2025. Frugal Things in October and November

 1.  Mike used a coupon to get $5 off his haircut.

2.   I made no knead artisan bread, cinnamon rolls and raisin/ cinnamon bread and saved a lot over buying them.

3.   I have taken on the challenge of eating from the stockpile, more rather than less.  It is working well.

4.  We stayed in a hotel while we were changing addresses.  All paid for with points.

5.   Buying frozen vegetables instead of fresh.  They last longer, no waste, and often cost less.

6.    Turkeys never really got inexpensive this year, so I used chicken thighs from the freezer and made crockpot chicken with cranberries.  Yummy and easy and stockpile focused.

Frugal Fail:  While changing address I Couldn’t find the motivation to make English muffins or bagels so I bought them.   We will survive.

2025 Buying and Eating: November 16-30

 Remaining Allocation    $315.16

Cushion    $927.58 

Days    294 as of the end of November 

What We Ate:    Homemade macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables , plums;     Baked pasta and sausage , fried zucchini , garlic bread, apple carrot slaw;     Pasta with sausage , peas, garlic cheese bread;     Chicken pot pie, apple and cabbage salad , pear sauce, banana bread;     Vegetable soup and  tuna and egg salad sandwiches ;        Kraut casserole, fruit and yogurt, fried green beans;      Mongolian beef casserole, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, stir fried Napa cabbage (2);     Olive cheese bread,  pasta with sauce, broccoli, baked pears;      Ribs and baked beans with fruit salad;      Cheese fondue, bread cubes, apple slices, crackers ;     Leftover steak , beef and onion rice, fruit salad, cheesy bread.      Marinated pork loin , stuffing, plums, dilled carrots;       Chicken piccata, roasted California vegetables , smashed sweet potato , Napa cabbage with poppyseed dressing, cheesy biscuits ;         Thanksgiving Eve:   Cheese and crackers, spicy ranch oyster crackers, crab meat and cream cheese with cocktail sauce, Megen’s cheesy things,     Thanksgiving:  Crockpot Cranberry chicken , stuffing, mashed potatoes, peas, pumpkin pie

What We Bought  

Tops:   Eggs, pasta, onions, sweet potatoes    $4.13

Aldi:     Frozen vegetables (5), sour cream, cottage cheese, russet potatoes (10#)    $16.10

Aldi:  Greek yogurt    $3.69

Two Week Total    $23.92

Eating Out:

Sams   Pizza for two     $4.75

Two week grand total     $28.67

Monthly grand total $103.51        $3.45/day        $1.73/person/day     The stockpile really helps.

YTD:   294 days

Grocery.   $1399.60           $4.72/day          2.36/ person/day

Eating Out.    $627.13          $2.13/day             $1.07 /person/day

Grand Total.    $2004.03.         $6.81/day.          $3.41/person/ day 

New Cushion.      $1139.74

2025. Buying and Eating: November 1-15

 Allocation $390

Cushion   $927.58

Days    294 as of the end of November 

What We Ate:      Sloppy Joe, baked beans, salad;    Vegetarian chili, cornbread muffins, salad;     Chicken and rice with veggies, roasted beets, roasted tomatoes with cheese;        Worked the polls so sandwiches were on the menu;      Broad beans, corn bread, oatmeal pilaf , applesauce;               Chili spaghetti, corn bread, salad.      Vegetable beef soup;        Cheesy meatloaf , corn casserole, tossed salad #3;          Chicken wings, french fries, salad;        Tilapia and shrimp with garlic and butter, zucchini fritters , salad, garlic bagels;      Marinated lake steak, baked potatoes , cabbage salad with mandarin oranges and apples;   Turkey pot pie with stuffing topping,  three bean salad , sautéed pineapple ;       Bean burritos, Joyce’s cheesy nachos ;          Indian with lamb, beans and paneer, rice, Mediterranean eggplant , homemade three bean salad.          Scalloped potatoes and ham , spinach fritters, pears with bleu cheese

What We Bought:

Giant Eagle:   fresh cider (gal).      $4.99

Country Fair:   Eggs (2).     $4

Aldi:    Lime juice.   $2.49

Sanders:   Napa cabbage, bananas, zucchini, sweet peppers, yogurt, potatoes (#),    $15.58

Aldi:     Canned pumpkin (2), garlic powder, cinnamon, tortilla chips, pears(3#), gala apples (3#), pie crust (2).   $13.78

Two Week Total      $40.84

Eating Out:

Sams.    Mike lunch.    $3

Lunch With Joyce  $31

Two week total.   $34.00

Two week Grand Total. $74.84

Remaining Allocation.    $315.16

2025 Buying and Eating: October 16-31

 Remaining Allocation :   $313.94

Cushion    $750.81  

What We Ate:     Chicken  and rice casserole,  green beans casserole, cottage cheese and apple salad with dates,  garlic bread;       Mexican casserole, refried beans, salad;     Sloppy Joe, pasta with cheese and peas, baked beans, cottage cheese with onions and sunflower seeds;     Chicken Florentino, pasta, green salad;     Sauerkraut casserole;      Sausage and bean soup, egg salad sandwich, salad;      Cheesy meatloaf , cour cream and cheese potatoes, poppyseed cabbage salad, carrots (2);      Greek salad, spanokatapia casserole and Greek chicken soup;      Homemade supreme pizza and popcorn;     Fried rice, yogurt and apple , Chinese onion pancake;       Chicken cacciatore over gnocchi with garlic bread and salad ;   Hotdog and kraut casserole,  corn, salad

Eating Out:

Arby’s:   $21.17    Dinner last night in house

$23   Dinner after pack out

$30    Dinner after move 

Two Week Eating Out:   $74.17    High due to our change of address.

Grocery for two Weeks:   0        We ate exclusively out of the stockpile.  Something to aim for more often.

Grand Totals for Month:

Grocery   $46.06

Eating Out  $104.17

Total  $150.17

YTD Totals    264     Days

Grocery  $1334.84        5.07/day       $2.54/person/day     

Eating Out    $588.38          $2.23/day       $1.12/person/day

Grand Total     $1900.52       $$7.16/day        $3.58/per/day

New Cushion    $927.58

2025 Buying and Eating: October 1-15

 Allocation:   $403

Cushion:$750.81

What We Ate:     Bean and sausage soup, cheese quesadilla, pears;     Creamy crab and corn chowder, crackers, applesauce(2);     Savory bread pudding with ham, turkey and cheese ,  kimelwick cheese toast, peas(2);     Pasta with garlic and cheese, peas, applesauce;     Sauerkraut, hotdog, mashed potato and cheese casserole, blueberry bagel, yogurt and peaches;     Lentil risotto, sweet potato, peas;     Ham salad sandwiches and tomato soup with homemade pickles ;      Greek yogurt chicken, spinach and feta casserole , macaroni and diced tomatoes;     Cheeseburger meatloaf, pickles, corn soufflé , baked potato , 3 bean salad;     Fried Rice and Asian broccoli with croissants;     Homemade beefy mushroom soup, grilled tuna and cheese on rye;     Greek chicken noodle soup  and Greek salad;     Fried bologna sandwiches, homemade French fries, cottage cheese and tomato 

What We Bought:

Giant Eagle:  eggs (4)    $11.96

Aldi:   Mayonnaise  $2.99

Aldi:  sour cream    $1.73

Aldi:  cottage cheese, plain yogurt, cream cheese, romaine, tomatoes,colored peppers, carrots, cucumber, cabbage, apples, English muffins, everything bagels, blueberry bagels      $29.38

2 Week Total:  $46.06

Eating Out:

Joyce’s birthday lunch     $30

Grand Total 2 Weeks  $76.06

Remaining Allocation:   $326.94

2025 Buying and Eating: September 16-30

 Remaining Allocation   -$45.47

Cushion  $818.31

What We Ate:   Potato Salad,grilled lemon pork, yogurt, garlic and Muenster cheese bread;     Italian club sandwich, yogurt and fruit;     Lemony pasta with garbanzo, pork and spinach, cheese bread;     Kielbasa, cheesy potato rounds, green beans, pears;     Creamy crab pasta,  garlic cheese bread, yogurt and peaches (2);     Bacon, Olive and cheese bread, butter beans, yogurt and peaches (2);      Pizza and popcorn;     Grilled hotdogs, Italian rice balls, yogurt and fresh fruit;    Pasta and meatballs, cheese bread, fresh pears, broccoli;      Asian peanut noodles, yogurt and fruit;     Pasta with sausage, Brussels sprouts with bleu cheese, everything bagel, pears;     Mexican casserole, cheesy nachos, pears and bleu cheese;     

What We Bought:

Aldi:  yogurt(qt), half and half (qt)  $6.54

Aldi:    Red grapes, Bartlett pears     $4.58

2 week total   $11.12

Eating Out: 

Ricardo’s.     Lunch With Pat.      $22.40

Crepery.       Lunch with Ginger and ladies.     $20.00

Lunch with Jim and Robin.    $14

2 week total.   $56.40

2 week grand total.    $67.42

Into Cush. $67.42

New Cushion.    $750.81

YTD   As of Sept     233 days

Total     $1824.46       $7.83/day        $3.91/person/day

Grocery     $1288.78       $5.74     $2.87person.day

Eating Out     $484.21      $2.08/day       $1.04/person/day

2025 Household and Personal Care: August and September

 Personal Care 

Mike’s haircut.   $14.    Great Clips

Toothpaste. (4).    $5.     Dollar tree 

Toothpaste (6).      $6.     Salvage

Hand soap.     $1.50.        Salvage 

Total    26.50

Household 

Foil wraps (4).     $4.47.     Salvage

Bakeware :square pan and cookie sheet.    $1.78.      Salvage

Four sets of new towels.      $49.74.       Sam’s

Mouse traps and related.      $35.83.   Ollie’s 

Total.   $81.83

YTD 

Household.   $127:26 over budget 

Personal Care.    $152.38 under budget 

2025. Linus and Such: July-September

 Pet Blankets:     6

Linus Blankets:    7’

Chemo Squares:    17

Operation Gratitude Scarves:    5

Chemo Caps:   30

Dishcloths/washcloths        8

$50.     43 skeins.        Goodwill.        $1.15                                         53 skeins   Donation

$7.        8 skeins.           Amvets.      $0.90                                            43 skeins    Donation 

$6.33      3 skeins        Salvation Army      $2.11

$15.97.    8 Skeins.          Thrift store.      $1.99

$35.        37 skeins.          Thrift store.        $0.93

YTD 

Project Chemo Squares.    47

Operation Gratitude Scarves.  23

Project Linus Blankets.   29

Pet Blankets.   11

Chemo caps.    56

Washcloths/Dishcloths.    8

Yarn

281 skeins for $267.28.     $0.95/skein

Plus 104 donated skeins

2025. Frugal Things in September

 1.    I did a fourth and a fifth salvage shop.   Some of my Best Buy’s were:     Coffee on average at $3/pound, beets at $0.50, self rising flour at $1:50/5#, dry split peas at $.60/#, Thai chili sauce, plum sauce and hot sauce at $0.33, mayonnaise at $0.50, Asian vegetables at $0.50, general vegetables at $0.40, Romano cheese at $3.59/#, evaporated milk at $0.50, dry milk at $2.25, pepperoni at $1/ #, seasoned pork tenderloins at $1.89/#,  butter at $2.99/#, everything bagel seasoning at $1, lemon pudding mix at $0.25, organic peanut butter at $1.25, mustard at $0.35,  assorted cheeses at $3.50/#, ham ends and pieces at $1/#, bagels at $1.    I spent a bit of money but I’m restocked at excellent prices and it will last for a year, at least .

2.  We spent a long weekend in DC and again used credit card points to pay for our hotel room.  A few hundred dollars painlessly saved.,

3.  I have made a concerted effort to discover some new, low cost, dinners and breakfast.  My goal is a meal and a lunch for two for $5 and breakfast for two for $2.50.      We are enjoying a change of pace in our meals and saving money at the same time.

4.  We earned $15 in free food when we bought gift cards for our new freezer from Giant Eagle.  Since we paid for the cards with a credit card, we will get more points to use on hotel rooms when we travel. 

5.  I finally earned enough points for a free coffee from Starbucks.

6.  I made artisan bread again, rather than buying it for $$$ more.

2025. Buying and Eating: September 1-15

 Allocation.    $390

Cushion.    $863.78

What We Ate:     Bean curry, homemade flatbread, yogurt, curry potatoes;     Grilled pork chops, Greek tomato fritters,  quinoa with red pepper ;     Grilled hot dogs, butter beans, tomato fritters, salad;        Beef stroganoff  over rice, roasted beets, roasted tomatoes with mozzarella and Parmesan(2);       Spanish rice, roasted shredded Brussels sprouts, everything bagel;     Flatbread pizza;   Baked Italian pasta, meatballs, tossed salad, garlicky cheese bread;     Mac and cheese, tomato fritter,salad, shaved Brussels sprouts;     Sausage strata, spinach fritters, yogurt, cinnamon sugar bagel ;     Mexican casserole, baked corn and apple sauce;     Peanut butter noodles with tempeh  and soybeans, yogurt, blueberry bagel halves 

What We Bought:

Salvage shop#4:       Shelf stable milk (4), beets (4),pie crust mix 2), sell rising flour  (15#), corn bread stuffing , dry split peas, Thai chili sauce ,plum sauce  2), hot sauce (3), date bread mix (2), raisins (3),teriyaki sauce ,mayo (2); ginger, bean sprouts , bamboo shoots , mixed veg (2), whole cranberry sauce , plums(2), diced tomatoes , Romano cheese (1#), 3 bean salad, evaporated milk (5), pineapple chunks(2), pineapple and mango cups, (2), dry milk (3), pepperoni (3#), teriyaki pork loin (1.5#), onion pork loin(2#), garlic and herbs pork loin 2#) nuts,   Cheese, (1#),  coffee (24 )   $146.78

Middlefield Cheese Coop:  5.5# cheese ends and pieces    $6

Salvage Shop #5:        Butter (12#), everything bagel seasoning, lemon pudding (2), horseradish sauce, black pepper grinder, crunchy peanut butter (3), mustard (2), sauerkraut, active dry yeast (#), beef broth (2), oatmeal (2), old el oasis queso crunch dinner kit , siggi yoghurt  (2), 7.25# cheese, smoked white turkey  (#), Gorgonzola (3),   Shaved Brussels sprouts (1), roasted tomatoes, French toast bagels, coffee (9 bags, $100.93

Sams:    Bisquick, canola oil    $16.76

Grocery Total for two weeks:   $270.47

Eating Out:

Middlefield cheese coop:    Lunch while shopping.      $4.50

4 StarDiner.          Breakfast with Mike.    $30.94   Not worth the cost.  Frugal fail.

Middlefield cheese coop.        Lunch while shopping.    $4

Mexican.      Lunch while at Lehman.         $14.00

Lunch and dinner DC.     $25

Dinner dc.   Thai.    $31

Dinner DC.      Venezuelan $27.56

Breakfast and lunch coming home.     $28

Total Eating Out for two weeks:    $165.00

Grand Total for two weeks:   $447.94

Into cushion:   $45.47

New Cushion Amount:   $818.31

We are already into the cushion with half the month to go.  But with the cushion standing at $818.31 we have the financial room to cover it.

2025. Frugal things in August

 1.   I bought sale items with store vouchers and saved a total of $40.79.  I paid only $6.29.  Stacking really helps.

2.  I took advantage of a cool day to bake a loaf of bread and make some coconut biscotti.  Much less expensive than in the store.

