Five Frugal Things

by Katy on November 4, 2016 · 73 comments

Goodwill

  1. I listed my thrifted Griswold cast iron pan on Craigslist. I paid $9.99 and am asking $50. I love this pan and would be happy to keep it, so I’ll stand firm on the price.
  2. I threw half a bag of pinto beans into the crockpot in anticipation of burrito night. A delicious meal, yet extremely frugal.
  3. I stopped by Goodwill this afternoon to pick up some craft supplies that had been put aside for me, in anticipation of a TV spot I’ll be doing in a couple of weeks. I took a quick trip into the store and scored a great little $1.99 gift for my sister’s upcoming birthday. I’d share what it is, but she’s been known to occasionally read the blog.
  4. My mattress pad was always bunching up and coming loose at the corners. I started looking online for a replacement one that would work better with our thick pillow top mattress, but then realized that we could actually make our bed up without a mattress pad. It was a huge ah-ha moment for me, and I have to say that I love not having to wrestle the damned thing into place all the time. $50 saved.
  5. I transferred a big chunk of money into college savings today, I gave a canning funnel to a friend as I had two and she mentioned that she needed one, I updated our budget, I returned those rancid almonds, I stopped into The Grocery Outlet and scored some lovely cheap groceries, I raked my own yard instead of paying a landscaper, I set aside a coupon for a $19.99 oil change/car wash, I wore thrifted clothing and 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.”

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{ 73 comments… read them below or add one }

Mand01 November 4, 2016 at 11:45 pm

1. Spent the afternoon weeding and planting petunias. Tomorrow I will plant the rest of the petunias, lavender, and chillies I bought today.
2. Making Vietnamese soup with homemade stock for dinner and baking chocolate chip cookies for dessert. We are using onions and herbs from our garden.
3. Listening to my daughter and her friend make homemade Hogwarts House badges for their school fete while I sip a homemade espresso on the couch. Her friend just said “My parents are such Muggles, it hurts” 😀
4. I’ve been buying dried fruit for the Xmas cakes – I’ve got enough stored up now to make my traditional dark fruit cakes next weekend. I make these for friends and family each year and they are always popular. I start buying the fruit in September, so it is not too expensive in one hit.
5. I am considering vegetarianism. My youngest daughter is vegetarian. I’m not an animal rights activist but I’ve been told by someone who has first hand knowledge of the working conditions in meat processing facilities – I’m not sure that I can support that industry anymore. A plus will also be the financial savings.

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Gina November 5, 2016 at 4:15 am

Another plus to a vegetarian diet is it’s better for your health. Once you make the shift you will wonder how you ever ate meat.

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Deniseq November 5, 2016 at 3:31 pm

Think of it as giving up animals’ flesh, which is what it is.

I feel better both in body and spirit cos of giving up meat and seafood.

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Emily November 5, 2016 at 9:04 pm

This is still pretty unclear. If it is for moral reasons , sure. There is evidence for both sides though whether vegetarianism is truly better for your health vs incorporating lean meats. It is also very dependent on your individual body chemistry. I know that my body does not do well without animal protein. Something to consider, but no harm in trying.

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Gina in KY November 5, 2016 at 5:21 pm

The other Gina agrees with Gina. I feel so much better as a vegetarian and it gets easier and easier the longer one stays on it!

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Mand01 November 5, 2016 at 6:19 pm

I’ve been vegetarian before- for about five years, when I was younger. I stopped during my second pregnancy and didn’t return to it. I enjoy vegetarian food but have no real ethical problem with eating meat as a rule. I do have some ethical concerns with the way we produce high volumes of meat for mass consumption. I need to think about it some more – I have many allergies and an iron deficiency that will make a full vegetarian diet difficult.

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janine November 6, 2016 at 5:20 am

My compromise with other members of my family and my own preferences is to limit meat consumption. I have heard the arguments both ways and this seems to work for us. Love occasional steak, and seafood, but try to regard them as ingredients rather than focus of the meal.

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tonya parham November 6, 2016 at 5:29 pm

Tonya here agrees with both Ginas. I have been vegetarian, vegan, and omni. I have to say, the less animal protein I ate, the better I felt.

For every one pound of soy that a human could eat, ten pounds are fed to a cow for one pound of cow flesh. That’s not frugal in terms of how we treat the earth and we are killing the planet because of it.

