2023 Household and Personal Care: November

 Personal Care:

Mike haircut    $13      Great Clips

Pedicure   $33

Total     $46

Household:

2024 calendar   $1.31.     Dollar Tree

YTD

Personal Care:   $84.64  under budget

Household:     $58.30 under budget 

2023 Buying and Eating: December 1-15

Allocation     $341

Cushion     $ 860.22

     What WeAte:  tuna and cheese crackers, fruit salad;     Pasta with clam sauce and asparagus, cottage cheese and fruit, garlic biscuits;     Green chili enchilada casserole, cottage cheese with onion, corn chips;      Chick pea curry with spinach over rice, salad;     Seafood crepes and spinach salad;     Green chili casserole and spinach salad;     Ham loaf, smashed sweet potato, Korean salad;     Ham, edamame, salad, onion rings; kielbasa hash, fruit and yogurt; sloppy Joe, coleslaw, cheesy potato rounds;     Creamy avocado pasta, leftover salad, bread;     Leftover sloppy Joe, broccoli and blue cheese, marinated veggie salad 

What We Bought:

Sanders:  donuts(doz), scallops (#), yogurt (32oz), bananas (4#).   $15.83

Price Rite:  cheese (5#), sweet potato, spinach    $27.72

Aldi:  flour (15#), pie crusts (4pkg)   $13.13

Sanders:  bananas, tofu, broccoli   $2.98

Aldi:  cream cheese (2), Brie, mushrooms (3), butternut squash  $12.03

Price Rite:  spiral ham (11#), lettuce, sweet red pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, ricotta    $18.29

Two week grocery total:  $89.98

Eating Out:

Lunch to dc $4.17

Dinner and lunch dc.   $28.24

Dinner dc with girls.    $88.00

Lunch home from dc.    $2.73

Two week total eating out:  $123.14

Two Week Subtotal:  $213.12

Remaining Allocation:  $127.88

2023 Frugal Things in November

 1.   Mike and I received our covid and flu shots and earned $20 in free food at Giant Eagle.

2.  Mike took advantage of a few Veterans Day promotions and we ate for free that day.

3.  I used the grinder that attaches to my mixer to grind chicken, pork and ham for hamloaf.  It's cheaper to buy the basic meat and grind it myself.

4.  I used home ground pork to make homemade breakfast sausage.

5.  As part of Veterans Day, Mike received a few haircut voucher.

6.   We took advantage of the Thanksgiving sale on butter and stocked up for several months and saved about $45 in the process.

2023 Buying and Eating: November 16-30

 Remaining Allocation:   $228.70

Cushion:   $723.08

Subtotals For First Part of Month

          Grocery   $78.07

          Eating Out.     $23.23

          Two Week Subtotal:     $101.30

What We Ate:

Chicken pot pie soup and biscuits;     liver and bacon with onion, butter beans, cheesy potatoes;        Leftovers;      tuna and cheese;      pasta with clam sauce and garlic bread;    ham loaf, winter squash, baked potato;     Seafood crepes, potato rounds, peas;     Cornish hens, wild rice dressing with pecans, cranberries and apricots,  waldorf salad with bleu cheese and pecans, parmesan baked carrots, pumpkin pie;     Thanksgiving leftovers;     Pierogie casserole, Waldorf salad, three bean salad;     Asian chicken stir fry with onion pancakes and fresh mandarins and pineapple salad;     BBQ pork, baked beans, rice patties, cottage cheese and fruit salad;     Mulligatawny soup, open faced grilled cheese, fruit;     Cheesy potatoes and ham, green beans, cottage cheese and onion;     Kielbasa, Lima beans, rice patties, fruit and cottage cheese;     

 What We Bought:

Aldi:  butter (6). $14.94

Aldi:  butter (6), sour cream     $16.89

Giant Eagle:  clementines (3#)   $1.99

Co-op:  molasses  (1.2#).    $2.16

Aldi:  cream cheese (2), half and half, cranberries, carrots (2#), cabbage  (2.5#)    $12.66

Subtotal:  $48.14

Monthly Total:  $126.21     This includes 30 pounds of butter for the stockpile.

Eating Out:

Breakfast with the ladies.      $8.57

Hunting breakfasts          $32.00

Coffee with friends.    $2.85

Subtotal:  $43.42

Monthly Total:  $66.65

Monthly Grand Total:  $192.86       6.43/day      $3.22/person/day

YTD:     281 days

Grocery:    $1578.04.          $5.62/day.         $2.81/person/day

Eating Out:     $566.72.         $2.02/day.         $1.01/person/day

YTD Total:    $2144.78.         $7.63/day.         $3.82/person/day

2023: Household and Personal Care: October

 Personal Care:

Hair clips      $6    Dollarama

Body powder, deodorant     $3.75    Dollar Tree

Hand mirror.    $1.25       Dollar Tree

Total:  $11

Household:

Coffee filters (3)     $3.75     Dollar Tree

YTD:

Household:  $29.61 under budget

Personal Care:  $100.64 under budget

2023. Buying and Eating Out: November 1-15

 Allocation:   $330

Cushion:   $723.08

Breakfast Ideas:   homemade cinnamon rolls;    cornmeal muffins;    homemade bagels;     toasted homemade bread with peanut butter and jelly;     homemade waffles;     Sweet potato muffins;     Cinnamon toast;     Baked oatmeal;   Overnight oatmeal;     Homemade granola;     

Lunch is Leftovers

What We Ate at Dinner:   pierogi casserole, lima beans, Mixed fruit and yogurt;     Tuna chowder and grilled tuna and cheese on rye, homemade pickles;     Italian strata with sausage and spinach, rhubarb;     Orange chicken and fried rice with yogurt and fruit;     Hummus and spanakopita with yogurt and rhubarb;    Pesto pizza with fresh mozzarella, parmesan, onion and olives;     basil pesto pizza with fresh mozzarella, olives and onions;     rosemary chicken, stuffing, three bean salad, applesauce;     avocado pasta, French bread, salad;     Vegetarian tikki masala, curry potatoes, mixed vegetables, French bread;     ham loaf, creamed potatoes, butter beans, acorn squash;          Avocado pasta, fruit and vegetables;     Hamloaf, creamed potatoes and butter beans; leftover smorgasbord (2);     Chicken picatta, cheesy potatoes, three bean salad, butter beans, peach yogurt;          

What We Bought:

Wal-Mart:  eggs (3)  $3.72

Giant Eagle:   eggs  (5)  $4.95

Giant Eagle:    flour.    $1.49

Aldi:   cheese (2), mushroom (3), cranberries, marshmallows (3), butter (6), half and half , apples, onions, frozen peas(3), mixed vegetables (3), feta, cream cheese (2), cream of mushrooms soup (4), cream of chicken soup (4)     $50.86.  Took advantage of some Thanksgiving sales.

 Aldi:   butter (6)  $14.94

Aldi:  butter (6)   $14.94

Giant Eagle:  potatoes (10#), onions(2#)  $2.97:  

Total:  ,$78.07

Eating Out:

Taco Bell     $8.00     dinner after working the polls

Smokey Bones     $15.23    Lunch with Mike

Total:  $23.23

Two Week Subtotal:  $101.30

Remaining Allocation:  $ 228.70

2023 Frugal Things in October

 1.  I had a day of baking and made 14 English muffins, A loaf of artisan bread, banana bread , A dozen bagels and flatbread. After pricing them, I probably saved $20-25 and they taste wonderful.

2.  Meals centered on stock pile ingredients, keeping food costs way down.

3.  I received a large bag of yarn from a friend for Linus blankets.  Unfortunately, I forgot to count how many.  But I know that it saved a lot.

