Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Been MIA

Seems I have so swamped with everything since coming home from my week away with hubby at the motel!  I didn't get this post done last week, and it's later in the day today already.

Speaking of the motel, one thing I didn't mention in my post 2 weeks ago was how much shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap we are accumulating.  Hubby chooses to put the bottles in his suitcase every morning before work so that they will put out more.
I cleaned out the drawers in the bathroom vanity and now the bottom draw is full of soap and lotion.  The middle draw is shampoo and the top draw is conditioner.
I am very pleased with how my hair looks and feels with the conditioner from the motel where he currently is staying, even though I have no idea what the brand of it is.
We are well stocked, and will not have to spend money on any of that stuff any time soon!
Some different motels also offer other amenities, so we also have some mouthwash, shower caps, wet wipe make up removers, and ear plugs as well.

Is it wrong to make sure to get new each day and  hoard it like we are?  I know lots of people do the same thing.  It means that is money that we don't have to spend buying those items.  Plus, we also can donate the excess to people in need as well, as we did when we filled Bags of Blessings that we gave to the homeless shelter.

I've also still been working very slowly at getting areas of the house cleaned and organized.  It's coming along, but will take awhile at the rate I am finding the needed time to do things right.
The first thing I did when I got home from the week at the motel was to completely clear my desk to set it up like I had the desk at the motel.  It is much more conducive for my work with the way it's set up now instead of devices on top of things.  I'm now on the hunt at amazon for a drawer storage unit to put under my desk for all the things that were on my desk.
I think I will start with this one as it seems it will fit and give me the drawer space that I need for sewing supplies, pens and pencils, and paperwork.  I'm not sure though as I believe the drawers  will only be less then 2 inches deep.  Either way, I need to earn more amazon before I can order.



Let's get to some freebies for this week!
First is the Friday Freebie, which is candy this week.  I always love this to have around to share with the grandkids.

Free Fish or Sour Patch Kids for Kroger & Affiliates

Here are some others that you might want to check out:

Free Subscription to Weight Watchers Magazine

Free Sample of Truvia Natural Sweetener

Free Where is Bear & Amazing Me! It's Busy Being 3 Books

Free Sample of Rituals Cosmetics Foaming Shower Gel

Free That's Tasty Organic Microgreens

Free Arrowhead, Ice Mountain, Ozarka, Deer Park & More

Free Harley-Davidson Racing Stickers



I would love to hear if you are sending for freebies, and what you are doing to live frugally!

Frugal Friday With Marsha - Still at the Motel

I have to start out by saying that I am sitting here shaking my head.  I was just downstairs and housekeeping was throwing 4 huge bags of blankets, comforters, and pillows into the dumpster.  I can't help but wonder why they do not donate those to a homeless shelter or another agency who will give them to families in need.  😮😦

It's been a good week away from the chaos that is usually surrounding me.  I find myself wishing I could just travel with hubby all the time.  I actually would if I didn't miss my family, if I didn't have activities at home that I would dearly miss, and if this motels wi-fi wasn't so spotty!  He's here at this motel at least 2 more weeks, and this is the second week in a row here.
I miss hubby when I only get to see him around 24 hours on a weekend.  It's been nice to see him every day.
(In case you are wondering, hubby's company pays for the motel stays.  He's also fortunate that he is reimbursed for his food up to $25 a day.  I didn't want to burden him to pay for my meals while I'm staying with him, so that is the reason for buying groceries for me.)

We shopped for my groceries for the week.  I bought a dozen eggs (brought the Eggtastic to cook them in the microwave), a box of saltines, a package of sugar wafer cookies, loaf of bread, mayonaise, 1 Armour lunch kit, a bag of cheese sticks, salt and pepper shakers (which we will also take on our family camping trip) and 2 bananas. 
Hubby had already bought my Dr. Pepper for the week, so we brought that with us.  We also had the free cranberry juice from last week's Friday Freebie that we brought along.

Those food items, along with foods that I got from the free breakfast, have had me eating a lot better than I usually do.  Most days I've brought up an apple or banana, a cup of yogurt, a glass of milk, peanut butter packets, margarine packets, plates, napkins, and plasticware from the breakfast room.  This along with drinking a glass of orange juice and eating a bit while in the breakfast room.

