Frugal Friday.....the August 4th Edition

Welcome to Frugal Friday!   

There are very few Frugal wins this past week and not everything here may be considered frugal but here goes......

*  Got a few things at Walmart on Saturday.....

After rebates on Ibotta and digital coupons(the bbq sauce had a paper Q on the bottle too)these were better than free! I also picked up 2 bags of stir fry veggies.  I spent $32.86 at the register, got back $15.60+a $3 Weekend Warrior Bonus on Ibotta and $9 more in digital Qs(the paper $1 Q for the sauce came off at the register), I got back $27.00 on this $32.86 order which made everything $5.86 which was what the frozen veggies cost.  Nice.

*  Been uploading videos to my You Tube channel and getting posts ready to go.  I still working on editing photos too since it's too hot and muggy to go outside here(unless necessary).  

*  Two PT appointments this past week which costs Zero OOP.

*  Had Dental Cleanings too.  Paid OOP for those and the price is a lot lower if they don't have to hassle with submitting to insurance and waiting months for the payment.  I also asked and got a free bag of dental supplies(paste, brush, floss)like Belinda did over at HER BLOG today. 8-)

*  I found money! 
Had a celebratory "survived the prep/colonoscopy" lunch after PT on Friday.  The restaurant is in a seedy motel.  I checked the soda vending machine return slot in the lobby and found these.....

Purty and shiny quarters!

Then on the trip to Walmart for a few things last Saturday and I found these...

a couple of pennies.

Then on Wednesday I stopped to pick up some birthday cards and this was on the floor at the counter......

After getting skunked for a few weeks the found change is back(for now).

Total Found in last Week.... .53¢
Total Found this Year.......$3.02

That's all for this past week.  Just sitting home is frugal, right?

It's too damn hot here(triple digit heat indexes for FIVE weeks now!)so I rarely leave the house except to hobble to the car with a/c then to wherever I am going that also has a/c.  Can you say I am over Summer down here on Satan's front porch??

Any frugal wins in your neck of the woods?  Let's hear all about them!

Sluggy  

Income & Spending for July 2023

Now that we are living on an annuity, 401K$ withdrawals and social security payments, I am still going to keep track of our monthly spending and income, and hopefully we'll still be able to live BELOW our means and I'll have some leftover monies each month to tuck aside.

I am trying to be as transparent as I can with how much is coming in and how much is going out.  8-)

On to the July report---On to the June report---

I had 2 goals for July....

The 1st is to actually finish the month in the black and not the red.

The 2nd is to try to have a little cash leftover at the end of the previous month to tuck back into a slush fund.  This slush fund may be applied toward unforeseen bills that are coming due in subsequent months, to spend on "extras/wants" during the year or to just sit there and grow until the end of 2023.  

 

I'm happy to report that we finished up July in the black.

The amount extra we ended the month of July with?....$6,367.06

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in July---

*  Monthly annuity payment of $3,235.81(after tax withholding)

*  SS income of $3879.00

*  Quarterly 401K withdrawal of $5,200.13

*  Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $823.76

Total "Income" for July....$12,346.55

Expenses in July---

*  Irregular bills in July were $229.73

*  Variable Expenses in July came to $4,672.73

*  Health insurance premiums totaling $1,077.08*

Total Expenses....$5,979.49

$12,346.55-$5,979.49=$6,367.06

* Now that Hubs is on Medicare I include his dental coverage in the HI Premium for me and his Medicare supplement comes out of our checking account.

Slush into July of $61,547.79 addition into August's 2023 Slush Fund comes to $67,914.85

The Slush Fund on it's own page(tab at the top of the blog)shows an addition of $6,367.06 .

Outgo

As for the variable expenses this July, here are the good and the bad side of things.....

HERE are the GOOD THINGS

*  The WAM, the water bill, Health Insurance premium and internet were the same(the water within $1.97)as last month.

*  My Amazon c/c went down by $52.60 in July.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

*  The cell phone was the same as in June except we had to add an international plan on one phone for the cruise to the UK and it hit on the July bill so that bill was up by $87.37.  This isn't a normal bill for cell service for us.