2023 Buying and Eating Out: October 16-31

 Original Allocation:  $286

Remaining Allocation:  $250.89

Cushion:  $519.27

Grocery Subtotal:  $35.11

What We Ate: Grilled ham and cheese  sandwiches, fried potatoes, fruit;     Lasagna, garlic bread, salad;      scalloped potatoes and ham, Caesar salad, peas, Irish soda bread ;          mulligatawny soup and fruit;     Seafood crepes, pasta with pesto, fruit, cheese bread;      Mexican pepper pork, black beans, Buffalo rice, salad;     Beef and noodles, peas and carrots, salad;     Bean and rice burrito, corn, salad;     Chicken parmesan casserole, mozzarella, tomato and basil salad, garlic bread;     Polish sausage, fried potatoes, bananas and milk, corn;     Bean soup and grilled cheese sandwich;      Veggie latkes, apple sauce, double corn muffins, salad;     Cheese steak pizza;     Taco bake;     Pierogi casserole, peas, fresh pears;     leftovers

What We Bought:

Sanders:  marble rye, bananas (6)    $0.92   

Aldi:  pears, cottage cheese, yogurt   $7.47

Save a Lot:   eggs.    $1.50

Subtotal:   $9.89

Monthly Total:    $45..00

Eating Out:

Lunch with Ginger     $7.99

Lunch with Pat      $ 29.20

Monthly Total    $37.10

Monthly Total:     $82.10

Amount to Cushion:  $203.81

New Cushion Amount:   $723.08

YTD:   251 days

Grocery:  $1451.83      $5.78/day         $2.89/person/day

Eating Out:   $500.07     $1.99/day.       $1.00/person/day

YTD Total:  $1951.92       $7.78/day      $3.89/person/day

                                           The numbers will continue to drop as we use the stockpile.

2023 Household and Personal Care: September

Household

Measuring cups, cheesecloth, craft scissors  $6.27     Dollarama

Personal Care

Hair clips    $7   Canada shop

Yardley soap, hair clips    $5.    DollarRama

Total:   $12

YTD:

Household      $3.36 under

Personal Care         $81.64 under

2023. Frugal Things: September

 1.   I took advantage of a free laundry service and didn't have to pay the $118.25 normally charged!  Yay!  Free is so much nicer.

2.  More free laundry service and a savings of $68.25.

3.  Additional free laundry, saving us $123.00.

4.  The ship was selling a tour for $89/person.  We found the same tour locally for $25/person:  A savings of $128.

5.  More laundry.  We saved $65.25

Repetitive, boring but money saving.

2023 Buying and Eating: October 5-15

 Monthly Allocation October 5-31      $286.    We are back from vacation.

Cushion:   $519.27

What We Ate:  Cincinnati chili, cheese muffins, applesauce;         Ham and 5 bean soup, apples;     Bbq beef sandwiches, baked beans, baked sweet potatoes;     Potato and chick pea curry, dahl, salad, homemade flatbread;     Chicken parmesan casserole, eggplant caponata, salad;     seafood crepes, salad, lima beans;     Harvest meatloaf, parmesan rice patties, pear and bleu cheese salad;     Leftover crepes, asparagus, salad;     Leftover meatloaf, French fries, Green beans;     Tuna chowder, cheese and crackers;      Homemade calzones, chips

What We Bought:

Sanders:  potatoes (10#),  sweet potatoes (2)  $3.89

Aldi:  baking powder, pears (3#), cream cheese, Romaine hearts (3), bananas (1.75#), cucumber (2), acorn and butternut squash (3.75#)   $12..97

Price Rite: sugar, pot pies (4), carrots (2#),red peppers (2), tomatoes (5), apples, (6), cheese (2#)   $18.25

Subtotal:  $35.11

Eating Out:

   $0.00

Remaining Allocation:  $250.89

2023 Linus and Such: July-September

 Linus Blankets:  21

Chemo caps:   34

Operations Gratitude Scarves:  9

Pet blankets:  5

Mission Thrift:  15 skeins     $16.02     $1.07/skein

Canadian Thrift:  5 skeins     $4.00       $0.80/skein

Thrift Store:  40 skeins       $50.05          $1.21/skein

Salvation Army:   30 skeins     $30.    $1.00/skein

Linus donation           25 skeins                 free

Goodwill.         64 skeins.         $50.63.           $0.82/skein

Goodwill           124skeins        $43.00           $0.35/skein

Thrifty Shopper      40 skeins    $36.00.         $0.90/skein

Buy nothing group.    36 skeins      free

Goodwill.         18 skeins             $23. 00.          $1.29/ skein

A generous friend        7 skeins of merino wool.         Free

404 skeins.         $253.70

YTD:   516 skeins.       $447.71           average of 87 cents/skein

Linus  68

Operation Gratitude    44

Animal Blankets  14

Chemotherapy Caps   57

2023 Household and Personal Care: August

 Household:

New butter dish for RV          $1.99.           Thrifty Shopper

Lightbulbs, two gallon bags.      $4.37.       Salvage

New napkins   (4).         $1.59.         Goodwill

Total:  $7.95

Personal Care: 

Toothpaste.          $0.89.       Salvage

Mike hair cut and beard trim.         $23.00         Great Clips

Total:  $23.89

YTD:

Household:     $20.36 over budget

Personal Care:     $63.64 under budget

2023 Buying and Eating: September

 

We are on vacation this month.    Food is provided.  Therefore, nothing was budgeted.

20233 Frugal Things in August

 1.  I took advantage of a 50% off senior sale to buy yarn at Thrifty Shopper and saved $33.82.

2.  I bought Hallmark birthday cards at Dollar Tree and saved $14 from the price printed on the cards.

3.  I was gifted 36 skeins of yarn, including some perfect for pet blankets.  Again, A bundle of money saved.

4. I used an inexpensive cake mix to make 24 biscotti for about $1.  To purchase them would be at least $24.  Significant savings.

5.  Using my birthday gift certificate from the yacht club, we saved $15 on a celebratory lunch out.

6.  We salvage shopped on Senior Day and saved $9.24.

7.  Our hotel room in Boston was paid for using, you guessed it, points.

2023 Buying and Eating: August 16-31

 Remaining Allocation:  $244.74

Cushion:  $520.18

What We Ate:     creamy chicken and vegetables over mashed potatoes, cottage cheese salad, bagels;     ham and spinach quiche, fried zucchini, salad, garlic and cheese biscuits;     Leftovers;     leftover chicken and vegetables, garlic and cheese biscuits, salad, fruit;   Kielbasa on the grill, potato skins, cantaloupe and cottage cheese;       Cheeseburger on the grill, homemade French fries, macaroni and cheese, cantaloupe;     Scalloped potatoes and ham, carrots, salad;     Leftovers;     Buffalo chicken wings, fried green beans, parmesan rice patties, cottage cheese and tomato;      Freezer leftover smorgasbord of pulled pork, chicken and vegetables, colcanon;     chicken parmesan Florentine and pasta with cheese bread, salad;          Quiche, potatoes Anna, green beans, salad;     Potato and garbanzo curry, carrots, fruit;     Baked beans with rib meat, potato salad, garlic rolls, fruit;

What We Bought:

Produce Stand:  tomatoes  $4.14

Salvage Shop:   ground chicken (7#), game hens (2), artificial crab (1#), brats, coffee (9), broth (2), gnocchi (2), peanut butter (3), butternut squash puree (2), corn tortillas, tuna, Pesto, flour (20#), sesame milk (4), ragu, Vegall (2), diced tomatoes (2), parmesan cheese (2#), dry lentils (2), pinto beans, green chiles (2), corn, kraut    $71.87

Salvage Shop:  frosted mini wheats , crackers (3), peanuts, green beans, pineapple (2), peaches (2), apricots, cashews, tuna (2), dry garbanzo (3), stir fry sauce(3), oatmeal, mushroom broth, gherkins, beef stew sauce, coffee (6),  tortilla bowls (2), digestive biscuits (2), dry onion, onion soup mix (3), parmesan cheese (1#), bleu cheese dressing (2), dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, dill slices, banana peppers, lemon juice (2), evaporated milk (4), bamboo shoots, coffee (2), tea  $76.33

Salvage Shop:    coffee (15), crackers (2), green beans (7), corn (2), peas and carrots, peas, cream (2), tuna (4), apple sauce, canned chicken, pad Thai noodles mix (2),   roasted chickpeas, bread flour (2#), baking soda, oil spray,   sesame ginger sauce (2), tikki masala sauce  $70.75

Salvage Snack Box:   60 items in total:  7 are full size and 53 are individual size and includes peanut butter crackers, pretzels, tortilla chips, bugles, Chex mix, kind bars, cashews, protein bars     $2.00

Our salvage shopping for the year is now over.  We located almost all the items on our list.  We saved quite a bit of money but😚 did find that prices were higher.

