Last Week's Thrifty Moves

Sunday morning I was up bright (well, not really, the sun wasn't up yet) and early.  After setting all the clocks back an hour I was up really early.  I started out my day with a fresh pot of coffee and then stripped the beds down to the mattresses.  We washed all of our sheets and mattress covers and then put our beds all back together adding our winter blankets as the weather as changed and it is getting much cooler at night.

After the laundry was done I cleaned out the refrigerator and we ate up the prior week's leftovers for lunch.

I put some leftover corn and green beans together into a container to place in the freezer.  I later added them to our minestrone soup on Saturday.  No veggies going to waste at this house.

Sometimes you just have to drop what you are doing and sew.  Which is exactly what I did Sunday afternoon.  I finally made the throw pillow I have been wanting to make for months now.  And the crazy thing is it took me less than 15 minutes.  (Ugh!)  I'll be posting more about it later this week, but I want to tell you now that when I was done I had enough fabric to make another one for a friend of ours (who won't be reading my blog) for Christmas.  I know she will just love it because it is her favorite color.

I made wise use of leftovers so we minimized any potential food waste.  We fed our kitchen scraps to the chickens.  I composted coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, onion and garlic skins.

Amazingly our garden is still going and although it has slowed down we are still getting veggies.

I used a toothpick to help me use up the last bit of lip balm in the tube.

I washed out a one gallon Ziploc bag to reuse.

We managed to keep the house warm enough with our fireplace and infrared heater.  I have yet to have to turn on the main heat.

At Fred Meyer I bought fresh produce and used my reward points to save an extra 10¢ a gallon when I filled up my gas tank.

How thrifty were you last week?

My Uber Thrifty Month In Review - October

October sure went by in a flash, but I've been feeling that way every month this year.  How about you?  I feel like I really kicked butt this month on the financial front.  My cost of living raise I received mid month in September is actually making a difference.  Often you get one and don't really notice it.  It is really nice to have the extra cash and I'm determined to put it to good use.  What a blessing. 

I am always thrilled and incredibly grateful when I am able to pay our monthly bills ahead of their due dates and this month I was able to do just that once again.  I was also able to pay my mortgage two weeks ahead of schedule.  This simple change is really helping me to save interest and it is fun to see the principal balance steadily decrease.

I am continuing to work on my business debt goals and I am very happy with my progress so far.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it won't be much longer until that goal is met.  Sometimes I find myself getting impatient with the progress.  I want that debt gone.  But then I settle down and remember "slow and steady wins the race".  It is becoming my mantra.  And it's true.  I just keep plucking away at it and sure enough things begin to happen. 

Along with debt reduction I was able to make my monthly savings goals with no trouble and watching that balance go up always tickles me.  I know it seems to some that you shouldn’t worry so much about savings while you are paying off debt.  It would be wiser to put that extra toward the debt, but actually that isn't the case.  Having savings allows me to cover unexpected expenses so I won't have to add to the debt and make it bigger.  I've had to do that twice this year and it was a relief knowing that money was there when I needed it.

I received my quarterly statements on my retirement accounts and was thrilled to see those balances creeping up as well.  I was worried when the stock market took a nose dive but the impact for me, fortunately, was fairly minimal.  Again, I just keep plucking away at it.

I own it!

I was able to make two sizeable payments on my PayPal account.  My sewing table is completely paid for and I paid a good chunk of the dresser I bought afterward.  Still interest free.  My hope is to pay it off in November and be done.  Fingers crossed.

After my big stock up on groceries in September I spent very little on food this month.  Most of what I purchased was fresh produce and milk.  I did take advantage of a few loss leaders to add to our supplies but for the most part I focused on the fresh stuff.  Even still, I bought what was on sale and in season.  I also used store coupons for additional savings.  It feels really good to be well stocked and not need as much.

The chickens kept us in fresh eggs and we sold enough that they were able to pay for their own food.  I bought two 50# bags of pellets at the feed store which should pretty much hold them through the winter.  I also plan to get them another bag of scratch grains after we sell more eggs.

I purchased my monthly tank of gas and used my rewards card to save an additional 3¢ per gallon.  That combined with the dropping fuel prices made for a very affordable fill up.

Love this full pantry!

I did a little online Christmas shopping with free shipping, of course.  I'm making good progress in that department and it looks like I'll be able to meet my goal of finishing up my gifts by Thanksgiving weekend.  And staying within budget too.

With cooler temperatures on the horizon I think I am well prepared and budgeted for the higher electric bills in the coming months.  Now that we won't be watering the lawn and garden our water bills will be lower so that will make for a nice offset and help some as well.

So bring it on November.  Let's see what we get accomplished in the next month.

Apple Fritters

I have made these apple fritters for breakfast twice now and they are fast becoming a family favorite.  Not too sweet and easy to make with a few simple ingredient you are bound to have in your pantry.  A great way to use up apples that are too ripe and have started to go soft.

