Ways I Saved

I was so inspired the first time I read the Prudent Homemaker's "Last Week's Frugal Accomplishments" that I started trying to pay more attention to and finding more ways to save.

Last week we bought fireworks using a $10 off coupon. We also bought some fireworks that were on sale buy one get one. We used many items in the freezer to make hamburgers, I used a coupon to get chips, and we bought some ice cream on sale to make milkshakes. We had a great Fourth of July!

I made do and didn't do much shopping. Mostly just some fresh produce. I have made a very careful list for this weeks shopping. I stocked up at Costco the first week of July. It was scary to spend a good 70% of our budget there, but it seems to be worth it so far. I don't have much money left in my budget, but I also don't need much.

We made some Fourth of July decorations, and did several crafts from items we already had.

We're starting to get some produce from our garden. Last week we harvested the last of our tiny strawberry yield. I clipped lettuce leaves for a salad, and the outer leaves are ready to be clipped again. We also harvested a tomato!

Somebody offered us a memory game, and two other stringing games. I said yes, and the kiddos are having fun playing with them!

I was able to fit some quart canning jars into the budget. They were the lowest price I've seen.

We sorted out our kid's clothing. I was able to pull out and put away everything our son would need for the summer (we'd been given most of the clothes from my sister), and our daughter had a few things that still fit from last summer, so she doesn't need anything either. Whew! Clothes can be expensive!

We went to the zoo for free with our membership.

We went to garage sales and found several items we were looking for or wanted. My husband found a nice skill saw for $20, and we found several children's books for about $.50 each. I also found a like-new tub of Lincoln logs for $3! I've been wanting these for our kiddos for a long time. This set retails at $45!