Five Frugal Things

by Katy on July 22, 2016 · 61 comments

eBay American Girl doll

  1. I worked Wednesday and Thursday and brought leftovers on both days. I drank the free crappy coffee, as well as the free lovely tea.
  2. I checked to see how many hours I’d worked in 2016 to ensure that I’m on track to work at least 800 hours over the course of the year. (I’ll get a $1.25 per hour bonus in January for every hour worked in 2016, but only if I work more than 800 hours.) I’d worked 482, so I should be fine, although I’ll look again towards the end of the year to see if I need to pick up a few extra hospital shifts.
  3. I ignored yet another e-mail from my son’s University making sure that we apply for student loans. Not going to take out any students loans! Instead I’m working, selling, writing, scrimping and saving. (Needless to say, my sons are working as well.)
  4. I refreshed a couple of Craigslist listings, edited my eBay American Girl doll listing, submitted another Clark Howard piece and appreciated that the rain watered all my outdoor plants.
  5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet.

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.”

Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Twitter.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Instagram.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Pinterest.

{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }

Mariana July 22, 2016 at 2:08 pm

Small things do add up:
1. A HUGE gift box of goodies arrived at work. After a couple of days just before we left today at 3pm there was still plenty of fruit left. No takers. I ended up with 3 apples, 2 oranges and 2 pears.
2. I also took the actual basket that the goodies came in! It would have ended in trash otherwise. It is so nice, it could actually be used as a basinette. So lovely.
3. Free crappy office coffee for me as well.
4. Today it has been my fifth week at my new job and I ate lunch out only ONCE. I am so proud.
5. Did not do any grocery shopping this week, except milk, eating out from fridge and pantry even though T. mentioned on Monday that we have ‘nothing to eat’. After he said that I was still able to cook 5 dinners win enough leftovers for lunches out of what we had.

Reply

Tiffany July 22, 2016 at 2:40 pm

I am so in awe of your goodwill! Mine charges like 14.99 for a banana republic skirt..

Reply

lauren July 22, 2016 at 7:18 pm

so does mine 🙁

Reply

Mariana July 23, 2016 at 7:31 am

Haha. Yes, same here, or probably even more.

Reply

Joyce July 22, 2016 at 2:43 pm

1. Bought new innards for non flushing toilet, installed same. Saved at least $50.00!!
2. Nothing to eat in the house last nite until I mixed up frozen Italian bulk sausage, can of black beans and a can of corn n peppers. Pretty darned good.
3. Returned unused dog shampoo to the store.
4. Got a free luncheon nosh at my volunteer job.
5. Didn’t buy the new Tesla, keep driving my 04 Toyota,

Reply

Isabelle July 23, 2016 at 1:09 pm

I also drive a 2004 Toyota (Echo). They are the best!!

Reply

A. Marie July 22, 2016 at 2:51 pm

FFT, Running on Fumes but Practicing Gratitude Edition:

(1) Drought here in Upstate NY is entering its seventh week. Apart from about three 20-minute showers, no significant rain here. I know this won’t impress you Californians, but we aren’t used to this yet. However, I’m conserving water any way I can: collecting condensed water off my AC, bucket-flushing the upstairs toilet from the bathtub, etc.

(2) Glad we put in solar panels a few years ago, so that running the aforementioned AC isn’t a source of guilt. Believe me, the AC hasn’t been optional lately.

(3) Considering Bambi-burgers after several deer incursions into what I thought were well-protected tomato plants. But I’m reminding myself that the poor creatures are desperate–and redoubling my protection efforts. (Goldang it, they can’t have all my Italian Heirlooms!)

(4) Grateful to have had an uneventful mammogram today, and even more grateful for the efficiency of my imaging office. (In at 7:30 am as a walk-in with a scrip from my doctor, home by 8:10 am, and notified of results at 9:30 am. Can’t beat that.)

(5) Went thrifting this afternoon for the first time in weeks, but couldn’t find anything I could even remotely persuade myself I needed. Did buy a Flax brand jacket for $3.99 as a Christmas gift for a friend. Scores like this keep me out of the malls on Black Friday.

