Last Week's Thrifty Moves

Sunday morning I decided to get a jumpstart on my April grocery shopping and headed out early to Cash & Carry, Wal-Mart and the Grocery Outlet.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the stores quiet and decently stocked with the items I wanted to buy.  The only thing I wasn't able to buy was rice, so I'll keep searching.  On the way home I stopped and topped off my truck with fuel.  Once home I put all of my groceries away and did some meal planning for the week ahead.

Both of my girls worked all day on Sunday so I pretty much had the day to myself.  I made a batch of pork verde in my slow cooker and some rice for supper.  They were able to eat once they got home from work, which was at different times and there was plenty of leftovers for additional meals.

Tuesday we ended March on a rather crazy note.  It had stormed all day, super weird weather, and just as we sat down to dinner that evening we had an earthquake.  No kidding!  6.5 lasting about thirty seconds.  Fortunately, all was well and we carried on.  A big thank you to all of you who reached out to check on us too!  That was really nice.

Bacon cheeseburger - Yum!

Wednesday we began a new month and I was pretty happy to leave March behind and see what April has in store for us.  I worked all week, which included overtime, and when I wasn't there I was home.  I cleaned, cooked and kept myself busy planning, making lists and researching information for some small projects I have in mind.

I've been re-growing some green onion roots

Friday afternoon I was at my desk at work and we all felt an aftershock from the earthquake Tuesday.  It only lasted a couple of seconds.  We've been having them, but that was the first one I actually felt.  Pretty crazy.  By the time I left work I was exhausted, both mentally and physically.  What a work week I had!  Right now people are fearful, agitated, anxious and temperamental and I completely understand, but boy it sure can take its toll on a person.  By Friday evening I was definitely ready for some weekend.

I found these out in the garage

Saturday I spent the day in my pajamas doing research on long term food storage and making plans to start a prepper pantry.  I think it is a good idea and it will give me great peace of mind to put this together.  I also placed an order on eBay for some supplies using my PayPal credit account to pay for these items over the next six months with no interest.  Highly doubtful I will take that much time to pay it off, but nice to have the option.  I will be posting more about this as I get busy and put my plan into action.

 I had put these books into my donation bag, but I pulled them back out
Under the current circumstances I think I want to continue using them

I also did some research into some car repairs and maintenance I will be doing this summer and started a parts list.  I also searched for best prices and quality on those parts.  Once the weather gets a little nicer I am hoping to get started.

A really BIG pot of turkey chili

I thawed out a five pound package of ground  turkey and made a huge batch of beanless chili.  My oldest likes beans in her chili so I cooked up a small batch of pinto beans for her.  I mixed beans and chili together for her and the rest is for me and my youngest.  It was really good with grated cheese on top.

Some of the 15 Minute Chores I accomplished to keep my home in order:

Laundry Room & Half Bathroom - vacuumed floors, scrubbed sink, cleaned mirrors & light fixture.  Daily swish & swipe.

Dining Room - vacuumed floor, cleaned dining room table & chairs.

Kitchen -  vacuumed & spot mopped the floor, cleaned microwave, cleaned range hood, wiped down appliances, scrubbed & bleached sink.

Bedrooms & Main Bathroom - vacuumed & dusted.  Scrubbed sink, washed bath mat.  Daily swish & swipe.

Other - two large loads of laundry, vacuumed & dusted living room, hallway & entry, moved living room furniture to clean underneath.

How was your thrifty week?  Are you staying healthy and keeping busy?