3.  I have been able to find deeply discounted plain yogurt, but no more.  I thought of using dry milk but it was more expensive, so I purchased a half gallon of whole milk to make yogurt.  The cost was $2.55 and I can use the last of the yogurt in the fridge as the starter.  A definite money saver.

4.  I found ground pork discounted to $1.99/#.  I bought three packages.  Not my usual ground beef, but frugality sometimes requires flexibility.

2025. Buying and eating : August 16-31

 Remaining allocation $314.51

Cushion    $644.60

What WeAte:    Lemon pepper chicken breast, bean and beet salad with feta, spinach fritters, apricot halves and yogurt;     Hummus, homemade flatbread , homemade falafels , yogurt and tahini sauce ,homemade baba Ganush (2);     Beef stir fry with noodles, onion pancakes,      Fried bologna sandwiches       Tortillas pepperoni pizza.      Creamed tuna on potatoes, corn on the cob, salad (2);     Jalapeño sausage, corn, potato salad, tossed salad;      Peanut Ty noodles with tempeh, cheese bread ;      Homemade macaroni and cheese , tomato roasted with cheese , peas. Everything bread;     Baked eggplant with feta and tomato, garlic, butter and cheese pasta, Greek fried cheese;     T egg salad sandwiches;      Mexican chip casserole and Mexican seasoned hominy, yogurt (2) ;      Curry beans and rice with curried potatoes ;      

What We Bought:

Giant Eagle:  frozen pizza (4),  crest toothpaste (4),   Land o lakes cheese (4).  $6.29 plus credits redeemed 

Country Fair:  eggs (2).     $6.00

Aldi:   Plain Greek yogurt  $3.75

Aldi:  bagels (2)baby Bella’s, ,mayonnaise.     $5.96

Aldi:   Half gallon whole milk (to make yogurt)     $2.55

Sanders:  honey buns, potatoes (10#), eggplant (2), yogurt, ground pork(4#)     $15.88  all sale items

Grocery Outlet:  hominy, oyster crackers, corn on the cob (4), cucumber, grapes, lettuce, onions, sweet red pepper, cream cheese.     $14.79

Farmers Market:   Bulgarian feta, tempeh, tofu, fresh tomatoes (4).     $13.68

Ollie’s:  assorted DelMonte fruits and veg. On clearance.  $24.06

Giant Eagle:  hotdogs (3).   $2.37

Grocery total:  $95.33

Two week total.     $95.33

YTD as of August     203 days

Total     $1309.10         $6.45/day          $3.28/person/day

Grocery     1007.19          $4.97/day         $2.49/person/day

Eating Out    $262.81        $1.30/day       $0.65/person/day

New Cushion     $863.78

2025 Buying and Eating: August 1-15

 Allocation:   $403      $13x31=$403

Cushion    $644.60

What We Ate:     Steak sandwiches, homemade sweet potato fries, tomatoes and mozzarella;     Meatball sub, baked beans, coleslaw;      Shepherd pie, garlic bread, fried cabbage;       Pasta with zucchini and meatballs, garlic cheese bread;       Vegetarian nachos, fruit;     Broccoli risotto, corn, apricot halves;     Grilled cheeseburger, baked beans, cowboy caviar, corn;     Chicken sandwich,  cheesy potato rounds ;      Turkey loaf, peas, cottage cheese with apricots, baked sweet potatoes;     Lentil risotto , spinach fritters , garlic bread;       Italian leftover smorgasbord ( meatballs, eggplant Parmesan, pasta with Italian sausage) with garlic bread;          Beef florentine rolls, dauphinois potatoes, fried green beans;    

What We Bought:

Aldi:     Coleslaw mix , half and half.  $4.67

Price Right.         Gallon oil.     $7.99

Aldi:   Sourdough bread, raspberry danish     $6.89

Sanders:  bananas, yogurt, beef and spinach pinwheels     $6.12

Grocery:  $25.67

Eating Out 

Lunch with Mike.  $12.16.      Arby’s 

Dinner with Lucy.     $50.66

Eating Out:  $62.82

Total:  $88.49

Remaining Allocation:  $314.51

2025. Household and Personal Care: June and July

 July Personal Care:

Colgate toothpaste (4).   Salvage     $6

Yardley lavender soap (2).   Salvage.  $2

Sandy pedicure for lake   $40

Total :    $48

July. Household 

Oxy cleaner $9.98   Amazon 

120 quart ziplock.   $10.17     Amazon   

120 gallon ziplock.  $10.42     Amazon

Kitchen bags.   Costco.   $16.89

Dawn (3), Joy, pint bags, snack bags     Salvage   $6.23

Small baking dish and wisk           Thrift store    $2.97

Total:   $56.56

YTD June 

Household $105.44 over

Personal Care.  $118.88 under

YTD July 

Household    $139.44 over

Personal Care.    $100.88 under

2025. Frugal things in July

 1.  I did my first salvage shop of the season.  I got two large banana boxes of stockpile groceries for $33.35.  Some of my best deals were:  jello lemon pudding mix   35 cents;  almond milk (qt))   60 cents;  vegetable stock (qt)   25 cents;  fire roasted diced tomatoes (28 oz)   60 cents; tomato sauce (14.5oz)  30 cents;  rotel tomatoes (28 oz)  60 cents;  pears (14.5 oz)  50 cents;  mayonnaise  (12 oz)  35 cents;  soy milk (32oz)   50 cents;  natural peanut butter  (16 oz)   $1.50.

2.  I made a batch of Chex mix and a batch of honey-mustard pretzels for snacking.

3.  Mike and I received coupons for free groceries from a local store.  $50 in free groceries is definitely a win!

4.  We purchased a rotisserie chicken from Costco.   That night we had a traditional chicken dinner.  We then carved the meat and portioned it out to cover sandwiches, salad, crepes, risotto, and divan.  Plus we will use the bones to make broth and whatever meat we can get from the bones.  This we will turn into soup.  So one $4.99 chicken will feed the two of us 7 meals with some leftovers for lunch.  That works out to $0.71/ meal or $0.35/ person/meal.  Cost effective convenience.  A real win. 

5.  I did a second salvage shop, getting three boxes of staples for about $104.60

Some of my best deals were:     Self rising flour, 5# for $1.50; salsa, 40 oz for $2.50; soy sauce, 24 oz for $2.25; almond breeze milk, 64 oz for $0.75; Trappist apricot jam, 12 oz for $1;  saltines, 1# for $1;  Breton crackers for $1;  falafel mix for $0.25;   Spicy beef broth, 32 oz  for $0.50;  red bean curry for $0.40;  whole grain oatmeal, 3# for $0.75;  Del Monte spaghetti sauce, 36 oz for $0.79;  pearled barley, one pound for $0.50; tomato paste, 12 oz for $0.49;  Nine pounds of coffee for $39. Or $2.39/pound, including Starbucks.  

6.  We used a $15 gift certificate to help us celebrate my birthday at the Yacht Club.

7.   I did a third salvage shop and spent $149.21.  Some of my best deals were:  16 oz salsa for 50 cents; great northern beans for 50 cents/#; black beans for 25cents/pound;  fire related diced tomatoes, 28 oz. For 75 cents; dry Italian salad dressing, 5 envelopes for $1; a lb of wild rice for 75 cents; cereals for $1 each; flour tortillas for 75 cents; coffee, 18# at $1.35/#; evaporated milk for 25 cents each; 136 granola bars for 4 cents each ( includes Halloween items)

Frugal Fail:    I purchased some peaches and plums on sale.  They went from not ripe to spoiled in two days.  What a waste of money!

2025. July 1-15. July 16-25 25 days

 Mike’s family gets together at a lake for just about a week every year.  I do not include that time and it is not budgeted for.

