WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JULY 2025

Hey, kids,

I am interested to see how I do today - realized this morning that, while I had put my Zyrtec allergy meds in my evening pillkeeper, for some reason (distraction, I assume) I had missed out adding them to my morning pills. So all week, I've only been taking half the medication I'm supposed to take each day…

I haven't been able to figure out why I've been struggling with allergy symptoms all week, because I usually do fine! Been tired, itchy eyes, congested, and on and on… Figured it out this morning (five days later). Answers the question of whether they're not working! They are.

Kim - I have to admit, I never thought of using public bathrooms in stores/libraries, etc. as saving money! Think of how much money I've saved having Crohn's disease and using every public bathroom within a 25-mile radius many, many times! 😜😂 Added to your frugal list:

• An energy-efficient freezer. The freezer energy cost here in Arkansas is $25 a year. Though we may not eat a lot from one meal to the next, we can buy those things we do eat, especially meat, when its on sale and freeze them. We can also cook a larger pan of something like lasagna and save the leftovers in meal-size portions so we save on the energy to cook them again, as well as being able to buy pasta, etc., in packages that are cheaper by the ounce. I also tend to make things like meatballs in one large cook, and then freeze five or six meals out of them. Saves a lot on price per pound for the meat and drives the per meal price down sharply.
• Skip the organics. I genuinely understand the drive to buy fruits, etc., without pesticides, but the cost has become prohibitive, and I'm perfectly capable of washing off an apple or piece of broccoli! Right now, organic apples are $4 to $6 a pound here, and I can get regular apples for $1 on sale or $2 a pound regularly.
• Don't pay for them to cut your fruit or cheese, etc. It varies, but fruit plates, with cut-up fruit, can be $2 to $6 more per pound than just buying the fruit yourself. Buying cheese by the block and shredding it yourself can save you money, but this varies by store.
• Shop at different stores! I checked the fresh hamburger we usually buy at our little locally owned and operated store yesterday and it was $6.94 a pound for 80-20 ground beef. Aldi, just a few miles away, had it at $4.24 a pound. We use 3/4 of a pound per meal, and I buy a three-pound pack for four meals - so that brings the price to $3.02 a meal vs. $4.98. We eat ground beef at least twice a week, so that's $200+ a year in savings. At that same small store, though, I found toothpaste, which is usually $7 a tube on clearance for $2 each, so I bought two. I always check the clearance racks in every grocery store, and almost always buy generic or store brand.
• Combine trips - I wait until my PT appointments to go to the grocery store, saving on gas. I live in the country, and driving places is inevitable, but you can stack them so that you're not driving every day, and I try very hard to do just that.

I know you said it, too, Kim, but eating at home saves us $40 to $80 per meal. At the lowest cost, if we went out just once a week, we're saving more than $2,000 a year. Sit-down restaurants have simply gotten prohibitive, and the very rare times we eat fast food have dropped to zero. It's $7 here for a fast-food burger that I can cook better at home for $5 less than that, and I know what's in it - and as my husband noted last night in this same conversation, I know who's touched it and whether or not they're sick!

I wish Corey's garden was a money saver. It is not. But it is so good for him mentally that it's well worth it for the small amount we put into buying the starts and watering them. As a matter of fact, I need to go get tomatoes chopped up and roasting, and get his work jeans out of the washer and on the line to dry… little Frugal Francine here, walking the walk… 😜😊

Love y'all,
Lisa in AR

Kim - Lisa - Rita - great suggestions! Like Terri - I raised in a family that didn't have much money and I remember a lot of childhood conversations about the rationing and restrictions during WW2 and being thrifty. After my DH passed, there were no more purchases of tobacco and other smoking material, no more beer/alcohol, Sling TV to name a few things.

I would add the importance of making a budget. I have used Excel spreadsheets for years and have line items for utilities, food, medical, car expense, giving, etc. I know from experience this can be hard when spouses and others in the household have different ideas about spending. 😣 But sitting down at the beginning of the year and reviewing last year's expenditures can be helpful, at least it was in my case as DH gradually realized happy wife, happy life. 😁 Discussing needs vs. wants in a calm atmosphere.

Kim - how are you doing by the way? I think of you often and hope your vision is improving.

