Practically free

 Well... very frugal

I found yarn on FB Marketplace for out 75% off retail price (cheaper even if I had used a coupon)

So, of course, I bought it

And was able to make a super soft blanket for a friend 

Never hurts to ask

Found meat to be marked down at my local Giant.  Meat Manager said he could not sell it to me, expired, but they freeze it and send to food bank.  Umm ok.

So I asked about the Policy

He thanked me for finding the expired meat and offered to mark down fresh meat 50%

(Picture was from a couple days ago)

COVID Crafts

I taught myself to crochet during lockdown

I have been able to sell some of my dishcloths and make gifts for friends and family

I buy the yarn for FB Marketplace.  I got a whole garbage bag for 5 dollars!

I made an afghan from it

Soap Saver

 My cousin mentioned a soap saver

So I made one...ok two

One big for a bar of soap and a small one for me for all the little shards I have saved

And also made a little soap mat

Leftovers = Dessert

 Left over dough and Strawberry fruit cups (that were free)

Strawberry hand pies for dessert

Tasted better than they look

Price...just pennies a serving

Electric

 Today I renegotiated our Electric bill

If I had not, we would be paying 180.00 more a year when the rates went up.

I found an even lower rate.  Saving us 200.00 a year. (Compared to if we had the rates go up)

Saving money is great, but you have to be on top of it.  This new contract will expire in 1 year.

Dishwasher detergent Part 3

 The hubby claims he doesn't like the homemade version.

But I still have a lot of it and will not waste it.

I am using it to extend the store bought.

No issues at all with a 50/50 mix.

The tablets I made, fell apart, so I am using it in powder form, which is what the store bought is.

So...there is still some savings

Guest Room...what I paid

 My guest room

Break down of what I paid to create a guestroom

Bedspread/Shams: Facebook market place 10.00

Side table: free

White dresser with mirror: free

White chest (Basset) 25 plus paint used on another project

Bookcase solid wood: 20 plus paint

lamps: all lamps equal 8.00

Mirror: given to me 20 years ago

Dishwasher Detergent Take 2

 I tried this a couple of years ago

The tabs were all broken and the detergent left a film.

So, new recipe, new dishwasher

Tabs still didn't work out.  I have used this detergent 3 times.  1st two times were perfect.  Third time, there was a film.   BUT, I did use a different setting on the machine.

So the verdict is still out.  I feel this could be a good detergent, and definitely good for when I run out of commercial stuff and need some in a pinch

Used...previously enjoyed

 We are doing a lot of puzzles these days.  I have already touched on having done a puzzle swap.

This batch I bought for 3.00 each.  Excellent price.  The circular puzzle underneath was borrowed from famly.

Family fun and a frugal price.

Food Prep

Fruits starting to go off a bit...
I freeze for smoothies or banana bread.
One baggie has the exact amount of banana I need to make bread.
The others are pre-cut and/or portioned for smoothies.
Saves time, makes it super easy and no fruit has gone to waste.

Homemade

Made at home is the way to go to save money.
And not as hard as you may think.
I make pizza or stromboli several times a year.
I have 2 different dough recipes.
One that takes 10 minutes and is pretty good.
The other takes an hour and is really good.
I doubt my boys can tell them apart.
Here's a picture of a ham and cheese stromboli in the making.
Left over ham of course...

Revive

Our plates are pretty scratched from the silverware
Bar Keepers Friend to the rescue
Just made a paste and cleaned the plates.
Pictures shows half a plate done

Foodsaver uses

PLEASE note, this may be controversial,
And if stopped by police you may get into trouble with medication not in it's original container.  

With that said
I used my Foodsaver to make pill packs for my first aid kits.
I used pain relief tablets, allergy and stomach relief products.
Way cheaper than buying individual pre-made packets.

Score

Went to the store for milk
But I always scan the meat dept and the clearance area
Ground Beef 1.85 lb
I also found Progresso soups for .64 a can...label change.
Cooked about 2 lbs and had that in tacos for dinner, with plenty of leftovers.  And Foodsaver for the rest.  
Sell by is the 17th, I got it the 16th

Dollar store First Aid Prep

Every once in a while I check and restock our first aid kits.
I was able to get brand named supplies at the dollar store this year.
One in each car and in each bathroom. (One kit not shown)
Being prepared saves time and money.

Hobbies

I have had 2 major crafty hobbies  in my life...so far
Beading (Before it was cool)
And knitting/crocheting
I enjoy my hobbies, they bring me peace.
Also, I can sell what I make and have done so.
And I can usually get my supplies on sale, with a coupon or online market places for pretty cheap
Eg: I recently received a bunch of yarn for .33 cents a skein. 
Here are some dishcloths I have made since Quarantine

Barter/Swap

I bet a lot of us have been doing puzzles.
And boy did their prices spike and not easy to get these days.
I have swapped puzzles with a couple women in my community.
I have gotten 4 puzzles done I didn't have to buy.
Puzzles online are going for 15 to 35 dollars plus shipping.
So I have saved at least 60.00 by swapping.  I think more.
Here is my latest one we have done.

I don't have a problem

Butter
When on sale you buy it
1.79 each
So....I got 10 salted
2 unsalted
Now....it is not cut into quarters, but that's ok by me.  
Can't beat the price.  It freezes really well.

Lucky

Some times you just get lucky.
I HAD to go to the grocery store today.
And look what I found.
Chicken .79 cents a pound.
3 big breasts in each pack.
Not expired.  Not previously frozen.
AND they let me buy 4 packs of it.
I paid 6.72 for all four packs.
That's .56 cents per breast.

COVID 19 mask making

Let's see what I have around the house to make masks
Material I used 2+ yrs ago to make dance costumes.
Florist wire I used for crafting
Scraps of elastic cut from thick piece.
Masks made.
The florist wire in the top for a flexible nose piece.
Cost ZERO

Trifecta

Three for the price of one?
I had apples getting old, so I decided to make a pie.
With the extra pie crust I made pie crust cookies (my grandma taught me)
Then...with the apple cores and peels I made apple jelly.
So, nothing got wasted.

Apple PIE

Pie Crust cookies

Making Apple Jelly

 
 

Buns hon

Out of hamburger buns.
Not going to the store (During these trying times)
So...google and Voila!
Hamburger buns.
They are a bit more dense than store bought.
But hey they are buns.
12 buns for less than a $1.00 worth of ingredients. (About 1 hr 30 minutes of my time, most of that time was the dough rising)

Bacon Fat

Kickin' it old school
Save your bacon fat
It is great for cooking
Use it instead of oils or butter
And adds loads of flavor
I guess you could say it is free, if your were going to throw it out anyway.
No, it is not gross, our grandparents or great grandparents used it.
If you use it regularly, it can be stored on the counter.
A few weeks to a month in the fridge.
If you render the fat...take out the bacon bits, it can last longer in the fridge and you can even freeze it.

Apple snacks

Dehydrated apples.
I like to keep them in a little longer because we like them crisp and not chewy.