Allocation.      $325.00     $13X25=$325.00 

Cushion:  $676.45

What We Ate:    Meatloaf, baked potato, green beans ;   Bean curry, rice, curried potatoes, flatbread, corn;         Taco salad, sautéed corn kernels, homemade corn bread ;     4th of July:   Grilled hamburgers, homemade baked beans, homemade Chex mix;     Fried rice, orange chicken, kung pao chicken,  tossed salad #3 ;      Pork, cranberry horseradish, twice baked potato. Salad   ;  Tuna macaroni salad, cucumber salad , garlic and cheesy bread;   Kung pao chicken and fried rice, cucumber salad, pears;     Rotisserie chicken, corn on the cob,salad, Potato rounds;      Tuna and cheese sandwiches with gazpacho ;     Chicken on a salad with cheese and croutons, corn on the cob;     Chicken sandwich with homemade munchies;     ,Meatloaf, mashed potatoes,  Brussels sprouts and fruit ;      Kielbasa and fries with mango slices;     Chicken, mushroom , carrot and rice risotto, pineapple slices with yogurt, toasted cornbread ;      Kielbasa and potato pancakes with salad;   Vegetarian curry, homemade flatbread, salad ;     Vegetable curry, homemade flatbread, salad;     Mulligatawny soup with lamb ;  Chicken Florentino crepes;    Open faced Gruyère, salad, :     Pepperonis pizza,  beef and bean Burittos, cheese quisidilla, salad;      

Eating Out:

Lunch with the ladies.    $10.86

Lunch with Mike     $15

Lunch at Sam’s:    $4.28

What We Bought:

Salvage #1:  kashi cinnamon walnut, lemon pudding mix(2), almond milk (6 qtr), vegetable stock (2), pretzel pieces, oatmeal raisin cookies (2), twirlers, peppermint patties (4), diced tomatoes (5),  tomato sauce, rotel tomatoes, spinach, corn, whole baby clams, cream of asparagus soup, pears, sardines, basil pesto, mayonnaise (2), poppyseed dressing (2), apple sauce cups (12), evaporated milk (3), soy milk(3qts), tuna, soft tortilla bowls, natural peanut butter (2), lemon blueberry crisps, cranberry almond crisps, shredded wheat, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Raisin Bran, pita crackers, whole wheat crackers (2), rosemary crackers, iced latte with foam (6 packets), peach chunks, Campbell French /onion soup, granola bar crisps    $33.35

Costco:     Rotisserie chicken, feta, mozzarella, Parmesan, halloumi, Swiss, cashews.    $104.85

Aldi:     Red cherries, onions, sourdough bread $16.98

Giant Eagle:  tillamook cheese (3), corn on the cob (4).        $12.97

Salvage #2:     Coffee (9#), oatmeal, falafel mix (4) , granola bars (3), onion soup mix, instant polenta, Breton crackers (4), biscotti (2), instant brown rice, spicy beef broth, spicy chili noodles, barley, goldfish crackers (2), spaghetti sauce (4), red bean curry (4),  salsa, honey sesame sauce, sunflower oil , saltines, pears (2), tomato paste (2); shelf stable milk, digestive biscuits, pineapple slices (4), biscoff cookies, cento roasted peppers, Maria’s cookies, goldfish (2), raisins, crispy fried onions, sesame oil, apricot jam, evaporated milk, molasses, baby Bundt cakes, applesauce #10 can, 2), digestives,   $104.63

Giant Eagle:  chicken thighs( 6).     $4.28

Aldi:    Greek plain yogurt , bleu cheese, frozen broccoli , salad greens, plums, mushrooms, tomatoes (6), English muffins, multi sweet peppers.    $21.68

Sanders:   Donuts (sale), potatoes (10#),:cherries, bananas, sweet potatoes, rye bread, fruit yogurt.    $ 20.66

Sam’s:    Bleu cheese.  $2.73.     We also used a $5 credit.

Giant Eagle:  Edys ice cream, cucumber.   $3.49

Aldi:  cantaloupe.    $1.69

Salvage#3:  salsa (2), olive oil (3L), beef broth (2), great northern beans(#), black beans (#), dry milk, saltines crackers, diced tomatoes (4), canned cherry tomatoes, dry Italian salad dressing (4), wild rice, Belgian waffle mix, pie crust mix (2), snack packs (10), cereal (6), flour tortillas (2), coffee 18#), canned vegetables (4), pb sandwich crackers, shelf stable milk, evaporated milk (4), better than bouillon (4), panko bread crumbs, banana box of granola bars    $143.21

YTD for July

Days   172 days

Total   $ 1125.78         $6.54/ day        $3.37/person/day

Grocery   $ $886..19        $5.15/day       $2.28/person/day

Eating Out     $299.99      $1.70/day      $0.85/person/ day

Over July allocation by $31.85

New Cushion amount    $644.60

2025. Linus and Such: April-June

 Project Chemo Crochet Squares:     15 + 15=30 as of end June

Operation Gratitude Scarves:      12 + 11=23

Linus Project Blankets:  7 +15=22   

Pet blankets:   2+3=5

Goodwill, Springfield, Oh.       12 skeins.    $19.88.     $1.57/skein

Goodwill Belleville, IL.            9 skeins.      $18.99.     $2.06/skein

Salvation Army.  Belleville, IL.      7 skeins.       $19.73.      $2.82/ skein

4 Store     Belleville, IL.        5 skeins.      $5.      $1/skein

sans Souci Thrift in Indiana:  33 skeins      $56.25     $1.90/ skein

Goodwill, Columbus Indiana:         35  Skeins        $32.85          $0.94      / skein

Goodwill, Lewis  Ohio     3 lg skeins       6.29         $2.10/skein

Salvation Army     8 large skeins     19.09     $2.12/skein 

Total:  $178.08        112 skeins      $1.59/ skein

YTD .  $178.08 + $74.90 = $152.98.         182 skeins or $1.39/skein.     Plus 8 free

2025. Buying and Eating: June 22-30

We were gone most of the month on vacation.   Only 9 days have a food allocation.

 Allocation:   $117

June YTD:

Cushion  646.07 + $30.38=$676.45 

138 days + 9 =147 days 

Total    $687.31 + $81.62=$768.93          $5.23/day        $2.61/person/day   

Grocery     $477.86 + $81.62=$559.48           $3.81/day         1.91/person/day

Eating Out   $269.85 holds steady          $1.84/day          $0.92/person/day

What we Ate:   Homemade  Boston baked beans, fried potatoes, cottage cheese and onions with sunflower seeds, cornbread;     Ham salad sandwiches with pickles;    Greek moussaka,  garlic bread, roasted beets;     Eggplant Parmesan, pasta, Italian sausage, yogurt and fruit;     Chicken sandwich, bananas and yogurt, snacky items;     Moussaka, winter squash, cottage cheese with sunflower seeds, Raisin Bran muffins;     Belated Father’s Day:   Brie, lime chicken, lemon potatoes, sautéed green beans and mushrooms, oompah fried cheese;      Tikka masala, curried potatoes, rice, homemade flatbread, cottage cheese and mandarin oranges;     Homemade French bread pizza with sausage, onions and peppers, popcorn 

What We Bought:

Price Rite in Buffalo:    Sliced beets (2), tomato paste , eggplant (2#),limes (4), strawberries (qt), Greek yogurt , cottage cheese ,cheese (6#), eggs (2doz).    $42.23 

Aldi:   Pretzels, sunflower seeds, red grapes.      $6.71

Aldi:  romaine lettuce (3), multi colored peppers (3), mini cucumbers (5), peaches (7), grape tomatoes, Greek yogurt, American cheese(#), baby Bella mushrooms (1#), lemon pepper seasoning, cream. Cheese, bagels (12).    $32.68

Total.  $81.62         $9.71/day           $4.86

Eating Out:    $0.00

2025. Frugal Things. June

 1.  On our way to and from the Toronto airport, we used state route roads and saved the cost of tolls.

2.   We used a left over gift card to purchase a pizza for dinner once we got home.

3.   During the heatwave, I got up early and loaded up the oven to make regular bread, cornbread, and Raisin Bran muffins. A cost savings for the items and for the oven heat.

