The Non-Consumer Advocate

1. I realized that everyone in my family secretly wanted to see the movie Monsters University, so I used the Redbox hold for pickup function to put the DVD on hold. I could have waited until we had a free code, but I figured that $1.25 to entertain a family of four was a pretty good deal. The movie was cute, and I can’t remember the last time that the four of us snuggled up and watched a movie together. It kind of felt like time traveling, as we spent countless hours spent watching Pixar movies when the boys were little. And $1.25 for time travel? Now that’s frugal!
2. My son somehow signed up to referee four soccer games on Saturday. (Hooray for teens who earn their own savings and spending money!) And since there was a break in the middle of the day, I made sure to be smart about having to drive across town. So yeah, I stopped at the Goodwill near the soccer field. I found a few things to resell, including a $9.99 red Dansk enamel Kobenstyle casserole dish and a $12.99 Finel enamel roasting pan. I’ll put these up on eBay, and once again wonder if it’s time for me to open an Etsy store. I also bought a $3.99 large and wonderfully chunky vintage mixing bowl, which I’ll keep. Perfect for fruit, and I am already envisioning how great it will look filled with fluffy mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.
3. My mother has been in the hospital for a scheduled surgery, and I spent a big chunk of time there yesterday. I made sure to eat before leaving the house, and also packed myself some snacks for the day. I did bring my refillable ceramic travel mug, but when I went down to the cafeteria for a $1.25 coffee, they were closed. And by the time they were open again, I was about to leave anyway. I could have used the caffeine jolt, as I am not used to sitting still in a hospital environment, but I did without and saved a buck-twenty-five in the process.
4. I have the most enormous maple tree in my backyard, which is great in hot weather, but a burden come the autumn months. Unlike many Americans, I choose a rake over the loud and smog producing leaf blower. A rake never needs gasoline, and can’t be accused of waking all the neighborhood’s sleeping babies. Rakes may take a bit longer and be categorized under “physical exertion,” but isn’t physical activity a good thing?
5. I received my eBates rebate the other day. I used Priceline.com when booking last month’s plane tickets to NYC, and had clicked through from eBates and was rewarded with a $7.43 kickback. I had kind of forgotten about it, so the money was a lovely little surprise. If you’re doing any online shopping or traveling this holiday season, I recommend that you create an eBates account to take advantage of every savings opportunity.*

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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It’s time again for Five Frugal Things!

1. My sons’ morning soccer game was only a mile or so from the house. My husband, (the coach) needed to drive, as he had all the equipment, but I took my time showering, drinking tea, etc. and then walked the distance. Normally soccer games are waaay across town, and I almost drove the short distance out of habit. Because I made the choice to walk, I found a lovely rain soaked plaid wool scarf on the sidewalk of a busy street. I wrung it out, and will add it to our stash of winter wear after a good washing. Who knows, I might even end up giving it as a holiday gift.
2. I did drive across town to help my mother finish getting one of her rental cottages ready for a new tenant. The last tenant left it an absolute sty, and I hadn’t been able to help as I was working at the hospital. I gave her an hour of my undivided attention which made a huge difference, as she’s awaiting knee replacement surgery and is unable to crouch on her hands and knees. (There was much ground-in food everywhere!) I did not charge my mother for this short use of my time, but I did bring home a half bag of leftover groceries, and she’ll include me in a restaurant lunch with the woman who did help her the day before.
3. I stopped at Goodwill on my way home and brought home nothing. I did snap a few Instagram photographs to include in a future Goodwill, Badwill, Questionable-will post. I also popped into Grand Central Bakery, as my husband had made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, and I was tasked with picking up a baguette for garlic bread. I checked their Twitter feed to see if it was a Tweet for Treats day and indeed it was! Sadly, they were all out of that day’s particular treat, but that meant I was able to choose something else. The mini pumpkin bundt cake was too adorable to leave behind, so I brought it home for the boys to split. And there were no complaints.
4. I’ve picked up four free Lindt chocolate bars this week through printing out the $2-off-one coupons. I think the coupons.com one is depleted, but you can still like Lindt on Facebook to get two. Both Walgreens and Rite-Aid have the bars on sale this week, so make sure you take full advantage of this tasty offer! I will use the chocolate as holiday gifts, except for the one we had to taste test. You know, for safety reasons . . .
5. I did a big deliberate Safeway grocery shopping trip, making sure to load their Just4U coupons onto my club card. I also used one of their $10-off-$50 coupons from the newspaper.

Here’s what I bought:

• Two boxes of store brand Cheerios.
• Two boxes of penne pasta.*
• One can of clams.
• One bag of tortilla chips.
• One gallon of fat-free milk.
• One half-gallon of whole milk.
• Two containers of frozen apple juice.
• One bag of whole wheat hamburger buns.
• One two-pound loaf of Tillamook cheddar cheese.
• Two packages of frozen Swai fish fillets.
• One pomegranate.*
• 2.69 pounds of bananas.
• 4.99 pounds of oranges.
• One head of kale.
• One head of garlic.

Total price: $39.39/ 40% savings

*Manufacturer’s coupon used.

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

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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