Apple Fritters

2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 Tbs. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1 apple, cored and diced

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup milk

Oil for frying

In a large mixing bowl mix flour sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together.  Add diced apples and toss to coat well in the flour mixture.  Add milk and eggs.  Stir to combine.

In a fryer or heavy bottom pot heat oil to 350°.  Carefully drop batter by spoonfuls into hot oil.  Allow to cook through 2 or 3 at a time until a deep dark brown.  Do not burn.  Remove fritters from oil and place on a rack placed over a baking sheet to cool.  While still warm roll in sugar, if desired.

  

I like to take 3 Tbs. of sugar and mix it with 1 tsp. of cinnamon and roll the fritters in that for a little more sweet cinnamon flavor.  They are delicious all on their own as well.

Yum!

So how about it?  Think there will be any apple fritters at your breakfast table anytime soon?

30 Things In 30 Days - November

I made myself another list of things to do.  This one is a bit loftier than normal, I think.  But as always, if I don't complete everything on this list it is okay.

Great-grandma's tattered cookbook

This is what I have planned for this month:

1.          Count my blessings

2.         Go to the $$ Store

3.         Send a letter or card to someone

4.         Family Game Nite!

5.         Invite guests over for a visit or dinner

6.         Make a gift

7.         Sew or craft something

8.         Make a monthly meal plan for December

9.         Make a menu for New Years Day

10.       Try a new recipe

11.        Read a book or write

12.        Family Movie Nite!

13.        Family outing

14.       Put away Halloween décor

15.        Investment cooking

16.       Repurpose/recycle something

17.        Go on a date with my oldest

18.       Finish Christmas gifts and shopping

19.       Wrap Christmas gifts

20.       Bake something and share it

21.        Print Christmas cards

22.       Finalize Christmas letter and print

23.       Complete a $5 or $10 home improvement project

24.       Buy a book of Christmas postage stamps  already done

25.       Prune a tree

26.       Family Nite Out!

27.       List something to sell on eBay, Etsy or Craigslist

28.       Winterize the pond

29.       Spring clean the laundry room

30.       Take some time for myself

Marching band competition

This is how I did last month:

1.          Count my blessings

2.         Go to the $$ Store

3.         Send a letter or card to someone

4.         Family Game Nite!

5.         Invite guests over for a visit or dinner  we did that a lot this month!

6.         Make a gift

7.         Sew or craft something

8.         Make a monthly meal plan for November

9.         Make a menu for Christmas

10.       Try a new recipe

11.        Read a book or write

12.        Family Movie Nite!

13.        Winterize the chicken coop

14.       Get garden ready for winter

15.        Investment cooking  hot pepper jelly

16.       Repurpose/recycle something  saved pesto jars used for canning pepper jelly

17.        Go on a date with my youngest  out for a milkshake

18.       Make or buy and wrap two several more Christmas gifts  still need to wrap

19.       Family outing  High School Marching Band Competition

20.       Bake something and share it  pumpkin bars!!  I took them to work.

21.        Get yard ready for winter

22.       Re-seed the lawn

23.       Complete a $5 or $10 home improvement project

24.       Make throw pillow for chair in living room

25.       Prune a tree  too warm

26.       Family Nite Out!  out to dinner

27.       List something to sell on eBay, Etsy or Craigslist

28.       Work on new inventory for Etsy store

29.       Decorate for fall

30.       Take some time for myself

I didn’t get all the things done as planned due to the warmer than usual weather last month.  Usually this time of year we are in the cooler days of fall.  The trees have just begun to turn and aren't dormant yet so pruning and cleanup has been put on hold.  Since our garden is still producing I haven't cleaned up and prepped the garden beds for winter yet either.

Still blooming in October

Our busier than normal schedule made it so I haven’t been able to sew or craft anything for awhile either.  But soon I plan to get busy and make up for lost time.

Last Week's Thrifty Moves

Camouflaged knuckleheads

Last week was crazy busy for the final week of October.  Much of what I had hoped to accomplish wasn’t.  But that is how it goes sometimes.  Nonetheless it was somewhat productive and quite enjoyable.

After making Sunday breakfast I saved some rendered bacon fat and added it to our jar in the refrigerator.

While my oldest daughter attended a workshop at the university on Tuesday night the youngest and I headed over to the library to turn in some books that were due and check out new ones.  The library is nearby so it was a great way to combine errands.  We read our books while we waited to pick her up. 

At parent teacher night at my oldest daughter's school I found out that our city bus company offers free bus passes to students who participated in extra-curricular activities.  They are good for the entire school year.  Since my daughter participates in extra extra-curricular activities she more than qualifies.  I signed her up and she had it the very next day, just in time to use it for a thing she had on Friday.  Whoo hooo!

