Recent Frugal Efforts

My husband and I attended a free Kindergarten prep class. They provided free materials and tools (toys) to help prep our toddler for Kindergarten. These free classes are from birth to age 5. Check here to see if there is a program in your area.

I put old toddler snacks outside for the birds.

I put up a huge mural in my son's room that cost nothing. (thanks to a reviewer discount and Swagbucks gift card) This will deter me from wanting to spend money decorating his room. It will be a useful tool to teach about the colors, animals, etc.

I got a new toddler pillow for free. (thanks to a reviewer discount and $1 Swagbucks gift card)

Instead of buying learning posters for my son (shapes, colors, etc.) I decided I'm going to make some.

I continue to bring food and coffee to work and reuse zip lock bags and glass containers.

I pack my husband's lunch and prepare coffee on the two days a week where I'm before he goes to work. This saves on him eating out.

While my toddler and I went for a walk my husband took two huge boxes and made a fort. We've been decorating it with markers, crayons, and stickers. Hours and hours of fun for cheap!

I'm trying to be diligent about keeping light off, devices unplugged, and the thermostat down after receiving our monster power bill this month. I've tried before, but I'm being more mindful now.

I've been trying to use up some of the foodstuff in our pantry and freezers. This results in a lower grocery bill and cleaner shelves that we can be more mindful about when we go to refill them. I'm still struggling with meal planning, so hopefully this "clean out" will help make it easier and more efficient. I've been bringing things we don't want to work to share with others, and I've given my brother some items too. He's like a garbage disposal, and he enjoys the random treats.

I'm on week 5 of online courses. (thank you, Pell Grant!) Already I can tell my time management skills have improved, and my outlook and views on life are changing. I feel more optimistic and open minded.

I set up the double hanging closet railing I got really cheap a few months ago in my son's room. I'm using it to hang the clothes he hasn't grown into yet. This will help me keep track of the things he has so I don't overbuy because of a good flash sale.

Things I Got for Free. Haul #2

See Haul #1 here.

What's pictured?

• Blue spatula
• Cashew milk
• Candy bar
• Deodorant samples
• Disposable razors
• Shaving gel
• Bath poof 
• Body wash
• Face wash
• Lotion
• Coffee
• Baby rash cream
• Seasoning
• Top 'ems
  

What isn't pictured?

• Chocolate truffle bar
• Sriracha ketchup
• Hot dogs
• Box of fruit bars
• Cheese slices
• Organic tortilla chips
  

Estimated value of above items: ~$38

How did I get them for free? A mixture of choosing from the list of available free samples when I placed orders on Vitacost.com, the weekly free item from Kroger stores, and being a BzzAgent.

What have you received for free lately?

Things I got for Free. Haul #1

I thought it would be fun to show the things that I get for free and share how I obtained them. Receiving free things helps me stretch my money further and allows me to put more into savings for other things.

Below is my first haul. Not pictured: bamboo spoon and coffee creamer.

What's pictured?

• two bags of vegetarian entrees
• one package of applewood smoked bacon
• two yogurt cups
• one bag of organic banana chips
• one bag of ground coffee
• one package of tortillas
• one jar of salsa
• one container of liquid water enhancer
• one piece of Easter candy
• one bag of pasta
• one package of brownie mix

Estimated value of above items: ~$48.97

How did I get these things for free? It was really easy actually. It was a mixture of a buy one get one free coupon I received in the mail, being a BzzAgent, and loading the free weekly item from Kroger.

What is a BzzAgent? The website is a word of mouth marketing company. I signed up to be a product tester in exchange for writing reviews and talking to people about the things I received for free. They have different campaigns, and they offer them to you depending on the short surveys you take.

What free weekly item from Kroger? I have two local Kroger stores: Fred Meyer and QFC. Every Friday I log in to my QFC account, go to the coupon section and load the free item to my card. Then when I go to the store the cashier scans my QFC or Fred Meyer card (they're connected) and the item's price is automatically deducted to zero.

My local small grocery store chain also does a free weekly item (with a $5 purchase) that I used to take advantage of, but I don't get out that way much anymore. If you haven't been paying attention to the weekly grocery store ads you receive in the mail you should take a look to see if they are offering any free incentives.

It didn't take much effort for me to get the above free things. I hope this post has inspired you to the possibility of free things to help stretch your food budgets further.

What have you received for free lately?