How did I save money this week?
Last weekend, we went out of town to visit family in Montana. I am grateful for my mom who really helped with the cost of the trip. She paid for most of our meals, paid for the hotel room and also bought me the most comfortable shoes I can wear to work at REI. Thanks mom, you're the best.
We saved on this trip because our dates were flexible with my personal days at work that could be used at anytime. I booked the flight with Allegiant back in September and searched until I found the cheapest round trip situation and it happened to be the end of January. The baby is a lap child, so she flew free. For the three of us round trip, plus the cost of checking a bag, we spent just over $300. It was worth every dime to be able to see our new little nephew and see several members of my extended family. Thank God the flight was on time and no bad weather!
I was busy every night this week, trying to catch up from being out of town:
I made a double batch of chocolate chip pancakes and oatmeal-banana muffins to freeze for easy breakfasts.
I made another batch of baby biscuits and figured out the price point: I can make 2 dozen for $1.08. At the store, I would probably pay at least $3.
I made baby food this week: peas, sweet potato, and applesauce. A large bag of frozen peas is $1.68 at Winco. This makes 48 small servings at 3 cents each. 4 of these servings for a cost of 12 cents equals the 2 pack of Gerber baby food that retails around $1.29! The sweet potato was 98 cents and made 12 servings, the apples were $1.50 and made 18 servings. Now that the baby is eating solids 3 times a day, she only has four 4-6 oz bottles a day which saves on formula.
I read the book "Total Money Makeover" on the plane. I am so excited to continue to "live like no one else so that later, I can live like no one else." Started a budget and set an amount per week for my grocery/misc purchases and will use the cash envelope system to stick to it.
Yesterday, I took the kids and met a friend at the Springs Preserve. I bought a family membership in July for $60. We've gone four times and attended two special holiday events so far this year, so it has already paid for itself.
After church today, I made a batch of granola bars, chocolate chip cookies, and breakfast muffins. I also made three batches of homemade laundry soap, recipe from The Prudent Homemaker click here for laundry soap recipe I used the Dove soap I got on sale at Costco instead of Oil of Olay. Shredding three bars of soap was exhausting but I figured I was burning off all the granola bars I consumed that afternoon! When you make these bars, you will never go back to store bought. Click here for recipe
Gotta give a shout out to the hubby, he has cut back to eating out at lunch only once per week this month. I am so proud of him that he is on board with me on this journey. He thinks I am crazy for doing all of this, but I have to say, I feel happier and relief from all the stress I used to have from overspending and having no money left in my account.
What other homemade items do you prefer over store bought?
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