Thursday I took the girls to dinner at a favorite restaurant near our home to celebrate their excellent report cards.  I love to do this for them.  We happened to go on a night when kids eat free so my youngest's meal was covered.  The oldest and I ate from their value menu and then we all had dessert.  With tip and everything our dinner was just a little over $18!

There was no school on Friday so my oldest went to the university for a tour as well as to participate in some classes they offered to high school students for money management and how to navigate college preparation as well as to learn what to expect out of college life.  They fed the students lunch and dinner as well as provided transportation from their school to the campus and back.  They also gave her a terrific binder to organize all of her college prep materials.  She used her new city bus pass to get herself to the school that morning.  She had a great time and learned a lot.  They held a raffle and she won a pair of tickets to a musical this week and she invited me to go with her.  We have a date!

Friday evening we unwound by pulling some old Disney DVDs from our hall closet and watching them.

On Saturday I had a very ripe apple to use up before it turned bad so the oldest and I chopped it up and made a batch of apple fritters.  We rolled the fritters in a little cinnamon and sugar.  It made for a delicious breakfast and we had plenty left over for the next day.

For Halloween we spent the evening munching on snacks and watching Buffy The Vampire Halloween episodes.  We finished up the night with Dracula Untold.  We did not get one single trick-or-treater, which is pretty typical.  I didn't even buy candy this year.  If someone had shown up I would have given them quarters.

Our chickens are slowing down to their winter schedule and only blessed us with a dozen eggs.  We are now adding two hours of daylight with a bulb in the coop to see if this helps them with production.  Twelve eggs is still better than nothing.

The youngest and I picked all the green tomatoes and a big bowl of peppers in anticipation of frost that never came.  Our garden is still going.  It rained enough this week that we didn't have to water anything except the pots on our front porch.

With the rain it got cool enough that we used our fireplace a few times during the week.

I took an online survey to add 50 bonus points to my Fred Meyer rewards card.

I sold a dozen eggs to our next door neighbor.

I gave our kitchen scraps to the chickens as well as some tomatoes from the garden.  I composted coffee grounds, tea bags, banana peels and egg shells.

I did not do any grocery shopping.

How thrifty were you last week?

Monthly Menu Planner - November

Another month is coming to a close already and another month of planned meals is ready to be posted on the side of our refrigerator.  Sometimes I find myself caught in a rut when it comes to our meals but a plan definitely makes it easier for us, especially when our schedule gets hectic.  And lately it really has been busy around our house.

Homemade bread sticks

This is what we have planned for our meals next month:

Italian Sausages, Pasta, Caesar Salad

Chicken Quesadillas, Salsa, Sour Cream, Lettuce & Tomatoes

Chinese Chicken & Cabbage, Steamed Rice

Egg Scramble, Toast, Fruit

Minestrone Soup, Bread Sticks, Garden Salad

Pork Verde, Steamed Rice, Cheese, Sour Cream

Macaroni & Cheese, Smoked Sausage, Peas & Carrots

Eggs Benedict, Pineapple Slices

Italian Black Bean Soup, Cornbread, Garden Salad

Herb Roasted Chicken, Potatoes, Baby Carrots

Tomato Basil Pasta, Tossed Green Salad

Waffles, Sausage Patties, Fruit Salad

Beef Enchiladas, Lettuce Wedges, Corn

Egg Sandwiches, Sliced Peaches

Sausage Pesto Pizza, Caesar Salad

Lentil Soup, French Bread, Garden Salad

Broccoli Beef, Steamed Rice

Minestrone soup

I incorporated a lot of use of leftovers again this time.  Not only will we make sure to minimize food waste but it will also mean I will have fewer meals to cook and extra time to focus in other areas.  We also have a couple birthdays to celebrate as both girls are November babies.  So there will be a couple special meals to prepare for them.

And we've opted to go non-traditional this year with our Thanksgiving Day menu:

Lasagna

Homemade Dinner Rolls & Butter

Spinach Salad & Asian Vinaigrette

Olives & Assorted Pickles

Cheesecake

Are you a crazy meal planner like me?  What wonderful things do you have planned to eat?

Thai Coconut Curry Soup

This spicy Asian soup is delicious and warms you through and through.  We love it, especially on a cold fall day.  Gets your blood pumping.

Thai Coconut Curry Soup

2 cups chicken broth

1 can unsweetened coconut milk

1 cup water

3 Tbs. soy sauce

2 tsp. fish sauce

2 Tbs. red curry paste

6 button mushrooms, thinly sliced

4 green onions, sliced

2 cups cole slaw mix or shredded cabbage

1 small can sliced water chestnuts

In a large pot combine broth, coconut milk, water, soy sauce, fish sauce, curry paste, onions and mushrooms.  Bring to a boil.  Add coleslaw mix and water chestnuts.  Stir well cooking until cabbage is just tender.

If you aren't so much into the spicy stuff you can leave out the curry and still enjoy a flavorful soup.  You can also add sliced chicken to make it extra hearty.