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Mand01 November 6, 2016 at 5:53 pm

I definitely can’t be a vegan – I have tried that. I’m allergic to all nuts and coconut and I found it too difficult to stick to a vegan diet because too much relied on those foods.

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Jennifer November 5, 2016 at 3:43 am

1. I was craving a peppermint mocha at Starbucks yesterday – bad! But I knew that my parents are visiting from out of state today and we will go out for coffee and chat. I delayed my want until today and it will be that much more enjoyable sharing it with them. Otherwise I would have gone twice and I try to limit my trips to Starbucks to just weekly dates with my husband.
2. Received a $10 off $10 purchase coupon to the Jockey Outlet and a $10 off $25 purchase at Kohls – both of which will be used to score free or cheap Christmas presents.
3. Speaking of Christmas I plan to go through what I currently have for my kids and plan out what else I want/need to get. This will help me keep my spending in check this year as we are keeping things very small this year.
4. Used our CC to pay for the $1200 car repair my kids’ car needed. We have the cash to pay it in full, but get no discount from the mechanic for doing so. So I enjoy the points on my travel rewards CC.
5. My husband worked as many world series games as possible earning us tax free money towards our children’s sports. Around $1000 in total just for the playoffs and WS. We will funnel the money we normally use to pay for sports into the car repair account and the college fund, as 2nd semester tuition is due next month.

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LisaC November 5, 2016 at 3:45 am

1. Went to a friend’s son’s high school football game, free date with friends and DH.
2. Bulked up some canned soup (of course, bought on sale w/coupon) using celery. It was better than I thought, and filling.
3. Returning 2 impulse items to Staples today, waiting for a coupon to repurchase.
4. Staying in this weekend, planning for Christmas, using inventory bought all year and making lists. I love lists.
5. Planning to give each adult child something meaningful I’ve saved from their childhood as one of their Christmas gifts.

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Bee November 5, 2016 at 2:20 pm

I love your 5th frugal thing. At my niece’s baby shower, her MIL gave her a baby blanket and a few baby clothes that my niece’s husband had worn. Very sweet.

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LisaC November 5, 2016 at 3:06 pm

Last year, my daughter loved the gift: I saved a recipe card that her late grandmother had written, and framed it. This year I plan to give her a poetry book that we read together just about every day.

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michelle November 5, 2016 at 3:59 am

long time reader .. still waiting for you to buy the lear jet 😉

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Jill A November 5, 2016 at 4:05 am

1. Called my insurance company. I had gotten a Dr. bill for something that was supposed to be covered. I saved myself $400.
2. Picked up a few things at the Meijer sale on my way home from visiting my Mother saving myself an extra trip. I bought some soup and the coupon machine spit out a coupon for more soup. I went back in and bought 6 more cans, saving myself another $2.
3. The weather has been warmer, so the furnace hasn’t turned on much this week.. I have it set at 62 during the day when everyone else is gone. I’m heating myself instead of the whole house.
4. I purchased a new pair of slippers with a $10 coupon, I was a little miffed that they came attached to a thick piece of plastic. Then I realized I need a trowel that I can throw away to fill cracks in my driveway. Guess I’ve got one now.
5. My daughter received free high school transcripts for signing up for a service at school. We haven’t had to pay to have her transcipts sent to the Colleges she has applied to.

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Dmarie November 6, 2016 at 7:47 am

impressive, Jill A! especially love that you eagle-eyed your insurance & will repurpose a throw-away!

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Lucy November 5, 2016 at 4:19 am

1. We have been eating from the pantry to save up money for the enormous farm insurance bill coming up.
2. I did pick up a few turkey dinner items, all loss leaders.
3. I got a free turkey as a random gift at the grocery store checkout for being customer number whatever that day. Love my locally owned grocery store! (Local being a relative thing, as I live in the boonies.)
4. I got 10% off plus a gift card for another 10% at the farm supply store on a purchase of regularly used supplies. I actually bought half what I intended to get so I can use the card on the second half. Sadly, the card can’t be used the same day you get it.
5. I was able to stack 2 coupons to get 15% off the cat food for the barn cats at another farm store.
6! I did a short survey and was rewarded with a free download of a book I had been wanting to read.
7! I made sure the garbage and recycling bins were crammed to the top by cleaning in the garage.

And one fail: my kitten has made off with several items, including my watch. I tried going without and it just isn’t workable for me, so I bought another (cheapo under $10 watch). Many other things are missing and we can’t figure out where she is stashing them.

