What Did You Do Frugal Today VIIII

[rivermom]

Leasmom: I have heard of the dish soap/water idea--but I would be concerned about "breaking the cycle" as someone mentioned. Our vet told us that the eggs/pupae can live in your carpet and upholstery for months and then re-emerge later. When we had them, I went to the vet for help--he sold us a spray for the animal and spray for the house--which we used and then left for the weekend and it worked! We've never had another problem.

We, too, had a nice Thanksgiving. I told my family I'm not cooking again until Christmas! Will be making turkey soup with the carcass today. Will freeze some of the leftover meat as well. Also found some great turkey enchilada type recipes for leftovers, but just don't have the motivation to make it right now.

DS1 and I made friendship pens for his classmates last night. Kind of fun and pretty reasonable. Can't decide if that's a good thing to give to ds2s kindergarten classmates or not.....

Back to school tomorrow--starting the snowpants and boots season. Boy, am I glad I shopped for winter coats last Spring--and saved winter boots from ds1 for ds2.

Had to trade in last years ice skates for both boys for new (used) ones--boy! Even the used ones are expensive--received $10 in trade on larger pair and only $2 on smaller pair. But that's still better than I could have gotten at garage sale prices. Both pairs ended up costing $34. New is still way more expensive--and they grow out of them by the end of the season! I'm missing garage sales already.....

Well--better get going--lots to do today!

[leasmom]

and it worked. I couldn't find it though a few weeks ago at Walmart. If the vet has that spray I will go and get it if I can't find the stuff at Walmart. I have to wait until Wednesday though or Thursday until paycheck day. Until then we're suffering.

I just found out that my sister may either be moving to Denver or back to Michigan. My nieces are supposed to be moving back with their mom in Detroit this summer. They want us to move back up there with them. I never EVER thought I would ever want to move back up there but if my entire family is there, I don't know. I don't think dd would survive, it's very cold, very harsh, and even living outside of Detroit would mean dealing with attitudes I'm no longer used too. I live the southern laid back attitude, I like Tennessee, it's beautiful and quiet and a perfect place to raise dd. I don't want to move but in talking to them it makes me feel like I don't want to be the only ones outside of Michigan. This is just thinking, not making ANY plans or anything, just thinking...what do you guys think???

[LoriMae]

Patrice, just my 2 cents.......But I would stay where I was most comfortable. Don't let your family give you a guilt trip you need to do what is best for you and your DD.

Frugal today is taking things to the goodwill.

[boggsZ]

leasmom Im going to second what LoriMae said you seem so happy leaving in tenn i would think long and hard if i were you but i know you will make the right choice

[crochet2]

I have been playing catch-up with this thread all day.

Thanksgiving was hectic. I was supposed to go to my aunt's for dinner. And then come home and cook for my boyfriend and myself. But, life interfered. My boyfriend tells me, last minute that he should be able to get a break at the same time my aunt is having dinner. And of course, I am not prepared. So I fed him some deviled eggs and pickles and sent him back out for a tour around the town.

I put the oven up to 450 and put in the turkey thighs.

Knowing that would not cook them in about an hour, I grabbed a microwave browner/crisper Dish I got at a yard sale a couple of years ago and have nto used. You are supposed to pre-heat it in the microwave before you put anything in it. Well, about 1/2 way through the pre-heating time, it started to smell like burning plastic. Out it went-all the way into the outside garbage can.

So I got hold of my quiche pan, transferred them from a metal pan to that and put them in the microwave, and prayed. In 15 minutes they were just about done. I then transferred that whole pan with some foil on it back to the oven, which I lowered to 350.

Then came the asparagus. That steams well on top fo the stove. So no worries there.

And I had made both sweet potato pie and a pecan pie (from the recipe on the karo syrup bottle). So I was set.

After we finished eating and he was back on the road, going about 45 minutes up the road to work as a state adjunct police officer, I finished cleaning up. I then headed to my aunt's for dessert and catching up with her side of the family.

We all live in town, but our schedules and temperments do not always cause us to see each other. I mean literally, within blocks of each other.

Friday, I stayed home and defrosted and cleaned my freezer. That is my BF thing to do. Then I took a nap. Nothing is more frugal than napping.

Yesterday, I ran around town like a crazy person because my nephew's father didn't get his birthday gifts, stopped by my house on Friday, gave me money and asked me to do it. So early it was off to TRU for a gameboy game, and then on to the skateboard shop for a new skateboard. My nephew hangs out there so I had to do this inbetween him being there.

I called and placed the order. They knew what he wanted. Then I snuck in and paid for it as he was on his way there. But I couldn't take it because they had to put the grip tape on it. So I had to come back.

