Happy {belated} Mothers Day to all the mothers out there! I had a great day so nice and lazy that I didn’t want to write my post for Ms Mavis. But she convinced me that ya’ll would hate not seeing my post. Lol… So here it goes.
Do you remember the soda cans that we started collecting, I think in February? Well the box was overflowing so I thought it was time to take to the Puget sound recycling place. It’s off 512 for those who live around here. I was kind curious as to how much the haul would bring. I thought maybe 6 or so dollars. LOL! I had 12 pounds of aluminum cans and received wait for it……. a whooping $3.60!!!
That’s all! Now I figured I lost money on this gig, ya think? With the gas to get there, about 23 miles plus the toll bridge toll of $5, you can do the math. Not a wise investment. But I satisfied my curiosity. A guy there actually joked and said,” now you can buy a whopper”. I said, “without cheese!”
I did go to FM this week and only spent $48. Just a FYI, I have figured out that the best time to go for the dollar mesh bag produce is around 8:30. 7:03 is too early, they haven’t put them together yet and 10 is too late, most are gone. I went to Costco as well and got out of there for $120. In all fairness, I have started to stock up on the water balloon sets. I bought two and they were 18.99 each. This is for HB boys water birthday party that he wants later this summer. I figure we will place a lot of water balloons in buckets and let them go wild. These sets will make my life a lot easier that day.
I forgot to take pictures of my grocery trip but had planned to make meat spaghetti, red beans and sausage as well as a new recipe, “a healthier” cheesy chicken casserole.
HB boy and hubby were trying to throw me off by wanting an unhealthy cheesy chicken casserole but I found one that is at least a healthier option. I added mushrooms and water chestnuts. With the broccoli, brown rice and low-fat cheese I think it was ” healthier” and what do you know they loved it! The trick is not to tell them. Sneaky sneaky. 😉
I know this is a short write up today but honestly my week was non eventful. I would love to entertain any questions you all have for me and hear how yall’s budgets are going. Has it been harder or easier than you think it was going to be? Have you gotten to a place that it is, just how you live?
I think I am almost there but HB Hubby was afraid that with my slushy fund purchases I was going back to my old ways. But I am not. Believe me there were many things I picked up and put back down. The questions I now ask myself are: Do I need this or want it? Where would I put it? Would it replace something or just be more clutter? Am I willing to spend my cash for it? Is it worth it ? Do I have others like it?
A great example for this question is shoes and clothes. I mean how many black leggings can you have?
Thanks for all you support!
Mrs. Hillbilly
Sheila says
Mrs HB, I have enjoyed all your posts. I too am a former spender. Keep up the good work!
Mrs HB says
thank you, How did you over come the temptations?
rachel says
We have a place in town that pays for aluminum cans and I thought the first time we would get maybe $3 and we got 60 cents. We always get 60 cents because a garbage bag full is 2 pounds and they pay 30 cents/pound. But I figure at least I’m not throwing them away, right!? 🙂 So I hear you on that “is this worth it?”
Lauren says
We get 10 cents per aluminium can or beer bottle. Some paper drink cartons are also included. It is a South Australian Government initiative and has done wonders for our recycling volume in comparison to other states.
We personally don’t find the effort worth it as you have to take them to the depot but we still put them into recycling.
Patricia says
If you live in Oregon you get .10 deposit back on cans and bottles. You can take your money when you return them or leave it in an account that can be accessed at stores or banks. Last year we ended up with $150 in the acct. (. 5 at that time) and gave it to our granddaughter for her end of the school trip to New York. Great way to save money and the environment.
Susan S. says
There’s a dollar mesh bag produce deal somewhere?… Do tell! I haven’t heard about that and would love to know more…
Mavis Butterfield says
In the produce section, usually on an end cap. If you don’t see it, just ask one of the produce peeps.
Susan S. says
Will do! Thanks so much 🙂
Helen in Meridian says
At Fred Meyers produce bags, if there are no apples out when I am there I just ask the produce man. He will go back and pack up some bags. Also love to get 3 red, yellow or orange peppers /$1 in those mesh bags.
Mrs HB says
I did not know they would do that . Thanks will tey next time
Stacie says
Mrs. HB you are so inspirational! I do not maintain a strict budget at the grocery store, but you and Mavis have made me much more conscious of what I do buy. I think more along of the lines of do I really need this, will we eat this before it goes bad in the fridge, if it is an expensive one time use type ingredient where I can substitute something else, etc. It has curtailed my spending and food waste; I still throw out more food than I’d like, but it’s slowly improving. I look forward to your posts, thank you for keeping us updated!
Tracy says
I have an awesome recipe for cheesy chicken wild rice I found on Pinterest. It has wild rice, white rice, carrots, onions, celery, mushrooms, chicken breast, etc. To make it healthier I substitute half to 3/4 of the milk with chicken broth. I do this for most of my sauce dishes, mac n cheese, verde enchiladas, even broccoli cheese soup. It’s delish and we don’t miss the richness of the milk or the fat.
Robyn says
One way to save money on cans is not to buy canned drinks- yup, pretty radical for some of us but so much healthier for both us and for the environment!