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LisaC November 5, 2016 at 6:40 am

Look under the fridge and the sofa. We have a stick/thin dowel that we use to sweep under both every once in a while and I’m surprised at what comes out! All from the cats.

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Gina November 5, 2016 at 6:49 am

Yes! I found my watch under the fridge after my mother suggested I look there. Kittens! Adorable and mischevious!

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tonya parham November 7, 2016 at 7:16 am

Look under any furnture– washer, dryer, chest of drawers. Mine swat stuff into the strangest places. And everyone of them is over 3!

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Lucy November 7, 2016 at 11:16 am

Yes, The Stick and I have made several sweeps under everything, and no watch but plenty of other things, some from the previous cat!

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Bettypants November 5, 2016 at 4:44 am

1. I stopped bumping my albums on FB boards, as I needed a break. As a result, I only sold 3 things in October. Started adding items and bumping albums, and sold $50 of stuff this week, and have two more sales pending for Monday.
2. Bought a set of collectible salt & pepper shakers for $5 from a local FB board and sold them for $28 on ebay.
3. Made a batch of applesauce yesterday with all the elderly apples.
4. Ebay sent me a promotion for a bunch of free listings, so I relisted a bunch of my losers. Sold a children’s book and a cookbook.
5. Picked up my holds at the library. Forever thankful for our fantastic library. I get so much use from that place.

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Rosie C November 9, 2016 at 10:09 am

“elderly apples” brought a smile to my face. thank you! 🙂

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Emily November 5, 2016 at 4:48 am

1. My dad gave me 100 dollars to take my boyfriend out to dinner for his birthday. He knows we rarely treat ourselves, so it was a kind gesture. Still, we went and bought a piece of prime grade steak, veggies from the farmers market, and some ingredients for Moscow mules, totaling less than 30 dollars. The rest will go into our spain fund for next summer.

2. I have been picking up items here and there for the kids I am taking care of for Christmas. Really haven’t spent much yet.

3. Scoping out some Black Friday deals because not everything pops up at goodwill, even though I’m quite lucky at fulfilling my own needs from there.

4. Wrote to a local quick food place that we received from yuck meals from. They sent us free meal vouchers we will use today.

5. Taking advantage of a Hyundai promotion, test drive a car and get a 50 dollar gift card! Hello Christmas gifts!!!

6. Accepted 2 dog sitting jobs (same dog different week), both before Xmas. Nice and easy cash, and I love having a little furry thing to come home to. She is tiny and really no bother, I can’t believe someone pays me for it! But frugal on their part too, to board a dog for a week is insane in my area, around 500!

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Denise November 5, 2016 at 5:14 am

1. I am trying to do a “no spend” this month except for a few food items I need for Thanksgiving.
2. I took home leftover chicken and steak from work that no one else wanted.
3. We were invited over to a local restaurant owner’s house last night for a meal he prepared.
4. Used the last of a gift card to eat at a local Mexican food restaurant.
5. I sent my mom an Amazon gift card for her birthday which I earned using some credit card points. Her card came from Dollar Tree for fifty cents.

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BJS November 5, 2016 at 5:51 am

1. Walked for another hour with my speedy friend. Free exercise and therapy (since we talk the whole time), and it was really pretty outside. My doctor had said to increase my walking and I’m following her advice.

2. Made an appointment for fasting blood work on a day I have off from work. This is also part of what my doctor recently recommended I do.

3. Scheduled delivery of our water heater for a day I was off this past week, so I wouldn’t have to miss work. The water heater was free because my husband remembered that our old one might still be under warranty, I had miraculously filed the receipt in the right place, and the old one failed within the 12-year period.

4. My husband installed the water heater himself last night. It didn’t make for a fun Friday evening, but the company who delivered it had told him it was $500 something for installation. I agree with the others on here who’ve said that a handy spouse is super-frugal.

5. Took another meal to a dear friend who had a death in her family, and doubled the recipe for my family. So two meals, but one period of time for the oven to be used.

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Adrienne November 5, 2016 at 6:51 am

I cut everything off of the mattress pad except for the pad itself. So no sides or elastic. It lays flat on top of the mattress and there’s no bunching- just like they used to make them. i have also used a quilt, sized to just the top of the mattress without hangover, between the sheet and the mattress. Manufactures want us to buy into everything!