Subtotal:  $225.09

Eating Out:

Mike lunch in Cleveland     $2.00     Taco Bell

Lunch at Yacht Club  $18.56

Subtotal:  $20.56

Total:  $245.65

Into the Cushion:   $0.91

New Cushion:    $519.27

YTD:  220 days

Grocery:  $1406.83            $6.39/day          $3.20/person/day        and that includes all of the                                                  salvage stockpile

Eating Out:   $462.88.         $2.10/day.         $1.05/person/day

YTD Total:     $1869.73.        $8.49/day.        $4.25/person/day     this will decrease as we use                                                     the stockpile

2023 Household and Personal Care: July

 Budget is $30 /month each category

Household

Two glasses   $2    Thrift store

Dishwasher detergent ( 4),Palmolive dishwashing detergent (6), ammonia (2). laundry detergent (4) , utility bucket   $32.00    Family Dollar

Total :  $34

Personal Care

Haircut and beard trim   $23     Mike

Purple shampoo (2)    $9.96.      Sandy

Total:  $32.96

YTD;

Household:  $42.61 over budget

Personal Care:  $57.53 under budget

2023 Buying and Eating Out: August 1-15

 Allocation:     $341

Cushion:       $520.18

What We Ate:  pork Italiano, pasta, veg;        gnocchi, sauce and meatballs;     BBQ chicken, corn, salt potatoes;     Ribs and cheesy potatoes with coleslaw;     Leftovers;     pork Italiano with pasta, tomato salad, fried zucchini;     Scalloped potatoes and ham, Caesar salad, Brussels sprouts;     Potato and veggie pancakes, salad, green beans with butter and milk;     Chicken moo shu, vegetable fried rice, fruit and yogurt;     Pulled pork sandwiches and potato skins;     Homemade cream of asparagus soup and tomato sandwiches;    Potato and Kraut casserole, green beans almondine, corn on the cob;     Chili spaghetti, cheese quesadillas, fresh fruit;     ham and spinach quich, roasted potato and vegetables, corn on the cob;     Taco salad and garlic bread   

What We  Bought:     

Vegetable Stand:  tomatoes (6), zucchini (2)   $3.00

Tops:  tuna, eggs (3), bananas, corn on the cob (5)      $5.67

Aldi:  Bagels (2), cream cheese, romaine lettuce, olives (2), peppers (3), spinach, cantaloupe, grapes (2.27#), cherries (1.5#)   $24.80

Price Rite:  boneless, skinless chicken breast  (17#), cottage cheese, coffee (2),tuna   $37.52

Subtotal:  $70.99

Eating Out:

Lunch at Burger King with Mike     $8.47

Coffee with Amy   $5.57

Breakfast with Cindy   $11.23

Subtotal:  $25.27

Two Week Subtotal:  $96.26

Remaining Allocation:    $244.74

2023 Frugal Things in July

 1.  Taking advantage of a free birthday drink from Starbucks, including an extra shot of expresso.  Yum!

2.  A local store had a grand re-opening.  We took advantage of some good sales and spent enough to use an additional $10off coupon.  All told, we saved $27.   I'll take it.

3.  I was gifted 25 skeins of yarn for my Linus Project baby blankets.  That saves me a ton of money!

4.  Went thrifting and took advantage of their military discount and saved  $18.68

2023 Linus And Such: April-June

 Linus Blankets   17

Operation Gratitude Scarves  20

Animal Shelter Blankets  4

Chemo caps:  23

YTD: 

Linus:  47

Operation Gratitude:  35

Animal shelters:  9

Chemo caps    23

1st Quarter YTD:  110 skeins          $121.57          $1.11/ skein on average

Thrifty shopper     16 skeins          $28.31     $1.77/skein

Goodwill          27 skeins.         $14.50         $0.50/skein

Thrifty shopper     31 skeins.      $22.06      $0.71/skein   50% off sale

Goodwill.     20 skeins     $16.00      $0.80/skein

Goodwill in West Virginia     41 skeins.    $73.61     $1.80/skein

Goodwill in Maryland         79   skeins       $37.10.    $ 0.47 /skein

Goodwill Chesapeak     1  skein     $3.18        $3.18/skein   specifically needed to finish a project

Prime Thrift Store DC             50 skeins.      $32.94.     $0.66/skein

Linus donation       47 skeins        free!

Goodwill:  17 skeins   $24          $1.41/skein

Salvation Army.        13 skeins      $13.90        $1.06/skein

Salvation Army:       5 skeins     $5.29.         $1.06/skein

Thrift store         7 skeins   $8          $1.14/skein

Thrift store       5 skeins.      $4.82          $0.96/skein

Salvation Army Ashtabula:     27 skeins    $35.15       $1.45/ skein

Salvation Army Madison      10 skeins      $7.28      $0.73/skeins

2nd Quarterly Totals:        406 skeins       $326.14           $0.80/skein

Adjusted YTD:   516 skeins.         $447.71        $0.87/skein

2023 Buying and Eating Out: July 16-31

 Remaining Allocation:  $177.85

Cushion:  $403.14

What We Ate:  Savoury bread pudding, colcanon patties, garlic spinach, salad;     Italian sausage with onions and peppers, parmesan rice patties, fresh fruit, green beans;     Supreme pizza and popcorn;     BBQ pulled pork, colcanon patties, yogurt and blueberries, carrots and dill;     Cheesy impossible pie with a Mexican sauce, yogurt and mixed fruit, salad;     avocado carbonara pasta, salad, garlic bread;    leftover smorgasbord;        Beefy soft tacos and homemade guacamole with chips;     Taco salad and garlic bread;      Shrimp and grits, butternut squash, salad;     BLT and sweet potato fries yogurt with fruit;     Veggie fried rice, fresh fruit, salad ;     Bleu cheese pasta with sausage, lima beans, fruit salad, garlic cheese bread;      Hamburgers, baked beans, coleslaw;     ham, dauphinoise potatoes, tomato and mozzarella salad, Mediterranean vegetables;  BBQ pulled pork, fruit salad, potato salad;     

What We Bought:  

Dollar Tree:  baking powder    $1.25

Sanders:  marble bread, Italian bread, sweet potatoes (2), butternut squash    $2.56

Sanders:  donuts (doz)boneless beef shoulder roast (1.75#), grapefruit (3)     $13.00

Price Rite:  tuna (4), cherries, mush, tomatoes, grapes limes, bananas cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Red Baron pizza (2)   $29.12

2week subtotal:  $45.93

Eating Out:  

Mike lunch  $2.38  Sam's Club

Lunch at Aunt Cookies   $12.50. A once a year lake treat

2 week subtotal:  $14.88

2 week grand total:  $60.81

Remaining Allocation:  $117.04

New Cushion:   $520.18

YTD    189 days

Grocery     $1110.75               $5.88/day

Eating Out.       $417.05            $2.21/day

Total YTD.         $1527.82           $8.08/day.             $4.04/person/day

2023 Household and Personal Care: June

 Household:

