Five Frugal Things

by Katy on October 19, 2015 · 49 comments

Dumpster dove fireplace screen

  1. I stopped in at a local clothing consignment store, as we’ve been down on hangers ever since sending our extras off to college with our son. (This shop always has a basket of free hangers.) I then walked to the back of the store to scope out their purses, as my ancient Queen Bee purse is sadly ratty and torn. The saleswoman asked if there was anything specific I was looking for, and I showed her my purse. She then told me that she had a like-new one she never uses and that she’d sell it to me for $30. (This is a great deal as these purses sell new for $148!) We exchanged information and I’ll stop by later this week to complete the transaction. I’ve been keeping an eye out for one of these purses for a couple of years, so this is very exciting to me. Hooray for patience!
  2. I received a completely unexpected Powell’s $25.11 check from participating in their affiliate program.
  3. I worked 12-hour RN shifts all weekend and brought my lunch both days, which was homemade chicken soup with rice. However, there was a potluck yesterday, so I ended up schlepping my food back home, where it now sits in the fridge and can serve as today’s lunch.
  4. I received a text with a code for a rent-one-get-one-free Redbox code. I used it online for a single free rental, and will walk over this afternoon to pick it up. My son and I now get to watch the new Avengers movie this evening! Hulk smash!!!!!
  5. I brought home a homemade fireplace screen from the dumpsters behind my favorite antique mall. (It was next to the dumpster, not actually in it. Also, is it a fireplace screen?) I’ll bring it it over to my local household stuff consignment store and see if they want to give me a couple of bucks for it. Free money, people! #collegefund

Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }

John October 19, 2015 at 11:18 am

The Powell’s ad showed up on my browser…

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Ruby October 19, 2015 at 11:20 am

It certainly looks like a fireplace screen, or maybe something designed to radiate heat out into the room?

The frugal five:
1. My brother came to visit and have dinner with us last night. Usually we take him out to eat, but this time did the frugal thing and served a home-cooked meal featuring a nice little chicken ($4.61), baked potatoes, spinach, baked apples, and homemade brownies. All very yummy, in season, and very inexpensive, although I did wince at parting with 4 eggs to make the brownies.
2.-4. Cut DH’s hair. Cut DS’s hair. Trimmed up my own hair again. (I approach cutting my own hair in stages, so there’s less possibility of screwing it up.)
5. Am making last night’s chicken carcass into chicken broth.

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Isabelle October 19, 2015 at 11:28 am

* My daughter outgrew her bike helmet. I asked for one on Freecycle and got one in tip-top shape. I would never buy a used one, as it could have been accidented and someone could still try to make a buck selling it, but someone giving it away I’m trusting more.
* I am setting up an office space at home. Was suppose to buy a computer desk for 10$, but the seller ended up giving it for free. And I got an old-school computer screen for free. Already have an old computer, a chair, a mouse and a keyboard, so set-up is complete!
* Daycare is offering a snack everyday at 3h, so I make sure to wait 3h30 before picking up my daughters. One less snack to think about, and more money in my pockets.
* Worked an extra 3.75 hours last friday.
* Birthday gifts for daughter this year : roll-on suitcase that I got for free and decorated with stickers (1.75$) to mask a name written on it, 2 writing pads on clearance at Michaels (0.60$ each) and Halloween hair extensions (1.50$), plus her organized birthday party at home (budget 40$). Keeping it simple and inexpensive, but fun-filled!

Have a great frugal day!

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K D October 19, 2015 at 11:39 am

Katy,

I love your purse solution. I have been carrying a vintage Coach the past couple of years. I paid just a few dollars for it at a church fundraiser (used purses table). I just love it.

I just finished eating some homemade chicken and rice soup.

Five frugal things:
1. We spent time over the weekend moving furniture around. In the process we cleaned out a bunch of stuff, I shredded old files, sorted magazines to share, and bagged stuff for charity pick-up on Saturday. We ate leftovers for lunch and everybody fixed themselves something easy and light for dinner.

2. I received a card worth $18 from KOHL’S on an $18+ purchase. I don’t usually shop there but if I’m in the area I might stop and see if they have socks or underwear for that price, or something else I can donate.

