heart goes out to them.
DeleteBelinda
Dear Belinda, it is wonderful that you prepared for the storm! And your helping your neighbour is such a kind gesture! Stay warm and safe, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I hope you’re doing well.
DeleteI love how your post blends practical frugal tips with a sense of community and care, it feels both useful and heartwarming. The way you help neighbors and find little joys, like a free book, really shows how everyday kindness and mindfulness make life richer.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melody. You are so kind.
DeleteBelinda
Congrats on a 10 day no spend. I've been home most of the week. Snow and cold helps one to stay indoors.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does, Wendi. I hope you have a great weekend.
DeleteBelinda
So glad that you were well prepared and that you were able to help your neighbor charge her battery. Sorry that you will have to go back to the Dr more often, but I'm glad that the injections help at 6 weeks.
ReplyDeleteIt has been some winter, hasn't it. We had a 3 foot glacier at the end of our driveway from the snowplows. We didn't have the energy to take a pick axe to break it up, and it took almost a week on the list for someone to plow us out. We have another snow today, but it isn't as bad as that ice. Stay safe and warm.
Thank you, Kathy. I’m so grateful for my retina specialist. He has helped me save my eyesight from damage from diabetes. I tell anyone who will listen to keep those blood sugars under control!
DeleteWow! That is rough on the 3 foot glacier! Once it gets packed like that it takes a long time to thaw. I’m glad someone was finally able to help you all get out.
Belinda, that looks like a great book..you reminded me of a book sale this morning at our local library. I'm going!
ReplyDeleteImagine the draft dodger getting frozen to the door...brrr
lol, yes, it was definitely cold that morning. Have fun at the book sale! I wish I could go with you.
DeleteWhile northern Germany has been so cold since December due to an unusually stable easterly wind that the rivers are freezing, it's almost 20 degrees warmer here in the south with winds from southern Europe. We've had light frost at night so far, but it will get warmer in the next few days. The birds are singing as if spring is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteI’m looking forward to warmer temperatures here. The rivers freezing sounds so very cold!
Delete