What small things did you do TODAY to save money?

[MaybeBabyMustache]

-Used a $20 off coupon to help my son buy a gift for his friend for Christmas. (The money he spent is his, but this helped him get something that the friend would really like.)
-Cancelled date night, as both kids were not feeling well. My husband tried a new recipe (absolutely amazing), we did a puzzle with the boys, shared wine, & looked at Christmas lights. It was a fabulous evening.
-Received a $100 rebate for our newly installed pool pump. Excited to check out the energy savings. The energy rebate was going away at the end of the year, and the fuel efficiency is supposed to pay for itself in 12 months.
-Continued my ongoing saga of getting our supplemental 2017 property tax bill. I can't pay it unless they submit the bill, and if they don't get it to me to get the payment in before the end of 2017, I can't write it off against my federal taxes due to 2018 changes. The difference is around $8K, so it's a pretty big deal.

[radram]

-Used a $20 off coupon to help my son buy a gift for his friend for Christmas. (The money he spent is his, but this helped him get something that the friend would really like.)
-Cancelled date night, as both kids were not feeling well. My husband tried a new recipe (absolutely amazing), we did a puzzle with the boys, shared wine, & looked at Christmas lights. It was a fabulous evening.
-Received a $100 rebate for our newly installed pool pump. Excited to check out the energy savings. The energy rebate was going away at the end of the year, and the fuel efficiency is supposed to pay for itself in 12 months.
-Continued my ongoing saga of getting our supplemental 2017 property tax bill. I can't pay it unless they submit the bill, and if they don't get it to me to get the payment in before the end of 2017, I can't write it off against my federal taxes due to 2018 changes. The difference is around $8K, so it's a pretty big deal.

Based on other threads ( like this one: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/republican-tax-plan-2017), prepaying 2018's bill in 2017 will no longer be allowed if the current tax bill gets passed. Look at this thread from newest to oldest to get the latest information.


You might want to get a second opinion before sending in  the check. Please share your results with others back here.

[horsepoor]

I noticed that my Chase Freedom card is doing 5% cash back on phone bills next quarter, so I cancelled my cell phone auto pay and wrote myself a note to pay with the chase card on the first.

Staying home and cleaning the house today.  I always end up thinking up new uses for things I find, or realizing I have consumables I forgot about (e.g. 5 bars of soap to use before I buy bodywash again).

This afternoon I'm going to build a little vestibule to go around the dog door to decrease drafts.  Shouldn't be a problem to find enough scraps in the garage to build it for free, and cover it with an old blanket.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Staying home and cleaning the house today.  I always end up thinking up new uses for things I find, or realizing I have consumables I forgot about (e.g. 5 bars of soap to use before I buy bodywash again).

I have quite a few bars of soap that I won't shower with because they dry out my skin, so I'm using them in place of liquid hand soap.

I don't own a soap dish but I put a cute little ceramic dish on the bathroom sink and put the liquid hand soap away.

I only bring the liquid stuff out for guests, I won't have to replace it for months at this rate.

[lexde]

Today I *spent* money, but saved more. I convinced my office to do a secret Santa instead of gifts for everyone, and we put a $25 limit on it. More fun, and way less expensive than getting everyone a gift/gift card (they are all super spendypants)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[1967mama]

Saw an ad for a frothy chai latte online right before going out to kids sports for two hours. Quickly made one at home instead of hitting up sbux while out.

Made tacos for dinner before I went out so the family would eat and not order in.

Wearing old clothes I already have even though I reeeeally want new clothes.

[MrsTuxedocat]

- Used scene card to watch Star Wars for free
- Used a cereal coupon for a free popcorn at the movies

[MaybeBabyMustache]

-Picked up son's $65 backpack (another soccer person picked it up/took it home). it was about a 20 minute drive each way, but used the electric car. SOOO happy they called us & let us know that they had accidentally picked it up. We searched everywhere for it!
-Bought a $20 Uber gift card for $9.50. Will use it for our trip to the airport on Saturday.
-Earned a $40 Visa promotional offer by charging a work hotel stay on my credit card
-Made all meals at home today, as usual
-Cleaned the house myself. This is a relatively recent addition, but it's not that bad, and a great hourly rate for my time!