3. I received the text from RedBox with a free rental code. I will see if there is anything interesting to watch this evening.

4. I made monster cookies with ingredients on hand. We enjoyed them yesterday and I sent to rest to work with my husband and daughter today.

5. I asked one of my yoga teachers if she had knowledge of bunion prevention. She sent me a great article.That should make my life better in so many ways: less foot pain, the ability to wear more of my shoes, the avoidanced of medical care.

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Sharon H. October 19, 2015 at 5:43 pm

Please share the link to the article if it’s available online!

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K D October 21, 2015 at 5:34 am
Betty Winslow October 19, 2015 at 11:53 am

1. Clipped the rest of the basil Saturday before the predicted hard frost and made pesto with it today.
2. Clipped some parsley and chives, too, and will be freezing them.
3. Picked up free apples from a neighbor, to make apple crisps for freezer.
4. Dinner tonight will be leftovers.
5. Attended a church meeting with a neighbor who’s trying to get me interested in joining the group she’s part of, and got to see a number of older ladies I haven’t seen in a while, plus free coffee and cookies!

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Bettypants October 19, 2015 at 12:00 pm

1. I sold three items on ebay, including some discontinued perfume that I had bought locally.
2. Put a hold on Spy movie with Melissa McCarthy at the library. I think it just came out.
3. Posted a big stack of magazines, some gloves & hats, and some tote bags on Freecycle over the weekend and all were picked up.
4. Listed a large stack of cement pavers for $10 and someone picked those up this weekend. I like the money, but I’m happier to have them out of our yard.
5. Tried a new chicken soup recipe and really love it. I like trying new recipes, but I’m picky and rarely like them. This was a winner.

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A. Marie October 19, 2015 at 12:28 pm

(1) In addition to crediting patience on the purse deal, Katy, I’d credit your willingness to ask. You might not have gotten that deal if you hadn’t been open to chatting with the clerk.

(2) My purse policy is to carry one and only one hard-wearing bag at a time and use it till it comes apart at the seams. Right now, I’m carrying a large Vera Bradley microfiber bag (microfiber on the outside, standard colorful Vera print on the inside) that may outlast the Great Pyramids. Got it for $16 at one of my local thrifts. Just ran it through the laundry last week and air-dried it, and it came out good as new.

(3) Hard frost and a dusting of snow here over the weekend have done in the tender garden plants. However, I knew this was coming, so I went out just before dusk Saturday and did a final pick of anything I thought had a fighting chance of ripening indoors.

(4) Am taking two vacation days today and tomorrow as much-needed mental health days. The last several projects at work have been wacko, and I urgently required a several-day break. Never underestimate the frugality of a rested brain.

(5) And DH and I took delivery today on the 1/4 cow and 1/2 pig we buy annually from a friend who raises the animals. It was a small steer this year, but a large pig. Bacon galore!

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Katy October 19, 2015 at 12:34 pm

Bacon Galore <--- my sexy name. 😉

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A. Marie October 19, 2015 at 1:07 pm

Do you think Miss Piggy would have been called Bacon Galore if she’d ever been in a James Bond movie?

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Katy October 19, 2015 at 2:06 pm

Why yes, she would have been.

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Jane F October 19, 2015 at 3:48 pm

Thanks for the laugh, A. Marie!

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nicoleandmaggie October 19, 2015 at 1:37 pm

Does this mean you finally bought that jet?

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pattilou October 19, 2015 at 1:39 pm

Funny A. Marie! Now I’m casting an entire James Bond Muppet Movie in my head.

1. We also had our first hard frost so I cut and am drying the over abundance of parsley I had.
2. I finally took the time to cut open all of the almost used up bottles of lotion I had and scoop them all into one container. It really is amazing how much is left in the bottom.
3. A friend made stew yesterday and sent me home with a good container full. I won’t have to cook for the next two nights.
4. I did crack and turn on the heat because it was really cold in my house, but I’m keeping it low and bundling up in warm clothes.
5. Work provided us with a lunch and there were enough left overs for my assistant and I to have the next day.

