With inflation on the rise and salaries not increasing, our ability to make ends meet is decreasing. Therefore, we must be more careful with our money. The Frugal Five is a series in which we celebrate the daily or weekly activities that help us live a frugal life.
I am exploring ways to reduce costs during busy weeks. One strategy is to watch the pennies because they add up. Here are some of my tips and tricks.
1- Gas Prices
Gas prices in my area fluctuate between stations by $0.30 per gallon. I usually get my gas at Costco because they are usually the cheapest. However, I can sometimes find the same price at a local station that I pass daily. In addition, once a month I cash in my Kroger gas points for $1.00 off per gallon.
2- Loss Leaders
Each week, the more expensive grocery stores place specific items on sale at low prices to get customers into the store. Meijers will run a 7 for $7.00 sale or place specific meats on sale. Kroger runs a get $5.00 off of 5 sale, weekly sales deals, and so much more. Since my stores are within a mile of each other and I pass them regularly, I will pick up the sale items and go to the cheapest store for the rest of our grocery list.
3- Restaurant Recreations
Our family enjoys quality meals at restaurants, but the prices are overpriced, and the quality of the meals has diminished. Therefore, I will investigate recipe hacks online and recreate the meals at home for a fraction of the price. The meals are made with quality ingredients and the taste is exceptional. With a little planning, the time it takes to make the meal is about the same as selecting a restaurant, driving to the location, and waiting for a table. As a bonus, our family enjoys a dinner with added appetizers and/or dessert.
4- Outdoor Sculptures and Fountains on the Cheap
I practice my photography skills throughout my travels by photographing sculptures and gardens. Then, I use coupon codes to print them out. Coupling the photos with discounted frames makes a beautiful walk display.
In addition, I look for interesting sculptures to place in my gardens to make them interesting. The other week, I found a pair of blue herons at Costco for half the price other stores. I only knew this because I have been shopping for these sculptures for over a year. They will be a beautiful addition to my yard.
Finally, I love water fountains, but the ones I liked were between $100.00 and $2,000.00. Therefore, I experimented with a solar fountain pump last summer to determine the size of the container it would need to look exceptional. At the end of the summer season, I found a plant pot large enough to create my fountain this summer.
5-Starbucks Fix
I love good coffee, so this is one of my daily luxuries. I cut corners by buying high quality coffee. I will pick up Starbucks’ whole bean coffee when I can purchase it for $6.00 a pound. Sometimes, I will pick up a mild German ground coffee at Aldi for $6.00 a pound and add cinnamon to the ground before brewing. However, I pick up Silver Bridge Coffee for $10.00 a pound for holidays. By making our coffee at home, I can make coffee for 2 weeks for the cost of one day's take out order from Starbucks.
Another way I can get my coffee fix is by placing Starbucks as one of my gift card choices at work. I have very generous families who enjoy treating me to a coffee a few times a year. In addition, I get gift cards from my My Points Account. I will answer questions, complete searches, upload receipts, or complete surveys to earn points. Then I redeem my points for gift cards. I load all gift cards onto my account and use the money on special occasions or when traveling.
Finally, I downloaded the app, which periodically provides me with free coffee. Starbucks will email you when you have a coupon for free coffee on your account. You always get a free coffee for your birthday. This year Starbucks gave out free coffee a few other times.
What Free-bees have you been able to pick up this year? The 2024 Free-Bee Summary has been posted. If you missed it, then click on the link below.
Here is my list:
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Please leave a comment below with your ways of saving money this week.
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