I've had the peanut butter either on apple slices or saltine crackers each day.  I've also had a yogurt each day.  And, I've had a glass of the cranberry juice each day.
One day a friend and her hubby came to visit and we ate lunch with them at the Huddle House.  One other day while out, hubby got called to deliver buns to the Burger King. Since it was lunch time, we went ahead and had lunch there as well.  We also at at Subway inside Wal-Mart when we went there to do the grocery shopping.

I'm pretty sure I have actually gained weight this week!

Speaking of the Friday Freebie, this week it's bagels, so you won't want to miss that.  Well, mine says free Dave's Killer Boomin Berry Bagels, but they are showing here bread.  Personally I would rather had had the bread.  Which did you get this week?

Free Nature's Own Perfectly Crafted White or Multigrain Bread

Here are some other freebies that you might want to check out:

Free Made In Nature Organic Supersnacks

Free Sample of bioDOGradable Bags

Free Coffee Grounds for Your Garden at Starbucks

Free Sample of Derma E Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner

Free Healthy Pools Pool Test Kit

FREE 12 Easy Weeknight Dinners eCookbook


Hey! Hubby just called and is done working for the day super early today.  He wants to take me out to lunch.

Until next week, Frugal Ways to All!

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Still Working

It's been a week of still working to organize and de-clutter the house.  I've made some changes, but mostly I've worked on putting things where they actually belong, even if that place is the trash!

So much that I wanted to get done before traveling with hubby next week and being gone an entire week, but time is not on my side most days.

We did a lot better at getting leftovers eaten at meals this past week, but not quite good enough.  I had to throw away a large container of chicken alfredo because I didn't get it put into the freezer for later.  Quite a shame to get good food go to waste, and definitely not frugal!

Speaking of food, here is this week's Friday Freebie:

Free Ocean Spray Diet or Light Juice for Kroger & Affiliates

I'm slacking in getting freebies sent for to fill my mailbox.  I sent for a few things this morning that you might want to check out for yourself as well:

Free Sample of Sephora Collection Clay Mask

Free Animal Rights Stickers

Free Sample of Tameology Shampoo & Conditioner


I've not paid attention to TopCashBack before today when I seen this offer:

TopCashback - Free Ozark Trail Folding Chair

I may have messed up because I went ahead and clicked the cash back from Swagbucks when the page came up.  I'm sure we can't "double dip".  I guess I will know soon enough.  I will just know not to activate Swagbucks in the future.
We are taking our annual family camping trip the first weekend of August, so either way, we needed a chair of our own. 

Here is something else you might want to check out....all the freebies available this weekend for Father's Day!

Father's Day Freebies & Deals RoundUp

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- One Day at a Time

This week I've been concentrating each day on cleaning, organizing, and de-cluttering the house.  IF I can keep it up, doing at least one spot each day, I soon will see a noticeable difference.
So far I've gone through piles of papers on my desk (most recycled), totally scrubbed down the stove, cleared one shelf, sorted through 2 totes (where most everything was thrown away unless it could be recycled), and worked on clearing the couch (actually putting the items where they belong).
I need to keep it up!!  Can I?   Decluttering and cleaning also cleans your mind, and I sure need that right now!

Hubby chose to come home each night from work instead of taking the motel since this week he's working 1 hour and 20 minutes from home.  We shopped for groceries for the week, and I think quite well.  We spent right at $100 for the week.   I admit that it's really nice to be having actual home cooked meals instead of my usual frozen entrees and lunchables.

Oh yes, that's the other thing I cleaned out this week....the refrigerator.  I won't go in to detail and gross you out, just imagine it's not been cleaned out for a few months!   We have vowed to not allow left overs to pile up in there ever again.  Tomorrow we will be getting out all the leftovers from the week and having a leftover buffet.

On the food note, today's Friday Freebie will turn into a meal for us next week with one of the pounds of ground beef still in the freezer.

Free Knorr One Skillet Meals for Kroger & Affiliates


In other news, I've still been trying to send for freebies so I can find goodies in my mailbox.
Today I sent for these:

Free Sample of Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather

Free Sample of Mugler Alien Flora Futura & Alien Fragrances

Free Mr. Pen Mustache Paper Clips

Free World and Everything In It Sticker


Here are some others that you might want to check out:

Free 40ct. Box of o.b. Tampons or Free Box Coupon

Free Trust Me I'm (Almost) a Nurse T-Shirt

Free Creme of Nature Perfect Edges Sample Giveaway

Free DHC Skincare Samples

In celebration of summer, Tophatter is giving away thousands of dollars in June!

