Frugal Accomplishments

This past week hasn't been as frugal as some, but we're working diligently to be that way.  Increased medical expenses are tough, but we're grateful for the health savings card we have and that we have other savings.  Here's what we did to save money:

• Cooked all meals at home including:  lentil sweet potato soup, cabbage and sausage soup with gifted venison sausage and frozen tomatoes saved from the summer, loads of salads, smoothies for breakfast, community meals with our Children's Council parent support groups
• Used the crock pot for several meals, saving electricity.
• Exercised at home with You Tube videos and free yoga class at the Children's Council.  Benny and little man are enjoying their Tang So Doo classes immensely, so it's a Christmas gift that's well worth it for Benny.  Both will have their belt test in early February.
• Hung laundry to dry, including diapers (though we're getting close to potty training!)
• Used a coupon code to create some things on Shutterfly and found one for a free photo book we'll make this weekend.
• Combined errands to make the most efficient route in town.
• Got my rings cleaned for free at a local jeweler's shop while running other errands.
• Paid the birthday party fee to bowling alley on credit card to earn points.  Mom has generously agreed to pay us back for that.
• Used earned credit at Children's Council to purchase a Walmart card.  This will be used to purchase children's Tylenol and vitamins we already need.
• Kept grocery spending down by using groceries from the food pantry, things we already had on hand in the freezer and pantry, and shopping sales.  I found avocados on sale 10/$5, so we'll be making a lot of guacamole, which freezes well.
• Made homemade turkey stock with a saved carcass.  This will help us get over some illness at our house, as well as supplementing meals with fresh garlic, hopefully saving on medical expenses there.
• Weeded out a few more items in the toy bin to donate, helping our small rental space feel less cluttered.
• Continued to plan our new house garden using online tools and books I have on hand, and might find a few things through the library to help as well.
• Began organizing a clothing swap with our yoga class to help everyone save a little money on clothing for kids and themselves.

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