EXPERIMENT
I've been wanting to experiment with one of the popular food services.
I chose 'Hello Fresh' when I came across an $80 coupon plus Swagbucks had a 5000 pts ($50) cash back offer, plus using my 3% cash back credit card.
Keeps me entertained, keeps us fed royally and I'm picking up new recipes and cooking tips for us to enjoy in the future.
It's been fun with very diverse cooking options. At almost 4 weeks in I know I will not continue with the current plan.
It is too expensive and I miss the freedom of my spontaneous, creative cooking from day to day. With this plan I need to use up their fresh veggies asap.
BOTTOMLINE
I would keep the service for a while longer if I can switch to a different plan - two dinner deliveries every other week instead of the trial three dinners ea week.
This will still be cheaper than dinner out or even pizza delivery from our favorite local place.
Here in Florida, we are currently the epicenter of Covid - so restaurants keep closing and there is no place I'd feel safe dining out since I am high risk.
Anyway - an all around great deal, also, the meat delivered is great quality which is important to us. Well worth a try.
DEALS
Office Depot had a deal $14.99 for 50 masks (the same ones Costco carries for $27.99), free delivery.
Home Depot had a daily deal on the weatherproof storage box 32qt size I've been looking for - 30% off and free delivery.
Both deals - another 3% off via cc plus additional 1-3% off via a shopping portal.
FREE BOOKS
I'm getting free books online via bookbub feeding my historical romance, time travel and sci-fi addiction. Saves time too since they send one daily e-mail with free book offers, mostly on Amazon - no searching the library and I've been discovering new authors that way.
...and yes, occasionally I have bought the other books in a series that kept me enthralled.
Saving money is a good thing but I also like to support the authors from time to time - no one else would dream of giving away their work, time and creativity for free.
GARDEN
1. Harvested two Persian limes and a batch of peppers this weekend.
Planning to cut and dry most of my lemon balm and a third of my lemon verbena next.
2. I'm happy to see the Moroccan mint is doing alright in this heat and humidity - having a fresh pot of tea this evening.
Maybe I'll even make a batch of ice tea.
3. Got free seeds along with a seed order. Discovered a new favorite online vendor veggie/flower/herb seeds and bulbs.
Eden Brothers, they offer weekly promos, offer a few rarities and lots of diversity.
GROCERIES-pharmacy
Mr. R. has become an excellent shopper (since I'm staying home trying to avoid exposure) taking advantage of the BOGO deals.
I discovered Swagbucks presently offers points (cashback) for printing grocery coupons and more points for actually using them:).
Coupons saved us roughly $30 this week - incl. $4 coupons for eye drops.
Mailed off for a free carton of eggs - save ten proofs of purchase, get one tree carton of Nellie's eggs.
Will join Sam's Club this month - offer - $45 dollars membership, get $45 off your first purchase = FREE.
Primarily to stock up on TP and hurricane supplies as well as meat since we have new freezer space.
TIPS n TRICKS
Found a very old box of Clorox wipes that went dry - added an oz of 90% alcohol, shake it up - voila.
GENERAL
1. Just received $50 cash back from my main credit card. Total all cards so far this year $300 + $110 cashback via Swagbucks.
2. We bought a new Microwave on clearance at HD - they also gave us an extra $50 off for the one on display but wanted $150 for installation. Insane!
Since we also purchased a new oven, we waited for that delivery and free installation and offered the guys $50 to install the Microwave. No problem - saved us $100 - everybody happy and Mr. R. didn't have to tackle this job on his own and potentially re-injure his arms and back.
Due to COVID -
I cut Mr. R's hair for the past two months, I'm getting better at it each time.
Letting my hair grow for the first time in 50 years:).
DIY
Mr. R. did some electric work and is installing a new outlet - saving us around $75.
(he works with electrical stuff at work incl micro chips which always helps us prolong the life of our appliances too)
Hope y'all are having a good week and finding lots of opportunity to optimize and decimate those monthly expenses.
It is amazing how the little stuff adds up over time.