4.  All of the ingredients for mike’s Father’s Day dinner came from our stockpile.

5.  Recently, our drugstore closed and the record was sent to a local grocery store with much higher prices.  After looking around, we found another drugstore that will save us $33 per month.

6.  I made homemade naan to go with a vegetarian Indian meal.

2025. Frugal Things In May

 1.     I have been baking muffins for breakfast.  I can bake a dozen for what one costs in the store.

2.  The commissary had pork tenderloin for under $3/#.  I bought six pounds..  Good meals in our future.

3.  We are making chicken broth with the bones from the rotisserie chicken.  It will help flavor chicken and lentil pilaf.

4.  I found a pretty neck scarf from Talbot’s at Goodwill .  The original tag was still on it showing a price of $78.  I paid $0.99.  A great deal.

5.  We purchased some ice cream novelties on sale.  Much cheaper than going out for ice cream.

Frugal Fail:   The oven in the rv is too temperamental for yeast breads and such..    We have had to buy them at the store for a much higher price.

2025. Household and Personal Care: May

 Personal Care 

Elastic Hair bands.      1.25.       Dollar Tree 

Colgate.(2).     $2:50.      Dollar Tree 

Mike haircut      $14        Great Clips

Total  $17.75

 Household 

Efferdent (2).    $2:50.        For cleaning coffee cups, etc.

YTD 

Household   $135.44 over budget 

Personal Care    $88.88 under budget 

2025. Buying and Eating: May 16- 28

 Remaining Allocation:  $265.49

Cushion:  $447.93

YTD  125 days

Total:  $646.66        $5.17/day         $2.58/person/day

Grocery:     $463.91     $3.71/day       $1.85/ person/day

Eating Out:      $243.15         $1.94/day          $0.97/person/day

What We Ate:   Chicken, Mac and cheese, fruit, garlic cheese bread;     Macaroni and cheese, grilled pork, tomato and cucumber salad, fried green beans;     Greek chicken and rice soup, cheese and crackers, fruit;    Ham sandwiches , popcorn ;      Orange chicken, pot stickers, vegetable lo mein;     Chicken and rice, yogurt and fresh fruit;     Chicken Florentino with pasta and salad;     Sloppy Joe, deep fried sweet potato, peas;     Crepes, beets, yogurt and fruit, garlic bread;     Pizza and popcorn 

What We Bought:

Giant Eagle:   Ice cream novelties (3 boxes ).  $5.97.       Sale item 

Country Fair:   Eggs  (2doz)    $7.98         Sale item

Total:    $13.95

Eating Out 

Bob Evan’s:  $26.70.     Lunch with Pat

YTD    138days

Total     $687.31       $4.91/day      $2.45/ person/ day 

Grocery       $477.86        $3.46/day         $1.73/person/ day 

Eating Out     $269.85        $1.96/day       $0.98/person/day

New Cushion     $646.07

2025 Household and Personal Care: April

 Household 

Paper baking cups. (180).   $2.50.    Dollar Tree 

Cone coffee filters (80).    $3.50.       Dollar General 

Pillows (4).     $23.96  Aldi

Total. $29.96 out of $30 allocation 

YTD 

No new purchases     

personal care  $76.63 under

Household.    $147.69 over

2025. Buying and Eating May 1-15

 Monthly Allocation.  $377        We are two days short because we are going on vacation at the end of the month and food is included.

cushion.  $447.93

YTD.    110 days

Total.  $585.15

Grocery.    $369.40

Eating Out.    $226.18

What We Ate (made at home):    Asian peanut noodles with peas, cottage cheese and sunflower seeds , garlic bread;     Sandwich with a salad;      Greek chicken and vegetables casserole,   Cottage cheese and peaches, garlic bread;     Greek chicken soup, cheese and crackers;     Pinto bean meatballs with sauce and cheese on a pretzel roll,  pasta with pesto, salad (2);     Cottage cheese Alfredo with sausage and beans, salad (2); Grilled bacon and cheese sausage, butter beans, cheesy potato rounds, Waldorf salad (2)\.   Mother’s Day :  London broil, salad, artichoke timbales;      Homemade tomato basil soup and salad;     Asian steak, fried rice, salad;     Beans and sausage, salad;     Grilled ham steak, homemade Mac and cheese, salad

What We Bought:  

Commissary:   eggs (18), pork tenderloin (6#), bananas (4), pears (4); better than bouillon (2): maraschino cherries (2)     32.80

Commissary:  ground beef (3#): sunflower seed, cheddar (2#),capers (2)raisins, tiny canned shrimp, canned clams (2), ham steak, (#), tomatoes(4), lettuce  $36.00

Aldi:  Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, English muffins, bagels (2)   $12.62

Local food store in Indiana:  fresh spinach. Whole rotisserie chicken, sourdough bread    $13.09   All sale items

Eating Out: 

$17    Lunch in Mansfield

Remaining Allocation  $265.49

Cushion   $447.93

YTD    125 days

Total    $646.66         $5.17/day        $2.58/person/dayy

Grocery    $463.91    $3.71/day      $1.85/person/day

Eating Out    $243.15       $1.94/day       $0.93/day

 

2025. Frugal Things in March and April

 1.  We paid our city and school taxes early and saved 2%.

2.  We declined room service for our hotel room and saved $10/day.  I can definitely straighten up the room for that.

3.   I blanched and froze broccoli stalks to use later to make cream of broccoli soup.

4.  We continue to rely upon our stockpile when making our daily meals to help keep our food costs down.

5.  We stocked our rv with bargains from our stockpile.  We will eat most of our meals in the rv.

6.  I am experimenting with different bean “burger”  mixes in an attempt to increase nutrition and lower food cost.  I can make three good sized burgers with fifty cents worth of beans.  

2025. Buying and Eating: April 16-30

 Remaining Allocation:  $204.48

YTD. 95 days 

Total   $457.43

Grocery.    $260.21

Eating Out.    $207.62

What We Ate:     Ham and Cheese Sandwich, homemade French Fries ;      Taco salad;     Chicken tetrazzini, green beans, corn, pears:;       Easter:  leg of lamb, artichoke timbales, potatoes Anna, peas, homemade rolls, pecan pie;     Lamb souvlaki, leftover vegetables, homemade flatbread, homemade tzatziki (2);    Indian lamb curry, rice, salad, fruit;     Pepperoni and veggies pizza (2);     Beans and greens with pasta and cheese, homemade rolls, cucumber and yogurt salad;  pinto bean burgers, cheesy rice, cucumber salad ;      Cottage pie, Waldorf salad, cheesy rice, corn;     Vegetable pancakes, three bean salad,  sliced peaches and yogurt or cottage cheese;     Greek lemon chicken and potatoes, carrots, yogurt, garlic bread;

What We Bought:

Aldi:  potatoes (10#), frozen  peas (2),  cream cheese (2), cottage cheese, plain g reek yogurt, carrots (5#)     $17.38

Giant Eagle:   Eggs (3doz).   $11.97.             Sale Item

Sam’s:  maple syrup    $11.98

Aldi:   Frozen Brussels sprouts (2), sharp cheddar (2), cucumber   $12.67 four items were sale items 

Giant Eagle:  pizza rolls (4), party pizza (4), apples (3#)      $12.62    All sale items

Aldi:  raisins    $4.25

Millers Farm Market:    Sunflower Seeds (1#), German bologna (1#), Muenster cheese(1#)  $15

Giant Eagle:  bottled iced tea (4)  $2.76    All sale

Sanders:  bacon and cheddar sausage (2#), chibani yogurt (4), garlic bread, English cucumber, donuts (6), lettuce, peppers (4), sweet potatoes (3)    $19.53      All sale