Salvage:  foil wraps (4), aluminum foil, parchment paper, wax paper sandwich bags hand soap (2)  $11.51

Thrift store:  door wreath   $4.97

Salvation Army:  3 corelle plates for RV. Garlic press for RV  $1.98

Total:  $18.46

Personal Care:

Pedicure     $31

YTD: 

 Household.   $57.07 over

Personal Care.    $29.49 under

2023 Buying and. Eating: July 1-15

 Allocation:   $341

Cushion:     $403.14

What We Ate:  Indian bean curry, curried potatoes, poppadoms, watermelon;     General Two's chicken, stir fried veggies over rice noodles, watermelon;    ravioli and sauce, garlic and cheese bread, cucumber salad, mixed vegetables;     grilled chicken thighs, Napa cabbage salad, fruit and cottage cheese salad, chibata bread;     Chicken salad sandwiches on homemade rye, bean dip and corn chips, coleslaw; Chibata bread pizza and popcorn;     Korean BBQ beef over rice, cottage cheese with mandarins, Hunan style napa cabbage chibata;     Grilled marinated Chuck steak, pasta with pesto, sauted asparagus,  chibata;     tuna bean and pasta salad, strawberries and bananas, garlic toast;     Swiss chicken with stuffing, peas and carrots, mixed fruit salad;    gnocchi, meatballs and sauce with garlic cheese bread  and fruit and cottage cheese salad;     Rice, bean and cheese burritos, fruit, cottage cheese and pickled beets;     Parmesan rice patties, leftover beef, roasted Brussels sprouts, fresh fruit salad;

What We Bought:

Canadian Bulk Barn:  buckwheat flour(1#), dry garbanzo (1.6#), dry soy beans (1.2), Greek seasoning, dry minced onion, molasses, figs (1#) , cheese powder (.66#)  $30.91

Canadian No Frills:  malt vinegar, red wine vinegar, shell pasta(2), elbow macaroni(2), rotini (2), penne(2), rigatoni (2),cottage cheese, Napa cabbage, bananas, ciabatta (2), English muffins, everything bagels, strawberries is   $19.04

Aldi:  plain yogurt, half and half, cream cheese, carrots (2#), green onions, yellow red and orange peppers, romaine lettuce, mushrooms, strawberries, blueberries, avocado (3)   $25.00

Family Dollar:  supreme pizza (2)   $4

Subtotal Groceries:   $84.20

Eating Out:

Dinner out with friends   $35.17

Sandy's birthday dinner     $34.96

Birthday lunch     $14.07

Subtotal Eating Out:  $78.95

Two Week Subtotal:  $163.15

Remaining Allocation:  $177.85

2023 Frugal Things in June

 1.  Another hotel room, this time in Cleveland, paid for with points.  An easy way to save over $100!

2.  I stocked the camper freezer, fridge and pantry from my home stockpile of food bought almost entirely on sale.  Big savings.

3.  I started to restock my stockpile by shopping at salvage grocery stores.  Mayo for 50cents, whole wheat flour at 25 cents a pound, A can of chickpeas for 39cents, saltines and Ritz crackers for 49cents, large cans of tomato products for 15cents, bacon for $2.20/pound, cranberry sauce for29 cents, evaporated milk for29 cents a can, green chiles for39 cents a can, flour tortillas for 29cents, dried beans for79 cents per pound, salt for39 cents and tomato paste for 29cents, just to name a few.  Great savings!

Frugal Fail:  One of the tires on the RV needed inflated before we could drive on it.  We had to buy a compressor:  ONE day after the sale was over!

2023 Buying and Eating: June 16-30

 Remaining Allocation:  $26.95    

Cushion:   $650.97

What We Ate:  pizza and popcorn;     burgers on the grill, sauted mushrooms, onions and peppers, leek and potato gratin, salad, green beans;     steak and shrimp, cabbage salad with poppy seed dressing, carrots with maple glaze, potatoes;     Salmon patties, cottage cheese with onions and sunflower seeds, green beans;     Beef and bean nachos and fried cheese;     Cheeseburger impossible pie, potato skins, Greek salad;     marinated grilled pork, Irish colcannon, sauted corn, Greek salad;     Asian pork, peanut noodles and peas , cottage cheese vegetable salad, Asian onion pancakes;     Sandwich and homemade French fries;     Fried rice, watermelon, salad;          Cordon bleu pasta, ramen and cabbage salad, Succotash, watermelon;      Savoury bread pudding, cheesy potato slices, green salad, asparagus;     Cordon bleu pasta, cucumber and onion salad, asparagus with parmesan, watermelon;      Savoury bread pudding, cucumber salad, fried cabbage, watermelon;     

What We Bought:

Salvage Shop #1:  crunchy chicpeas (3), coffee (9), cranberry stuffing mix, evaporated milk (4), mayo (3), applesauce (4), turkey broth (2), soy milk(2), stove top (2), cookies (2) yogurt raisins    $43.42

Salvage Shop #2:  whole wheat flour (12#)), beef, mushroom and chicken broth (7), coffee (6), mac and cheese (2), onion soup mix (4), sliced and slivered almonds(6), pumpkin bread mix(2), chopped dates (4), digestive biscuits (2), soup mixes (3), chickpeas (3) Kraut, crushed pineapple, cake mix (3), Irish soda bread(2), chocolate biscuits (2), saltines(2), Ritz, tomatoes (2), cumin, old English spread, ranch seasoning, Pam (2), applesauce (2), tomato paste(3), tarragon, curry, onion powder, honey, Velveeta, oatmeal (3), cereals (7)    $79.16

Sam's:  pizza   $3.94

Price Rite:   coffee (2), green peppers, tomatoes, cucumber (2), watermelon   $15.62

Country Fair:  extra large eggs (3)    $3.87

Aldi:  half and half     $2.55

Salvage Shop 3:   popcorn, bbq sauce, ketchup (3), pineapple(2), diced tomatoes (4), cranberry sauce, evaporated milk (5), cream (3), green chiles (3), enchilada sauce (2), fried apples, salsa (4#6oz), mixed vegetables, flour tortillas (3), vegetable stock (2), great northern beans (2#), lima beans, split peas, cocktail sauce, horseradish, poppy seed dressing (2), bleu cheese dressing (2), flour, coffee (3), coconut, triscuits, oyster crackers (2), rice(2), Marie cookies, salt, tea bags, dry milk , bacon (15#)    $72. 95

Salvage Shop4:   walnuts (2), macadamia nuts (2), peaches, pears, soy milk, raisin bran (2), frosted flakes, coconut cookies, crunchy soybeans (6), cashews (2), Oreo type cookies (3), rye flour, coffee (6#)    $37.78

Subtotal Groceries:  $259.09

Eating Out:

Lunch at Sam's:  $2.38

Mike lunch at Taco Bell     $3.18

Lunch with Amy and Cindy     $10.13

Subtotal Eating Out:  $15.69

Monthly Grand Total :  $577.83

Into Cushion:  $247.83

Remaining Cushion:  $403.14

Yes, we definitely spent a lot and I still have one more store I would like to visit.  This stock up will do us well for months so I am not concerned.  

YTD  158 days

Grocery:  $980.64.        $6.21/day

Eating Out:  $323.22      $2.05/day

Total to Date:    $1303.86.         $8.25/day.          $4.13/person/day

The daily amounts should drop over the next few months as we eat from the stockpile.

2023 Household and Personal Care: May

 YTD:

Household:  $68.61 over

Personal Care:  $30.49 under

Nothing was spent in either category this month.

