Making Cents Of It All

The garden is doing wonderful this month. Every day I am outside picking veggies or herbs. I just love all of the colors of my garden veggies. We have been eating based on what needs to be used in the garden.  Over the weekend I made a huge pot of sauce and then canned it after we ate some for dinner. I got 6 quarts and 3 pints. It is a good start.   Then I made 10 jars of refrigerator pickles. Some of these are going to be used in a barter. I had tart cherry juice that we did not enjoy. So I put my bread machine to work to make jelly. It came out great so I will use the other half of the juice to make a 2nd batch. I went to visit a friend that just came home from the hospital after surgery. I brought her soup and some veggies from the garden. She insisted that I take some herbs from her pots. I got chives, lavender, sage and cilantro.  My son is keeping us well supplied in bread thanks to his job.  I d...

I went to BJs for a few items. I got the bread to bring to OD's apartment so we could make french toast. BJs  has coupons by the front door and I always look through them. There was one for $5 off black beans. They are regularly $5.99. So I got 8 cans for 99¢. Then I got 25¢ from Ibotta. I called Hubby and asked him to get a case on the way home. The coupon said one per person per day. He got them too. We did it again the next day. Hubby works right around the corner from BJs. I have 32 cans of black beans for less then $4. That is a great addition to my food storage. I will try to get more before the coupon expires on 8/8.  BJs total was $27.40 I went to Meat Farms so that I could make sandwiches and bring fruit to Baltimore.  Cold cuts are not cheap but they are cheaper then going out to eat. We ate them for several days lunch and we left the rest for OD. I got cherries for $1.99 and we (mostly my son) ate them all. I got grapes for $1.99 a pound. Banan...

The kids made it home safe from Italy. They had the most amazing time and cannot stop talking about it. They were both invited back to come spend some of next summer with our friends. We will see what happens but they both are hoping that they get too.  They brought us some wonderful gifts. Wine for Hubby, a beautiful tablecloth for me and a glass figurine for OD. They also can home with lots of clothes for themselves.  I did really well this week on Craigslist and eBay. I sold 2 more mini fridges, a hat, a jersey, CDs and DVDs. More money towards the driveway fund. I did receive 100 free listings on eBay so I am listing lots of stuff.  I had to got to BJs for a few items. They have coupons by the front door and I always look through them. There was one for $5 off black beans. They are regularly $5.99. So I got 8 cans for 99 cents. Then I got 25 cents from Ibotta. I called Hubby and asked him to get a case on the way home. The coupon said one per pers...

There is an empty lot a block from my house that has raspberries growing on it. I go every year and pick some. A few other people also go and pick so I have to be paying attention to when they get ripe. Well, this week they are turning ripe. I have gone twice so far and gotten a half a pound each time. They are really small this year but they taste wonderful. I never get enough to do anything with them besides eat them fresh. That is OK. They  are free.  I bartered some veggies from my garden for 2 jars of honey. My friend and I do it every year. I am hoping to be able to barter for more as the summer goes on. It is local honey and it is divine! Hubby and I went to a farmer's market while the kids were away. We were talking to one of the farmers and he gave us a free ear of corn. It is a different variety then what we usually eat. He said to try it and let him know what we think. It was great. It was sweater and white. I would buy it in the future.  ...

My kids are coming home tonight. I cannot wait. I have missed them so much. They are going to be super tired and want to sleep but I am going to kiss them lots anyway. They have had an amazing adventure. I am so grateful to my sister for taking them to Italy. They got to see old friends and make new ones. I cannot wait to see all of the pictures. The ones they have sent are amazing.  Free Money! I found this $20 bill under a bush in a parking lot. Hubby says I can spot free money a mile away. I feel bad for whoever lost it but I am happy that I am the one who found it. Into the driveway fund you go.  Foraging. There is a plot of land a block from my house. It has raspberry bushes on it. I went after work today to see if they are ready and they are. I picked 1/2 a pound. They are very small this year. Maybe because of the high temps. I'm not really sure. They are delicious. I will be going the next few days to see if more are ready. I'm hoping to get more. Fr...