Frugal Friday File 2018, week 46...

Successes:
1.  Christmas tree is up...not decorated...but up.  :)  Early, I know, but I wanted Carey to put it up before he had to go back to work.  Several sections remained dark when it was plugged in, but adding a couple of strings of lights found among the decorations should hold it for at least one more year's use. (I think this is the third year I've said this.)

2.   A check that I had written and mailed for a doctor bill got lost in the mail.  When I called my credit union to put a stop payment on it so I could pay the bill with another check, I was fully expecting to pay the $20 stop-payment fee.  I was pleasantly surprised to be told that because it was a postal issue, the fee would be waived.  Nice surprise.

3.  And speaking of the credit union...  I just made the last payment on the loan we took to pay for the kitchen remodel.  New plan for the freed-up money is for it to go into savings every month.  

4.  We have hit freezing temperatures the last few nights and the days are chilly.  Rudy definitely needs a coat if he is outside for any length of time.  Though the 'sweatshirts' I made him last year kept him warm, they were rather difficult to get on and off over his head and front legs.  At the end of the season last year I picked up a velcro-fastening dog coat on clearance for $2.  He is wearing it now, and it is much easier to get him dressed and undressed.  

Such a dapper dog!  :)

5.  I made a birthday card from supplies on hand, and dropped it in the mail.  I refilled the foaming soap dispenser by my kitchen sink with 98% water and 2% regular dish washing detergent...cheap...and when my hands are greasy it works better than other hand soaps.  I paid $2.07 per gallon today when I filled the car with gasoline...down about 60¢ in the last few weeks.

Frugal From the Kitchen This Week:
Saturday:  big lunch, so *ice cream for supper!
Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's
Monday:  Dublin Coddle
Tuesday:  Roast, potatoes, carrots, broccoli
Wednesday:  *Tex-Mex
Thursday:  breakfast for supper
Friday:  open-faced roast beef sandwich

(*not-frugal takeout or dinner out)