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Betsey October 19, 2015 at 2:12 pm

1. I was on vacation for 10 days. We cooked in our unit which had a full kitchen, eschewed all touristy stuff, and went to as many free things as we could! Since the unit was a time share which was given to us, we had a great frugal vacation!
2. My neighbor de-leafed my yard with her big rider mower. I supplied the gas. This saved me at least $100 on paying someone to do it.
3. I decided not to “decorate” my home any more. I love my stuff and so far I have not needed to redo anything.
4. I found a recipe for homemade dishwasher soap. Love it!
5. I gave myself mani-pedicures last week. I saved at least $35.

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Amanda October 19, 2015 at 3:10 pm

1. Our washer is giving us trouble again. I guess I should expect that out of an aging, purchased used washer. Our hard working, reasonably priced mechanic is coming over tomorrow to take a look. It’s still way cheaper than a new one that will just die in five years.
2. I bought our groceries for the week at Aldi.
3. Our toddler has started destroying the nipples on his bottles by chewing on them. We have a baby on the way, so I need to replace them. Amazon had them as an add-on item, which means you have to buy $25 worth of Amazon stuff to get them, even if you are a prime member. I concider this ridiculous, so I will be dropping my prime membership this year. Anyway, I found the same nipples for a few cents more online at target. My target card gets me free shipping and 5% off. And I don’t have to go to target.
4. I’m outfitting my temporary, Melissa Mayer-style nursery at school with things I already have or have borrowed. As a grad student I don’t get maternity leave, so I will be returning a week after giving birth with baby in tow in addition to my mom who will be watching the little cutie.
5. I’m cutting the boys’ hair this week and saving cash on cuts.

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Chris October 19, 2015 at 3:50 pm

1. Leaving for DC to see the 2 month old grandbaby – sent the grocery list yesterday with the intent to make 2 kinds of soup, enchiladas, burritos and apple cake for the freezer. When I was there in September, I made 40 servings of food for the freezer.
2. Dug through my daughter’s things stored here to find a Vera Bradley style tote bag for luggage rather than dragging something bigger – I do like to travel light.
3. Packing foil pans for freezer items rather than asking my son to grab them – way cheaper at a $$ store and with a new baby they only do a one stop shop (so the pans would be ridiculously expensive at a grocery store).
4. My husband is working from home on Friday rather than buying a day of dog day care while I’m gone.
5. Washing a carefully selected assortment of thrift store/garage sale clothing for the baby as he begins to move to the 3-6 month size.

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Jen T October 19, 2015 at 4:39 pm

I love your list! I especially love that you make freezer meals for the new parents. What a thoughtful, perfect thing to do! Congrats on the new grand baby

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Lazyretirementgirl October 25, 2015 at 7:21 pm

X2

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Christine October 19, 2015 at 3:53 pm

1. Sold a Fall/Winter coat that I have “outgrown” online… it took more back& forth emails, etc. than usual to find and meet with a buyer but I got my asking price & knew I would due to the level of interest. If I can sell a few other clothing items I never wear I’ll be able to pull the trigger on a vintage coat I spotted on Etsy 🙂
2. Eating through our freezer, as we have an order of pastured pork coming our way soon (and I’m still waiting for my first paycheque after returning from maternity leave….). Thawing freezer chili from August 2014 to have on nachos while I watch the Canadian Election results.
3. Relying on free childcare (my mom) to fill the gaps between daycare closing & my workday ending… and trying to think of a way to thank her for the help!
4. Cutting out birthday gifts for the adult siblings in our families, and doing a draw for Christmas gifts.
5. No Lear Jet this week.

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Jill October 19, 2015 at 4:31 pm

1. I received a coupon in the mail from the car dealership for a free inspection, included a free car wash and a free blue tooth speaker.
2. Won a small prize in a contest, so hubby and I got a free pizza and a 2-liter soda for dinner.
3. Thoroughly enjoying my library books and a DVD.
4. There were two boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the table at work. They were still warm!! It would have been bad manners not to partake 🙂 so I enjoyed a very rare treat.
5. My Donny & Bourk bag that I bought at a garage sale for loose change a few years ago is looking a little sad. I found a nice Ann Taylor replacement at a thrift store, used a coupon, paid about $3.00.