[Botany Bae]

Frugal weekend:
- Shoveled snow myself yesterday and today. Fought the urge to pay someone or purchase a snowblower by reminding myself that after next winter we will be living on the sound and away from most heavy snows!

- Replenished younger son's dwindling pant supply at the thrift store for less than $4

- Picked up a movie and returned movies and books on time to the library to avoid fees.

- Date night at home! Made a snack tray, had a couple of beers, and played many games of darts :)

- Bought movie tickets for Christmas Day (Star Wars). This was already planned with my mother. But, I got an 18% discount by first getting a gift card for the theater through cardpool (Thanks to BrackenJoy for mentioning this site somewhere upthread)! Combined with extended matinee hours due to the holiday, my mom's senior discount, and one kid's kid discount, 5 tickets only cost $37.74. Really not bad, considering this is the fancy theater with the private recliners and reserved seating.

- Didn't do anything today that cost money. Instead, stayed home, made a batch of homemade kahlua for our New Year's fondue party (annual tradition), roasted chickpeas for lunch salads, started more sprouts, made breakfast burritos for the week, and worked on a personal project.

[Spruit]

Fixed bikes fender with the almighty duct tape and biking to work today, eventhough it looks trashy. I'll have to find a more permanent solution later.

[Linea_Norway]

This weekend DH gave me a haircut. I said max 5 cm off and this time it is the perfect length. Last time, if was a bit too short.

[horsepoor]

* Convinced my husband who forgot to mail his mom's birthday present (birthday is today) not to stick it in the mail. Even paying for priority mail, it would get there at the same time we will.

Pretend this is intentional:  "We really wanted to give this to you in person!"

[PMG]

Hand sewed together two small odd sized flat sheets so we can now use them as a bottom sheet on the mattress. Surprisingly the seam hasn't bothered us at all.

[mustachepungoeshere]

* Found out Friday evening that my husband's new work's Christmas party included a white elephant exchange of nice gifts around $25. Husband wanted to go out right away and get something at Target, but I told him to wait. I found some gift cards while we were moving and checked the balances. One was for Bed, Bath and Beyond for $18. Went out there armed with my 20% off coupon and found a nice set of whiskey glasses with ice molds for ice balls marked down from $29.99 to $15! With the coupon, the price came out to $12 so we still have some money left on the coupon. Also grabbed a nice bottle of wine we had at home for a host gift and wrapped everything up in stuff we bought in post Christmas sales last year.

Awesome!

[radram]

-Used a $20 off coupon to help my son buy a gift for his friend for Christmas. (The money he spent is his, but this helped him get something that the friend would really like.)
-Cancelled date night, as both kids were not feeling well. My husband tried a new recipe (absolutely amazing), we did a puzzle with the boys, shared wine, & looked at Christmas lights. It was a fabulous evening.
-Received a $100 rebate for our newly installed pool pump. Excited to check out the energy savings. The energy rebate was going away at the end of the year, and the fuel efficiency is supposed to pay for itself in 12 months.
-Continued my ongoing saga of getting our supplemental 2017 property tax bill. I can't pay it unless they submit the bill, and if they don't get it to me to get the payment in before the end of 2017, I can't write it off against my federal taxes due to 2018 changes. The difference is around $8K, so it's a pretty big deal.

Based on other threads ( like this one: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/republican-tax-plan-2017), prepaying 2018's bill in 2017 will no longer be allowed if the current tax bill gets passed. Look at this thread from newest to oldest to get the latest information.


You might want to get a second opinion before sending in  the check. Please share your results with others back here.

It looks like the other site seems to be in agreement that PROPERTY tax prepayments will still be allowed.

State tax prepayments are not allowed.

[Botany Bae]

No spend day!

A bout of insomnia last night. So I:
-Started dinner in the crockpot first thing this morning knowing I would be way too tired to cook this evening.
-Decided to stay in my PJs all day so I wouldn't feel the urge to leave the house.

Oh, I also started a journal in the forum! Yay, accountability and laser-like focus on our goals! :)

[Eucalyptus]

Ordered a new high quality adjustable Safety Razor from Amazon. My previous one broke when I dropped it in the shower about a year ago but it was a cheap model. This one should last me the rest of my life. I already have a few hundred blades (years worth...). This thing will pay itself back over and over again.

