Penny Smart #11

This a place where I share how I've stretched a penny, saved a penny and in many cases spent no pennies.

I picked up 3 packages of tortilla shells on the clearance rack for $0.90 each.  They went into the freezer mainly for lunches.  Megan enjoys cheese quesadillas. 

I needed laundry detergent and picked up two bottle of Purex for $5.99 each.  One bottle is put back and one was immediately used. 

I don't use my store bought detergent at full strength.  It's diluted by half.  Instead of 150 ounces I end up 300!

The large bottle is too heavy for me, so it is divided into smaller containers.  I have worked out the math and wrote it on the container.  I use by kitchen scale and know that I need to add 23 ounces of both water and detergent. 

I also have to bottles marked with a "D" so I know that it has been diluted.  

I also keep a bottle that hasn't been diluted for those heavily soiled items. 

Some of you might wonder what happened to my homemade laundry detergent.  I stopped using it about 6 months ago.  I found that in my newer top load HE, water efficient washer that it wasn't dissolving well.  Black skirts and pants kept coming out with white areas of detergent.  I may try the liquid version at some point, but for now this is saving my sanity. 

I know many who never use dryer sheets.  It's a must around here, especially in the winter.  Static is a monster when the weather turns cold!  I cut my sheets in half to double the amount.  

I've considered dryer balls.  If you use them, or have used them, please let me know how they work for you.  

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase. it Proverbs 13:11

It's a great reminder to tackle our financial goals bit by bit. So there you go. I hope this encourages you to do things to save money. The old adage that every penny counts seems to apply more and more these days. I find it's much harder to stretch my pennies into nickles. *smile* I find it encouraging to hear about other frugal adventures and I hope you do also.

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations... keep moving forward, friends. 

Home

After a busy and emotional October it's been great to be home. The first week of October we were in Virginia. I will share about our trip another time.  Then the rest of the month was spent with  Grandma.  It was hard, yet wonderful to see the love shown to her. 

I am drying some flowers from Grandma's funeral.  I have plans to use them in our bedroom.  I have been buying bits and pieces and plan to update the bedroom next year. 

Doubling down on school to do a little catching up. We had been taking it over to to Grandma's but there was so much going on it was hard to get it all done.  

Before the first snow fall Megan helped me with yard work.  Chuck and I were out with a flashlight finishing up the last of the work the night before it snowed.  Finished just in the nick of time!

We had dined out to the point we were sick of it.  It's been nice to have home cooked meals on a regular basis again.

The clean up crew.  We all pitch in each evening to get the job done. 

The cooler temperatures mean Mrs. Red is back in business.  Tonight she provided a chicken soup.  She was washed and left out so she is ready for chili tomorrow. 

The dark evenings and slower pace have left time for reading. 

For the first time in about 3 years I am excited to decorate for Christmas. I can't even explain how happy that makes me!  

 Christmas music has been playing and the decorating has begun.  I'm not happy with the lights on this tree so tomorrow I will take them off and place them again.  This is new for my home this year.  My in-laws no longer wanted this tree and I knew it would be perfect in this spot.  I hope to have it finished tomorrow afternoon.  

It's  been wonderful to be back home caring for my home and family.  Home is a beautiful word!