Friday, October 26, 2012

Frugal Friday: How I saved money this week! Oct.26

The first half of the week was very productful! I finished the sewing side job for a friend. We will trade my sewing in exchange for a hair cut and a hair weave.  I had some larger chunks of time during the beginning of the week which allowed me to finish a few projects I've listed below.

 Then.. life happened... and I fell down my back stairs which slowed life down to a snails pace due to some swollen toes! Interesting how you can have a long 'to do list' and be cruisin' right along and all of a sudden.... the brakes hit! Even though I wasn't able to stand long on my feet I still was able to work on some research projects (sitting down) to save money.Today I hope to do some de-cluttering of paperwork.



1. I turned off my computer printer. I figured there is no use keeping it on when I'm not using it daily. I also started unplugging my laptop when not in use.

2. I used one of those 'chunks of time' to mend an old quilt that was falling apart. I hope to get a few more years out of it.

3. I stretched my scrambled eggs by adding water.

4. I'm on a mission to reduce my water bill. I had started saving the water that normally would run down the drain while waiting for hot water and put it on my flowers that are in pots outside. The plants are not needing as much water now that winter is here so I decided to try something new. I heated up a cup of water in the microwave and used that to wash my face. It's working great. So, this week I came up with another idea. I decided to run the water slowly while it's heating up to wash my dishes? I normally turn the faucet on full blast. It heats up just as fast when I ran it slow and I wasted less water. I'm still throwing the rinse water on plants outside.

5.  I'm a member of a local Yahoo group called Freecyle. These groups are all over the world. It's a group where you can post items you want to give away and you can also post items you need. I've been blessed by many wonderful items off this list over the past few years. This week I picked up a nearly new plastic outdoor chair and 2 boxes of free food.

6. I started popping popcorn on  the stove instead of buying microwave popcorn. I've been hearing horrible things about the oil in the microwave bags so this will be a cheaper alternative and also a healthier one.



7. I called my gas and electric company to find out how to use their website more efficiently. It's really a wonderful tool to track where my money is going. I also asked the lady if there were any programs that would help reduce my bill. I found out that I can get a reduction on my bill because I use a life saving device called a CPAP machine. Our electric company also offers a discount to low income people of about 20%. 

8. I started a Price Book last week. This week, while I was recuperating, I went through this months grocery receipts and wrote down the date, item, price and store it was purchased in a small notebook with dividers. Prices continue to rise so quickly that I often have a difficult time remembering what I last paid for items I don't buy regularly.

9.  You may scratch your head when I list the next thing I did this week to save money. I Iistened to a teaching CD. Not on just any topic but on contentment. One of the many points made was that if we don't learn to be content with what we have today or where we are today (or our life ) then we will never be happy or content when we finally get 'it' (fill in whatever you think you need to make you happy). The scripture text was Phil. 4:10-13. The apostle Paul LEARNED contentment ...whether in jail.. in shipwrecks...in affliction... he learned to be content whether he had much or little.  Listening to this CD and reminding myself what God's Word says was one of the best things I did this week in regards to how I view money.

What did you do to save money this week? I love to learn from other women!


12 comments:

  1. I do love those verses in Philippians... they run through my thoughts often! "I have learned to be content no matter the circumstances... " :)

    You had a great week!

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  2. I think your last point was the most important.

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  3. Here is what I did to save money last week: http://theprudenthomemakerblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/frugal-accomplishments-for-third-week.html

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  4. Now that we heat with a wood stove, I set two kettles of water on top and use the heated water for washing/rinsing dishes. It also humidifies the air. Not to let the heat go to waste, and now that the cooler weather is hear, I use my drying rack set near the stove to dry a single load of laundry.

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  5. I am soooo happy I found your blog. I read it 2 years ago and could not remember the name...I finally stumbled onto it again though Life as Mom. You are so very inspiring.

    Great tips for saving water. My water bill gets higher every month. I will be trying much harder to lower it.

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  6. You did good this week, I am sorry about your fall and hope you are back good as new very soon.
    Your utility bill reductions will be very appreciated. who knew? I will certainly keep that in mind.

    yea on the FreeCycle goodies, hope the food was things you like.

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  7. Sorry to read about your fall and trust you are on the mend.

    I am been thinking about trading clothes at Weight Watchers--maybe about having a clothes swap at our home. Since I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, I do not have to pay for the weeks I do not go to a meeting. So I am going less often now, but keeping with the program.

    I am challenged to make a price book as you are doing. Makes sense.I also like shopping at those dollar stores now as you pointed out. Possibly I can make money with sewing when my carpel tunnel wrists heal more.

    Hugs and prayers,
    Carol

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  8. I hope you recover quickly from your fall... so sorry to hear that! I really appreciate what you post... I stumbled upon your blog about a year ago and have read every single post from the very beginning. You are an inspiration to me on many levels and have inspired me to go ahead and get working on my price book, which I have put off for too long, as well as checking Craigslist and Freecycle for needed items before paying out money for them, and looking for ways I can save each day. Love those verses in Philipians...contentment is a trait that I have been working on during this long economic downturn, as well as thankfulness. Even though life is not as easy as it once was I can honestly say that I am more content and more thankful for things in my life now...and what a blessing that certainly is!

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  9. Stovetop Popcorn is yummy popped in Coconut oil! And that's good for you too!

    One of the best helps on saving money is the "BUDGET"! I listen to Dave Ramsey on the radio almost every day to hear his inspiring counsel to those who are trying to control their finances. I haven't read his book, The Total Money Makeover, or taken his courses, but am trying to implement his philosophy for my watercolor business. www.daveramsey.com

    Gary uses oxygen so we would probably qualify for a discount too. Thanks for mentioning it.

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  10. It is easy to struggle from time to time with contentment and it is good to remind ourselves of what is really important. I'm living on a budget that I never could imagine possible - less than an average disability/social security check. But I am thankful, and am working hard to spend little. Gas prices and rising prices in general make it challenging. I've decided to stay out of the stores for Christmas, and I'm purchasing just a few small gifts for my loved ones. Thankfully, I know they understand. Swagbucks is something I am using to help with that so I don't have to spend a lot out of pocket.

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  11. Sorry about the fall. Hope you are much better. I guess the main thing I did this week to save money was to cook at home and not go out to eat. We babysat our grandkids one night and out daughter brought us pizza for dinner, so that was a nice treat. Also, turning off the air conditioner and opening the windows on these nice fall days. We do not have t.v., so for our entertainment I checked out free movies from both our city library and our county library.

    Contentment is something that I just don't struggle with. I have been content all of my life, even when we were first married and very poor. But I have watched my husband struggle with it over the years. He is growing in his relationship with Christ and I know that is making the difference.

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  12. Sorry about your fall and I hope you recover quickly.

    I, so admire all that you do to conserve and save our environment and money. You're a real motivator.
    Hugs,

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