Frugal Five- #18

 The Frugal Five

With inflation on the rise and our salaries not being able to keep up, it seems like we have taken a pay cut and must be more careful with our money.   The Frugal Five is a series where we celebrate our daily or weekly activities that help us live a frugal life.    

1- Gas Fill-up 

Last week my son was at camp, so I didn’t fill up my car at all.    This week we are back to needing to take him to practice and completing errands.   Since the stores I shop at are along the route to his practices, I will stop at stores strategically when he goes to practices. Not only does this save on gas but also time.     In addition, when I filled up this week, Kroger’s gas prices were equal to the others in the area, so I took advantage of my June gas points and was able to fill up for $3.59 per gallon.     That was a savings of $10.00.     

2- Increased Focus on Getting Deals

This week I dedicated a little more time to finding deals items that our family needs and/or can place in our pantry.    CVS's annual daily free coupons started this week (7/10-7/23/22), which encouraged me to look for freebies.  I have listed what I found this week below. 

Free Items this week: 

2 Crest Pro-Health Advanced Toothpaste (3.5 oz)- Walgreens Sale, Register Rewards

CVS Health- Melatonin 5 mg Gummies (60 ct)- CVS Coupon

CVS Health- Alcohol (16 fl oz)- CVS Coupon

Beauty 360 Nail Finishing Buffer- CVS Coupon

2 Hask Moisturizing Deep Conditioner (1.75 oz)- CVS Sale, Extra Care Bucks 

CVS Health- Melatonin 5 mg (60 ct) Chewables- CVS Coupon

Food and Wine Digital (12 issues)- Pinch Me

HGTV Digital (8 issues)- Pinch Me

CVS Health Plastic Bandages (60 ct)- CVS Coupon

Antibiotic Ointment (.5oz)- CVS Coupon

3 Boxes Movie Theater Candy (3.5-5oz)- Buy 2 get 1, Extra Care Bucks

In addition, to looking for deals, I had several $4.00 Register Rewards that were about to expire, so I invested in picking up paper products that had digital coupons available.      In addition, I was able to pick up BOGO hair tie packs.  

3- Free Entertainment

This week I was given the opportunity to pick up 2 digital magazines for free from Pinch Me.     In addition to picking up the book I had on hold, I will be able to be inspired to Living the Sweet Life On A Budget.     I am looking forward to embracing a better life.  

4- Cooked at Home this Week

I had a very busy week of running my son to swim practice, having 2 days of class, filling out paperwork for my new job, and a long trip to Columbus for a dentist appointment for my son.    Simple Meals, Crockpot Cooking, and family support made this week a breeze to eat at home.      I am grateful for this support and we were successful at eating at home this week. 

5-Garden Love

I am caring for my small but growing garden.    I have several tomatoes that are ready to pick and many more that are still growing.   In addition, the pepper plants produce a lot of peppers.     Finally, I picked up 2 mint plants for winter tea.  My small garden is starting to pay dividends.    

Please leave a comment below with your ways of saving money this week.