Comments on: A Glimpse At How A Frugal Family Spends Their Weekend

By: Gina

Gina — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 14:07:48 +0000

I think a little more fun could have been in order. Perhaps a visit to an ice-cream store and just get one scoop or rent a $1 movie from red box, go for hike with homemade picnic. Your wife is pregnant and I am not all that cooking and standing was probably exhausting. You could try giving her a back rub and make dinner for her. Just sayin.

By: anita

anita — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:39:44 +0000

I’m with you Ivana. I am sure this works fine for a family oriented life-style but I think most singles would prefer something a little more soical.

By: Ivana

Ivana — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:25:00 +0000

wow. i would rather watch paint dry than experience that weekend.

By: lisa

lisa — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:08:50 +0000

I like going to park idea, getting some ice cream and meet with friends. Don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time for sure.

By: Iris Robin

Iris Robin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:06:07 +0000

This level of organization is key to getting your finances under control. I think a lot of people have a hard time getting over the hurdle of taking the time to write down every cent they spend.

In reality it’s the best way to save money, because you have the numbers there in black and white. As a small piece of advice to your readers, be persistent and take small steps. First write down what you’ve spent on the weekend, then eventually start your recording your spending habits daily.

Great article, full of wonderful examples to help people to save money, love it and keep up the good work!

By: Frugal Mom Advice

Frugal Mom Advice — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:51:05 +0000

Very true! The most important thing is having fun with the ones you love and spending time together. You do NOT need to spend any money to do those things.

By: Winnetta B

Winnetta B — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:03:40 +0000

I was hoping to see church somewhere in that weekend as well, but to each his own. I don’t go every weekend either! Anyways… love the article. Really enjoy hearing that others are doing things with family instead of having their phone ding every 2 hours with another event/activity to attend. Will be linking to this from my blog, too. Thanks for sharing your life and learnings with us.

By: Wanderer

Wanderer — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:08:39 +0000

Margaret, Your concern for another is laudable. It’s unfortunate that many times the Christian perspective comes across as judgemental, when that is almost never the case.
As for OAMC, cultivate a friendship with a restaurant person. The things you want are called “Aluminum Half Pans”. They generally come with lids are are just plain dirt cheap to the restaurant. Many larger cities have restaurant supply companies who exist to supply the needs of local restaurants “on the fly”, as we say in that industry. If all else fails, I bet local bulk “club”-type stores carry them.
Love the ideas for a frugal weekend. Linking this post from my own blog.

..enjoy the ride…

By: Margaret Kaser

Margaret Kaser — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:52:29 +0000

There was no ill intent in my statement about religion. My husband is a preacher of the gospel and we are commanded to spread the Word of God to everyone. We do not live under the Old Testament since Jesus went to the cross and was crucified. It is a school master for us but since Jesus went to the cross and was crucified and rose again we live by the New Testament. I enjoy your Simple Dollar and believe me there was no ill intent from me. I was just concerned for your soul as every human being should be concerned for their neighbors soul as well as their own. I apologize if I hurt anyones feelings. Please accept my appologies. Sincerely, Margaret Kaser

By: Brad

Brad — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:47:44 +0000

Oh Jebus.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:55:26 +0000

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming….

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:54:22 +0000

Margaret…
Totally off topic…like your post…
1. Acts 20:7 is a statement, not a command. “We met” Not “You should meet”
2. The command is in Exodus 20:8-11 and it says seventh-day not first day.

By: Jay Cee

Jay Cee — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:06:27 +0000

To: Margaret Kaser: Is that really any of your business? Maybe you feel it’s your “concern”, but really, another’s worship/spiritual life is not your business. Just worry about bringing yourself to God’s table on Sunday. Let this guy live his own life.

By: Margaret Kaser

Margaret Kaser — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:21:33 +0000

Just wanted to make a comment. I enjoy reading your blogs but you have left one very important item out of your frugal week-end. Where did you go and worship God in the morning on the first day of the week (Sunday). We are commanded in the Bible to meet around his table every first day of the week. Acts 20: 7. That should be your first priority on Sunday, and then to live for Him the rest of the week also. You have a young family and I believe that you should be teaching your children about God and Jesus as well. Just wanted to share some of God’s word with you. In Christ’s Love
Margaret and Wayne Kaser

By: Alli

Alli — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:59:47 +0000

As for the questions about freezing lasagnas, etc., there are a ton of websites devoted to “once a month cooking”. (The concept of OAMC is to cook in bulk and create your own “fast food” for less than you would otherwise spend. For someone trying to make healthier choices, it’s also great to be able to control what is in your meals.) To freeze a casserole with liquid, (ex: lasagna or enchiladas) you could do one of 2 things: 1. Line a glass baking dish FIRST with foil (leave plenty of excess around the edges so you can “wrap up” and seal your meal, then SECOND, line your foil with plastic wrap (same excess) and finally fill with your casserole, layering as you normally would. Seal your plastic wrap around it, then completely seal your foil, creating in essence a packet. Place entire glass dish, wih sealed packet still inside, in the freezer until it is solid, then pop out your foil-sealed meal, and stack in your freezer. Label! When you want to defrost it, remove the foil and plastic wrap from your frozen meal, and place back in your original baking dish to thaw (or bake for a longer time from a frozen state). (OK, that was only the first, most complicated version, which I do.) Option #2: Buy disposable foil trays at a dollar store, assemble your meal inside, and seal with foil. Label.

By: Titika

Titika — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 19:57:50 +0000

I’d just like to say that I’m really impressed with your blog in general. You seem to have made such a huge and important change in your life so that you focus on the highest priorities. If you continue living as you describe in this particular post, I think you will live a long, happy, and prosperous life.

By: Sabrina's Money Matters

Sabrina's Money Matters — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 19:57:34 +0000

I’ve been so busy these past few weeks with a new job, and haven’t had the time daily to catch up on the feeds I’m subscribed to, so after working some overtime this morning, I have been reading through the latest of the last few weeks. Good stuff!

Thanks for this, my husband and I have a hard time figuring out how to cook a lot for later and still want it later, lol. That’s a great idea, one of our favorites is Tuna Noodle Casserole, lol.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 13:40:20 +0000

The whole baroque cycle by neal stephenson is excellent, i also highly recommend cryptonomicon, if you haven’t already read it.

By: Alex from Personal Finance Views in the UK

Alex from Personal Finance Views in the UK — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 11:08:18 +0000

I think your weekend sounds lovely. Just spending time, talking and carrying out practical tasks with loved ones can be such fun, precious time. I worked most of yesterday (Saturday) but my husband cleared out a load of old bike stuff, put the best bits on eBay and binned the junk – very cathartic and useful economically – while today we’ve been out for a walk together and are about to have lunch with his mum. While we were walking, we were reflecting how great it would be if Sundays could be like they were when we were kids: all the shops shut, so no one could shop, and most people spending the day with their families. It’s good to dream, and at least your family – and mine, and hopefully others – are trying to recapture that.

By: Soni

Soni — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 01:59:57 +0000

Question – where do you get all the pans for freezing the casserole and lasagna in? Or do you freeze, then remove, cut and bag? Or what?

In my mind, both the casserole and the lasagna appear to be too structurally fluid to maintain hull integrity if depanned in their natural condition.