We did a small stock up on some pantry basics at Sam's Club still staying well within our budgeted amount.
We paid the bills that were due this week thanking God that we were able to do so. So many are struggling to keep their bills paid. We are hearing of layoffs far and near which increases my desire to continue to learn to live off less and less, save more and get out of debt.
Learning to live off of less money is where my focus is right now. Every little and big thing I can eliminate from our budget or figure out a less expensive way to do moves us closer to that goal and gives me a greater sense of security in these unsettled economic times.
We had an errand to run in town yesterday and while there attempted to do some bargain shopping. I have never seen such high-priced bargain prices! (I spent a little over $11.00 on bargains, total.) Another thing that I and my hubby noticed was that the shelves in all three of the grocery stores we stopped in at were nowhere near their full capacity. I don't know if they are intentionally keeping low inventory on hand or if they are having supply issues. This is what we observed this week in our area, maybe it's different in other areas.
I made more bread and crackers this week, which means we didn't need to purchase them at the store. When I bake, I make enough to freeze for future use as well so that lack of time doesn't get in the way of saving money.
You want to hear something surprising ... I miss the intentional hard-core hunkering down we did in January and February. I liked not shopping ...!!! I liked not having to navigate the stores! I'm looking forward to the second week in April when we will once again go back to our hard-core hunkering down with the goal of continuing to build our savings and work on our remaining debt. When the option of spending money is off the table, I find that I'm more creative in my cooking and in making do. I hope all this rambling makes sense!
How did you do last week, I can't wait to read your comments!
One more thing, the next lesson in our ladies Bible study on the book of Esther, lesson 22, has been posted HERE.
until next time,
mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry
She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27
Sharing 44 years' experience of frugal, prudent living and pantry building
My second blog: From This Heart of Mine, where I share my love for God and His Word through my personal Bibe study. Physical preparedness is important, but not near as important as spiritual preparedness. Ladies, join me over at From This Heart of Mine and study God's Word with me.
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I ran out once this week for a couple things. It was end of sale day - before new one started. Shelves were down a little - but there were skids of items to be stocked. Not noticing any shortages here. I only buy items on sale or clearance. Using what I have and getting creative - it is really fun in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day.
Cheryl, using what we have and getting creative really can be fun, can't it?
DeletePrices on everything are just unbelievable. One stores' ads were back to 8 items on a page and not much food in those ads that would feed anyone for meals this week. I am seeing more deals on cleaners than anything else. I am not seeing empty shelves here but I am also not seeing as much staple type foods at the salvage stores so I wonder if production has been cut. We are concerned about supplies coming from overseas because of how things are heating up politically. I am being watchful for items that we may need over the next span of years that are made overseas. This week I saw a great deal on a toaster and grabbed it because ours is ancient and starting to not toast as well. I will be watching for deals on things like Hubby's tennis shoes and I am considering replacing my laptop because it is very old and being difficult most days. Anything with a chip is going to get more and more expensive. Then you add in the proposed 25% tax on manufacturing companies that was mentioned in the State of the Union speech and guess who will pay that--we all will with higher prices. I am just glad that my Good, Good Father knows and cares for all of us.
ReplyDeleteLana, will you please expand a little on your thoughts about buying ahead? I ask, because my laptop battery is going--the laptop is old, but I plug it in to use it and hoped to get a few more years out of it this way. During holiday sales last year I did buy "back up" small kitchen appliances to store for later as prices were very low. We also keep "back up" pairs of boots and shoes bought on sale because we're hard to fit. Ditto jeans. I agree that manufacturing tax increases will only raise prices higher than they are and want to start a list of what we might need in the coming years. Thanks in advance. --Elise
DeleteElise, I don't specifically have a list. I am praying about it and still thinking it through. Someone close to me that I trust started me on this path of thinking. I do know that just as an example that Amazon's kids tablets have gone from $69 to $169 in price.
DeleteAh, okay. Thanks.
DeleteLana, that makes so much sense and I totally agree with you. That's something I will definitely be thinking about in the coming days! Thank you!
DeleteCongrats on keeping within your budget! I'm finding that the bargains are not anywhere near what they were. But my shopping has revolved around what's on sale. One thing I"m noticing more and more is that many times sale items in the circular (especially online) are not available and stores are no longer issuing rainchecks and won't substitute. My local store had stick butter on sale for a very good stock-up price. In-store, they didn't even have a place for it on the shelf, but had their regular store brand on sale, but at a slightly higher price. I find that kind of a "bait and hook" and unfair to their customers. I'm hosting friends and family for St. Patrick's day, and nearly everything I've purchased has been on sale. Still, it's stretched my budget to the monthly limit, and I've got 2 weeks to go. But with leftovers, and what I have in the pantry and freezer, I'll be OK. If all else fails, I've got still got 1/2 quart of buttermilk and the skills to make Irish soda bread, and I'm sure I can find some flat beer for more beer bread.
