Last Week's Thrifty Moves

 

I have been cleared to return to work on a part-time basis (20 hours this week) and today is my first day back.  Hurray! It is a relief to be heading back to the office, even if it is only part-time.  It is still progress!

 

Pan seared salmon & dill sauce with sauteed squash

Over the weekend and pretty much all day Monday we got some much needed and appreciated rain.  We were able to keep the chill off the house with just our living room fireplace which was very nice.  Our latest power bill reflected our efforts to conserve which I really appreciate as my paychecks will be dwindling for a little while.

 

I did some meal prepping on Monday and Tuesday.  Simple things so I could use up odds and ends I had in the freezer (leftover roasted chicken) and fridge (veggies, minced garlic, rendered  bacon fat & some condiments).

 

Thursday morning I was feeling a bit stir crazy.  The weather was beautiful so I headed outside to soak up some sunshine, breathe some fresh air and pull weeds.  I sat on my bum on my driveway and pulled the weeds in our gravel parking area next to it.  Because of all of the rain we'd had earlier in the week they came up super easy and less than half an hour I had a nice sized pile to toss in the trash.  It felt good to be outside as well as somewhat productive at the same time.  My "new normal".

 

Edith comes to visit me regularly

Since I've been home I've been letting the chickens out every day to forage in our fully fenced yard.  They've been doing a great job keeping up on the weeds for me so I don't have to worry about them in this area.  The hens love to run around in the yard and I love watching them.  They are so much fun.  Edith has come in a few times to visit with me.

 

I washed my winter coat and gloves and put them away until I need them again late next fall.  I've had this coat for fifteen years and it still looks like new.  It was an investment piece and has held up nicely and served me very well.

 

I cleaned and reorganized the cabinets under the kitchen sink and in our downstairs bathroom.  I was able to purge a few more items and get them out of the house.  I also added a paperback book to the donation bag in the garage.  I also tidied up the junk drawer in the kitchen and purged a few items from there as well.

 

Black bean soup

THINGS WE ATE LAST WEEK:  Tuna casserole, salmon & sautéed vegetables, stir fry w/shrimp, navy bean soup (from the freezer) tacos & taco salad, nachos, chicken fried rice.  I made a batch of black bean soup for the freezer 

My darling oldest daughter came by and raided the pantry for food, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, toiletries and T.P.  I'm so happy I am able to load her up with necessities to help her out and keep her going.

 

THINGS I CLEANED IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS: 

Laundry Room & Half Bathroom - vacuumed & mopped floors.  Cleaned cabinet under sink, scrubbed sink, cleaned mirrors.  Daily swish & swipe. 

Kitchen & Dining Room -  Vacuumed & mopped floors.  Cleaned cabinet under the kitchen sink.  Daily swish & swipe. 

Bedrooms & Main Bathroom - Scrubbed sink, vacuumed & dusted, mopped bathroom floor.  Daily swish & swipe. 

Other - two large loads of laundry.  Vacuumed & dusted living room, hallway & both entryways.  Mopped both entryways.  Swept front porch, sidewalk, driveway & garage.  Pulled a nice pile of weeds.

 

THINGS I DID TO SAVE A SMALL BUNDLE OF $$:  I washed out a couple Ziploc bags to reuse, I got every last bit of mustard out of the container after it was upside down in the fridge for a couple weeks, I added some water to an "empty" laundry detergent jug, gave it a good shake and had enough soap to do one more load.  I trimmed my bangs.  I mended a couple pieces of my daughter's clothing that was in need of repair.

 

THINGS I DID TO EARN EXTRA $$:  I listed more cards (note cards, thank you and birthday) for sale in my Etsy shop and sold something on eBay.  My goal is to earn enough to cover our groceries and nonfood items.

How was your thrifty week?