Total:   $109.16

Eating Out 

Butchs:  breakfast with Mike   $18.56

YTD   110 days 

TOTAL    $585.15          $5.37/ day          $2.66/person/day

Grocery    $369.40          $3.36/day          $1.68/person/day

Eating Out     $226.18        $2.06/day       $1.03/person/day

New Cushion     $447.93

2025. Household and Personal Care: March

 Household 

Coffee filter   (2)    $2.50     Dollar Tree

Serving spoon    $1.14     Salvation Army New Zealand 

Coffee pot       $74.88

Personal Care 

Great Clips    $9.99   Mike haircut 

YTD 

Household  $147.73 over

Personal Care   $46.63 under

2025. Buying and Eating: April 2-15

 Allocation:  $13/day for 28 days    $264

Cushion:   $371.17

YTD 82 days

Total    $397.91

Grocery  $210.34

Eating Out     $197.97

What We Ate:     Frozen Pizza with snacks;     Corned beef casserole, mixed vegetables, peaches;      Sloppy Joe, fried potatoes with onions, applesauce;     Stack enchiladas, refried beans, corn with salsa ;     Vegetable fried rice, kung pao chicken, Chinese onion pancakes;     Soup and cheese and crackers;     Mexican pizza (2),   Leftovers;     Pasta with spinach, garlic bread, zucchini fritters;  peachy marinated boneless pork chops, broccoli and bleu cheese casserole, salad, pasta with garlic and cheese;     Cheese fondue, broccoli casserole , salad, guava slices;     Vegetarian haggis, broccoli salad, cheesy potato rounds; 

What We Bought:

Sanders:   Donuts, zucchini (4), lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes (6).    $11.43.    All sale items

Sam’s:     All purpose flour (50#), sharp cheddar (2#), mild cheddar (2#), yeast 2#)   $38.44

Total  Grocery  $49.87

Eating Out:

Butchs.     $7.      Lunch with the ladies 

Sam’s.      $2.65.   Mike lunch Cleveland 

Total Eating Out. $9.65

Two Week Subtotal.  $59.52

Remaining Allocation:   $204.48

YTD. 95 days

Total.   $457.43     $4.81/day      $2.41/person/day

Grocery.    $260.21      $2.71/day       $1.36/person/day

Eating Out.    $207.62.     2.18/day.      $1.09/person/day

2025 Linus and Such: January-March

 Linus Blankets.    15

Chemo Caps.   26

Pet Blankets   3

Operation Chemo Squares   15

Operation Gratitude Scarves 11

10 skeins of yarn for $10.   Ashtabula Good Will.   $1/skein               3 skeins for free, buy nothing group 

10 skeins  for  $16.80    Dc good  will    $1.68/skein                            5 skeins for free, buy nothing group 

15 skeins   $6.83    Goodwill     $0.45/skein                                    

 6 skeins wool from  NZ      $15

12 skeins    $5.86   Salvation Army      $0.50/skein

26=skeins    $20.78     Thrifty Shopper   $0.80/skein 

70 skeins for  $1.07/skein                                                                    8 skeins for free

2025 Buying and Eating : March 1-13

 We are traveling from March 13-April 1.  Food is included.

Allocation    $169.00

Cushion       $285.09

YTD      69 days

Total    $314.08     $4.59/ day    $2.29/person/day

Grocery    $150.34      $2.18/day      $1.09/person/day

Eating Out    $174.74      $2.21/day     $1.11/person/day

What We Ate:     Ham loaf, stuffing, fresh fruit salad, California medley;     Early St. Pat’s Day:  Reubens, snack items;         Corned beef and Swiss casserole, mixed vegetables, fruit and yogurt;     Chicken tetrazzini, butter beans, peas;     Spinach pasta, three bean salad, garlic bread;     Grilled salmon, pasta with garlic and cheese, French chickpea salad, carrots;     Potato pancakes, apple sauce, corn, kielbasa;     Southern bbq,  cheesy potato rounds, winter squash;     British fish pie, baked sweet potato, California mixed vegetables, fruit;     Pepperoni pizza and snacks;   Assorted appetizers 

What We Bought:

Giant Eagle:   Claw crab meat (4#).     $27.96.     Sale priced treat

Aldi:   Jalapeño and garlic olives (4). $11.16

Aldi:  edamame (3).   $7.47  sale item

Aldi:  salmon, shrimp.    $12.06.    Sale items 

Save a Lot:   Bananas.  $0.36.      Sale items

Giant Eagle:     Lemons (4)     $0.99    Sale Items 

Eating Out:

Avantis.      $20.14.    Breakfast with Mike 

McDonald’s.  $3.69.    Breakfast with retirees 

Remaining Allocation  $86.17

New Cushion    $371.17

YTD.   82 days

Total.   $397.91.       $4.85/day.        $2.43/person/day

Grocery.    $210.34.      $2.44/day.    $1.22/person/day 

Eating Out.    $197.97.     $2.12/day.    $1.06/person/day

2025. Frugal Things In February

 1.  A box of crackers were a little stale after sitting on the shelf.  So, I recrisped them in the oven.  Much better.

2.  I cooked a ham I got on sale and froze awhile back.  I now have lots of meat for sandwiches, casseroles, soups and salads.  I estimate that each serving will cost around twenty five cents for the meat.  I also have broth and enough meat from the bone for two batches of soup from something most people throw away.

3.  I bought one pound of flax meal to use as egg replacer in baked goods.  It comes out to an equivalent cost of ten cents/ egg.  I will save at least $60 over the cost of eggs.

4.   I purchased a gift card using Discover Card points and saved 10% off the face value.

5.   We paid our rv insurance in full and saved over $100.

6.  Found the ambition to make some homemade bagels.  They are multi step so they take extra time.

2025. Household and Personal Care: February

 Personal Care 

Body powder (3).    $3.75.    Dollar Tree 

Pedicures (2).   $60

Total:  $63.75

Household 

-0-

YTD 

Personal Care.   $99.21 over  budget 

Household.     $26.62 under budget 

2025. Buying and Eating: February 16-28

 Remaining Allocation:  $260.85

Cushion:     $186.09

YTD. 46 days

Total:  $252.23

Grocery:  $117.02

Eating Out:  $145.21

What We Ate:  chicken with cashews over soba noodles, green beans, yogurt and fruit;     British fish pie and vegetable pancakes with homemade scones;     Italian bean and sausage soup, pepperoni bread;     Korean beef with rice and cabbage, yogurt and fruit, scone;     Scalloped potatoes and ham, corn, fresh fruit and yogurt;     Chicken, pasta with garlic and cheese, peas;     Sauerkraut and smoked sausage soup, chicken sandwich ;         Chicken tetrazzini, black eyed pea salad, garlic bread;     Vegetarian haggis, cauliflower and cheese, orange and apple salad;     Spanish bean soup, fried bologna on kimilwick roll, fresh fruit;     Savory cheesecake, slow cooker onion potatoes, cauliflower cheese, salad;     Cauliflower and cheese soup, egg salad on toast;     Assorted cheeses and crackers after concert 

What We Bought: 

Sam’s:  chicken. $4.98

Tops:  broth, alouette garlic and herbs, Brie,Muenster, bananas    $12.14    All sale items

Erie Food Cooperative:  cinnamon, Italian seasoning, cilantro, chili flakes, catnip,  Himalayan  salt   $15.18    All sale but salt

Country Fair:  egg(2)      $6     Sale

Eating Out:

Mike lunch Cleveland.   $2.58.   Sam’s 

Breakfast with Mike.    $25.95.  Avantis

Remaining Allocation:  $199.00

New Cushion:  $285.09

YTD. 69 days

Total. $314.08.       $4.59/day.    $2.29/ person/day

Grocery.  $150.34.         $2.18/day.        $1.09/person/day

Eating Out.   $174.74.       $2.21/day.     $1.11/person/day

2025. Household and Personal Care: January

 Household   $30 budget

Efferent to clean coffee cups (2).    $2.50.    Dollar Tree 

Mop     $9.99     Menards

Smoke/CO  detector     $44.99     Menards

Bamboo cutting boards  $6.99     Aldi

Total:   $65.46         $35.46 over budget

Personal Care    $30 budget

Colgate toothpaste. (3).    $3.75.     Dollar Tree 

Kleenex (12).  $14.98.    Sam’s 

Mike haircut.   $14.    Great Clips 

Qtips.  $1.25

Total:  $33.38.      $3.38 over budget

2025. Buying and Eating: February 1-15

 Allocation:  $364    $13 / day

Cushion:   $186.09

YTD.  31 days

Total     $149.08

Grocery.    $86.06

Eating Out.    $63.02

What We Ate:     Melt in your mouth chicken, apple and orange salad, pesto and cheese florentine rice;     Ham, hubbard squash, black eyed pea salad;     Tuna chowder, Raisin Bran muffins;     Chicken piccata, florentine rice, salad, garlic and cheese bread;     Vegetarian bean curry, yogurt and fresh fruit, homemade flatbread;     Chicken piccata, zucchini, Italian rice balls;     Ham loaf, mixed wild rice, banana and yogurt ;     Stuffed pepper soup, chicken sandwich ;      Pasta with spinach , sautéed cauliflower, garlic cheese bread , fruit and yogurt;     Leftovers;     Tacos, guacamole, beans and rice;     Valentines Day:   Savory Italian cheesecake, baked Parmesan zucchini, yogurt and fruit, vanilla wafer cake;     

What We Bought:

Giant Eagle:  Parmesan, provolone, sharp cheddar cheese (3#)   $10.95     Sale items 

Erie Food Cooperative:  flax meal ( replace eggs in baking)   1# equal to 70 eggs   $6.29

Sanders:   Cauliflower, zucchini, yogurt, donuts   $7.95     All sale items.

Auldi:  cheese (2#),  avocado (2)     $5.77     Sale items

Total:  $30.96

Eating Out:

Butchs Diner   $9.01  lunch with the ladies 

Sam’s Club    $3.66 lunch on way to dc

Italian Restaurant  $32.02     Dinner with Mike and Gail

Frederick Social   $22.00   Lunch with kids

Pizza for national pizza day   $15.50

Sam’s Club    $2.80 lunch on way home 

Total:   $82.19

Our trip to dc really added to the cost, but I am fine with that. 

Two Week Total:  $103.15

YTD:  46 days 

Total:   $252.23.         $5.48/day.         $2.74/person/day

Grocery:  $117.02.         $2.54/day.       $1.27/person/day

Eating Out:     $145.21.         $3.16/day.        $1.58/person/day

Remaining Allocation:   $260.85

Cushion:  $186.09

2025. Frugal Things in January

 1.  I set myself a bit of a challenge with the food budget this year.  So I have to keep frugality firmly in mind.  Ergo, soup making.  A great way to vary flavors with minimal cost.  I made tomato basil from bits and pieces in the freezer;  Greek egg and lemon with juices left over from New Year’s Day;  beef  bourguignon with beef left over from Christmas; Spanish bean with dry garbanzo beans;  tuna chowder;

2.  I saved quite a few dollars by making our bread products:: artisan whole wheat, English muffins, corn muffins,   Rye bread, regular white bread, bagels, pizza crust, croutons,   Irish soda bread .   I can make them for cents on the dollar and it is very satisfying.

3.   We got a pork shoulder roast for $1.69/# and used it to make breakfast sausage.  The small amount of bone was used to make stock.  

4.  We needed to stay in a hotel room one night and, as usual, we used credit card points to pay the bill.

5.  We used a $15 gift card to help pay for a lunch out.

2025. Buying and Eating: January 16-31

 Remaining Allocation     $335.17

Previous Two Weeks 

Grocery     $40.03     $2.67/day       $1.34/person/day

Eating out   $27.80     $1.82/day      $0.91/person/day

Total     $67.83      $4.52/day      $2.26/person/day

What We Ate:  leftover taco pizza, rice and bean tacos or burritos, orange and onion salad;      Tuna chowder, corn muffins, salad;     Beefy noodles, green bean casserole, Fruit and cottage cheese;     Ham loaf, baked beans, roasted beets, salad;     Taco soup, cheese quesadilla;     Smoked sausage, baked beans, carrot and raisin salad, corn muffins;     Greek egg and lemon soup, spanokatopia;     Rotisserie chicken, sausage and cornbread stuffing, corn, cottage cheese and fruit;     Chicken sandwich with homemade French fries;     Pasta florentine with chicken and garlic bread;     Cottage pie, garlic bread;   January 25.  Burns Night. Vegetarian haggis, bubble and squeak, soda bread, shortbread (2);     Spanish bean soup, cheese toast;     Beef bourguignon, pork sandwich;     

What We Bought:

Giant Eagle:  ground beef (3.6#), potatoes (5#), digiorno pizza.  $12.12.    All were sale items 

Giant Eagle:  grated Parmesan (1#). $2.18.    Sale item

Costco:  dried onion, rotisserie chicken. $10.48

Aldi:  leg of lamb for Easter   $19.47    Sale item

Aldi:  dry black eye peas  (2#)  $1.78    Sale item

Eating Out:

Panera Bread   $2.69   Breakfast at Clinic

21.36  lunch at Clinic

Erie Yacht Club     $11.17     Lunch

YTD      31 days

Total:   $149.08        $4.81/day       $2.41/person/day

Grocery     $86.06      $2.77/day     $1.39/person/day

Eating Out     $63.02     $2.03/day     1.01/person/day

New  cushion     $186.09

I relied in my stockpile this month a lot.  As it should be.

2024 Clothing

 The yearly amount for 2024 is $250/person.  The prices for used clothing have significantly increased.

January 

-$0-

February 

Sandy:  3 sweaters, 2 pants, one top, 1 pair pantyhose. $32.    (50% off sale)    Thrifty Shopper 

Mike:  1 long sleeved t’s. $3.50   (50% off sale)     Thrifty Shopper

Sandy. Fall/spring coat. $10     Goodwill

Sandy.    Sweater.  $8.99   Thrifty   Shopper

Sandy     Boots for England     $10   Goodwill 

March

0

April

0

May

Mike   1 long sleeved t  $4.50   Goodwill 

Mike    3 pairs shorts   19.98  Goodwill 

Mike shorts    $4.99    Goodwill 

Mike.    2 pairs of gloves       $7.47     Menards

Mike     4 long sleeve t’s       $19.92    Amvets

Sandy    Shoes, navy blue     $0.98      Amvets    After use of $4 coupon

Sandy    Blazer, two tops       $10.94    Amvets

June

Sandy.     Summer dress.       $6.49.  Under on roof thrift store 

Mike.       Syracuse t shirt.     $4.76.    Under one roof thrift store 

July

Sandy.      Blouse.       $4.00.     Community Thrift Store 

Mike.        Golf shirt.         $0.50.      Community Thrift Store 

Mike.     3 golf shirts, 2 shorts.   $5.    Thrifty shopper special sale

Mike.      Shorts.  $2.70.    Humane society thrift store

Sandy.     2 blouses.    $8.78.      Goodwill 

Sandy.      Purse.       $2.        Finders Keepers thrift store 

August

Mike.       3 pairs of suspenders.       $66.15.       Amazon

Sandy.      Six tops.       $12.78     Community  Thrift store

Sandy.       Two tops.     $8.54.        Salvation Army 

September 

Sandy.     One pair Clark’s shoes.    9.99.    Goodwill

October 

Sandy.         One sweater and one blazer.    $15.00.    Amvets 

Sandy.         2 sweaters and 2 tops.       $13.         Salvation Army 

Mike.          Everyday boots.        $34.98.        Sam’s 

Sandy.         Blue evening blazer.     $6.41.       Good will in Canada 

Mike.           Everyday shoes.      $29.77.           Sam’s 

November 

    -0-

December 

Sandy.          Pair of black jeans, pair of brown jeans, purple sweater.   $16.40

Year Total: 

Sandy $176.30

Mike. $203.82

Both are under budget for the year.  The budget for 2025 will remain the same at $250/year/person.