ReplyDeleteLori, it sounds like you're going to have a really yummy St. Patrick's Day meal. And yes, we've found instances locally where the 'bait and hook' method were used. Hey, Irish soda bread and or beer bread might just be a great accompaniment to your meal.
DeletePatsy, these posts/updates are so encouraging. Thank you. They really help (me) to stay focused on goals, especially when curve balls come flying out of nowhere. We had a biggie this week. By the grace of God, it worked out okay. Better than we could have hoped. We suddenly needed a new-to-us car to replace what we had and were able to buy a certified pre-owned, solid vehicle in good shape. Of course, this means recalculating HOW to stay on plan and put even more effort into rebuilding savings. With perfect timing, my daily devotional book had this verse yesterday: "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." Prov. 16:3
ReplyDeleteThe shelving is up behind the work island in our kitchen. We were able to do that for less than $100 total. Each shelf can support 200 lbs. and there are three that run the length of the island, with supports to increase weight bearing. I'm so grateful for that extra storage! The only groceries bought were milk, bananas at 27 cents lb. and cheese for $1.27 pkg.; this weekend we'll buy bone-in pork sirloin roasts for 99 cents lb. plus green cabbage and red potatoes at 2 lbs. for $1. We don't seem to be having any shortages here, but the "sales" and "deals" are sparse. What I just listed is the limit of good prices for stock up. An interested side note... while I'm noticing very careful shoppers in our local grocery stores, the day we bought our new-to-us car there were three other couples purchasing used vehicles. In our remote, rural area on a gloomy Tuesday afternoon! --Elise
For clarification (which may be needed), I don't count the church's food pantry donations as part of grocery budget, rather as charitable giving. Today's pork roasts (4), ground beef (2 value packs) and red potatoes (4 lbs.) came to $36.85 after tax, saving $53.94. Also for clarification, 1/2 of that will go to our son, who'll reimburse us via cash or equal amount of barter, so about for $18 for each household.
DeleteOops. also... 1/2 the bananas and 1/2 the cheese makes it just about $20 per household, not including the milk for us.
DeleteElise, I'm sorry you had to make such a big purchase, but it sounds like it turned out in the best way it could.
DeleteGlad your new shelving is adding to your storage options. We are enjoying ours very much!
It's bait and switch where I am as well, plus some empty shelves on regular items. And the prices are still rising!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, same here, sorry to hear it's not just a local thing though. It makes me a bit concerned that it is wider spread than I first thought.
DeleteEnjoy reading your updates and progress. I fully understand missing the hardcore hunkering down. It's so very freeing. and really releases major creativity. In so many ways I think it's fun and gives me great satisfaction beating the system. This past week I made more Gf 3 ingredient naan. Used up a lot of leftovers. Using everything up in a creative way means there are no science projects in the fridge. Took all the boned out of the freezer and made 3 quarts of chicken stock for the freezer. We added homemade fertilizer to the raised bed. We added to our emergency fund. No shopping this week.
ReplyDeleteCookie, YES! you said it so much better than I did. Hardcore hunkering down is freeing and does indeed release major creativity! Thank you!
DeleteThis week I was reminded how blessed we are. Hubs is still working on laundry room remodel. He found some free kitchen cabinets to replace an old one that he took out because it was falling apart. They were new but the couple didn’t like them and so they replaced them before even having them installed! 😱😱 We were happy to pick them up!
ReplyDeleteOur 8 chickens that we bought in September to replace our old layers are now giving us 6-8 eggs every day! That’s more than the 2 of us need but rather than selling some of the excess (which we could do easily), we have chosen to give some to families we know who are feeling the pinch of inflation more than we are. It’s been such a blessing to be able to share!
Easter will be hosted at our daughter’s house with about 30 of us and she’s doing it as a “controlled” pot luck asking everyone to sign up for food needed (vegetable, dessert, paper products, etc). I will provide the ham from the incredible Flashfood deal I got a couple months ago- boneless half ham (7-1/2 pound for $5 total! 😳❤️❤️). I bought several at the time and shared again with friends who were feeling the pinch as well as deli slicing some to keep and some to share. So now, all I need to do is pull one or two out of the freezer without having to run to the store! I’ll bring funeral potatoes also using potatoes I bought on sale a while back for 99 cents/5 pounds. I also have cheese for it that I bought, shredded and froze that was clearanced. So no OOP costs for our part. Just shopping from freezer and pantry things I bought at lowest prices. That really helps!
