Frugal Accomplishments

This week we're still trying to keep the grocery budget low, but I did pick up a few staples we were out of (canola oil, sugar, salt, and dried parsley).  We're doing a great job of keeping our weekly expenses low in general, so hopefully that'll help out with the home equity line and saving for a new car.  (My 10 year old one is starting to rust out thanks to our winters, so we're starting to save for purchasing a new-to-us late model, used car sometime next year.)  Here's how we kept our expenses low this week:

• Continued to make all meals at home.  Enjoyed three shared meals with family and friends that were pot luck.
• Used the crock pot for several meals, saving energy.
• Accepted bread, mushrooms, kale, 2 lbs of strawberries, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes from the food pantry that were going to go to waste.  
• Used pantry and freezer items to plan meals for the week including lentil and sweet potato soup, kale salad with sun dried tomato dressing, hot German potato salad with sausages, veggie stir fry over rice, winter squash baked oatmeal, and winter squash waffles with fruit smoothies.
• Processed peppers from CSA for the freezer.  Chopped tomatoes and froze them for later use in chili.
• Purchased canola oil and sugar in bulk to save overall.
• Took leftovers for lunch each day, saving on prep time and money.
• Made most of our meals meatless, saving on the cost of meat and choosing more nutrient dense foods like beans, lentils, potatoes, and greens.
• Composted as usual including tea bags, coffee grounds, and kitchen scraps.
• Washed laundry in cold water (except diapers and towels) and hung clothing to dry inside or on the line outside when weather permitted.
• Swapped desserts with our housemate, giving us more variety and a fun shared experience.
• Gleaned apples from an apple tree on commercial property this week, with the owner's permission.  Plan to process apples tonight for making applesauce.
• Continue to make do with hand-me-down clothing for the baby, even with the changes in seasons, we're able to make things work with short sleeves and a few jackets.  (Most of our things from little man are the wrong season for the size that the baby's at right now.)
• Carpooled to work four days, saving on fuel.
• Combined errands and planned our route as much as possible to save on fuel and time.
• Continued to advertise the upstairs rental space to be filled in December.  A few promising leads, but nothing firm yet.
• Weeded out a few things in the closet to donate to Goodwill for a tax receipt.  Will try to do more before the end of the year.
• Ordered two Christmas gifts for the boys using gift card money, so no funds out of pocket.
• Began planning little man's Halloween costume using things we already have.  He wants to be a fireman this year, so his fireman raincoat and gifted fire hat will be taking on starring roles.

What did you do to live and save green this week?  I'd love to hear from you!