Reply

Bee July 22, 2016 at 2:53 pm

1) I stayed home all day yesterday. I cooked 2lbs of black beans and 5lbs of shredded chicken to freeze and use later. I made a batch of granola to use up some almonds and flax seed. I cooked my remaining CSA veggies from last week for dinner last night before this week’s delivery came.

2) I booked a flight to visit a family member using loyalty rewards points.

3) I exercised at the Y this week because it is too hot to run outside. I brought my refillable water bottle and my own towel which saves $$$$. It is so hot I am actually taking my refillable water bottle nearly everywhere.

4) We are helping our daughter move this weekend, so we borrowed a truck rather than renting one.

5) I picked up my medication using my HSA. Love paying with before tax dollars.

Reply

Bettypants July 22, 2016 at 3:06 pm

1. Discovered our Secretary of State now accepts appointments, instead of just the lengthy “take a ticket” system. Massive improvement which allowed me to fit in that errand on my lunch hour instead of driving into town on my day off.
2. Spent $5.68 on a can of Rustoleum oil rubbed bronze spray paint. My outdated brass fireplace doors and surround is now transformed.
3. Sold a dress and another lot of Boyds Bears on ebay.
4. Selling on local FB boards can get so frustrating. Buyers who don’t show up, or back out with thin excuses. But I had two nice meets yesterday and took in $37.
5. Sorted through my Christmas bins, and tossed several strands of lights, and made a pile of items to sell.

Reply

Krystal July 22, 2016 at 3:18 pm

Love the debt-free college plan. My husband and I did it as well (both from VERY different financial backgrounds.) I am so thankful we approached our debt-snowball several years without student loans, and learned from the start how to work hard and hustle.

FFT:
1. Our vet surgery center we selected prepared a line-item estimate for our dog’s surgery on Tuesday. I found a couple hundred dollars we could save, and the clinic said they will help us make it happen. We will pay cash by using money leftover from vacation and some of our emergency fund, as this is not a “monthly-bugetable” item and a wee bit urgent. We will not go into debt and our dog will be pain-free, back on all 4 legs.
2. I came home from a 4-day work trip to find my husband didn’t touch the leftovers from the dinner we had right before I left. I had them for lunch and they were tasty.
3. I will wait until the very last day possible for my fuel reward at Safeway so I get more bang for my buck when I fill up there with the .10/gallon discount.
4. My husband mentioned that when he picked the car up from the oil change, they recommended some maintenance that I’m certain we have under warranty from a repair months ago. I will spend this weekend searching my records filed away to make sure we get it taken care of, for free.
5. This weekend will be spent doing free things, which means housework and yardwork. We have had pretty uneventful weekends this summer in order to make vacations and pet medical needs happen. Our home really needs some TLC!

Reply

Krystal July 22, 2016 at 3:19 pm

“several years *ago” in that third sentence there.

Reply

Mand01 July 22, 2016 at 3:25 pm

1. I stomped my foot with the retailer of the fireplace we were buying after none of the tradesmen they referred turned up for a whole week. I threatened to cancel our order altogether and wait until next year – it’s only 6 weeks until Spring after all. He knocked $1000 off the price and made one of the tradies come out that night. Unfortunately we have chosen the wrong fireplace so it may have all been for nought, but still- how to save $1000 in one cranky phone call.
2. We are having trees removed and got two quotes. I used the first, insanely cheap quote to leverage a $300 discount on the other. The first quote was cheaper but I didn’t trust them. There’s such a thing as too cheap. As in ‘so cheap I can’t possibly have insurance.’
3. I’m still laid up with my sore back so my husband has been doing all the cooking. Luckily he is a good cook. We have had one night of takeaway the whole time I have been laid up, and that was last night when he was at work and I was not up to cooking. I wish I did, because it was terrible.
4. It’s tax time here and we are both receiving refunds, which will pay for the tree removal. Last year our refunds also paid for tree removal. The people who owned the house before us had no idea about gardening, and planted huge trees right up against the house. It has cost thousands to remove them. Thank goodness for tax refunds!
5. By having a week in bed I have not spent any money. I guess that’s frugal, but I’d rather be up and about!