I’ve made 2 quilts this past 10 days only using scraps I have and batting scraps sewn together with goodwill sheet as backing. https://pin.it/7fmCia8if And https://pin.it/6EAEFniHn. I still need to bind these. But I’m excited to find the next scrappy pattern to use some of my excess to make into something useful that I can give.
It is such a good feeling to be able to have enough and to share that with others.
Gardenpat in Ohio
Gardenpat, first off, your quilts are beautiful, no one would ever know that you created them with scraps.
DeleteWe feel strongly that any excess we have needs to be shared with people we know that could use help during these difficult times and are trying to do the same as you and your hubby.
Your Esther meal sounds delicious and just look at the savings!
Inspiring post, thank you for sharing!
Beautiful quilts, Gardenpat. And what an inventive and important way to use up your scrap pile.
DeleteI have jeans in 2 sizes for both of us. Hubby is hard on clothes. I have tee shirts, long sleeve work shirts, socks and underware for him. I have not as much for myself but have some also. We have always had extra. I quit shopping for clothes even in yard sales and thrift stores and just have made do. I now make my patches for clothes from what was worn out like the Amish do.
ReplyDeleteI don't worry about the toaster going bad as I grew up with making toast in the oven. I even have the old egg beaters hanging on my wall in case the kitchen aid goes bad.I have an old meat grinder on the hoosier cabinet to use also.
Shelves are not as full here, and those that are full usually have something else in the spot instead of what is normally there. I would think it coming to be like the pandemic was.
Even the Amish bulk stores are having issues getting things in. Around here a lot of them are going back to sourdough instead of yeast. Amish neighbor gave me copy of the booklet she had been given by family that has sourdough even in noodles . She doesn't have issues using her starter up but the person that wrote the booklet did.
Glad to see you here! I hope you are feeling better
DeleteEverything we try to toast in the oven gets burnt! We are terrible about forgetting. But the air fryer may work in a pinch.
Patsy one thing stood out to me is that we should be thankful to Him for our ability to pay our bills and put food on the table as many are not able to with things being so tough out there. I am grateful for a paid off home, being able to pay my bills and having the means to replace one old vehicle that broke down mid last year with a newish demo model one paid for with cash.
ReplyDeletePatsy you did well to pay all your bills, stock up some staples for your pantry, get a few bargains if they be somewhat more of a price than before and make bread and crackers. We also made homemade bread in our bread making machines this week too rather than buying it.
We are stocking up mainly on half price sale or good sale price bargains and I bought some chocolate, moisturiser and cashews on a good sale and some apples and used our 4% off face value e-gift card to save $58.38 on usual prices. I have noticed my moisturiser has not come on half price sale for nearly a year so I was happy to top up on a couple of bottles of that at such a good price.
One thing I have noticed is the half price sales on items are getting further and further apart so it is necessary to have more backup stocks than we did before so we can replace items when on good sales. We are fortunate we built up our storage in good times when prices were a lot cheaper so we are just replacing items we have used. I also noticed that the good sale items sell out quickly so you need to get in at the start of the Wednesday new week sales to get them so more people are trying to keep costs down compared to before.
Financially we were able to bank $1230 odd dollars to our saving for our new car fund.
We are blessed that now I have been able to get DH into hydrotherapy classes, more regular physio, and doing regular stretching physio recommended exercises at home that he is stronger and able to do much more than he did before without being anywhere near as tired.
Lorna.
I'm a fairly new subscriber :) but I just wanted to say just how much I am encouraged by this blog and its community. We as wives/mothers are all striving to do the best we can with the money we have and this sort of group helps tremendously. I also follow Grandma Donna's blog and she has helped me too so much to become a more frugally minded person and to stay out of debt, but we still have a mortgage.
ReplyDeleteI live in New Zealand and prices are very high here too. I think we pay almost triple for petrol as what the U.S prices are, hence we don't travel very much at all. We also grow a big vegetable garden/orchard and I do a lot of canning/preserving, just to try and help with food costs. We don't have much in the way of clearance food stores here..and the one that we do have (30 minute) drive. hardly ever has staple foods. I pretty much make everything from scratch and like you Patsi the more frugal I need to be the more creative I am :) Blessings to you all ~ Linda