[Forcast]

Electric bill increase changes your whole budget. I recalculated my budget again with this last set of bill increase s.
Dont take much till you hit the reset button. Insurance went up again since last set of storms, storms that didnt effect my area. Not too many choices in what to reduce. Pretty bad when your choosing cheap tp, dishwash soap, laundry soap. Food . hanging wash saves some. You get to a point in turning down the heat and have nothing else to unplug.

 

[ladytoysdream]

@Forcast , well the friend is not a neighbor. And if he repays me with a favor,
okay. If not, it's still okay. I can't let people go hungry if I can help in a small way.
And he asked. So I knew he was hurting. He is self employed. We needed some
electric work last year on a cold winter day. Half the house had no electric.
It was not a good situation.
It turned out to be 2 problems ( 1 outside and 1 inside ) and required him to come back the
next day. He did not charge me the second visit. But I gave him gas money the second time.
And yes he is certified. And he has also done some plumbing work for us.
So yes if he needs some food, I will help him and his kids.

 

[ladytoysdream]

Electric bill increase changes your whole budget. I recalculated my budget again with this last set of bill increase s.
Dont take much till you hit the reset button. Insurance went up again since last set of storms, storms that didnt effect my area. Not too many choices in what to reduce. Pretty bad when your choosing cheap tp, dishwash soap, laundry soap. Food . hanging wash saves some. You get to a point in turning down the heat and have nothing else to unplug.

A big hug to you ....

I hear you. I understand.
A lot of us are in the same boat. Running out of ideas and things to try.
I don't even make a budget anymore. I just hang onto money till I have to let it
go out on a bill. Makes for some interesting conversations in this house, when I
won't let the spender in the house have extra pocket money. There is none.

Electric bill jumped from a average of $ 100 to 150 a few months ago. Last two were
110 and 119 for each month. No rhyme no reason. This month should be better.
Took the one heat lamp away from the birds. And had the well problem fixed.
Got after the hubby to turn off the lights when not using them. Now I have to
turn one on to work. If he was home alone, you would think no one was home.

I like Dawn dish soap but use WM great value brand. SAME stuff , different label.

Dog gets his same dry food brand. I buy him cheap beef heart at a butcher place.
Been getting harder to find his dry food. Last time, took me 6 stores to find
it and I bought the last 2 bags on the shelf they had.

We have wood heat. I don't have to turn it down. I do feel bad for people who have to.

Taxes and insurance just keep going up. Don't get me started on that ......

Food. Well around here there are some food pantries to go to. Some don't require income
guidelines. More people going who are the working poor. Even some libraries here have
food giveaways. Go with a friend. Split the gas costs.

This thread makes me think. Sometimes I feel like what I type is not of big dollar savings, but if
it helps even a few people, that is still good. I just do the best I can with what I got.

 

[RJ2019]

I'm surviving the winter with eggs I froze over the summer when the birds were laying more. I don't buy bread anymore, I bake it myself. Less cookies and goodies, much to the dismay of my kids. Eating out, not doing it unless it's it's Less VERY special occasion like a birthday. Washing my hair less now. Less driving, certainly less spending. Planning on canceling Amazon prime next. Heck I even got frustrated with the amount of laundry I am doing this winter when I have to use the dryer, and have been wearing clothes 2 days a row when I can get away with it.

 

[ladytoysdream]

Egg report from WM. Stayed the same prices as last week
for the 1 dz large and 5 dz big package.

Needed a 6 plug with surge protector for a TV set up. Got the coaxial cord
in the TV section and priced the plug and then went to the other section in
the store, and it was cheaper there.
I also shopped the clearance section. Got a couple real cheap things.
Also watch what prices ring up in WM. Got some bread yesterday and register price
was more than shelf price on 2 different kinds. Going to take pics of the shelf sticker price next time to show the cashier. Which I had to do last year.

Got my birds some goodies yesterday. Almost did not go that direction. But my gut
kept telling me to. I call it making my rounds when I am running errands.
It was cold but I need to get my truck out 1x a week. Even the dog stayed home
with the man human, who also said it was too cold for him also.

