Weekly Money Saving Accomplishments

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

I went a whole week without buying coffee! My job moved to a new office building so to celebrate, they provided Dunkin' Donuts (lots of Box of Joe!) so I had that all day. The rest of the week I brought coffee I brewed at home. This is a huge accomplishment for me! Starbucks really adds up.

 

[pjlla]

Sure here you go. I did not come up with this reciepe. I got it from one of my favorite blogs - onehundereddollarsamonth I double the recipe and use a cake pan. I also put the chocolate chips on them before they are completely cooled in order to help them stay on the granola bars. Once they are cool and I cut them into bars I just wrap each bar in saran/plastic wrap and put in the fridge. They are not necessarily low fat but at least I can pronounce all of the ingredients.

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup peanut butter {I used creamy but you could try it with crunchy}
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup Rice Krispies
1/4 cup chocolate chips {I used mini}

Line the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a sauce pan, melt butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Heat over medium-low heat until the mixture starts to bubble, stirring often. Once bubbly, cook for a few more minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, oats and cereal. Mix until combined. Pour into the pan and press down evenly. Make sure the bars are cooled completely before sprinkling with chocolate chips. Gently press the chocolate chips into the granola bars with your hands.

Cool bars in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before cutting.

Thanks for sharing this. I wouldn't let it take the place of a healthier snack since it has a lot of sugar (and white rice), but it looks like it would be a nice treat for DS! I will probably make some this weekend. Have you ever subbed anything else for the RK? Rather not have to buy a whole box since we don't eat cold cereal. Have you ever tried freezing them? I"m going away in October and would like to make something ahead of time for him to enjoy while I'm away. I'm just concerned that the RK (if I use it) would get soggy from the freezer. Thanks again.... they look easy and delicious!.............P

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

I really wanted some baskets for under our entryway table for some storage. I went to Michaels, Home Goods, etc. I couldn't find anything big enough, that wasn't around $40 each, or that had a matching pair. Why are baskets sooo expensive? Lol! H came home today with 2 baskets from his work from a charity event....they were going to toss them out! He brought them home thinking maybe we could use them somewhere....they work PERFECTLY underneath the table! It may seem silly but I was really excited, haha! They're a pretty shade of blue also so they go with the decor. FREE!!!! More of luck then an accomplishment, but hey!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Booked one night at Clarion LVB and the rate was $9 cheaper than what was offered by Orbitz. I emailed Orbitz and they gave me a $59 in Orb Bucks.
HD bought a new tablet at BestBuy and asked if he got another one would they give us a price cut. They took $40 off the 2nd one
Rebooked up coming SWA flight and saved 4,000 SWA points.
Bought some clearance shirts for myself at Kohls and paid $4.00 each.
Got $2.88 back on my Walmart Savings Catcher
Saved $9 by buying Walgreens allergy meds online.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Well. This weekend we spent WAY too much money, but we are closing on our new house today and have no furniture so we had to go out and shop! We did manage to save a lot of money though.

1. Target- went into to Target for pillows, new bedspread, and lightbulbs. Found a lightbulb on clearance and there was a 15% off cartwheel offer! We also picked out a bedding set that included two throw pillows. It was $100, but when it rang up it only came to $69! Woohoo! A steal for a king sized bedding set in my opinion.
2. World Market- went in to buy a dining room table. It was advertised online for $329, but when we got there it had a sale tag for $269. It rang up $329 at the register and we told them about the sale tag. They said the tag should have been removed because it was no longer on sale, but because they failed to do so they gave it to us for the sale price!
3. At Home- Bought some large planters and a couple other small items and had a 10% cash back offer on our credit card for the store.
4. Overstock- bought our coffee table and a kitchen cart. Got $20 off plus another $38 off making both less than $300.
5. Kohls- wanted some new Vera Wang leggings as I prefer to use these as long underwear in the winter when it's cold. They were full price in the store for $28 each, but on sale for $15.60 online. I added three pair to my cart, got 20% off with my Kohl's card, $10 off $40 women's apparel, plus I had a $5 off reward, making all three $30!

