May was a really odd month of extreme busyness both at my out of home half-time job and with our business. Hubby was away for at least 10 days of the month. I tried to eat things out of the fridge that were about to go bad, but fully admit that at least two cups of milk were thrown out as it went bad and part of a cucumber. I hate food waste. Hopefully this month will be better. I haven't had time to take any local pictures so am sharing some pictures of the flowers of Portugal in this post.
May grocery budget went back to $450 less overages of $40.89 from prior months = $409.11. This month we squeaked by at $407.21, likely due to the fact that hubby was away a lot on business. I used up a credit I had with Superstore of $20 worth of points for fruit and veggies. Who doesn't like free fruit and veggies? No coupons were used. I have $60 worth of points that I am saving up for December with Shoppers Drug Mart to help with Christmas/grocery purchases. We still have lots of food in the freezer and fridge. Life will get back to normal in two weeks when hubby's series of business trips will cease until Fall. Thank goodness. I have had to eat leftovers and I hate eating leftovers. This week I age two days worth of leftover homemade chowmein because it was way too good to throw out and hubby was out of town at a conference. Usually, as he works from home, he eats all the leftovers in the house. June's budget will be $450 plus underage of $1.90 = $451.90.
Hair Budget $175 per year
Spent in May - Zero. The last time I got my hair cut was two months ago - but I have been so busy I have not had time to get it cut. I am dreading finding a new hairdresser after mine left the industry. Goal this week - get a short summer cut. Left in the budget for the year = $135.77.
Clothing Budget $200 per year
Apparently no time means no shopping as not one cent was spent on clothing this month. $133.64 left to go in the clothing budget for the year. I really need some jeans and maybe some more summer clothes. Other than that things are in pretty good shape. I did manage a mini closet clearout and took a bag to Goodwill but still have lots of clothes in the closet.
Just some final random thoughts. Our recent travels to Portugal, Holland and back to Alberta for visiting family have made me even more aware of how much I love where we live. Vancouver Island really feels like home and it is almost exactly two years ago that we made the big move. We love our little town, our small Island home, love how quiet the neighborhood is and that all the homes around us have yards full of blooming flowers and nice green lawns. I love that we can go to the ocean any time we like. Seems like we definitely made the right choice in our big move.
The sun is shining and we are going to take our first day off since returning from Portugal that didn't involve Graduation/visiting with family. Might even get some yardwork done and hopefully go to the beach. Hubby wasn't supposed to get home until today from a Conference at Whistler but he decided to drive home last night so he could have a real day off today. Have a great weekend!
We travel back and forth to the States at least once a month so it is hard to buy without some things left over. I don't have a solution for cucumbers, but we freeze our leftover milk and then thaw it when we return to use up first. It stays fresh and sweet that way. We use it on cereal, for baking, and Wayne even drinks it with no problem. I'm not a milk drinker so I can say if there is any difference after freezing. - Margy
ReplyDeleteI am going to try the milk thing, usually I catch it before it goes off and bake with it but not this time. Milk is so bloody expensive here, too.
DeleteWow, has it been 2 years already? That went fast. June 20 will mark one year since our big move. Things are finally starting to settle down and I'm getting used to being here. People kept telling me it takes a year, so I guess it's true.
ReplyDeleteWe still wish we had a few more friends here, I have made some through my part-time job but hubby works from home and most of our clients are out of Province. He had joined a business organization but we have no time for it so he quit. That will come with time I guess
DeleteHope you're enjoying your day off.
ReplyDeleteLoved it, took some pictures and posted them today. Cheers!
DeleteYou can freeze cucumbers. Google freezer pickles and you'll find a bunch of recipes. Freezer cucumber pickles retain crunch, surprisingly. You can also peel, puree and freeze cucumbers in ice cube trays to add to smoothies later. Their flavor is not at all strong and blends well with a variety of fruits and greens.
ReplyDeleteWith milk, if you think it's about to sour, pour it into 1-cup containers for making pancakes with later. Freeze these containers, then thaw as needed.
Usually things don't go bad here at all, but I slipped up and my human garburator was out of town :)
DeleteI've made freezer pickles like Lili before and they are fab! Hmmm, I think that I found something to make this coming weekend!
ReplyDeleteAnd great job on all of your goals! And awesome pictures of the flowers. I'm so grateful that things are in bloom around here and we can go outside.
I must try that, I truly did not know you could freeze a cucumber.
DeleteThat's what I do with my PC points - use them to start me off for the summer in PEI and then save again until Christmas. Sure helps out - I use that card for EVERYTHING! then pay it off daily.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you just move LAST YEAR?? OMG - I can't believe it's been 2 years already - so happy you feel settled and "at home."
Thanks Jane, I can't wait to follow along in your retirement journey. Time does fly. We have zero regrets about our decision to move and everytime we get home now, are grateful to be here.
DeleteI saw your comment on another blog where you mentioned living on Vancouver Island. I'm also on the Island.
ReplyDeleteYou can also cook cucumbers, much like sauteeing zucchini, but not as long.
It's a beautiful world of flowers on the Island these days.
Hi Lorrie! We live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I checked out your food blog, mouth watering! I am going to try your yogurt cake as have some frozen blackberries from last summer that would taste yummy with it. Cheers!
DeleteI love these, I'd do spending tracking but I spend so little these days I can count it all in my head o_O I have gone into hyper frugal mode! So poor, haha.
ReplyDeleteI think of super hyper frugal mode as minimalist mode. If you don't need it don't buy it! Less clutter too!
Deletethanks for sharing the beautiful flowers of Portugal! I wish I was more frugal with the hairdresser but when I color my hair I don't do that good a job....
ReplyDeleteIf a veggie looks on its last leg, I usually take off the iffy bits and throw it in a zipper bag in the freezer, I then make a veggie broth for soups or sauces.
Good idea on the zipper bag, several people have mentioned freezing cucumbers, I didn't know you could do that.
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