Last week was supposed to be a “no spend” week and grocery wise it was. Mrs. HB called and asked if I wanted to go with her to Costco so I walked to the end of my road and she picked me up. While she contemplated the prices of mints I wandered around like someone who’s been living on a desert island and gawked at the random assortment of items and their prices.
Seriously, when did we become a society that feels the need to spend $44.99 on 10 disposable razors? I know, I know, there are people who are going to say they have sensitive skin, or super thick man hair and neeeeeed to spend $4.49 per disposable razor but c’mon. Really?
When I was hanging out with my parents a few weeks ago mom and I stopped by Walgreen’s to pick up some razors for my dad. I didn’t even say a word … and she instinctively grabbed the cheap ones {there were something like 12 razors for $3.99}. When I asked her about why she was buying those particular ones she said my dad likes the “old school” ones. And in some strange way, it made me feel better. I am in fact, not going crazy.
Now, can we talk about lip balm? Why would someone need to buy 6 containers of it at one time? Seriously. I’ve been working on my {free} tube of chap-stick I picked up {I don’t even know where} for the last 9 months.
Remember when people were SENSIBLE and didn’t think they needed 6 containers of lip balm? You know, one for the purse, the nightstand, the car, the bathroom, the desk at work, oh I can’t think of anywhere else to put these adorable little lip balms but it was such a good deal maybe I’ll put one in the first aid kit too.
Fact: It’s not a good deal unless you are going to use the ENTIRE thing up and get your monies worth. But then again, what do I know?
In other, less pessimistic news…. Costco has some cute “dressy” woman’s shorts for $12.99. I didn’t buy a pair though because I’m saving my rupees for more paramount things like I don’t know… paying down my mortgage and a tractor. But if you need a pair of new shorts, the quality was spot on and they were a nice length. Not quite knee length but long enough to cover the jiggly thigh bits {which is always HIGH on my list when I’m looking for a new pair of shorts}.
Anywho, it was a good sample day at Costco. My favorite was the mini sandwiches with artichoke spread, Havarti cheese and ham. YUMM-O. I tried to get Mrs. HB to enjoy the samples but she said she wasn’t eating carbs this week…
Ahhh… now we know why Mrs. HB wanted to switch to only checking in once a month. 🙂 Bahahhaha!
In food news…
The HH’s mom sent him is annual birthday box of goodness from Omaha Steaks.
And the UPS man dropped off a box of subscribe and save snacks from Amazon. I redeemed some Swagbucks I had and turned them into an Amazon gift card so I didn’t have to pay anything out of pocket. I love when that happens. Also, if you haven’t tried the Steven Smith Teamaker Lord Bergamot blend… it’s divine.
And last but not least… In my efforts to remain Saran wrap free, I used a shower cap to cover a salad. In case you didn’t know, a shower cap covers a large dinner plate very nicely.
Keep calm and save on,
~Mavis
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $202.99
- Total Spent in February on Groceries $143.94
- Total Spent in March on Groceries $183.35
- Total Spent in April on Groceries $205.67
- Total Spent on Groceries in May $248.60
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- Total Spent in January on Take Out, Date Nights, and Bakery Treats $42.19
- Total Spent in February on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $118.45
- Total Spent in March on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $25.29
- Total Spent in April on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $62.50
- Total Spent in May of Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $54.52
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Sue says
Ok Mavis, I have to ask! You said the white towels you bought we’re perfect for staging a house, what house? The HOA house? Yup, I caught that! Just not sure what house though! Lol
Paula says
Thank you for the Saran Wrap Free Home alternative idea. You are inspirational. I am so with you on this goal. When chilling pie dough I put a plate upon a plate. The shower cap works for longer storage. Now to find some….
UpstateNYer says
I have seen them at Dollar Tree – if there is one in your area. They might not always be clear though.
Kari says
Maybe I am a stalker, but I miss seeing your meals you’ve prepared for the week. I know you’ve been traveling quite a bit. Is this something you will resume?
Lynda says
Years ago those shower caps were sold as “Plastic Bowl Covers” in packages of all sizes at the grocery store. My mother used them to cover anything and everything that went in the refrigerator, and I re-discovered them a few years ago. My kids’ friends used to laugh about the shower caps in our refrigerator. Some grocery stores still sell them, and they’re also available on Amazon or the King Arthur Flour website (for a sturdier cover). Still cost only a few dollars and they last a long time.
Tisha says
I have purchased a huge bunch of shower caps from Amazon. There are many times when I find they work wonderfully, especially for a bowl of watermelon or something similar. A quick rinse and in the drying rack they go to be used over, and over and over again.
Ann says
When my husband was traveling a lot for work he would grab the shower caps from the hotel bathroom and bring them home. We had quite a stash of them! They are great for covering leftovers in the fridge, in a bowl or on a plate…so no plastic containers. We love them.
Linda M says
I purchase a package of 8 shower caps at Dollar Tree…for of course, $1. If used, they can be rinsed out and reused if you put them over something where they can completely dry. If we stay in a hotel and they have a free shower cap, I always bring them home for that purpose.
I am with you on the large quantities that people buy at the warehouse stores….how much often goes to waste? Not a bargain if you are tossing part of it.
Lisa says
I hit up the local salvage store on a 4 for a dollar day. I bought my son an old fashioned metal razor like my grandpa used. It has the flat metal razors. He absolutely loves it. I dug down to the bottom of the boxes and found 20 boxes of the razor blades. He can shave forever and I am out 6.00. I would try using them but they scare me. I am continuously amazed at what people spend money on.