Sold a coffee grinder on gumtree (Aus craigslist) for $15.

Ate at home. Felt like eating out.

Prepared my budget and the Goodbudget ready for Thursday when my next pay comes in. Aiming to use Goodbudget for 12 months this time...last time I used it for about 6 months. But I need the discipline again. Cut some things down in my budget to be more brutal, like my eating out and food budgets, but I'm certain I'm ready for this.

[Road2Freedom]

Reduced our cell phone bill by $50/mo.  Our Sprint contract ended Dec 9 and the comparable plan was $50/mo less and had better options.  Best part is it didn't require signing a new contract.

[marielle]

I keep wanting to post here but everyday it would just be "Didn't buy anything". The last thing I bought was gas a week ago. Other than two auto-pay transactions for my donations and cell phone.

[ERock]

My work is having an ugly Christmas sweater day. Since I don't already have one, I went to the thrift store and bought one for $1.98!

[MaybeBabyMustache]

-Took the day off yesterday to spend with the kids. Was planning to go to the movies, but plans changed, so no money spent.
-Kids asked for lunch out, but I convinced them to head home & make lunch & have holiday cookies. ;-)
-Took the kids to the library for holiday craft time
-Worked out at home

[haypug16]

Made DH and I delicious eggnog lattes. Saved about $10. Eggnog used was left by a friend that came to visit on Saturday so the only cost was a sprinkle of nutmeg on each :)

[Linea_Norway]

Receiving free lunch at the cafeteria at work. Sponsored by my employer.

[Ecky]

Stopped behind the local grocery store on my way home to pick vegetables out of their to-compost bin (basically dumpster diving). Nothing wrong with them, not even any bruises, they just got another shipment in and these had to go.

[I'm a red panda]

My work is having an ugly Christmas sweater day. Since I don't already have one, I went to the thrift store and bought one for $1.98!

I'm surprised you found one. All the stores around here mark up the Christmas sweaters because they know people will be looking!

We had an ugly sweater party yesterday. Mine was not the only homemade sweater. My coworkers never cease to impress me, we are a frugal lot.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

-Used a $20 off coupon to help my son buy a gift for his friend for Christmas. (The money he spent is his, but this helped him get something that the friend would really like.)
-Cancelled date night, as both kids were not feeling well. My husband tried a new recipe (absolutely amazing), we did a puzzle with the boys, shared wine, & looked at Christmas lights. It was a fabulous evening.
-Received a $100 rebate for our newly installed pool pump. Excited to check out the energy savings. The energy rebate was going away at the end of the year, and the fuel efficiency is supposed to pay for itself in 12 months.
-Continued my ongoing saga of getting our supplemental 2017 property tax bill. I can't pay it unless they submit the bill, and if they don't get it to me to get the payment in before the end of 2017, I can't write it off against my federal taxes due to 2018 changes. The difference is around $8K, so it's a pretty big deal.

Based on other threads ( like this one: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/republican-tax-plan-2017), prepaying 2018's bill in 2017 will no longer be allowed if the current tax bill gets passed. Look at this thread from newest to oldest to get the latest information.


You might want to get a second opinion before sending in  the check. Please share your results with others back here.

It looks like the other site seems to be in agreement that PROPERTY tax prepayments will still be allowed.

State tax prepayments are not allowed.

This is a 2017 tax bill. We live in a county that provides a "supplemental" tax bill, but there is a huge backlog. Bought our house the first week of February - still have not received our bill. We know how much it will be (fixed percentage, based on sale price), but cannot pay until the bill is posted. I have been tracking this daily with the assessor's office, so we are now besties. :-)

Correct - state tax prepayments are not allowed.
With regard to property tax prepayments, I've read both, so unclear where things will net out on the final interpretation.

[Botany Bae]

Another no spend day yesterday!

- Canceled my hosting account. I had been paying $100 a year simply to keep the email address, since I shut down the website and scaled back my freelancing when I went back to school. Stupid, but now that's $100 more a year toward FI!

- Did a free yoga video.

- Made a spreadsheet for grocery shopping. We are transitioning to once monthly shopping, except most produce and bread. Spreadsheet lets me make a monthly ongoing list that I can access from computer or phone. It's organized by quantity and store, as well. No excuses to forget anything ever again.

