Back of the Store Part 1

As you know, I shop once a month.
I do need to get milk and eggs during that time and I budget for that.
My local grocery store is fine for those items.
What I like about this store (Giant) is that it has a clearance shelf in the back.
Sometime I can get bread for 75 cents and freeze it.
Today was hair dye and lots of it.  Clearance 2.99 to 3.99.  Of course I chose the 2.99.
Had a coupon for 1.00 off.  1.99 for hair dye.  I have gotten it cheaper, but still, I feel that is a good price for a brand name product.

The Frugal Birthday Party

Well, it happened
And it was a success
The kids had a great time.

The whole party cost less than 50.00 dollars

They created their own "Goody" bags (Technically I didn't give out goody bags but you will see)
Then the boys built spaceships out of Legos and we took pictures.
Next was free time for them to all play in the basement.  (They got to stomp on balloons)
Next up was target shooting.  I drew Yoda on a large piece of cardboard, randomly picked names and then the child picked a body part (eg: Left ear) to shoot and they each got three tries.  We use Nerf guns.
Onto the highlight of the party.  The DeathStar pinata.  Whew, it lasted until the very last child.  It broke open and the kids went crazy. (The candy went into the goody bags)
The party was brought to a close with cake and ice cream.

2 1/2 hrs.  50 bucks.  Yea!

Here is the breakdown:

R2D2 cake and icing 5.00 for ingredients.
I made and decorated the cake

Pinata.  5.00 for the candy
I used a balloon.  Newspaper, and flour and water for the paste

Pretzel light sabres 4.00
Pretzel rods 1.00 , melting colored chocolate (Used coupon) 3.00

other snacks 10.00
tortilla chips, clementines, pineapple, chocolate and vanilla ice cream

Decorations 1.00
I was given 2 Star War plastic tables cloths (freecycle)
One was use as table cloth, the other was cut to make Star Wars banners
Balloons 1.00

Evites  free

Plates cups forks, napkins   Free

Yoda soda 9.00
Ginger ale, limeade, frozen OJ, 2 kinds of sherbet
I bought enough to make 2 batches, we only made one

That comes to 34.00
I bought bottles of wine for any grown ups who wanted to stay
but none of it was used.

Aldi

We got an Aldis here is Southeastern PA
So, here is my personal experience from my one and only trip so far.

The prepackage foods seems to be around the same price for the brand names, and a tad cheaper for the no names.
Apple, and Grape juices, same prices.  The OJ from concentrate $1.89  cheaper than most stores' prices.

I didn't really look at paper products

The produce looked good and had good prices
Eggs are .69 for a dozen.  More than a dollar cheaper than regular stores.
Butter is 1.89 for 16oz.  So I bought three.
No bananas at all.

Can I/Will I do my monthly shopping at Aldis.  NO
They don't have all the variety I need.
They don't take Visa/Mastercard.  (Cash or debit)
And I can do better with sales and coupons at the ShopRite.

However, produce, butter and eggs are a good deal

Skipping a week

Try extending you grocery shopping by a week.
Or perhaps a few days the first time, then a week.

Say you spend 100.00 per week
If you can stretch a few day one month, then a few days the next month
You can save 100.00 bucks that way

Organize your pantry during this time and see what you really have.
Be creative with meals.
There is nothing wrong with baked potatoes for dinner with a side of green veggies.

Breakfast for dinner always good too.
Have a big bag of rice, use it.

Check the freezer too.
If I have left over chicken, I cut it up and freeze it, even if it a small amount.  
I freeze our leftover veggies too.
One a month, all those lefts over become soup.

Perks of Being Frugal

We have not purchased paper towels or napkins since Aug 2012. ($70.00)
I have not purchased coffee or creamer since the beginning of 2013. ($20.00)
Not to mention all the other frugal tasks I do. ($$$)
That means, we can splurge.  And when do, there is no worry or guilt.
Being FRUGAL gives me peace of mind.

Hubby had 45th birthday yesterday.
I took him to the Capital Grille.  Yep the type of place where they scrape the crumbs off the table, give you a black or white napkin depending on what you are wearing and also a lemon soaked hot towel to clean your hands.
SWANKY and the food was good.  The dessert even better.

Happy birthday Hubby. 

No worry, no guilt.  We can afford it.
PS.  I put it on my credit card that earns me cash back .

Frugal Birthday Party

Not as much frugal as it is...old fashioned, kickin it old school.
When I was young, you had your party at home, or perhaps a picnic/park

My son wanted rock climbing.
The cheapest package was 100.00 for my son and 4 friends to climb.
No party room or food.  You could get the room for another 100.00 and that is just the room. No food or anything.

My son had a decision to make, Rock climbing with a few friends...
Or Party at home with as many people as he wanted.
He opted for home.  (Whew)
(Plus, he is injured and can't climb now anyway)

So, good old fashion Party at home
I will make a cake
have snacks
play games
NO GOODIE BAGS, I will however bake cookies and wrap them up so everyone can take something yummy home.

Laundry- the Dryer

Ah laundry... up there with Death and Taxes
This post will be about what I Do, what works for me

Bounce/Laundry sheets
I cut them in 1/2
Also I reuse them...when I have 4 or 5 used 1/2 sheets, I throw them in the dryer

Dryer balls
I love my balls!
I got 2 about 4 yrs ago in my Christmas Stocking (Thanks Santa)
Don't get cheap ones.  Get the real, original ones.  They are blue, spikey and have a bit of give to them.
I tried cheap ones (2 balls were good 4 must be better) but they cracked and broke.
I hear tennis balls work too, I don't know

BEFORE the wet clothes go into the dryer, shake them out completely.
Nothing crumpled or wadded up.

I leave the laundry door open while the dryer is running, it warms up my hallway

I have made my own dryer sheets.  They work just fine.
If Bounce/dryer sheets are too expensive, not on sale or I don't have a coupon
I make them
I have a bottle of fabric softener (at least 6-8 yrs old now)
I use an old plastic container, fill it 1/2 way with 1/2 water 1/2 softener
Put sponge in
Whenever I need a sheet, I squeeze out the sponge completely and throw it in the dryer

I have also soaked washcloths in the the solution, hung them to dry and use them 4 or 5 times in the dryer

I have a gas dryer, more efficient that electric dryers

Also I try to hang at least 1 load a week to cut costs.  This also extends the life of the clothing and the color, and in wintertime it helps keep moisture in the air.

I have a drying rack and also an extra shower rod above my shower to hang clothes