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)

Fall Wreath

I made this wreath for this past fall.
The base I bought on Facebook Market place
3 for 5.00. $1.66 each
The decorations on the wreath I had already.
And pine cones I found.
So I took apart old decor to make something new

Another cake picture

Just showing that is truly is easy to make and decorate a cake

 

Cakes

Cakes
Easy to make either from box or homemade.
Easy homemade frosting.
I make them when visiting friends, birthdays or just because.
I am not great at decorating, but hey, it's cake and it tastes good.
Plus, I freeze leftovers and have cake as a surprise treat or dessert.
I buy cake mix when on sale for .99 (most time I have coupon so I get them for free or .50)
I make frosting from confectionery sugar, butter, milk and vanilla.

Store cards

Store cards...
A hassle?  Maybe
But they do pay off.
I get online coupons, plus the store's sale prices.
Then I used regular coupons as well.
The products shown cost me 19.xx out of pocket.
LESS Than A Twenty Dollar bill.
Waffles for .80 cents a box, I can't make them that cheap.
Kraft Mac and Cheese, a good staple to have a round. Stock up when on sale.
Campbell's Soup, another staple especially for cooler weather.
You can't see, but there are 3 packs of toilet paper...