Reuse-Cloth Diapers

Cloth diaper and Swiffer type broom

Love the cloth diapers I got 16 years ago when my son was born.
I still have some and use them all the time.
Greats rags, dish towels...
Particularly dust rags
And they fit on a Swiffer too
Then just wash and repeat. 

A little big, but that helps getting into corners

Ready to go

Lots of dust bunnies from under the couch

Being Frugal

I am lucky that I haven't had any teasing about my frugal ways or couponing...
I've never been deterred or given it up.
I take breaks now and again.  Lucky to have learned so much.
So now, with supplies low and possible price gouging,
My family is fine.  We are fully stocked.  Well before the panic buying set in.
I hope this will all settle down in a couple weeks.  But even if it goes more, we have what we need. I hope my tips on being frugal have armed you with some ideas to make things last or make stuff from scratch if need be. (Also thank goodness for the internet, you can Google anything)
Reuse, save, be practical and kind. 
Help a neighbor in need.  Appreciate what you have.

Instant milk

Yuck right?
Well, with these trying times (COVID-19)
I don't want to waste milk, or anything.
Plus, at this very moment, milk is in limited supply.
My son wanted Mac and Cheese, the instant kind.  It requires milk.  So I whipped up a batch of instant milk.  We had Mac and Cheese.  But now I have leftover instant milk...
I made Pudding! Actually a pudding pie!
Win Win.
I have always had instant milk in the pantry.
I use it for recipes instead of my fresh milk in the fridge.  Also I make instant hot chocolate mix with it.

Good to the last drop

You know you are frugal when you cut open your handcream...
Not once, but twice to get every bit.

Valentine's Day

Oh the insanity of it all.  So expensive.
I have always told my husband not to buy me flowers on V Day.

I'd rather spend the money on good quality ingredients and make a nice meal at home.
Tonight's menu
-Steak
-Homemade mashed potatoes (made with cream cheese and butter)
-Steamed green beans
-Biscuits
-Dessert: Chocolate covered Strawberries
Total Cost for 3 people  63.37
This includes, butter and seasonings
Biggest expense, the steaks. I had a butcher cut what I wanted.  
You get what you pay for.
So $21.12 per person.  A bit pricey yes, but way better than going out to eat.  Plus less hassle.
I saw a dozen red roses for 35.00
And Chocolate cover strawberries for 30.00...yes 30.00
My strawberries, many more berries than the store bought and cost $3.28

 

Over a $26.00 saving and twice as many Strawberries

My ribeye 18.80 for .99 lb (a scant under a pound)
Mid range steak place  20.99 for 10 oz  Approx 33.45 a lb
Savings = 15.46 a pound

My Frugal advise, stay away from things like this 

And This

 

Stay home and make it something special💗

 

Foodsaver frugal

You get a new gadget and use it a few times... could be the Instapot, Rice maker, bread machine...
Foodsaver, I love it, I use it.
However, it can seem pricey when you have to buy the bags.
I check Craigslist and Facebook.  I can get the supplies much cheaper and it still make the products I buy on sale frugal.
Great for freezing meats.  I also use it for...
Pre made breakfast sandwiches
my homemade mac and cheese
to freeze and marinate meats
leftovers
so much more
And you can boil in these bags

MY FOODSAVER

Freezing chicken

Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese ready to freeze

Beware of 10 for 10

Grocery stores seem to love this tactic.
10/10 Pasta or canned tuna
However, when pasta goes on sale it is .59 a box
Tuna .88 a can
So 10 for 10 is not a bargain. (or 5 for 5)