9/12 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week: I picked up 2 checks from the thrift store and brought home 2 more forms to consign more stuff. The neighbors gave us fresh tomatoes, parsley, basil, and thyme. They will be used to make several meals. We've had pasta once and will probably have it again - but I just looked up a recipe for foccacia on allrecipes.com too. I received 2 freebie coupons in the mail - so, will probably use them at Publix tomorrow to get my $10 purchase and the 1 cent mystery item. The free items were for a package of feminine products and the other Kashi cereal. Hope they have them available. And of course, I want to buy a few things - but we are still concentrating on using ingredients from the pantry/fridge/freezer first.

9/7 Expressions

Labor Day greetings. While my husband bbq'd, I used stuff up. I made Chili Rellano casserole with the remaining peppers a co-worker gave me and stuff out of the pantry/fridge. Also a sweet potato casserole - using up marshmallows, etc. And eggplant parmigiana. My dad brought a cake. We are stuffed and have plenty of leftovers for lunches and dinners for the next couple of days. Hurray to no cooking for a few days. Today, I also checked the back recesses of the bathroom cabinets. I was out of shampoo. I found a bottle and a bunch of travel sized ones. My husband thought he had to run to the grocery store for BBQ sauce - I found one in the pantry. So, I saved a trip to the store and things are getting used up.

9/5 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the week: We may be moving. So, I applied for the 10% off coupon from Lowe's. I am hoping with Labor Day Sales and coupon, we can get some "projects" around the house done less expensively. I am also going to concentrate on us eating up stuff from the pantry. We listed some DVDs on half.com and they are selling relatively quickly. Need to take another load to the consignment shop and pick-up a check.

8/29 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the day: For lunch, I made some brown rice and a "curry" dish. I didn't have any curry, but had tumeric. I searched for a recipe to use leftovers - and found one. I substituted just about every ingredient with what I had on hand, or just omitted the ingredient. I am happy to report, lunch was delicous. I was able to use the last of the peppers and tomatoes given to me and a few other veggies I had in the crisper. I plan to give myself a manicure today. And for exercise, I plan to walk around the neighborhood while the weather is fairly decent. This weekend, I plan to get minimal amounts of groceries. Why? I have a dental appointment again and will be able to stop by Aldi. While searching for recipes, I saw an interesting one for making your cheese. Last time I was at Aldi, they had a gallon of milk for $1.4X. If they have it on sale this time, I may try my hand at cheese making.

8/27 Expressions

Frugal deeds from this week: I didn't mention that I went to Stein Mart this past Sunday evening. For those looking for frugal career wear, I would have to say it is my favorite. I was able to hit the 50% extra off "red dot" clearance items and use a $5/$45 coupon. I got 2 jackets, Stein Mart's original price of $95 and ended up paying $11 each. Not much more than thrift store prices. I have been using my daughter's expensive hair straightener. Time to get one of my own - but I am too cheap to get the expensive kind. I did a google search and decided upon the Remington Wet to Straight and found it at Amazon for just under $25 - wouldn't you know - I wanted free shipping too. So, I added a cute Van Gogh notebook for $1.50 - purse sized I believe - but I love irises - so, just looking at the cover is enough for me (I already have a large framed print, light switch cover of the same print :). And I used my $15 in Amazon GC's I earned from Swagbucks. This is an early holiday present for my daughter - now we don't have to squabble over the flat iron when getting ready for school/work. So, hopefully this iron will be great as I just spent just over $10 on my rewards credit card (so another small rebate back).

8/22 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day. Enjoyed the freebie lunch at the museum event. Then my daughter and I printed off 3 internet coupons each. Good today only $20 off $20 Ann Taylor and 2 Bath & Body Works coupons for free products with any purchase. We came home with 4 purse sprays, 2 small body washes, 2 lip glosses and 4 purse sized hand sanitizers and we each spent less than $4 out of pocket. In the mail today, I received a $10 off coupon from DSW just for signing up for their free rewards card - and I am close to earning another $10 already since my daughter bought a couple of pair of shoes for school. Also, I printed a recipe for cookies last night which uses Rice Krispies in the ingredients - they are delicious and a great way to use up my freebie Rice Krispies. I also flaked up a nice smelling hotel bar of soap and it is now laundry detergent.

8/21 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day: I reserved 4 free picnic passes (includes food and family fun) through our museum. Another benefit of the annual pass. So tomorrow, lunch will be fun and "free". I have also been picking small tomatoes from my plants. For dinner, we had pizza with our 1/2 priced gift certicate - and we have enough for another meal since it was essentially a BOGO deal - 2 large pizzas.