The Non-Consumer Advocate

1. My family indulged in an evening of Popeye’s takeout when my sister’s family was visiting. (They had a $5 deal which included two pieces of chicken, two sides and a biscuit, so it really was an amazing price!) I have a ton of leftover whipped butter packets as well as various “dipping sauces” including buttermilk ranch dressing. I used three of the ranch dressings for tonight’s salad, which caused my younger son flipped out from how delicious he thought it was. I’ve been using the butters for scrambled eggs, and will likely have enough to last a couple more weeks.
2. I took my sons to see Kubo and The Two Strings this afternoon. Because we chose a matinee in a local theater, the price was only $7.50 per ticket, plus we were able to walk from the house. The movie was beautiful and since Laika is a local production company, I was supporting a hometown business.
3. I cleaned one of my mother’s guest cottages yesterday and brought home an almost full canister of Hershey’s cocoa powder. The chore itself was particularly odious, so my mother tipped me an extra twenty bucks.
4. I submitted another Clark Howard article and proposed three new article ideas.
5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet.

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

Katy Wolk-Stanley

{ 67 comments }

1. My refrigerator had developed an impressive echo, so I stopped at The Grocery Outlet this morning, where I purchased four huge bags of groceries for a little over $50.
2. My husband and I finally sat down this afternoon to plan out our September budget. It’s another five paycheck month for the two of us, so it was an enjoyable job.
3. I stopped at the library to return books my sister had checked out during her visit. I was able to score the newest Anne Tyler book from the Lucky Day section.
4. I cooked a batch of white bean soup, which I spiced up with a leftover tube of soy chorizo from my sister’s visit. Very yummy and super frugal!
5. My mother, sister and I stopped into the pay-by-the-pound Goodwill Outlet on my sister’s last full day in Portland. For the low, low price of only $16.40 the three of us bought:

• One chair back cushion.
• One twin contour sheet.
• Two glass storage containers.
• One pair of Ralph Lauren shorts.
• One Pyrex lid.
• One Ikea store tub.
• One Crystal candle holder.
• One mini-blinder cleaner.
• One vintage canning funnel.
• One pair of wool socks.
• Silkscreening fabric.
• One Talbots jacket.
• One Forever 21 tunic top.
• One pair of Hanna Andersson pajama bottoms.
• One pair of H&M jeans.
• One pair of “STS” blue jeans.
• One T-shirt.
• Vintage recipe cards.
• One reproduction 1953 Queen’s coronation saucer.
• One box of plastic archival sleeves.
• Did not buy the “So You’re going to be a Big Sister” book.

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

Katy Wolk-Stanley

{ 52 comments }

1. We took a day trip to Hood River, Oregon to watch the amazing kiteboarders and enjoy the town. Although the lunch was pricey, the rest of the day was quite frugal and featured my husband gleaning a wall bike rack from a literal pile of garbage.
2. We stopped after lunch for some “walking around coffee.” I was about to accept the paper cup, when I suddenly remembered that I’d brought a reusable mug, which was in the nearby car. Luckily it was a serve-your-own coffee situation, so we caught this before a cup/lid was used. My husband and sister had also packed reusable mugs, so we were all able to enjoy zero-waste beverages.
3. We’d initially planned on staying a few nights at the Oregon coast during my sister’s two-week visit, but then realized that none of us welcomed the expense. Instead we planned a few day trips, (beach, mountain, gorge) which have been very enjoyable without the cost of a motel. This plan has justified some lovely restaurant meals which still leave us with more money in our wallets than if we’d stayed the night.
4. I stopped into the Boutique Goodwill in Hood River, but didn’t buy anything. I zipped over to Fred Meyer this morning to buy milk, butter, tea and bananas and only bought milk, butter, tea and bananas. (Seriously, it’s always a frugal win when you stick to your list!) I received payment on some Clark Howard articles, I keep re-listing all my Craigslist listings* and I just learned that my younger son’s dorm bed will be a regular twin, not “twin-XL” size. Much easier to thrift for!
5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet.

* I sold a comforter/sham set as a direct result of re-listing my Craigslist ads. It was one that I’d gleaned for free from a garage sale leftovers pile a few weeks ago.

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

Katy Wolk-Stanley

{ 107 comments }

1. Okay, this is likely the MOST FRUGAL THING I’VE EVER DONE, so wait for it . . . My sister and I found out that Duran Duran was playing an outdoor concert on the Portland waterfront last night. I drove us down to the area, where we circled the area over and over (and over) again with the windows down. We sang along, we danced in our seats and I worked very hard to not hit any drunk pedestrians. (Of which there were many!) They played Rio, The Reflex, Girls on Film, as well as many other songs, and I got to hear Simon LeBon say “My name is Bon, Simon LeBon.” Sigh . . .
2. I took my son to a University of Oregon incoming student event, which included tons of free yummy food. Unlike the other parents, I enjoyed a full free meal that included delicious marinated veggies, gourmet cheeses, meats and tropical fruits. I then used my free work perk bus pass to take myself home while my son met up with his cousin to hunt for Pokémon.
3. I brought home two desk lamps from last week’s garage sale leftovers excursion. Unfortunately, they both needed new specialty light bulbs. I went ahead and put them on my curb with signs about how they require new bulbs. It wasn’t worth it for me to buy the bulbs, but it might be for someone else.
4. I listed some garbage picked baby shower invitations on eBay, I took notes for a Clark Howard piece, I worked one day, I confirmed that I’m track to work 800 hours this year, which will qualify me for a $1.25 per hour bonus for all of 2016, I updated my online budget and I relisted all my Craigslist listings,
5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet.

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

Katy Wolk-Stanley

{ 62 comments }