Frugal Accomplishments

We've been working really hard to stick to our budget this month.  January is a long month for teachers, since we get paid before the Christmas holidays in December and don't get paid again until the end of the month in January.  This is also a birthday month for us, so there could easily be some extra expenses there.

But we've worked really hard, and we're skipping the grocery store this week, so I think we'll be in good shape.

• Cooked all meals at home.  This included a new crockpot BBQ chicken recipe, lentil sloppy joes, pizza, roasted veggies, muffins, and overnight steel cut oatmeal (recipe coming soon!).
• Enjoyed two shared meals with my mom, one using some of our BBQ chicken as the base of some yummy black bean tacos.
• Ate leftovers for lunch each day.
• Composted all appropriate kitchen scraps.
• Gleaned from the food pantry and school.  Pantry included:  two gallons of milk, fancy cheese, eight cartons of yogurt, two loaves of bread, avocado, two pears, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli stir fry mix, and holiday brownie mix.  School cafeteria included:  three apples, two cartons of yogurt, cheese stick, five packs of Goldfish crackers, and three bags of Chex mix.
• Took advantage of sales and coupons, saving over $60 on groceries.  Kept grocery budget to $150, including two packs of diapers and stocking up on canned tomatoes and shredded cheese.
• Carpooled to work most days, saving on gas.
• Used rags and homemade citrus cleaner for cleaning.
• Started bathing baby in the shower, saving on some water.  He loves it!
• Continued washing clothes in cold water.  
• Hung all laundry to dry inside or out on the line (its been ridiculously warm)
• Continued with cloth diapers and wipes, only using disposable at night.  Washed diapers in hot water or on sanitize cycle.
• Used handkerchiefs, washed on hot water with towels, instead of tissues.
• Used cloth napkins for each night at dinner.
• Enjoyed new books from Imagination Library for the boys; they come in the mail each month for free.
• Took little man on a date to the Playhouse and to the grocery store to pick out his icing for birthday cupcakes for school (I know I could make it cheaper and with less junk, but it was one thing that could make my week a little less crazy.)  He asked for pistachios while we were at the grocery store, and since he helped find the ones with the lowest price, and we had wiggle room in our grocery budget, I caved and spent the money.  (At least he's asking for nuts and not something sugary sweet, right?!)  Going to try to make Mommy and little man dates a regular thing, maybe twice a month, because we both had a lot of fun and it was special time.
• Made birthday cupcakes with little man for his preschool class this week.  Made them on Sunday, he decorated, and we put them in the freezer til tonight so they'd be fresh for tomorrow.
• Using presents purchased with gift card for little man's birthday presents.  He'll get a new puzzle and a book from us, and a few other things from family.
• Will use the birthday banner made a few years ago to decorate for birthday party on Saturday (more to come on birthday party next week).
• Did a bulk toilet paper order through Staples (about $7.50 for 24 rolls, ordered 7 packs).  This should be enough to last us at least a year and maybe longer.  Using family cloth and cloth wipes helps to save on toilet paper.
• Began rereading a book I had on our shelf at home instead of making a special trip to the library.  Might make library my next date with little man.

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