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.
Last Friday I returned to my surgeon for another follow up and he was pleased with my recovery so far and said I didn't need to come back for four weeks, so that is good news.
Sunday evening we had several thunderstorms and the power went off twice during the night. The temperature plummeted on Monday, which turned into snow by midafternoon. It has been such odd weather this week.
We had a bit of a shock on Sunday afternoon. We were both in the dining room when the room suddenly started filling with smoke, which I thought the air conditioner was blowing in from outside, but there was nothing out there. We quickly realized this was an emergency and turned off the air and called 911 and they told us to get out of the house and keep the doors shut.
The fire department came out and checked everything out for us and gave us the all clear. All we can figure is the air conditioner shorted out, although it did not trip the breaker or set off the fire alarm, but Bailey and I were right next to it when it happened, so I think our quick action is why it didn't set off the smoke detector.
I'm grateful to all the people who showed up to help us and for the fact that this wasn't as bad as it could have been and that we were home when it happened. We will be replacing this air conditioner as we no longer trust it to be safe.
Yard Sales
Wednesday was my yearly eye exam and afterwards I went to Sweet WeePeets Dollar Dash. This was the final day of the sale and everything was $1.00, so I picked out a couple pairs of pants and shirts.
Remember when Any Dacyczyn mentioned buying her teenagers clothes at yard sales in the adult small sizes? She said there was an abundance of clothing available in those sizes, which I found to be true at this sale, so I was able to find several items to fit me, which I've already washed and put away.
Bailey woke me up early on Thursday and asked if I wanted to go to a church yard sale down the road, so of course I rode along with her. I found a really good set of steak knives, which we could certainly use.
Money Saving YouTube Videos
30 Genius British Nan Habits That Save You A Fortune ~ Discover historic British methods for managing household finances effectively. Learn practical techniques from a bygone era designed to drastically reduce spending and maximize resources.
Saving Money on Entertainment
Bailey and I started watching All The Light You Cannot See on Netflix this week and so far we have really enjoyed it. There are four episodes and we've watched the first one together.
The Reading Nook ~ Items That Caught My Attention This Week
Financial Moves People Should Make ~ Tips include buying extra nonperishable food if you have room to store it, and increasing the amount you’re putting into your emergency fund.
According to Dan Rather, "Every U.S. recession — except the one in 2020 caused by the pandemic — has been preceded by rising oil prices. Moody’s puts the odds of a recession in the next year at 49%. All of this is not meant to start a political debate, but rather to be aware of rising prices.
We will continue to do what we've always done and conserve gasoline as much as we can and hope this ends sooner rather than later. 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.
Dear Belinda, wow, I am glad that you and Bailey are okay and that you will replace the air conditioner! I am also happy to hear that your recovery is going well! You did so well on the church yard sale! Everytime I hear about the cost of gas, I am relieved that I have never had a car and always use public transit. This would not be possible if I didn't live in a big city like Montreal. I am truly grateful that our transit system is very good and that the buses and metro take me wherever I need to go.
Thank you so much for sharing, Belinda, and I wish you a wonder filled weekend ahead...Bailey as well!
Thank you, Linda. It was startling for sure. You are very fortunate and blessed to have a good and reliable transportation system there. I wish the USA had done something similar years ago.
Phew! How lucky that you noticed the smoke quickly and were able to prevent a disaster. We once had a toaster that caught fire while we were in the kitchen. That was quite a scare, but apart from the toaster, no damage was done. We were so lucky! Best regards, Sibylle
Oh wow, that is definitely too much excitement for a Sunday afternoon. So glad that you and Bailey are ok, and I'm glad that you didn't have damage. Sounds like the fire department arrived quickly; there are good peoples in this world! So glad you had a good checkup, and I hope your recovery continues to go well. I'll check out the videos and articles. I think our country is already in a recession, and I think it is going to be hard times for a lot of people. But I think this community is better prepared than most people. Hope you have a good weekend. Glad you were able to find some treasures at the yard sale.
Thank you, Kathy. I do love getting a good report from the doctor. That was really freaky on Sunday. It took a while for my nerves to settle down after that. I am so thankful for the good people in all our communities! And I agree with you on the recession, I feel like we are already in one, but the experts never agree with me. 😂 I hope you gave a great weekend too, the weather today is sunny and warm and I’m loving it. Belinda
Hi Belinda, Man I'm glad that everything turned out alright and you were there to call the fire department. Re: Everything old is new again: I remember my Mom said how hard she worked in the fields and stuff when she was younger. It wasn't easy as it looked. My sisters and brothers actually picked cotton in Arkansas when they were little. Times were hard but they were very hard working. Have a great day.