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Anna-Catherine November 5, 2016 at 7:21 am

Katy,
I use the corkscrew type upholstery pins to keep my mattress pad from shifting. One on each side of the corner, on the side of the mattress has worked for several years. Just don’t forget they are there when you try to remove the mattress pad. With 2 boys under 3 mattress pads are necessary around here.

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janine November 5, 2016 at 1:35 pm

This is a very good suggestion. Just pulled our mattress pad back into position – it always comes loose!

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Bee November 5, 2016 at 2:31 pm

There are little straps you can get to hold your mattress pad in place. I just saw a set at an estate sale.

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Mariana November 5, 2016 at 7:44 am

1. Resisted a (very strong) urge to go out and eat last night. I had an exhausting week at work coming home late every night. Our fave Tuc Tuc in Long Osland City is only $24 per two (with what we are always ordering) but after all I prefer to spend it on a bag of groceries at Trader Joe’s rather than a one time meal out. I ended up cooking at home.

2. So far this month I spent money only on groceries. (I want to keep it that way)

3. Using up pantry food before buying more staff (we have no storage in our tiny apartment so all needs to fit in one cupboard basically.

4. I’ve almost finished sewing a skirt for one of my nieces. Using up fabric and thread I already have.

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Nancy Drew November 5, 2016 at 7:58 am

1. Found organic strawberries at $3.97/lb., the lowest I’ve seen. I bought 4 lbs, and made scrumptious jam.
2. Roasted and pureed lots of sugar pie pumpkin (home grown) for the freezer – 40 cups of it. Like Katy I freeze in 2-cup portions in bags.
3. Spent $12 on consignment store white pants as part of DD’s homemade Halloween costume. Washed them and will take them back to same store to sell them.
4. Grocery store offer was spend $250 and get $25 in store points. I don’t usually buy that much at once, but bumped it up by also buying Halloween chips, and all the dried fruit and nuts I will need to make fruitcake.
5. DD said she needs more clothes. Instead I re-organized/tidied her closet so she can see there are actually lots of choices in there. No shopping required.

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Mand01 November 6, 2016 at 12:19 pm

Love making strawberry jam. Nothing smells or tastes like it.

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Betty Winslow November 5, 2016 at 9:15 am

1. Started using the long rubber bathmat I bought (to use in the tub when I soak) for daily use when I shower. Frugal? Well, a fall in the shower would be costly in several ways!
2. Hubby made butternut squash soup for dinner and part of the recipe called for half a box of vegetable stock. He was going to throw the rest away (!!) but decided to use it to replace the water in the recipe. Turned out great!
3. Went to check out a friend’s daughter’s booth in a local pop-up boutique (held in a favorite coffeeshop) and didn’t buy anything while I was there!
4. Remembered to download the Friday Freebie from Kroger yesterday. I finally figured out how to remember: I tear out the portion of the ad that tells you what the week’s download is and put it next to my computer (which I’m on every day). On Friday, I download it and then clip the ad bit to my grocery list for the coming week. Voila! Not only remembered to download, but remember what I get free and when!
5. Bought a grown-up coloring book a while ago (mandalas of nature) that I decided I didn’t like. Decided to enclose it in the care package of books and snacks that I’m sending a friend’s little girl who is sick and needs distraction. Saved me from buying something else for her and she likes to color, so….

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Ruby November 5, 2016 at 10:04 am

1. After a very hectic month with a horrendous work project and a sick husband, I finally remembered to print out coupons before going to the grocery store. Saved $4 easy-peasy that way. Husband is doing great, too.
2. Did all the usual this week: Packed food and drinks from home, wore cute thrifted outfits every day, drove with a very light foot, grouped errands together. 3.Added to my second-hand wardrobe after finding some autumn-to-winter tops on eBay that look great on me and cost 1/3 of what they would at Belk’s.
4. Took advantage of free shipping to order dog supplies and coffee online.
5. Found a bag of replacement dog toy squeakers in my sewing box to repair the first toy casualty of our enthusiastic new puppy. She killed the squeaker in her $2 stuffed toy fox, so I’m about to do surgery on him and put him back in the game.

For those who wanted to see the puppy, her photo is here: http://thethriftyhausfrau.dreamwidth.org/3167.html

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kathleen November 5, 2016 at 11:45 am

I went through our pup’s toys this morning inspecting for damage. Saved the squeakers in a couple goners to reuse in homemade toys.

And your Marigold is a cutie!

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Ruby November 5, 2016 at 12:14 pm

Thank you! She is such a little sweetheart.

