Friday Update: We Ran the Numbers—and She’s Still Standing
Well folks, it’s been about six weeks since I said “to heck with corporate life” and retired at 62 to throw myself into blogging full-time. Bold? Yes. Terrifying? Also yes. But you know what?
👋 I’m still here.
🧺 The bills are paid.
💰 And we’re finishing the month $500 in the black.
I know. I had to sit down too.
This week, I did the thing I’ve been avoiding—I pulled our checking account transactions into a spreadsheet, sorted every single one, and assigned categories like a frugal spreadsheet sorceress. Turns out all that cutting, scrimping, and smart shopping actually did something.
Because of all the changes we made (read about those here: https://therealfrugalist.com/2025/07/16/reduce-household-costs-practical-tips-for-savings/, we didn’t just stay within budget—we beat it.
That’s thanks to:
- Loyalty programs that finally paid off
- Thrifted clothes (and taking in the ones that got too big—tragic, right?)
- Grocery planning like a woman on a mission
- Cutting a few tv subscriptions
- Downgrading our cell phone plans (now that I don’t use it for work, I didn’t need all that)
- And just sheer stubborn determination from yours truly (I really am QUITE stubborn)
Look, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried. I was. But I also knew what I was doing. I’ve always known how to do this. It’s just hard to believe it’s going to work—until it does.
So here’s your reminder from me to you:
✅ Trust your skill
✅ Track your spending
✅ And don’t underestimate the power of a well-timed grilled cheese and thrift store find
We’re not just getting by—we’re building something better. One spreadsheet at a time. (And I might add I am having a lot of fun too)
The Garden Grows & So Do We
We’ve been working our frugal tails off over here, and I’ve got to say—the house is stocked, the shelves are full, and the garden is pulling its weight. I spotted a cucumber this morning (yes, an actual cucumber!) and nearly threw that thing a party.
Honestly, I didn’t think the plants were going to make it. Spring was cold, cruel, and confusing—those poor little cucumber vines looked like they needed therapy. But we fed them, we watered them, and we waited. And now? Blossoms everywhere and the first fruit of the season. 🙌
They’ve got about a month left to produce, and I plan to wring every last pickle and salad topping out of them. Next year, we’re not messing around—hoops and plastic are going up early, because this garden is not a hobby, it’s a mission.
🍽 What’s Cooking in the Frugalist Kitchen?
This week, the menu is looking fine:
- Pork chops (still debating: breaded or smothered… stay tuned)
- Swiss chard sautéed with onions – fresh from the garden
- More summer squash (because of course)
- Tomatoes turning red (finally!)
- And Mr. Frugalist has officially declared it’s time for some fried green tomatoes
– Southern roots, skillet-ready
Also, a shoutout to my nighttime hornworm patrol. I went full garden ninja on those suckers last week and haven’t seen one since. The tomatoes are grateful. I am smug.
🧺 All in All?
It’s working.
The food’s growing.
The money’s stretching.
And we are not just surviving—we’re thriving with purpose.
If you’re looking for me, I’ll be outside talking to the cucumbers and trying to decide if I should can squash or sneak it into something else again.
With dirt under my nails and gratitude in my coffee,
Dagne
The Real Frugalist