*  Electric bill was up by $99.39 last month.  I'll take that as a win since we've been running triple digit temps all month.  Heating seems to have been much more costly up in PA compared to what we pay down here for A/C.

*  Hubs Amazon c/c bill was $1,047.34 higher than in June.  See cruise above. ;-)

*  The Mastercard c/c bill was $300.16 more than last month.

*  The American Airlines c/c was used in July(Hubs made a trip to PA to see his dying brother)so that was $1,208.88.

*  Chester needed shots this past month so this bill was $99.73 higher than their vet visits in June.

The Food Budget costs for July are in another post HERE.  Food costs are included in the credit card payments(mainly but sometimes our WAM cash too).

FINAL THOUGHTS on JULY 2023---Like the food bill for July, there weren't many wins last month in bills overall.  Lots of c/c bills came due from the time in London and the cruise plus an unplanned emergency trip to PA for Hubs.  But we have enough socked away to cover everything without having to carry a balance and pay interest on a c/c.  Even if we hadn't had that 401K quarterly withdrawal we STILL would have been in the black after paying all the bills so that's a "good" thing.

THOUGHTS going forward into AUGUST 2023---The only irregular bills are going to be 2 dental cleanings.  We no longer have dental insurance so we'll be cash customers for that.

Can't really think of much we've put on credit cards except food and home repair stuff for the house so far in August and the end of July after those c/c statements cut.  The other irregular bill is for 2 dresses I ordered from the fat lady store as I had a free shipping code and a $10 reward certificate.  I don't have a black dress and when the nephew finally plans a memorial service for Hub's brother, if I am in any shape to fly there and we can go, I'll need something other than a purple or a lime green dress to wear.8-)

So how was your JULY financially?

Did you spend less than the income you had in July?

Did you stay within your budget or not?

What did you do with any money leftover at the end of the month?

Did you pay down/off any debts or put extra toward your mortgage principle or into savings, in an emergency fund or a retirement account?

Or did you blow all your excess monies after bills were paid on a "want"?

If you posted your financial progress on your own blog, leave a link in the comments so we can go check out your progress too and celebrate or commiserate with you!

Sluggy

Food Spending....the July 2023 Edition

Onward to July's Food Spending Report.....

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for July 2023.

I have posted July's totals on the Total Grocery Savings Page located HERE and have updated the Totals there.
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in July.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Sum.  My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods. We are a family of 2(and 2 dogs).
****************

KROGER

OOP  $243.59

Qs/Gift Cards $149.23

Value $392.82

Savings  37.99%

SUPER 1 FOODS

OOP  $45.82

Value  $89.60

Savings  48.86%

WALMART

OOP  $306.32

Qs/Gift Cards $174.98

Value  $481.30

Savings  36.35%

********************
My best Store Savings Total was at Super 1 Foods with a savings of  48.86%.  My worse rate was  at  Walmart with 36.35%.

I shopped at 3 different stores in JULY.

TOTAL Spent in July......$595.73

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards....$367.99

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.....$963.72

TOTAL Savings of........39.18%

This closes out the JULY food/toiletries/etc. spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month....Yikes!  Between grocery prices still continuing to rise at a fast clip and finding some really good/useful deals I spent way more in July than I planned to.  Some of the sticker shock was the cost of protein type drinks that I've been using.  When each person in a couple is eating very differently and very different things most meals, it's driven our grocery costs up because it's less economical to shop this way.

But after all my rebates are added back into my grocery kitty we are still under $400 per month which is the monthly average I used to shoot for Pre-Covid.

I assumed being in a place that has a longer growing season meant we've have access to farms or farm stands more so than up in PA.  Evidently, farms or roadside stands around here(and even "you pick farms")are all fruit ones(orchards and such), no veggies, which has struck me as very strange.  I thought I could eat better and more seasonally down here.  I don't care for organized "farm markets" as they tend to be higher priced than even the grocery stores.

So not having a garden this year has proven problematic(not in tune with this regions planting/growing season and there wasn't any kind of garden already on the property)and I have not been healthy enough this Spring to tend to a garden.

