Frugal Friday

We've made it to another Friday of "shelter in place". It sounds like more exercise areas will open up next week (not gyms, but outdoor options that allow for social distancing), which will be a great option for the kids. Here's what we've been up to over the past week.

Saving on things we buy

• The shelter at home order has been extended until June for us, so I put one of our cars in "storage" via our car insurance. 
• Took advantage of flexible travel policies & rebooked & saved about $150 on our flights to Portland for the holidays. 
• Totally unclear if we will be participating in our family relay this summer, but I cancelled & rebooked our flights on another airline, saving $300
• I decided to treat the kids to Panera yesterday, as they were having both a family meal as well as a $10 off deal. I combined that with gift cards to pay just over $1 for lunch for everyone, plus enough leftover for another lunch. We ordered online via the app, & they came out to the car (with masks, and we had masks). It was really convenient.

Earning money

• Continued to list items on eBay, and small sales are trickling in
• Sold an old lawnmower on a neighborhood site. The timing was good, as most people don't have yard service right now, and are more motivated to mow their own yards

Avoiding spending

• I found a super old postage stamp (for $3.50?) in a drawer when decluttering, and used it to mail masks to my sister.
• I also found a stamped envelope, already addressed to my parents (also discovered when cleaning) & used it to mail the letters we wrote to my mom for Mother's Day
• Cancelled flights to/from LA, where I was planning to pick up the boys from my parents after a trip to Disneyland. That's been cancelled, so no need for a flight. I got credit back on Southwest Airlines. 

Not really under any of those categories, but more about our neighborhood sharing

• Brought Kleenex for a friend (she couldn't find them) & she gave me apples from her farm delivery
• Made potato salad & saved a few portions for our neighbor across the street. She is always doing kind things for us, as we walk her dog daily. She dropped off a quiche from a neighborhood bakery that she'd purchased for us.
• Made orange muffins using a few of our many oranges from our neighbor's tree. Dropped off some for her to enjoy as well
• One of our neighbors had a huge bin of lemons outside on their driveway, with bags for taking home. I juiced them for salad dressing & to add to my water every day. I'm loving the addition of lemon to make my water feel a little bit more like a drink.

What about you? Any frugal wins for the week?