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Kathleen October 19, 2015 at 5:35 pm

I started patching the holes in my daughter’s jeans, and sewed a Halloween costume for my younger daughter.
I resisted the temptation to order all new socks and undies online. Instead I raided my own dresser and dug out my hardly used maternity undies and my old knee socks, which can be turned down and serve as regular socks.
I’ve stard crocheting a Christmas present out of leftover scraps of yarn.
Ate my way through a bunch of leftovers today.

Your firescreen is meant to radiate the heat out into the room. You don’t get to look at the pretty flames, but you get better heat with it.

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That Other Jean October 20, 2015 at 7:01 am

If there’s room enough in the fireplace, could you put the firescreen behind the fire and use it as a fireback? It would still radiate heat into the room, and you could enjoy the flames, too.

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Katy October 20, 2015 at 9:53 am

That might have worked, but I already took the screen t the consignment shop and have an extra $5 for my purse fund.

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Amanda October 19, 2015 at 7:11 pm

1. Friends of ours were given several 4lb bags of recently expired coffee beans by their employer. They gave us one of the bags. We would drink it, even expired, but we have been having trouble with moles again in our yard, and coffee grounds worked to keep them away for several months this summer. I spent about a half hour with a blender grinding up the beans, and another 30 minutes sprinkling it over our yard. Rather than spending 10 or more dollars on coffee grounds to dump, the *just* expired ones were free!
2. Had been looking for leather boots online (no luck in our local thrift stores), but I was having a hard time finding anything I liked that fit (sent several pairs back). I noticed a pair on our local for sale site and asked to try them on. I paid 30.00 for boots worn once — they fit great and I didn’t have to pay shipping!
3. Weekend was cold and got especially cold overnight. No biggie! We just pulled out the winter comforter and made sure the heat would turn on if it got too close to freezing (gotta keep the pipes warm!). No heat for us yet!!
4. Husband made several of our Christmas gifts already for this coming Christmas. I did the staining and choosing of items, and husband did the woodworking. They are picture hangers that allow you to clip various pictures to them without having to change out frames. They cost approximately 6.00 each, and family members will receive 2 a piece.
5. Since we’re on the subject of purses, I bought a vintage Gucci purse in a beautiful mahogany leather for 5.50 at our local thrift store. Best. Purse. Ever.

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cathy October 20, 2015 at 8:14 am

Is there any reason the coffee beans have to be unused? If not, and if you’re not too far from a Starbucks, most locations give away (free) bags of used coffee grounds. They call it Grounds for Gardeners.

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Lindsey October 19, 2015 at 7:31 pm

1. Saw butter advertised for $1.99 a pound so looked for internet coupons for that brand and found 10 for 75 cents off. I bought 10 pounds of butter and froze it for holiday baking.
2. Different store, saw eggs for $1.99 a dozen. (These prices for eggs and butter in Alaska are unheard of!). Limit was two, so each day of the week long sale, my husband and I took turns buying the max each day. We have 14 dozen eggs, which seems like a lot but they last for a long time and I bake almost everything we eat from scratch, and holiday baking is coming up, so we will use them up before they go bad. If that doesn’t work out, I will freeze the remainder.
3. Cut the husband’s hair. His hair is really curly, so hides all mistakes. I did knick his ear though.
4. The husband cut my hair, and did a great job. Twice a year I pay to have it professionally done, to shape it, and in between he cuts it. I tried cutting it myself once, but it was so bad I wore a hat until it grew out and I could get a hairdresser to fix it; good thing it was winter.
5. Usually I get three meals out of a whole chicken, plus some stock. This time I got five meals out of it, using last summer’s garden vegetables now living in the freezer to mask the smaller amount of chicken in each recipe.

The sixth frugal thing was not planned but happened by the grace of someone else. A neighbor needed a day of childcare when her babysitter didn’t show up or call. I am not a fan of babysitting infants; I’d much prefer to babysit a teen! But I was happy to help her. I turned down any payment—what else are neighbors for? Two days later she brought over two loaves of homemade bread and two dozen cookies to thank me. My husband and I were really happy to accept this instead of money because it cost her a lot less than paying me directly would have and I know they don’t have a lot of money.

