One of the most important things that we do to cut costs is to use our time wisely. We all only have a finite amount of time to live our lives so we must use it well. Hubby and I are not ones to play online games. I realize that some people use it as a means of entertainment but I could easily see how that could take up immense amounts of time that you could use to cut costs, cook from scratch, track your budget so that you can really see what you are wasting your money on, and track grocery prices, etc.
I did Solitaire for a while because I felt it kept my mind sharp. But I finally realized that I could do that by writing my blog and reading. I love to read but don’t do it as much as I would like to. So I will be adding time for that into my schedule each week.
So getting up in the morning and immediately wasting hours of time online is not in my wheelhouse. I do check my e-mail and facebook messages during the day but very little time is spent doing that. My computer is turned off most of the day unless I am writing a blog post.
We have cut our morning coffee costs. Hubby very rarely has a cup of coffee in the morning. I used to drink 3-4 cups a day. I only drink one with my brunch now. Today I had that cup with my scrambled eggs and SteakUms. Hubby had a toasted cinnamon raisin English muffin that was in the freezer.
The only deals that got me to grocery shop the end of the week were 2 dozen medium eggs for $ 3.49 each at Top’s. And a few things I needed at BJ’s. I got 2 very large boxes of raisins for $10.49 each, one large bag of Skinny Pop( my guilty pleasure) for $ 6.79, and a 8.23 lb. corned beef for $5.49 a lb. for a total of $ 45.18. My total for all groceries this week was $ 79.93. The corned beef was the best price I could find in my area. Most of them were $ 8.09 to $8.69 a lb. Since it was so big, I cut it in half and we will have it for St. Patrick’s Day and I froze the other half for some meals late in 2025.
My shopping was combined with my two doctor appointments this week so as to not waste gasoline.
I have an envelope that I put receipts in so that I can enter them into Fetch every week to save for Walmart gift cards. I did enter them this week. It only takes a few minutes and it is so worth it.
We got our quarterly water and sewer bill midweek. It was for $ 58.03 and included a $ 3.+ sewer rate hike. We used the minimum amount of water. For those who don’t know, I take Navy showers which does not take much water at all. I use the dishwasher about twice a week but wash many dishes by hand like pots and pans, wooden utensils, wine glasses, and the lids to glass containers, etc. I use a dishpan with soapy water and a pan to rinse.
When I boil water for pasta, etc., I use the same water to water plants or flush a toilet. No water goes to waste in this house. We do get a large water bill when we use our sprinkler system to water our lawn about 4 months a year.
On Ash Wednesday, we had coconut shrimp with mango sauce for dinner. On Thursday, I made 2 meals of spaghetti and meatballs. I made garlic bread from a $1.00 loaf of Italian bread to go with it. On Friday, I went to Chiavetta’s and picked up fish fries and French fries. I was hungry so I ate all of my fish. Hubby has some fish left for dinner tonight. We have plenty of French fries leftover. Those items will get heated up in the air fryer. I am going to put some chili on top of my FF’s. Tomorrow night we will finish up the spaghetti and meatballs with more garlic bread. That should finish all the leftovers in the fridge. Waste not want not!
The only other spending we did was to get some Burts Bees Waterless Cat Shampoo for Eloise and some new underwear for me. Mine was 4 years old so it was time for some new. I never put underwear in the dryer so it lasts me a very long time. That was all under $35. I also spent $13.00 for a car wash. Of course the next day, it rained while I was out at the doctor’s so it is a bit dirty again. If it gets a little warmer in the next couple of weeks I will wash it in our driveway.
This afternoon I used my Instant Pot to hard boil a dozen eggs for next week’s brunches, snacks, and salads. I also used some shelf stable milk to make some SF pudding for the week.
In between errands and doctor’s appointments, I have been doing some spring cleaning. My windows are so dirty that I can’t wait until I can wash them.
Well I am off to hang my laundry. I will TTYL.
What have you done to cut costs lately?
4 replies on “Cutting Costs”
Hi Precious. Thanks for the reminder about being mindful how you use your time. I am guilty of this. I play sudoku and mahjong to calm my mind. I love to read also. I have a couple of books from the library about retirement and am trying to get through them. One is the new Christine Benz book and the other is from Jane Bryant Quinn. I had read the latter one when it first came out awhile ago and re-reading to be sure I didn’t miss anything.
I am going to get a corned beef for St Pat’s also. The cheapest I have seen here is 3.99/lb at Meijer for the flat cut. Kroger had the red potatoes on sale this week so I already picked them up. Just need some carrots and cabbage. I have onion also if needed or wanted. Hubby loves this meal. Me, not so much, but I am happy to cook for him.
I washed the windows in my big room this week. We have some chalk markers that the little girls use to make “decorations” on them. The Valentines pictures were still up and I asked them if they wanted to make some rainbows and such for St Patrick’s Day. They were happy to oblige and little granddaughter also made a bunch of gold hearts. LOL! It keeps them busy.
You got a great deal on eggs, I think. I got an 18 pack here this week and paid well over $7 for it. Our state has the most cases of bird flu in the country, I saw on the news this week. Gas was under $3/gal (barely), so at least that was something.
Friday night hubby had the stomach bug that is going around. He had a hard night, but got through the worst of it and slept a lot yesterday. He is much better today.
Hi Chris,
Sorry I am so long replying. Enjoy those books.
That is a great price for corned beef. I am with your Hubby on the great meal for St.Patrick’s Day. I can’t wait to eat reuben sandwiches too! YUM!
That was a great way to keep the girls busy.
Yikes on that bird flu.
I am glad that Dan is healthy now. Those viruses going around are awful.
I love chopped salad and after buying them one week, I realized that I don’t need the extras or the dressing on sale they are 3.67 for 1 maybe 2 meals and I was adding precooked chicken (8.99 for 16oz). So, I bought a bag of chopped Romaine and a bag of slaw mix (6.28) and ran both through the food processor and put it in large mason jars. Then I cut up peppers and cucumbers, boiled some eggs, cooked up 2 chicken breasts and 2lb of taco meat. This should make 6-7 salads.
I do play a lot of internet games but I also read 12 books a month, since I do both while the TV is on. I do need to stop buying the crap I see while playing the games :(. The very expensive Sleep number bed we bought is going back next week, it helps with none of our issues (snoring, hip pain), its heating and cooling options are loud and its a pain to put fitted sheets on. Thankfully we kept the last mattress on the second floor so its easy to put it back in the bedroom.
Have a great week!
Hi Patti,
Sorry it took so long for me to reply. I love that chopped salad idea. I am stealing it from you. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! That is a lot of reading in a month.
We had a sleep number bed we bought in AZ and then brought it here. We loved it but it was getting old so we bought new adjustable beds. But your sleep number bed sounds like there are too many bells and whistles to deal with. If it is not comfortable you are very smart to return it. I am glad that you didn’t get rid of the old one.