I also had several receipts to submit for Receipt Hog and Find and Save, so I got some cash back from Find and Save and hit my first $5 cash out for Receipt Hog!

 

[pjlla]

Well.... nothing too exciting, but worked outside in the yard all weekend with DH..... made piles and piles of free mulch with the chipper. Since mid-summer we have been able to mulch most of our gardens with this free mulch..... plus we are able to take down lots of shrubs, bushes, and trees that need to go.... so double woohoo! Also counted it as a workout as I was raking, using the chainsaw and chipper, hauling brush, pulling weeds, etc. In addition to that, I waited until Sunday when it was supposed to be sunny to do all of my laundry (been working extra hours so laundry was behind). I washed and hung out 6 loads!! Some were smaller, but several were big loads of towels and jeans...... I use my clothesline faithfully when the weather allows, so this isn't unusual for me.... but since I've been so busy I have been tempted to just toss a load a day into the dryer to keep myself caught up. Glad I didn't! Especially since DH drained and cleaned the hot tub and got it filled and running again, now that the nights are colder (we turn it off during the summer). The electric bill will take enough of a hit!

Also made homemade mac and cheese for DS last night using a box of macaroni that was on the "ding and dent" shelf and cheese from the "deli ends' bin. He had a big serving for dinner with enough left for several school lunches this week..... all for about $3!!

Dinner for DH and I was an italian vegetable sautee using ONLY things we grew (except my Dad grew the garlic).... summer squash, eggplant, green peppers, tomatoes, basil, parsley. Topped DH's with some cheese for protein (no, we didn't grow the cheese!)..... and the leftovers are topped with garlic hummus for my lunch today!

Saving every penny I can these days for Bermuda trip and tuition payments!

 

[pjlla]

How's everyone doing with the money saving? I know that sticking with the NO BUY threads every month, it certainly keeps me motivated to stay OUT of the stores! Had another weekend day of making "free mulch" plus it was good exercise and fresh air! Also.....

DMIL's birthday was this weekend. I offered to bring rotisserie chickens, pizza, and sheet cake from Costco. I also brought a homemade vegetable dish. Other family members brought drinks, salad, cookies, pie etc. Anyhooo.....DSIL gave me cash toward what I purchased (even though I told her she did NOT have to and that I hadn't spent that much)..... and she gave me enough to FULLY COVER everything I brought! So woot woot on that !! Plus NO ONE wanted to bring home the FULL leftover pizza or the FULL leftover chicken (or the carcasses) so they call came home with me! DH and I have been eating the chicken since Sunday (finished the end of it at lunch today), DS will probably be eating the pizza all week (I've been packing it for his lunch), the leftover cake went into the freezer (will bring it out at Thanksgiving probably).... so essentially we've been eating for free! I also made a huge pot of chicken stock with the two leftover carcasses and will use that stock to make soup this weekend.... one batch of chicken black bean and one batch of lentil....... the soup will get packed into single serving sizes (mason jars) and frozen for brown bag lunches and lunches for DH while I'm away next week!

Also pushed through ALL the laundry in one day again in order to take advantage of a sunny day.... got 4 loads out on the line, so no dryer electric bill for me!

Last night was "errands night" for DS and I..... returned two items to Walmart (may I just say I hate that store) and since I rarely go in, I wanted to use the resulting store credit right away. I remembered an item that I want to bring to DD next week as a gift so I used the store credit, plus some credit from a rewards VISA that I got from my health insurance earlier this year that I have been meaning to use up. Bingo.... "free" $25 gift for DD!

Next stop...... Halloween store to buy a costume accessory for DS..... found it immediately for $15, used my reward VISA and wooohoo... "free" accessory!

Next up.... Target. Had MORE returns for that store. Got a small credit back on my debit card and then a $40 store credit (woohoo.... the items I was returning were still FULL PRICE!)...... which I used to buy a few necessities (grocery and HBA stuff). Went over the $40 credit a bit but used my reward VISA for the balance!

