The world’s thy ship and not thy home.
ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX
"I'll get back to the blog when things get back to normal." I say this to myself. It's been seven months since the accident. I keep waiting for everything to get back to normal. The truth is our new normal is abnormal. Brain healing is SLOW, and the most important thing I can do now is to help Mr. Peasant with his recovery. Life has been very stressful ever since Mr. Peasant's brain injury. Three days of therapy a week, lots of hard days, and heavy emotions. I have really missed writing on the blog.
FRUGALITY WHILE EXHAUSTED
I have to admit it's been really hard to juggle our money saving lifestyle while navigating Mr. Peasant's good and bad days. I have always used meal planning as a way to save money. I shop the loss leaders and use coupons. My plans for the day are very dependent on how Mr. Peasant is feeling. Some days I just have to let that great coupon expire, miss the sale, or cook something different last minute. People are always more important than saving a few dollars. If you are burning the candle at both ends, how can you still save money when you are exhausted? Here are things that have helped us stay frugal while being tired and tempted to just spend more on some convenience.
Take a holiday from coupons and meal planning from the sales flyers and go to Aldi. It is a frugal paradise. When you are exhausted you can shop and know that almost everything in the store is a good price. Keep your mental strength for all the other crappy stuff on your plate. We don't live near an Aldi. The closest one is 30 miles away. But Mr. Peasant's new therapy is near that Aldi. We have been saving so much money on fruits and vegetables. It's been amazing. I think it is worth even a 45 minute drive to get to an Aldi. You will save enough money to more than make up the money spent on gas.
WARNING: You have to bring your own bags (grab a handful of old plastic grocery bags) and a quarter to release a shopping cart. You'll get the quarter back when you return the cart. Don't forget this, or you will have an unpleasant shopping experience!
Your first trip to an Aldi may be a little overwhelming, but it gets easier.
You may have to eat the fruit quickly, but there are worse things in life. I have to eat $1.29 cantaloupe ASAP. Okay, okay, twist my arm! Or, if you can't use up the fruit fast enough, freeze it. Last week, I cut up and froze a ripe cantaloupe. It was delicious two days later in a smoothie with blueberries and blackberries.
2. YOU NEED COFFEE
You are tired, and Starbucks drive thru sounds easy on a busy morning. Instead, help yourself obtain coffee quickly at home. I started making coffee the night before in the Chemex. While I'm making dinner, I just go ahead and brew a pot. We drink ours iced, so it's perfectly cooled by morning. You can easily heat it up, too. With early morning appointments, it's a great thing to just pour a glass and get going.
I have to admit it's been really hard to juggle our money saving lifestyle while navigating Mr. Peasant's good and bad days. I have always used meal planning as a way to save money. I shop the loss leaders and use coupons. My plans for the day are very dependent on how Mr. Peasant is feeling. Some days I just have to let that great coupon expire, miss the sale, or cook something different last minute. People are always more important than saving a few dollars. If you are burning the candle at both ends, how can you still save money when you are exhausted? Here are things that have helped us stay frugal while being tired and tempted to just spend more on some convenience.
1. GO TO ALDI
Take a holiday from coupons and meal planning from the sales flyers and go to Aldi. It is a frugal paradise. When you are exhausted you can shop and know that almost everything in the store is a good price. Keep your mental strength for all the other crappy stuff on your plate. We don't live near an Aldi. The closest one is 30 miles away. But Mr. Peasant's new therapy is near that Aldi. We have been saving so much money on fruits and vegetables. It's been amazing. I think it is worth even a 45 minute drive to get to an Aldi. You will save enough money to more than make up the money spent on gas.
WARNING: You have to bring your own bags (grab a handful of old plastic grocery bags) and a quarter to release a shopping cart. You'll get the quarter back when you return the cart. Don't forget this, or you will have an unpleasant shopping experience!
Your first trip to an Aldi may be a little overwhelming, but it gets easier.
You may have to eat the fruit quickly, but there are worse things in life. I have to eat $1.29 cantaloupe ASAP. Okay, okay, twist my arm! Or, if you can't use up the fruit fast enough, freeze it. Last week, I cut up and froze a ripe cantaloupe. It was delicious two days later in a smoothie with blueberries and blackberries.
You are tired, and Starbucks drive thru sounds easy on a busy morning. Instead, help yourself obtain coffee quickly at home. I started making coffee the night before in the Chemex. While I'm making dinner, I just go ahead and brew a pot. We drink ours iced, so it's perfectly cooled by morning. You can easily heat it up, too. With early morning appointments, it's a great thing to just pour a glass and get going.
3. EAT SIMPLE FAVORITES ON REPEAT
Take away the mental strain of multiple meal ideas. Find out the dishes your family never gets tired of and make it on repeat for multiple days. If you really feel bad about the monotony, switch up the vegetable on the side or add fruit for dessert. Make a big pan of shepherd's pie or a pot of vegetable soup. Make a large amount, and you'll have leftovers for tomorrow. Lunches can be the same everyday. The goal is to eat at home. It can be boring.
4. CHEAP GRAB AND GO SNACKS
Appointments, errands, work, or whatever you do, try to grab a snack and a drink before heading out. Even if you aren't hungry or thirsty, just do it. Grab an apple, banana, pretzels, or almonds. On busy weeks, I will bake two loaves of pumpkin or banana bread. I plastic wrap individual slices of bread and then place them in a freezer bag. I'll pull out a few slices the night before to thaw, so we will have snacks or breakfast on busy mornings. Fill up your Klean Kanteen or your insulated travel cup with lots of ice and something to drink.
5. REMEMBER TO PAY BILLS ON TIME
We started paying our bills the minute we get them. It's easy to throw them on the table and forget about them when you're exhausted. Paying late fees is setting money on fire. Take your fried brain out of the equation and just pay it immediately. No memory required.
5. IN EMERGENCY BREAK GLASS MEALS
Have a quick easy meal for those really crappy days. For us, it is bean burritos with re-fried beans, peppers, hot sauce and onions. It's filling and cheap. I can get it on the table in 5 minutes.
6. ENTERTAINMENT FOR FREE
Sometimes, you just need a break to get your mind off of things. We try to "get away" by reading a great book, listening to music, or watching an interesting documentary. Last week, we watched this wonderful version of Pinocchio staring Pee Wee Herman and laughed together on the couch. You can check out the complete series of Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre here. Remember the best things in life are free.
7. BLESSED ARE THE POOR
In those really tough moments, I ask the Lord to help me get through each tiny task. Remind yourself constantly of the poverty of Jesus. Mary and Joseph never had a date night at the movies or a meal at a restaurant. These are the parents of our Lord. I pray throughout the day to Jesus to help me keep going. When I get through traffic and arrive safely to our appointment on time or get a half way decent meal on the table, I praise God. Every night before bed, I thank God for all the little victories of the day. Always be grateful for the abundance God has given you.
If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient; but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.
SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX
Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love.
SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX
So tell me what do you do to keep on the frugal path when you feel burnt out? I'd love to hear your ideas and tips. Thank you for reading, and God bless you.