Reply

Jennifer July 22, 2016 at 5:12 pm

3. Sorry about your back. I have been there myself. I’m impressed that you haven’t been eating takeout. It seems you already know it takes rest and patience to heal. Good luck to you!

Reply

Mand01 July 23, 2016 at 2:40 am

Thank you- today is the first day I have been up and about. I’m feeling very tired now though!

Reply

Vivienne S July 22, 2016 at 3:55 pm

It hasn’t been the most frugal week for me, but I’m committed to being flexible and getting back on track as soon as I can!! (I fight that little voice that says, “If you can’t do it perfectly, you’re failing.”) SO, on the winning side:
1. I shopped Goodwill for some toys and was SO thankful to spend less AND have the toys be in less (zero) packaging, compared with what they’d have come in if I bought new.
2. I’m watching the Crossfit games online for free and using my gym membership to the max. Working out is cheap, HEALTHY of course, and fun. And I don’t use machines, so no electricity used. Bonus!
3. I passed along this month’s National Geographic magazine to our babysitter. Love sharing and using resources well!
4. Filling up the ol’ water bottle a lot. Free, necessary and satisfying.
5. I ate leftovers this morning, cleaning out the fridge before we travel. Feta cheese is a miracle! It’s the perfect addition to eggs, soups, garden veggies, etc. It could be that I’m in love with it because it’s the only dairy I eat. Yummmm.
6. Yes, 6. I went to a friend’s neighborhood pool for free today. Took the babe. She loved it!

I just want to say the world needs more thoughtful and resourceful people. I’m so glad to know you all exist out there!

Reply

Mrs. Picky Pincher July 22, 2016 at 4:02 pm

That is so, so awesome that you aren’t taking out loans for school! You’re really setting your kids up for success. 🙂

1. This weekend for funsies I’ll be making a loaf of challah bread for the first time. It doesn’t hurt to have frugal hobbies. 🙂

2. I will attempt to sew my white cardigan for work. I have the fabric cut out but I’ve been too nervous to start the project!

3. Tomorrow we’re going grocery shopping and we’re on track to have $8 taken off of our basket automatically, thanks to some loyalty coupons. I’m not always the biggest fan of coupons, but these really work out in our favor!

4. I’m purging our apartment this weekend for items to donate or sell. Hopefully we can make some money selling items on eBay and put that money toward the house fund.

5. Mr. Picky Pincher is changing the truck’s oil himself, instead of taking it to the mechanic.

Reply

Kim from Philadelphia July 22, 2016 at 4:41 pm

1) My new position at work allows me zero time to be tempted to eat anywhere other than a quick bite at my desk, which I brain with me. Water from the water cooler, coffee at home before work then refills are free in the office.

2) I figured out a low cost way to keep the weeds away in my planting beds. Before adding mulch, I spread out newspaper sheets to act as a biodegradable barrier. By the time the paper degrades it will be early Fall and weeds won’t be an issue.

3) I had several bags of hot dog and burger buns left over from a BBQ. I really don’t like them frozen then defrosted for burgers and dogs- just never seem the same. So I chopped them up into chunks and froze them, to be used specifically for French toast casserole. It’s an easy and delicious recipe, and I’ll have plenty of bread for several large pans.

4) We’re having a reunion of childhood friend this weekend in celebration of our 50th birthdays this year. To keep it cheap (after all, it’s really about spending time together!) we’re headed to the house of one of our friends. We’ll have 2/3 meals there, then go out for an inexpensive dinner at our favorite pizza restaurant Sat night. We’ll drink mostly water. We’ll walk on the boardwalk, talk, enjoy her hot tub and read- all free activities.

Reply

Jennifer July 22, 2016 at 5:15 pm

3. I freeze buns often. When I toast them after thawing them my family likes them a lot better. Makes them seem fresher somehow.

Reply

janine July 22, 2016 at 7:30 pm

Thanks for the French Toast Casserole Idea. My family doesn’t like thawed hot dog and burger buns either. Also I may start toasting them instead of relying on the microwave to bring them back to freshness.

Reply

Jennifer July 23, 2016 at 7:02 am

I live in the south and grew up eating this hot dog bun pie. Kinda like a bread pudding and we always have these ingredients on hand.

http://www.food.com/recipe/hot-dog-bun-pudding-custard-266241

Reply

Betty Winslow July 23, 2016 at 7:44 am

I soak the leftover buns in water or milk and use in meatloaf mix….

