Pennies From Heaven
Hello Dear Ones!
How was your week? Ours was good, but filled with getting tasks done before the school year is back in session! Therefore it didn’t exactly feel like vacation, but we were all very thankful to be able to get things done that will make it easier to not have to squeeze extras into the school semester.
Frugal things in the past week included:
1) Continuing to cook all meals at home and be mindful of using up small bits here and there. For instance, today I used the last kale that was in our garden, along with some leftover rice and a few leftover baby carrots. Adding in an onion, some soy sauce, and some other seasonings, it turned it into a yummy fried rice dish! I also stirred in some air fried tofu—one of my favorites!
3) We took our string instruments for their check up! Did you know that string instruments really “should” go for a check up twice a year? Much like your teeth? A knowledgeable luthier will check for open seams or any other problems, and something caught small is much more likely to be a small and inexpensive problem to repair. I never knew this before my daughter started to play, but a string instrument is actually glued together with a “weak” glue on purpose. This is so if a problem happens, the glue is what gives away instead of the wood of the instrument snapping. It is much easier and less expensive to glue closed an open seam than it is to try and repair a violin back that is broken into pieces, for instance! And the good news for us was all four instruments that went for check ups got a clean bill of health from the luthier! Yay!
4) Related to the above frugal endeavor—we took our instruments for their check up to the same instrument shop from where we purchased them. A single, stand alone business is worth its weight in gold! Our shop has such a wonderful customer service ethic, I have truly never experienced any better anywhere—and yes, we have gone to a different shop the first time we had an instrument that needed a repair on it but we will NEVER return! There have been several times that something has been found on one of our instruments that needed repairing, and each and every time this shop has repaired our instrument and has yet to charge us a dime for the repair! Of course I fully expect each time to pay for the work they have done—I never want to assume they will do it for free. After all, I truly want them to be able to keep their doors open as a business!!! But so far, the repairs that were needed they have said no charge. I 100% trust this shop—they are not going to tell me an instrument needs something that it doesn’t. They have never tried to push me into purchasing an instrument or push me into purchasing one above what I tell them my price range is. Because of the trustworthy actions of this shop, our family has over the past years purchased not only one, not two, three, or four, but FIVE instruments from them for different family members. So if you have a small business you can build a relationship with—it is well worth it and I truly believe will save you dollars in the end!
5) We took down Christmas decorations and straightened up the main living area. Doesn’t cost a thing to clean up what you already have! Cheapest “remodel” ever!
6) I did some sewing for the non profit organization I volunteer for. They keep me supplied with the fabric, elastic, and lace that I need for what I sew for them—and I supply the talent and time. I enjoy a little sewing hobby, and get free supplies to use and also receive the good feeling of knowing I am doing something to help out those in need. Oh yes—and the final product I make leaves my house, so it does not add to clutter either! Win-win in my book!
How was you week? Did you find any new ways to stretch your pennies? Or were you faithful to keep at your regular frugal habits? I would love to hear what you were up to!
Wishing you a wonderful new week ahead!
Until next time—
Friend
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