And then on to the thrift store to find the "base" for DS's costume (black sweatshirt and sweatpants that I will alter). Wasn't so lucky as to find them on the "1/2 price ticket of the day" rack, but still only $10 for both. Threw in a pair of Halloween socks to bring to DD ($2) and used my Goodwill discount card to save 10%.... and paid with cash.

Last stop...... the fabric store. Before we went in I dug through my stack of gift cards and store "reward" cards to see what I might have on hand.... and lo and behold I had a good sized gift card for this particular store! DH had given it to me for my birthday 2 years ago and I hadn't used it yet (it was intended for scrapbooking supplies)..... so WOOHOO! I bought the majority of the fabric needed for the costume (still need to find a small bit of some sort of metallic fabric), plus a gift that I will save for DD for Christmas! Used the full gift card and went over by just about the amount of the gift and paid with.... YUP, that magical rewards VISA! I am guesstimating that I only have a dollar or two left on it by now. I'll call later today to check the balance.

Feeling SO PUMPED that I got so much accomplished with so little out-of-pocket expense last night!!....................P

 

[AlohaNow]

What a great thread! I enjoy reading of everyone’s successes and try and pick up little tips and tricks from this board. I recently hit my favorite thrift store because I’m tired of wearing the ‘same’ clothes to work all the time. I got two works tops, one pair of black pants new still with tags on them, one pair of Banana Republic pants, and one pair of jeans. Total bill was $44. I used a $12 pre-paid Visa that came in the mail when I put in the rebate for my dog’s heartworm medication. So, total cost to me was $32. Boo-yah!

We have a Capital One Venture card that I usually save up the rewards to cash out for gift cards at holiday time. I got two $100 Target gift cards and turned them into Disney gift cards with my 5% off RedCard. So, $200 in Disney gift cards for free, plus $10 remaining to be spent at Target. Merry Christmas to me!

 

[pjlla]

Just reporting back in after my trip! I was able to eat at least TWO meals a day in the room (breakfast every day and lunch most days) and used the majority of the foods I brought along in my checked luggage (left the remaining snacks with DD). We ate dinner out most nights (except for our first night which was sandwiches in the room and another night that was a late afternoon ice cream supper out and then heavy snacks later in the room) and were even able to find a few local places that weren't terribly pricey! Enjoyed afternoon cocktail hour in our rooms or at the resort beach most days with the drinks/snacks I brought along. It was an indulgence (not big drinkers or snackers) that made it feel just a little more special! Honestly.... I don't think we ever thought that we were "suffering".... it was fun to sit on the patio in our swimsuits with a sandwich and a drink and watch the ocean and the birds!

Despite having to pay waaaayyyy more for taxi fare than originally planned (DMom sprained her ankle badly 10 days before we left ), I still came home with nearly HALF of the cash I had set aside for the trip!! Most of that will be considered "seed money" for our next adventure! .......................P

 

[DisneyMandC]

Just reporting back in after my trip! I was able to eat at least TWO meals a day in the room (breakfast every day and lunch most days) and used the majority of the foods I brought along in my checked luggage (left the remaining snacks with DD). We ate dinner out most nights (except for our first night which was sandwiches in the room and another night that was a late afternoon ice cream supper out and then heavy snacks later in the room) and were even able to find a few local places that weren't terribly pricey! Enjoyed afternoon cocktail hour in our rooms or at the resort beach most days with the drinks/snacks I brought along. It was an indulgence (not big drinkers or snackers) that made it feel just a little more special! Honestly.... I don't think we ever thought that we were "suffering".... it was fun to sit on the patio in our swimsuits with a sandwich and a drink and watch the ocean and the birds!