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Melissa October 19, 2015 at 8:43 pm

Thank you so much for sharing your sixth item. It is absolutely precious from beginning to end!

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Barb @ 1SentenceDiary October 21, 2015 at 5:37 am

I second Melissa’s comment. Neighbors helping neighbors is what life is all about. Lovely story.

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Kim October 19, 2015 at 7:42 pm

1. Got a $10 coupon emailed to me from Staples which had to be used online. Didn’t need any more office supplies so used it to buy a 24 pack of Angel Soft tp for $11.99-10.=$1.99. We were down to just a couple rolls so glad to get it. Picked it up at the store after work.
2. Spent the weekend at the Russian festival in Baltimore. The Ukrainian dance troupe my son has danced with the past 4 years performs every year. He is away at college but I continue to help with costumes. The great thing is they feed the performers Free Russian food all weekend!
3. Found a new rug for my kitchen at the thrift store for $2.90. I’ve been looking for one for quite awhile since my son used my previous one to wipe up what he thought was water on the floor. Turned out it was bleach!
4. Friday was our anniversary so we both took the day off and went to our favorite Italian restaurant for lunch. We started going for lunch when our kids were little so we didn’t have to get a sitter. Plus lunch is cheaper!
5. Spent Friday night helping at sister church to set up and sort donations for free giveaway on Saturday. It’s held twice a year and is in it’s 26th year and I have helped for the past 10 years. I purged 4 bags of clothes and books from my house. Anyone who “works” on Friday night can “shop” that night. Came home with a Rowenta iron, a small Keurig, a pair of sandals and a few books. My husband found some fireplace tools to replace the ones he recently broke.

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Sharon October 19, 2015 at 7:54 pm

1) I made a batch of pumpkin snicker doodles from ingredients on hand. This left m wii

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Debra October 19, 2015 at 9:41 pm

1. I picked up 3 16oz containers of cottage cheese for 25c each at Kroger (sell by date was a week away,) 2 for my vegetarian daughter and 1 for me. I then bought the Kroger brand lasagna noodles because I had the rest of the fixins and made lasagna with meat sauce and spinach (the frozen bag of spinach was free 2 months ago) in the large pan for me and a pan of spinach and diced tomato lasagna for my daughter. (she has a 1 year old and a 2 year old and eats on the fly most of the time.)
2. The previous shift at work had a Go Colts party Sunday and had bought pizza and wings and left us the remainders, so free pizza dinner. I took home the carrots and celery that came with the wings for chicken soup. I will be using the leftover lasagna noodles cut up for the soup.
3. Didn’t go thrifting on my weekend off, saving lots of dollars.
4. Went through my files to weed out the shredable items and found a $53 check I was sent for giving a deposition. (ugh, it was not worth it believe me.)
5. Helped my daughter make a penguin costume for her itty bitty. They are dressing up as Mary Poppins, Burt, Katherine and a penguin for Halloween. We got all the stuff at the thrift store or from out craft boxes so she spent about $10 for all 4 costumes.
5.5. Watched library videos on my days off. Also aired out several quilts on the clothesline, and washed and hung my laundry. I used my dryer once in 3 months.

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Florencia October 19, 2015 at 10:38 pm

1. Just finished writing out my sister’s wedding invitations on my laptop. We are using some cards and envelopes I bought at a thift store for $3 years ago and was saving for my future wedding.
2. Got my sister free engagement and wedding pictures from my tango club friend. He’s an aficionado who’s been doing it for a long time, so the pics look great.
3. I was off at 11:30 A.M. today. It as busy so I stayed until 2 P.M. I also only took a 10-minute paid break instead of the 30-minute unpaid one. I am only scheduled 35 hours this week, so I’m counting on being able to stay later, as we are short personnel.
4. Resisted going to the thift store on the way home (literally two blocks out of my way).
5. Decided what I’ll wear to the wedding: a black wool blend a-skirt, long-sleeved black Loft dress I bought last week at the thrift store. $6. It’s a Halloween wedding, so black is fitting. Cheapest “bridesmaid” dress ever!

