The Frugal Lifestyle

Waldo · 11-18-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmbyfem

Instead I learned to love my slow-cooker again, freezing the extras for later on. I also threw out shocking amounts of fresh food doing a weekly shop so learned to shop Euro style, buying only the fresh things I needed for the next day or so. It really made a difference in reducing food waste.

Being frugal on many things still allows me the occasional splurge and has made me appreciate it that much more when I do.

I should really get a slow cooker. I hate coming home and cooking a meal for myself so I wind up going out more often than not. During the summer or when the weather is decent I will throw something on the grill, but once winter sets in... not so much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

I need to figure out how to get a cube-type freezer myself because I have heard they are much lower on energy than other freezers and are on sale at sams right now for $99. Imagine how many turkies could fit in that!

When I was a kid my parents bought a used cube freezer from a hunter. Damn thing smelled like pheasant for months. Lots and lots of Arm & Hammer later it was great. We used to make reubens and freeze them so we could just pop a couple in the oven for dinner during winter months.

tmbyfem · 11-18-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldo

I should really get a slow cooker. I hate coming home and cooking a meal for myself so I wind up going out more often than not. During the summer or when the weather is decent I will throw something on the grill, but once winter sets in... not so much.

I'm not a big fan of cooking solo for the same reasons but had to adjust when things got tight. I much perfer to cook when I have someone to share it with.

So when I make a crock-pot of chili or spaghetti sauce I'll divide it into thirds. One third I eat fresh, usually its enough for a couple days worth of dinners and/or lunch. I split what's left into two freezer bags.

This helps in two ways... one I don't get sick and tired of eating the same thing for days and days but most importantly, after a long day at work I can make a quick tasty meal. I take it out of the freezer and put into the fridge the night before to defrost. When I get home all I need to do is warm it up and boil some pasta or make a salad. There's dinner sorted and I have enough left over for lunch or dinner the next day. Easy peasy!!

Gemme · 11-18-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmbyfem

OH!! Did I mention the fried chicken?!? Or catfish?!? BBQ short ribs?? Or how about the black-eyed peas and sweet potatoes!?!? How about red beans and rice!?!?

OMG the dinner combinations are endless *drool*

*laughs*

You are NOT right, girl!

Throw in some REAL cornbread (they don't know what it is up here) and you'll have a friend for life in me.

tmbyfem · 11-19-2009, 01:13 AM

LOL!!! Maybe too much self denial can make one a bit over enthusiatic sometimes, eh?

I'll take that as a compliment nonetheless

I cannot tell you how much I love Bonnie Jean's, I haven't been there since spring. Oh they do cornbread too!! And peach cobbler and sweet tea...

As far it being "real" or not all I can say is once I took a butch I was dating from North Carolina there. Doubtful as to finding "real" soul food in SoCal she took one bite of fried chicken, closed her eyes in bliss and sighed "Just like mama makes." Best endorsment possible. If you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods drop me a line and we'll chow down.

Dee-lish!!

Blade · 02-05-2010, 06:32 PM

Frugal is my grandmothers middle name. If there is a way to squeeze a nickle and hear the buffalo fart she knows it. I'll be back.

Bit · 02-07-2010, 04:12 PM

I felt ever-so-frugal this past week; made mac-n-veggies; used the same water to boil the veggies that I boiled the macaroni in. At that point it was broth, sort of--so I saved it and used it to make rice.

Frugal, frugal frugal!!!

I cooked the veggies in it cuz it was already hot, and I made the rice with it cuz it tasted really good.... oh. Wait.

Did I just lose my Frugality Points?

Blade · 02-07-2010, 04:56 PM

I posted this the other day but somehow it got lost and isn't on here.

My Grandma washes dishes only in hot water, wash and rinse. She turns on the hot water and catches the cold water coming out first in a milk jug. When it gets hot she runs about 2" of hot water in 2 small square plastic tubs.

She uses the water she caught in the milk jug to water her plants with. This reduces wasting water and saves on the water and sewer bill.

Miss Scarlett · 02-07-2010, 05:12 PM

I combine my trips and resist impulse buys.

Most of my groceries come from Trader Joe's and the majority of my produce at the big farmer's market down the road. What little meat I eat is purchased from a local grower - it's 100% grass-fed and organic and actually costs about the same as at the grocers. I only visit the supermarket when I need something they don't sell at TJ's. I also get items at Target or PetSmart. My boss just added me to the firm's Sam's Club - so I'll see how that pans out.