Adjusted YTD:

Household:  $38.61 over budget

Personal Care:  $60.49  under budget

2023 Buying and Eating: June 1-15

 Allocation:  $330

Cushion:  $650.97

What We Ate:       homemade pot pie and watermelon with cheese bread;      BBQ pork, leek and potato gratin, Baked beans, strawberries;     Lasagna, rosemary garlic bread, yogurt and jello;     ham, potato and leek gratin, jello, mixed vegetables;         Philly cheese steak pizza and homemade French fries;      Assortment of appetizers;     Chili spaghetti, garlic bread, jello;     Indian vegetable curry over rice with curried potatoes and watermelon;     Spaghetti and meatballs, salad;     Chef salad and cheese toast;      homemade pad Thai, tomatoes and mozzarella salad;     Grilled kielbasa, kraut, grapes, salad, hasselback potatoes;      Tuna and rice, tomato and mozzarella salad, grapes, Brussels sprouts;

What We Bought:

Save a Lot:  onions  (4#) , half and half, chicken wings  $11.46

West Side Market:  strawberries, blueberries (3), asparagus (3), leeks (6), rosemary bread, sausages (2#), pita (10), haloumi cheese   $52.00

Costco:  Worcestershire sauce, sharp cheddar (5#), jarlesburg Swiss (2.75#), manchego  (2.25#)  $85.05

Trader Joe:  peanut butter (2), sesame oil (2), orzo, farfalle, everything mixed nuts, sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, slivered almonds, cashews, spanakopita, borsein cheese, Cotswold cheese, extra sharp cheddar, chicken pot stickers, Mandarin Orange chicken, edamame (2), coffee   $78.30

Sanders:  green peppers (2) , bananas (2#),little gem lettuce (4),potatoes (20#)   $12.74

Aldi:  honey nut Cheerios, oatmeal, raspberries, grapes  $10.39

Aldi:   bagels (2), cottage cheese, fresh mozzarella, cream cheese  $15.17

Grocery Subtotal:  $265.06  

Eating Out:

Winking Lizard    $14.49  dinner in Cleveland

West Side Market  $12.00  gyro for lunch

Subtotal Eating Out:  $37.99

Subtotal:  $303.05

Remaining Allocation:  $26.95

Cushion:  $650.97

YTD:   142 days

Grocery:  $721.55

Eating Out:  $307.53

Total to Date:  $1029.08            $7.25/day          $3.63/person/day

We have started our yearly  stock up of our pantry and freezer so our numbers will be temporarily higher than normal.  Overall, however, they will stabilize at a lower amount.

We will be into the cushion this month but that is what it is there for.

2023 Frugal Things in May

 1.  We used points to pay for our hotel room in Southampton.  Free is always good.

2.  While on vacation we self booked our tours saving money.  A tour that would cost $56 from the cruise only cost $20.  Another that would have been $130 only cost $33.  You get the idea.

3.  We used more credit card points to pay for our room in Toronto at the end of our vacation.  Again, free is good.

4.  Credit card points were used for our hotel rooms to and from DC.  We get a lot of our points by charging day to day things then paying in full every month.  Interest charges would negate the points earned.

2023 Buying and Eating Out: May 23-31

 Allocation:  $99.00  We are back from vacation.

Cushions :  $638.49

What We Ate:  tuna and rice, baked sweet potatoes, pickled beets;     Hummus, tabouli, spanokatopia, homemade flatbread;     Fried rice, grilled pineapple, green beans;     Gnocchi, Italian sausage and watermelon

What We Bought:

Save a Lot:  eggs, whole watermelon    $6.18

Commissary:  eggs (4.5 doz.), egg roll wrappers (2), marshmallow, crackers (2), onions(6#), split peas, lentils, garbanzo (3), ramen (2),   $28.52

Total:  $ 34.70

Eating Out:

$15.47     lunch at Cracker Barrel

$10     lunch at Taco Bell

$2.53.    Lunch at Sam's Club

$19.34    dinner on way home from DC

$4.48     lunch at Sam's Club

Total:  $51.82.          traveling causes more meals out

Combined Total:  $86.52         $9.61/day.           $4.81person/day

Amount to Cushion:  $12.48

New Cushion Amount:  $650.97

YTD:  127 days

Grocery:  $456.49

Eating Out:  $269.54

Total:  $726.03       $5.72/day.      $2.64/person/day

2023 Household and Personal Care: April

 YTD:  

Household     $57.92 over budget

Personal Care     $23.27 under budget

Household 

 Brita filters  6    $19.79     Amazon

Spatulas   7.     $14.90.    Amazon

Travel alarm clock      $6.00      Target

Total:  $40.69

Personal Care:

Purple Shampoo(2)$9.48    Wal-Mart

Bath powder and hair clips (8)     $5.30     Dollar Tree

Mike haircut    $9    Great Clips

Total:  $23.78

YTD: 

Household:  $68.61 over

Personal Care: $30.49 under

2023 Frugal Things April

 1.  Mike trimmed my hair and saved me the $15 cost of a haircut.

2.  We took advantage of a store promotion and filled a prescription to allow us to receive $25 in free food.

3.  I used a 10% off coupon at a local thrift store to help purchase yarn.  I saved $3.12.  Little amounts add up over time.

4.  I took advantage of a50% off sale at a thrift store and bought yarn.  On average it ended up costing $0.71/skein and I saved   $22.06.

5.  Mike used a coupon for a haircut and saved $6.

2023 Buying and Eating : April 16-28

 Remaining Allocation:  $219.28

Cushion:  $519.93

YTD     105 days

Grocery     $414.05

Eating Out      $124.74

Total      $538.79       $5.13/day.  $2.57/person/day

What We Ate:   beef and noodles, peas, cottage cheese and grapes;     Beef fried rice and Asian onion pancakes;      Cheesy tuna rice, yogurt and fruit, bread;    Leftover smorgasbord;     Grilled boneless pork chops, potatoes Anna, sauted cabbage, onion and carrot, salad;     Lasagna, parmesan cheese bread, leftover cabbage and carrots, salad;         Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, Waldorf salad, dilled carrots;    French bread pizza, cheesy potato rounds;     Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, waldorf salad, peas;     Lentil soup and ham and cheese sandwich;     Assorted appetizers;     Corned beef hash and toast;     

What We Bought:

Sanders:  French  bread, rolls (12), donuts (doz)  $7.74

Eating Out:

$22.60       Lunch with Pat

$13.06.      Breakfast with Mike

$15.00        breakfast with Amy

$18.50.       Coffee and lunch with the ladies

$16.08         lunch with Mike going to Toronto

Total:  $92.98   Wow!  It really added up!

Two Week Total:   $100.72          $7.75/day.    $3.88/person/day

Monthly Total:  $178.44.          $6.37/day.         $3.19/person/day

To Cushion   $118.56.     New Cushion   $638.49

YTD   118  days

Grocery  $421.79

Eating Out     $217.72

Total  $639.51         $5.42day     $2.71/person/day

We will be on vacation until May23.  Food is provided.  No funds will be allocated until the end of May .