- Made a second spreadsheet with monthly budget caps for a few budget subcategories where we tend to overspend. I can update this real time on my phone, thus seeing when we are about to do something stupid and hopefully stopping it!

- Used Youtube to hone and refresh above spreadsheeting skills. New skill learned + insourcing task= win!

- Helped older son make some fancy spiral cookies for a birthday gift for his partner, using ingredients we already had.

- Library movie night and air popped, bulk purchased popcorn with fam made for lovely evening entertainment on a rainy day.

[Bracken_Joy]

-Scheduled an MRI for the beginning of next year instead of the end of this one. Deductible was super high this year (like $2500?) and will be lower next year ($1k) since we went for a fancier plan. No way will I hit the deductible this year, but lots is already on the books for next. May as well try and consolidate it! And a week difference will have literally zero impact whatsoever.

-Stocked up on wine from a discount grocer in my area. Will grab a few from Trader Joe's as well, and have a nice robust looking wine collection for the holidays for an average of like $6/bottle.

-Husband and I played the car/work schedule shuffle yesterday so I could take the commuter (rather than the truck) for my long drive day.

-Cleaned out the fridge so we could take a bunch of food my parents bought for people coming into town. This will help defray the hosting costs!

[MaybeBabyMustache]

-Called about a flight that was changed beyond the 2 hour window allowed by airlines. Received a $75 credit, and the revised flight time actually works better for me.
-Husband took the day off yesterday & took the kids to the science museum in the city. Used company perks to get free ticket for him, and 10% off the kids passes. Still an expensive treat, but the kids loved it, and still less expensive than camp.
-Husband also took the electric car yesterday, as he was driving the most miles.
-Made dinner from items on hand
-Ate free breakfast/lunch & snacks at work.

[Imma]

- Still saving money by being ill. Kind of tired of this now though.
- Saving money for Christmas this way too. It's just the two of us at home, except for a Boxing Day brunch with my grandma. Normally we eat in a restaurant on Christmas Eve (€75) and invite a friend over on Christmas Day and I typically always buy too much food, no matter how much I try not to. ( I don't waste though, we eat Christmas food until NYE) I'm way too ill to go shopping now, so I made a list for my s/o and he still forgot some stuff. He doesn't mind doing the shopping, but he hates meal planning.

Probably for the better. Especially because I'm still not sure I can even eat by that time. As we don't really have anywhere to go this year, I also didn't buy a new dress and didn't buy a tree because I don't have the energy to decorate it right now. We do have some gifts to swap between the two of us but those are cheap, mostly homemade gifts. I am of course not sure what he got me, but I only got him useful things. I made us matching Christmas print pyama pants! He has one pair of stained and ripped pyama pants that's more than 10 years old and I had to throw mine away a while ago.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

- Still saving money by being ill. Kind of tired of this now though.
- Saving money for Christmas this way too. It's just the two of us at home, except for a Boxing Day brunch with my grandma. Normally we eat in a restaurant on Christmas Eve (€75) and invite a friend over on Christmas Day and I typically always buy too much food, no matter how much I try not to. ( I don't waste though, we eat Christmas food until NYE) I'm way too ill to go shopping now, so I made a list for my s/o and he still forgot some stuff. He doesn't mind doing the shopping, but he hates meal planning.

Probably for the better. Especially because I'm still not sure I can even eat by that time. As we don't really have anywhere to go this year, I also didn't buy a new dress and didn't buy a tree because I don't have the energy to decorate it right now. We do have some gifts to swap between the two of us but those are cheap, mostly homemade gifts. I am of course not sure what he got me, but I only got him useful things. I made us matching Christmas print pyama pants! He has one pair of stained and ripped pyama pants that's more than 10 years old and I had to throw mine away a while ago.

Being sick is not a fun way to save money. Hope you feel better ASAP!

[centwise]

I asked for a discount!

I'm having some expensive tree maintenance done by a reputable arborist (these are huge trees so it's not something I can do myself, nor would I trust it to an amateur). Before agreeing to the estimate, I politely e-mailed to ask if they might be able to offer a discount and they knocked 15% off the price.