Years ago, we had a Welsh corgi who was death on squeaky toys, and I bought a big bag of Kong squeakers to repair his toys. That bag of squeakers outlived him, so it’s nice to put them to use again.

It tickled me that the orange thread I needed to fix her stuffed fox came from a box of stuff a neighbor gave me years ago. All the more subdued colors in that box of free thread have been used up, so there’s lot of hot pink, orange, neon green and purple yet to go.

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Denise November 5, 2016 at 3:45 pm

Ruby

Oh Marigold… love at first sight. She is so lovely! If I wasn’t in England, I’d be tempted to track her down and run away with her!

Sigh…

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Ruby November 5, 2016 at 4:37 pm

Thank you. She is the sweetest, funniest little dog.

Gina November 5, 2016 at 6:44 pm

Ruby, your sweet puppy is adorable! Thanks for sharing her photo.

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Ruby November 6, 2016 at 8:15 am

You’re welcome. We just love her to pieces.

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Bee November 6, 2016 at 12:06 pm

What a cute puppie! She looks as tough she is part corgi or perhaps Sheltie.

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Ruby November 6, 2016 at 12:56 pm

The vet and the rescue both think she’s a dachshund/long-haired chihuahua mix. Eventually we’ll get her DNA tested (it’s a good idea from a medical point of view) and then we’ll know for sure.

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Lindsay November 5, 2016 at 11:29 am

1. I got a last-minute opportunity to tend bar at a baby shower. I made $75 for three hours of work, they provided lunch, and I got to take home half a bottle of wine.
2. I’ve been entertaining myself with novels from the library, either on my Kindle or on audiobook for my commute.
3. I gave my old towels/sheets/blankets (which we have replaced with wedding gifts) to a Freecycler to use for an animal rescue. I also Freecycled some DVDs that I had been unsuccessfully trying to sell for months.
4. Aldi never has turmeric, so I asked my dad to get it for me at Sharp Shopper, the discount grocery store he frequents. He got me two bottles for $1.59 each.
5. We carved a $2.50 pumpkin from Aldi. I roasted the pumpkin seeds for us to eat and pureed the flesh to stuff in my dog’s Kong.

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Kristen November 5, 2016 at 1:05 pm

About the mattress pad…I’ve always used one to protect our mattresses, and since a pad is so much cheaper than the mattress, it’s felt like a small investment to me. All it takes is one bloody nose, you know? So we all have covers.

Do you plan to just spot clean the mattress? Or does your pillow top have a really stain-resistant fabric?

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Katy November 6, 2016 at 12:11 pm

The thing is that the mattress already has some benign stains here and there, so the damage is already done. No one sees the bare mattress except the person changing the sheets. And let’s be honest here, that person is 99% me. 😉

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Kristen November 6, 2016 at 3:16 pm

Haha, that is true…and as long as the stain isn’t puke, it isn’t going to be super problematic.

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Katy November 7, 2016 at 12:39 am

No, not puke. Puke is not “benign.”

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Bee November 5, 2016 at 2:50 pm

1) We have finally turned off the air conditioning in Florida!!!!!!!
2) I went to an estate sale and had a nice little haul: two pairs of never-worn shoes, an Armani cashmere sweater, a beautiful French linen coverlet, a Fire-King jadeite bowl, 4 black taper candles and a long scarf. Total cost $22.50
3) I sold 3 more things on eBay.
4) I worked a side gig the last several days. I brought my lunch, water, and coffee. But best of all, it was close to home.
5) I am tired and a bit disorganized from working so much, but we have eaten simple dinners the last two nights. However, my hubby has decided that he wants ice cream tonight and So he is off to the store! I guess that is technically a frugal fail, but it’s Saturday night. We are celebrating! LOL 🙂
Happy weekend!

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Bee November 5, 2016 at 2:53 pm

Oh boy, excuse the typos. I am really tired.

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lauren November 5, 2016 at 6:05 pm

I’m so jealous of your sale purchases, they sound lovely!

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Gina November 5, 2016 at 6:47 pm

Wow, congrats on the great deals at the estate sale! I recently purchased an Armani cashmere sweater at a consignment for $30 and thought it was a bargain. Your entire lot of goods cost less! Good for you!

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Susie's Daughter November 5, 2016 at 4:06 pm

I haven’t posted my FFT’s in a couple of rounds, but I love reading everyone’s posts. Keeps me on track.

