Frugal & Beyond

04/01/2025

Hit Hobby Lobby yesterday for 90% off their remaining Christmas. I was able to get gift bags, wrapping paper that can ne ised year round, Braleigh a new Christmas tree for $16, lots of tree decor and some inside decor, 2 sets of placemats to use through out the year, a few pieces to use at the front door next season, LED snowflakes for my windows, etc.

I never would have been able to do this without hitting this amazing sale. We are slowly replacing the many, many Christmas items we lost during the hurricane a few yrs back and this is the frugal way to do it!

04/01/2025

Celebrating my 1st year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

26/12/2024

26/12/2024

Don't forget....

You can always recycle and reuse gift bags/boxes that did not get damaged this holiday season.

26/12/2024

Hey Frugal friends,
Today is the day that you go out and buy wrapping paper, gift boxes, bags etc for the next Christmas season at discounted prices.

However, also look for wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes that you can use all year through such as solid colors, polka dots, and stripes for example. Also, do not forget to grab white tissue paper from the Christmas section that can be used for any time of the year!

Don't forget to look for stocking stuffer type items or other things that you can purchase and gift as needed throughout the year!

I've already made my trip this morning
So.....Ready, set, gooooooo!!!!

02/12/2024

What she said...it can be done!

How to Have a Frugal Christmas: https://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/ways-save-money-christmas/
If you want to spend less this holiday season, while still creating amazing memories, then check out my tips for how to have a frugal Christmas! 🎄

08/11/2024

Need a holiday recipe? Try this!

CHRISTMAS SALAD 🎄
https://www.simplystacie.net/christmas-salad/ —

05/11/2024

Our frugal meal of the day!

Two boxes of scallop potatoes from the pantry (made to box instructions), one pound of smoked sausage (cut into medallions) and a handful of brocolli that i cut i to small pieces. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook all together in one pot and lunch was served! My two loved it!

27/10/2024

Just in time for the holidays

20/10/2024

Every little bit helps!

All of the "little things" can add up quickly to a much bigger frugal expense. Here are 30 EASY ways to reduce household expenses that are sure to save you hundreds this year: https://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/30-easy-ways-reduce-household-expenses/

15/10/2024

New batch of vanilla started (Finally)! This batch is from Rwanda vanilla beans and will be ready in time for holiday baking next year!
Pic 1 - beans opened, scraped and cut
Pic 2 - when jar first filled
Pic 3 - after first shake
Ready for the shelf!

Who else makes their own vanilla extract?

11/10/2024

Tired of paying high grocery store prices and getting subpar products for your money? Here’s a HUGE list of grocery staples that you can make at home.

Get ALL the recipes ---> https://www.littlehouseliving.com/153-grocery-staples-that-you-can-make-at-home.html

09/10/2024

Do you make any of these items from scratch?

Photo credit: Mama Seet and Spice

06/10/2024

Not food, but recipes nonetheless 🧽 🫧

04/10/2024

Funny story to share....

I don't buy convenience items like frozen waffles or pancakes because they are so much cheaper to make at home and you can freeze them yourself. But...my gluten free daughter enjoys pancakes from time to time, so I make them and freezer for her. She had commented several times she really missed being able to have waffles so I got the bright idea to buy her a nice waffle maker for Christmas. The waffle maker was ordered (when i found it on sale...lol), sent elsewhere for delivery so she wouldn't see it and then Dad brought it home and put it in our closet. Unfortunately, he was on the run doing something and didn't "hide" it but left it more in plain sight. I asked him to find somewhere else to put it but life happens and it just got forgotten about. No big deal until....

Fast forward a several weeks...and my lovely daughter mentions that she would like waffles and wishes she had a waffle maker. I reminded her that her grandmother had given her a mini waffle maker but unfortunately it is boxed up somewhere. She replies, "no it's not. It's in your room." I quickly assured her that the waffle maker her grandmother gave her was not in my room. (I didn't lie..lol) But she insisted, went to my closet and came back with the waffle maker I had ordered for a Christmas gift. She swore it was her waffle maker from her grandmother...lol. So I chose to tell her the story of how the waffle maker came to be, that it was supposed to be a Christmas gift and the whole shabang! We both enjoyed a laugh 😃 and opened the waffle maker to use it. Since then we have each enjoyed waffles twice this week! Hers gluten free, mine dairy free! But...so much for the Christmas gift!

Moral(s) of the story....
#1 Don't buy Christmas gifts 🎁 early and let your husband hide them...lol
#2 Having the right resources (appliances in this case) can make it easier to provide economical meals for your family.
#3 Waffle and pancake mix is so easy to make yourself and much more frugal.
#4 Homemade pancakes and waffles can be frozen, once cooked, and can easily be warmed to be eaten on a later date.

So, what is your favorite thing to prepare and freeze for future use?

P.S. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD SPOT FOR HIDING CHRISTMAS GIFTS THIS YEAR WHEN YOU FIND THEM ON SALE...LOL!