2023 Linus and Such: January-March

 Operation Gratitude Scarves:  16

Pet Blankets:  5

Linus Blankets:  31

Yarn

12 skeins    $11.43      $1/skein         Thrifty shopper

22 skeins    $20.33.    $0.95/skein     Thrifty shopper

12skeins      $11..23   $0.94/ skein.    Thrifty shopper

13 skeins    $26.         $2/skein.           Goodwill

4 skeins       $6            $1.50/skein      Goodwill

13 skeins     $12.40       $0.95/skein.    Michael's    (sale, coupon, gift card)

15 skeins      $25.51.     $1.70/skein      Thrifty shopper

19 skeins.     $22.67      $1.19/skein       Humane Society thrift store

Total s:

110 skeins.         $ 121.57          $1.11/skein

2023 Household and Personal Care: March

 Budget Amount:  $30 each/month

YTD:

Personal Care:  $10.02 under

Household:  $47.42 over

Personal Care: 

 hair elastics.     $1.25   Dollar Tree

Mike haircut   $13    Great Clips

Deodorant (2).      $2.50.      Dollar Tree

Total:  16.75

Household

DVD multiplayer   $30   Amazon

Silver polish     $8.    Amazon

Paper plates.     $2.50

Total:   $40.50

YTD:

Household:  $57.92 over budget

Personal Care:  $23.27 under budget

2023 Buying and Eating: April1-15

 Allocation:  $297  Then We are leaving on vacation, where food is provided

Cushion:  $519.93

YTD  90 days

Grocery  $350.33

Eating Out     $110.74

Total     $461.07      $5.76/day     $2.88/person/day

What We Ate:  moussaka, hummus, homemade flatbread, salad;    Sicilian chicken, rice, salad, asparagus with hollandaise;    meatless chicken fried steak, dauphinoise potatoes, mixed vegetables, garlic bread, cranberries;    vegetarian pizza and cheesy potatoes;      Meatless chicken pot pie, salad, garlic bread;    Asian peanut noodles, salad, fruit;   Tilapia with garlic and lemon, citrus spinach salad, dauphinoise potatoes, asparagus;    couscous with shrimp and peas and carrots, salad, rye bread with Swiss;    Lamb, baked sweet potato, spinach salad, asparagus;    Greek salad with lamb and Greek lemon potatoes;    Asian peanut noodles, yogurt and fruit;    Prime rib on the grill, Russian beet salad, baked potato;     Taco salad with cheese bread;    Ribs on the grill, asparagus, hasselback potatoes;    Bbq ribs, hasselback potatoes, asparagus, salad;     Pittsburgh style steak salad, everything bagels;      

What We Bought:

Sanders:  garlic bread, yogurt (2), rye bread, bananas   $4.58

Price Rite:  coffee (3), oil(gal), egg noodles, sugar (12#), flour (15#), tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic (1#), cottage cheese   $40.98

Aldi:  frozen green beans (2), red grapes (2#), sweet potatoes (3#)   $5.40

Tops:  bell peppers (6), bananas, asparagus, celery, $5.79

Wal-Mart:  eggs   $1.97

Bellos:  bacon  (15# case sale )     $45

Two Week Total:   $63.72       $4.25/day     $2.13/person/day

Eating Out:

Lunch with Joyce.    $14

Two Week Total:   $14.00.    $0.93/dah

Two Week Grand Total:  $77.72     $5.18/day        $2.59/person/day

Remaining Allocation:   $219.28

YTD    105 days

Grocery     $414.05

Eating Out     $124.74

Total     $538.79          $5.13/day          $2.57/ person/day

2023 Frugal Things in March

 1.  I used a gift card sent to me by Chewy when ordering cat food.  A savings of $20.

2.  While the oven was on at 250 to cook a corned beef, I used the heat to re-crisp cereal and pretzels and to make croutons.  

3.  I bought $28.03 worth of yarn.  I saved $8.40 because it was as on sale.  I used $18.87 that remained on a gift card.  My out of pocket cost was $0.66 for 49 ounces of yarn.  Good deal.

4.  I received a$5coupon for taking a survey.  I combined it with a30%off sale.  I ended up purchasing 42 ounces of yarn, regularly $23.94, for $11.74.  I saved $12.20!

2023 Food and Eating Out: March 16-31

 Original Allocation:  $341

Remaining Allocation:  $249.09

Cushion:  $423.43

Subtotal For 1-15:

Grocery:  $91.91

Eating Out:  $0.00

YTD  through first half of the month(74 days) 

Grocery:  $239.38

Eating Out:  $79.10

Total:   $318.48          $4.30/day         $2.15/ person/day

What We Ate: BBQ pork sandwich and French fries with green bean casserole and cranberries;reubens, Irish boxty; savoury bread pudding, salad, green beans;  lasagna, tomato, mozzarella and pesto salad, garlic bread; sloppy Joe, baked plantains, butternut squash; creamy pasta with corned beef, cottage cheese and mandarins, leftover squash and salad; meatless chicken fried steak,  cheesy potato rounds, salad; leftovers; shrimp scampi and Mediterranean couscous, yogurt and fruit, garlic cheese bread; beef stew, cheesy cornbread, cottage cheese salad; creamy pasta with corned beef, fried zucchini, cornbread muffins, tomato and mozzarella salad; stew, smoked cheddar on rye fruit salad; polenta, kielbasa, salad; sloppy Joe, Irish boxty, broccoli, cabbage with poppy seed dressing; pasta Alfredo with salmon, asparagus, waldorf salad

What We Bought:

Sanders:  potatoes (20#), grapefruit, yogurt, apples, tomatoes  $12.38

Aldi:  corned beef (2)  $18.45

Price Rite:  coffee, mushrooms (3), zucchini (2) $7.23

Sam's Club:  jarlesburg, cheddar, parmesan, bleu cheese   $32.56

Aldi:  Brussels sprouts, mixed vegetables, tortilla chips, butter (6), bacon, bagels (2), sliced Swiss (2), romaine lettuce, asparagus, fresh spinach, eggs, cucumber     $40.33

Eating Out:  

Lunch with Mike     $3.99

Lunch with Joyce     $15.02

Lunch with Ginger   $12.63

Subtotal For 16-31

Grocery  $110.95

Eating Out   $31.64

Total:  $142.59

Monthly Total

Grocery   $212.86

Eating Out     $31.64

Monthly Total     $244.50   $7.89/day      $3.95/person/day

To Cushion     $96.50     New Cushion   $519.93

YTD   90days

Grocery   $350.33          

Eating Out     $110.74.         

Total     $461.07     $5.76/day       $2.88/per/day

2023 Household and Personal Care: February

 Budget for each $30/ month

YTD:   Household over by  $49.86

             Personal Care over by $19.98

Household:

Replacement food processor part  $27.56  Amazon

Because Mike is not able to drive yet, there were no shopping trips locally.

New YTD:

Household over by $47.42

Personal Care  under by $10.02

2023 Food and Eating Out: March 1-15

 Allocation:  $341

Cushion:  $423.43

YTD: (59 days)

Grocery:  $147.47

Eating Out:  $79.10

Total:  $226.57

What We Ate:  cheese ravioli, three bean salad, garlic bread; Mandarin pork over noodles, lima beans, cranberry sauce; vegetable tikki masala, Delhi saag, rice and yogurt; Tuscan chicken and rice,pumpkin oatmeal muffins, fruit ; Korean BBQ beef,chicken j Asian citrus slaw, butter beans; ham and lentil soup with cheese and crackers; cheesy potatoes, meatloaf , roasted carrots, fruit salad; homemade veggie soup and tomato quick bread with fruit salad; shakshuka, three bean salad , braised cabbage with apple and cranberry, tomato bread; seafood paella, green salad, garlic! bread; Tuscan chicken, green bean casserole, salad (2); taco salad; taco pizza; veggie tikki masala, Delhi saag, poppadoms

What We Bought:

Aldi:  frozen peas (2),frozen broccoli (2), marshmallows, cottage cheese, sour cream, cucumber, green chiles, romaine, tomato, half and half, plain bagels, English muffins, blueberry bagels, cream cheese, yogurt (2), bleu cheese, eggs (2)   $31.48

My first shop in six weeks!

Tops:  cabbage (2.5#), rye bread, plantain (4), cantaloupe   $7.21

Price Rite:  coffee, assorted cheese (2#), spiral ham (11#), red bell pepper, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, calamari (1#), shrimp (3#)  $53.22  

We have ham to last till the next sale at Christmas.  We have shrimp to get us to lent next year.