1) These two weeks are birthday central in our household as Dear Wife and DS are one week apart. We had DS’s friend party today and although it was not as frugal as it might have been I was more mindful than I would have been before. Cake mix on great sale, homemade frosting, seltzer for punch from our fizzy water maker etc. I am going to call it a win.

2) Gave DW an experience bday gift and we saw Alvin Ailey II last night, which was amazing. A huge coup for our local arts scene. And I was able to get tickets over a month ago which means a 20% discount for advance sales.

3) Have been in need of new work clothes and found Anne Taylor dress pants and a fancy Coldwater Creek sweater with tags on both at our local thrift store last week. $10 for a brand new outfit!

4) I am back in PT again – one year after badly breaking my ankle. I am calling it a “tune up” to readjust the ways in which my body has compensated for the ankle recovery over the last months. I pay a $20 copay per visit, but I am viewing it as an investment in my ability to do more, lose weight, feel better etc. I also just ordered a swim suit to add pool workouts to the regime.

5) Renegotiated our PetPlan insurance for our woofer, made a payment to principal on our truck loan, and started squirreling away bits of cash to pay for the Christmas tree and other holiday expenses.

6) Eating from the freezer in order to have room to store a bargain turkey when the big sales happen.

Happy Weekend to the Frugal Faithful

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rebecca November 5, 2016 at 4:42 pm

1. Making macaroni and cheese for meals and freezer from ingredients I have. All the ingredients were purchased on sale.
2. Will bake my halloween sugar pumpkin for muffins or soup and the seeds for a snack.
3. All my clients showed up yesterday and this morning.
4. Bought gas for $2.09 a gallon yesterday after not buying gas for a week and a half.
5. Will bake mushroom quiche from ingredients on hand. I realize my posts are a lot about food but it saves me so much money to focus on it. I work until 9 or 9:30 3 or 4 nights a week and it helps so much to have stuff in the fridge and freezer so I don’t get take out or eat everything in fridge while I cook because I am so hungry.

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Denise November 6, 2016 at 5:19 am

I know what you mean; My posts seem to always be food related!

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JD November 5, 2016 at 4:59 pm

This is weird. I’ve never had a mattress pad shift or bunch up. I must be lucky because it seems it’s common.
1. My thrifted navy loafers are starting to give out on me. The soles are cracking and I’ve had to glue the heels back twice. Today I was in Goodwill and found another pair of navy loafers in a good brand for $6.99. I always spray the inside with disinfectant.
2. Took my dogs to the vet clinic/shelter fundraiser. I know several people there as well as my vet of course . We have fun and a good cause is helped. And the nail trimming is cheap!
3. Split a package of locally raised beef stew meat and made a pot of stew in one crockpot and some beef and veggie soup in the small crockpot. Meals for two days plus freezer meals all at once.
4. We potted some seedlings to watch over the winter and plant in the spring.
5. I cleaned my own house and weeded my own flower beds. Not fun but cheaper than hiring it out.

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VanessaKC November 5, 2016 at 5:04 pm

1. It is still abnormally warm here, and we haven’t had a first frost! Still picking tons of peppers and herbs. I’ve got so many pepper infused oils, frozen and jars of salsa tgat I strung up several dozen to dry old school. I’ve never had enough to do this and they’re quite attractive. I’ll have enough crushed atomic pepper flakes to last until 3000.

2. The boy was ill for 2 days this week. While at home, I cracked a pound of pintos to both eat and freeze. (Must incorporate peppers in as many dishes as possible!)

3. Sold an old bus for my dad on Craigslist. He’ll throw me a nice commission and it’s one less old vehicle to winterize. (Assuming it will eventually get cold.)

4. Donated a trunk and backseat of things my son has outgrown and/or no longer cares for. This doesn’t earn me money, but frees up space. I like to think that donating nice stuff might earn me some thrift karma in the future.

5. Plan to spend tomorrow jacking around in my garage, cleaning and removing parts from my bug. (Not spending $)

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VanessaKC November 5, 2016 at 5:10 pm

Sorry for the typos.

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JoC November 5, 2016 at 5:13 pm

Whew! i joined your fb group for a few days but left. This blog group is much nicer. Glad to just be here.