Thank you, Vickie. Oh my goodness, can you imagine picking cotton in the heat down south? It was probably miserably hot. They were definitely hard working folks.
Well, that was a lot of excitement I'm sure you could have done without! I'm thankful that you were able to catch it and it didn't turn into a real disaster.
Hubby and I have been talking and feel that harder times are coming. No panic here, just being aware and take some small steps to prepare.
Oh my goodness how absolutely terrifying that would have been. I am certainly glad that it was caught before causing loads of damage. Preparing here as well for whatever happens. Putting a bit into savings, adding to my own savings envelop, and adding food to the pantry and stocking up where and how I can.
Thank you so much, Jackie. I'm definitely grateful as it could have been worse. You're doing it right, stocking up while you can and saving along the way. Let's hope the ride isn't too bumpy.
Dear Belinda, wow, I am glad that you and Bailey are okay and that you will replace the air conditioner!
ReplyDeleteI am also happy to hear that your recovery is going well!
You did so well on the church yard sale! Everytime I hear about the cost of gas, I am relieved that I have never had a car and always use public transit. This would not be possible if I didn't live in a big city like Montreal. I am truly grateful that our transit system is very good and that the buses and metro take me wherever I need to go.
Thank you so much for sharing, Belinda, and I wish you a wonder filled weekend ahead...Bailey as well!
Thank you, Linda. It was startling for sure. You are very fortunate and blessed to have a good and reliable transportation system there. I wish the USA had done something similar years ago.
DeletePhew! How lucky that you noticed the smoke quickly and were able to prevent a disaster.
ReplyDeleteWe once had a toaster that caught fire while we were in the kitchen. That was quite a scare, but apart from the toaster, no damage was done. We were so lucky!
Best regards, Sibylle
Thank you, Sibylle. We were very fortunate as were you with your toaster. I’m definitely grateful for the support.
DeleteOh wow, that is definitely too much excitement for a Sunday afternoon. So glad that you and Bailey are ok, and I'm glad that you didn't have damage. Sounds like the fire department arrived quickly; there are good peoples in this world!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a good checkup, and I hope your recovery continues to go well. I'll check out the videos and articles. I think our country is already in a recession, and I think it is going to be hard times for a lot of people. But I think this community is better prepared than most people.
Hope you have a good weekend. Glad you were able to find some treasures at the yard sale.
Thank you, Kathy. I do love getting a good report from the doctor. That was really freaky on Sunday. It took a while for my nerves to settle down after that. I am so thankful for the good people in all our communities! And I agree with you on the recession, I feel like we are already in one, but the experts never agree with me. 😂
DeleteI hope you gave a great weekend too, the weather today is sunny and warm and I’m loving it.
Belinda
Hi Belinda, Man I'm glad that everything turned out alright and you were there to call the fire department.
ReplyDeleteRe: Everything old is new again: I remember my Mom said how hard she worked in the fields and stuff when she was younger. It wasn't easy as it looked. My sisters and brothers actually picked cotton in Arkansas when they were little. Times were hard but they were very hard working.
Have a great day.
Thank you, Vickie. Oh my goodness, can you imagine picking cotton in the heat down south? It was probably miserably hot. They were definitely hard working folks.
DeleteGo glad you & Bailey were there & able to get out of the house safely, and that it's a (relatively) minor fix. How scary! - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm so grateful it wasn't any worse.
DeleteWell, that was a lot of excitement I'm sure you could have done without! I'm thankful that you were able to catch it and it didn't turn into a real disaster.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I have been talking and feel that harder times are coming. No panic here, just being aware and take some small steps to prepare.
Thank you, Wendi. Yes, small steps and being aware will help us thru any coming hard times.
DeleteOh my goodness how absolutely terrifying that would have been. I am certainly glad that it was caught before causing loads of damage.
ReplyDeletePreparing here as well for whatever happens. Putting a bit into savings, adding to my own savings envelop, and adding food to the pantry and stocking up where and how I can.
God bless.
Thank you so much, Jackie. I'm definitely grateful as it could have been worse. You're doing it right, stocking up while you can and saving along the way. Let's hope the ride isn't too bumpy.
Delete