Frugal Accomplishments 2nd Week of May

We worked really hard this past week to stretch our budget and still do things we wanted to do.  We did make one large purchase of an infrared sauna, which I need for health reasons, but we'll all benefit from.  Thanks to our frugal ways, we are able to pay for it without going into debt.  I also asked if they offered an educator discount, and they took an additional $300 off the sale price.  It will ship this week, so I'm looking forward to having one at home and saving on the travel costs to the one that's about 30 minutes away.

Here's how we saved last week:

• All meals were prepared at home including:  smoothies, overnight oatmeal, breakfast for dinner, roasted veggies and homemade chicken tenders, mini meatloaves (we made a double batch), salads, and yogurt parfaits
• We enjoyed shared meals with family and at our parent support classes through the Children's Council
• Earned baby bucks at our Children's Council classes, so we now have enough for a Walmart card.
• Checked out free toy boxes at the Children's Council.
• Made use of our Playhouse membership to play on Saturday.  I was grateful for the free coffee.
• We were grateful for my mom watching both boys on Saturday night.  It meant that we had our first overnight without either kid in over three years.  It was really nice, though we kept it very low key and cooked a meal at home together and watched some of Chef's Table.
• Gladly received some leftovers from yoga class dinner including hash brown potatoes and applesauce.  This applesauce got us through with fruit for the week when we were running low.
• Gleaned greens from the food pantry.  We took radish greens that most would toss and made pesto with some.  I also chopped some into our meatloaf mix.  I plan to chop, saute, and freeze the rest for soups later.  They are also good sauteed in scrambled eggs.
• I used a mesh basket for steeping loose tea rather than a tea sack.  This saves these for when we're traveling.
• Composted some kitchen scraps in the bottom of one of our larger containers with tomato plants.  I layered the compost with potting soil and added a bit of garden soil, so it should add some nutrients to the tomatoes.  I also composted some coffee grounds by mixing them with potting soil.
• Reused some boxes to make solar ovens with the kids using black paper and aluminum foil.  They want to test them out to make s'mores this weekend.  Hoping it will be sunny.
• Stopped at Aldi on the way back from a funeral out of town.  We don't have an Aldi in town, but we enjoy shopping there when we can because it's so cheap and they have a good organic selection.
• Exercised with the boys by running races around the yard.  They make up various paths around trees and we just run.  It's fun, and great exercise for everyone.
• I began getting up a little earlier to pray.  The goal is to get up by 5:00 to pray and exercise before anyone else is awake.  I'm slowly inching there, but I at least am feeling better prepared for the day with the few minutes in prayer.  I try to combine this with some yoga breathing exercises to really help me focus and push other thoughts to the side.
• Mom kept little man a little later on Tuesday afternoon.  He really enjoyed the time and had the chance to earn a little money for our summer trip by doing some garden work with her.

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