I am still working out figuring where to buy what, where for the best price but still getting the best tasting/freshest produce.  Unless there is a killer deal on meats at Kroger I buy those products at Super 1 Foods(which is owned by the higher priced Brookshire's chain).

The Monthly food spending savings percentage went DOWN by 18.87% in July to 39.18% compared to June's 58.05% savings average.

With 7 months accounted for, I have spent a Total of $2,841.99 on groceries/HBA/paper goods/etc. in 2023.

2023 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$2,841.99

2023 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$4,808.08

2023 Grand Total Saved...............................$1,966.09

2023 Yearly Savings Total..............................40.89%

The average per month amount spent is $406.00 in 2023 at this point.

LOOKING AHEAD TO AUGUST......

I am going to try to slow down the acquiring as we are bursting at the seams in the freezer as well as the pantry because I am eating so little for now.  My eating patterns will pick up a bit after the knee surgery is done.  

I am going to shoot for $350 or less for August's spending.

If you have other ideas or guidelines you follow please leave a comment and share your thoughts with us all.

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in July?

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?  It's really not that hard or time consuming; just have your receipts and either track it in a notebook or on a spreadsheet.

*  What was your savings percentage buying on sale and/or with coupons versus buying at regular retail price last month, if you track that sort of thing?

*  What are your methods for keeping your food spending in check?

*  Is anyone out there up for tracking expenditures and trying to spend less but still eat well?

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Boring & More Boring Menus" Edition.....                                            

This is day 57 of the "diet".  After the colonoscopy I treated myself the next day after a PT session to late lunch out for Chinese food on Friday.  Love me some Asian cuisine.  Got Sesame Chicken and Broccoli(no rice).

My PCP is on board with this way of eating to reach a short term goal so no unsolicited advice on this eating plan please.  While I appreciate the concerns I am fine and I am losing weight.  I haven't had any sugar(other than a bit of honey in some hot tea)nor any white food.....bread, potatoes, rice, pasta since returning from the cruise on June 4th.  But I am holding fast to my plan anyway.....so far.

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned for last week.......

1. Sunday-Protein drink, 1 apple

2. Monday--Watermelon, Roasted Broccoli and Carrots, Yogurt cup(maybe)

3. Tuesday--Chicken Parm, either more Yogurt or an apple

4  Wednesday--Prep Day, Clear Liquids

5. Thursday--?

6.  Friday--A dish with Shrimp, more Broccoli

7. Saturday--Yogurt drink, Collards or whatever is fresh at the store in the way of Veggies

And here's what actually happened........

1. Sunday-Protein drink, 1 apple

2. Monday--Watermelon, Roasted Broccoli and Carrots, 

3. Tuesday--Yogurt cup before PT, Chicken Parm, small Caesar Salad, 6 chunks of Watermelon 

4  Wednesday--Clear Liquids(drinks), Bone Broth, Jell-O ;-)

5. Thursday--a Cranberry/Walnut/Apple salad, a Hamburger patty w/Cheddar Cheese

6.  Friday--Lunch-Sesame Chicken w/Veggies(no rice)out-my reward for the procedure on Thursday, Dinner was 1 ear of corn and a bowl of Collards

7. Saturday-- Spinach Salad

Most of the plan happened when planned except for Friday and Saturday.

I also drink, water, iced tea(unsweetened), and the odd zero sugar soda or Zero sugar Powerade/Gatorade and keep my stomach full and it also keeps me hydrated.  I mostly stick with the water or unsweet iced teas with lemon added.

This one mini-meal per day where I change between vegetable matter and a lean protein and a yogurt cup when these other meals won't suffice.  There also is a regime of supplements I am currently on, either to maintain my body's condition or were already taking them for various conditions.

I guess you'd call this an extreme intermittent fasting deal with many supplements to keep all my innards working and healthy.  I consulted my PCP and my food plan was given the green light and my blood work came back aok. 8-)

What got taken out of the freezer last week...