Tophatter’s Summer of Fun Cash Sweepstakes is on! Each time a shopper completes a purchase this month, they will be automatically entered to win the prize for that day ($100), that week ($500), and the grand finale ($10,000)!

Check it out, you might just be the lucky winner!

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Staying Busy

Yet another week that has been one activity or thing to do right after another!  Today is definitely no exception as it's my mother's payday, my grandson, Jacob's, 9th birthday, and I have to go get the rummage sale set up at church.

Has it been a frugal week for me?  Not really. 

I made another trip to Dodge City to stay a couple of days with my hubby.  Of course that is eating out except the free breakfast from the motel.  I did get smart though and brought a bagel, cream cheese, margarine, a muffin, and yogurt up to the room from the breakfast room.  Those made great snacks throughout the day.  We lost $98 this week at the casino. 

Nope nope nope, going to the casino is not a frugal thing to do.  I am well aware of that, and as I told hubby, I am glad that we don't have one real close to home.   It is a treat to be able to go, and I'm proud of us for not staying until all of the allotted amount for the trip was gone. 

This week, for some reason, they chose to give my hubby the honeymoon suite (they actually call it the executive suite) at the motel. (Best Western Plus)   That was such a delight having a hot tub right there in our room!!  Every time we get in one we both say the same thing-- "we really need one of these at home". 


Back to the rummage sale at church.  I have been trying to find boxes of rummage sale stuff in our garage to take to it.  That's been a challenge, and I've not been able to find much, because our garage is so jam packed full of stuff.  The stuff will NOT come back to our house.   Here's hoping too, that more people from church will bring in things for the sale.  I will know when I go this evening to put things out.


Before I forget, here is today's Friday Freebie from Kroger:

Free CORE Hydration Drink for Kroger & Affiliates


I've not had much of a chance this week to send off for freebies, but here is a list of the ones that I want to check out when I do find the time:

Free Sample of Bvlgari Omnia Pink Sapphire Fragrance

Free Samples of Astroglide Lubricant

Free Subscription to Woman's Day Magazine

Free American Farmland Trust 35th Anniversary Lapel Pin

Free Sample of ProSoap Water-Activated Hand Cleaner

Free Subscription to LEGO Life Magazine

Free Sample of L’Oreal Pure-Sugar Grapeseed Scrub

Lots of goodies to check on!


Hoping that this next week isn't near as wild with me being away from home and that I have more to report.

In the meantime, if you have posted anything that has to do with being frugal, simple living, saving money etc, please do link up.

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Short Trip

I took a short trip this week to Dodge City, KS where my hubby is working for the week.
Ok, frugal in some ways, not in others...
Frugal because hubby's company pays for his motel room, plus food reimbursement.
Not frugal in that we, um, lost $135 at the casino.   It was such a blast to be able to make the trip though and my spirits are lifted once again.....that alone is priceless. 😀
Of course I took my laptop and a tablet with me to keep "earning" at least a bit while having a good time.
We ate one night at IHOP, which he did have to pay for my meal.  The next day we had the wonderful free breakfast at the motel, then ordered pizza delivered for lunch.
We hopped in the hot tub twice.  We watched some movies together.  In general we just had a great time.
I even managed to make it through all 12 questions in The Cash Show, (invitation code is M3CFWG which will give each of us a free life!) adding up to reaching payout there!!
I'm going back next week as he will still be working there again.  I'm really looking forward to it.

I've already picked up my Friday Freebie this week as I did a little shopping this morning.   I got a little coming back into ibotta, and I scanned enough to redeem for a $2 amazon from shopkick as well.   Great way to start the morning.

Free VitaminWater Active for Kroger & Affiliates


I'm still working to fill my mailbox with freebies.  Here are a few things that I sent off for today:

Free Pack of Zonnic Stop-Smoking Aid

Free Yellow Dog Nantucket Stickers

Free Sun-Maid Healthy Living Booklet

Free Harry Potter Time Turner Necklace  (if you check this one out, please come back to my post and use this link for me to get credit)


I've not listed sweepstakes for awhile, so here is a list for you to choose from to enter.  Good luck!