Despite having to pay waaaayyyy more for taxi fare than originally planned (DMom sprained her ankle badly 10 days before we left ), I still came home with nearly HALF of the cash I had set aside for the trip!! Most of that will be considered "seed money" for our next adventure! .......................P

That is awesome! Congrats! So jealous of your trip!

 

[pjlla]

That is awesome! Congrats! So jealous of your trip!

Thanks!! It was wonderful! The flights were more expensive than I had originally thought (since I just bought ticket in the summer for DD, I was thinking about the prices I paid then), and while I would have been happy with the Bermuda equivalent of the "Econolodge", Mom paid for the resort so it was her choice and it was BEAUTIFUL! But since you can buy a 7 day bus pass for less than $10/day and most of the beaches are FREE, you could consider this a relatively "budget" destination! There aren't any chain hotels anywhere on the island, so no ability to use or earn Points or Miles anywhere , but there are some less-expensive motels/hotels/B&Bs/weekly apartments.

Our flights were about $460/rnd trip, resort was $1833/6 nights. Too rich for my blood, but Mom was paying! I brought $742 in cash and brought home $300. I didn't charge anything at all, but I had bought my bus pass in advance. Mom and I tried to split most of the taxi fares. As for food, like I said, Mom and I had breakfast/lunch in our room most days, but when we went out for dinner DD came along 6 of the 7 dinners and I paid for her meal as well as my own, so my food expenses are not just for one person. But we also ate three meals at DD's school, so that definitely saved some money (but of course, we paid for the taxi to get there, so it is a bit of a wash). None of us are big drinkers.... I bought one draft beer, half pitcher of Rum Swizzle, 2 glasses of wine, and a pina colada over the course of the trip (that was all of the booze for ALL of us, other than the wine I brought along).

Anyhoooo.... if it sounds good to you, you should look into it! It was beautiful!...................P

 

[DisneyMandC]

Thanks!! It was wonderful! The flights were more expensive than I had originally thought (since I just bought ticket in the summer for DD, I was thinking about the prices I paid then), and while I would have been happy with the Bermuda equivalent of the "Econolodge", Mom paid for the resort so it was her choice and it was BEAUTIFUL! But since you can buy a 7 day bus pass for less than $10/day and most of the beaches are FREE, you could consider this a relatively "budget" destination! There aren't any chain hotels anywhere on the island, so no ability to use or earn Points or Miles anywhere , but there are some less-expensive motels/hotels/B&Bs/weekly apartments.

Our flights were about $460/rnd trip, resort was $1833/6 nights. Too rich for my blood, but Mom was paying! I brought $742 in cash and brought home $300. I didn't charge anything at all, but I had bought my bus pass in advance. Mom and I tried to split most of the taxi fares. As for food, like I said, Mom and I had breakfast/lunch in our room most days, but when we went out for dinner DD came along 6 of the 7 dinners and I paid for her meal as well as my own, so my food expenses are not just for one person. But we also ate three meals at DD's school, so that definitely saved some money (but of course, we paid for the taxi to get there, so it is a bit of a wash). None of us are big drinkers.... I bought one draft beer, half pitcher of Rum Swizzle, 2 glasses of wine, and a pina colada over the course of the trip (that was all of the booze for ALL of us, other than the wine I brought along).

Anyhoooo.... if it sounds good to you, you should look into it! It was beautiful!...................P

I wish! We just mailed the check for our first mortgage payment! It's funny, our next vacation might actually be Disney because it will be cheaper for us to do it that way now that I'm using the Disney gift card algorithm through Target to try to pay for it. It sounds like your vacation was great though, and honestly that's really not that bad for flights.

 

[AlohaNow]

now that I'm using the Disney gift card algorithm through Target

That is such a great way to describe it! Sometimes I feel like I need a PhD when I read the thread on that topic.

Pjlla – Amazing trip and amazing savings! I like how you travel, Rum Swizzles and all!

 

[DisneyMandC]

That is such a great way to describe it! Sometimes I feel like I need a PhD when I read the thread on that topic.

Pjlla – Amazing trip and amazing savings! I like how you travel, Rum Swizzles and all!