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Elizabeth November 5, 2016 at 5:14 pm

1. Was gifted an almost new Nuetrogena anti wrinkle day and night cream (about $15 each) by a friend who couldn’t use them. Same friend treated me to lunch unexpectedly.
2. Found some nice shirts and sweatshirts for father and father in law for Christmas at TJ Max on clearance.
3. Listed a number of things on eBay. I think I currently have 23 items listed. 5 just sold. The nice thing is these are things that I already own so, other than the money I spent on them years ago when I originally bought them, I’m not spending any money on them. Decluttering and making money at the same time!
4. Project Use it Up: Kiss My Face hand cream, Olay daily moisturizer, and Revlon foundation. I’m making a point of using the items that I have before I buy new ones.
5. Hanging out with the family tonight watching a movie after eating a homemade dinner. Kids had friends over to play today. Son had his first futsal game. Daughter had a sleepover at a friend’s last night. Easy and cheap entertainment.

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janine November 5, 2016 at 6:58 pm

1. This is definitely craft sale and church bazaar weekend! A friend and I went to an estate sale – purchased only a small sculpture for one son for Xmas. Should look well in his house. Passed up some great jewelry – may be sorry I didn’t splurge a little.
2. Continued on to church bazaar and craft sale. Large assortment of goodies; – decided to figure out how to make their great tasting ultra-thin peanut brittle at home.
3. I drove so friend bought me a church lunch including hot apple cider.
4. We had dinner at home including homemade banana bread, hot dish and green salad. Not in the gourmet category, but good tasting comfort food.
5. No Lear jet due to the fact that my book-buying habit still hasn’t completely been eradicated. Bought a mystery to keep my mind off the coming elections. We have already voted and also done some political work, but it is taking it’s toll!

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Katy November 6, 2016 at 12:05 pm

I wholly approve of mysteries over Lear Jets!

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Carrie November 6, 2016 at 4:37 am

My auto-stash posted to my Stash investment account.

Cheap date at IKEA with hubby: free coffee for us both, BOGO desserts, free babysitting for little ones in Smaland.

Spot cleaned a shirt instead of throwing it in the wash.

Scheduled an energy audit from our EMC company.

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Florencia November 6, 2016 at 7:24 pm

I’ve seen ads on YouTube for Stash. Do you mind sharing your thoughts on it? If you don’t mind, maybe on the Facebook group? So others benefit as well. 🙂

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Jessica November 6, 2016 at 9:57 am

1. I went to pick up a free fish tank that was leftover from a church sale that was held last week.
2. While I was there, I got a bunch of Christmas tins that I will be able to use to give baked goods gifts in.
3. I stuck to my budget at the grocery store
I’m sure there are two others, but I don’t remember what they were.

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Amanda November 6, 2016 at 11:05 am

I have read many a thrifty blog and am on the email list for all of those and more. I have incorporated money-saving strategies bit by bit over the years. But at times, when I’m making more money, I always seem to find myself spending more too when I should be saving. So, I’m going to post here in an effort to keep myself accountable for my frugality choices. I am always so inspired reading everyone’s replies to Katy’s posts! Not that all of them are feasible for me, it’s still wonderful to read about your creativity-so thank you everyone!

Amanda’s Frugal Efforts
* A local grocery had an instore and Facebook only sale on meat for 4 hours this Saturday. I had actually forgotten about it, but happened to be in the store about 10 minutes before the sale started so I lucked out lol. This link is for the ad. https://www.facebook.com/harpsfoodstores/photos/a.296074837098348.65159.116430308396136/1203942629644893/?type=3

I bought 3 packages of chicken thighs, 3 packages of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 family packs of the thick pork chops, 2 boneless pork loins, 2 bone in pork sirloin roasts, and one 10lb. package of hamburger meat which I cooked before parting it out. Everything is labeled and in the freezers!
I also bought 2lbs of navy beans for $.88 lb, 2 pkgs great northern beans for $.88 each and 1 pkg of pinto beans for $.98. Spent approximately $ 72 for all of it.

* I used the Savings Catcher app to scan in a Walmart receipt and received $1.39 back from ad matches.

* I went by my local library and returned an audio book and ordered another from a different library. They will call me when it is ready. I love libraries!

*Went to the movies with my dad, brother, niece, and nephew. Dad paid for EVERYONE’s movie ticket! (It was the discount movies so they were $3 each lol)

*I have begun to use rags and towels to clean up messes instead of paper towels but old habits die hard and I still buy the paper towels, though not as much.

That’s it for this week I think. Keep the inspiration coming everyone!