Two Week Subtotal;

Grocery:  $91.91

Eating Out:  $0.00

Total:  $91.91     $6.13/day.   $3.07/person/day

Remaining Allocation:  $249.09

2023 Frugal Things in February

 1.  Frugal Soups Equal Frugal Make Overs.  I make a soup every week to two weeks because they are frugal.  Soup equals money saved on my food budget.  But eating all that soup ( I can't make a small batch.  I have tried.)  can get boring.  So, I turn soup into other meals.  Cuban black bean soup becomes black bean burgers and black beans and rice.  Chili becomes chili spaghetti Mexican lasagna, burritos, taco pizza and tacos (once drained), and the drained liquid is used to make Huevos Rancheros and shakshuka. Ham and bean soup turns into baked beans.  Vegetable soup turns into cottage pie.  Potato soup becomes scalloped potatoes.  Frugal meals all.

2.  Homemade soup almost as quickly as canned.  I use my pressure cooker (think instapot) to make my soups   It is very quick and I find the results more flavorful than other methods.  If I soak the dry beans overnight (super simple) I can make a bean based soup in about 20 minutes once it comes to a boil.  Non soaked beans can be cooled in about 30 minutes.  Non bean based soup can be made in 10-15 minutes.  And remember, you are making multiple serving in that time period. Easy and frugal.

3.  Inexpensive breakfasts.  Most of our breakfasts are grain based.  We eat oatmeal, pancakes, easy crepes, homemade cinnamon rolls, grits, toast, grilled PBJ, homemade scones, homemade muffins and, as a treat, bagels.  These breakfasts are cents/person, in general.

4. Inexpensive and easy basic homemade bread.  Bread has gotten very expensive.  I can make a loaf of bread quickly and with minimal effort for much less.  (And we like the taste over store made bread.)  I found this recipe decades ago in a publication called The Tightwad Gazette.  It is my go to.  3 cups flour, 1 Tbs yeast, 1 tsp salt ,1 Tbs sugar, 1/8 c oil, 1 cup water ( the hottest you can get from your tap).  Mix and knead with your mixer.  Let sit for20 minutes.  Form into a loaf.  Put into a cold oven, Set temp to 350 and bake for 45-60 minutes or until bottom is brown and there is a hollow sound when knocked.

5.  Frugal lunches.  Most of our lunches are leftovers from previous dinners.  Very frugal.  But if I don't have any, I bake potatoes, cook pasta and veg with garlic and butter, defrost a soup, make a grilled cheese, serve pbj, and other inexpensive dishes.  But, leftovers are great!

6.  Bought a gift card from Discover and saved 15%.  Only $7.50 but small amounts add up

7.  A plastic piece of my house food processor broke.  We replaced the part for $27rather than replacing the food processor for $199.  Savings of $172 !

2023 Food and Eating Out: February 16-28

 Remaining Allocation:  $308

Cushion:  $115.43

What We Ate:  moussaka, sauted pineapple, homemade flat bread; flat bread pizza, cheesy potato rounds; calzone, snack items; Sicilian olive chicken, pasta and lima beans; shakshuka, rice, fruit, cheesy bread; cheesy veggie cottage pie, carrot and cranberry salad, Meg's cheesy things; bleu cheese gnocchi with Alfredo sauce, carrot salad, garlic bread; paella and crunchy apple cabbage and feta salad; grilled tuna and cheese sandwich, popcorn, fruit; beef stroganoff with noodles and green beans almondine; mandarin orange pork over rice, mixed veg, cranberry sauce; chicken and garbanzo beans, fruit mix, baked artichokes, parmesan couscous; cheesy meatloaf, baked potatoes, pickled beets

YTD (59days);

Grocery:  $147.47        $2.50/day        $1.25/person/day

Eating Out:  $79.10.       $1.35/day.       $  0.68/person/day

Grand Total:  $226.57.       $3.81/day.       $ 1.90/person/day

Because Mike's knee replacement is keeping him from driving, there was no grocery shopping in February.  Instead, we are eating out of our over full freezer and stockpile.  We are doing well

Our new cushion amount is $423.43

2023 Household and Personal Care: January

 Household

Toilet paper and paper towels  $40.76    Sam's

Bathroom grout cleaner  $3.88.    Menards

Cascade  $5.49     Price Rite

Sandwich bags, quart bags, coffee filters   $3.75

Sheet set    $14.99     Aldi

Oven liners(2)   $10.99  Amazon

Total:  $79.86   we are over for the month by $  49.86

Our toilet paper mass buy and a new set of sheets took us over significantly.

Personal Care

Purple shampoo   $4.98     Wal-Mart

Mike hair cut  $15    ( prices h have gone up)

Pedicure  $30

Total:  $49.98     we are over for the month by $19.98

My pedicure, as always, took us over.

We will even out the costs  over the year, with luck.

2023 Food and Eating: February 1-15

 Allocation:  $308

Cushion:  $115.43

YTD:

Grocery:  $147.47

Eating Out:  $79.10

Total:  $226.57

What We Ate:  Slow cooker stuffed pork chops, cranberry sauce, cabbage salad with poppyseed dressing; chicken with garbanzo beans, smashed potatoes, salad; black beans with rice, corn, cottage cheese and fruit; cottage pie, Rye cheese bread, yogurt and fruit; sandwiches on homemade rye, potato skins, Mandarin oranges; potato pancakes, country style apples, corn, cranberries; chicken risotto, cottage cheese salad, carrot rounds; fajitas, corn muffins, yogurt and fruit, salsa and chips,tapioca pudding; pork lomein, salad, Chinese onion pancakes; fajitas pizza (2); tuna salad and cornmeal muffins; Savoury sausage and mushroom bread pudding, pasta with pesto, cottage cheese and mandarin oranges; dauphinoise potatoes, black bean burgers, pumpkin

Because of Mike's surgery and his inability to drive, there was no grocery shopping for the first half of the month.  We ate out of our stockpile.

2023 Frugal Things in January

 1.  We used points from our credit card, that we pay in full every month, to pay for three night lodging in DC.  Free is always good.

2.  Mike changed where he gets one of his prescriptions filled and saved over $40/month.

3.  We used a $15 birthday credit at the club when we went for lunch.

2023 Buying and Eating: January 16-31

 Remaining Allocation:  $275.29

Cushion:  $0

Subtotal Groceries:  $13.61

Subtotal Eating Out:  $53.10

Combined Subtotal:  $66.71

What We Ate:  Black bean soup, cheese bread, yogurt and fruit; Mexican pizza, tortilla chips; quinoa and beans, fried cheese, pumpkin, salad; leftover Mexican pizza and chips; pastrami sandwiches and homemade French fries; moussaka, cheese bread and tabouli salad; baked potato bar, salad; Mediterranean baked chicken with chick peas and tomatoes, rice,lima beans, cottage cheese and pickled beets; chili spaghetti and garlic cheese bread, salad; mooshu pork and Chinese onion pancakes with yogurt; split pea soup, cheese and crackers, cantaloupe; spicy black bean burgers, potato skins, tabouli; hot pork sandwich with mashed potatoes, green beans, salad; Huevos rancheros, refried beans and cheese, homemade salsa and chips; ham steak with raisin sauce, crispy smashed potato, mixed vegetables, salad; BBQ pork sandwiches, mashed sweet potatoes, salad

What We Bought:

Wal-Mart:   eggs (4)   $15.72

Sam's:  olives, cheddar, feta    $24.16

Sam's:  maple syrup  $12.68

Price Rite:  coffee, baking soda, oil (gal), mandarins, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, romaine, fresh garlic, bananas, cantaloupe, half and half, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese (2), mozzarella, pepper Jack, muenster, gouda   $56.57

Aldi:  bagels (3), Pam  (3), yogurt (4), bleu cheese (2),   $20.58

Giant Eagle:  frozen ravioli (2), molasses, horseradish, green chilies   We used a $15 store credit and then paid $0.15 in cash

Country Fair:  cheese (2)   $4.00

Two Week Subtotal:   $133.86

Eating Out:

$8.48   lunch with Ginger and Ann

$2.56  Mike lunch in Cleveland  

$14.96 lunch with Mike at the club 

Two Week Subtotal:   $26.00

Two Week Total:  $159.86

To Cushion:  $115.43

We bought more than usual because Mike had a second knee replacement and won't be driving for six to eight weeks.  We laid in a supply.

