4/282025 Monday Seriously Not So Fun Facts: Working To Cutting Back On More Expenses
This is really a lifestyle change that can save you money!
4/282025 Monday Seriously Not So Fun Facts: Working To Cutting Back On More Expenses
We haven't eaten out in 2 years- and still haven’t but there is sirloin steak on sale and Caesar salad plus Red Lobster biscuits on sale so will splurge for tonight!
I want to add that using Instacart has really helped to cut our expenses, let me explain. For the past two years we haven't eaten out, or had any personal "luxuries" like pedicures. massages, hair care. We use an antenna for TV. There are some "monopoly" type utilities in my area so even WIFI has to be through this company- yes, I have tried. In addition, we make our own food and Instacart really meets our needs as I can see what is available at different stores and can see what is being shopped! This one move to Instacart, has significantly cut our expenses and we do not have to drive to these locations. With Instacart, we can now get things from Costco that we couldn't do before. We decided to get the annual enrollment for $99 instead of paying monthly. We don’t have any affiliation, just sharing as this may help you or someone else, as it has us.
In addition, we mix our own laundry detergent, use glass jars or containers for food storage as well. We do not use any single use plastics. We do not use any ultra processed foods or hazardous cleaning products. We use Dr Bronner castile soap for personal soap and shampoo. Since making this switch, we no longer need conditioners.
We have decided to not buy from certain companies, per our preferences. I have worked for some companies, over the years, that choose to not put their customers or employees first. I have worked for some that required their employees to follow certain processes that may not put customers first.
Over the years, I have often worked multiple jobs that harmed my attention to family, due to poor wages.
We are very careful with what we eat and avoid all ultra-processed foods. I have always been a keen observer and have noticed that persons that choose to eat fast or ultraprocessed foods on a daily basis also seem to need pharmaceuticals.
Maybe it is time to go back to not eating so many fast or ultraprocessed foods? I have noticed that many persons find ultraprocessed and fast foods as normal but using a slow cooker or preparing homemade foods as strange or even “not safe”.
I want to add that cooking for yourself or family can be very easy and safe. Here are some things we have been doing for quite a while.
Aldi has marinated 2 pound pork roasts for about $5. We put frozen brussel sprouts on the bottom of the slow cooker and the pork roast over top and cook for about 7 hours. This makes 2 meals of pork slices and the second meal may be pork stir fry. At Costco we got a huge bag of stir fry veggies and they are perfectly ready for stir fry!
Aldi also has 3 lbs of frozen beef burgers for about $11.50. We cook them and then freeze for hamburgers or to crumble into a sauce or use as a topping. This is a handy way to have food for a meal always on hand and inexpensive.
Costco has roasted chickens for about %6.50 that we use for sliced chicken, chopped for chicken salad. We use the slow cooker to make broth with chicken from the bones. For us this makes 2 quarts of broth we use for soup or even chicken and dumplings. This means that 4 about $6.50 we get several lunches and 2 dinners.
Anyway, we have been anxious in the last 90 days or so. I do see some positive progress as of late. I have given up on traditional news as things have changed. The View continues though I am not impressed with the commercials! Sixty Minutes has also changed, spending extended time in wooden barrels instead of issues was very weird.
I grew up during Viet Nam protests as well as women's rights. I went to public schools where girls were not permitted to wear pants- even in bad weather. Our skirts were measured daily in the auditorium to be sure were not above the knees. We switched from wearing dresses to skirts that we rolled up at our waists after getting them measured! Seniors had smoking rooms! Back then smoking was everywhere! Women and girls were second class. Women could not do anything financial without a man. In 2001, I built a house- there were delays but I did it. While building the house, I met with guy about a security system- even did paperwork then he said my husband would have to approve. I said "that will be difficult since I don't have one". The guy yelled "that's impossible" as I took him to the door.
Now I am seeing well-qualified women losing their jobs. It's like it it is 50 years ago! Often women were highly restricted in all parts of life.
Even in health: many women's symptoms were ignored by their Drs. My gall stone symptoms were ignored for more than 10 years. Many women that I knew or know had symptoms ignored or untreated as they were just being too sensitive.
So you may be wondering what have we really done except maybe shop or cook? The answer is the old adage, “follow the money”. I found a list that we follow, per our choice as to which businesses we choose to buy from. Yes, this is probably sounding like this would not make a difference as we don’t have much discretionary income. However, I have been noticing that many companies on the list have started heavily advertising. Hmmm…..