2024. Frugal Things in December

 1.  I saved about $8 making four ounces of almond extract using almonds and vodka.

2.   We stayed in hotel rooms for a total of four nights.  The total cost, except for taxes, was covered by using credit card points.

3.  I took advantage of some more seasonal sales to add some extras to our stockpile.

4.  I managed a special birthday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve 90% out of the stockpile.  I just needed sour cream, cream cheese, half and half, baguette and heavy cream to make the menus.

5.  I needed gift bags.  I got lucky and found 30 like new ones at a thrift store for $12.  Quite a savings.

2025 Buying and Eating: January 1-15

Allocation  $403   $13/day for two people.  This covers meals at home and in restaurants.  

Cushion    -0-      The cushion does not carry over from year to year.

What We Ate For Dinner:      New Year’s Day:    Lemon pork, Greek potatoes ,  cold black eyed peas salad , spanokatopia;     Seafood marinara with pasta, garlic bread, salad;     Greek egg and lemon soup with tuna-egg salad sandwiches on homemade bread;     Homemade supreme pizza, snacks;     Chicken and rice, cottage cheese, winter squash;     Taco soup with cheese nachos;     Meatloaf, baked potato, roasted carrots, mixed fruit and yogurt ;     Stuffed pepper soup, grilled bologna sandwich ;   Meatless chicken fried steak,  mashed potatoes, orange salad, peas;      beef barley soup with sausage balls;    Stuffed mushrooms , potato skins ;   Spanish bean soup, ham salad sandwich ;     Shepherds pie ;     Beef bourguignon soup;      stroganoff , wild rice blend, Waldorf salad, green beans, garlic bread

Lunches are usually leftovers.

NIdeas for Breakfast:  homemade cinnamon rolls, homemade oatmeal breakfast bars, French toast, grits with maple syrup, oatmeal with dried cranberries,  grilled pbj, cinnamon toast, fried potatoes and eggs, sausage gravy on toast, bagels, English muffins, homemade scones, omelets, corned beef hash, pancakes, overnight oats, Dutch baby pancakes;  oatmeal raisin pancakes;  

What We Bought:

Sam’s:   Peeled garlic (3#)    $9.99  a year’s worth 

Aldi:     Oranges (4#),  apples (3#),  Greek yogurt (qt), cucumber   $  9.32  produce were sale items

Sanders:  bananas(3.5#), butternut squash, lettuce, mushrooms (2), donuts (6), garlic bread, pork shoulder (5#), yogurt (3)  $20.72    All were sale items.

Grocery     $40.03     2.67/day     1.34/person/day

Eating Out:

Pats birthday lunch   $20.18     Ricardo’s 

Mike lunch Cleveland   $1.38    Sam’s 

Mike breakfast     $6.24     McDonald’s 

Eating Out.   $27.80.    $1.82/day.      $0.91/person/ day

Total for two weeks.   $67.83.    4.52/day.    $2.26/ person/day

Remaining Allocation:     $335.17

2024. Household and Personal Care: December

 Household:

Two toilet brushes.   $2.50.  Dollar Tree 

Under budget by $27.50

Personal Care:

Lint roller.    $1.25.     Dollar Tree 

Hand soap (2).    $1.    Giant Eagle 

Under budget by $27.75

YTD. Final Year Numbers 

Household:  budget of $30/month

Under budget by $22.16 for the year   Close.

Personal Care:  budget of $30/month

Under budget by $204.75 for the year   Maybe an extra pedicure or two in 2025.

2025 budget will remain unchanged at $30/category/month

2024 Linus and Such: October-December

 Crochet Chemo Squares.       27

Operation Gratitude Scarves.   9

Chemo Caps.    6

Pet blankets:     8

Linus blankets:   16

Washcloths/dishcloths    23

$9. For 9 skeins.    Amvets.     $1/skein

3 skeins for free from my buy nothing group 

20     Skeins for $16.    Goodwill in Canada    $.80/skein

9 skeins for free from a friend

23 skeins for free from my buy nothing group 

6 skeins for free from my buy nothing group 

13 skeins cotton yarn for $10.    Amvets.  $0.80/skein

Total:  41 skeins for free 

           42 skeins for $35   $0.84/skein

YTD final numbers for the year 

Pet Blankets     19

Chemo Caps     39

Linus Blankets   72

Operation Gratitude Scarves     71

Chemo Crochet Squares     27

Washcloths/ Dishcloths     23

371 donated skeins

133 skeins purchased for $143.03 for an average of   $1.08/skein

2024. Buying and Eating: December 16-31

 Remaining Allocation     $372.95

Cushion     $1060.96

What We Ate:     Cuban black bean soup, cheese and crackers, peaches;     Quiche, pasta with garlic and cheese, squash, garlic bread;     Stuffed pepper soup, egg salad sandwich, salad;     Queso Mexican pizza, cheesy potato rounds;     Mike’s birthday:  beef stroganoff over wild rice blend, dilled carrots, salad, cheesecake, mulled wine;       Beef and noodles, applesauce, mixed vegetables, cheese toast;     Stromboli, cheese potato rounds, fried cabbage and onion;     Christmas Eve:     Cheese ball, lobster and shrimp spread, meatballs in marinara, sausage stuffing balls;     Christmas:  beef roast and shrimp cocktail, cranberry horseradish sauce, mu’s tossed salad #3, dauphinois potatoes, corn, Christmas bread, fig pudding ;     Seafood pasta, apple salad, garlic bread;     Baguette sausage pizza, snack items;     Leftover smorgasbord;     Melt in your mouth chicken, green beans with hollendaise sauce, dauphinois potatoes, salad;     Homemade tomato basil soup, open faced turkey sandwich with gravy;     New Year’s Eve:  Philly cheesesteak sandwich , sweet potato fries 

What We Bought:  

Giant Eagle:  pecan frosting, German chocolate cake  $1.50     Both on sale.  For a friend’s birthday.

Aldi:  butter (6), cheese (4#), half and half, heavy cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, cocoa, bleu cheese, cream cheese (4), celery, frozen corn, frozen peas, frozen mixed veg, bagels, potatoes (20#),  cucumber    $68.43   Butter, cheese, celery and potatoes were sale items.

Aldi:  bay scallops (#),  cream of mushroom soup (6)     $10.07  Both were sale items.

Aldi:   Baguette (2)    $3.38

Giant Eagle:  hilshire kielbasa (5)     $4.95    Plus a $5 credit  sale item

Country Fair:   Eggs (4)    $10.00     Sale item

Food cooperative:  molasses (1.33#), sunflower seeds (.27#)  $4.22

Bellos:  baby Bella mushrooms (2#) bananas    $4.30   Sale items

Total Grocery     $116.78

Eating Out:

Dinner with Mike and Gail.    $38

Mike’s lunch in Cleveland   $3.52

 Breakfasts with crafty ladies     3.70

51 year anniversary of first date at McDonald’s     $12.40

Lunch with mike’s family    $17.82

Total Eating Out    $75.44

Grand Total     $192.22

To Cushion $180.73

New Cushion  $1241.69    Or $3.40/day remaining of the budget.  This money does not carry over to 2025

YTD Final Numbers    354 days    I don’t budget for days we are cruising since food is included 

Total Spent    $3172.31        $8.96/day        $4.48/person/day

Grocery       $2273.80          $6.42/day        $3.21/person/day

Eating Out     $898.51          $2.54/day        $1.27/person/day

We ended the year with a sizable cushion, a full freezer, and stocked cupboards.   Therefore, although the government numbers say we need $17.80 /day to eat thriftily in 2025, I have decided to keep our budget at $13/day   Or $6.50/person/day for  2025.  This includes food eaten at home and meals out.   Wish me luck.