Grocery MonthlyTotal:  $147.47       $4.76/day.    $2.38/person/day

Eating Out Monthly Total:  $79.10    $2.55/day    $1.28/person/day

Total for theMonth:   $226.57.     $7.31/day.    $3.66/person/day

2022 Linus Blankets and Such: October-December

 YTD Linus Blankets:   83

YTD Operation Gratitude Scarves:  36

YTD Pet Blankets:  19

Linus Blankets:  25

Operation Gratitude Scarves:  17

Pet Blankets: 9

Chemo Caps:   22

Dishcloths  4  (made from bits and pieces for us)

Thrifty shopper:  74 skeins for $67.50      $0.91/skein

Free group:  48 skeins is assorted baby yarn       free

Thrifty Shopper:  23 skeins for  $35.75.     $1.55/skein

Thrifty Shopper  28 skeins for   $24.57    $0.89/skein

Salvation Army:  6 skeins for $6.32.       $1.06/skein

Yearly Totals:

Linus Blankets:  108

Operation Gratitude Scarves:  53

Pet Blankets:  28

chemo Caps:  22

Plus numerous non charity items.

Yarn Costs: 

412 skeins purchased and121free

$408.95 spent for an average of $0.99/skein

2022 Clothing Expenses

 January

   -0-

February

$17 for three tops and one Talbots blazer     Thrifty Shopper- Sandy

March

$19.96 for 12 pairs underwear.    Amazon- Sandy

April

-$0-

May

$24.78 for Teva sandals     Amazon Sandy

$56.82 for Teva sandals     Amazon  Mike

$16.99     four bras     Amazon     Sandy

June

5.97     three pairs control top  pantyhose     Goodwill

July

$13 for five tops, one with tags and all good brands  for SandySalvation Army

August

$0

September

$17  for two sweatpants and one sweatshirt for Mike   Thrifty Shopper

October

$4.49     Sweater for Sandy.    Thrifty Shopper

November

$2.98  two pairs of nylons for Sandy

$15.50  for a denim skirt and two sweaters for Sandy

$15.50 for three shirts and one sweater for Mike

December

$12.99   black shoes for Sandy

Yearly Totals:

Mike  $89.32      Budget $100.    Under by $10.68

Sandy     $133.69     Budget  $100     Over by  $33.69

2023 Buying and Eating: January 1-15

 Allocation:  $341

Cushion:  0

What we ate:  baked ham, roasted carrots, blackeyed peas, cheesy creamed spinach  and pecan pie (the pork, blackeyed peas and greens are traditional for good luck); Ham and spinach quiche, tossed salad; stroganoff over noodles, mixed fruit and yogurt, salad;  chef salad and garlic cheese bread; white bean Alfredo with Italian sausage, pumpkin, salad; pot pie, baked potatoes, fruit and yogurt; muffin tin western omelets, sausage, fried potato with onions; cheesy meatloaf, baked potatoes, sauteed cabbage, carrots and onions;moussaka and salad with toasted cheese bread; sloppy, creamed potatoes, leftover veg; chicken fajitas, bean dip, salsa corn; Kraut and potato casserole with Polish sausage, yogurt and fruit, green beans

What We Bought:

Price Rite:  lettuce, cucumber  $2.18 

High Country Creamery:  feta cheese  $8.09

Tops:  rye bread  $2.99

Giant Eagle:  parmesan cheese (2), stuffed olives (3)     We used $25in store credit and paid a total of $0.35

Subtotal groceries:  $13.61

Eating Out:  

$4.75   breakfast with the crafting ladies

$25.05   Pat's birthday lunch

$23.30  lunch and dinner for trip to DC

Subtotal Eating Out:  $53.10

Combined Subtotal:  $66.71

Remaining Allocation:  $275.29

2022 Frugal Things in December

 1.  At the end of our vacation, we arrived in Toronto too late to drive home so we booked a hotel room and paid for it with points.  Breakfast was included.  I love free!

2.  We did another salvage grocery shop to restock our pantry.  We find it really helps stay in our grocery budget and consistently saves money.

3.  Mike took advantage of his VA benefits to get a free new pair of glasses.

4.  Thrifty Shopper had their yarn on sale for50% off.  I saved  $27.59 on 28 skeins.

5.  We took advantage of the after Christmas sales to buy cards and gift bags for next year.  We saved  $53.25.

2022 Household and Personal Care: December

 YTD Personal Care:  $216.36 spent          $220.00Budgeted.         $3.64 under

YTD Household:     $199.05 spent          $330budgeted         $130.95 under

No money spent in either category in December.

Yearly Totals:

Personal Care:   $$216.36 spent.      $240.00 budgeted.         $23.64 under budget

Household:      $199.05 spent.         $360 budgeted.         $160.95 under budget

2022 Buying and Eating: December 19-31

 Allotment:  $130

Cushion:  $914.46

We are home from vacation and back to reality.   :)

What We Ate:  chicken pot pie with broccoli, baked potato, spiced apple slices; cheesy chicken and rice, sliced bananas, peas; chicken fried rice, corn, apple crisp; homemade pepperoni cheese DC calzone and popcorn; assortment of appetizers;  lemon, herb pork roast, baked sweet potato, sauted cabbage,  onions and apples, homemade rolls, pumpkin pie; fish pie, cottage cheese and Mandarin oranges; pork lo mein, fried plantain; split pea and ham soup with cheese and crackers; olive cheese bread, tossed salad, butter beans;  taco salad and guacamole

What We Bought:

Salvage:  coffee (5), onion soup mix (2)), stuffing seasoning (2), pie crust mix , wheat germ, Thai red rice, canned beans (7), tahini, peanut butter, evaporated milk (4), cream of coconut, chicken broth (3), French onion soup, canned vegetables (8), shelf stable milk, tuna (5), canned chicken, olives, soy sauce, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, mayo (2)     $46.80

Aldi:  dark morello cherries (8), pork sirloin roast (2.8#), eggs(!!!!)  $36.39

Sanders: ground chicken breast (1#), beef rib roast (2.5#), strip steak (2#), multigrain bread, bananas (2.5#), tomatoes (4), Greek yogurt (32 oz)   $31.64

Price Rite:  onions (3#), cream of mushroom soup (4), ham (8.5#), lettuce, plantain, mushrooms (1#), cottage w, butter, eggs (2)   $29.38

Aldi:  standing rib roast (50% off), chicken wings (50% offers), olives (2), avocados (4),   $34.77   (We saved $26)

Price Rite:  shaved beef steak (1#) $5.99

Total:  $184.97   

Eating Out:

Lunch with Mike's siblings:  $20

Breakfast with Mike $16.51

Total:  $36.51

Monthly Total:  $221.48

Into the cushion by $54.97

Final Cushion Amount:  $859.49     This does Not carry over into 2023.

YTD Groceries:  $1599.34       $4.91/day

YTD Eating Out:   $564.20.      $ 1.85/day

YTD Total (305 days):  $2067.64          $6.78/day

By the end of the year, inflation was really having an effect.  I expect that to continue in 2023.

We are significantly over budget, and into the cushion,but were able to stock the freezer with some meat bargains.   

2023 New Budget Amounts

 After Running 2022's numbers, I have made adjustments to compensate for inflation.  I'm so grateful that we have the resources to do so.

Grocery and Eating Out:  $11/ day for two people         Up $1/day or $365/ year                         $4015/year in total.         

Personal Care:  $30/ month for two people.         Up $10 /month or $120year          $360/year in total

Household:   $30/month         Same as last year         $360/year in total

Clothing:     $150/year/person      An increase of $50/year/person       $300/year in total

All in all, we are seeing a total budget increase of $585/year.  My goal is to stay within these amount in 2023.