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The Frugal Five: #105

 


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:

Do you want to see my last post?   

Just click on the picture for the link. 



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


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