Frugal Friday: Saving money when without home

15 Jul

Happy Frugal Friday! I am about to hit the hay because I have to wake up early for another traveling adventure. This time?

(source)

Boston!

I haven’t been there since I was 11 years old and can’t wait to experience it as an adult. I’m taking the train up there so I’m sure that will be an experience itself and am intrigued by the whole train business. I haven’t been on am Amtrak train since I was in fifth grade when we went up to DC for the safety patrol field trip. I can’t wait to people watch but don’t think there will be as many skeezers on it than a bus. Stayed tuned for tons of pics and blogger meetup details!

As many of you know, I’m still living the vagabond lifestyle and much to my surprise, I haven’t been spending a lot of money. We’ve been eating out but not as much as I thought we were going to. If not eating out, I’ve been having leftovers at home (AKA Neyals house) or eating meals at home. Neyal likes to go out to eat but she is all about saving money and calories as well so we have been doing one meal at home and then go out for one each day if we don’t eat both meals at home.

Leftover chicken verde stew

Ropa Vieja made in the crockpot

Neyal’s garden is sick. But in a good way! She has a ton of vegetables growing right there in her backyard which saves her money on produce, especially in the summertime. Right now she has tons of peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, basil, parsley and more.

Check out these zucchinis!

Matilda took a liking to the big zucchini right away

I stopped by Trader Joe’s the other day after reading about Stephanie’s love for Joe.

I tried the tortellini bowl for lunch the other day and it was wonderful! It is pretty much the same as Amy’s Pesto Bowl. I usually have to add protein or some kind of space to kick up a frozen meal but this didn’t need anything additional.

 

When we went to the thrift store the other day, they had a ridiculous music selection. Not just cd’s, they also has cassette tapes, records and I saw an eight track! They cd’s were only $1 each so I grabbed some for all the road trips ahead of me. Apparently  I was trying to go back to my college days.

And yes, I did buy the Baha Men cd. One can never get enough Who Let The Dogs Out. Plus, there could be other hidden gems on there!

We went to 7-11 on 7-11 for a free 7.11 oz slurpee.

I’ve collected a bunch of reusable shopping bags at different events throughout the years. Instead of using them for shopping only, I use them day to day as well.

My Vitamin Water bag doubles as both a gym bag and a beach bag for me . It smells really interesting.

And my Food Lion bag used to be used for grocery shopping but now it’s used strictly for groceries. I cleaned out my cupboards when I left my apartment in Charlotte and the remainder was snack foods so why not take it on the road with me?

Instead of going out for fro yo, we made spinach ice cream the other night. I’ve made spinach smoothies but never spinach ice cream so I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. Neyal got the recipe from Costco magazine, I couldn’t find it anywhere online but I found this recipe for it which uses the same ingredients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We followed the directions to a T but it still came out more like a smoothie than ice cream. It was good though,thanks to the agave nectar.

Totally not Frugal Friday related but has anyone else heard about the new Style Network show Big Rich Texas???

It’s supposed to be like Real Housewives but only saucier and cattier—can’t wait!

How have you saved money this week?

Do you grow your own vegetables or herbs?

Did you get your free Slurpee on 7/11?

14 Responses to “Frugal Friday: Saving money when without home”

  1. MelissaNibbles July 15, 2011 at 5:05 am #

    Big rich Texas? I don’t think I can handle that one. I love Mob Wives though. Do you watch that one? Enjoy Beantown!

  2. Amy @ Second City Randomness July 15, 2011 at 7:22 am #

    Oh man, I loved that Train cd! Brings me back…

    I don’t now (kind of hard to when I don’t really have a yard), but my parents have a majorly huge garden. Often, when I go to visit them, they share the wealth. I love it.

    • Mindy@FindingSilverLinings July 15, 2011 at 7:37 am #

      I have a garden! The herbs & lettuce are the only things that are edible right now though. Everything else is like me, taking its sweet time and fashionably late,lol!

  3. diana@mymarblerye July 15, 2011 at 8:33 am #

    how did I NOT know about big rich texas? There is also a dallas singles show coming out on Bravo! Bring out the crazy texans! I saved money by not buying cheap clothes. working at target means I walk around the clothes area on every break I get! it could get damaging but I put that sh*t back now! So jelly you are going to boston!

  4. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg July 15, 2011 at 8:42 am #

    Sounds like the vagabond lifestyle suits you 🙂 Have so much fun in Boston!!

  5. leashieloo July 15, 2011 at 9:30 am #

    Omg, haven’t heard of Big Rich Texas, but I will be ALL OVER IT. I love that crazy shit!

  6. Kace July 15, 2011 at 11:39 am #

    I haven’t been to Boston since I was a kid, but I’m pretty sure I really liked it. And no, I did not get a free slurpee because I didn’t know this happened! Grrrr….

  7. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel July 15, 2011 at 7:52 pm #

    at first i thought they were cucumbers! hehe…you have no idea how often i mistake the two 😉

    i’ve never heard of Ropa Vieja before, but it sure looks GOOOOOD!!!! ❤

  8. Vix @ LittleMissEverything July 18, 2011 at 12:07 pm #

    Yay Boston, I’d love to go there! Have an amazing time!

  9. euniece July 18, 2011 at 1:00 pm #

    ahh boston seems like so much fun – definately a place i need to visit sometime within the next ten years – maybe if i can make it in their marathon!!!?? pesto bowls are bomb!! sooooo good… hmm idk how i feel about spinach icecream though ha!!

  10. Natalie @Will Jog For Food July 18, 2011 at 6:58 pm #

    Every herb I’ve had has tragically passed away, boo!

    I might need to try some of that ropa vieja in the crock pot 🙂

  11. Katie H. July 18, 2011 at 9:21 pm #

    Ohh, I hope you had fun in Boston! I actually really like taking the train- it is definitely a lot less sketchy than the bus sitch and I get to read/people watch/etc. Sometimes the temps vary though and it’s either insanely hot or freezing. Anyway.

    I don’t grow my own vegetables or herbs but I am starting an herb garden (er, herb box?) next month! I’m excited- purchasing them fresh at the grocery store is such a ripoff!

  12. Karla July 19, 2011 at 12:12 pm #

    Ha! I laughed when I saw the Baha Men CD!
    Go for you for not spending too much! I’m trying to do the same but Southern California has sooooo many shopping options! I keep buying dresses! I need to take my cues from you!
    Have a great trip to Boston!

  13. Monique July 19, 2011 at 4:17 pm #

    My best friend here in AZ is moving to Boston shortly… I want to go so bad! I haven’t been since 2006 🙂 And have you tried that carrot cake Clif Bar yet? I just had it for breakfast and wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It was like super spice cake, with a weird raisiny texture. Jury’s still out on that one 🙂

    I’m loving all your summer travels! Keep having a blast!!

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