Pantry Challenge Update #5: 01/27-02/02/2013

I am hoping this week ends as well as it started in regards to health in the Rogers' household.  I was finally feeling better Sunday morning, and I was so glad!  Joe and I were able to get a LOT accomplished, I LOVE it when that happens!  We also ate well...

Day #27: Sunday Joe had a meeting to go to so I worked on getting some things caught up around the house, you know, after being sick for-like-ever!  Two loads of laundry, dishes, straightening, tidying, the usual.  Plus we got to chill in the evening with 2 FREE Red-boxes!  We ate pretty good too.

B - None

L - Waffles, Butter and Syrup for Me, PB and J for Joe

D - Fried Potatoes and Onions, Bacon, Eggs, and Toast, with Apple Slices for Dessert

Day #28: Monday brought ice to Westminster, so Joe and I stayed in and cleaned the house today.  I LOVE a clean house!  We also started to put away Christmas.  I know we are a little late in getting everything put away, but I like to make it last as long as possible.  :-)  We also ate pretty well...
B - Waffles
L - Macaroni and Cheese, and Hotdogs
D - Leftover Fried Potatoes, Pancakes, and Creamed Chipped Beef Gravy

Day #29: Tuesday I focused on getting the Christmas decorations put away, which I finished all but getting the tree in the box, which Joe does anyway.  I also decorated for Valentine's day, and thought about a few decoration crafts I'd like to make in February.  Joe and I also mended some jeans that needed iron-on patches.  I ended the day with finishing a load of jeans laundry, and getting my coupon binder all caught up - LOVE it!!  I was definitely feeling better and the day turned out to be a very productive one!  However, the frozen chicken I had gotten down to thaw last night in the fridge was still completely frozen, so we used a gift card for dinner :-)
B - Waffles
L - Leftover Pancakes and Gravy for Me, Leftover Mac and Cheese and Hotdogs for Joe
D - Olive Garden!

Day #30 and #31: I just realized that I never posted the last pantry challenge update, so I have no idea what we ate the last two days of the month, but I'm sure it was good, everything else was!  I can't wait to do this challenge again this summer!

BJ's Trip: 02/08/2013

I've been out of Crystal Light for a while, and just making due, but since a coupon came up, I decided that I didn't want to let it go to waste.  Since we needed butter and bacon anyway after the challenge last month, I decided to go to BJ's and get the best prices on all three items.  Here's what I ended up with...

3 pkgs Nitrate, Nitrite-free Bacon $10.49

3 pkgs Land o Lakes Olive Oil Butter Spread $5.99

4 pkgs Crystal Light Lemon Ice Tea Mix (my secret addition) $5.99 ea - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4/$21.96

 

Total OOP: $38.44

Amish Market Trip 02/08/2013

Today Joe and I had to go to Cockeysville to do some work at his grandfather's house, so while we were there, we did a little more re-stocking of our pantry/freezer.  Things were pretty bare after last month's challenge, so it's been really nice to hit so many good sales this week and get things restocked.  I have spend a good chunk of change this week, but it will be worth it in the long run!  Here's what we ended up with today...

0.80 lb Chipped Beef = $8.76 (I have this packaged for 4 meals worth of Gravy + leftovers)
1.08 lbs Little Cheezers Cracker Pretzels @ $4.69/lb = $5.06
17.78 lbs Raw Sugar @ $1.49/lb = $26.49

Total OOP: $40.31

Frugal Finds Friday: Homemade Astringent

I have used astringent/toner since I turned 13, and that's been quite a few years ago.  I usually bought whatever was on sale, leaning towards Clean and Clear or Sea Breeze Sensitive varieties.  I decided to start making more things from scratch around the house last year, including health and beauty items.  I researched recipes for homemade toner/astringent until I found one that was simple to make, and only took a couple of ingredients.  That's how I roll, simple and cheap is my style, anyway, here's my recipe...

1. I use an old Sea Breeze bottle to start.  Fill the bottle up 1/3 of the way with witch hazel.
2. Fill the bottle just about the rest of the way up with distilled water (2/3).
3. Add a few drops of tea tree oil (mine doesn't have a dropper, so I just eye ball it, but it's probably about 1/2 tsp).
4. Apply your toner with a reusable cloth face pad (I got mine from the Dollar Tree, that way I can wash and reuse them without having to always buy more cotton balls which end up in the trash), or a cotton ball.

 Simple, green, and frugal!

What about you, what was your frugal find this week?