Looks like Bambi and twins have decided my back yard is the place to be. It will be interesting to see how Rosie gets along with them.

I talk a lot about my big yard and the powerline. Here's an aerial photo I grabbed from the county website. The yellow rectangle is not accurate, the trees lines are a better guide for my property line. You can see the powerline running along the bottom of the rectangle. This shot was taken two years ago so a lot of the trees right under that power line are gone as of last summer. The greenhouse and chicken house are the two little structures below the shop. The photo was probably taken in late summer - brown lawn, very typical around here for that time of the year.

Have a great weekend, ladies!

Lanette 😎

SW WA State

Beth ~ I agree with you on eating out. My DH loves to eat out and I hate the process of having to get ready when i know I can make a good meal quickly without having to leave the house. It was fun when we were very poor and only went out on special occasions. Terri enjoyed her 59th at home and it sounded great.

Lanette ~ Your yard is huge and must take a lot of time caring for it. How cute that the deer are loving your place and hope Rosie does not run them off. She might just decide to be their friend.

Pip ~ Can't wait to see photos of the new pup when she comes home to you.

Kylia ~ Glad you checked in! Even though you said you were trying to slow down, it still seems like you are doing a LOT to keep things going the way that pleases you.

Economizing: We had to count every penny for many, many years. We still never never overspend; but, it is nice to be able to afford things that we once would have had to think long and hard about before spending.

Carol in GA

Was so tired yesterday from stroll with D that I forgot to go to Freddie’s. Knee really throbbed, blamed it on the incoming cold front, took an ibuprofen. Woke up early this morning to no knee pain! Got up and out to both Grocery Outlet and F’s. Thankful for GO. Bought cold cuts, cheese and Hawaiian rolls for half what they would have cost at F’s. Checking “Best By” dates sure pays: the first 3 sour creams were BB 7/23! The last one on the shelf was BB 8/28… ;} Recycling center wasn’t open yet so came home, groceries away, peeled jicama for fellowship (peeled my finger a little too ;> ), whipped up some experimental cranberry mustard mayonnaise and took apart the DVD player that ate the library disc. Got it open (with a little help from my vise grips, couldn’t turn the screws without ‘em), lifted disc right out, put it all back together, plugged it in, put in one of my DVDs, et voilà! She works!!! Checking in to procrastinate on chunking up loaves of donated bread for croutons and tackling the laundry mountain before dog group. Whew! Must be channeling my inner Lisa!

Terri belated happy anniversary! 59 years, what an awe-inspiring accomplishment!

Annie, how did your sister react when your dad went outside pantless?

Lisa leading the line dance class was a two week four class commitment to cover for a teacher whose back and neck were hurting. I have mixed feelings about it. Thought I was doing ok but received so many helpful suggestions from the regular teachers I realize that … maybe not so great after all. Think they were all sighing with relief when I was done… ouch! Don’t know what will happen to class, our regular teacher J needs orthopedic surgery to repair a botched hip replacement, needing at least two months recovery, M will be out of town 3 of the next 8 weeks, P will be out one, and L’s hurting foot is being tested. Suspect we’ll be taking a break til’ fall…

Interesting thrift and choice discussions, but I’ve procrastinated so long there is no longer time for crouton prep or laundry before dog group. Oops!

Action for happiness
25- be kind instead of judging. Yesterday I used the expression “…consumed with self-loathing” when complaining to D about the mirrors at chair yoga. Today I am thankful for my body as it is and all its moving parts.
26-had to take a deep breath when Mooch startled me with his too loud and sharp alert barking.

OMG room progress … not yet! ;}

Later, lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

July focus: Just one thing from the OMG room. Really.
2025: Chose NOW: to move more than yesterday (see action plan), fuel better than yesterday (hold that after dinner sweet down to two pieces of dark chocolate max), open heart and mind before mouth

I was thinking. To name the new child that comes here. Originally I was thinking Ethel, from I love Lucy. Most people (younger) won’t know who Ethel is..

Another thought was Charlie Brown comics. Since there’s a Lucy, the new member(she’s) a girl, could be one of the other female characters, Marcie, (peppermint patty is too long, so that’s a no) sally (Charlie browns sister) or actually I could name her Charlie, that name goes either way (one of my nieces name is Charlee).

thoughts?