Kim July 22, 2016 at 5:39 pm

1. We have been frugally re-landscaping part of our backyard. We’ve replaced rotting landscape ties with sculptural landscape blocks that our neighbor no longer wanted. We got several hundred from him at no cost. He was going to take them to the landfill so he was glad we saved him a trip. We were happy to not pay $1.87 plus tax for each block and not have to figure out how to haul them home from Home Depot. We have built 2 trellises to grow grapes using 4 posts we bought and lattice and finials I got from 2 different freecyclers a while back.
2. This project has meant pulling out the ornamental grasses we had in the spot to stabilize the area. I put them in buckets and sold them for $5 each on our FB yard sale group page. I’ve made $35 this week selling them. College fund!
3. Sold an Iris storage drawer unit for $15 on FB page also. I found it next to the dumpster behind the Hancock Fabric store that closed last week. I washed the dust off, listed it and sold it that same day. College fund! I also snagged a white board that I will clean up and list.
4. Been doing as many mystery shops as a I possibly can. I will do 10 tomorrow interspersed with my errands.
5. Found cans of Del Monte pineapple marked down to 25¢ each at Big Lots. They have a BIUB date of 7/29/16 so that’s why they were so cheap. I will use them in smoothies, popsicles, bread and sweet and sour sauce. I bought a dozen cans.

Reply

Amanda July 22, 2016 at 6:49 pm

1. I had to make a trip into the big city, so I invited my sister-in-law to meet up for some Pho. She was too quick for me and grabbed the bill. I took the leftovers for lunch the next day.
2. My co-worker splurged for doughnuts this morning. It’s very rare and we appreciated it all the more.
3. My chickens have stopped trying to hatch out eggs and are again laying eggs for us to eat! Yay, no more freeloaders!
4. I am selling off some of our livestock. Tonight, I sold a doe goat that has never been able to have kids. Again….no more freeloading!
5. My ebay listings were popular and I sold 6 things this week. The post office was very happy to see me so many times.

Reply

K D July 23, 2016 at 3:40 am

1. I hit the Easy button the other day and bought a rotisserie chicken at SAM’S Club. It had provided many meals this week.

2. A friend invited me to swim in her pool a couple of days this week. What a lovely way to cool off.

3. I went with a friend to an orchard to buy peaches. They also had a 1/2 bushel of apples for $14.

4. A couple of people have mentioned the STARZ show Outlander recently. I put a hold on the DVDs from the first season at the library.

5. It will be hot this weekend which will likely keep us close to home.

Reply

Chris July 23, 2016 at 4:00 am

1. Got an offer of 5 sets of white lights we need to light up the backyard for our daughter’s upcoming wedding – free! I’ll pass them on post-wedding.
2. Found out about a FB wedding/resale page. I have a 1957 wedding dress that has been in my house for 4 years when a friend was moving and was going to throw it away. It’s been on craigslist – on and off – the whole time. Going to try on the FB page.
3.Husband cancelled a golf game for yesterday – saving us the fees. He has been playing a lot of golf and decided he needed to take a break – yea!
4. Wanted a waffle iron and saw one at Value Village for $8.49 but passed. Went back yesterday and found a smaller one for $4.49 – perfect!
5. It’s been so hot, I have stayed in the past 4 days but for one run to the grocery store and VV (see #4). Read lots of library books!

Reply

LisaC July 23, 2016 at 4:03 am

I sold my dress on usedweddingdresses.com. You ship it to them and they mail you a check. I got 250 for a 1984 dress that is honestly no longer in style, and the young women in my family didn’t want it.

Reply

Chris July 23, 2016 at 4:13 pm

Thanks for the tip! I’ll look into it.

Reply

Is it a need or a want July 23, 2016 at 4:48 pm

You can see if your city has a chapter of ” Angel Gowns” or a similar group.
They make outfits from wedding dresses for stillborn babies.

Reply

Ellen July 26, 2016 at 7:30 am

just looked into this and they send you to another site to list it yourself. How you describe how you sold your I like much better.