I try to reuse things as much as possible. Last fall I used my jar "collection" to can a few gallons of homemade apple butter. Dollar Tree is pretty good for some things but you really have to shop the place. I got a boatload of Fresh Step litter deodorizer there several months ago - they don't carry it any longer because it was a special purchase.

I'm looking forward to moving closer to work later this year. Right now I've got a 60 mile round trip commute and my gas budget nearly quadrupled when I changed jobs last year (the old round trip was 8 miles). I want something close enough to the office that will allow me to walk or bike to work.

Eating out is something saved for special occasions and I carry my lunch to work. Bottled water is a rare purchase that's what the Pur filter in the kitchen is for.

11-19-2009, 01:13 AM	#4
tmbyfem Junior Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 36 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 113 Thanked 36 Times in 13 Posts Rep Power: 644262	LOL!!! Maybe too much self denial can make one a bit over enthusiatic sometimes, eh? I'll take that as a compliment nonetheless I cannot tell you how much I love Bonnie Jean's, I haven't been there since spring. Oh they do cornbread too!! And peach cobbler and sweet tea... As far it being "real" or not all I can say is once I took a butch I was dating from North Carolina there. Doubtful as to finding "real" soul food in SoCal she took one bite of fried chicken, closed her eyes in bliss and sighed "Just like mama makes." Best endorsment possible. If you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods drop me a line and we'll chow down. Dee-lish!!

02-05-2010, 06:32 PM	#5
Blade Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: TG Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: once in a while someone amazing comes along...and here I am! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Down on the farm Posts: 5,501 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,855 Thanked 14,412 Times in 4,058 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Frugal is my grandmothers middle name. If there is a way to squeeze a nickle and hear the buffalo fart she knows it. I'll be back.

02-07-2010, 04:12 PM	#6
Bit Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Stonefemme Relationship Status: married to Gryph Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 2,177 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,126 Thanked 3,770 Times in 1,264 Posts Rep Power: 10778871	I felt ever-so-frugal this past week; made mac-n-veggies; used the same water to boil the veggies that I boiled the macaroni in. At that point it was broth, sort of--so I saved it and used it to make rice. Frugal, frugal frugal!!! I cooked the veggies in it cuz it was already hot, and I made the rice with it cuz it tasted really good.... oh. Wait. Did I just lose my Frugality Points?

02-07-2010, 04:56 PM	#7
Blade Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: TG Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: once in a while someone amazing comes along...and here I am! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Down on the farm Posts: 5,501 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,855 Thanked 14,412 Times in 4,058 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I posted this the other day but somehow it got lost and isn't on here. My Grandma washes dishes only in hot water, wash and rinse. She turns on the hot water and catches the cold water coming out first in a milk jug. When it gets hot she runs about 2" of hot water in 2 small square plastic tubs. She uses the water she caught in the milk jug to water her plants with. This reduces wasting water and saves on the water and sewer bill.

02-07-2010, 05:12 PM	#8
Miss Scarlett Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: . Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: . Posts: 5,530 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,478 Thanked 12,947 Times in 3,419 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I combine my trips and resist impulse buys. Most of my groceries come from Trader Joe's and the majority of my produce at the big farmer's market down the road. What little meat I eat is purchased from a local grower - it's 100% grass-fed and organic and actually costs about the same as at the grocers. I only visit the supermarket when I need something they don't sell at TJ's. I also get items at Target or PetSmart. My boss just added me to the firm's Sam's Club - so I'll see how that pans out. I try to reuse things as much as possible. Last fall I used my jar "collection" to can a few gallons of homemade apple butter. Dollar Tree is pretty good for some things but you really have to shop the place. I got a boatload of Fresh Step litter deodorizer there several months ago - they don't carry it any longer because it was a special purchase. I'm looking forward to moving closer to work later this year. Right now I've got a 60 mile round trip commute and my gas budget nearly quadrupled when I changed jobs last year (the old round trip was 8 miles). I want something close enough to the office that will allow me to walk or bike to work. Eating out is something saved for special occasions and I carry my lunch to work. Bottled water is a rare purchase that's what the Pur filter in the kitchen is for.