This is something we often forget -- you can save money just by asking. :)

[better late]

-Called about a flight that was changed beyond the 2 hour window allowed by airlines. Received a $75 credit, and the revised flight time actually works better for me.

Can you explain this a bit? If the airlines changes your flight times you can call and get a $ credit??

[MaybeBabyMustache]

-Called about a flight that was changed beyond the 2 hour window allowed by airlines. Received a $75 credit, and the revised flight time actually works better for me.

Can you explain this a bit? If the airlines changes your flight times you can call and get a $ credit??

Sure! This depends on the airline (and, perhaps country specific regulations?) Here's a good overview of when you can typically get credits. https://thepointsguy.com/2016/08/how-to-get-compensation-flight-issues/

In my case, our preferred domestic airline (Alaska Airlines) offers a $75 credit if they change your flight time by more than 2 hours. They will offer you both a flight change (if there's another flight that works better) for free, plus the $75. You can also get mileage, but I typically take the $75, as I find it easier to use.

[lexde]

I am kind of conflicted on this one.

I was given a $200 AMEX gift card by my job as a thank you / bonus. I have a terrible habit when it comes to handling unplanned money — I always IMMEDIATELY want to share it or give it away, usually to my SO. I don’t know why. I just have to share it. Every. Single. Time.

So I used $50 of the $200 to buy my last Christmas present (gift card).

I almost gave my SO the card with the remaining $150 on it, “just because.” But I actually stopped myself today, and I am kind of proud of it, but feel weird about feeling proud of it. I’m not depriving him of anything, our finances are in no way combined, but my brain is just being weird.

So I saved $150 today by not just handing it to my SO.

[Dollar Slice]

I have a terrible habit when it comes to handling unplanned money — I always IMMEDIATELY want to share it or give it away, usually to my SO. I don’t know why. I just have to share it. Every. Single. Time.

Haha. I'm the same way if I ever get a $100 bill (which used to often be a holiday bonus from work). It would just tickle me too much to think about someone's face if they found it sneaked into a tip jar/donation bucket/etc.

[Botany Bae]

First, the wins from yesterday:

-Finished the JLCollins blog series on investing and began drafting our investment plan for the new year.

-Threw a double batch of dry beans in the crockpot to cook overnight. Half will be chili for dinner tonight, the other half goes into the freezer for later use.

-I'm in charge of Christmas desserts. Went through the pantry to see what I have. Looks like apple pie and lemon bars are the winners -- and I don't have to buy any special ingredients!

-Needed to replace my hiking shoes before our trip in January. They have hundreds and hundreds of miles on them, and the soles are splitting. Instead of going to REI and plunking down $150+, I checked the REI garage. Found my current shoes there, since they have been discontinued, for $65. Cross checked other retailers and Amazon to verify the best price. Ordered with store pickup to get the free shipping.

Sorta fail:
-Left the interior lights on in our car and woke up to a dead battery. No cost, since our insurance has free roadside. BUT, I realized that I had no idea how to jump the battery in our Prius, or which battery I could jump without a jump box. Not a fail right now, but we are shopping insurance so it would have been a major fail in a month or so when we might not have roadside anymore.

Full fail:
-Went to a Christmas party at a pizzeria and dropped $55. Our whole pre-party pep talk of one drink each/no food went right out the window. We aren't responsible enough to be left alone in restaurants or bars :(

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Wins from yesterday:
-Made dinner at home, using the (almost gone) leftover chicken. We had chicken tacos. Tonight will be chicken risotto.
-Took the kids to the library for entertainment, & to get books for our upcoming trip.
-Working down our fridge inventory, in advance of our flight tomorrow. (Will bring any produce that will travel well).
-Got two free items from work that I'll add to my nephew's gift. They are a character he loves, so he'll be thrilled.

[BlueMR2]

I bought 5 quarts of oil instead of 4...  4 qts was $40, but I could get 5 qts for $39 (exactly the same oil, just different containers).  My car only takes 4, but it usually burns around 1 more qt during the 3000 miles between oil changes (and I make sure it's topped off weekly as this engine is notorious for spun bearings if you let it get even just 1 qt down).