Reply

LisaC July 23, 2016 at 4:01 am

1. Hosted my club for this month. Took the planning slow, hit sales for cheeses, dips, crackers, fruit. Made some apps from my garden and made a good dessert from scratch.
**Why was I embarrassed when someone loudly announced the crackers were store brand and named the price? I actually thought they looked fancy, but I’m mad at myself that I felt embarrassed.
2. Leftovers were turned into chicken salad and other meals.
3. Took an inventory of the freezer and meal planned. I found it odd that I have 4 lemon cakes! They were on sale/marked down at various times. Now, if I’m invited anywhere, I’m bringing lemon cake! Maybe with strawberries and whipped cream?
4. Saving the wine from the club that was left over, going to give as gifts.
5. Took home some trinkets from work left over from a promotion, going to give them to my visiting nieces.

Reply

Gina in KY July 23, 2016 at 5:47 am

Amazing. Who in the world pays that close attention to a cracker! Don’t you worry about it one bit. Maybe the person’s hobby is price matching crackers. (sheesh!)

Reply

Ruby July 23, 2016 at 8:33 am

Oh, my word! That was unforgivably rude of her and I’ll bet you that the other members thought so too.

Reply

LisaC July 23, 2016 at 9:41 am

I kind of jammed when she said it. The funny thing is that I brag about thrift purchases… this might have felt different because some of the ladies go all out, and I didn’t want them to think that I was trying to take advantage of them and be cheap when it was my turn. Peer pressure I guess?

Reply

rjr July 23, 2016 at 12:52 pm

So rude! Crackers are crackers, what does it matter? Your idea for the lemon cakes sounds great!

Is it a need or a want July 23, 2016 at 4:53 pm

Maybe she was commenting on your awesome find and wanted the group to know where they could get them also.
Yep, the first time that happens you replay answers in your mind.
“Yes, they sure are a great find and go well with such and such a cheese or dip”.
College fund score:)

Reply

LisaC July 24, 2016 at 7:49 am

Y’all are so nice! 🙂

Reply

Kim July 23, 2016 at 4:29 am

F.F.T…..I try to have five frugal things everyday, it really helps me stay focused. Some are big wins, some small, but they all keep me going!!
1. Continued eating from home…didn’t spend any money on groceries…getting pretty creative with the recipes and clearing out what is already there. Don’t know how thrilled the fam is, but no one is complaining to me and they are eating.
2. Listed and sold multiple things on FB site. All extra monies are going to pay down the mortgage. We are focused on crushing it by the end of 2019.
3. Checked out a couple new movies from the library for weekend entertainment. I hope Kung Fu Panda 3 is good.
4. Son volunteered at skate night and was able to skate for free, but happier that he wanted to help out.
5. Spent the evening with family on the beach watching the sunset and visiting.

Reply

Jill A July 23, 2016 at 4:51 am

1. Picked up a check from the consignment store this week. Only three things didn’t sell. I’ll put those in my garage sale.
2. Had my mother over the other day. We swam in the pool, I made chicken salad from the previous nights leftover chicken, bought some crossaints to put them on and we went out for ice cream. Cheaper than lunch out for four of us.
3. Made an appointment at Costco for my daughter to get her glasses and contacts. The frames there were $300 less than similar ones at the place we usually go.
4. Reading free books on my kindle and watched a movie on Netflix with my husband.
5. My daughter goes to our local university and she has decided to live at home this year, saving thousands.

Reply

Kelly July 23, 2016 at 5:14 am

LOVE reading all of these! Here’s my 5…

1. Spent yesterday going through 3 younger boys closets, triaged all clothes and shoes, treated stains and switched all of it to the next smaller kid’s closet. Then did an inventory of what what still needed to start school and it’s a pretty short list! Yip!

2. Cleaned out frig, including veggies from vacationing neighbor, chopped them all up, sauteed in olive oil with salt and pepper. Served with scrambled eggs and toast for dinner. Everyone loved!

3. Set a child’s basketball chair (from above room cleaning) out at end of driveway and put a $20 sign on it. Sold last night to neighbor.

