A quick one, as it's been an insane week with work, in office days, dinner with the boss, flying to Boulder & working a half day today before I help move out Nick & his buds. The energy is high in Boulder this weekend (and it's crowded!) as it's graduation tomorrow.
Saving on things we buy
- Stopped by Trader Joes to pick up granola & peppers, and uploaded the receipt to Fetch & then iBotta. iBotta has a semi consistent cash back offer for any receipt, so I made a whopping $.05 there. I'm getting rich over here!
- Picked up another prescription at CVS, and used a bunch of coupons & rewards to get two containers of vitamins (my hair is falling out faster than ever, thanks to the double whammy of menopause + lupus) for $3.45.
Earning money
- Cashed out Fetch rewards for a $10 Amazon gift card.
Avoiding spending
- We spent money on gas & $30 on park admissions for our trip to Pinnacles on Saturday, but brought our own water + electrolytes, and breakfast/lunch from home. It was a very frugal day & I got to mark off another national park!
- Ate dinner at the lounge (included with my credit card) & filled my water bottle as well, when I was at the airport yesterday.
- Got a ride to the airport from Sam, saving on the cost of a ride share or parking.
- Staying at a hotel with free Hyatt night award, which also waives the cost of the $25/night parking. When you have status & are staying with a free night award, free parking is a huge perk.
- Got free coffee this morning. They also offer breakfast, so I will likely grab a yogurt as well.
Eating what we have
- Before we left for our Pinnacles hike, I defrosted a small portion of Philly cheese steak meat I'd found in the freezer. Not enough for more than 2, I knew Sam was working on Saturday night. When we got home from our hike, M added a pepper, onions & provolone & made us Philly cheese steaks, but with no bread/sauce. I had mine over a salad.
- Pulled two bags of rotisserie chicken bones out of the freezer & made a double batch of chicken broth. Bonus points for using up some elderly carrots as well. I now have 9 additional various sized containers of chicken broth added to the freezer.
For others
- Helping some of Nick's friends move out of their dorms, and transport what they are leaving over the summer, since their parents can't make it.
What about you? Share your wins!
Ready to use rich broth in the freezer is a huge asset! I think Ive used all mine but have means to make more. Your schedule is full on.
ReplyDeleteNothing concrete but I am holding my own. I didn’t realize widowhood came with so many stupid filing fees! Plus, daughter needed her passport for travel abroad so of course it had to be expedited, at an additional $60.00. Even without that it would have been over $120.00. But coming up on a year and I think things are settling.
ReplyDeleteCollege kids aren’t cheap, are they? ALTHOUGH, youngest received his Direct Transfer Associate’s degree in the mail last week! He is waiting to hear from UW, but has already been accepted at a closer four year (Western) which has exactly the program he wishes to study. I suppose the AA is a HUGE win…easily saved me 80k. He is pretty sure he will go to Western and attempt the commute to Bellingham for at least a quarter, which would also be a win. He would have to live on campus at UW, as I can’t imagine subjecting him to the commute for any length of time. As much as he would like to say he was a Husky, they don’t really offer the program of study he wants specifically. Moreover, the undergraduate campus life really doesn’t appeal to him. So fingers crossed! Brings me back to my own college years.
Also, since you asked, (and I am almost embarrassed by its simplicity)
Garlic Parmesan Chicken
-3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
-1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan (do NOT use the shaker stuff)
-1 8oz brick of cream cheese
-1 12oz* bottle of garlic Parmesan dressing (we use Sweet Baby Ray’s)
Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients. *Fill dressing bottle with milk, cream or white wine, swish, pour over contents. If you have a 16oz bottle instead of 12oz, only fill bottle about 2/3. This step keeps the chicken from drying out, but you don’t want it too liquidy.(is that even a word?)
Cook on high for 3 hours. Shred. Serve over pasta.
Happy Friday
-Meg B.
Meg, I am sorry I did not realize your husband had passed. You have my deepest Sympathies. Anne in the kitchen
DeleteThank you. He and I had a wonderful time together.
Delete-Meg B.
I am always amazed at how careful you are with $$$ when traveling.
ReplyDeleteWe have found when staying at the same hotel each time we go to Portland, they now comp breakfast each morning and though they do not add free parking, they reduce it by half. 15 bucks a day beats 30 every time.
Sounds like you had a good week. I managed to talk myself out of a Costco membership, so let's count that as my win, ha ha.
ReplyDeleteYou are really busy.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
My Frugal Friday post was a short one too, but that's OK, we are busy living. I did find a deal on oranges marked down to $1.00 a bag this week, which thrilled me. LOL
ReplyDelete