[wick]

Earlier this week I applied for an Amazon credit card. I then used the $50 gift card they give you as a sign up bonus to subsidize my Christmas shopping. I also signed up for a free trial of prime for the free express shipping. :)

[Daisy]

Earlier this week I applied for an Amazon credit card. I then used the $50 gift card they give you as a sign up bonus to subsidize my Christmas shopping. I also signed up for a free trial of prime for the free express shipping. :)

I got a month free Amazon Prime membership when ordering a computer. Then I marked the month-later date on my calendar to cancel Prime. When I went to cancel, I was offered another month free of Prime. I didn't have anything I was going to order, but by extending Prime in my first month of FIRE, I was able to get a free 7-day trial to HBO and I binged-watched 4 seasons of Game of Thrones. Then after that month expired, I canceled Prime again. The second time I wasn't asked to extend for free another month. I guess they figured I was a moocher.

Now I need to do a free-month sign up of Hulu to watch the rest of Game of Thrones. I got a little burnt out watching so many episodes in a row, so I am delaying it until next year.

But I have a MPP...too many fun trips planned in the first quarter that I won't have time to watch Game of Thrones then. I may have to delay this until the second quarter. FIRE is tough, I tell you.

[better late]

-Called about a flight that was changed beyond the 2 hour window allowed by airlines. Received a $75 credit, and the revised flight time actually works better for me.

Can you explain this a bit? If the airlines changes your flight times you can call and get a $ credit??

Sure! This depends on the airline (and, perhaps country specific regulations?) Here's a good overview of when you can typically get credits. https://thepointsguy.com/2016/08/how-to-get-compensation-flight-issues/

In my case, our preferred domestic airline (Alaska Airlines) offers a $75 credit if they change your flight time by more than 2 hours. They will offer you both a flight change (if there's another flight that works better) for free, plus the $75. You can also get mileage, but I typically take the $75, as I find it easier to use.

Thank you for the explanation and link. I had no idea. And we fly A LOT.  Feeling very thankful you posted this.

[NV Teacher]

Made it all the way to December 22 before turning on the heat.  It's a new record for me.

[alewpanda]

1. Shopped at the grocery today and caught a lot of holiday sales, even though we aren't hosting a dinner this year.  Canned pineapples, butter, baking supplies, and rolls all on sale. 

2. Have a "going away" party coming up for a friend of mine that is moving.  Wanted to bring a little something, so I whipped up some homemade salt scrub and scented it with molasses.  I hadn't had time to thrift the jar, but the rest of the supplies were all in my house.  Few bucks and a cute homemade tag :)

3. Our house is going up on the market and we are moved out into an apartment for our own (and the dogs') sanity.  Our downstairs neighbor seems to keep their heat on high all the time.  Our heat hasn't kicked on more than once or twice in weeks.  Methinks our electric bill (in the rental at least) will be nice and small....

4. Bought chicken that was discounted.  Bought 3 packages, and with the savings, it was like one of the them had been free.

5. Mended a shirt and a pair of pants of DH's.  Also took up some straps on a tank top for myself. 

6. Used papa johns points that were built up from buying a bulk order of pizza for moving day helpers and got ourselves a "free" dinner tonight.

7. Gave lots of homemade gifts so far, with just a few more to go.  Paintings, felt toys, salt scrubs, and homemade vanilla mixed in with small new, ebayed, or thrifted gifts.  Nobody got a gift any more expensive than 25.00 total....most were less. 

8. Made bulk lunches this week.  Lots of leftovers, and no eating out needed...which must mean that we are finally settled into the apartment and done spiffing up the house -- I seem to be back on some sort of schedule again.

[Hirondelle]

I was planning on working between Christmas and New Years as I didn't wanna 'waste' 3 of my vacation days. However as I didn't have to do anything physically at my workplace and my professor won't be around herself either, we agreed I could just work from home. Will probably only end up one or two days working and the other one will come from overtime hours (they don't get paid anyways so I better take days off in return).

Not going to work will save me a trip from my hometown to my current city (22 euros) and 3 days of groceries :p.

[PMG]

I haven’t quite decided where this belongs.  We regularly have power outages.  One time it was for 24 hours, but usually it’s shorter.  You never know, right?  I always rush to think of the contents of the fridge and how to prevent spoilage, but we cook mostly vegetarian from whole vegetables and fruit, dried legumes and grains. Sometimes we have leftovers, but it’s easy enough to eat those up before they get too warm.  Cabbage, and carrots and eggs are going to be fine through a power outage.  I’m not worried about the butter or the soy sauce.  Sometimes we have milk or yogurt.  Sometimes we have dumplings in the freezer, but... we don’t risk losing much in a power outage.