4. Needing more laying hens to keep up with egg customers, I called a friend to see if she had any to sell. We bartered a partial payment for my homemade soap and honey! Love when those things work out.

5. Made jam with free blackberries growing on our property.

Reply

janine July 23, 2016 at 5:53 am

Back from vacation and must hop on the frugal bandwagon with a vengeance!
1. A good friend’s sister died. She has limited means. I will give her and her son a ride downtown to the bus station so they can take the overnight bus to another state.
2. I will also put together a zip-lock bag of fresh veggies to snack on the way that can easily be stashed in her purse.
3. Son made enduring this nailing heat easier last evening by treating us to a Greek restaurant dinner, thus saving on my grocery bill – will have planned dinner food today.
4. Taking oriental rug in for cleaning – will clip cash and carry coupon for a 25% savings.
5. Invited down to a friend’s place on the river for boating and lunch. Another friend felt she couldn’t take that much time off so we will get together for an expensive restaurant lunch – frugal fail alas!

Reply

LisaC July 23, 2016 at 7:01 am

I think friendship is the most frugal and valuable resource we have. I love helping others save money, and they help me. Best of all, we have the friendship.

Reply

janine July 24, 2016 at 7:19 pm

I agree with you. Friendship doesn’t have a price.

Reply

Vickie July 23, 2016 at 7:12 am

We’ve been on vacation, so it hasn’t been cheap, but we have been food frugal and enjoying the the fun.
1) We rented a VRBO cabin at Beaver’s Bend for 3 nights and had a blast. Much cheaper than a hotel.
2) We shopped for enough food to do us through our stay and only ate out twice. The night out in Austin left us with wonderful leftovers that fed us for 3 meals. My best friend loves to cook, so we had healthy omelets for breakfast every morning. Hubby grilled steaks one night and we ate glazed carrots and sweet potatoes. It was awesome!
3) We hired a neighbor to feed and take care of our animals, thus not having to kennel the two inside small dogs. Very frugal for us.
4) I shopped at the grocers when we got back yesterday and my friend is cooking for us this week too. She loves to cook. Hallelujah! I’m on clean up duty. I can handle that.
5) Tonight we’re going to a cookout one of my coworkers is putting on. My friend baked a pie and the rest is free dinner. Food & fun – it has been a wonderful vacation!

Reply

Emily July 23, 2016 at 8:35 am

1. After doing half of my grocery shopping at Harris Teeter for 2 years, I finally found the elusive discount produce cart! I bought a bag of apples and a bag of zucchini for under 3 dollars. Brought them home and made applesauce and bread the same night! YUM

2. Last night was date night, wore a like-new dress I scooped up for 1 dollar at a re-sale store, got free parking in the city, drank the beer on special, and split a little flat bread pizza. 20 dollars total, nice night out.

3. Sold the little plant stands I grabbed off the curb a few weeks ago as well as an Ikea chair I bought 3 years ago for my room in college. They still sell the same one, and I sold it for 20 dollars more than I paid for it! = Travel fund!

4. Continuing to coupon and stockpile some things for the school year when I’m too busy to mess with coupons. Also sending a care package to a friend who just graduated from PA school, but is awaiting his licensure and is tight on cash. I will have to pay to ship it to him, but everything will come from my little stockpile of goodies. It’s nice to be able to help out a friend, frugally.

5. Will work on re-finishing my dresser (its taking forever since its so hot out). I sold the matching side table so it was about 50 dollars + paint and stripping agent, had most of the other supplies. It’s so expensive to buy furniture new, or even refurbished now, so even spending 100+ dollars seems like a bargain, plus I want it painted to match my up-cycled side tables and the pallet headboard my boyfriend made me for Christmas 😀

Reply

NaiveOrBrave July 23, 2016 at 8:46 am

*yeah* I am also saving for my travel fund!

Love that you’re using your stockpile to help out a friend in need!

