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General Updates

April 23rd, 2015 at 03:22 pm

Just chugging along over here. I've been feeling down lately and really wanted delivery yesterday, but I sucked it up and made dinner. Better for both my wallet and waistline!

SO is fine with me taking out the $790 to pay back to my credit card, so I just need to actually do that. Everything is still on for the pet adoption this Sunday.

Thinking ahead to May, we're going to try and host a barbecue for Mother's Day to introduce our families. Any frugal ideas? We're leaning towards one of the Omaha Steaks packages $60 for a variety of meats, but we'll still need sides, a dessert or two, and possibly some table decorations. My apartment is a little small, so 10 people, a lab, a new puppy, and a cat is going to be crazy, but I'm actually looking forward to getting everyone together. There actually is a park relatively close by, but I don't think there's a grill over there...

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “General Updates”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    April 23rd, 2015 at 03:39 pm 1429803584
    1429803584

    Steaks aren't frugal are they? I love lemon bars for dessert in the spring. An angel food cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream could be yummy, too. Roasted or mashed potatoes go well with red meats. I also like salads or fresh green beens. Smile

  2. debt-free by thir-ty Says:
    April 23rd, 2015 at 04:21 pm 1429806090
    1429806090

    CCF, thanks for the ideas! Steaks definitely aren't frugal, but the pack we're looking at does have 4 steaks, 4 burgers, 8 hot dogs, 4 chicken breasts, and 4 pork chops. I guess the concern is if everyone actually wants steaks...

  3. doingitallwrong Says:
    April 23rd, 2015 at 04:28 pm 1429806485
    1429806485

    Would it be a problem to ask family members to bring sides and desserts, and you provide the meat? Does anyone have a special dish that would work well for a barbecue? Good way to save costs and start conversations -- ask them to bring a few recipe cards to exchange. Most parks around here have small charcoal grills you can use, but there are usually also park entry/parking fees and sometimes grill/picnic rental fees. For table decorations, dollar stores are good, or Target has a "dollar zone" that sometimes has some really cute stuff. (Not necessarily table decorations per se, but cute little containers, buckets, etc. that you could use for utensils, napkins, condiments.
    )

  4. debt-free by thir-ty Says:
    April 23rd, 2015 at 05:27 pm 1429810027
    1429810027

    diaw, I completely forgot about the dollar section at Target! We're trying to host completely since we've never had either of our families over, and SO's family never asks us for anything when we go over there. We do have a grill in our apartment courtyard which is literally outside our door and free to use. There's just not any good place to all eat. We can make our apartment work, but it's going to be tight. The other option is setting up a table in the courtyard, but there are a lot of bees around right now and we don't want to spend the afternoon fighting them for our food.

    You did just make me think though...our complex has a party room that can be reserved and is free for use (they just hold a deposit, but they give it back as long as you don't mess up the room)!I'll have to see if there's a grill right around there, but that would work out well since it also has a pool table for entertaining.

  5. NJDebbie Says:
    April 23rd, 2015 at 08:57 pm 1429822645
    1429822645

    How about a taco bar (with trimmings). I have a recipe that can help you stretch the ground beef. Let me know if you want it.

  6. debt-free by thir-ty Says:
    April 23rd, 2015 at 09:56 pm 1429826184
    1429826184

    NJDebbie, send it on over! It hadn't even occurred to me to do something other than barbecue, but if we end up using the main building's party room, something like that may be way to go! I'm still thinking through everything, but I think SO really wants to show off his grilling skills.

  7. Amber Says:
    April 24th, 2015 at 02:18 am 1429841937
    1429841937

    What about appetizers and wine? You couldld do empanadas, meatballs, fruit, chips and dip. Check out Pinterest as well, I find some creat ideas there

  8. VS_ozgirl Says:
    April 24th, 2015 at 10:02 am 1429869738
    1429869738

    I hope you feel better soon - sometimes all you need is a week where things work in your favour for once.. (This was me this week at work). And I hope you have an awesome Mother's Day celebration Smile

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