 

[Wolf mom]

Also watch what prices ring up in WM. Got some bread yesterday and register price
was more than shelf price on 2 different kinds. Going to take pics of the shelf sticker price next time to show the cashier. Which I had to do last year.

I watch WM pricing also as I have found differences. I make a list when I shop and write down the shelf price on my list. I found it's quicker that way. My issue is not correcting it at the register but making a person go to the return desk to correct the overcharge. Sometimes I wonder if the time wasted is worth it. With prices still rising, I guess it is worth it.

 

[ladytoysdream]

Hubby needs a belt for the snowblower. He went to like 5 stores and
kept bringing home the wrong part. None to be had that fit, he told me.

Finally gave me the part number/ paperwork off the receipt we ordered from
back in 2014. I called a tractor place. They gave me several ideas. but did not have.
Second parts store, could not help. Gave me another store to try.
3rd try local. Bingo. They got 2 on the shelf. So part price plus tax. And we don't
have to pay shipping by ordering online. And get it today and not waiting for it to come.

Good thing he keeps a notebook on his equipment. And finally gave me the info
I needed to do his search. Just the computer and a phone. Works wonders

 

[kinnb]

Heads up for cheap eggs. Ruler Foods, part of Kroger, had them yesterday for $1.99, limit 5…more than 5, $2.99 per dozen.

 

[Micheal]

Heads up for cheap eggs. Ruler Foods, part of Kroger, had them yesterday for $1.99, limit 5…more than 5, $2.99 per dozen.

Boy, not here in cent NY - Walmart's price yesterday for 12 white large, $5.70 and that's cheap locally.

 

[kinnb]

Boy, not here in cent NY - Walmart's price yesterday for 12 white large, $5.70 and that's cheap locally.

right, same here with the Walmarts. until yesterday, it was still the cheapest option and I'm sure that offer won't last...

 

[ladytoysdream]

Grocery prices today Aldi ...
large white 1 dozen eggs $ 4.99
pork N beans 85 cents a can...thud .....time to make my own,,,
Bread price up.
A lot of things were up a few cents here and there.
Did get a deal.
Walking slow and pricing things as I went.
Came up to the frozen aisle...
saw turkeys....butterball....49 cents a pound .
Asked a worker if there was a limit and he said no.
I came home with 3 at 16 pounds each
I think they were $ 1.69 a pound original.
Cheapest meat I found in a long time.

 

[nduetime]

Wow, I finally have the hubby on board for healthier eating! We look for organic, non GMO, no additives, preservatives, chemicals or dyes....Needless to say I am making most things myself. Bread, cookies, cakes, snacks, drinks, and canning meals for the nights I do not feel like cooking. Last time we ate out it was 60.00! All i can say is to keep looking for them deals and build on those deals for meals. Grocery bill has really gone up, not just because of the times but because healthy food is so much more....

 

[ladytoysdream]

I plan on doing some serious canning this year.
I went ahead and ordered a new gasket , soft plug, and a 5-10-15
regulator rocker with new vent pipe. I am updating a old No 7 Presto canner.
I won't have to watch the pressure guage any more with the new rocker.
I also ordered the same parts for a No 7 B that I gave my son to use.
I wanted new parts for the No 5 but was told no original parts any more,
and if I use a aftermarket gasket, I would be taking chances with a seal.
Best to retire my mom's canner. Going to start with some beans.
I have done them before but don't remember doing any pork n beans.
And after seeing store prices recently, I best be getting at it.

 

[ladytoysdream]

Opened a box of crackers today, a name brand. Something was not the same.
Yup, they downsized the weight. From 16 ounces to 14.4.
And yes the price has gone up of course.
Well I know this is not a new trick with companies. Could make things interesting
with recipes that call for a certain amount.

Had a few extra minutes to shop in a store I don't normally go into.
They have a dollar aisle. So a jug of laundry detergent of 42 ounces
costs $ 1 , but same size, brand...costs 1.25 in Dollar Tree store. Plus tax.
Used to be a 64 ounce size bottle.
Bag dog treats was $ 1....other stores are 1.25 each. Same brand/size.
Sometime soon, when I have more time, I will do more shopping in this other store.