Stocking up. I managed to pick up a few essential items last week that will last throughout the month, like paper towels and mouthwash. Remember, it's more of a shuffling of money, since I did stock up, but it will save trips to the store this month.
Using what I have. With being quarantined over the weekend and through the first half of the week, I didn't really have a chance to meal plan for the month yet. I am planning to take stock of the freezer and pantry to see what we have to work with. Since the beginning of the week technically was still January, I haven't yet done a grocery trip while trying to be frugal.
Using rewards/gift cards. I tend to accumulate gift cards and then forget about them. Now is definitely the time to use them if you have them! One tactic that I'm using this month, which I haven't done before, is cashing in some of my earnings from my Ibotta account in the form of gift cards and cash to our PayPal account. I just started using this app within the past year, and I love it. It's a super simple way to get a few dollars here and there on items I already purchase. I use it after I shop, rather than before, so that it doesn't influence my buying habits. All you do is select the item, snap a picture of the barcode, then of the receipt. It takes me less than 2 minutes each time I shop. Sometimes I don't get anything, other times I'll get $5 added to my account. If you're interested in trying the app out, here is the link: https://ibotta.com/r/fxbkkhb. (Disclaimer: This is a referral - you will get $10 bonus added to your account, and I will get $5 when you earn your first reward.)
Alright, well that's what I've got for this week! Tell me, how have the first few days gone? Do you even notice a change in your lifestyle? How have you prepared for the month this week? Feel free to leave a comment telling me about your experience so far!
Happy Frugal February everyone!
Kelly
i started last week! stocked up on formula (i have to supplement 1 bottle a day because twins..) & decided my amazon diaper subscription was okay to hit in February. Since I am nursing, dairy is necesary for calcium & calories, so my challenge is to only buy dairy & produce, no meat or pantry staples! I am blessed that my in-laws slaughtered a cow.. and we have a freezer full of beef cuts that I have never bought & don't know how to cook with. So exciting, a new challenge!
ReplyDeleteSo far this week I have made: braised round steak with shallot risotto, spaghetti bolognese, cheez-it breaded chicken, hard shell tacos, and bean burritos! I also saved the braised steak juice to jump start a soup or to flavor a rice dish. This is SO FUN! I might start a blog talking about my adventures in the kitchen. I have been improvising for years and have gotten quite good at it.
I will say that my husband is working long hours right now, so he isn't really "doing without".. i buy him his favorite snacks & coffee because working 16 hr days deserves it.
oh I totally forgot that I learned how to make ranch dressing, blackberry cobbler, brownies, and banana bread from scratch. The cobbler was so good I used up all the old fruit in the fridge for "junk berry" cobbler and it was awesome!
DeleteJanie, you are awesome! I'd love to hear about your culinary "experiments" during Frugal February! So far, your meals sound way more fancy than mine are, even when I'm not being creative with what I already have. Love it! ;)
DeleteI didn't have time to shop last week so made a comment about "needing to see what's buried in the freezer" and Jeff goes, "Frugal February!" I couldn't believe he remembered you guys do that! hehe!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, I told Michael this story, and he was like "Man, apparently everyone knows that about us!" Our claim to fame, haha.
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