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Charli October 20, 2015 at 2:48 am

I was looking for something to surround 3 newly planted trees so my chickens didn’t eat them. Everything was way too expensive at the hardware so I left. A week later I passed rolls of the perfect wire edging on kerb side pickup that someone was throwing out. It was exactly what I needed. My handbag is falling apart and I found a bag I loved at the shop. I didn’t love the price tag so left without it. I found a bag on eBay for $7 including delivery that I love just the same. I’m a happy customer!

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JD October 20, 2015 at 5:31 am

1. My daughter and son-in-law spent the night with us and I cooked too much oatmeal the next morning, not knowing how much they would want. I put the leftover oatmeal in the refrigerator and have been heating some of it every morning to go along with my egg. Oatmeal may be cheap, but that’s not reason to throw it out. An alternate idea would have been to cook it into muffins, but I love oatmeal with cream and honey, so that was my choice.
2. The End of the Eggplant is near, so we are eating lots of eggplant from our garden. I paired it with leftover pork chops and slow-cooked green beans last night, and warmed leftover corn bread. Hearty and cheap.
3. Found a penny in the parking lot and picked it up
4. Called a repairman for the washer. I know people who just by a new appliance without even trying repair. That seems so odd. This repair should cost us about $200 including labor, a lot cheaper than a new washer.
5. Washing clothes by hand or at my daughters. The Laundromat is too expensive.

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Is it a need or a want October 20, 2015 at 6:11 am

(1) Hosted a mending party. Actually about a month ago I had out my sewing machine and did a “quick and dirty” repair to the top my SIL was wearing. Her continued expressed gratitude made me think she had other items. I mentioned she should drop by with her mending and I would repair it while we visited. I sewed simple seam repairs. My SIL has 5 pants and leggings back in circulation. My BIL has the pocket of his pants repaired. This was the simplest of gifts to give someone:)
(2)”What goes around comes around.”
This same BIL is assisting a friend in the purge of his parents home as they have gone to assisted living. My SIL found shoes and outfits. Household items were passed on to my grateful eldest child for her first home.
Three amazing purses were gifted, a lovely evening bag, a lovely wallet and an original Yves St.Laurent bag. The workmanship in this bag is quite outstanding. I have three adult daughters , we have decided to” lend” it back and forth amoung us.
(3) My eldest and her beau were visiting his parents out of town. They passed on two large bags of carrots from their garden. I was delighted and look forward to meeting them.
(4) A daughter works in a school where one of the teacher regularly brings in eggs to sell.
(5) husband needed some new suits. There was a “trade in” for credit when you brought in an old suit the suits were cleaned and given to a charity. In our area They can be donated also for school graduations. I have also gifted them to a friend who worked at a funeral home. They had a great need for them and shirts and ties as they buried many individuals who had limited means.

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Michelle H. October 20, 2015 at 6:32 am

As someone who can’t even manage to sew a button on well enough to stay on through the washing machine, having someone offer to do my mending would be such a blessing! Your SIL is lucky to have you.

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Is it a need or a want October 20, 2015 at 5:23 pm

I made a mistake.
It was a Louis Vuitton bag that was gifted. Then an additional 3 zippered pouch ones that fit into each other(Louis Vuitton) were gifted along with a variety of Italian leather bags(Escada).

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Michelle H. October 20, 2015 at 7:01 am

1. I make good use of my Amazon Prime membership, but if it’s not time sensitive I choose regular shipping to get the $1 promotional credits. Finally had enough to rent a movie last night.

2. I did a fridge/pantry inventory before the new grocery ads come out tomorrow, so I can meal plan based on what we have and what’s on sale. I had some random vegetables to use up so started a crockpot full of Vegetable beef soup this morning.

3. Continue to accept hand-me-down kid clothes from anyone who offers. Last night my toddler daughter went to bed in blue footie pajamas covered in footballs. They’re fleecy and warm, and she loves what she calls her “baseball” jammies.

