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Frugal, cheap, whatever!

December 31st, 2024 at 10:03 pm

If you celebrate Christmas, did you have a ham? We did, complete with ham bone. We had multiple meals from that ham and I have saved the ham bone. We did a grocery run yesterday to pick up a few things to tide us over until the next major shop. I didn't have enough dry beans to make ham and beans so I bought a bag...97 cents. So, with the ham and ham bone, chicken broth I canned, some carrots, celery, and onion I already had, a reasonable meal. I imagine we will have enough for a couple of meals. The chicken broth was made with vegetables and the carcass of a rotisserie chicken. I have corn meal and flour and sour cream and other items, so I plan to make some cornbread to go with it. A reasonably priced meal all in all.

We debated on whether to go out to eat on New Year's Eve, and after looking at the prices of the special menus, decided to forget it. Instead we went to a local meat market, bought a couple decent steaks, and we will eat at home, using potatoes I bought on sale and fixing up some leftover green beans I had in the fridge. More expensive than most of our meals, but far less than going out. 

I'm a big fan of Pinterest. I like looking for recipes and craft ideas. Since I often look at their frugal pins too, I get some interesting ones suggested. One is about homesteading. I always thought homesteading was living off the land, but I guess the defintion is getting looser and if so, I guess I'm a homesteader. We had a garden and am planning for this spring, I can, I dry herbs, I mend clothes, and I make things by crocheting or sewing. Plus I make do with a lot of things instead of going out and buying new. DH was surprised the other day when I was mending some of my work jeans and I said there's nothing wrong with them a few stitches can't fix. 

One thing I normally do at least once a year is polish my leather shoes. I was thinking about them as I worked on them. I have 4 pairs of shoes and two pairs of ankle boots and I realize I have not bought leather shoes or boots in 8 years or more. Granted, none of them look new, but they are still servicable and comfortable. A number of years ago I started buying well made shoes because my feet hurt all the time and it made a difference. As I could afford them, I bought more pairs. And I wore these shoes often, so I have more than gotten my money out of them. My expense has been the shoe polish and a bottle usually lasts for a lot of applications. And taking care of these shoes has paid off. At least I think so. I can't see a reason to buy new shoes if these are still wearable. 

I have been baking our bread for the past few months and trying new recipes. Today was no different. DH was shocked the other day when we went to the grocery with a bakery to see how much a normal loaf of bread is that looked homemade. Not sure if it is frugal or not, but it seems like we are wasting less bread and using what we have. I've been working with a sourdough starter and have even made loaves that with a strong starter rise like those with yeast. I figure I'm learning a new skill as well as feeding us and sourdough is supposed to be good as far as gut health. 

I'm hoping I'm being frugal, not cheap, but at this point, it is my life. I take care of things I own, I use what I have. And I try to save money on many things so we can enjoy the things we like and have the money for it. 

Hope you have a wonderful and propserous 2025! Or should I saw a frugal new year? 

 

5 Responses to “Frugal, cheap, whatever!”

  1. CB in the City Says:
    1735683663

    I think you are doing wonderfully, making good decisions all round! A happy and frugal new year to you!

  2. Dido Says:
    1735696245

    It's always nice to see your listing of the things that you make for yourself--reminds me of the Tightwad Gazette from back in the 1990s. I still own the books but gave up a while ago on doing more for myself, but the lessons learned will be of use once I retire. For now, I just hope to cook a bit more for myself. There is a great deal of satisfaction to be had in being able to do for oneself.

    Have a happy new year!

  3. rob62521 Says:
    1736006935

    Thanks, CB!

    Dido, I had forgotten about the Tightwad Gazette. Thanks for the reminder!

  4. Tabs Says:
    1736036437

    Christmas ham is an interesting I idea. Put me down as "interested" haha. That said though, because I don't cook and I don't really need much more than just food for myself anyways, ham does seem a bit overkill for me.

    On the other hand, I've seen some ham crockpot recipes online that I think I may be able to pull off, so who knows, I might still try that some day.

    May you have a frugal new year as well!

  5. LivingAlmostLarge Says:
    1736440781

    I love ham bone soup. But i haven't had ham

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