Frugal Five: #132

 

With inflation rising and salaries staying the same, our ability to make ends meet is becoming increasingly difficult. Therefore, we must be more careful with our money. The Frugal Five is a series that celebrates the daily or weekly activities that help us live a frugal life.    

This year, my focus is on Simple Abundance, so finding ways to live well while staying on budget will be challenging.    Come along and enjoy my journey of elevating joy, enjoying what you have, and finding luxury in my local area.   20

1- Gas Prices→ Limited Control  

Gas prices continue to rise as we feel the ripple effects of the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. Fuel is one of those unavoidable expenses, but unlike rent or insurance, it isn’t fixed—so every spike hits your budget a little differently. The good news is that with a bit of planning and creativity, you can soften the impact.

Walk Whenever You Can: 

Our community garden activities are ramping up, which means my trips there have increased quite a bit. Fortunately, the garden is less than a mile from my home. Instead of driving, I load up my collapsible wagon with everything I need for the day and walk to and from the garden. It’s a simple habit that saves gas, adds some movement to my routine, and makes the whole experience feel more connected to the neighborhood.

Batch Your Driving:  

Since I commute to and from work five days a week, I use that route to my advantage. Many of the stores I frequent are already along the way, so I batch all my errands and complete them after work. This eliminates extra trips and keeps my weekly mileage—and fuel use—much lower.

Be Strategic About Fueling Up:  

I’ve learned to pay attention to the gas stations between work and home. Over time, I noticed that Tuesdays tend to offer the lowest prices of the week—except when a holiday disrupts the pattern. I also compare prices between competing stations and use GasBuddy to pinpoint the cheapest option.

Maximize Fuel Discounts: 

Once a month, I use my fuel reward points to bring down the price per gallon. My discount usually falls between $0.30 and $0.90 per gallon, so I make the most of it. I wait until my tank is around a quarter full and then fill not only the car but also our garage gas cans. Since this is typically the lowest price I’ll see all month, maximizing the purchase makes a noticeable difference. 

2- Our Rich Backyard - Seed Starting, Soil Prep, and Spring Excitement: A Week in Our Community Garden

This week marked one of my favorite milestones of the year — seed planting days with our community gardening group. There’s something grounding about tucking tiny seeds into soil, imagining the vegetables and flowers they’ll become. I planted several varieties that will grow into the backbone of our garden this season, while our group will supplement with plants that are trickier to start from seed, like kale and cabbages. It’s a thoughtful balance that helps ensure a strong, healthy garden from the very beginning.

Sunday: Irrigation Day and Strawberry Transplants

On Sunday, our group gathered again to finish installing our irrigation systems — a huge help once the summer heat settles in. Knowing our plants will have steady, reliable watering gives us peace of mind and helps preserve every bit of growth during the hottest months.

I also spent time transplanting several strawberry plants into my personal bed. Our shared bed is shifting toward higher‑yield vegetables this year so we can increase our donations to the local food bank, and I’m happy to give the strawberries a new home where they can keep thriving.

Spring Cleanup and First Direct Sowings

With the infrastructure in place, it was time to prepare our bed for spring. We laid down cardboard and mulch around the perimeter to suppress weeds and freshen up the space. Then came the satisfying part: direct sowing peas, beets, radishes, lettuce, and onions. These early crops always feel like the official start of the season.

Within a month, we should see real progress — seedlings pushing through the soil, a new trellis taking shape, and the first hints of what summer will bring.

Looking Ahead

Every task this week — from seed trays to irrigation lines — has added to my growing excitement for spring and summer. There’s so much promise in a freshly planted bed, and I can already picture the lush, productive garden we’ll be tending together.

3-  Celebrating Red’s Day: A Tradition That Brings Our School Together

The Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day is more than just the start of baseball season — around here, it’s a moment of pure hometown pride. To join in the excitement, our school celebrates Red’s Day each year on the Friday of Opening Day, and it has quickly become one of our most beloved traditions.

A Luncheon That Feels Like Summer Arriving Early

Every Red’s Day, our staff comes together for a classic BBQ luncheon, and the menu is delightfully consistent — the kind of consistency everyone actually looks forward to:

• Juicy burgers fresh off the grill

• Hot dogs with all the fixings

• A spread of salads and chips

• Homemade desserts that disappear fast

• And plenty of extra treats that show up thanks to our generous staff

There’s something comforting about knowing exactly what’s coming, yet still being surprised by the creativity people bring each year.

More Than a Meal — It’s Community

What makes Red’s Day special isn’t just the food or the baseball spirit. It’s the way it brings us together. Sharing a meal slows down the pace of the day, gives us space to laugh, connect, and enjoy each other’s company.

In the middle of a busy school year, this tradition reminds us that joy and community are essential ingredients in the work we do.

And This Year… an Extra Bonus

This Red’s Day landed on the final day before spring break, adding an extra layer of excitement. The energy was high, the smiles were big, and the celebration felt like the perfect send‑off into a well‑earned week of rest.

4- “Use It Up”: A Timeless Lesson From the Great Depression

One of the lasting sayings from the Great Depression is “Use it up.” It’s simple, practical wisdom—and still incredibly relevant today. Even when I’m able to pick up items for free or at a deep discount, I remind myself that the real savings come from not wasting what I already have.

Make the Most of Every Last Bit

I scrape out containers, squeeze every drop from tubes, and rinse cans to add the last bit of flavor to soups, stews, or gravy. In our home, leftovers aren’t an afterthought—they’re lunch or even dinner the next day. It’s amazing how much money you save when you treat food and household items with respect instead of letting them go to waste.

A Toothpaste Example

Take toothpaste, for instance. When the tube gets low, I squeeze from the bottom all the way to the top. Once I can’t get another bit out, I remove the cap and use what’s left inside the opening and the neck of the tube. Only when it’s truly empty do I go to the closet and open a new one. It’s a tiny habit, but tiny habits add up.

5- Stretching the Budget: Watch Your Pennies Because They Become Dollars. 

One of the simplest ways to stay ahead of rising costs is to pay attention to the small things. Pennies really do become dollars, especially when you’re intentional about how and when you spend them.

Know Your Prices and Shop the Sales

Every week, grocery stores run sales—some great, some not so impressive. When you know your regular prices, you can quickly spot the real deals and stock up on pantry staples when it makes sense.

I set aside $10 each week specifically for sale items. If I don’t use the full amount, I roll it into the next week. This gives me flexibility for those higher‑value purchases, like toilet paper or cleaning supplies.

Scoring a Great Deal on Toilet Paper

Last week, my local grocery store ran a fantastic sale on our favorite toilet paper: Scott Comfort Plus 1‑Ply Triple Rolls (12 count) for $3.99—a full $3.00 off the regular price. On top of that, I had a $2.00 coupon. My stockpile had been dwindling over the past few months, so I grabbed five packages while the price was at its lowest.

Planning Ahead for Picnic Season

This week, canned vegetables dropped to $0.59, down from $0.79. We don’t usually eat canned vegetables, but with picnic season coming up, I picked up six cans to make our favorite black bean and corn salad. Buying ingredients ahead of time—especially when they’re on sale—keeps our food budget predictable and our pantry ready.

What is on Sale this Month?     This series looks at what is typically on sale during each month, so you can look ahead and make better choices. 

What Free-bees have you been able to pick up this year?   The  2025 Free-Bee Summary has been posted.    If you missed it, then click on the link below.  

Here is my list:

Did you miss the last Frugal Five post?  No worries, click on the picture for the link.

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