Frugal Friday

WHAT a week! I think I can speak for many people in the US (regardless of political affiliation) that it's been a week with a lot of drama & anxiety. Looking forward to closing the chapter on this election. Here's what we've been up to this week: 

Saving on things we buy

• I bought more ground beef on discount
• I uploaded all of our shopping receipts to Fetch
• Used Amazon credits (from selecting slower shipping) to rent a movie for the kids for Halloween
• Used an expiring Rite Aid reward to reduce the cost of a very $$ prescription. We get reimbursed by our HSA, but this saves us money in the long run

Earning money

• Found a quarter & a dime on the ground in my neighborhood, big money style
• Returned our leased car a day early (due to scheduling, more than anything else) & called our insurance to notify them of the earlier drop off. Received a whopping $1.39 refund check
• I've continued to list & sell things on eBay, and am hopeful that things will pick up as we approach the end of the year. Sales this week:
• A set of Lands End gloves, hat & scarf that I found at our vacation house over the summer, and brought back to sell. 
• A book Nick finished reading
• A set of magnets
• A suit that no longer fits M 
• A kids tshirt I found left behind at our vacation house (it was previously one of the boys) that they've outgrown

Avoiding spending

• Pureed pumpkin (Sam painted one, so it wasn't carved) & froze for future pumpkin muffins/bread. Kept out one batch & made 18 muffins & a loaf of pumpkin chocolate chip bread, which filled the need for comfort baking/eating this week. :-) 

For others

• Went through our garage & emptied some things to loan our neighbors a few crates. They are remodeling their kitchen, & were looking for boxes. The crates are easier, (free) & more environmentally friendly. They will return them when done. For a few minutes of my time, I can save them time & money. 
• Returned a lost dog to another neighbor
• Made a pumpkin chocolate chip bread for a neighbor 
• Volunteered at a non-profit (more on this to come, as I'm really excited about it)
• Gave away a ton of herbs (basil, mint & parsley), jalapenos & persimmons to friends & neighbors

I mentioned that I started doing the "for others/kind deed" stuff as my goal to bring more kindness into the world in the 100 days leading up to the election. Regardless of the outcome, I've both loved doing this, and just adding it as a reminder in my weekly recap makes me think of new & creative things to do for others, so I'm definitely going to keep going. 

Please continue to share your ideas (frugal or for others) as we can always be inspired by each other. Any wins for the week?