Emmy says
Mavis, I’ll tell you who’d find use for six lip balms at a time: me! Tons of stress off my back come Christmas: one for my Mom, one for my sis, one for my both sis-in-laws each, one for Mom-in-law, one for my cousin. That’s six people off my gift list just like that 🙂
Amy says
Same here for the gifts. We buy a package of the eos from Costco at Christmas time for a present in our stockings. Since our children are young, the boys usually eat them within a few months (I try to keep them up in a cupboard but sometimes they grab them when I’m not looking) or they are left around and the dog finds them and eats them. My daughter has taken to hiding hers and it has lasted for a while now. They like to have chapstick as it is pretty dry here, especially in the winter, and it makes them feel grown up. Anyways, that’s our once a year bulk chapstick purchase, LOL. But yeah, it is fastinating to people watch at Costco and observe the crazy stuff bought in bulk. I remember my mom buying a bulk relish and it sat in the basement fridge for YEARS as we slowly used it up. That was back when you had to run a business in order to have a Costco card.
Christine says
This is seriously the ONLY time I’ve ever disagreed with you on anything. About the chapstick. I am obsessed. Since I got braces as an adult, I seriously need one everywhere. Yes, in my car, in my pocket, in my bathroom, in my purse, etc. In my defense, they actually don’t last that long (one month at a time?), and I am a brand snob. I use the chapstick brand ONLY at $1 a tube. And not the cherry flavor. I can’t use those free ones because they are so waxy to me I don’t like the way they feel. Plus, my 4 kids always steal mine.
Another reason to buy so many – I work with teenage girl in my church and we have 30 of them in between the ages of 12 and 17. We buy those exact containers of EOS chapstick to make homemade birthday gifts on the cheap for all the girls every year.
As always, I enjoy reading your weekly updates on groceries and goals!
Jennifer says
I like shower caps for covering bike seats when rain is in the forecast. No wet rear end after the rain.
Kim says
I get 3 peppermint flavored Chapsticks each Christmas and they last me all year. On the other hand, my husband has a serious Chapstick addiction. I think he goes through one about every 2 weeks. At least family knows to get him some for Christmas, etc. Perhaps we should buy stock in the Chapstick company. Why haven’t I thought of that earlier.
Karin says
This might be one reason to buy all that lip gloss. My dog runs off with mine every chance he gets. I guess he’s not the only one!
http://imgur.com/gallery/PL5NW
Judy G says
I love your blog and thought I would pass along my hint for the shower caps. I use them to cover my bread when it is rising. Does a good job and keeps it from drying out. Love some of your ideas.
Lisa L says
Hi Mavis! While I agree with you on most things I have to say that buying multiple lip balms has saved my sanity. I used to just have one tube of Chap Stick (original is the only one for me!) and I was constantly driven crazy by not having it where I needed it. If I was in bed, it was in my purse. If I was in the bathroom, it was in the living room. And on and on. I’m frugal too so I didn’t want to spend extra money. However, I finally realized that if I had multiples then I wouldn’t go wacko trying to find the one. So now I’ve got them all over and I’m never without my trusted lip balm. Life is much better! And I do use them all up completely! Just writing this is making my lips dry. Lucky me I’ve got a chap stick right here at my computer!
Katy says
About the razors…how long do the cheapo disposables last? I buy the ($$) replacement blades for my handle and while they cost more up front than disposables, I can use the blade for at least two months before needing to replace, so a $45 pack is going to last me almost 2 years and send way less plastic to a landfill than the kind where you throw away the entire handle.
Lilypad says
Another lip balm addict here. I have four in different rooms of the house and one in my purse at all times. If I’m on the couch and my 14 pound kitty is snuggled on top of me so I can’t move, sometimes my husband has to get me my lip balm for an emergency application. 😉 I use Badger Balm brand cocoa butter lip balm, it’s amazing! (Their factory is located in Gilsum, NH and you can tour their botanical gardens if you’re ever in the area.) I always keep their sleep balm and headache soother balm on hand as well. And I agree with Katy—replacement blades are way better for the environment than the cheap ones where you have to throw away the handle every time too.
rachel says
My Costco doesn’t sell gum and mints anymore! I thought this was everywhere – at least that is what the manager said. Hmmmmm
Kris says
I use to think I was the only one with a lip balm addiction. Now I think I can start a group with you guys lol. Seriously I cleaned it my purse and found 7 of them. That doesn’t count the ones on my desk, on my nightstand or on my side of the couch. Yeah I have a problem sometimes I get low and just make them myself
Connie says
Is saving for tractor one of your secret goals?
Live in dry desert and have mutiple lip balm s !!
Libby says
No lip balm for us! Unless we travel to a place where it’s really dry then I pick up a tube for my family. I do put on lip gloss when I wear makeup. As for the razors me and my husband share a razor (is that so weird? I don’t know we have done it for 15 years) and we usually buy a pack of those blades every few years. I swear they last forever. Maybe we are not supposed to use them that long but whatever it’s working for us!
Sue says
Hi Mavis
My Mom was raised during the depression and an early ‘green peacer’ so I grew up without paper towels and saran wrap. Its not that hard to do. Saucers for lids on bowls , dish rags for everything else. Oh yes we owned saran wrap but it was only used if Mom had to bake and take something. All plastic food tubs were recycled also.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ve started placing plates on top of bowls too. Thanks for all your suggestions.