4. Yesterday’s after school snack was a clean-out-the-fridge smoothie. I had saved the juice from a can of mandarin oranges the day before, and used it to rinse out the last bit of yogurt in a tub. Added a brown banana and a handful of frozen fruit. (I keep a bag in the freezer for fruit we either don’t eat fast enough, or didn’t have much flavor.)

5. I drink about a half pot of coffee most mornings, so I make a full pot and then put the rest in a thermos to drink the next morning. I used to just make half a pot but making a full pot less often saves electricity and filters.

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cathy October 20, 2015 at 8:33 am

Let’s see…
1. Youngest kid had a birthday party last weekend and wanted only to hang out with friends playing video games and eating pizza and cake. One pizza dough recipe made four individual pizzas (one for each kid). Cake was also homemade.
2. For some reason, we didn’t use the numeral candles I bought for my husband’s birthday several months ago. I took them back the store and traded them for the candles needed for last weekend.
3. Enjoying “armchair travel” to Paris with cookbooks, fiction, and mysteries checked out of the library. I’ve always wanted to learn French, so I’m thinking of using online resources a la The Prudent Homemaker’s recommendations
4. Husband purchased a replacement battery for his cell phone and then found an online tutorial explaining how to install it. $8 total. And who knew it was a project to replace a battery??
5. Had a family emergency so my mom brought us dinner a couple of days ago: roast chicken, vegies, salad. My husband took leftover chicken to work for lunch yesterday and today, I just used some of the carrots in a leftover veg breakfast hash, and there are enough leftovers for at least one more meal. I put the chicken carcass in the freezer and will use it to make chicken stock for chili this weekend.
6. Weather-related bonus: We got quite a bit of rain, so we turned off the sprinkler system before the storms arrived. That should do it for the season. And the perfect fall weather has meant no need for either AC or heat.

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Karen October 20, 2015 at 8:54 am

Reading through all the responses I just want to say how supportive, complimentary and positive everyone is of everyone else. That is another reason I love this blog!

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Barb @ 1SentenceDiary October 21, 2015 at 5:39 am

Yep. I love this blog and the readers too!

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Katy October 21, 2015 at 10:21 am

And this blog loves you!

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Vickie October 20, 2015 at 11:00 am

1) 5.00 coupon on for Blue Buffalo dog food – the brand I feed my dogs. Yay! I used it today at the feed store.
2) Tomorrow is grazing day here at work (potluck). So I need to scare up something to bring tonight.
3) I’m thankful for the free Windows upgrade provided here at work for Staff and Students. I upgraded my “new-to-me” laptop I bought at the pawn shop a few weeks back.
4) I love when we empty a box of printer paper here at work. Those are the perfect boxes to throw donations in when I’m purging at home.
5) I received the prettiest handmade, natural plant bouquet yesterday. Someone left it under the wipers on my car in Campus parking lot. I think it may have been one of the landscapers I greeted with a smile and a good morning on my way in. Gotta love random acts of kindness!!

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Stacie M October 20, 2015 at 12:00 pm

Love reading everyone’s lists; so inspiring!

1) Had a friend in town from CT, made potato soup in the crockpot served with bacon crumbles, green onions, and cheddar for topping. Cheap, healthy, tasty!
2) Friend was in town for a wedding, and the couple had her take some of their flowers. She gifted one bunch to me and one to my mom. Beautiful roses! It made my day
3) Today for fun friend and I went out to Goodwill and TJ Maxx for “treasure hunting” I didn’t find anything, but she got a GREAT heavy duty older iron (3$!) that’s been on her thrifting wish list. Plus we had a great time looking, hanging out, and laughing.
4) Threw together some banana chocolate chip “scones” as a snack before she left, using up some sad looking bananas.
5) Used up some so-so bean dip I made for a party in bean and cheese quesadillas for lunch. May not have been very good as dip, but it was great this way! Now it will be used up before it goes bad.

Oh and an extra; my parents recently sold their old laying hens and my mom is really missing them for eating scraps and old bread. She has been saving a bag for me every week to take home to my “girls”. They have been LOVING the stale cheerios/bread/veggies. I love giving them free food!

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Barb @ 1SentenceDiary October 21, 2015 at 5:40 am

I just have to say that purse looks awesome! I hope the new-to-you one comes through.

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