10951095

I am like you, I could save so much money if it weren't for dh. He has to have the super high speed internet, extra channels, etc

I don't HAVE to be so careful with money like I did when I was single but I have always been this way. I love shopping around for bargains and do tend to save a lot more than I spend.
I do find it is easier for me to spend on others(namely my son and my former hubby ;) but others too like mom)than it is to spend on myself.

Well, down to 225.8 lbs, since starting this Zepbound journey. That's 23 lbs. Half way there, until I get to knock on Onederland's door! Slow and steady. I was getting a wee bit antsy when no movement on the scale from 20th until today, but that's just how weight goes. Its a lot of change and its just adapting.

Today was a tomato, turkey and cheese sandwich for lunch, but I could only manage to eat half. Tonight is raw veggies, some fat free dressing, and 3 chicken tenders. Snack is an 11 oz shake carton, and a Built Puff bar. Surprisingly yummy, for a bar. The middle is kind of chocolatey squishy but it has a marshmallowy consistancy.

Last night I took about an hour long bath. Yes I kind of fell asleep. My tablet was on the counter, lulling me with Windham Hill music from my Pandora app. I am fitting better in my bath tub! Its a really shallow one they got when they did the bath retrofit, but heck we didn't have to pay for it. My shoulders were under water. And when I laid on my side, it was just a hip out. I rotated in the hot water, like a rotisserie piglet!😂😁💖. I even lay on ma belly, so I do get some aerobic exercise in da tub!😂😂

Rebecca Whidbey WA

Ginny: Wow! A tornado..I hope the community is doing okay and pulling together.

Beth: Congrats to your Mom on her 94th birthday and to your son for losing weight.

Pipcd: I loved I Love Lucy!

Ange: Congrats on the potty training. That is still an issue for my dog!

Terri: Happy 59th anniversary!

Heather: We always used cloth napkins quite a bit! And we ate in our dining room each evening! I am reading a book about a couple in Tuscany. The book discusses food quite a bit. I had some flounder and usually I would put it in the oven for 30 minutes. But I told myself I could do better! I cut an onion and some tomatoes and got out the oil and cooked it all in the frying pan. I was very pleased with it!

I am busy….but also getting older.so I seem busy because I get tired earlier in the day! I now have arthritis in my right knee and am taking steroids and will have a steroid shot in September. I am volunteering once a week at a food pantry and enjoying this. But it does require constant moving and taking food to the cars. Still it is less demanding than cleaning the cat rescue shelter was! And I am with people and not alone. And this is better!

My decluttering of the house is almost done..except for the storage over the garage. I believe I have less than 40 hours of decluttering to go!

I did read the book The Boomerang by Robert Bailey for a book group. Not generally my genre but it was an interesting story and held my attention. Now we are reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. This is a little different but I am getting through it. Both books are lighter reading. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi has really caught on in Middle GA among book groups. He is describing a Southern town and people are trying to determine what town if any real town at all he is describing. Many find the book very heartwarming. I wish it moved a little faster!

Does anyone watch Sweet Home Alabama? I watch this movie a couple of times a year. I don't know what draws me to it really. But it soothes me. I also like And So it Goes and Nights in Rodanthe.

I am seeing my son a couple of times of month! I love this! We went to a ball game last night!

i do a zoom meditation group every morning at 6:30 am. There are 30 of us. I love this!

The heat is pretty bad…in the 90s by 9:00. Quite de-motivating! And hard to live alone and be trapped in the house because of the heat! I have been watching concerts. I can't read for 16 hours! Today I did Andre Bocelli!

I am actually paying a young person to walk the dog 30 minutes every Thursday. I stopped buying paper towels to justify this. But in this heat…it is a real help!

I know people who have gone full circle and are now using an antenna for tv..and others have also given up the internet. I could see doing both these things in my future.

I seldom eat at a dine in restaurant. It as gotten too expensive. I go to Dunkin, McDonalds and Starbucks and stay under 10.00. And I try not to have food delivered. If I have to I have the shopping delivered So at least I get food back into the house!

I am not a vegetarian…but I don't buy meat. I don't like to cook it. And there is no bread in the house. I do buy fresh fish and shrimp. And I put the yellow squash in the microwave!

Best,

Rosemarie from GA