We are slowly getting back to real life around here.
Saving on things we buy
- I save gas cash back offers (from my credit card) whenever they come through, as the teens are known to gas up at a variety of places. One was just redeemed, which saved us $1.99 in cash back.
- Nick was able to make it to the bank in person (required) to swap his accounts from a high school to college account. If he didn't get this done, he was going to start being charged $15/month, so a big impact to someone with a limited budget.
- Uploaded a $.10 offer from iBotta
Earning money
- Sam got a small promotion at work, where he will be getting a larger part of the tipping pool, which is a nice benefit.
Avoiding spending
- Nick gave us a ride to the airport, and Sam was able to pick us up, saving us the cost of parking or a ride share.
- Returned a Christmas gift that Sam wasn't sure he would use. I did have to pay return shipping of $5, but decided I'd rather do that than have a store credit, so it's gone now.
Eating what we have
- This was a bit of a frugal fail, but Nick picked up takeout Greek food on Sunday when we got back from the airport. I always order a few extra sides of protein, which helps us stretch the food out for multiple extra lunches (typically three lunches). Not ideal, but stretching what we did buy, at least.
- Made spaghetti & meatballs + garlic bread, using up largely pantry & freezer ingredients.
- Nick hosted a dinner party on New Years, and there were some leftovers in the fridge from that, so we are working our way through a few extra (peeled) potatoes, parsley, bacon & the like, to ensure that doesn't get wasted. I used the potatoes with some additional veggies to make a sheet pan bake for dinner one night, and I've been adding the parsley to M's salad.
- Defrosted chicken parmesan (freezer leftovers) & served that over the leftover spaghetti & sauce from the meatball dinner.
For others
- Made some small donations, and gave away a lot on Buy Nothing.
What about you? Any wins to share?
Mostly staying home and cooking from home, including a delicious soup from literal bits and pieces of food items. I'm not feeling like I'm missing anything so far being a homebody but cabin fever is sure to come at some point so best I save now.
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