Yesterday was a good day! I did not go to the grocery store or anywhere. However I did go on December 31st and got a very large package of the on sale NY boneless strip steaks that were on sale for $ 11.99 a lb., a 24 roll pack of toilet paper, a dozen eggs, and a couple of other needed items to get my bill up to $50. so I could use a $5./$50. coupon and get the eggs for free. Yes, I ventured out in the snow so that I could keep my goal to not go to the grocery store at all in January. While I was at Top’s, I cashed my winning lottery tickets that were in my stocking that my son gave me. I thought they were $ 45. in winnings which I was thrilled with. However, I missed the fact that one of them had a multiplier so I actually won $70. That more than paid for my groceries.
I will apologize up front for not posting pictures today. Microsoft has changed the photos to photo legacy and I can’t get it to work. As soon as I can, I will post pictures. UGH! I hate it when they change things.
On New Year’s Eve, I made homemade ham and bean soup in my crockpot. I used the ham bone which had a lot of meat on it. I added water, a lot of dry northern beans that I soaked overnight, garlic and onion powder, and ground mustard. After cooking it for about 5 hours, I took the bone out and put all the meat from it back into the pot. I also added a few more slices of ham that I diced up. Then I cooked it for another 3 hours. It was delicious. We tried to stay up to midnight to ring in the New Year but we only made it to 10pm. Champagne will have to wait until next year.
Not wanting to waste food, we had the soup again yesterday as our New Year’s day meal. It always tastes better the second day. We have enough left for a brunch meal. As a treat, we each had a scoop of ice cream for dessert.
For brunch yesterday, we had eggs over easy and some fresh avocado. We only eat 2 meals a day not because of the money but because as we age, we don’t eat as much as we used to. Everything we ate was from our stockpile.
I did some picking up of the house and some organizing. It was then time to make some homemade banana bread for breakfasts this week. I had unthawed the bananas that were in my freezer. This is the recipe:
https://www.eatingonadime.com/banana-bread-recipe/
I use monk fruit in place of sugar most of the time.
The rest of the day and evening we watched bowl games. Two were very boring and the Georgia vs. Ole Miss game last night was just crazy at the end. But it was free entertainment.
I wish you all a Happy and Blessed New Year! I hope you have a great money saving day. Use up what you already have in your home. Things are way too expensive to buy right now.
6 replies on “A Good Start To 2026”
Happy New Year!
Since I had to work today and I had to pick up a cake for a co workers
B-day, I picked up the needed groceries as well. Used a GC and just got what was on the list (38.00)
Thanks the reminder I have bananas in the freezer, do you know if almond flour can be substituted?
Hi Patti,
Nice shop. Gift cards are so much fun for groceries. I cash my Fetch points here for Walmart gift cards to use on food.
I do have almond flour but I didn’t try it because the flour was older and needed to be used up. I will try it next time. If you do, let me know how it turns out.
I did use Almond flour and it ended up burnt on the outside and like pudding on the inside. I think almond flour must bake quicker?
Hi Patti,
I am so sorry that happened. I don’t know if it bakes quicker. I only use almond flour in recipes that call for it. I have never substituted it in a recipe. Thanks for letting us all know.
Hi Precious, Happy New Year! We got back from visiting our family and trying to play catch up here. Hubby started with a cold last weekend and I started with it yesterday. My nose is running like a faucet. Good thing I stocked on tissues with lotion this past fall. We had our grands today and little granddaughter is sick with Flu A. She and I had a 2 hour nap. Son in law was able to get Tamiflu for her and start it after they went home. We sent Hubby to Kroger to get the test this morning. Luckily she didn’t have Covid or Flu B. Hubby and I had our flu shots so hopefully we won’t catch.
Before I got sick I was able to do a little after Christmas shopping for things for next year. The only thing I didn’t find were the treat bags for our Christmas cheer stuff.
Hi Chris,
I am glad you got to see your family and that you are home safely. I hope you both feel better soon. So sorry that the little one has the flu.
Good for you getting you after Christmas shopping done. I did none because I really didn’t need anything. My shopping has consisted of beef if I find a great deal because prices are rising again already and I believe they will continue to rise.
Happy New Year!