You really do need an advanced degree haha. I don't even touch the eBay deals because too many people seem to get stuck for a while with an eBay gift card. I know I could maximize more that way, but it's not worth the stress to me.

 

[pjlla]

Well..... not exactly MY money saving accomplishment..... but DS's! He had a model UN event this past weekend where lunch was served to the students. At the end of the lunch time it was announced that there was some pizza left if anyone wanted some. DS went up and asked if he could have a whole pizza..... the food director said sure. So he took it and sat down.... and a little while later when there was still pizza left he asked if he could have another whole pizza. He was told sure and he took it and sat down.... and he was eventually offered another half pizza.... which he took. And when another adult questioned the integrity of this, the food director for the event told this adult that DS had asked and he was WELCOME to these pizzas because other wise they would have gone to waste! So he brought home enough pizzas to pack up for school lunches for 10-12 days..... for FREE! I LOVE free food!!..........P

 

[DisneyMandC]

Really excited about this one: I've been looking to get a new vacuum for our new house and wanted one of the Shark vacuums since my mom has one and I really like hers. I'd been checking around Target, Amazon, and Costco, but didn't really see a price I wanted to pay for them, so I just decided to hold off. Well, got the new Costco sale book for this month and their lightweight Shark vacuum that was regularly $159 was on sale for $129!! Woohoo! This is the exact same vacuum my mom has and it works great. So in addition to scoring a sale for this, I finally rolled up all the change I had lying around our house in an effort to have one less thing to move. We ended up with $141.50 in change! I ran by the bank before going to Costco yesterday, swapped the coins out for bills, and paid for the new vacuum with my "found" cash with $3 leftover after tax!

 

[Eureka]

I needed to get DS14 chino-type pants and he's tall and skinny, so I order them from Lands End because they have small waist sizes and you can custom order the inseam. I had a 25% off code but on their site today they have a Halloweeen code TREAT with the pin 3131 for 31% off, which is even better.

I also ordered our holiday cards with a 40% code....but I don't always consider this one saving money, because I always wait until there's a code.

 

[pjlla]

Well.... since it cost me $80.58, not sure if this week's report is really an "accomplishment".... but here goes....

Yesterday's thrift store haul......

2 jackets (CWC and C&B) and a top to go under each, one denim skirt, 2 pr pants (black are Talbots), 1 black dress, 1 navy hooded cardigan, 7 other knit tops (including a Disney tshirt)..... Already figured out 10 different outfits using just this stuff!! Grand total...... $65.61 !!!! Also bought three shirts for DS for $14.97 ( two polo shirts and one button down Ralph Lauren).

Lots of nice brand name stuff (I refuse to buy Walmart and Target clothes at a thrift store..... just not worth it!)....... Talbots, Gap, Chaps, etc.

Yes, I could have stayed out of the store and spent $0..... but life is short and this was FUN! Plus, since I lost weight a few years ago and maintained the loss, I no longer need to buy increasingly larger size clothes every season and hence have had the SAME THING in my closet for years! BORING! And I have to dress pretty nicely at least once a week for my WW job and I love to NOT duplicate outfits there! .....................P

 

[Hidadsoup]

I cashed in 20 discover bucks for a $40 Alamo gift card. Rented an economy job for $17 from Dolphin.
Will take boat from BCV to pickup car, go grocery shopping, return car, and use savings for lunch at Cabana Pool Bar. Yahoo!

 

[Marionnette]

I cashed in 20 discover bucks for a $40 Alamo gift card. Rented an economy job for $17 from Dolphin.
Will take boat from BCV to pickup car, go grocery shopping, return car, and use savings for lunch at Cabana Pool Bar. Yahoo!

You can walk to the Dolphin from BCV. It will be quicker. You'll end up walking halfway to the Dolphin just to get to the boat dock. Might as well walk the rest of the way since the dock at the S/D is still a bit of a walk to the Dolphin itself.