(Now watch, I’ll jinx us and we’ll lose power for days and days...)

[Step37]

I went to a community league meeting last week; as it was the last thing being held in the hall for a while, the fridge was being cleaned out. I came away with an unopened, two-pound container of full-fat cream cheese. Since my assignment for Christmas Eve potluck is dessert, I found a recipe to use it all up (it certainly wouldn’t be easy to use up otherwise!). Just finished baking pumpkin cream cheese squares, and the only thing I had to purchase were the graham crackers for the crust. Already had a ton of pumpkin purée from free pumpkins, and just eggs/sugar beyond that.

I’m not much of a fan of cheesecake, so I won’t overindulge on them... this is winning all the way:)

[Spruit]

Build a meal from leftover veggies instead of complaining "there's nothing in the house". The list of things sounded pretty werd, but it made for a decent curry with a little help from the spice jars.

Must finish the last of the coconut milk tomorrow before it spoils, though.

[Botany Bae]

Holiday weekend edition - I hope everyone had a fun and frugal day, whatever you celebrate! :)

Saturday:
-Braved the crowds Saturday to pick up two "free Friday" deals that were expiring at Fred Meyer. (Cat treats and Blistex).

-Cheap date night: Live music and a $4 tofu wrap at the organic grocery deli. Came home for darts and a cheap cocktail (homemade Kahlua and coffee).

Sunday:
-Went out and looked at light displays with a thermos of coffee and cocoa. Found an awesome one by the Children's hospital park that meant parking the car and walking around sipping warm drinks and looking at the displays.

-Came home and watched Cricket on the Hearth, a tradition of family snark. This 1967 "classic" is the most ridiculous thing ever. Watch it, laugh, mock -- trust me! It's free entertainment and family togetherness in the best sense ;) A tidbit from the kids during this year's viewing: DS2- Why would someone go randomly blind in Victorian London? DS1- Syphilis, bro, syphilis.

Monday:
-Slept in, opened gifts, no one went over the top and all were happy!

-My trick to get only what I needed as gifts worked! Only thing I needed was socks, but I know no one would buy me something boring like that. So I said I wanted fun or wacky socks. Everyone seemed to enjoy picking out crazy socks and trying to match them to my personality. I have sharks eating my leg socks, periodic table socks, no fucks given socks, cell mitosis socks, Legend of Zelda socks...a lot of socks! Those with small budgets could pick out $3 pairs, those that like to overdo things (ahem, looking at you mom) could pick out several expensive pairs. Bonus? I don't have to buy socks this year!

Today:
-Walking up to the library in a bit to exchange materials.

-Will stop by the pharmacy next door to library that always puts their Christmas stuff on 75% on the 26th. I stock up on candy for next year's stockings, as well as bags of random foil wrapped goodness. The red wrapped candies are handed to the kids and wife as a small treat on Valentine's. The green, silver, and gold go in the Easter baskets. I usually end up spending less than $10 to outfit the candy needs for 3 separate holidays. (Our stockings are only candy or other edible items, never any actual gifts.)

-Leftover Christmas BBQ for dinner! I did squirrel a couple of servings into the freezer, though, to make a barbecue flatbread in the future.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

-Called about a flight that was changed beyond the 2 hour window allowed by airlines. Received a $75 credit, and the revised flight time actually works better for me.

Can you explain this a bit? If the airlines changes your flight times you can call and get a $ credit??

Sure! This depends on the airline (and, perhaps country specific regulations?) Here's a good overview of when you can typically get credits. https://thepointsguy.com/2016/08/how-to-get-compensation-flight-issues/

In my case, our preferred domestic airline (Alaska Airlines) offers a $75 credit if they change your flight time by more than 2 hours. They will offer you both a flight change (if there's another flight that works better) for free, plus the $75. You can also get mileage, but I typically take the $75, as I find it easier to use.

Thank you for the explanation and link. I had no idea. And we fly A LOT.  Feeling very thankful you posted this.

Happy to help! We save quite a bit this way.