Win a GUESS L.A. Style Experience for You and 3 Friends

Boston Market Memorial Day Meal Coupon

Culturelle $3 Off Coupon + Win a Global Awareness Trip

Win 1 of 750 KFC Colonel Sanders Floaties

Win a a Set of 50 Books and $1000 Melissa & Doug Gift Card

Win 1 of 10 Free Bless Box Beauty Subscriptions worth $1800

Win $10,000 in the Ryan Seacrest’s Pay Your Vacation Sweepstakes


In other news for me, I'm still working, albeit very slowly, at eliminating clutter.  It's hard to go stay in a nice clean motel room, with only a few necessities with you, then come home and look around at all the stuff.    I started yesterday in places you can't see though.  I cleared out the old stuff from the bathroom vanity and medicine cabinet.  Most everything in the drawers and cabinets has been there since we moved in and never used.  Out it went!  Today I am working on clearing off my decorative glass shelves.  Just how did they become the catch all for everything???

How are you doing in your frugal and simple living?    Comment below, or better yet, share links to your posts!







Click here

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Whirl Wind Week!

Wow this week has flown by!!   At the same time, it's been a long week.  Makes no sense, I know.
I had NO spendable money this week, which was my own fault for spending everything I had on the bus trip last week. 
I have made it through the week though.  With the help on my middle daughter, I was able to get just enough food for a few meals.  Foods to add to what was already in the house.  Also, my oldest daughter surprised me with a cinnamon roll, and a large snack tray this week as well.

As you know, I've started sending for freebies in the mail.  You may have noticed that I posted a Mailbox Monday this week.  I plan to have that as a weekly post again.  I will share freebie links on Monday's but I will still share them here in my Frugal Friday posts as well.

Let's start this week with the Kroger Friday Freebie for this week:

Free Larabar for Kroger & Affiliates

Here are the freebies that I sent off for today:

Free Sample of Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy

Free Together We Rise Stickers

Free Give a Sip Eco-Friendly Reusable Straw

Free Moose Tracks Nation Magnet or Sticker

Free The Original MakeUp Eraser

Free Sample of Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch


Click below to:

• Print coupon to save $3 on any one (1) Culturelle product.
• Enter the Be Good Inside with Culturelle Sweepstakes.

Are you finding the links I share helpful?  Are you sending off for any freebies to come to your mailbox?

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Bus Trip and Freebies

Welcome to Friday!

This week I was gone 2 days on a bus trip to Lincoln, NE with my quilt guild.  What fun! 
The trip itself cost $135, which included the bus, tour price at the Quilt study museum, and our motel room.
I took $40, which was to cover my shopping at 3 quilt shops on the way and pay for 2 meals.  (Go ahead, laugh now)  Yes, I was dreaming that $40 would be enough.  Ok, it would have been plenty if I stuck to my small list of 4 things that I was looking for that I needed.  But, how do you pass up good deals on other things that you can use or need??

I ended up spending a total of $35.32 total at the 3 quilt shops and 1 variety store.
I will talk about what I bought after the picture.

My original list included a Frixion pen because mine quit working, Insul-brite for hotpads (which I didn't find), a black, white and yellow fat quarter for my Sodoku quilt, and a yard of back ground fabric for a Zip quilt I just started( I found the back ground fabric on clearance for 50% off!!).

In addition I found a yard of kitchen print 40% off that will make 4 of the double towel scarves, flannel pieces that will help me get further on my rag quilts, netting for crocheting dish scrubbies, a fat quarter to match another towel I had for a double towel scarf, some cute Maxine iron ons, and a gingerbread cookie cutter candle that I will use for a gift (it was just 50 cents!)

The first shop gave us a free lip balm, the second shop had bottled water and cookies for us, and the 3rd shop gave us a nice 6 inch ruler. 

I am thrilled with what I was able to purchase and the prices that I got too!


Speaking of freebies......I wrote last week that I was going to start sending for freebies in the mail again.  I got my first freebie in the mail today--Breathe Right strips.    I will share another list of freebies for you to check out today, but first, let's lookat at the Kroger Friday Freebie.

Today's it's chocolate, so be sure to add it to your card!!