He was supposed to be going on a movie date with several other kids and I was dropping him off in another town. But that didn't work out, so the kid he was going to go with, came to my house. I had to not let them leave the house while I went and picked up the board.

Then while they were out, back at the skateboard shop, I took both presents to his house and put them in a closet. When his father showed up to pick him up, I told his father where to find the gifts for this morning.

Before any of those stores were open, I had gone grocery shopping. I got 6 Mrs. Smith's pies for $.79 each - how frugal is that? And I got a pork roast that they charge you less because it has bone in it (this was a 3" X 1/2" bone) for less than $1.50 per lb. It is in the crockpot now with sauerkraut and brown sugar. It smells so good.

But I was very happy that I got the pies. The store had them on sale for $1.79 and I had coupons that came in the mail for $1.00 off each. And after I cleaned the freezer and re-arranged the bounty that is there, I made room specifically for them.

I think that I am done for Christmas shopping. I also got to Bed Bath & Beyond yesterday. I got one of my bosses a heated towel rack. He has an outdoor hot tub and I think that will go real well with that. The other one just bought a house this past spring, and I found a pasta jar (with pasta in it), and an oil and vinegar set with cruets and a tray for the cruets to set on, along with the oil and vinegar in the same pattern as the jar. So he is set and I am done.

Now it is down to baking the cookies, decorating the house, writing the cards and wrapping the gifts. Piece of cake. I still have some of those aprons to embroider, but I don't need the rest as gifts, so I will take my time, and see if they sell at the yard sale next May.

I have bought the gifts for the kids at the Kiwinas breakfast, finished the hats for the school kids. Unless my aunt (she's 83) wants to go Christmas shopping, or someone tells me of someone who needs help, I am just about done. There will still be another turkey and fixins' to get together to give away (I bought extra yams in the can yesterday, to start this with).

Well ladies, I better go. The kids are out skating, the cat is asleep, the football is at 1/2time and I need to decide if I am having rice or mashed potatoes with this roast.

Take care all!!! Norma

[leasmom]

Just a thought. Every time my sister mentions it or my nieces tell me they want us up there with them it really gets to me. I left because I and dd were miserable. If I were even to think of moving there, the plus side would be having my entire family around me. The downside is everything else.

This is just a thought, just thinking...I love it here!!! I want dd raised here but sometimes when they talk about moving back, it just would be nice to be there too...but again...not really planning anything I just was thinking...

[justEricka]

ok i have a question....(i know..only one??!?? )

how do you decide on meat bundles? at the local meat cutters, the same place ill get my deer from later, i can get bundles of meat...25 to 50 lbs...of diffrent meats..for prices of 1.99 to 2.59 a lb. and the packs are like a varity of meat..like..this one for example..

small viarty pack
4# boneless chuck steak
6 # ground beef
3# round steak
2# rib eye steak
3# pork steaks
2# pork chops
5# fryers

total weight 25 #
total price 54.75 or a cost of 2.19 a lb.

can anyone give me an idea on this? because of the food stamps, ill have enough to get a good stock of meat next month. aand my deep freezer is pretty well under half way full. im not happy about that. i want to have enough food for all winter..or at least untill i get another good stock up time. so i decided to ask you all what you think of this.or your opionons. im not very good at getting good deals on meat. ive been using last years deer so long im not up to date on prices.

thanks and have a good day
ericka

[barbszy]

Ericka, that is a good price for the variety of meat you get--at least it would be in New Jersey. I don't know what you normally pay for those meats where you are. But we can't get ground beef under $2 a pound, and ribeye steaks on sale are $7 a pound.

Patrice, we are a couple of hours from our family because we can afford to live here, not there....we love it here in South Jersey and we know that there are a lot of things about North Jersey that we would hate--the only benefit would be being closer to family. It hasn't been enough to tip the balance for us. You really seem happy where you are in Tennessee.

[bluebird]

We all live in town, but our schedules and temperments do not always cause us to see each other. I mean literally, within blocks of each other.

I know how that is! Today FIL called to tell us TG dinner had been moved from the church to thier house. From one not peanut safe place to another. Then he had the balls to be upset and sad since we wouldn't be there. Dh flat out said, "well it wouldn't be fair if we went but dd couldn't". Then FIL agreed. I did think it was funny since two siblings couldn't make it due to the weather. We are right here and they refuse to work with us to spend a holiday with us but.... some of the family they want to see so badly is just too busy to see them. What comes around goes around??? I have a feeling they may be old and loney someday soon. There are aready grandkids that refuse to have anything to do with them cuz they are so judgemental.

Frugal was staying home today. It is snowing and blowing...... I would be sewing but ran out of blue thread..... Just a nice lazy day.

[VickiLynn]

Patrice, Michigan isn't that far from Tennesee. You can always go and visit for a few days, or they could come and visit you. And what about your school?