Yesterday I had $6 in my checking account and about $2 in change to use for grocery shopping. I made a list of the absolute essentials -- milk, bread, tuna, cat snacks (yes, that is essential; I wouldn't get a moment's peace without them), eggs and laundry detergent. I thought I could get them all at Wal-Mart.
But there was a flyer from Kroger sitting on my table, so I took a look. Turned out that milk & bread were two of their loss leaders, so I went to Kroger first. Got those two items, and paid with my change at the self-checkout. (Using the self-checkout is a good way to use up change! It doesn't look at you funny like a cashier would!) I also picked up a free piece of cheese at a samples table (could have had a piece of cake, too, but didn't want it).
Then I went to Walmart and got the other items for under $6. I was quite pleased with myself.
In the afternoon I made brownies, and brewed some iced tea in the microwave (from tea bags that were a gift and I just never used).
Today I made apple cinnamon muffins and some apple crisp from some apples that were quite pretty but not good eating apples. The brownies, muffins and apple crisp will all add some zip to my brown bag lunches this week.
I noticed today that my potatoes were starting to grow a few eyes, so I scrubbed them and baked one for lunch (in the microwave). Surprisingly filling!
My son called for Mother's Day and asked me to check my email. He and his wife had sent me an Amazon "coupon." I was touched, as I don't expect gifts for Mother's Day. I couldn't think what I wanted to do with it, so I saved it in my account. Later, it occurred to me that I would really like to use it for a gift, but of course I can't tell my son that!
I went to the gym and did my routine -- because NOT using that membership would be such a waste. Tonight I'm going to watch a DVD that a friend with Netflix loaned me.
Life is still good!
I found another little cache of coins, so I'm not totally broke yet. But close! I'm really hoping that the medical reimbursement shows up this week.
Frugal weekend
May 14th, 2006 at 09:32 pm
May 14th, 2006 at 10:24 pm 1147645452
May 15th, 2006 at 02:00 am 1147658428
May 15th, 2006 at 04:08 am 1147666139
I think you're being creative with the resources you have available. Keep it up!
May 15th, 2006 at 04:21 am 1147666893
May 15th, 2006 at 11:35 am 1147692921
Ima, I'm planning to move near Asheville, so I'm guessing that's not very far away from you? BTW, Kiplinger's Magazine just named Asheville the 7th "smartest" city to live in, so I'm stoked!
May 17th, 2006 at 04:12 am 1147839127