Reply

NaiveOrBrave July 23, 2016 at 8:43 am

Lets see if I can come up with five… More failing lately. Bought summer shoes, a magazine and even a sparkling juice for a bus ride…

1. Eating out of the cupboard the last couple of days as planned.
2. Returned bottles to the store and walked up to an employee as the machine was only crediting part of the money.
3. Drinking tea instead of coffee so I won’t have to open a new box before going on vacation and have more fresh coffee sitting in the cupboard when coming home.
4. Bought a couple of items for a friend living overseas who I am meeting in a third country that I can get here for about a fourth of the price he would pay at his place. He is bringing things that have a good price where he lives.
5. My parents are going to take me to the airport, saving taxi costs (I would use public transport but will not be able to carry my luggage as it will include a bicycle in a box), got a free box for my bicycle at a store and put money on the credit card which allows me to withdraw money overseas without being charged.

(hopefully 6. Someone wants to pick up some sheets I really really don’t like anymore on Tuesday. If they turn up… They were bargaining, telling me that was all the money they had. I was so tempted to suggest to them to rather buy food and not sheets if that’s the case…)

Reply

Ruby July 23, 2016 at 8:44 am

1. Even though it’s a much hotter summer than last year, we’re managing to stay below last year’s electric usage by lowering the blinds and using fans in the rooms where the A/C doesn’t circulate as well.
2. Rather than to spend a lot on our 30th anniversary earlier this year, we put money aside and bought tickets to Cirque du Soleil, which we’re using today. Experience, not stuff. 🙂
3. Dried an entire rack of laundry overnight and had extra stuff on hangers suspended from the laundry room cabinet handles.
4. Got brave and trimmed the layers back into my hair. I did it a little bit at a time over several days, so it looks good.
5. Brought lunch and drinks from home to work all week. Did not buy the on-sale bedspread I’d been eying because frankly, we don’t need it, even if it is pretty.

Reply

NaiveOrBrave July 23, 2016 at 8:48 am

Oh, Cirque du Soleil! I am sure you will love it!

Reply

Ruby July 23, 2016 at 9:15 am

We went several years ago to one of Cirque’s shows in Atlanta. It’s one of those things worth seeing every time there’s a new show on tour.

Reply

Rowen G. July 23, 2016 at 10:09 am

1. Retrieved two Rubbermaid Adirondack-style lawn chairs that a neighbor had put out for trash-pickup. They’re a bit faded, but quite sound, and I’d been wanting a few more chairs. These are wider than the ones I had, which will please some of my friends.
2. Continuing to pick my blackberries as they get ripe. There are so many this year, I’m starting to freeze them for a future pie.
3. Found a very nice vintage Celtic-patterned pewter whiskey flask at an estate sale – perfect for my sister’s birthday in September.
4. Received a check for $56 for a book I had on consignment with a rare-book dealer. (Into the savings-stash.)
5. Found a quarter in the parking lot. Not huge, but it adds up.

Reply

Kristen July 23, 2016 at 11:32 am

Do let us know how your American Girl auction turns out!

Reply

Katy July 23, 2016 at 11:35 am

No bids yet, but I’m patient.

Reply

Katy July 23, 2016 at 1:45 pm

It got a bid!!!!

Reply

NaiveorBrave July 23, 2016 at 9:21 pm

Lovely!

Reply

rjr July 23, 2016 at 1:14 pm

I have been on vacation this week so not as frugal as I would like. Having said that I was frugal in some ways-
1. I forgot moisturizer so my niece gave me some in a plastic cup instead of buying more.
2. We had cocktail hour at the rental, (on a lovely deck) 5 out of 7 nights with beverages, cheese, crackers, nuts ect
3. We grilled dinner 3 nights, made breakfast and coffee 4 mornings, and took picnics to the beach 3 days.
4. I didn’t buy any souvenirs except an insulated pitcher that will be useful for beach visits for years to come. Plus got a free Scout bag as a carrier due to the purxhase.
5. Bought gas at the least expensive gas station for the ride home.
5.

Reply

Gina in KY July 23, 2016 at 1:59 pm

1. Bought two packages of corn tortillas at Aldi for 25c each (clearance cart)
2. Hit a few thrift stores that were having 50% off with my mother. I was selective in my purchases (basically only bought 1 pair of black pants for work, a nice steel pan to replace a lesser quality one, a sun dress and two pretty swing top bottles for the homemade limoncello I make and gift. Total spent $8.03).
3. Needed to take care of a rental property in another city and am staying with family while in town (air conditioning is on them this weekend! 🙂 )
4. My own house is empty this weekend (kids at their dad’s and dogs are at a friend’s house), so I turned off the air conditioning. I bet it is blazing hot in there today.
5. Pruning my own trees (again!) to please invasive insurance company who hates trees. I’ll leave at this positive thought because the rest completely pisses me off.