Example:
Here are my three favorite authors on Substack:
I am so lucky to have found three Substack authors with consistent integrity that are worth subscribing to:
https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson?r=3sm55a&utm_medium=ios
https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich?r=3sm55a&utm_medium=ios
https://substack.com/@joycevance?r=3sm55a&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile
Please refer your friends
https://bsky.app/profile/sandrafreelance.bsky.social
4/282025 Monday Seriously Not So Fun Facts: Working On Cutting Back On More Expenses
We haven't eaten out in 2 years- and still not but there is sirloin steak on sale and caesar salad plus Red Lobster biscuits on sale so will splurge for tonight!
I want to add that using Instacart has really helped to cut our expenses, let me explain. For the past two years we haven't eaten out, or had any personal "luxuries" like pedicures. massages, hair care. We use an antenna for TV. There are some "monopoly" type utilities in my area so even WIFI has to be through this company- yes I have tried. In addition, we make our own food and Instacart really meets our needs as I can see what is available at fifferent stores and can see what id being shopped! This one move to Instacart significanty has cut our expenses and we do not have to drive to these locations. With Instacart, we can now get things from Costco that we couldn't do before.
In addition, we mix our own laundry detergent, use glass jars or containers for food storage as well. We do not use any single use plastics. We do not usr any ultra processed foods or hazardous cleaning products. We use Dr Bronner castile soap for personal soap and shampoo. Since making this switch, we no longer need conditions.
We have decided to not buy from certain companies, per our preferences. I have worked gor some companies, over the years, that choose to not put their customers or employees first. I have worked for some that required their employees to follow certain processes.
Over the years, I have ofyen worked multiple jobs that harmed my attention to family.
We are very careful with what we eat and avoid all ultra-processed foods. I have always been a keen observer and have noticed that persons that choose to eat fast/ultraprocessed foods seem to need pharmaceuticals.
Maybe it is time to go back to not eating ultraprocessed foods.
I found this list and choose to not to not buy or use services from these companies. I din't think I am alone with my choices!
Anyway, we have been anxious in the last 90 days or so. i do see some positive progress as of late. I have given up on traditional news as rhings have changed. The View continues though I am not impressed with the commercials. Sixty Minutes has also changed, spending extended time in wioden barrels instead of issues was very weird.
I grew up during Viet nam protests abd women's rights. I went to public schools where girls were not permitted to wear pants- even in bad weather. Our skirts were measured dauly in the auditorium to be sure were not above the knees. We switched from wearing dresses to skirts that we rolled up at our waists! Seniors had smaking rooms! Back then smoking was everywhere! Women and girls were second class. Women could not do anything financial without a man. In 2001, I built a house- there were delays but I did it. While vuilding, I met with guy about a security system- even did paperwork then he aaid my husband would have to approve. I aaid "that will be difficult subce I don't have one". The guy yelled "that's impossible" aa I took him to the door.
Now I am seeing well-qualified women losing their jobs. It's like it it is 50 years ago! Often women were highly restricted in all parts of life.
Even in health: many women's symptoms were ignored by their Drs.
I can't verify this for sure but it may be true that persons living on low income pay more in taxes than Elon Musk!
Example:
Here are my three favorite authors on Substack:
I am so lucky to have found three Substack authors with consistent integrity that are worth subscribing to:
https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson?r=3sm55a&utm_medium=ios
https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich?r=3sm55a&utm_medium=ios
https://substack.com/@joycevance?r=3sm55a&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile
Please refer your friends
https://bsky.app/profile/sandrafreelance.bsky.social
——————————————————
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only
It is not intended as medical or professional health advice.
Always consult a healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
Sandra’s Health is Wealth With Frugal Strategies newsletter is not responsible for any actions taken based on this information.
Individual results may vary.
DISCLAIMER: ALTHOUGH THE DATA FOUND IN THIS BLOG AND INFOGRAPHIC HAS BEEN PRODUCED AND PROCESSED FROM SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CAN BE MADE REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, LEGALITY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION. THIS DISCLAIMER APPLIES TO ANY USES OF THE INFORMATION WHETHER ISOLATED OR AGGREGATE USES THEREOF.
Thanks,
Sandra
——————————————————
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only
It is not intended as medical or professional health advice.
Always consult a healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
Sandra’s Health is Wealth With Frugal Strategies newsletter is not responsible for any actions taken based on this information.
Individual results may vary.
DISCLAIMER: ALTHOUGH THE DATA FOUND IN THIS BLOG AND INFOGRAPHIC HAS BEEN PRODUCED AND PROCESSED FROM SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CAN BE MADE REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, LEGALITY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION. THIS DISCLAIMER APPLIES TO ANY USES OF THE INFORMATION WHETHER ISOLATED OR AGGREGATE USES THEREOF.
Thanks,
Sandra