Fourth Frugal Friday of February 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
I completed a survey from Opinion Place last week and earned a $20 reward, which I turned into a $20 Kroger gift card. 
I won two free tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga thanks to the EPB who ran a contest on their Facebook page. 
The weather turned cold here starting on Sunday, so we did have to turn some heat on and I also used the electric blanket on my bed. 
One thing I do when going to yard sales in the summer is to stock up on winter clothing and essentials. Last summer I found a really nice pair of knee length winter socks that I put into service this week. It may have been hot outside when I bought them, but they sure have kept me warm this week. 
Health Update (Feel free to skip)
I returned to my surgeon on Tuesday and everything looks as it should at this time, so I’ll see him again in one week. 
My incision has been leaking fluid, which is normal, and I’ve went through all the gauze and bandages I have in the house. So, I made some reusable ones out of my stash of cotton/flannel baby blankets and they are doing a great job, which is a real money saver. 
Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen
On Wednesday I was feeling well enough to put together a casserole for dinner. This is a recipe that I received in my email and from looking it up online it’s posted in multiple places. I used one of the rotisserie chickens we recently bought from Walmart for $1.99. 

White Chicken Chili Cottage Cheese Winter Bake

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked shredded chicken

2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained & rinsed

1 & 1/2 cups corn (frozen or canned, drained)

1 cup salsa verde (or green enchilada sauce)

1 cup cottage cheese (blend smooth for extra creamy)

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper

Optional:

1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles

1/2 cup diced onion

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). 

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

In a large bowl, stir together chicken, beans, corn, salsa verde, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheese, spices and optional add-ins.

Spread into a 9 x 13 baking dish. 

Top with remaining cheese. 

Bake for 30 minutes.

What’s for Dinner

Monday ~ Salisbury Steak, and Mixed Vegetables. 

Tuesday ~ Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowls

Wednesday & Thursday ~ White Chicken Chili Bake, and Steamed Carrots.

Friday ~ Grilled Chicken, Tortillas, and Bean Salad. 

Saturday ~ BBQ Pork Chops and Bean Salad. 

Sunday ~ Chicken, Carrots, and Bean Salad. 

Saving on Electric
I was reading an article on the Consumer Reports website on how to cut your bills by more than $800 per month. The article stated that the average household spends $2,000 a year on energy. So, I looked up the history of our electric bill in our all electric home and figured we spent $2,464.51 on electric in the last year. Interesting. 
What I've been Reading This Week
 I’ve done a lot of book reading this week as I continue to recuperate. Nothing new right now, but rather books I needed to finish reading. 
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