Ah Fall!

I love fall, autumn, whatever you call it. It's my favorite season and my favorite time of year. Since moving to Portland 4 years ago, spring has moved up into second place. Spring is beautiful here, all the trees and roses and flowers blooming. But I don't know, maybe it's because I always loved going back to school, but this is my favorite time.

Money has been really tight here for a while and will continue to be so for a while yet. I've had no luck finding a job. I'm either overqualified (for office work) or under-certified (for computer work). So, I'm doing my best to just make what money we have stretch farther.

Our utilities are mostly as low as they can go. Phone is basic, no long distance (we use a phone card) or caller id or any of that. Cable is basic, and costs $13.50 a month. We do have cable internet, but we've talked about it and we are not willing to a. give up internet or b. go back to dialup. Electric varies month to month. Summer is about $55 per month, up to $100 in the winter (electric heat). My partner and I did have a talk about heat this winter and what temperatures to use to save.

It's funny, I was a kid in the 70s and my father brought home from General Electric (where he worked) switchplates that said something about turning off the lights when you leave a room. I got into the habit of being very conservative about leaving lights on and I still am. I know that helps a little. I'd love to buy those compact florescent bulbs to save energy, but they are so expensive, we can't afford them.

Our rent has gone up $50 in the last year. Still, our rent is pretty low and we have a free storage unit. Car payment has about a year left and our insurance (with Geico) is pretty low. I check around every six months and haven't found anything cheaper. The only problem is to get low rates we have a high deductible, so we hope nothing happens, basically.

The problem is, after rent, car, insurance and utilities, we have about 50 bucks for every two weeks. Gas costs us about 20 bucks every two weeks. We can get bus tickets for 16.50 for 10, but we haven't had the money for that since our last batch ran out. So I mainly try to be frugal with the grocery money, such as it is.

I've been buying frozen veggies from Fred Meyers, that way I don't have the problem of varying produce prices and the problem of us not using stuff up before it gets nasty. I buy eggs 5 dozen at a time, which I get for 7 cents an egg. We buy whole wheat muffins and bread. I buy couscous, brown rice, oats, barley, tvp, and beans in bulk.

I do bake bread sometimes, but I have a problem. My crust always comes out really hard and neither of us really likes that. I don't know how to get it to be at least a little softer.

When we eat meat, it's more of a condiment than a main course. We've started to run into the problem of running out of staples, like mustard or pickles and having a hard time buying more. It's really quite a juggling act.

No real point to this post, except I'd be happy to hear any suggestions you have for stretching money further than we already are.

Barbara

Some details

I wanted to clear something up here. I am not a vegan, I'm not even vegetarian. I eat eggs, chicken, turkey, some beef, shrimp. No dairy. I do eat vegetarian dishes often and I use meat as more of a garnish than a main entree. That said, most of the blogs I read on a daily basis are vegan/vegetarian.

I've been updating my price book. Prices do change over time as well as sizes change (sneaky stores!) I found out today that a local Albertsons is closing in October. I've found since the price book I hardly ever go there. It used to be fairly cheap but about 2-3 years ago they went to one of those 'preferred customer' cards and the prices went up. Even their sales aren't very good. My preferred place to shop is Fred Meyer's. Lots of healthy vegetarian options and good prices.

Barbara

Frugal pays off

I've been doing the frugal thing for a while now. I've learned a lot. Now that money is tight for us, it's really starting to pay off. I know what prices are good and jump on a good deal. I've stocked up on things, so we don't have to run out and buy something full price just because we need it right now. We are eating healthy and have lots of good food available.

I guess I'm saying, stick with it. It will pay off, sometimes right away, sometimes in the long run.

Barbara

Saving gas

Gas is still quite pricey here (about 2.92 a gal regular) so we've been trying to save on gas. My partner takes the bus sometimes to/from work. I plan trips to go in a circle, to avoid driving distances. I have also taken to riding my bike to the library and for some grocery shopping. That is very frugal, not to mention earth friendly and personally healthy.

I've been loving the Braggs aminos in stuff. I only wish I hadn't waited so long to try it.

Barbara

Misc Items

I've been using Braggs and I like it. I did notice that I used a little too much yesterday and the taste stayed with me for a few hours. Today I used less and it was fine.

I've been getting harmful ingredients out of the things we eat. High fructose corn syrup, sodium nitrate, trans fats, MSG and so on. We eat whole grain and a lot more fruits and veggies. And, today my partner weighed herself (cause she tried on some shorts and they were way loose) and she had lost about 8 pounds in the last month and a half. Without really trying. YAY!

In a way, her being busy at work and a bit of a procrastinator, helped. I don't buy some foods she might like because I feel that they would be unhealthy for her. I tell her, go ahead, go buy them yourself. And she never gets to the store, so she doesn't eat the bad stuff! You who push the grocery cart, wield real power!! :)

Barbara

Braggs Aminos

After reading a lot about Braggs (from frugal veggie mama and others), I finally bought some. I've been using La Choy low sodium soy sauce. I bought some Braggs and did a taste test. Very very close in taste. The soy sauce is darker, but that's because it's colored. So, I'm happy with the purchase. I'll give it a try in cooking tomorrow.

Barbara

Meatball comparison

I did the Nates/TJ's meatless meatball comparison test. Now, I've never had either before. I picked one from each package, about the same size. Heated them up in the oven. Cut them in half and tried them. They look the same, inside and out and I couldn't tell any difference between them. I did like them. So, I think they are at least made in the same place, if not by Nate's directly.

Barbara

Meatless Meatballs

Did a little shopping this morning. Found a couple of nice frozen vegetable blends. One is called fiesta blend and the other a stir fry veggie blend. The fiesta blend has broccoli, carrots and about 5 types of beans.

I also went to Trader Joe's today. I bought some of their meatless meatballs. In the freezer I also have some of Nate's classic flavor meatless meatballs. I am wondering whether Nate's is the source for the TJ meatballs. The ingredient list is exactly the same, as is the wording for the cooking. I'm going to do a taste test later today or tomorrow and see if I can tell any difference.

Barbara