Free Lindt Lindor Stick for Kroger & Affiliates


And here are some freebies to check out for this week:

Free Grow Up Healthy! Growth Chart

Free Sample of FloraTummys Probiotic for Kids or Adults

Free Black & Mild Cigar Tube

Free Poise Light Leaks Sample Pack

Free Subscription to Food Network Magazine

Free Subscription to Road & Track Magazine

Free Learn the Signs Act Early Growth Chart

Free Sample of Te Mana Tahiti Skincare

Free Sample of Harvey Dryman Manbutter




Don't forget to link up too!

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- May the 4th Be With You

Excuse my absence last Friday as I was gone to a quilt retreat.  A very frugal one I might add since it didn't cost anything to attend!  I had taken food for my meals for the weekend and didn't even end up eating hardly any of the food that I brought.  A lot of the other ladies brought meal foods to share.  The only requirement was to bring snack foods for the sharing table, but quilters tend to be very generous.

I really want to start this post out with a great deal from The Quarto Group for any of you that are Star Wars fans, or have friends and family that are. 
Quarto has been great to me as a blogger, and they offer books for everyone!
For May they are offering a whopping 40% off of all Star Wars related books and kits with the code MAYTHE4TH!!

Save in May on all our Star Wars titles, with code MAYTHE4TH!

40% off code good May 1 through May 31, 2018.

© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OF $50 OR MORE

One thing you will notice missing from my Frugal Friday posts now is my list of online and app earnings for the week.  I've decided I want to do a once a month post for those from now on, so watch for that post at a later date.

A little catching up to do from missing a week.

I took advantage of a good sale at Kohl's and was able to get new pillows and bath towels with their great sale of $2.99 each.   I applied for a credit card, even though I knew I would be denied, because just applying got me another 25% off.  This made each item just $2.24!

We've needed both towels and pillows for awhile now.

I've been having some luck selling on LetGo.  I've been mostly listing baby clothes for now.

I stopped at a church rummage sale last Saturday morning on the way to the quilt retreat and found an awesome deal for me!!   I got a bag with 3 skeins of yarn, lots of spools of thread, embroidery thread, buttons, a pin cushion, and lots of other misc items.   I listed all the craft items that I won't use on LetGo for the same $3 that I paid for the whole bag.  That's not sold yet, but there was also misc pieces of jewelry in the bag as well.  I did sell those for $3, getting the money back that I paid for the bag!

I am upset with myself for totally forgetting about the Friday Freebie last week!  It didn't come to my mind until Saturday when it was too late.   I don't know what I missed  😞

This week it's free Dorito's, that's not to be missed!

Free Doritos Blaze for Kroger & Affiliates

I've decided to get back to sending for freebies and filling my mailbox again.  This is a great post to get started with!!  Lots that they report are still available and just a click away.

FREE Sample Mail Call for April

Here is a list of other freebies that you might want to check out:

Free Sample of SPLENDA Naturals Stevia Sweetender

Free Subscription to O, The Oprah Magazine

Text for $10 Off at Lane Bryant = Free Item

Free SToK Cold Brew Coffee or Tea

Free Sample of Jamberry Nail Wraps

Free Box of Pukka Herbs Organic Matcha Tea

Free Subscription to ELLE Magazine

Free Bag of Navitas Organics Essential Superfood Boost

Free Subscription to Men's Health Magazine

Free Subscription to Car and Driver Magazine

Free Made for America, Made for Summer Party

Banfield Pet Hospital - Free Office Visit & Consultation

Free Barilla Pesto Chatterbox

Free Bag of Boca Java Coffee

Free Samples of BA STAR Makeup

Free Sample of Truvia Natural Sweetener

Free Men's Razor

Free Plus CBD Oil

New Month = New PINCHme Sample Box

BACK AGAIN! Free Atkins Sample Kit and $5 Off Coupon

Free Sample of Sasmar Personal Lubricant

Free Poise Impressa Sample Pack

That's a lot to check out, but I see several that I will be looking in to.

One last thing for this week.   I am so happy!  I finally have a pair of tennis shoes that are comfortable, fit correctly, and don't hurt my bad toe.  I used some of my earned amazon to order them.  I LOVE being able to earn amazon!!

Let's not forget that you can link up any frugal type posts here each week.  I would love to see lots of you doing so  😀