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Jenny November 6, 2016 at 8:44 pm

I found that a good way to kick the paper towel habit was to move the paper towel roll to a nearby linen closet, or maybe put into a cupboard, top of the fridge, etc, somewhere a little harder to get to, but still accessible when you need them. Then put your rags in a little basket on the counter near where the paper towels were. Then when you automatically go to reach for a paper towel, you can just grab a rag instead, but still go the paper towels for something too gross or greasy for a rag.

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tonya parham November 6, 2016 at 4:13 pm

1. I served as driver to the missus Honor Class when they went to The Farm (a hippie commune founded in 1971 by Stephen Gatskill and several hundred of his followers) because they are studying Utopian/planned communities. Going to the EcoVillage they have was pretty amazing and seeing all the ways they upcycle, use permaculture. I helped with a service project– we built glass bricks, moved plants into the greenhouse, and pulled plants out of the water treatment system they have to store them in the greenhouse) and it very much added to my resolve to live a simpler life with less consumption. I’m not sure I can completely do The Compact but I move ever closer.

2. Because I drove, my visit was free as was lunch and dinner. (Both were vegan.)

3. I gave up soda and have only had water for the last three days. (I did have a ginger beer on The Farm because they are awesome and came with my lunch!)

4. My breakfast and lunch today was potatoes, sautéed onion and mushroom, and “cheezy queso” served in a tortilla. It was so yummy and filling.

5. I did not go out to brunch today or Starbucks, opting instead to write at home where coffee and water are free. My honey has a work dinner tomorrow so I will go get my dinner at Moe’s for $5.55 Burrito monday and use my $2 off coupon. I love their burritos! and I need to go out that way for tahini to make some hummus.

6. Soaking beans tonight so I can crockpot cook them tomorrow.

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Bee November 6, 2016 at 4:27 pm

What a cool trip! I wish I knew more about agriculture.

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Florencia November 6, 2016 at 7:53 pm

I think I’ve read about that commune. So cool you got to go as well!

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tonya parham November 7, 2016 at 8:25 am

Never too late to learn! And the library is a trove of information on farming, organic farming.

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Stephanie November 6, 2016 at 5:13 pm

1. I keep practicing hyper-miling, which others in this group have discussed. But I shut up while my husband is driving, which is why we’ve been happily married for 35 years.
2. I’ve been really enjoying the mixed starter method of making bread, which uses a lot less of expensive yeast and which builds a lot of flavor in the dough. This week, I made a poppy seed flat bread that we ate with soup for lunch and a charcoal grilled flat bread we had with homemade (marked down) turkey sausage and peppers.
3. I have a great no fee credit card from my credit union, where I pay all bills on time. Even though I use my credit card very little, because I strongly prefer using cash, I just claimed cash rewards for $200.
4. I am really enjoying finding out what free/low cost options my community offers for retirees/seniors. I just discovered I can ice skate at the indoor local ice rink for free, year round. Who knew? I discovered this while looking at my city’s website recreation section. I have found five free films I plan to see in November between the public library and our local art theater, where I am a member.
5. I am STILL eating down the freezer and pantry and cooked a corned beef, which we’re enjoying. I also finally used some frozen chocolate cake crumbs…

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Amanda November 6, 2016 at 9:14 pm

1. The only money we “spent” all weekend was a last minute political campaign contribution. The candidate is running for mayor and would do a fantastic job. Plus his campaign has given us several thousand dollars in design business, so we’re happy to give a little back.

2. The baby is just about fully weaned, which means I finally have some hope of losing the baby weight. It usually comes off quickly after I wean if I can get my diet back to normal and work in a few bike rides a week. Getting back to my fighting weight means i can get back in my normal clothes and not buy new fat clothes. Plus being healthy is always a frugal move.

3. My husband and I are eating popcorn we bought at Aldi and popped on the stove. We’re also watching Netflix. If I lived on my own I would never spring $9 a month for tv, but it makes my husband so happy and is significantly cheaper than cable. We’ve saved many thousands of dollars by not having cable for the thirteen years we have been married.

4. November is month three of trying to budget for the first time. I’m not convinced it is going to be worth the time long term, but it has been a fun experiment. I don’t think it’s actually saved us any money yet. We already don’t eat out, and we buy most of our clothes at the Goodwill. We’ll see.

5. My hard working husband worked until five am last night. Watching him put so much into our business is an inspiration. We’re starting to see the payoff, but we’re a long way from loosening the belt.

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