*  1 bag of Broccoli

*  4 portions of Chicken

*  1 Hamburger patty

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  3 portions(for 2)Salmon

*  5 lbs. Ground Beef(made into patties, meatloaf, meatballs, hunks)

*  2 TV dinners

*  1 Pizza(for Hubs)

*  1 bag Green Beans

*  2 bags of Stir-Fry Veggies

*  3 bags of Chicken(1 Grilled, 2 Breaded)

Last week we spent $287.47 on grocery shopping.

We stocked up on more dog food, Protein drinks, Gatorade(for prep day), corn meal and assorted things we were out of as well as clearance produce deals, ready to eat salads and various meat deals.

Total shopping comes to $595.73 for July.   

There are 0 shopping days left in July.

I've earned $168.52 on Ibotta in July.

I've earned $22.75 on Shopmium in July.

I've earned $21.00 on Coupons dotcom in July.

I've earned $1.00 on Kroger Cash Back in July.

I've earned $0 on Checkout 51 in July.

I've earned 534 points from food shopping on Fetch in July.

I've earned 4,085 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in July.

I've earned 46 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in July.

That is $213.27 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $595.73 of grocery spending so in reality it's $382.46 in food spending after the 5 rebate apps I count.  That's a much more "normal" amount spent for me.

My savings percentage for the last week was 36.63% and the monthly savings total for July comes in at 39.18% so far spent.

Leftovers going into this week...nothing but a mac and cheese(Hubs), a helping of roasted veg, 2 Chicken Parms and a whole "mess" of Collards.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday-Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, Collard Greens

2. Monday--Roasted Broccoli and Carrots, SF Jell-O

3. Tuesday--Protein drink, an apple, leftover SF Jell-O

4  Wednesday--Zucchini Fritters, more yogurt?

5. Thursday--Protein drink, a yogurt cup

6.  Friday--Something leftover(Collards)?

7. Saturday--Something else leftover(Chicken Marsala?)

I also drink, water(usually with lemon), iced tea(unsweetened), hot tea with lemon and honey and the odd zero sugar soda or Zero sugar Powerade/Gatorade and keep my stomach full and it also keeps me hydrated.   I mostly stick with the water or unsweet iced teas with lemon added.

This one mini-meal per day where I change between vegetable matter and a lean protein and a yogurt cup when these other meals won't suffice is not hard to do once you get past the first 3 or 4 days.  There also is a regime of supplements I am currently on, either to maintain my body's condition or were already taking them for various conditions.

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Not a thing.  I don't plan on going to the store this week except for a birthday card for my only Aunt.  Hubs is welcome to have the Marsala and the Fritters meals but otherwise he's on his own to fix what he wishes. :-)

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any deals on food at your stores this week?  I confess that I don't need to buy anything right now nor have I had any desire to read the ads.

Sluggy  

Music for a Sunday

This song brings back many memories for me of my mother.  She was born in a log cabin and lived there in the piedmont of Southern Virginia, on the edge of the old plantation lands my great grandparents owned, until she was 6 years old.  

My maternal GreatGrands had 12 children(one of which was my maternal Grandmother)and as each child married they were gifted a piece of land that had been part of the Plantation once known as "Roxabel".  That is where my grandfather, Wirt, built this cabin after he and my grandmother, Lillian, were wed.  So you see my mother grew up in the Depression era and heard all the old country and bluegrass songs around her.

My mother standing on the porch of "her" humble log cabin at age 5.

The song ion this clip was one of mom's favorites.  She would sing it to each of my children as babies and then teach it to them as they became toddlers.  It was their special song betwixt them. At her funeral my children came up at the service and sang it one last time to her.  It's a precious memory for me.

I found this quartet a few years ago on the internet(YouTube)called "The Dead South".  They are described as a folk/bluegrass ensemble and hail from Canada.(Figures, a group of Canadians supplying the world with old Southern standards plus writing new ones. lol) 

Anyway, many of their songs and arrangements of said songs "spoke to my soul".  I've shared one or two of their songs on the blog in the past.

This one came up in my YouTube feed this morning and it's sweetness but grittiness in it's presentation touched me deeply.

I hope you enjoy it too. 8-)

I hope y'all each have a good day.

Sluggy