Reply

Isabelle July 23, 2016 at 3:57 pm

* Got a new (used) Miele bike for my daughter, for 25$ (plus whatever cost for a new seat, so about 35$). SIL is paying for it since she broke the old bike sitting on it. New Miele kids bike are around 200$tx!
* Got a bag of clothes (20 items?), a coat and 2 pairs of shoes for the kids at a yard sale for 17$. Googled the one pair of shoes when I came back because they looked high quality, and they are from Nordstrom and are worth 65$! Yay! I love getting a bargain on quality stuff
* Skipped the ice cream today, while hubby and kids indulged. Saved 5$.
* Meet with friends and their kids at a park today. Brought our lunch and spent 3 hours chatting while the kids played, sooooo nice!!!!!
* New book club next week. Got the book at the public library, meeting is at someone’s house, and the only cost is an appetizer to share, which will be something super easy like develished eggs or something.

Have a great frugal day!
*

Reply

Heather July 23, 2016 at 6:11 pm

What would happen if you poured out the bad pot of coffee and made new each time you were on shift? Ask if the hospital can get a Keurig they everyone could have fresh coffee the way they like it!!!

Reply

Katy July 23, 2016 at 9:46 pm

Keurigs are terribly wasteful, and we do make fresh pots of coffee throughout the day.

Reply

sarah m July 24, 2016 at 9:52 am

1. planning a vacation to maine with my boyfriend. We’ll be camping and hiking around baxter state park, so cheap accommodations and entertainment. we’re taking the train (was cheaper than flying by a long shot)and renting a car as splurge but the vacation fund i’ve been paying into each month can easily cover this.
2. i work long hours, and have been eating out out of convenience, but trying to curb this habit because it becomes a decent amount of my paycheck. I cooked rice salmon and veggies that i’ll pack in individual tupperwares for lunches. and I baked (and froze, it gets moldy fast in the summer) whole wheat herb bread again, and i fried up plantains to keep around as a snack- they were 3/$1 at save-a-lot.
3. in a similar vein, i ate up the last of my zucchini soup and bread from last week to keep it from going bad.
4. continuing to track expenses on youneedabudget and seeing some savings accumulate.
5. keeping my AC use minimal. last electric bill was not much higher than in the spring, though to be fair, i used a space heater at times.

Reply

Bethski July 24, 2016 at 6:54 pm

1. Cleaning big time this weekend – boxed up several things for a garage sale and/or to take to the thrift store.

2. Had to hire a plumber on Friday for pipe back-up due to roots, called in sick so lost a sick day. Called around and even found a few coupons on the internet prior to calling the companies. Ended up going with a company who didn’t offer coupons but the price was still cheaper by $30 then the other company I originally wanted to go with. Downside is plumber had to run a ton of water to make sure it was cleared out – lots of flushing and ruining of multiple faucets.

3. Daughter spent the night at a friends and they treated her to a movie she has been wanting to see- super nice! I did spurge and got take out dinner for me – I got a pasty which she would totally hate and had a Netflix marathon – Orange is the New Black part of the second season.

4. Used Discover bonus money to purchase a new antennae for the tv for better reception.

5. Lots of rain today. Have 5 plastic buckets out by the garage, should have collected enough to water several of my perennials and tomato plants. 🙂

Frugal non wins –
1. air ran constantly all week/weekend, super hot! 🙁
2. Lots of water use watering plants/lawn and all the water used while the plumber was here.
3. Also not drying the clothes in the house anymore, adds to much moisture and the rack I bought for drying inside and/or out always gets blown over outside (even though I weigh down the legs with bricks) and I end up re-washing clothes.
4. Just plugged in on a timer my porch clear twinkle lights set for 8:30 – 10:30, not frugal but I decided I need something to cheer me up – Happy Christmas in July everyone! 🙂

Reply

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: